#i think there’s a part of the doctor that is. and maybe will be for a very long time. in denial of a lot of facts about even.
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stew-skys-husband · 14 hours ago
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This is the engagement I hope to bring to this fandom. There's so many parts about being "poor" that could make for interesting content or whatever.
Money worries extend to every aspect of your life: you spend your time making budgets, wondering if your next paycheck will be enough, making cuts in some places. Every spending is filled with guilt. As kids, they learned quickly that the world had a price and they couldn't buy it. They knew that what they wanted would cost their parents money and often they had to restrict themselves. They'd see those other kids with pools in their background or who would go on vacations or anything that was barely above surviving, let alone living, and think they must be millionaires or something. they'd be excited to have their first jobs and be able to buy they stuff they want. You learn how to make things last longer and you hold onto them. it's always a question of money and what's more affordable. Darry would have no idea how to deal with a budget. All the money he'd save would be gone in a few days on rent, utilities, groceries. He'd probably have learned as a child how to find the cheapest stuff while doing groceries with his mom because she couldn't leave the kids at home. going to the dentist maybe once, twice a year. the doctor even less. refusing to take meds or see a healthcare professional because "it's just a cold" and "what if I need it more later".
arg! the outsiders fandom should all collectively talk more about poverty! ah! talk about cps. talk about food stamps talk about government cheese talk about stealing and not in the fun way talk about fear of going hungry talk about the reason the gang is a gang and not just a friend group. um. talk about dallas living in buck merril's like spare room talk about soda giving up his paycheck to darry so they can stay together talk about MORTGAGE talk about the vietnam war and poverty and enlistment and the draft! ah! talk about the class divide! talk about debt! talk about how darry could never "go soc" because no matter his skill in football or the way he wore his hair he could never rise above his socioeconomic class enough to be considered one of them! talk about paul holden punching him in the face! talk about county lock up! talk about police brutality! talk about pony craving escape!
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favefandomimagines · 2 days ago
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I Know Places 2 (r.c)
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Summary: Rafe goes to Y/N at the bait shop and his presence is not celebrated
AN: part 2 of ‘I Know Places’ and I’m deciding to go the traditional route! I’m used to the old school way of fics so this will be fully written out and not SMAU! Though I do love how that’s on trend right now!
Previous part
The next morning, Y/N Maybank was up before the sun had fully risen, her mind too restless for sleep. She had spent the night tossing and turning, debating whether or not to tell JJ and the Pogues about what happened at Tannyhill. It wasn’t that she wanted to keep secrets—she just didn’t know how to explain the strange feeling of being pulled into Rafe Cameron’s world, if only for a fleeting moment.
By the time the bait shop was ready to open, she was already elbow-deep in her morning routine: feeding the live bait, checking inventory, and wiping down the counters.
Summer was here, which meant the shop would soon be crawling with locals and tourists alike, and she needed everything to be in order.
The small bell above the door jingled, pulling her attention away from the tank of minnows. She glanced up to see Rafe Cameron standing in the doorway. His broad shoulders filled the frame, his usual air of arrogance replaced by something quieter.
“Hey, Pretty Girl,” he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
Y/N quirked a brow, unsure whether to be annoyed or amused. “Rafe Cameron on the Cut? You must’ve hit your head harder than I thought.”
“Funny,” he replied, stepping closer. “How’s business?”
“It’s early,” she said flatly, then tilted her head. “How’s your head?”
“Better,” Rafe said, though his hand instinctively went to touch the bandage she had applied the night before. “Still aches.”
“Maybe now you’ll listen to me and see a doctor,” Y/N said, crossing her arms. “What if you’ve got brain damage? You must have if you thought coming here was a good idea.”
Rafe chuckled under his breath, but his expression quickly sobered. “I need to talk to you about last night.”
Y/N set the container of fish food on the counter, her brows knitting together. “What do you mean?”
Rafe leaned against the counter, his blue eyes scanning the shop briefly before landing back on her. “How many people did you see leave the house?”
“Three,” she said slowly, thinking back to the shadowy figures slipping through the side gate. “They looked like men, but I couldn’t see their faces. They had black hoods on.”
She watched as Rafe’s jaw tightened and his eyes clouded over, clearly running through a mental list of possibilities. It didn’t take a genius to realize there was more to the break-in than he was letting on.
“Are you in some kind of trouble?” Y/N asked, her voice softer now.
Rafe shook his head quickly. “No. Don’t worry about it.”
“Rafe, someone broke into your house and assaulted you. You need to tell Shoupe,” Y/N said firmly.
“I’m sure they didn’t find what they were looking for,” he replied cryptically.
“What does that even mean?”
Rafe ignored the question, shifting his weight uncomfortably. “I just... I wanted to see you. And to thank you again for helping me last night.”
Y/N blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. “It’s no problem,” she said, though her voice faltered slightly. “But you should probably go before JJ finds you talking to me.”
“Do you always do what JJ wants?” Rafe asked, but there was no malice in his voice.
Y/N hesitated, his question catching her off guard. Did people really think that? “No,” she said finally, a small smile tugging at her lips. “It’s just that a fight is bad for business.”
Rafe returned her smile, a rare softness in his expression. He pulled out his phone and handed it to her. “Here. Put your number in. You know, in case I need another house call.”
Y/N stared at him for a moment, her instinct screaming at her to say no. But Rafe seemed... different. The last time they’d spoken, he’d been consumed by grief and arrogance, still reeling from his father’s death and struggling to take over the family business. But now, he seemed calmer—more grounded, though still carrying an edge.
She grabbed his phone and began typing her number. Her head was screaming at her to not do it, don’t give him access. But she did it anyway.
“Rafe?”
Both their heads snapped toward the dock, where Sarah Cameron was walking toward the shop. Rafe stepped back from Y/N, his demeanor instantly shifting.
“What are you doing here?” Sarah asked, her gaze narrowing suspiciously.
“Thought someone broke into the house last night,” Rafe said smoothly. “I knew you parked outside when you went to that party, so I came to see if you saw anything.”
Before Sarah could respond, Y/N interjected. “I already told him I didn’t see anything. We were still at the party when it happened.”
“Someone broke into the house? Did they take anything? Are you okay?” Sarah questioned. “I’m fine. It didn’t look like they took anything. Just a window and a door I have to replace.” Rafe answered.
“I uh, gotta go, I’ll see you around.” He added, his gaze fleetingly on Y/N.
He walked past Sarah and up the dock, leaving Y/N standing there, her heart pounding for reasons she couldn’t fully understand.
“Was he bothering you?” Sarah asked, stepping into the shop.
“No, no,” Y/N said quickly. “He just wanted to ask if we saw anything.”
But even as she spoke, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Rafe’s visit meant something more. And as much as she hated to admit it, she didn’t entirely mind.
“JJ is going to freak when he finds out.” Sarah commented. “We don’t need to tell him. I’m sure Rafe came here looking for you but I was here.” Y/N quickly replied.
As Sarah stepped closer, Y/N busied herself with the container of fish food on the counter, her mind racing. She could still feel the heat of Rafe’s presence lingering in the room, and her stomach twisted at the thought of Sarah catching onto something she hadn’t even figured out herself.
“What’s going on?” Sarah asked, crossing her arms as she studied her friend.
Y/N shrugged nonchalantly, hoping her casual demeanor would be enough to shut the conversation down. “Nothing.”
“Since when does Rafe come to you for answers?” Sarah’s tone was skeptical, her piercing gaze making Y/N feel like she was under a microscope. “And why didn’t he just ask me?”
“Maybe because you were at the party too?” Y/N said, raising a brow. “I don’t know, Sarah. He didn’t exactly give me his whole life story.”
Sarah frowned but didn’t press further, instead moving to grab a soda from the mini fridge behind the counter. “Still... I don’t like him showing up out of nowhere like that.”
Y/N let out a short laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “What, you think he’s gonna rob the bait shop? Pretty sure we’re not hiding any family heirlooms in the minnow tank.”
Sarah snorted, but her expression remained thoughtful as she leaned against the counter. “I just don’t trust him, Y/N. You know how he is.”
Y/N hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her shirt. Sarah wasn’t wrong—Rafe Cameron was trouble. He always had been. But last night, when he was bleeding and vulnerable, he didn’t feel like the same guy she’d written off.
“Yeah, I know,” Y/N said quietly. “But he’s your brother, Sarah. He can’t be all bad.”
Sarah gave her a sharp look, clearly not expecting that response. “You’re defending Rafe now?”
Y/N shook her head quickly. “No, I’m not defending him. I’m just saying... people can change, right?”
Before Sarah could respond, the bell above the door jingled again, and John B strolled in, followed closely by JJ, who was still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
“Morning, ladies,” John B greeted with a grin, grabbing a bag of chips from the shelf. “What’s the gossip?”
“Rafe was here,” Sarah said bluntly, making both boys freeze in their tracks. Y/N glared at her friend, eyes saying ‘why the hell would you do that?’
“What?” JJ’s tone immediately turned sharp as he walked over to Y/N. “Why the hell was Rafe Cameron here?”
“Someone broke into his house,” Y/N said quickly, trying to downplay the situation. “Wanted to know if we saw anything suspicious last night. That’s it.”
JJ’s jaw clenched, and he let out a humorless laugh. “Since when does he care about what we saw? He’s up to something.”
“Relax, J,” Y/N said, placing a hand on his arm. “He wasn’t here to start trouble. He just... wanted answers.”
“Well, he better not come around again,” JJ muttered darkly, his protective instincts kicking in. “I don’t care what he wants. You don’t need to be talking to him.”
Y/N bristled at his tone, but before she could respond, Sarah spoke up. “Let’s not make this a thing. Rafe’s gone, and he’s not coming back here.”
JJ muttered something under his breath, clearly still annoyed, but he let it go for now. Y/N, however, felt a tinge of annoyance in her chest. She loved her brother, and it was just the two of them at the end of the day so it makes sense he’s protective. But he’s not her father, she’s 20 years old, she doesn’t need her brother telling her who she can and can’t talk to.
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The fire crackled softly, its orange glow casting warm shadows on the Pogues as they lounged in the cool evening air. John B was sprawled out on the sand with Sarah curled up beside him, their laughter intertwining as they recounted the story of JJ’s infamous fight with Topper outside the country club.
“And then Shoupe shows up, and Y/N’s out here sweet-talking him like she’s auditioning for a soap opera!” JJ exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air for emphasis.
“Sweet-talking?” Y/N interjected from the hammock, her tone dripping with mock offense as she rolled another joint. “I’ll have you know I was using logic and reason to keep your ass out of juvie.”
Kie snorted. “Logic and reason? You told Shoupe Topper started it and then cried about how JJ was just trying to defend your honor.”
“Exactly,” Y/N said with a smug grin. “And it worked, didn’t it?”
JJ grinned back, leaning over to flick sand at her. “I owe you for that one, Sunshine.”
“Damn right you do,” Y/N quipped, expertly twisting the joint closed.
The group dissolved into another round of laughter, the kind that came easy after a long day and a few too many hits. Pope was stoking the fire while Cleo leaned against him, teasing him about his terrible impression of Shoupe. It was one of those rare nights where everything felt simple—just them, the stars, and the stories they carried.
“Hey, Sunshine!” JJ called, breaking through the chatter. “Toss me one of those masterpieces!”
Y/N smirked, flicking the newly rolled joint in his direction. JJ caught it with ease, holding it up like a trophy before lighting it.
As she reached for another paper, her phone buzzed against her thigh. She picked it up without much thought, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the name.
Rafe.
The text was simple but enough to tug at her carefully guarded smile.
RC: Hey, Pretty Girl.
Y/N: Can I help you, Cameron?
RC: What are you doin’?
Y/N: Currently? I’m rolling a joint.
RC: Lol, save one for me?
Y/N: Maybe.
The next text froze her in place.
RC: Just wondering, is asking you out against doctor’s orders?
Her breath hitched, her mind racing. Was Rafe Cameron—Rafe Cameron—really asking her out? She stared at her phone for a moment too long, trying to process what this meant.
Y/N: Hm, that might be bad for your health
RC: What if we don’t tell anyone?
This wasn’t the Rafe she’d known before. The old Rafe was reckless, arrogant, and self-absorbed. But now? He felt different, quieter. Something had shifted, and Y/N couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
RC: Did I lose you, Pretty Girl?
She glanced around the fire. Her friends were laughing, oblivious, completely immersed in the stories of summers past. Sarah was teasing John B about his failed attempts at surfing, JJ was leaning back with a lazy grin, and Kie was high enough to be softly singing to herself.
Y/N was the odd one out—always had been in a way. The one without a partner, without a storybook romance. And yet, there was something undeniable about the way her chest had tightened in Rafe’s bathroom, how she’d felt something she couldn’t ignore.
Y/N: Better plan a good date
The reply came seconds later.
RC: Is that a yes?
Y/N: It’s a yes. Don’t mess it up.
Y/N set her phone down, the smallest of smiles playing on her lips as she leaned back in the hammock.
“Who are you texting?” Kie’s voice came from beside her, making Y/N jump. Kie had slid into the hammock, her eyes glassy but curious.
“My cousin,” Y/N lied smoothly, reaching for another paper. “We need more weed, and he’s got the good stuff.”
Kie leaned her head on Y/N’s shoulder, her movements sluggish. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
Y/N froze, the lie suddenly feeling heavy in her chest. “Of course, Kie,” she murmured, though her voice felt hollow.
“You’re my best friend,” Kie continued, her words slurring slightly. “You and me, we’re a team, yeah?”
“Yeah,” Y/N said softly, guilt twisting in her stomach.
But as Kie drifted into a half-asleep haze against her shoulder, Y/N’s thoughts drifted back to Rafe. Whatever this was, it wasn’t something she could tell them. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
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bitingdrivers · 2 days ago
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part two of Max with kitty ears - maxiel, 980 words
Daniel stirs awake with Max still soundly asleep on top of him. He carefully fishes his phone out of his shorts and checks the time – they've been asleep for no more than a couple of hours. 
Slowly he extracts his other hand out of Max’s shorts, hoping it won't wake him. Max stirs and tightens his arms around Daniel's torso but doesn't wake up. 
Daniel waits a few seconds then unlocks the camera app and takes about a dozen of pictures and videos of them together: of Max, cuddled to his chest, of Daniel's hand in his hair, petting the ears.
He saves all of them to his blackmail folder, along with pictures of Max making breakfast in their kitchen, wearing only Daniel's bright pink socks; Max, wine drunk, passed out in their bed, hugging one of his trophies; a selfie of them, Daniel smiling at the camera, covered in lipstick kisses, Max, hiding his blush being his hands in the background; a few nudes from their message thread. 
Then he cards his hand through Max’s hair, scratching behind one of the ears – it seems to finally wake him up. Max grumbles and cuddles to Daniel harder, squeezing his ribs.
“Morning, sunshine,” Daniel murmurs, smiling gently. 
Max yawns and his ears flatten back to his head. “It's 4 p.m.,” he groggily points out and lifts himself from Daniel's chest. 
“It's morning somewhere,” Daniel shrugs and sits up too, rubbing his neck, it doesn't always agree with Daniel's love for napping on the couch. 
“I'm hungry,” Max says, standing up from the couch and stretching, arms behind his head. 
Ooh big stretch, Daniel thinks, but doesn't say, because he, not for the first time, gets distracted by Max’s stomach peeking from under his t-shirt.
Daniel follows him to the kitchen. “Alright, what do you want? Milk? Fish?” he pauses, “A mouse?” 
Max looks at him, ears flat, annoyed expression on his face like Daniel is one of those journalists with stupid questions. 
“Stop being silly or I will ask Jimmy and Sassy to pee in all of your shoes,” he threatens. 
“You can speak cat?” Daniel gasps. 
He always wanted to know what the two demons think when they sit and stare at a random corner. Or maybe they can finally ask the cats if they do actually feel sad when the bedroom door is closed, as Max always claims. 
“No, but they will understand me anyway,” Max replies and hoists himself on the kitchen counter. 
“Fair,” Daniel concedes and opens the fridge. Max’s ear flicks at the sound. 
“How does it feel, by the way?” Daniel asks, taking out a can of Redbull and handing it to Max. “Having the ears?”
Max cracks open the can and takes a sip. Daniel decides to make sandwiches.
“Weird,” Max says, playing with the tab. “I know they are of course because of the curse, but sometimes I forget. It’s like I always had them,” he muses, rubbing one of the ears. 
Daniel hums, moving around Max to take out the ingredients, a cutting board and a knife. 
“Sounds are louder, that's the only difference I think,” Max says, stealing a piece of ham from the cutting board.
“You never told how they cursed you,” Daniel prompts, slicing the cheese. He cuts an extra slice for Max to steal again. 
Max plops the cheese into his mouth, chews. “Because it's not very interesting. This girl sprinkled a powder on my head,” he explains before taking a sip of his Redbull. 
Daniel doesn't know a lot about curses, but that sounds about right. Probably the reason it won't work for long. They are lucky that it was a fangirl essentially pulling a prank on Max, and not someone who actually wanted to harm him. 
“Why cat ears anyway?” Daniel asks once the sandwiches are finished, and both of them are sitting at the dining table. 
“The doctor said it's probably random,” Max shrugs and takes a bite. He chews a little and hums, pleased. 
Daniel feels pride blooming in his chest. He's not the best at cooking, but the meals he does know how to make are good, or better than good, according to Max. 
“What animal would I be?” Daniel asks after taking a bite too. “If I got cursed?” 
“Hm,” Max hums, squinting at Daniel. He turns his head a little while thinking. Cute. 
“I think a poodle, maybe?” he suggests with a smirk. 
Daniel lets out an undignified sound. “A poodle?!” he splutters. “They don't even have ears!”
Max looks like he's about to explode. “Daniel, what? All dogs have ears,” he giggles. 
All dogs have ears, but poodles have the most ugly ones, Daniel thinks – or imagines. He doesn’t remember the last time he saw one, or if he ever saw one. Regardless, that’s not the point.
“That's very insensitive, you know,” he huffs while Max laughs. “I thought you would say a honey badger. That's literally my brand,” he grumbles, defensive. 
“Do honey badgers even have ears?” Max asks, cackling. 
“Do they- Of course they have ears, Max!” Daniel says, exasperated. “Small cute ones, on their head,” Daniel explains, lifting his hands to his hair. 
“Awww,” Max coos, the bastard. This is Daniel's brand they're talking about. If Max asked what ears he would get, Daniel would've said lion’s, a hundred percent. It's not like the answer would be wrong – a lion is just a big cat. 
“Eat your sandwich,” he huffs, nodding at Max's plate. Daniel needs to come up with a revenge for this. Maybe it's time to use the blackmail folder. 
“I love you anyway, Daniel,” Max smiles, settling. “No matter what ears you have.”
Daniel rolls his eyes. Fine, revenge can wait.
“I love you too,” he says begrudgingly. “Even after your cat ears are gone,” he smirks. 
Max kicks him under the table and takes a bite of his sandwich.
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epiphainie · 3 days ago
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Prof Tommy x student buck please 🙏
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adding the asks from the previous game as well bc i've been sooo bad at responding to my asks. please take this humble offering:
A minute left to the end of class, Tommy set them free. A pair of girls flocked to the front of the auditorium to introduce themselves with wide-eyed enthusiasm, and a guy who had a smirk that no one but a legacy kid would wear approached him for a strong handshake. The rest poured out of the hall in a restless rush, either eager to make it to their next class or to just get out of there, with the commotion filling the space as a stark contrast to the quiet of the morning. Tommy tried to block out the conversations. But it was hard to ignore all the eager ‘Buck!’s, the laughter, the joking around, and the invitations to the next thing and the next and the next. None of those nexts were immediate as it seemed, as when the last of the students left with the double doors closing behind him, Tommy knew he hadn't. He could still feel those eyes boring into his face, from the front row the boy had spread out across in the last fifty minutes. Shuffling his papers, Tommy said, “Did you need something, Mr. Buckley?” In his peripheral view, the boy got up. He closed the few steps to the front of the hall. “Just wanted to apologize again, sir,” he said, sincere if you hadn't been doing this job for as long as Tommy had. “Or doctor? Professor?” Tommy looked up; the boy gave him a bashful head tilt. “Sorry, I think I missed the part where you mentioned what you'd like to be called.” There was a candidness to him, to that coy pull of his mouth, to the sheepish way he held his head, to his hands in his pockets as he rocked on his heels. The perfect image of a humble slacker, the campus pretty boy that no one could hate. It was the perfectness of it that raised the hair on Tommy's neck. “Happens when you're eleven minutes late on the first day,” he said, trying not to look at the birthmark the boy had, not to compare it to the wine red of his lips, to not look at his lips at all. He failed when the boy grinned wider. The bashful curve of his smile twisted into something secretive, something that lit up in his eyes.  “Personally, I like first names,” he said, ignoring Tommy's comment. His eyes were blue, maybe too bright of a blue as they flicked down at Tommy's ring finger and back. “So, why don't you just call me Evan?”
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starcurtain · 15 hours ago
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More Phaidei Fics I Want to Read
1. Obligatory "fish out of water" fic (mostly AU because the timeline would probably not match canon, but we do what we want here!), taking place after Mydei and the Kremnoans first make it to Okhema. Okhema is already harsh on outsiders, let alone on a conquering "barbarian" tribe infamous for bringing strife to so many other city states. Mydei doesn't know the local customs at all, and while he doesn't care the slightest about how these pathetic Okhemans see him, the trouble he keeps getting into is affecting the reputations of innocent Kremnoans too. He's got to find a way to blend in, at least enough to stop costing his fellows any chance of finding paid work... Too bad the only person who is willing (and has time) to help is Phainon (who isn't native to Okhema either but done a much better job of learning to get along with the locals). The guy thinks he's the Titans' gift to Amphoreus just because he beat Mydei in a duel once. It was only once! And why does it matter whether we eat standing up or lying down? What are you laughing at, Savior Complex?! Or, tl;dr: The culture clash comedy one where Phainon and Mydei teach each other entirely opposing sets of manners, and come to learn a lot more about one another in the process.
2. Also obligatory omegaverse where Mydei is an omega born with a unique constitution: he's built like an alpha, snarls like an alpha, and dominates his opponents like an alpha. He even smells like an alpha, especially when he's in heat, so the only people who ever figured out his secondary gender were his doctor and his parents, all of whom are dead now. The whole world thinks Mydei is an alpha, and his reputation as an indomitable warrior prince pretty much hinges on people continuing to believe that. The problem is, Mydei wouldn't actually mind getting to live an omega's life, at least the part about finding a mate and starting a family. Only, who in the world would want him for a mate? Any alpha hunting for an actual omega would never think to look in Mydei's direction, betas would just be confused, and even those few alphas who are attracted to other alphas would only end up disappointed after discovering Mydei isn't one. He's nobody's ideal partner, and he'd mostly made peace with that--until Phainon. Until that upstart alpha from the middle of nowhere knocked Mydei down in a brutal spar and then pulled him up with the gentlest hand, and suddenly it mattered that no one would ever want Mydei. It mattered a lot. (Of course, the long and short of it is that Mydei is the man of Phainon's dreams, and after a series of setbacks and miscommunications and lots of silly angst, they'll find their way to a happy ending.)
3. After discovering Mydei's weakness for sweets and cute things like pink pomegranate juice, Phainon decides to engage in a bit of light-hearted teasing: He starts sending Mydei exceedingly adorable gifts and fancy candies under the guise of a "secret admirer." The joke is on Phainon, however, when it turns out Mydei finds the gifts quite charming and is determined to discover the identity of the mysterious gift giver. A reasonable person would quickly give up on the joke to avoid getting caught, but Phainon has always been weak to chasing thrills--and maybe this whole thing about being Mydei's "secret admirer" isn't too far off after all... (The real joke is that Mydei, realizing immediately who the gifts were from, invented an entire "hunting my admirer down" story just for the fun of watching Phainon squirm--and, well, because keeping the whole thing going, being showered with attention by his rival, doesn't feel too bad at all.)
4. The opposite fic: The one where Mydei's completely mismatched online personality accidentally catfishes Phainon and causes some very silly drama. Mydei's (anonymous) teletweet account is full of cutesy chimera kitten memes, aesthetic pictures of food, heart emojis, and overly punctuated (with exclamation points) recaps of shopping trips in Okhema's market... Can anyone blame Phainon for thinking this is the account of a cute girl who is refreshingly earnest about her love for chubby seals and pink milk tea? But as Phainon becomes closer and closer to "Fig Stew" online, things get more and more complicated--because he's also been getting closer and closer to his real world companion Mydeimos lately. Both Fig and Mydei are wonderful, and Phainon can barely bear the thought of losing either of them in his life. Trying to get closer to them both would be way too dishonest, but choosing one over the other... What should he do? Meanwhile, Mydei is in trouble. He wasn't planning to set up some secret identity or anything; it's not his fault Phainon mistook him for a girl online! There's nothing weird about dudes posting sparkling kitten gifs, godsdammit!! But now the charade's gone on way too long to come clean, especially since Phainon seems so invested, and... well, can you blame Mydei for not wanting to give up on the closest thing to a relationship he's ever managed to start? tl;dr: Online mistaken identity hijinks fic.
5. The required-in-every-fandom time travel fic (with bonus fake dating)! Through an outpouring of Oronyx's power, Mydei and Phainon end up in the bodies of their future selves, who, it turns out, have not only managed to end Amphoreus' war and revive Castrum Kremnos, but... appear to have also... gotten married?!! Now Mydei and Phainon have to not only find out exactly how their future selves managed to save the world (so they can accomplish the same task) then look for a way back to their own time--they've got to do all of that while also pretending to be a happily wedded pair of rulers to avoid raising everyone's suspicions. This would be a whole lot easier if either of them knew the first thing about being actual kings... or about relationships. The slightest slip up could create ripple effects that change the entire timeline permanently, but--no matter how nerve-wracking it might be to admit, after seeing the future in store for them together--there's nothing Phainon (and Mydei) won't do to make sure things go exactly as they should.
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stew-skys-husband · 3 days ago
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Jobs I think The Outsiders characters have/would have (in a world where they get to grow old):
Ponyboy becomes a novelist and an English professor (Mr. Symes changed his life) before retiring and going back to Tulsa and having a nice little life on a farm (think C Thomas Howell)
Darry works as a roofer/in construction and will start his own business. He lives in that type of job for the rest of his days. He could also be a trucker, I'd see that.
Sodapop becomes a mechanic. Both blue collar brothers are so proud of their smarty pants writer brother.
Steve works as a mechanic with Soda.
Two-bit would get a low entry level job that doesn't require a diploma. He changes jobs often. He's worked on farms, in customer service for two months, in assembly lines. He could be a bus driver for a long while. As long as he gets money for booze (Marcia is the one bringing in the dough)
Dally earned cash by working at Buck's and in the rodeos. I thought about him becoming a cop. Maybe he'd inherit the bar and run it with Sylvia if she doesn't find anything better.
Johnny worked part time in a grocery store to at least be able to survive. I want to see him working as a butcher just to make him suffer. Realistically he'd probably go on a farm though.
Paul in one of my fic works in marketing for a mining company in Montana. Don't ask me what this means, I don't know.
Cherry would be a nurse or a teacher and she'd LOVE it.
Bob would be the president of a company. Which one? I don't know and I don't care. Or a cop.
Marcia seems like a very caring person and with ber relationship with Two-bit, I think she'd wanna become a social worker
Bev is a mean girl so probably a nurse or a teacher hahaha
Brill could work as a car salesman. I'd see that.
Chet would work as a coach for a football team, maybe a high school teacher.
Someone said Trip had a recording studio and I agree with that. Next.
Ace would get an awesome job. She's a mixed kid from a poor neighborhood and would try to stick it to the people. She'd become a doctor or a scientist to prove to people her worth.
Sandy is a waitress at a diner so she can bring a bit more income. I see her still woth Soda and raising their kids together (they have like 4)
Sylvia is a bartender at Buck's
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izumi-fanclub · 20 hours ago
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A3! Translation: Chikage SSR Card “Rouge Rose of Love” [Valentine’s Day Gossip]
How will Chikage deal with Valentine's Day this year? He receives a blessing and a curse of course.
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Part 1
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Chikage
Never thought I’d share lunch with Chigasaki.
Itaru
I mean, it’s just the pizza place if we’re looking at the big picture, that’s the only common link.
Pizza Shop Clerk
Thank you for waiting, here’s your parmesan and diavola.
Chikage
Thanks, diavola’s finally here.
Itaru
I’m surprised, I half expected it to look ridiculously red like some sort of challenge menu.
Chikage
Chigasaki-san, maybe you’re just not enough of a junkie?
Itaru
Ahaha, you’d be wrong.
Pizza Shop Clerk
Excuse me for interrupting your meal, but we’re passing out our new Chocolate Chunk pizza, would you like to sample them out?
Itaru
Hehh, looks good. Thanks for the food.
Pizza Shop Clerk
Thanks for your feedback! How about you, sir?
Chikage
Sorry but I’ll have to pass, my doctor told me to avoid sweets.
Pizza Shop Clerk
I see, I apologize. Please continue enjoying your meal.
Itaru
…Is that your new year’s excuse now?
Chikage
Whatever do you mean?
Itaru
It’s about to be Valentine’s soon.
Chikage
…Ahh, so that explains the chocolate on the new menu.
Itaru
That look on you, it definitely went over your head.
Chikage
Because I’m not interested.
Itaru
Senpai you might not be, but the female employees definitely are. I overheard them talking about giving out some love chocolate to a certain senior.
There used to be rumors of you having a fiancée, but they pretty much lost their status effect now.
You’ve gotten some before here and there too.
Chikage
Well, they say gossip stays around for about 75 days or so, someone out there probably thinks I’ve been married off silently.
Who am I to deny it, even.
Itaru
Come to think of it, you’re gonna go shopping with director-san today. Wouldn’t that be the perfect chance to get down on your knee?
Chikage
Kneeling in front of director-san in public would be too unfair to her.
…In any case, I feel guilty about pulling director-san into this mess, so I’ll try and think of something else.
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Izumi
Wow, the star anises really have such a pretty shape to them!
Chikage
By the way, Tsuzuru said he’s gonna make fried rice tomorrow, buying this would make it more authentic, right?
Izumi
Hmm, that’s true but then again… they look so beautiful that it feels like such a waste.
Chikage
Then, how about we buy some cinnamon sticks and make some mulled wine?
Izumi
Sounds like a plan! Let’s go with that!
Spice Specialty Store Clerk
——Sorry to keep you waiting.
Regarding the spice you ordered, I checked and it seems like it’s gonna be delayed due to some logistics issues…
I apologize for not informing you in advance.
Chikage
No worries, so when can we expect to receive it?
Spice Specialty Store Clerk
I think you can get it in around 4 days.
Chikage
Four days from now… I have a meeting on that day, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it before closing time.
Spice Specialty Store Clerk
I’m sincerely terribly sorry…!
Chikage
It’s fine, it’s not like we’re in a hurry. I’ll come by again on the weekend.
Izumi
Oh, well in that case, should I get it in your stead?
Chikage
You okay with that?
Izumi
Yup, I happen to have some errands nearby that day.
Chikage
Then please be my guest.
Izumi
Mhm, leave it to me!
Chikage
…Sorry, thank you as always.
Izumi
What’s wrong? You’re suddenly all serious…
Chikage
Nothing, just a lot on my mind.
Part 2
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Tsumugi
…Whew, this mulled wine really hits the spot, it’s got some nice spices on it.
Citron
Gets me feeling all warm~
Azuma
The star anise adds a beautiful touch to it too.
Chikage
Director-san said the same thing too, so my suggestion on using it for fried rice was a no-go.
Azuma
Fufu, that makes sense. That’s definitely like her.
So, where’s the director at?
Chikage
Looks like the sleep got to her. To think she was the one who was looking forward to it the most.
Itaru
Sleeping this early is gonna mess up her sleep hygiene.
Azuma
Yeah, I received some chocolate that goes well with the alcohol, I wanted the director to try them out too.
Sakyo
You’ve got that pricey stuff on you again.
Banri
In a few days the place’s gonna get flooded with chocolate from everyone, so director-chan still got a chance to eat some.
Tsumugi
You’re right, Valentine’s is just around the corner.
Itaru
In other words, the overpowered senpai is gonna have his weakness revealed soon.
Chikage
This is a serious matter though.
Itaru
Just call it schadenfreude I guess.
Banri
Ain’t that old news?
Tasuku
So do you have any counter-measures in mind already?
Chikage
Nothing yet unfortunately.
Itaru
At lunch you turned down that chocolate pizza talking about some “My doctor told me not to eat it.” excuse.
Chikage
If I use that excuse at work, it’ll stir up a different kind of trouble.
Tsumugi
Hmm, then again it’s hard to come up with a reason to turn them down especially when it’s done out of the goodwill of the giver.
Chikage
But this year I got a full day’s worth of meetings scheduled so I think I can manage.
Banri
Oh, well that’s a relief.
Citron
It is no relief! Just a temporary solution! That will not do! The same troubles will appear again next year!
Itaru
…He’s being sensible for once.
Chikage
I forgot about it this year and couldn’t do anything so far, but next year I’ll be on a business trip.
Citron
No! That is still a temporary solution!
Banri
Feels like the issue’s just growing.
Citron
That is why we should practice rejection together!
Chikage
Practice rejection?
Azuma
Fufu, well isn’t this interesting.
Tasuku
That’s to be expected, honestly.
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Itaru
…I’m not surprised anymore at this point, but still, why me?
Citron
But of course! This is a family matter for everyone!
Chikage
Sorry, Chigasaki.
Itaru
Nah, you don’t sound sorry at all. …Sigh, it’s a relief I got up and finished an event early.
Chikage
So Citron, we went all the way out in Veludo way, care to explain why that is?
Itaru
Yeah, you can practice rejection at the dorms.
Citron
That much is obvious. It is because we are actors! This is the only place to practice!
Chikage
That’s…
Itaru
Do you mean…
Citron
Frankly, a rejection etude! Yes!
Passerby A
Oh, isn’t that spring troupe?
Passerby B
It is! Think they’re up to doing a street act?
Chikage & Itaru
Itaru
…I’m not sure if I’m up for this.
Chikage
Let’s just get this over with.
Chikage & Itaru
Passerby A
…He’s looking at his phone, is he waiting for a notif?
Passerby B Maybe he’s checking the time.
Chikage
“Are you here to meet someone too?”
Itaru
“Eh?” Chikage
“I mean, isn't it Valentine's day?”
Itaru
“Yeah that’s true, some lady hit me up and told me to meet her here around 1pm.”
Chikage
“What a coincidence, I’m here for the same reason.”
“Whenever I get called out like this on Valentine’s Day, I get excited like some highschooler wondering what it’s for.”
Itaru
“Yeah, I get you. Me too.”
“Forgive me for prying but… have you decided on an answer yet?”
Chikage
“Hmm, I was thinking of turning down——”
Itaru
“Ehh, you too?”
Chikage
“So you’re in the same boat?”
Citron
“——Sorry, I was late!” Chikage & Itaru
“No, it’s fine——”
Chikage
“Ehh…”
Itaru
“Eh?”
Citron
“Eeh!? Chikage and Itaru, why are you both here…”
“...No way, silly me! I accidentally sent the message to both of you!”
Chikage & Itaru
“Huh…?”
Passerby A
… So basically, one of them’s the genuine one and the other is a backup?
Passerby B
Woah…
Chikage
“Um, Itaru-san, do you have a second?”
Itaru
“Yeah, of course. I was meaning to talk to you too.”
Chikage
“You can reject first.”
Itaru
“Eh, no way, that’d make me seem like the backup. You should be the first to actually say no.”
Chikage
“That’s gonna be a different story.”
Kanazuka
So this is Veludo Way. It’s my first time here, but there sure are a lot of people… Huh? Seems like there’s a crowd over there.
Chikage
“——I’m not giving up, even if I was just the second option, I can’t let it end like this!” Kanazuka
!? Is that Utsuki-san and Chigasaki-san from the company…!? This is unbelievable…!
Part 3
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Chikage
Thanks for your hard work throughout the meeting.
Employee A
Great job as well. Ah, since it’s Valentine’s Day, I prepared some chocolate.
Employee B
This calls for tea time, then. I’ll go make some coffee. You drink coffee too, right, Utsuki-san?
Chikage
I——.
Employee A
Oops, I think Utsuki-san will get some from his girlfriend later.
Yeah, that’s right. Sorry about that, Utsuki-san.
Chikage
…? No it’s okay.
Then, I’ll take my leave.
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Chikage
(If I head over there now, I think I can make it just in time for closing time. I wonder if I should contact director-san about how the spices are.)
Itaru
——Hey, senpai. You got a minute?
Chikage
Chigasaki?
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Chikage
Is it something urgent? If it’s not, just tell me about it at home.
Itaru
Looks like the gossip hasn’t reached you yet.
Chikage
Gossip?
Itaru
Apparently, even though your fiancée is dating me now, there’s a rumor going around that you haven’t given up on her completely…
Chikage
…Hah?
Itaru
A co-worker saw that previous street act we did and mistook it for a fight between you and me.
Chikage
Street act…
You surely don’t mean the one where Citron pulled a bootcamp over dealing with “rejection”, right?
Itaru
That’s right, after all it wasn’t rehearsed at all and we ended up just going with the flow of Citron’s act.
Chikage
…So that explains it, is that why I felt a weird vibe during the meeting earlier?
Itaru
We’re actors, that’s understood by regulars of Veludo Way, but the co-worker that happened to witness it was someone unfamiliar with the whole concept.
Then the gossip mill jumped on the bandwagon and said stuff like “Maybe there’s some truth beneath the surface of that act.”
Chikage
Talk about a pain…
Itaru
You said it.
Chikage
(I kinda took advantage of that in the past, so I don’t really have the right to complain.)
Chikage
… Speaking of, what happened to the rumor that Chigasaki’s sister is my fiancée?
Itaru
I don’t know, I think they just assumed you’ve broken up.
Then, what do we do? Looks like senpai’s history with love is getting pretty complicated.
Chikage
Whatever, it’ll probably just die down soon anyway so I won’t do anything about it, I’ll just head home.
Besides, hanging around you like this might be counterproductive.
Itaru
True that. I’ll wrap up my overtime work and head home early too.
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Chikage
(...Not sure if it’s the rumor’s effect or I’m just being overly conscious of it, but I didn’t get any chocolate at all.)
(...It could be better, but I guess it still works out in the end, that rumor will die down soon, and I’m sure the director——)
Izumi
Ah, Chikage-san!
Chikage
Director-san?
Izumi
I got to the store early and had some time so I thought of bringing it to you directly.
Chikage
That’s right, I was just thinking of telling you to meet there since I could make it before closing time, but…
I realized I completely forgot to do it.
Izumi
Really now? That’s pretty rare for you, Chikage-san.
Chikage
A bit of an unexpected issue came up.
Izumi
Good on you for dealing with it.
Chikage
… Director-san, are you in a good mood?
Izumi
Fufu, I just found something good, is all. Ah right, the spices, here you go.
Chikage
Thanks. You’re a huge help.
(... There’s a ribbon on it, is this part of the service?)
(From an outsider’s perspective, they’ll probably assume I’m receiving Valentine’s chocolate out of context.)
(Not sure if the director noticed, but I feel the gaze of people from the company around for a while now.)
Izumi
What’s up?
Chikage
Nothing, it’s just that it feels like a gift when it’s ribboned like this.
Izumi
It is… kind of a present.
Chikage
Present?
(There’s something else aside from the spices I asked her to pick up.)
Chikage
…Does this bottle also have spice?
[ Option 1: Open and see for yourself ] Izumi Open it and check it out. Chikage Right here? Izumi Is it not good here? Chikage That’s not the issue but… well I’ll just open it.
[ Option 2: It’s nothing suspicious ] Izumi Don’t worry, it’s not fishy or anything. Chikage Should I be concerned? Izumi No, I mean it! It really is just a gift. Chikage Well, as long as it’s director-san, I’ll believe it.
Chikage
…Chocolate?
Izumi
Yup, they’re spice seeds coated in chocolate, they were pretty good when I tried them out at the store!
I bought it thinking maybe Chikage-san could enjoy it too, it’s Valentine’s Day after all.
Chikage
Izumi
Oh, don’t worry about returning the favor, a tasty curry made with the spices would just be fine.
Chikage
(I didn’t mean to drag you into this again… I’m sure the gossip’s gonna get updated tomorrow.)
…It’s not my fault anymore, it’s the director’s.
Izumi
Hm?
Story Clear!
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marksmarkers93 · 1 day ago
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Part two! Okay so I've been kinda (not really) busy so this one was late BUT I HOPE YALL ENJOY THIS PART!!! THE COMIC ONLY HAS LIKE 3 ½ PARTS LEFT (in comic form durrr) but I've been enjoying writing lil fics to go with it that are part of the story.
Lil fic below!!
Sonic!poly Au : The ark, chapter two
Doctor Robotnik was paged during his tea break, something his staff knew not to bother him during unless it was important.
"Yes, what is it?" He asked into the comm.
"It's Project A.T.L.A.S Doctor." The female doctor on the other end spoke.
He sighed. "I'm on my way."
Doctor Robotnik wondered what it was now. It was unlike Project A.T.L.A.S to be causing frequent problems like this. It was normally Project R.E.D that was the problem maker. He thought about everything it could be as he made his way to Project A.T.L.A.S's containment room.
As he stepped into the larger laboratory he seen several of his staff standing in front of the viewing screen into Project A.T.L.A.S's containment room.
"What's is it now?"
"Project A.T.L.A.S hasn't been...well doing anything." A scientist spoke up.
He made his way over and looked in, staring at ball of dusky eucalyptus green quills. "How long has he been curled up like that?"
The head scientist sighed and turnt to look at him. "Doctor...he's been like that for days. He's refusing to eat."
His head snapped to look at her, his brow twitching. "Hmmm..." he stroked his moustache as he thought.
"His test results?"
"They've all come back normal, blood, lungs, heart. He isn't sick and yet..." she trailed off.
"He's acting as if he is...maybe... maybe it's time."
"Time? For what Doctor?"
He ignored her as he started walking away, his mind already set.
"Let's introduce them then."
Doctor Robotnik was making his way quickly to Maria's room, knowing her and Shadow were probably there playing. He let his mind wander for a moment. He was grateful Maria has Shadow to play with, she was so lonely before Shadow came to them. A thought clicked in his mind, one that solidified his decision to introduce Shadow and Project A.T.L.A.S now. Project A.T.L.A.S was lonely. Surely.
He was created for this. For Shadow, after all. One would be lonely and lost without their purpose. He stopped outside of Maria's door, knocking once before opening it.
"Shadow, come here please."
He could hear Maria speak to him softly, assuring him they could finish their movie later. He smiled at his granddaughter.
"Coming Doctor." Shadow spoke lowly, hurrying to his feet and over to Robotniks side.
Their walk to Project A.T.L.A.S's room was silent until they stopped outside of a door Shadow had never been inside of.
Upon thinking about it, he'd never been down this hall either. He looked up at Doctor Robotnik as he put in the code to the door.
"Today is a different kind of test. It's not for you." He said as he swiped his card, opening the door.
"What do you mean Doctor? Not for me..?"
"Correct. It's for him."
Shadow stepped forward into the doorway, looking inside the room. A single hand on the back of his head motioned him into the room as Doctor Robotnik spoke again.
"A-Type/Lycanthrope Alpha Success 003. A.T.L.A.S"
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purrgiri · 2 days ago
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So i just came across a fan theory for eggman potential return in sonic 4 that i really liked that says he would return as an AI using metal sonic body
I think this would be a really good way to bring eggman back without ruining the arc he had up to the end of his mortal life in sonic 3 as we could simply make it so the new eggman is an ai copy of him from prior to the events of sonic 3 thus it not having any of the development he had
Maybe have it be a copy of eggman immediately after his battle with super sonic where (at least according to the cut scenes) eggman broke every bone in body and had most of his organs messed up the AI clone could have been a back up in case eggman body hadn't survived and eggman would be stewing in his own pain and rage at this point so it makes sense for this ai copy to still be evil along with any love he had for anything or anyone such as agent stone being replaced by hard code meant to accomplish what it believe the doctor would making it evil further
It would also give us a proper sonic and eggman 1 v 1 where eggman is genuinely a threat even when sonic starts taking him seriously since i feel like unlike the games that doesn't happen since outside of using the chaos emeralds eggman is not a threat if sonic is actually trying
What i like the most about this is how it would give us a true 1 v 1 of sonic and eggman the ultimate final battle
Nature greatest hero and the fastest creatures in the universe vs the universe greatest intellect in a body meant to counter sonic perfectly
Sonic brawn vs eggman intelligence in it's purest form
This could also be a nice way to include neo metal sonic as part of the condition to achieve that form in the games is having eggman bio data and intellect
Thoughts?
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maximwtf · 3 days ago
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“Limits.”
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Baizhu x Reader
Words: 1550
Google Docs Pages: 2,5
Warnings: Lantern Rite 2025 spoilers, established relationship, injury recovery, comfort, idk nothing too emotional. 
Opening: Hu Tao drags you back to Bubu in poor shape after saving her, but your partner isn’t quite as happy about this sacrifice. Too bad he’d sacrifice himself for you as well, so you’re in good hands. 
AN// G/N Reader. I have a request to write but because my main finally was let out the basement and got content AND he was voiced…I felt like this came first. But also because I wanted this part to be included in the Lantern Rite cut scene but it wasn’t so…Haha, I didn’t make this too long or detailed, since I have other stuff to work on. Hope it’s still okay :”D
“Limits.”
The amount of fetor your body had been exposed to far exceeded the amount you’d expected to face. But none of the efforts had been in vain. Since whatever had happened after, you’d made sure Hu Tao was alive and well before ultimately collapsing in exhaustion. 
And she was well. Enough so, to having taken the task of getting you back for treatment on herself. You had no memory of this, barely bits and pieces of the journey. Flashes of small bits of road, faint sounds of Hu Tao cheering herself on under her breath and a faint memory of stairs. A feeling you'd had each time, of wanting to ease her burden of dragging you back by getting back on your feet. But the overwhelming exhaustion prevented you from moving, there was no arguing against it. 
It was already dark by the time Hu Tao had made it back to Bubu pharmacy. Allowing herself a moment of rest when Baizhu helped her by taking on some of the weight of your collapsed form, brows furrowed in worry. His hand brushed back some of the lost strands of hair from your face while diligently checking your vitals. Most of the actions done so automatically on the spot he hadn’t even noticed doing them. 
He felt displeased, most of that stemming from worry. A part of him not fully comprehending the fact that you’d willingly gone and done something so dangerous. But then again, you had saved the life of the funeral parlor’s director successfully. That fact confused his thought process, not really knowing who to be displeased with.  Ultimately deciding that maybe it was better if those feelings weren’t directed at anyone. There were more pressing matters at hand. 
That didn’t stop him from mumbling a few rather opinionated comments under his breath while helping Hu Tao escort you to the back room for a more thorough exam. Laying your form neatly on to the bed before going over to the shelves. Mind ticking to find anything to ease the exhaustion that he’d concluded as the cause for the collapse. You needed rest, that much was clear. But he couldn’t have you sleeping without consuming anything for an extended amount of time. That would far increase the risk of more harm than good. 
In his hurry to find the best possible medicine, he’d forgotten to thank Hu Tao. Furthermore, he’d forgotten that the girl needed a check up as well. She’d been in the very same place as you, and therefore having had the fetor run through her as well. 
“Ah, indeed. Thank you, Director Hu. Once their condition is stable, I suggest you come in for a check up as well.” He spoke swiftly, an attempt to hide the worry in his tone from the other and himself. He wouldn’t have been of much help to anyone if any of those selfish feelings were to come through now. 
He couldn’t see the reaction of the Director, merely hearing an agreeing ‘okay’ before she saw it best to leave the doctor to perform his duty in peace. The silence so dreadful when he finally seated himself beside the bed. 
He did what he could. Applying all the medicine he could think of that had a chance of easing your condition, taking note of any changes with your vitals. By now having realised that this case with the fetor could have been of use in further research. Then again, that could have been a desperate attempt to distract himself from the identity of the patient he was caring for. It was an odd feeling, seeing something he held close to his heart be injured and unresponsive. 
But he knew better than to rue over something that couldn’t be changed anymore. He’d done what he could, knowing that since the fetor didn’t exactly cause an illness, it meant there was nothing he could heal. Merely ease the effects of it now and hope that your recovery would perhaps be sped up by the medicine. 
Time passed faster than he expected. The situation had taken such a strain on his condition, he’d barely noticed when he had started nodding off. Changsheng sensed the stress of the situation, not daring to start waking Baizhu up again once he’d fallen asleep by the bed. Thinking it best to allow him rest now, rather than waking him up and having the man fuss over you again for the rest of the night. His body could hardly take the strain, no matter if he always argued otherwise. 
Thankfully his dignity was saved, since you hadn’t shown any signs of waking up the next morning either. Only, he’d received a few displeased looks and comments from Changsheng over him straining himself like he’d done. After another overly thorough examination, he’d been able to only conclude that you appeared fine on the outside. Deciding it best to start off his day to get his mind off of the situation. Knowing all he could do was to wait for your body to naturally wake up again. 
The day kept him busy with all the check ups he had to do with the patients affected with fetor previously, allowing him to take his mind off of your condition. It was only after Zhongli had come in to visit you that he’d received the news of your conscious state. The other man having seen it best to start leaving so Baizhu had space to make sure nothing fatal had happened due to the extreme exposure to fetor. 
He hurried to the back room, relieved to find you sitting on the bed with a hand on your forehead. Seemingly having just woken up. “Well, good morning,” his usual voice greeted you and immediately gained the attention he’d missed. “You know, you’re lucky your constitution is as strong as it is. You dealt a serious blow back there.” He continued, a hint of stress apparent in his voice. But maybe that was only to your more trained ear. You were aware of how skilled he was with holding himself back for the sake of others, and that included you. 
But he was right, of course. But even if you’d survived, the feeling after wasn’t pleasant. Your head still felt heavy with exhaustion, not to mention the overpowering feeling of wanting to lay back down and sleep. It took every ounce of willpower you had left to muster up a few words. “Could I have a drink?” Like an automatic request. You hadn’t even noticed how thirsty you were, so far having no idea how long you’d been out for. 
Baizhu had been already on it, handing you the cool cup right after hearing the request. “You’ve been asleep for quite some time…” He spoke up again, keeping up conversation in order to keep you awake. It wasn’t hard to tell you kept nodding off every once in a while. So he proceeded to raise his voice a little then, give you a gentle push while checking your vitals again.
Gentle with his process, he made one final check up and agreed to let his mind rest after. It truly seemed to only be exhaustion from taking the blow of the ritual. You’d be fine with proper rest, as much as he’d feared otherwise. 
The cooling drink ran out faster than you would have hoped, placing the empty cup beside the bed. “You know, I can tell you’re worrying,” voice a little more clearer this time. “But I feel fine, the drowsiness aside…” You tried to chuckle a little to lighten up the mood. “He stayed up almost all night watching over you.” Changsheng spoke up before the man himself was able to, exposing his little endeavors the previous night. “Baizhu-..” You were able to begin the all too practised lecture, only to be interrupted by him. “I’m keenly aware of my limits, unlike some,” he allowed a sight to escape. Letting out some of the built up stress from the ordeal. “That was a trick I do not wish for you to perform again..” He sat down beside you on the bed, brushing some of your hair back with a gentle motion. In the end, pulling you in for a light embrace which was gladly returned soon after. “I think the Funeral Parlor will be in check for some time after this…No need for another rescue, don’t worry.” You hummed, feeling your eyes start to close once again. 
Baizhu pulled back, feeling your weight start to shift on to him a little more. “They may be fine, but you..” He laid you down gently, standing back up. “Are not. Which is exactly why you’re going to rest so that no lasting damage will raise its head.” Baizhu explained with the usual firm tone behind his words, knowing fully well that he wasn't going to let you walk this off. But wanting to believe that your negotiable nature wasn’t due to exhaustion, but instead out of wanting to ease the mind of the other. “Alright…” 
You could see the warm smile on his face before your eyes forced themselves shut. Only feeling the light peck he pressed against your forehead before outstretching his hand to allow Changsheng to climb back up to his shoulders. “Rest well, dear.” He said silently, before exiting the room. Now with a little more peace of mind.
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eggs-attorney · 3 days ago
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Reiker: I believe I have an answer, your honor.
Eggman: Oh?
Reiker: It's quite simple. The missing tracker isn't Axel's… It's Yanshu's!
Eggman: Excuse me?
Reiker: Well, let's try and open up Yanshu's Omni-Tool.
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Reiker: See? Completely empty!
Rythen: Hoohoohoohoo~…
Reiker: … What's so funny?
Rythen: If Miss Dryll's tracker is missing, then that means she tracked her own robot down!
Reiker: What!? No! I-… I'm saying Axel tracked hers!
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Axel: Here we go again with me me me! Just 'cuz I'm the manager it's aaaaall me!
Axel: I can't access her GPS tracker, bird-brain! That stuff's admin-only!
Eggman: He's correct, actually. I had to pull this GPS Report myself.
Reiker: (Well, there goes that theory, but…)
Reiker: Sir, may I request that Axel's Omni-Tool and tracker be added to the evidence?
Axel: WHAT!? I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! YOU'VE GOT NO PROOF!
Eggman: … I have to agree with Mr. Bolton. Just why should we confiscate his tools as evidence?
Reiker: Well… He made it relevant when he brought it out, didn't he? I have a theory, but I want to investigate the tools first.
Eggman: … Fine, but no funny business, you hear me?
Axel: ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?
Axel: Fine, take it. Take everything while you're at it! My shirt, my gloves, this broken drill while you're at it. Who knows? Maybe that'll come up, too!
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Axel's Omnitool has been added to the Court Record.
Reiker: (Now, let's see…)
Reiker: (It seems like the tracking devices fit perfectly inside the Omni-Tools no matter which one it came from… The only notable feature is this big six on the back.)
Reiker: (Wait, does that line up with…?)
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Reiker: … Yanshu, what's your employee ID number?
Yanshu: Um… Six. W-why?
Reiker: Mm-hm… So I'm guessing your tracker would have a six on it, right?
Yanshu: Well, yeah, but-…
Yanshu: … Wait. Wasn't that-
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Reiker: In his Omni-Tool? Yes. Which has to mean…
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Reiker: That's it!
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Reiker: Sir, this tracking device obviously belongs to Yanshu!
Eggman: What!? Let me see that!
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Eggman: Mr. Bolton, can you explain the meaning behind this!?
Rythen: Well, your honor, he-
Eggman: THE MUTT, PAYNE!
Rythen: Yeek!
Bolton: This has to be some kind of joke! That two-bit lawyer of yours obviously switched 'em!
Reiker: Are you sure? Because there's one surefire way to check.
Axel: And that is…?
Reiker: Simple, we check the tracker on the victim's body.
Eggman: Brilliant idea. It's been stuffed inside the storage room since the investigation started.
Eggman: BAILIFF, THE CADAVER!
Bailiff-Bot: YES, DOCTOR.
Eggman: While we wait for that… Would you like to say anything else, Mr. Bolton?
Axel: I-… Why you little…!
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Axel: SHOW ME THE TOOL, THEN! I DARE YA! YOU SHOW ME WHAT I USED TO RIP THEM PARTS OUT OF THAT BUSTED TIN CAN!
Reiker: (He's starting to crack… We're almost done!)
Reiker: (In regards to the murder weapon… I think the answer has been right under our noses this whole time.)
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book-nerd-emi · 2 days ago
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"I Fall Asleep"
TW: This story talks a lot about death and leukemia and this chapter takes place in a hospital.
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Yeah, so Mom walked out of my room and I took my chances and fell asleep as fast as humanly possible. I think I vaguely remember my mom coming into my room…  don’t quote me on that. It was such a weird feeling. It was like I was two people, but I knew I was still one. Like one part of me (or one version of me????) was trying to go, while the other part, or version, was trying to keep me grounded. As a teen who grew up in a hospital, I gave in to the previous. All I want is to leave these four walls of disgusting chemical smells and dying people; I'm getting tired of it. I’ve only seen the same things for the past however many years. But for now, I’ll know where this other version of me takes me.
Maybe I should’ve stayed grounded cause now Mom and everyone else I know are crying and maybe those sensations from earlier were of me dying. But no, that can’t be right. I’m just a teen! I can’t die, right?! I have so much life ahead of me… I’m just a sick teen! I’m just here temporarily before I get let out to be like the rest of the people my age, right?! The doctor said I was doing better! The doctor said that I’ll be able to see other people soon. Maybe even go to school- I’m just a girl. I’ve never had a crush, or a best friend, or a friend. I’m…
I’m a dead girl.
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a/n: very short chapter but very important chapter. Also I switched her age like 5 times so if I forgot to change smth along those lines please tell me.
Tags: @wish-i-were-heather , @balladofareader , @shattered-glass-roses, @lovethornes
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realdramalove69 · 23 hours ago
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Commission: Not So Empty Nest Part 1
The day finally came when Nick had to say goodbye to his mother. He had dreaded this day, but was also excited to be finally heading off to college. They had spent all day yesterday loading up his car and making sure he had everything he needed before doing the four hour drive to his new dorm.
As long as he can remember it had always just been him and Maria. His mom had had him when she was young, 18 and just out of high school, but she made sure he never wanted for anything. They had shared small apartments, late nights working on homework, and now she was getting ready to say goodbye to her only child.
The night before as they ate pizza and watched movies Nick looked at his mom, admiring how beautiful and youthful she still was. Long silky black hair, a curvy body and olive toned skin. They had the same dark brown eyes but Nick was paler and more lanky than his mother. He had gotten his height from his father’s side (according to her) and stood 8 inches taller than his mother’s 5’4” stature.
Nick set down his plate on the coffee table and turned to his mom, his heart pounding and his nerves building in anticipation of him leaving. He had been rehearsing this conversation in his head all day and knew if he didn’t say it now he would never be able to.
“Mom?” Nick started, his voice sounding childlike.
“Yes, sweetheart?” Maria replied, looking at her son and smiling.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Since I got accepted into college really. But I wanted to ask you if you were maybe going to start dating again once I’m gone?”
Maria looked down at her hands and picked at her pizza. “Sweetie you don’t need to worry about me–”
“I know. You’ve told me my whole life. But now you’re going to be alone and I don’t want you here alone without someone here to love you and treat you the way you deserve to be treated.”
Maria didn’t know what to say. She had put off dating these last 18 years, focusing solely on her son and her job as a hairdresser. “I promise, Nick, that I will be fine. Of course I will miss having you around but I don’t need to get married or anything like that.”
Nick tried to hide his disappointment. He had tried this once before when he was younger, begging his mom for more siblings and a dad, but she had shooed him off saying she didn’t have time.
“It’s just something to think about, mom,” Nick replied. “In case you get lonely.”
Maria scooted on the couch closer to her son and hugged him, ruffling his hair and kissing the top of his head. “I appreciate you looking out for me, honey. I’ll think about entering the dating scene again. I promise.”
Nick looked up at her and smiled. “Thanks. I’d feel better about going to school knowing you won’t be bored and alone.”
“Oh, Nicky, I’m not going to be bored. I’ll find some new hobbies to try or something.” She kissed his head and went back to eating the pizza.
The next morning Maria waved her son goodbye as he drove off, tears in her eyes as she watched her baby boy heading off to become the chemist and doctor he had always dreamed of. She sighed and crossed her arms, hugging herself as she felt the impending boredom and loneliness that comes with being an empty nester. She hated to admit that her son was right; she was nervous about being left here alone without him. Maybe she should download a dating app?
Maria chuckled and shook her head. Don’t be hasty, Maria. It’s only been five minutes.
To distract herself, Maria decided to head to the gym. She had always loved working out and keeping in shape, her toned body proved it. She hadn’t ever lost the bit of chub on her thighs and belly from pregnancy, but no one could deny she was absolutely gorgeous.
Dressed in a tight light blue yoga pants and bra set, Maria put in her headphones and started her run on the treadmill. She had been running for about twenty minutes when a man around her age hopped on the one next to her. She smiled politely at him, feeling a warmth in her cheeks when she noticed how attractive he was. Tall and tan with salt and pepper hair and kind tawny eyes. He had some stubble but didn’t look unkempt. Pushing her shoulders back a little, Maria continued her pace trying not to think about the man next to her.
He started his run, his pace about the same as hers. They ran together in silence for another fifteen minutes before Maria slowed down to a walk, hands on her head as she caught her breath. The man slowed down as well, obviously not as avid a runner as Maria. He clutched his side and said something to her.
“Sorry I couldn’t hear you,” Maria responded, taking her headphones out. “What did you say?”
“I said, you’re a really great runner,” the man gasped, smiling big and trying to catch his breath. “I admittedly only came over here to talk to you but you were so in the zone I didn’t want to bug you.”
Maria’s cheeks grew redder. “Oh, well your form looked good anyways!”
The man extended a hand. “John.”
Maria shook it. “Maria. Nice to meet you. Are you new to this gym? I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
“Just moved to town about two weeks ago.” John sighed. “Sorry if I’m being too forward. I don’t normally walk up to women like this…”
“No, no it’s okay!” The words of her son from the night before echoed in her head as she stared at this handsome man in front of her. “Do you want to grab a smoothie? There’s a great place a couple doors down.”
John smiled. “I’d love that.”
The two walked out of the gym and to the smoothie cafe. They grabbed their drinks and sat across from each other, drinking and chatting.
“What made you move here?” Maria asked. She took a long sip from her drink and looked him in the eyes.
“Work. I got promoted and they wanted me to head up the lab out here.”
“Lab? Like a research lab?”
“Yeah, I’m an endocrinologist and chemist studying hormonal therapies and stuff like that. Boring stuff.”
“No! My son actually just left today for college. He’s studying chemistry and biology. In high school he had all this really hard homework. I barely understood any of it but he’s so smart.”
“You have a son?” The man looked surprised. Maria mentally slapped herself, not thinking about if the man even wanted or liked kids.
“Uh, yeah. My son Nick. He’s all grown up now.” Maria drank her smoothie nervously. “Do you have any kids?”
The man smiled and shook his head. “No, I never got around to it I guess. I’ve always wanted a big family though. Lots of babies and kids to take care of. A big pregnant wife to greet me when I get home everyday.”
Maria sighed in relief, seeing John look her up and down even more. “Nick always bugged me for younger siblings but, you know, single mom. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I couldn’t afford another baby.”
“You’re still young, Maria. You could definitely still give your son younger siblings.” John gently grabbed her hand and held it. Maria blushed and smiled, smitten by this man she had met barely an hour ago. “I’d love to take you to dinner tonight. If you’re free.”
Maria nodded eagerly. “I’d like that a lot.”
After the first date Maria knew he was the one. He was charming, handsome, tall, funny and kind. Everything her old boyfriends would never be. She eagerly called her son that night after she got home, not realizing how late it was when he answered.
“Mom? Is everything ok?” Nick asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Maria looked at the clock. “Oh shoot, honey sorry I didn’t realize the time. Did you get settled in okay?”
“Yeah, yeah I’m good. My roommate is really nice.” Nick kept his voice quiet. “Orientation is tomorrow and I got my class schedule so I’ll be pretty busy.”
“That’s good. I’m so proud of you, Nicky. And I don’t want you to worry about me…I met someone today at the gym.”
Nick smiled wide. “Wow! Mom, I'm so glad. What’s his name?”
“John. He’s an endocrinologist and studies fertility and other science stuff. I think you two will get along.”
“He sounds great. I hope it goes well, mom.” Nick yawned.
“I’ll let you go, sweetheart. Call me and text me when you can. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Nick hung up and laid back down, smiling and sighing in relief. Thank god she’s putting herself back out there.
John didn’t come inside that first night, despite Maria wanting him too. In fact, he didn’t come inside her home until date number 3. They spent the last few days together going on little adventures around the city and now Maria finally had him on her couch.
Maria poured them some red wine, handing a glass to John who took it nervously. She noticed his hand shaking a bit and scooted closer, grabbing his arm and leaning on his shoulder.
“Nervous?” Maria purred. “Come on, I don’t bite.”
“Maria,” John started, a tremble in his voice. “I need to confess something to you.”
Maria looked at him confused, leaning up a bit and holding his hand. “What’s wrong? Did I do something?”
“Nothing! Nothing is wrong, it's just that…I’ve fallen for you. Hard. I know it sounds crazy and we barely met but–” John pulled a ring out of his pocket and got on one knee. “Will you marry me?”
Maria felt tears in her eyes, her hands going to her mouth as she smiled and nodded. “Yes! Oh my god this is crazy but yes! I love you too.”
John put the ring on her finger and kissed her, his hands around her waist as she held his face.
“I didn’t ever think I’d fall in love but I just knew from the moment I saw you,” John gasped between kisses. “You’re so beautiful and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Maria smiled wider. “Let’s get married tonight. I have a friend at the courthouse. We can get it done in an hour.”
John nodded and kissed her again. “Go put on your prettiest dress!”
Maria wore her only white dress: a short spaghetti strap dress that hugged her curves and held her perky tits perfectly. John grabbed a button down and the two of them headed to the courthouse and were wedded within the hour. John drove them to a nice hotel and got the honeymoon suite, carrying his new bride through the door and popping bottles of champagne.
“Cheers!” John clinked his glass against hers. “To Mrs. Grant.”
Maria kissed him and took a sip. “Mm thank you, Mr. Grant.”
Maria looked her new husband up and down, grabbing him by the collar and kissing him deeply. She pulled back for a moment and chugged the rest of her drink, setting her glass down before ripping his shirt off of him and running her hands up and down his torso. John grunted as she unbuckled his pants, pulling them down and revealing his hard cock.
“Wow, so big already for your new wife?” Maria got on her knees and licked his shaft up and down. “It’s been so long since I’ve been with someone.” She licked his tip before taking him in her mouth, feeling his cock in the back of her throat as she moaned.
John groaned and held her head against his dick. “Ohhh fuck baby you’re so good to me.” He pulled her off him. “But I wanna cum in your pussy.”
Maria looked up at her new husband. “Did you bring a condom? I’m not on the pill…”
John shook his head. “My wife should have babies in her belly, don’t you think?”
Maria hesitated. She hadn’t considered having more kids so soon. “I don’t know, John…” He shoved his cock back in her mouth and down her throat.
“You’ll look so good with a big belly, Maria. Waddling around with my babies inside you. Don’t you want that? For me?”
Maria sucked on his tip before gasping for air again. “You want babies with me?” She stood and jumped in his arms. “I’ll have your babies, John.”
John smiled wider, kissing her and taking her to the bed, laying her down on her back. “I’m going to make you a mommy again!” In a quick thrust he was inside her, filling her tight pusy for the first time. Maria gasped at the sensation, her hands holding her flopping tits as she arched her back, cumming instantly.
“Oh god yes! Don’t stop until I’m pregnant!” Maria squealed and gasped, John grabbing her hips and lifting her against him, getting deeper into her.
“I’m going to put so many babies in you, Maria!” With another thrust, John shot his load deep into her, filling her womb with his seed. He collapsed on top of her, the two of them breahting heavily.
“You really did it,” Maria muttered in her orgasmic daze. “I’m going to be a mommy again.”
John kissed her neck and nibbled her ear. “I’m going to keep breeding you all night long.”
They spent that night and the next few nights fucking non-stop. John moved her into his large house in the suburbs and bent her over whenever he could, fucking another load into her fertile pussy. It didn’t take long to know she was pregnant; the morning sickness hit first only two weeks after their wedding, the sound of her hurling making John smile wide. A week later she took a pregnancy test and sure enough it was positive. She cried in John’s arms, smiling and kissing him as he rubbed her belly excitedly.
As they ate dinner that night, John noticed Maria’s somber expression. “Is something wrong, sweetie?”
Maria looked up at him. “Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about Nick. I know he thinks I’m crazy for marrying you so fast and now I’m pregnant and I just…don’t know what to say to him.”
John grabbed her hand gently. “It’s probably best to tell him in person. And you don’t want to interfere with his first semester when he’s still getting used to everything. Besides, you won’t be showing that much in just a few months.”
Maria squeezed his hand and smiled. “You’re right. I know he’s excited to meet you and he’ll be even more excited to have a baby sibling.”
A few more weeks passed and so did the morning sickness. They had their first ultrasound scheduled for 9 weeks, the doctor a friend of John’s. The morning of the appointment Maria stepped out of the shower and looked in the mirror, noticing the small pudge in her belly. She cupped it, feeling her soft skin bulging in a familiar way. Her hands moved up to her breasts, noticing how much more sensitive they felt as she massaged them. Even her ass was starting to look a little bigger, her hips already wide but getting prepared for her next pregnancy.
With a smirk, Maria walked naked out of the bathroom and posed in front of the bed, pushing her belly out more and giggling as John looked up from his phone. “Baby look how big I am already,” she pouted teasingly. “I’ve got a little belly already.”
John stood, a smile and shock mixing on his face as he cupped the gentle swell and felt the firm belly under her soft skin. “Wow, you’re growing already! This is amazing.”
“It’s not so amazing for my wardrobe. I didn’t think I’d be showing this fast.”
“Maybe it’s more than one?” John kept rubbing the firm bump, mesmerized by it. “My babies are in here.”
“Baby. Just one. I can’t imagine having more than one at a time.” Maria placed her hands on his and kissed him. “Now get dressed, our appointment is soon.”
Maria struggled to get any of her jeans to fit and instead put on yoga pants and a large t-shirt, hiding her bump. She groaned and winced as the tight bra dug into her sensitive breasts. I’ll need to go shopping this week, she thought to herself.
They got in the car and were soon at the clinic. Maria sat in the waiting room holding her husband’s hand. Looking around the room and seeing the other couples there, women in various stages of pregnancy, babies in strollers, she couldn’t help but get teary eyed. John squeezed her hand, noticing the tears.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned.
Maria shook her head. “Yeah, sorry it just hit me that we’re gonna have a baby.” John smiled and kissed her. “I’m so excited to see them.”
A nurse came out of the office door and called for them. “Maria? Maria Grant?”
John helped her up and the two followed her to a small exam room where she sat on a table, leaning back slightly.
“Alright, I’m going to take a few intake questions and then the doctor will be in shortly to do an ultrasound. We’ll also need to get some bloodwork done before you leave today.”
Maria nodded along, answering the intake questions and holding John’s hand as he stood beside her. She could hear her heart beating in her ears, the idea of multiples playing in the back of her head as the nurse left and John pulled her shirt back over the noticeable bump.
“Wow baby, I can’t believe how round you are already,” John kissed her belly.
“John, I’m going to get so fat with this baby I can just tell,” Maria pouted. John kissed her again and chuckled.
“You’ll look so beautiful full term and round with my child. I promise.”
Before Maria could respond the door opened and a short man walked in with the same nurse from before.
“Good morning Mrs. Grant,” the short man chirped. “Always a pleasure to see you, Dr. Grant. My name is Dr. Sheen. I see we are here for our 9 week ultrasound. Now, just relax and we will see what’s going on in there.” He put on gloves and squirted the gel on Maria’s belly, making the woman shiver. “Some light pressure as I try to get a clear picture.”
Maria squeezed John’s hand tighter as she held her breath, staring at the gray screen and trying to decipher the blobs. “Is that the baby?” she asked hesitantly.
The doctor smiled. “That is one of your babies yes.”
Maria’s heart skipped a beat and John stiffened beside her. “One?” he muttered, a smile growing on his face. “There’s more than one?”
“You mean, like twins?” Maria asked, looking between the two men.
“Oh I think it’s more than twins. I count…six fetuses,” the doctor circled them on the screen, labeling them A through F. “Sextuplets are rare but you seem to have a strong uterus. I’m curious to see what your blood tests show.”
“Sorry, did you say six?” Maria gasped. “John! I can’t carry six babies!” Tears ran down her cheeks as she stared between her husband and her growing belly. “I’m going to get too big and the babies what if they’re too small and come early–”
John held her and tried to get her to calm down. “Hey, hey,” he half whispered to her. “I’m going to be there with you every step of the way, don't worry. You’re going to carry them just fine. Me and Dr. Sheen will make sure of it.”
Maria calmed down slightly, holding John and her belly. “I’m sorry, it’s just a lot to take in.”
The doctor smiled and explained to her what she would need to do in order to carry six babies. Vitamins, supplements, upping her calorie intake. John assured the doctor that he would take care of her and make sure she and the babies were safe and sound.
The couple walked out of the office, Maria still in shock, and back to the car. John hugged her tightly before helping her sit in the passenger side. “Everything is going to be just fine, I promise.”
Maria nodded, rubbing her belly and taking his hand as he started the car. “Nick is for sure getting his wish for siblings,” she giggled.
Christmas break came faster than Maria anticipated. In the weeks since finding out she was having sextuplets her body grew faster, clothes ripping daily it seemed now as she refused to buy bigger ones.
“I’m growing so fast I’ll just outgrow anything else I buy” she complained one evening to her husband, the two of them sitting in bed and rubbing her bulging belly.
At 23 weeks with sextuplets Maria felt gigantic. She looked bigger than most women did with twins and she had still so long to go. Her skin was stretched tight, covered in stretch marks and the bumps from her babies kicking. John couldn’t get enough of her growing body, constantly rubbing her belly or breasts, marveling at how wide her hips were growing.
“Nick will be home tomorrow. I’m so scared of his reaction to this,” Maria groaned. “What if he’s upset we didn’t tell him sooner?”
John kissed her. “Don’t worry, he’s going to be so happy for you. I promise.”
Maria smiled and snuggled up to her baby daddy, her belly resting between them. “I know you’re right but I’m allowed to be nervous.”
The next morning Maria waddled around the house cleaning and making sure everything was in order for Nick’s arrival. She had moved into John’s house after they got married, making sure Nick still had his own room set up the same way it was in their apartment.
John came up behind her in the kitchen, lifting her belly and kissing her neck as she tried to finish the cookies she was making. “You need to go sit and rest,” he said with a smile.
“I will after I finish these. I want everything to be perfect.” Maria kissed him and put the cookies in the oven. “He’ll be here any minute.”
John rubbed her belly more, seeing his babies kicking. “I’ll finish the cookies. You go sit and rest. Doctor’s orders.” He chuckled and lightly spanked her ass.
Maria sighed but agreed, gratefully waddling to the living room and sitting on the couch, putting her swollen feet on the coffee table. She texted Nick to see how far he was, nervous he would get lost on his way to their new home.
Nick was getting nervous himself. He was happy his mom had found a new guy but getting married so fast made him worry. John sounded great and Nick couldn’t help but picture his new dad helping him with his college medical work. He drove through the fancy suburb, noticing the large houses and perfect lawns.
The lights outside turned on as Nick turned his car off, the sun setting earlier now that it was December. He was excited to see his mom for the first time in months. Their FaceTimes had gotten more brief the last month and her responses more vague. With a deep sigh he knocked on the door.
Maria heard the knock and John waved at her to stay seated, heading to answer it. She didn’t listen, standing awkwardly as her husband let her son into the house.
“Hey!” John opened the door wide with a smile. “You must be Nick. Come on in. I’m John.” John extended a hand and Nick shook it before coming inside.
Nick looked his new dad up and down, noticing his bright eyes and salt and pepper hair. He was taller than Nick but a couple inches, his shoulders broader too. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Your moms in the living room. Come on.”
John took Nick down the short hallway and into the living room where Maria stokd waiting, her belly huge in her hands as she stood before her son. “Nicky! I’m so happy you’re home!” She waddled over and tried to hug him, her belly pressing into him awkwardly.
Nick's jaw dropped at the sight of her, panic and a tingly feeling mixing in his stomach at the sight of her stretched belly. “M-mom? You’re…you’re pregnant! But how…? How are you so big already?” He stuttered, gingerly touching her bare belly as though he didn’t believe it was real.
“Nick, I wanted to tell you so badly but we felt it was best to tell you in person,” Maria said. “John and I didn’t anticipate me growing so fast but I’m pregnant with sextuplets—-”
“Sextuplets!” Nick blurted.
“Honey, I know it’s a lot to take in but I promise I’m healthy and your baby brothers and sisters are healthy and kicking.” Maria placed her son's hand on her belly so he could feel them. Nick could see the tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner I know I should have.”
Nick smiled and rubbed her belly before hugging her. “It’s okay mom. I’m just happy you’re happy.” Maria kissed his cheek and hugged him again. “Plus now I get to have those younger siblings I always wanted.”
Maria and John laughed. “It’s five more babies that I anticipated but I couldn't be happier to be with such a wonderful woman,” John said.
Something stirred inside Nick as he rubbed his mothers belly. “How far along are you?”
“24 weeks tomorrow. Still have a long way to go,” Maria smiled. “But come on let me show you your room.”
It took Maria more time to get up the stairs these days but her husband and son helped her and soon she was showing Nick to his new room. “I tried to make it like your other room was,” she panted, every movement harder with the weight in front of her.
Nick set his bag down in the bed. “It looks great, mom. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie. Even with all these new babies coming you’ll always be my first baby.” Maria wiped a tear from her eye. “Sorry, hormones. Dinner will be ready soon so come down in a bit.”
When Nick was alone he locked the door and groaned, feeling his dick hard in his jeans. It wasn’t that his mom turned him on, but god that belly and those tits. She was a fertility goddess. And six! Six babies in her belly. This was the kind of science he wanted to study. Ideas came to him as he rubbed his cock up and down, ways to increase her fertility even more. He saw the way John looked at her too and imagined he wouldn’t be too mad with having even more babies for him.
Nick came with a grunt at the thought of his mom carrying a hundred babies. “Ooh fuck I need to make it happen,” he groaned.
The next day Nick went downstairs and found John making breakfast in the kitchen. He was busy flipping pancakes and cooking bacon, not noticing Nick until he poured a mug of coffee.
“Morning,” John said. “Your mom is still asleep but I know she’s going to be hungry when she wakes up.”
Nick smiled, noticing just how much food his step-dad was making. “Well she’s got a lot of babies to feed.” Nick chuckled softly. “Need any help?”
“A lot of big healthy babies to feed. And can you grab the syrup and butter from the fridge?”
Nick opened the well-stocked fridge and grabbed the two items, noticing the weight gain shakes in there as well. “Are you excited to have kids?” Nick could feel his heart pounding, trying to tread the topic carefully.
John nodded enthusiastically. “Couldn’t be happier. I’ve always wanted a big family. It’s one of the reasons I got into fertility medicine.”
“Same. Kind of. Mom had lots of friends who had trouble having kids and I always wanted to try and find ways to fix that. I never expected my own mom to be so fertile.”
“She is something else, isn’t she?” John looked at his new stepson and knew what he was trying to get at. “I didn’t give her any fertility meds if that’s what you're implying.”
Nick shook his head. “No! No… That’s what makes it so amazing.” Nick took a nervous sip of the coffee, scrunching his face at the bitter taste. He held tight on the mug, not wanting John to see his shaking hands. “Since her pregnancy is natural… I think it’s worth studying. Don’t you? Seeing how far her fertility goes?”
John set the plates of pancakes, eggs, bacon, orange juice, and muffins on a large tray. I like this kid, he thought to himself with a smile. He wants to see his mom blow up with babies, huh?
“Sorry if that’s weird I just figure with your work–”
“How would you like to intern at my office?” John asked. “I could use help on a project like this and it would look good on your resume.”
Nick was taken aback. Maybe it was their shared love of pregnancy that brought them together so quickly, neither of them needing to say out loud what their real goals were. “Deal.” Nick extended a hand and John shook it.
“Great! Let’s get her through this pregnancy first and then we can talk about the next one.”
With a wink, John grabbed the tray of food and hauled it to his sleeping wife upstairs. Nick sat at the kitchen table, dumbfounded and excited to see what they could accomplish.
After the break, Nick reluctantly went back to school. His mom hugged him tight and John shook his hand again, telling him he’d be in contact about the internship. Nick made his mom promise to send updates on the babies and pictures of her bump. He wanted to be a part of the experience as much as possible even from a distance. Maria thought it was sweet her son was so excited to be a big brother.
Maria waddled behind John into the doctor’s office for her 32 week checkup. She was growing faster now that she was in the third trimester, her belly round and heavy on her pelvis, reaching past her knees now when she sits. Her hips are almost too wide for most doorways now, John need to help her squeeze through on occasion.
With John and a nurse's help Maria gets onto the table, leaning back and groaning as she feels the babies in her belly moving and kicking. Laying on her back isn’t much of an option anymore, the weight of the babies and of her expanding chest making it hard to breathe.
Dr. Sheen walked in as John was soothing the kicking at her belly button. “How’re we doing?” the doctor asked as he squirted a generous amount of gel on her belly.
“Sore. Huge. I swear there’s more than six in there sometimes.” Maria rubbed her belly, her face scrunched in pain. “And they move so much now.”
“I can see very active babies,” the doctor said, pressing the wand into her belly and showing the large infants on the screen. “Oh my…you may be right about there being more than six…”
“What?” John said with a smile. “Really?”
“Oh, John please, it's already too much!” Maria cried.
“I can see eight babies in here. My apologies for missing them before but they must have been hiding behind their brothers. You’re up to five boys, three girls, Mrs. Grant.”
Maria didn’t know what to say. She was already struggling with the thought of having six babies but now it was eight?! What would her son say?
John could only smile and kiss her, rubbing her belly excitedly, his cock hard in his pants. The doctor left the two of them alone and he immediately started making out with her, grabbing her tits as she moaned in his arms.
“God you’re so fertile it’s amazing,” John gasped. “I love how big you’re getting, Maria. You’ve never looked sexier.” He kissed her neck, gripping her tits harder as milk seeped into his hands.
“Ohhh god, John you’ve really blown me up! I’m not going to be able to walk soon.”
“Fine by me.” John took a step back and took out his phone, snapping a pic of Maria looking huge and pregnant laying on her back. He texted the photo to a group chat of him, Nick, and Maria with the caption “guess who found two more babies in their belly”
Nick texted back immediately “OMG that's amazing congrats mom!”
Showing his wife the message, John smiled wider. “See? Everyone’s so excited for more babies.”
John pulled his wife to her feet and waddled her back to the car, helping her squeeze into the front seat. He drove them home quickly, his cock throbbing harder as he watched Maria moan and rub her belly the whole drive home. Once parked he pulled her out of the car and into the living room, pulling her dress off of her and unhooking the too tight bra.
“John!” Maria gasped, holding her belly as she felt her husband latching on to her leaking tit. “Ohh fuck baby I’m so pregnant it’s making me so full of milk!”
Without letting go of her, John eased Maria onto the couch, holding her belly, rubbing his hand down further until he found her wet pussy, fingering her sensitive clit.
Maria cried out in ecstasy as she felt her husband teasing her. “John, I need you! I need you inside me!”
Not one to deny a pregnant woman, John undid his pants and gripped her hips, pulling her up and lining his cock with her hole, rubbing her lips with his tip before plunging deep inside her. He groaned low as he felt her warm insides envelope him, so wet and ready for more of his potent seed.
Maria’s eyes crossed as she felt John thrust into her, her whole body shaking as he pounded against her sensitive cervix. She gripped her tits in her hands, milk dripping onto her belly as they slapped against her tight orb. “John I’m gonna cum!” she squealed, feeling her clit pulsate as she screamed through her orgasm, her pussy clenching tighter around John’s cock.
“Oh fuck, Maria you’re the best baby factory!” John came inside her, shooting hot ropes into her already overfilled womb. He collapsed onto her belly, feeling the rising and falling of her breathing as he kissed and sucked on her belly button.
The rest of her pregnancy was much the same. Growing, eating, fucking. John ordered her on a bed rest two months after they found the two extra babies, her belly so heavy on her once tiny frame that she couldn’t walk without John’s help now.
Maria spent the last few weeks of her pregnancy moaning and miserable in bed, laying on her side and rubbing her belly as the babies inside assaulted her. She could feel each of them moving and kicking, fighting for more space inside her cramped womb. Making it to 40 weeks was unprecedented but having both John and Nick home to help her made it a little easier.
Nick’s first year of school had finished and he was eager to move back home for the summer, especially since Maria hadn’t given birth yet. She was close, John kept saying, yet she kept growing and the babies seemed content inside her.
At 41 weeks Maria felt gigantic. Her belly was bigger than her, large enough John could have curled inside it. Nick sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed lotion into her tight and red skin, trying to soothe the miserable woman groaning on the bed.
“Please come soon,” Maria whined. “Oh god, Nick, I can’t do this much longer.”
John walked in with a tray of sandwiches and chips for lunch, the two of them helping Maria sit up so she could eat. “Don’t worry, baby. They’re getting lower and your contractions are getting more frequent. I’m sure it’ll be any day now.”
Maria nodded, her eyes bulging as she felt her babies fighting against her belly button again. John gave Nick a look and the young man nodded, leaving the two of them alone, his mom eating quickly through the stack of sandwiches as Nick peeked through the door at his stepfather caressing his mother’s huge belly.
John smiled at his gravid wife, rubbing her belly and pressing against the strong and overdue babies fighting inside her. He loved having her so big, hearing her moan through every bite of food and kick from a baby. She was utterly huge and miserable and he had never been more attracted to her.
”You’re contractions are getting more productive,” John commented, feeling her womb tighten under his hands as she groaned and grunted. “I think it's time we break your water, baby girl.”
Maria rubbed her belly nervously but eagerly. “I’m…ready…I need them out of me!”
John grabbed the empty tray and set it aside, rolling Maria onto her side again, her belly flopping onto the mattress and trembling as the overdue babies kick and fight against the movement. Her groans and whines only served to make him harder, his hands gripping her fat thighs as he got in position behind her.
”Are you ready? Are you ready to become a mom all over again?” John grunted. He gently caressed her wet pussy, feeling her throbbing and ready for him.
”Yes!” Maria squeaked. “God yes fuck me into labor! I want to have these babies for you!”
John didn’t need to be told twice. In one quick motion he was inside his pregnant wife, feeling her tight folds envelope him and smiling in satisfaction at her lusty moans and cries. “God you’re so tight still. You're an amazing baby mama!”
Maria gripped her tits tightly, the swollen orbs bouncing into her face with every thrust from her beast of a husband. She felt her back and belly tighten again as the babies fought against the movement, not happy that their already cramped home was being invaded.
”Oh god I’m so big! Please break my water! I want to give birth so badly!” Maria cried and moaned as John hit her g-spot over and over again, his hands roaming her body and feeling every inch of what he had done to her. “Please get them out of me!”
Nick was hard as a rock watching between the crack in the door, seeing his overdue and overgrown mother getting railed by his stepfather was a sight to behold, her belly so huge in his hands and him still able to make her beg and moan for him despite being too big to even walk.
John smacked her fat ass, gripping her thigh as he held it up for her and thrust harder into her folds. “I’m…gonna…fuck you…into labor!”
Maria came hard, John plunging himself deeper inside of her as she convulsed around him, her pussy tighter from the combination of orgasm and contraction. Before he could hold back he was unleashing a load into her fertile pussy, watching his wife devolve into a slurry of moans and cries as a gush of fluid squired around his cock.
”Baby! Oh fuck they’re coming!” Maria gasped and grabbed her belly as she felt the first one getting ready to crown. “They’re coming fast, John!”
John smiled and smacked her ass again, pulling out of her and putting his shorts back on as he called for Nick to get the supplies ready. Red-faced and ready, the younger man entered the bedroom carrying towels and blankets as John helped Maria through another contraction, the two of them rolling her onto her back and spreading her legs more.
”Nick, check her dilation while I get some hot water,” John instructed his step-son.
Nick blushed even more as he took a gloved hand and felt inside his mother, hearing her groan in pain as the babies shifted more. “Nearly there, mom. about 8 centimeters.”
”I have to push,” Maria gasped. “Please let me push.”
Nick kept his hand inside her as she bore down, preventing the baby's bulging head from tearing her. “Mom, stop! You’re not ready yet!”
John went and stroked her hair, breathing with her and letting the contraction pass without more pushing.
“Babe,” Maria moaned. “Oh god I can’t there’s too many…”
John kissed her deeply and rubbed her belly. “You’ve got this, mama. You’re the best wife and mom in the world, no one but you can handle this.”
Maria smiled and nodded, tears running down her cheeks as another contraction gripped her. Nick checked her again, feeling her stretch wider.
“You’ve got this mom! It’s almost time to push. On the next one you can I promise,” Nick said as he massaged her under belly.
“Alright, baby mama,” John smiled. “Let’s have our babies.”
A few minutes passed before Nick checked her dilation again, trying to ignore how hard he was for his own mother giving birth. He stroked her pussy again, listening to her moan as he inserted his fingers into her.
“Ten centimeters,” he stuttered. “You can push in the next contraction, mom.”
Maria groaned and held onto her belly, the babies kicking harder as her womb tightened and a scream and groan echoed throughout the room. With a hard push the first baby bulged, her pussy stretching wider for the large head.
“I see the first head!” Nick exclaimed, looking over his moms belly to John who smiled and nodded.
“He’s coming! Catch him!” Maria whined as she pushed again, the baby crowning and popping free.
“The first heads out,” John said, moving to Nick's spot as the younger man grew more pale and nervous. “Go comfort your mother, I got this.”
Nick nodded and quickly moved to sit behind Maria, holding her tight as she pushed again, the first baby coming out quickly, crying and weighing almost ten pounds. John felt the tears in his eyes as he held his first son, quickly moving to set the infant on Maria’s engorged chest.
“Oh he’s beautiful!” Maria cried, holding her new baby and helping him latch on to her nipple. “Mm the next ones coming I can feel them.”
John rubbed Maria’s clit as she pushed, making her moan and her legs squirm as she struggled with the second baby’s larger head. He smiled and rubbed her underbelly, feeling the seven left inside her still kicking hard.
“Almost there, baby,” John smiled, rubbing his fingers around the bulging head and feeling his wife cum as she pushed again, freeing the second infant from her. “Good baby, one more big push.”
Nick held his mom tight as she pushed once more, sitting behind her and letting her head rest against his chest. The second baby, a big 12 lb girl, was soon placed next to her brother on Maria’s chest.
“I…I can’t believe it! There’s still six left,” Maria groaned as contractions came fast, the six still inside her eager to escape their cramped home. “Hooo, John it feels so good having your babies!”
The third one came faster than John could anticipate, his hands barely catching the baby girl as Maria’s pussy stretched around her.
“Slow down,” John cooed. “It’s okay baby girl, you're doing so good. Just breathe.”
Maria moaned and leaned against Nick again, shaking her head wildly, her eyes unfocused as she felt the babies fighting to be next to be birthed. “They’re…they’re all coming so fast! I can’t…I have to push!”
Nick squeezed Maria’s hands and whispered to her “You’re doing great. Breathe with me.”
Nick got Maria to do her Lamaze breathing as the fourth baby crowned, John pulling the overgrown boy free from her with another push.
“Halfway there,” John said. He looked over his wife’s belly at his stepson. “Keep her breathing even, these last ones are going to come fast.”
Nick nodded and kept his mothers focus on him, holding her as she struggled to push through the exhaustion after giving birth to four babies.
“You got this mom, only a few left and then you can rest,” Nick said. “In and out…in and out…”
John took over telling her when to push, not wanting her to strain unnecessarily and exhaust herself more than she already was. After six long hours in labor all the babies were finally born, weighing between 9-13 lbs each, five boys and three girls sitting on their mothers chest as her husband and oldest held her.
“I did it,” Maria moaned, leaning against John and closing her eyes. “All our babies are here.”
“You did amazing,” John kissed his wife lovingly, stroking the heads of his babies as they slept in her arms. “I can’t believe we have our eight little ones here.”
“I can’t believe I finally get to be a big brother,” Nick chuckled.He looked at the exhausted woman and her husband, both of them still glowing and happy despite how tired they all were. “I’ll let you two rest. Call me if you need help, mom.”
Maria hugged her oldest son tight, kissing his cheek.
“Thank you, for everything. You’re the best son a mother could ask for.”
When Maria and the babies were all asleep and resting John came back downstairs, finding Nick asleep on the couch. He roused his stepson gently, the younger man sitting up concerned.
“Don’t worry, they’re all asleep and fine,” John whispered. “How are you doing?”
Nick rubbed his eyes and smiled, blushing as he thought about his mom growing even more. “I’m good. Excited. Tired. Are we ready to start the next experiment?”
John nodded. “It’ll take a few weeks for the fertility meds to kick in but once that happens she should get pregnant with double the amount easily. And she’s already proven to be an amazingly fertile woman even without the meds.”
“She’s going to be so big…” Nick mumbled. He shook his head. “What do you need me to do?”
“Any meal she eats I need the drugs to be in. Just ensure that she’s taking them at least three times a day. I’ll take care of the rest.” John winked and clapped him on the shoulder. “She’ll be pregnant again before you start school, I promise.”
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magic-shop-stories · 21 hours ago
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HEY WORK BESTIE!! ✨ Saw your blog during my break and screamed (silently) you’re amazing, and our boss is a b*tch. Proud of you for doing this!! Now, as your #1 work hype-person, I demand Jungkook fluff to cure my stress
Imagine: Reader works at a tiny bakery Jungkook visits every Sunday. One rainy day, they slip on a flour spill, he catches them and notices their stress. Jungkook secretly learns to bake their favorite pastry to surprise them. Maybe he is adorably clumsy and hides flour in his hair.
See you tomorrow 💜
💌 Reply:
HI WORK BESTIE!! THANK YOU for saving my nerves every week and for the most adorable request?!!! Jungkook with flour in his hair? Clumsy baking attempts? Secretly learning to make your favourite pastry? I’m already soft 🥺
Here’s your fluffy dose of serotonin – hope it cures your stress. Let me know if you want a part 2 (because let’s be real, Jungkook would absolutely burn down the kitchen trying to make macarons next).
P.S. You’re the real MVP for surviving corporate life.
REQUEST NAME:
Whisked Hearts & Sugar Sparks
↳ Jungkook x Baker!Reader; Fluff Imagine
Rank: G (Tooth-achingly Sweet)
Warnings: None! Just oven mitts, giggles, and a guaranteed craving for croissants.
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The bell above the bakery door jingles every Sunday at 3:07 PM. Not 3:00, not 3:15—3:07, like clockwork.
You’d recognize him anywhere, even with his black bucket hat pulled low and his mask hiding that boyish smile. Jeon Jungkook. He’s been a mystery since he first wandered into your tiny shop six months ago, drawn by the cinnamon-sugar scent wafting onto Seoul’s bustling streets. He always orders the same thing: a black coffee, no sugar, and a pain au chocolat. Always sits at the corner table by the window, scribbling in a worn sketchbook. Always leaves a tip tucked beneath his saucer, folded into a tiny origami star.
But today, the sky is weeping. Rain pelts the cobblestones outside, and Jungkook arrives earlier—2:43 PM, hair damp, shoulders dusted with droplets. He hesitates in the doorway, eyes scanning the empty shop before landing on you.
“Hi,” he says, voice softer than the dough you’d kneaded that morning. His mask slips down just enough to reveal a shy grin. “Can I, uh… wait here? Until it lets up?”
You nod, heart stuttering. Casual. Be casual. “Of course. Coffee?”
“Please.”
---
The universe hates you.
One moment, you’re refilling the sugar jars, mind racing about rent, supplier fees, and Mom’s doctor’s appointment—the next, your foot slides through a patch of flour spilt near the counter.
“Oh shi—!”
Time blurs. The floor rushes up—but then arms catch you, strong and sure, pulling you against a chest that smells like rain and vanilla extract.
“Got you,” Jungkook murmurs, voice trembling with adrenaline.
Your face burns. His hands grip your waist, steadying you, and you’re close enough to see the flour speckled in his hair, the nervous bob of his throat as he swallows. “Th-thank you,” you stammer, scrambling back.
But he doesn’t let go. Not yet. His gaze flicks to the dark circles under your eyes, the way your hands shake as you smooth your apron. “You’re… really tired,” he says quietly. Not a question.
You laugh weakly. “Is it that obvious?”
His brows furrow. “I notice things.”
---
Jungkook stops coming on Sundays.
Instead, he starts appearing on Thursdays—early mornings, when the shop is still closed. At first, you think he’s confused.
“Can I… help?” he asks one day, peering through the door you’d cracked open to accept a flour delivery. His sleeves are rolled up, tattoos curling over his forearm, and there’s a smudge of what looks like charcoal on his cheek. “I’m a fast learner.”
You blink. “With… baking?”
He nods, earnest. “I want to make something. For… a friend.”
And so it begins.
Jungkook in your kitchen is a disaster. A beautiful, endearing disaster. He cracks eggs with the intensity of a soldier disarming a bomb, yet somehow gets shell fragments in the batter. He forgets the oven mitts and yelps when a tray singes his fingertips. Once, he accidentally dumps a cup of salt instead of sugar into the mixing bowl and stares at the dough like it’s betrayed him.
“Hyung would laugh at me,” he mutters, pouting at his lumpy croissant attempt. You don’t ask which hyung. You’re too busy memorizing the way his nose scrunches when he’s frustrated.
But he doesn’t quit. He arrives every Thursday, determined, flour dusting his hair like snow. Slowly, he learns—how to temper chocolate, how to braid pastry dough, how to pipe rosettes on cupcakes without them looking like… well, blobs.
---
One Sunday, he returns.
It’s raining again, but this time, he carries a small box tied with a lavender ribbon. His hair is a mess, his hoodie splattered with dried batter, but his smile is brighter than the oven light.
“For you,” he says, shoving the box into your hands. Inside rests a single almond croissant—your favourite, the one you’d once mentioned craving during a lunch break. It’s lopsided, slightly over-browned, but…
“You… made this?” you whisper.
He rubs his neck, sheepish. “I wanted to give you something that… that makes you as happy as your pastries make me.”
Tears prickle your eyes. “Jungkook, I…”
“Wait—” He flips the box over. Scrawled on the bottom in his messy handwriting:
“P.S. I didn’t burn down the kitchen. Mostly.”
You laugh, wet and wobbly, and he beams like he’s won a Grammy.
Later, when you bite into the croissant surprisingly perfect, flaky and buttery, you find a folded origami star hidden inside. Unfolding it reveals a sketch of you—flour on your cheeks, laughing mid-slip, with a speech bubble: “Still the best catch.”
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raccoonfallsharder · 2 days ago
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hello, friends! i wanted to give you a quick update. i am certainly on the mend right now. i feel better than i have in probably a week or more, and though i am still not clear of pneumonia and all its complications in my life lol, i am hoping to be almost completely back to normal by the end of this week, if all goes well.
i also wanted to thank you all for your kindness and also your threats and affectionate insults. thank you, so much, for caring. the world can be a hard place to live, and we are encouraged in so many ways to live these small atomized lives. but no matter how tenuous or fleeting our internet-interactions are, they are still real, and i appreciate you reaching out to tell me to rest, and to send me your well-wishes. it truly does mean so much, not only as a moment of connection, but also as a reminder of how well people can care for each other, even those they barely know or never met. you all inspire and uplift me, and i am grateful for it.
for those of you more curious about the details (and the absolutely absurdity of my friday night this week), you can read on. i tend to fall into irreverent medical narrative monologuing (as i do with everything else lol) but i will try to keep it brief.
content warnings for doctors, medical stuff, pain and illness, emergencies, and hospitals.
here's the basic timeline of my week lol:
on tuesday, i got really sick. i tend to not have a lot of normal symptoms for things (i have only had a fever once in my life, and it was NOT the time i had appendicitis, a ruptured intestine, or kidney stones), and figuring out when i don't feel well takes a lot of conscious effort on my part. plus i gaslight myself hard. these are all things i'm working on and have gotten a lot better at - which is probably the only reason why i went to urgent care instead of convincing myself this was "just a flu" and trying to take care of myself at home. i had been having side pain as well, which i had attributed to a pulled muscle, but something in me was afraid i had maybe done something else and caused an injury that got infected or something. i don't know, it just felt connected.
urgent care diagnosed me with probable pneumonia (they couldn't find it with the stethoscope, but they were confident it was there) and started treating that. they believed the strained muscle was not related but told me to come back on friday with an x-ray if my other symptoms didn't improve.
on friday morning, we went to get an x-ray done at 7am and hit up urgentcare on the way back. the x-ray said i was clear on pneumonia, but my cough was worse and my nausea had returned (no fever anymore though, thank goodness). my muscle pain in my back was also so much worse, presumably because of all my coughing, so they gave me some meds for my lungs and for my muscle pain.
now we get to friday evening, probably 5pm. i have a coughing fit with an unsupported back - and i scream. i think i blacked out for a second. my partner came in running. i couldn't move. i've never been in so much pain in my life, and i have a stupid-high pain tolerance. (this is another part of my issue with figuring out when i don't feel well). at this point, the pain had suddenly migrated. it felt like it was grinding down through my flank and into my groin. the location felt very similar to a kidney stone but it was unlike anything i had ever experienced before. i was sweating, trying to walk to the car and then up through the hospital doors. the guard at the front was like "get this woman a wheelchair" lollol.
it was a pretty crowded night so when we were admitted, we were stuck in the hall, which was fine by me. the doctors and nurses were all lovely (my partner believes we were the favorites on the floor because we are very easy-going and also funny lol. i think he has a slightly-inflated view of us but whatever, one of us is wrong and i'm happy if it's me). anyway, the med staff all seemed to think - like me - that perhaps all my symptoms had actually been a kidney stone, and that it was the cough that was unrelated, rather than the muscle pain. so eventually i go back a CT. The scan comes back an hour or so later and, surprise, it is still pneumonia (of course it was able to pick up what an x-ray couldn't). What it also noticed is that the pneumonia had inflamed my entire diaphragm. i do not remember learning much about the diaphragm in school but i knew from logic that it had something to do with respiration because of my choir- and stage-inclined friends. but it does a lot of other things as well (like puppeteering the bladder) and impacts a lot of systems and also, apparently, causes a lot of fucking pain when inflamed.
so. they had already given me some pretty hefty anti-inflammatories. they tell me they'd actually like to replace the seven other drugs the urgent care doctors have me on with one different one. it should totally knock out the pneumonia, especially since i will be starting with a full course of the medication after already tackling the pneumonia with the other antibiotics since tuesday. this sounds great to me, and i say sure. they give me the new drug and discharge me, more quickly than i have ever seen a discharge take place, and i was on my way - already feeling better than i had in days thanks to the antiinflammatory they'd given me before.
here's where the night gets spicy
we get in the car, i'm feeling better than i have in days, it's all good. we hit the freeway and i'm like. huh. my face feels funny.
my partner's like.... what.
i'm like, i don't know? my face feels funny? not itchy or anything, but like.... weird?
he says, should we go back?
i'm like... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ i genuinely cannot identify this sensation.
then something switches, and i'm like... oh yeah, okay. my mouth and face all feel like... not itchy, but fuzzy. staticky. and while i have not had this kind of reaction before (like everything else, my allergies show up weirdly), i have heard about it. so i say, yeah.... i think we should go back. my throat's a little tight, but there's no swelling on my face, no hives - because again, i am weirdly symptomatic. and because i'm aces at gaslighting myself, i say, maybe i'm overreacting?
which is when i realize that at some point, my partner has called 911. i answer some questions but it's definitely hard to keep my eyes open. and then the car is pulled over, and there are EMTs. and my partner tells them i've been passing out at thirty second intervals. i tell them i'm just being a drama queen and i'm probably overreacting. they apparently think that's some bullshit and i get my very first ambulance ride. i'm phasing in and out - pretty badly hypotensive with really low blood pressure, but still - no visible swelling. my throat is tight enough that my voice sounds like that of a ninety-year-old who's been smoking four packs a day her entire life, but there's nothing they can SEE, other than that i'm "cold and clammy" (rude, lol). still, they stick me with epinephrine and give me some O2 and take me right back to where i come from.
one of the nurses from earlier sees me being wheeled in (to a room, this time - no hallways for repeat customers, i guess) and she is like, "NO! miss dae! why are you back?!!" and i say, "because i missed you. and i wanted the room upgrade."
and then i start giggling hysterically.
and the registering nurse asks me if i consent to have my insurance billed and i say, "FUCK YEAH. fuck those guys" and giggle some more. i don't know if that was the epinephrine or just pure delirium at that point.
then i start crying because i feel so bad about coming back, again. all my self-gaslighting really coming out to the forefront. and they're like, NO, you did absolutely what you should have done, don't be silly.
they get me all settled and are shooting me up with a ton of antihistamines, and finally let me partner back, and my voice still sounds like rocks going through a meat grinder but you know what? you know what antihistimines do? THEY DECREASE INFLAMMATION. so my diaphragm is feeling better than it has in like, a week.
my doctor from earlier comes in, and he clearly felt so bad about everything. he tells me to return to my previous course of drugs, and puts this one in my file as another allergen. after about an hour of fluids and watching me, they release us. we get home at 3:30am and crawl into bed, safe as houses.
now, i can't really say "the end." the pneumonia's not gone yet, and i still have some ongoing pain from my diaphragm. additionally, a coughing fit that happened later that night does seem to have damaged an old surgery site (probably because of the diaphragm muscle, actually), so i need to get that checked out this week too. BUT. i am feeling so much better than i have all week. i am privileged to have decent insurance and while we do have to live pretty frugally, we make ends meet. we're lucky that we will be able to take care of these bills when they come.
and honestly? that shit is FUNNY. (i mean, for me. definitely not for my poor partner who probably lost twenty-seven years off his life; pray for him). i can't wait to really perfect the way i tell this story because it's HILARIOUS. like. what the fuck
anyway if you actually read all this, first of all, wow. second of all. i appreciate you. thank you for worrying about me, for wondering about me, and for caring in general. i'm so grateful, and i hope that you have everything you need, today and every day moving forward.
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wordswithkittywitch · 3 days ago
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I was thinking about faith and religion in scifi settings, and I've come to the conclusion that while it makes for an interesting story I'm a little disappointed, as a religious person myself, that in almost all cases, if a religion appears in a scifi story it will either be proven as literally true, completely false, or a misunderstanding based on actual events. This bothers me because I feel a large part of faith is that there is room for doubt, you've considered that, and you're going on believing anyway. That tends to lose its poignancy after you've actually met the god you worship in the flesh.
I'm just going to touch on a few examples, these are definitely not all places religion has been examined in scifi, these are just some that I'm more familiar with and I feel merit a mention in the discussion of "does proof of religion interfere with faith"?
I feel I would be remiss if I didn't mention Star Wars, as Jedi is explicitly stated to be a religion in text, which some characters follow and some characters do not, and some characters openly scoff at. Which is a little weird given how often "You're putting way too much importance to your religion." is countered with, "My religion gives me superpowers." But, as is my original point, whether or not you personally ascribe to Jedi beliefs in-universe, maybe, if you've never met a powerful Jedi, you can say, "Well I've never seen someone lift a rock with their mind." but for the most part it is common knowledge that there was this cult, now with fewer followers than it used to have, where the faithful were given powers from their religion.
But my main point is really coming down to the two I blog the most about, maybe just because I'm most familiar with them. One of these, of course, is Star Trek, which ignored religion for the most part. Except in Deep Space Nine. In Deep Space Nine, we see that the Bajorans worship the prophets, who are shown to be actual entities in the very first episode. Now, they do not contact one of their followers, but a human who was in the right place at the right time to become a religious figure because he directly talked to the gods.
Granted, there was an undertone of most Federation people involved were feeling, "I'm tolerating these beliefs I do not share because this is Star Trek and Star Trek has the best of humanity and the best of humanity doesn't go up to their friends and say, 'Stop worshipping that, it's an alien not a god'."
I will touch more on the Klingon and Ferengi religions when I get to Doctor Who. Trust me, there will be a connection.
Babylon 5 I feel handled religion very well, in that for some characters it was cultural, some of them used it to support them emotionally, and some of them had difficulty proving that the figures they worshiped actually were helping them even if that's what they felt was happening. I found this really realistic and one of the best displays of religion in science fiction, but that's not surprising given that faith was one of the main themes of the show.
Now, this is where it gets interesting, at least for me. Religion is not a large theme on Doctor Who, though it certainly crops up from time to time. Often, it's the main character trying to avoid becoming a religious figure, (which I feel they fail at, if you accept that a god is not necessarily going to be helpful or entirely aware of the consequences of their actions, as they are in nearly all world mythologies, the Doctor is a perfectly good example of a god) but there is also the small matter of the fact that the Doctor themselves was raised in a culture with a religious background. And, although the Doctor has almost entirely eschewed faith in the religious figures from his own background, they at no point deny the existence of
Part of that is due to the fact the Doctor has personally met both Rassilon and Omega. Having concrete proof of the existence of your culture's gods removes the question of whether or not you believe in them. But it does move the question to "Are you going to bother worshipping someone you don't even like?"
The Doctor is not fond of Rassilon, and if they ever actively worshipped them they probably don't anymore. Never meet your heroes or your gods, I guess. But this makes sense in the general relationship the Doctor has with Timelord culture. "This is what I was raised in. I know the myths, I can recite the nursery rhymes and I know what guidelines the gods laid out for my culture. But I don't want to do that." Sort of not Rassilionian, but culturally Rassilionian.
"I met god. He was an asshole." is the main religious theme in Doctor Who, because that's generally how the titular character feels about meeting any religious figure, from their own culture or anyone else's. And over sixty-plus years, they've met a fair few. (That said, "I met god. He was an asshole." tracks for the rest of Timelord society.)
Now I'm ready to explain where the Klingons and the Ferengi come in. Like the Timelords, the Ferengi religion is in many ways a sort of ancestor worship, but rather than focusing on Gint as the founder of the religion, it focuses on the Rules of Acquisition he laid out for his people to follow. But there is historical evidence that Gint, the only real religious figure other than members of the church, actually existed and actually wrote these Rules. My point is, there's no point in questioning whether or not Gint existed. The only room for doubt is how following the Rules will affect the afterlife of the followers of this religion.
The Klingons did almost the same thing as the Ferengi and the Timelords, except in reverse. Rather than elevating certain historical figures to god status through a form of ancestor worship, they demoted the gods to historical figures by killing them.
But my point is, whether or not they still respect their cultures' gods, both Klingons and Ferengi have them as concrete historical figures. You can doubt they had any spiritual importance, but you can't doubt they were there. Which seems to be an ongoing theme in most scifi. The gods are real. Whether or not you worship them is your problem.
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