#i squeal with glee every time you draw them

[minnielvrr]

Not Ticklish~

Lee: Chan Ler: Hyunjin, (lil bit of Lixie) Word Count: 2.4k

A/N: I'm really sorry if this is bad guys, I'm not feeling too well rn and I'm kinda struggling to write well😭😖 Lemme know if there are any mistakes or anything and hope you enjoy~🤗💞

Chan had lost a bet against Hyunjin and now, lying on his bed, with his hands tied above his head, he wondered if he was going to make it out alive. Hyunjin’s evil smile certainly wasn’t promising longevity.

And to top it all he’d chosen today of all days to wear short shorts and a sleeveless top. He had been really confident he’d win after all.

“Are you ready hyung?” Hyunjin asked with a giddy smile.

He was perched on Chan’s hips, slowly drawing his nails all over the leader’s sides and suddenly digging in after a few minutes just to hear Chan squealing.

“No wahait Jihihinie! I’m not reaheheheheady yehet!”

“Too bad!” Chan bit his lower lip tightly when Hyunjin began his conquest, thrashing and squirming on the bed as he tried to stay quiet. The black sheets underneath them quickly bunching up and becoming messy.

Hyunjin’s nimble fingers dove into the older’s ribs, applying a firm but gentle pressure that seemed to work wonders.

Muffled giggles fell from Chan’s lips as he wriggled around, making Hyunjin tsk at the leader. “C’mon hyung laugh~ It’s no fun if you’re being like this!”

Chan just poked his tongue out at him defiantly and Hyunjin frowned. Fine. If he was still able to be bratty, that meant Hyunjin wasn’t trying hard enough, right?

So the artist decided to have his own fun, roaming his hands all over Chan’s torso, every touch light enough that it kept Chan fighting to suppress his giggling but not so overwhelming that he was screaming for mercy….yet. That would come later.

“I know you wanna let it out hyungie~ Don’t be shy, let me hear you~” Who on earth had taught Hyunjin to be so…so stupidly good at teasing?!

Hyunjin stalled, dragging it out. He knew if he played his cards right, he’d have Chan begging in no time. So, placing his hands at Channie’s elbows, he started to scribble his way downwards….towards the lee’s ticklish armpits.

Chan squeaked once, quickly dissolving into the giddiest giggles the artist had ever heard from him, “There, much better! You’re so cute like this hyungie. We really should tickle you a lot more.” Chan’s laughter only went up in pitch at the unbearable teasing.

Chan felt like his brain got scrambled from the artist’s sweet, velvety voice, his cheeks flushing with a pretty blush that had Hyunjin cooing adoringly at him.

“Aren’t you just the cutest, hyung! Look at you, I’ve barely done anything but you’re blushing and out of breath already~” Hyunjin gushed, a strange glee in his system that turned his words into weapons.

Chan yelped, goofy cackles leaving his lips, eyes keenly watching the artist’s hands to try to predict where they would go next. Not that that would make any difference.

Hyunjin kept this torture up as he started his mock interrogation. Unbeknownst to the two a certain blonde boy wandered down the hallway, curious about the source of laughter and was now watching the scene in amusement.

“So, tell me hyung… what’s your worst spot? You know that one place that would have you screaming and begging for me to stop? Everyone has one.”

The artist was very good at setting the mood and the leader giggled nervously, hands twitching in their bonds any time the younger merely glanced at a spot.

Hyunjin pushed the older’s t-shirt up and splayed his hands on his belly. Chan flinched, shrieky giggles escaping at the feeling of hands so close to such a sensitive spot.

“I-I swear, I’m not ticklish! You-you’re wasting your time, Jinnie.” Chan hurried to say.

Hyunjin gave him a deadpan look, making him giggle at the sudden seriousness of the ferret, breaking out into an evil grin as he gave the bubbly leader a real reason to laugh.

Fingers that had been resting at his tummy, now folded into claws that dragged all over his bare torso. Chan threw his head back and laughed, the sweet sounds bringing a smile onto Jinnie’s face.

“You were saying, hmm?”

“I lied! I lahahaahaaid! Plehehehease!!” Chan gasped out between giggles. Well, that didn’t take long.

“Please what hyungie? Please tickle you more? Of course! I was planning on doing juuust that.” He dug his fingers into Chan’s abs, the older bucking wildly at the feeling.

Hyunjin scribbled up and down the lines of his abs, dipping his pinky in Chan’s navel and kneading at his sides.

“Noo, Hyuhuhuhuhune PLEHEHEHEHEASE!! AHAHAHAHAAHAA.” Hyunjin giggled along with him, admiring how red Channie’s face already was. “Just admit you’re ticklish hyung~”

As Chan's frantic cackles bounced off the walls, Felix, who had been observing quietly from the doorway, couldn't resist joining in.

Walking into the room, he sat next to Hyunjin, an arm hooked around the artist’s waist. “What did hyungie do this time?” He asked Hyunjin with a laugh.

“He lost a bet! And now he’s claiming that he’s not ticklish. The nerve!” Hyunjin’s voice was smug. It wasn’t often the kids won against Chan. “Ooh tough luck Channie~ Jinnie, want some help with him? I know a few secrets~”

Whispering to each other, Felix scooted down to sit on Chan’s knees, keeping his only free limbs pinned under his weight. And quick as a blink, they begun the torment.

Lixie’s fingers kneaded harshly over Chan’s thighs while Hyunjin peppered soft kisses all over his stomach.

It was a new feeling and something about the contrast of the two techniques had the poor lee howling with laughter, tears of mirth trailing down his rosy cheeks.

“Where should I tickle you next~?” Hyunjin lifted his head up for air, his hands moving to Chan's sides, nails grazing ever so lightly against his waist while Felix continued relentlessly.

“Plehehease Hyune, Lihihixie, staHAHAHAP!” He whined; lips formed into a pout at how mean they were being.

“Keep his eyes closed for me Jinnie. I’ll show you something.” Felix jumped off the bed, rummaged around in a drawer and grabbed something from it before making his way over to Channie’s feet.

Chan’s eyes widened comically when he heard that and he shook his head pleadingly at Felix. All he got in return were twin smirks from the two.

And then Hyunjin’s hands closed over Chan’s eyes and he felt his remaining senses heightening as his vison went dark, nervous anticipation pooling in his stomach. What was Felix up to?

Chan felt the bed dip at his feet seconds before a weight was added on his ankles, then fingers were dancing over his socked soles. The leader let out a screech that startled Hyunjin enough to let go of his face in alarm.

“Shihihit! Noahahahah. ARGHHAHAAHAAHA!!” The poor lee was hysterical, quivering like a leaf as he laughed uncontrollably.

“Hyung!” Jinnie scolded. His heart was racing from the sudden scare and so he did what anyone would have done in his situation; Hyunjin shoved his hands in Chan’s underarms.

The leader felt like he was going crazy. He was helpless as two of his worst spots were wrecked simultaneously.

A wide smile was permanently plastered on Chan’s face, eyes shut tightly as he let the sensations wash over him. He hadn’t been wrecked this bad in months. It was about time.

Chan’s back arched off the bed, hands tugging helplessly at their restraints but the held firm. He really couldn’t handle so much at once, and so, he gave in.

“FAHAHAHA- PLEHEASE JIHIHINIE LIHIHIXIE!! I’M TICKLISH! I’M TIHIHICKLISH, GODS PLEASE!!”

The two fairies stopped to give the leader a break, gently rubbing over his abused skin and cooing at the squeals and flinches that resulted from the tender touches.

But the fun was just beginning. Hyunjin and Felix weren't about to let such a wonderful opportunity to slip through their fingers.

“Save your voice for later Channie. We’re just getting started with you~” Felix’s sing song voice only made things feel so much worse.

After giving Channie some time to recover, and resting their tired hands, Hyunjin clapped. His eyes were practically shining as he announced his grand idea.

“New game hyungie! Now you’re gonna admit that you’re the best leader ever and that you are lovable. And until you do, we’re not going to stop.”

They were not going to give their hyung any time to argue about it. It was a fact and Chan would just have to accept it.

Hyunjin smiled brightly, pressing his fingers into the leader’s ribs and vibrating them at every word, making sure the leader knew that he meant it.

Felix barked out an amused laugh, then switched to the hairbrush he’d acquired earlier, using it to scrub the soles of Channie’s feet.

It was his first encounter with the tool and Chan couldn’t hold back the scream that was ripped from his throat, body convulsing with panicked laughter.

It was torture beyond anything he’d experienced before. Was this how Hyunjin felt when he was tickled?

Gods he didn’t know how the ferret had taken it. He couldn’t stop laughing, so much so that he couldn’t even gather himself enough to even try to beg.

The artist noticed this, both stopping immediately and rushing to cradle Chan’s face. “Hyung? Hyungie are you okay? Was it too much?”

Question after question hurtled form their lips but all Chan could do was pant. Once he caught his breath, he looked at the worry etched onto every feature of the fairies faces and felt a little bad.

“It-it was okay. Why did you stop?” Chan rasped with a shy smile and the pure bewilderment on their faces had him giggling.

“So, you want us to continue? To keep tickling you that hard and rough?” Chan’s face slackened with how flustered he got, little giggles leaving his lips as Hyunjin looked him dead in the eyes, waiting for a reply.

A blotchy red color was seeping down his neck and disappearing under the collar of his t-shirt as he tried to form one coherent sentence.

“I want a proper answer hyungie. Or I’ll just have to leave you here like this for whoever comes along~ You’d like that wouldn’t you?” He teased, and Chan had never wanted to agree with a statement more but that is a story for another time.

Instead, he shook his head, parting his lips, ”I-I don’t mind it…”

“Is that all? Guess we’ll just have to stop now then. We don’t want to do anything that you don’t want.” Hyunjin pretended to get up, ”Okay! Okay! I want this alright?! Now stop teasing. Please.”

Hyunjin grinned and suddenly flipped Chan onto his stomach, draping himself over the lee’s back. “Channie hyung is your back ticklish?” He hummed, fingers drawing small circles over the older’s shoulder blades.

Chan squeezed his eyes shut, wriggling a little. “N-no it’s not tic-ticklish at all, so you should try another spot.” He lied breathlessly, praying that Hyunjin wouldn’t try it out for himself.

Hyunjin did exactly that. With an amused ‘Oh?’, his fingers pressed into the bone, relishing in the squeal and cackle that followed the action.

“Were you lying to me hyungie?” Channie just laughed, body jerking left and right to no avail. Hyunjin lingered on the spot for a couple of minutes, basking in the sweet sounds the leader made.

Then he curiously moved his hands outwards, closer and closer to Chan’s vulnerable underarms. The poor lee’s figure jolted, arms tugging harshly at the bindings to cover the sensitive spot.

Felix on the other hand was going to town on Channie’s feet, having peeled off his socks earlier, he used the hairbrush on one sole while dragging his nails over the other.

Hyunjin’s fingers curled in his armpits once, then again, the movements quickening each time and driving poor Channie crazy.

“PLEHEASE JINIE PLEASE OHO MY GAHAHAD I’LL DO ANYHYTHING!! JUST MOHOVE SPOHOHOTS!” The leader’s breathing was erratic, his body squirming and thrashing under their combined attack.

The duo paused once more, when Channie’s laughs had turned into harsh wheezes and after tending to him for a little, Lixie decided to let Hyunjin work him magic on their stubborn leader and took off in search of his own prey.

When Hyunjin’s fingers finally lifted off his body, the artist surveyed the state of his victim. Channie’s tummy was pink where he’d scratched at the sensitive skin, his cheeks and ears and neck bright red.

Little tears escaped his closed eyes and sweet residual giggles still left his smiley lips and Hyunjin suddenly wanted to keep tickling him.

A few taps of Channie’s waist got the leader’s attention as Jinnie asked if he wanted to continue. Throwing his head back with a groan, the cute lee nodded bashfully.

Hyunjin was just so good at knowing exactly what to do to make Chan feel ecstatic. Fingers walked their way up his sides, slowly, torturously, occasionally wiggling at an especially sensitive spot as they made their way up again to his underarms.

“OHOHOHO MY GAHAD JIhiNIEHIE PLEASE!!” Channie’s hands clenched into fists in their restraints. Hyunjin used only his index finger to scratch at the reddened skin.

Chan was just so ticklish there. The leader gasped, little hicuppy giggles leaving his lips.

“Not gonna admit it hyungie~ You really do love this huh?” Hyunjin had caught on to Chan’s plan earlier but seeing him laugh himself silly as he tried to take it had been too fun to point it out.

He tried to stay still; his body worn out from the wrecking he’d gotten but still craving a tad more.

So, he held onto the words that Hyunjin wanted him to say. The younger had convinced him, but he still wanted those mean fingers to have him begging.

It took him a while to feel satisfied enough to bark out the magic words, his voice wobbling and stumbling over the words until he finally got them out through uncontrollable giggles.

“Fine. FINE. I’ll sahaHAY IT! IHIHIM THE BEST LEADER EVER AND I-IHI AHAHAHAM LOVABLE. NAHAHOW ENAHAHANOUGH!”

Hyunjin stopped immediately, his aching fingers fumbling with the restraints as he hurried to set Chan free.

Once he massaged the older’s wrists and gave him some water, the two cuddles together on the ruffled sheets and Hyunjin wiped away the lasts of Channie’s tears from his face.

He smiled fondly at their leader. Chan could be such a handful sometimes, but the kids were there just for that. They would make sure Chan got the love and praise he deserved.

And of course, all the tickles his shy lee side craved.

I'm sorry if the ending wasn't that good, it was a tad rushed😣

[cowgurrrl]

Sam

Author’s note: Inspired by @pomegranatevampire’s amazing drawing of Ellie and a puppy and written with permission from the original artist 🩷 dedicated to my childhood dogs who passed away a year ago next month whose love and dedication taught me more about life than anything else (PS please listen to Sam by Strugill Simpson I LOVE IT)

Summary: "he heard them as they walked past say 'too big, too old, too damaged'. so still he waited, patiently, for someone to accept the things he could not change. for someone to stop and say 'i choose you.'" - zeppelin moon aka Joel and Ellie adopt a dog [1.2k]

Warnings: talk of nightmares, PTSD, brief mention of addiction recovery, puppy fluff :-)

"No. Absolutely not." Joel says within a millisecond of seeing Ellie with the mutt at the back door. It's not a particularly big dog. He's small enough for Ellie to hold him but big enough that she has to use both arms and balance him on a hip to keep him steady. Even then, it wouldn't matter how big or small it is because he's perfectly content in the girl's arms. 

"I didn't even say anything!" She whines, and Joel shakes his head.

"Don't matter. The answer's still no."

"Look at his little face! You can't say no to that face!" Ellie says, grabbing the dog's nose and turning his face toward Joel in a show of big, sad eyes from both of them. The dog, which Joel now realizes is more a puppy than anything else, is surprisingly calm when Ellie grabs him. No growling or biting. He didn't even flinch. It's impressive that such a feral thing wouldn't react negatively to her.  

There isn't an abundance of dogs in Jackson. Most of them are used for work, joining on patrols, and whatnot, but every so often, some dogs fail out of the training. Sometimes, they're adopted by families in Jackson, and other times, they're left to their own devices to roam the town. Everyone does their part to take care of them by giving them food and belly rubs when they want them, but for the most part, they keep to themselves. This heap of brown, black, grey, and white fur, however, is practically melting at any form of attention he can get. Even Joel's hardened glare. 

"Please, Joel, let me stay," Ellie says in a goofy voice, moving the dog's head like he's the one who's talking, and Joel rolls his eyes. Goddammit. If he loved this girl less, he would be able to stand his ground and force the canine back out to the porch. But he can't, and he doesn't.

"One night. He can stay for one night, but then he's gotta go back out." He relents, and Ellie looks like she could explode with glee. She puts the dog down and opens the back door, letting the puppy rush over to Joel in a tidal wave of excited squeals and slobber. If he thought Ellie was excited, it was nothing compared to the animal half in his lap and licking his face. 

"Laika! Get off Joel, you psycho!" Ellie shouts before physically picking up the dog and putting him back on the floor. 

"You already named him?" Joel asks, and Ellie smiles sheepishly. "What kinda name is Laika anyway?"

"Laika was the first animal in space. She was a mutt they found on the streets of Russia and thought she'd be a good fit." 

"Why?"

"They thought because she was a stray, she could withstand space conditions. I don't know how true it was, though, 'cause they never brought her back." 

"So, you named him after a dead Russian dog stuck in space forever?"

"No, I named him after one of the greatest heroes to ever live. Get it together, old man." Ellie says matter-of-factly before snapping her fingers and running up the stairs with Laika on her heels. 

That night, Ellie feeds, walks, and makes a makeshift bed for Laika on her floor out of blankets and a pillow from the downstairs couch. Laika is quiet as he adjusts to going from living outside full time to being waited on hand and foot by Ellie, but he greets her with tail wags and affectionate licks when she gets close enough. When Joel peeks his head into her room after she's fallen asleep, he sees that Laika has forgone the homemade bed and has instead crawled into bed with Ellie. He's sitting at the edge of it, staring at the door, when Joel comes in, and he swore he heard the dog growling before he realized it was Joel. Not that he wants the dog to be violent or reactive, but it's good to know that he's protective over his little girl. Laika: Once an explorer of space (and Jackson), now a protector of Ellie. 

Of course, Laika ends up staying for longer than just one night. Joel and Ellie take him to the vet in town to make sure he's healthy and has everything he needs. After a few shots, Laika is given a perfect bill of health and sent on his way. They go to the store together and buy a food bowl, a bed, and a rope that Joel ties to make a tug-of-war toy for him. He may not have wanted the dog at first, but he still deserves some toys, right?

It isn't until winter that Joel realizes just how important Laika is to Ellie. Winter is hard for both of them. Memories of that first winter spent together haunt their days and nights and make it hard to breathe, let alone sleep. One night, Ellie wakes up crying so loud that Joel hears from down the hallway, and he quickly rushes to her aid. However, when he gets there, he sees Laika tucked under Ellie's chin, putting a comforting weight in her lap and distracting her from the panic seizing her by the shoulders. Joel tip toes in, not wanting to disturb the peace, and Ellie catches sight of him.

"You alright, kiddo?" He asks, and she nods.

"Laika helped." She says simply. He smiles and sits with them until she's soothed enough to go back to sleep. Even in sleep, Laika stays nearby, snuggling into her chest and sighing contentedly every once in a while. That image of them cuddling in bed seals the deal for Joel. He'll give Laika the best life possible if it means he makes Ellie happy. 

Joel gradually warms up to the dog as he grows into his too-big paws and personality. He feeds him scraps of food from the dinner table and finds quality sticks from the yard to throw him during their sunset backyard time together as a family. On late-night patrols, Laika is the first one to greet him with excited sniffs and licks. Laika is also shockingly good at reading Joel's emotions too. When the weight of grief gets too much, or he feels himself teetering between sobriety and relapse, Laika will nudge his leg with his nose and distract him from distressing thoughts. Joel learns to enjoy Laika's company and vice versa. 

If Joel is downstairs playing guitar or woodworking while Ellie's asleep, Laika will walk down there and sit at his feet just so he has some company. Joel often rewards him with ear scratches and a kind word or two. "You're a good dog, ain't ya?" He'll ask, and Laika will perk up as if to say, "Who? Me?" "I know Ellie tells ya that all the time, but I thought you oughta know I think you're pretty cool, too." Laika's tail always thumps against the floor when Joel talks to him like that, and Joel always gets a weird sense of pride in his chest, knowing he made the dog happy. "Yeah. You're a good boy." Then, after a quick kiss to the head and a belly rub, he'll nudge Laika with his foot. "Now go on and get your girl." With that, Laika walks back up the stairs and takes his sentinel position at the foot of Ellie's bed. 

And only once he knows that both of his humans are happy and safe will Laika lay down his soft head and dream secret dreams of smiling faces and sticks thrown through a green field. 

[anony-man]

Chubformers drabble #97!

Characters: Sunder (& Froid - IDW)

Word count: 812

(TW: implied vore)

Sight was the key to filling his belly with the food that truly satisfied him, but after a while, Sunder had begun to feel no need for seeing to feast. There were other ways to go about fulfilling his desires, and he was hellbent on finding them.

The high of the chase was addicting, and the glorious sensation of squirming bots and writhing victims clawing at his belly from the inside made it all the sweeter. Sunder was on permanent leave from both mnemosurgery and his favorite pastime, it seemed, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t find ways around the promises he’d made.

Dying bots cared little for what happened in the end, he’d begun to discover. Keeping Froid company with idle chatter was enough to allow his processor to wander, to probe, and to infiltrate, and Sunder found more often than not that there were plenty of willing participants. A yearning for death wasn’t something one could easily erase, and it was up to him to erase all his past wrongs and sins by giving those grieving bots an easy way out.

It was easy to do, and it broke none of the strict code that nosy doctor inflicted on him. For Sunder’s end of the deal, he promised no more killing sprees and no more threats against unwilling victims—this was plenty for Froid, to his glee, and even more satisfactory with the loss of the mnemosurgeon’s optics.

No optics meant no setting his sights on poor, fearful prey, and that was the deal. What wasn’t part of the deal was allowing his processor to wander and connect with those desperate enough to come straight to him. They practically fell into his wide open, gaping maws every time, and Sunder had grown to enjoy the indulgence more than the rush of pleasure from screaming mechs.

For a while, Froid was none the wiser of those miserable bots creeping through windows and tiptoeing their way around corners to Sunder’s lair. The mnemosurgeon sat perched atop his berth and listened for the sound of the door’s squeals before patting his belly and beckoning with a servo and a wide grin. They had nothing to be afraid of, not anymore. It was a win-win for everyone.

Sunder supposed the problem had come up when his frequent visits to the doctor’s room were put off in favor of lounging in his berth and obsessing over the feel of his swollen, stuffed belly. It was hard to keep the nightly sound of squeaky floors and creaking doors to a minimum when his visitors were so eager for relief, and Sunder didn’t much care to conceal the reasons behind his recent absences as of late.

After a while, he just… well, he stopped caring, he supposed. It was hard to care what Froid might think or do when he was near-constantly stuffed to the brim with warm bodies and eager prey.

“Sunder,” Froid had finally said one morning, dropping into the mnemosurgeon’s private quarters for an unexpected visit. “I’m starting to worry. Are you sure there is nothing going on that I should be aware of?”

It was hard to answer that with a straight face. Sunder was practically drowning in ecstasy and contentment, his processor a haze of feel-good thoughts from all the bots who’d come and gone. Their happiness at an escape and joy for the release was starting to affect him in more ways than one.

The massive belly of excess fat and rolls of mesh that hung over his lap was no longer the only sign that something was amiss, that was for sure.

“Mmm… yes,” he said, drawing out his words as he picked his teeth with one of the insignias hanging from his neck. “Why? Feeling lonely, are you? I could fix that…”

While he spoke as though airy words and sing-song tone had little effect, Sunder could still hear the flustered stutter in the doctor’s voice. His smile grew comically at the scuffle of pedes and the clink of those ridiculously long arms crossing over Froid’s chest as he stumbled over a reasonable response.

“I—just… tell me you haven’t broken our contract,” he said—practically begged, really. “I’m serious, Sunder. If you’ve gone back to hunting Autobots down, then—“

“Please,” Sunder cut in, lifting the servo that rubbed gentle circles into the swell of his belly to pause Froid’s frantic speech. “You know me, Froid. I would do nothing of the sort.”

And he hadn’t… not really, that is. The agreement remained intact as it was, and Sunder was proving to be a fabulous patient. He could hear Froid’s huffy vents and allowed himself a snicker of his own, his servo settling back down to stroke his belly.

He was, by far, a most reliable mech—for both Froid and for his compliant and willing prey.

[hisui555]

Hazbin Hotel thoughts Bonus 2

Heaven's side : "how are they with kids" + "react to a drawing of themselves"

(Hazbin Hotel thoughts : How are they with kids, main cast here)

(Hazbin Hotel thoughts : Reacting to a drawing of themselves, main cast here)

Masterpost here.

So, uh, I've seen there's been likes, and reblogs (seriously where do y'all come from), and that hypothetically you may be interested in Heaven's side of the same thing -- Oh who am I kidding yes I came up with ideas and couldn't resist sharing, let's go.

(On that note, I'm editing the previous posts that started it all so that y'all have links from one to the other, because a funny thing I realized is that I have completely different people liking each post each time, there's absolutely no common name - which is funny to me given that one is the bonus of the other.)

Without further ado, here we go :

Emily is just the friendliest babysitter around. Not unlike Charlie, she'll react with glee to anything the kid does, especially when they're progressing on something. She's very encouraging and supportive, also accomodating : unless the child is okay with her less humanlike appearance, she'll keep her extra eyes closed, and will only gradually insert the change overtime, while mostly keeping her casual disguise. Touch her fluffy wings ? Her equally fluffy hair ? Even her halo ? Sure ! Just don't nab on them. She'll gently break down what's okay from what is not, that respect is a thing and boundaries too, and for each and every person they're different. Tantrum ? She'll be gentle but firm about it, because while she is nice and caring, she also has limits and reasonable authority. No Bad Things on her watch, and she'll explain why they're bad at length. Doesn't matter if the child is a Sinner, a Hellborn, a Living soul or a Winner. Always eager to let the kid try new things, give the maximum of options, and free choice is a big deal to her - she'll be here to help anytime, and interacts a lot with the kid. Expect a lot of what we don't know, we can find out together ! Might be a bit too coddling at times, though not to Charlie's levels, probably. Affection is given by the gallons.

A drawing of her ? For her ? Why that day in Heaven is super-happy amongst happy days ! Ironically, given the art-style, it's closer to her true form, but nonetheless, she adores it, and can't wait to show Sera. If she can't pin it somewhere, she'll keep it on her own person, in a nice pocket dimension or accessible through summon magic, so she can whip it out at anytime and show it to whoever's asking. Might give it a glance or look at times before turning in for the night (do they have nights in Heaven ? If Hell does, probably yes), squealing out a delighted giggle for herself. She'll presciously keep it safe and spotless.

Sera is poised and regal no matter the circumstances. She's gentle and patient, and while she will take the role of a guiding hand too, contrary to Emily who's happy to let the child steer and put herself on their level, Sera will never leave the role nor status of The Adult and guides away instead of towards. There's a delimited, arbitrary comfort zone the child shouldn't ask questions out of, and she won't be keen simply answering that she doesn't know the answer, deviating it towards something else or just put an end to the discussion (That's not important. What you have to know is that you can't do that). That's not to say that she's uncaring, or harsh, it's just that her worry overwrites the child's choices at times. A demon or Sinner child might be met with a bit more condescention and less roaming freedom than a Living or Winner soul, but Sera will take great care of them nonetheless, and make sure no harm happens to them. Tantrums are met with the time-out corner or cold shoulder, but she doesn't like to punish the kid, only seeing it as a necessity - and she'll still be around to talk in case things get better in the meantime. She's compassionate, but her emotional distance mostly turns it into pity and a dash of coldness, her affection is more subdued. She'll keep her most humanlike form at all times.

Drawings of her ? She'll gladly accept them, giving a soft but genuine smile. She appreciates the attention, and will politely listen to the child explaining how they drew the pic, not really commenting nor asking questions but still sincerely listening about it. She might keep it in a folder or hang it somewhere private, somewhere that doesn't interfere with her work, but still somewhere visible in her own quarters - and that, no matter the type of soul who offers.

Now who in their right mind would give a child to take care of to Adam ? Yet, disaster dominoes lined up - or let's say it's an order from Sera, she's too busy to do it and Emily isn't available - and against all common sense a kid ended up in his... care. Welp, it's a disaster from start to finish, especially when the misogynist tendencies kick in : expect a lot of outdated and downright gross comments about you'll see when you grow up, and do you know how you came from these nuts ? flauntering his "Original Dick" status all over the place. He won't be hitting on a child (not his thing), thank hell, but he has absolutely NO censor, crossing the line all the way up to its deceased grandmother, getting her corpse pregnant and aborting the resulting baby (...QED). Worse if the kid is a girl, because he'll automatically deem her inferior, also did I tell you how the two first women are stupid bitches ? Guess where you come from. If the child is a demon, he'll try to weasel out, but an order from Sera will hold him back and anyway it's no fun when outside the right setting : there's no fight, no chase, no thrill. He'll just begrudgingly roll with it. Don't count on any healthy or child-appropriate food : it's junk food at all hours or nothing. Naptime - well, what naptime ? Can't a guy play guitar in peace ? Also, only pussies cry. Man the fuck up. Kiddo is his groupie whether they like it or not, his personal little hype-man. He will TOTALLY use them to try to hit on "chicks".

He also WILL forget the child in a parking lot, however more unintentionally than not (Wait, didn't I had a thing to take care of ?), rough them around by carrying them like a sack of potatoes, bring them to inappropriate places (tough to find in Heaven, I guess, but if he can have his way with a Virtue angel and brag about it there might be stuff going on, just not as much as in Hell) and just be his crass-mouthed self without much of a care. Might resort to the threat of physical violence as a scare tactic to get the kid to behave (the way he wants), though maybe not applying it (I'm ambivalent about that : I guess it can go both ways - just shaking to rough up and scare off or really giving a smack). Really, the only way to get along with him is to find him cool or admire him in some way, and he might soften a bit (...really a bit) and bond a tad (a tiny tad) over rock music : again, being his hype-man. If Adam gets to show off and have a fan, it'll be just one small metric less of a complete catastrophe.

Which brings us to : drawings of him. Nevermind the quality, he'll always ask to add stuff that makes him cool (No, you forgot the spikes !! And where's the guitar ? Add it ! Here ! Look, just take that bright yellow fucking crayon, it's easy as puss !) and might even rip the drawing material out of the kid's hands to add it himself. The guy will be competitive about it : either he's the coolest or the kiddo might as well redo the entire thing. Once he's satisfied, he'll keep it, frame it in the most extravagant frame he can think of, sign it over the kid's signature and pin it somewhere he can easily see it. With time, he'll forgot who did it (Got that from a fan, er... whatstheirface) and move on, not realizing that his mental age has been forever lower than the kid's he was supposed to take care of.

And as the answer to the infamous "can't get worse", yes it can ! Lute. Bohohoyyyy, LUTE. She's no babysitter, she's a fanatic fighter, a bloodthirsty warrior, and the only thing holding her back from skewering a demon child is a direct order from Sera. So she'll be as neglectful and abusive verbally and emotionally as she can get away with. Cries get on her nerves. Tantrums ? She'll boot the kid in a room and lock them up there for the rest of the day. Sinners and Hellborn aren't given any toys. Food is composed of rests. She doesn't have time for that shit. Even Winner children are barely worth her attention, though she can plaster a semblance of decency on her face towards them - don't expect her to smile, though. She's not here for that. She won't even think of the brat as useful to her, it's like a stupid assignment she got saddled with. A heaven-bound soul ? Bare necessities are taken care of, next to no interaction, no affection given, the sooner it's over with the better. A hell-bound soul ? She'll imprint their features into her mind and make sure to find them, down there, next Extermination. A wretched Sinner shouldn't even set foot near the Pearly Gates. The only thing keeping her from dumping that vile blasphemy of a soul is that she'd rather keep an eye on them herself, because she's the only one strong enough to not fall for any of their traps, for sure.

A drawing of her ? Don't accept anything from a demon and rip it into pieces right then and there. It's just a mockery of her, whatever the quality is, and don't you ever think I can't see what you're doing you little shitstain clinging at my boots. The same drawing from a heaven-bound soul ? Eh. Meh. Thanks I guess. She'll tuck it somewhere, forget about it, and if it has folds or coffee stains or whatever else damaging it, not her problem. Someone finds it ? She'll brush it off, tell them they can keep it, do her a favor, she doesn't have time nor thoughtspace for this. Better than to let it rot here. If it ends up falling in her line of sight again, she'll derive a wicked self-righteous confidence that she's fighting for the right thing. And the thrill of battle, of course, but hey, that one's not on the drawing, so she'll supply it herself, in her mind.

And because why the hell not, St-Peter. If it's a hell-bound soul, he'll ask if there's any mistakes, but nope, he's really gonna babysit a little demon today. Well in that case, no problem, Welcome To Heaven and all that jazz ! Just don't do demon-y things, okay ? Now what would you like to do ? We can go on a seminar about how to help grandmas cross the roads, or how to be parsimonious while partying and oh, oh, how about a coooourse - oooon - generosity ! Past that first hurdle, he'll be a genuinely sweet guy, treating all souls alike. His problem ? Well, two : first, unlike Emily, he has no authority and will get trampled on by any kid who's a bit more stubborn than the norm, and second, his Don't Do That (TM) sermons can. Last. Hours. He'll accidentally cause more naptimes by pointing out the 547 reasons of why littering is bad that when he'd actually asked the child to take a nap, or is too engrossed in his speech to see that the kid has given him the slip. Weak to puppy-dog eyes. He'll buy that ice scream with rainbow sprinkles, okay, okay, don't look at him like that ! But he'll be also a great guide and has a ton of ideas on activities, even if commenting a bit too much about them. Might catch on the fact that his sermon-talking induces sleep and appropriately uses it in a savvy way. He'll stay polite, but without hypocrisy : if a kid points out that he swore earlier when they told him they're Belphegor's 2nd cousin thrice removed, he'll agree, apologize, and explain why it's bad. Kind of cleaning-inclined ? Please keep the brimstones off the floor at least. He'll insist that things are tidied up after playing, leaving a mess isn't the politest thing after all, and will include the kid in that : they can clean up together, he'll help !

A drawing of him ? Depending on what he'll receive, he'll be elated, or really working out his optimism and trying to be as less judgemental as possible. Why aren't you the most precious, kindest soul. Your style is... uh... unique ? Why - why is blood - oh, ooooh, what a fabulous one-single-color rainbow, oh, ahem, that's so sweet ! And look at those little arms NOT up crying for help, but in what I'm sure is excitement ! And those... tears -- of happiness of course ! Ahem, do you need therapy ? But whatever it is, he'll keep it, because he considers it a gift. Just that, depending on the degree of disturbing-ness, it's either on a wall in his office at home, or in a folder under a looong stack of papers and other things he'd rather look at rarely. But he'll still shed a tear over a smile when his babysitting time comes to an end, especially if he actually managed to bond with the kid, whatever realm they're bound to. Awww.

Well, here you have it ! Dunno if I'll pour other ideas of the same type (cast + kids), but it's surely not the last speculative rant you'll see from me (I guess). Hope you enjoyed.

(And thanks for the likes and reblogs, it made my day.)

Again, Masterpost here.

[sillyrabbit81]

Present (un) Wrapping

Summary: You and Sy give a special gift to his sisters.

Pairing: Captain Syverson x Female Reader

Word Count: Approx. 450

Warnings: Fluff, mention of surgery, Dad!Sy, Husband!Sy

Authors Note: This is for @winter2112rose 12 + 1 Days of Christmas Challenge. Thanks for letting me participate. 🙏

This series will be a set of short (approx. 500 word) drabbles. They will be mostly set in Australia and consist of vignettes of your and Sy’s Christmas’s together. The reader is Australian, but I am still aiming to be as inclusive of race, and size as possible.

Thanks to @amberangel112 and @henryobsessed for Beta reading. Edited by me, there will be errors.

Masterlist

12 + 1 Days of Christmas Masterlist

Day 9 Present (un) Wrapping

“Sy, we don’t give each other presents anymore,” Brooke admonishes her brother. “We agreed for the kids only. I didn't get you guys anythin'."

Caroline just grins, wriggling in her chair like a child. “Speak for yourself. This is the first present he’s bought me in years.”

“It’s not really just a present, it’s… well…” you look at Sy as you search for the right word.

“An announcement.” He grins wrapping his arms around you.

Sy looks so happy, relaxed, and proud being home for Christmas with his sisters, their husbands and his nieces and nephews. Your three kids were also having the time of their lives, finally around their cousins at Christmas. You visit Sy’s family every couple of years, but this is the first Christmas you had spent with them since you had moved to Australia before Tilly was born.

“You’re movin' back here?” Caroline asks excitedly. You know she doesn’t mean anything by it, but her question still makes familiar feelings of guilt rear its ugly head.

You sometimes feel like you stole Sy, ripped him away from his family and friends. He always assures you that he had removed himself years before he met you, spending many months, if not years away from them, either deployed or living on base states away. However, when you see him so happy, you sometimes wonder if you should have been the one to move.

“Guess again, Carol,” Sy says, grinning, taking a sip from his beer.

“Why don’t you just open them and see?” you add.

Caroline rips hers open with youthful glee, while Brooke is more sedate, carefully peeling back the tape. They pull their t-shirts out of the paper at the same time, and lay them on the table in front of them. You grin as you read the writing on them, “Aunty to Tilly, Pippa, Mitch and Hobbit.”

Brooke gets it immediately and squeals, jumping up from her chair and giving you a big hug.

Caroline takes a few moments looking a lot like her brother, her brows draw together, “I don’t get it. Didja get a dog or somethin’?”

Sy groans and says, “It’s a good thing you’re pretty, Carol.”

You give Sy’s shoulder a playful slap. “Stop it,” you say laughing. “I’m preggas.” Caroline frowns and you realise what you said. “I mean I’m having another baby.” She screams and joins Brooke giving you and Sy hugs.

Brooke, ever the sensible one says, “I thought you weren’t havin' anymore.” She checks there are no kids around and lowers her voice anyway. “I thought you had a vasectomy.”

“He did,” you say. “Probably about a week after Hobbit was conceived.”

“Yup,” Sy says grinning. “We made an ‘Oops.’”

“Sy’s real devo about it too as you can see.”

Sy give you one of his terrible winks. "I had to get my one more before I started shootin' blanks. You got what you want, I got what I want. That's a win/win, in my book."

[julemmaes]

Robyn

Rowaelin Month, Day Ten

A/N: I'd planned on posting them in order, but you get what you get. Idk when the other prompts will come tbf. I hope soon. Anyway, I managed to write over 6k words today and I'm pretty fucking proud.

This is just fluff over fluff, so yep enjoy!!

Word count: 3,047

Rowan was unbelievably late as he sped through the streets of Orynth.

So late that the school had called not only him, but also the front desk of the place where he worked when he hadn't answered the call on his personal phone. Sorscha, his assistant, had entered his office with an embarrassed smile on her lips, as if she didn't want to tell him that he had forgotten for the umpteenth time to pick up his daughter from school.

Lorcan had joined him, for some strange reason, but Rowan had stopped bothering when it came to his best friend. He'd been trying to figure out how he reasoned for years and had come to the conclusion that there was no logical sense in the actions of the man sitting next to him, who was currently singing at the top of his lungs to one of the songs on the Frozen CD - which much to the chagrin of both of them, had gotten stuck in his car radio months before, forcing them into hours of torture.

He would never deny that the songs were all quite catchy, but after the sixteenth time Rowan had had to listen to Let It Go at maximum volume, his positive opinion of the film had begun to waver.

As they pulled into the school parking lot, Rowan noticed with deep regret that the only cars still there were those of the teachers and school staff.

They both got out of the car, Rowan walking quickly towards the entrance while Lorcan dragged behind him.

He greeted the caretakers sitting at the entrance, who returned a big smile. A smile that grew even wider when his large, imposing friend entered a few moments later. He stopped to talk to the old ladies and Rowan walked down the corridor he knew led to Robyn's classroom.

He could hear muffled voices from inside the teachers' room on the left and the one he knew belonged to Miss Galathynius coming from the right. He looked out over the classroom, spotting the two people sitting at a desk.

As soon as his daughter saw him, her eyes widened and a huge smile flashed across her face.

No words. No "hello, daddy!" or "I missed you!" from the little girl.

Her teacher turned as she leapt out of her chair and ran towards him, hugging his legs and looking up at him. Rowan smiled at her in turn, running a hand over her hair that was shot in every direction.

"Hello, little bird," he murmured to her. The child's smile widened even more if that was possible.

The woman a few feet away from them pulled herself upright, crossing her arms over her chest and offering a sincere smile to the child, who hid behind his thighs.

Rowan was about to tell her that Robyn was shy with everyone like this, ready to defend his daughter's behaviour as he was used to doing in front of every adult, but he was beaten to the punch.

"It's good to see you, Mr Whitethorn," she said, extending a hand. Rowan shook it without hesitation. "Actually, I just wanted to write you a letter regarding Robyn," she continued, never taking her eyes off the little girl. "Nothing serious," she hastened to reassure him when Rowan grimaced, "quite the contrary. Robyn is remarkably good. One of the best in the class, though I shouldn't offer that information so bluntly."

Miss Galathynius winked at him, but he couldn't process what he'd just been told.

"Sorry, could you-"

The little hands clamped around his trousers tightened a fraction more and Rowan looked down, trying to figure out what was bothering his daughter, but then something happened that he hadn't even dared to dream about in recent times.

"You're here!"

The little girl broke off and ran away from him in less than the blink of an eye.

Rowan turned just in time to see Lorcan grab Robyn in mid-air, spinning her around as he brought her to his chest and showered her with kisses. The loud, incessant laughter that erupted from her seemed too much coming from that fragile little body, but he never tired of hearing it.

"Why hello baby!" said Lorcan laughing in turn, starting to tickle her until she begun to rebel and he was forced to let her slide to the floor. Robyn was still laughing at the top of her lungs and nearly fell to the ground as she squealed left and right, letting herself be pushed around by the closest thing to an uncle she had ever had.

When Rowan turned back to the woman, she was wide-eyed and her lips slightly parted as she watched the massive man dressed completely in black and the menacing face turn into a completely different person the second he had seen Robyn.

He chuckled, "I know, it's not every day you get to see a little girl be so comfortable with a brute like that."

Lorcan, who was listening to everything, looked him straight in the eye and without stopping smiling and playing with the little girl, mouthed to him to fuck off.

"Well, yeah. You caught me a little off guard." she confessed, still shocked to hear how Robyn was having a full conversation with Lorcan. They couldn't hear anything of what she was actually saying, but even just the fact she was talking to someone seemed to have Aelin unsettled.

She returned her attention to Rowan and let out a breath that sounded more like a giggle, "I've never heard her laugh before."

He nodded, blushing a little at the teacher's surprised but relieved tone.

"I'm sure the dean warned you about the problem she has," he said in a low voice. He grimaced at her poor choice of words, "I mean, not problem, but the difficulty she finds in interacting with people she doesn't know."

Liar, he told himself. Robyn hadn't spoken to anyone but him and Lorcan since the day Lyria had died. It wasn't a difficulty, but a response to the trauma that prevented her from speaking to anyone who wasn't part of her immediate family.

"I know, I know. We've been looking for solutions together." she informed him. "I give her a white board every morning. Come on, I'll show you." she turned to the desk they were sitting at earlier and raised the magnetic board, on which a few words were scribbled on. "I'll write here what she might need. Yes. No. I need to go to the bathroom. I'm thirsty. I'm hungry." she read, listing the various options. Rowan gaped. "We've only just started going over the alphabet for a second time, so she can't really read or write yet, as I imagine you know, but the little drawings next to each sentence help her."

She continued talking, but he couldn't quite follow.

The woman in front of him - aside from being breathtakingly beautiful - had done as much as she could to help her child with communication.

"Mr. Whitethorn-"

"Rowan. Please, call me Rowan." he said, clearing his throat once he realized how hoarse it sounded to his ears. Lorcan walked up to them at that point, still holding Robyn in his arms and positioned himself next to him, letting their shoulders touch in a comforting way.

"Call me Aelin, then," she smiled at them both. Then she made a small grimace, turning to Rowan, "I wanted to ask if it bothered you, that I sought a solution like that. Maybe I put her in distress, embarrassed her. I'm sorry if I gave you the impression that I wanted to solve this on my own. I really wanted to discuss it with you, with your husband too, to avoid misunderstandings. Maybe we could arrange a meeting."

He was about to tell her that she had given him the exact opposite of annoyance, that he had been more than pleased that she had helped Robyn this way, when her words finally registered.

Lorcan, beside him, had opened his mouth wide and his lips were slowly bending into a mischievous smile.

Rowan furrowed his brow, "I'm sorry, what?"

Aelin's smile seemed to falter. "A meeting? With you? To talk about how to handle the situation," then she shifted her gaze to Lorcan, "You're more than welcome to join as well. I didn't know Robyn had two dads, I apologise for assuming Robyn had a mum and dad. That was very rude of me-"

"I love this," Lorcan whispered, laughing in shock. He turned to Rowan with eyes that sparkled with amusement, "I would definitely be the top."

Rowan looked at him with an expression of complete shock on his face, "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Robyn gasped, opening her eyes wide and bringing a hand to her mouth, pointing then to Rowan's.

"Yeah, sorry, love. I shouldn't have said the bad word." he apologised, giving her a quick kiss on the forehead. He turned back to Miss Galathynius, "I'm sorry to have to disappoint you, but we're not married."

"No need to lie, sweetie. I'm sure Aelin," he gave her a knowing look, "doesn't mind at all about our relationship status."

Aelin nodded, "Well, yes. That doesn't change anything. Mr..." she turned to Lorcan, searching for a name.

"Salvaterre."

"Mr. Salvaterre can still attend. The fact that you are not yet married is no reason why you cannot both be present at the meeting. You don't have to worry, we are a very tolerant school and if anyone bothers you, you can come directly to me."

A sound of sheer glee escaped Lorcan.

Aelin continued, "I mean it. I was pleased to see both of you today. I was also pleased to see Robyn smiling so much." she concluded, looking the little one in the face.

Rowan took a deep breath, bracing himself, "No, I meant, we're not a couple. We're not gay. He's her uncle."

The woman's blonde eyebrows shot up and a second later she turned almost as red as the dress Robyn was wearing as Lorcan shook his head muttering something very much like 'you're no fun', which made Robyn giggle.

"Why did you even get off the car?" he asked him exasperated.

Lorcan shrugged, "Because I missed my little bean, you monster." he replied, clutching Robyn to his chest. The little girl clutched Lorcan's shirt in her chubby little hands and Rowan huffed, shaking his head.

Aelin brought her hands to her face, leaning against the desk behind her. She shook her head, her face still hidden, "Oh, god. I'm so sorry."

Lorcan let out a dry laugh, "Don't worry about it. It was fun while it lasted." then he turned to Rowan again, who was still trying to recover from the idea of being involved in a relationship with his friend, "You're really no fun."

"Yeah, no fun dad." repeated Robyn.

Silence fell over the class. Rowan looked at her with wide eyes and blinked once, twice. Robyn was staring at him with a sweet scowl that mimicked so much that of the man who was still holding her, but Rowan couldn't get over the fact that his daughter had spoken while Aelin was still beside them.

He was about to talk, noticing how Robyn had started squirming in Lorcan's arms, when there was a knock at the door.

They both turned, Aelin peering over Rowan's shoulder, and saw the figure of a petite girl with black hair and eyes standing in the doorway, watching them with her head slightly bent to the side. She had a tag on her t-shirt that was too colourful to belong to someone who didn't work in a school with children, so he guessed she was a teacher herself. Besides, Rowan felt like he'd seen her elsewhere. Probably every day when he picked Robyn up from school, he said to himself.

"I know you're not supposed to eavesdrop but I stopped by earlier and heard you were a couple of dads," she said by way of introduction. "I just wanted to reassure you that the school is an extremely safe place. I'm the one who did most of the interviews with the parents," that's where they had met then, "and one of the questions that is asked is just about the tolerance of the people who will be attending the school."

Aelin watched her, remaining silent the whole time and putting on an amused smile, nodded, "That's what I was telling them. How tolerant the school is. They make such a cute couple, don't you think, Elide?"

Rowan turned to her, arching an eyebrow, silently asking her what she was doing. The woman, as if she could truly understand what he was trying to convey to her, nodded her head towards Lorcan, who Rowan only then noticed was standing weirdly, his eyes fixed on the woman in the doorway.

He grinned, deciding to take his revenge right away. "Oh, yes. Thank you so much for the reassurance," Rowan began to play along as well. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Lorcan turn towards him, dropping Robyn to the floor, who made a disapproving noise at being dumped so suddenly. "We are happy to know that this school is a safe place for our daughter. And for us."

Elide offered him a blinding smile, "Good. I'm happy to hear that you are pleased so far. And I am happy that Aelin is the one who is taking your daughter's class. She's the best one here."

Rowan didn't know her yet, but he knew the thing Elide had just said could only be true.

"Well," she said again, giving them an apologetic smile, "I really must go now, but if you need anything, you can find all my contact details on the website. Have a nice day!"

Aelin and Rowan said their goodbyes, thanking her. Lorcan took a while to recover, but when he realised he was staring into empty space he ran towards the door, almost stepping on little Robyn, who was moved by Aelin.

"We are very much not gay, miss!" he shouted into the hallway. Aelin, now beside him and with a hand on Robyn's shoulder, cackled. With Lorcan's infinite luck, someone walked by just then and gave him a stern look. "Oh, shut up ma'am. I'm an ally. The best ally."

Rowan shook his head as Lorcan launched himself in pursuit of the poor teacher and burst out laughing when he heard him shout, "I'm not homophobic! I'm willing to suck someone's cock if I have to prove it to you!"

Aelin opened her mouth wide before bursting out laughing in turn.

Robyn, seeing both adults so happy, giggled too and Rowan bent down to pick her up. The little girl laid her full head of white-light hair on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

She was tired and Rowan really needed to get her home to sleep.

He glanced at Aelin and reduced his lips to a thin line, "I'm sorry about the commotion, I'll try not to bring him into the building again. Even if it means tying him to the seat."

The soft laugh she gave made something tighten in his chest. He frowned.

Aelin didn't seem to notice the effect she had on him, "Don't worry, Elide is crazy about fools like him. If he says the right things, we might start seeing each other outside of school too."

Rowan nodded, now too caught up in the thought of having to take Robyn home to focus on anything else.

They agreed on when to hold the parent-teacher meeting and then he grabbed Robyn's backpack, walking towards the exit.

He was thoughtless as he reached into his pocket for his keys and balanced everything else - including the girl - on his other arm, but when Robyn's hand brushed his cheek, he looked down and his eyes met their twins. Green against green.

"What is it?"

The little girl's voice never stopped making him smile. Each time was like the first time she had said dada.

"I really like her."

Rowan frowned, "Who?"

"Miss Aelin." she whispered, almost as if she was afraid they might hear her.

He smiled at her, "Yeah? You like her?"

"She's nice to me."

Rowan had to put her down as he opened the door and let her get into the back seats by herself.

"I'm glad she's treating you well, love," he let her know, buckling her in.

He hoped she'd tell him more about her new teacher, but like any kid her age, the topic of conversation couldn't last for more than four lines apiece, "Where's Uncle Lorcan?"

Rowan snorted, "No idea, little bird."

Robyn nodded, "Elide is pretty too."

And as if those words had summoned him, Lorcan appeared beside the car, making them both scream. He entered the car in a heartbeat and turned to his daughter, who was still settling into the seat. "Do you know Miss Lochan?"

But before she could answer him, Rowan had entered the car in turn and smacked the back of his head, which made the Robyn giggle, "You're not using my daughter as your wingman. Now stop it and buckle up."

Lorcan gave him a gentle push, before doing as he was told and for once he was happy he'd convinced him to do something.

Or at least, Rowan thought he had convinced him.

"What if I left you a note to deliver to Miss Lochan, Rob? Would you be up for it?"

Rowan knew, even without looking at her, that she was nodding emphatically.

Keeping his eyes on the road, he murmured, "Could you stop calling my daughter Rob, please? You'll give her an existential crisis."

Lorcan clicked his tongue against his palate, "Rowan, I'm not giving her a damn thing. We live in this new world, okay? Your daughter could be called Simon and still be a beautiful princess. Grow up and educate yourself before you talk shit."

"Aaaah!" shouted Robyn, "Bad word!"

Rowan sighed and shook his head, but still he was smiling.

This was his life. Had been for the past two years.

And he wouldn't change it for the world.

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[missamyrisa2]

I’ve been brought to gigglegasm with just tickles under the arms. 🙈 any chance I could ask for a story like that? You’re writing is amazing and you seem so sweet ❤️❤️

Awwee! Thank you so very much! <333

If I wanted to fill your cup with simply tickles in those adorable arm dimples, I do believe I would want you gently bound to a soft purpley bedspread ~ and by gentle, I mean you are certainly, absolutely bound under my whim but those sweet arms can pull and wriggle just a bit, just enough to give you a little movement and yet never fully cover your underarms. The lacy cuffs around your wrists will be such a cute reminder of your sweet sweet predicament my angel~

And I'll certainly be wearing a silky smooth flowing mermaid-y top over black leggings, just a little flirty sporty outfit I love to put on when working with such a delightfully specific tickle spot ~ maybe because it puts my material sensations right within eyesight and reach but completely out of your touch as we go exploring. Ahh, but I'm here to tease your hot spots. "I dooo believe I shall start at your fingers." Adorable little digits, wiggling as I trace each one up and down. You know where I'm going and yet you have such a sweet surprising reaction as I slowwwly work my way downward. "Such a silly spot no? The palms of your hands? I can just flutter my nails riight on those lines and you pull so helplessly with your sweet giggles. Oooh babydoll, you just have nooo idea." I'm floating close to your ear as I work your hand, chuckling and smiling and letting my cascade of hair graze your neck. "Aww, does that tickle?"

My nails trace downwards and probe along your wrist, working down your inner arm. "Hmmm hmmm hm~ nice soft arms. Cute skin too. Oooh look at your twitchies! Are you getting goosebumps? Goosebumpies? Bumpy bumps? Mmmps?" I make myself snicker and exchange my fingers for my soft lips. I make a muah sound at you before letting my big lower lip graze your heightened skin, up and down, back and forth. I start planting little kisses along your inner arm to your elbow and further up your bicep as my fingers wander around both arms with little flighty tickles. "Coochie coo on your armyz arms. What a delightful little reaction. You can't stop the tickles. They're coming~ ooh yes they are, all the tickles for you my special little giggle bug~" I position myself over your upper body and smirk, my wiggly fingers now drawing inward together, making to arrive at your exposed underarms both at once. "Here they comeeee tickle fingers~ tickle tickle fingers on your underarms~ you can't laugh! I'll bet you can't not laugh when I get in these wonderful tickle pots!"

I taunt and tease, holding my fingers above your underarms, faking you out a few times before finally diving in and wriggling them madly. I start at the outer fringes, working around in circles getting slowly closer and closer until my spidery tools are in position. I keep my thumbs grazing the center of your armpits, working back and forth as my fingers dance above, keeping with you through every squirm and struggle. "You can wiggle all you like my little worm, I'm still gonna tickle you~" Once I get you good and laughing and bucking under me, I plop to one side and purse my lips, holding your arm steady. "Cover me tickle sarge- I'm goin' in!" I squeal with glee, muahing over your tender crevice, sealing with my lips and blowing raspberries between little teasing kissies. I flip my tongue at you and dive into the over armpit, lickling around with my darting tongue tip. Whichever armpit is getting my lippy attention, the other is treated to flighty finger tickles. I exchange back and forth, pausing between to ask you questions. "Which armpit is more ticklish? The left or the right?" "On a scale of 1 to 100, how much does it tickle?"

I work your hyper sensitive skin endlessly until I finally break to plant a kiss on your cheek, and whisper teasingly in your ear. "I know what these tickles are doing to you my adorable cutie. It's okay~~ just let go, let the tickles cover you, let allll those wonderful feelings and sensations in, and I promise I'll tickle you all the way through. Oh yes, all the underarm tickles for you my sweet sugar cube" I grin and lean up, reaching back for a pair of tools. You can do nothing but squirm and giggle and blush as you watch me pull on a pair of pink gloves adorned with little hearts and stars and moons. "I love this design, because~ well, you see..." I muse, clicking my fuzzy gloves into action, which begin buzzing gently. My smiling face descends as I begin briskly rolling my thumbs in your underarms, the soft surface of the gloves vibrating the fuzzies on your tender skin. "I'm gonna send you to the moon with these babies~"

I keep my upgraded fingers working your hot spots, not pausing for a moment. My snickers and smiles and knowing gasps imitating your reactions all rain down as I buzz your erogenous zones to only one end ~ the gigglegasm. And true to my word, my hands and kisses and lickles never stop all the way through as you start bucking madly. "Tickle tickle~ ahhh ahh oooh there we go, look at you my adorable giggle girl, did you just gigglegasm for me? Awww, just from some armpitty tickles? Yeah? Well you know there's more where that came from~ Tickle tickle! You can't not gigglegasm, no you can't not when Amy's playing with ya!" <333

[soccerximagines]

Could you do a Jesse Lingard imagine? One where you're his daughters babysitter and every time he's off to training, you're at his place, babysitting Hope. He's had feelings for you since you started working with them a few months ago and Hope practically is crazy in love with you. One day Jesse makes it home early, catching you baking with his little princess while singing to Frozen songs and debating about which ice cream flavour is best. Your shift doesn't finish till another hour so you're still around, this time Jesse joining in on the rest of your activities and he watches while you put Hope out for her nap, adoring you more. You have small talk as you make your way to leave but before you do, he asks you out.

Ooo I'm excited for this one, thank you!

Babysitting

Whenever someone found out about your job, which was babysitting Jesse Lingards' daughter, they were incredibly jealous. "I bet you love your job," they would say, "being able to work for one of the sexiest footballers out there!"

However, the truth was that you barely saw Jesse apart from at the beginning and end of your shifts. The rest of the time you were on your own with Hope.

Nevertheless, they were right, you did love your job. Hope was an amazing kid, both funny, sweet and fairly easy to care for. On top of that it paid way more than any of your previous babysitting gigs.

Today had started of as any other day; you going over to Jesse's house to watch Hope. Jesse greeted you as you arrived, the two of you having a quick chat before he had to leave. However, what differed from other days was the small "good luck" he had thrown your way before getting in his car.

It turned out that the normally cheerful Hope was in quite the mood; grumpily not going along with any of the things you suggested that you could do.

"Do you want to go play outside in the rain?"

"No!" She huffed, crossing her arms sassily.

"Do you want to draw something?"

"No!"

Eventually you suggested that you could bake some brownies for when her dad returned from practice. Luckily she agreed to that, her previous mood completely replaced with a cheery one.

Immediately afterwards the two of you got to work as you put on her absolute favorite soundtrack in the entire world; the one from Frozen.

The music was still playing when Jesse returned from his practice early, making his return unnoticed by the two of you.

Instead of greeting you immediately he stood in the doorway into the kitchen, watching you do the dishes while the brownies were in the oven. You and Hope were also talking about the cake you were going to eat.

"Ice cream too?" Hope asked, giving you pleading eyes.

"Are you kidding? Ice cream to brownies is mandatory!" You giggled, poking her nose playfully.

Hope wanted chocolate flavor, but you tried to tell her that vanilla was a better choice. "Since the brownies are made of chocolate it might be a bit too much chocolate then," you tried to reason, "plus vanilla is much better anyways!"

"Chocolate is best. Silly Y/N," Hope scoffed - making you laugh.

Eventually Jesse decided to make his presence known, walking into the kitchen and greeting you.

"Daddy!" Hope squealed and ran over to hug him.

"Hi princess!" He lifted her up and held her in his arms.

"You're home early!" You commented, giving him a polite smile.

"Yeah, we finished a bit earlier as a reward for our recent win," he shrugged.

You didn't quite know what to do next. Your shift didn't end for another hour or so, and the brownies weren't even finished yet, but now that Jesse was home you didn't want to overstay your welcome.

"I should probably get going then," you awkwardly said - not quite sure if you were telling him about leaving, or asking if you should.

"No," Hope protested as she heard you, "Y/N, stay!"

Jesse agreed with his daughter. "You should stay, at least until the brownies are done. Can't have you making them and not even getting a taste."

"That would be tragic," you stated with a laugh, giving in and deciding to stay a little longer.

If Jesse was honest with himself he was happy that he got to spend a little time with you too. From the start he had been attracted to you, but when he saw how great you were with Hope; and he got to know you better through small talk, the attraction had evolved into something more. He had even contemplated asking you out for a while now, but the fear of rejection held him back. Maybe you would find it weird seeing how he technically was your boss.

Before any of you could say another word your timer went off; indicating that the brownies were done. Hope clapped her hands together in glee, knowing what the sound meant. "Brownies!"

The three of you ate the brownies together in harmony. Jesse had gotten both chocolate and vanilla flavored ice cream out of the freezer, trying to make both his girls happy. Well, although you technically weren't his girl, he definitely wanted you to be.

You laughed and joked around with each other, all whilst listening to the Frozen soundtrack - that Hope refused to let you turn off.

After the brownies had been eaten it was time for Hope's afternoon nap. Jesse got up to take her, but you beat him to it. "I'll do it," you smiled and carried her up the stairs and into her bedroom.

Jesse trailed after you and watched as you laid her down and sung her favorite bedtime song, staying with her until she fell asleep.

You blushed as you felt his gaze on you, but kept your own gaze on Hope. Although you never dared to admit it to anyone you had developed a small crush on the footballer. You never said anything though, afraid he would find it weird since you worked for him.

Eventually you got up and faced him with a smile. "Well, I guess that it my cue to leave for today." He nodded, "I'll walk you to the door."

You grabbed your coat and said your goodbyes; but the minute you stepped outside you heard him speak up again.

"Would you," he cleared his voice before continuing, "would you like to go out for dinner sometime? Just the two of us, no Hope."

You smiled and internally cheered, happy he felt the same way that you did.

"Yeah, sounds like a date."

[mefiman]

Hamato Family’s First Visit to the Hidden City

Story request by @rottmntrulesall. Hope you enjoy the story, bud! ^^

"C'mon, everyone! Hurry up!" Michelangelo's impatience was obvious in his excitement. He and his siblings were finally going to show their dad's relatives for the first time to the Hidden City for two reasons; one: to view the many wonders of the other world and two: to have a formal, proper meeting with Draxum's parents. The latter part had instilled some unease into the Hamato siblings, especially Saki who was wary about stepping foot into a mysterious world and was about to see for himself the father and mother of the "monster" who altered his younger brother many years ago.

"Are you sure this place is safe?" Hamato Kenji asked. Raphael glanced at his uncle, understanding his uncle's concerns. "We've been there a lot, Uncle Kenji! We did encounter a few dangers there before but other than that, the people there don't usually attack humans unless provoked." Raph assured his uncle.

"There are a lot of places to visit like the many resorts and spas if you want to have a massage and ooh, Señor Hueso's Run of the Mill Pizza where they make one of the best pizzas! I know the manager of that place, we're amigos~" Leonardo took the chance to quip in.

"I can't wait to see Grandpa Mons again! Wait till you guys meet him yourselves, he's the nicest, sweetest grandpa you'll ever meet! He's still as strong as he's gentle!" Mikey said happily.

"I wonder if Grandma Chemia has some wicked new inventions to show me!" Donatello exclaimed.

"This would be my first time seeing my grandparents, Arachne..." Ariadne whispered to her best friend, Arachne.

"You've never seen them before?" Her friend asked.

"Once when I was a baby... I haven't seen them for years." The yokai femme told Arachne.

"Alright, kids, you've shown us all that you're excited to bring us to visit the Hidden City, Mikey, can you open the portal now?" Splinter asked.

"Sure, Dad!" Mikey got to work quickly.

Draxum felt a tinge of anxiety inside himself. He could not recall the last time he visited his creators ever since he moved out of home to pursue his alchemy researching, away from his parents' constant arguments, half of which is about their preferred methods of raising him. It was a surprise how those two still manage to live under the same roof despite their obvious clashing personalities. He guessed that they tolerated each other just for his sake. His parents had never produced any more offspring after him and one of Arachne’s parents...

"Hey, are you okay, Dad?" A female voice asked him. Draxum jolted from his pondering to find that his daughter, Poison Ivy asking him out of concern. He just gave a small smile as he ran his clawed hands over her helmet. "Am fine, just thinking about your grandparents." He assured her. He marveled how Ivy much had grown from the last time he scientifically created her with his and Lou Jitsu's DNAs; she being so tiny as a developed newborn infant growing in a liquid chamber to a young lady around the boys' ages. From what he knew later on, Splinter raised her along with the Turtles. Ivy had lived her life at first as a normal human teenager until her yokai genes started appearing. The initial discovery of her origins did shake her world but over time, she had learnt to accept and use them to assist her brothers in their adventures. She was intelligent like Draxum and his mother with his father's gentle, mature nature as well as Splinter/Lou's sassiness. She loved to study on botany and coincidently, her powers involved using vines and summoning plant like monsters at will. She recently revealed her sexuality preference as a lesbian and had a girlfriend who is a fellow classmate and witch trainee/apprentice in disguise. Both her creators and siblings were happy for her. As of now, she was cradling her younger sister, Venus de Milo was giggling and squealing as April, Ariadne and Arachne cooed and tickled her belly.

The group watched Mikey draw a symbol on the wall at an alley. Once the symbol was drawn, an open portal revealed. The Hamato siblings' mouths went ajar, not believing what they just saw. "if you think that's mind blowing, you haven't seen nothing yet!" Mikey grinned. His three other brothers and the three girls each took hold of one of their Hamato uncles and aunts's hands. The moment they all jumped into that portal, they found themselves staring at a massive part of a what seemed to be a huge city. The sky above was unlike Earth's skies; instead it was orange with some brown. The architecture of the buildings there were monster shaped with some tall, castle like structures far away from the city. There were a lot of people of all shapes, sizes, colors and appearances walking, running, passing by each other, buying their needs or doing their usual business trades. The Turtle family allowed their Hamato relatives to take in their first view around them. Saki's eyes were bulging out of his sockets, he could not believe for his life what he was seeing. Anthropomorphic, mostly consisting of animal, everyday objects, monstrous and supernatural like individuals roamed every part of the streets around him, he felt as if he was having a strange dream that defied logic! Nori on the other hand, looked right and left, taking in interesting sights that captured her attention. Underneath a calm façade, Kenji was freaking out internally at the new, foreign view. Hiroki was squealing in delight similar to a child had just discovered a world made of toys and sweets. Her twin, Hikari was a bit calmer than his sister, feeling a thrill of danger running through his veins. Last but not least, the youngest Hamato sibling, Mei's stance looked poker face yet she looked around to see if there were any Gothic like people that she can interact with. The Turtles and the girls grinned, seeing the reactions of the others.

"What do you think? Surreal, huh?" They ask.

"Amazing.."

"Fascinating..."

"I can't believe what I'm seeing..."

"Someone please tell me that I'm dreaming..." Saki mumbled, still not believing.

"No, you're not," Draxum replied, going straight to the point with an indifferent expression. "May we please hurry to my parents' house, I bet they're waiting for our arrival..."

"Oh yeah!" Mikey clapped both his hands once. "Lead the way, Draxy!"

Draxum sighed as he took the lead of the group. Along the way, there were a few whispers around and behind Draxum coming from the city people but Splinter and Ivy took hold of both his hands and gave a comforting, assuring squeeze, making him feel better. Ariadne gave her uncle a comforting hand on to his shoulder. They were soon out of the main city square to a further distance into the woods. They had to climb up a hill for a while until they reached a big mansion residing there.

"We are here at last. My childhood home..." Draxum said, looking at the grassy, serene valley below, reminiscing the times where he as a little one ran galloping around the field, cartwheeling with glee among the flowers and his sire teaching him the basics on how to defend himself the predator way. Both father and son spend their days in the early years, sparring with each other...

"Draxum, my son!" The former alchemist warrior villain snapped out of his memories to find himself being engulfed into the arms of none other than his dear, loving old father, Monsrage who brought his only son into a crushing bear hug which knocked the wind out of his lungs. "How have you been, my little baby boy? It's rare that you visit us but it's so wonderful to see you bring your family along! How delightful!" the older yokai gushed, his bushy tail wagging with unlimited enthusiasm like an excited puppy. Monsrage was rather huge and muscular with perked up, pointy ears, silky straight black hair unchanged through time and a fairly long beard to match. Like Draxum before, he wore a battle mask. He had a significant dark upperlip. His body had different shades of blue just like his son, Draxum when he was armored. Monsrage's eyes were the same like Draxum's. His feet in particular, was a noticeable difference. Unlike his wife and son, his feet were shaped like a lion's paws, fitting for him coming from a predator species.

"Father, it's great to see you... but can you please let go now? I can't breathe..." Draxum choked out, being smothered by his sire's busty chest. Monsrage immediately loosened his grip, apologizing profusely while checking to see if he had accidently broken any of his son's bones. Draxum shook his head, smiling a little. His sire had never changed all these years, still a concerned worrywart. And he bet his mother had not either...

Chemia on the other hand, was greeting the rest of the visitors with feverish energy. She was a redhead with shades of pink for her skin colour and her ears, long and drooped. Her eyes had a little twinkle in them, a part of her eccentric personality and plump, red lips. Like her husband, she wore a mask. Donnie, April, Arachne and Ivy were given a whirlwind hug the moment they came in front of her. Monsrage went back to the mansion with his son to give the new visitors, the Hamatos, April, and Arachne a warm greeting as well as welcome his beloved grandchildren with his signature bear hug and proceed to pepper their faces with smooches which they were delighted to have especially Mikey, Ariadne, Ivy and Venus. Monsrage and Chemia ushered them all into their humble abode. The Hamatos were initially skeptical about meeting Draxum's family but they were soon warmed up to them. Later on, the mansion was filled with guffaws of laughter as Monsrage showed them all baby pictures of his son which embarrased the poor warrior scientist. Donnie, April and Ivy were treated to Grandma Chemia's latest creations. Monsrage himself had a blast, playing with Venus and sparring with the Turtles and the girls. Arachne was delighted to meet her grandparents as a young adolescent, telling them about her achievements, adventures and that her own parents are doing well. The Hamatos became comfortable talking with Draxum's parents over some snack delicacies. Overall, everyone had a wonderful time at the Hidden City.

I had fun writing this! Was tiring but oh so worth it.

The Hamato siblings (minus Lou/Splinter) and Venus de Milo belong to @rottmntrulesall while Ariadne and Arachne are the OCs of @mikeykawaii/@mikey-ho. Monsrage, Chemia and Poison Ivy along with the mention of the witch girlfriend belong to me, @mefiman. I hope you don’t mind me incorporating your girls into this story, @mikeykawaii but I’ve been dying to add them in, especially Ari meeting her grandparents! ^^ 

[nalgenewhore]

little hands

rowan x aelin + stella luna, modern au, fluff/domestic/babysitting, word count: 2049

Aelin checked the fridge again. She knew that she had bought Stella Luna’s favourite applesauce squeeze packets yesterday when she’d gone grocery shopping with Rowan, but she couldn’t be too sure. “Rowan?”

“Yes, my darling?” he called back from the living room.

“Did you get the painting book out? The one with the dragons and stuff, it’s Stella’s favourite,” she said, pulling open the bag of mini carrots and popping a couple into her mouth. Aelin bumped the door shut and wandered into the living room, fixing the fold of the throw over the back of their couch.

Her fiancé looked at her with an adoringly exasperated expression. “Yes, I did.” Rowan stretched his arm out to point at the corner where there was a children’s table. On it, he had organised various crafts and art supplies to keep their niece occupied during the day. “Right there, darling.”

Aelin flashed him a simpering grin and Rowan huffed a quiet laugh. He got up and crossed over to her, wrapping his arm around her back. She smiled wider, her eyes flicking over his face as he tangled his hand in her golden hair and dipped her, kissing her deeply.

She hummed into his mouth and strung her arms around his neck, bending her left arm to hook her hand around her elbow. Rowan held her a little bit closer, his lips fitting against hers. Aelin let out a little noise and he groaned, moving his hands to the backs of her thighs so that he could pick her up.

Just as he did, the buzzer sounded and a wee voice crackled through, “Hello-o-o, Ash! Hello-o-o Wo!”

They broke apart and laughed, Rowan’s forehead against Aelin’s. He let her down and she rushed over to the buzzer, one hand smoothing down the back of her hair. Aelin clicked the ‘talk’ button. “Hi, kiddo!”

“Me and Daddy are here and Mr. Ribbit,” Stella Luna chirped. “Let me in, let me in!”

Aelin laughed again and pressed the button again, “Alright, Stellie, go ahead.”

They heard the door opening and then Lorcan’s deep voice, “Thanks, G.”

Faintly, Stella cheered excitedly, “El-vator, Daddy!”

“Yeah, yeah, Tiny, I know,” he grumbled. “We’ll be up soon.”

The intercom fell silent and Aelin darted into the bathroom to sweep her hair up in a ponytail, checking to make sure that Rowan hadn’t ruined her nudey-pink lipstick. She walked back out to wait, excited to spend the day with Stella.

Elide was weeks away from giving birth to her second baby and their house was a bit… busy right now. As she got deep into her nesting period, it was easier if there wasn’t a wild toddler running amok. Aelin and Rowan were more than happy to watch Stella Luna for Elide and Lorcan.

Someone knocked on the door and Aelin opened it, smiling down at Stella. “Well, hello,” she said.

Stella giggled, dressed in her favourite black jeans, red knit sweater, and the leopard print coat Aelin had bought for her. “Hi, Ash,” she said, rushing forward to fling her arms around Aelin’s knees, her frog stuffie held tightly beneath her armpit. Aelin smiled and rested her hand on the top of the little girl’s head.

She looked at Lorcan, who was passing Stella’s bag to Rowan over Aelin’s head. “Hello, Salvaterre.”

“G,” he nodded at her, his eyes glittering with joy as they dropped down to his daughter. “How are ya?”

“Not bad, better now that my favourite little gremlin is here.”

Stella Luna squealed at the nickname, always delighted when she was called such. She pushed Aelin’s legs aside and ran to Rowan, always in constant motion. Aelin shook her head and laughed, smiling softly. “So,” she turned back to Lorcan, “how is our darling Elide?”

“As she so lovingly puts it, ‘too fucking pregnant’.”

Aelin laughed, leaning against the doorframe. “What are you two doing today?”

He tilted his head to the side and lifted his hand to ease some muscle in his neck. “I am restaining the crib and getting new bottles. Elide is picking out paint samples and crying over how cute baby pyjamas are.” A loving grin tugged across his face. “They are pretty cute.” Lorcan stretched his shoulders and cleared his throat, “So, uh, you’re all set, then?”

“Yes, sir,” Aelin said. She turned to see Stella, “Honey, you want to say bye to your pops? He’s leaving soon.”

Stella gasped and bade Rowan to pull her boots off faster. In a flash, she was up, running back to Lorcan, who lowered himself into a practiced crouch. The three-year old crashed into him, her voice muffled against his shoulder, “Bye-bye, Daddy. Have good day!”

He chuckled and hugged her back, kissing the side of her head, “You too, yeah? I love you, my darling moon.”

Aelin swallowed past the lump in her throat – it was a bit much, seeing how gentle Lorcan was with Stella Luna, how much he adored her.

“Love-a you too, Daddy,” Stella said as Lorcan stood up and she hopped back to Aelin’s side.

He winked at the child, “See ya. Be good.”

“But not too good!”

Lorcan laughed and walked backwards down the hall, “That’s right, Tiny.”

Stella Luna was grinning maniacally as she pushed the door shut and spun, looking around their apartment. Aelin reached down and helped her slip her coat off, hanging it on the coat rack. “What should we do now, kiddo? We can paint or draw, or read a book and play with Mr. Ribbit.”

The toddler frowned in concentration, shifting back and forth on her feet as she decided, “Hmm… painting time! But I, I wanna real paint, no book.” She reached up to Aelin, who took her wee hand. “Time to painting time.”

Aelin laughed merrily and followed Stella as she marched towards the craft corner. They passed Rowan and Stella Luna flung her other hand out, “Come-come, Wo! I’m gon’ paint a dragon, the big dragon.”

Rowan dutifully went with his very bossy niece and sat down cross-legged. Aelin took her seat on Stella’s other side and the little girl handed them both paper and paint. She passed Mr. Ribbit to Rowan to hold him and kept standing as Aelin squeezed out paint into the plastic child’s palette.

“So, lass,” Rowan said as he picked up a paintbrush and began dotting a wildflower landscape, “are you excited for your new sibling?”

“Um, I am et-cited,” Stella answered, looking down at her paper as she squiggled purple paint across it. “I get to be big sister, Wo.”

“Well, that’s cool,” he said, smiling at her. His green eyes flicked up to Aelin and softened. She smiled back at him, her heart fluttering slightly.

For the next hour or so, they painted with Stella. The toddler was very concentrated, using every colour that she could. For one piece of art, she used blue and yellow and Rowan helped her put glitter on the paper, so it would look like Aelin’s eyes.

“For you, Ash,” Stella insisted, shoving the painting into her aunt’s face. She crawled into Aelin’s lap and gently patted her cheek, near her eye. “See, like you.”

Aelin beamed and hugged Stella tightly, kissing her round cheeks. “I adore it, kiddo. How ‘bout we let Ro hang it up to dry and he can get lunch for us?”

“Yeah!” Stella cheered, thrusting the painting over to her uncle and shaking it for him to take it.

Rowan chuckled, shaking his head, “Very nice of you to offer my services, darling.” He stood and then bent, kissing Aelin’s cheek. As he straightened, he addressed Stella, “What would her highness like for lunch?”

“A squeezie, an’... grill-cheese,” Stella told him, picking Mr. Ribbit up, “p’ease.”

“Certainly, milady.”

Stella giggled and put her frog back down, reaching for the green paint. “I am gon’ do it with my hands,” she declared with glee. As she started to turn the paint tube upside down, Stella froze and gasped, hurriedly putting the tube down again.

Aelin watched in bewilderment as Stella picked Mr. Ribbit up and walked over to the couch, putting him down and patting his soft green head. She returned and explained, “Can’t get him dirty, Mama says Mr. Rib-bit no paint.”

“Ah,” Aelin said, nodding her head. “Very smart, little one.”

She helped Stella set up the paints she would need for finger-painting and moved some things off the table so that there wouldn’t be anything crowding the young artist.

Soon enough, Stella’s hands were covered in green paint and she started on a crude imitation of a frog. Aelin fetched a wet washcloth so that she could clean Stella Luna’s hands between colours. A fierce frown furrowed the child’s cute cute face as she painstakingly applied different shades of green to the body. “Is Mr. Ribbit,” she said, patting with her fingertip.

From the kitchen, Rowan called, “Lunch is ready.”

“Ooh!” Stella Luna gasped, quickly forgetting her masterpiece and trying to charge into the kitchen.

Quicker still, Aelin caught her and lifted her up, “Oh, I think we should wash our hands first, yes? Paint doesn’t taste good.”

Stella Luna shook her head, “No, it don’t.” Her words were wise and grave, like she spoke from experience. She wiggled and her aunt set her down, herding her towards the bathroom. Stella pattered off, her feet hitting the hardwood floor in an adorable pattern. “Come-come, Ash! Wash hands!”

Aelin laughed as she trailed after Stella into the washroom, missing the green handprints Stella had accidentally left on the white walls.

In the bathroom, Stella was reaching up on her toes to get the tap. Aelin did it for her and they washed their hands until the water ran clear.

“Lunch time!” Stella Luna shouted, charging back out to Rowan. She clambered up onto a barstool and tucked her legs beneath her.

Rowan passed her a plate of grilled cheese sandwich, cut into triangles, baby carrots, cucumbers, and a squeeze packet of applesauce on the side, “Here you go, lassie.”

Stella Luna giggled at the name and her uncle’s deep brogue. She ate a carrot first and swallowed before picking up a piece of grilled cheese with both hands.

Aelin and Rowan sat down too, eating the other grilled cheese that he had made for them.

The child chattered all through lunch, talking about how she would put her frog painting up in the baby’s room and that sometimes, if she was really quiet, when she touched Elide’s belly, the baby would kick.

Rowan stood up after he was done and put his plate in the dishwasher. He went to the bathroom and Aelin waited for the bathroom door to close with its regular click. When it didn’t, she got up and wandered to the hallway, leaning to the side to peek at her fiancé. “Ro? Are you alright?”

He was standing still, looking down at the wall. “Why are there little handprints on the wall?”

Aelin looked down and saw the green prints Stella had left. She laughed softly, smiling at the preciousness of it, and turned. “Stella?”

“Uh-huh?” She looked up and climbed down, padding over in curiosity.

“Why are there little handprints on the wall?”

Stella Luna shrugged, a cucumber slice half eaten in her hand. “Because my hands are lit-tle.”

Aelin snorted and laughed again, turning back to Rowan. “Because her hands are little.”

He looked at his niece and cracked a wide grin, “I guess that explains it, doesn’t it?”

She giggled once more and twirled, “Yup!”

Rowan chuckled and walked down the hall, scooping Stella up and kissing her cheek, “That’s a pretty good explanation, little one.”

Stella Luna nodded vehemently and kicked her legs out so he would let her down. She went back to her lunch and Aelin slid her arm around Rowan’s waist, squeezing his side. “It’s water-based, you know? It’ll come off with a cloth.”

“Yeah, I know.”

The event was forgotten until a few days later, Aelin was rushing out of the bathroom, late for work, and froze, seeing the picture frame that Rowan had hung over Stella’s trail of handprints.

Beneath it, he had printed out on a little slip of paper, Stella Luna Salvaterre Lochan, 2021.

<3<3<3

an: i saw this chat post somewhere and i thought it was the cutest thing

@mythicaitt @eyllweambassador @schmlip-scribble @the-regal-warrior @ladyverena @shyvioletcat @alifletcher2012 @tswaney17 @ourbooksuniverse @flora-and-fae @thesirenwashere @queenofxhearts @maastrash @mynewdreamwasyou @cursebreaker29 @empress-ofbloodshed @b00kworm @hizqueen4life @silversprings98 @amren-courtofdreams @jadeaffliction @superspiritfestival @sanakapoor @ireallyshouldsleeprn @spyofthenightcourt @thegoddessofyou @more-espresso-less-depresso-xx @claralady @neonhellas @darlinminds @readingismyonlyhobby @gracie-rosee @myshadowsingeraz @firestarsandseneschals @elriel4life @always-in-a-daydream @jlinez @hellasblessed @mariamuses @darklesmylove @adelzd-bookblr @rowaelinismyotp @sassyhobbits @swankii-art-teacher @januarystears @flamingveritas

[novelconcepts]

Hi! I dunno if you‘ve been asked this before: what do you think would have happened if Eddie hadn’t appeared the first time Jamie and Dani kissed? How would that scene have ended?

Some brands of courage, Dani thinks, come to a person only because the stars have aligned to a particular degree. Grief has nested too deep for too long and there’s a ridiculous amount of wine in the bloodstream and there’s a pair of warm, understanding eyes inches away. It’s not an excuse, letting all of this wind together into here we are. It’s not even a drunken accident, a marker of her pain, a marker of how long she’s wanted to try something like this.

It’s just alignment. Beautiful, wonderful, unexpected.

That she’s finally kissed Jamie feels like a miracle--she’s wanted to, half a dozen times since coming to this place, and has talked herself out of it just as often. It simply hadn’t been the right time, she’d thought, or place, or situation. Not in the bedroom, with Jamie’s breath soft on her neck, Jamie’s hands gently guiding a zipper out of place; there had been too much in the air between them, an electric uncertainty bordering on home in ways Dani hadn’t been able to look at too closely. Not out by Jamie’s truck, either, with the watchful glow of the moon bearing down and Jamie’s hand curled questioningly around her own; there had been too many words waiting in the wings, Dani unable to find language for all of them at once. And certainly not on the couch in that room, Jamie drawing deep breaths, her throat working around a swallow that had seemed to carry secrets Dani so desperately wanted to understand. 

She’d wanted, and she’d known it would crack something open--in Jamie, or in herself, or between them both--if she’d moved into that desire with open arms.

But here: here, in a shadow-speckled greenhouse, with Jamie’s collar firm under her hands, Jamie’s grin pressed to her lips, it’s different. Everything has lined up, finally, in a way Dani can understand. To form a path Dani can follow.

And following it, she is. Without thought. Without pause. 

Without question.

“You sure?” Jamie’s already said once, and is repeating now. Dani isn’t looking over her shoulder this time, isn’t seeking the certainty of ghosts in this place. He has no place here, she believes with sudden fierce warmth. This is not his to intrude upon. It’s Jamie’s. Jamie, stamped into every table and window, Jamie’s hands having constructed everything about it that matters. Jamie selects which plants to grow and tend and weed. Jamie brought in the blanket draped over the sofa now, the watering can, the spare pair of boots. Jamie’s tools, Jamie’s coveralls, Jamie’s presence everywhere she looks. 

If she was looking.

She isn’t. 

Her eyes are closed, her hands skidding clumsily up to grip the shoulders of Jamie’s almost comically-oversized jacket. She hasn’t been able to bring herself to touch Jamie just yet--not her face, not her hair, not her hands. It seems like a bridge waiting just there, a bridge to somewhere warmer, safer, more comfortable. She’s not sure she’s yet earned rights to that world.

Jamie’s jacket makes sense. Like Jamie, it is sturdy. Like Jamie, there is no question of its purpose. Holding the collar in her fists, Dani feels as though she has been offered an anchor in a storm, concrete unfolding beneath her feet for the first time in far too long.

Jamie doesn’t seem to have the same qualms. Jamie, whose hands are so alive, as Dani has never seen--fingers sliding into her hair, cupping around her ear, gently cradling her jaw. Jamie, who seems unable to get enough of Dani--not the soft purple of her coat, but Dani herself. As though this is all Jamie has wanted since Dani first arrived.

They’ll talk about it someday, Dani is sure--about how much of that is truth, and how much is simply romantic mid-kiss fever. Jamie hasn’t wanted her since Dani arrived. Jamie has watched her with guarded eyes, small smiles, keeping her body just out of reach. Jamie has only, surely, started wanting her recently.

She doesn’t think that matters. Not really. Not with Jamie kissing her this way now, lips parted in a soft sound of acceptance. It was so easy, once upon another woman’s life, to believe love only counted if it was instant, if it was always, if there was no beginning and no end--an ouroboros of sorts she wasn’t to question. 

That had been his way of thinking. Now is forever, and always was; don’t ask me for more. 

She could ask Jamie. She could pull back now, meet Jamie’s eyes, and Jamie would wait. Patient. Curious. Jamie would wait, and Dani could ask--when did you decide, she’d say, to want me?--and Jamie would give her as true an answer as she knows how. She can already tell that’s just Jamie’s way. Truth is not softer than fabrication, maybe, but it is kinder, in the end, and it is easier to fall back on than trying to keep all those balls in the air.

Dani knows that much. 

I don’t like bein’ lied to, Jamie had said only a few moments before, and Dani can’t tell her the truth with words. Doesn’t know how, not yet. But she can tell her the truth with the rest--with every piece of her not bound up in the fear, and the shame, and the guilt she’s been trying so hard to outrun since that squeal of tires on a slick blacktop road. She can tell her the truth with every piece of her not bound up in him. 

She keeps her eyes closed, kissing Jamie, and lets herself go. Lets herself sink into the rough fabric of Jamie’s jacket between clutching fingers--into Jamie’s tongue sliding smoothly into her mouth--into Jamie’s palms pressing to her cheeks like she’s holding something sacred. She lets herself push into Jamie, her hands sliding around Jamie’s back to grip that jacket like a lifeline. She lets herself lean back when Jamie pushes in return, laughing a little when her shoulders hit the arm of the sofa. 

“You’re sure?” One last time, for good measure, because wishes are always dosed out in threes. Because Jamie, leaning over her--looking, for the first time since Dani has met her, tall, almost expansive in a way that strips the breath from Dani’s chest--doesn’t want her to just say it. Jamie, leaning over her in this oversized work jacket and that tempting black dress, wants her truth--whatever that looks like. 

The truth is, Dani is sure.

The truth is, Dani is terrified.

The truth is, Dani thinks if she were only one or the other, she’d know this was wrong. That she’s both--that she has never wanted anything more than Jamie’s thumb pressing lightly to the corner of her lips, Jamie’s body pressing her down into firm cushions, and has never felt quite so alive with fear at the same time--is right. It’s how it should be. It’s the good kind of sure, with every clamor of her heart singing its agreement, and the best kind of fear, adrenaline skipping spikes down her limbs. 

If she looks past Jamie now, if she chances a glance at the starlight reflecting off the black greenhouse windows, she might find the other kind of sure. The other kind of terror. The ones still wrapped up in a man whose hands had gone from warm to imposing before she’d known it was happening. If she looks past Jamie now, all the good will rush out of her, and the grief will rush back in. 

She looks only at Jamie’s face. Jamie’s crooked little smile. Jamie’s hair, falling out of its carefully-mussed bun, tumbling at last into eyes that seem to register nothing in this room--in this world--except Dani stretched out beneath her. 

“I’m sure,” she says, and it seems to be exactly what Jamie needs. Not a nervous nod, not a swept-away laugh, but a promise given voice. I’m sure. I want to be here. I want to be with you. I’m sure. 

If she’s got nothing else, she’s got this. It’s more than she could have dreamed, days ago, her hand warm with the memory of Jamie’s fingers wrapped around it. 

Jamie is kissing her again, no hesitation at all, and Dani allows herself--inch by inch, breath by breath--to expand beneath the soft slide of those kisses. Her hands tease up from collar to throat, her fingers tracing the staggering speed of Jamie’s pulse. Her thumb finds the arc of Jamie’s jaw, blunt nail scratching a gentle path until Jamie’s lips part over her own in a sigh. Her tongue brushes Jamie’s once, twice, a hand reaching up to knot in Jamie’s curls, and there is no pause for reflection, no chance offered to whatever might be waiting in the dark to intrude. 

She’s sure, and she’s wonderfully afraid, and she’s never in her life been both at the same time. Tomorrow, she suspects, there will be other feelings crowding in--guilt, maybe, that she’s forgotten him at last. Or a glee too intoxicating to escape. Or maybe there will be Jamie across the breakfast table, head down, eyes darting, too embarrassed to allow Dani back in behind her walls. 

Maybe.

Tomorrow, Dani thinks. I can think of that all tomorrow. Tonight is its own triumph. Tonight is its own small victory. Tomorrow, she can stare into a mirror and tell Eddie once and for all she’s done--moved on at last, whether she wanted to or not, has found someone who makes her feel like she can brave every ghost the world could ever be haunted by. Tomorrow, she can deal with the pain of letting go, of the unsteadiness daylight might bring to Jamie’s smile, of whatever conversation will piece together the people they were this morning with the people waiting on the other side of sunrise. 

Tonight, she is sure. Of one knee jammed against the back of the sofa, Jamie’s weight rocking between her spread legs. Of Jamie’s kiss sliding warm and sweet from her lips to her neck, Jamie murmuring things so soft and gentle, it sends an ache through Dani’s chest. Of Jamie’s hands growing bolder, Jamie matching every moment of exploration with questioning eyes: Is this all right? Are you all right? You sure?

Tonight, making urgent sounds into Jamie’s kiss, letting herself tip over from a woman burdened to a woman wanting, she is sure. As sure as she’s ever been. She is sure, and she is the right kind of afraid, and she understands Jamie will only go as far as the road Dani is paving allows. She understands Jamie will not hold it against her, if she presses a hand to her chest and turns her head away. Jamie will lean back, accept more of her story, accept whatever it is Dani is offering. 

It won't matter. One way or the other, it’ll be closer than Dani’s ever been to freedom. 

Tomorrow, she can unpack what it means. What everything aligning in this exact way has brought her. Tomorrow, she can decide where she stands, and find out how far Jamie wants to walk with hand outstretched. 

Tonight, she is kissing Jamie, and she is wrapping her arms around Jamie’s neck, and she is memorizing the comfortable weight of Jamie’s smile against her skin. Tonight, everything has lined up just right.

She does not look away. 

[robinrunsfiction]

It’s A Love Story - Part 2

Part 1

When Saturday arrived, (YN) had been so excited for her and Mikey’s birthday party, but the noise had been going on for what felt like ages and she needed a break. It wasn't like many people were talking to her, apparently Gerard's threats were even more intimidating with him in the corner keeping an eye on everything as their mom left him to chaperone while she stayed up in her bedroom, away from the teenagers. 

(YN) slipped away to her room, flopping back onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling when she heard a knock on the door frame. She sat up with a start and found Frank looking amused in the doorway.

"Avoiding your own party?" He asked.

"And I'll cry if I want to, or however the song goes. I dunno how Mikey got all of the outgoing genes in like the entire family. It's not really fair."

Frank laughed and nodded. "You and Gee do have that in common."

(YN) nodded. "You can come in ya know."

"I dunno what rules your mom has about boys in your bedroom," he said, padding across the floor to sit next to her.

"Oh you know you only got Gee and Mikey to be scared of," she replied, shaking her head. "What brings you up here anyway?"

"I got you a present," he said.

"Really?" (YN)'s eyes lit up and a grin formed on her face.

"Yea, umm, here," he said, pulling a small box out of his jacket pocket.

(YN) stared at it for a moment before carefully unwrapping it. Inside was a necklace with a blue sapphire charm. "Oh wow," she whispered.

"The lady at the store said it was your birthstone, but I didn't know if you'd like it," he trailed off with a shrug.

"I love it, it's so pretty!" She said, throwing her arms around him in a hug. "Thanks Frank."

"Of course, happy birthday (YN)," he replied, returning the hug.

"I'm gonna guess you didn't get Mikey the same thing?" (YN) laughed as she put the necklace on. 

Frank laughed. "Nah, I got him a CD," Frank replied before pausing, seemingly lost in thought. "It's kinda shitty how him and Gee scared off all the guys from you."

(YN) sighed. "I just wish they would have asked me how I felt about it first. But," she paused, drawing up every ounce of courage she could find, "as long as the guy I like keeps talking to me, it's fine."

Frank nodded before his eyes went wide and (YN) couldn’t help but laugh a little at the realization that had clearly just hit him. 

"And I seem to be the only guy that's ever talking to you."

"So that would mean," she trailed off, her cheeks burning.

"For real?"

"Yea, sorry," she replied, wrinkling her nose.

"No, no that's not what I meant. I mean, I like you too, (YN)."

She was surprised, but couldn’t help but grin. "It's dangerous to have a crush on me, ya know."

"I like to live dangerously," he smirked, and (YN) had to keep from melting on the spot as the air hung thick between them. 

"So what do we do now?" She asked softly.

“Well, I really wanna kiss you," he said, sliding closer to her, his hand on top of hers.

“Gee and Mikey will kill you,” she whispered as they started to lean in together.

“Then I’ll die happy," he whispered back.

“See you at your funeral,” she replied as Frank reached up and touched her cheek gently before closing the distance between them. Their lips met and (YN) had to try not to sigh, it was everything she had hoped it would be. 

When they pulled back, Frank was smiling like she'd never seen before. "Was that good?" She asked.

Frank furrowed his brow in confusion. "Yea, it was really good. Wait, was that your first kiss?"

(YN) nodded and bit her lip, her cheeks going pink again. "Yea."

A smile spread across Frank's face. "You wanted me to be your first kiss?"

"Duh," she laughed lightly. "Is that weird?"

"No, it's," Frank looked like he was trying to find the words to describe what he was feeling. "Fucking awesome," he finally replied.

(YN) smiled and shook her head, before looking down at the necklace she was now wearing. "Thanks for making this a really memorable birthday."

"You deserve it," he nodded. 

"We should probably go back downstairs before someone comes looking for us, or starts to suspect something."

"Yea," Frank agreed. "We'll talk soon about… us?"

"Sounds like a plan," (YN) nodded.

Frank leaned in, giving her another quick kiss before getting up and leaving her room.

(YN) sighed and flopped back on her bed again before letting out a squeal of utter glee.

~

The following week of school felt like the longest of (YN)'s life, all she wanted was for it to be Friday night. She and Frank had decided they were going to skip the weekly movie night with her brothers and Ray, and instead have their first date. When Friday evening finally arrived, (YN) couldn't get out of the house quick enough. 

"(YN) are you still in for movie night?" She heard Mikey ask behind her. She froze, wincing, hand inches from the doorknob.

"Oh, no sorry," she replied, turning to face her brother. "I'm going to Marie's, she's having some boy problems and wanted someone to talk to."

"Oh," Mikey shrugged.

"What's going on?" Gerard asked, walking into the living room.

"Guess it's just us and Ray tonight," Mikey explained.

"Where are you going?" Gerard asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

"Marie's. No Frank?" She asked, trying to remain inconspicuous.

"He said he's not feeling good, stomach thing," Gerard explained.

(YN) nodded. "That sucks... Well, I'll see ya later," she said before hurrying out the door, afraid they'd somehow see through her lies.

The walk to Frank's house was quick, she'd made it countless times before, but never before in this context, which added an extra spring to her step. By the time she arrived at the door, her heart was pounding.

"Hey," he said, immediately pulling her into a hug when she walked in. "I ordered a pizza a little bit ago, is that cool?"

"Yea, of course," she nodded before kicking off her shoes and dropping her purse by the door. "Umm, so did you tell your mom that we're," she trailed off.

"She's not home yet, but yea, just so she knows not to bring it up around the guys for some reason,” he said, leading the way into the kitchen. 

“That’s good,” she nodded, taking the soda that he offered to her.

An awkward silence hung between them as they stood in the kitchen. They normally would have been bantering easily, but there was now so much to talk about that neither seemed to know where to begin.

“So, umm-” Frank started, but before he could get any more words out, the doorbell rang. “Oh, hang on.”

(YN) nodded and made her way to the living room, plopping down on the couch.

"Thanks man, see ya Monday," she heard Frank say before walking into the living room with the pizza.

"Who was that?"

"Tucker. I didn't know he got a job delivering pizzas."

"Me neither, but no one tells me anything anymore," she laughed.

Frank laughed as he sat the pizza down on the coffee table in front of them. “What do you wanna watch?”

“Whatever you want,” (YN) shrugged as she picked up a slice of pizza.

Frank hummed as he perused his movie collection. “Got it,” he nodded, pulling one off the shelf, and putting it on. He settled onto the couch next to (YN) as he started the movie. After they both had their fill of pizza, Frank put his arm over her shoulder. "Is this ok?"

"Yea," she smiled, sliding over so she was resting against his side.

They sat in silence as the movie continued to play, but (YN) was only halfway paying attention. She was too busy thinking about Frank's hand on her shoulder, thumb rubbing small circles into the material of her shirt. She had just turned her attention back to the movie when a jump scare made her yelp and bury her face against Frank’s shoulder.

She heard the sound of the movie stop and Frank wrapped both his arms around her. "Shit, sorry," he murmured, rubbing her back soothingly.

"It's ok," she replied, pulling back from him enough to look up at his face. He was definitely concerned, and it warmed her heart.

"Do you wanna watch something else?"

"No, no, it's ok, we can keep watching this," she insisted. “I was just startled.”

"Ok, he replied, pressing play again, but she stayed curled up against him and he kept both his arms wrapped around her, holding her tighter than before.

"There's another jump scare coming up," Frank said a few minutes later.

(YN) whined a little and turned to hide her face against Frank's shoulder again when he caught her chin and she looked up at him. He leaned in and kissed her while the suspenseful music blared from the TV. (YN) smiled into the kiss as she wrapped her arms over his shoulders and he pulled her closer. Tentatively he deepened the kiss, and she tried not to get too excited that she was finally, truly, getting to make out with Frank.

It wasn't until the end credits were playing that they came up for air.

"I really liked the movie," (YN) laughed.

"Me too," Frank grinned. "And I really like you."

"You'd mentioned something about that before," (YN) smiled coyly, but couldn't help but blush a little. “Umm, so can I ask something?” Frank nodded so she continued. “When did you realize that you liked me?”

Frank scrunched up his face for a moment as he thought. “I think it was kinda gradual. When we started the band and you started doing your own thing with your clothing designs, I thought that was so cool.”

“Really?”

Frank nodded. "I don't always know who or what you're talking about, but it's cool seeing you be so excited about it. But," and then winced a bit. “If I’m gonna be totally honest, umm,” he trailed off.

“What?” 

“Please don’t think I’m a scumbag like Adam, but umm, at the pool party, I mean,” he rubbed his hands over his face. “You’re hot!” He finally blurted out and (YN) began to laugh.

“I don’t think you’re a scumbag, because I know you’re not gonna try to take advantage of me or anything,” she replied.

“I never would, you mean too much to me to do anything that would make you feel bad," he replied sincerely.

(YN) smiled. “That’s why I like you, ya know.”

“Hmm?”

“You always make me feel better about myself, even when I'm struggling through math class or whatever. And because when Gee or Mikey are being obnoxious and picking on me, you would always take my side," she smiled. “Plus you’re really cute and I really like watching you play guitar because it’s so cool.”

It was Frank’s turn to grin. "So are you gonna start coming to watch our practices?"

"I dunno, I don't wanna just seem like a groupie,” she laughed. “Or worse, raise my brothers' suspicions. I don't want them to freak out and kick you out of the band or something," she said, starting to pick at her nails.

"Hey," he started, taking her hands as she looked up at him. "I know you do that when you’re nervous, but whenever you're ready to talk to them, I'll be there. Until then, we'll keep things between just you and me."

"The secrecy is kinda fun, forbidden romance and all that," she smiled.

"And when it's not secret, it will be even better, because then I'll be able to do this whenever I want," he said leaning in and kissing her.

(YN) got completely lost in the amazing sensation of kissing Frank until the front door opened. They jumped apart as Frank’s mom walked into the house. She peeked in the doorway to the living room with a smile. “Hi Frank, hi (YN), don’t mind me!”

They both greeted her, and (YN) checked the time. “Ugh, it’s getting late, I should probably get home,” she said, getting up.

“Do you want me to walk you back?" Frank asked, following her to the door.

"Probably shouldn't risk it. You're supposed to be sick, remember?"

"Oh yea," he replied, sounding a bit forlorn.

"I promise I’ll try to figure out how to tell them soon."

Frank nodded. "Like I said before, whenever you're ready, I'll be right there with you. You're my girl."

(YN) felt her heart flip and her knees go a little weak as she threw her arms around Frank and buried her face against his neck. He held her close until she pulled back, and gave him a quick kiss.

"Let me know when you get home safe," he said as she headed out the door.

She waved over her shoulder, feeling like she was practically floating

Part 3

[twstoric]

give you everything

𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒚𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒆𝒅: Hi~ May i request a scenario with Malleus, Riddle and Azul with a dom packing s/o that will fuck the living daylights out of them?~ maybe a lil mind break and cumflation?~ ((I enjoyed bingeing your works so much holy fuck how does one even- ejwiwiksjsj)) ((❤️))

𝕡𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘: malleus draconia x m!reader, riddle rosehearts x m!reader, azul ashengrotto x m!reader

𝕤𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪: the desire to have a part of you buried so deep is too strong to overlook~

𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘(𝕤): breeding kink, dom!s/o, (slight) cum inflation, dirty talk (minor), mind break

𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕕 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥: 2.5k (total)

𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕖: this is literally making my inner dom quiver i—the biggest gold star for you ☆ and thank you for enjoying my work so much!! ;;

Malleus Draconia

There’s always something to look forward to in a dayーrather it be the start of a new chapter or the end of a cherished longing, there’s always the thrill of finding out what the day has in store for you. 

That small excitement always seems to grow just a bit more when you’re with a certain horned-headed lover of yours. The time spent can’t possibly compare to all the wonders of the worldーeach and every time spent together is to be cherished deeply; taken in with great care.

But this.

What a time to be alive. 

“Shall I put an heir in you, my King?” You breathe into his ear; so much teasing in your tone and so much seriousness behind your actions. “Would you like that? For me to fuck you full of my cum until you’re round and filled with my child.” A low chuckle leaves your lips, hips picking up pace in excitement from the visual of doing such things.

The ache in your thighs beg you to rest; muscles twitching with every movement but you can’t stop. You don’t think you want to. Not from the moment you’ve had Malleus in your arms and not from the moment he’s pulled you into his bedroom, a teasing smirk on his lips.

This could be.. your fifth.. sixth? No matter the number of times, but you know that you’ve been unable to stop since Malleus had pulled his clothes over his shoulder oh so slowly; the smirk never leaving his face. 

It’s like you’re in heat, mind frenzied with the lust and love you have for the fae under you and Mallues still holds his smile despite your fatigue. 

He wraps his arms around you, pulling you closer to him and brushing his mouth against your. You feel the soft lick of his tongue over your lips, tasting your skin in his mouth and you’re out of breath when he pulls away. “You wish to have a child with me..? That would make you rule by my side for eternity,” his eyes glow like gemstones, casting a spell with no use of magic that has you utterly captivated. You don’t focus on the implications of his words.

Instead, you hiss, grinding your hips harshly and glaring down at him. “Unbelievable. You’re not tired, are you?” You sound so pathetic despite your faux anger, wheezing for breath and groaning when Malleus tightens intentionally. 

“Would you be able to fix that, I wonder..” He murmurs, running his hands down your face. A soft moan leaves his lips, barely noticeable when your hips thrust in a quick, short movement. His face flushes, eyes hazy with love and a smile spreads on his face. “You feel wonderful inside me,” He sounds so giddy while saying this, eyes twinkling like a child.

Not replying to his words, you prop yourself up higher by the knees; scooching closer to Malleus’ thighs as he watches you in wonder. Your cock almost slips from inside him but you quickly thrust forward to plug his hole. You’re not wasting a drop of cum tonight.

The hitch in the dark fae’s breath is noticeable as you raise his leg, clutching them together over your chest as you use his limbs as leverage to thrust in harder. Malleus’ back arches off the bed, the restriction to his leg making him unconsciously tighten up.

You pull his legs with each thrust. Sharp smacks of skin against skin echoing in the room and it’s when you push Malleus’ legs forwardーas if bending himーare you rewarded with the soft gasps and moans of your dark prince.

You feel the bubbling glee in the back of your throat; spurred by his pleasured gasps to fuck harder like your life depends on it. Your cock twitches, drawled out moans leaving your lips tangling with Malleus’ soft pants. He feels so fucking tight suddenly, squeezing and taking your cock like he was made for you. 

Malleus can feel the twitch of your cock, indication of your incoming climax and something in him lights aflame. He lets out a small moan, stomach tightening in knots and the suffocation of being bent by you is so delicious. His mind blanks, feeling nothing but the way your cock stuffs him full and how your fucking all your cum back into him.

He’s going to have an heir, he thinks. An heir with you. You’ll make such a wonderful ruler by his side… “A- ah-!” he gaps, spine arched prettily as he cums. You follow soon after and Malleus whimpers when you grind into him roughly, hips flushed against his ass and he’s only able to focus on the way your cum gushes into him.

He feels so full suddenly. Unable to breathe as you place his legs down and his body twitches with sensitivity. Your hips are still softly rutting into him, drawing out soft gasps from the ravenhead. 

Blinking away the bleariness in his eyes, Malleus lifts his head to look at you but his eyes widen at something else. 

You feel like cackling, the look of utter bewilderment or even astonishment on his face is priceless. His stomach, the usually lean muscle extends slightly; a small bump on the normally flat skin. 

Malleus’ lips part and close pathetically. Arms shaky as he tries to lift himself but you push him down again. His attention is directed back on you when you climb over him; jostling the cum inside him and Malleus’ face burns. 

You smirk, tracing your fingers on his face as if to mock his earlier actions. The alarm in his eyes is instantly replaced with a look of fondness, mouth pulled in a smile as you kiss him. 

“Shall we go again to ensure our future heir?”

Riddle Rosehearts

“You’re so acquiescent to the rules at times, Riddle,” you sigh, hips pressing harder against the redhead and he moans softly. “But that’s a good thing, you know?” 

A soft, breathy whimper leaves Riddle’s lips in response. His hand claws at your back, holding on to whatever sanity he has left when it feels like you’re stuffing him to the brim. “O- of course,” he manages to wheeze out. How his lungs are still working, he’s not sure. “A- all rules of The Queen of Hearts must be adhered to.” 

You smile, leaning down to kiss his neck and Riddle gasps at the sudden shift. “Aren’t you a good boy,” dark cherries blossom in his skin; you grin, snapping your hips against his suddenly. “Then you’ll listen to your Master’s rules, won’t you?”

Riddle doesn’t replyーcan’t reply; a load gasps leaving his lips as he pushes his chest up in an arch. Each drag of your cock against his walls further incinerates all thoughts in his head. He can’t think or feel anything but you. His veins course with the pleasure you’re giving him, face twisting in uncontained ecstasy. 

“Rule Number One, Riddle,” you pat his cheek to get him to focus. The redhead’s lips pull back in a grimace as he gives you a short nod. You smile, “You are to take every drop of cum I give you.” A sharp thrust punctuates your words and you grin when Riddle yelps in surprise. He’s already following your commands so charmingly. 

A soft grunt leaves the back of your throat; head dropped down briefly before perking back up. Suddenly, you're turning Riddle’s legs over as if turning a steering wheel and he gasps loudly, blinking for a moment before looking back at you. 

He’s on his stomach, arms close to his chest as he attempts to lift himself up but you’re already straddling the back of his thighs. He freezes, face close to the bedsheets and almost unwilling to turn around now that you’re on top of him like this. 

The soft glide of your fingers over his ass makes Riddle clench the bed sheets tightly, as if to brace himself for your next move. “Rule Number Two~” You sing-song, spreading his ass cheeks apart and you have to bite back a chortle when Riddle buries his face in the sheets. You ease your cock back inside him, sighing softly at the tight heat that surrounds you. “Don’t hide your voice.”

With that, you slam into him unrestrained. Hands caging the dorm head in and snapping your hips with all your strength. The loud smacks of each thrust makes Riddle squeal, biting on the cotton in his mouth before letting go when he feels you lean closer to his head. 

“Ngh-! Ah! F- feels good,” he whines, raising his ass to meet you halfway as tears stream down his face. His fingers are becoming numb from how tight he’s clenching them. Drool spills down his chin, tongue lolling out and eyes going hazy.

You bite the back of his neck, licking his skin and marking him up. “Rule- Rule Number Three,” you wheeze, almost falling on top of him from the euphoria. You kiss down his neck to his shoulder blade, nuzzling your face there and Riddle feels your smirk on his skin. “Scream my name, Riddle~”

As if a button was switched, Riddle throws his head back, grabbing the back of your head and pulling your hair to the juncture between his neck and shoulder. You instantly mark up his skin upon the silent request, blooming cherries on his skin with your mouth. 

“F- fuck-! Please, please, please..! M- master, give it to me! Your- your cum.. w- want your cum..” he begs, tears streaming down his face. 

Riddle wails loudly, body shuddering under you before he freezes and collapses on the bed. His legs are still twitching lightly, Riddle’s mind blanking and his face heats with each pump of your cum inside him. 

His breathing is heavy and ragged, not even registering when you pull out gently. It takes him some time to collect his strength and finally lift himself up but you see the way Riddle stops abruptly midway. 

His head hangs between his shoulders and you tentatively place a hand on his back, only then realising that he’s looking under him. Peeking down, your mouth gapes in awe at the slight stretch of his stomach, filled to impossible fullness. 

The redhead sits down slowly, hands placed between his thighs and eyes never leaving his stomach. You can feel the way your brain malfunctions when Riddle tilts his head to look at you, a lopsided smile on his lips;

“Since I failed to follow your third rule then.. Won’t you punish me, Master?”

Azul Ashengrotto

“T- to waste something so valuable...” Azul laments, frowning at the drops of cum painting his stomach. He looks so pained to see your essence dribbling down his skin like that. “Idiot..”

You click your tongue; eyes twitching in annoyance as you yank at Azul’s leg. How ungrateful. 

He yelps, not expecting the rough handling and splutters when you spread his legs widely. “If you want me to cum in you so bad, then I fucking will.” Your cock plunges into him without warning, Azul moaning in surprise as he bucks into you. He takes you so well—and still so fucking tight. 

You pant, bottoming out and grinding your hips roughly against him. Azul twitches with every harsh grind, head thrown back and clawing at whatever he can reach. 

“Please, please, please,” he chants, wiggling his ass and jostling your cock inside him. He moans in ecstasy at feeling the way your large girth stretches him deliciously—veins rubbing against his walls.  “Please, I want your cum,” he begs, face flushing and twisting pathetically. The thought of not receiving your cum inside him makes him so upset, tears spring up to his eyes. 

You curse loudly, drawing back and snapping back in, a loud smack resounding in the room when your pelvis makes contact with Azul’s plump ass. He squeals, eyes closed tightly with drool dripping down his chin. “I’ll fuck my cum inside you,” you groan, feeling the way Azul tightens at your words. “And you’ll take it. Like the good bitch you are.”

He feels like you’re blessing him with those words of promise. Yes, he wants to cheer, give me all your cum, every single drop, bury it deep inside me. 

His chest tightens with so much anticipation and glee. He’s so greedy with you. Taking everything you can offer him with eager hands and insatiable hunger. He wants your everything and he’ll make sure to get it. 

His moment of blissed pleasure comes to an abrupt end when his intuition is warning him of something. He frowns, lips pulled back in a snarl when you give him a mocking smile. Fuck thatーhe won’t let you get your way. 

The sudden force Azul uses when pushing you manages to catch you off guard enough for him to flip you over, quickly straddling your legs and stuffing your cock back inside him. The dorm head shudders violently, face flushed a bright red and a wide smile on his face. 

Azul’s hips rock back and forth, clenching and unclenching around your cock as he places his hands on your chest. “Th- this is necessary to keep your end of the deal, isn’t it?” He blinks his lashes at you prettily, breath stuttering when you place your hands on his waist.

A nagging feeling settles in the back of Azul’s mind when he sees your easy smile, brows raised as if questioning him. “So greedy,” you murmur, snaking your hand up his chest to pinch a pert nipple. “That’s fine..” A sharp glint in your eyes makes Azul’s stomach sink. “I’ll play your game.”

Too quickly for Azul to process, your hands wrap around his torso, knees bent upwards to push him towards your chest and you trap him in your arms as you fuck into him. He squeals loudly, body tensing in your arms but his hips fucks back onto you. 

You use your legs to push your ass up to drive deeper into him; muscles straining and protesting from the tiresome movement but you can’t think of thatーonly focusing on the way Azul scratches and claws at your chest in pure ecstasy. 

He’s chanting your name like a worshipper, drool and tears dripping down to your chest as your cock hits his prostate with each hard movement. Pushed over the brim with each clench of Azul’s ass, you plant your legs firmly on the bed before thrusting back in hard and burying your cock impossibly deep. 

Azul is still twitching by the time you lay down on the bed again, his face pressed against your neck. Spent and muscles aching, you breath a long sigh, throwing your head back against the pillows as Azul slowly pulls away from you.

The soft gasp he lets out draws your attention back on him and you look to see Azul blinking down at his stomach; eyes twitching slightly. “Th- this is..” he starts, voice wet as he places a hand on his stomach, bloated like a small balloon. 

He grins, ass pushing back and he gasps when feeling the swish of cum inside him. Azul places his hand on your chest again, blunt nails scratching your skin and hips rolling against yours.

“I believe you haven't given me every drop of your cum..?”

[chocoholicannanymous]

If the Spit Hits the Fan (Glee) Part XV

Follows pt I, pt II, pt III, pt IV, pt V, part VI, pt VII, part VIII, part IX, part X, part XI, part XII, part XIII and part XIV.

Being Sebastian's boyfriend really isn't that much different from being his friend. They do a lot of the same things, and talk about the same stuff, only now there's hand-holding and kissing and cuddling with it. Apart from the touching though? Nothing really changes much.

Which kind of makes it sound like how it was with Blaine.

It's not though.

Sebastian will hold his hand in the hallway without worrying about being seen. And yes, Dalton is different from McKinley – so, so much different, and safer – but Blaine even hesitated to hold Kurt's hand in the choir room, surrounded by friends.

Sebastian kisses him in a way that never leaves Kurt doubting there's attraction, and has to stop his hands from wandering too far on a regular basis – yet never making Kurt worry he won't stop.

Sebastian makes Kurt have to stop himself, both from allowing it and from doing his own wandering. They're still too new to go there, no matter how much Kurt's hormones sit up and beg every time Sebastian touches him. (They'll get there, Kurt's sure, just... Step by step, and not yet.)

Sebastian reaches out for Kurt without looking – sometimes seemingly without thinking – to pull him close, and always makes a space for him.

And when Sebastian sings, it's with Kurt, or for him, not at him.

It's a far cry from scheduled make-outs and avoiding even PG13 levels of PDA and being made to feel like his boyfriend is more interested in his own hand than in Kurt.

It's amazing.

There's a rainbow rose hanging on Kurt's door on Valentine's day. He and Sebastian have been dating for two days – a day and a half, if he was to be picky – and Kurt knows from last year's insanity that there's not a flower shop within two hours of Vesterville that carries rainbow roses. They have to be ordered special, and with a lot more warning than two days.

Kurt's not the least bit ashamed about how he squeals, or how he turns on his heel and kisses his boyfriend (!) for long enough to be a little dizzy afterwards.

This isn't to say that Sebastian is a perfect boyfriend. He's not. Then again, neither is Kurt. He's working from romantic movies and the examples from the New directions, and of course from his time with Blaine. Neither is a good road map. Romantic movies have so many flaws Kurt don't really want to examine, and a lot of his favorites are set too far back in time to be useful as guidelines. The loves lives of his old glee mates are...well. They're flawed too, when seen without rose-colored glasses and envy.

As for his relationship with Blaine... Even if he's not counting how it ended that relationship was so very less than perfect, and honestly it was both their faults. Kurt's not without blame, he knows that and can admit it without somehow pretending what Blaine did wrong never happened.

So he's trying to learn from his mistakes, and other people's mistakes, and he does his best to communicate with Sebastian – who does the same in return.

Also, no one can say that they don't argue. They definitely do. They have from the beginning, and they're both opinionated passionate people, so why should they stop now? Their relationship has changed – they themselves haven't.

It's just that they manage to argue in a way that works. That doesn't makes Kurt pull out his claws to eviscerate Sebastian, that doesn't scare Kurt, or make him give in to “preserve the peace”. That, right there, was one of the things that had sent his relationship with Blaine down the wrong turn. When he'd first told his dad that he'd begun dating Blaine Burt Hummel had told him never to go to bed angry with his partner. He'd meant to sort out arguments and disagreements, but Kurt had interpreted it as needing to back down and push down his anger or hurt. With Sebastian he doesn't.

They argue, because that's who – and how – they are, but they do it in as mature and healthy way as they are able to, being teenagers. And they apologize if they step over the line. Not Kurt apologizes, regardless, with Sebastian pouting until he does, but both of them.

If Kurt had to, he'd call it damned near perfect. Instead he'll just say it's good, and he's happy.

That's never something to look down on.

The week of Regionals is weird. Kurt's never felt as prepared or as calm with a competition approaching, which is rather telling. The rest of the Warblers are a different story though. Kurt has made it clear that his primary goal is to beat the Troubletones, and his friends are feeling the pressure. They even ask if Kurt and Sebastian won't reconsider singing 'Human Nature'.

“Look, guys, I'm honored, really, that you would trust me, us like that. But I want to win more than I want that solo. And even if we ignore the fact that Ohio doesn't seem ready for a gay duet, I really do think the setlist we have is stronger as is. The Troubletones have a great presence, and both Mercedes and Santana are awesomely talented. However, everything about the Troubletones are built around them. The rest of the girls are background and dancing. If we go on with a number that's the same they are going to win, for no other reason than that most people find girls prettier and nicer to look at.

“But if we go on as an actual choir, for a show choir competition? We'll win. I'm sure of it. We've worked so hard with our songs, and I wouldn't change a thing about our setlist.”

And it's true. They have an amazing setlist, and everything flows in a way that makes Kurt feel practically professional, and he's not giving that – and its chance to win – up to stare longingly at Sebastian while singing a song that exposes them to the core.

No. Kurt's going to have quite a lot more time in the spotlight than he'd expected when turning down a proper solo. He's going to sing with his friends, and his boyfriend, and he's going to show McKinley what it means to be a team onstage.

The Troubletones are just as amazing onstage as Kurt thought. They've done a good job picking their songs, and Mercedes still has the best voice he's ever heard live. Santana's not quite as talented, but give her the right song – which these are – and she'll blow your mind. Their choreography showcases the girls poached from the Cheerios without making Mercedes look too far behind, and their clothes look good.

Kurt would vote for them any day, even with Rachel being given a place in the background, except this one. This is going to be his day. He meets Sebastians eyes as they line up and nods.

Showtime.

'I want You Back' does exactly what it's meant to, namely getting the audience in a party mood. As the last notes flows into the first from 'Man in the Mirror' the mood shifts and Kurt feels his own shift with it. His solo feels a little raw, because in no way can he sing those lines without being reminded of all the crap he's gone through over the past 6 months.

“...a willow deeply scared, somebody's broken heart and a washed out dream...”

Well. His heart might have been broken, and his dreams about Blaine did wash out. But he's got new dreams, and his hearts healed, and no matter the scars he's whole where it matters. And even if he wasn't? He's looking in the mirror, and he's changing.

They bring the party back with their last song, giving their all transforming the sounds of 'Beat It' to sounds that can be reproduced by the human throat. The dancing is the most demanding Kurt's ever done onstage, and he knows he will definitely be beat after. But they look and sound awesome, and that's all that matters.

Or maybe not, he ruefully thinks as he sees Finn on his feet, jumping up and down and whooping as the Warblers are proclaimed the winners and Rachel looks like she's been pelted with eggs again.

“You stole our songs!”

Of course. All Kurt wants to do is get on the bus, go back to Dalton and celebrate. Okay, shower, then celebrate. So naturally Rachel is waiting to ambush him. Well, that's not going to go the way she's probably thinking.

“Really? Really Rachel, you're going there? You know very well that we didn't steal anything. Oh, I know that there was a suggestion that the New Directions do Michael for Sectionals, but I also know that you were the one who refused to accept it.

“You really blew it there. Michael is a great choice for Sectionals or Regionals, what with the Ohio mindset, and I'm pretty sure you would have won with the setlist the guys suggested. I'm not surprised you put a stop to it though.”

Rachel draws back, looking first shocked, then insulted, then finally like an angry goose, complete with hissing sound. He's not letting it touch him though, lets it run over him, one might say, like water over a goose.

“There are no songs in Michael Jacksons discography that's a given for you, no certainty that you'll be featured. And in the end, that's what mattered, wasn't it? Not that the New Directions won, but that you won. You wanted to beat the Troubletones, didn't you? Wanted to show that you were better than Mercedes, wanted to prove that her beating you when auditioning for Maria was just a fluke. Wanted to prove what everyone knows, that's she's every bit as good as you, and sometimes better, is wrong.

“Well, congratulations. You got what you wanted in terms of the setlist and the spotlight, but you fucked up everything else. And not just for you, but for everyone.”

An expression of pain flies across Rachel's face, and he pushes the knife in a little bit further.

“We weren't as blind though. The minute Finn told me about the Michael setlist I knew it was a winner. As did the other Warblers. I asked Finn first, and Sam and Puck. They didn't think we needed their permission, as you didn't use the songs, but they gave it any way.”

Kurt looks at Rachel, looks at the way she's still fuming, still refusing to see any other side than her own. It won't matter what he says – she'll keep ignoring any and all arguments against her. Once he might have tried harder to make her understand, but as things are he just wants to leave. His boyfriend's waiting and that makes Kurt out of time to spend on his former friend.

“Your loss, our gain.”

He starts to leave, but thinks better of it. He's got one more jab in him.

“Oh, and Rachel? Don't worry. Going to Nationals is a privilege, and we won't waste it. We've already gotten started on a setlist.”

It's petty, but. So's she.

That evening the Warblers celebrate as thoroughly as a bunch of uniformed boys in a well-staffed boarding school can. This means that it's late when Kurt drags Sebastian to his room (unlike him Sebastian's in a single), but neither of them is under the influence of anything but happiness.

That's important to Kurt as they tumble into Sebastian's bed while kissing, because he doesn't want there to be any doubt in Sebastian's mind that when Kurt pulls off his shirt and then goes for his fly it's because he wants to.

Having Sebastian stop him is frustrating, to say the very least.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

It's only the fact that it's Sebastian, and that he's shown himself trustworthy in so many ways over the past months that stops Kurt from storming out.

“I thought we... You know?”

It's so hard to say, to open himself up like this, years of being told he's a predator, or ugly, or plain wrong getting just as much in his way as the fact that he's never done this, and the only time he's been even close wasn't even about him.

Apparently he's going to have to use his words regardless, because Sebastian's not taking the opening.

“I thought we could have sex.” There. Words. Consent. Door wide open.

And yet Sebastian's still not taking the opening.

“What's the hurry?”

Kurt pulls back a little, hurt blooming.

“No, no, don't. Talk to me, okay? I'm a bit surprised I guess. We haven't even been dating for two months yet, and I know this is new for you.”

“So? It's not like I'm waiting for marriage.”

Kurt knows he sounds a bit snippy, and he has sort of been waiting – not for marriage, but for something, some feeling of more. He's got that feeling with Sebastian, so what's the point of waiting any longer? Everyone else his age (or so it feels) is having sex so why can't he?

Some of it must bleed through because Sebastian gets that “aha” look, and nods a bit.

“Look, regardless of what I might have said or implied when chasing Blaine, I'm actually not the whore of Babylon. I have, however, rounded a few bases and enjoyed them. I think you'd enjoy them too, and I would love to find out first hand. But that doesn't have to mean we go straight to fucking.” Kurt blushes, because he might be ready to do it, but those words...

“So. I'm not going to push, and I'm not going to rush. I am more than interested though, I'm just happy to take it a bit slow. To build up to every step. As far as I'm concerned you've earned that.”

Sebastian's looking so earnest it kills Kurt annoyance, and then lightning-quick it's replaced by a vicked look than makes him shiver all over.

“I wouldn't mind showing you the first of many, many bases now though. How about it, babe?”

Kurt doesn't mind either, neither then nor the next day.

[mylifeisactuallyamess]

Epilogue

General Hux x Female Reader/Kylo Ren x Female Reader

A/N: This is it. The last time I will post about this story (unless I visit them in a one shot.) I am so sad but so grateful at the same time, this fic got a lovely following and I appreacite anyone who took the time to comment/like/reblog any or all chapters. This fic spawned from a Writer Wednesday prompt months ago, so thank you @autumnleaves1991-blog for posting that picture of the brick arch and pond all those weeks ago! Here we go!

Warnings: PTSD mentions, war mentions, none of them are ok.

Word Count: 2284

Read the Epilogue here on AO3

Masterlist

The air was crisp, carrying the tang of the salty sea and wrapping it around you, ruffling your dress. You shielded your eyes against the dipping sun, seeing the light refract off the water as it heaved below you, the sounds of the waves crashing into the cliffs boomed up to you creating a sound like thunder. The tide was high and that meant they’d be back any moment. You looked back at the cottage behind you, the white walls and the pretty flowers were picture perfect, it was everything you’d ever dreamed, the makeshift hangar sat to the side and it housed the X-Wing you had from your time with the Resistance. Next to it was another larger more recognisable ship, you had some visitors and you needed to prepare Armitage before he saw them.

A giggle carried on the breeze that swirled around you and your face softened into a smile, first you could only see your daughter's head on the path as they came up the steep hill, her long bright red hair caught in the wind, the long tresses flowing around her and glowing with the bright light of the sun. She was giggling, looking down as she plastered her hands all over your poor husband's face. You stifled a laugh as he pretended to stumble, or maybe he really did because she kept shoving her fingers in his eyes.

“Phasma! I can’t see!” You heard him cry followed by more peals of laughter as she continued her assault. “Oh look! It’s Mummy. Hold on!” She squealed as he began to run, holding her legs in place on his shoulders, so she bounced happily full of laughter and smiles until he came to a stop before you. His chest heaved and he let out a loud huff. “You’re getting a bit heavy, little one!”

“Shush Daddy, I am not.” You cocked an eyebrow making a mental note of how much she sounded like her father. Armitage leaned in and gave you a kiss on the lips.

“Who’s here?” He asked quietly.

“Well, it’s Poe, Finn, Rose, Mitaka and….” You paused, not sure if he wanted to hear his name or not.

“And?” He pressed.

“And Ben.” You saw the blank expression fall over his face and you inwardly sighed. “Look they’re not here to cause trouble, the war is over, it has been for a few years now.” You ran a hand through your daughter's hair as she clutched your leg. “We barely see anyone. It's nice for them to drop by.” He moved away, putting a hand in his pocket while using the other to run through his hair. Even after all this time he kept it in the same style, just a habit you guessed or maybe he’d just never experienced another style.

“There’s a reason we don’t see anyone,” he said stiffly. You dragged Phasma with you, coming to stand next to him.

“Armitage, do you forget how I was the one who discovered Finn and Rose. I brought them to you.”

“And I ordered them to be executed and Finn…” he glanced down at his daughter. His hand resting on top of yours in her hair as she gazed at him with big green eyes. You knew he wanted to say Finn killed Phasma, but you felt like pointing out the war was responsible for everything that had happened. All these people had been puppets for someone else, made to believe in something that ultimately influenced their actions and choices.

“It’s over now.” You needed him to acknowledge that, the war was over. You supposed it would have been harder for him than the rest, being brought up and beaten into a person who should always strive for glory and control. Finn managed to break free, even Ben but then he had a loving family for the first few years of his life. He had a taste of normality, as did Poe, Rose had her sister until the evacuation of D’Qar. But Hux had no one, except Phasma and Mitaka and even then he was their General, their leader. He was alone for so long you didn’t know how to get him to see they were all just people now. What they had all been through was horrific, you just knew for Armitage, it was harder to adjust. He didn’t say anything else and you crouched down to Phasma’s level.

“There are some very special people in our house to meet you including Uncle Mitaka.”

“Me kaka?” She screamed in glee, fisting her hands under her chin in joy before tearing off to the house. Hux watched her go, a strange expression on his face. You stood, taking his hand and holding it tight. You made him look at you, feeling the stubble on his cheeks which he let grow now. The red dusting covered his chin and cheeks making him look rugged and even more handsome.

“They wouldn’t have come if they were going to be rude or start a fight or accuse you of things that happened years ago. They are here to see us, as a family. If they can forgive Ben they can forgive you.”

“But Ben is clearly a new man now…” he started and you cut him off by putting a hand over his mouth.

“And look at you. No uniform, no hat, you have a daughter, Armitage, you live in a bloody cottage.” He sighed against your hand and you knew you had won this round.

You stepped away from the cliff edge tugging on his hand and he reluctantly came with you, dragging his feet slightly. You went through the back door Phasma had left open and shut out the dusk that was settling on the cliffs around the cottage. Voices plus your daughter's laughter came from the main living area and you squeezed Hux’s hand reassuringly before walking in. A chorus of greetings met you both and even though you’d said hello before you went round and hugged them all again, pleased to see Hux shaking hands with Poe and Finn. You held your breath when it came to Ben who was sitting in your biggest armchair with Phasma perched on his lap.

“Armitage,” Ben said and held out his hand. The moment stretched for longer than you liked but eventually your husband reached out and shook it. Everybody sighed with relief and you asked if anyone wanted a drink, taking Hux with you into the kitchen. He helped you prepare some drinks in silence, listening to laughter and banter from the others mingled with your daughter's cries of joy as someone was clearly tickling her. Hux carried the drinks and you handed them out, a pleased feeling began to fill your chest as Poe engaged him in conversation. Mitaka stoked the fire and a flare of heat blazed into the room making it more cosy.

“How has he been?” Dopheld asked you quietly.

“The nightmares seem to have eased, it helps that he has Phasma with him nearly all of the time,” you looked over seeing Armitage still in conversation with Poe, your daughter now nestled in his arms sucking her thumb as she gazed at the curly haired pilot. “She seems to know what he needs when he needs it.” You felt a hand on your shoulder and threw a smile at Finn. “Hey you, how’s the Trooper Rehoming going?” He shrugged.

“There were a few we managed to trace back to their families but the majority have made their own settlement out on Yavin 4. You should come visit sometime.” He offered.

“I’d like that but…” your gaze flickered to Armitage. “Maybe it will be just me and Phasma….” You trailed off making a face. “Maybe not,” you chuckled.

“You would all be welcome,” he reassured you before heading over to sit with Rose. Your gaze drifted to Ben who seemed captivated by the fire, but you recognised the signs. The clenching of his fists, the tightness in his jaw, the vase on your mantelpiece fell and shattered drawing everyone’s attention. The fire flared behind you and you looked up to see Hux clutching Phasma to him and backing away slowly. Poe went to approach Ben as the very walls of your house began to shake matching the quivering of your insides but you threw out a silent hand to stop the pilot. You didn’t say Ben’s name, not wanting to startle him instead you crouched before him, placing a calming hand over his forearm and his hazel gaze swung to you.

“Come on, I need you to look at my X-Wing. I think it has a faulty fuel line, Armitage says the circuit breakers are burnt out but we aren’t mechanics.” You could hear the house settling as you pulled his attention away from his thoughts. You didn’t wait for an answer, taking Ben’s hand and shooting a look at Hux. He wasn’t happy, you could see it in his face and the set of his shoulders but you’d rather Ben put his mind to good use than accidentally destroying your house. He had to duck slightly through the low doorways as he followed you outside. Your feet didn’t falter, you’d travelled this path so many times in the dark when you couldn’t sleep. Every time you’d calmed Armitage from a nightmare you had come in here, just to tinker to take your mind off everything. Sometimes it worked, other times you came in here and cried, releasing your pent up emotion alone.

“Here,” you gestured to the hangar and stepped aside. “Wreck it, tinker with it, just don’t ruin the inside of my house, please.” He nodded, moving to touch your tools on the bench gently with his finger tips.

“You come in here often.” It wasn’t a question.

“It is my place to spend time on my own and process everything that happened,” you confessed knowing you couldn’t hide anything from him. “I am coping better than Armitage.”

“Are you though?” He asked bluntly and you blinked. You thought you were, dealing with Phasma kept you occupied during the day, you stayed up late most nights keeping an eye on Armitage so you didn’t have much thought space until you knew he was ok.

“Yes, I am keeping myself busy.” Ben smirked at your reply.

“Looking after two other people does not mean you are coping.”

“Yeah well, someone’s got to do it.” You turned and walked back to the cottage. The conversation was still flowing in the living area but you walked past to go to the kitchen and maybe prepare some food. Armitage appeared within moments, he tried to hide his displeasure but you could read him like a book.

“How’s Phasma?” You asked.

“Asleep on Mitaka.” He replied and you nodded, opening the cupboards trying to find your guests something to eat but you didn’t realise your hands were shaking until Hux gently slid his over yours. “It’s ok,” he whispered, coming up behind you. “He will be gone soon.”

“I really wanted to be ok with him, I just want to be ok.” You looked up as Mitaka appeared at the kitchen door and you smiled at the way Phasma’s arms hung over his shoulder, her little face buried in his neck and he pointed to the stairs. “Just take her straight up, she’ll stay asleep when you lay her down.” He nodded and slowly made his way up the wooden steps. You quickly wiped your damp cheek but Poe then appeared and you felt Hux’s increasing frustration that he couldn’t comfort you in private.

“We’re going to head off in a bit, we need to drop Finn off at the settlement. Do you guys need anything? I need to swing this way on the back so I can grab some supplies?” You nodded enthusiastically, already rattling off a list, since the X-Wing refused to start, you were stuck with what you could find here and in the small local market.

“Ok wow, maybe I’ll get you some spare parts for that ship of yours, if you want I can bring BB8 next time?”

“No need.” Rumbled Ben as he stood in the doorway. “I fixed it, loose connection so it couldn’t connect to the engines.”

“Thank you Ben. Alright out go, too many massive men near my tiny kitchen,” you ushered them out, including Mitaka when he chose that moment to come down the stairs. Finn and Rose were already outside looking up at the stars as everyone filed out and the goodbyes started. Ben was last, enveloping you in a big hug with a quick knowing squeeze before he headed to the Falcon. Poe clapped Armitage on the shoulder promising he’d visit more often, Mitaka echoing his sentiment.

“Just be careful, all of you,” you called. They all waved as they disappeared up the ramp and you felt Armitage put his arm around your shoulders.

“As much as I disliked them all at one time, I’m glad they visited,” he said in a soft tone.

“I’m sorry, but seeing Ben slip like that….” You put a hand to your throat feeling the familiar constriction in your chest. “Just brought back memories,” you whispered.

“We’re all broken, one way or another.” You looked up at your husband. “But I wouldn’t want to try and repair myself with anyone else.”

“I love you Armitage.”

“And I love you and our quiet life and our daughter.” You leaned into him accepting the kiss before letting him lead you back inside the warmth of your cottage.

After all, war does not determine who is right. Only who is left.

[slipping-through-my-fingertips]

Guess I Misunderstood

Part 2 of Not the One series. 

Summary: Kurt's trying a find a way to end things with Adam and Blaine Anderson is one of the reasons why. 

Notes:  Open for more prompts in this 'verse but I only intended it to be 2 parts of a two-sided story. I hope you enjoy.

Read Part 1 here

AO3

The first time Kurt saw Blaine Anderson, he was spying on the bulletin boards. He, like every other Apple, was worried about how many freshmen they could pull this semester. With a majority of the current Adam’s Apples being seniors, they needed to fill those spots with freshmen. Better to round them up this year so they’ll already have a year of acapella under their belts.

He's just standing there reading all the flyers. Kurt’s trying to look busy with his phone to not draw attention. But he can’t help but access this man. 

Firstly, Kurt doesn't recognize him so he assumes this is a freshman, exactly the demographic their flyers are trying to bring in. The second thing that makes this man stand out among the others Kurt’s observed thus far is how nicely dressed he is. It is the first day of school so one would think a little effort would be put in but some boys their age won’t even put on a stain-free shirt to come to school. Luckily, most NYADA students care about their appearances, this freshman is no exception. 

He’s wearing tightly fitted, dark green, capri pants and a crisp, white, collared polo. 

Then his hand is reaching up to the green flyer Kurt designed. 

He takes it. 

YES!

Kurt tries to collect himself when he walks over to the boards. Don’t scare him away is his new mantra.

“The Apples?” He asks. 

The freshman was shy at first probably because he didn’t expect to be approached. Before he answers Kurt, he does manage to meet his eyes. 

Well, Kurt thought, if he sings as well as he looks the Apples could make Nationals. 

In the past, Kurt would’ve berated himself for checking out guys while being in a relationship but he’s becoming less sure about Adam lately. His boyfriend is becoming a bit pushy about things like this. But Kurt isn’t about to stop doing it. If Adam really trusted him, he could see all of this was harmless. 

The guy was gorgeous, no one should really blame Kurt for staring. His bowtie added a dash of adorableness, which would only draw Kurt in closer if he was single. Which he is decidedly not. 

“I love to sing.” 

Kurt could certainly relate. That’s how he got involved with glee clubs in the first place. Hell, that’s what got him to New York. 

“Me too,” he said, “I’ll see you at auditions, break a leg.” 

Only while he was walking away did Kurt curse himself for not catching the man’s name. 

Before he knew it, they reached the point in the school year—day two—where Rachel was would start harassing him about “getting his name out there” and listing off all the auditions she had lined up. The only way Kurt could hear another word of this was over coffee so he dragged Rachel there before his class. This meant she had exactly 35 minutes to talk at him about it until he inevitably came home for the night and had to share the loft with her. Halfway through the conversation, he notices a finely dressed young man in line.

 He’s not ashamed to admit the man’s best asset drew his attention. Though it wasn’t a difficult feat considering Power-Hungry Rachel was his other option. 

Thankfully, her time was running out, “Rach, I’ll see you at home, I have Tibideaux.” 

With one last look at the man, Kurt rushes off to class. 

When Adam’s Apples auditions are up and running, Kurt is fuming. His boyfriend thought the perfect time to discuss their future as a couple was directly before they had to sit on their asses for 3 hours listening to a bunch of freshmen sing their hearts out. 

Of course, they fought over it. Kurt was pissed about the timing, Adam thought he was being careless about their future plans because he refused to talk about it. 

“I’m refusing to do it publicly when we have obligations!” Kurt had told him. 

He had stormed into the empty auditorium at that point, casting aside Adam’s idea to move away after graduation for the moment, and sat in the third row. Unable to take a hint, Adam sat beside him. 

Kurt was barely able to pay attention to the singers until Blaine. Once again, the man was pleasantly dressed. This time in bright yellow capris and a lovely yellow and blue bowtie. Kurt wondered if he had an affinity for them. 

Adam coughed next to him, Kurt reverted his eyes. For the rest of the song, he was trying not to stare because Adam didn’t need another reason to blame Kurt for their relationship problems. When Blaine was finished, they clapped, Adam leaned in, “I’m sorry, you’re right.” In reply, Kurt kissed his cheek. 

Knowing a simple kiss could smooth things over for now. They obviously had a lot to discuss. 

As school picked up, Kurt mostly forgot about his little soft spot for Blaine until he was pulling a tipsy Adam off of the Lion’s Den dance floor Saturday night. 

They knew their potential new recruits would be at Callbacks, Kurt wanted none of that. If they were going to celebrate the first week of classes as a couple, he wasn’t about to be interrupted by a drunk NYADA student begging to know how their glee audition went. So he was here and apparently so was Blaine. 

He almost turned right around wanting to ignore the man. This is the exact situation he was trying to avoid. But Adam pulled him forward, slurring “bar’s this way.” 

Kurt tried to catch his eye from across the bar but instead watched as Blaine slung his drink back and paid his tab. By the time Adam was finished ordering, Blaine was gone. 

The fourth time Kurt thought he’d see Blaine never came. 

Kurt had posted the Adam’s Apples list of new recruits himself. Blaine Anderson was at the top. Alphabetically speaking. Yet, he never showed up to their first rehearsal. Everyone else had come. It was difficult to listen to Adam’s introductory speech when he kept waiting for Blaine to walk through the auditorium doors. 

He never did. Did Tuesdays at 7 not work for his schedule? 

They sat in a circle on stage playing ice breakers, learning each other’s names and special interests in regards to their studies at NYADA. 

When rehearsal ends, Adam tapped his shoulder, “you seem distracted, what’s up?” 

Kurt remembers what Drunk Adam told him on Saturday and lies, “nothing, I’m fine. Just something Rachel said.” 

“Well,” Adam helped him up, “don’t worry too much about her. Before you know it, you and I will be taking on the West End.” 

He smiles until Adam turns away. 

When Adam had first said they should move, Kurt thought he meant out of the heart of the city. Which was something he could understand. If Kurt’s dreams of starting a family someday were to be met, he saw the appeal of a move. It never crossed his mind that Adam meant to move across the ocean. 

When they first started talking, Kurt loved the allure of an older man. Being a freshman at the time, Kurt had been desperate to fit in in ways he never could at McKinley. So when Adam took him under his wing, showed him the ropes of NYADA and New York, it was only a matter of time before Kurt had a crush on him. Initially, Adam was too busy for a relationship, he had told Kurt as much so Kurt keep the crush to himself...and Rachel. 

When NYADA’s spring formal rolled around, Kurt was already planning on going with his roommate. Rachel had been trying him to match in a terrible shade of pink. It didn’t go well with either of their complexions. The text came in mid-argument about their outfits.

Adam: wanna go to formal?

Kurt dropped his phone. Luckily, he was sitting on the couch and it fell onto the cushion. Rachel, of course, knew something was wrong because Kurt paused in the middle of yelling at her about the tackiness of matching when they could complement each other instead. 

“What’s up?” she asked, leaning in to glance at his phone, “it’s not your dad, right?” 

“No, no, no,” Kurt assured her, tilting his screen so she could read the message. 

“OH!” she squealed, jumping up. “Tell him yes!” 

“He probably isn’t asking me, just wants to know if I’ll be there.”

Rachel rolled her eyes, “don’t stupid, Kurt.” 

Ignoring her, Kurt texted back and slumped down. 

Kurt: Rachel and I are going to go together, yes

Instantly, another text came in. 

Adam: Would Rachel be upset if I took you instead?

Rachel was biting her lip excitedly. Practically dancing as she sat on the couch next to him. 

Kurt: I think she’d be delighted. As would I.

The two of them did some jumping up and down together before Kurt settled back onto the couch, holding his phone to his chest. 

 “Guess that means I can wear pink if I want to,” Rachel said before disappearing into her bedroom. 

But that was then. It had been a long time since Kurt felt butterflies in his stomach when he thought about Adam. He never thought they’d completely disappear but these last few months he felt stagnant. When he expressed these concerns to his boyfriend, Adam’s solution was, once again, to move across the pond. 

Like that would solve their issues. 

That wasn’t what Kurt had meant by stagnant but Adam kept going on and on about how New York may be the city that never sleeps but he couldn’t wait to get back to the excitement of London. 

Kurt could never see himself moving so far away from his dad or his friends. New York had become his home these last three years. Maybe Adam always dreamed of going back to the UK but he had never told Kurt that explicitly until the start of this semester. Dating for 2 years and it never came up. 

By the time they were having their fifth fight about this, Kurt knew they were going to have to break up. It was just a matter of when. 

The actual fourth time Kurt saw Blaine Anderson was two weeks before Thanksgiving break. 

He was sitting in a corner of the library. Sheets of music spread across his lap. Titling his head so a single black curl dangled in his face. Blaine keeps blowing the curl away to no avail. It took everything in Kurt to not laugh. 

Adorable. 

Kurt wasn’t really here to study. He finished up his assignments for the weekend. There was a major test next week for one of Rachel’s classes. She was in a study group and forgot her yellow notebook so Kurt offered to bring it to her. 

Wasn’t it just his luck that Blaine Anderson was here? Right in his line of sight. The universe must be having fun with him tonight. He was about to go home to an empty apartment and write a breakup speech for Adam. 

Kurt had plans to talk with his day over Thanksgiving break—Burt insisted on planning for his flight. He just needed someone, not Rachel, to tell him it was the right choice. For so long, Adam, being his first boyfriend, made Kurt feel like he owed it to Adam to continue this. Kurt had just reached the end of his rope. 

He did end up talking to his dad about everything other than the impending breakup. In fact, Kurt couldn’t seem to get Blaine’s name out of his mouth. 

“We had this really talented singer come in for auditions, dad,” Kurt said. “Blaine Anderson, he’s a freshman.” 

“Oh yeah?” 

This was the second time Kurt had brought this up. 

“He’s going to do big things someday.” 

By the fourth time, Blaine’s name was mentioned, which was a lot of times for a man Kurt had only spoken to once, Burt had something to say about it. 

“You gonna ask him out, bud, or just keep talking to me?”

Kurt paused, blushed, and stumbled out a “no.” 

“No what? You won’t ask him or he won’t go out with you.” 

“Dad,” Kurt said, “both of those imply, I do ask him out.” 

“Well, you should.” Burt shrugged. “You clearly like him.” 

His dad did always know how to read him. This wasn’t the time to remind Burt of his boyfriend. Of whom, Burt was indifferent. Dating for years and Adam couldn’t seem to break down Burt’s overprotective walls. 

Now that Kurt was alone in their apartment thinking of those conversations. All of them. Every single time he had asked Burt about Adam or called his dad after a ridiculous fight. How many of those conversations contain happy stories? 

Kurt and Adam had loads of good times but none that he ever shared with his dad, no memories that become inside jokes, nothing like that. 

It was the Monday after Thanksgiving, Rachel was in class, Adam’s professor had let them out earlier, and Kurt had an empty apartment. 

Kurt: let’s get coffee

Adam: Be there in ten

When Kurt came back, he was a single man in New York once again. 

The fifth time, Kurt saw Blaine Anderson was on purpose. He meant to run into him in the NYADA auditorium. Kurt had asked around and found out Blaine had joined a different glee club. Amy said they rehearsed on Wednesdays and Blaine was always there a half-hour earlier to warm-up alone. 

Sure enough, Blaine was center stage pacing in a circle doing one of Rachel’s favorite scales. Kurt is creeping in from one of the back entrances. Slowly, he makes his way up to the stage unsure if he wants Blaine to notice him or not. 

Eventually, he reaches a moment when he has to say something. About fifteen feet from the stage, Kurt speaks up, “you’re very talented, you know?” 

Blaine looks down at him, a quick smile, and blushes, “thanks.” 

“We were sad to not see you at rehearsals but The Singsations benefit greatly.” 

“Yeah, I felt bad about it…” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “but it just wasn’t going to work.” 

“Well,” Kurt replied, “acapella isn’t for everyone.” 

“Funny enough, it wasn’t the acapella part.” 

At that, Kurt’s not sure what to say. He wants to ask what the problem was then.

“Sorry, did you just come here to ask why I didn’t join the Apples?” Blaine asked. 

“Um no, Amy said you warm up here before rehearsals.” Which was Kurt’s way of stalling. “I…”

This is exactly why Kurt hadn’t had a boyfriend before Adam: he was too nervous to make the first move. 

Blaine is sitting on the edge of the stage now so they’re almost level. Kurt could just push his legs apart, stand between them, and kiss him. That’s all he wants to do. 

“I’ve seen you around campus a lot.” Four times.

“Me too,” Blaine said, which has Kurt smirking slightly. So he did notice him too. Then Blaine continues and knocks that smirk right off his face, “how’s your boyfriend?” 

Well, Kurt should’ve expected that blow. His and Adam’s relationship was pretty well-known. In just two weeks since the breakup, Kurt’s surprised more people aren’t gossiping about it. 

Honesty is the best policy, right? 

“We broke up.”

“Oh,” Blaine replied, “I’m sorry to hear that.” 

“Are you?” Kurt asked, “because I’m not sorry at all. I should’ve done it sooner. We weren’t meant to be together as long as we were.” 

“You broke up with him?” Blaine asked, confused. “But you seemed so in love.” 

“A year ago, I would’ve agreed with you but one too many problems later it was never going to work,” Kurt told him, “but that’s not why I’m here either.” 

“So, why are you here? I was pretty sure you didn’t know I existed.” 

“I definitely do,” Kurt said, “and now it’s my turn to ask if you’re single.” 

Blaine blushed again, “Not sure that’s what I meant earlier.” 

“It’s what I meant.” 

“I’m not seeing anyone right now, I’ve been pining after this upperclassman who was with someone.” 

“Oh yeah?” Kurt asked. 

“Yeah.” 

Kurt took a step closer and placed his palms on Blaine’s knees. 

“Well, I think he likes you too.” 

Then, he pushes his legs open with no resistance from Blaine. It isn’t Kurt who leans in first though.