#i need to wash the windows i need to eat breakfast i need to empty the entire kitchen counter because we have to finish building them

[ninoochat]

Time to adhd coma on the couch for an hour or ten

[moonstruckme]

i’m obsessed with everything you write! you write our boys so well 🖤🖤 could I request poly!marauders maybe with some casual dominance and just taking care of the reader? like picking out her clothes, making sure she eats, just being protective but also so soft with her

Thanks lovely! Here you go :)

poly!marauders x fem!reader ♡ 1k words

“Morning, angel,” James chirps as you step into the kitchen. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good, thanks.” You take the coffee he hands you, giving him a quick peck on the lips. “You?”

“Phenomenally. How do you want your eggs?”

“I’m alright without, thanks though.” You sit down next to Remus at the table, taking a sip of your coffee. It’s just the way you like it, with heaps of cream and sugar. 

“Can’t skip breakfast, dove,” Remus says, hardly looking up from the newspaper as he speaks to you. 

“I don’t feel like eggs,” you reply, watching him warily over the top of your mug, trying to gauge if he might let it go. “And I’m not really hungry anyway.” 

Amber eyes flick up to yours as Remus turns the page. “You’re not going to work on an empty stomach. You need to eat something.” 

“I’ll make you something else,” James offers sweetly. “Whaddya want, my love?”

You smile at him, batting your eyelashes. “Could I have some toast please, Jamie?”

He flips his spatula expertly, winking at you. “Might be above my skill level, but I’ll do my best for you, angel.”

You laugh, and Remus rolls his eyes at the both of you. Sirius trods in still wearing his pajama bottoms, a smirk coming to his lips as he reads the room instantly. 

“In trouble already?” he drops a kiss on the top of your head, reaching over to squeeze Remus’ shoulder in greeting. “What’ve you done now, hm?”

Your eyes dart nervously to Remus, waiting to see if he’ll rat you out. Though Remus is the sternest of your boyfriends, Sirius delights in being in charge, and you know he’ll rub it in the most. You imagine it’s the older brother in him. 

“It’s resolved,” Remus says simply, and you think you detect the faintest twitch of his lips when you grin at him in relief. 

“Siri, have you seen the leaves outside?” you ask hastily, going for the distraction before he can attempt to pry further. “It’s like they finally turned just overnight.” 

He takes the bait, leaning back in his seat to peer out the window. You’d been ecstatic when you’d cracked the curtains in your bedroom this morning to see your street had taken on a whole new color palate, everything red and orange and golden. “It does finally look like autumn, doesn’t it?” He gives you a critical once-over. “That isn’t going to do for the chill out there, sweetheart.”

You look down at your skirt and blouse. You quite like this outfit. “You think? It’s not supposed to be that cold yet, is it?”

Sirius raises a brow just as Remus finishes with the paper, folding it and looking up to see what the two of you are on about. “It’s September, love,” he reasons. “If it got cold enough last night to turn the leaves, it’s cold enough to at least wear a jumper.” 

“I’m thinking fleece tights and a sweatshirt,” Sirius says contemplatively, more to Remus than to you. “Don’t run off after breakfast, dollface, and I’ll go pick them out for you.” 

You start to protest, but then Sirius’ mouth drops open, and you turn to see James teetering toward you, balancing four plates across his arms. 

“Fucking hell, Prongs,” he breathes, but James manages to distribute all four dishes safely, setting your toast in front of you last with a flourish. 

“Good idea,” he says, picking up the previous conversation as though nothing has happened. “Can’t have our girl shivering out there in the cold.” 

You roll your eyes but munch happily on your toast, ignoring how Remus eyes you watchfully as you eat. 

Since you finish first, you offer to wash up while Sirius goes and selects the additions to your outfit as he sees fit, changing into them afterwards. You have to admit, the day does look promisingly crisp outside your bedroom window, and the tights and sweatshirt he has you layer with what you already have on are soft and comfy. 

“Let me get those for you,” James offers as you pull on your shoes, and you place your foot on his knee obediently, letting him tie them both with a firm pat on the side of your shoe once he’s done. “There y’go, angel. Double-knotted and everything.” 

You press a rewarding kiss to his cheek, and Sirius comes in from canoodling with Remus to oversee his handiwork. He hums, smoothing out invisible wrinkles in your tights and adjusting the sweatshirt on your shoulders unnecessarily while you and James exchange glances, each fighting to keep a straight face. “Might need a scarf too,” he muses, and James bursts into laughter.

“Siri, come on,” you protest, unable to contain a few giggles of your own. 

James grabs Sirius around the waist, throwing him onto the bed beside you. “Work on your own outfit, Pads.” 

“You’re all going to be late if you don’t get going,” Remus says, smiling at the scene as he comes in. James detaches himself from Sirius, his expression morphing into that well-practiced facade of angelic innocence. 

“I was just on my way out,” he says, giving Remus a goodbye kiss. “See you all later.” He pats you on the head as he passes, and then he’s out the door. 

Remus moves to the bed, leaning over Sirius, who props himself up on his elbows to meet him halfway. “Get dressed,” Remus says as he breaks the kiss, tucking a piece of silky black hair behind Sirius’ ear. “You can’t afford to be late again, love.” 

You stand as he moves to you next, wrapping a long-fingered hand around the side of your hip, and you let your eyes flutter closed as he kisses you sweetly. “Be good,” he says softly, placing an additional kiss at your temple. “I’ll see you tonight, dovey.” 

“See you tonight,” you echo, and then it’s just Sirius and you, his eyes playful as they meet yours. 

“Be good,” he coos mockingly. “Think you can do that all day long?”

You grin, picking up your bag from the end of the bed. “Hey, at least I’m dressed.” 

“Oi!” Sirius says as you leave the room. “Where’s my kiss?”

“Sorry,” you reply gaily, “can’t be late. You can’t afford to either, remember?” 

“Oh, feeling bold, are we?” he calls after you. “We’ll see how bold you are later tonight.”

[cupids-chamber]

— " 𝐈𝐍 𝐀 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 " | Listen to this on loop for full experience.... ★. Content tags/warnings , 1.1k+ words, gender neutral reader, technically everyone x reader (including staff/not so much RSA), can be seen as both platonic and romantic, angst, mentions of food/eating less (reader no longer has an appetite), reader is tired, reader is having a really bad day, reminder: I haven't written in awhile.

Today was a difficult day, many days have challenged you in so many different ways, yet a keen feeling of gloominess had washed over you this particular morning. Your alarm rang blankly into the silent room, you let out a groan of displeasure as you sat up on your bed, staring blankly at the wall feeling a churn in your gut. The curtains were closed, a small ray of light shone through the empty space between your window and the fabric of the curtain; you took a moment to sit and stretch. 

Mentally you cursed yourself, reaching a hand to shut off your phone alarm. Perhaps it was a bad idea staying up late after all, yet how could you resist the urge to finish that new Twisted Wonderland fanfic you found on AO3 recently; The reader resonated deeply with you, and the author's writing was just what you needed. Your eyes stung, you felt like banging your head into your headboard just to stop it from ringing and aching, not to mention you could practically feel the weight of your eyebags.—had you known your body would behave in such a way, you'd have slept at least a bit earlier—Well that's what you're saying now at least, you knew you'd probably repeat the same mistake tonight if another storyline enraptured you just as much as the previous did. 

You began standing up, your whole body woozy from the lack of sleep, you found yourself stumbling over something you left on the floor. You recall how tired you were, too done with the day to be bothered to pick it back up. You walked right past it, 'today was going to end badly' you thought to yourself, since your morning had been a dead giveaway. 

You pocketed some random snack, as breakfast; Running a bit later as per usual. You'd lie to yourself, saying that you'd get up a bit earlier tomorrow but you knew for a fact that unless a miracle happened, you wouldn't. 

The rest of the day was but the same routine, you felt tired all throughout your morning classes, on edge. You would've fallen asleep but you tried to keep your eyes open, as your professor was going over some important project intel that you really didn't want to miss—though you were only half understanding what they were saying—their words felt like gibberish for your only half-functioning brain.

Lunch felt like a chore, despite it usually feeling like a break. You felt like something bad was definitely going to happen, which made you feel anxious; The churn in your gut made it difficult to eat, chew, or drink. Your lunches weren't all that gigantic, as you disliked the feeling of being bloated, yet you barely could find it in yourself to eat. You took a deep breath, you logged into tumblr, perhaps one of your favorite fanfic writers uploaded something new? Anything to distract this heavy mind of yours. 

You checked @kalims page first, they hadn't uploaded in a while—It's been a couple days since they've posted; you figured they'd be busy with school… You pondered on the following page for a while, checking @spadecentral‘s blog, they were far more active then most other blogs you’ve been following and their soft and sweet writings was perhaps just what you needed in this tim—They haven’t uploaded in a while as well? You looked at your screen, maybe everyone was just busy with their finals and/or finishing up midterms at this time. 

You hummed, scrolling frantically through your follows, you sighed softly, maybe today wasn't the day to read fluff, you started checking yandere blogs; ‘nothing like obsessive men to calm you down’ you thought as you clicked on @writingforatwistedworld‘s blog, you scrolled down.. 

‘Weird, nothing new..’, it was as if the whole world had conspired against you today, you took a sigh, perhaps @honey-milk-depresso had uploaded something new on her art blog, after all their wholesome tsundere ship art was just the perfect source of serotonin—And if you were just a bit lucky, perhaps she’s uploaded writing onto her main blog an—Oh.. She hasn’t uploaded either?..  

Your brows furrowed letting out a tired sigh, maybe you should just listen to some music. ‘How bad could this day possibly go?’—you consoled yourself with those words, as you tried finishing up at least a small portion of your meal. 

You forced yourself to clean up and change, crashing onto your bed afterwards. It always felt softer on these sorts of days. Like a welcoming warm embrace, that you didn't want to leave. You took a few moments to vent your stress onto one of your poor pillows, before getting nice and cozy with your warm blankets. 

You laid down on your bed, burying yourself in the blankets, as you grabbed your device from near you, turning the brightness to the lowest possible setting, perhaps you should finish your general tasks on Twst before you take a nap.. 

10 minutes passed and you let out a groan, where did the app go? You never heard of an app disappearing randomly; perhaps you miss-clicked and hid it by accident? A few minutes passed, and you still couldn't find the Twisted Wonderland app, you desperately opened up your computer.. Typing in panic, and yet the official website was gone as well—perhaps it’s just going through some weird update?—Maybe this was only happening to certain servers. You logged into tumblr once again, checking your mutuals profiles and.. some of them were gone? Most of the blogs had nothing from Twisted Wonderland left, the tumblr tags for Twst were completely empty. 

Two hours had only passed and your panic grew, it was odd. You scrolled through your mutual’s blogs for minutes on end hoping to find one post about the game which put a smile on your face on the daily... Yet none... You went on AO3 and even checked other websites which you'd only go to out of sheer desperation for content... Yet nothing...  

You took deep breaths, your breathing pacing as you scrolled till your fingers began to sting from pressure and stress.. Your back arched, as you stared at the screen with an intense expression, desperately tapping away…  finally you entered the app store hoping this was a weird dream or update, like those movies and manga’s and yet.. the app was gone. No mention of it.

You couldn’t even trace a single picture of the game down, not even on Pinterest where everything deleted was still sometimes somehow available. 

'Were you crying? You couldn't quite tell, you felt tired, perhaps this fictional world was just something you created as an escape, yet you didn't think you'd get this attached to some characters on a screen, and now that's it's all gone you feel... kind of.. empty.' 

‘Maybe it was all just a fragment of your imagination…’

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© cupids-chamber, do not repost, plagiarize, translate, or adapt my work without prior permission and or confirmation.

[gejo333]

SPIDER ROSE🌹🕷️

Father Miguel x Mother Reader

Warning: Mentions of death. Might need tissues for this one🥲

I got a request for this from someone, but it’s taken me a while to get around to it. Sadly the ask disappeared so I don’t know who asked for it🥲.

I hope you enjoy this one-shot.🥰

Wc: 6.6k

————————————————————————

The sky was a vibrant blue, and the sun was bright white as its heat beat down over Nueva York.

It was mid-morning on Saturday when your body felt ready to wake up. You took a deep breath as you sat up in bed. A smile graced your lips as you looked out the window from your brownstone. You looked down at your sleeping husband, arm draped over you. You leaned down and kissed his cheek, gently moving his arm from around you as you got out of bed.

A boost of energy you hadn't felt in a long time washed through you as you got up and dressed. You walked to the bedroom down the hall and gently opened the door. Your heart warmed when you saw the silly way your 8-year-old daughter was sleeping, snoring slightly, just like her father.

You then went to the kitchen, wanting to make a large breakfast for your husband and daughter's two bottomless pit stomachs.

When 30 minutes went by, you heard your husband waking up. You smiled when you felt arms wrapped around your middle and lips on your neck.

"Everything smells amazing, mi amor. How are you feeling today?" Miguel took a piece of bacon from the plate before you could smack his hand with the spatula. "I guess you have some energy today. I'm relieved to see it."

"Actually, I feel really great today. I haven't had this much energy in a while. We should do something fun today, like go to Coney Island. We can go on rides, play games, and go to the beach! And let's just let her eat whatever she wants today." You are suddenly turned around as your husband's hand caresses your cheek as you lean into his touch.

You looked up at him with a small smile, and he looked down at you with worry and fear in his eyes. "Y/n, maybe I should take you—" You placed your hands on his face to stop him from finishing his sentence, shaking your head. Tears threatened to spill from your eyes, and your breathing started to quicken. Fear started to fill the pit of your stomach.

"Honey, I don't want to. We've talked about this. Let's just have an amazing day together as a family. Please." You pleaded as you looked up at him with tearful eyes.

Miguel took a deep breath, tears threatening to leave his own eyes. His heart trying its best to stop it from shattering. He forced a smile to his face as he wrapped his arms around you, bringing you against him.

You wrap your arms around his neck, look up, and kiss his lips deeply, "Thank you."

Moments later, you heard your daughter wake up and walk into the kitchen in her cat PJs. You smiled lovingly at her as she yawned and rubbed sleep out of her eyes.

"Good morning, sweetheart. How did you sleep?"

You place a plate of waffles with a whipped cream smiley face, berries, bacon, and scrambled eggs on it.

You saw her brown eyes light up at the feast before her.

"Good morning! Yay! Waffles! Thanks, Mom." She hugs you tightly from her seat on the stool as you happily hug her back and kiss the top of her head.

"Of course." You smile as you make a plate for Miguel and you as you both sit across from your daughter.

As you eat, Gabi smiles as she sees her father give her mom a piece of his bacon and strawberries, which both her parents love to eat.

She looks at her mom, who gives her father a look only the two know before she kisses his cheek in thanks.

"Hey, Princesa, do you want to go to Coney Island today?" Miguel took the empty plates and put them in the sink.

"Really? Yes, yes, yes! I'll go get ready." Gabi quickly jumped from her chair and rushed to her room. "Don't forget to wear a bathing suit!" you yelled down the hall.

After getting ready and managing through traffic, you finally made it to Coney Island. Gabi excitedly runs ahead with you and Miguel, telling her to stay by your side since it was crowded and you wanted her to stay near you.

"Can we go on this one?" Gabi tugs on your hand as she points to the wooden roller coaster.

"Princesa, I'm not sure-"

"Of course we can!" You interrupt Miguel, who gives you a stern look. You take his hand and give it a love squeeze to reassure your very protective husband that you will be fine. Miguel sighs as he smiles.

"Alright. I'll hold your stuff while you two go on it."

You kissed your husband's cheek as he held the items. You and Gabi happily went on the roller coaster, skipping to the front because you bought fast passes.

As you get situated on the ride and it starts to move, you can see Gabi become nervous as she holds your hand and clings to you. But after that first drop, she became more brave, only needing to hold your hand.

After you left the ride, you made sure to purchase the photo taken while the two of you were on it.

"We look so silly!" Gabi giggled as she looked at the photo. You laugh with her as you see the startled look on both of your faces. You both returned to Miguel, who walked over to you when he saw you in the crowd.

"Dad, look!" Gabi shows Miguel the photo, bringing a wide smile to his face.

"So that's where I heard the screaming from." He chuckled.

"Ooo, let's go on this one next!" Gabi says as she pulls your hand again to move in the direction she wants to go.

After riding all the fun rides, you watched as Gabi and Miguel sat at the chairs with the water gun game. When the buzzer went off, they raced to see which stuffed bear attached to the machine would get to the top first. Of course, Miguel purposely messed up a few times to let Gabi win, as she jumped from her seat when the siren went off.

Gabi chose her prize: a medium-sized, bright blue stuffed animal, a cartoon cat.

"I'm going to name him Sky!" Gabi smiled as she hugged her stuffed animal. She then saw another game in which you use a mallet to try to hit the bell.

"Oh, Dad, can we win something for Mom?" Gabi said as she pointed to the other game.

"Of course we can." Miguel smiled as he winked at you, making you smile with tinted cheeks. Even after being married for 15 years, he still knew how to make you flustered. When it was his turn, he lifted the giant mallet and hit it as hard as he could. Even though his workout regime was a lot less than when he was in his 20s and 30s, his athletic build now, with a dad bod, still could make the bell ring.

After winning a prize, Miguel handed you a stuffed red rose pillow with a cute, happy face.

"Here you go, Hermosa." Miguel wrapped his arm around your shoulders as he victoriously kissed you. His prize for winning the game.

After playing every game possible and eating some carnival food in between, the three of you were now relaxing at the beach.

As you and Miguel watched Gabi play in the water, you leaned your body against him, feeling tired.

You forced your eyes open, the light stinging your eyes a bit, as you saw Gabi hold something up in the air that she had found in the water.

"Mom! Dad! Look what I found!" Gabi happily ran up to the two of you as she sat on the beach blanket, showing you two a beautiful clam that was still shut.

"Wow, princesa, that's a good find." Miguel smiled as he held.

"Can you open it? Maybe there's a pearl!" Gabi couldn't sit still as Miguel opened the clam with a kitchen knife brought for the picnic.

"Here you go."

"Thank you!" Gabi set it down on the blanket as she looked to see if there was a hidden treasure. "Look!" Gabi held up a beautiful white pearl before handing it to you to look closer.

"Oh, it's so beautiful, Gabi. Do you want me to make it a necklace?" Your smile widens when you see her face.

"Yes! Can you keep it safe for me, Mom?"

"Of course, sweetie." You put the pearl in your wallet so it wouldn't get misplaced. As soon as you get home, you will make her the necklace.

After spending a couple more hours at the beach, plus grabbing dinner at your favorite local pizzeria, it was time to head home.

You helped Gabi wash up after playing in the water and sand all day, and then she got into a new pair of pajamas. Then, all three of you got comfortable on the couch watching a movie.

As you were sitting there, you smiled as you heard Gabi's laughter from the movie, trying to imprint it in your mind while you made the necklace. You had taken a sterling silver chain from your jewelry box and made a hole towards the top of the pearl with a needle. You made sure to add stoppers so the pearl stayed in place.

You felt tired after the third movie credits rolled by. "OK, princesa, time for bed."

"Aw, OK." You stand up, take her hand, and walk her to bed. You chuckled when you heard her yawn.

You sit on her bed and help tuck her in for bed. As she sits up, you open your palm to see the necklace in your hand. "Here you go," you say.

"It's so beautiful! Thank you, Mama!" Gabi wrapped her arms around you and hugged you, to which you happily returned. A tear fell down your cheek, but you wiped it away quickly before she could see it.

"You'll grow into it as you age; that's why the chain is a bit longer now." You helped put the necklace on her.

You brush some of her hair back from her face as you take in every detail of her. "Sweetheart, you know I love you, right?"

"Yeah! I love you, too. Can you read me a story?" Gabi takes one of her books and hands it to you. You happily take it from her as you sit fully on the bed next to her, as she places her head on your lap.

After some reading, you notice she has fallen asleep. You carefully place her head on her pillow without waking her, kissing her cheek, "Good night, my baby girl." You look at her for a moment before you slowly walk out of her room. You turn around and look at her one last time.

As soon as her door was closed, you leaned against the door. Exhausted beyond compare, you lean your body on the wall, feeling like you'll collapse to the floor. Before you do, Miguel helps you by letting you lean on him. He was leading you to your shared bedroom; however, you stopped him and gave him a weak smile. "Can we sleep out on the terrace tonight? The sky is so beautiful."

Miguel smiled in agreement as he grabbed all the blankets, pillows, and comforters and brought them outside to the super-soft sofa bed. After making it comfortable, you and Miguel got cozy under the covers. He wrapped his arms around you as he pulled you against him.

"Thank you." You smile as you look up at him. Leaning your head forward, you place your lips on his. His fingers find their way into your hair as he deepens the kiss. You feel water drip on your cheeks. Once you pull away, you see tears fall down his face.

You gently wiped them away with a sad smile as he took your wrist and kissed it. His tear-stained eyes met your teary ones.

"I'm sorry."

"Please, Hermosa. Let me take you to the hospital so you can get treatment. Please."

"Miguel, we've talked about this. When we found out, my cancer came back, and my odds were not good even with treatment. I would have been barely able to get out of bed, sick and miserable, and still would have died. At least I could spend time with you and Gabi like normal. So that the last few months with me wasn't filled with memories of me being sick, but happy memories."

"But there was a small chance." Miguel barely said above a whisper as he began to shake a little, the reality of losing you coming to his mind.

"Miguel, look at me. The chance was less than 5%. Even the doctors were not hopeful. This past year has been an amazing one. And...And you and Gabi will have so many amazing years. Please, Miguel. Don't willow away when I'm gone. Promise me. You won't." You look up at him as your thumb caresses his cheek.

"I promise."

"OK. Now, let's end this fabulous day on a good note. Let this be...let this be a final good memory."

Miguel took your chin, lifting it as he kissed you deeply. Tears fell down your face as you wanted to remember the taste of his lips, the smell of his shampoo and cologne, and how beautifully they mixed together.

For the rest of the night, you talked about memories from the past twenty years—the five years you were college friends and dated and the fifteen years you were married, with eight of them being with your beautiful daughter. More tears were shed, and some laughs as well. You felt him one last time inside you before you ended up cuddling again, looking at the starry night.

Miguel had sworn he would not fall asleep, wanting every second left with you.

You smiled as you brushed some of his hair from his now sleeping face. Your eyes grow heavy as you fall asleep next to your husband.

You woke up to the early rise of the sun. You took a deep, shaky breath in the beauty of the various colors across the sky. Your gaze turned to your still-sleeping husband. If only you could see his beautiful brown eyes one last time. But you decided against waking him.

Your lips met his one last time as you whispered, " I love you, Miguel, in this life and in the next."

You looked to the sun one last time before a sudden wave of fatigue and peace you never felt before washed over you as your eyes closed, entering the eternal slumber.

An hour passed when Miguel's eyes opened. He looked at the sunrise before turning to look at you. The eerie stillness of your body made his heart skyrocket.

"Y/n?" He gently placed his hand on your face. His stomach dropped when he felt how cold your skin was. It was too cold.

"No...no, no.no, no!" Miguel sat up as he lifted your limp body and cradled you in his lap.

"It wasn't time yet. I wasn't ready. Please come back, mi amor. I'm not ready." His breathing couldn't be controlled as panic and pain filled his entire being.

He caressed your face as his forehead was on yours. Brown eyes staring into your closed ones. If only he could see your beautiful eyes one more time.

"Please, mi amor. Please come back to me." Tears fell uncontrollably down his face as he yelled out loud in pain.

...

Gabriella woke up late in the morning. She gently sat up in bed as she rubbed her eyes. Her lips turned into a pout, starting to feel grumpy as her mom usually came in to wake her up.

The house was eerily quiet except for her father's voice and Uncle's. She grabbed her stuffed animal she won yesterday and walked out of her room towards the sound of people talking.

When she entered the living room, she saw her father on the sofa, hands resting on his knees as his face was in his hands. He was crying. And next to him was her Uncle Gabe, who was consoling him.

"Dad? Why are you crying?"

Her father's head shot up as he looked at her with tearful red eyes. "Gabriella? What are you doing up?"

"Mama didn't come in to wake me."

Her words seemed to bring more pain to her father's face. "Gabriella come here."

She went to her father as he sat her on his lap. He wrapped her in his arms as he cried.

"Dad, what's wrong? Where's Mom?"

Miguel looked down at his daughter as he took in the features she had gotten from you.

"There is something that I need to tell you."

...

Gabi held her father's hand as she watched her mother's coffin get lowered into the ground. She looked up at her father, who had tears running down his face. This past week, since she found out about your passing, her father couldn't stop crying.

She couldn't stop crying, either. She missed you terribly—the way you held her, your smile, your voice, the way you comforted her when she was sad, like now. But now you weren't here to comfort her.

...

7 years later

"Gabriella! Come on! Get up! You're going to be late for school!"

Gabriella woke up startled as she heard her father yelling from the kitchen. She winced in pain as she got up too quickly. Grabbing her clothes to get dressed, she groaned out loud. She had stayed up too late last night.

After getting ready, she reached the kitchen, where her father passed her a plate with eggs and toast.

"Shoot. I'm going to be late for work. Are you going to be OK getting to school yourself?" Her father looked at his watch in panic as he quickly moved around the kitchen to find and grab his things. Gabriella's eyes went to the chain around her father's neck, dangling on it a wedding ring.

A painful ache covered her body as she looked at it. It was her mother's ring. Even though both she and her father have gotten the strength to keep on going after these seven years, it still feels like a fresh wound sometimes.

Sometimes, she would lie awake at night, tears streaming down her face as she looked at a picture of her and her mother together.

"I'll be home in time for dinner. Do you want me to pick up Ricky's Diner on my way home?" Miguel kissed the top of his daughter's head as she hugged him.

"Sounds good!" She said with her mouth full. Miguel chuckled as he looked at his daughter's silly face. Gabi smiled when she saw her father smiling. It's not that he hasn't smiled or laughed in a while; she just knew it was the only moment she knew her father briefly felt joy.

Before her father left, he stopped at the front door as he turned around, " Princesa, remember. Be home by dinner. N-"

"No later. I hear you loud and clear." Gabriella finished his sentence as she gave him an extra cheery smile.

Miguel chuckled, opening the door: "Don't be late. Love you."

"Love you too!"

After eating, she grabbed her bag and returned to her bedroom. She opened her window as she hopped out into the escape landing.

"Another day, another place to protect. Isn't that right, Mom?"  Gabriella smiled as she looked at the pearl necklace around her neck with an additional piece. She opened up a silver rose locket as her thumb grazed over a photo of her mother.

She pulled the dark purple and light pink mask over her face before she stretched out her arm web, shooting from her wrist as she shot off into the skyline.

...

After a long day at school, which included skipping early when she found out there had been a major robbery, Gabriella swung through the city, almost falling and bumping into a few places.

It had only been 6 months since she was bitten by the radioactive Spider when she visited her Father at Alchamex.

Of course, she hasn't told her father, as he would worry to high heaven that she has been putting herself in constant danger. The only person who does know is her Uncle Gabe, who had accidentally seen her stuck to the ceiling.

She was on her way home with an hour to spare before her father would get home with dinner.

The radio earpiece went off: "Send all available vehicles to Alchemex HQ. A large explosion occurred on the north side of the campus."

Gabriella's stomach dropped as her heart began to beat a mile a minute. She shot out a web towards a building, turning opposite from the house.

Her father worked on that side of Alchemex.

Under the mask, her eyes widened as she saw the massive ball of fire and smoke coming out of the building. She found a way in through a broken window.

She coughed as a gust of smoke blew towards her. Running through, she saved anyone who was stuck or unconscious.

"Help! Please help me!" Gabriella heard a woman's plea as she made her way over there. As she turned the corner, she saw a woman trapped under a fallen ceiling...and a man in a white lab coat trying to lift it off her.

"Da- I'm mean, sir, let me help you lift it."

Gabriella stood by her father as she easily lifted the rubble, thanks to her super strength.

After the rubble was removed, the woman thanked you and Miguel before running towards an exit.

Her father turned to her as his eyes widened.

"What are you doing here? You need to leave immediately. This place is dangerous." Her father grabbed her hand as he tried to lead her out of the burning building.

"What do you mean. There was an explosion." She stopped, making him stop with her. "There could be others in there. Sir, you need to get out safely. I'll be fine."

She removed his hand as she was about to go further into the burning building when she heard a crack above her. Before she could register it, the ceiling collapsed, and everything went black.

Her head was pounding as they opened. She coughed as she slowly got up from the ground. Her body ached everywhere. As her vision returned to focus, she saw the rubble she was supposed to be under.

Her eyes widened as she saw a body lying underneath. "No, no, no, no!" She lifts the fallen ceiling off of him. She checked his pulse and sighed in relief. It was slow. She needed to get him out of here.

She grabbed his arm and hauled his upper body on her back, making her way out of the building as quickly as possible.

She laid him on the ground when she was far away from the building. Her eyes scanned to see how much damage was made.

He then coughed. "S-sir, you'll be alright. I'll take you to the hospital." Gabriella felt a hand on her face as tears streamed down it.

"No need, Princesa. I won't make it in time."

Her eyes widened as she heard the name her father called her.

"Princesa? Sir, I don't know what you-"

"I know, Gabi. I've known for a while." Her father removed her mask, showing her face. He brushed her tears away with his thumb.

"You'll be fine, Dad. Promise me you'll be fine."

"You look so much like her. She would be so proud of you like I am." Gabriella held her father's hand against her cheek as tears streamed faster down her face.

"Please, Dad. I can't lose you too."

"You'll be fine. It might hurt for a while. But I know you'll do great things one day."

"No, please don't say that."

"It's OK, princesa. No matter what, I'll always be with you and love you even if you can't see me."

"I love you too."

...

1 year later

Gabriella sat on the damp grass as her tired eyes gazed at the marble slab before her.

Here lies Y/n O'Hara and her husband, Miguel O'Hara.

Around the carved stone were pink roses, her mother's favorite, as she placed a fresh bouquet in the vase.

Gabriella turned around, surprised, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Her gaze briefly moved towards the man who resembled her father.

"You can't run away like that, Gabi. I was worried sick about you. You've been here for hours in the rain. You'll catch a cold. I promise we can return to see them once you get some rest and food."

She sighed as she wiped away her tears. "Alright. Bye, mom...Dad."

Listening to him, she reluctantly stood up from the grass, wiping away mud from her legs.

"You promise?" Gabriella asked her Uncle, the one her parents named her after. Her Uncle smiled and nodded, placing a hand on her upper back to guide her out of the graveyard.

They arrived at her Uncle's apartment, her home for the past year.

After washing up, she sat on her bed, knees tucked against her, and stared aimlessly at the picture frame on her bedside. It was a picture of her parents on their wedding day.

She heard a knock on her door, followed by her Uncle walking in. "Hey there, Gabs, I have your dinner here. It would really be great if you ate some of it tonight." He set the plate on her desk before standing by the doorway.

"Thanks."

"Is there anything you want to talk about? Getting things off your chest is better than holding them in."

Gabriella lay down away from her Uncle and whispered, "I'm OK. I think I just need to go to sleep. Good night."

Gabriel sighed, "OK. Good night." Before he closed her door, he walked to the sofa and sat down.

"I have no idea what to do, Miguel. What would you have done?"

...

When Gabriela finally woke up and got ready, it was midday. She forced herself out of her room to at least eat something since she hadn't eaten her dinner last night.

"Hey Gabi, how'd you sleep?" her Uncle said from the living room sofa as he sipped his coffee and watched the news.

"Alright. I'll try to get better. I promise." Gabriella took a bite of an apple.

"Hey, don't worry. You have gone through a lot for just a 16-year-old. The only thing I want is for you to be able to try to live as normal of a teenage life as possible." He smiled at her, to which she returned a small smile. "Speaking of not-normal, the news says there is a disturbance by the Brooklyn bridge."

"Shoot!" Gabriella rushed to put on her suit. Before she jumped out, her Uncle yelled, "Please come back home safe!"

"Will do!" She shot her web out as she headed towards the bridge.

When she arrived, she saw people and cars trying to escape the scene as the vulture was creating havoc. But when she got closer, she noticed it wasn't 'her' vulture, which was hard to register in her mind.

The new vulture threw a car off the bridge with people in it. Luckily, Gabi shot a few of her webs out to save the car. Taking all her strength, she pulled the car back on the bridge. A man and a woman rushed out, and the woman went to the back to get something. When the door was closed, she saw it was a little girl. The sight made her heartache.

"Thank you so much Spider-Rose." The man said.

"Of course. Now, please get to a safe distance."

The man then guided his family away as Gabriela went to deal with this weird vulture.

"Hey! Why are you ruining everyone's day today? And it's a bright blue sky and sunny, too." Gabi dangled from her web in front of the vulture, who was freaking out while flying.

"Are you made of clay? Like, what are you?"

"Where am I? What is this place?"

"It's Nueva York?" Gabriela laughed as she swung about and tried to stop the vulture. But he got out of her strings.

"Nueva York? It's New York."

"I think you must have hit your head or something, man. Maybe you should take a chill pill." Gabriela chuckled as she tried again to obtain him. She failed again as he slammed her against the wall.

"You're starting to annoy me."  He pushed her more against the wall, which started to hurt her head.

A weird warping noise appeared in the air, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a weird orange portal open.

A woman in a white and pink suit flew towards her. And did she see a web-shoot from the woman's wrist?

Within seconds, the vulture was thrown off her, knocked out, and captured.

"I didn't think that would be over so quick. This guy is a pretty weak vulture."

Gabriela stared at the woman in awe. The woman noticed as she walked over and offered her hand, "Hi, I'm Gwen."

Gabriela shook her hand. "Gabriela, but everyone calls me Gabi. You're like me."

Gwen chuckled, "This is your first time meeting another Spider-person?"

"I didn't know there were others like me."

"Oh, there is an infinite amount! It's so cool! We have an HQ and everything, and we go on missions to help save the multiverse."

"The multiverse? I thought it was only a theory."

"I haven't seen a spider like you before. You should totally join us." Gwen said as she opened a portal.

"Really?!" Gabriela's eyes widened in excitement as she smiled underneath her mask.

"Sure! I don't see any reason why not? It's weird going through the portal for the first time. But you'll get the gist of it."

As Gwen said, going through the portal was nauseating, but the feeling disappeared as soon as she saw the beauty of Spider HQ.

Everywhere she looked, there were Spider-people. Knowing she wasn't alone brought tears to her eyes.

An older Spiderwoman in a black and red suit walked up to you and Gwen, not happy.

"Girl, You're in big trouble. Recruiting someone? You don't have the authority to do that." The woman scolded Gwen.

"H-how did... this just happen," Gwen asked, astonished that Jess already knew.

"it was Lyla. You're wanted at his office. Both of you. The name's Jess, by the way. It's nice to see another spider woman, even though it wasn't done through proper protocol." Jess glanced at Gwen, who had taken her mask off.

Gabriella decided to keep it on while trying to dry her tears.

"I know it wasn't done the right way. But she has amazing talent! She has to join! Plus, I know you will be on board once you see her skills!" Defended Gwen.

"Well, since you didn't follow protocol, it's not up to me to decide anymore."

Gabriela couldn't contain her excitement as they walked through HQ. She really hoped she could join, and she thought being here could help heal her pain.

They entered a large office filled with projects. Her eyes turned toward an orange glow. A series of computer screens hovered over a large desk where a very large man stood.

The lenses in Gabriella's mask widen when the man turns around.

She thought she was going to burst into tears. It was her father. But a younger version.

"Gwen." He said with a stern voice.

"I know I'm sorry. But my gut was telling me to bring her here."

"You know the rules. I expect you to follow them." The man who looked like her father walked closer.

He really did look like him. Except his eyes were red. He was definitely younger, maybe in his late 20s or early 30s. He was larger than her father, which was shocking as he was already a large man. It must have been from the Spider's DNA.

"She shouldn't be here." He looked towards her, her father staring at her like she was a stranger, which she had to remember that she was.

"Miguel, honey. They're just kids. And everyone makes mistakes. So give them a break."

Gabriella breath hitched when she heard your voice.

It was her mom. It was really you. She hadn't seen you in years. All she wanted to do was run into your arms, but she knew you weren't 'her.'

The woman walks over to Miguel, whose face turns to a loving smile as she wraps around her waist.

"Alright, mi amor. I will."

Gabriella smiled. They were married in this universe, too. Maybe they had a version of her back home that they adored and loved.

Gabriella's breath became uncontrollable as she couldn't handle seeing them anymore.

"I-I'm sorry." She rushes out of the room and goes somewhere where she can be alone to cry.

Little did she know that in you and Miguel's worlds, you had lost your Gabriella. Before joining Spider Society, you were a single mother from a one-night stand. It was your world's Miguel, but he was an asshole. So when you met Miguel at Spider HQ, you assumed he would be the same. Of course, you were very much mistaken as you got to know him. He was only sad after he had lost his version of Gabriella when the world collapsed. Your world collapsed, too, so you live full-time in Miguel's world with him. Of course, now married. But your Gabriella had died long before from an outbreak of a virus.

You gave Miguel a stern look, thinking he had upset the young Spider. But you, being the mother you used to be, ran after her.

Gabriella sat in a corner of the dining hall so that very few others could watch her cry. Maybe she shouldn't be here. Seeing her parents' faces and not being able to run up and hug them would be too much.

"Hey"

Gabriella's head shot up when she heard your voice. You sat right next to her and placed your hand on her back to console her.

"I'm sorry if my husband was rude. He means well but sometimes doesn't show it in the best way."

"No, it's OK. It wasn't that...I saw something that brought up some sensitive memories of my past."

"You know, sometimes it's good to talk things out instead of keeping them locked in. It always helped me," you smile at her.

Gabriella's heart ached from those words. Something her mother would say to her. "It's pretty weird..."

"Trust me. I've seen some pretty weird things." You chuckle, remembering the time you had a mission with the Spider T-Rex.

Gabriella exhaled a shaky breath as she took her mask and lifted it off her face. Her brown eyes took a long pause before looking at you. Your eyes were wide as your gut dropped, and your heart lifted as you placed a shaky hand on her cheek.

"Gabriella? I-I've never seen a version of you as a Spider. I-I've rarely seen another version of you at all. You're older than my Gabi." You pull her into a hug. Gabriella couldn't resist as she wrapped her arms around you, tears streaking down her face.

"I never thought I would see my daughter grown up. She was so young when she died."

You smiled as you looked at your 'daughter.' "

After all these years, I never thought I would see your smiling face again."

"I didn't think so either about you."

Her words made your brows furrow.

"Both my parents are dead. My mother died from a relapse of cancer when I was 8, and my father died last year from saving me from an explosion at his job." Gabriella bit her tongue as she tried her best to hold back her tears as that aching pain began to throb in her heart.

You held her in your arms longer than you realized as you heard large footsteps walking towards you before coming to a sudden halt. You looked up with a happy smile as you saw your husband's shocked face.

"Miguel, our baby girl, came back to us."

Miguel took a few steps forward, not believing who was before him. He fell to his knees before Gabriella, and she couldn't help but wrap her arms around him as she cried louder. Miguel wrapped his arms around her as he combed the back of her hair to calm her down. You go on your knees as you hug her, too, again.

Gabriella cried out loud, as did you and Miguel, not caring what scene they were causing. Miguel kissed the top of your head and Gabriella's as he smiled down at his family, once all broken but now brought together through the mysterious wonders of the multiverse.

"I've missed you both so much. I felt so alone without you."

You and Miguel exchanged a look as if you were communicating with your minds as you smiled at your daughter.

"I know we aren't your parents. But if you wanted, we would love to spend time with you." You wiped away her tears with your thumb.

"Does that mean I'm in?" Gabriella looked at you and Miguel with joy and excitement in her brown eyes.

" Of course." Miguel smiled at her.

" I know I'm not your daughter-"

"Gabi, no matter what universe you're from. You will always be our daughter."

Your words melted away Gabriella's walls and warmed her heart as tears threatened to spill again as she hugged you and Miguel.

...

A month later

"I can't believe in another universe you also tripped into the pond in Central Park on your guys' first date. That was always a funny story my mom would tell, embarrassing my father to high heavens." Gabriella laughed as she placed another dish on the dining room table.

Miguel chuckled as he finished plating the rest of the food from the pan. "What can I say? I was on a date with a beautiful woman and was a little nervous."

"A little? Really, honey? You're in front of family. You can admit you were a nervous wreck on our first date." You laughed, getting a playful glare from your husband in return.

"Ah, I remember my brother walking into our shared apartment drenched to the core after the date but still walking in through the door with a goofy grin." Gabriel laughed as he sat down next to his niece. Gabriella almost spit out her water by her Uncle's comment as she tried to hold in her laughter.

"Did that happen to you too?" She looked up at Miguel.

"Yeah, it did. I thought I had ruined the date, but when I got out, and Y/N kissed me and said she couldn't wait for our second date, I was over the moon happy." Miguel smiled as he looked at you, took your hand, and kissed your knuckles.

Gabriella smiled as she looked at her new family sitting around the table. She looked at her necklace, which now had a photo of her father on the other side of the locket. Gabriella's heart felt a warm sadness wash over her. She smiled to her self. She was finally healing.

As she looked up at the younger versions of her parents talking with happy smiles  across the table from her, she thought:

'Mom...Dad. Thank you for helping me find my way back to you.'

————————————————————————

I hope you enjoyed this one-shot!💕

[bambisspeckles]

Early Morning ✿ Flufftober Day One -- Simon

Summary: You spend a lazy morning with Simon! WC: 819 <3 Song of the day: Right Side of My Neck ❁ Faye Webster

The sun peaks through your curtains and into your bedroom, crisp fall air sneaking through the cracks of your window, goosebumps raising on your skin. You rub your eyes for a moment, letting them adjust to the bright light shining onto your face and into your vision, before turning towards your nightstand. You fix your gaze to the little brown clock, squinting your eyes to read the tiny red numbers.

7:45

You sigh, sitting up and stretching your arms over your head, a little yawn escaping you. Simon's side of the bed is empty, something you've grown accustomed to, even now that he's retired. A strict routine that's been engraved into him since the day he enlisted.

Simon Riley, a creature of habit. Your creature of habit.

You slither out of bed, your body dragging lazily beneath you, still laden with sleep. The hardwood cold under your bare feet but you don't bother to put on your slippers, much to eager to make your way to Simon.

He can hear the soft pitter-patter of your short, fast steps as you make your way towards the kitchen, and he chuckles at the sound, his body resting against the counter top as he pours himself a cup of coffee. Your arms wrap around his wide torso, though wrap may be far to generous of a word, perhaps drape would better describe it. You press your face into his back, the warmth from his body a welcome change from the cold.

"G'mornin love." The soft timber of his voice nearly puts you back to sleep.

"Mmm.. Morning." Simon chuckles at your sluggish response, and in retaliation you nip the space between his shoulders.

"S' a bit early for you to be up, no?" In your sleepy haze you hear the sound of liquid hitting your ceramic cup as Simon pours you a cup of coffee.

"The bed was cold without you…" Your words are muffled into his back, the vibrations from your lips sending shivers down his spine.

Simon peels your body from his, a small whine escaping you as his warm body pulls away from your cold skin. He shushes your complaints with a soft kiss to your forehead and your mouth quirks up into a soft smile as the soft skin of his lips sends electricity down your spine. He helps you settle onto the counter, your legs swinging gently against the wood as you watch him crack an egg into a pan.

You sit in silence for a while, sun shining through the small window above your stove, casting a glow onto Simon's skin so beautiful you could mistake him for an angel. It's enjoyable, the peace that always seems to settle between you two in the early hours of the morning. Eventually Simon breaks the silence, turning off the stove and moving his body between your legs, a perfect fit.

"Was gonna take Riley on a walk…" He tilts his head towards the German Shepard that lays on the carpet of your living room. "Since you're wake', care to join me love?"

You bury your face into his neck, melting into his warmth once more as you roll the idea around in your head for a moment. He slips his hands under your (his) shirt and places them onto your hips, his thumbs gently circling the skin. You make a keening sound at that and he let out a soft snicker in response. After a few more moments you finally respond, pulling your face away from where it was buried in his skin.

"M'kay…" You yawn. "Let me get ready quickly." Simon hums softly before placing a kiss onto your cheek, not letting you go just yet.

"Don't you wan' to eat breakfast first?" His head cocks slightly and you smile, tilting your head up to place a gentle kiss to his lips.

"After, Riley needs to go pee I think." He chuckles at that, removing his hands from under your shirt, and stepping out from between your legs.

You hop off the counter, your feet hitting the cold wooden tiles making you curse under your breath. You saunter off into the bathroom to get ready, quickly washing your face and brushing your teeth before taking a few moments to pull your hair back. Once you're satisfied, you change in your bedroom before finally making your way back to Simon. He's crouched down on the living room floor, double checking that Riley is secure in his harness, before noticing your presence.

"Ready to go?" Simon asks as he zips up his jacket.

You hum softly, nodding your head at him before walking towards the door.

"You better not try and turn this into a jog, you already know how much I hate running." Simon chuckles at that, walking over to you and leaning down to press a kiss to your cheek, Riley's leash in hand.

"Yes ma'am."

[m-writesstuff]

undercover - aaron hotchner

chapter 1

lying.

i like lying.

especially when it involves waking up next to aaron fucking hotchner.

we were undercover, playing as the stork killers next victims, jane and aaron hunter, a couple in need of a miracle, preferably one that came in the shape of a human baby. the killer, doctor james hader, who specialized in fertility, had been stalking us for the past three weeks after we visited his clinic, so it wasn’t really a surprise when i saw his white van parked across the street from our bedroom window. doctor hader was a very obvious stalker, which made me wonder if the two couples he had murdered before had caught on to the white van parked across the street for their houses.

i sigh, and get up to go make breakfast, just as a loving wife would do. yuck. so glad my bachelors in forensic science had led to being reduced to a stereotype. 

the bed is warm and seems to be enticing me to lay back down as i pull the covers off my legs and stand. i turn to look down at aaron in the bed, he seems calm in his sleep, it makes me smile. he used to look like that awake. calm and kind, but years of stressful cases while juggling the politics that come with the bau had turned him into a very serious man. we started working together 5 years ago, when i became the first woman on the team and unlike the rest of my co-workers, he seemed to actually respect me for more than my looks. we quickly became close friends, but we never seemed to hangout outside of work. now here we were, stuck together in a two bedroom/two bathroom in the fucking suburbs. it wasn’t that this life didn’t appeal to me. i just didn’t love the idea of relying on a man to provide for me. it made me feel trapped, but this was only my life until the case closes, which seemed to never come.

i reached the kitchen and begin getting out eggs, bread and a tomato. while the bread toasts and the eggs cook i cut the tomato into slices and divide them into two plates. soon enough i have a beautiful breakfast plated and i set the plates down on the table. aaron walks in at that moment, in a white tee and plaid pyjama pants. 

“thanks.” he mutters as he sits down. he’s not much of a talker in the morning. 

“you’re welcome.” 

we eat in silence. once he finishes, he takes my empty plate and begins washing the dishes while i shower and get dressed.

“he was here.” i say when i return.

aaron looks up from the plate he’s drying. “hader?”

“who else aaron?” i respond, grabbing the pan and a dish towel.

he rolls his eyes. “i must have missed him, he was gone when i woke up.”

“hmm.”

“what?” he asks, looking at puzzled.

“its just… well, he always leaves after i wake up.” i start. “it’s like he’s only interested in me. maybe he’s after the women but kills the men to get them out of the way.

”“maybe.” he says. 

i look at him with a frustrated expression.

“what?” he asks while yawning.

i roll my eyes as i put the pan into the cupboard. “thanks for supporting my theory aaron.”

he chuckles. “oh cmon, janie,” that stupid nickname makes me blush slightly, “we don’t have proof he’s after just the women, he stalks them for weeks and kills them both.”

i sigh, “just a thought.”

he finishes the dishes. and turns his body to face me. “keep thinking, well figure it out.” he smiles at me.

“bring it up to the team?” i ask.

“jane…”

“oh cmon! think about it, he doesn’t follow you to work, he focuses on me when we go in for consultations, and he always leaves when i get up for the day.” he doesn’t seem convinced, we stare at each other for a moment, “please? do it for me, your lovely wife.” i tease.

he pauses staring at me intensely for a few seconds. “fine.”

i break into a smile, which he returns. “thank you aaron.”

he sighs and walks off to get ready for work. 

aaron was the lucky one, he got to return to work everyday as the town where we were stationed was only 30 minutes from headquarters. i, on the other hand, got to play house. cooking and cleaning were basically all i got up to during the day. it was dull. but, occasionally, aaron would bring back reports for me to fill out regarding our operation, but other than that i spend my day doing nothing important.

i watch from the kitchen table as aaron grabs his coat and gets ready to leave.

he opens the door, “hey,” i walk over to him, “don't forget we have another consultation at 3.”

he smiles at me, “i’ll be home at 2 then.” theres a pause before he begins talking again, “have a good day jane.” he closes the door.

my day goes by normally, i clean the house, which takes under an hour because i do it everyday. then, i spend the rest of my day on the couch watching the news, desperate to feel like i’m in the field. when i look up from the tv, the clock on the oven reads 1:45. shit, there goes my day.

i decide to make a quick snack for aaron when he gets back. by the time i’m done, i hear the doorknob turn, speak of the devil.

aaron walks calmly through the door and takes off his coat. “hungry?” i ask

he looks at me, sitting on the counter calmly, as he takes off his coat. “very.”

we sit at the table eating the cheese and crackers i had prepared, talking about our days. mine, just as interesting as his. since we were undercover, he was not allowed to be in the field. This meant he was stuck at a desk all day, doing paperwork. exciting.

sooner than i’d like, we hop into his car and begin the 20 minute drive to the clinic. 

doctor hader’s fertility clinic was in a small building on main street. aaron and i rode the elevator anxiously. every meeting with the doctor proved more and more useful but also nerve-racking. hader asked the awkward questions, the ones regarding aaron and i’s non existing sex life. i tended to freeze up once asked whereas aaron smoothly spoke of our fake life. it was odd how i feel when he speaks of those things. it’s like there’s a pit in my stomach… a hungry one.

we sit in the waiting room silently, waiting to be called on. i hear the door hinges creak and grab aaron’s hand, putting on the facade of a happy couple. doctor hader is a small, balding man. he avoids eye contact as he invites us in. his office is painted blue, with a couch that faces his large desk. overcompensating much. hader motions for us to sit down as he takes a seat at his desk.

“jane, aaron, wonderful to see you again.” he smiles, that creepy awful smile.

aaron and i smile back, “great to see you too, doctor hader.” aaron says.

“so, let's begin,” hader brings out our file, “you’ve been trying for some time now, yes?”

i blush, “yes, 6 months now.”

“interesting, you’re still trying now correct, with the meds i had prescribed, correct?” he asks.

aaron squeezes my hand to keep me focused, “yes.”

hader looks frustrated, “you’re certain?”

he knows were not having sex, he’s been watching us for weeks. 

aaron and i look at each other, “yes.” he says.

the consultation goes on for what feels like forever. when we finally get to leave, it’s not soon enough. i could feel hader’s eyes on me as we head out. i grip onto aaron’s arm.

we ride silently for about half the trip back until i finally speak up. “he knows.” 

“what?” aaron says, not looking up from the road.

“he knows were not… you know…” i say.

aaron doesn’t speak for a while.

“aaron.” 

he looks at me as we stop for a red light. “i think you know what this means, janie.”

“which is?”

“we have to put on a show for him.”

i freeze, the gears in my head turning slowly as i figure out what he means.

we have to have “sex”.

______________________________________________________________

notes: hello! if you made it this far, thank you!! i appreciate you so much. this is my first story here and i'm super excited to share it with you! it may not be that good but i'm still trying! anyway, have a wonderful day!

[cosmicpearlz]

rainy days

summary: in which practice gets canceled because of the weather and joão has some plans on how to spend the day.

pairing: joão félix x reader

the usual morning routine was waking up, showering, eating together and then going to work/training. expect, this morning, london had its own plan. the weather was not only rainy, but thunder and lightning followed suit. you had gotten a text from your boss stating that you could work from home. being that the current weather condition wasn't suitable for you to drive out.

you started your morning early, not being able to sleep with the weather. for whatever reason, you never could sleep during lightning and thunder. you worked on your laptop on and off in your shared office room, siping your coffee in the midst.

"you weren't in bed amor," joão's raspy morning voice sounds throughout the office room. you look up from your laptop, smiling at your boyfriend.

"i couldn't sleep."

"the weather?"

"you know it. are you hungry? i was waiting for you to wake up."

"you didn't eat?" joão walks to the chair you sat in and hugs the back of it. making sure his arms were around you as well. floki following him and siting at your feet.

"no baby, i wanted to wait for you. i did feed floki and he used one of the puppy pads to use the bathroom. this weather is in no shape for him to go outside."

"y'know that you don't have to tell me anything when it comes to floki. he's yours, just as much as mine. let's go eat," he presses kisses to your cheek, leaving one on your neck.

you stand up, stretching your legs and arms out. immediately, joão's hands are on you again. pulling you in a tight hug. you reciprocate the action and quietly laughing into his chest.

"what's so funny, huh?" joão pokes your sides, making you laugh even more.

"nothing! you're just very touchy this morning."

"this is the one day that i get to spend time with you without anything else interfering. let me spend it how i want to," he proceeds to press more kisses to your face.

"as you wish my king," you jokily say. joão lightly chuckles, guiding you both out of the room and to the kitchen.

-

"what are you in the mood for princesa?"

"pancakes?"

"sounds good to me," pouting his lip slightly, he shrugs. joão takes out the ingredients to make breakfast.

"want me to help?"

"yes, but only because i love cooking with you." you nodded your head with a smile and went to wash your hands.

over the next thirty minutes, you guys work your way around the kitchen. you make the pancakes, while joão made the sausages. once the pancakes were done, you moved on to making the eggs. being that joão finished the sausages, he settled for enveloping you from behind. pressing his chest to your back and keeping his arms at your waist. his fingers sliding up your sleep shirt, which was really his shirt that you ended up taking from him.

"comfortable?"

"very," he snuggles his face into the crook of your neck. leaving a trail of kisses from your neck down to your collarbone and back up again.

the rain beating down on the windows, your soft humming and the sizzling from the eggs being done were the only sounds that rang through the kitchen. it brought you a certain moment of peace that you didn't know that you needed.

moving the pan to the other burner that wasn't hot, you both began to get plates ready. joão started by distributing the pancakes and sausages onto both plates. you divide the eggs and placing it in the empty spot.

"you go sit down. i'll bring the plates in a minute."

"you sure? i don't mind helping."

"sit." you follow his direction, sitting on the stool that rested under the countertop. joão placing all the dirty pans and spatulas into the sink. once done with that task, he sits both plates on the counter. moving around the kitchen again to get glasses of water.

"smells so good."

"i agree. we should cook together more often," joão kisses the top of your head and sits down next to you. handing you a glass and keeping a glass for himself. he hooks his foot under your stool and pulls it closer to him.

"much better."

-

for the rest of the morning to the evening, the two of you spent time watching various movies. something that you haven't been able to do in a long time. the rain wasn't as strong but still beating down the windows.

"we should take a nap," you suggest with a big yawn coming from your mouth. slightly breaking up the words.

"you'll be complaining about your sleep schedule again."

"please take a nap with me baby," you whined. joão laughs to himself and pulls your body closer to his. as if you weren't already in his arms, like you have been the entire day pretty much.

"i guess we can take a nap," says joão in a teasing tone. his eyes never leaving yours, smiling as your eyes light up.

"ugh thank the lord, do you have a preference of how we sleep?"

"get on top of me." watching as he begins to smirk, you stare at him with a deadpan look.

"did you have to say it like that?"

"i didn't mean it like that. get your head out of the gutter beautiful," joão chuckles. "seriously though, get on top of me. i'm tired too."

joão moves his body, so that his head was resting on the couch pillow and his legs open for you to lay between. you inch your way up, having your head lay in the crook of his neck and your legs tangled with his. he throws an arm around your waist, making sure to hold you tight. the other hand sliding up your sleep shirt to rub your back. the soft and slow motions on your bare skin began to make you sleepier.

"are you comfortable?" joão whsiper falls to your ear.

"mhm. i love you."

"i love you more meu amado," he moves his head just to place a small kiss onto of your forehead. moving his head back in its original position, he closes his own eyes. continuing the motions on your back, loving the way your skin feels on his fingertips. joão awaits sleep to consume him while the love his life slept soundly in his arms.

[jadeee]

Halluu ✨ since you asked to drop some scenarios about Nanami, mind if I start off with a fluff? I was thinking that reader could just spoil Nanami for the whole day like, breakfast in bed before work, flowers, sweets, cook his favorite meal, take him out on a date or somewhere he wanted to go to, etc.(honestly, this man needs a break) and just shower him with lots of love, making him flustered by the end of the day (hmmm...maybe some spice at the end?👀✨)

this was really cute 💗 i feel like this treatment would make him spoil you more. i also think he'd try and reassure you that you don't have to do all that {even though he really does love it}. he wants to shower you so just let him "take care of you" {i can see him saying those words tbh} thanks for the request!

wc: 1.1k

dividers by @jaysdividers & @attxnt ©

Something didn't feel right. Nanami opened his eyes then noticed the empty space where you should've been.

"Morning," you walked in carrying a tray of food. 

"What's this?" he sat up in bed as you made your way toward him.

"What's it look like?" you carefully set the tray in front of him and he glanced up at you with rosy cheeks. 

"Are you gonna eat or just stare at me all day?" the bed dipped as you sat on the edge of it. 

The sunlight beamed through the windows and highlighted your features. It was impossible to pick his favorite one. His eyes scanned your own, then your nose and lips. In a matter of seconds, he committed your face to memory. 

"Who said I can't do both?" 

He wanted to kiss you but he knew where that would lead; and he shouldn't be late for work, not if he could avoid it. Instead, he offered you some of the food you made for him and you obliged. You spent the next few minutes making small talk but he was taking mental photographs of you all the while.

Although you told him not to, he washed his own dishes. It gave him something to do other than you. He tried not to glance at you when you were watching him get dressed. A blush blossomed on his cheeks as soon as his eyes landed on your face.

"What?"

"Nothing." 

You grinned and shook your head before walking off. The truth is, it was everything. The way he avoided your gaze like a boy with a crush. How his fingers quickly worked at his tie. The slow but steady blush that crept onto his face. Your effect on him only increased when you walked in holding his jacket. It nearly doubled when you pulled it back as he reached for it. Part of him wanted to roll his eyes at your antics but the rest of him melted a bit.

He slid his arms into the sleeves, "What's gotten into you?"

His face turned cherry red when he felt you wrap your arms around his waist, hugging him from behind.

"I just love you ... a lot."

The sudden kiss on his shoulder made him go stiff and his heart felt like it was going to explode. Your lips started to pout when you didn't hear him respond or feel him react. So you rested your chin on his shoulder and held his gaze in the mirror to see why he was silent. The small smile on his face paired with the look of love in his eyes was the embodiment of light itself. 

"I love you too," he slid his hands over yours "the most."

"Oh really?! Care to prove it?"

He turned to cup your cheeks in his hands then pressed his lips against yours. 

"How's that?"

Within moments, his jacket fell to the floor.

It was a miracle he showed up to work on time, but he still wished for more. As Yuuji trailed behind him, he slid his hand into his pocket then felt a small piece of paper. The skin between his brows creased at the thought of Gojo playing some prank on him. He opened it to see:

I love you; always and forever.

His thumb lingered over your words.

Yuuji repeated himself and Nanami finally answered. He would've apologized but he wasn't sorry for having a soft spot for you. 

As soon as his workday ended, he dialed your number.

"Hey, handsome."

His lips parted to speak but you caught him off guard. All he could do was smile to himself but the sound of clanking in the background interrupted the moment.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm just cleaning."

"I would've done that. I'm on my w -"

"No, let me do it!" you protested playfully "Let me spoil you."

"So that's what this morning was about."

"Well," the defense you built up weakened "are you mad at me?"

The corners of his mouth turned up at the ridiculous thought, " Why would I be upset?"

"Because I don't spoil you enough." you confessed quietly.

The line went quiet while he meditated on your words. Suddenly, he said your name and it pulled you out of your trance.

"Hm?"

"All I need is you and nothing else."

"... okay."

"What's wrong? You don't believe me?"

"I do, it's just -" there was another clank in the background and the low swear of your voice.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I gotta go. Love you, bye!"

He stared at his phone after you hung up and counted down the minutes.

He opened the door and immediately looked for you. Each muscle softened when he saw you lighting the last candle at the dinner table.

"Hi."

His eyes glazed over the carefully planned dinner you prepared then focused on you in your dress.

You set the lighter aside then faced him ,"I know what you said on the phone but I was already cooking. The food was almost done and -"

Nanami kissed you for the first time since that morning. When he pulled back, there was a hint of a smile on his face.

"You can be so stubborn."

As always, he insisted on doing the dishes; but tonight he especially persisted since you went out of your way for him.

"But what am I gonna do?"

"Just stand there and look pretty."

His response surprised you and how he loved the look on your face.

"What? You don't want to do that for me?"

You leaned against the counter, "I didn't say I wouldn't."

He cleaned the last dish, "You're incredibly defiant today. We should fix that."

Your eyes widened as he walked over and picked you up. He tasted your giggles with each long, slow kiss. When he sat you on the bed, he basked in the feeling of seeing you in that dress, posing for him so perfectly. Waiting, teasing, silently pleading. He bent down to kiss your neck then let out a soft moan when you clutched a fistful of his hair. 

His lips kissed your collarbone, "You have no idea how much I love you."

"So show me."

"Don't be a brat about it." 

He slipped his hand under your dress and you gasped at the familiar touch of his fingers. You reached for his wrists and he held your hands above your head. When you moaned, he kissed you on your open mouth. His tongue melted against yours along with the rest of him. You felt like air after holding a breath for too long or like tea with honey. A good night's sleep after a horrible day. You were relief and comfort and so much more. Although he couldn't put it in words, he could show you and that's exactly what he planned to do.

Author's Note: No words, just Nanami Kento being himself. I actually really like how this came out. I even tried new formatting too, so thanks again, Mariah!!

[blackreaderfics]

Hygge | Nanami Kento x Tiana

↳ Pairing : Nanami Kento x Tiana

↳ Rating :  T

↳ Summary : Nanami breaks his well cultivated routine 

↳ W.C : 4.4k

↳ A/N: the voices in my head got me y’all… this is a purely self indulgent fic featuring relatable king Nanami (I, too, do not dream of labor✊🏾) and black girlbossqueen Tiana

↳ Tags + Warnings: xenophobia from a side character, fluff, set in Tokyo, next door neighbors, cultural differences, salaryman x cafe owner, they can speak each other’s languages but not fluently

🎵 A Commuter’s Trip (The Commuter OST) by Roque Baños

🎵 Hello Stranger by KAI

Hygge (n.) | Danish

“the feeling of calm, comfort, and contentment evoked by life’s simple joys”

Nanami had a simple routine. Wake up at 6, shower, get dressed, eat breakfast by 7:45 and be out of the door—at the latest—a minute before 8. He had everything calculated to the T. If Nanami had been a minute too late—let’s say 8:01— he would miss the morning train and therefore be late for work, and he was never late. He had taken into account all contingencies i.e. a train delay, traffic, inclement weather, and made sure he was prepared for any and all possibilities.

That’s why, much to his chagrin, he was “Employee of the Month” every month since he had been promoted from associate to advisor. Most workers would’ve taken pride in that, felt their presence valued at their company. But Nanami didn’t care much for awards or titles, in fact, he just hated working period. He made sure to always clock out at 6 p.m. on the dot. One minute more would be overtime and he didn’t want to give his thankless job a second more of his labor. 

When he left work, he always went straight home. When his head hit the pillow and he closed his eyes, thoughts about the next day would drift into his mind. 

Did the market close up or down? What reports did he need to finish? There’s a client meeting coming up; the presentation deck needs to be prepared… Just two more days. Get through two more days and it’s the weekend. 

And so on and so on. Wash rinse repeat. 

He presumed this endless cycle of corporate monotony would continue until the day he turned 40, after which he could retire and live modestly in a country like Malaysia or the Philippines to catch up on all the reading he missed. Perhaps even find a nice woman and marry her while he was there.

The marriage part was new—an afterthought after years of daydreaming—and he didn’t really think much about the kind of woman he wanted to marry. What she looked like or what she did was more of an amorphous thought, a vague idea in his mind. 

Until her.

He met her by accident. Nanami had been cooking, a hobby he only indulged in on the weekends, and he was just in the middle of making a rolled omelet when he heard a loud thump outside his door.

His apartment building was more of an office building which meant that his floor didn’t get much traffic. The people who rented rooms were not really tenants who lived there, but workers looking for an extra workspace.  He had assumed the thump to be a delivery man outside his door so, naturally, he was surprised when it wasn’t the post, but a foreigner woman standing outside the room next door.

The woman had a heavy bag of groceries balanced in the crook of her arm and another by her feet that he presumed had been the source of the sound. When they made eye contact, he had been so startled that he quickly closed his door. The apartment next to his had been empty for months, but it looked like it had finally been rented out. 

He thought nothing more of it until her very presence began to infiltrate his well-maintained routine. Every morning, if he was quiet enough, he could faintly hear her humming as he got dressed. Other times, he could hear upbeat jazzy music on the weekends if he opened his window.

Every night, he was surrounded by the fragrance of whatever she seemed to be cooking. Most of the time it was sweet, other times it was savory. It wasn’t an unpleasant aroma, just noticeable to the point where its absence would feel strange. There were days when they would leave for work at the same time, though oftentimes he would end up holding the elevator door open for her when she left her apartment a few minutes after he did. 

In the brief moments they encountered, Nanami made small observations about her: She was an American. Beautiful. Unmarried—Americans wore rings on their ring finger to signify marital status, he’d noticed she didn’t.

He couldn’t infer her job or what exactly brought her to Tokyo in the first place from her appearance alone, however. He’d seen a fair amount of young foreign teachers in the city. He wondered if she was a teacher. She looked young enough. A missionary? She dressed modestly and wore sensible shoes. Her curly hair was often tied into a low bun. From the very slim list of what young American women did for work in Tokyo, he decided on teacher and his curiosity was sated. 

One day he found out. After a long day of work, he walked his usual route from the train station back to his apartment building but was redirected due to construction at his usual subway exit. When he alighted from the escalator he was on a different street entirely. The extra few minutes from this detour would undoubtedly cut into the time he’d set aside to unwind, and subsequently, he’d have to make a few adjustments to still get a full 8 hours of sleep.

He loosened his tie and sighed inwardly as he walked on. Since he’d moved to this district last year he didn’t make much effort to visit any new places. For all he was concerned, he only really needed to know his route to work and the nearest Starbucks. 

So when he passed by a small cafe called “Tiana’s Place”, it didn’t immediately click that the jazz he’d heard playing softly from her apartment was the same music that was playing now. It was familiar enough that it gave him pause. Where had he heard that song before? When he finally caught sight of her—his neighbor— through the glass window, it finally registered that she wasn’t a teacher or a missionary, but a cafe worker, and from the looks of it, she owned the place. 

He watched her dimples deepen as she interacted with customers, giving each and every one of them a tireless smile. Before he knew it, Nanami found himself inside the cafe whisked into the after-work rush of impatient office workers. She was so busy already, the only indication of strain being a moment when she blew the hair out of her face before the next customer walked up to order. He planned to buy something small and leave; he wanted to give her time to catch her breath but inadvertently in his musings he was already holding up the line. 

She was…right in front of him? And speaking to him now? It was the first time he’d heard her voice and he decided it suited her. She spoke in Japanese and, though accented, was clear and practiced enough in a way that impressed him.

“Are you still deciding, sir?” Impossibly large brown eyes waited in expectation for him to order.

He broke out of his reverie quickly enough to make it seem like his stalling was deliberate, his unmarred poker face further upholding the charade.

He scanned the prepackaged foods and retrieved the first thing that looked like bread. “Just this.” 

“Good choice,” She looked positively elated as she scanned the barcode and activated the card machine. “Beignets are my specialty.” She was beaming at him. Not in a “thank you come again” customer way but like in a he’d just made her entire week way. She was so laughably easy to please that it discomfited him.

He muttered a “thank you”, taking the package and turning to leave quickly before he met her eyes again. The Fall of Icarus was a cautionary tale for a reason, he wouldn’t risk another trip into the sun.

Nanami’s routine had drastically altered over the next few weeks. Every morning he’d gotten used to riding down the elevator with her. They greeted each other regularly, albeit a bit awkwardly, in the shared space—A slight bow from him as he held the doors open, reciprocated by a grateful wave from her.

The last time they shared an elevator, however, they'd accidentally brushed hands while reaching for the ground floor button. For some reason, that unnerved Nanami. So now, most times, he avoided that, opting to wait and listen to the click of her door before he left the house. For good measure, he started taking the stairs. As a result, Nanami had added an extra 10 minutes to his morning commute.

The detour, having yet to be fixed, took him past the café every day. Though Nanami knew the process of waiting in line would add an extra 15 minutes to his after-work trek, he did so anyway, calculating that picking up a quick dinner bento would be a fair trade to taking the time to cook something for himself. 

“What can I get for you today, sir?”  

He knew her name now—Tiana, from the name tag she wore, and the sign on the storefront. He noticed from the way her eyes would widen as he approached, that she recognized him now too.

“Black tea. No sugar, please.” He placed his usual prepackaged meal and packet of beignets on the counter, taking out his wallet. Nanami didn’t always plan to add beignets to every order, but he found himself reaching for them every time, dreading her predictable delight when he did. Ordering tea was another stroke of impulse he didn’t account for, but it wasn’t so busy now, he could enjoy it before he went home.

He decided on a table by the window, savoring the warm liquid as the sun set to a melancholy soundtrack of brass and bass. It was like being transported to another time, outside of crowded subway cars and the hustle of his high-powered office.

Nanami closed his eyes and felt something akin to contentment. When he exhaled, the stiffness in his shoulders abated, and the strain behind his eyes subsided. Was this what it was like to finally relax? 

He was about to take another sip of his drink when he heard a loud bang. The front door to the restaurant had flown open, a bulky man with greasy hair and a lecherous smile stalking in. Nanami’s eyes trailed after the man’s movements, the cup still raised to his lip.

“I’d like a dozen of those powdered donut things. Ya got any of those?” The man leered at the part-timer manning the counter. He sauntered back and forth at the register, eying the self-serve pastries in the display. 

“Sure, would you like them fresh? There aren’t enough ready-made ones for a dozen, but if you’re willing to wait there’s a new batch being made—” 

The man picked up a package of beignets that had been warming under a heated case and without warning, ripped open the package and took a bite.

“S-sir! You need to pay for that first!” The part-timer sputtered.

“Well, I’m waitin’ for that new batch. I wanna try before I buy.” The delinquent guffawed and attempted another gleeful bite only for the pastry to be smacked out of his hand and onto the floor.

He whirled around to face Tiana, bursting into laughter upon seeing her. “And who the fuck are you supposed to be?” 

“Call the police,” Tiana stated calmly to her employee as she stared down the man. Her usual polite smile had been replaced with a stony-faced expression. “Sir, if you’re not going to buy anything then it’s best you leave.”

“Huh? What was that? I can barely understand you, foreign bit-AHh” A pressure on the man’s shoulder made him crumple in pain.

“Your ears must not be working. I can understand her perfectly well,” Nanami murmured, his vice-like grip squeezing at the juncture between the man’s neck and shoulder. While the delinquent whimpered pathetically at the deepening pressure, Nanami directed his attention to Tiana, motioning with a slight tilt of his head for her to step away. “It’s not worth your trouble, I’ll take care of it.” 

She nodded reluctantly and joined her staff member who was now waiting with a phone at her ear behind the counter.

Nanami appeared to be saying something to the man now, but in a volume that Tiana couldn’t hear. His face was calm, betraying no emotion while the delinquent paled gradually in terror, trembling under his grip. The moment Nanami released him, the man scrambled out of his grasp and prostrated himself on all fours.

“I’M SORRY I’M SORRY I PROMISE I WON’T DO IT AGAIN PLEASE—” He shouted hysterically and proceeded to do a fervent bow of penitence. 

Tiana looked at Nanami quizzically but was only met with a mild shrug. 

“Alright alright,” she stepped around the counter to placate him. If he could just stop snotting up the floor she just mopped and get out of there, they could just forget this all happened.

The tinkling bell sound of the cafe door opening interrupted the scene; everyone’s attention shifted from the blubbering man on the floor to the police officer who had just stepped in. 

Before anyone could speak, the man sprang up from the ground and ran toward the policeman. “OFFICER! IT'S ALL MY FAULT I ADMIT IT! ARREST ME, PLEASE! JUST GET ME OUT OF HERE!”

Within 10 minutes the offender was cuffed—willingly, to the cop’s surprise— and whisked noisily out of the cafe just as quickly as he’d burst in. Nanami, suddenly uninterested in the commotion, walked calmly back to his table and gathered his things. 

Tiana made her way over to Nanami, eyeing the man through the window. He was currently being escorted to a police car on the curb. Still in hysterics, he’d practically thrown himself into the back of the car.

“Ok…what on earth did you say to that man?” She quirked an eyebrow at the blonde businessman.

That this cafe is his one and only oasis in the heaping pile of shit called life, and if even so much as one insignificant waste of air like him tries to ruin it he’ll have no choice but to chop his fingers off one by one and shove them down his throat so hard he’ll be shitting fingernails for weeks…among other things.

It would’ve been improper to divulge this to Tiana, of course.

“I asked him to apologize,” he said instead in simple English, a far cry from the eloquently horrific threats he’d made in his native language. 

“Really?” She asked, accepting the sudden change of language in stride. Her arms were crossed, her hip jutted to the side, face incredulous. “Just like that?”

“I’m rather persuasive.”

After a beat she laughed. 

Nanami didn’t consider himself a funny person. And frankly, he didn’t understand why she was laughing now but he welcomed it, if only to see that the earlier disturbance hadn’t caused her too much distress.

“Well, thank you kindly,” she drawled in between giggles, her southern accent now unmistakable when she switched to English. “Mister…” 

“Kento.” He offered his first name, aware he was skipping over several customary stages of familiarity. In any other case, anyone less than an acquaintance addressing him by his first name would be extremely frowned upon. But it was common business practice to use given names when dealing with American clients; he thought it fitting to do the same with her.

He reached into his suit jacket, pulling out a silver business card holder, and passed over an impressive looking card: 

Nanami Kento, Investment Advisor

“If there are any similar issues please don’t hesitate to contact me.” He repeated an English phrase that had come in handy from past business dealings.

“Mr. Kento,” she repeated to herself with finality studying the card. Tiana faintly wondered why a guy with a fancy title—and the most expensive suits she’d ever laid eyes on— lived in the modest one-room apartment right next to hers. She pocketed the card and patted around for her own business card. 

“I would’ve given you my own card too. But if you ever need to contact me—”

“Boss!” Her part-timer called out, waving her over from where she stood next to a police officer holding a clipboard.

“I’d better go, you know where to find me.” She excused herself with an apologetic smile.

Unfortunately for Nanami, this little ordeal had cost him another hour of wasted time.

The next day Nanami waited for the familiar click of her door shutting before starting his commute. When he exited his apartment, he could still see the silhouette of her back walking towards the elevator bank. 

She left without an umbrella, he noted to himself as he walked part of the way down the hallway. He imagined walking up to her and bringing it up casually as they waited for the elevator. But as soon as she’d turned his direction he changed course abruptly, legs moving on their own through the emergency exit and down the stairs.

Work went on as usual. He sat at his desk going over the pitch deck, but his eyes could not seem to follow the text. Instead, he found himself gazing out the window, watching the clouds slowly darken in the horizon. 

“Fucking weather, right? News said it’s gonna rain like a bitch the next few days.”

His boss had walked up behind him, crouching at his eye level to see what Nanami was looking at. 

“Hope you brought your galoshes, rookie, we’re going overtime today for that big client meeting. Dinner’s on me.” His boss clapped a hand on his shoulder and went off to bother a different team.

He tried to return his attention to his work, but he couldn’t. Instead, he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes against the blue light of his computer screen. All he could think about was the rain.

Tiana had hoped that by the time she closed, the rain would’ve stopped. But she found herself outside the doors of the cafe, reluctant to leave. The rain hadn’t let up, and it didn’t look like it was stopping any time soon.

It was a day of disappointments. On top of forgetting her umbrella, Nanami hadn’t come into the shop that day. She’d gotten used to seeing him enter the store at the same time every day, and perhaps even looked forward to it. 

She took one tentative step outside, shivering through the draft of wind. She didn’t live far, maybe it would be alright if she just ran home with a plastic bag over her head. Tiana locked the door behind her and raised the collar of her jacket, clasping it with her hand to protect her neck. On the count of three, she lifted the plastic takeout bag over her head and took the plunge.

After a few strides in the pelting rain, it suddenly stopped—She had run into something or someone. The rain made it difficult to see where she was going so she blindly sputtered a reflexive “I’m so sorry!” in English at whoever it was that she had run into.

When she wiped the rain out of her eyes she could see nothing but an impeccably tailored pinstripe suit in the dim of the streetlights. It was Nanami and he was holding an umbrella over her head. His collar was unbuttoned without a tie, and he looked utterly exhausted. The dark circles under his eyes were even more pronounced from where she stood underneath him.

“Mr. Kento? Are you alright? What are you—”

“I figured you could use an umbrella,” he said dryly and pretty pointedly at her makeshift plastic bag hat.

“Yea, I guess I could use one of those,” she laughed breathlessly and took the bag off her head, before giving him one of those heart-stopping smiles he loathed. “You saved my life.*”

The corner of his mouth quirked slightly, amused. Perhaps because her choice of words sounded highly literal, almost…cute?, in Japanese. He “saved her life” just by sharing his umbrella? Americans were known to have a penchant for the dramatic. But he didn’t bother to correct her, instead, he only hummed somewhat of an affirmative response.

They walked in a comfortable silence down a familiar tree-lined path leading to their apartment building. She noticed Nanami’s shoulder getting wet, and leaned closer to him. 

Feeling the imperceptible shift, he gave the woman beside him a sidelong glance. His eyes settled on the loose wisp of hair he’d always seen her blowing out of her face.

It bothered him.

Maybe it was the fatigue-driven delirium, but he was struck with the inane compulsion to brush that lock out of her eyes. He couldn’t have been more grateful for the umbrella currently occupying his hand, otherwise, he would’ve indulged it.

Tiana reached over and gently adjusted the umbrella closer over his side. “Wouldn’t want to ruin that nice suit of yours,” she said softly.

“I hate this suit.” The curt statement came off a bit more brusque than he’d initially intended, though, it was true. He hated that suit and everything it represented.

She looked at him curiously, wondering if this was another aspect of his humor. But from what she could see on his countenance, he was entirely serious. 

He glanced at her again, catching the confused look on her face. “I don’t mind if it gets wet,” he reiterated this time with the intended lack of severity, along with a kind of finality that implied an end to the discussion of his suit and his decision to prioritize her dryness. They continued the rest of the way, the umbrella above them biased towards her side.

When they got to the apartment he held the building door open, letting her walk through first. 

“Thank you again for yesterday. That man, he was—” she paused to conjure the correct word.

“He was being a nuisance,” he completed, pushing the button for the elevator door. Naturally, he had chosen the same number for their floors, and when they arrived at their floor he waited for her to alight before walking after her.

When they finally reached their neighboring doors, he set his umbrella on the hallway floor for it to dry and began to punch in the code for his door. 

“Mr. Kento, wait a moment.”

He stilled his movement and watched as she rummaged into her purse. 

Tiana pulled out a paper box from her bag and presented it to him, “I was going to give these to you earlier if you came in. Glad they didn’t get wet.”

It was a small gesture. Even so, he was reluctant to take it.

“You… didn’t have to,” he frowned, eyeing the box.

“You didn’t have to walk me home, either,” she shrugged. 

“We’re neighbors. We were going in the same direction,” he said plainly, though, he didn’t entirely believe the words as they left his mouth either. It was unlike him to go anywhere else except straight home after working overtime. He hadn’t run into her by some coincidence or divine guidance. He’d gone there on purpose, and he had a sinking feeling she figured that out already too.

“Then just think of it as a ‘thank you gift’,” she insisted, tugging gently at his wrist and nudging the box softly into his hands. “For being my favorite customer.”

He shifted uncomfortably to receive the box with both hands. It was an unfamiliar concept for him to be anyone’s favorite anything.

“Good night, Mr. Kento.” Tiana’s voice had an amused lilt to it. Nanami must’ve stood there frozen because she was already halfway through her door, a knowing smile on her lips.

He regained his composure and mumbled back a formal “Good night, Miss. Tiana,” —her name a bit alien on his tongue—before retreating back inside.

When the door shut behind him, he immediately shed his suit jacket. His body was much too warm despite one side being wet; his collar much too tight, despite his lack of tie.

Nanami stared at the assortment of pastries that Tiana had given to him. He couldn’t recall the last time he willingly ate dessert though he assumed if he had, it would’ve probably been with Gojo and his infantile palate.

Truthfully, Nanami didn’t really like sweets at all. The first time he bought those beignets, he’d just picked up the first thing in line that day and just…never stopped buying it. Over the past weeks, he’d amassed a bevy of unopened bags of the foreign confection and they were occupying the much-needed counter space of his kitchen. 

It was rather ironic for an investment advisor to be so frivolous with his money. Spending on foods he didn’t even eat when was supposed to be saving it didn’t make any sort of financial sense. He had been planning to retire by 40, and now he’d have to add an extra 5 years to his projections over mere fried dough.

Nanami turned over the yellow business card for “Tiana’s Place” that he had found wedged in the box. A simple “Bon Appétit ;) -T.” was written on the back.

He picked up a beignet from the box and took a bite—It was made for him, after all. He chewed it slowly, the consistency not too far off from that of a baguette. It wasn’t too sweet, either. In fact, it was…delicious? Better than any dessert he’s had before. Maybe everything he’d tried before this was just a crude imitation, a poor excuse for the craft of baking. 

Perhaps he did like sweets or even dessert right before bed. Maybe he didn’t even mind that he wouldn’t be getting his full 8 hours of sleep. If he concentrated hard enough, her faint humming as she got ready for bed filled the silence of his apartment. He could stay up even longer if at all possible.

When he finally closed his eyes, a rush of different kinds of thoughts flooded his mind. 

Some were more mundane: Maybe I’ll have a beignet for breakfast or It’s probably going to rain tomorrow. 

Some were imaginations: plump glossy lips curved in an oversweet smile meant solely for him. His fingers gently tucking that bothersome tendril of hair behind her ear. 

He finally drifted to sleep with one last thought just as simple as the others, a tiny hope that she would forget her umbrella again.

*A/N: Tiana’s words sound like a literal translation/unnatural because she’s a non-native speaker ex. “you saved my life” vs a more natural/colloquial “you’re a lifesaver”

©️ blackreaderfics // credit to cafekitsune for the dividers

[fuctacles]

Here's an excerpt from chapter 2, chapter 3 will be posted later today :) once again, dividers by @penny00dreadful, beta @dragoon-ze-great | read on Ao3

After a walk around the overgrown backyard, and strolling down the musty hallway, it hits Steve, that all of this belongs to him.

He owns a house. 

He's been vague with Robin about his decision for the past two weeks, dodging questions while packing his life into boxes and wrapping things up with their old landlord. Maybe in some way, he wanted to prove he could do it by himself, no world-saving party needed. The urge to spill it all to his best friend had been eating him from the inside, and now he could finally give in. 

He rushes to the phone to dial the number he has memorized, regardless of the early morning hour, but when he puts the receiver to his ear, he doesn't hear the dial tone.

He jabs the numbers anyway but puts it back on the cradles when nothing happens. The landline was supposed to be set up for his arrival, and while it is an inconvenience, he doesn't let it piss on his mood. He fixes himself a quick breakfast and starts the list of groceries and necessities he's missing. Add's 'contact the phone guys' at the bottom. Tucking the notepad into his pocket, he climbs upstairs to start his journey in house flipping.

After opening the windows to let in some fresh air, he removes the paintings, deciding to relocate them to the library, where their fantasy theme would be more fitting. Maybe he'll find something more to his tastes, so he could leave the nails in and simply replace them. With a sudden thought, he pulls out the notepad to add nails to the list. He should have some simple tools in one of the boxes and get whatever will be needed as he goes. 

The walls used to be a dark burgundy color, as the squares revealed by the paintings would suggest. Steve never gave much thought to what color he'd like his bedroom to be and Robin would kill him if he decided without her. He refrains from adding paint to the list and writes down ' contact Robin ' instead. 

He likes the canopy and manages to take it down gently to wash it later. 

laundry soap

look for a lighter bed canopy (white?)

His first and obvious thought is to throw the bedding away, but upon touching the fabric, he can't bring himself to do so. It goes into the laundry pile along with the canopy, because while the dark colors may not be his thing, sleeping in silky smooth sheets certainly could be.

The shelves are mostly empty, and he'd need a box to put the few items away, so he rolls the round black carpet, puts cleaning supplies on his list, and walks to the laundry room. 

The machine seems to be in working condition, but he won't know until he actually attempts to wash something so he leaves the sheets there and takes a lazy stroll around the house to put down anything else he might need. When he goes to close the bedroom windows, his fingers catch on a remais of a cobweb. He shakes his hand in distaste and gets a better look at the window screen. It's old but seems to be holding up well.

He remembers the amount of bugs he'd encounter on camping trips and writes down 'bug spray, check the screens'. 

He should have expected the loud, undignified screech that shakes his eardrums. But all he can do now is appease his friend.

"I promise I'm only buying necessities to clean up and fix whatever needs fixing. The porch is falling apart and I spoke to this nice guy at the hardware store who could come over and tell me what I need. But of course, you can pick the colors."

"I fucking better," Robin seethes into the receiver. "How was sleeping in the haunted house?"

"Uneventful." Steve shrugs, leaning against the side of the phone booth. He briefly considers mentioning the fridge magnets though he feels insane just thinking about them, let alone speaking of them. But then again... "Hey, do you remember what the magnets on the fridge spelled?"

Robin is quiet long enough that he thinks he's lost the connection, but eventually, she speaks up.

"'Get lost' , I'm pretty sure. Why? Has it changed?" Her tone is not worried enough to Steve's liking. She sounds like a thrilled conspiracy theorist. Nancy has been a bad influence on her. 

Steve hums, a sense of worry creeping up on him. 

"I'm pretty sure it said 'get out' before I left today."

"I could have remembered it wrong," Robin offers, but both of them know it's unlikely. She clears her throat, and Steve can hear the springs in her bed creaking as she straightens up. "Do you think it's actually haunted?"

Steve sighs. 

"I hope it is. We could call the party and they would science it out of existence. I'm afraid it could be a good old-fashioned squatter." He rests his head on the side of the booth with a thud. "I still don't have the key to the basement, after all. Anyone could be down there."

They stay silent for a while until Robin speaks up again.

"You could take the door off its hinges, you know?"

Steve promises he'll pick her up as soon as she's free on Friday, so she can help out with the renovations. He gives her his landline number, in case it starts working later (the company claims it's been set up and should have been working this morning), and checks off the rest of his list, along with some groceries. 

Soon, he's back, watching the laundry spin in the washing machine that is, thankfully, working despite its age. He won't have to get a new one just yet. He gathers all the cleaning supplies into a bucket, and walks to the master bedroom, determined to spend the next night in a real bed. But when he enters, something isn't right. 

He can't put his fingers on it until he opens the windows and turns around. 

The paintings are hanging on the walls. He could have sworn... He could have sworn he took them down to carry to the library later. Led by a strange feeling, he leaves the room and walks downstairs to the kitchen, to stand in front of the fridge. 

Rude

Steve stares at the word for an embarrassingly long time, processing the implications of it. Someone was in the house when he was gone. 

He's dealt with squatters before, so he doesn't panic. Hell, he's fought literal monsters, so even if it is the rumored ghost, he feels a sense of purpose washing over him. Because he already has a whole group, a Party if you will, of people ready to deal with the otherworldly stuff. And if it is a squatter, well...

He has a bat in his trunk. 

And there's only one place in the house where someone could still be hiding. 

He walks back to his car, keeping on high alert and quietly cursing the washing machine that started making a ruckus upstairs. He'd rather be able to hear whatever is happening around him and not just a thud thud thud of it bumping against the floor. 

Regardless, he approaches the door to The Dungeon , his bat in hand, and bangs against its sturdy surface.

"Hey! Anyone there? I just want to talk! I'm the new owner and if you need a place to stay, I can help! We can have lunch and a beer, we can talk it out!" As he expected, there was no answer. He shifts his grasp on the bat and looks around for something to leverage the door. 

"If you don't open up, I'll have to take the door off!" he warns, grabbing a crowbar from his box of tools. It's shiny new, just bought today, and he's not one hundred percent sure how to use it for such a task. Regardless, he rests his bat against the wall and inspects the hinges. They are a bit different from the ones he's seen in his life - sturdy, stylized to look more rustic, like the door itself - made with visible planks of wood instead of a singular, heavy piece. 

"Last chance!" he warns, slotting the crowbar under the door. When he gets no answer, he pushes on it, making the door pop up. They're heavier than he expected, but with some maneuvering, he manages to get a grip on them and haul them up and off the hinges. 

He rests the door against the wall, wary of the darkness he just uncovered. He quickly grabs the handle of his bat but realizes, he doesn't have a flashlight. Cursing himself, he backtracks, trying to keep his eyes on the basement. Once in the entry to the living room, he jumps to grab his duffel bag before rushing back to the hall. There's been no movement from the darkness he's eyeing. With his left hand, he rummages through the necessities he's packed in his bag. Among them, he can finally feel a flashlight, and he grabs it with a wave of relief before straightening up and walking up to the doorframe. 

"Okay," he breathes out, leveling his heart rate. He turns on his flashlight and it reveals surprisingly pretty wooden stairs, some dust, and cobwebs. He sees a hint of a green rug below them, but nothing more. 

read full on Ao3

[lostwriter--xx3]

Lily

@prongsfoot-microfic

Dedicated to the lovely @shivstar and my own dear Prongs @rosemelodyshah

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"And, who's the first?"

It was a casual question, and Lily knew the answer. She turned away with the dish.

Thus, she missed James' sheepish face as he replied, "Sirius."

Lily stopped, her slipper halfway across the tile. She locked eyes with James in the mirror above the basin. "Sirius?"

"Yeah", James sipped his black coffee, glancing at Sirius beside him. He hid a smile behind his own cup.

Lily looked away from the mirror and bent to the basin, washing away the pie crumbs on the plate. "I hadn't expected that. I didn't know you..."

"Could bake?" Sirius smiled. "I can't. But Prongsie was craving apple pie. I snuck into the kitchen and stole what I thought were the ingredients." He laughed, rippling and blue. "Guess what they were?"

"Eggs, flour and apples." James was laughing too. "He mashed and baked it in an open fire...in a cauldron."

Lily smiled weakly, privately horrified. "And that got first place? Better than your mom?" Or me?

"It had Paddy's touch." Jame nudged him with his shoulder affectionately. "He could serve up spaghetti with fish sauce and it would be the baar spaghetti I've ever had."

Lily saw Sirius blush in the mirror. She bent to the cabinet under the sink with last night's leftovers. Some spaghetti was left at the bottom. She dumped it out and washed it.

"I couldn't get a cookbook", Sirius said apologetically.

"That made it special." James shrugged, slinging an arm over his shoulder as he reached over to take his plate. He came to the sink and put it down, smiling at Lily. Lily smiled back, tightly.

"Did you actually eat the apple contraption?"

"I couldn't hurt his feelings", he winked at Sirius over his shoulder, who made a face.

"You guys are so sweet, like an old married couple!" Lily exclaimed, dumping out the leftover pie in the dustbin.

Sirius grinned. "We are."

"Besides, he did all that. He literally stole the ingredients under the Head Elf's watch. And snuck into the Potions classroom. Of course I loved it. Of course I love him." James had left Lily's side, and was chokehold-hugging Sirius from behind the chair.

I got up at 5 today.

"You really need to stop embarrassing me in front of your wife." Sirius wrapped an arm around him fondly.

"James, can you stay in and help remove this mirror?" Lily called out. "It'd look better in the sitting room."

"Tomorrow, dear. I and Paddy have plans today."

Lily slammed down the dish. "Have fun. I need go write a letter."

She left the room. James didn't really notice.

In their bedroom, she found the writing desk. The pad was empty, the ink was at its dregs. James had gone through all the pages writing long, detailed letters to Sirius about every mundane household thing. Lily had seen the replies. Sirius had specifically responded to ever single thing James had gushed about. How sweet. How thoughtful.

There was an unsealed envelope beside the pad. It was the letter James had written last night, planned to post today, before Sirius payed a surprise and definitely unauthorised visit to him. Lily hesitated, then pulled out and unfolded the letter.

Dear Sirius,

I miss you. How I miss you! I sit down for breakfast, lunch, supper (I'm never at home for dinner these days, always some fad at the Order) and I'm always staring out the window at the front wall of the house (have I told you about the new curtains? They are grey with polka dots. Lily didn't like them very much but I insisted on them, they look just like your eyes) hoping you will appear. I'm rambling, of course. I'm not in my right mind, I feel crazy without you. I wish you would come live with us. The guest room isn't ready yet, but we could curl up on the floor with the sleeping bags (the ones we got for Quidditch final in 7th Year) and watch the stars. The window faces the backyard, y'know. It's beautiful. Lily can take the bedroom.

No, honestly, I'm happy with Lily. It feels like a constant adrenaline rush. I finally won her over! But I miss you. I wish you'd visit. I need to feel your arm around my shoulder, I need to hear you laugh, I need to feel your knuckles under my thumb. I need you, love. I wish you'd come. I miss you like a limb. You're always the first thing on my mind when I wake up and my last waking thought before I sleep. Sometimes, I even dream of you (crazy, I know). I hold a pillow pretending its you and that I'm back in the dorm and it's Fifth Year and everything is fine. I wish I could feel that safety again. I can't tell Lily, but I'm so scared, Sirius. I'm scared of dying. I'm scared that one day I will die in a solo mission and I won't see you again. I wish I hadn't joined the Order. Of course, I want to fight. But sometimes, when I think of you and me and how we used to joke about sharing a red-bricked house with a picket fence with a swing in a kitchen garden, I can't help but be selfish. Are ideals worth more than you? I don't know, I honestly don't know...

Well, I'm all out of paper. Seems like writing letters to you is all I do nowadays. Dumbledore is pressuring me to spend more time with Lily. I love her, but I need some space too. He keeps insisting on knowing when we are having kids. It's so odd and uncomfortable, how is it any of his business? And I don't want kids. Who has kids in war? Lily wants a daughter. I want a damn cat and you. I'm starting to detest Order meetings because of all these wrangles now. But I'll always attend them. I get to see you. I'd attend a conference in hell (that's what the meetings are these days) to see you. Don't forget me in your roomie bliss with Peter, okay? I love you.

Always,

Your James.

Lily put back the letter and fetched a new pad of paper from the shelf. She looked at the dregs of the ink. It would be enough. She sat down to write.

Dear Sev—

Lily got up and put on a jacket. She had to go out and buy some ink. She would need it.

[kerjaath]

Singin' In The Shower

you thought the house was empty.

OR, you were taking a shower and started to get a little loud, unaware Yumi was still home.

reader lives in tgc house

no reader gender specified

word count: 1.1K

AN: hello everyoneeeee!!!!!!!!!!! first actual full fic posted on tumblr :333 if u wanna see more i gotchu!!! my fanfic suggestions r open and ready :3

AO3 LINK

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the house is always loud. whether it be breakfast time and everyone is huddled in the living room, stuffing their faces as they laugh at whatever is possibly playing on the t.v., or if it's the middle of the night and everyone is still streaming together.

quiet moments are rare, but the volume of the house never really bothered you too much.

It was your average, slow Thursday. Nothing was really going on all day, but when you left the shrouded comfort of your room to scavenge for a snack, you weren't too surprised to find the cabinets completely empty. Well, besides a stack of gamersupps and two empty granola bar boxes (damn you, Tanner, for taking the last ones without throwing out the boxes..)

You were in luck to find something in the fridge, though, and it wasn't long before you finished eating and headed back towards your bedroom.

unfortunately, before you could even slink into your room Isaac shouted towards you,

"Hey, we're all gonna go hit up Raising Cane's for dinner, you wanna come?" He held his hand on a corner of the wall, leaning towards you. Your cheeks slightly flustered up,

"Oh, I just ate, you guys can go without me," you laughed lightly to yourself. The chances of you eating right before everyone suddenly wanted to go out to eat - just your luck.

" 'Kay, well we're all gonna head out in a few minutes." Isaac already headed for the front door, where you assumed everyone else was waiting. You made a small hum, turning back to your bedroom door.

But, for a moment, you stopped.

Everyone else going out for dinner… you staying home, alone… home. Alone.

You smiled to yourself. You could do and be as silly as you wanted while everyone was gone without the fear of someone being nearby! Like… singing in the shower.

You already needed a shower anyway, your hair wasn't particularly in its best state, so why waste this chance to sing your heart out?

You turned on your heel, heading for the bathroom and setting a towel out. You waited for a moment, though. You couldn't just jump in the shower and sing your heart out…

You briskly walked back to the kitchen, turning to the front door. No one stood there… you quickly skipped your way to the window next to the door, moving a blind over to check to front yard. No one in sight.

You backed up, listening to the house… silence.

You shuffled to everyone's bedrooms, listening at the door before peeking in to check for anyone. But your search came back fruitless. You smiled, letting out a cackle, as you rushed to the bathroom.

Ushering the door closed, you started the water as you opened your phone, opening Spotify to find a fitting playlist 2000's girly hits… your 2023 Spotify wrapped… maybe even a playlist you couldn't stop listening to 24/7???

you paused for a moment. Yumi's album sat in your reccommended artist's playlist panels. You cracked a smile, clicking the playlist as you grabbed your speaker on the bathroom sink, hooking your Bluetooth up.

You never really sat and truly listened to Yumi's music on your own. There were the few moments you did, but it was never really a common everyday sort of thing. It was rarely even a monthly thing. But you liked his music. A part of you really only liked it so much because you could endulge in your guilty pleasure - just sitting and listening to Yumi's voice.

When you climbed in the shower, you just couldn't hold back your voice. Screaming along with Yumi, it felt almost… requited. As if he was really with you.

You barely even washed your hair, too busy flailing your hands around, dancing as the music got louder and louder.

...

When your solo concert finished up, your skin soggy and wrinkly, you climbed out of the shower and wrapped a towel around your chest. It draped down your stomach and past your waist, stopping around your mid-thigh. As you left the bathroom, you hummed a section of a song you didn't finish before you got out.

You were walking peacefully back to your room, but you froze in fear as you heard a light chuckle from behind you.

as you turned around, it was none other than the man himself - Yumi - standing in the hallway, cupping his mouth, his face flushing as he tried to hold in laughter.

"I thought you guys went out to eat.." you stumbled on your own words, your face flashing pale before beating a bright red. You realized your state of clothing, or really the lack of such, and made a minor yelp noise as you pulled your towel to cover yourself. It didn't really cover you any further, but what else were you to do in the moment?

"Yeah, they went out," Yumi stiffled another laugh, "but I decied to stayed home."

"And you didn't bother to tell me??" You practically muttered your words, mentally reliving the previous 45 minutes or so in the shower.

"You know, I didn't know you liked my music that much…" he grinned.

"Oh, don't get cocky.." you turned around to not face him, shaking the red off your face before you looked back at him.

"You cannot tell anyone about this." you tried to give him a serious look. He just laughed at you further.

"Stooop, I mean it!!" You shouted at him, annoyed. You felt as if you were back in elementary school, the older cool boys teasing you...

"And why should I do that?" It was as if he couldn't smile any bigger.

"Because.." you thought for a moment, glancing at the ground in thought before looking back up, "I'll strike you a deal."

"and that is…" he turned his head slightly, an eyebrow rising. It was obvious you had intrigued and caught him in your trap...

"If you keep this a secret…" you inched closer to him, leaving a small space in-between you two. His face grew a shade of pink, and you noticed how he glanced at your towel. "I'll give you a treat."

he thought for a moment, curious as to what this "treat" was.. he slowly, ever so slightly, nodded his head, but before he could even get a word in, you jumped to action.

You quickly threw your arms up and around his head, tugging his face down to your level, and kissed him.

Before he could even react, you turned on your heel and increased your pace to get back to your room, an uncontrollable smile taking over your burning face.

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[udretlnea]

The Divine City: Some Slices of Life

Part 1 \ Part 2 (here) \ Part 3 \ Part 4

"We seal our fate with the choices we take, but don't give a second thought to the chances we take"

Gloria Estefan

At precisely 7 am it spilled into the room from the window. It crawled onto the floor and up the bed until it hit the eyes of its occupant. With a soft sigh, her eyes flutter open. Then she frowns at the growing sunlight as if it had interrupted a perfect dream.

Muttering to herself, she slides out of bed without a second thought. A quick glance at the clock tells her she’s got ten minutes before the servants wake up. 

She huffs. May as well get ready. A quick snack should suffice for now. I can eat properly at lunch.

Her morning routine was simple: Wash face, change out of sleepwear and into something plain (that reminds her: she needs to do shopping), and brush her hair a dozen times.

With that out of the way, she makes for the kitchen. It is blissfully empty save for her. 

She grabs an apple before grabbing a pitcher of water and an empty cup. Breakfast is a quiet affair as she sits down in the middle of an empty table; she doesn’t bat an eye to the empty chairs on either side. Her mindless chewing fills the silence. 

As she finishes her apple, a door opens. Without turning her head, she already knows who it is.

“Lady Cecilia. You’re earlier than usual,” says a mature, refined female voice.

Cecilia nods at the statement. “I have an awful lot to do today. With Volksfest coming up, I imagine my classmates are up to something so I figured I’d give them a hand.”

She turns her head to look at the person’s expression. Said person is a tall woman with slightly dark red hair, yellow eyes, and fair skin. The maid uniform she wore went to her calves mid-way. 

The woman hums with a thoughtful expression. “I see. Will you be back in time for dinner?”

Probably, though if I’m right Rickard is going to try to get me to stay. I’ll say no of course. Is what she thinks. Instead she says, “Sure,” and gets up to clean her things. 

Cecilia walks past the maid only to pause. The teen faces “Wait, Emery, before I forget I wanted to say that-no, ask you…is there anything you need while I’m out?”

Is there anything you want me to buy for you and the others? Is what she wanted to say, but the maid already replies.

“Well, now that you mention it, we’re already expecting festivities soon so some wine, cheese, and grapes would be needed.” Cecilia nods.

Screw it. While I’m here I may as well ask. If I don’t I’ll regret it. She opens her mouth-

“As for gifts, well, nothing comes to mind. Though I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if I desired an accessory for the neck,” finishes Emery.

-and it hangs open. Cecilia looks at the redhead bemusedly. The latter’s lips curl upwards in what Cecilia perceives as amusement. 

After three seconds of stunned silence the teen finds her voice again. “I see. Is there-is there a particular item you had in mind?”

Emery smirks. “You may try the lower end of the commerce district. Look out for a place called Timeless Treasures.”

“Timeless Treasures. Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.” The two said farewell to each other. As she went back to her room, Cecilia couldn’t help but think about how Emery knew what was on her mind.

That woman can be scarily perceptive at times. She shuddered as she slung a light coat over a plain green dress. I wonder if she has a super dark past she’s running from like in those light novels. 

“Now there’s a fun thought,” she muttered as she exited her room.

///////////

The skies were clear save for the single stray cloud, but with it being August temperatures were cooling down. Cecilia silently thanked Her Grace she didn’t have to walk through humid and hot air.

Depending on where you went in the commerce district, you could either find the low-quality items sold at twice their price or “one-of-a-kind” merch that was special and thus was marked at an exorbitant fee. Cecilia was familiar with this game, however, and thanks to her folks training her to haggle she was prepared to play.

Thus, thirty minutes later she had two bottles of fine vintage, several blocks of cheese, fresh grapes, and some knick-knacks. She carried them both in bags in either hand.

She had to ask around where Timeless Treasures was. Apparently it was near the southwest edge of the middle section. 

As she made her way there, Cecilia walked through the streets almost in a trance. She barely acknowledged the decorations or the festive aura around her. Her head was locked straight ahead like she was dead set on getting to her destination.

CRASH

A loud commotion drew her attention to her left. Cecilia turned her head to find a trio of students cornering another student. Inside of her, some small ugly part recognizes what’s happening. She doesn’t even need to get close enough to hear what they’re saying.

“Think you’re worthy to stand on the same ground as us?”

“I bet you don’t even know basic etiquette.”

“What’s a country rat even to do here? Shouldn’t you be picking weeds?”

To his credit, the student doesn’t flinch. “I’m middle class-”

He doesn’t get to finish when Bully 1 punches him in the gut. The air knocked out of his lungs. Bully 2 sneers. “Did we say you could speak, trash?”

They laugh mockingly and start name-calling him. From a distance, Cecilia watches this. She feels frozen to the spot and far away. It’s as if she can see herself in third-person.

A small part of her whispers in her ear. You can stop them before it gets worse.

She could. She can! Cecilia takes a step, ready to shout at these punks-

Do not.

When another voice stops her. Suddenly, it’s as if she’s seized by fear. Anxiety roils in her gut, making her hide on the side. Cecilia is holding her breath.

If you intervene, those students will remember your face. Come school they’ll gossip and in five minutes you’ll be an outcast. That’s more trouble for you and everyone back home, ignoring your parents. Just keep your head down and walk away. Cecilia clenches her fist. 

We can’t walk away from injustice! the smaller voice protests.

Your actions have consequences. Consider them carefully.

The conversation lasted for ten seconds, but it felt like an hour. Then she shuts her eyes, tilts her head down and walks away.

Cecilia put on a flat look. She was already pushing the incident to the depths of her mind to be forgotten.

///////////

Timeless Treasures was in between a cafe and a hat store. Cecilia was near-tired at this point, but she powered through. It took a long walk, but she took solace in the fact she can go back home soon.

Cecilia reached a hand out for the door, only for it to open. She watched as a farm boy walked out carrying a wrapped gift.

The teen stared at the teen as he walked away. She should’ve just ignored it and went through the door. She should’ve asked the storekeeper for a necklace. She should’ve just taken her spoils back home. 

And yet her curiosity demanded to be sated. Cecilia mentally cursed herself before following the teen.

It took her longer than she imagined thanks to the morning rush starting. She nearly lost him twice. Cecilia counted herself lucky when she spotted him breaking away to another street. From there, she saw him turn into another alley. When she rounded the corner she caught the sight of his foot before he disappeared through a hole in the wall.

Cecilia carefully made her way, stepping lightly so as not to alert him. Once close enough she examined the exit with a scrutinizing eye.

…Is this an old tunnel? I figured these would be sealed up by now. She observed. It wasn’t faring well nor was it in an ideal condition, but the fact it still stood told her what she needed. This is how that commoner’s been entering the city, eh? I’m surprised he hasn’t been caught yet!

And then a feeling of fear flared within her. She wasn’t afraid for herself, but rather the boy. She remembers what happened earlier today and she feels bitter. Somehow she finds the resolve to do what she could’ve done before right now. 

Cecilia turns back around, already retracing her steps. In her mind, she thinks of one person she knows who can help her pull this off.

For now, she’ll prepare for tomorrow.

//////////////////////////////////

A/N:

Taglist: @yuriisclumsy

Social Hierarchy in the Divine City for context!

Questions, comments, and critiques are more than welcome! Let me know how I can improve anything at all (Please.)!

I wanted to write Cecilia not as a snooty, arrogant brat, but as a bored young teen who hasn’t found her motivation in life yet. And that affects her confidence in DOING things like stopping bullying. She’s not terrible, but she isn’t good when she isn’t proactive in solving problems in general.

As the sole child of wealthy parents who go on frequent business trips, I desired to write her as somewhat independent. She COULD have just gotten servants to go out, but she wouldn't waste any opportunity to keep herself busy. Of course, she knows this conflicts with the general image of the upper class so she's prepared to lie her way out.

Man, social hierarchies are complicated to live in.

//////////////////////////////////

P-34: Hm. Lady Cecilia seems almost disappointed in herself at that moment.

"Sir": That's definitely regret.

P-34: And classism is...terrible. Just generally terrible. Besides, where are her parents?

"Sir": It's implied they're not at home. And Cecilia thinks of them in the present, which means they're not dead. So no 'dead parents' trope in effect here.

P-34: Oh good! That whole trope is getting rather cliche if ya ask me. It's nice for some variety now and then.

"Sir": Mm. It's a good thing Emery and the servants are there. Granted they're not actual parents, but the details are boring.

P-34: I wonder if she actually cares for Henry or simply wants him to stay out for his own good.

"Sir": Yes...a good question for next time.

P-34: Hmm...well then, who's after her?

"Sir": *shuffles paper* Oh, a blacksmith apprentice. Makes sense. A big city and national guard means someone needs to be making weapons. As for who's learning HOW to, well...hmhm. This'll be a first to write. Best to give it my all!

[daisychainsandbowties]

how do you think the wn characters feel about bread

Ava loves bread obviously. she made Beatrice blush and stammer their first night in the apartment because she made toast and milky tea for dinner, as you do when settling into a new place.

Ava who grew up on porridge and applesauce and weird stew that tasted like iron filings, watching Bea butter the toast all the way to the edges, and it’s real butter not stupid spread. Ava biting into it absentmindedly because it’s a stealth food, just smells like bread. doesn't seem, at first, like anything special.

then moaning and reaching out to slap the back of Bea’s hand like ‘!!!!! holy shit what is this?’

‘it’s toast.’ Bea with her little perturbed frown watching as Ava takes another bite and lays back in her chair, eyes closed. like she just tasted something other than slightly stale bread toasted a little too much because Ava kept distracting her by going ‘oh Bea!!! i found mold in this corner.’

and she’s been complaining about the apartment all day but it’s theatrical. she loves it and it took them twenty minutes to make the bed because she kept looking out the window, letting the sheets tug out of her palms.

‘sunset, Bea’ and ‘a fucking feather just stabbed me from this pillow’ and holding up various utensils from the drawers as Beatrice made up a tub of soapy water to wash everything at once. dropping them in with a determined frown, ‘uhh… spatula?’

‘that’s a can opener.’

‘so you’re saying i was close.’

she’s still hiding her smiles. they’re still in so much danger.

but Ava keeps touching her. not on purpose, really, just the way she is. reaching out absently, touching her neck, thumbs at the nape, fingers gently cupping her throat, to peer over her shoulder as she butters the toast, as she adds the teabags. her hands cool, soft. she’s really been overusing the soap in the bathroom and it smells of sea breeze. salt and air.

and that night she watches Ava eat, crusts and all, with a certain recklessness that crawls in her chest and makes her ache.

she’s used to being hurt, but not like this.

‘we need to eat this every night. it’s even better than the croissants i had for, like, my first breakfast.’

Bea huffing, blush fading from her cheeks. ‘it can’t possibly be that good.’

Ava’s sipping her tea.

okay, she’s slurping, but it’s…. god it’s nice. it’s cute, steam putting moisture on the tip of her nose.

‘no seriously. this is the best food in the world.’

and it goes unsaid, because Beatrice is a nun and she’s already gripping her teacup too-tightly, but it’s there in Ava’s eyes when she examines them by memory. later, in bed.

clean sheets, sea breeze. they’re so far from the ocean.

she needs no mnemonic device to remember Ava’s eyes regarding her seriously over her milky tea. she’s seen people pray, and it always awakens a sort of silence in her. all of her prayers for all her life have started with god, please.

but that night, she turns over in bed very softly, careful not to disturb the way Ava’s hand is reaching towards her, fingers curled up in an empty grasp. she looks at her - Ava - and she already feels too important for their short acquaintance. like a heartbeat, like a chipped teacup.

and that’s the first night Beatrice closes her eyes, and breathes, and starts her prayer with god, thank you.

[helpfandom]

Yandere Stobotnik x Platonic Reader Chapter 1: Chilling

Cross posted on Quotev, I am picking this back up!

The morning light shone through the windows, directly hitting you in the eye as you woke up to a shower that could be heard through out the house. Tom was taking a morning shower before his shift would start, and Maddie was preparing her yoga space for her morning routine. Ozzy was laying at your feet, he had spent the night sleeping with you. Out of the humans, it seemed like they were all active in the house, except you, you just stared at your ceiling for 30 minutes until you had mustered enough energy to get out of bed and get dressed.

As you started figuring out your outfit, Maddie walked in the house, yelling "Good Morning!", You could hear Tom finishing his shower as well. You quickly opted to grab whatever you saw and put it on, causing you to wear a mismatched outfit, which didn't feel right, but this was a safe place so it was okay. As you walked down the stairs and into the kitchen and living downstairs area, Maddie was finishing up making breakfast for you, Tom and her. 

She put the plate of waffles down in front of you and in front of her chair, and slipped a piece of meat to Ozzy before sliding into her honorary seat at the table, She brought Tom some donuts she bought yesterday. You meticulously made sure that the waffle had butter in every square hole before eating -it would feel wrong if it didn't have butter-, and Maddie ate hers with a little bit of butter. You ate in comfortable silence with each other. The air didn't feel thick, or like it was forced. It was a pleasant morning, and not much could be heard of the outside over everybody eating their breakfast.

There was knocking on the door, a polite knock like someone who knew that he was welcome, but still knocked anyway. It was Wade, as he liked to carpool with Tom while driving down into the town together. Tom gave a kiss to Maddie on the cheek and went out to the front door. You waved at Wade -it felt to uncomfortable to not be wearing the right clothes to greet someone further than a wave-, and yelled out a "Bye!" to Tom before he closed the door. 

"So what are you planning on doing today?" Maddie queried to you before taking a sip from her glass of water. "W- well, I was planning on going d- down to the library later today when I walk Ozzy, a- and maybe watching a movie or something." You said, still a little bit anxious about being in the wrong clothes to see people. "That sounds good to me, You feeling okay?" You felt a little off, like something big was going to happen, but that could be that you were going to school soon. "I f- feel okay. Just a little anxious cause' I was in the wrong clothes." 

She looked up at you in pitying eyes. Both her and Tom didn't know how to help when these things happened, and you didn't know how help yourself, so it was hard to know what to do for everybody. "Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you going to be okay for now though?" You sat down the fork with the second to last bite on your plate, and replied,  "I think so, I don't want to bother you or anything. I'll be fine." She looked away and towards her plate, which was now empty. "Okay, if you say so." 

She got up and picked both plates up and took them over to the sink, where she asked you to wash the dishes while they were gone. "I'm going to go to work now, Have a nice day." You hugged her, and said "Have a nice day." She left, leaving you alone in the house with Ozzy.

You checked the time, 6:34. You could probably watch a few episodes before Ozzy needed to go pee, or you could get started on the dishes. You chose to get started on the dishes, that way you had free time for the rest of the day, and could watch without guilt. You then got changed into the correct clothes ,at around 7:12 you finished, which was good timing, because then Ozzy needed to go. You took Ozzy out for walk, and stopped by the library when you walked into town. You leashed Ozzy to the nearby bike rack, and walked into the library.

One of your favorite smells, the smell of old books and dust quickly assaulted your nose. The teen at the front desk looked up from her book and waved to you, the button that said He / She on his shirt reflected into your eyes for a moment as he waved. "Hey, came here to talk?" You walked over, and shook your head. "No, I'm here for a few books, Ozzy is waiting outside for me." He clicked her tongue, "Aww. You know I miss you, right?" You chuckled, "Of course, I'm awesome, Why wouldn't you miss me?" She rolled his eyes, "Whatever, what you checkin' out this time?" "I don't know, any updates on the series?" He shook her head. "No, unfortunately." You sighed, "What a shame, well I gotta go find the books and get going soon  or someone may steal Ozzy." "Alright."

You roamed around the library, checking out a few books that caught your eye, albeit you knew you probably wouldn't finish them in time. You checked out quickly, and unleashed Ozzy from the bike rack when you walked out of the library. In the corner of your eye you could see a duck with a bagel in it's mouth. Weird. You walked around a little bit, but you decided to go back to the house at around 9:23.

You and Ozzy walked up the gravel pathway to the house, a couple books in one hand, his leash in the other. You opened the front door and saw a flash of blue momentarily. You blinked a couple times but didn't see anything. Well, if there was something, you were sure that Ozzy would have barked or something of the sort. You unleashed Ozzy and he jumped onto the couch to lie down. 

You set the books down in your room, and you stared at them deciding which to read first. You decided to go for the one on the top, because it was the book that wasn't part of a series -or at least, you hoped wasn't- and finished reading both books at around lunchtime. You walked down the stairs and made yourself a sandwich along with some chips. 

You plopped down on the couch pretty hard by accident which woke Ozzy up, so you scratched his head in apology. You then, washed your hands again because you didn't want dog fur getting in your mouth. You turned on the television to Yes Man and ate your lunch. 

As you watched, you started to notice something in the window via the reflection of the television. You started staring intently, as it was some weird looking thing that was blue. What if that was the thing I saw earlier? You turned around to face it and momentarily caught some weird looking hedgehog thing. Ozzy got spooked when you got up quickly, suspicious of what was going on.

You ran outside with Ozzy in tail behind you, and could see the thing run away. You ran after it saying, "I SAW YOU!"  "NO! YOU DIDN'T!" You stopped running, out of breath from doing mostly nothing but sitting down all summer at the computer. Ozzy stuck by you, waiting for his owner to catch their breath. You decided to ask Tom or Maddie about what happened, depending on who came home first.

You waited for your nerves to calm down before trying to do anything, and decided that watching TubeYou was a good idea to get calmer. You got distracted by the talk of "Why Yandere's are bad and You shouldn't romanticize it ..." You fell down a rabbit hole of yandere content, which caused you to lose sense of time. Soon, you heard Maddie yelling about an envelope.

"Whoo! San Francisco police department wrote back!" You clambered down the stairs, wanting to know more. Maddie turned to you, "It's a small envelope, which means it's good, right? Or is that just college letters?" You smiled, infected by her happiness, "I think it applies to both?" She slapped the letter down on the kitchen island, and the announced to you: "I will go grab some cakes, tell him to wait if he gets back before me." 

She shut the door as she left, leaving you alone for a second time in the day. You walked over to the letter, interested. You looked it over, it seemed like this could change your life, was that the weird vibe I have been feeling all day? Did some part of me know that this letter would arrive today?

You mentally shrugged and sat back down on the couch, unpausing where you left off. Soon, you could hear Maddie getting back to the house. You ran outside to help her, where she gratefully handed you one of the cakes to carry inside. You put the cakes in the cabinet inside the kitchen island -so it would be a surprise for Tom- and Maddie got onto her laptop to pull up apartments in San Francisco.

You decided to ask her about the hedgehog thing that you saw earlier. "Hey, Maddie?" She hummed what sound like a yes, so you kept going. "H- Have you seen anything weird lately?" She titled her head to think about it. "No, I don't think so, Have you?" You started to fidget with your fingers, "W- Well, I saw this thing in the window, a-and it kind of looked like a h-hedgehog?" She turned to look at you better, "Hmm. I wonder what it was then, do you remember more about it?" "It was blue, and a little anthropomorphic, like it was kind of human looking, but it had too big of eyes, and hedgehog spikes in the back of the head." She tapped her lip in curiosity, "Maybe it was aliens?" She wanted to give you an answer, but that was the best she could do. "M -Maybe, it was." You joked, it hardly calmed you to know that she didn't know what it could be. "Let's ask Tom about it." She agreed, and went back to looking for places to stay.

You went and sat back down at the couch with Ozzy laying beside you, you mindlessly pet his head while reading fanfiction. After a few hours, and around ~6:21, Tom pulled into the driveway. The gravel was crunchy underneath the tires, and he could be heard yelling at the racoons. Ozzy jumped up from the couch to greet Tom at the front door. "Leave them alone, Tom. They're not doing anything." Maddie scolded him. Tom, feels differently about the racoons. "They are eating from our trash, you have nothing to say about that?" Maddie put her hands to her hips, "They have to, Tom." He held his hand up as if he was swearing, "I promise I will be nicer to the racoons, Okay?" She pursed her lips, "Okay."

She then showed him the letter that arrived earlier, "Open it Tom, We've been dying all day to know!" You closed down what you were reading, and greeted him with a hug. "Yeah, Open it." "It's small, is that bad?" Make a that's what she said joke. "No, I don't think so, Tom, think about college admission letters." You said to calm his worries.

He stood at the kitchen island -you all had moved to be more comfy-, and opened it. You drifted a little bit thinking of San Francisco, but you quickly stopped. "...Pending background check" You cheered along with Maddie who said: "You got the job, Baby!" And she flipped open the cake box to reveal a cake that had the Golden Gate Bridge on fire with the words "Forget those losers, San Francisco sucks!" "San Francisco sucks?" You giggled a little bit, which earned you a dirty look from Maddie. 

"Oops, Sorry." She brought out the other cake which said "I never had a doubt" and featured Tom as a San Francisco police officer. Tom gave her a little smirk, "Never had a doubt, huh?" She smiled back, "Nope, never had a doubt that you would be taken by the police department." Tom sat down at the table. "Pending background check." He pointed to her in defense. As she sat down, she said "Oh no, I hope they don't find out about the time you used the neighbors Wi-Fi." She said in mock concern, amused that Tom thinks that he won't be taken in. "Correction, Still using the neighbors Wi-Fi." You piped up, "Correction, We're still using the neighbors Wi-Fi." 

"Ah, that makes more sense now." Maddie said. A moment of silence happened, which caused you to think that you killed the mood, and then Tom announced "Well, this is cause for celebration. Olive Garden and Hot Fuzz?" You voiced your agreement, to the choices, and got your favorite food and drink from Olive Garden.  You watched Hot Fuzz and other action movies well into the night, enjoying yourselves and life.

Then, Maddie dropped the ball that she had to catch a plane ride to San Francisco in the morning, so she wouldn't be there when you woke up. You looked at her in shock, "What? Where will you stay?" She replied, "I'll stay at Rachel's with Jojo and her." Tom also looked a little surprised, but not by much, as he slightly expected this from Maddie. "Okay, what time do I need to drive you there?" "3 o' clock." You sat up in alarm, "O- oh, It's like 1 in the morning, you need to get packing Maddie." You got up quickly and started pacing from an overwhelming sense of dread. "You're right, and you need to go to sleep, do you want us to wake you up when I leave?" Tom stated and asked, "N- No, I'll see you again, it's not like we're going to be apart for a long time, unless you want me to hug you bye?" She laughed slightly, "No, sweetie, it's okay. You're right, we'll see each other again, so you should catch up on your sleep."

You hugged her before saying "Good Night." and heading to your room. You looked at the ceiling, anxious for what's to come of your life. You couldn't sleep with all of your intrusive and anxious thoughts, so you settled for tossing and turning all night. Eventually, however, you felt your eyes burn from exhaustion and you closed your eyes.

A flash of blue appeared, and there was a power outage, which you knew cause your nightlight turned off, Tom quickly ran in and assured you it was probably nothing and he was going to take care of it.

You closed your eyes again.

The 

        Last

                Thing

                        You

                                Saw

                                        Was 

                                                Vermillion.

[livelaughwhump]

what about elliot´s teammates having to restrain him for his own good, maybe he got flashbacks and got violent, like hitting his teammates and won´t calm down, i feel a lot of whump potential

i understand if its not your cup of tea in case you dont feel like writing it

Masterlist

Oooh, this is an excellent idea😈🥰 Thanks so much for the request!!

Content: flashback, knife violence, brief mention of blood, self-hatred, restraints, former pet whumpee

If I missed any content warnings, please let me know

-

The team wasn't unfamiliar with Elliot's flashbacks. They were typically triggered by small things, like loud noises or dark rooms, and they all manifested the same way; with Elliot frozen in place, tears leaking out of the corners of his wide, unblinking eyes and unintelligible mumbling followed by intense trembling of his whole body.

The team had witnessed many of these, and they'd learned a few methods to help bring Elliot out of it. The first was that Elliot seemed to respond best to physical touch, usually in the form of someone gently holding his hands. The second was kind words spoken softly and calmly into his ear. Finally, the third was patience. It wasn't easy to bring Elliot out of a flashback, especially when it was triggered by something larger. So, in order to bring him out of it, it was important for whoever was with him to be patient and calm throughout.

But nothing, not even the gentle methods the team had learned, could have prepared them for just how bad his flashbacks could get.

Nothing was out of the ordinary. The day started the same as always; the team ate breakfast together in the living room, Elliot sitting on the couch with his single slice of plain toast and cup of peppermint tea. He ate quietly, while the rest of the team chatted happily, making jokes and laughing with each other. Normally, he'd only eat about half of it, but on this particular day, he ate nearly the whole thing and drained his entire cup of tea.

He handed Landon the small sliver of toast he hadn't eaten, just like he did every morning, and stood up to take his empty mug to the kitchen. Elliot liked the routine. It was familiar and easy. Not much was expected of him, but it was just enough that he still felt useful. He liked making his own breakfast and doing his own dishes. He liked not being expected to talk when he didn't want to. As hard as it was to admit to himself, he liked his life with the team. They were nice to him. He trusted them.

As he was washing his mug in the sink, he couldn't help but stare out the window. Spring was swiftly approaching and Elliot couldn't look away as the morning rays of sun spilled through the gaps in the tree branches. He longed to go out there, to feel the warm sun on his face and the gentle breeze whistling through his hair.

Elliot couldn't remember the last time he'd been outside. It felt like years ago. It wasn't like he wasnt allowed to go outside. Of course he was...right? He'd never explicitly asked, but surely his friends wouldn't deny him that right. It's just that it was too cold before, that's all. There couldn't possibly be another reason.

"Elliot?"

The sound of another voice in the quiet kitchen pulled Elliot out of the endless spiral that was his thoughts. He started and gasped, only then realizing that the sink in front of him was quickly overflowing.

"Ah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Elliot exclaimed, quickly draining the water. His muscles tensed as he prepared to be hit.

"No need to be sorry, sweet," Broderick's voice said from behind him. Chills scurried up the back of Elliot's neck as he felt the looming presence of the medic but didn't turn to look at him. "It was an accident. Did you get distracted?"

Elliot suppressed a flinch. "Y-Yes, Sir. I'm so sorry. It-It won't happen a—" Elliot's mind went white as he felt Broderick's presence grow closer, the wood creaking beneath his feet. Elliot's whole body froze.

"El?" Broderick said. "You all right? You look a little pale."

Dull images flashed through Elliot's mind, none of which he could comprehend. They swirled together and dissolved like salt in the sea, invisible but impossible to deny the lingering taste. The sudden influx of repressed memories left a rotten taste in his mouth; memories of Christian softly approaching him from behind, touching him, dragging him to the bedroom, stripping him of his dignity. He couldn't take it. The panic set every nerve in his body on fire, and as Broderick's gentle hand fell upon Elliot's stiff shoulder, all hell broke loose.

Elliot swiftly turned and slapped Broderick's hand away. "Don't touch me!" He shouted, tears stinging his eyes.

Broderick backed up, eyes wide with confusion. "Okay, I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to startle you."

The next thing Elliot knew, there was a soapy knife in his hand. He didn't remember how it got there, but he shakily pointed it at Broderick regardless. "Get away from me!" He demanded, voice quivering almost as much as the knife in his fist.

Broderick was dumbstruck. "Elliot, I'm not gonna hurt you. I'm just trying to—"

"Shut up!" Elliot interrupted. "D-Don't come any c-closer! I'll k-kill you!"

Broderick took a small, risky step toward the panicked boy before him. His voice was gentle and soft as he said, "Elliot—"

Elliot didn't waste a second before he swung the knife, slicing a thin gash across Broderick's forearm. Broderick gasped and hissed and stumbled backward just in time for the rest of the team to spill into the room.

"What is going on?" Karine questioned. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. "Elliot?"

Tears were steadily trickling down Elliot's face. "L-Leave me alone! I w-won't let you t-take me! I won't!"

"Darling, no one is taking you anywhere," Yvonne tried to reassure him. "Please, put the knife down. It's just us."

"I don't think he's seeing us, Yve," Karine whispered. "Landon, I'm gonna need you to try and discreetly sneak up behind him and grab the knife. The three of us will distract him."

Lyra was frozen in place, unable to process what they were seeing.

As Landon soundlessly slipped away, Karine held out her hands placatingly. "Elliot, buddy? I'm gonna need you to put the knife down, okay? We're not gonna hurt you."

Elliot took a step back, arms shaking. "I w-won't let you t-take me!"

"We're not gonna touch you, I promise," Karine said. "We just wanna talk. Please put the knife down. You're gonna hurt yourself."

Elliot stood his ground, completely unaware of the giant man looming behind him. In one swift movement, Landon grabbed Elliot and plucked the knife out of his hands.

Elliot screamed in what could only be described as pure terror. He kicked and flailed, his fist nailing Landon right in the mouth before Landon caught both of his wrists and manhandled him. Elliot fought with every ounce of strength he could muster.

"LET GO OF ME! LET GO! YOU CAN'T DO THIS!!" Elliot cried.

Landon wrapped him in a tight hug and whispered soothingly into his ear, "It's okay, it's okay. You're safe, buddy. You're safe." Over and over again.

Elliot's struggling didn't cease, and eventually, Karine had to grab hold of his flailing legs as well to prevent him from injuring anyone else, most of all himself. "Set him on the ground!" Karine shouted over Elliot's screams.

Lyra watched, tears blurring their eyes as Elliot was restrained and wrestled to the floor, all while sobbing and screaming and begging. The sight made their insides churn and their throat tighten.

Elliot sobbed and squirmed, but his fighting did little to free him. "P-Please, l-let me go. Wh-Why are you d-doing this?"

"You've gotta come back to us, buddy," Karine said in the most gentle voice she could. "You're home, safe and sound. No one is going to hurt you anymore. Just take a deep breath." Karine glanced over her shoulder at Lyra, who was still as a statue. "Lye? Can you grab us a weighted blanket please? Lyra? Lyra!"

Lyra snapped out of it, their focus shifting from Elliot to Karine. "Y-Yes. I-I'll be right back." They hurried into their room and grabbed the heaviest weighted blanket they had. When they returned, Karine had released Elliot's legs and Landon only had a loose hold on Elliot's upper half.

The boy had ceased his struggling and had instead dissolved into a sobbing mess. As Lyra handed off the weighted blanket to Karine, Landon released Elliot. The blanket was draped over Elliot's shaking body.

"Lyra? Maybe you should try to talk to him," Karine suggested.

Lyra nodded and kneeled down beside him. "Sunshine? Can you hear me?"

Elliot kept his eyes trained on the floor and the droplets of crimson that Broderick had left behind. The smallest nod of his head was the only response he gave.

"How are you feeling?"

Lyra didn't expect an answer, or really any kind of indication that Elliot had heard them. They weren't surprised when Elliot remained completely frozen in place, eyes unblinking and skin as pale as bone.

Lyra didn't push Elliot to speak. Instead, they sat beside him as he watched Karine wipe up the blood. Once the kitchen floor was no longer peppered with red, Karine excused herself and left Lyra and Elliot to themselves.

Moments after Karine's departure, Elliot said, in the tiniest voice possible, "Did I h-hurt him?"

His voice was so small and meek that Lyra wasn't even completely sure that they'd heard him. "What was that, El?"

Elliot took a deep breath and repeated his question, a little louder this time. "D-Did I h-hurt him?"

Lyra didn't know how to answer. They didn't want to make him feel worse by being truthful, but they couldn't stand lying to him either. "It was just a little cut," they answered, keeping their voice soft so as not to frighten him. "Broderick will be fine. He's a medic, after all. He's used to dealing with this kind of stuff."

Those words did nothing to ease Elliot's grief. "I hurt him," Elliot mumbled, his voice quivering almost as much as the rest of him. Tears flooded his blood-shot eyes and he sniffled. "I'm a b-bad dog."

Lyra didn't know what to do. It had been nearly a month since Elliot had last called himself a dog, and the last thing they wanted was for him to regress. Internally panicking, Lyra said, "It wasn't your fault. I don't know what happened, but I know it wasn't your fault."

Elliot's tears started to fall. "H-How do you kn-know?"

"Because I know you," they asserted. Elliot finally looked up at them, eyes watery and filled with regret. Lyra gently wiped his tears. "You're a good person, Elliot. A good person that's gone through some terrible things. You've been hurt and taken advantage of and abused, but you are still a good person and you always will be. You'd never hurt anyone on purpose, let alone one of us."

Elliot looked away. "Is he m-mad at me?"

Lyra shook her head. "He could never be mad at you. No one here could. We love you too much."

Elliot sniffled again and leaned his head on her shoulder. Lyra opened her arms and gathered him in a tight hug. He laid his head on her chest, his remaining tears soaking through the fabric.

"I've got you, sunshine," Lyra whispered. Elliot snuggled against her, curling up on her lap like a child after a nightmare. There was no place on Earth he felt safer than in her arms. She rubbed gentle circles into her back and carded her fingers through his hair. "I've got you."

-

Thanks so much for the request! I hope you enjoyed this! Also, please let me know if I have any typos. I didn't really get the chance to proofread this.

If anyone else has any drabble requests, suggestions, or questions for me or my characters, please send me an ask!

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