#i painted a birdhouse and liked it

[kayymon]

I was given a birdhouse to paint. I think it turned out real cute and I really enjoyed it.. lol

[kaiasky]

going to the combination-club-and-art-gallery to celebrate the Trance Day of Rembrandts

[husberttee]

-

[poets-tryna-write]

Hey, I'm Donovan or Rain, but masc kin names are okay too. He/him

Asks are open for whatever! I accept memory questions or really anything. Sylvester Ashling- [#a bitter boy like him]

Klavier Gavin- [#i'm praying for a guilty break] >Klavier & Apollo [#listen to the wind]

Eustace Winner- [#my own self fulfilled prophecy] >Eustace & Edgeworth [#vintage misery]

Pearl Fey- [#it echoes in your heart]

Trucy Wright- [#smiling in the public eye]

Empires s1 Scott- [#teal just suits me] >Scott & Jimmy [#we snuggle up between the stones]

Life Series Scott- [#I love the taste of his pretty red lipstick] >Scott & Jimmy [#he's mine and he always will be]

Empires s1 Joel- [#what is he building in that painted lady] >Joel & Lizzie- [#my love runs deeper than the ocean]

Life Series Joel- [#baby its all about me] >Joel & Etho [#we found true love] >Joel & Grian & Jimmy [#listen to iron maiden baby] >Joel & Gem [#the devil made me do it] >Joel & Lizzie [#like a bullet to your brain]

Life Series Scar- [#i'm poisonous not toxic] >Scar & Grian [#’til it ceases to beat please be mine] >Scar & Jimmy & Lizzie [#a little birdhouse in your soul]

TTSBC Scar/Hot Guy- [#i'm the king of the street]

Empires Hermes- [#i hold you in my heart]

[bukuoshin]

It just takes two years of "I'll do it later"-s before I finally do it. :3c

[birdiewriteslit]

omg omg i would LOVVVEEE if like [reader] and luke were dating behind percy’s back cuz of how sassy he would be n stuff but after like a date or kiss from luke the reader would gush about it to either annabeth, grover, or clarisse and one of them tells percy by accident during a convo and then percy like goes up to reader and confronts the reader about it and like scolds the reader and give them a whole lecture about how luke isn’t the right guy then luke overhears and like joins in <333

i love this idea!!

luke castellan x daughter of poseidon!reader

warnings: persassy (once again), fluff, mention of kissing, ignorance of the plot of the show for the sake of my happiness

nobody: me gaslighting myself into thinking i could fix luke:

You and your boyfriend had an agreement. Your relationship was private. It wasn’t necessarily a secret, but it was private.

This was a conclusion you came to before Percy arrived at camp, before you knew you had a brother. At first, you didn’t care much if he figured it out.

That was until you realized what a sassafras he was.

Percy was always sassing you about chores, about activities, and especially about camp boys.

You thought it was cute in the beginning, your little brother being protective over you, but then it became a real nuisance.

“Y/n, stay away from the Ares boys, I don’t like them.”

“Y/n, don’t date an Apollo guy, he’d write you some crappy poetry.”

“Y/n, for the love of gods, stay away from the Dionysus twins, I never want to have Mr. D as a relative.”

These were the types of things you would hear throughout the day as Percy got to know the other campers better.

You thought it better if you kept a low profile when you were around Luke, at least until Percy calmed down a little.

Most of the older campers knew about your relationship, but they were used to it and rarely talked about it.

“Having marriage problems?” Annabeth asked you one day during arts and crafts, where you were both about to give up on your ugly collaborative birdhouse.

“What? I’m not married,” you said, trying to fix a particularly garish looking bird.

She set her paintbrush down, officially proving she was over it. “Obviously. I mean Luke. I noticed you haven’t been around each other as much.”

You could tell she was a little worried. She wouldn’t be asking if she wasn’t. Annabeth had known you and Luke longer than any other campers, and she looked up to both of you. Plus, she always wanted to know about your experience with romance.

“It’s not what you think, Annabeth. We’re really fine,” you said. “In fact, just last night, he took me out on the dock.”

Your nightly meetups with Luke had always been a thing, but had become more frequent as of late.

“And?” Annabeth prompted.

“And, we hung out.” You were now furiously painting over the entire bird you failed to fix.

“You mean you made out,” she said, giving you a knowing look.

“Well, yeah, but I didn’t think you were interested in that part,” you said. “Now pick up that paintbrush, missy. I’m not doing this whole thing myself.”

Annabeth reluctantly dipped the brush in some blue paint, looking like she wanted more details about your date.

Private means private, you thought dismissively.

At campfire, you discovered that private didn’t mean private. You were sitting alone when Percy plopped down next to you. You frowned because you were saving that spot for Luke.

“Annabeth has just told me something very interesting,” he said, glaring at the spot where Luke stood, talking to one of his brothers.

“What would that be, Perce?” you said absentmindedly.

“Apparently Luke was macking on you last night.” He made a sound to imitate vomiting.

You grimaced. “Please never say that word again.”

“So? Is it true or not true?”

You sighed. No point in denying it now. “It’s true.”

Percy somehow managed to look even more disgusted. “Ew, why him?”

You rolled your eyes. “Oh, gee, I don’t know, maybe because I’ve known him for years, he’s kind, strong, and handsome. Wouldn’t you think that had something to do with it?”

“Oh, gods, forget I even asked,” Percy said, retching. “I just think you could do better. Look at all of these lovely candidates. Apollo guys are poets.”

“I thought that was too cringe for you.”

He ignored you and went on, “A Hephaestus guy could forge you some nice jewelry, and Athena guys are smart. You deserve a smart guy. Not Luke, no, he doesn’t have any good qualities like that.”

You noticed a figure approaching you over Percy’s shoulder, and you tried your best to hide the amused smile threatening to break across your face as Luke came to a stop behind him, waiting for the right moment to interrupt.

“All in all, Y/n, I think Luke’s a pretty bad guy for you. You should really reconsider.”

“Oh, I’m a bad guy, am I?” Luke finally spoke up, smirking as Percy slowly turned around to see him peering down at him.

“Not like a bad guy- just, you know, not right for my sister,” Percy said, his confidence leaving him.

“What makes me not right for her?” Luke asked, clearly loving the reaction he was getting.

“I- uh- you know,” Percy stammered.

“Oh, knock it off, Luke. Leave the poor kid alone,” you said, failing to hide your laughter.

“That sound is music to my ears,” Luke said seriously. Jeez, he was really laying it on thick.

Percy’s face returned to the look of disgust. “I’ll be leaving now,” he excused himself, hurrying off to where Grover and Annabeth were sitting on the other side of the fire. You could still see him glaring at Luke as he sat down next to you, wrapping his arm around your shoulders.

You leaned into him, relishing in the combined warmth of the fire and his body heat. “What do you think? Am I getting sassed out tomorrow?” Luke asked, looking down at you.

“No, he looked pretty grossed out. I’m hoping he just avoids the topic altogether,” you said, trailing your fingers over the fabric of his shirt.

“We both know that’s not going to happen,” he concluded, smiling as he pressed a soft kiss to your temple.

[mystellenia]

romantic tension with abby

summary: in the warm glow of abby's bedroom, after a day of shared hobbies, you contemplate your deepening feelings for her and hope that perhaps she feels the same

content: friends (to lovers???), sfw, literally nothing else

notes: wrote a part two :p i need to write more fluff bc there is such a shortage AND especially with abby. this is like so domestic like in the way that there's no extra interactions. like this is literally how me and a friend would act after a day of painting!! just sleepy and tired zzzzz

(wc 0.7k)

the setting sun cast an orange glow on abby's bedroom where the two of you lay on her floor, bathing in the heat radiating from her large window. you'd just finished painting birdhouses for the married pair of sparrows that frequented the birdseed abby had set out. they would dance around each other and sing their chirpy harmonies and then take turns pecking at the various seeds from the feeder, so abby thought it necessary to handmake them houses in her shop. 

this was one of your many duet activities of abby's "grandma hobbies," as you called them. you two had fed the ducks down at the lake, gone through an entire coloring book, built lego sets, and done nearly a dozen puzzles—one of which was glued and framed in abby's kitchen. 

you guys spent every free moment of time together, and counted down the time until you could when one was busy. you were the closest of friends, but lately you found yourself wanting more—or at least thinking about how it would be if you were more. coming home to each other instead of making the fifteen-minute drive any time you wanted to see her. being able to actually tell her when she looked so pretty it made you hold your breath instead of chewing on your lip. 

she shifted next to you, bending her legs at the knees and pulling you out of your thoughts. "i should probably wash the brushes before the paint dries on them, right?" 

you almost tell her she shouldn't so that you could lay with her a little while longer, but you give in. "yeah, you should." 

she sits up to stand, grunting as she lifts her body weight and moving to the crafting cloth where your birdhouses currently sat drying. you sat up and leaned against the foot of her bed, watching as she so delicately readjusts the cloth so that it doesn't smudge your paint job. 

scrubbing your hands down your face, you push up off the bed and move to grab a sweatshirt of hers to change into, taking your paint-covered tank off and slipping the sweatshirt over your head. it sat baggy on your body with her being bigger than you are just about everywhere, and you threw the hood over your head and dropped onto the right side of her bed. 

she returns with her hands patting on her sweats to dry them off. seeing you in the bed, she comes to sit next to you, with you on your back and her laying on her side to face you. 

"you wanna just stay the night?" she says, her voice lifting at the end as if it were a question and not a declaration. "it's too late to go home alone." 

"yeah, i think i will," you respond. you remember the origami book she bought at the farmer's market last saturday. "only if we make paper cranes until our fingers bleed from paper cuts tomorrow," you grin, turning to look at her and see she's already looking back at you. 

"okay. i have lots of band-aids," she jokes. 

you chuckle, and the two of you fall into a comfortable silence, sheepishly smiling at the other while holding eye contact. 

"can we also get those berry pastries from the cafe? and make those butterflies we saw on pinterest?" you ask, your cheeks still kissing your eyes. 

"yeah, i'll wake up early to get them for breakfast," she nods. "and i only got that book so we can make things together—we can make whatever you want." 

in place of a response, you slip your fingers between hers and tightly squeeze her hand, ignoring your frustration with the uncertainty of her feelings for you. 

the tip of her nose pinks a bit before she opens her mouth. "good night. we need brain power for making cranes." 

you turn onto your side as well to face her, your noses nearly touching. "good night, abby," you grin, high on the feel of her skin on yours and the way she's looking at you.  

you fall asleep with a smile on your face because your close friend, abby, may just like you, too. 

@picklesarenice69 @abbyandersonsrightbuttcheek

yayyy i’m back :3

click here!! oh and here too!! ˶ᵔᵕᵔ˶

[seat-safety-switch]

A lot of people at Home Depot are getting froggy at my comparison of them to the Third Reich. This is, of course, a media fabrication. The Nazis had easy access to working tools, and lumber that was straight. What I actually called them was “a group of useless, tin-hat fascists that can’t even stock a fucking lightswitch.”

Back when I was a kid, small hardware stores were all over the place. You could get on your bicycle and ride over to the local lumber shop, and a weird old guy would tell you what stuff to buy, occasionally implying that he was your real father. Then you’d ride home, and finish your project, happy in the knowledge that at least you could control the construction of a potato cannon or low-dimensional-stability, non-permitted birdhouse.

At some point, buoyed by the renovation-crazy era of reality television, the big hardware giants started rolling in. They’d buy out or crush all of these little hardware stores. Why would you go to two of them, they’d ask, when you can get all your stuff here, in one trip, for cheaper? This would be a great thing indeed, if I didn’t have to go to three different big-box hardware stores in order to satisfy literally any weekend project shopping list.

At least with Abnormal Ed’s House of an Unusual Amount of Paracord, you’d know what you were getting into, and if you shopped at his place a lot, he’d probably start stocking the stuff you need. With Home Depot, you’re not even a blip on their immense Excel spreadsheet of Raw Data Pure Data Good Data. With an international reach, your insane hyper-local desires (limited to your house) average out to nothing against the demands of everyone else. There’s no way you can potentially influence them to start offering something unprofitable like, say, white spray paint, or hammers that aren’t made of tinfoil, without taking hostages.

What can we do about this? Other than building a time machine and going back to save small hardware stores – which would probably require buying some parts at Home Depot, which means we’d be wasting a beautiful Saturday afternoon driving all over the city just to pick up red and black wire – the only thing we can do is convince them that an even larger, angrier, hardware store is coming to kill them.

I got the idea when I had a bunch of sparrows flying into my kitchen window. You cut out some silhouettes of bigger birds and just paste them on there. They think a bunch of giant crows are hiding behind the window, and steer clear. It took a lot of time to construct an entire elaborate replica of a hardware store megaconsortium in the empty parking lot next to the Home Depot headquarters, and it was very hard to paint the Chinese ideographs for “HILARIOUS FUN DOESN’T STOCK UNPROFITABLE ITEMS RENOVATION DEPOT” while holding on to the 60th storey of a Potemkin building made entirely out of old cardboard boxes, but I managed to pull it off. You could hear the lifetime middle managers shrieking in fear of their new competitors from blocks away, and by the time I got home, the local Home Depot had finally decided to stock both light fixtures and light bulbs.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

who's that girl?

Warnings: this fic will include elements, some dark, such as possible cheating, low self-esteem, noncon/dubcon, and other untagged triggers. Please take this into account before proceeding. It is up to curate your online consumption safely.

Summary: you neighbour is too helpful, and too nosy, for your liking, but he's not your only problem.

Characters: Tommy Miller, Joel Miller

Author’s Note: Please feel free to leave some feedback, reblog, and jump into my asks. I’m always happy to discuss with you and riff on idea. As always, you are cherished and adored! Stay safe, be kind, and treat yourself💜

“You fixed it,” you say bluntly as you approach the fence. 

Tommy looks up from his knees, yanking out the deep roots of a weeds as his hair falls forward over his shining forehead. He quorks his head and narrows his eyes with a grin. He does that a lot. Smile. Especially when there’s no reason for it. 

“Fixed what? The hole in your life?” He winks. 

You don’t know what that means. You frown. 

“The birdhouse. My birdhouse,” you say. 

“Oh, uh, yeah. Saw that squirrel messing around the other day,” he shrugs and tosses the weed into the open compost bag. “What’s a nail or two and some paint?” 

“How much?” You ask. 

“What?” Now he looks confused. 

“For the work. Twenty? Fifty?” You offer. 

“Nothing. I’m being neighbourly,” he insists. 

You stare at him. Neighbourly. That’s what he calls all the unnecessary things he does. Like when he mows your lawn before you can or greased the rust hinge on your gate. Can’t he ask like a normal person? 

“I didn’t ask for it.” 

“I know,” he blows out between his lips, “it’s just a nice thing to do.” 

“But why?” You press. 

“Because I’m nice? I don’t know,” he’s further perplexed as he swoops back his hair. “You’re welcome, by the way.” 

“Thanks,” you take the prompt, “but I still never asked you to do that.” 

“Uh huh,” he nods as he raises one brow. “Well, if it’s better, I can go back and break it again.” 

You consider the offer, “no, that’s fine. The birds need to eat.” 

“Right,” his eyes search you and he smiles again. “Next time I promise, I’ll be sure to ask.” 

You back away and go back to your porch. You don’t get him. The worst thing about having your own place is the people. Why do they have to be so concerned with you? Why can’t they just let you be? Is the fence not a good enough signal? 

You go back through the house and onto the back deck. You sit on the top step to watch the red and grey cardinal couple peck at the suet and seed. That’s your favourite thing to do. You find the feathers pretty and their songs soothing. Birds are much better than people. 

As the evening wiles away, growing cooler and softer, and you mourn the waning time. Back to work tomorrow. Not that it’s very far. Just in your home office. Still, you’ll be pent up inside in front of a screen. It’s hardly stimulating. 

You yawn and make yourself get up. You’ll barbeque the chicken skewers and some veggies. You go inside to get all the fixings you need. You come out and light the grill, breathing in the pollen and hint of moisture in the air. 

You hear voices as the barbeque heats up. You lay the skewers and roasting pan on the grill and close the lid. The smell is comforting to you. It reminds you of your late father. 

“Huh, Tommy, see you’re still crashing into things,” a gristly voice comes from the other side of the fence as the loose slat is wiggled. You grimace. Looks like your neighbour has company. “Couldn’t put a nail gun to this thing?” 

“Oh yeah, the nail gun I lent to you,” Tommy chirps back. “Joel, leave it alone.” 

You wiggle the long tongues in your grip. You always thought of fixing it yourself but always forget. You’re surprised your handy neighbour hasn’t already, considering he could come right through and touch your birdhouse. Now you think of it, how did he even get to it? 

You glare at the loose slat. Ah. That could be the possible reason for his procrastination. The slat moves and a face appears in the space as it’s twisted on the loose nails. A man you vaguely recognises peers through. He comes to Tommy’s often. 

“Smells good over there,” he comments as he peers into your lawn. 

You don’t say anything. Why is he doing that? You should tell him to mind his business but that isn’t polite. Even if your father would have laughed. 

He hesitates before he drops the slat straight and retreats into his brother’s yard. You hear a whistle and low grumble. You can’t make out his words. 

“She don’t want you peepin’ on her,” Tommy chortles, “what? My steak isn’t good enough for ya?” 

“You overcook it. No one wants your grey slabs,” the other man, Joel, rebuffs. 

“Oh, is that why you drink all my beer?” 

“Gotta moisten it up.” 

“Whatever,” Tommy mutters. 

You hear his footsteps as he climbs his deck steps. That’s another problem. After last year’s cacophonous renovation, his deck is high enough that he can see you over the top of the fence. A privacy fence! 

“Hello, neighbour,” he calls over the sound of his barbecue lighting, “what’s for dinner tonight?” 

You glance over at him and back to the grill. You lift the lid and turn the skewers, stirring around the veggies on the pan. You close it and hang the tongues as you look out at the bird feeder. They’ve scared them all away. 

“Ha, looks like I’m not the only one she wants nothing to do with,” Joel remarks as the tab of a can cracks, “you ever get anything good? These craft beers taste like scum.” 

“You didn’t complain last week,” Tommy grumbles and shakes his head, approaching the rail of his deck, “smells like chicken.” 

You roll your eyes. You really don’t want to be rude. You just want to enjoy your time alone. 

“Yep, chicken,” you confirm as you sit on the chair against the house siding and put your sunglasses on. You can feel him watching you. 

“Delicious, you know, I make this Mexican chicken--” 

“Ah, Tommy, lay it on thicker,” Joel snorts, “look at her. She’s tryna block you out. The sun’s gone.” 

Is it that obvious? You turn your face away, embarrassed. Tommy sniffs and clacks his own pair of tongues, “uh, anyway, have a good night, neighbour.” 

“We’ll try to keep it down,” Joel adds dryly as he pulls Tommy back by his arm. 

You chew your lip and stare through the dark lenses. You wonder if you could get a bigger awning to block him out or something. You’ve dealt with mice and ants and wasps, but you still can’t get rid of that one pest. Just like the others, he only seems to multiply. 

[ddejavvu]

fairy!reader with hotch? 🥹 he’s somewhere in the woods because a murder happened there and when he’s alone she shows up and leads him to a clue?? and he thanks her and she’s all flustered and shy around him? 🥹 thank you!!!

today is multiverse monday! send me any au you can think of :)

--

"The trail goes cold," Aaron huffs, neck craned to speak into the walkie talkie clipped to the strap of his vest. His eyes flutter shut and his fists clench in frustration. He doesn't know how the unsub has managed to vanish, but the footprints abruptly and and there's no misplaced leaves that could be covering them up.

"Psst," He's just released the button on his comm when he hears it, and his hands tighten around his gun quick as a flash. He aims blindly where he heard the noise, into a dense tree that he strains to see movement inside of.

"It's okay!" He hears the same voice, light and sweet, "I won't hurt you. And I'm not who you're looking for."

Once again, he combs the tree for movement, looking for the rustle of a leaf or the snap of a branch. He comes up empty, all until a gold glow catches his eye near a cluster of leaves near the top.

With his gun aimed carefully at the light source, he watches with breathless wariness as you peer out from behind a thick branch.

You're... tiny. You're unlike anything he's ever seen, dressed in a flower and glowing to boot. You look human, you have a human face, a human body, and a human voice, but you're mind-bogglingly small. He doesn't know what you are.

Then you fly, and he sees the wings. They're shimmery and fluttering, guiding you to a lower branch that you wrap an arm around for stability.

"Please don't hurt me," You stare nervously at the barrel of his gun, "I'm harmless. I just want to help."

"Help?" Aaron finally finds his voice, hands sweaty and nearly slipping from how hard he's clutching his gun. He readjusts his grip, "What are you?"

"I'm a fairy," You accentuate the knowledge with a soft flutter of your wings, one that shakes shimmery dust from their surface, "And I couldn't hurt you if I tried. Please put down the weapon."

Against all survival protocol, he does. He guides the gun slowly into his holster, watching as your miniscule fingers toy with a flower growing out of the branch you're hugging.

"I saw a man here a few minutes ago," You hum, looking up at him through lashes laced with the same shimmery substance slowly dusting off of your wings, "He climbed my tree and knocked over my house. He went that way." You point behind you, and Aaron sees a low-hanging line of tree branches the unsub must have used to cross the forest without leaving tracks in the mud below.

"Thank you." Aaron says cautiously, wondering if he should jam you into his pocket and take you straight back to headquarters. He decides not to, because you've just helped him, but he's not sure how to go about concealing information about magical species from the U.S Government.

He starts to back away, slowly, in case you decide that he's the enemy now and turn on him in a glittering mess of fairy dust and flower petals. But your face drops quickly to a frown, and you reach out for him using the hand that's not around the tree branch.

"Wait!"

He stiffens, spine straight, "Yes?"

"My.. my house," You repeat, "He knocked my house over. And it's too heavy for me to carry. I helped you, can- can you please help me, too?"

You redirect your finger to point at a knocked-over bird house laying on the forest floor. It's crudely painted, something Jack would make him for father's day, and he assumes some kid used to camp here and left it as a present for the wildlife. If only they knew who lived in it now.

"Okay," Aaron hums, crouching slowly to the forest floor and reaching for the birdhouse like it's a bomb. Of course, it's not, unless a glitter bomb counts, because his fingers are already sprinkled with the stuff.

You rush to flutter higher in the tree, and Aaron realizes he can't reach the perch you're standing beside. Not while his feet are on the ground.

"You can step on that one," You point to a thick branch protruding from the bottom of the tree, one that the unsub probably scaled himself, "That one's strong enough for humans like you."

Birdhouse in hand, he tests his weight against the limb. It doesn't even creak, and he hoists himself up so that he's eye-level with you, chin hovering just over the branch you're standing on.

"There," You instruct him, and he lowers the birdhouse gently onto its mount. You've fashioned it a nest of sticks and feathers, and he wonders if you stole that from a bird, too.

"Is that okay?" He murmurs, voice quiet with the same wonder he's spoken with since meeting your eye for the first time.

"That's perfect," You gush, and flutter your wings happily, "Thank you!"

As your wings shake, more glittery dust falls from them. It lands on Aaron's nose, and he has to stifle a sneeze if he doesn't want to blast you off of the tree branch. It means he jerks a hand to his face, and in doing so, loses his balance below.

He's barely able to repress his sneeze and catch himself on the branch before he falls, and his face knocks into your legs, landing you on your butt on the branch. His chin falls to your calves, nose butting against your stomach as his head lands in your lap.

"Oh!" You shriek, hands coming up to cup his cheeks, holding his face for stability. Your eyes are wide and shiny, and Aaron looks bewilderedly up at you as he tries stabilizing himself.

"Sorry," He breathes, tightening his hand on the branch.

You reach up a tiny hand to brush fairy dust off of his nose, shaking your head, "It's alright. I didn't mean to dust you."

Once his nose is glitter-free, you cast a bashful glance at his eyes, then lean in to kiss his nose. He barely feels it, a soft brush of something small against his skin, but the gesture sends heat to his cheeks and wobbles to his legs.

"Thank you for your help," You coo, hands detaching from his face and holding the branch below you. As he straightens up and removes his face from your lap, you swing your feet back and forth, glitter streaming down to coat the branch Aaron is standing on.

"Mhm." Is all Aaron can manage, "And- and you're... you're okay here? You're- you live here?"

"I do," You nod, bracing a hand against your birdhouse, "I'll be okay. Just catch that guy, okay?"

"Okay. Yeah," Aaron breathes, nodding as he carefully dismounts the branch below him, "And- and thank you for-" He backs away, right into a tree behind him, "Uh, thank you for your help."

You stifle a giggle at his clumsiness, waving cheerily as he finally turns around, heading in the direction you'd pointed him in. And if, when he takes off his jacket that night in his hotel room to find a fairy dust-covered flower petal, he slips it in his wallet? He's sure it's what you would have wanted.

[quinnysnursery]

I *need* little!chris and little!matt with cg!nick, pretty please 🥺

[🩹🌟🥤] double trouble | the sturniolo triplets one-shot

paring : little!matt sturniolo x cg!nick sturniolo x little!chris sturniolo

summary : nick attempts to get some classic rainy day activities done with his littles

warning/extra tid-bits : light crying, i think that's all!

word count : 834 + not proofread

divider credit : umm i found all the photos on pinterest :3 (lines from @thecutestgrotto)

a/n : oatmeal cookies make me wanna do backflips

playing in the rain...

“Boys, stay close!” Nick called out.

When the eldest triplet had agreed to take both his littles on a nature walk, he’d done so under the impression that it wouldn’t rain the next day but as Nick stood in the middle of a forest with the bottom of his jeans drenched in mud and rain water, he realized he really needed to start checking his weather app before making promises. 

“C’moooonn Nicky!” Chris whined, ever the explorer. Matt was merely following his brother, stuffing his pockets with any rock that caught his eye. Nick heaved a breath as he finally caught up with the two regressed boys- “You have to stay close bud, I don’t want you two getting lost.” He explained.

Matt nodded as Chris mumbled out an apology. Nick offered both of his hands to both littles, smiling as they quickly took hold.

“Nicky?” Matt called out, causing the tallest triplet to turn his head to the quiet little. “Whe’e…” Matt stumbled over his words momentarily, “Whe’e do ‘e birdies go when ‘s rainin’?” The little looked at Nick with worry-filled eyes. 

Nick thought for a moment before offering an answer, “They find shelter just like we do, in trees…birdhouses…sometimes bushes.” 

Matt nodded, accepting the answer. Suddenly, the youngest triplet piped up. “M’ cold.” Chris shivered, huddling closer to his carer. Nick nodded, “I think it’s time to head back.” 

Thankfully, neither Matt nor Chris had any complaints about that.

arts and crafts...

Matt and Chris’ giggles filled the living room as Nick carefully poured washable paint onto separate paper plates. He’d learned early on as a caregiver that while teaching littles to share was important, his brothers much preferred to have their own individual items.

It made sense. Chris’ headspace was a bit older than Matt’s and both littles had nearly polar opposite personalities. 

“Boys! It’s ready!” Nick called out after checking one last time that the craft table was fully set up. Almost instantly, the sound of little feet pattering on the floor, barreling into the dining area filled the air.

“Woah!” Chris said in amazement, excitedly rocking up and down on his tippy toes. “T’ank ‘ou Nicky!” Matt smiled, immediately taking a seat and clumsily grabbing a paint brush- already beginning to work on painting the rocks he’d collected during the triplets nature walk.

“Nicky paint too?” Chris asked as he began smearing blue paint around a smooth river stone. Nick nodded, sitting down and watching his two littles for a few moments before beginning on a rock of his own.

The three brothers sat in near silence as they all worked on their respective project. Matt was working on a rainbow rock while Chris was painting his rocks to mimic M&M’s.

Suddenly, as Nick set down the rock he’d been working with, a quiet “thud!” caught his attention, followed by paint-water spilling out over the table. The dirty paint water splashed Matt’s rock, making all the colors muddle together.

Nick winced as Matt let out a loud, “Ch’is!”- followed by a soft cry. 

“M’ sorry Matt! M’ sorry!” Chris instantly began spewing out apologies. “Hey, hey, it’s okay.” Nick soothed both littles. Matt sniffled and shook his head “No! ‘s not okay!” The little cried, crossing his arms to his chest. 

Chris began crying too, begging his older brother to forgive him for knocking over the water container. “Baby,” Nick lowered himself to meet Matt’s eyes, “It was an accident, okay? You know Chris didn’t mean too.” He explained.

Matt wiped his eyes with his sweater-covered arms, looking at Chris who had tears in his eyes. “Pw’omise it was’a acci’ent?” Matt asked, causing Chris to nod quickly.

 “I promise! It was just’a accident! M’ sorry Matt!” Chris sniffled. Matt thought for a few moments before speaking, “...Okay…’s okay Chw’is.” Matt decided, standing up and hugging his brother.

Nick breathed a sigh of relief, thankful he’d avoided a double tantrum.

warm drinks...

“Extra, extra, marshmallows!” Chris giggled, woes from the past completely forgotten. Nick smiled, nodding as he stirred the cocoa mix into the mugs. 

“What about you Matt, extra extra marshmallows for you too?” The caregiver asked. Matt shook his head, “Ex’ta…whipped cw’eam!” Matt smiled toothily. Nick nodded, making a mental note to grab the sugar-free whipped cream from the fridge. 

Both littles were sat atop the kitchen countertops. Chris’ legs swinging and gently hitting the cabinet doors, Matt opted to play with a fidget cube instead.

As the eldest triplet concocted both littles cocoa exactly to their liking, he couldn’t help but smile as he reminisced on the day he had with his littles. Sure, a fork had been thrown in their plans when they woke up to rain- but they didn’t let that stop them.

“Alright boys! Cocoa’s ready!” Nick smiled, earning excited cheers from both his littles.

Caring for two littles was not an easy task, but Nick would always be more than willing to deal with double the trouble.

taglist !! :

@natedoeswife @blahbel668 @nicksloverrr @flow3rsturns13

@pkfferoo @pixxiies @mattsturnswhore @17welch17 @pinksikhewei

@v33angel @conspiracy-ash @hoes4matthew @elislytherpuffsturn

@mattsturnsgirlie @mattssturnz @littlestar44 @graceslittlecorner

@zivall @hrtz4alex2211 @bimbob1tch @sturnsxplr-25 @cherry-red-heart

@pr3ttyf4wn @frlinbruh @jazminepetit-homme @raynaaxx

@tyummyz @starri-nightss @cyberskulzzz @nicksbestie

@urfavbestiee @nicksloverrr @babybatxxx @ivysturnss

[hydriadd]

WOOO RANDOM DEATH FAMILY HEADCANONS

Lmao sorry pissa and death family nation for being somewhat inactive, take these headcanons that probably don’t align with canon as compensation

THIS IS ABOUT THE CHARACTERS NOT CONTENT CREATORS BTW

Not a single person in the Death Family is warm to touch and can often be cold before bed, their houses and nests are always somehow really warm and blanket full

Missa and Phil built a small shelf in the kitchen in the house at old spawn, Missa and Chayanne have filled it with cookbooks

Tallulah knows how to make perfume and because Missa has been away for a while, Tallulah has been making perfumes for him for when he gets back

Adding onto the last one, there have been lots of ‘failed attempts’, ie Tallulah was being nit picky with the scents and trying to figure out exactly what he likes

Missa will like anything and everything given to him, so long as it’s made with love

Phil, on the other hand, will like everything and anything given to him even if it’s given with hate, because he assumes the other has a connection to it (assumes they might just like things like he does)

When Missa first left on the old spawn Phil used to make small dinners for him that wouldn’t go bad for a while just in case Missa came back when he came back

Overtime, they would get more complex and put in the fridge with a note left for him

Every single meal, regardless of what it is, will have toast cut in the shape of Phil’s had with avocado making the green stripes, and another toast cut like a skull with blueberries for the details

Chayanne used to stress bake when his parents were gone, and that improved his skills in cooking really quickly

Tallulah walks extremely quietly, Chayanne picked this up and it scares Phil every time

Despite his parents vibes and all that, Chayanne refuses to wear black sweaters specifically, shirts are on thin ice and black k shorts or pants are a coin flip, this is because he doesn’t like flour showing on them when he doesn’t want to use an apron

Tallulah used to pick at her nails when nervous, but started picking at flowers instead and now her nails hurt if she scratches you

It doesn’t matter who you are, if you become apart of the Death Family, the first thing you’re taught is how to paint your nails

When Phil doesn’t have a bookmark with him and when his wings had healed enough, he would pluck a feather out and use it as a bookmark

Either Phil or Missa doggy ears pages in a book and genuinely can’t tell who, I just think one of them does even if they have a bookmark available

There are a shit ton of keychains on Phil’s bag, you give him one, it could be of anything (besides anything fed related), it’s going on that bag

Phil sometimes wishes he could proper speak bird, I guess, this is only so he could also flirt with and compliment Missa in another language like he does

Chayanne has crocs

When Tallulah cut her hair, she asked for a photo of Missa and mimicked his hairstyle

Whenever Missa is awake/goes to sleep with Phil, the eggs silently rejoice because those two hug each other extremely closely when they sleep

Despite Missa being gone for the longest time, when Phil didn’t come back on Mexican Independence Day, he developed a fear of him leaving him, like physically being far away when he didn’t know where he is and if he was okay, he understands now what Phil feels when he’s gone

Missa, because he’s the tallest between a bird man and children, will pick them up and spin them, even if only for a bit lmao he’s not strong

Adding onto that one, whenever Phil is too excited or stress or just overwhelmed with any emotions, Missa spins him around to help and it works for some reason

Phil started to spin himself in circles when overwhelmed and when Missa was gone

After the birdhouse and when Phil was physically alone, he used to sit by a crafting table with rocks and ores and make little figures of Chayanne, Tallulah and Missa, they weren’t the best and didn’t the proportions weren’t amazing, but he spent weeks on each one and added little faces with a marker

He left the Chayanne and Tallulah statues on their respective beds, with Missa beside the flower pot, hoping they would be replaced with the real people when he woke up

They never were, but Phil put them in the window upstairs once the eggs were back

When the eggs first went missing, Phil took out some cookbooks, and every single meal that looked frequently used/visited was made, and always left out for Missa

If they weren’t eaten, Phil would eat half of it for his dinner the next day, the other half in a fridge

He actually made Missa a fridge to put all these meal in and painted it to suit his vibes

The trash cans used to always filled with sticky notes because everyday, Phil would write ‘Dinner for you’ with a silly little doodle on it for Missa if he returned while sleeping

Tallulah writes in cursive

When Missa was gone, Phil used to write his name like Misƨa (second s is backwards) and make the tops each s look like half a heart, so it made a heart in his name

Missa picked up on this and always wrote Philza instead of Phil so he could put a heart with the z and a

Im bad at explaining so this is what I mean by their names:

[luna-writes-stuff]

What types the Crows would fall for:

Includes Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Jesper Fahey, Wylan van Eck, Nina Zenik, and Matthias Helvar.

————————————————————————

Kaz Brekker:

This man relies on every realistic aspect. Whenever planning something, or even thinking about something, he runs through everything that could go wrong and analyses it properly. He needs someone with a mind that completely contradicts it. Someone who could think of creative solutions he usually wouldn’t come up with. And not only the mental aspect of creative. If you engage in something such as painting or embroidery, he’d love that too. His mind is complicated, and completely logistic and analytical. He doesn’t leave much room for imagination or creativity. He relies on you to do that for him. And when you can, it’ll grow on his list of things to adore you for. Your ideas are the most captivating for them; he’s always admired a good mind. But that doesn’t mean other outings of creativity go unwanted by him. He will proudly display your items throughout his office, leaving portraits for heists hanging in the halls.

——

Inej Ghafa:

Inej is very hesitant because of obvious reasons. She has been through some stuff and it still messes with her. She’d 100% love someone who just soothes her when necessary, but in a somewhat distant manner. Words of affirmation or tiny services are good enough for her. She’d fall for the type who is able to see the good in everything. To turn even the glummest of points into something somewhat positive. When she has that dip in her mood, she tends to see the worst in everything and make it add to her already terrible state. If you would point out all the things that she can learn from this, or all the things that are not necessarily evil, she’d be comforted so much. Even by the mere thought of it. Gently reassure her that you’re there, even after everything she has been through. She can run to you, she can find refuge with you. She adores the way your voice switches tone when she’s down, or how you’ll approach others on a daily basis. Everything about you is so calming, not just to her. She takes great pride in that.

——

Jesper Fahey:

Outwit him, please. When he flirts, flirt back. Play that uno reverse card. It only takes one sarcastic or charismatic remark to make him fall. “You come here often?” “No, but seeing you here, I think I should.” BOOM, GONE. Just like that. Now, he’ll constantly follow you around, placing compliments here and there, flirting with you continuously. He’ll buy your drinks, he’ll hold your chair, he’ll take your coat. This man becomes a puppy, but with attitude. And once you actually get together, he will not stop. But now he’ll include kisses on top of your head, hands around your waist, hugs from behind, hands buried in your pockets, hands running through your hair, hands everywhere. He needs to be touching you constantly. If you grow uncomfortable under this, he’ll try to keep his hands to himself, but he cannot help the occasional touch on your shoulder. A simple remainder he is still there. He respects it, he truly does, but he cannot always help himself. You’re just so gorgeous and witty and breathtaking and you picked him???? He wants to show that shit off, okay?

——

Wylan van Eck:

As Kaz, Wylan has always loved creative people. Mentally or practically. Most adoration would go towards sculptors, I’d like to believe. Whether you create tiny statues out of clay or huge cut out marble. He doesn’t care. Hell, you could make a birdhouse from wood and he’d like it. Though your looks and kindness would initially captivate him, his admiration grows as he discovers your hobbies. And from that, he decided to do a lot of actual research! Need some inspiration? He’s your guy. He makes it his entire duty to give you a good idea. I’m talking, nose deep into books to note something. He himself loves to tell stories, and it gives you a lot of ideas through this. The funniest part is that he doesn’t even know it. When he tries to look for something, you usually dismiss it (kindly), but when he’s ranting about something or comes up with a funny story, the ideas start flowing. Late nights are always spent on the bed, hand entangled as he talks and you listen, occasional kisses places on top of your head.

——

Nina Zenik:

Nina is smitten with badasses. I mean the people who practise sports such as Kung-Fu, Judo, Krav Maga, boxing etc. etc. Not only is it incredibly hot to her, because who wouldn’t think it’s hot, but she loves the movement of your figure throughout the practises. It looks so flawless and graceful. There is so much commitment and dedication in your eyes, she thinks it is absolutely stunning. And you, quite literally, kick ass. It’s a turn on for her, okay? Anyone who can beat her in physical combat. If you have some good strong arm and/or leg muscles to go with that, she falls even deeper. Because, you’re kidding. Not only are you the most awesome person she has ever met, but there are muSCLES???? You actually met through a argument gone wrong at the Crow Club. Someone got too close to a friend of yours and you full on body slammed them into the table. She was nearby when it happened, and she thought that person was going for her. In her eyes, you saved her. You haven’t corrected her on it. She’d wrap her arms around one of yours when walking constantly. Not because it makes her feel safer - even though it does -, but because you’re so damn huggable, she cannot get enough of it.

——

Matthias Helvar:

We have seen him around Nina; he needs some joy in his life. Someone who makes him laugh. And that’s a whole task. Initially, you had stumble into something and you ended up falling like an idiot, but Matthias thought it was absolutely hilarious. And since that laugh, you had begun to make it a task to hear that more often. Yes, he had a nice laugh, but also, his usual stoic self seems to fade away so flawlessly. It’s a whole other side for him, which you seem to appreciate very much. And for him; who doesn’t love laughing? Being so gleeful you have to audibly out it? That is why he fell for you. He felt so happy and relieved around your mere presence. He knew he was safe with you and vice versa. You bring out the best in him, as cheesy as it may sound. And now, he will protect you with his life. He has this habit of stepping near you every time someone nears. Subtly, at first, but eventually he’d end up blocking your view entirely. That’s his sunshine. No one touches it with evil intent.

[m-jelly]

Tea for two - Chapter 6

Pairing: Post-war Levi x Fem!Reader

Tags and warnings: Canon world, post-war, injured Levi, scarred Levi, romance, falling in love, fluff, angst, emotional pain, emotional Levi, foreplay, sex, smut, hungry Levi, unprotected sex.

In this chapter: You and Levi have a romantic moment in the garden. Levi sets the mood with a romantic bath time, which soon gets heated.

AO3 Link

Part 7

You carried a tray through the cottage and outside into the large garden. A sweet smile spread on your lips when you saw Levi looking at his plans and drawing on some wood. You admired the selection of paints he had picked for the wonderful birdhouses he was going to make. “Looking good, honey.”

Levi perked up at your words. “Thank you, I mean…I haven’t done much.” He reached up to his hair. “It’s got nothing in it and all fluffy, but I’m glad you like how I look.”

You blushed. “Oh yeah, it is fluffy.”

Levi stared at you for a while as he slowly pieced together everything. He looked down at his work and then back at you as his cheeks slowly went red. “You meant the work I’m doing.”

You walked up to Levi and hugged him tightly. “Aww, don’t be sad. I did mean your work, but you are incredibly handsome. I love how fluffy your hair is. You have cute bed hair.” You massaged your fingers into his hair. “You’re not looking good, you’re looking incredible.” You kissed him and hummed. “Love you.”

Levi blushed. “Love you too.” He hugged you tightly and pressed his face against your body so he could hide. “Mm.”

You swayed with your man a little. “Leviiii, I love youuu.”

He pulled back and pouted. “Kiss.”

You kissed him and hummed. “So, the paints.”

He hummed and moved them. “I picked my favourite colour and yours, so it’s the two of us together.”

“It’s perfect.”

He started cutting up the wood as he followed his plans. He smiled happily thinking about making more things for you and him. He looked at you and blushed when you made a cute heart with your fingers. He put his tools down and made a heart with his two remaining fingers on his right hand and two fingers on his left. He smiled in pride when he got it just right. He blushed when you blew him a kiss and started tending to the flowers as Bo slept on his side.

Levi called your name. “How are your parents?”

You picked up a potted plant and thought about your sweet parents. “They’re good. They like being by the mountains, lake and forest. They’re just enjoying their time with the dogs.”

“They’re not working, right?”

You hummed. “Mum was a teacher and dad worked in a trading company. Dad worked his way up and was for the people. He helped so many out, he got them all good pay as well. He took care of others because he never forgot his routes job-wise. They’ve retired 'cause he made good money and he was great at saving.”

Levi shifted on his feet a little. “Do…do you think…”

You put the plant in the hole you made and patted and compacted it. “Yes, I think my father would like you and my mother would be in love with you.”

Levi smiled a little. “I’m glad. Do they know about me?”

You nodded. “They do. I sent them a letter about you. They’re really happy.”

“They are?”

You hummed. “Dad just hopes you don’t do anything dangerous.”

Levi played with his hammer. “He knows about my past?”

“Yep. Dad knows a lot about people, he needed to with his role.”

He whined a little. “I’ll behave. I refuse to leave you or let you go.”

You giggled. “Holding me captive, huh?”

“Yes.”

You smiled sweetly as you thought about your life with Levi. “You know, what? I rather like that I’m being held captive by you.”

Levi smiled a little to himself. “Good.”

You stood up and moved to the tray with drinks. You pulled off your gloves and popped them into your gardening apron. “You should take a break, my love.”

He released a long sigh. “I know, but I want to get this all done.”

You rubbed his back. “There’s no need to rush. Some things take time.”

He gazed at you. “You’re right.” He frowned when he saw a bit of dirt on your cheek. “Tch, dirty.”

You blushed. “Oh, sorry you hate dirt.”

He picked up a cloth and rubbed your cheek. “It’s okay when it’s on you. You make it look good.”

You blushed at his words. “Mm, thanks.”

He lowered the cloth and leaned closer and kissed you. “You’re beautiful.”

You whined a little. “Levi.”

He moved closer to you. “You want more kisses?”

You nodded. “Please.”

He pulled you against him and crashed his lips against yours. He purred as he kissed you over and over. He pushed you backwards causing you both to lie back on the floor. He pressed his body against yours and grinded. He kissed along your jawline to your ear and nibbled your earlobe a little. He licked your neck before sucking on your skin.

You tangled your fingers in Levi’s hair. “Levi.”

He panted as he gazed down at you. “I love you.”

You smiled as the sun shone behind Levi’s head. “I love you too.” You delicately cupped his face.

He whined and leaned his cheek against your hand. “I…I want…” He lowered his head and pressed it against your breasts. “Mm.”

You massaged your fingers into Levi’s hair. “You want? What do you want?”

He squeezed you. “I want to make love to you like a man who knows what he’s doing.”

You hummed a laugh. “You’ll do wonderful. We’ll slowly ease into it.”

He lifted his head. “I’ll study hard and listen to you.”

“I know you will.”

Levi tangled his fingers into your hair and moved his hips a little. “There are so many things I want to do to you.”

You shivered in delight. “Me too.”

Levi leaned closer as thoughts drifted through his mind of what he wanted to do to you. He frowned when he heard a loud sniffing in his ear. He turned his head and groaned as Bo licked his face. “Ugh! Bo!”

You laughed hard. “Bo just wanted to give you some kisses! He’s a good boy!”

Levi sat back and rubbed his cheek. “Disgusting.”

You hummed a laugh as you sat up. “It’s just kisses.”

Levi grunted when Bo jumped on him and rolled against him. “Damn, mutt.” He let out a long sigh and began fussing Bo and hugging him. “It’s a good job I love you.” He patted Bo. “Off you get, Daddy has to work.”

You blushed hard. “Did…did you call yourself…daddy?”

He sat up and ruffled his hair. “I-I like the umm…thought.”

You dove at Levi as you squealed in delight. “Me too! You’ll be amazing.” You leaned up and looked down at Levi. “You’re truly wonderful, Levi.”

He smiled softly. “Thank you.” He moved his hand to your bum and squeezed. “I love you.”

“I love you.”

“You’ll be a perfect mother. I’m looking forward to starting a family, b-but first, we have to…umm…”

You hummed a laugh and sat up on his hips. “We will.” You rolled your hips against him and bounced a little. “This is how it’ll be for a bit.”

Levi gulped hard. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“You’ve gotten used to me touching you, so next will be touching me.”

He nodded and eyed your thighs and crotch. “I’m looking forward to that.”

You leaned your arms on his chest. “Me too. I know you’ll do incredible.”

He gripped your thighs and massaged. “Ngh, I should get to work on the birdhouse. If I don’t know, I will get very hot and bothered.”

You giggled. “I know what you mean.” You climbed off Levi. “I have a garden to tend to. Do you need help getting up?”

Levi blushed and looked at his lap. “I don’t think I need any help at all, just look at me.”

You stared at the tent in Levi’s trousers. “I meant standing up, but I am very interested in this meaning.”

Levi groaned. “I got it wrong.”

You held his hands and helped him stand up. “I rather like it.” You pulled him against you and kissed him. “I’ll get back to work.”

Levi released a long sigh as you bent over and started tending to the garden. He eyed your behind and felt the strain below. He turned away and mumbled under his breath. “Birdhouses. Make the birdhouses. Focus.”

You sat in the comfy window seat and gazed out at the rain coming down. You traced a raindrop that dragged down the window and admired how pretty it was. You smiled when you heard Levi limping closer to you. You turned your head and smiled at him. “You okay?”

He nodded and took your hand in his. “Come with me.”

You slipped off the window seat and walked with him. “Where are we going?”

“Surprise.”

You hummed a laugh. “Exciting.”

Levi pulled you along to the bathroom to show the large bath was full of hot water, there were rose petals around and nice candles lit. “I umm…” He let go of your hand and lifted a tray with some drinks, strawberries and chocolate. “I wanted to make you something. You dote on me so much and I wanted to give back.”

“It’s perfect.” You smiled. “You’ll be joining me, right?”

“If you want me to.”

“I do.”

He put the tray down. “I’ll join you then.”

You started taking your things off and noticed Levi was staring at you. You smiled softly and dropped your dress so you were in underwear. “You can look as much as you like.”

He gulped hard. “You look incredible.”

“Thank you.” You reached behind your back and unclipped your bra. “You won’t think much of me once I’m naked.”

Levi moved closer. “You’re beautiful. Did someone make you feel like you’re not?”

You sighed. “Yeah, but I’ll be okay.”

“Your ex is awful.”

You smiled softly. “Yeah, yeah he is.”

He gulped and looked at your chest. “Can I take your things off and touch you?”

You nodded. “Yes.”

Levi pulled your bra off and tossed it to the floor. “So beautiful.” He reached over and massaged. “I enjoyed touching them last time.”

“I’m glad.” He hummed and looked down at your body. “Can I take off your underwear?”

“Yes.”

He released your chest and grabbed the edges of your panties and slowly pulled them down. He looked up and blushed when he saw you were naked in front of him. He stood up and growled. “You look…fuck…”

You hummed a laugh. “Thanks.”

You walked to the bath. “You coming?”

“Yes.”

You got into the bath and looked over at Levi. You smiled as he undressed and revealed his naked body. You admired his muscles and a few scars, along with his treasure trail to his incredible cock. “Mm, you look good enough to eat.”

Levi walked closer. “Thank you.”

You nibbled your lip and purred. “I wanna touch and kiss.”

Levi climbed into the bath and sank into the water. “You can do that.”

You moved closer to him. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Comfy?”

“Yes.”

You caressed his cheek. “I’m glad.”

Levi yanked you against him. “Don’t get shy with me. Lie with me.”

You shifted your body against Levi’s. “I love the confidence.”

“Your body feels so nice against mine.”

You nuzzled the crook of Levi’s neck. “You feel nice.”

Levi ran his hands over your perfect body. “You feel better.” He kissed you and sighed. “I love you.”

You smiled a little. “I love you too.”

Levi turned you around in his arms and sat you back to chest. He hugged you tightly. “Mm, you look good.” He looked down at your body. “Could I try touching you?”

You took Levi’s hand in yours. “Yes.”

“I have studied.”

You hummed a laugh as you moved his hand down your body. “I know how dedicated you are. I’ll give you a little lesson.”

“Please.” He nipped your neck. “I want to be very educated on you.”

You moved his left hand up and down in a slow and teasing manner. “This, mm, is a great place to tease. If you part these lips you get to everything else.”

Levi parted them and ran his fingers up and down slowly. “You feel wonderful.”

You moaned a little. “Thank you.” You gulped as you shifted in Levi’s arms. “Down here.”

Levi curled his fingers into you making you moan. “You perfect vagina.” He moved his fingers in and out a little before plunging them in deeper. “You’re so hot inside.”

You gripped Levi’s upper arms. “Mm, Levi.”

He looked down at your body to see what his hand was doing to you. “Your walls as so soft.”

You leaned your head back and moaned when he rubbed your G-spot. “A-ah!”

Levi paused his movements. “Are you okay?”

“Y-you found it.” You shivered. “I can’t believe you found my G-spot.”

“That’s a good thing, right?”

You nodded and moved your hips to get him to touch again. “It’s incredible.” You panted a little. “More, please.”

Levi moved his fingers again. “Like that?”

You gripped his arms tighter. “Little faster.” You cried out in delight. “That’s it. Yes.” You closed your eyes and panted as you felt your coil tighten up. “Mm, I’m nngh, I’m close.”

Levi cupped the side of your face and turned your head. “I want to see.��

You opened your eyes and gazed at Levi. You panted and shivered under his touch. “I love you.”

“I love you.”

You cried out when you felt a snap and a rush of euphoria go through you. “Ah!”

Levi gasped in delight. “Incredible. You look so good.”

You gulped hard. “You were really good.”

Levi whined. “I’m not done yet.”

You blushed. “N-Not done?”

He nodded and moved his hand up a little. “You have this little button on you I want to touch.” He kissed your neck. “It’s called the clit, right?”

You nodded. “Y-Yes.”

He slid his fingers up and gasped in delight. “Here!” He moved his fingers slowly. “It’s like a little bean.”

You clenched your toes tightly and purred in delight. “Levi.”

“Does this feel good?”

You moaned. “It feels incredible.” You panted. “Don’t stop.”

Levi moved his right hand up and gripped your breast. “You feel so soft and warm. I love touching you. I just want to make you feel good all the time.”

You slammed your hands on the edges of the bath. “Fuck.”

“You’re just so wonderful and perfect. I love you so much. You’re incredible. I just want you to always feel good.” He bit your neck. “You’re everything to me. You’re my reason for living and this new life within me.”

You turned your head and whimpered. “Kiss me.”

Levi crashed his lips against yours. He pulled on your lip and pushed his tongue into your mouth. He kissed you passionately as his heart raced in his chest. He pressed your body against his causing you to feel his hard erection against your back. He pulled from your lips and whimpered. “Darling.”

You turned around in Levi’s arms and faced him. You knelt up on shaky legs and purred. “I’m close and I know you are.”

He blushed. “You’re just so…arousing.”

You shuffled closer. “Do you want to feel me from the inside?”

He gulped hard and nodded. “Please.”

You smiled at him. “I know you probably imagined our first time in bed, but it feels right. Unless you don’t want to?”

Levi gazed at you with a sparkle in his eyes. “I want to.”

You knelt up. “It’ll feel very different and odd.”

“I know it’ll feel incredible.”

You smiled at him. “I hope so.” You held him and slowly sank onto him. “Breathe, Levi.”

Levi sharply inhaled through his teeth. “S-So g-good.”

You paused a moment to help Levi and he was rather thick for you. “Are you okay?”

He nodded and panted. “I sh-should be asking you th-that.”

You smiled and kissed him. “I’m great. You feel perfect so far.”

He grabbed your hips. “M-More. I w-want to feel all of you.”

You sank down on him until there was nothing more you could take. You clenched your walls around him as you enjoyed how he filled you. You cupped Levi’s face as he sat there with his eyes close and chest rising and falling at his pants. “Levi?”

He opened his eyes. “Mm.”

You smiled a little. “Does it feel nice?”

He nodded. “It feels like a dream. You’re so soft, wet and warm. I like being inside you.” He hugged you tightly. “I want to always be inside you.”

You flushed red. “I’d like that too.”

He kissed your cheek and neck as he just felt what it was like to be balls deep inside your pussy. He’d dreamt of this moment and wondered how it would feel. Levi was blown away by the sensation. He felt like he was being held by a snug warmth. He flicked your earlobe with his tongue before taking it into his mouth. He sucked a bit and moved his hips just a little causing you to mewl in delight at him.

Levi pulled back a bit and sighed. “I umm…I’m ready.”

You kissed him softly and began moving up and down on him slowly. “This feel okay?”

He nodded and grunted. “Y-Yes.” He gulped. “F-Faster.”

You nodded and started moving faster on Levi causing the water to slosh out of the bath. You gasped when Levi thrust up into you. “Mm, that’s it, Levi.”

Levi gripped your thighs and began to thrust up into you with confidence. Ah, ah, mm, ngh.”

“Good boy.”

Levi shivered. “I am.”

You kissed him and purred. “You’re doing amazing. You feel so good.”

“I do?” His eyes lit up. “I really do?”

You nodded and moaned. “I’m close.”

He wrapped his arms around you and yanked you against his body before slipping down a little into the bath. He pounded himself in and out of you. “More. I n-need more.”

You tilted your head back and cried out in pleasure. “Levi. Your cock is incredible.”

Levi clenched his toes. “Sh-shit, n-no.” He gritted his teeth. “I c-can’t-.”

You gasped as Levi thrust hard and deep before cumming deep into you. You moaned in delight but felt a little shocked when he kept cumming. “Le-Levi.”

He pressed his face against your breasts and started bucking against you again. “M-More.”

Your eyes rolled back into your head. “A-Ah!” You gripped the edge of the bath. “Levi!”

He bit your breast a bit as he lost himself in the moment. “More.”

Shaking from pleasure the only thing you could do was hold onto the bath edge for dear life as you were ravaged by humanity’s strongest. You were impressed by Levi. You had slept with your ex before, who was also a virgin, but you never felt good and as soon as he came inside you he fell asleep and you were left with an aching between your legs and you had to finish yourself off. Levi was out of this world incredible. You’d never felt this good before with your ex, you were sure it was down to some deep connection you shared or Levi just had an incredible cock and stamina.

You screamed in pleasure as you felt your coil snap. “Ah!” You moaned in delight as the rush of euphoria consumed you. “Mm.”

Levi looked up and stilled his hips as he watched you bask in your orgasm. He smiled with pride knowing he did that to you. He called your name. “You’re incredible.”

You panted and slumped against Levi. “Y-You…Levi…”

Levi hugged you. “I want more.”

You pressed your hands against Levi’s chest. “S-slow.” You laughed a little. “I can’t believe I’m telling Mr virgin to slow down in the bedroom.”

He blushed. “S-Sorry, but I just…it’s so good.”

You giggled. “I’m glad you think that.”

Levi gazed at you. “Sh-shall we move to the bedroom?”

You nodded and climbed off Levi to see he was hard still. “Huh.”

“I uh…”

“It’s impressive.”

Levi climbed out of the bath and limped closer. “I s-still want you.”

You wrapped your arms around his neck. “Go meet me in the bedroom. I’ll clean up here.”

Levi limped to the door before stopping and looking back at you. He shivered as he saw you bend over and pull the plug. He eyed your glistening pussy lips and his cum leaking out of you. “Ngh.” He hurried up behind you. “I-I’m sorry, but I need you.”

You gasped when you felt Levi’s cock against you. You shivered as you felt your arousal increase. You shifted your legs a little. “Go ahead.”

Levi held his cock and moved his tip up and down your lips before pressing into you. He wrapped his arms around you before slamming himself in deep and moaning. “S-so good.” He kissed your back. “I’m addicted.”

Your eyes rolled back into your head as Levi ravaged you again. The bathroom was filled with your desperate and pleasure-filled moans. Levi kept humping you until his leg started to hurt, so he carried you to bed and threw you on it before diving at you and taking you against the bed. You both kept going until you were aching and Levi’s leg was screaming in pain. So, you wrapped up in each other’s arms and fell asleep together. All of Levi’s worries about being a virgin were gone.

You woke up before Levi and hummed a little. You looked over at Levi and saw he was passed out and sleeping soundly. You wrapped up in some comfy clothes and checked the damage to Levi’s home from all the lovemaking. You cleaned up his bathroom and then let Bo out into the garden for his morning toilet break. You put some breakfast down for him and started making breakfast for yourself and Levi. You petted Bo and led him to the bedroom to see Levi was waking up due to you not being there.

You smiled a little. “Morning.”

Levi sat up and blushed hard. “Good morning. I uh, want to say sorry for yesterday. I lost control of myself.”

You sat down and kissed his cheek. “You didn’t lose control. You enjoy sex with me and I enjoy sex with you.”

Levi nodded. “Sex is incredible with you. I want to do it all the time.”

You placed a tray on his lap. “Same. Oh, but you need to rest today because of your leg.”

He sighed. “Yeah.”

You rubbed his chest. “We’ll have a nice relaxing day.”

“Perfect.”

You offered him meds. “Take these and you should feel better.”

Levi kissed you and sighed. “Can’t you be my medicine?”

You giggled. “Smooth talker.”

“I try.” He smiled a little. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

[solarpunkani]

okay so pardon me as I wax poetic late at night about solarpunk again but like

and once again, I'm biased because I'm co-hosting the aesthetic week event, you know the drill, but

I feel like sharing our projects--big and small--are so important because they can inspire other people to do their own. And obviously this can be about sharing news about climate action, and scientific projects and progress and discoveries, but tonight I'm thinking about crocheting.

As we think about the future we want to create as solarpunks, we trade ideas. And oftentimes a lot of the ideas we trade are about futures with barter systems, where many many people do crafts like sewing and mending and knitting and the like. But--and I could easily be the only one but I feel like I'm not--I personally was too nervous to start many crafts myself. Because I didn't know what I'd do with the craft, if I was even capable of it, or if it was too big and complex for me. I'd been tossing around the idea of learning how to crochet for years, and my mom's been tossing the idea around just as long if not even longer for herself, but y'know what brought me over? You know what finally got me to give it a shot?

An online Solarpunk friend sharing pictures of a bag.

I saw that bag and I went 'huh maybe I could do something like that,' and within a few days I'd bought a bunch of yarns and hooks and was on a call (with a different online friend) learning how to do some basic stitches and knots to get started. By the end of the night, I was teaching myself how to make granny squares, with the help of a (different) online friend writing instructions to help me out as I got stuck.

And maybe I finish my bag, or my scarf, and I post a picture online--not even a professional, pinterest-ready photo, just a quick pic of it laid across my bed or something--and I inspire someone else to start crocheting. Hell, I've already inspired my mom to take a crack at it once the Christmas season is over.

But it doesn't even have to be me. It doesn't even have to be crocheting. Maybe someone posts a picture of a hat they just finished knitting, and someone else decides to pick up a loom or some knitting needles. Maybe someone crafts a birdhouse or a desk or a bench out of wood, and someone picks up a hammer for the first time. Maybe someone crafts something awesome out of clay and wire, and someone gets inspired for a new project. It can even be across artforms! Maybe someone sews an awesome dress, and someone else is inspired to write a short story by it. Maybe someone writes a short story, and someone else goes to paint a mural somewhere inspired by a scene in that story.

And in a sense I find it incredibly solarpunk. To inspire one another to learn and grow, develop new skills, to always find inspiration and hope to keep trying new stuff.

Some people laugh and scoff at the idea of posting ~aesthetique~ homemade clothes to the solarpunk tag, a handful think the whole aesthetic week event is pointless, but I find it the opposite. Solarpunk is about revolution, but it can't always be big revolutions. Sometimes its the small revolution of picking up a craft that changes your life, or creating an image that inspires others to fight for a better future. It can be about writing something that makes others question why things are the way they are, when they can be better. Sometimes the desire for a nice knit scarf can be the start of a mini barter system, or become part of the mutual aid we all dream of.

I feel like I had a point with this but I forgot. But uhm... yeah.

[puhpandas]

Carbon Fiber Hilt

(3,551 words) warnings: mentions of death, mind control, spiraling, panic attacks, knives, blood, trauma. the usual kinda

Gregory, while over at Tony's house, is asked to cut the vegetables for dinner. He never really was able to get over the feeling of the hilt of a knife in his hand.

Gregory hasn't picked up a knife since that night. He hasnt had any reason to. Vanessa has also avoided being even near one like the plague.

He hadn't had a reason to for a long time. A year and a half, actually. Maybe just a bit less than that. Knives were scarce in a house full of people terrified of them, and they were never needed when Vanessa would find meals to make that distinctively did not require one to prepare.

But time has passed. A lot of it has. And Gregory should have known he wouldn't have been able hide from one forever.

Its not the first time Gregorys been to Tony's house. It's small and old, and it shows in the asymmetrical-ness and appearance, but it's not a dump. It's very well kept and lived in, and its evident; theres flowers in the front yard and a birdhouse and a little rainbow pinwheel. Theres windchimes that Gregory can always hear from inside on particularly windy days and the place is made almost entirely out of old wood. It's just old.

Gregory never understood why Tony is so embarrased to take him here. His Mom and Grandma are really nice. His Grandma has wisdom to share and a glint in her eye, and she has crows feet all across her eyes that show off how much she smiles. Tony's Mom isnt much different. She also smiles, but it's more optimism and less joy. Theres bags under her eyes that show how shes struggled but a shine in her eye that tells that she isnt unhappy. Gregory thinks he sees that in Vanessa a lot.

Its comfortable at Tony's house, in a way that Gregory's apartment he shares with Vanessa and Freddy isnt. He loves his home, but theres a distinctness between the landlord white paint and gray cabinets in his house and the rich, homey wood of Tonys.

Gregory feels comfortable there. He thinks that Tony's family catches onto the same thing one day where they ask him if he wants to help with dinner.

"Mom." Tony grits out incredulously after she asks the question, her head peeking through the arch leading to the kitchen. "Greg shouldn't have to do that, remember?"

"Its okay, Tony." Gregory smiles easily, and any contempt he'd felt on his behalf seems to melt away when Tony catches his eye. "I don't mind helping."

That's how he ends up in the kitchen, shoulder to shoulder with Tony (he tries not to be too hyper aware of that) and his Grandma, stood in front of the counter.

"Perfect timing." Tony's Grandma grins at Gregory. "I needed someone to cut the vegetables anyway."

She then gestures to the counter, and the implications don't click in Gregory's head until far too late. He turns to look at the counter, and there, by the cutting board, is a-- knife.

Its blade is a clean, silver-ish white, and the hilt a black with the telltale three dots in the handle.

Before, he could hear the simmering of meat and smell the delicious aroma of whatever food Tony's family is cooking up. As soon as he lays eyes on the blade, it all washes away.

He knows he goes rigid against Tony's shoulder. The fabric of his T-Shirt rubs uncomfortably against his arm, and flashes and memories of a brown fursuit enter his mind without permission.

It's almost comical, how much it looks like the one he had--

"Greg?" Tony's voice rips him out of it, and it's only now Gregory realizes he was spiraling. The sound of cooking food and the sight of the yellow countertops, and Tony's worried face enter his vision.

He sets a hand on his arm, and all Gregory can do is stare with wide eyes, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. He's suddenly aware of the hammering in his heart, and that's the only thing that reminds him to breathe.

He breathes in slowly, not wanting to attract attention from Tony's family. Tony looks at him, and Gregory recognizes the concern in his eyes. It would be far from the first time Gregory has spiraled in front of Tony; hes done it unprompted countless times before. Tony is sometimes even a trigger himself.

Gregory catches Tony's gaze and Gregory can tell he's searching for what's wrong. Gregory shakes his head, trying to clear away the fog, and he returns the hand on Tony's arm, trying to smile. He doesnt know if it works or not.

"Its okay." He tells Tony. "I'm okay. I swear."

The entire time, he keeps his gaze carefully away from the knife still sitting untouched by the cutting board. Thankfully, Tony's family doesnt comment on how he hasnt started yet. Gregory exhales shakily when he can see the glint of the blade in the corner of his eye, but he stubbornly pushes it down, keeping his eyes on Tony.

"I-- I swear." He repeats, but it's way less certain than he wants it to be.

Thankfully, though, Tony let's it go. He just nods, turning to whatever it is his family asked him to do. Gregory doesnt look away immediately, and he can feel Tony glancing at him from the corner of his eye with worry. A watchful gaze.

He can see the silver shining in his peripherals. He knows it's there, and yet, despite how much he stubbornly hates how much it can send him shaking like a leaf, he cant force himself to look at it.

That's okay, he tells himself. Sometimes you arent ready to see things head on. Sometimes, when he and Tony sleepover at eachothers places, either of them can wake up from a nightmare and not be able to even see the other. Those nights, Gregory will just hold his hand to let him know hes there, and Tony will do the same for him.

That's what he needs to do. Touch is a way to dip your toe into the water, right? Gregory may not be ready to see a knife yet, but maybe he can still do what Tony's family wants him to without crumpling in on himself.

He can still feel Tony's intense look on him. He hasnt shifted his gaze away from the random spot on the counter this whole time. His shoulders shake, but he pushes past it, ignoring how he can only inch towards the handle instead of grabbing it. The simmering of the food on his left consumes his senses. It sounds like static.

His hand inches closer, and Gregory curses inwardly at how his hand trembles. It's just a knife. It's just a knife. Everybody can use a knife. It's just for the vegetables.

It's only because hes focused on his inner thoughts does his hand not retract away like it had been burned when it gets close. Hes unaware, blissfully for a moment, as his hand grows closer.

The handle of the knife (carbon fiber. he shouldn't know that.) only brushes against his fingertips.

It happens suddenly. In the split second his fingers touched the material, he felt the ridges in the material, the rough texture of the hilt. He felt electricity shoot up his arm so bad it hurt. He felt the way his shoulder jerked when his hand retreated so quickly you would think the knife bit at him. It might as well have.

The sudden movement of his arm drawing back and the burning touch of the knife's hilt makes him spiral. Hes all too aware of the burn in his shoulder blade and all he can think about is plunging the knife deep into something. Swinging with all his might with the intent to kill. The blade digging into something soft. Flesh.

His vision darkens around the edges. Somebody is talking to him-- Tony, he can recognize. He cant see him, because his eyes have gone dark. His arms are glued to his sides. The darkness creeps around the edge of his vision, like shadowy tendrils, and immediately, panic grips his insides.

Hes back. Hes taking back over. The shadow always meant he was being put under. No. No. He doesnt want to. He wants to go home he never wanted to do this. He never wanted to be so painfully aware of what it was like to live in shadows. In darkness. Underground where prying eyes could never see.

Gregory thinks there are hands touching his shoulders and his arms. His eyes are wide; he can feel the skin stretching. Hes aware of burning eyes enough with how much he tries to scrub the shadows away and this is no different.

His feet move, but he isnt aware of making them. The darkness is still here, and he doesnt know where hes going. Who's touching him. Hes back. hes back hes back hes back he has my body hes never going to let me out hes going to kill everyone--

All hes aware of is how it feels like hes back. He doesnt acknowledge a door closing, or how the floor transitions into hard wood to carpet, or how his breathing stutters and stalls like a car failing to start.

He's back there, and all he can feel is the hopelessness and incapability of being trapped. Locked away tight. Unable to fight back. Doubled down on because hes the favorite the favorite the wizards most favored apprentice--

"Greg?" Hands push at his shoulders, and Gregory feels the wall touch his back and his body slide down the wall. His shirt rides up his back, and all he can feel is the wet, sweaty fursuit riding on his skin. Rubbing it raw with plush and blistering when it gets sticky with blood. "Greg, can you hear me?"

He shakes his head, over and over, deliriously. He cant revel in the fact that he can control himself when he swears the voice is calling out to him. Can you hear me? You dont know me, but I know you. I can tell we're going to be great partners.

"Gregory, please--" The voice begs. Gregory pauses. The voice never begged. It only commanded. Directed. Instructed. "You cant breathe! You gotta listen to me. Hear my voice! Its Tony. Okay?"

The fog encompassing his mind (hes back hes back) lifts ever so slightly, enough for him to think. The fact that he can think at all propels him to push, and it's like it all comes rushing back. A kitchen. A knife. A house.

"You arent being controlled. He isnt back, okay? I know that's what you're thinking and its not true. Your brain is playing tricks on you again." The voice reaches him, and Gregory latches onto the familiarity of it, the tone and the richness but roughness of it making it through. "Trust me. Please."

Gregory never wanted to trust the voice. He never wanted to. He never did. But it had always been too late before.

He knows he would never want to trust the voice, but he finds that here, he does. He would never view the voice positively. The tightness in his chest and the darkness encompassing him ebb ever so slightly, and he peers through the cracks, like looking at the light at the end of a dark tunnel.

Tony he realizes. And with that comes the floodgates. Tony. Tony wouldnt be here if Gregory hadn't broke free last year. Gregory wouldn't be here if he hadn't broke free last Spring.

He pushes, and the black edging his vision let's up enough for him to see. He's in Tony's room, he can tell that much, and he can see that Tony himself is on his knees on the carpet in front of him, even through the fog, Gregory can see the panic and the worry on Tony's face.

"T--" His breath stutters. "Tony."

It's like seeing underwater, but Gregory can see the way Tony sags in relief at that. "Yeah, Greg. Its me." His voice reaches his ears, and Gregory revels in it. He revels that it reminds him of all those times he listened to Tony's voice to remind himself he's still here. That they both are. "You're at home, with me. Okay? You got freaked out over something but you're fine now. You can start coming back down to earth."

Despite himself, and the way his fingers still tingle and burn from where the handle of the knife burned him, he chuckles. "Says you."

Tony laughs as well, and Gregory feels the smile stretch on his face instinctively at the sound. It's like throwing him a rope, the beautiful sound, and he grabs ahold of it with both hands. "So you're probably feeling better now."

The final bits of blurriness ebb from his vision, and hes able to see clearly. He takes a moment, taking in Tony and the yellows and greens of his room and his green jacket and his blue eyes and his smile.

His body aches. His shoulders burn from how they're hunched, and Gregory's just able to stop himself from spiraling again at how familiar it is. How his muscles would scream when he would be in control, but he'd never stop. Never rest. Never stop swinging until the task was done. The inherit lack of feeling pain is one of the most blaring memories Gregory has that makes him so certain whatever had him was more inhuman than he could ever imagine.

He loosens his muscles, and Tony stays silent, just watching him with concerned eyes. Gregorys hand still burns; it feels like sparks flew when he'd touched the handle of the knife and now he has the burns to prove it. It twitches, and Gregory grips at Tony's carpet to try to scratch the feeling away. It doesnt work.

Tony notices. He always does. It doesnt help that it was with his left hand. Tony's eyes soften, wide and worried, and Gregory let's himself stare back as he catches his breath and tries to focus on anything that isnt the tingling in his fingertips.

He's only mostly aware when Tony shifts positions to his left side. He presses himself flush against Gregorys shoulder, like at the counter, but before Gregory can think about touching the knife again Tony is grabbing his left hand.

"I'm sorry." He says. "I should have said something about the knife. Or stopped you. This could have been avoided if I hadn't just watched--"

"No." Gregory cuts him off, voice raspy and breathless. "Its not your fault. I should have known it was a bad idea. Its just been so long that I..." He trails off. It really isnt Tony's fault, too. Gregory knows what it's like to just watch.

"Its been a year and a half, Greg." Tony points out. "I think... I think anybody would understand if you never wanted to even see a knife again after what happened to you."

Gregory nods, and despite how much he hates it, he finds himself agreeing. "I never wanted to." He says. He shuts his eyes tight and focuses on Tony's hand in his instead of the burning in his fingertips. "I didnt want to. I tried to fight back but it only made-- I only--"

Tony shushes him, squeezing his hand and pressing their shoulders closer. He uses his fingers to fidget with the tips of Gregory's, and it washes some of the prickling away to make room for Tony's warmth. "I know, Greg."

"He made me pick one." Gregory whispers, voice shaking. "I had to choose which one to kill them all with. The one in the kitchen looked just like the one I--"

"He's gone, Gregory." Tony reminds him. "You broke free."

Gregory shakes his head, his throat still feeling dry. "No." He whispers. "I never-- I never got freed. Not like how I helped Vanessa." That fear, that long suffering paralyzing uncertainty that keeps him second guessing if anything is real comes back full force, and his breath hitches. He eyes Tony's face, and their hands, trying to ground himself before he spirals. "What if--"

"He wont." Tony tells him, and theres a certain assertiveness that forces some part of Gregory to believe him. To turn away from the shadows dancing across the walls of his mind. "And if he does, we'll save you. We won't let him hurt you or anyone else."

Gregory revels in the reassurance, knowing that he's said the same thing to Vanessa multiple times. If Gregory has been able to believe it for her, maybe theres some hope for him as well. He breaths out a shaky puff of air, and he doesnt realize his eyes are unfocusing again until Tony squeezes his hand.

"I wont let him hurt you." Tony says, and theres some sort of edge to his voice that makes Gregory glance up at his face. Theres a shadow under his brow and a darkness to his eyes, but Gregory knows the anger is not directed at him. Not when Tony meets his eyes and they soften immediately. "You broke free for me all that time ago. Just so he wouldnt hurt me. I'll be there to ground you, or-- or to save you instead of the other way around."

Despite himself, Gregory's able to crack a smile at that, small as it is. He glances down at their hands, and feels the pressure. It's not cold like the handle of a knife, nor uncomfortably hot hot hot from the sweltering insides of the suit he had been trapped in. His hands do not twitch under plush and fabric; they curl around Tony's fingers, and the pressure is comforting. Welcome.

"My knight in shining armor." Gregory says quietly. Its something Vanessa would joke about when they'd talk about it and the games would be brought up. A little knight and the lost princess.

Gregory doesnt think apprentices have knights. Maybe that's what he had intended all along. No chance of getting out. No chavelry in silver armor to ride up and save you. Just the apprentice and the wizard.

Tony's fingers twitch themselves, and they shift to squeeze tighter around Gregory's own, entertwining like steel chainmail. My knight in shining armor he thinks. Maybe knights dont need a princess to be heroes.

Its warm; theres only the soft light of Tony's bedroom lamp on his desk with scattered notes and his own drawings carefully stacked around the edge, and Gregory can still hear the faint clattering of dishware across the house. The sky outside the window is a deep blue, and theres no purple to be found.

Tony's hand sends prickles up Gregorys own, but it's not like the rubbing of skin against plush fabric. It's not unwelcome. It's like fireworks dancing across his skin, electricity buzzing across his fingertips and his knuckles.

Gregory heaves out a final breath, and all the tightness in his chest leaves with it. Gregory can see how Tony smiles at him in-between the steadily dissipating darkness, and Gregory hangs onto it. It's a smile like one hes never seen before. Soft, crinkled at the eyes and filled with nothing but fondness.

Nothing like his smile. Nothing like the frozen grin when Gregory'd do a job well done. The grin that'd stick onto his face even when Gregory refused to--

"I think I'm ready to go back now." Gregory says, his voice clear now and unmuddled to his ears. It's only now that he realizes that he's still leaning against Tony against the door of his room, and their hands are still entertwined. His fingers are tingling, and it's only now that they twitch, but for a completely different reason. The shoulder that's pressed up against Tony's is warm and Gregory is painfully aware of it.

Not in a bad way. Gregory knows what it's like to be warm in a bad way. This is comforting in the way only Tony is. Even Vanessa and Freddy feel different than this.

Tony hums next to him, and doesnt move to get up at all. "My Mom will come get us when dinners done." He says, and his hand grips tighter and his shoulder presses closer. His neck twists to look over at him, and Gregory has to fight to not look away when he turns his face the same direction and they meet eyes.

Theres a brief, stuttering moment where they dont move at all. Dont breathe. But then Gregory is letting his forehead tip into Tony's shoulder and lie there.

"Okay." Is all he says. And that's it. Tony leans his head on Gregory's hair, and Gregory has to hide his smile at how he can hear Tony's heartbeat from the proximity and it's going a hundred miles an hour.

Gregory shuts his eyes at some point, and the darkness does not creep around the edges and pull him under. He's safe right now. Tony is here, and Tony would not be here if Gregory wasn't.

Tony squeezes his hand in between his chatting once, then twice, and any shadows that try to reach the window of his mind retreat. He's only aware of the smell of food wafting under the door, Tony's voice rambling on about something, and the warmth of Tony's hand in his.

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