#i hope this finds you in time! turns out making petit fours from scratch takes a LOT longer than i thought and that's on me

[detective-noire-in-ff14]

Shadows of Kugane

It felt icy in the office. It was the kind of day that a hot drink was desired, but after two unfinished mugs lined the desk, there was little chance the Miqo was going for a third. He shivered slightly, perhaps prompted by intuition to the soft thud of the elevator as it fixed itself to his floor, followed by a hollow knock at the door. “Come in, it's open.” As she entered, the slender figure looked behind her before locking her sapphire gaze on the man. Her gaze was not the only striking attribute; lips lined with a plum gloss that caught the dim light. Her ivory skin warmed against the fire, and her auburn hair framed her features. She was high-born, but all he could think was, why is she here?

D’rynn shook himself free from the stupor. “I don’t get many visitors. Please take a seat,” he said as he stood. Once she sat, he followed suit, bringing out a pen and a piece of paper. The Woman explained the situation, “I didn’t know who else to go to. Our mutual friend said that if he didn’t meet me in three days, I would be in danger and needed to find you.” The Raen chewed on her bottom lip. “It was four days before I could book passage to the Mists; the doorman pointed me to you here, which would make six days since he had gone missing.” D’rynn paused her, “Who went missing?”

Tears formed at the corners of her eyes, “I promised I wouldn’t cry, that not a tear would be wasted until I knew he was… was…” D’rynn interjected, “Let’s start with something easier; who are you... Miss?” The lady returned to her learned form before answering curtly, “Saiko of the Ruby Sea.” The Miqo was deliberately slow in an attempt to draw her into providing more information but had closed herself up like a fan. 

D’rynn pulled a navigation pad from the desk. “Where did you start from?” Saiko replied quickly, “Kugane, the market district. I talked briefly with Hancock.” she was interrupted by the man, “Hancock sent you? Then it is troubling. I've never known him to need outside help.” she nodded, “Just so. He said he needed an outside pair of eyes—someone who could walk in both shadow and light.” D’rynn scratched his chin. “I imagine they sent you with a fee for my services. My contracts are upfront cost and supplies with compensation upon completion.” She glanced at the designer purse in her hands clutched to her breast. He didn’t notice how she was dressed provocatively, within a sultry black and red dress that clung firmly around every curve. His mind focused on the paperwork he had to get drawn up. “How long have you been traveling? You said six days in total?” She nodded slower this time. Standing with a pose to benefit her feminine features. “I was told you men only want one thing from a lady.”

D’rynn chuffed, “Let's get this over with lady. What do you get in the purse? Because we both know you would sooner kill me than share a bed.” She pouted, “Now, why must you be like that? I have no reason to threaten my hero at the moment. Besides, how would I get out of here alive?” The Catte smirked, “So you noticed the security system, but I’m not letting you off the hook; empty the purse on the desk and keep your hands out. I would hate to explain to the janitor why there is a mess.” Saiko dumped the contents, revealing a petite revolver with one shot. D’rynn could tell a potent poison was laced on the slug—no need to disguise the smell when it is coming from a barrel. The raen gave a playful, innocent look, “Oops? How did that get in there.” Her smile turned coy. “Are you going to punish me?” She said with nearly a moan.

D’rynn shook his head, “Why is this gun here if not for me? Who did you expect…” He snapped his fingers together, “You were hoping he would be here already. You gave him plenty of time.” He rotated around the desk, revealing his revolver angled from his hip towards Saiko. She smiled with a sway of her hips, hands wrapping her body, “Is that a gun in your hand, or are you just happy to see me?” D’rynn gave a dry smile. “You would have charmed him, he was always a sucker for a lady in black, but I got perfection waiting for me at home.” He raised the gun, “How about you tell me what is going on?” She pouted again, “You are dull, all talk and no play.” She sat back down and crossed her legs. “Everything I said was true, but I doubt I need to tell you that the best lies are.” He tilted his head, “Now that we have the basics out of the way, Why do you want Kouske?” Her gaze puzzled, “How did you know it was him?” D’rynn sat, putting his feet on the desk, his pistol leaning against his knee. “Because Miss Saiko, he is the only one that would want to sleep with a viper.”

“You know, Mister Lutar, you are a sharp catte. A credit to the race, but let us not pretend you can keep me here. I could go to the Medbay and get an absolute scandal saying any number of things, and the law would require you to prove your innocence. Meanwhile, I can go and keep looking for our friend and make my quick money.” She penned with her index finger at the desk. “Or you come with me and find him. I’ll pay you the usual finders fee.” D’rynn leaned back into his chair, his eyes catching the plushy fox at the base. “I want the money upfront. You leave here without a noise, and I’ll meet you at the crystal.” Saiko placed a finger on her credits strewn across the desk. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

D’rynn picked up the plushy and ran his fingers across the head, “I have got me a real mess.” He placed the precious toy on his desk. “Trouble comes in pairs; the best I can hope for is that home, and all who make it will be there when I get back.”

[venusinmyrrh]

@shimmerge​ asked:

What are some ways you chose to honor or work with Jupiter if you do? I'm limited in my ability to do rituals and wanted to try to do smth for this Thursday since Jupiter is in my sign that day

Doing work on Thursday is a great idea, since that’s Jupiter’s day! Jupiter is the planet of expansion, prosperity, and abundance - many people think of Venus as the money planet, but Jupiter is actually the most ideal for bringing in a steady flow of ever-increasing cash. And while Mercury may be the perfect road-opener to create new opportunities, Jupiter is the one that will make sure those opportunities keep paying off.

Some basic stuff: Jupiter’s color is blue, its traditional number is 4, and its glyph looks like this. Some herbs associated with Jupiter that might be easy to find depending on where you live are dandelion, honeysuckle, and sage. Jupiterian stones are anything blue (especially sugilite and sapphire) so even if you have glass beads or fake stones, as long as they’re blue, go for it! No need for fancy rocks that cost a fortune or take up space.

Things to Do (under the cut)

Wear blue: Jupiter is known for his kingship, and what better way to honor the king than to wear his colors? If you don’t have any blue clothes, then blue nail polish, blue jewelry, or even blue lipstick can be a great way to carry his power around with you all day. For maximum effect, combine it with gold for wealth, green for money, or orange for opportunity (associated with Mercury!)

Light a blue or white candle: This is a pretty easy one as well, if you have access to both candles and fire. Carve something into it, rub it down with oil, roll it in herbs, whatever you like - or just sit gazing into the flames, the way humans have done for hundreds of thousands of years. (We are all part of something bigger than ourselves.)

Meditate: This would be a great thing to do while your candle is lit, especially if you don’t want to leave it unattended (which you should never do anyway unless it’s in a jar AND you’ve taken extra precautions!) Sit quietly somewhere you won’t be disturbed and visualize yourself having everything you want as if you already have it. What is your life like? What do you do each day? How does it make you feel? Now backtrack: visualize how you got there. See how one thing led to another which led to another, taking you all the way from where you are now to where you want to be. Feel proud of yourself! Allow yourself to be sure that things will happen just this way.

Draw a sigil: My sigil formula is symbol that reminds me what I’m trying to achieve + symbol of a thing that can help me achieve it. Trying to get more money? Doodle the glyph for Jupiter combined with a dollar sign until you come up with a design that looks nice, and there you are. Draw it in a notebook, tear it out, and hang it up. Carve it into a candle with a penknife or a paper clip. Draw it in black sharpie on something that is also black. Paint it with water on a window or a door. Draw it on an index card to put in your wallet (very appropriate for Jupiter!) Don’t like designing? Just use the symbol linked above - the important thing is that you’re making a mark with intention.

Write a petition: Write down what you want in the present tense, as if you already have it. “I am wealthy, with no financial worries for the future. I have more than enough money to buy clothes and go to restaurants. I fly first class when I travel, which I do often.” Get into detail! Be descriptive and passionate. Many people become so overwhelmed with emotion at this part that they start to cry, and that’s a good thing. When you’re finished, take the paper and burn it, bury it, throw it into running water, tear it up and throw it off a cliff, whatever. Just put it out into the universe and out of your mind, so it can do its work.

Make a vision board: Jupiter is a big, big thinker, so make something that depicts your long-term goals and your wildest dreams. It’s best to do this with your hands, as in a physical collage, but pinterest boards and tumblr aesthetics work too! The important thing is that you don’t limit yourself in your vision. Your goals are more realistic than you think.

Make big plans: You know that thing you’ve always said you were going to do? Commit to it now! Buy the guitar you’ve always been meaning to learn to play, make that big painting you’ve been thinking of for a while now, or call up your old college friend and tell them you’re planning on visiting next year. The first step is often the biggest and hardest one to take, so once that’s out of the way, the rest of the details will become a lot easier to sort out.

Do something generous: True kingship is stewardship. If there is something you have an abundance of, whether it’s time, knowledge, patience, or skill, consider giving some to a person who could use it, just to help them out. When we are generous with the world around us, we express our trust that the world will be generous with us in return.

Cook with butter or eat something deliciously fatty: Be generous with yourself too! Jupiter is not stingy with the good stuff, so don’t hold out in the name of discipline. Some great foods to incorporate would be fruit, cheese, nuts, meats, bread, pie, cake, or champagne. The king doesn’t need a reason to throw a feast, and neither do you!

For more information, check out:

Betwixt the Shadows on Youtube, run by my boss at the occult shop and the head tarot reader who is also an accomplished astrologer. They take questions every week!

@salvatore_modern_witch, my boss’s instagram, where he posts lecture videos based in his forty years of experience in planetary and ceremonial magic. (It is not very fancy, because he is an old man, but it is super informative!)

Sphere and Sundry, which combines the most potent planetary magical materia with the most incredibly comprehensive product descriptions I have ever seen. Even if you don’t feel like shopping, their website is worth ransacking for the information alone.

Austin Coppock’s online almanac and just in general everything that @adapembroke has going on.

Go forth and be merry in your power!

[fablesofkitkat]

short pov: you're in love with Tsukishima Kei but he's in love with someone else

synopsis: you're Karasuno's volleyball club mascot.

Look at me now, I'm falling. I can't even talk, still stuttering

- The Vamps

AN: not even Haikyuu is safe from my povs.

img cc: taka_mitsuya

---

You stare at your club application sheet, glaring at the paper like it did you wrong. The fact that it exists, makes you wanna burn down Karasuno High. Why? Being part of a club is compulsory. Is it wrong to laze around after school hours? Studying the whole day isn't enough, but there has to be extracurricular activities?

Someone peered over your shoulder and you glanced at Yachi, an acquaintance with features of a petite body, blonde hair and brown eyes. What was she doing here in your class?

"Hey, Yachi." You nodded in greeting to which she immediately started bowing her head several times in motion, apologizing for peeking at your paper. "It's fine, you don't have to apologize."

She lets out a sigh of relief, hand over her chest and gives you a smile. Yachi's cute alright, she's quite popular with everyone. "You haven't decided which club yet?" She tilts her head.

You shrug. "Not sporty, not smart enough for shogi or chess, I don't have talent for art either."

"I see." She nods seriously, and then opens her mouth to say more but she seemed to have changed her mind. "Hope you find a club you'll have the best time with."

"Yeah, thanks. What're you here for?"

"I'm here to remind a member from my club to attend practice after class."

"Which club are you in?"

"Volleyball."

It was your turn to tilt your head in confusion this time. Yachi wasn't athletic like you and she's, well... too short for the sport.

"I know." She scratches the back of her head. "I'm not a player. I'm the manager but I did have the same thoughts as you when I saw a super short member of the club. Mistook him for a manager but he's actually a player."

"Really?" You let out an intrigued huff. "But how does he play if he's short? Height is everything to most sports."

Yachi gives you a mysterious grin. "Why don't you come and see for yourself?"

---

You eventually joined the volleyball club with Yachi as a backup manager. If she gets sick, the responsibility falls to you so you observed what stuff she does for the club. She checks the equipment every practice, before and after. Checks if the net has worn down, or if the volleyball has faults. She has a sewing kit ready in case the members stretched out their jersey too much. It's not even exclusive to the jersey, she patches up their school uniforms! There's also having towels at the ready for practice breaks and water. Kami-sama, Yachi is basically the mother.

And she did these things all by herself before you joined the club?

"Oi."

Someone calls your attention, and you glared up at Tsukishima. He has short blond hair, pale skin, thin eyebrows, and golden-brown eyes. He wears a frown on his face. He hasn't changed into his jersey yet, and his white headphones rests comfortably around his neck.

"If you let Yachi do everything around here, you might as well be a mascot."

You jut your chin at him, "This is coming from someone who acts like they hate volleyball."

"Mascot."

"Oh, like I'm insulted, four-eyes."

"Sure you are, look at how you sewed the button of my blazer." He waves his arm at you once, and the chaotic stitching is prominent on the cuffs. "Not really manager material. Your sewing sucks."

You stare him down, grumbling. _"Fine."_

"What?"

You cross your arms, standing up and you're still looking up at him. You suddenly grab his blazer. He lets out a surprised squawk and he keeps your hands at bay but you managed to grip his blazer, bunching them up and you try to get it off him.

"What're you doing?"

"What do you mean what am I doing? Give me your blazer, I'll fix it better!"

"No!"

"I'm taking it off you!"

"Will you stop—

You try to over power him, pushing yourself closer, and placing one leg between his. "Just take it off—"

"No."

Your shoes made alot of squeaking as you try to topple him over in vain. There was a noise of frustration from you as you let go. "Whatever! Freaking giant!"

"That's not an insult you know." He looks at you bewildered, his uniform rumpled. Hair sticking out in crazy angle and his headphones halfway falling off from his neck with all the shaking you did to him.

---

You walk home with the club after the match with Shirtorizawa. Everyone was praising Tsukishima's block. That was when the match really got going for everyone. Tsukishima broke Shirtorizawa's point streak and it boosted everyone's morale at that point on.

He smugly took the compliment and dished back a dose of criticism to his team mates as he nonchalantly took the heavy bag that contained the puffy Karasuno mascot costume you made by yourself. He grabs the head from you before you could protest, giving you a quick glance mumbling, "The mascot helped."

He wore the head saying it was easier this way and now you're left with nothing on your hands, and thoughts to yourself. The glimpse of Tsukishima's reddening ears before he hid his face with the mascot head was because of everyone's compliment to him, right?

---

Reasons why you shouldn't be crushing on Tsukishima.

1) He likes to rile you up. -The headpats afterwards are nice though-

2) He calls you mascot. Srsly, what is up with that? So you showed him and went to the Shirtorizawa match in a crow mascot. -He would always carry the costume for you to every match since then-

3) You hate his smile. That condescending smirk is just freaking infuriating. -You daydream that smirk of his. Alot-

4) Too blunt for your tastes. -You lost count on how many times him teasing others made you snicker in the background-

5) He flaunts that blazer you fixed for him the first time with its ugly stitches. -He should really quit teasing you. It's a dangerous game he's playing-

---

You wiggled your whole body, dancing as the mascot in a match against Date Tech High. The whole team laughed at the effort you put in to boost their spirits. You took off the head, your whole body is drenched in sweat with the routine you just did. You blinked as drops ran down your eyelids.

Your eyes finds Tsukishima drinking a bottle of water he's taken from Yachi's hands, his hand pats her head. She shyly says something as she makes her rounds with the other team members. His eyes follow her. It hit you. He never riles her up.

Your eyes burned at the sight and it's not because of the salt on your sweat.

Number six why you shouldn't like Tsukishima: he likes someone else.

[everyhowlmarksthedead]

Disaster.

JAVIER PEÑA. ┃ NARCOS.

❝ words: about 1.8k

❝ warnings: nsfw, unprotected sex, mention of bodily fluids, language, soft Javi.

❝ summary: Never let Javier do the laundry.

❝ a / n: This is a writing for Javier that has four years or more, but I translated it to English. Dialogues are in spanish, but this work also contains the translations. As always, I hope you enjoy and feedback is appreciated ❤.

Gif credits to the author.

MASTERLIST. ⎢ MULTIFANDOM TAG LIST.

The sunbeams through the curtains disturb your peaceful sleep, rolling tangled in the soft sheets to toss an arm over Javier's chest. But it falls over the cold mattress. Growling still not awake at all, you palm his empty side of the bed. Sitting up on your left arm, you glance through the door to the living room. No noise outside his dorm that makes you know he's still at his house. Lying on your back and tilting your head with a puff escaping your lips, your eyes land on a hand-written note on his nightstand waiting for you to be read. Kissing your lips, you stretch an arm to grab it. “Te quiero hablar sobre algo más tarde, me esperas, ¿sí? Te amo, pendeja”.

The first time he called you like that was the day you met him —or more precisely, the day you almost ran over him. You remember him with both hands on the hood of your car, screaming at you “¿qué pasó, pendeja? A caso, ¿no me vió?” You were focused on texting your boss, but when you raised your eyes and made eye contact both you and him fell for each other, a fact that surprised you when his partner told you he was a perro; every night with a different woman.

A goofy smile curves your lips, feeling yet the kisses Javier spread last night all over your skin, just hoping he has left some coffee for you when you decide to get up. Directing your steps to his wardrobe, fully naked, you pick one of his t-shirts impregnated with his heavenly smell to wear it. You don't have anything planned for today other than enjoying your free day and wait for him to come back, so when you see the mess his house is in your opinion, you settle on cleaning it.

After having breakfast como Dios manda, you start for the living room. Except for the documents and the archives from his job, you pick up all the trash around, before sweeping the floor and dust the furniture. Once it is done, you continue with the laundry. God, this man has clothes thrown throughout the house. Putting them inside the basket, you bring them to the kitchen, but you have to leave aside your task when you find the washing machine already occupied. You're starting to tremble. Javier is a disaster, and you don't need to be a genius to realize it. So, when you see a red shirt inside, mixed with your white clothes, you pray for everything you know.

Opening the small door, you confirm your suspicion.

“¡PUTA MADRE! ¡NO JODAS! ¡HUEVÓN MALPARIO'!”

(Shit! Son of a bitch!)

Music in Spanish sounds all around the house, with the kitchen as the epicenter. You're cooking something for dinner, wearing a short chiffon dress —that makes your legs stand out and that used to be white, now is some kind of pink—, stalling till Javier comes back. Oh, he's going to pay for what happened.

“¿Mi amor?” The front door gets closed while hearing his voice calling you. “¡Ya regresé! ¿Dónde te metis— whoa, whoa, whoa…”

(¿My dear? I'm back! Where are you?)

Your boyfriend stops in his tracks as his mouth drops to the floor. Taking off his aviator sunglasses, you find him ogling you with eyes widened. He gulps to wet his sore throat while licking his bottom lip.

“A ver, a ver… voltéate”. He whispers waving his index finger doing circle moves.

(Let's see, turn around).

In silence, you obey his petition in slow motion so he can delight with the views, drawing a gunny grimace on your face. When you face him again, he is crossing himself thanking God. Raising both eyebrows, you take some steps closer swinging your hips to provoke him a little more, having so much fun.

“¿Sí te gusta mi vestido, hm?”

(Do you like my dress, hm?)

He just nods his chin fascinated, not being able to speak.

“Está bonito, ¿verdad? Pero… pues más bonito estaba cuando era blanco”. You reply, lifting both arms at the sides of your body.

(It's beautiful, isn't it? But... It was perfect when it was white).

“¿Cómo así, mi amor?”

(What do you mean, my love?)

Javier doesn't understand what's going on when you practically drag him through the kitchen to the clothesline outside, pointing at your white clothes, now of a strange pink discolored, he has to swallow a giggle. Pressing his lips together, he scratches the bridge of his nose doing his best to not laugh.

“A ver, cuéntame el chiste. Así me río yo también”.

(Tell me the joke. So I can laugh too).

“¡No me estoy riendo!” He feigns to be offended raising his hands to his chest.

(I'm not laughing!)

“Seguro… ¿No es esa tu camisa favorita?” You ask making a soft and brief move with your chin.

(Sure... Isn't that your favorite shirt?)

Putting his brown eyes on the piece of clothing he's wearing, he doesn't have a chance to reply when you ruin it and all its buttons by a strong pull, making them fall to the floor. A proud grin curves your lips up, while Javier tries to babble something. But the response to your action is better than you could think.

Crashing his lips on yours, his fingers move faster than you can assimilate to undoing his belt and the zip of his jeans, as he devours your mouth hungry like a stray dog. His tongue fights yours in a battle for dominance, pulling down his clothes before forcing you to turn and face the counter. Javier ruins your thong as easily as you have ruined his shirt, causing you to moan when he obligates you to spread your legs for him.

Bending over the counter and sticking out your ass, hearing him jerking off his delicious cock, your boyfriend digs his hardness as deep as he can into your soaked cunt. You cry out his name inevitably. Javier spits an animalistic groaning onto your ear. It doesn't matter how many times you two have fuck, you always need a second to adjust to his length, but this time he doesn't give you the opportunity. Not losing time, he grabs your throat with his right hand whilst the other presses your body to the counter from behind. Javier rocks his hips furiously, back and forth, running out of air. Soon, your moans and your whinings fill the kitchen, as the dry noise his pelvis produces when it crashes your limits.

“Si querías coger… solo tenías que decirlo”. He hisses lost in the pleasure, thrusting you harder with every move.

(If you wanted to fuck, you just had to ask for it).

It's not like he's mad at you, it's more like he is trying to compensate you for what he has done. He knows to perfection how to worship your body, how to make you feel loved and desired; but he also knows to perfection that you prefer him to be rougher than gentle —pulling your hair, choking you, biting your neck, making you beg.

“Ah, Javi…”

“Sí te gusta que te… coja, ¿no?”

(Do you like how I fuck you, right?)

“Sí, sí… Más rápido, por favor… por favor”.

(Yes, yes... Faster, please... please).

Your right-hand wraps his wrist, securing a little more the grip on your throat before guiding his other to your legs, straight to your throbbing clit.

“Tan ansiosa, tan necesitada mi gatita”.

(So anxious, so needy my kitten).

His forefinger caresses your finger so softly that he could kill you, quite the opposite of his waist.

“Qué rico…” You gasp enraptured, arching your back and tilting your head to reach his lips.

The fight of your tongues continues, drinking each other's pleasing growls, while the pace of his finger increases too close to the orgasm.

“No pares… no pares, por favor”. You beg onto his mouth, trailing his lips after over your jawline down to your neck.

(Don't stop... don't stop, please).

Nailing his teeth causing you to whimper loudly, your legs start to tremble as Javier digs his twitching hardness into you once and once, not letting you breathe for a second and pushing you to the edge. You can't help but scream his name, just like he loves, feeling the tickles exploding within your belly and letting yourself go. Your boyfriend only needs some more pushes straight to your g-spot to come inside you with a delighted howl drown against your neck. His warm seed mixed with your wetness makes him sigh breathless, collapsing over your back as you need to rest your arms over the counter till recovering.

“Me vuelves loco, mujer”. Javier mumbles, placing gentle kisses on your shoulder before caressing it with the tip of his nose.

(You drive me crazy).

Slowly pulling himself out of your overstimulated cunt, stealing you a disappointed whining for the sudden emptiness, he puts on his clothes as you turn around to face him.

“Te ves bien bonita, así toda hecha un desastre”. His perfect and charming smile gives you goosebumps, leaning forward to you to pepper your lips with so much tenderness.

(You look beautiful just like that, messy).

“Qué chistoso”. You chuckle placing both hands on his neck.

(Very funny).

“¿Arrunche en la tina?”

(Cuddles in the bathtub?)

“Por favor”. You just reply before he lifts you on his arms in the most purest bridal style, making you laugh lively and satisfied.

(Please).

In barely a couple of minutes, your bodies are covered by warm water, relaxing every inch of them and making the tension disappear. Javier is lying back on your chest, smoking with both eyes closed as your fingertips gently roam his chest. You have missed him too much today, being something rare for you to not spend your days off together, but he has been through so much work lately.

“¿De qué me querías hablar?”

(What you wanted to tell me?)

“¿Hm…?” Expelling the smoke through his nostrils, Javier raises his chocolate eyes towards yours.

“La nota”. You add referring to the piece of paper you found this morning on his nightstand.

(The note).

“Pensé en que vinieras a vivir conmigo”.

(I was thinking that you could come to live with me).

That's it. No doubts. No questions.

“¿Vivir juntos? ¿Acá?”

(Live together? Here?)

“Sí, acá”. Javier says puckering his lips, moving his mustache funnily. “¿Qué tiene de malo, pues?”

(Yeah, here. What's wrong?)

“Nada, nada… Está bien, me parece chévere”.

(Nothing, it's okay, I like it).

“¿Te parece chévere?” He scoffs sitting up, turning his head towards yours.

(Do you —just— like it?)

“Sí, ¿qué pasó?”

(Yeah, what's up?)

“Pensé que… no sé… que estarías feliz”.

(I thought... I don't know... You'd be happy).

Raising your eyebrows not believing what he's saying, you roll your eyes moving your arms around his neck to push him back again.

“No seas pendejo, Javi… Estoy más que feliz”.

(Don't be an idiot, Javi... I'm more than happy).

Embracing him tightly to your chest, you sink your nose into his neck taking a deep breath from his scent, almost dizzying you.

“Mírate… de perro callejero a perro casero”. You chuckle close to his ear, biting softly his earlobe.

(Look at you... from stray dog to domesticated dog).

“Pendeja…”

[funkylittlebard]

Eskel Can Have Pretty Things, Part 2

Hello!! Good morning (hopefully) @kuripon - here is the next part as promised  Petit fours (well, nice cakes anyway aha) and flowers. 

Part 1 is here 

edit 18/05: Ao3 link

CWs: Eskel has a lot of Feelings TM, his self-esteem is not great in places throughout (specifically about his scars)

Eskel blinked his eyes open blearily, the bright light coming in through the window and shining across his face. He winced, and rolled himself out of bed, padding across to look out into the street below. The townspeople were starting to come out, and he could see a few of them setting up stalls in the road. The sky was mostly clear, only a few clouds scattered across the horizon. Eskel hummed, a small smile curling at his lips, and turned back to the bed. 

Jaskier was still sleeping, his hair tousled, and one hand curled up near his head. He looked peaceful, very much at odds with how he seemed when he was awake, always rushing around to the next adventure. Eskel knelt down next to him, and pressed a kiss to his soft brown curls. Jaskier sighed, rolling towards him as he began to tentatively open his eyes, wincing when the sunlight hit them. Eskel stroked a hand through his hair as he watched the bard wake up, stifling several yawns as he did so. Jaskier snuffled and pulled Eskel closer to him, hiding his face in his neck. 

“Morning,” he mumbled, and Eskel chuckled. 

“Good morning, lark,” he said, still petting his partner’s hair. “Sleep well?” Jaskier only grumbled, making a few noises but no words in response. “Ah, I understand, you’re not ready for words yet,” Eskel said, bringing his bard in close for a hug. Jaskier made a happy sound deep in his chest and hugged him back. 

They sat there contentedly for a few minutes, warmed by the sun streaming in through the window and comfortable in each other’s arms. Eventually, Jaskier pulled back, hands still on Eskel’s shoulders.

“We should go find some breakfast, darling,” he pressed a quick kiss to the witcher’s cheek, and bounced up off the bed, pulling a doublet out of his pack as he fluttered about the room. Eskel smiled as he watched Jaskier’s movements, and pulled himself up. 

A few minutes later, they found themselves wandering along the main path, all sorts of delicious smells filling their noses as they wandered past the different stalls. Jaskier stopped finally in front of a table covered in pastries, and bread, and lots of dainty little cakes. A large grin took over his face, and he pulled at Eskel’s hand. He stood, staring at the selection, and Eskel leant down to rest his chin on the bard’s shoulder, glancing up at the stallholder who was watching them with amusement.

Eskel let out a silent sigh of relief when the woman said nothing about his scars, and he swallowed thickly. He shook his head, hair falling in front of his face, and watched as Jaskier set about ordering what seemed like half the table. He pulled his coin purse off his belt and placed the money down on the table before Jaskier could protest. The merchant continued wrapping their selection of baked goods and tucked them neatly into a small basket, offering him a small smile. Eskel tried to offer one back, hoping it didn’t look too much like a snarl. He felt Jaskier’s smaller hand slip back into his palm before his thoughts could spiral much further, and with a final nod of thanks to the stallholder, they carried on down the street. 

They wandered away from the stalls and followed the path which led them to the meadow on the western outskirts of town. Ambling at a sedate pace through the long grass, Eskel noticed that they were surrounded by wildflowers in a variety of different shades, amber to chartreuse to peach, until at last Jaskier settled on a spot where the grass was slightly shorter, and sat down.

Eskel settled next to him, and watched as Jaskier pulled out a blanket and began laying out the bread and sweet treats. He reached for his belt to offer Jaskier his knife when a gentle hand laid over his own stopped him. 

“You just sit there looking pretty for me, sweetheart. Let me do this,” Jaskier said, smiling at him with a sparkle in his eye. Eskel felt the back of his neck flush with the words- they had known each other for long enough now that he knew all of Jaskier’s comments were genuine, no matter how many he made. He looked away, ducking to stare at the riot of colourful petals surrounding them. Feeling slightly awkward he began fidgeting with a blade of grass, needing to do something with his hands. He plucked one from the ground and spun it round between his fingertips. 

Fingers tipped his head back and up, and he met Jaskier’s smiling, mirthful eyes. “Open up, Eskel,” Jaskier said, and held up a small piece of fruit tart. Eskel swallowed and hesitantly opened his mouth. Eskel felt the back of his neck heat up further, as Jaskier fed him the morsel. The flavours burst in his mouth- sweet raspberry and sharp apple together with a layer of cream. He closed his eyes and shyly leant forward again to accept Jaskier’s next offering. It was some sort of flaky pastry filled with cherries, and Eskel felt his face flush as he let out a tiny moan in response. He pressed his eyes tighter shut, then gasped as he felt a hand thread through his hair and scratch his head. He didn’t know which way to lean, it was all too much, but it was perfect, and he felt so happy, but he didn't know what to do- there was something else being offered to him. He whined slightly as he opened his mouth again- honey cake this time, he thought- and Jaskier pulled back to look at him. “Darling, are you alright?” he asked, concern apparent in his voice. Eskel nodded, and let his face fall against the other man’s chest, taking a moment to catch his breath. 

“I… it’s a lot,” he muttered. He was frustrated that he couldn’t explain himself more clearly and he thumped his forehead against the other man.

“Oof,” Jaskier said, giggling as he reached a hand round to rest on the back of Eskel’s neck, rubbing it soothingly. Eskel felt him kiss the top of his ear, and his breath caught in his throat, suddenly feeling a little dizzy. He clutched the front of Jaskier’s doublet closer to him and buried his face deeper into the solid chest in front of him. He felt a hand rub across the small of his back and a whimper slipped unbidden from his mouth. The hand faltered for only a second, but it made Eskel whine in the back of his throat, blush spreading up to his face, perplexed and embarrassed by how needy he suddenly felt. He knew Jaskier wouldn’t mind, would even appreciate the witcher expressing his emotions in this way, but it was still difficult. He had to be almost entirely closed off and neutral for so much of his life and being allowed to express himself in this way was still new to him. He swallowed thickly, and took a deep breath to compose himself. He eased back, keeping his hands on the doublet for balance, and looked up at Jaskier’s face sheepishly. 

“Sorry about that,” he felt like his face was on fire. He scratched the back of his neck, wincing. Trying to cover his embarrassment, he reached out and plucked a piece of cherry pastry for Jaskier. He held it up and stared at Jaskier for a long moment as the other man licked it from his fingers. Jaskier smiled at him, and they sat quietly for a moment, letting Eskel take a moment to feel more like himself again. 

The sun was still high in the sky, warming his back and making Jaskier’s eyes almost seem to sparkle. Jaskier had reached down into the grass and plucked a few flowers, and was now arranging them into a small pile on the ground. Eskel’s brow furrowed. What was Jaskier doing? He shrugged, and reached across to snatch up another piece of food. He nibbled on a piece of the dark bread and watched from beneath his lashes as Jaskier made his way through the rest of the honey cake. 

“You have such a sweet tooth, Jask,” Eskel whispered, not wanting to disturb the peaceful moment they had made here together. Jaskier smiled back at him, and leant down to give him a kiss, moaning softly when Eskel parted his lips. Eskel whimpered as he caught the taste of all the sugary treats Jaskier had been consuming, and he let himself be pushed down onto his back amongst the flowers. Jaskier sat himself in Eskel’s lap, and ran a hand along his cheek, the expression on his face indulgent. He smiled at Eskel, a twinkle in his eye. Lit up from behind by the soft glowing rays of sunshine, he looked practically angelic… which, lovely as the man was, Eskel knew was far from true. He chuckled and reached up to pull Jaskier down for another slow kiss full of longing. 

He felt a hand slip into his hair, and hummed happily. Jaskier pulled away from the kiss and pressed another to the scarred side of Eskel’s cheek. Eskel felt his breath catch, and he swallowed, blinking rapidly. The hand kept moving through his hair, and when Eskel glanced down to Jaskier’s face, he was met with a beatific smile. His breath stuttered again, as Jaskier kept smiling at him, and slid a dainty sandy coloured flower into Eskel’s hair. 

“Don’t move, they’ll fall and I’m not quite done yet,” Jaskier whispered, catching his tongue between his teeth as he focused intently on threading his selection of wildflowers through Eskel’s dark hair. “The contrast is stunning. Hold still,” Jaskier wiggled off of his lap and rummaged through the basket for a moment before returning with a small looking glass. Eskel looked up at him, brow arched questioningly. 

Jaskier fidgeted, rubbing the back of his neck as a slight flush spread up it. “I travel a lot, and I want to be sure I can always look my best, don’t I? Anyway, it’s not for me right now- look into it!” His excitement was palpable, barely able to sit still as he looked at Eskel with wide hopeful blue eyes. 

Taking a deep breath, Eskel looked into it, prepared to be disgusted by the sight of his own face. Instead, his eyes were drawn to the line of yellow and orange flowers placed carefully through his hair, which for once made his eyes seem less obtrusive and startling, and drew attention away at least a little from his scars. Still staring in the mirror, he watched as his eyes began to shine a little with unshed tears, and he passed the mirror back to Jaskier with a lump in his throat. 

“How did you…” he stumbled to a halt, unable to get the words out. Jaskier smiled at him sadly and ran a hand across his cheek. 

“Eskel, darling. I’ve only brought out what’s already there. You’re gorgeous and I want you to know that too,” he leant in and pressed a chaste kiss to Eskel’s lips. “You deserve to feel that way, and I intend to do everything I can to help with that,” he gave another kiss to Eskel’s trembling lips and leant in one final time. “I love you, Eskel,” he whispered, and kissed him again.  

[noire-pandora]

“Midnight Rendezvous” (and “Take my hand”) for @14daysdalovers. Also on A03

Words: 3162

Pairing: Solavellan

Warnings: it gets a tiny bit steamy towards the end. Nothing too intense but just to be sure. (still not confident enough to write smut. One day!)

Before joining the Inquisition, midnight rarely found Solas wide awake, staring at the ceiling of his room, thoughts racing through his mind and refusing to bend down to his will. In his long life, he succeeded in becoming the master of his thoughts and feelings, able to switch and navigate through them as effortlessly as a seamstress spun her threads. He walked through life, taking pride in his concentration techniques, his indomitable focus not once defeated. Until he met the Inquisitor.

Her mind numbing smirk and cheerful laughter silently found their way into his mind, nestling there and slowly eroding through the barriers set to keep any distraction at bay. Her curiosity and kind nature planted the seed of acceptance in his heart, acceptance that maybe, maybe this Tranquil like world wasn't a world out of his nightmares. 

Slowly, she pushed him to become curious about her life, her thoughts and her mind. There, he found a feeling he had never hoped of meeting again since Mythal's death: love. A gentle, patient love. One that accepted him as he was, without questioning and without prodding his mind to reach his deepest secrets.

And now, midnight found him contemplating those facts, turning and tossing in his humble bed, the sheets wrapping around his ankles. He could not comprehend why she willingly offered her heart to him. Her behaviour forced him to lay awake at night, rummaging on his thoughts, every calming technique he knew unable to stop his mind from thinking about her. For the first time in hundreds of years, someone succeeded in distracting him from walking the ever-changing paths of the Fade. 

He turned on his side to stare at the door, punching his pillow to fluff it, as if that was the reason for his wandering mind. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in through his nose, in an attempt to focus. Instantly the memory of their last heated kiss came to his mind, and he groaned as heat travelled down towards his pelvis. He didn't deserve her, he didn't deserve her love or her acceptance. He should turned his back on her, but the thought of losing her, the idea of another one tasting her lips and curling their fingers into her fire like locks brought a heaviness in his stomach.

A faint knock on the door brought him back to the present, and he opened his eyes, unsure if he indeed heard it. He waited for a voice to follow it and call for him, but no sounds reached his ears after almost a minute. He closed his eyes again, ready to accept the Fade's embrace, when another knock, followed by the sound of shuffling feet interrupted him again. 

This time, confident he heard someone knocking at his door, he rose from the bed, grabbing the robe resting on the back of the chair, to cover his bare torso, wrapping the sash around his abdomen. 

When he opened the door, no one stood in front of it, but he spotted a petite silhouette turning around the corner. He followed it, his footsteps quiet. Soon, the red locks bouncing on the woman's shoulders gave away the silhouette's identity.

"Vhenan?"

"Solas!" she gasped, spinning on her heels to face him. "You're up!"

He hurried his pace to erase the distance between them, the smile on his face creating little wrinkles around his eyes and grooves in his cheeks. "Yes, I am. But why are you awake at this hour? Nightmares?" he slipped a hand around her waist to pull her close and kissed her head. Heat radiated through his chest as she softly giggled at his touch. 

"No, couldn't sleep, so I decided to walk around for a while." 

He hummed, cocking an eyebrow at her. He knew his love roamed the halls of the castle at night, but something in her cheeky smile made him suspicious of that answer "Is that so? And where are you heading?"

"Well," she started, placing one hand on his chest, raising her chin to look at his face. "Do you know Josephine will meet with a few Orlesian nobles in the morning? The type of people who keep their noses crinkled like they smell shit everywhere?"

"Yes," he patiently answered, tilting his head to the side. He took a step back, his hands living her body.

"And she asked Marin to bake sweets for them. But, the last time he did that, the Orlesians refused to eat it."

"Oh, is that so?"

She nodded. "Yeah, he told me the next day, when I went to grab some food from the kitchen. He ranted about how the Orlesians can't appreciate the skills of a Ferelden baker. After that, he mopped around for days, doubting his skills." 

"Too bad. His sweets are delicious." 

"Exactly. And I'm sure tomorrow they will refuse to eat Marin's sweets again, and he'll end up upset for another week. I have a plan to stop that." 

"A plan?" he repeated, leaning forward to examine her face. She had excellent plans at day, but at night, her ideas transformed into various shenanigans, like stealing food from the kitchen and having a late dinner in the courtyard, under the ancient oak tree. The cooks of Skyhold learned how to hide the food they cooked for the next day before the Inquisitor's nose caught a whiff of it and devoured it at night.  

"Yes. I'm going to eat everything he baked for them."

Solas caught a glimpse of pride shining in her eyes as she announced her plan. He bit down on his lip to contain a laugh. "What? Why? How would that help the poor man?"

"When he finds out that the Inquisitor snuck out at night to eat his sweets, he will be annoyed but also happy because the word will spread. And everyone will know how I, the most important person in this hold, ate his food like a glutton," a knowing grin grew on her face, a grin that was too infectious to fight.

In moments like this, when she uttered her plans with unshakable confidence, her shoulders back and chin raised high, he realised why every single soul in the Inquisition followed her without doubting her. Right now, if she decreed she planned to move the mountains, he would believe her instantly. But the idea of making a man feel better by devouring his food brought a smile on his face and reminded him how strange she could sometimes be.

"Oh, the brave Inquisitor, always sacrificing herself for the wellbeing of her subjects." he jested, offering her a bemused smile.

"But of course! C'mon, let's go, we still have a few hours until the cook's apprentice will wake up to heat the ovens."

She walked away from him a few meters, but she stopped as Solas didn't follow her. 

"Are you coming?" she asked, holding out her hand for him to take it.

"Is that the reason why you knocked at my door?" 

"Yes, I want to share them with you. I like to eat, but I doubt I'll be able to eat the sweets made for four people." 

"Vhenan, you know I prefer not to eat at night."

She huffed, rolling her eyes at him. "A late dinner won't kill you," she muttered, shaking her head. "Oh, c'mon Solas, it's going to be fun. Take my hand and join me in this quest of keeping sadness away from my dear subjects!" 

With her hand outstretched for him to grab it, and a serious frown knitting her eyebrows, Solas couldn't say no to her. He took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers to walk by her side on their way to the kitchen. 

The hallways were empty, their soft steps resounding in the silence. The majority of the people inhabiting Skyhold slept soundly, a few snores and grumbles reaching Solas' ears. From time to time, he could hear giggles coming from some rooms, and he hurried his step, eager to respect the privacy of those behind the doors.

The wall sconces held large touches to illuminate their way, and, in combination with their Elvhen sight, they could clearly see the path ahead of them. The flames cast long shadows on the floors, and sometimes, their light touched Elluin's face, colouring her pale, freckled kissed skin a soft orange. He found himself staring at her as they walked, his mouth drying and his throat growing thick. An impervious need to touch her, to push her against the wall and kiss her until she moaned with pleasure took over him, clouding his mind. He took a deep breath to steady himself, annoyed she broke his indomitable focus without actually doing anything. He fixed his gaze on the floor, counting backwards from one hundred to calm himself, refusing to take another look at her. 

After a few more minutes of walking in silence, they reached the kitchen, one of the three kitchens in Skyhold. The smell of cinnamon and yeast tickled his nose as Elluin slowly opened the door, carefully not to announce their presence. He followed her, closing the door behind him with a low thud. 

Inside, the three, tall working tables stood spotless, with no trace of flour or dough to stain their surface. The measuring cups were lined up on the tabletop, small soldiers waiting for orders. He could see the pans, plates and brushes through the cupboards display, their doors locked. He frowned, staring at the small locks, wondering why the baker decided to lock his tools so diligently. 

A  clay oven with a thick iron door, large enough for a person to climb inside, stood in a corner along the wall. A long flue reached outside through the wall, specially built by the baker to avoid any fumes escaping in the room. Solas admired the man's ingenuity and his ability to keep everyone safe without the usage of magic. He spent a few fascinating hours speaking with him, learning more about the art of creating functionally clay ovens. 

"Well, this is weird," Elluin commented, scratching her cheek. "I can't see any tray with sweets." 

He snorted. "I believe the Master Baker hid his creations from you. The man learned his lesson." 

She rolled up her sleeves, revealing her toned arms. "Like that's going to stop me."

She approached one of the locked cabinets and grabbed a lockpick from her pocket, jamming it into the lock, twisting it a few times. "Let's see if Varric's lock-picking lessons will help me."

As Elluin struggled with the lock, he studied the room, one finger gently tapping his lips, his eyes analysing the potential hiding spots. He realised a man as bright as Marin would know better than to hide his food in locked cupboards. No, that was a trick, an ingenious method to keep the intruder busy until one of the kitchen workers heard the noise and came to stop them. It had to be somewhere in plain sight, a location no one would think about.

"The oven," he muttered, snapping his fingers. "Elluin," he spoke out, a faint trace of excitement in his voice. "The oven, he hid them in the oven. That door is closed to hide the tray from our view." 

"The oven?" she made her way towards the oven, narrowing her eyes. "Why would he hide it there? There's ash everywhere!" 

"Good question. Let us see."

The iron door made no sound as he pulled it opened, a testament of the cook's care. A faint magical barrier buzzed around the brass tray inside it, protecting the brownies from any ash or unburned charcoal. 

"Magic!" she laughed, slapping the back of her thigh. " I can't believe this. He asked a mage to cast a barrier on his brownies." 

"Indeed." He gave her a satisfied smile and crossed his arms, content he uncovered the cook's plans. 

Elluin licked her lips as she waved her hands to cancel the spell. She reached for the tray and gulped down with gluttony, her mouth watering at the chocolate covering the brownies. She grabbed one, the tray dangerously balanced in her left hand, and bit it. A moan escaped her lips as the chocolate poured from inside it. Solas eyed her, the sound leaving her mouth causing his fingers to twitch as if pushing him to touch her. 

"Vhenan," he intervened, taking the tray from her and setting it on the table. "How do you plan to eat twelve pieces of chocolate filled cake without getting sick?"

"That's why I asked you to come here with me, I need your help." she gulped down the food, hitting her chest with her fist as it refused to go down. "Those bastards don't deserve all this chocolate. It's been years since I tasted it, not gonna let it go to waste," she bit down on another, humming with pleasure and licking her fingers. "Take one, you're going to love it." 

He gingerly took a piece from the trail, admiring the perfectly spread layer of chocolate, the soft texture reminding him of satin. He smelled it, the hint of vanilla tempting him to take a bite. The chocolate melted in his mouth, wrapping his tongue in a thick layer of pure pleasure. He closed his eyes, and a sigh of satisfaction escaped his throat. 

"Delicious, isn't it?" Elluin remarked, smirking at him. "I knew you'd love it." 

He opened his eyes and offered her a small smile. "You were right."

She winked at him and grabbed another piece, shoving half of it in her mouth. He laughed and shook his head at her, worried for the integrity of her jaw. He watched as she devoured three more brownies, baffled by her ability to swallow the food barely chewed. 

A feeling of weightlessness cloaked his soul as she beamed with happiness, her cheeks rosy with delight. Her joy was contagious, and he smiled at her, grateful she chose to spend this moment with him. She picked him over the hundreds of people around her, over the men and women who craved for her love. She offered her heart and joy to him, a man who hid the truth, a man who had no right to receive this pure, untainted happiness. His shoulders dropped, and he averted his eyes from her smile. 

She came closer to him, her fingers reaching for his chin, gently encouraging him to face her again. "You're doing that again," she whispered, her breath tickling his skin. "Getting lost inside your head. Don't. Stay here with me." 

His gaze still avoided her face. "I apologise. My thoughts distracted me from the present."

"Is that so?" she murmured." I know the perfect way to keep you here."

Before he had a chance to ask more about it, Elluin grabbed the collar of his robe, pulling him down towards her to meet her chocolate cover lips. His lips instantly parted, as her tongue darted out to lick them, eager to explore his mouth. His muscles relaxed, hands resting lazily on her butt. She was right, he thought as his fingers curled into her hair, gently tugging it. When she kissed him, nothing mattered anymore, just the taste of her lips and the faint scent of lily of the valley coming from her hair. 

Her hand moved to the nape of his neck, slipping under his robe. The touch of her skin against his sent a shiver of pleasure down his spine, and he moaned, raw and insatiable lust replacing any thought.  He pushed her against the table, and her knees gave out, her butt hitting the tabletop. She wrapped her legs and hands around him, as if afraid he will pull away. 

He wanted her. Right here and right now. He wanted to taste her skin, to follow the path of her freckles with his lips, from the top of her forehead to her toes. To make her sing as his tongue played with her folds, to finally taste her. He wished for nothing more than his nighttime fantasies to transform into reality. And right now, he couldn't care less they were in a kitchen, where anyone could find them. 

A low growl left his throat as a part of his mind screamed at him, yelled at him to stop this foolishness, to remember his real purpose, his identity. He had no right to taste her body when he gave her only half-truths. He was wrong to take her fully when he hid parts of him. She deserved more than this, more than a man who was too afraid to speak the truth. 

With a draining effort, he broke the kiss, gently pushing her away from him. She whimpered as his body left hers and she opened her eyes, arousal and confusion blending in her gaze. 

He shook her head when her hands reached for him again. "No. This is not right." 

Before Elluin could answer, the door opened with a loud bang, and a woman entered the room, waving a cooking paddle and shouting at them. "How many times do I have to kick you out, you thieves, this isn't the place for…." she stopped in her tracks, eyes widening with shock as she noticed the two of them.

"Your Grace! And you!" she frowned at Solas, confused by his presence. He could see it on her face how the pieces clicked together in her mind, her eyebrows shooting up. "I'm sorry Herald, I had no idea you two--," she stammered, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "I have to warm  the oven, but I'll come later," she left in a hurry, barely giving them another glance. 

Solas sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, his hopes for keeping the matters of their relationship private, shattered. 

"Well, this was bound to happen sooner or later," Elluin nonchalantly explained, getting off from the table and reaching for another brownie. "Until morning, every single person in Skyhold will think the Inquisitor had sex with the weird elf in the kitchen."

"Venan, I," he started, but she interrupted him with a wave of his hand. 

"Don't apologise. You told me months ago you aren't ready and now you weren't ready yet. I get it," she shrugged, shoving the cake in her mouth, slowly chewing it. 

Solas stared at his toes, cursing his mind for not stopping him faster. 

"But I did enjoy our intense make-out session," she giggled and winked at him as he raised his head to look at her. 

"C'mon, we still have a few of those. Let's be fast before that lady comes back and finds us here again. "

He watched her, eyes widen, once again awestruck by her kindness. Why? Why did she accept his explanations so easily? He had no idea, but he knew one thing: this fantastic, mysterious, infuriating woman would be his undoing. And he gladly accepted it because her love tasted like chocolate and brownies. 

[dreamer213]

Broken Machines: Lights The Dark

Chapter 10 Saturday School Kids Can Be Cruel.

Friday night had been pretty fun when Penny finally got home. She had called Pietro earlier in the day to tell him not to make her too much for dinner because she had a big lunch. She managed to keep the petit fours a secret until she got home. When she did get home, she plopped the box down on the table while he had his back turned and shouted “SURPRISE” as he turned around. He was so surprised he almost dropped their dinner, but Penny took the tray off his hands before anything got ruined. That night they had baked potatoes with tiny cakes and tea for dessert. The following morning Penny woke up to a pre-made plate of bacon and eggs, some money, and a note.

“ Morning Penny, They had to call me in for some emergency maintenance on the mech’s cannon again. There’s gonna be a lot to be done so I won’t be back till tomorrow. Be safe while I’m gone; remember to eat and stay charged.”

“Love you Sunshine, Dad.”

Penny: He won’t be home till tomorrow. I’m going to be alone here until tomorrow.

Penny frowns unconsciously; she had rarely been away from her dad since she was stationed. His presence had been her only constant comfort since the tournament; she hadn’t gone a day without him and she had never thought about what would happen if she had to. It’s honestly quite scary to be alone with nothing be her thoughts. Whenever she was, everything felt so small, so quiet, so….. suffocating like a black void pooling around her.

Penny: No one will be here when I get back or when I go to sleep tonight. When it’s dark, it’ll just be, be-

Penny shakes her head, pushing out the worrying thoughts before they get worse.

Penny: Stop. You are fine, you are strong, you are not hopeless, and one night on your own will not hurt you. Just eat your breakfast and go to work.

Penny sits down at the table and quietly eats her now cold breakfast. Once she’s done, she washes her dishes, turns off all the lights, and heads off to her morning patrol. The patrol went well, no robberies or emergencies today, for some reason this didn't make Penny happy, even though it meant she would have less paperwork at the end of the day. Before long, it’s time to help at the training facility. Saturdays and Sundays were always the easiest days of the week at the facility as most academy students rested or went home on weekends, and most hunters took it easy on the weekends too, so besides makeup sessions and a few fitness hobbyists, no one came in. Which meant Penny was never requested on these days. Or so she thought. When she arrived, Penny is told that a team has requested her assistant for their session and was waiting for her in her usual room. This surprised her but Penny did as she was told and headed towards the training room. As she walked, she wondered who could have possibly asked for her on a Saturday afternoon. Could it be Winter? No, she liked to train by herself. Academy students? No, any student who came in on the weekend was to be monitored by a teacher. Could it..Ciel?...No there was no possible way she had asked for her. Penny kept pondering, but no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t guess who could be waiting for her in that room. She’d just had to go in and see for herself. Once she finally reached the training room, the moment she enters the room, something tackles her! Penny wrests her attacker onto the floor and pins their hands behind their back. She’s about to question them when she feels something touch her back. She grabs it, gripping it tightly in her hands. She looks at it and sees it’s a long fluffy orange tail.

Penny: An orange cat tail? Neon Katt?

Penny looks down and realizes she’s holding down Neon!

Neon: Yeah, it’s me. And if not too much to ask, could you let go of my tail and GET OFF ME!

Penny: Right away. I’m so sorry!

Penny lets her go, and they both get off the floor. Before Penny can ask why Neon tackled her, Neon starts rolling towards the rest of her team. Penny tries to keep up and ask her what’s going on, but Neon wouldn't even look at her. When they finally reach the rest of the team, FNKI Neon hides behind Flynt. Penny gives up on Neon and decides to just wait to ask one of the others.

Penny: Good afternoon Team FNKI.

Flynt: Hey Penny, nice to see you.

Ivori: Afternoon to you too, Ms. Penny.

Kobalt: Sup Penny, hope you got affairs in order cause you’re about to see hell. (chuckles)

Ivori: Koco!

Ivori pops Kobalt in his side with the handle of his whip. Kobalt rubs his side in pain and annoyed.

Kobalt: Ow, the hell Ivy!

Ivori: Could you please not act like a jackass for one minute.

Kobalt: How was I being a jackass? We know what’s about to go down, I was just giving her a heads up!

Ivori: Still, would it kill you to show some tact for once. I mean Is it really so hard for you to-

Penny: Excuse me.

Both young men stop and return their attention to Penny.

Penny: What exactly is going on? I have no idea what is happening and what exactly I’ve done to get this kind of reaction. Could one of you please explain?

Flynt: Yeah, sorry about that. You see what happened was-

Suddenly, Neon pushes Flynt out of the way and gets in Penny’s face. She gets less than an inch away from Penny’s face, looking really upset.

Neon: You didn’t call.

Penny: Excuse me?

Neon continues to stare her down, arms crossed with a big frown on her face.

Neon: You didn’t call me! I gave you my number, asked you to call me, waited two weeks for you to call, but you never did. So rude!

Penny: I am sorry Neon, I have been very busy for the last few weeks and hadn’t thought about our conversation since then.

Neon: Wow, talk about thoughtless. Or am I just that forgettable to you?

Penny: No, I just had over things I needed to give my full attention to at the time. That and I didn’t have anything to talk about.

Neon: Uh, That’s so not true! What about that “secret mission” Ironwood has you working on?

Penny: I’m not supposed to talk about that.

Neon: Yeah, with civilians! You’re supposed to gossip about your crazy missions and stupid paperwork with coworkers, stupid. Sharing wild stories is like the best thing about being a soldier! And besides, this isn’t just an everyday mission; it's one the General himself had to come to your house and get you out of bed for. How could you not wanna talk about that?

Penny: How did you know about that?

Neon: Same way I shoulda heard from you. Now talk! I wanna hear everything!

Penny stares blankly at Neon as she piece together what she just heard. She looked over at the rest of Team FNKI; the three young men were standing awkwardly, embarrassed but unsurprised by Neon’s actions. Finally understanding what’s going on, Penny turns her attention back to Neon.

Penny: So if I’m hearing this correctly, you request this room and my presence with sole purpose of having a recreational conversation?

Neon: Yeah!

Penny: And you do realize that in doing so, you are misappropriating both military equipment and personnel?

With that, Neon’s pout drops, and so does her tail, Flynt facepalms and hangs his head, Ivori does everything he can to avoid making eye contact, and Kobalt’s looking around and whistling, trying his best to play it cool. Penny crosses her arms, unimpressed by their silly plan.

Penny: Team FNKI, please leave this area immediately so that others may use it properly.

Neon: What! Oh come on, no one even comes here on Saturday!

Penny: That is incorrect and irrelevant; this room is for training purposes only, not socializing. If you aren’t going to train then you have to leave. Those are the rules we must follow as soldiers.

Neon: OMG, Are you really doing this right now? Ugh why do you have to be such a narc-

Neon is quickly interrupted by Flynt getting in between the warring redheads.

Flynt: Okay, I’m sensing way too much hostility here, so why don’t we all just take as sec to calm down and come up with some kind of solution.

Neon about to start arguing again but Flynt turns to her and puts a hand on her cheek; he caresses her cheek with his thumb and lightly scratches her jawline with his other fingers. Soon Neon lets out a low purr as she full calms down from her hissy fit.

Flynt: Kitty, I know you just wanna talk, but we gotta follow the rule. So, how about this, you like skating, right?

A now calm Neon simply nods her head as she continues to receive scratches.

Flynt: Then how about you do a little speed test, you race around the room a few times while Penny tracks your speed and you two talk as you go. Me and the boys can stay here and do some stretches while you ladies race and chat. Sound good to you?

Neon: Yeah…Sounds…good.

Flynt: Good.

Still scratching away, Flynt turns his head to Penny.

Flynt: Sound okay to you, Penny?

Penny: Since the activities are forms of training, yes that would be acceptable.

Flynt: Great, thank ya Penny.

Flynt takes his hand off Neon’s cheek onto her shoulder and rolls her towards Penny as he returns to his spot next to Ivori and Kobalt. Penny and Neon walk to the edge of the room near the entrance; once there, the two stand close to the wall, and Neon takes a starting stance. Penny clicks her heels together and starts her rocket boots; they’re on a lower setting to match Neon’s gliding and sets an internal stopwatch. Penny gives a quick glance to the boys, and they were indeed doing stretches as promised, then looks back to Neon. They make eye contact, Noen mouths, “Ready?” and Penny holds up a hand and starts counting down. 5….4……3….2….1.

Both girls dash off at tremendous speeds. They remain neck and neck as they go around the room and soon Neon starts talking again.

Neon: So what’s going on with this secret mission?

Penny: I’m investigating a crime, and I need to go undercover to find the perpetrator.

Neon: Cool, so are they just dropping you in or what?

Penny: No, because of the lifestyle and living situation of the people on the suspect list, I have to receive some training on how to behave and act without seeming suspicious.

Neon: Oh, is it like stealth training?

Penny: Yes and no, I’m taking etiquette lessons so that I may infiltrate Atlas high society.

Neon: Woah, really? Damn that’s like straight out of a spy movie! So who they got teaching you to act all distinguished and junk? I don’t know we had an expert on that stuff just lying around here.

Penny: We don’t, an elite is instructing me as a form of repayment for saving his life at a party.

Neon: Uh ew, you’re getting lessons from some old fart elite. Gross.

Penny: No, he’s actually a teenage boy. And he’s not gross; he’s very clean and friendly.

Neon: A teenager! They seriously gotta another kid teaching you? Way to pay off a life debt.

Penny: It’s actually very nice; Our ages being so close makes our dynamic fairly even, he’s intelligent, easy to talk to, and very kind, and the way he teaches is unique and very fun.

Neon: Ooooh cool. Is he cute?

Penny: He’s…more beautiful than cute.

Neon: Oh yeah? How exactly?

Penny: Well, he’s has a model’s figure, lean, long legs, high shoulders, and excellent posture. You could take a picture of him at any angle, and he’d always look amazing. His face is also gorgeous, pink lips that look nice even in a smirk, high cheekbones, a cute little nose, and his eyes! I’ve never seen a pair so blue and shiny before; they look like a deep sea with the brilliance of a gemstone. And his hair is so soft and neat that it looks like silk and is white as fresh snow.

Penny begins to sway from left to right, hands behind her back and a sweet smile on her face. She’s slowing down and moving further and further away from the wall as they go. Neon slows to match her speed.

Neon: Wow, so he’s grade A in the looks department. What about his personality?

Penny: As I previously stated, he’s very intelligent. He’s also creative and well-spoken I could talk with him for hours if I had the time to. He’s a bit abrasive, not cruel by any means just very direct and confident, and charming and witty (giggle), which is a little funny because his first name starts with Whit. (giggles)

Neon: (giggles) Sounds like you really really like this guy.

Penny: I do. Being around him is just so….wonderful. Sometimes when I’m with him, it feels like it’s just the two of us; I have his full attention, and he has mine. It’s very..cozy and a bit

A slight blush glows on Penny’s cheeks. She turns around and starts flying backwards.

Penny: exhilarating. So much so that sometimes I feel a little dizzy and get this thumping feeling in my chest when he looks at me for too long or says something really nice to me. It’s really-

Penny is intercepted by her accidentally backing into the wall of one of the obstacles. Luckily for her, her aura was active, and she had slowed down so much that the impact was damaging in the slightest. Still hurt a bit though.

Neon: Ooooooh shit.

Neon rushes over to Penny, having been in earshot of the collision come running to see if everything’s okay.

Flynt: I heard a bang. Who got hurt?

Kobalt: 5000 lien says Neon got bored and pushed her off a platform.

Ivori: Koco I swear to every God if you don’t stop I hit you right in the-

Neon: Will you two mouthy douche cakes shut up and actually help!

The two stop their bickering and go to Penny. They try to help her up, but Penny puts her hands up as they try, and they back up to give her some space. Penny turns off her boots, takes a second to regain her balance, and steadies herself fully on the floor. The team begin conversing about what’s just happened.

Ivori: Are you okay, dear? Do you need us to get someone?

Penny: No, thank you, I’m fine. My aura was activated, and it was a slow speed collision, so there was no damage aside from the initial shock of the impact.

Flynt: But why’d you crash?

Penny: I-

Neon: Oh, it was nothing really. Penny just go all wispy talking about this dreamy boy she met.

Penny: W-what? What are you-

Kobalt: Oooh, so that what you two were talking about. A boy.

Neon: Yup, she was so caught up in her gushing that she slammed herself into that wall. (laughs) Can’t say I blame her though, all cute girls go a little brain dead when they think about their crush. I know I did.

Kobalt: And since when did you count as a cute girl?

Neon playful elbows Kobalt in the side, and Kobalt returns the favor while Penny looks on, confused by their words.

Penny: Excuse me, but do you mean by a crush?

Neon: Oh, you know.

Penny: No, I do not know.

Neon: You know it’s when you really like someone.

Penny tilts her head to the side, confused.

Penny: But I like a lot of people.

Neon: Yeah, but a crush is when you really like someone. Like you like like them.

Penny: Like like?

Kobalt: You know, they make you feel all floaty, makes your head all foggy, and gives you butterflies in your tummy.

Penny: How would someone get insects in my stomach?

Neon and Kobalt sigh in unison, frustrated with her lack of knowledge. Meanwhile, Ivori walks up to Penny, dusts off her sleeves, and takes both her hands in his, taking over the situation.

Ivori: Sorry about those two. They have don’t know how to take anything seriously. Now the gist of what they were trying to say is that a crush is when you have some romantic feelings for someone.

Penny: Romantic..feelings?

Ivori: Yes, when you’re with this person, it’s very special. They’re beautiful to you; they make you feel warm and safe and happy. You want to hold them, laugh with them, kiss them, and just be romantic with them.

Penny: But I’ve never wanted to ki-

For a second, the unconscious thought of kissing Whitley plays through Penny’s mind. Suddenly the thumping in her chest returned, and her face started to redden. Penny tries to make the thought go away, but Ivori’s words keep replaying in her head, and memories of Whitley pour in with it. Her face gets redder and redder until she’s at the max amount of flushed her body can be. She tries to speak her mind still jumbled.

Penny: I-I d-don’t have r-romantic fe-feelings for hi-(hiccup)

Penny quickly rips her hands from Ivori and covers her mouth, astonished that she had somehow just said a lie.

Kobalt: The hell was that!

Penny: N-nothing (hiccup)

Neon: Wait a sec, I’ve heard about this. She hiccups when she lies. You lied, you’re totally crushing on this guy, aren’t you?

Penny: No I’m not-(hiccup)

Kobalt: Holy shit, that’s fucking adorable! Do it again! Do it again!

Neon: Penny’s got a crush, Penny’s got a crush.~

Neon chants in a sing-song voice, Kobalt chuckling at her side.

Penny: No, I don't-(hiccup) Stop it!

Neon continues to chant and Kobalt joins in, Penny just covers her face, silently praying for the ground to swallow her up and away from this as they continue heckling her. After a while Ivori decides that enough was enough and gets in the two jokesters faces.

Ivori: Both of you stop that right now! Can’t you see that hurting the poor girl’s feelings!

Neon: Ugh, Lighten up we’re were just kidding around.

Kobalt: Yeah, you’re supposed to tease people when they get a crush. We did the same thing to you.

Ivori: That was different, you don’t make fun of a little girl. Especially one like Penny.

Neon: Oh, come on, if she’s gonna be a soldier, she has to be able to handle some hazing.

Ivori: But you still shouldn’t be prying into her personal life like this.

Flynt: All three of you shouldn’t have been prying at all.

Flynt final chimes in, having stayed silent for far too long.

Flynt: Koco, Kitty cut it out right now; it's not funny. Ivy, you should’ve stayed out of it; you played right into their game and lost. Take your L and walk away.

The three listen and stop arguing, and Flynt turns to Penny. He takes off his shades, gives her a reassuring smile, and pats her shoulder.

Flynt: Penny, I understand you’re vulnerable and awkward right now, that’s normal. If you wanna talk about this, we’ll gladly listen but if not that’s okay too. We won’t push you, and I’m sorry if we made you uncomfortable today.

Penny: Thank you Flynt Coal, your apology is accepted.

Flynt: Okay, now if there’s anything you need feel free to-

???: Excuse me.

Everyone stops in their tracks as a familiar voice rings out into the room. They look towards the door to see Winter walking towards them, stern-faced as always.

Winter: Apologies if I’m interrupting your conversation Team FNKI, but your time is almost up, and I need to have a talk with Penny. And since it seems like you have already finished up, I’d like you all to leave.

Flynt: Yes Ma’am, let's go people, time to bounce.

Flynt gives Penny a wave and heads towards the door, followed by Ivori, who gives her a sweet smile, followed by Kobalt, who ruffled her hair, and lastly Neon, who gave her a peace sign as she rolls past. Once they’ve left the room, Winter and Penny are left to converse.

Winter: Penny Polendina.

Penny: Yes, Winter Schnee.

Winter: I understand you have had a change in schedule.

Penny: Yes, I have.

Winter: When you return to your usual schedule, I’d like you to join me on my errand.

Penny: You mean the-

Winter: She’s asked for you, said that your presence was calming. I’ve already spoken to Ironwood, and he’s approved the change. As soon as your investigation is over, you’ll be accompanying me for this task twice a week. Understood.

Penny: Affirmative.

Winter: Excellent, now run along the carrier for the evening shift is leaving soon.

Penny: Yes Ma’am, have a good day.

Penny exists the room, leaving Winter alone to train, soon she’s back in Mantle and headed to the station to fill out her daily reports. It doesn’t take long as it has been a very uneventful day so she finishes in around two hours. From there she walks home, unlocking the door and stepping into the living room, turn on the lights as she enters.

Penny: I’m home-

Penny begins her usual greeting before remembering that she’s alone. Her smile drops and she heads to her room, taking off her boots along the way. She sets her backpack and boots down the flops onto her bed, she looks up at the ceiling, wonders what she should do until it’s time for her to sleep. She pulls out her scroll, hoping to find some entertainment, and notices a text from Neon reading “If you wanna any advice on how to get a date with Atlas boy, text me 😸🌈😉.” She goes red at the memory of teasing she received early and responds with a simple “No thank you.” She decides to go on her Individeo, a video, and streaming platform, app to watch some videos. She pulls up a video on making your own custom guns, she had seen the tile and saved it for another time days ago. As she watches she remembers that she saved this specific video to show her dad because she thought some of the ideas for the weapons could be used to improve some of their own guns. This realization weights on her as all the ideas and facts she wanted to discuss with her dad float around with nowhere to go. Speaking of her dad he wanted her to eat whiles he’s gone.

Now Penny could survive solely off of electricity but thanks to her biofuel converter and new nervous system she could enjoy food and turn it into fuel, making her more eco-friendly. She closes the video app and searches her memory bank for phone numbers for local restaurants that delivered. She forms a long list of options but as she has limited funds and would hate to inconvenience anyone Penny starts disqualifying the higher prices and further away eateries. Soon she narrows it down to a list of three options, a pizza place, a burger place, Ms. Ling’s. From there she evaluates them base on quality, quantity, and service rates. In the end logic and curiosity wins out as Penny picks out the one she never had before, pizza. She calls in for one medium-sized cheese pizza, just to test out the taste, and is told it will take 45 minutes to deliver. She takes this time to wash up and change into her pajamas. When the food does arrive she goes downstairs, pays, and takes her pizza. She sits the box on the table, opens it, and takes out a slice. Penny takes a bite and it’s greasy in a good way, the cheese is nice and stretchy, the tomatoes sauce compliments the cheese, and the crust has a pleasant crunch. But it just doesn’t feel tasty, it tastes good but for some reason, it just doesn't feel the way to supposed to. Penny eats two more slices then puts the rest away in the refrigerator. She goes back upstairs, brushes her teeth, plugs up, and heads to bed early.

She closes her eyes hoping to see her dad’s smiling face when she wakes again.

[witchiswriting]

A Not So Merry Christmas Chapter 3

Summary: Negan has some ugly revelations on his path

Warnings: Angst ( Lots of it), Mentions of Infidelity, Swearing, Mentions of death

Author’s Note: This chapter was pretty hard for me to write. I tried to explain everything about his past at once. And, you don’t know what it’s coming for you guys. Please don’t kill me after this chapter lmao

‘’What?’’ Negan slurred. That was the only thing that could come out from his mouth at the moment.

Shock surrounded his whole body. He literally had no idea where he was, or what fucking was The Sanctuary. The room was definitely his style, except for mounted animals. He’d never been a fan of dead animals on the walls. However, Lilith would fucking despise this room and that was the reason why he hadn’t furnished theirs with dark furniture.

He blinked several times before taking a full glance at the man who was standing before him. Funny enough, Negan knew the man very well. He was his childhood best friend Simon, they grew up together and Simon was a bartender in the same small town. Long story short, he died in a terrible car accident three years ago and naturally, Negan hasn’t seen the man since then, but at the very moment Simon was standing in front of him, very much alive and a stressful expression on his face.

''That’s odd'' Negan mused.

It was evident that Simon was tired and, maybe, little bit scared… It was strange, though, cause no matter how intimidating Negan was Simon was one of the few people who was never afraid of him. The others were Rick and Lilith but Negan quickly pushed the thought of them off his mind.

Simon cleared his throat, waiting for to find the right words. Negan hasn’t been himself since that horrific day but he did never forget where he was before. It was new and very much worrying for Simon.

‘’Negan, I know that you don’t wanna fucking remember or acknowledge what had happened a month ago, but you need to find a way to get yourself together. This place needs you.’’ Simon spoke with a soft, caring tone. He knows that his boss, best friend is hurting nevertheless, but, also he is very much needed. There's no way Simon could run The Sanctuary without Negan and, to be honest, he is worried for his friend’s mental health too. It isn’t like they could afford a psychologist these days.

Negan slowly got up from the bed without saying another word to Simon. He was wearing the grey sweatpants and white t-shirt he wore last night just before going to the bed in his own room.

He slowly moved the curtains aside and took a quick glance from window. The view had him shocked. There were lifeless, rotten corpses chained to the fence of the building and a few men with prisoner suits triying to tie them down.

Where the fuck was he? If this was a nightmare then it was, for sure the most horrific and unpleasant one.

‘’What the fuck are they doing?’’ Negan said with a loud voice. It wasn’t his intention to sound angry towards his friend but he couldn’t help it.

Simon was watching the same scenery from window. Though, unlike his friend, it was a pretty usual scene for him.

‘’You ordered for the remained Alexandrians to deal with the biters as a first thing in the morning, boss.’’ Simon shrugged his shoulders and explained like there was nothing wrong with it.

Negan furrowed his brows. His face was frowned. ‘’Biters?’’ He asked with a genuine confused voice.

Simon took a deep breath before his next words. He slowly put his hand on Negan’s shoulder as a supporting manner. ‘’Look, Negan. I know you’re suffering and I wish we could go back in time and make things right but, as you can fucking see, that’s not the case. Locking yourself in that mind of yours and trying to forget everything might have seemed a better choice but it’s not. You have to move on.’’ He was watching Negan with almost pitying eyes.

‘’Plus, Rick the Prick has started to be a pain in the ass. You need to take care of him, too.’’ Simon stated.

Rick? If he’s in this shit hole then, maybe he knows what the actual fuck is going on too.

Negan nodded towards his best friend, licking his lips. ‘’Okay. Fucking wait outside while I put on decent fucking clothes then.’’

Simon turned and left the room just like an obedient dog.

An inanimate object caught his eye. A barbed wired baseball bat is just standing beside his wardrobe. It had a few scratches on it, but other than that the bat looked fine and, well, deadly. Probably it’s a fucking weapon for dealing with the moving corpses.

As Negan went through the drawers he couldn’t help but think about the one person he needed at the moment.

Lilith… Maybe it was all her doing, since she was always talking about witchy stuff he hadn’t believed nor given a second thought. What if it was his punishment for breaking her heart?

‘’Bull-fucking-shit.’’ He muttered under his breath. Negan wasn’t an illogical person. Of course, he believed in things like religion, and he considered himself a believer. He wasn’t religious or something but he understood the religion, at least the logical parts of it.

I’m trying to rationalize this fucking hell hole with irrational things. He told himself.

But when he opened the drawer he met his very own clothes. Bunch of white shirts he loved so much and his one and only leather jacket, and lots of black shirts.

‘’You fucking kidding me?!’’ He roared with an uncontrollable anger. He was rubbing his face, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He dressed hastily and got out of the room with heavy, rushed steps. His heart was pounding in his stomach.

Simon watched him with a concerned glance. Thinking about if he should inform him about the absence of his precious bat, probably he forgot to take it and considering his commitment to the object, he decided to tell Negan.

‘’Boss, I see you’re pretty preoccupied today. You left Lucille in the room.’’ Simon said in a humoristic way. Trying to hide his worries with a reassuring smile.

WHAT THE FUCK FUCKING FUCKITY FUCK?

Negan’s face fell instantly. He felt the blood in his veins going cold. His already pale and tired face became paler in seconds. He could feel the wave of nausea  washing him.

‘’What the fuck did you just say?’’ He tried to sound firm but failed miserably. He could barely speak and his voice was shaky.

Simon was shocked. His friend had never spent a day without Lucille by his side, but, apparently the latest events had Negan shook more than Simon had cared to admit. So, he took a deep breath and decided to drop asking about the famous bat. ‘’Let’s get you something to eat first, then we’ll take care of everything else.’’ He put his hand on Negan’s shoulder with a soothing manner.

As they started to walk in long, dim hallway Negan tried to convince himself that this wasn’t happening for real, it was just a dream, a fucking trick of his drunk mind, but, unfortunately he couldn’t bring himself to believe that the place wasn’t real.

He meant to ask Simon what was going on and what he fucking exactly meant by ‘’Lucille’’, but he was already feeling so goddamn tired, and he shouldn't scare Simon if he wants to get out of this place.

‘’You’re quiet, boss. Care to share your thoughts?’’ Simon interrupted in an attempt to collect the attention of Negan.

Negan closed his eyes for a second and tried to sound normal to his death but somehow alive friend. If he wanted to know about where he fucking was then he had to play by the rules.

‘’So many things but I’m just feeling fucking tired and goddamn hungry, y’know.’’ He dropped the words with an uninterested tone.

As two men walked towards the stairs they passed by a grand wooden doored room. The door was open, so, Negan forced himself to look the other way. He didn’t want to come face to face with anybody else, especially if the person was someone he knew. He didn’t know if he could take it. What if Lilith was in there? But, he caught glimpse of an enormous crystal chandelier and shiny shelves filled with alcohol.

Despite his efforts to avoid the parlor a petite, feminine form slightly moved and caught his attention.

‘’Negan?’’ A soft, almost afraid feminine voice was heard in the empty hallway.

When Negan turned around he couldn’t recognize the blonde immediately but felt a strange familiarity.

I’M IN FUCKING HELL.

The blonde was twirling with her long hair. She had a concerned expression on her pretty face. Her baby blue eyes were wide with curiosity and hesitation.

Negan tried to remember the blonde’s name. It had to be something like Amanda or Amber.

Amber… She was one of the women Negan had cheated on Lucille with. He met her during one of his team’s matches. She was the sister of one of his students, and he fucked her in that particular evening on the benches. They had fooled around for a few times but she had become clingy over time and made herself believe in stuff like he was going to left Lucille for her. So, he had put her away like the trinkot she was and looked ahead for his fair share of women.

Negan’s throat was closing up. He could feel his stomach dropping and cold sweat was running down from his back. If hell is real then it is this exact place.

‘You’ve been avoiding us for a month… I wanted to know if you’re okay, y’know, if we can help.’’ She said with the same calm and hopeful tone Negan had known back then.

We? What the fuck is we?

Without thinking Negan walked towards to the parlor and felt a delicious horror with what he has just seen.

Four women, clad in black dress and high heels, looking pretty with their makeup on. And, unfortunately, Negan knew every one of them very well. He had forgotten their names in time but couldn’t forget their faces. He hated them with every cell in his body and they made him hate himself even more. They were the cruel evidence what he had done to the two women he had loved so dearly.

Sherry,

She was the first woman he had cheated on Lucille with. They were neighbors. Sherry lived in the house across from Negan’s, and she was married but, of course, it didn’t stop him. They had an affair going on for at least two or three months.

She had always find Negan attractive and when she came to him he couldn’t find the strength to say no to her. They ended the affair when her husband, Dwight found out.

Tanya, she was a simple lay. Negan met her in a restaurant. She was working as a waitress there and looking forward for a one night stand. He was supposed to book that restaurant for Lucille’s birthday but when he saw the deep V neck blouse Tanya was wearing he immediately forgot about his wife, as always, and took her to the first motel he could find.

They fucked roughly that night and Negan went back to home, to find out that his Lucille had cancer.

And, the redhead, Frankie. He didn’t have to force his mind to remember the details with her cause what had happened with her was recent. She was the first and last woman he cheated on Lilith with.

When he asked Lilith to move in with him she didn’t say yes immediately, like he had imagined. So, they got into a meaningless stupid fight because of his insecurities and he hit the bar that night. Determined to get drunk like an ass but, what he hadn’t planned was fucking the redhead who was giving him come and fuck me eyes for whole night.

He ended up fucking her there and then in the small bar toilet and couldn’t shake the fact that he wasn’t fully drunk while he was fucking her against the wall, making her scream his name over and over. He got mad at Lilith and tried to get revenge on her…

When he came to his senses he was already at his own home, looking at the caller ID of Lilith. Thinking about calling her and telling what he'd done that night but he couldn’t bring himself to do it because he knew that Lilith would never forgive him. She’d leave him in the blink of an eye and never look back.

He wasn’t strong enough to live without her, at least that was what he thought, he had no idea what guilt was gonna make him do back then and he passed out on his couch. Tears on the corners of his eyes and vomit on his lips.

Negan was looking at them but wasn’t able to understand what they were saying to him. All the four women’s mouths were moving but he couldn’t hear them. His ears were pounding so hard that for a moment, he thought he was going to black out. Oh, how that was the only thing he wanted at the moment.

What did him bring back to reality was Sherry’s sickening touch. She was shaking his shoulders gently, trying to tell him something.

‘’Negan, we’re your wives. You can’t neglect us like that.’’ Sherry stated with an unpleasant tone.

‘’GET. THE. FUCK. OUT!’’ Negan roared. His throat was one fire. He was pretty sure that he damaged his vocal cords.

‘’I’m fucking done with you. Get the fuck out. I don’t wanna see any fucking of you ever a-fucking-gain. Get out of my fucking sight before I fucking kill you!’’ He yelled like an animal. His saliva was on the corners of his mouth.

‘’D-do you want me to give you a m-massage? Don’t mind Sherry. I-if you’d like, of course.’’ Frankie asked with a scared voice from the place she was sitting. She was fumbling with her fingers, afraid.

‘’You! Especially you! If you say one fucking more word I’m going to fucking chain you to the fence. Get the fuck out before I come fucking back.’’ Negan yelled the last time and got out of the room, never looking back.

Simon was sweating while trying to catch up with Negan. He hadn’t seen his friend that angry since the day he had slaughtered all of the other communities.

‘’Simon!’’ Negan barked. His hazel colored eyes were almost dark with danger. He was fuming like an animal.

‘’Yes, boss.’’ Simon tried to sound obedient , finally catching up with Negan’s faster than lightning steps.

‘’I want them fucking gone by the end of the day. Do you fucking understand me? I don’t wanna fucking see any of them. If they wouldn’t be gone until tonight, then you’ll be the one to take their punishments. Am I fucking clear?’’ Negan hinted with a dangerous voice.

‘’Yes, sir, boss. Don’t worry.’’ That was the exact thing Simon was afraid of. Having to deal with his wives. They were all bitchy and spoiled. He didn’t know how to remove them from The Sanctuary, but he had to find a way if he wants to live.

Finally, they got to the first floor and Negan found himself in a pool of people. They were clothed badly and he couldn’t say they were living under hygienic circumstances either.

When people realized Negan was there they got on their knees immediately. However, Negan wasn’t in a state to understand why they were kneeling so he began to wander around in hopes to get something to eat and maybe find another familiar face, though, he wasn’t sure if seeing one more person from his prior life is gonna make him feel good.

Simon cleared his throat as an attempt to warn Negan. ‘’Ugh, boss, you need to…’’ He showed the still kneeling people.

He furrowed his brows. He had to tell them to stand up? ‘’Alright, okay. Stand the fuck up. I don’t have whole fucking day.’’

As people stood up the whispers started immediately. All of them were shocked with Negan’s attitude. Sure, he hasn’t been himself lately but he’d never forgotten to tell them ‘’As you were.’’

‘’Umm, boss.’’ Simon nudged Negan’s arm with his elbow. ‘’You always say as you were when you’re ordering people to stand up, but I guess, you’re pretty tired today.’’ Simon said as if people kneeling before Negan wasn’t something important.

Am I a fucking cult leader? Lilith, if it’s your doing then you’re fucking right. I deserve all of this shit.

His hunger and the abominable morning he was having made Negan’s whole body ache. Sure, he also wanted to cry and crash every fucking thing he could find but he, also, wasn’t sure if his mental state and body could take it.

Suddenly, his eyes caught a glimpse of brownish red locks. The woman’s back was turned and she was wearing a pastel pink flannel. For a moment, he thought about the woman who was occupying his mind, his heart and his whole being but he quickly realized that the woman wasn’t the one he was looking for.

Jane… Lilith’s mother. She was having a chit chat with an older lady. She sounded nice but it didn’t take a genius to figure out that she wasn’t happy. Instead, her sadness was dripping on her face. Her bright blue eyes were absent from their usual joy. They were full with a grey melancholy.

Jane was quick to realize that someone was watching her, and that someone was the only person she hated with every fiber in her body.

She abruptly stopped her chit chat with the older lady and turned to Negan. If looks could kill Negan would have been dead by now. Jane was practically throwing daggers at him with her intense glare.

‘’How dare you? How dare you are standing there, living your life after what you’ve done?! Have you no fucking shame? How could you continue to fuck your wives after… a-after.’’ She let out a sob, couldn’t finish her sentence.

The whispers had stopped. All of the people were in silence and shock. They stood there, watching the scene unfold before them.

Negan was stunned. He couldn’t keep himself from thinking that what he had done to Lilith this time… How badly did he hurt her? And wives? He couldn’t touch any other women after that disgusting night full of regret and guilt.

Jane took a deep breath and let the words out from her trembling lips. Her face was shiny from the tears she couldn’t stop. ‘’I fucking hate you. You’d better watch out, Negan.’’ She said his name like it’s a disease.

‘’When I have the chance, and I swear to god, I will. I’m going to fucking kill you. I’m going to fucking bleed you ‘till you go fucking numb and then I’ll kill you. You fucking monster.’’ Jane spit on the ground before turning back and going back to her work.

Negan could feel his heart is squeezing so badly. He immediately left the building and found himself in the yard of The Sanctuary.

He was sweaty and feeling dizzy. Bending, he couldn’t keep it together anymore and threw up his empty stomach, only bile coming out from his mouth.

When he straightened up he found Simon beside him.

He was standing there, unsure of what to do. Negan was being hard on himself and according to Simon’s experiences the day has triggered a panic attack for his boss.

Negan finally caught his breath. His face was dreading colour but he forced himself to be strong. At least, he had to know about Lilith. He had to find her and make this right.

What if he cheated on her with those five women and she saw it, or she was pregnant and she lost it because of him being such a dickhead. Maybe, she was with someone else, trying to be happy and forget him.

To be honest, Negan would be miserable and sad for the rest of his life if Lilith is moved on and happy with someone else, but that was the only thing she had deserved from the beginning. A healthy relationship with a person who loves her and makes her feel loved.

So, Negan took a deep breath and braced himself for what was coming, and asked the inevitable question.

‘’Simon, where is Lilith?’’ His voice was filled with exhaustion, fear and a little bit hope.

Simon didn’t know how to answer this question. He could mince the words and gain some time or left his question unanswered but this would be the cruelest thing for Negan.

In Simon’s mind Negan already knew the answer but apparently didn’t want to face it, so his mind had deleted the truth or hided in somewhere.

Therefore, he decided not to sugar coat his answer or delay the unbearable ugly truth. So, he let the words out without giving a second thought about it.

‘’Negan, Lilith is dead.’’

Tag List:

@buttercandy16​ 

[drakewalkerfantasy]

The Past in the Future ( Ethan x MC, Eleventh x Clara): Part 1

Summary: After unknown substance was deployed in senator Ed's hospital room by his aide, three people got trapped inside, while a man claiming to be the Doctor coming out of nowhere. Will it be possible for the Doctor identify the unknown substance that presumably is deadly and elevated through time? Will he be able to find a cure along with the brilliant diagnosticians team that never was found before to prevent millions of deaths? Are his suspicions correct about origins of the substance? And how this seemingly unimportant person got this mass murder weapon in a first place?

Words: 4632

Authors notes: Open Heart and Dr. Who crossover

A/N 2: tags will be in reblog.

Ethan x OH MC (Beth Valentine)

Eleventh Doctor x Clara Oswald

**Warnings: death, deadly substance**

“He is not even a real doctor,” huffed Ethan rolling his eyes when the man on a screen called himself the Doctor for a dozenth time.

“Shush,” said Beth putting her finger over his lips. Her body pressed closer to his making herself even more comfortable in his embrace.

It was a movie night at her friends’ apartment. The first one after she moved out and moved in with Ethan, but one of many since they started dating. He still couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment when he finally gave in to his feelings.  

Some funky looking character made a comment about life being too short at the gala they hosted to save the hospital, and here he was sitting comfortably in the armchair surrounded by Beth’s friends. His friends. He thought, still somehow amused that he had a group of people he could call friends and who were willing to spend time in his company. His eyes drifted to Beth placing a soft kiss to her forehead making her lips quirk slightly from the gesture.

The movie that Elijah chose this time was the Dr. Who’s Christmas special that was very fitting to the season and the weather outside. Fluffy snowflakes falling to the ground and wind howling in the chimney. Christmas lights illuminating the street.

They sat together ignoring the glances they got from others around them. Her legs thrown over his lap and one of his hands placed gently on her thigh, while another was wrapped around her shoulder bringing her closer to him. Her head pressed to his heart. His eyes not leaving her small frame pressed to his body, watching her drift into sleep listening to his heartbeat. Here and now he was happy, unburdened yet by the knowledge of what tomorrow will bring them.

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

The next day started as usual. Diagnostics team got a new case, patients were queueing for the free clinic, and surgeries happened a few floors below where Beth was heading. 

Little did they know what was about to happen. Unsuspecting what horrible event will unfold right in front of their eyes and how they will become entangled in a race against time to save the lives. Hoping that time will be gracious and give them enough to save the lives that could be saved. The lives that could be lost as soon as Beth Valentine would step into senator Ed's room. Unsuspecting yet, that a day from now her name could be the one of four others lost during senator Ed's assassination attempt.

Beth was already near to senator Ed’s room when she noticed some woman running inside after hearing raised voices. Sharing a troubled gaze with Danny and Bobby she rushed toward the room right behind them. They looked in shock at Travis who was standing with the black canister in his hand yelling at everyone to stand back from him and senator, while the girl still tried to reason with him. Muttering to him over and over that there should be another way and that violence is never an option.

Beth could see how Travis’s face contorted in anger, when his gaze landed on the woman whose eyes were looking unblinkingly on the canister in his hand. His fingers curling dangerously around its trigger and he pulled on it, spraying the content of the can into the air. The same instance the girl reached out for Danny's hand as if anticipating what will happen next. Her hand gripped his, pulling him away shielding him with her body, while Bobby jumped in front of her, throwing both of them out of the harm’s way just a millisecond before getting a blast of spray in his face. He felt how the room started to spin around him and he dropped to his knees, gasping and choking from the substance that got into his airways. And while everyone got covered in the thin layer of oily sheen the senator managed to run out of the room just a second before canister deployed, leaving five other people behind.

And that was it. The moment when the course of history got changed. The moment when two complete strangers stood in front of the window looking at the scene unfolding in front of them. The moment when their lives could get changed forever. The moment when they needed to trust in the kindness of strangers and believe that together they will be able to save the universe or at least two women and a guy who could be still saved. The moment when Ethan was just a second too late to grab Beth’s arm and pull her out of the room or walk in himself, altering the future even more. Just a second too late to prevent this from happening.

Ethan stood still looking at the woman behind the glass, feeling how his heart pounded in his chest. Feeling the fear and pain growing inside him. Blaming himself for asking Beth to check on senator just before he would have time to do this himself. Blaming himself for being just a second too late. 

He could see reflection of another man appearing by his side, something flashing in his hand with a green light before disappearing quickly into his pocket. His eyes widening and his hand reaching for the glass to knock on it to get attention of the petite brunet girl who he didn't know and who was squeezing Danny's hand. A look of pure shock in her eyes.

“Clara,” exclaimed man beside him frantically tapping on the glass before waving his hands at the girl. Her eyes darted from Bobby's laying body on the floor to the man. Who was looking in shocked bewilderment and disbelief on the scene before scratching the back of his head and straightening his bowtie. He looked at the scene with expression that matched Ethan's but seemed to be holding a knowledge. The knowledge of hundreds of years in his eyes, carefully hidden behind the young face and the bang of hairs that fell over his eyes. The knowledge that was forgotten with time and space. The knowledge of future. The ridiculous thought suddenly popped in Ethan's mind seemingly from nowhere. The thought that he discarded immediately even before he could register it fully.

“What the hell just happened,” mouthed Ethan, looking at Bobby's unmoving body before meeting Beth's gaze watching how she shook her head solemnly after checking his pulse. His eyes looking inside the room through the window noticing how quickly paled the face of unknown girl and she swayed clutching the bedpost in the last moment before falling. Noticing how Danny reflexively covered his mouth when the nausea rolled over him. And Beth's��muffled cough sounded from the room. His eyes moved to look at her, ready to go inside without even thinking about consequences.

"I wouldn't do that," the man's voice warningly sounded beside him, when his hand reached for the door handle ready to open the door. Instantly, feeling a firm grip on his hand not letting him in before he even could hear Beth's weak voice asking him to stop.

“Who are you?” Ethan asked momentarily confused why he cannot enter, before furrowing his eyes at the man, wondering what this stranger is doing here.

“I’m the Doctor,” the man replied turning his head to Ethan with a glint of excitement and disbelief mixed with fear toward some yet to be solved mystery. 

“Doctor who?” Ethan asked. His eyes not leaving the man's in front of him as if trying to decipher who this man is.

"Just the Doctor,” shrugged ridiculously looking stranger, taking out an Identification Document and flashing it to Ethan.

Centre for Disease Control. Secret subdivision U.N.I.T. John Smith aka The Doctor. Rode Ethan, his eyes flicking to the man's face before moving back to ID in front of him. U.N.I.T... Who the hell are they? Did they sent him here? But why? What was so dangerous in that thing that they felt like interfering? And more importantly how did they know this will happen? wondered Ethan examining the slightly psychic paper. He warred internally for a moment longer still unsure if he should trust this man who looked somehow fascinated by the seemingly deadly substance. The man who appeared from nowhere and seemed to be knowing far more than he led on.

“Do you know, what was in that canister,” Ethan asked finally looking flatly into man’s eyes.

“No...,” the Doctor replied with a hint of hesitation in his voice and a quirky smile, as if he knew more than he was ready willing to admit. “But I'm your best hope to figure out what it is.”

Ethan looked sceptically at the man wanting to say something but instead asking him: “Who the woman is? You called her name earlier? Is she with you?” 

“Yes, she is with me.”

“Who is she?” asked Ethan insistingly.

“She is a friend,” simply replied the Doctor, throwing his gaze to Clara. Just a friend. He thought, suddenly feeling how his excitement slowly started given way to worry in the face of something that he didn’t anticipate to see here on Earth. Something that was from both the distant past and distant future. Something that was alway evolving and changing as a living organism. Something that didn’t have a cure in both of these timelines. The mystery that needed yet to be solved. The one that usually would fascinate him, but not when his Clara... his impossible girl was in danger. Knowing that from now on he will need to race the time, watching how the life of the woman he cared about deeply would be slipping through his fingers. Knowing that from now on the time will become fixed instead of flux. Knowing that from now on he will need to come up with something very clever to solve the mystery that was never solved.

His expression changed to thoughtful trying to understand how this substance could ended up on Earth, hoping he was wrong about its origin. Watching Ethan making a phone call to C.D.C. unsure of how U.N.I.T. could help, at the same time shouting orders in between to evacuate patients from the rooms around the epicentre. His knowledgeable eyes looked around watching how everyone hurried to execute the order. When the floor finally became empty, except of the few people left behind, Ethan came back standing in front of the window, watching through the glass at the woman he cared about. His face pale and his pupils dilated in horror no matter how hard he tried to hide it. Standing near to the man who seemed so calm from the outside not even suspecting that his hearts were pounding violently inside his chest and his brains were spinning with the million thoughts and scenarious happening at the same time.

“We need to move. Now,” quietly said the man in ridiculous outfit, pulling Ethan out of his thoughts.

“How did you know this will happen,” Ethan barked, turning his ocean blue eyes to meet hazel green depth of the man’s who studied him carefully as of trying to decipher how much he could tell him.

“We didn’t...”

“Stop it...,” Ethan interrupted him abruptly. “If you wouldn’t know, you wouldn’t be here, and the girl...,” he nodded toward the ward his eyes flitting to meet Clara’s. “Wouldn’t be trapped in there.”

His eyes lingered on the petite woman for a moment longer, studying her paled features. His watchful eyes not missing how her knuckles went bone white, holding onto the bedpost, when she tried to stand straight. Not missing, how her breathing became struggled while she gulped for air. Not missing how her eyes flickered to the man at his side who withhold something and he couldn’t get the grip of it. He couldn’t read him as easily and it bothered him, eating at him from inside. He sighed heavily before meeting the Doctor’s gaze still waiting for his reply.

“We did't know,” repeated Doctor. 

“Than what were you doing here?” didn't give up Ethan. 

“I was sent here, but I had not idea what I will be dealing with. Dr. Ramsey, the only thing I can tell is that we don’t have a lot of time. We have twelve hours at most. If this thing is what I think it is. It will progress quickly and I have seen it already many... many years ago. You either believe me or wasting the time that we don’t have thereby exposing them to the inevitable death. Please Dr. Ramsey, just this once, for the hell of it accept the help that is offered.” the Doctor snapped. His hands placed firmly on Ethan’s shoulder, looking deep into the man’s eyes, searching them.

“Okay...,” Ethan finally said after another bit of hesitation, closing his eyes for a split second before making his final decision. Knowing that he would do anything for Beth even believe the madman who appeared out of the blue looking too excited and too knowledgable about the situation. “But just to be clear,” he added, turning away from the window separating him from Beth. His cold steely gaze fixed on Doctor. “I don’t care who you are and who you work for or whatever the hell U.N.I.T is. This is my hospital. My rules. And these are my team members that are trapped inside. Are we clear?”

“Sure Doctor. But we need to move, now. Remember it is spreading quickly,” the Doctor said touching the glass lightly before twirling around ready to follow Ethan and leave the ward behind. At least for now.

Quickly they both went through the hospital’s halls toward the diagnostician's office. Twenty eight brains already trying to process the information they had. Preparing the plan. Three hearts racing in their chests, troubled for the future. The nerves pushing them to move quicker. And one thought occupying them both. We need to solve it.

“We have a case,” Ethan said to the two people already in the room. “Unknown substance was deployed inside senator Ed’s ward. Senator Ed luckily for him escaped even before this happened. But Robert Gunderson, Danny Cardinal, Beth Valentine, Travis Perry and Clara...”

“Clara Oswald,” the Doctor continued after Ethan stopped. “They are all trapped with the unknown deadly substance. It affects everyone with different speed. Based on my observations and what we know already it mostly depends on how much exposure the person got to the substance. But may also depend upon other factors of which we have no knowledge of.”

“Who are you?” June asked suspiciously, folding her arms over her chest. “You know suspiciously a lot about what happened.”

“I'm the Doctor,” he replied getting his psychic paper out of his pocket and flashing it to the two other doctors. 

"What are you even doing here?" she asked watching him carefully, trying to read him but failing. “Seems to be quite a coincidence for you to be here, don't you think?”

"June...," warningly said Ethan, raising his eyebrow.

"What? Don't say that you didn't have the same questions," shrugged June.

“That is so human,” muttered Doctor, dragging his fingers through his hair in frustration, tossing away the bang of hair falling over his forehead. “One person is already dead and we don't know who will be next. And instead of trying to do something to help them, first thing you are doing is trying to read me and what motives do I have to be here?” exclaimed the Doctor. His hands flailing around. “You need to just trust me. As soon as FBI and C.D.C. remove Travis from premise you will not get any meaningful answers as they will be gone with the body. But if we work together we can do that, we can find what was in this canister. We can find the cure and safe them. But for that to work, you just should to believe my word.”

“You seem to already know what it is,” sighted Ethan. “But fine. As you rightly notted we have no time for that,” said Ethan, turning back to June and Baz to announce his plan. “First we need to get everyone’s blood samples and then will work from there. We need to check how quickly the symptoms appear, and we need to make sure that this isn’t impacted by anything except to the substance they got exposed to. You two go with me,” Ethan said moving past Doctor to the changing area where hazmat equipment was stored.

“I’m going with you,” said the Doctor with determination in his voice.

“Good,” Ethan barked through the gritted teeth, knowing that he had no time to argue. At least not now. Mumbling to himself quietly.

I hope he knows what he is doing. And hopefully will not get himself into any troubles as his companion already did.

After ten minutes wearing hazmat suits four people entered the isolated room, watching how C.D.C. rolled out Travis, taking all the answers they needed with them. The Doctor could feel how his hearts squeezed painfully when his eyes landed on the woman sitting on the bed. Her head bended while she struggled to breath. Her face deadly pale as if all her liveliness left her, leaving only a shell behind. Her chest rapidly raising and falling as if her heart rate elevated almost to dangerously quick pace. And her body was shivering in the warmth of the room as if TARDIS was landed them once again on the South Pole in 1983 leaving her exposed to the cold, in nothing but her summer dress.

Without any hesitation the Doctor moved toward Clara cupping the sides of her face in his hands lifting it up to meet his eyes.

“Clara...,” he whispered tenderly, pressing his forehead, hidden behind the hazmat suit, to hers. His gloved hands brushed gently at her cheeks, listening to her soft pained breathe leaving her lips.

“I... I thought... I thought I could prevent it from happening. I thought I can save them,” the girl admitted. Her shoulders slumping with defeat.

“Oh Clara... my Clara... my impossible girl,” the Doctor said before cupping the back of her head with his hand. The other wrapped firmly around her, pulling her closer as he did once before after saving her out of his timestream. After she saved him, tearing herself into a million pieces, into million versions of herself. Living and dying through time and space, over and over again. Something what she was ready to do for Doctor and now he must find the way to save her.

“Doctor, what will happen now?” Clara asked softly, pulling him out of his thoughts.

“Now we will need to figure out what it was and how to deal with it. I would have done it much quicker with my scanning device, but I...”

“You cannot,” Clara finished the sentence. “Same as you cannot just tell them...”

“Sorry... I’m so so sorry, Clara,” mumbled Doctor.

“It’s okay. It’s okay,” murmured Clara rubbing soothing circles at his back before whispering to his ear. “Doctor, I believe in you. I believe that you can fix it. And if even you cannot fix it than no one possibly ever can. So Doctor what now?”

“I guess they expect me to draw your blood. Do I just poke you with this or what?” he tried to laugh it off corners of his lips lifting slightly in a weak smile,, showing her the syringe. His hand reaching for his hairs to drag his fingers through them out of habit almost knocking off protection helmet. His voice cracking a little watching the weakest of smiles lightning Clara's face. “I never done that before,” Doctor admitted, feeling how his hearts thundered violently against his chest. 

He half expected Clara to protest asking for someone else to do that. But instead of any protest that could leave her lips she simply holded her arm to the Doctor. She watched him carefully palpating the vein on her arm, gently pressing a needle into her skin, breaking it carefully to draw her blood. He could hear Clara’s soft gasp watching how her teeth dug into her lower lip until he withdrew a syringe filled with her blood sample.

“Done,” he said surprised, passing the sample to Ethan, genuine smile spreading his lips.

“Great,” Ethan said, putting sample to others before turning back to Clara. “Now, Miss Oswald how do you feeling? Nausea? Stomach cramps?” he asked, sliding a blood pressure sleeve over Clara’s hand, taking her vitals.

“I feel nauseous and also my vision is blurred. Besides in the last half an hour or so my mouth tastes weird... kind of metallic,” she said involuntarily reaching out to scratch on her hand vigorously until Ethan stopped her putting his hand on top of hers, looking at angry red marks on her forearm.

“It seems like irritation patch. When did you get it?” Ethan asked carefully studying Clara’s hand.

“Must be a new symptom,” Doctor notted. “She didn’t have it even a few minutes ago. Also her blood pressure dropped significantly.”

But before Ethan could ask how the Doctor knows that, Clara’s small voice broke through.

“How do Danny and Beth are feeling? Do they have the same symptoms?”

“They have slight nausea, but apart from that...,” Ethan replied with a sigh and the slight shake of his head.

“It’s okay. I’m glad that they are okay,” Clara smiled weakly squeezing firmly Doctor’s hand to prevent herself from scratching.

She could feel how her stomach twisted painfully and she doubled with a groan, covering her mouth. With a great difficulty she rolled out from bed she was sitting on and staggered into the bathroom, emerging a few minutes later. Her face was slick from sweat, when she moved toward the bed. Her body swaying and Doctor quickly moved toward her catching her just a moment before her legs gave up, carrying her toward the bed to lay her down.

Ethan's eyes flitted to Beth, watching her sit at the edge of the other bed, her face clammy and her forehead rested against the bedpost. Her eyes half closed, while she spoke in a quiet hoarse whisper to Baz and June, still trying to attend to her symptoms and help them with as much information as she could. Asking all the right questions, trying to brainstorm the ideas ignoring the rising nausea. Quickly they came to the conclusion that Bobby's heart attack came so fast that they couldn't be completely sure what caused it.

“It could be anything, From allergies to the stress. We cannot say with certainty that his heart attack was caused by this substance,” Beth groaned leaning over the side of the bed and vomiting the content of her stomach into a sick bag that Baz held readily for her.

“So what do we have?” Baz asked looking around the room before turning to look at Ethan.

With a tremendous effort Ethan looked at him swallowing hard, willing himself to focus on the information that they had on hands.

“Vomiting, stomach cramps, blurred vision, metallic taste and irritated skin,” Ethan said, watching toward Danny as he reached to his hand absently scratching at it. “Miss Oswald also had her blood pressure dropped precipitously. I measured it again,” clarified he with a sigh.

“It can be anything viral, bacterial, chemical, fungal, and hundredth of things could cause these symptoms,” noted Baz exhaling in frustration.

“Than we need to get these samples tested immediately. We'll start with the most likely options and keep going from there,” said Ethan, watching how Baz and June already passed back through the disinfecting room, lingering behind a few moments, gazing at Beth. Finally, with a heavy sigh he moved toward the exit entering the room when he heard Doctor's pensive voice behind him, talking quietly so no one else could hear.

“But what if we start from the most unlike causes, the most difficult ones. What if the canister contained something that is unlikely to be cured. What if the cure is yet to be found?”

“Then everyone in here are doomed. And this is something I don't want to think about,” said Ethan without meeting other man's eyes.

“Just think about this. Because if this is the case every second counts,” said Doctor, passing by Ethan, ready to had toward the laboratory. But before he could do that his attention was caught by petit girl with dark hairs standing by the window. Her eyes red with tears. Her hands wrapped tightly around her midsection and her gaze fixed on the man laying on the bed.

“Are you a friend of his?” he asked, approaching the girl and standing beside her looking through the window.

“Yes. We... we are friends,” she said barely audibly. “And Clara? Is she... is she your girlfriend? I heard you called her name. Was here before all this happened. We were about to have lunch,” she clarified, noticing his perplex gaze, when she called her by name.

“No... Noooo, she... she definitely isn't my girlfriend,” he laughed uncomfortably. “Friend, yes... Definitely a friend. But girlfriend... No, no... Definitely not a girlfriend. Why would you even think so?” Doctor squealed, feeling how his face flushed almost ready to say his infamous Shut up, but the sad almost painful look on her face stopped him midword.

“Sorry, you just looked like she is your girlfriend. Didn't know this is a painful subject for you,” shrugged Sienna, but before he could reply anything she asked quietly. Her voice even quieter than before. “Will they be okay? Everyone keep saying that they will. All of my friends say that they are strong and young and that they will pull through that. But will they?” she spoke as to herself, but he knew that all these questions were directed to him, while he stood silently by her side listening. “Everyone says that Dr. Ramsey is a genius. Not as I doubt him. I know he is. And the way Beth and Danny, who both work closely with him, refer to the man. I know he is, but he still is only a human. I even not sure why I’m asking you all of this. You clearly are only human as well, but still... I feel like you are the only person who will be honest with me. So Doctor answer me, will they be okay?”

“Honestly... I... I don’t know,” replied Doctor, turning to look at Clara who was laying against the pillow with her hand grasping her stomach in another fit of cramps. “but what I know is that time is precious and every second of it is a gold. So I cannot promise you that they become magically okay, but what I can promise is that I will do everything what I can do along with a brilliant diagnosticians by my side to make it happen. I'll fix what still can be fixed. And if needed will make sure that help will be asked,” he said honestly, placing his hand on Sienna’s back and patting it awkwardly.

“Thank you, Doctor,” she said with a weak smile that touched her lips for the first time since he approached her.

“For what?”

“For being honest,” she said. Watching in amusement how the man scratched the back of his head abashedly. The corner of his mouth lifted in a shy smile and his cheeks tinted pink as if not expecting her to say that. After a moment of silence the Doctor backed away awkwardly waving his hands as if remembering something before twirling around and rushing toward the laboratory, leaving Sienna alone. Leaving her somehow believing to the man who seemed to appear from nowhere.

Tags: @jamespotterthefirst @the-soot-sprite @choices-bound @tsrookie @caseyvalentineramsey

[amukmuk]

3 or 46 for foxiyo, for the writing prompt thing, if that's alright?

Of course!! Thank you so much @flyawaybluebirdie for sending a prompt! I actually ended up combining them because I love a challenge. 

For the Prompts Touch & Blanket | Ao3

One

Fox stands at the landing pad, ready to welcome yet another freshly elected senator. As if he doesn’t have enough to do as it is, he also serves as the resident tour guide for all the shiny senators. Beneath his bucket, he rolls his eyes.

As the ramp lowers on the Pantoran ship, Senator Riyo Chuchi appears. He has read her file, acquainted himself with her appearance to ensure that he isn’t welcoming separatist scum with open arms. But, for some reason, Fox is shocked by how small she is. She’s petite and blue and looks like she wants to be just here as much as Fox does.

“Senator. Welcome to Coruscant,” Fox greets. He stands at formal parade rest and prepares for her to brush him off because he’s just a clone, and that’s what every other senator does.

“Thank you.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Riyo Chuchi.”

He stares at her hand, her fingers are slender and are adorned with petite golden rings. Slowly, probably resembling a robot that he is thought to be, he takes her hand. “Commander Fox, ma’am.”

“Lovely to make your acquaintance, Commander.” She says as she gives his hand a few shakes up and down.

“Likewise, Senator,” he states and for the first time in his life, he thinks he may actually mean those words.

Two

There is a knock at his door and Fox instantly feels homicidal. If someone is coming in here to tell him that he is late on the paperwork he is filling out right now he’s going to kill them. He would have been done by now except he had to keep taking breaks to babysit the damned, shiny Senators. “Enter,” he growls.

“Hi Commander,” Senator Chuchi is standing at his door, holding a tin can of something .

Oh no .

Please don’t let this be a package she was delivered. They will have to lock down the whole area, the bombsquad will be called in and then he really won’t get this paperwork done.

Wearing a smile that only worsens his anxiety, she enters his cluttered, supply closet-sized office and stands in front of his desk.  

“Can I help you with something, Senator?” He bites.

Her smile falters. “I just wanted to say thank you. I know you’re busy, but I just wanted to properly thank you for showing me around. Without you, I would be, in quite the literal sense of the word, lost.”

He stares at her. Thanking him? Thanking him?  

She clears her throat and shifts her weight back and forth between her feet. “Anyway, thanks.” She thrusts the tin box at him. “I baked some traditional Pantoran cookies. They’re my favorite.”

Hesitant, he accepts the box from her, their fingers brushing. To his surprise, however, she doesn’t flinch away from his accident touch. Most senators do. “Thanks… This is very nice of you.”

She beams. “Anyway, I will let you get back to work. It was lovely seeing you again, Commander.” And she darts away, leaving Fox standing in his office staring down at a tin of cookies like they may hold the meaning of life.

Three

Fox breathes a sigh of relief as the elevator door closes. If he is being honest with himself, he is not doing well. He hasn’t slept in three days and he is getting really tired of senators referring to him as just ‘clone’ or whatever other derogatory terms they come up with. Finally, in the peaceful quiet of an empty, descending elevator - he is alone. He slouches, his back aching from standing impossibly straight all day.

To his absolute and total dismay, the elevator lurches and the doors slide open, revealing Senator Chuchi. Her face lights up immediately and Fox feels nothing but dread. Normally, he can partake in some chipper small talk that she likes to make, but he is tired and he just wants to get to his office so he can take a shot of brandy and fall asleep on his desk.

“Hello, Commander!” She chirps as she steps into the elevator.

“Senator,” he greets with a nod.

“How are you today?” He’s gotten used to her asking this question. The first time she had asked, his brain had almost stopped working altogether. Now, he has a canned response.

“I’m fine, ma’am, and you?”

“Doing well, thank you.”

Silence falls between them as the floors tick down.

“You seem like you have a lot on your mind, Fox. Are you sure you are alright?”

He looks over at her. He is always ready for everything, but Riyo always seems to catch him off guard. “What?”

“I’m sorry, I do not mean to pry, how rude of me.”

The elevator dings; they’ve reached her floor.

Placing a gentle hand upon his upper arm, she says, “I hope whatever is troubling you passes easily and without grief. Have a wonderful day, Commander.”

The doors are already sliding shut when he musters up the coherency to tell her to have a good day as well.

Four

Fox signs his number for the last time and exhales a heavy sigh of relief. Senator Chuchi had asked if she could stop by for lunch and while he had initially told her no, after about a week of her asking, he finally conceded. Now he finds himself rushing to get his work done so that she can still come by.

When she knocks on the door, he straightens up his desk haphazardly and calls for her to enter.

She stands there with multiple bags of food and a tray of drinks. “Good afternoon, Fox. How are you today?”

“I’m fine, thank you. How are you?” He pulls his chair around to the other side of the desk for her to sit in. It’s not the most comfortable thing, but it is a far cry better than his guest chair that has a broken leg and wobbles enough to make even him a little seasick sitting in it.

“I’m doing quite wonderfully now,” she smiles, and puts her bags on top of his desk, minding the datapads. “I hope you enjoy greasy diner food. Ahsoka showed me this place called Dex’s and while it is in absolute violation of every health code, his food is amazing. I got a couple things. I didn’t know what you liked.”

“I’ll eat anything, ma’am.”

“Fox, how many times do I need to tell you to call me Riyo? We’re friends!” She lightly smacks his wrist and he lets himself smile.

“Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s a habit.”

Five

The unnatural warmth and claminess of his right hand pulls him into consciousness. Blinking awake, he is welcomed by the harsh fluorescent lights above him. He groans and rolls his head over to the right, eyeing the culprit guilty of ruining the first good night’s sleep he’s gotten in months. A small smile creeps to his lips when he sees Riyo fast asleep at the edge of his cot, his hand entrapped in hers.

“Riyo?” He whispers and she sits bolt upright, releasing his hand - much to his own dismay - and straightening her hair.

“Fox. I’m so glad you are alright.”

“Can’t get rid of me that easily,” he huffs, suddenly aware of the ribs broken by the blast.  

“Good, you’re a very dear friend. I would be lost without you.”

He takes her in. She looks like she has hardly slept and her hair is sticking up out of her golden headpiece. He has an overwhelming urge to reach up and tuck it back to where it belongs. He has so many things he wants to say, like that she’s his friend too and that he would be lost without her too because she is the only good thing he has. “Thank you,” he whispers instead, hoping his meaning is still relayed.

Her eyes widen. “For what?”

“For staying,” he whispers, turning his hand over as an invitation for her to hold it again.

Luckily she catches on and does. “You’re very welcome.”

+ One

Honestly, she shouldn’t be surprised that their ship got shot down. When the gunship crashed into the snow, she had thought that it was the end - she had finally died. But then she comes to with Fox shaking her awake.

“Riyo. Riyo!”

She blinks a couple times. “I’m fine. I’m awake,” she swats him away.

He lets out a harsh exhale and his shoulders fall from his ears just a pinch. “We need to move out. Seppies may come to scout the wreckage.”

She nods. “Any survivors?”

“Just you and me. Can you stand?”

Easing herself up she gives him another nod, “Yes. I’m alright. Where do we go?”

“Scanners picked up some caves over to the east. If we move quickly we should make it by nightfall.”

“Okay. Lead the way, Commander.”

With a grunt, he heaves a pack onto his back and pulls himself out of the overturned gunship. She tries not to look at the twisted and contorted bodies at her feet as she accepts his hand and is hauled out. The icy wind of this planet takes her breath away and she gasps.

“Sure you’re alright?” He questions.

In the daylight, she sees the way he is hunched forward slightly, cradling one arm closer to himself than normal. His armor is significantly more scratched and some of the red paint has been chipped off. “I should be asking the same to you.”

He shrugs with the arm he isn’t cradling. “I’ll live.”

“Then I will as well. Let us find these caves.”

They walk in tense silence. When they finally reach an ominous opening to the belly of a mountain, he turns on the lights attached to his helmet and enters. “No life signs. We should be safe here for the night. I sent out a distress signal when we crashed. A squadron will be here by tomorrow morning.”

“That is good news,” she manages through a shiver. It is so, so cold here. Wrapping her arms around herself she tries to suppress even more convulsions.

“I have a blanket, and,” he trails off pulling his pack off of his back. “A small heater. It probably has enough juice to last until pick up. I haven’t seen anything around here that we could burn.”

Night falls quickly and it makes Riyo desperately wish for the sun. If Fox is cold, he isn’t showing it - at least not in the same convulsive manner that she is. She can hardly keep her teeth from chattering. They each have a blanket; she has knees folded up so that the blanket fully envelops her and he has his draped around his shoulders. Wordlessly, Fox rises, shrugging off the blanket, and begins pulling off his armor. He hisses a little when he moves his injured arm and then he is wrapping himself back up in the blanket and crossing the cave floor.

He eases himself down next to her and opens his arms. “Come here,” he grunts.

She doesn’t need to be told twice.

Oh and he is so warm. She drapes her blanket over their legs and he wraps his around their arms. He pulls her into his chest and she folds herself tightly around him. Never in her life has she felt safer than she has in his arms.

“This is nice,” Riyo murmurs.

Fox hums in the affirmative and runs his hands through her hair. “Yeah, this is nice.”

She falls asleep like this, curled in his arms, his fingers in her hair, and waiting for help to come in the morning.

[metalotaku-da]

halloween kolivance

"Shiro are you sure about this?" Lance said softly toeing at the summoning circle he had just finished. The dark blues and silvers keeping his eyes locked as he asked his next question. "You really think I'm ready?"

Keith scoffed before shiro could answer drawing Lance's fierce glare on the demon familiar perched on a stool in the corner, his tail flicking. "No way are you ready if you gotta ask. You reek of fear and insecurity right now."

"Keith!" Shiro scolded his familiar. The small demon turning away with an angry scowl and barely a lip curl. He then turned back to lance placing his prosthetic on the smaller witches shoulder. "Lance, your magic is very strong, and you have learned a lot in the time you have been my apprentice. I truly believe you are ready. You can't get much further in advancing your skill or controlling the breath of your power without a familiar. You are," shiro was cut off by Keith.

"His strong magic aura and his shitty Constitution is exactly why he isn't ready for this shiro. The wrong demon is going to get a whiff of it when he makes the call. He is a meal waiting for a dinner bell to ring and you are asking the spit roasted lamb to ring it himself." Keith said angrily jumping from his perch to land at shiro's feet as he put a clawed finger tip to his chest. He whirled at the sound of Lance's foot stomping and the twinkle of the bells on the peak of his hat.

"So you think I'm just demon bait do you? That no KiNd demon would want to bond with me, only the evil ones would heed my call? And who are you calling week? Last time I checked you were a half pint demon.” Lance jabbed his own finger at the demon who smoked and sizzled in response.

“No, i think you are an idiot, with a hair's breadth of control, who’s fear, that i can smell clearly, isn’t going to have a chance to call a lower, or curious demon before a powerful evil one gets to you first.”

“Enough!” shiro shouted. His powers blowing some space between the two. “Keith, that is not a nice way to word your concern. We’ve talked about that. And that is why we are here to assist and adam and curtis are just outside to be ready incase we need more help. But that doesn’t change the fact that lance not only needs a familiar, he is ready for one. And you are lance.” shiro said turning to his apprentice. “You can do this. If something that is too much, or doesn’t feel right comes through the circle. We will send it back together and you can try again. It’ll be fine. I believe in you.”

“Thank you shiro.” Lance said to his teacher looking at him with soft eyes and a matchingly soft smile.

“Gawd now he’s going to cry shiro, and it’s going to be worse.” keith groaned, climbing back on his stool and glaring at the witches. Ignoring lance’s scrunched nose and tongue sticking out at him.  

Shiro sighed deeply and said, “patience yields focus.” he said to himself before turning back to lance. Turning the younger around by the shoulder and leading him to the circle. A large crystal at it’s center glowed brightly as shiro directed lance to sit at the center of a matching smaller one placed north of the summoning one. Everything lance needed set at different points of it. Within reach. “All right buddy, this has to be all you and only you ok. It’s ok if it doesn’t work the first time.” he ruffled lance’s hat. “Took adam 3 tries to summon curtis. No pressure.” he Got a laugh out of lance as he fixed his hat. Shiro directed keith to open the shutter on the roof to allow the moonlight to shine down on his water witch student.

“Ok, i think i got this.” Lance said as shiro moved to the far wall behind him with keith on his stool. He lit the candles at four points of his circle manually as he sat kneeling in his circle bare feet pointed at north as he faced south and his summoning circle. Between them were different shells filled with water from various sources. Rain, river, ocean, lake. He closed his eyes and bowed his head. Placing his cupped hands on his knees facing up.

“You’re To submissive. You aren’t going to attract the right kind of demon!” keith growled. Causing lance’s calm concentration to falter into a frown. With it his doubt permeated the air.

“Keith, every witch and demon is different. You need to let him do it his way, or he won’t attracted one who is compatible with him.” shiro scolded his own familiar. “Don’t interrupt again or i’ll make you wait outside too. You are doing fine lance. Do what feels right for you. There is no wrong way.”

Lance gave a nod in response before taking a few breaths and centering himself again. He slowly began releasing his power into his circle it glowing alight as it followed the lines out from him. The matching ones in the large matching his own, as his magic reached the water containers they rose up into thin pillars. The flames of the candles following suit. Though not his element to summon he had a small connection to it. He let his magic pour out till he felt at the edge of his control. any more and the water and flames would grow out of control. He let out one more deep breath before moving his hands to rest on a blank paper seal, and his wand. A piece of coral that had grown into a bit of driftwood. They lay over lines on his circle. Then he said the modified phrase in his own mother tongue of spanish. “Please, spirits of nature release your hold, allow me to reach those in the mirror, so I may find my partner, my spirit, my guide to bind my soul and grow my power and knowledge to better serve you and others of this world.” even as his eyes began to glow blue along with the fire, and water pillars and circles lance kept his eyes closed. Staying focused on the link and not losing control and releasing too much magic.

The large crystal shone like a star in the center of the summoning circle before being engulfed by a large black fog that just seemed to keep growing reaching the roof beams easily before condensing and taking shape. The Aura coming from it was immense and cold setting Keith's hackles up. The size of the demon forming was easily 4 or five times his own size. When the blue and grey furry demon started to take shape with his pale yellow glowing eyes staring into Keith's own wide one.  "Oh shit." He whispered. At the imposing demon.

The demon's mouth was kept in a straight line as he looked around the room before lowering his line of sight to the floor. He forced the seal closed. The small demon and larger witch surged forward as the witch doing the summoning s head flew back and mouth and eyes fell open wide. Loosing control at the back surge of power. The demon easily lifted and threw both against the wall with a small twitch. His eyes glowed as he put up a barrier. "Do not interfere whelpling." He turned his gaze back to the tiny witch adorned in blue at his feet. The pillars of water and flame around him swirling and flinging about uncontrollably. "You are quite small for such emissense power." He spoke to the witch who couldn't hear over the buzzing of power as he tried to rain it back in. Not even noticing the demon step forth from the circle and kneel in front of him. "Let's see what I can do about that with a taste." He took the witch by the shoulders bent over low to place his forehead to the boys squishing the rim of his hat. Once connected he opened his mouth just slightly to feed. Pulling the witches magic into him. Slowly the water and flames came down to just a few inches tall and the witch blinked slowly as he once again took control of his magic finally focused on the large chest adorned in a grey blue and black fabric.

"Oh, thank you." Lance said softly to the chest, curiosity spreading from him. "That really helped. Whatever you did." The demon sat back but kept his hands on the boy's shoulders.

"I consumed some of your magic." The demon stated as he looked down at the boy. "You are much smaller than I expected when I got a whiff of your power."

Lance bowed his head a bit with a blush. "Sorry. I, uh, humans are kind of small compared to you in general. But I hope my magic was at least tasty." The demon's head turned just slightly. "Can, uh, I ask your name?"

"Kolivan." He said finally pulling his hands back. Looking with only his eyes at the bonded pair yelling and throwing themselves and magic at his barrier. No sound penetrating. "Yours little witch?" He asked bringing his focus back on the petite boy.

"Lance. Uh can I ask why you shut the gate? I didn't think that was supposed to happen till we bonded." He asked bringing a hand up to scratch his cheek with a pointer finger.

"To prevent others from following." The demon said stoically.

"Oh, uh, ok. Does that mean you'd want to bond and be my familiar. The circle is still glowing I think it will still work." Lance said excitedly his magic growing with it.

The demon's brow furrowed a bit. "you wish to bond with me? After I consumed part of your magic?" The witch stared up at him puzzled and gave a few sharp repeated knodds.

"Is that a problem? I mean you don't have to. I mean I can probably help you open the gate again."

"I do not need assistance."

"I understand if I don't meet your expectations or wants for a witch partner. Like you said I'm pretty small. And I'm not that great at magic. And I'm pretty weak." Lance began to ramble. Rubbing his wrist and lower arm with one hand not looking at the demon. "I'm sorry if I wasted…"

"Weakness did not bring me here, strength and power did." Kolivan cut the boy off. The boys scent of joy and curiosity slowly dissipating into pain and depression stilled it's growth at his words. His nose twitched at the change. After the glowing blue eyes met his again he continued. "I did not expect to be asked such a question after feeding." He paused in thought for a moment before adding. "Usually I am met with fear after. You are not afraid."

"Why would I be afraid of you? I summoned a demon to be my familiar. And you answered and helped me gain control without a bond." Lance asked confused turning to give the demon a bit of side eye. "I was only afraid of it being found to be in such poor standing in my abilities to be rejected." He added with a sigh before he bristled. "You didn't hear shit you get me Keith. I will deny I said that to my grave mullet!" He barked eyes closed.

"Who is Keith?"

"Oh my teachers familiar he is behind us with him." Lance started to turn to see.

Kolivan placed a hand to his cheek stopping him and pulling his gaze forward on him again before he could see them. "Do not worry they cannot hear you. I placed a barrier for privacy. No sound penetrates."

"Oh," lance blushed eyeing the hand that touched from Palm to chin to over the crest of his head at the fingertips. "Thanks." He said with a wiry grin.  Lance magic pulsed with a sudden surge of confidence. "So I'm, would you want to be my familiar? You can say no. I'd understand. No pressure." Lance turned his head to the floor bringing his hands to his lap in front of the paper seal and his wand.

"If it is what you wish." Kolivan said moving his hand to cover half of the seal nearest himself. His own magic pulsed in embedding his seal into it. "Then I would accept a bound with you that is given freely."

Lance directed a wide toothy smile at kolivan and a cheer with arms raised his water and fire shooting up to the ceiling. "Oops. Sorry. Yes, I make this bond freely," he switched to Spanish as he placed his own hand on what was left of the seal and the other on his wand. "I open my soul and magic to you kolivan, demon of…"

"Mamora." Kolivan cut in.

"Mamora to bond our souls and magic to each other so that we aid each other and help the other grow in the aid and service of the spirits and people." It took lance a minute to gain control of his magic in his growing excitement to direct it into the seal. Drawing it first easily to his wand then the seal. Leaving it lit with a curved wave and flame cupping each side of kolivans own symbol. Lance picked up his wand and Drew it across their hands and the seal pulling it inside. "Where would you like your mark kolivan?" He asked.

Kolivan stared quietly at the which for a moment before presenting the inside of his lower right arm. He watched as lance careful Drew the polished coral tip over a short area below the elbow. The symbol appearing there. Kolivan didn't even flinch as the magic embedded his skin and stitched to his soul. Lance then placed his hand into Kolivan's hand curling the large digits around the seeming twig that was his wand. "Where would you like mine? Keith cared very much where his was on shiro." He said with a duck of his head into his shoulders and a nervous smile in a bitten lip.

Kolivan stared a minute at the delicate wand in his hand, feeling the immense weight, history, and ties it held to Lance and kept his hold light and gentle. "Open your tunic please." Kolivan said quietly looking at Lance's face as the boy blushed but did as asked. Untiring it and letting it hang loose. The large demon barely leaned forward but was enough to tower over the small human. Pushing the boys shoulders down while also sliding his free hand under the shirt to move it off his shoulders and upper back. He then followed suit dragging the wand across his upper back at the base of his neck. Lance arched and gasped as the magic threaded into his own soul pulling and stitching the two together.

As the bond sealed lance threw his head back with a scream. Eyes And mouth glowing so bright even with the barrier shiro and keith pulled away and covered their eyes. Kolivan closed his own, pulling lance to his lap curling around him protectively as anything not bolted to the ground began to fling wildly through the air like a storm. The water multiplying in the barrier. He kept his head close to his young witch. “Easy little witch, i am very old, and very powerful. My power is becoming an extension of your own, do not try to hold it. Let it go and breathe. Just breathe. Don’t think, don’t hold. Let it flow, once it loops it will not overwhelm you. Just breathe. I got you.”

Slowly at first the items movements became less erratic and the water volume shrank, everything suddenly dropping to the ground to lie still and the ground soaked. Lance panted heavily into kolivan’s chest, fists clutching the demon’s tunic. As the last item settled to the floor lance sagged against his new familiar. The tunic grew damp as the tears and sweat from his witch soaked into it. The boy trembling in his hold as the new combined magic buzzed just under his skin.

“That’s it. Just breath. You did very well. I can feed once more from you and help take some of the pressure off.” Kolivan whispered into his witch’s hair. His hat having flown off in the magic storm. He felt his hands clench and open several times in his tunic before feeling the small knodd against his chest. Kolivan felt the hope deep in his chest emitting from his arm coming from lance. Kolivan carefully cupped the back of his head  in his large hand and leaned him back. His witch’s eyes were no longer lit with magic but shined with glassy tears. He brought his forehead to lance’s before tilting to cover his mouth with his own parting his lips slightly and lance following his. The demon carefully pulled the most volatile and erratic building power from within in. he felt the delight and calm grow as he ate, both through the bond and physically as the last of the tension left lance’s body. The boy practically collapsing into kilovan’s hold.

Once he felt only slow flowing magic in his witch he pulled away to look at his bonded. He was a little shocked, not that he showed it, by the tired and self satisfied grin adorning his face. “Damn take a guy to dinner first.” He let out a breathless laugh at his own joke.

The demon tilted his head slightly looking down on lance, “You provided me A late evening meal.”

Lance stared speechless for a moment before dropping his head even further back cackling. He tightened his hold and arm holding to kolivan’s shirt trying unsuccessfully pull himself up. “You are the best familiar i could ever wish for koli. I can not wait to ruin you with human culture. But i’d call myself a snack over a meal.” He gave the demon a wink.

“I’ve consumed enough of your magic to satisfy myself for quite some time, therefore I believe the correct word would be meal.” Kolivan informed him. Causing the witch to giggle shaking his head.

“Sure thing man.” Lance pulled back trying to climb to his feet looking around for his hat and wand. Hoping the straw wasn’t damaged after being tossed about. His legs gave out from under him. Kolivan was quick to catch him before taking to his own feet lifting lance bridal style with him.

“You need rest. Bonding with a familiar often takes a lot out of humans. On Top of your body trying to replenish the magic of yours that I consumed.” Kolivan informed him.

“But, i need my hat, and wand. I made a mess, I need to clean it up.or shiro will and that’s not fair To him. Unless he makes keith do it. That would be ok.” Lance started to protest but his eyes began to droop and words slurred as he continued.

Without loosing his hold, kolivan used his own powers to lift the hat and carefully place it on his little witch who valiantly tried to fight off his growing slumber. And settled the wand into the ruffled band on the hat. “Rest now little witch. I will look after you till you awake.” Slowly lance’s eyes drifted closed. Once he was settled kolivan looked to the angry witches and demons outside his barrier staring him down. He had sensed the others outside the building. They having been brought into the shed from the commotion during the bonding. He dropped the sound proofing first. “Your friend sleeps now.”

Keith growled threatening at him clawing at the barrier, his witch's eyes and prosthetic arm glowed a menacing purple. The other witches eyes glowed a mild orange and he had a dart thrower at his side glowing a matching color. His demon though larger than the first and scaled instead of furried stood calmly nearby but his glare was no less hard. “You may have deceived him demon but you do not deceive us. We know what you are.” Shiro said coldly. He focused his magic building into his arm, waiting for the barrier to finally drop so he could save his student.

“Quintessens demon! Galra!” Keith roared clawing at the barrier. “Let him go!”

"Your friend is in no danger from me we have bonded." Kolivan stated simply. "He needs rest from the strain. I request that you stand down and allow me to bring him to his nest to rest."

"Bullshit! He is drained because you drained him! Filthy galra! Release him from the bond or we will!" Keith threatened drawing a dagger.

"Keith we can't do that just yet." Adam said calmly but kept his narrowed eyes on the demon holding his thought of pupil. "Because bonding is very draining, between that and this galra feeding on lance, to suddenly seveR the fresh bond before it's even truly set could kill lance." Keith flinched back from the barrier at the news staring wide eyed at Adam.

"Which I would not allow. I told him I'd look over him while he recovered." Kolivan stated. "He is mine just as I am his. Though I did not answer intent to bond, we have and I will do all that is required of such a pact."

"Oh did you answer to feast and flee then monster?" Shiro growled himself. "I swore to that boys family I'd keep him safe. I do not intend to leave him to the fate of your extended meal before you grow tired and consume all that he is."

"Just because I am a galra, doesn't mean we are all heartless gluttons. As you should know yourself, having a half galra familiar ." Kolivan narrowed his eyes at the largest witch. Ignoring the smaller demons flinch and laid back ears.

The little demon snarling in defense. "I do not solely feed on magic or life. I can feed on fire. And I only take the magic that is freely given by my bonded."

"I have mostly fed on witches calling out for familiars whose magic is so pungent that it can risk the witches life should a less honorable galra catch wind of it. I feed enough to lower the stench before leaving. Your little witch was the first to not fear me after I fed in a very long time. And the first to ask me to bond in just as long. My pack mamora is full of galra who perform the same task. We are fed while protecting unprepared witches. " Kolivan stated clearly for those I front of him. Still not dropping the barrier. "Lance is my bonded, and therefore under my pack. I will protect both of us from harm should it be needed. But I do not believe he would like to find upon waking that I had to fight his own to do so."

The scaled demons tail flicked in annoyance. He had no wings though. "And I'm sure you can see elder, that we are more than capable of caring to the needs of our pack mate. As a show of trust gives him into our care, and return to your own nest to rest yourself. Then once all is calm you may return to this discussion."

"There is no longer a discussion. The boy has chosen." Kolivan quipped.

"Because you tricked him! You blocked us from…" Keith shouted.

"I blocked you to prevent an attack while I fed. Then left it so his choice would be made freely. No outside interference. There was no trick. He asked me to bond.” Kolivan then narrowed his ever glowing at the group. “If it is a show of trust you want, I will drop the barrier, if you take me to his nest without attack i will stay just till he awakens, then I will take my leave till he calls me or I sense his need. Should you refuse or attack I can return to my pack with my witch. I must return to inform them of my added duties. As soon as possible as it is.”

Keith and shiro bristled most at the threat. Adam widened his stance. "Humans don't have nests, They have private rooms and beds galra." Keith corrected snottily. "Need to return to your pack with tail tucked to your alpha to let them know you've become a slave to a human witch. He sneered for added measure.

"I am my packs alpha. My name is kolivan whelp." The demon answered dropping the barrier with narrowed eyes.

At the first sentence the quartet took a step back before the barrier fulls dropped. Shiro and Adams eyes wide in disbelief. They knew lance's magic was strong but to attract and bond an alpha demon, and the most dangerous kind galra on his first summoning. Well it put the young adult in a whole new category. Keith had no pack before their own and Curtis had severed himself from his own when we joined with Adam. Curtis was only their demon alpha default by age. Should Keith had ever felt like challenging him he'd easily have the title. But neither of them could take this one on alone. Their true pack alpha by roll was the human witch shiro.

Kolivan spoke to them as he stepped forward. "What are the names of Lance's pack, and soon to be my own should all Ill will settle."

"Keith." The small demon answered first

Staring angrily at his own feet, but showing the barest of submission.

"Shiro, Keith's bonded. Head of this coven, or pack as the demons call them." Shiro answered next meeting the new demons eyes. "I am agreeing to your terms to stay by my newly bonded student till he recovers. And only till then. I do not heed to your authority kolivan."

"Curtis of zameyan, acting alpha of our pack per demon custom. I defer to shiro as true alpha." Curtis spoke next following shiro's level of defiance.

"Adam, Curtis's bonded. And I follow their decision. But should any harm befall that boy at your hand or following I will not be waiting for permission to slay or enshrine you." Adam stared down the demon.

Kolivan gave a short nod in acknowledgement. "Noted. Please lead the way to his bed."

Keith sneered at the wording. Shiro took lead with Keith at his side. And Adam and Curtis took up behind kolivan and lance to watch. Adam reached out with his magic to touch Lance's. He was met with a steady flow and matching heartbeat and breathing from lance. His level was considerably low but no where near a dangerous level. He let out a sigh of relief.

Once they left the work shed or magic barn as lance liked to call it, they walked through a small thicket of trees till they reached the main house. Shiro by passing the polite host etiquette of a house tour to take the group straight to the third floors lofted bedroom.

Kolivan narrowed his eyes as he examined the room. Taking in the organized chaos as it stretched out from a far corner under a skylight in a semi circle pattern. Then he spoke. "I thought you said Hunan's didn't have nests?"

"They don't. This is Lance's bedroom. That giant orange fish pillow thing in the corner is his bed." Keith answered gesturing towards the giant Magikarp pokemon stuffed animal partially propped up against the wall. Laid flat it would be the size of a futon. On it was a feebas stuffie that served as a pillow. Other soft trinkets and plushies laid nearby. And several blankets of different types and water themes laid draped across the tail.

Kolivan moved past the others to settle lance into the bed. And place his hat and wand on a shelf near the bed. Taking care to cover him while doing the least disturbance to the soft trinkets. Once he was settled lance curled onto his side facing the door arms and legs wrapped around a long blue pillow with embroidery on it. Kolivan then turned to sitmore properly on the floor side touching Lance's sleep spot. But facing the door also. "This appears to have all the makings of a demon's nest."

Keith's lip raised in a snarl, bearing a single fang. "He is just weird. It's a bed. Humans sleep in beds demon in nests. Humans just have lots of different kinds of beds."

Shiro put a hand on his demon's shoulder. "Call it whatever you want kolivan. You can stay in this room, but I do not want you wandering around our home. Someone will check in here every hour on the dot."

"And a few sporadic unplanned check ins. At anytime." Adam tacked on. "So don't try anything funny."

"Once he awakens you are to leave." Shiro finished.

"I will stay until your next check in him after he wakes. He should rest as much as he is able. I do not wish to leave him and then he become injured looking for your company." Kolivan stated his intent.

Shiro let out an audible breath out his nose. His hand flashing purple before it dissipated before he spoke. "Fine. Then you leave."

"Agreed." Kolivan knoded settling himself in to look over his new companion. The others slowly taking their leave. Curtis left the door open being the last out.

[all-things-fic]

Head Over Heels

A/N MetGala!Harry did a number on us all didn��t he ladies? Don’t know why we expected any different to be honest. So this is me taking inspiration and writing a little something about sharing that night with him. Hopefully it lives up to the hype for some of you (I’m anxious as hell). Massive massive thank you to my fave gal @waitingfortwilight for listening to me ramble about this all afternoon and to @talesofstyles for indulging me at 2am when Katie had the sense the sleep and drop out of group chat. 

Tagging some of my loves who reached out to me @for-fucks-sake-h, @theasstour and @harrygivenchy

Without further ado, hope you enjoy! Loads of love to all you babes xx

***

The faint click of the hotel room door was heard from behind you, as you watched Harry navigate his way around your suite.

A flickering of yellow light lit up the space and contrasted against the harsh hall lighting that had filled your room a mere second or two ago.

Eyes washed over his svelte figure that donned the black lace and rayon crepe jumpsuit impeccably well, the fabric tailored to his body in such a way that made undeniably custom and undeniably his.

Harry busied himself, his back still turned to you as you admired him. Head down, fingers tapping quickly away on his phone as he read through what were probably instructions of the outfit change that awaited him.

You admired the way his hair was cut neatly into his neck, the length curling now as the night had almost come to its end, an after party awaiting you both. Falling around his ears and temples, softening his face in that way that warmed you.

The glint from the bedside lamp of the earring in his right ear caused you to breathe deeply as Harry flicked it on. He didn’t know it yet but you were going to ask for him to make that stay around for a little while longer yet.

Black lace teased your gaze winding down his neck and over his broad shoulders. You craved to feel it underneath your fingertips, catching against your nails as you desperately clawed in a silent beg at wanting him as close to you as you could get him to be.

His arse was non-existent in the trousers and the thought caused a bubble of a laugh to leave your lips and for Harry to turn his gaze quickly over his shoulder at you.

He blinked, eyes lighting up as he saw the way you allowed your stare to scan up his body and to meet his eyes that so very often filled you with a indescribable warmth, a mixture of desire and love but right now showcasing incredibly blown out pupils and glassy from light intoxication.

“S’tha’ you laughin’ at me?” He asked, amused lilt filling your suite, causing you to press your lips together to hide your smile. You shook your head at him. “No? S’tha’ you checkin’ me out then? Fancy me summat rotten don’ya?”

He scrunched his nose up as he confidently goaded you with a slurred voice that filled you with a fire loud enough for you to be willed to bite back.

“Awfully confident for a man whose wearing a blouse and heels that match the length of his girlfriends.”

You saw the way his eyes lit up as he rolled his head further back on his neck to look at you. Ring clad hands pushed deep inside the pockets of his trousers as he pressed his groin forwards into nothing but thin air.

Standing dick first, he smirked, slowly. “You and I both know that my length matches nothing you’ve ever come across before in your life.”

You held his gaze. “S’why I’m still around.”

His head dropped back as he barked a laugh at your retort, eyes crinkling as they looked up to the ceiling for your hotel suite.

“Christ, I love you,” he sighed as his laughter died down. “You comin’ to me or do I need to come over to you?”

You stayed silent looking at him again, watching the way his eyes were alight, and the way his right hand slipped from his pocket and was held loosely out to his side, ready for you to take.

“Cause you know I’d come over to you in a ‘art beat. No question,” he admitted, in not so many words just how much of a fool he was for you. How much he didn’t care who knew it

His words lingered for a short while before his fingers wiggled over at you playfully. Your body filled with a warmth that you could only liken to the excitement of two lovesick teenagers, anxiously waiting with nothing but unadulterated eagerness to pounce upon each other regardless of how long or short it had been since their last embrace had taken place.

Twisting your body around, the sound of the chain of your clutch bag was brash against the crackling energy created by you both as you roughly placed it onto the dark mahogany sideboard.

With aching feet you tottered over to Harry who could see the lingering tiredness within your features as you draped your hand over his.

He clasped his fingers around yours, thumb soothing over your skin as he pulled you to him the rest of the way huskily chuckling to himself when you lightly squealed having been taken aback by his action.

The minute you fell into his side, his lace clad arm scooped you into him, your hand finding his upper abdomen, level with his butterfly tattoo.

“Steady on darlin’,” he teased. “What was it you said earlier ‘bout my two left feet?”

“Shut yer face,” you replied, tilting your head to look at him and enjoying the way he looked down at you wearing a look of boyish adoration.

His mouth fell with a mocked disbelief at your sniping at him. “S’tha you givin’ me a tellin’ off now n’all- need a good tellin’ off don’t I, eh? One too many nipples one show-“

You bit away your smile. “Should’ve gone with two but couldn’t hold back and went wi’all four of ‘em instead-“

“Sometimes it’s nice to let the girls breathe.”

He hummed at that, dipping his head down before you could even comprehend what he was doing next. Your felt his teeth nip at the swell of your breast, catching the top hem as he pulled at the fabric.

“Harry, god- stop-“ you giggled threading your fingers through his hair and hearing the most sexiest, deepest, filthiest laugh bounce against your bare skin as he obnoxiously growled shortly afterwards, only deepening the blushing warmth of your cheeks.

“Tits looked extra good t’nigh’,” he groused. “Go’ a favourite one y’know-“

You hummed, closing your eyes at the way he nosed his way up against your neck and suckled against the hinge of your jaw. You dug your nails into his neck at the nape, Harry hissing lightly against your neck.

“You know,” he asked again, husky whisper everpresent. “‘Ow’d you know?“ This time his question was asked in a whine, purely due to the way he’d be caught.

As you responded he brought your head back to his, lips skimming gently against your cheek. “You like sucking on one more than the other-“

“S’the right ‘un-“

“I know-“

“S’a bit bigger than the left. Nipple pebbles nice fo’me.”

You breathed heavily out your nose at his words, easily enticed by the way his warm breath bounced against the corner of your mouth. He cheekily puckered his lips, ever so gently, willing you to turn your head slightly to the left give him what he wanted.

When you didn’t comply, he chuckled again, “s’tha’ you sayin’ no?”

“S’me not saying anything-“

“Not even a little bit filthy f’me?”

“Harry-“

“S’not a no.”

You stared at him though hooded eyes, his expression matching yours. Leaning forward he pecked your lips lightly, keeping your eyes contact, completely going against the lingering pull of his gaze and the soothing motions of his hands that made you swear he would’ve tried for something not.

“Need a quick piss,” he muttered, forgetting the manners he was always so quick to remember around you. “Can you undo me, darlin? Can’t quite reach and don’t wanna rip the lace.”

He turned quickly to show you the expanse of his back again and your eyes were dazed by the buttons of the neckline that was strikingly feminine in contrast to the thick band of the tied bow collar and the broad back of your long-term boyfriend.

When you didn’t respond straight away you heard his voice enter your thoughts. “S’fine if not, can ‘ave a go m’self.”

Alongside his voice, you watched as his arms lifted up and behind him, fingers fiddling with tiny buttons too petite for his clumsy movements. With a quick glance you could see the strain of the lace over his biceps as he reached up and tried his hardest to undress himself.

Without another thought you placed your hands against his shoulders, smoothing them upwards over his shoulder blades and to the tops of his arms to guide them down.

You felt him shiver a bit underneath your touch at the feeling of your hands on his skin, the lace he wore the only thing between you both. Boldly you nudged forward and pressed a kiss to his shoulder blade, the lace a lot softer to your lips than you first imagined it would be.

A soft sigh left Harry shortly before he confessed, “Missed you tonigh’. Sorry I didn’t get much time with you.”

You sighed, dropping your head to the middle of his back, taking to feeling the way he blindly reached behind him to coax you into pressing your entire front to his back.

Gently he took your arms and wrapped them around himself, enjoying the way you clasped your hands tightly against his midsection.

“S’fine I had a great time with Bradley Cooper,” you joked. “He’s quite a catch. Does both a bit of the old singing and acting. Seems ‘ve got a type.”

The two of you stayed silent for a while. The calming rise and fall of Harry’s stomach against your hands with his breathing, instantly soothing your emotional state.

Somewhere in the tranquil stillness Harry found his voice, a lingering question on his mind and itching to leave his tongue. “Proud of me?” he asked, a bit braver with his back facing you.

“Couldn’t be more proud of you if I tried.”

Your response came not less than half a beat after his question. His shoulders visibly relaxing as he felt you scratch against the fabric of his trousers. He cupped his hand over yours.

“Thought you needed a wee?”

“I do,” his tone let you know he was smiling. “‘M just enjoying my girlfriend trying to envelope me even if I do tower over her.”

You slapped his lower stomach lightly, causing him to groan. “Don’t do tha’, ‘m fit to burst.”

“Can’t stay attached to you and undress you, so which is it?”

Wordless he guided one of your hands back to his neck, and sighed when he felt the collar of his neck give way as your nimble fingers easily undid the delicate buttons.

While you unbuttoned, he unzipped. Seeing the lace fall away from his back, enjoying the way the heavy fabric pooled at his feet. The sight of his bare bottom cheeks was enough to cause your mouth to become almost unbearably dry. The way he stepped out from the expensive fabric, to stand in front of your wearing next to nothing but a pair Gucci boots was quite frankly to biggest turn on you’d yet to experience with you boyfriend.

He didn’t seem phased by leaving the expensive garment on the floor as you turned to look over your shoulder at him as he headed towards the en-suite bathroom. Him walking away from you boyishly cupping himself with both hands and freely letting his bare arse bounce with each strut.

There was something about the way he pranced to the toilet in nothing more than a pair of patent Gucci boots which cut off at his calf that caused you to erratically flush.

“I’ll pick this up after you then, shall I?” You sarcastically asked.

Mere seconds later he replied through the close door, “Cheers doll!”

You shook your head, walking around the room and finding the Gucci coat hanger that you required on the back of the door. By some kind of miracle you managed to get the garment back inside the white protective bag, hanging it back up where you found it.

The next thing was to tackle was your own dress, the could wait however. The heavy fabric weighed you down, and while it was an exquisitely gorgeous piece crafted by Gucci itself (because let’s face it you would be dead if you’d have been seen in anything else), you wanted nothing more than to take the weight off and replace it with the slinkier number you’d hand picked for the Fall 2019 runway.

Sinking down to the floor, you reached above you and grabbed at your clutch, crawling closer to the end of the bed. Somewhere in the back of your mind you could hear Harry pottering around the bathroom, messing with little trinkets and making far too much noise for someone who only wanted a wee.

Opening the clasp of the black velvet bag, you pulled your phone out and quickly swiped across the screen, ignoring any messages you had from friends regarding your outfit. Prying questions of who you’d been seated next to etc etc every present when your phone was brought to life.

Taking to social media, you somewhat narcissistically searched out your boyfriend. And by search you meant clicked on his number two trending topic worldwide - which was his name - to see what sort of kerfuffle he had managed to cause for himself this time.

Beaming. That was a word that was used a lot. However this time it was an understatement. Your emotions were hard to pin down as you scrolled and scrolled through the thousands upon thousands of images and kind words about the man who had always that little bit extra and not always afraid to show it either. Well, not with you anyway.

“S’tha’ Bradley tha’s got you smiling like tha’,” you felt your lips twitch deeper as Harry’s voice entered the room again signalling that he was finished up in the bathroom and yours to ogle once more.

“Wouldn’t you like to kn-“ you voice trailed off as you lifted your eyes to see Harry resting casually against the door frame of your en-suite, arms cross over his chest and heels extending his height so much more as he stood, filling the doorway, almost intimidatingly.

You gulped. He was hauntingly beautiful as his eyes blinked slowly and he licked at his lips, quickly rolling them into his mouth as he watched the way you’d frozen at the sight of him.

Before you could stop yourself, you swiped up on your phone and snapped a photograph of him. Expecting him to protest by covering his exposed private parts. Instead you were quite surprised when he altered his position in the doorway and rested his hand against his hip, opening himself further.

“‘F yer gonna take ‘em at least have the shutter noise on,” he smirked, pressing his left hand against the doorframe and loosely setting his right hand on his bare hip. Oh my god he was getting off on this. On you snapping pictures for him and you to deconstruct later. “Make sure you’re getting my good side.”

“Have you got a bad side-“

“Know you ‘ave,” he deeply responded, giving the conversation an whole new meaning as he tilted his head back and looked at you with such a vacant expression of smugness that made it so you didn’t quite know what to place yourself. His cheekiness was ever present as he fought his laugh, and his dimples from showing.

“I’m not the one standing with my dick proud in a pair of slutty heels.”

“S’a very sophisticated nude actually,” he started, pushing himself off the doorframe and walking over to you. He leant down, left leg lifting slightly off he floor as he planted his right foot firmly to hold his weight. The strength of his muscular quads visible as his legs tensed and he messily found your lips.

Head tipped back, sat on your haunches you kisses him in return, just as messily enjoying the way his tongue lapped sultrily against yours. “A very very sophisticated nude. No sluttiness involved-“

“S’a shame,” you cut him off, enjoying his breathe fanning across your lips, knowing you were drunk on lust as he watched you. “Quite like the idea of being a bit slutty.”

“You or me?”

“Both,” you breathed.

He groaned around his laugh, standing to him full height and breathing deeply to try and calm himself. Where he stood you found yourself almost level with his crotch. So close, all you needed to do was raise ever so slightly onto your knees and you could take him into your mouth with ease.

You were enticed, there wasn’t any doubt. Especially as he stood hard in front of you, bobbing with each harsh movement of Harry’s flamboyant hip swinging prance.

As you chose to throw caution to the wind, Harry slipped around you, walking in the direction of the dimly lit corner of the room. He messily flopped down into the burgundy, crushed velvet chair and peered over to you like a crocodile peering over the waters surface.

With eyes locked with yours, you watched the way he slid down the back of chair, his shoulders digging into the back rest as he pressed his hands teasingly to his pelvis, so close but so far away from quelling the throbbing of his cock.

You eyed each other silently, both your chests heaving with anticipation as you waited to see who would be the first to give into their enticing lust.

Next, Harry somewhat erratically darted forward, spreading his legs wide within the seat as he leaned down to unzip his boots.

Underneath the hair that had fallen, he must have seen the way you reached forward, pressing your hand down against the thick rug, cream and soft to touch, beneath you.

“Are you crawlin’ to me?” He asked, the left side of his mouth tilting up into smarmiest smile. “You’re crawlin’ to me.” He confirmed.

Biting you bottom lip, you hummed watching the way that Harry dropped his head a smirk. This breathy chuckle filled the space between you both, as he shook his head before he once more looked back up at you from underneath the hair falling into his eyes.

“Fuckin’ hell,” Harry breathed, falling back against the seat once more, his chin was almost resting against his chest as he wordlessly goaded you to come to him.

“Come perch yourself nicely between m’legs then, darlin’.”

You find yourself complying and you knew if you body was under his now you would be needy and pliable, just the way he liked it.

“‘F we’re doin’ this, then we’re doin’ it proper.”

“What are we doing?”

He smiled at your question, your own voice deeper with arousal now as you eyed him. The challenge of your questioning him was always a nice push and pull for you both.

“What is it you want, pretty boy?”

“Get ‘em out for me,” he feebly reached for the top of your dress, weakly tugging he fabric down. Your breast bounced against the jolt of his hands combined with yours.

“Gonna fuck ‘em?”

“Want me to-“ he asked, voice dying off as you leaned forward and he felt your hardened nipples brush against the skin of his legs.

This desperate, wet, plea escapes him before he can stop himself and wait on your reply. “Want to, want to,” he breathed.

Raising higher you shuffled around, reaching for the top of your dress and somehow managing to pull the front down to sit awkwardly under your boob.

“Other one,” he spoke, breathing ragged, chin nudging upwards as he cupped over his hardening cock and squinted his eyes so tightly you could’ve sworn he’d closed them. “Christ darling, what’re doing to me,” he begged, panting. “Look, feel- feel- ‘av a feel, ‘av a play.”

You laughed down your nose as you dropped your head down, open mouthed kiss left against the skin above his belly button.

“Doll,” you heard from above you as you felt his hand fidget next to your neck, curling around his aching member and choking out an mantra of “darlin’s”.

Harry swallowed harshly, stomach rolling as he heaved, in and out, short and sharp pants as your lightly moved your head from side to side as his descended closer to where he wanted you most.

His hands scratching against the velvet of the seat was faintly heard by you as you came to a short stop. Closing your eyes you inhaled lightly first, his trimmed pubic hair short but still enough to leave a light tickle against your skin.

“Bit lower, bit lower, bit lower,” he breathed, voice whispered, broken.

You pushed your nose into him harder, inhaling deeper.

“God, please get on me. Suck me off-“

Reaching for his hand, you guided his palm that still held his aching hard cock and pressed it to your lips. Through hooded eyes he look down at you and smeared his wet head against your lips.

Your mouth dropped slightly, tongue dipping out to lave gently before you took and deep breath through your nose and dropped forward taking him tenderly in between your lips and sucking.

He choked your name, watching you delicately while gritting his teeth and hissing as you lowered down some more. You pulled up, lifting off him and holding him in your hand. Head dipping down you licked from the base of his shaft, kissing as you got to top before suckling him into your mouth again.

Fingers slide along your jaw, as Harry dropped his chin to his chest. He felt the way you flexed against his hand, using his free hand to try and stop your hair from covering your face. He growled as he came up short, quickly making his right hand weave through your hair and holding it up in a makeshift pony tail.

“Look at you,” his tone was guttural, feeling you pull off before spitting lightly down onto his already wet and leaky cock. “Fuck me tha’s good-“

You bobbed your head up and down over him, tongue working over his length causing him to whimper, desperately trying to guide your head with non-verbal encouragement.

Pulling off you suckled on his head again, feeling him choke as he strained, “Stop- stop playin’ wi’me.”

“Wanna fuck ‘em?” You breathlessly asked, pressing your chest forward and feeling the way he reached to stroke the underside of your right boob.

Harry wordlessly nodded, sucking his bottom lip harshly into his mouth and through hooded eyes watched as you leaned up a bit more and pressed your tits together.

He thumbed over the weeping head of his cock, heavily breathing through his nose as a muffled groaned left his tightly pressed together lips. 

A gleaming line of spit and pre-come traced your tits, as he smirked at the mess he was making against your skin. He slapped himself against both your nipples, rubbing against his favourite boob a bit more than the other with highly glazed eyes of lust and something else.

“What would the world say if they saw Harry Styles’ fucking his girlfriends tits-“

His eyes snapped up to yours from where they’d been trained on the way he played with himself.

“No sharing,” he whispered, pressing his cock in between your cleavage and enjoying the way you pressed your boobs to encase him.

“No, no sharing,” you agreed, pouty lips confirming his words by repeating them, moving painstakingly slowly and watching the way Harry’s face pinched and breathed in wonder about how soft you skin was.

Dropping your mouth down you managed to lap gentle licks to his head as it popped between your boobs, which had gotten a bit of bounce to them again as Harry began to raise his hips, hand holding himself solidly at the base.

“Love fuckin’ your tits, doll.“

“Yeah? Don’t want ‘em bigger?”

He shook his head. “They’re perfect, don’t need ‘em bigger. Wanna fuck ‘em more, wanna fuck ‘em all the time.”

“Show me then,” you goaded. “Show me how much.” 

You saw the way his eyes had darkened in determination, zoning in on the way you focused on ensuring your mouth was always there where he popped out the top. Lapping at him and purring each time successfully managed to get deeper in your mouth.

“Fuck,” he whimpered. Heaving breath, choked. “‘M gonna come. Darlin’, s’gonna be loads-“

“On my face?” You asked, him shaking his head with gritted teeth, sweat pebbling against his temple and hairline, as he tried to hold off. “My mouth-“

“Angel-“

He hardly called you that. That one was rare. That was the name when he was far too lost within his own psyche.

He wanted to blow his load in your mouth. He just didn’t have it in him to express it with fear of exploding before you wrapped your lips around him.

In a flash your breasts fell away and your hair fell into your face as your enclosed around him and took him down as far as your could. “Comin’, sorry- sorry-“ his apology was quick pants of words that turned into mumbled garbles of incoherence together with groans and choked moans that in every sense of the word embodied: erotic.

You also didn’t know why he was apologising, swallowing was never a problem.

As you slipped off of him, Harry’s heavily spent cock fell backwards against his stomach. In post coital haze, he gasped heavily above you, blushing skin returning slowly turning back its usual pale shade. If you’d have looked up at him that moment, you would’ve seen the way that he was blissed out. A slow, crooked smile lifting on his lips as he bit his bottom lip and spread his palm against his face, almost in embarrassed disbelief.

You however were too busy with running your nose along his hairy thighs, pressing the softest, barely there but ever so slightly wetter than usual, kisses to his skin.

You grazed his knee with you teeth, favouring the “si” tattoo subliminally telling that there was more where that came from if he was up to it. Down his calves, you slowly draw the back of your hand over the patent boot, unzipping and removing it.

Eyes ran over his feet as his toes curled into the thick, white rug underneath you both, causing you to smile as you were all too familiar with burn in the balls of your feet from high heels.

As Harry returned to his surroundings you heard his hoarse voice, “Fuck me.” 

“Can I?”

He brashly laughed, blinking sleepily over at you. Lightly, he tugged you up to him, wanting you lips on his desperately. You rolled your tongue against, wanting to share his taste with him and feeling the way his jaw flexed wider as the kiss deepened. He wanted that too.

As the kiss slowed, you felt yourself soften as Harry breathed against you. His nose nudging yours, the change in him cause you to become slightly flustered and a bit fidgety. “You’re so fucking good at tha’, d’ya know tha’? Never gonna get tired of doing that with you.”

“Harry,” you fell against him, as he dipped his head back behind him and laughed again. His hand rested on the nape of your neck soothing over your slightly messy hair, from the way it had previously been tangled in between his fingers. 

“We like the heels then?” He questioned after a small amount of silence, as he kept your body draped over his as comfortably as he possibly could for the size of the arm chair.

“They’re alright, I suppose,” you scratched lightly at his chest hair. He bit back his smile, admiring how you tried to remain blasé.

“You let me fuck your tits for something that’s just alright? Suppose we did get a little slutty after all-“

He dipped his head, turning it to the side to find your jaw. He hummed before saying, “And the night’s still young eh-“

[alsanjxde]

Miche Zacharius - Right person Wrong time

Chapter 2

❀ Y/N's POV ❀ ＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ Our first day at the scouts wasn't all that bad. It was shockingly fun, except for the fact that I was placed in squad Miche out of every squad I could have been put in it was squad Miche. It's been a few weeks since our first day. We have one more week of training then we're going on our first ever mission. I'm so anxious to find out what the titans look like. Oh well i'll just suck it up even if i am petrified of them. I look outside the window the early sun shining in it has to be about 5am? The scouts are definitely not what we all expected. We expected a high level intense 24/7 training schedule. But it's not all that, it's occasional fun training sessions- most of the time they're serious though-, it's making friends with the rest of the scouts. It's comforting like a second home if i had to call it something. Levi hates it here though. He finds it dirty and disgusting but that's just Levi. Me Isabel and Furlan love it here, we've made many friends. Fun fact: Me and Miche are actually getting closer; his sniffing habits are still questionable but it's dealable.

"Hey are you awake too?" Isabel yawns out. I sit up immediately "Yep yep, i'm awake, Good Morning." Isabel then gets out of bed and looks at me. "Up for some early training?" She says smiling ear to ear while looking smug. "Sure" I jump out from the top bunk. When i get down me and Isabel do our little handshake ending it with a fist bump and then a little shimmy. "Alright let's get ready" She yells excited. We both walk toward the wardrobe getting dressed while chatting about random things. Getting changed quickly Isabel randomly blurts out "Hey, you know you look tiny by Miche?" I just look at her confused with her random statement. "Pft, Well he is like 196cm" I state while laughing. "How do you know his height?" Isabel looks shocked but also weirdly interested. It scares me sending shivers down my spine. Eugh. "Is it not normal to know someone's height now or something?" I question while fixing up the straps of my uniform. "Huh? Oh no no nothing like that i'm just curious, the only people's heights i know are yours, Farlan's and Levi's." Isabel clears up while struggling with her straps. "Oh..Need some help with them?" I chuckle watching her struggle to tighten them to their needed size. "Thank you" She mumbles while crossing her arms in annoyance that she still has not got the hang of tightening the straps. "Okay well we won't be able to train on the titan cut outs so it'll just be manoeuvre practice" I state while helping her out, "Huh? Why?" "Oh you don't know that they said we can train on our own just without the cut outs." "Oh that's fine it's more fun like that, Oh! I know we can have a race!" Isabel jumps up as i just finish her straps. "Alright let's go" I shout as i run outside towards where the gear is kept.

Approaching our gear i notice one is missing someone else must be out here i wonder who, i forgot who keeps their gear near mine. I quickly throw the gear on and damn is it heavy. For all you thinking you could carry this oh you couldn't. Oh am i breaking the fourth wall? Oh sorry back to what was happening. "Hey! Are you ready?" Isabel yells out from the corner "Nearly" I reply rushing to put the gas canisters in the slots. I grab the handles/grips and exit to see Isabel on a tree ready waiting for me. "Wow you're so impatient man" I shake my head out shoot up into the same tree but just lower down. "Yeah i know. Okay ready for the race?" Isabel readies up. "Always" "3. 2. 1. GO!" We both shoot of in the same direction there clearly being a path to where we should go. I zoom past the trees doing spins and shit to keep my balance. The air flying through my hair but still keeping me fabulous.

Nearing the end of the race I hear someone else using the ODM gear other than me and Isabel they're getting closer to use but I just ignore it and keep going. "Hey! Wait for me!" Isabel yelps being far behind. "Isn't this a race?" I say  confidently and continue forward not looking where i'm going. Smack. Ow. My head. I flew straight into a tree, just my luck. "Y/N!" Isabel calls out. My sight going blurry due to the concussion I gained. Another person landing near me and Isabel. Who is it? Their conversation becoming inaudible I slowly close my eyes and pass out.

❀ Isabels POV ❀ "Y/N" I called out seeing her hit the tree and then tumble down to the ground hitting her heard multiple times. She's so stupid sometimes. Phwoosh. Who's that? Oh Miche. So that's who the missing gear belonged to. I wonder what he was doing out here. I landed by Y/N so did he. "What happened?" he bluntly asked. "We were practicing and she hit her head i'll take her back to the dorms now, don't worry about it" I reply inching closer to Y/N and attempting to pick her up but failing due the my petite size. "Hey um, Miche is it? Could you help move Y/N to the dorm i can't pick her up." I ask nervously waiting to be turned down and told to do it myself. He just 'tsked' and picked her up "Show me the way" I nodded in reply and started heading towards the forest opening. Weird. Normally squad leaders would tell people to build more strength and courage. Huh? He must not be that bad.

We made it into the dorm and I took Y/N's gear off, bandaged her up and gave the gear to Miche so he could take it back "Thank you" I calmly said. He just nodded and left. He is so strange. I wonder when she'll wake up. I check her pulse just in case. She's alive good. I sigh and smile to myself "Oh you really are stupid sometimes"

Next week ❀ Y/N's POV ❀ Waking up i see the sunlight of midday. Oh i wasn't out that long then, I sit up and look around to see Levi and Furlan standing by the door. "Tsk, you're finally up" Levi rolled his eyes in annoyance. Finally? It hasn't even been that long. "It's been a week by the way" Furlan says scratching his neck. "Oh" Silence crowded the room. If it's been a week that means tomorrow is mission day. Of course i wake up the day before an important mission. I sigh getting up. "Is there training today" "Nope, we're just going through the mission plans" "Oh okay well can you two wait outside while i get changed please?" They both nod slowly taking themselves outside. What a long day this will be.

I exit the room into the hallway to see people staring at me from all places whispering 'She's finally woken up' 'i'm surprised she's not dead' I just sigh ignoring everyone and continue walking towards where we go through the plans. Reaching the room I wipe the small droplets of sweat off of my forehead and enter the room to be met with a wave of overwhelming silence. "Oh nice to see you again Y/N." Erwin said with a cold face but with good intentions. I just nod. This will be your last day on this Earth Mr.Erwin Smith.

The meeting coming to an end me Isabel, Furlan and Levi were placed in the same formation squad. Maybe they know our plan and want to see us try? No surely they can't. "Hey! We're placed in the same squad just us four that's cool" Furlan says as me him and Isabel look for Levi to make a statement. "That just makes our plan easier" Isabel states full of confidence. Opening a door to the rooftop we see Levi sitting there looking up at the moon. "Levi. We're not letting you go alone." Furlan states, "You said that when we first step outside it'll be the four of us together" Isabel continues crossing her arms full of sass. "Have you forgotten?" He really has nothing to sa- "It's the same. When you can't see the moon or stars, the sky up here is just the same as the sky down there." Levi bluntly murmurs in a state of despair. I'm confusion me Isabel and Furlan look up to see the grey clouds storming the Navy blue night sky. "The colour of the sky, sure. But-" "But it's different" Isabel cuts in. Levi turns around and looks at her giving her a 'what' look. "We know that there's no ceiling. It's completely different!" Isabel continues her words full of hope "That's right. The sky is endless." Furlan says Isabel's words rubbing off on him. "It may be just as dark, but it's far different from underground." I say softly trying to be involved. "Look!" Isabel shouts looking up at the sky causing Levi to turn back around. "The moon is so bright!" she continues. "Right?" She asks Levi while taking a seat next to him; me and Furlan joining them. "There's a difference isn't it there?" I jump in. "Yeah. We're not underground." Furlan inputs looking back up the rest of us doing the same. "We'll never go back down there." "He's right, Bro. The four of us pulled through, right?" Isabel questions. "It'll be the same with the titans." I add. "Let's do this together" "Levi, believe in us" Furlan states his words depending on the future that lies upon the next day. Levi in a state of panic looks around and then back up at the stars looking lost and hopeless. "Alright. I'll believe in you." Levi states while subtly smiling. "Yay!" Isabel squeals "Bro sure is a stubborn one, Isn't he?"

The next day On our horses on the battle field out first official mission. The nausea from the anxiety boiling up inside of me. I'll be fine. It'll be okay.   We'll make it out alive. Me, Furlan, Isabel and Levi following other riding into the horizon ahead, just about visible as fog slowly storms it up. 2 titans come running towards us a 4 and 7 metre. Me and Levi jump off of our horses and slice the napes. Easy. "Good job!" Isabel compliments. Levi just nods. "It's time we split up we'll meet back up when the mission is done" Levi says fully immersed into the mood. "Good luck!" Isabel and Furlan state moving further and further away from us.

The fog impairing our vision. The only visible things around us are each other. I feel the nausea rising over me again. "Tsk, they can't have gotten that far can they." Levi grumbles. Suddenly me and him fall to the ground caused by our horses tripping over. We sit up look around. No. That can't be it just can't be. Isabel's head. It's lying there. Body-less. Her eyes drained of any life. In front of us we see a titan with someone in it's mouth please don't be- Furlan. No. I scream. Letting everything out i just scream. They can't be dead. No. I don't believe it. Levi next to me, I hear his little gasps of hurt and sorrow. He gets up full of rage and avenges our friends as best as he could. Slicing the titan to pieces, putting it through pain and torture before slowly slicing the nape. The titans body landing next to me and near Isabel's head. They're dead. Levi lands next to me standing there staring down just letting the tears fall.

The storm finally cleared up after 10 minutes. I'm still on the floor crying my eyes out. I moved away from the scene a bit. I couldn't bare to see it any longer than i saw it. Erwin, Miche and Hanji come out way. "Only two left, pathetic." Erwin says. In a fit of rage me and Levi go to attack him however i'm held back by someone. Miche. "Let go of me" I whisper. He just shakes his head and keeps me back while Erwin has Levi's sword gripped in his bare hand letting himself be cut. "You know our plan all along didn't you? Why didn't you stop us?" Levi says his eyes full of hatred for the one man stood in front of him. I turn around in Miche's grasp not wanting to see the scene infront of me unfold. He moves so he is kind of hugging me. I give into his embrace and just sob on his shoulder while he's giving little hushes as if he's giving a sign that 'It'll all be okay'.

(A/N: I am really really skeptical about how this has turned out. I haven't proof read it yet but i will soon. I'm sorry for the longish wait i have been busy struggling with other things but i hope you enjoy this ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ I read through it and corrected a few things so it should be good now ♡'･ᴗ･'♡)

[love-killed-the-superstar]

tw for mentions of death and injury for this one lads!! but on the flip side of that, i finally wrote actual cassunzel interactions, yaay

CASSANDRA APPRECIATION WEEK DAY 6 - FIGHT/BATTLE

Cassandra tries not to worry Rapunzel too much.

If she had it her way, Rapunzel would never have to know about a single dangerous situation she ends up in, whether its by accident or diving in with both feet. Unfortunately scars are telling, and if Cass doesn't give her an honest play-by-play Rapunzel will be up til the early hours in agonies over the dangerous life she is living out on the road. So, like a good girlfriend should, Cass measures the kind of exploits she should tell Rapunzel about in her letters with whether or not she has sustained injury. Anything more serious than a scratch and she'll tactfully leave it a secret until the next time she's within the palace walls.

So when she runs into Vex on the road a few miles north of Vardaros, she figures this will just be another one of those events that she'll paraphrase in a strait-laced letter to Raps. Perhaps she will share some good-natured sparring with the townsfolk, pal around with Vex, taste-test some fresh honey from Quaid; all the fun, low-stakes stuff. She only intends on stopping over in Vardaros to stock up on supplies and take it from there – but upon her and Vex arriving back at the sheriff's office, she's met with the sight of three men hanging from the bridge overhead, being fished down by stricken townspeople simply wanting to remove the sight lest it scare away travelling patrons.

“Raiders,” Quaid says solemnly from behind her, as Cass watches on in muted horror. Vex strides ahead, avoiding looking at the sight altogether. “We chased a group of them out of town two weeks ago. Yesterday they struck again, so I sent a trio of our new town guard to scope out their base. And, well... it looks like they wanted to send a message home this time.”

Cass feels sick to her stomach. She's no stranger to how fucked up the world can be, especially since striking out on her own, but this is something she can't simply stand by and watch.

“What's your next move, Captain?” she asks quietly, following him towards the sheriff's office. From somewhere beyond her line of sight, she hears a man crying as his husband's body is lifted down.

“We fight, of course,” he says gravely. He takes a seat at his desk and mops his brow tiredly. “But with three of our men down, I'm not sure how well we'll fare in the fight. Our town guard is small as it is, and those raiders are ruthless. But the people of Vardaros don't back down. Not anymore.”

“I... I could write back to Corona,” Cass says quickly, grasping at straws for a way to aid the situation. “The guard there is huge, I'm sure Eugene wouldn't mind deploying a dozen or so soldiers to assist...”

“Wow. And here I was, thinking you were the only one of your friends that understood how things work here,” Vex snorts, as the front door slams shut behind her. She stalks past Cassandra, leaning back against the wall with a deep scowl.

Quaid shakes his head and smiles wanly at her suggestion. “I don't need to tell you of all people that Corona to Vardaros is at least a four day journey on horseback. We have no time to waste. The next time they come knocking, we have to be prepared to fight, no matter the cost.”

“Then I'll fight.” Owl hoots nervously on her shoulder, and Fidella, though resting just outside, looks equally perturbed by the notion of sticking around. “Captain, I have been training for my whole life. Whatever these raiders have planned, I can at least help even the score.”

He watches her with narrowed, haunted eyes. “Your life will be at risk. This is no game, Cassandra.”

“Of course it isn't! People are being killed, Captain, you can't seriously expect that I would sit back and watch this happen?”

“I only insist that you understand what you're getting yourself into, Cassandra.” He folds his arms, regarding her in silence for several dragging seconds, all while Vex mutters some choice expletives under her breath. “If you understand that and still wish to fight alongside us... I would be more grateful than you'll ever know.”

“I'll do it,” Cass promises. “You can count on me.”

…

Things move quickly after that. Vex gathers the townsfolk in the square to rally the locals into fighting for what's right. The people of Vardaros, beyond infuriated by the hangings that morning, are already fired up and ready to fight. For her part, Cass runs through basic drills – calling for everyone to bring forth their weaponry, teaching basic attack stances, offensive and defensive manoeuvres, everything she thinks she can squeeze into an afternoon. The idea that she is potentially sending these people to their deaths depending on how well she's taught them is nothing short of terrifying; but Quaid seems relieved at her assistance, and takes the valuable time to discuss strategy with his remaining guard.

They will defend Vardaros at any cost. They surrender to nobody. And Cass can't help thinking, despite her willingness to fight alongside them, that this mindset coupled with the minimal planning and inexperienced fighters is how entire civilisations get wiped off the map.

That night, while the townspeople grab a few precious hours of sleep, uncertain of when exactly the raiders are planning on striking next, Cass finds herself restless. Despite Vex and Quaid's dual pessimism, she finds herself reaching into her satchel for a pen and paper anyway.

Hey Raps,

It's funny that I should write to you now, when I never like to worry you on my journey. But Vardaros is in trouble, and I think that if you wake Eugene as soon as you get this, send out a dozen or so men as soon as you can, you might just be able to help. The town is being threatened by raiders, and it's bad. I'm going to fight with them, but I don't know that we'll prevail. Not to be an alarmist, but please, send some assistance. I really think we'll need it.

Captain Quaid believes that Vardaros is beyond outside help, but all I've been able to think about today is something my father once said to me: 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.' Well, here I am, trying to do SOMETHING. I only hope that it's enough.

I love you, and I don't want these people to die. I'll write again soon.

Sincerely yours, Cassandra.

“Owl,”  she murmurs, so not to wake Vex, lightly snoring against her shoulder. Owl looks up, eyes blinking rapidly. “I need you to get this to Corona as fast as you can. You know how important this is.”

She binds the letter and hands it over, and Owl bows his head a little, meeting her gaze. There's an unspoken feeling there – be safe, don't you dare get yourself killed – and then with a quiet hoot he launches himself from her arm, making his exit through a window pane missing its glass. She watches him until he leaves her sight and then exhales.

Well, if she does end up dying tomorrow, at least she can do so knowing she tried her hardest to help this town. And, a thought equally as comforting, she can accept dying as long as Raps knows she loves her.

All that's left to do now is shut her eyes and wait for sleep to take hold.

…

A lot of things happen that day, in the battle that historical records will one day refer to as The Great Strike Back of Vardaros. Nearly three hundred people lose their lives. Most of them, in a twist of events, happen to be the raiders.

The landslide victory comes without the help of any outside soldiers, save for one brave drifter who, despite the dismissal of the the captain, sent out a pleading message to the nearby kingdom of Corona the night before, begging for reinforcements. It doesn't bring any soldiers in time to assist in the fight; however, they turn up in spades to help the clean-up operation and bury the dead, all in awe at how well a small, untrained town of people could hold its own just out of sheer spite towards the enemy.

In Cassandra's case, the majority of this information is learned days later – when she awakens, weak and confused, in a dimly lit room that she soon comes to realise is one of the town's makeshift hospitals for casualties of the battle.

It takes a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to her surroundings, but when she finally tilts her head to the left hand side of her Cassandra spots a petite figure slumped back in a chair beside her, chest rising and falling as she dreams.

Rapunzel.

Cass lies there in stunned silence, unable to peel her eyes away from the sight of her girlfriend dozing beside her. It's almost enough to distract from the pain she's in, but as she grows more and more alert it's glaringly clear to her that something bad happened.

“Cass, you're awake!” Vex bounds over to her bed and Rapunzel snorts a little at the noise, eyes blinking sleepily, opening and closing a few times before ultimately closing again, losing their battle with the tiredness plaguing her head. The relief on Vex's face only makes it more obvious to Cass that the injury must have been pretty damn awful. “God, I – shit, it's good to see you're awake. How's your wound?”

“I... hmm. It hurts,” she grits out. “I, uh, don't really remember anything.”

“Yeah, I bet. You, uh, got hit over the head pretty hard in the fight. And, er... got yourself impaled on the way down.”

“Well, fuck.” Cass doesn't really know what else she's supposed to say to that. Now that Vex mentions it, she does remember the searing pain from the blow to the head. She's just grateful she was too out of it from the blunt force trauma alone to feel the impalement. “God. How'd I make it out of that one alive?”

“Quaid said you're just someone who isn't ready to die yet,” Vex says with a shrug. “Sounds like a total cop-out to me, but you're alive, so who cares how?”

“Seriously, Vex, I should probably be dead right now.”

“Then shut up and just be thankful that you're not.” Vex's eyes narrow, her patience for Cassandra's bewilderment waning already. “We patched your abdomen wound up fine, and we gave you some stitches on the back of your head too. That was like two days ago, though.”

Cass blanches. “Shit. Two days?” She glances over to Rapunzel, who is only just starting to wake up properly. “And when did Raps get here?”

“Few hours after the battle was over. She came in this huge balloon thing, you wouldn't believe it. She said the captain had to stay back to watch over Corona but she still brought like, eight guards with her in the balloon to help us treat the injured. Rapunzel barely left your side once she found your bed, though.” A sly smile creeps up on her. “Must be nice, having your girlfriend come to watch over you.”

“Can it, you.” Cass can barely keep her eyes off of Rapunzel, though, as she yawns and stretches. “Raps?”

“Mhmm... Vex?”

“That wasn't me,” Vex says flatly. With that, Rapunzel's eyes snap open and she whirls around to see Cass.

“CASS!! Oh my gosh, Cassandra!”

Before Cass even has a chance to try to sit up Rapunzel leaps from her seat, tackling her with such a force that it sends a spike of pain through her stomach, in what she guesses is the sensation of her wound being jostled. Raps squeezes her tight, rocking a little. Next come the kisses, peppered all over her face as she laughs weakly in protest. Vex makes an exaggerated puking sound effect, and Cass waves her off with a roll of her eyes. But as Rapunzel goes back to hugging her, resting her head against the crook of Cassandra's neck, she feels her body begin to tremble.

“Hey,” murmurs Cass, reaching up to rub Rapunzel's back in a soothing motion. “Hey, come on, it's all right.”

Rapunzel shakes her head, and her voice is wet when she speaks. “It's not all right! Cass, you could have died! You've barely been conscious for two days, my god!”

“Raps...” Cass gently steers her back by the shoulders and Rapunzel watches her, large eyes brimming over with tears. Reaching up, Cass thumbs them away and tries to smile in a way that will convince Rapunzel that she really is okay. “I'm all right now, really. Sure, my head is a little sore and I'll need to take it easy until my wound heals up, but look. I'm here with you now.”

Rapunzel sniffles and moves back, nodding. She pulls her chair right up close to the bed before sitting down again, reaching over to take Cassandra's hand in her own and turning to Vex.

“Vex. Would you mind, um... giving us a moment?”

“Oh, no problem, I was feeling queasy anyway,” she drawls. Despite her tone, Vex flashes them a small smile and nod before leaving to check on a man four beds to Cassandra's right. Cass exhales and squeezes Rapunzel's hand, pushing herself upright into a semi-sitting position. It's painful on her torso, but she just feels dizzier trying to hold this conversation lying down.

“I'm sorry for worrying you. I... I didn't think you would come, though. I only meant that we needed back-up out here.”

“I didn't come on official business, Cass,” Rapunzel begins, reaching up to wipe at her eyes again. “I mean, I came to help, of course, but – but god, Cass, how could you send that to me and not expect me to freak out?!”

“Uh.” Cass chews her lip. “I don't know. I hoped you'd overlook the part about me being there and just, uh, focus on the part about rallying the troops.”

Rapunzel sighs loudly, eyes still shining with tears, and Cass feels her stomach drop. Geez, Raps is still mad.

“Cassandra,” Rapunzel says slowly, as if to spell it out for her, “you wrote that you desperately needed reinforcements. You wrote that you were going to fight, but you weren't confident that you would win. And you actually wrote the words 'I love you'. In ink. In a letter that you knew I would be showing other people.”

Cass nods just as slowly.

“...Cass, it sounded like a goodbye! Don't you think? How did you expect me to – to just stay put, in Corona, knowing you were here and you might be dying?!”

“I said I'd write again soon,” Cass protests, but it's a weak defence and she knows it. “That part was supposed to be reassuring. I didn't want you to worry, but-”

“But you don't get to decide for me if I should be worried, Cass! We are in love, and if you think for one moment that I wouldn't come to you if I had even an inkling that you could be hurt...!”

“I know,” croaks Cass. “I know, Raps, shit. I know. I'm – I'm sorry.”

Now it's her turn to well up. She looks away, reaching up to wipe at her eyes, trying to make it look like she's fiddling with her hair. Rapunzel lets her keep her pride.

“I didn't come all this way to yell,” Rapunzel promises. “...Well, all right, I did a tiny bit. Cass, I know I can't tell you to stop doing this, I just want you to be careful.”

“I am careful, Raps, but these people were in trouble. Do you think I should have stayed out of it?”

“No,” sighs Rapunzel, shoulders slumped in defeat. “Of course not. Even if I did it's not your way of doing things, I know that. I would have done the same. It doesn't stop me from wishing you would value your life a little more, though.”

“I swear to you, I don't plan on getting myself killed when I get into fights like this,” Cass emphasises, reaching up to cup Rapunzel's cheek. “I'm sorry for scaring you.”

She leans forward and, with Rapunzel's eyes flickering to her lips receptively, kisses her softly. Rapunzel returns the enthusiasm and Cass realises, in a real moment of panic, that she might never have kissed Rapunzel again.

“I'm so glad you're okay,” Rapunzel whispers, before kissing Cass again. “I love you so much.”

“I'm really sorry,” Cassandra utters, trembling as Rapunzel pulls her in close. “And I love you too, Raps.”

[fantasy-pens]

United by Love, Rain and Forgotten Umbrellas

Her eyes as blue as the merciful drops from the heaven. His eyes as green as the happy grass enjoying the heavenly showers. A tale of how forgotten umbrellas in the rain bring together the four lovable sides of the Love Square.

Chapter 2: Chocolate with Chat (MariChat)

Summary:  Thunderstorms mean hot chocolate! Hot chocolate best served with whipped cream, marshmallows and....MARICHAT!!

(Kudos to Steyna Art for the bful drawing i found on the net <3 A link to the instagram post thanks to @khanofallorcs​  https://www.instagram.com/p/BqVH3TvhgoE/)

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“And there, all done!” the blond boy exclaimed, stretching himself as he got up from his chair.

“Phew! I thought that homework of yours would never end and I would have to stay up all night with you, kid!” complained the tiny, floating cat-god of destruction.

 “Plagg, is that another way to say that you would have been cheesily romancing your  sweet-smelling Camembert all night while I would have been smashing my head on the desk, pleading for you to stop?”

“Hey! I never complain when you are all flirty with Ladybug or Pigtails!”

 “I do not flirt with Marinette! She is  just  a friend, Plagg,” Adrien defended.

“Oh really? Then why have your cheeks suddenly decided to compete with Ladybug's superhero suit in colour, huh loverboy?” 

“Embarrassment! ” squeaked the part-time superhero, as he slapped his hands onto his cheeks and fervently tried to ignore the cheshire grin his cheese-loving friend was directing at him.

 Nope.  Nope  . Nope.

Marinette was  just a friend . Ladybug was the real love of his life.

Ugh! He needed fresh air! Now!

 Maybe Plagg read his thoughts, for he suddenly spoke up, “Nuh uh, kid. If you are thinking of going out for a run, not now. It is gonna rain soon.”

The kwami, sadly, was right. Dark clouds were looming in the sky.

 But what better chance to escape would he get than now, especially with Father and Nathalie out on a business meeting?

It would be a quick, short run. Nothing less, nothing more.

 The boy looked with his best kitten eyes at the floating furball, but he didn’t relent. And Adrien really couldn’t afford to buy the floating stomach any more Camembert. Not that he had run out of money, but bank transactions made for wheels of smelly cheese? Suspicious. (And no one certainly wants Gabriel Agreste’s secret agents skimming through their money matters. Nuh uh.)

 So, there was only one way left to get Plagg to agree.

 “So Plagg, are you afraid of getting drenched in the rain, huh?”

“Nope. What makes you think that, kid?” the kwami asked dismissively. 

 Internally the kwami thought, “ What is this not-so-smart chosen of mine trying to do? ”

“Well, I see no other reason as to why you would not agree to us going for a run. The rain hasn’t even started yet!  You are a cute little kitten at heart after all, right, Plagg?” As he said so, Adrien reached out and scratched the kwami lightly behind his ears.

  Oh heavenly Camembert! The petting felt so good! 

The kwami purred instinctively. “Aww, Plagg,” the blond said in a sugary-sweet cookie voice ( bleh! cookies! ), “who is a good kitty, hm?”

 “I. Am. NOT. A. Kitten!”

“Oh really? Prove it, then!

 Challenges were one of Plagg’s main weaknesses. (After Camembert, of course.)

 “Kid, I am NOT scared of rain!” With a grumble, the kwami added, “You know the magic words.”

“That’s the spirit! Plagg, Claws Out! ”

 One cool transformation sequence and scratch-dance later, Chat Noir stood where the model had been a few moments ago. Flexing and stretching himself like a feline, the superhero grabbed the baton clipped behind his back, and jumped onto and out of the open windowsill into the awaiting city.

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Jumping over rooftops with the cool wind blowing on his face sure was exhilarating. 

The black-leather-clad boy was enjoying his sprint when suddenly something wet hit his head.

  Wait, wet?

 Looking up, Chat Noir caught just a glimpse of the heavy, dark clouds before SPLAT! Another drop fell on his forehead.

Damn, it hadn’t even been half an hour and he needed to get home soon. It wouldn’t do him good to fall sick, especially when he  technically had not been out in the rain.

 Breaking into another sprint, Chat Noir prepared himself to scale the alley in front of him when he felt the roof under him move. Or rather, his foot was moving back faster than normal.

With a yelp, the cat lost his footing and slid down the slanted roof into the alley below.

  Oh god no! He surely wasn’t in the mood to be soaked-cat-pancake today!!

 Grabbing his baton, Chat pressed the pawprint on it just in time for the device to lengthen up and get lodged in between two open windows (truly the luck of a ladybug), leaving him hanging from it, badly shaken but safe and sound.

 As he tried to get his bearings back, he heard someone entering the dark alley.

“It surely is raining Chats and dogs today,” a familiar voice called out from below.

 “Purrincess!” Chat exclaimed, shrinking his baton back to normal and landing softly (and with normalcy) on the ground.”To what does this knight owe the purr-leasure?”

“Well, I was passing by, and saw you experimenting whether Newton was correct with his claims about gravity,” Marinette said, bursting into laughter. “Sorry  chaton , I just couldn’t help myself. Especially after that nerve-wracking study session I had with Alya.” The girl held her forehead in a dramatic manner. “Oh goodness! Woe is me!”

 The superhero-in-black couldn’t help but chuckle. “Well, well, little lady. Have you secretly been taking drama lessons from my kwami in exchange for cheese danishes?” Chat added with a wink.

 Earlier, Marinette would have had to act all stupidly confused about what a kwami was. But now that Chat knew that she was Multimouse, things were a lot easier between the two. 

Ever since Chat had first appeared on her balcony an year ago, the two of them had struck a chord. Somewhere, maybe in the banters, puns or the heartfelt emotions shared under the starry sky, the two of them had grown close, becoming the best of friends.

 “Who knows? Maybe I am?” she said nonchalantly with a shrug, a hint of smirk visible on her face.

Striking up a mock thinking pose, Chat commented, “Well, well, mice love cheese. You two would have surely bon- ACHOO!”

The sneeze seemed to bring Marinette back to awareness that the teenage superhero was soaked head-to-toe in the rain.

 “Damn, Kitty, which wise sage gave you the advice to go patrolling on a day like this? Come’ere,” saying so, the girl pulled him in with herself under her umbrella. “Good thing I left Alya's place after the rain started and she gave me this umbrella, or else I myself would have been drenched by now. Forgetful me. But anyways, you," she said, shoving a finger in his chest and eliciting an “oof! ” from him, “are coming with me and getting all warmed up before you catch a cold. I won’t accept a no,” she added, making the cat hero close his mouth that he had opened in hopes of protest. Instead, he smirked and bent down in an elaborate bow.

 “Your wish is my command,  ma princesse .”

His comment was rewarded by an eye-roll and slight chuckle.

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Marinette ushered the young superhero in through the backdoor, away from the prying eyes of any customers, and especially her parents.

However, it seemed as though Chat’s bad luck had finally caught up with them (or more specifically,  her ) as she opened the door to the house only to find her dad standing there, in a position that clearly showed that he had been about to open the door just a moment ago.

 “Mon petit cupcake , welcome back! How were your lessons with Al...” her dad’s voice trailed off as he noticed the cat-themed boy behind her.

 Meanwhile, Chat was a bit….nervous? Queasy? Or was terrified a more appropriate word? After all, having seen and been beaten up by Weredad had NOT been a pleasant experience. And who knows what thoughts were right now running through Mr. Dupain’s mind on seeing his daughter (whose heart Chat had once broken) with him? It was extremely natural for him to feel self-conscious all of a sudden. But now that he had been noticed, well. 

 “Hi, Mr. Dupain,” the boy weakly offered, plastering a shaky, nervous smile on his face.

 The huge man kept looking at him blankly. Chat started mentally pep-talking to himself to deal with this awkw- WOAH!  All the air left the boy’s lungs as he was suddenly scooped up in a teddy-bear hug.

“My goodness, Chat Noir! Superheroing has sure made you go thin, my boy! And please, just call me Tom,” the baker said laughing.

“Su-sure….thi-thing, Mr. Dup-I mean...To-Tom,” the hero wheezed.

“Papa! Chat Noir will be able to call you Tom only when you give him some air to breathe!!” Marinette interjected, worried that the black cat might pass out soon from the lack of air.

 “Ah! Sorry young man,” Tom put the boy down, clapping his shoulders. “I must say, you are all drenched! I don’t know if that suit is designed to keep you from getting soaked, so get warmed up and stay here till the rain stops, okay?” He turned to Marinette, “Sweetheart, make sure to keep our guest cosy. We wouldn’t want our superheroes to fall sick, after all! In case you children need anything, Sabine and I will be downstairs. Have fun!” With a booming laugh, the guardian of the house took his leave.

“Well, that hug certainly warmed me up,” Chat said, breaking the silence. “I am glad he is not mad at me anymore. For the...uh, you know..”

 The ravenette smiled and placed a comforting hand on his shoulders. “It wasn’t your fault, Kitty. What I had was a fleeting celebrity crush. And what really makes me glad is that you truly adore Ladybug. Now,” grasping the blonde hero’s shoulders, Marinette turned him around, pushing him up the stairs, “go up and dry yourself up. You will find the towel on the chaise, if I remember correctly. I will make us some hot chocolate.”

 “Okay, okay, princesse , I am going up!”

 Saying so, the hero went away and Marinette busied herself in the kitchen. She had just put milk in a saucepan when...

“Wow! I must say, your room sure has some interesting decorations, purrincess!”

  Interesting decorations? Wait, she had taken off the Adrien pictures from her walls and..

GOD!! Did she leave her computer on??!! Oh, hell no!!!

 Dashing up the stairs, Marinette threw the trapdoor open, not caring about the banging sound it made. She COULD NOT let the sauve cat see the heart doodle background of Adrien on her computer!! Oh goodness, she would never hea-

 Her computer was turned off.

 Laughter attracted her attention, making her turn her head to see the teenage hero on the ground, laughing and struggling for air.

“Oh. My. Kwami. Tha-that rea-reaction...wow princess! HAHAHAHAHAHA! You just made my day!” He broke into another fit of giggles.

 “Not. Funny. Dry yourself up,  chaton ,” the girl deadpanned, giving him her best you-do-not-amuse-me look.

“Aww come on princess,” Chat said, putting up a mock pout as he literally crawled towards her, “don’t be a wet blanket, paw-lease?”

 “Wet blanket? What on earth are you- CHAT, NO! ” the girl screeched as all of a sudden, the hero shook his head, spraying water droplets on her.

Stopping the activity, the hero looked up at her flirtatiously through the wet hair that had fallen in front of his eyes, water still dripping from them. “Chat, yes, Purr-incess,” he said, winking at her as he flicked her nose.

 Damn. He looked so flirtatiously ho- 

NO! Bad Marinette! Your heart is reserved only for Adrien.

 Well, best to break the kitty’s smoulder.

“No cookies for you,” saying so, the girl smugly walked down the stairs, ignoring the mock wail of despair that followed her.

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So will our kitty get the cookies? Or is Marinette going to punish him for his tomfoolery?  With Marichat, fluff and fun are bound to happen! And so are the heart-to-heart talks. To know what happens next, continue reading the chapter on the links below!

Read on Ao3 here

Read on ffn here

Thanks for all the reviews, likes, reblogs, favorites, subscribes, follows, kudos and comments <3

[katsukiboom]

Emerald Green and Darkness

hey guys! this is a commission for my dear @xpegasusuniverse, who requested a retired Eraserhead with an equally old cat, I hope you guys enjoy this! <3

Ko-Fi || Commissions

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The smell of vanilla and the warmth of the place quickly engulfed 53 year-old Shōta’s presence as soon as he entered the little house at the end of the street – Hizashi had found it by chance online and presented it to him, and while it didn’t look sketchy at all it still felt weird to just drop by someone’s house with the excuse of adopting a new pet. The ad his loud best friend had seen only spoke about a middle-aged woman who rescued kittens and nursed them back to health with the help of her quirk, much like Recovery Girl used to do all those years back then.

With grey replacing most of the black in his hair and beard, he sighed as he eyed the place with a certain glee growing inside. It wasn’t long until the petite woman came rushing from behind one of the few doors that were on sight, and quickly introduced herself as the owner of the place. She went on to talk about how she had loved Eraser Head before he retired from the hero world, something that he didn’t feel too comfortable discussing but didn’t do anything to stop either. He thanked her with a small smile. She remarked one last time that she had been beyond thankful for everything he had done, then saw all the strays that were still looking for the one person who’d give them all the love they deserved.

In all honesty, Shōta wanted to take them all home, but as they passed through a small bedroom a dark lump on top of the single bed caught his attention, causing him to stop walking and stare questionably at the breathing figure. 

“Oh, that’s one we got a few weeks back,” the old lady told him gently as she noticed he wasn’t following her anymore, walking back to his side. Both their gazes on the animal, they watched as it began to stretch and he noticed there was something funny about him – he only had three legs. 

“I can only guess he had an accident,” the woman continued. “We found him when his injuries were still healing. At least, I’d like to think it was an accident. He’s also missing an eye, and the doctor told us we had been lucky to find him before it could fester. Due to him being about 13 years old, they only gave him six months.”

“Can I?” asked a curious Shōta, and the lady only nodded.

“He doesn’t really get along with people… it took him so long to even trust us enough to eat what we gave him.”

Despite her words, something pulled him closer, and his hunch hadn’t been wrong.

He ended up taking the green-eyed cat with him that same day, after a bit of struggling to get him in the cage. When they got to his apartment the blob scuttled away from him as soon as the small metal door opened. Shōta then spent all the remainder of the afternoon trying to get him out from under his bed, only to sit right beside it to eat dinner, putting a plate with food next to him in hopes the cat would come out.

It took him a few days, just like the lady had told him, to get it to trust him enough to eat freely when he was around. Soon he found its company to be rather… peaceful. Even during his long walks out all he could think about was if the cat was alright or if it was hungry, if he should buy him more toys or even new kinds of food. Hizashi found his friend’s new facet quite adorable, yet was turned down whenever he requested to meet his pet, partly because Shōta knew how the cat acted around strangers and partly because he feared he’d make it deaf by accident.

As he soon came to know, taking care of a cat also meant having to take extra care of your  furniture. He didn’t get mad as the old cat learned how to use his litterbox but rather at how he seemed to do his business everywhere else for a while as well, testing Shōta’s patience. For some reason, the man believed the pet knew he was pissed off at this attitude and eventually stopped doing it, instead turning to scratching whatever he could lay his paws on. Shōta soon bought him the thickest scratching post he could find online, hoping that would end the rebellion that had left parts of his couch and coffee table completely ruined. Despite the ruined furniture, he was happy that the disabilities didn’t stop the cat from doing its own thing.

Surprise filled the old man when, one morning around three weeks after that, he woke up and felt a lump at the end of the bed right above his feet as if to keep them warm. Opening his eyes and sitting up quickly in fear that it was something bad, he saw his companion sleeping lazily over him, only opening his eye to look at him as if he was crazy and then stretching before going back to sleep. A big smile appeared on his lips and the mere sight made his heart warm up. Not really having the will to make the cat move from the bed – he lay back down and opened his phone, quickly sending a photo to the group chat with Hizashi and Nemuri to share the amazing thing he had just witnessed.

It was only when she asked about its name that he realized he hadn’t really given it much thought at all, and then spent most of that afternoon trying to come up with something that suited both the cat and him. The task proved to be harder than he had imagined, and Shōta gave up when the clock reached 7 pm. Instead he took a moment to sit on the floor with it nearby as he turned on the TV to catch up on the events that were going on in the city. It had been quite a peaceful day much to his surprise, with no real bad news to worry about when a familiar face caught his attention right before he started to channel-surf. Green curls and a gentle smile with freckle-covered cheeks were the main features that decorated the familiar face Aizawa was now watching attentively, and Deku’s imposing voice filled the room with ease.

“Oh, look at that,” he talked to the cat as if it could understand every word he said. “I know him very well. Used to be my student and was quite a troublemaker at first… much like someone I know,” he muttered with a smile on his face. A soft meow distracted him from the screen for a moment and he noticed the animal now standing right in front of the screen, looking up at Izuku like he was the only thing to focus on at the moment. “What are you doing?” he asked softly, trying to call out to him but to no avail. “Do you like Deku?” To this, the cat’s ears perked up and it looked at him with its eye open wide. Then it went back at him and meowed again. “Deku,” Aizawa repeated, but the cat didn’t move this time. “De…” he started, carefully watching the animal in front of him look back at him with a curious gaze. “Ku?” To that one syllable, its eye widened once more as it got up on its hind legs and the man had an idea pop into his mind.

After that night he ended up naming the cat Kuro, both because of its colour and because it reminded him a lot of Izuku himself – rough around the edges when he met him yet sweet and diligent on the inside. Both took their time to truly open up and let others see their true self. Just as if he knew, his pet got used to the name faster than he would’ve expected and even seemed happier when called by it. Shōta’s friends also seemed to like the nickname, laughing just a little bit when he told them the backstory but agreeing that the cat had been a troublemaker at first.

Shōta didn’t notice until the seventh month that Kuro had actually managed to surpass his assumed lifespan of only six months left and while he didn’t think much of it his heart stirred a bit in his chest as he snuggled closer to it one night, its warmth and little paws on his chest more than enough for him to be sure that everything would go more than fine. He had never paid much attention to his own way of acting or if having a pet had changed him at all and vice versa, yet all he could think about was coming back home every day to spend time with him and revel in the company as much as he could.

It was almost as if it had been fate bringing them together but Shōta would never admit to believing in such an erratic thing – he did however believe that it had been their love for each other that had managed to make the pet stay by his side almost twelve times the amount of days that had been given to it up to its seventeenth summer, making the old man very happy as they counted birthdays and holidays together and just coursed through life relying on each other for support. Not even once did Shōta remember the cat’s disabilities and in return Kuro didn’t seem to be bothered about his owner’s casual aloofness and low energy, choosing instead to keep his distance until Aizawa called out to him.

But good things always come to an end, and Aizawa Shōta knew this very well.

After almost four years of living together, it became apparent to him that there was something wrong when the cat gradually stopped grooming himself as often as he was used to witness and eventually started keeping its distance as well, choosing to sleep hidden under the coffee table or just lying on the couch, but not with him. When he noticed those symptoms he didn’t hesitate on taking him to the vet in order to prevent something worse happening to him, though the news he was given was less than encouraging. Shōta had to stop himself from crying right then and there at the vet’s office – the cat wasn’t ill but rather naturally dying due to aging and Kuro’s bright green eye was fixed on him, as if he knew what was happening in his owner’s heart.

It wasn’t as if Aizawa chose not to focus on anything else the next few days – he just couldn’t rid his mind of the worst scenarios possible, even if they felt closer than ever before. Having been through so much with his pet, he felt the need to do whatever he could to make him feel better; he tried to help him groom, eat and brought him to bed at night, but it was only when they paid another visit to the vet for a check-up that he was told there was really no use in doing so. With his hopes crushed and his heart still not ready for what would unfold sooner or later, he returned home that evening to a cloudy sky that mirrored his feelings in every way.

It all came down to a bittersweet ending when one morning, he woke up to feel the same familiar lump at the end of the bed; sitting up slowly and stretching his arms, Shōta would’ve thought it was one of those rare days when Kuro decided to sleep with him had it not been because his perception was extremely good. Reaching out, he took the frail, lifeless body on his hands and brought it close to his chest, unable to conceal the tears that came out after making sure his best friend had already gone to a better place. He felt a knot forming in his throat as he tried his best to hide his crying and bottle it up as he always did, but it was all for nothing when he realized he hadn’t had the chance to say a proper goodbye.

“I hope you’re better and happier now, I’ll try not to miss you too much,” he murmured against the cold fur, and for a moment he thought he had heard a soft meow come from somewhere close in the room which made him look up and around. With wet cheeks and a heavy heart he smiled, knowing he wasn’t truly alone still.

Thank you for everything.