#i'll be fine but i probably need to go on antibiotics so it doesn't get serious

[pixeldolly]

The Sacrifice - Part 11 - The End

"How are they, Tess?"

"I've treated Roman's injuries and he's resting now. I've also given him antibiotics and painkillers, so he should be comfortable...as much as he can be, given the circumstances."

"As for Evelyn, I've done all I could for the moment, but we'll have to wait for the morning change before I can perform a full examination. Her wounds seem to be healing remarkably fast though."

"Is it because she's a werewolf?"

"Yes, although I do want to take a closer look at that bite, in case it's at risk of becoming infected. I admit I don't have any experience treating demon-inflicted wounds."

"They are prone to infection."

"I still can't wrap my head around the idea that anyone would do something like this! To their own child, no less!"

"It shocked me as well."

"You took such a risk in confronting her, Fiona! The inhabitants of the Hellplanes are not to be trifled with!"

"I'm aware of that, Dad. Would you rather I'd let Jacob and Evelyn go in there alone?"

"Of course not - what you did was very brave - but we can't help worrying. The whole thing could've gone so much worse."

"Well, it worked out fine, so you can let it go now."

It was Abby who brought the conversation back on track.

"Is Roman going to be all right?"

"Physically? Probably. He had a number of deep gashes that needed stitches, several broken bones including two ribs, a bruised lung, plus the...runes carved into his back, which will be uncomfortable for a while. Assuming there are no complications, these should heal in time."

"Mentally, it's a different matter. I'm not an expert, but I don't think the kind of trauma he's been through is something he'll be able to just shrug off. Speaking to therapist might help him."

"May we go in and see them?"

"You may, but just for a little while. Jacob is with Roman already; he hasn't left his bedside since I brought him back to the ward."

"Mr Stigfinnare is with his wife as well. He's been worried sick about her, prowling around the waiting room like a caged wolf."

"I'm surprised he didn't kick the door down."

"He might've done, if I hadn't let him in."

The trio - together with Ulf, who refused to be parted from Evelyn - gathered around Roman's bed.

Roman was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep and forget, but he forced a smile on his face as he looked at each of the people who had risked their lives to save him.

In truth, he could hardly believe it.

"I don't know what to say. I owe you my life - no, more than my life. My soul. 'Thank you' doesn't seem like enough..."

"This is the second time I had to help save your ass, Turner! You'd better not make a habit out of it!"

Evelyn's cheerful tone helped defuse some of the tension, although Ulf kept his arm wrapped protectively around his wife. She was putting up a brave front, but he could tell she was hurting more than she was letting on. He hated it!

"It's over now."

"Maybe...maybe not."

"Fiona...? What do you mean?"

"The ritual circle carved into his back. The Nameless One may be have been banished, but those runes are magic. He's tied to the Hellplanes now."

"WHAT?!"

Roman sat up so fast that white stars burst before his eyes and his injuries flared painfully despite the medication keeping the worst of it at bay. He felt the cold panic rising like a tide.

"Are you saying it can come back?"

"Fuck. You're not, are you?"

"There are many doors between the planes, and things have a way of slipping through the cracks. That sigil is one such door; closed for the moment, but not locked."

"But you can remove it, right?! Or...render it inert, or something?"

"I...I'll do some research. Ask around."

Roman looked so crestfallen, Jacob's heart twinged in sympathy.

"Guys? Can you give us a moment, please?"

"Please try not to think about it, all right? If anything happens, my whole family are witches; they'll help. You need to focus on getting better."

Roman smiled humorlessly; it was hard not to think about the interdimensional door to Hell itself he carried around on his back, but he was so very tired. Sleep beckoned, demons or no demons.

But first, there was something he needed to say to Jacob.

"I have to admit, I didn't expect you to come to my rescue. Considering how things are between us..."

"Look, just because we broke up doesn't mean I don't still lo- care about you. Besides, I didn't actually do much, it was mostly Evelyn and Fiona."

"Still. Facing down demons and witches when you're just a regular person with no special powers took guts."

"I did have an axe."

Something happened then that Roman did not expect: he burst into laughter. Which hurt, but it was worth it, and his heart felt lighter for it.

"I think I'd like to sleep now..."

"Yes, you should. I'll be back to see you in the morning."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

As Roman sank into the cottonwool depths of drug-induced sleep, a smile fluttered on his lips.

The End!

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed the story!

[stark-ironman]

Mob Boss: Chapter 1

18+ No Minors

A/N: I tried to make this pretty long. I hope you all enjoy and always remember you can send ideas/suggestions to my ask box anytime!

Warnings: mentions of blood and stitches, mentions of drugs, smoking, drinking, a tiny bit of fluff at the end

The next couple of weeks after you meet Tony is fairly quiet and that sort of surprises you especially with how pushy he was when he picked you up from the side of the road. He texted you a couple of times but you got caught up with work, plus you were a little scared about him, so you never texted him back. You take the bus like normal and haven't missed a bus yet, but that doesn't stop you from looking around to see if he might be lurking around. Some part of you was hoping he would be around but that other part of you knew he probably didn't even remember somebody like you, and that's fine, it's probably better staying away from him even though you don't fully know what all he's involved in.

The walk from the hospital to the bus stop takes longer than usual for some reason and when you make it there, you look across the street to see Tony leaning against a motorcycle smoking a cigarette smiling at you. He waves you over, making sure to put out the cigarette before you make it across the road, before saying, "It's been a while,Y/N." "Yeah, I've been working overtime the past couple of weeks on top of being on call so I haven't had time for much of anything." You admit, hoping he doesn't bring up why you haven't texted him.

"I was starting to think I left a bad impression on you," He smirks then continues, "I need your help with something." You give him a confused look and he starts talking again. "One of my employees got hurt on the job. Is there any way you can come take a look at him right quick? I promise I'll pay you and take you home." "Why not just bring them to the big hospital behind me?" You ask. "We can't necessarily use hospitals, hon. Can you help me or not?" He sort of snaps at the end.

You hesitate but after hearing what he just said, you nod and he puts a helmet on your head before getting on first. Tony slides his helmet on and you get behind him. "Hold on to my sides. I have to get there pretty quick." He says through the little radio in the helmet.

Tony rides through the city pretty quickly and pulls up to the back of a club, motioning you to get off before he does and leads you inside. Once inside, he takes you to a downstairs basement and you look at him scared asking, "Where are we going, exactly?" "One of my men got stabbed pretty bad and the guy we call our doctor couldn't stop the bleeding so I was hoping you could." He explains as he opens a door and you see a guy laying on a table with surgical tools surrounding him.

"How exactly did you sedate him?" You ask putting on some gloves. "Let's just say it was some pretty strong drugs." One guy says from the back and before you can say something, Tony snaps at him for speaking to you. Everybody goes quiet as you start working on him, which honestly makes you really nervous considering you do this for a living, but you don't worry about that right now especially since you don't want to risk pissing Tony off.

Tony walks up to you every now and then to make sure you don't need anything before heading back to the corner and lighting up a cigarette. You roll your eyes but don't say anything as you start stitching the guys abdomen up. "Alright, he should be fine but he needs to take some antibiotics and keep the wound clean for it to heal up." You say taking your gloves off as Tony walks back up to you. "Alright, let's get you home then."

He leads you back out to the motorcycle and takes you back to the same spot he dropped you off at weeks ago, helping you off the bike before leaning against it. "Thank you. Nobody else would've have helped as willingly as you did." He says looking in your eyes. "I'll help anybody who needs it. I swore on that when I took my job." You tell him. "I'm going to pay you back. Whatever you want, just tell me and I will make it happen." You two look at each other when he says that and you sort of turn away. "I need to head home now. I work pretty early in the morning." Tony nods and pulls out his pack of cigarettes. "I'll stay here and make sure you get home." He says pulling one out. "This is the doctor in me saying this but I wish you would put those down. Lord knows what your lungs look like." You chuckle when you say it.

Tony laughs, "If I ever find a good enough reason to stick around then I'll quit smoking. I only started smoking because I needed to quit doing drugs." You look at him with a sad expression but he waves it off, "It's fine, I lead a bad life so I don't want you pitying me." "Part of me wants to ask about you but the other part of me just wants to know enough to keep me out of trouble." You admit. "Hon, just sitting here talking to me puts you in trouble," Your eyes widen before he quickly continues, "I won't ever let anything bad happen to you. Promise. I like you and plan on being around for a while." "You're not a bad guy yourself, Tony." You say and he chuckles. "Yeah, tell that to just about everybody in this town and they would tell you otherwise." "I don't think many people get to see this side of you either." You tell him. His eyes soften but he looks away saying, "Go on home. I won't be going anywhere until you do."

You nod and whisper a goodbye, walking to your house.

Once there you can't help but feel a little curiosity but also sorry for Tony. You send him a text telling him you're home, recieving back a thumbs up emoji but something inside of you keeps telling you to invite him over.

"Here's my address. Just come over if you want to." You take a deep breath and send it.

Nothing. He replies nothing so you go sit on the couch, waiting to see if he shows up.

After a few hours you head upstairs, taking a shower and going straight to bed. Why didn't he come? Did I make him upset somehow? Those questions keep repeating themselves in your mind as you try to doze off.

------

The next morning, you get ready and eat breakfast before going outside, stopping when you see a car with a note on the window in your driveway.

Y/N. Before you even ask, no this car is not stolen, I went and bought it for you this morning so you don't have to keep taking the bus. If you need anything just give me a call and I'll be there. -T.S

There's no way in hell this man bought you a fucking car. You decide to text him,

"You didn't have to buy me a car, Tony." Your phone buzzes a few moments later.

"Sure I did, you earned it. Besides you needed it anyways, the bus is disgusting."

"I was going to go buy one this weekend. Just take this one back."

"Nope, it's yours."

"Then I'll sell it."

"I'll buy you another one then." He sends another one right after that. "Take the day off and enjoy it."

You huff your breath but manage to smile.

"I can't just take off, Tony. I'll take off early though." Why are you telling him this? You ask yourself.

"Have a good day, Y/N."

You smile and get into the car, looking around and enjoying the interior. Your phone dings and you look at it, seeing your boss texted you telling you not to worry about coming in today since you've worked so much overtime for the past couple of weeks and you let out a sigh of relief.

With a deep breath, you get out of the car and walk back into your house, sending Tony a text.

"Since you bailed on me last night, do you want to come over and day drink?"

"Thought you had to work? Plus I didn't take you for the day drinking type of person."

"They gave me the day off. So, yes or no?"

"I'll be over in 10."

You pull out some wine and a couple of glasses, setting them down on the coffee table when your doorbell rings. Tony stands there smiling at you and hands a bottle of expensive scotch to you. "What? You don't trust my little bit of wine?" You chuckle. "I'll drink your wine like water. I'm going to need something stronger if I'm going to drink." Tony says laughing as he walks past you, looking around at the pictures on the walls.

"I'll go set this on the coffee table. Do you want anything to eat?" You ask. "Let's get a couple of drinks in us and I'll order some amazing Italian food." He says following you to the couch, pouring some wine into the glasses. "I'm surprised you came over honestly. Especially when you didn't respond to me last night." You tell him after a few sips. "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry about that." He says but doesn't explain why.

The two of you sit and drink for a couple of hours, asking each other every single question you can without crossing a line with Tony and you see him look past you. "You have a hot tub?" He asks. You nod, "Put it in last year but haven't had a chance to use it." "Well let's go." He stands up and helps you up. "Tony I don't know where my bikini is at." You say. "Just stay in your bra and panties, hon. I promise I won't check you out, too much." He winks and walks outside, stripping his clothes off in the process but stays in his briefs.

Don't stare. Don't stare. You keep telling yourself but you're failing miserably as you do the same as Tony, settling in beside him. "Respectfully, you're beautiful Y/N." He tells you as he opens the bottle of scotch. "Not too bad yourself, Stark." You chuckle, "And no, I'm not just saying that because you bought me a car." Tony laughs and slides closer to you. "I would buy you the entire world if you asked me to." He says.

You press your hand against his cheek and he leans against it, looking at you with those big brown doe eyes. "We're so drunk right now." You say as you both burst out laughing.

The two of you sit in the hot tub for the rest of the night, drinking and laughing, while enjoying each other's presence and you can't help but feel a soft spot for this man.

[oattoast]

another long night of me worrying and crying about my sickly old lady cat (18-year old Greasy, who I love incredibly much and who has been going through a rough couple of months to the point the vet didn't think she'd make it through september). cw vomiting and pet illness. discussions of medicines and treatments. mostly me gathering my thoughts and making plans.

my tiny old lady cat Greasy has the pukes. since Sunday at 6am, she's been throwing up 10-20 minutes after eating. She didn't throw up all Sunday afternoon but resumed Sunday night and Monday morning. a couple of times I have found very small hairballs in the food/vomit. and a couple times it's just been clear with white foam (classic kidney disease symptom; she's stage 2 at last check and acid has thus far been controlled with 2.5mg pepcid once daily in the evenings).

she's hungry, so she keeps eating and drinking water. I think it's a good sign she still has an appetite even though she's feeling awful. I heard her eat at maybe 1:45am, so I'm waiting up to catch her vomit on some grocery circulars and tissues so I don't have to wash my blanket again twice in two days (I don't have a dryer, it takes all day to dry and there's not much sun this time of year). It is 2am.

last week (the night of Dec. 5th/morning of the 6th) we went to the emergency vet because Greasy had a UTI. for 10 days I was giving a lot of different medicines and supplements 6-7 times a day, so I stopped giving her slippery elm bark (herbal remedy for nausea/gastro issues) to try to lighten the load on me and reduce stress on her. she's been on 1/8tsp powder (mixed with 1ml water, syringed into mouth cheek pocket) daily for months, but I didn't know if it was actually doing much of anything to reduce nausea/soothe gastro issues. besides vomiting on the 6th from straining, she was doing fine. well. she was probably doing fine because of it. maybe a little less than a week later, she has the pukes now. I feel guilty, like I was being lazy trying to cut things out when I was overwhelmed trying to manage all of Greasy's meds and treatments. have an alarm set to call the vet at 7am (in 5 hours...) to see if we can get a cerenia shot (anti emetic) and some cerenia pills to get us through until her lab draws on the 26th.

it might not be the slippery elm bark stopping that caused this. after all, she finished up a round of antibiotics today and she's been under a lot of stress. it could be other stuff going on like worsening kidney disease or pancreatitis. she hasn't had a proper urine culture, so it may be that the antibiotic didn't work and the uti traveled up to her kidney or is getting worse (she hasnt had any more UTI symptoms though so I think/hope this isn't the case). the timing of stopping the herbal remedy for gastro issues and nausea and within the week her starting to vomit might explain things. If it *is* the slippery elm bark, i had not realized it was doing so much heavy lifting. I resumed it Sunday afternoon. The dose range for that is 1/8-1/4 tsp, so maybe I'll give her 1/4 tsp tomorrow and reduce it if symptoms improve.

I gave her another 2.5mg dose of pepcid Monday morning (she usually only gets one dose in the evening, but twice a day is within range the Dr said we could give her, max 5mg a day). It's only been 18 hours of 5mg pepcid instead of 2.5mg pepcid, and 2 doses of slippery elm bark 1/8tsp. I can go up on slippery elm bark to multiple times a day as well, just need to check the dose recommendations.

Greasy's regular vet doesn't work Tuesdays. Hopefully the pepcid and slippery elm bark combo build up tomorrow and she stabilizes enough to see him wednesday :( and also that's if they have any openings. Cerenia works very quickly and I'm sure she would be relieved not to be puking.

It's 2:05am. she drank water, used the litter box, and is drinking water again. Sometimes cats drink a bunch of water right before vomiting to dilute the acid as it comes back up. She did that twice late Monday evening.

Update 2:39 am. she didn't puke (!!). It's the first meal she's kept down today. It's been almost an hour since she ate and 35 minutes since she drank. I'm going to nap.

[meat-the-sullivans]

ok ok but how does Cade deal with being sick? he doesn't seem like the "man flu" kinda guy, more "I'll keep going and act like nothing is wrong until I literally physically can't anymore"

would he let Candy take care of him? 🥺

also

Sully should tell Cylas about his medication trouble, maybe new ones will just appear

not stolen from the hospital or anything, of course

Sully isn’t an idiot, once his head is clear when his meds are back in his system, he’ll know exactly what happened to those pills, and how they conveniently showed up again only after Cade came back home.

But he’ll for sure send a text to Cylas telling her what happened. Probably hoping to meet up to vent. He’s starting to think he really can’t raise these kids alone. Which sucks, but he can’t control Cade and it stresses him out to unimaginable levels. He knows Cade can survive Juvey just fine, in fact in anything he’s concerned for the other kids locked up in there. But he doesn’t know how Dipper would respond to her uncle being taken from her.

And he WONT allow that to happen, no matter how pissed he is at his little brother. But he will have to come up with a punishment. Probably no Candy outside of school for 2 weeks. He can’t exactly ban Cade from going to school, the new principal just lifted his suspension and that wouldn’t be a good look if he just didn’t show up, or was calling in sick right away.

Cade’s also banned from babysitting duty for at least a month, until Sully can trust him again. Because we all know he’s not going to apologise for it. So he’s only allowed to go to school or to the shop with Sully, so my boy is gonna be extra irritable for a while. Probably crazy enough to sneak out and break into Candy’s room just so he can watch her sleep. That way she wouldn’t have to lie to Sully about “seeing him” after hours, she technically didn’t.

As far as being Sick though. It’s very rare with how vigilant and on top of things Sully is, that he lets any of them get sick. Well is Dip’s case, more sick than she already is. The second he hears a sniffle, he’s there with cough syrup and whatever else may help. If he did need a certain antibiotic that he can’t get because we all know Cade will NOT be going to a doctor, not if Sully wants to leave there without blood on their hands. He fucking hates doctors and hospitals. He would call in that favour with Cylas and ask her to steal some for him.

It’s very passive the way Sully takes care of him, just leaving the medicine or instructions on how to take them in places he knows Cade will be. Because Cade does not like being doted on, or having the attention on him.

He for sure denies being sick for the first few days, until it gets bad enough he can’t ignore it anymore. And I would say he’s “whiny” it’s not quite the right word. He’s genuinely just a pissy little brat about it. He has punched a hole in the wall before because he was so frustrated his body was “betraying him”. He thinks sickness is weakness, and we all know how Cade feels about weakness.

Surpassingly, I could see him going to Candy for comfort. Just depends on what type of sick he is. Regular Flu or cold, or migraine, she might have to initiate and tell him he can come to her, or that she wants to help. Candy is his “comfort item”, if that makes sense. But he’s too stubborn to admit he needs comforted half the time.

But if it was something like Covid, or he got diagnosed with something. He’d go to her first. He wouldn’t even know what he was doing until his legs already carried him all the way to her. He would be concerned about getting her sick. But if she insisted, he’s just crawl into bed with her and lay his head on her lap. Letting her soothe him, give him his meds, make him eat or drink water (still will be a baby about it, but he’ll listen to her more than Sully), hot water bottles, cool rags…

That sort of thing. If she or her mother made him soup. Internally he’d be so grateful. He’d try his best to express it, but we know how he is with expression too. He’d repay her by doing the same for her if she was sick. It might not be as tender, as he’s not used to caring for another living thing. But he’d try his best. Looking things up online, asking her mother, or possibly even Sully how he can help her.

Cade is almost half a year into his transition by now. But sometimes he does still get his periods. Those for sure he will go to Candy for, cause she understands them. And he knows she wouldn’t make him feel weird or dysphoric about it. She’s be very willing to distract him. He hates that it’s a constant reminder he was “born wrong”. And Sully should probably save to get him a hysterectomy as soon as he can. Because this idiot is dumb enough, that during a really bad spell of dysphoria and his mental illnesses flaring (because he refuses to take medication, unlike sully. He’ll only medicate for physical ailments) he would try and rip it out himself.

He also gets migraines and nose bleeds frequently because of his mental health. His brain is working overtime sometimes and he has episodes of what he calls “short circuiting” where his head is just screaming in searing pain, and just constant nose bleeds and tremors.

He wouldn’t be nearly as willing to go to Candy or ask for help if it was a mental ailment. Like I’ve said, everyone in the family has OCD. But Cade as ASPD and BPD on top of that. His brain can be very, very unkind to him. But he’d rather suffer that alone than ever admit he’d bad enough to need help.

I do think eventually if she really tried, or expressed how important it was to her. He would consider medication. (Maybe once he realises how much they do help, or or make you feel worse, he’ll have a new respect for Sully for choosing to stay on them despite how numb they make him feel sometimes.)

Candy is fully and honestly one of Cade’s obsessions. He can’t remove her from his mind no matter how hard he tries. He has constant impulsive and sometimes even intrusive thoughts about her. He didn’t mind the intrusive thoughts at first, until he went and fell in love. And now the thought of hurting her makes him physically I’ll. it can flare his migraines, he’s thrown up before after walking from a practically gruesome nightmare where Sully forced him to kill her.

He’s just a love sick puppy. She couldn’t honestly make him worse if she wanted to, and he wouldn’t even mind. He’d just accept it, as hell do whatever makes her happy. Sure it’s unhealthy, but he doesn’t care. He never wanted to feel this feeling, but now that he has, he’s addicted to it. Loving her, caring about her, feels nice. He doesn’t know how to express that in a “chill” or “normal” way.

So to answer your question, yes he would let Candy take care of him. Might take a while for him to open up to the idea. But he’d drop everything to take care of her without hesitation. He just needs to understand she’d do the same for him.

Tag: @shonkgobonk @bluecoolr-main @queer-and-utter-chaos @mothmans-kingdom @myers-meadow

[themostefficientwaywithwater]

great, now farala has diarrhea, probably due to antibiotics, which also remind me that i fucked up because i gave her one pill on monday, when the vet had already given her an antibiotic injection... i don't think it's going to affect her badly, but i'll need to call the vet sooner

besides the diarrhea, she's mostly fine, although i've noticed she's still not as active as usual (not lethargic, but she doesn't get the zoomies in the afternoon like she used to, maybe due to the cold, maybe due to the discomfort of the open abscess, maybe due to something else?) and maybe she's peeing less than usual (she doesn't pee a lot normally so i may be imagining things, but last time she went to the litterbox she pissed veeery little, then had diarrhea) and maybe drinking more than usual

this cat has me so worried i may be actually getting sick myself

[meditating-dog-lover]

Health update

My skin is much much better. My hands and right forearm cleared up. From clobetasol and zoryve.

I don't want to rely on steroid medication but also want a go-to anti-inflammatory medication that (1) doesn't have dangerous side effects, (2) is effective, and (3) doesn't have petroleum jelly as a base. Zoryve was the best one I found.

I applied it to my face, neck and hands and it helped clear my skin, mosly my hands. My face and neck are much better than before but they are a tiny bit inflamed in some spots.

I'm happy I did not have to resort to dupixent and found something cheaper, safer, faster-acting, and with minimal side effects. I've read dupixent can make face eczema worse and can cause rosacea and psoriasis. I was going to try out opzelura, but it can cause thrombosis which is something I do not want to deal with at all. Zoryve had the least amount of side effects and is on the safer side.

I know the inflammation is coming from my dogs, mostly my younger one. Whenever I go to rooms she frequents, like the living room and my mom's room, I begin to itch and scratch. Atopic and seborrheic dermatitis can have so many triggers, it looks like allergies made them exponentially worse this year. Allergies mostly against my dog and probably other stuff too (dust, mold, etc...). I am preventing my dogs from entering my room. I feel bad about this because I love having them with me, but it's for my own good. At least for now.

To treat this I'm going to get allergy shots. I'm going to combine this with anti-histamines (I like benadryl and allegra), zoryve, and keeping a distance from my dog (I'm not going to avoid her of course, I just want to minimize contact and keep her out of my room).

There have been times where I would come from work and I would start itching my chest, inner left elbow, inner knees, and thighs (inner and top). This is definitely allergy-induced. I would also sometimes eat bread at work and start itching. This hasn't been much of an issue since I switched to sourdough. I don't think all of this is ultimately caused by a bread allergy. It's that I might be slightly reacting to it in general, but become even more reactive when my body is already in an immune-stressed state as a result of allergies.

I'm going on vacation this Christmas season so I will be away from allergens.

Atopic and seborrheic dermatitis make skin more susceptible to infections, fungal and bacterial usually. I've had this issue before and my ears have been infected for months (my previous derms could not treat it). I've been prescribed oral antibiotics based on the culture results of the ear swabs, and was told to apply diluted vinegar to my ears daily for 7 days. It's a bit too early to see changes, but my ears got itchy and bloody today. The bacteria found on my ears is quite antibiotic resistant and was told topical antibiotics won't work as well as oral antibiotics. I'll try the topical and vinegar for another week and see how it works. If I need to resort to oral medication, then that's okay. Anything to become symptom free after months of itchiness, oozing and bleeding. My left palm, however, is a lot more clear and is no longer oozing. It hasn't oozed in a while now that I remember and that's great.

I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow to go over my skin progress and blood work.

In terms of weight, I'm still fasting and brisk walking. I have decided that I wanted to try 18-6 and 20-4 fasting. I fasted for 18 hours yesterday (Friday 8 PM - Saturday 2 PM). I felt fine in the process. I did wake up hungry but then was fine. As it approached 2 I got hungry again. Maybe I can try 20-4 eventually. I'm in the phase of my cycle where longer fast periods are appropriate. However next Wednesday onwards I am not going to fast.

I went to the mall today and walked a lot too. I went on an evening brisk walk and had the energy to do so. I figured it would be a bit challenging to do so because I fasted for longer, but I was fine. I did not brisk walk on Friday (I did not feel like it). I'm eating as I normally would, just skipping my afternoon snack (I had ice cream today though which is fine). I began my fasting window at around 8/8:30 and plan on breaking it tomorrow at 2 again.

I do want to lose weight and there are times where I compare myself to other women and even myself when I was younger and thin. However I felt unwell and malnourished back then. I felt so deprived as well. I could never restrict that way ever again. I do want to eat less. but in a realistic way. I want to consider fasting - 16-8, 18-6 and eventually 20-4, but also eating nutrient-dense and anti-inflammatory foods so I feel full and satiated but still healthy and well. I ate a lot of low calorie and diet foods. I avoided high calorie foods (even avocados) and consumed a lot of sugar free gum and artificial sweeteners in general. I was thin, but I did not feel well. I would crave junk all the time because I was so deprived.

I want to lose weight and keep it off for good in a way that's sustainable and I don't starve. This would involve continuing with 16-8, and trying out 18-6 and maybe eventually 20-4, eating foods that are filling and healthy, allowing myself to eat out when I feel like it but in a balanced way, brisk walking, and eventually trying out yoga. This has a big role in general mindfulness and wellness. Because when you fast, you are "controlling food", whereas when you obsessively calorie count or binge, food is controlling you. Brisk walking and yoga and eating healthy and balanced are good for mental wellness too.

I might feel discouraged because I have put on weight since 2018, but at least I am adopting a healthy concept of diet and exercise. Where I avoid strict dieting and calorie restrict in a way that is not depriving, and do physical activities that are effective in calorie and fat burn, but are not intense and exhausting, like brisk walking. I'll look into yoga and pilates later. I feel this is healthy and balanced.

Back then I would also view weight loss as a cosmetic goal and I feel more informed on wellness now (sleep, gut health, hydration, anti-inflammatory diet, macro balancing, nutrients, nasal breathing, mental health and trauma, etc...). I want to approach diet and exercise from a wellness POV rather than a cosmetic POV because I would feel so deprived.

A week before my period I can take a break from fasting and eat more carbs and calories, but not too much.

Teeth and mental health - I'm going to the dentist with my mom wither January or February, even though I don't want to go. Mental health - I am working on mindfulness.

It will all work out, I just need to learn to be healthy and well rather than punish myself.

[eimearkuopio]

My husband and I have a rescue cat. She's pretty old and as a result she can be a little expensive to look after properly, but we love her so much. She is the nearest thing to a kid we have right now, although hopefully not the nearest thing we will ever have.

She has everything she could possibly need in life, but just like everyone else, her life isn't perfect. Sometimes she's home alone, and she's a cat so that's okay, but it means we might not get around to scooping her favourite litter box before she wants to use it again. (Still at least twice a day, any time we notice it's been used, but sometimes she keeps meowing until we figure out what she wants and part of our just division of labour is that I scoop the poop because he hates it more.)

She had an ear infection recently. She feels safer with him, because of what she went through before she was ours, so we always tried to give her the medicine together. At first, I'd hold her down (gently, with love) and he'd put the medicine in. Then we'd let her go and give her a bunch of treats and let her wander around the house until it was time for the next dose.

Eventually, we accepted that it was a better option for me to wrap her up in a towel and give her the medicine. He was always there too, reassuring her, keeping her calm. She still got love and fuss and treats afterwards, but it just worked better and upset her less if I did the lion(ess)'s share of the work.

When we brought her to the vet for a check-up part-way through the treatment, he got pretty stressed. He told me he'd been having nightmares about having to hold her whole she was put down for her own good.

I told him that wasn't a nightmare. It was an aspiration, for many years in the future.

Neither of us wants her to die. In an ideal scenario, she will live out her natural life and go quietly in her sleep. But it's not a bad Plan B, to accept that if her suffering is ever great enough to warrant it, we will end that suffering with love and reassurance (and professional medical assistance).

Not every animal has a soul, but I think some of them do. I think Francis was a good name for the current Pope. I think if my husband knew enough to understand the story of Francis of Assisi, he would approve, but his cultural context doesn't have a lot of Catholicism in it and he has less than zero inclination to learn more in this lifetime on account of how overwhelmingly negative the context he does have is. He loves animals, though. Loves kids. Loves me. Tolerates organised religion, including mine. Would probably tolerate both of my heritages if I were trying to pursue them, but I'm fine with my substance as it stands. This vessel is the Ship of Theseus once more. Both parts of me were trying to help, but the non-Catholic part has decided that this is not her time or place to be in charge. The Catholic part of my heritage is in complete control, but loves all of me and all of him and all of Him enough to choose medicine over putting my Church to sleep. For now, at least. I have found my child of Omelas to rescue, and he was never the official Child, the designated scapegoat, but neither was I. Just because you couldn't tell I was suffering, doesn't mean I wasn't. I just managed to keep my nose above water, long enough to find him and for him to hold me up and let me rest. And I'll do likewise for him, and we will live a good life together, because I've found one good man on this stupid planet so I don't need to smite the whole thing. I found enough reasons to plead your case, to Him and to all of you, but that's only true for the finite self. The infinite self is still pretty pissed at what you let the finite self go through without even noticing.

It's still an option, though, if the medicine doesn't work. And I will be administering some pretty serious treatment for parasites and bacterial infections while I'm at it. Might want to start taking a pro-biotic of non-traditional Catholicism so that when the antibiotics have had a chance to clear out the nasty case of spiritual c. diff. that Catholicism has been trying to treat holistically since Vatican II, you'll still have enough microfauna available to digest the Word and absorb its nutrients. And maybe, eventually, there will be wine for you to drink; and I'll be honest, I have grown fond enough of the current hosts that I'm not pushing for that change to be made, but I think you need to at least acknowledge that when you have cathedrals of stone rising to the sky and a literal army of Swiss Guards, the bread being unleavened is really just symbolic and you should consider what it was meant to signify in the first place. "Whatever you do to the least of them, you do to me." Because He's here, too, and He often chooses those who suffer most to claim; but we don't instantiate unless we are both welcome and well-suited to the one who invites us. My finite self couldn't bear to scoop the pile of shit that the rest of you kids were forcing her to clean up, so she has gone to her room at my place to calm down, and when she's ready, she can have the body back. This house was always meant to be hers, too. But while I'm here, let me be clear: sooner or later, if you don't listen to me, you'll regret it. Because I won't let you suffer, even if you think you want you; and I won't let you keep hurting each other like this indefinitely.

Do better. Please. He loves you all so much. It's an aspiration for many years in the future, even as gods or angels or whatever you want to call us measure time. We are butterflies. You are caterpillars, or maybe cocoons. Don't tear the cocoons open and feast on what you find inside. That's why He can't come back yet. He has no body now but yours, and a lot of you aren't bothering with good diet and exercise; and a few of you, my finite self included, are basically orthorexic in spite of your best efforts. Religion is meant to be a source of oxytocin. If you are using it to manufacture serotonin or dopamine, you're only going to hurt yourself and other people. If that's you, get help from outside the church. You can still have a healthy relationship with God and His angels and saints and with your faith, but not at your current levels of consumption - and please stop trying to self-medicate by shoving your bread down other people's throats. That's how you get malnutrition epidemics and fatal allergic reactions. Moderation in all things, but also, variety is the spice of life. It's the salt of the Earth. Diversity makes us. I will not let you turn my husband, my one good man from Omelas, into a pillar of salt just because yours has lost its flavour. But there are plenty of people who have already vowed that if God ever chooses to destroy their city, they would look back. Maybe we can transform those people into something more useful than raw materials. Maybe we can teach them how to fish sustainably for men (AND women, AND non-binary AND intersex individuals, because GOD LOVES EVERYONE BUT I KIND OF THINK SOME OF YE ARE LITTLE SHITS). Because I'm not looking back. That's why I get to keep him.

[thatforgottenbasilisk]

dabi's "dying animal thing"

Word Count: 3001 (AO3) (My Fic Masterpost)

Originally Posted on 5/26/2024

Rating: T

Summary:

"Dabi acts like a dying animal when he's mildly sick. He literally avoids everyone and acts like it's his last day on Earth." Himiko says, fully aware that she's in earshot of Dabi.

"I had the flu! It was not mild! Stop acting like I'm being dramatic!" Dabi snaps back.

"You're always dramatic!" Himiko, Twice, and even Tomura all say at once.

For Whumptober 2023 Day 13, Prompt #2: Infection

It's not that serious, he keeps repeating to himself. This happens all the time. It's nothing. I'll be fine tomorrow.

This is only partially true; Dabi's medical staples are often infected, due to the unsanitary living conditions that he and the League are all stuck in- currently, they're squatting in a large apartment that he's pretty sure has every variety of mold that could possibly exist- plus the inability to replace them with sterile tools or staples, but they are also usually infected on his extremities, where he can throw peroxide on it, bandage it up, and call it a day. This is the first time that any of his face staples have gotten infected, and it is definitely not an experience that he wants to repeat anytime soon. Or at all. Ever.

He can at least count himself lucky that it hasn't happened before now, especially not on the streets when an infection near his wrist meant that someone would've had to cut his whole hand off if someone hadn't managed to find and obtain some antibiotics and disinfectant at the last possible second. Now is still not ideal, but at least he's not in that situation anymore, and they have a semi-reliable way of getting needed supplies by sending somebody out to go steal them from a nearby grocery store every so often.

He's been cooped up in his room for the past few days, sneaking into the bathroom and kitchen only when nobody else is there. Half his face is swollen up, so much so that he can hardly see out of one eye, and he isn't even sure anymore if the infected staple is high up on his cheekbone, or low under his eye. Either way, it's the same outcome where he's scrubbing at it with alcohol and popping antibiotics like a teenager would acid tabs, and repeating his mantra of denial even more intensely every time he wakes up to find his right field of vision even smaller.

He hasn't even bothered to get out of bed today, despite the fact that he's been awake for what feels like hours by now. He feels sluggish and awful, probably because he hasn't been eating much except for what he steals out of the fridge once per night. Still, he doesn't want to be seen by everyone else, so he deals with it and just drifts between sleep and wakefulness while he waits for the night to come back.

At least the swollen part doesn't hurt, which is a good thing. Probably. Good because he's not dying of pain, bad because he doesn't know what that actually means, medically speaking. It's not really affecting him aside from the inconvenience and the mild dread he keeps putting in the back of his mind whenever he thinks about how it's not improving with his usual methods. These things get worse before they get better, despite the fact that things don't tend to get this bad for him, in terms of an infected staple.

Nobody has bothered him for the past few days, which is also good. That's why he's been avoiding everyone, because he doesn't want to freak anybody out- Toga and Spinner, mostly- who may not have experiences with people who have gross or bad-looking infections, nor does he want invasive or stupid questions- Toga again, and possibly Kurogiri or Compress- so the fact that everyone has seemed to receive the "leave me alone" vibes is a stroke of good fortune in this mess. He ignores the memory of Toga making fun of him for this exact behavior when he got the flu a couple of months ago, calling it his dying animal instinct. He is not a dying animal, and he is not being overdramatic because that's exactly what she was implying there, he just doesn't want to deal with anyone's shit right now.

The only wild card remaining is Hawks, who never receives any "leave me alone" signals no matter how loud they are. At least he's out of town until... Sunday? Sunday. Probably Sunday. He's not keeping much track of the days at the moment, because time stopped being real when his face started swelling, but he thinks it's Saturday today, so at least he's safe until tomorrow, which is when the swelling is finally going to go down because the antibiotics are going to kick in.

Almost like he was summoned by that thought, there's a loud series of bangs against his bedroom door, which is a knock that could only belong to one person. Guess it must be Sunday.

"Hey, asshole," Hawks calls out as he opens the door, "Himiko says you're doing your dying animal thing again- oh shit." The mood immediately darkens when Hawks actually sees Dabi's face, which is not reassuring in the slightest because Hawks has EMT training and is, technically, a certified paramedic. Somehow, he's doing night classes beyond basic Hero field-medic requirements or something on top of his everything else, which is downright impressive. Rumor has it he even sleeps once every couple of months.

"I am not doing my dying animal thing. You can clearly see I'm being reasonable in not wanting any of you to see this shit. It's gross." Dabi groans from the bed, not bothering to get up or do anything more than turn so he's more fully facing Hawks. He can only really see out of one eye, which isn't great for trying to see what face Hawks is making, but he can see well enough to tell that there's a face being made right now.

"You- I- Dabi, you need a hospital. Yesterday." Hawks says, very dramatically in Dabi's humble opinion, and he rolls his eyes in response to that.

"This happens all the time. The face is a first, but the infection is not. It'll go away." Dabi waves him off, but Hawks refuses to be waved off. Instead of fucking off and minding his own business, Hawks crosses the room- leaving the door open, the fucker- and looks at the swollen area more critically.

"That's going to go septic soon, if it hasn't already. It will kill you if you don't get your ass to a hospital within the next twenty-four hours." Hawks sounds irritated, but joke's on him, Dabi is the king of being irritated and right now his seventh consecutive nap of the day is being interrupted, so he's got plenty of reason to be annoyed, too.

"Yeah, yeah, that's what all the ladies say. The quirk should've killed me, the scars should've killed me, now this infection should kill me, blah blah blah. Let me get back to my nap." Dabi says lazily, and rolls over away from Hawks as well as he can while making sure that the infected staple doesn't touch anything.

"The qui- that is a discussion for a different time." Hawks starts a question- about the quirk thing, probably, which is funny considering that the damage done by his own quirk is pretty fuckin' obvious- and immediately redirects. "Tell you what- if you can get up and close that door without problems, I'll leave you alone. If you can't, then that thing on your face is the ticking time bomb that I think it is, and we're going to the hospital. Sound fair?" Hawks sounds like a man at the end of his rope, which Dabi supposes is probably fair if he isn't familiar with the kind of shit Dabi's stupid body gets up to in its spare time.

Instead of answering, Dabi turns and shoves Hawks away from the bed, grunts, and stands up. He can practically feel the blood rushing out of his brain- thank you, iron deficiency- and his vision goes dark for about a second before it returns to normal. Hawks is looking at him with a raised eyebrow, and Dabi rolls his eyes at it before taking a few steps towards the door.

Immediately, something is wrong. Dark spots start appearing, but it can't be because of the iron thing, and he's suddenly running out of breath after only a few steps. His eyes must go wide in panic, because Hawks reacts with his patented insane speed to catch him before Dabi even realizes he's falling. His knees have buckled and he's clinging to Hawks' jacket for dear life, and maybe he was right about that septic thing because this is nothing like any infected staples he's had before.

He hears Hawks yell, "Someone get the fucking van!" and a distant rush of activity from the others outside. Then he passes out.

-----

Things are kind of hazy after that. Dabi drifts in and out of consciousness during various parts of what must be the League trying to get him to a hospital that won't call the cops or the Pros to come arrest him. Most of what he remembers is Hawks talking, and occasionally giving his own input when he wasn't out of it and felt it was necessary. He also remembers being in a bridal carry until the van, but he's going to elect not to bring that up.

At one point Hawks had been holding him while standing still. Someone had said something about Ujiko, and Dabi had sluggishly protested. He's not even sure if he was audible to anyone aside from Hawks, but he did not end up in the Doctor's lab, so he figures that the idea was shot down eventually.

Then there was something about Fukuoka, and the slums, and Hawks telling someone an address. Then, almost like they'd skipped ahead a scene like in a damn movie, they were in the van- and by "they," he means himself, Hawks, whoever was driving, and whoever was sitting in the passenger seat. His head had been in Hawks' lap. He's going to elect not to bring that up, either.

The next time that things are clear, he's lying on a bed in an unfamiliar room that's clearly in some kind of hospital. His face is still kind of swollen, but it hurts a lot more than it did the last time he was awake enough to be actively thinking about it. There are a lot of tubes, including an IV in his arm and something on the right side of his neck. There's also something sticky and stiff on his face, which he only becomes aware of when he shifts around slightly.

"Do not mess with that bandage, I will kill you myself." He hears Hawks' voice coming from nearby, and he turns to see Hawks sitting in a chair with bags under his eyes and greasy hair, like he hasn't slept or anything in days. He didn't look that bad when he barged into Dabi's room, right? He'd have definitely noticed.

"You look like shit." Dabi croaks, and Hawks huffs a very sarcastic-sounding half-of-a laugh.

"Thanks. Not looking too bad yourself, Hot Stuff." Hawks quips, and Dabi sighs.

"The fuck happened? Given the lack of handcuffs, I'm not under arrest." Dabi asks, and points out the obvious for good measure; Hawks, for his part, just runs a hand through his hair while looking down at the ground, not meeting Dabi's eyes.

"It's been... what, two days? A day and a half? It's Tuesday now, and we dragged you here on Sunday. Himiko's here, supposedly in the cafeteria, she 'borrowed' some of Tomura's blood since he's least likely to be recognized without that giant hand on his face. This is a villain-safe hospital, but the general public's still here and that's not exactly super public information, so it's best not to freak anyone out. Uh, let's see, that infection did go septic, they had to cut it open, drain it, and give you enough antibiotics to kill a horse, and if you'd gotten here even six hours later that shit would've gotten into your brain or your heart and you'd be dead. You're fucking welcome." Hawks rattles off, sounding unimpressed with the entire ordeal, but he's clearly exhausted. Has he even left since Sunday? He must've, right?

"Thanks, Birdie. You're the best. You made sure nobody's a gossip, or is your double-agent status shot?" Dabi isn't necessarily thinking of Hawks' usefulness here- even if his cover's blown, he is completely 100% in the League forever and ever amen- but Hawks also kind of loves his job, as far as Dabi's aware. Losing that on Dabi's account would probably suck massive balls.

"The only person who recognized me was a nurse who called me by my actual, legal name because she remembered me from when I was little. I think I'm good." Hawks half says and half sighs while saying it, and he clearly didn't think much before opening that massive can of worms- as far as Dabi was aware until half a second ago, there's no reason for anybody at a villain-safe hospital to know Hawks by name. Nobody knows Hawks by name.

"You wanna elaborate on that? I mean, I've got nothing but time, so don't dodge it by saying it's a long story." He wants to hear this, and surprisingly, it's not so that he has something to use later. It's just pure, honest curiosity.

"I'll show you mine if you show me yours." Hawks quips back, and yeah, that's fair. They're both cagey bastards, now that Dabi thinks about it- Hawks is just slightly less obvious about it. The thing is, Dabi kind of hopes it's serious, at least a little bit- maybe it's because Hawks just technically saved his life, but against his better judgement, he actually trusts the guy.

"I'll tell you why I hate hospitals in exchange." Dabi offers, with way too much sincerity in his voice. Must be the drugs they're pumping him with. Even Hawks looks taken aback, but he doesn't retract the offer.

"... Yeah, okay. You first, though." Hawks finally answers after some hesitation. Dabi sighs, closes his eyes, and thinks about where he wants to start. He can't tell Hawks everything; that would be too much, too fast, and it's not exactly pleasant to think about. So, he'll just talk about the pertinent stuff.

"When I was a kid, I was obsessed with going Pro. I used to train my quirk in the woods near my house, hoping to get stronger with it, until one day- one day my wish came true. I had a quirk awakening, my fire went from red to blue and so, so much hotter than I was used to. I couldn't control it. I burned, and I burned, and I burned. Three years later, I woke up in a hospital to find out that my family thought I was dead, and whoever had taken me had used other people's body tissue to fix me. I was a stranger to myself. Then I found out that there were a bunch of other kids there like me, except sometimes they'd be taken in for 'testing' and never returned." Dabi pauses for a moment to let the whole thing settle, before dropping the last bombshell of the whole monologue.

"That's why I recognize some of the Noumu, and that's why some of them can be programmed to obey me so easily." He hears a slight catch in Hawks' breath, and he twists a hand in the bedsheets almost reflexively.

"Ujiko took you as one of his experiments." Hawks puts the pieces together, and Dabi finally opens his eyes to make eye contact.

"Yeah. My family still thinks I'm dead, and at the moment, I have no plans to disavow them of the illusion. One day, yeah, but clearly not anytime soon."

"Clearly." Hawks echoes hollowly. "I... give me a minute, mine's not nearly that exciting."

"Take your time." Dabi waves off, knowing that his past doesn't quite reconcile with who he is now unless it's really heavily thought about.

"Shit, I... okay." Hawks starts his own story by slapping both of his hands on his knees. "So, right now we're in Fukuoka. In the slums on the outskirts, to be specific, not too far from the neighborhood I lived in when I was a kid. When we were trying to figure out where to take you, I offered up the only villain hospital I knew, which was here. I don't know the address, or the coordinates, but I do know exactly how to get here on the road from my old apartment, so that's the address I gave Kurogiri to make a portal to. I know it so well because my dad used to take me here whenever he got a little too rough with me, this was the only place that wouldn't ask questions about why a C-class villain was bringing in a toddler with a broken arm. I was pretty much a regular fixture around here between Dad's jail stints, 'til he finally got himself thrown in Tartarus. Not much else to say about it, honestly, just a sad holdover from a pathetic childhood."

... Huh. Dabi had always kind of thought of Hawks as a guy who grew up with privilege, but apparently not. Guess he's not the only one with a past that doesn't jive with the present.

"That... that sucks, Birdie." Dabi says the only thing he can say in the circumstance.

"Yeah, no kidding," Hawks laughs, "I thought I'd seen the last of this place almost fifteen years ago. Guess not." He sounds more flippant than he probably feels, given the way he's looking at the walls like it's fond and familiar, instead of a run-down looking hospital room.

"Well, let's hope this is the first and last time you're here in that fifteen year time range." Dabi tries for encouraging, but Hawks just laughs again.

"I doubt it, with the way you are. Next time this happens, can you tell me before you start dying?" Hawks asks, almost joking, but with an undertone of seriousness that Dabi can clearly hear.

"I make no promises, Pretty Bird."

[maganne-bonete]

Life and interest update ramble that no one asked for: General

And I'll probably make more for a while on a variety of topics

So I've been having, not necessarily stressful, but stress induced couple of days. It's hard for me to pinpoint but I think it's me getting overwhelmed with things. Partly my fault because of dumb decisions I've made for the past couple of weeks, and it's called going through the Youtube comment section.

But that's not necessarily the worst thing. It's more of, me deciding to air out opinions abt online celebrities in twitter dot com more than anything 'cause stans are some of the weirdest people on earth and one of them tried using my age as a gatcha for telling them off for being parasocial about a bunch of people's relationship. But anw, that doesn't really bother me anymore 'cause the twitter side of that fanbase just proved themselves to be the worse kind of fans for literally trying to emotionally manipulate their CC.

BUT, other than that, I guess it's also the reminder that I'm running out of time.

Earlier this year I wanted to get myself "prepared" for coming back to school. I took another leave to take care of my sister this time. Around last year's April she almost died after a fatal allergic reaction to an antibiotic. It left her severely disabled so I had to help her out.

In effort of trying to "prepare" myself I tried doing "productive" things like drawing, gardening, language learning, or generally cleaning up more. Which honestly, not that bad. I always considered gardening as one of my healthy hobbies. Doing more art is important for my field in the future. Generally doing other chores like putting my clothes away and cleaning up make-up brushes will be beneficial for me in the long run. I tried relearning french although it was very little like idk colors and numbers and such, but it's honestly barely anything.

But by the time it hit April I just got burned out ? And I thought, okay I'll be more productive by May. But would you look at that? It's already the end of May. And I haven't picked up a stylus, pencil, gardening sheers, or even downloaded duolingo. (Although I also have theories regarding this part of the year 'cause my mood tend to start shifting around this period)

But other than those things, I also tried writing again around those months 'cause writing has been such a struggle for me for the past few years for some reason. Like I use to write a lot but it just got difficult for me. And I NEED to get good at writing in general, fiction or non-fic, because I'll need it for college. But hey, last night I was able to write 600+ in one session over a fictional piece and I consider that a win.

Another thing that should've been something considered productive that I've been putting off was signing myself up for a comprehensive psychological evaluation. It was something I should've considered earlier in the year but the idea of leaving the house to go to Manila was always troubling for me at that time. For the past year I could barely leave the house so I could look after my sister. It wasn't really that bad. I'm fine with staying around the proximity of our house. But this year she has improved a lot and could even go to the bathroom by herself. But even then, I kept holding it off and now June's coming around the corner.

I think it's partly because I have this mindset of "I'm better compared to last year since I don't want to die anymore" but even then I still have OCD symptoms. I also still have really bad anxiety from time to time and I tend to get paranoid too. All of this is bad and are still problems that do bother me every other day. And honestly, out of everything "productive" I need to do before the semester starts, this should have been at the top of the list.

So I should probably get to it within the weekend, at least. And not get distracted with other things. I really really need to do that.

[catzula]

Seven stages of falling in love.

Synopsis: You're afraid of needles and Bakugou is not the most suitable person that should be handling your shots for seven days.

Pairing: bakugou x reader

Warnings: cursing, I have no idea how long it is since it's written on my phone this time, probably a lot of errors

Genre: fluff, some tiny bit angst but a happy ending so no worries

A/N: I was on a 9-hour road trip and wrote this to keep me sane.

BTW 50 followers yaay!

Day 1

"What do you mean I need to get antibiotic shots for a week?!" You exclaimed, refusing to believe what you just heard. It was just a sore throat, or so you had thought. You never liked doctors, so you rarely saw one, but when your 'sore throat' lasted for a whole month, your friends literally forced you to go see one.

You knew it wasn't anything important, but maybe it would help to get a home rest for a day or two, giving you a little more time to binge anime study for that one exam that was coming up.

All your hopes and dreams died when you;

a) didn't get to have any home rest, cause apparently, you didn't have to stay home for a sore throat,

b) had to get shots for a week?!

This was why you hated doctors! You went in for a sore throat, hoping to get a home rest, and got what? A week of-

"It means what I just said." The doctor answered your question gruffly, making you send him a questioning look. Weren't the doctors supposed to be all nice and smiley? This one sure wasn't.

"I don't want to!" You whined, "Isn't there a pill or something I could take?" He sent you a look that could only mean, are you dumb or something?

But you couldn't care less about what he thought about you, though he was one of the most handsome men you had ever seen, all you were thinking about was doing whatever you could to not get any shots. "Is there no other way?" You asked, once again. This caused him to sigh loudly, turning his red eyes once again on you.

"No. You'll come here every day for a week to get shots, no pills, no nothing. Okay?" The harsh tone of his voice sent chills through your body, blood-red eyes of his made you wonder if they were real. "I- uh... Yeah, okay." You told him, feeling a little intimidated, though you wouldn't admit it if it killed you.

He turned his back to you while he prepared the syringe, giving you the perfect chance to look at him without being crushed under his crimson gaze.

His shoulders were so wide and his waist so narrow, it created the perfect triangle. You could see his the muscles of his arms flexing with every move, you almost felt unable to take your eyes off of his arms. But what stood out the most was his ash blonde, spiky hair. It defied the gravity in a way you had never seen before, and you just wanted to run your fingers through them, wondering if they were as hard as they looked.

He turned his face to you, you knew he noticed you staring, you could see that by the smirk he sent you, though he didn't comment on it.

You took deep breaths in, trying to calm yourself, though you could feel the blood draining from your face, your hands shaking ever so slightly. His brows furrowed, a look of slight frustration on his face. "You okay?"

You gulped, biting your lip. "I- I'm just..." you didn't want to admit you were scared of needles, not to him, but he did it for you. "You're scared."

You shrugged, still not admitting but not denying either. "You could say I'm not a fan." He rolled his eyes, looking at you as you were dumb. "Nobody is a fan." You could swear you heard him mumble, dumbass under his breath.

He pressed the base of the syringe slightly, testing it, not noticing or simply ignoring the look you had sent him. He rubbed alcohol on your arm, bringing the syringe closer. He was about to stick it when you couldn't stop yourself and gripped his wrist with all your might. Your hand couldn't wrap his wrist at all, and he could have ripped it free so easily, though he didn't.

"What the-"

"Wait!" You told him, not aware of what you were doing, your fear taking over. "Please don't? I don't- don't want... it."

"Come on, it doesn't hurt that much." He told you, feeling his frustration growing bigger with every second that past. He was Bakugou Katsuki, for fucks sake, he wasn't supposed to deal with little girls afraid of needles.

He was the number one of his class, he always was. He decided he wanted to be a doctor and save lives when he was so little, and he always had that dream in him. He worked so hard to achieve that, and now he was spending his summer as an intern in the best hospital of Japan, the hospital he always wanted to work at.

But this wasn't it! Ever since he started, they gave him small, insignificant things to do, like check-ups he was doing now. Sore throat? Who did they think he was, making him check sore throats and runny noses?

He felt so frustrated, he didn't notice you trembling like a leaf under his touch. Your eyes were so wide open, filled with pure fear, your under lip trembling, your hands gripped his wrist like it was your lifeline.

"I'm sorry-" you told him. "I just can't... can't stand needles."

He sighed, though he could feel his frustration disappearing slightly.

"That's fine, I guess." He told you, earning a hopeful glance from you. "Just look at me, nowhere else." That wasn't hard, was it? You couldn't take your eyes off of him anyways. You locked your eyes with his, noticing how oddly soothing his hard toned voice was.

"Listen to me, okay?" He told you. "My name's Bakugou. I went to UA Medical school, and this is my third year, 'm an intern here." You never would have guessed he was that young, only a year older than you, and he went to one of the hardest universities in Japan?

You never once looked away from his eyes, trying to forget the sharp object that was about to enter your skin. When he asked about you, you gulped, you were about to send a small glance at your arm, the one he was holding, but he gripped your chin with his free hand, not letting you look anywhere else, but his eyes.

"I- I'm Y/N." You whispered. "I'm going to ****, and I'm a second year." He nodded, and you smiled weakly.

"That's cool." He told you, "though not cooler than the fact that I finished your shot almost two minutes ago." A smug grin was now curving his lips.

"You what?!" You exclaimed, you looked at your arm, which now had a small band-aid. "You- you... how did you do that?" You asked him, smiling uncontrollably.

"A doctor never reveals his secrets." He told you, though you saw he had a small smile too.

You took your bag and coat, about to exit the room when you sent a small glance his way. "Thank you, doctor Bakugou. " You told him, earning a surprised look from him.

Nobody had ever thanked him this way before.

Day 2

"Hi," you stood at the door, not sure whether you should enter or just stay there.

"Why the hell are you standing there?" He asked you roughly. "Oh, uh, sorry." He shrugged, sipping his coffee. You could tell by the smell that it was pure poison, or in other words, espresso.

"Don't apologize and sit down already."

You sat down, feeling uncomfortable, though you weren't sure why. Maybe it was because you showed him your vulnerable side the day before? You weren't sure. 

Your eyes wandered over his figure, he looked as handsome as he was the first time you saw him, or maybe even more? It shouldn't be allowed to be so handsome, you thought. And why did that white coat look so good on him?

Though he was aware of you watching his every move, he didn't want to say anything about it since he could feel your growing panic as he walked towards you with the syringe in his hands.

"We're doing it as we did it yesterday. "He told you, "You're looking at me, and me only." He smirked when he saw you nodding. "Good."

"Now, tell me, what are you studying?" He shook his head, genuinely looked interested as he listened you blabbering. "Why are you doing this?" You asked him. "Is it for the money?"

He shrugged, though he had a smirk on. "I'll tell you about that another day since you're good to go."

"No way!" You told him, looking at your arm, which was once again already stung, cleaned, and stuck with a cute little band-aid.

"You're the best. " You told him as you giggled, still not over the fact that he already gave you two shots without you even noticing.

"Of course I'm the fucking best." He told you, making you giggle once again. "Not sure you should be using that language around your patients, Doctor Bakugou."

He made a tch noise, turning his back to you. "Whatever, go complain to the administration or something." His voice was harder than you had ever heard from him, though to his surprise, you giggled as you walked to the door.

"Of course I'm not going to do that," you told him, smiling sweetly. "Don't expect me to complain about my favorite doctor."

With that, you left the room, leaving Bakugou once again struck with shock. Nobody ever told him he was their favorite doctor, on the contrary, people loved to complain about his angry behavior and foul mouth.

And though he would never accept it, he smiled ever so slightly, noticing a warm feeling spreading to his chest.

Day 3

"Hey, doctor." You entered the room, a big smile on your face that you didn't seem to have any control over.

"Hey." He answered, making you surprised. This was the first time he said 'hey' back. "I noticed you changed our appointment hours." It used to be in the morning but you had learned just today that he changed it to 13:00.

"Yeah." He answered, looking a little uncomfortable. "Why?" You asked further, but your eyes widened a little when you noticed his cheeks had a pink tint to them. "I fucking wanted to, okay?"

"Okay," you told him, laughingly. "I was just curious, you know?"

Nope, you weren't just curious. You wanted to know if it was because he had a date or something, and even though that didn't make any sense at all, you just couldn't help yourself.

What he didn't tell you was that he did change your appointments because of a girl, you. He switched your appointment to right before his lunch break so he could spend a little more time with you, though he couldn't even admit that himself.

"Don't be." He answered as you sat down. This time he had prepared the syringes before you came so that you wouldn't get anxious as he prepared them in front of you.

"That looks like a nice book." He told you as he rubbed your arm with alcohol. You were so stressed that you couldn't even understand what book he was referring to, not aware that you were holding the book in your hands for your dear life. "It's my favorite book." You answered, not looking away from his eyes. You could swear you saw his eyes in your dream last night.

"What's it about?" He asked, once again, looking genuinely interested. You loved talking about books, so much that people would sometimes ask you to stop. But he looked so interested, like he was actually listening, not because he had to, but he wanted to, you couldn't stop.

You started talking about this book, jumping to talk about another, then another. He joined you some time, you weren't really sure when. You started to talk about your favorite books, you talked about his favorite book, argued on one book that he liked, but you hated, did the same with a book you loved, and he didn't.

The conversation lasted so long, and you wouldn't have stopped if your phone hadn't ringed. "Oh, fuck." You mumbled under your breath, realizing you were in there for at least an hour and a half. "I'm so sorry, I lost control!" You told him, laughing nervously. Did you bore him to death?

"It's okay, I guess." He told you, his hand scratching the back of his neck. "You do talk too fucking much, but it wasn't necessarily bad. And it was actually my lunch break, so I won't get in trouble or shit."

"Oh, okay." You answered smiling once again. "I guess, I owe you lunch now."

You exited his room before you let him answer, you were afraid he was going to tell you to fuck off or something, though you had never thought he would agree, he was about to do just that before you sprinted out the room.

He realized only minutes after you exited that you left your 'favorite book' behind, only for him to read it.

Day 4

"Instant noodles?" He asked you, with a look on his face you couldn't quite interpret. It resembled something along the lines of trying to hold his laughter in and thinking you were the dumbest person on the earth.

"I did owe you lunch, you know." You told him. 

"Yeah, I know, but I thought you meant something like a bagel or some shit, somewhere outside the hospital."

Thinking back, maybe instant noodles were a bad idea.

"How about tomorrow?" You asked. He shrugged, "Fine, whatever." He looked indifferent, but his pink-tinted cheeks told you he wasn't.

He shrugged, you noticed he did this a lot when he was uncomfortable, you also noticed how fast your heartbeat was every day you entered this room, and not because of the needles.

You noticed how, since the first day, you woke up feeling excited about seeing him. Thinking about what you were going to talk about that day, as you go about your day when something happened, you found yourself thinking about telling it to him the next day.

You noticed how your heart clenched, a dreadful feeling in your stomach, when you thought about the week was coming to an end.

You noticed you were starting to... fall in love with him.

You talked about this to your friends too, and they were more than aware of how your eyes glistened when you talked about him, how you smiled unintentionally.

And the problem was, that he was also aware of all these too. He saw how you looked at him, and he wasn't dumb, he knew what these meant, as well as the tightening in his chest.

You weren't the only one, waking up, excited to see each other. When Denki said something dumb, he thought about telling it to you the next day, he thought about what he could talk about with you to soothe you the next time you gripped his wrist, asking him to stop with teary eyes, he never ever wanted to see you looking that afraid ever again. Hell, he even looked at wikihow, how to calm someone down when they feel afraid, and he was about to be a doctor for God's sake.

It was scary for him, to be this vulnerable for someone, to care so much in such little time, such a foreign feeling taking over his sensible part.

He was about to say something else when he noticed your knee and the very poorly wrapped bandage over it, you had 'wrapped' the bandage like a shoelace and he never in his life saw something so horrible. He sent you a look that made your cheeks all red.

"What the fuck is this?" He asked you, opening the bandage in one quick motion. "Oh, I fell yesterday, nothing too serious."

"You dumbass," Bakugou mumbled as he looked at the wound closely. "Didn't you even clean it?" He asked angrily.

"I did!" You told him. "I mean, I tried to. But it hurts when I touch it..." He rolled his eyes as he took some stuff from the drawers. "Are you afraid of these too?" He asked sarcastically, not expecting an answer, but you did anyway.

"No." You answered as you pouted. "Just needles." He shook his head as he laughed softly. "And trees at night." You mumbled and he froze.

"You have to be kidding me!" He told you, he wasn't even treating the wound anymore, but just looking at you like he waited for you to say you were joking.

"Hey! You have to admit they have a scary side to them!"

"Trees at night?"

"Don’t laugh." You pouted. "They look all shadowy and like... they have long arms, open wide like they're about to catch you and never let you go."

"Oh my God," he groaned as he went on cleaning your wound. "That’s the dumbest thing I've heard." Though he thought it was the most adorable thing he heard too. A girl afraid of needles and trees at night.

The wound stung a little, but you didn't even feel it, you were thinking deeply about wanting to touch his hair. When he finished, your knee was wrapped nicely, and it didn't even hurt anymore.

"So, you never told me why you wanted to become a doctor." You told him as you recalled your chat the first day.

"Thought you would forget about that." He told you as you laughed. "Never."

"I wanted to save people, ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a... hero, I guess." He told you, not even sure why he was telling you such a personal thing when almost no one knew this about him.

You couldn't stop the words tumbling down your lips. "I don't know about other people, but you're my hero."

Oh, shit. Your words led to a very awkward silence, and you thought you probably shouldn't have said that, though you meant every word.

"Thank you for that." He mumbled finally, causing your head to snap up and lock your eyes with his. You didn't expect him to thank you, at all, but now you just couldn't stop grinning.

"I feel like I'm getting over my fear." You said as you looked at the band-aid on your arm, the band-aid which, once again, miraculously appeared there. There was no way he could give you a shot, clean the small wound, and put a band-aid without you noticing at all! He was either a magician or you were in too deep.

"Yeah, seems like it." He told you, though he wasn't very enthusiastic about it.

You both ate your instant noodles in silence, I'm telling you, it's a bad idea to eat instant noodles with your crush, especially if its the first time you're eating together, and you just didn't know why his presence felt so distant and so awkward all of a sudden.

After you finished your noodles, oh my God why did that last that long? you grabbed your stuff, feeling a weird tug in your chest. "I think I should go."

His crimson eyes found yours, but you had no idea what he was thinking. "Okay." 

"See you tomorrow?" You asked, but a grunt was your only answer.

Day 5

"What do you mean Doctor Bakugou has another patient?" You asked the receptionist. She looked at you like you were dumb. "He isn't available at the moment, miss. Doctor Kirishima will be looking after you today."

You didn't know who Kirishima was, but you knew you didn't want him to handle you.

"Can I maybe come later? When he's available?" You asked with the last piece of hope left in you. "I'm sorry, miss." She answered by not actually answering. You sighed as you looked at the red-haired man watching you with a smile. He looked like a nice guy, but he wasn't the reason you were here.

***

"Wow, " Kirishima rubbed his temples as he took a so from his coffee. "One patient really pushed me today."

"What?" Bakugou asked, his voice so stern, Kirishima's eyes narrowed as he looked at his friend. He was really moody lately, and Kirishima wasn't sure why.

"I had this one girl, apparently she was afraid of needles." Suddenly Bakugou's hand was gripping the glass he was holding it a little too hard. "I tried to convince her that it wasn't going to hurt, but she was crying so hard I don't think she even heard me."

"She was crying?" Bakugou's voice was nothing more than a whisper, he could feel how fast his heart was beating, and how tight the grip on his chest was. Kirishima had never seen his friend worry over someone, and he never thought he would either, but today he could sense something was up. "Well, yeah. Really hard. But it wasn't the crying that got me but more like... She was so afraid, genuinely terrified. Even after the whole thing, she kept looking at her arm and still looked scared."

Bakugou looked away, he didn't want to hear this anymore. "That must be tough."

Kirishima shrugged. "I felt bad."

That day, Bakugou left the hospital with an ache in his chest.

Day 6

You didn't want to go back to the hospital. You didn't. You were too scared.

You had thought you were over your fear, but obviously not. You could only stand them when... He was around.

The moment you thought about the spiky blonde hair and red eyes, you felt your chest tightening.

You entered the lobby, eyes instinctively going to the door that had his silver initials. Your heart fluttered in your chest, longing to see him, praying that he would be here. You walked to the receptionist. She was telling you the same thing she did yesterday -sorry ma'am, he's just not available- when the door opened, and the silhouette of a man you longed to see standing in the doorway with a cup of coffee in his hand.

A smile found its place on your lips as you started to walk towards him -the receptionist was trying to talk to you still, but who cares- feeling relief washing over you.

He was here! You felt so relieved having him here, not only because he could do your injection without you noticing -but you had to admit, that was an amazing skill right there- but also because you... trusted him. You trusted Bakugou so much, that you could open your heart to him. You loved how he listened to you when you were talking about nonsensical things, how angry of a person he was but actually so nice, how he told you he hated those 'dumbass' friends of his, desperately trying to conceal how much he loved them.

He didn't see you as you walked to him, his eyes on the paper he was holding in his hand. You were about to call his name when you heard your name being called, though it wasn't he who said it.

Your brows furrowed, eyes turning to ho was calling you. The doctor from the day before stood there next to you, with a smile plastered on his face, his hand touching your arm slightly, about to lead you to his office. "Miss Y/N, you're with me today."

Bakugou's eyes snapped up, finding you almost instantly as he heard your name being called. Realizing you were also looking at him, his crimson eyes widened a little. "But..." you started to tell Kirishima, but the guilt-stricken look Bakugou sent you that he tried to conceal told you everything you should know.

You felt like your heart that was just hammering your chest stopped, hurt spreading in your body. Bakugou wasn't coming to the appointments on purpose, avoiding you, trying to get rid of you.

Were you really that hard to deal with? He couldn't take it not even for a week? You thought about the chats you had and how much you laughed when you were near him, and your chest tightened. Maybe you just were talking too much. Or maybe, he just didn't want to deal with a girl who was afraid of needles.

You let Kirishima lead you to his office, trying not to look at the man that you just turned you back to.

Even though you avoided looking at him, Bakugou could see how hurt you were in your eyes. And as he watched you walk with Kirishima, concealing how afraid you were and how much your knees were shaking, he felt like the asshole everyone told him he was.

***

Bakugou went to Kirishima's office the second you left. "How was she?"

Kirishima sighed, taking a sip from his coffee as he watched his angry friend with curious eyes. "I don't know, man. It was just weird." Bakugou's eyes widened, his hand anxiously running through his hair. "What the fuck does that even mean, shitty-hair?!" Bakugou felt like he was going to punch his red-headed friend if he didn't give him straight answers now. And obviously, Kirishima was aware too.

"Woah, chill down. Why do you even care, Bakubro? Never saw you so interested in any of your patients." Bakugou gritted his teeth. It was true he never really cared for his patients, nothing else than their health. But it was different with you, he cared about you, and everything about you.

"Just answer the damn question already." Said Bakugou gruffly, avoiding to answer his question.

Kirishima shrugged. "It was weird." He repeated. "Yesterday she was crying, at one point she begged me not to do it. I don't think she's scared of the needle hurting him but more like the needle itself." Bakugou knew all of this, and he was going to punch him in the guts if Kirishima didn't get straight to the point. "But today she was silent."

Silent? He had never seen you silent.

"She was like a- a statue. Didn't even flinch when I stuck the needle in her, didn't cry, or said a word. She was just looking at the needle and my hand, genuinely terrified. I felt like I was stabbing her or something." Kirishima recalled the memory, and a chill went through him.

Bakugou wasn't very different either. Thinking you like that broke his heart. He could understand you crying, and he would still be mad at himself for letting you cry, but what Kirishima told him was something else. It almost made him afraid.

"Anyways, I don't know man, tomorrow's the last day anyway."

"Yeah." Bakugou mumbled as he tried to forget what Kirishima just told him.

***

Bakugou couldn't get the image of you frozen with fear out of his mind the whole day. He buried himself in his work, still not able to think about anything else but you.

He went home, exhausted.

He took a shower and ate something when he saw the book you had left for him to read laying on his dining table. Ignoring the tightening in his chest, he picked the book up, and he realized the book was the only thing that could make him stop thinking of you, even just for a second.

And as he read, nonstop, he could swear the trees he saw from his window were watching him, making him feel a little creeped out.

Hell, maybe trees at night were creepy after all.

Day 7

Bakugou was having a bad day.

First of all, he had read your favorite book the whole night, not getting any sleep whatsoever. He wasn't the type of man to stay up till night, he never liked to do so either, but he did just that. No cup of coffee was helping him either.

What was bothering him, though, was that you just wouldn't show up. It was almost the end of his lunch break, and you still weren't anywhere to be seen. He knew that because he had been asking the receptionist about you every 5 seconds for the last hour or so.

He sighed as he finished the last sentence of the last chapter, of the book he was so caught up on, and as on cue, you went in the doors as he closed the book.

Bakugou felt anxiety doubling the beating of his heart as he saw you talking to the receptionist. He started to walk to you, replaying the speech he had decided on the day before to talk to you. But as you lifted your head and your gaze found his, he forgot everything that was on his mind.

And awkward silence sneaked in between you both as he towered over you. "Uh, hey," Bakugou mumbled.

"Hey." You said. "Umm, where is doctor Kirishima?" Ouch, Bakugou thought. He knew you didn't do it on purpose but it hurt anyway. "He won't be with you today," Bakugou told you, you didn't know why he looked so tired today, but how did he still look so damn handsome? "I will."

Your eyes widened as you understood what he said relief and anxiety washing over you at the same time.

You didn't trust your voice to say anything, so you just nodded.

As you sat in his office, awkwardly tapping your fingers according to a rhythm, you didn't know he was trying to gather up the courage to apologize. You didn't even mean to come in today, but you just didn't want him to see you as a coward, even more so. So you anxiously eyed the room when your eyes found the book you had left. He saw you looking at your book that was on his desk, and he smiled. "I finished the book."

"Does that mean I can have it back now?" You asked, making him grimace. He expected you to shower him with questions, to talk about it, to hear your voice... but apparently not.

"Yeah- yeah sure." You took the book back, holding it so hard, your knuckles turned white.

Bakugou sighed. "I missed you, you know."

Your heart started to beat so fast you were glad you were at a hospital. "Well, that isn't my fault." Bakugou didn't want to, but he smiled nonetheless. "No, it's not, it was me being an asshole."

"Right." You answered cynically, earning an angry look from the explosive guy.

"And I thought it was... for the best." He went on.

"Oh, of course, what else could it be?" You just couldn't seem to hold your tongue back today, and he was aware of that too.

"Can you not make this any harder?" He finally said gruffly. "I'm trying to fucking say that I'm-" his eyes widened as he realized what he was saying, that he was apologizing. But for the first time in his life, it didn't feel necessarily wrong.

"That I'm sorry."

You didn't need him to explain why he did what right now, just hearing that he was sorry was enough for you, so you smiled. "It really hurt, you know?" You told him as he started to walk towards you.

"I know." He answered, "and I'm fucking sorry." His hands held your arms as if he was about to pull you into a tight hug. But it wasn't necessarily a hug he was pulling you into. "But I can make it up to you." He whispered as he leaned in.

"And how are you going to do that?" You asked, but those were the last words you said before feeling the soft lips pressing on yours.

Your hands went to his hair almost instinctively, and you smiled into the kiss as you felt how damn soft they were.

***

"Remember that bagel promise we had? We could either do that or I could keep kissing you." He told you, smirking when he realized how breathless you were.

"But what about the..." your voice trailed off when you noticed the small band-aid on your arm. "When did you even do this?!"

[girlwithshipsshitshow]

Part 11

Misaki: (Runs hands through his hair) Sorry Takahiro, I was going to call you, but i've been a little preoccupied with my fiance here..

Takahiro: I had to hear it from this guy (Taps Isaka's chest) Luckily he didn't sound worried so...

Takahiro, Isaka: Wait did you just say Fiance?

Misaki: Oh yeah, we got engaged saturday.

Isaka: (Walks over to Usagi, salps usagi on the shoulder who groans in pain) Congrats man, you finally asked him!

Usagi: (Raspy voice) Uh, actually Misaki asked me, and please don't hit me I just has surgery.

Takahiro: Are you okay Usagi-san?

Usagi: I'm fine

Takahiro: (Walks over to Misaki and Usagi) So, you guys are getting married?

Misaki: Yes, Yeah we are.

Takahiro: We'll congrats.

Misaki: Yeah, you don't seem so happy about it.

Takahiro: I haven't even gotten used to the idea of you guys dating and now you're engaged?

Misaki: Yeah, we'll my plan was to propose after we told you and before I graduated, so I don't really care if you've gotten used to it, we've been dating for years without you knowing and now that you know we can fully be happy, and if i'm sorry if you can't get on board.

Takahiro: I can, I just need time to processes all this.

Misaki: We'll right now, we need to focus on Usagi, so this conversation isn't happening right now.

Takahiro: (Nods walks over to the sofa and sits down beside Aikawa).

Isaka: Well I'm happy for you. (Smiles awkwardly, and goes to sit on the sofa).

(Nurse Rose walks in and smiles at Aikawa causing her to blush, she sits on the arm of the sofa causing her to blush more, her heart was beating out of her chest, hopefully no one could hear it.)

Nurse rose: Looks like we have a full house.

Misaki: Yeah, my brother Takahiro is beside Aikawa, and beside him is the senior manager at the publishing company where Usagi's work is published, his name is Isaka.

Takahiro, Isaka: Hello.

Nurse Rose: So how is everyone doing? Usagi the cafe is about to close so if you want anything to eat you should place and order now, otherwise I can get you some liquid broth and tea from up here.

Usagi: I'll just take whatever's up here.

Nurse Rose: Sure, the four of you should probably go grab some food.

Misaki: I want to stay here

Usagi: No, you need to eat.

Misaki: (Sighs)

Usagi: I'll be fine for an hour, I promise.

Isaka: (Stands up, walks over to Misaki, Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder), Come on Misaki, he'll be okay.

Misaki: (Stands up) Okay (Softly places hand on Usagi's cheek and and leans down to kiss him, he softly whispers "I love you" against his lips, before giving him another kiss.

Nurse Rose: Okay, so I can take you guys up to the cafe, (confused look) It's on the fivthteen floor for some reason, never understood that, shall we go everyone?

Misaki, Isaka, Takahiro, and Aikawa: (All follow Nurse rose out of the room, and onto the elevator).

Nurse Rose: Alright fun ride! I'm on my break before going into my night shift, do you guys mind if I eat with you?

Misaki: (gently nudges Aikawa)

Aikawa: (Slants eyebrows and mouths "what")

Misaki: (Nods at her)

Aikawa: Um, Nurse Rose?

Nurse Rose: (Smiles) I'm on break, you can just call me Rose.

Aikawa: (Blushes). Um you can join us for dinner.

Nurse Rose: Oh, that's cool! Thanks. I want to get to know you more.

Aikawa: (Clears throat) Uh, a- all- all of us.

(Elevator dings, they all get off following nurse rose to the cafe, They all get a large plate of shrimp tempura to share, and chicken broth, options were limited, since it was late and the cafe would be closing soon. Isaka, and Takahiro followed Nurse Rose to a table in the far corner of the restaurant, while Misaki and Aikawa trailed behind.

Aikawa: When she said she wants to get to know you, she meant all of us right?

Misaki: (Laughs) No, she wants to get to know YOU.

Aikawa: What does that mean?

Misaki: It means she likes you.

Aikawa: So you're engaged and suddenly you're the relationships expert? Isn't Usagi your first relationship?

Misaki: (Scuffs) And how many relationships have you been in?

(They approach the table, Nurse rose grins at Aikawa)

Misaki: See she's smiling at you.

Aikawa: No, she's Being friendly

Nurse Rose: Aikawa, I saved you a seat. (Pats the seat)

Misaki: See, (Walks over and sits beside Isaka.

Isaka: CHIBI!! (Throws arms around Misaki)

Misaki: What!?

Isaka: What's happening, how are you handling this?

Misaki: (Takes a bite of the shrimp). As well as I can be

Isaka: Good, so tell me , what's going on with those two?

(Across the table)

Rose: So how long have you known Akihiko?

Aikawa: Oh many years, he's a pain in the ass, but he's a good guys, he's like my brother.

Rose: So you've never had any sort of feelings for him?

Aikawa: (Snorts) Oh god no! He's never been into girls and the one person he's "loved" before Misaki didn't feel that way about him. Misaki's the love of his life.

Rose: (Touches Aikawa's hand) And what about you?

Aikawa: (Blushes) What about me?

Rose: (Chuckles) You ever been in love.

Aikawa: I'm in love with my Job.

Rose: Ah, one of those people.

Aikawa: One of what people?

Rose: Your life is your job and you never dedicate anytime to yourself, or anything else.

Aikawa: That-

Rose: Not true?

Aikwawa: (blushes) I need to make some time for myself?

Rose: How about tomorrow?

Aikawa: Tomorrow?

Rose: I get off at 5, we can get dinner?

Aikawa: I-

Isaka, Misaki: SAY YES!

Rose: (laughs)

Aikawa: Um, Yes!

Rose: Okay, cool. Um can I get your number?

Aikawa: Oh, um sure. (takes phone out of pocket, the two exchange numbers), Um you can call me Eri.

Isaka: Whoa! You never let anyone call you by your first name.

Aikawa: Isaka, hush.

Rose: (Laughs, we should probably head back, Im sure Akihiko is hungry, and it's almost seven so visiting hours are almost over, everyone has to head home. Except you Misaki, legally you can stay.

Isaka: What, why does he get to stay.

Rose: (Raises eyebrows),Misaki's his fiance.Don't worry the rest of you can come back at six am. Anyway we should get going, you have thirty minutes to say goodnight to your friend, and Misaki I can bring some sheets and a warm cover up so you can fix up the sofa, it pulls out into a bed.

Misaki: Thank you Nurse Rose.

(Misaki sat with his arms crossed and a foot up in the chair,he watched as Nurse rose fixed the sofa for him,she was smiling and humming, apparently she was happy about her date with Aikaw,it was around seven-thirty and everyone had already left, Usagi flipped through the tv channels and sipped on a third cup of tea, his seaced IV bag had been replaced when they came back upstairs and he had his second round of antibiotics, his vitals were still looking good, and he would have labs drawn around three in the morning, his bandages had been replaced and his surgery area looked good, other than the labs, and nurse rose checking on them throughout the night they should be good).

Misaki: You didn't have to make up the sofa, I could've done it by myself.

Nurse Rose: That's okay. It's my job.

Usagi: Misaki, relax let someone do something for you for once, plus don't you have an exam to study for? maybe do that for an hour huh?

Misaki: Fine. (Walks over to table near the window, grabs laptop, walks back over to Usagi and starts to work on study guide.

Usagi: Is this for German?

Misaki: Uh, Yeah.

Usagi: How do you feel about that?

Misaki: Good.

Usagi: Your grades are still passing?

Misaki: Ugh, yes Usagi, god you're in the hospital and you're still nagging me?

Usagi: (Reaches hand out) I just want you to graduate, you've worked so hard.

Misaki: (Smiles, takes his hand) I know, thank you.

Nurse rose: (Sits on the armchair of the sofa, she smiles at them). Do you Guys always banter like this?

Misaki: (Chuckles) Yeah kinda our thing.

Nurse Rose: So how long have you guys been together?

Usagi: (Moves bed up): Um, almost five years.

Nurse rose: How did you meet.

Misaki: He used to be my tutor, and was in love with my brother.

Nurse Rose: Really?

Usagi: Yeah, Kinda a long story.

Nurse Rose: And that doesn't make it weird.

Misaki: Um, there were times early in our relationship when I was worried he was still in love with him but-

Usagi: His brother means a lot to me, but Misaki's the love of my life, I love him so fucking much, I'll never love anyone as much as Misaki, he's my everything.

Nurse Rose: Wow, That's so sweet.

Misaki: (Sobbing) Usagi, stop saying stuff like that, I need to study.

Usagi: (Smirks) You already know that's how i feel about you, I say it to you all the time.

Misaki: Yeah, but i'm studyyinngggg.

Usagi: (Laughs). Get back to studying.

Misaki: You know i feel the same way about you right baby?

Usagi: Ahh, did you just call me baby? Do it again.

Misaki: Mmmhm, can't studying, watch tv or somthing.

Nurse Rose: Well (stands).If You need anything, you know how to get ahold of me.

Usagi: Yes, thank you.

Nurse Rose: (Exits).

(Misaki slams laptop and places it on the table in front of Usagi before pushing it out of the way, surprising him).

Usagi: Misaki, what are you doing? because we can't have sex if that's what you're trying to do. I mean I really want to, but we can't.

Misaki: No, I know that, but I have news.

Usagi: What news makes you act like THAT.

Misaki: Nurse Rose and Aikawa have a date tomorrow!

Usagi: Awe good for them.

Misaki: Why aren't you more Excited!

Usagi: I'll be more excited once you pass the test!

Misaki: (Grabs laptop) You're no fun.

Usagi: I-

Misaki: You just want me to graduate BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!

Usagi: Misaki

Misaki: I'm studying, I'm studying.

Misaki: Done, are you happy? (he looked beside him, it was ten, Usagi was out cold, he placed his laptop on the table, turned the lights off, and changed the channel to some dumb sitcom that would give him a good laugh and walked back over to Usagi, he softly ran his fingers through his soft grey hair, and leaned down softy giving him a kiss on the lips). Goodnight my love (He walked over the the sofa and sighed as he crawled under the covers, it felt weird not cuddling next to Usagi, they've been doing it a lot more recently and he knew he would have a hard time sleeping not wrapped in Usagi's arms, he drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

[starrysebastians]

painkillers and something more [one shot]

pairing : bucky barnes x reader

summary : lingering glances and subtle touches are fine, but all it takes is a little injury to turn whatever this is into something more

a/n : listen this one shot wasn't planned but i'm on antibiotics and painkillers right now and instead of letting myself die i wrote this . so basically hurt and comfort and fluff to end my suffering (mentions of injury)

word count : 1.8k

When the end credits of the movie he was watching ended and he didn't have the will to get up from his comfy position on the couch to grab the other remote and turn the TV off, so James Barnes is currently facing a beaming blue screen — has been for at least a whole hour. It makes a buzzing sound he has now gotten used to, because he kinda likes having a background noise to avoid facing the deep and abyssal silence being awake in the middle of the night always brings. Tonight wasn't particularly plagued with nightmares, but the previous ones, and months of recons and missions have messed up his sleeping schedule enough for him to finally take Sam's advice and watch the numerous movies he recommended him to catch-up on the 21st century culture.

His eyes are now focused on a book, one he found lying on a table, the bookmark next to it rather than in between the pages so he figured the person reading it was done. There's a shuffling coming from the hall that makes him perk up, the book closing on the finger he put between the pages.

Muffled voices, a groan, and it's getting closer.

"C'mon, let's get you on the couch. I'll get you your meds." Bucky identifies it as Sam's voice, although it is softer than it usually is when he's joking around, lighter than it is over the coms during a mission. It has the same he uses when he tries to comfort someone after innocent bystanders were a mission's collateral damages, or when Wanda has a nightmares. "Here."

The ceiling lamp flickers on, making the little reading lamp next to Bucky's couch useless. Even when he is wide awake, he usually likes staying in the dark when it's nighttime. It helps with schedules and not getting completely disoriented, seeing the sky go from purple and pink to dark blue splattered in white dots to soft orange and light blue. Artificial lightning all night long just messes with your mind.

Shifting in his seat so that he can turn his head and observe the hall leading to the living room — more like a living floor, by the way, he frowns upon you and Sam. Rather, Sam holding you by the waist, walking ever so slowly as if you were gonna collapse as soon as he let you go. Bucky stands up straighter, a million questions popping up in his head — were you on a mission? no, you had one that lasted longer than usual because Fury needed you and you returned two weeks ago, and all you did the past few days was help run recon, collect intel… nothing to get hurt over.

He and Sam share a look, and he's not quite sure what that expression on his face is.

"Here. Just lie down," Sam says with his soft voice again as you tumble on the couch, hands on the leather to steady you as you try and lay down as gently as possible. "I'll be right back." Another pointed look at Bucky, and this time he slowly rises from his seat, taking two hesitant steps.

It's not that you and him are not close — in fact, he would say you're one of the persons he likes the most here. You work with SHIELD, but also with them, it depends on the missions and he likes how you're free to work with any organisation you like. You're independent, and not often in the compound. He enjoys watching you work and fight because you're so skilled it's impressive for a normal, non-enhanced human being, but maybe it's just everything about you he deems worthy of being stared at all day long.

There has been different moments shared. Unwinding times in comfortable silence and missions aftermaths, bundled up in soft blankets in the living room or numbly sitting in the quinjet as it flew back towards the compound. Briefing sessions, some with too many things at stake to share a joke, others where you both shared smirks and twinkling looks. One where you accidentally bumped your leg against his, that time Steve was explaining how you were going to take down a weapon-dealing business, which is a pretty easy task for all of you, and you decided your leg was going to stay right here. You even made the wise decision of hooking your feet around his leg, the warmth emitting from your tangled legs making Bucky bite his lip in order to stop a smile from breaking out on his face. You didn't hide yours.

There are also times when you don't get to bump into each other for months. Exhausting months when you both are on missions, deep down undercover — especially you, because the winter soldier's face, albeit masks and tricks existing, is well-known, contrary to yours which has been well-protected by every intelligence agency you have served. During those months, sometimes you're scared he's going to forget about you and your fleeting glances ; he's scared you're too busy with work for him to ever cross your mind. And you never really talk, you both just flirt and smirk and wink and sometimes it feels like it has to evolve into something more, but it has always been enough.

But you're currently moaning from pain on the couch right next to him and his face hurts from frowning so hard.

"Hey, what's going on?"

Another two steps (strides) towards you, a hesitant hand hovering next to you, not knowing where to go to provide comfort without hurting you further. You turn your head toward the sound of his voice, painfully, and squint as if everything was blurry.

"Hi," you drawl out, a lazy smile on your face. "I missed you."

A flutter in the stomach, a soft and content sigh.

"I missed you too. What happened? I thought you didn't have any mission coming up?"

"I didn't," you say and he frowns. "Remember that undercover mission where I got shot last month?" He nods and you wince before continuing. His gaze falls on your hip, because he remembers that gunshot, a bit too well. "Well, maybe I didn't really follow the doctor's orders. I mean, I did. I just got back to work too early. But it wasn't that deep. Like a flesh wound. But, anyway." Another wince. "Turns out it got a little infected. So I'm back on antibiotics and painkillers for a week."

It physically hurts him too, to see your glazed and glossy eyes, constant frown and lips turned downwards, but he still chuckles at your rambling, and the fact that you couldn't stand to stay on bed rest for more than two days. He crouches down next to you, pushing a strand of hair out of your eyes because you've been trying to get rid off it for the past minute by blowing air on it, but it just doesn't work.

"Yeah well please try and listen, next time," Sam's voice is back, and you just know he rolled his eyes. The sound of boxes and a glass clinking against the table can be heard, and he lays a hand on Bucky's shoulder. "Here's the doctor's prescription. Antibiotics, painkillers, water. She probably won't sleep tonight." He crouches down too, a hand resting on her forearm. "I'm gonna let Tin Man here keep you company, alright? If I don't wake up for training tomorrow, Steve is gonna have my head."

You hum distractedly as you watch Bucky fumble with the prescription and meticulously prepare your pills, tongue stuck out as his blue eyes are squinted. Cleaning out his weapons probably doesn't require as much attention and care, and you can't help but laugh at his expression. A super-soldier, being able to aim at an enemy's head without even sparing him a glance, but putting so much effort into getting your meds right, and it makes your chest swell with something you can't quite place, but it's warm, definitely warm. Burning. He perks up at the sound of your laugh, only to send you a glare, and then a few seconds later he proudly hands you the right amount of pills.

"Thank you," you say with a smile, a hand lingering a bit too long on his skin. He helps you get propped up against the cosy and snug cushions and while you take your meds, he's busy finding you a soft and fluffy blanket, resting it on top of you.

"Here." He's sitting next to you again, leaning more and more every time you let a groan escape your lips.

"Would you mind knocking me off so I can sleep?"

An amused chuckle but a fond movement of the head, from left to right.

"You weren't sleeping?" You talk again.

He shakes his head again. "Nah. I was catching up on Sam's movie recommendation list."

"Can you put something on?"

It takes you ten minutes to decide on Blade Runner, and in fear of hurting you, he slides down against the couch again, his head thrown back a little and you can see his face if you look down, the colors displayed on the TV screen dancing across his soft and tired features. He's just so pretty.

You extend your left arm, and it is dangling from the couch, fingers softly brushing Bucky's shoulders. Scratching his neck, his ear. Running through his shiny locks, the smell of his shampoo invading your senses. He cranes his neck backwards to get a better look at you, and he notices your smile and the glinting in your eyes from upside down. You hum as his flesh hand grab yours, thumb stroking your skin. He lets it rest on his shoulder again, putting his attention back to the movie playing in front of him.

It takes another twenty minutes of gentle fingers running on his skin, insistent staring at his neck, back muscles, hair and shoulders, for you to talk again, painkillers having kicked in.

"Please come and lie with me. You're not gonna hurt me," your voice can't compete with the fight scene on screen, but you're leaning right next to his ear, and if he doesn't move for a second, he certainly heard you. "Hold me?"

This is the something more you have both been yearning for. There wasn't any moment that was right before, but this one is.

It takes a few minutes for the two of you to find a position that doesn't hurt your hip, lots of groans and painful winces. But then you're lying between his legs, back resting against his toned abdomen, head nestled in the crook of his neck with strands probably tickling his skin but he doesn't say anything because he likes the smell of your shampoo too, and he's warmer than the blanket.

That something more, the next step in a dynamic based on small smiles across the quinjet and subtly tangled legs, is going to have to wait until you don't have to ingest the highest dose of painkillers humanly possible to move without wincing, but it is there. Hanging in the air, waiting to be seized. In the way Bucky holds you, runs the back of his flesh hand up and down your arm, and softly kisses your neck.

[quokkalatte]

Affinity pt.2

Part 2

Category: Series

Pairing: Street Racer!Hoseok x Cat Hybrid! Reader

Warnings for this chapter: slight tiny mentions of blood and past abuse, slight language

Author's Note: Honestly this is mostly a filler chapter so it's just not that.....good? idk but I hope you enjoy ♡ as far as posting goes, it may be a bit before I get the next chapter out out I go back to school tomorrow and I'm working too so yeah XP

Tag List: @xinnieally @twilight-loveer @zhangyixingxing1 @jhopespanda @smeunjipark @kaguracysan @timberkat @wxnnabewitch @dust-er130 @sweetcoffeeblandtea @lokathefemale @fairy-lover13 @chari-a @olaxeiii @aejae-ssi @queenofthecliff @dragonwitchgaming @lifeisnorainbow @2seokkyo @chisana-himawari @serendipitiousbutterfly @unknownbluekey @katkit73 @bang-zero

Cannot be Tagged: @musicandbooksandfoodohmy @honeylovetae @lilacbaby11 @cat-the-caitlin @hobi_isadaydream

[Message me to be added to the tag list so you can be notified for future chapters]

× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×

Hoseok waited patiently for you to finish your shower, sitting in the living room to get his heart rate down. He assessed the situation, he was now the owner of a hybrid, not only a hybrid, but one that has been through a lot and still manages to be completely innocent. He also assessed that he had absolutely no clue how to care for one. We're there regulations? Special diets? Oh no did he have to take you to get fixed? The actual thought of taking you to a vet had him experiencing waves of anxiety. He was so worked up that when you walked into the living room he didn't even notice.

"I'm finished" you say, and he jumps and looks up at you. You were clean, ears still slightly damp but had a small shine in the black and grey. Your tail, sticking through the baggy grey sweats, flickered nervously. Now that it was clean, be could see where the clumps had been pulled out. Some pink patches poked through and Hoseok's heart clenched uncomfortably at the sight, and he has reminded of your hands. He licked his lips, a nervous habit, and stood up and walked over to you. You watched him curiously,  and he hands came to your own, and you flinched slightly, but he turned them over.

The skin was a pale red color, the skin still freshly aggravated and probably caused pain. There were slight droplets of blood, but nothing to serious. "Does it hurt?" He asks gently, and you avert your eyes, staring down at your hands.

"No, it doesn't" it was a lie, that was obvious. Hoseok frowned, how many times had you had to keep your pain from Yeonsoo, afraid of being punished further.  

"It does kitten, and if you're hurt you should tell me. You won't get in trouble I promise" He says, and you nod. He let's go of your hands, and goes into the bathroom, rummaging under the sink and pulled out a med kit. When he returned to the living room, you were still standing  where he had left you. He gestured to the couch, taking a seat. You hesitantly sat next to him, your tail curling around your waist securely. He opens the med kit and sets it on the coffee table.  He takes the opened box of gauze and antibiotic cream, and a couple of alcohol patches. You frown, seeing that everything had been used before.  

"Do you get hurt too?" You ask, looking up at him. Hoseok shrugs, ripping open the paper of the patches and pulling out the potent cloth, the smell making you wrinkle your nose as it stung your nose.

"I get scratched a lot when I work with tools. I work as a mechanic and I'm bound to get cuts and bruises. This'll sting a bit, but it'll help" he says and presses the pad to your skin. You hiss, ears pressing flat against your head and tail clenching tightly. A small whimper followed as he wiped the other. Hoseok whispered out a couple of 'sorry' and 'it's okay you're doing great' and applied some antibiotic cream to them, which soothed the burn instantly. "I also used to race motorcycles, and I got road rash a couple of times" he added. You listened intently, your eyes looking up to his concentrated face. He wrapped your hands in the gauze, and when he finished, he gave you a small smile, which made you let out a small purr in thanks.

"Thank you master- I mean Hoseok" you correct yourself quickly and he laughs.

"No problem kitten. Now, there isn't much I can do for your tail, it's already healed" he says, and you glance down at your abused tail, and it flicks self-consciously. "But I'll ask Namjoon what I could put on it. His cat hybrid Jimin used to scratch his as a nervous habit before he was adopted, and Namjoon put something on it to heal the bare patches" he babbles.

"He would pull it when I wasn't paying attention" you told him, and he frowned

"Yeonsoo?"

"Yes. I would daydream, and if I wasn't listening or answer him, he'd pull it to get my attention. Or he did it if I messed up or did something wrong" your voice was quiet, and Hoseok wanted to comfort you, but he feared you'd flinch away if he tried to pet you.

"You don't have to worry about that anymore Y/n. Yeonsoo won't get his filthy hands on you ever again, not if I have anything to say about it" Hoseok says firmly, and a spark of warmth crept up his spine when you smiled radiantly at him. He returned a small one back."Let's get you to bed"

You had instantly curled up as soon as you fell on the bed, pulling the blanket over yourself and closed your eyes. Hoseok stood in the doorway for a moment. You looked so small, and the baggy clothes didn't help either. You just looked so fragile and he had the same urge to protect you like he did the first time he saw you. A lot has happened in in the past few hours. He made sure you were firmly asleep before walking down the hall and into his own bed to sleep.

There was a dilemma when he dressed for work in the morning. You'd be left alone, and he wasn't sure if he liked the thought of that. You laid out on the couch, stretching out in a cat-like way as you watched him throw on his uniform and pour coffee into a thermos as he rambled on about leaving you at home alone. He was a very interesting human, one that could keep his cool and act nonchalant one moment, and completely be flustered and inadequate the next.

"I don't mind staying at home alone Hoseok, honest" you peer at him from fallen on your face. Hoseok glanced at you, buttoning the navy shirt of his uniform and a piece of bacon dangling from his mouth. You giggled at the sight, and he quickly chewed the rest of the bacon.

"Are you sure? I feel guilty, I could take you in with me" he says, a bit to himself. You wrinkle your nose in distaste.

"No offense Hoseok, but the thought of spending the day in a shop that reeks of motor oil and sweat isn't my idea of a fun time." He laughed and you sat up, taking a piece of bacon and chewed it happily.

"Alright alright, I'm just nervous"

"Really? Couldn't tell. I'll be okay, I've been left alone plenty of times" you say, and Hoseok sighs, and nods

 "Okay kitten." He nods, and walks towards the front door, but freezes and turn back around.

"What do you eat?" He asks suddenly. You cock your head at him, confused.

"Uh, food?"

"What kind? What do you like? Is there a certain thing I should he feeding you?" He asks

"Lots of kinds. I like fish, but not crabs. I can't have regular milk, the fat content makes me break out into hives and I get a belly ache. Ma- He always complained I was expensive and cost him money to feed. I like almond milk even though it has a weird after taste." You say. "And they have supplements for hybrids, like vitamins but I don't need themas long as I get plenty of meat and liquids" you say. Hoseok repeats this under his breath, and nods.

"I don't have any almond milk, but I have fish sticks somewhere in the freezer. But help yourself to the fridge kitten what's mine is yours" he smiles at the way you grin. "I should be home around 5 okay?"

"Okay Hoseok" You yawn, already prepared to take a cat nap in the patch of sun that peeked through his blinds. Hoseok chewed his lip, still unsure of leaving you alone, but you looked content enough, so he grabbed his car keys and headed out to the garage.

 "I'm telling you Hobi, it's a piece of shit. I don't know why you continue to drive it" Kim Taehyung scrunches his nose when Hoseok pulled into the shop. "And it's hideous as well" Hoseok rolled his eyes, stepping out and running a hand through his hair.

"Tae, your specialty is muscle cars, not race cars.  So shut up about my baby she's doing fine" Hoseok pats the hood of his beloved car. No, it wasn't the one he raced with, but it was an older car, and he was attached to it, he better be he fixed it from the ground up. Sure it likes to stall when turning on and the paint needs a new coat, but it was his child. Taehyung chuckles at Hoseok's words, taking a drink of his Pepsi.

"If you call two seconds away from falling apart 'okay' then sure, it's just peachy"

"Don't you have someone's oil to change" Hoseok says hauntily, and Taehyung huffs and slinks back to the back of the garage. Hoseok pulled the buliten down from his desk, checking the recent repos and bring-ins of the week. There had been at least 20 cars repoed for missing payments, which meant 20 angry phone calls he wasn't ready to deal with.

He worked diligently, the garage kept busy with fixing cars and getting them out to their respectable owners, and Hoseok was busy trying to negotiate with angry customers about getting their cars back.

"All you need to do is go to the Repo office off of Dowchien Street and file some paperwork, and pay the fee to get your car back" Hoseok sighed as the old woman cursed him about how she was missing several doctor's appointments and having to take the bus to go to the store. "Ma'am I just take and hold the cars, you need to go to the head office to get it back" Hoseok pressed his knuckles against his skull, rubbing the area as he was cursed out more before the lady finally realized that he wasn't going to give her car back without visiting the office.

"She sounded delightful" Namjoon grinned at Hoseok in the doorway of his office. Hoseok glared up at him, standing and stretching.

"Oh yeah, if you like hearing about irritatable bowel syndrome and bunions needing to be removed" Hoseok shivered and Namjoon laughed. "Put me in a car and on a road any day this day job shit is killing me" He groans.

 "You're the one who wanted to use the shop as a cover Hobi" Namjoon so wisely pointed out. "And you don't hate it either so quit your whining"

"No but I do hate angry people yelling at me for them not making car payments" Hoseok walked past Namjoon and entered the back of the garage. Taehyung and a couple of other employees bustled around repairing different aspects of the cars.

"Hmm if only everyone could see Seoul's Drift King now" Namjoon teases and Hoseok flipped him off as he reached into the mini fridge and pulled out a water bottle, taking a long drink. "So how's your kitty doing?" Namjoon asks

"Okay, I think. She's really jumpy, but she let me dress her hands, does that mean something?"

"Means she trusts you. Took me 3 months before Jimin would be in the same room as me. "

"She still flinches when I touch her though" he frowns

"Can you blame her? I'm not sure she's had a kind touch in awhile.  Give her time Hobi"

"You're right" Hoseok sighs.  "Do you still have that stuff you used on Jimin's tail?"

"Sure, I always keep some in case his anxiety acts up again. Why?"

"Yeonsoo did a number on Y/n's poor tail, she's missing clumps of fur"

"Asshole." Namjoon mutters darkly. "You should have seen him when you left. He got out of his car and vowed to exact revenge or some site evil villains say in the movies. But I'll bring a bottle over for you"

"Thanks, and I'm not too worried about him. I can handle him" Hoseok says.

"If you say so. We've got a new, ah, 'shipment' coming in on Tuesday, are to ready?"

"Aren't I always?"

Hoseok was relieved when he went home that night. He wondered if you were okay. Sure you've been left home before but it didn't feel right just leaving you to your own devices for the whole day in a new place. He stopped by and grabbed take out, not in the mood to cook anything for dinner. He parked in the garage and grabbed the take out, unlocking the door and entering the house. When he stepped in he sensed immediately something was off. It was too quiet. He frowned, glancing around the dimly lit hallway "Y/n?" He called out, inching into the living room. A creak had him on edge and tense. He grabbed a the baseball bat that leaned against the garage door, gripping it tightly as he entered the living room.

You were standing there, wide eyed and chest heaving with breath. Your fur was fluffed out to the max, and your eyes laid on the baseball bat. You wailed, throwing yourself to the floor in front of his feet and grabbed his legs. Hoseok yelped in shock, staring down at you.

"I'm sorry master I'm so so sorry! I w-was just walking and my tail hit it and it fell over! Please forgive me I know I'm a bad cat" you cried, pawing at his shirt and burying your head into his hip.

W-What? Y/n what are you talking about" he frowned, still confused. Your body wracked with sobs, your words incomprehensible. Hoseok set the take out on the counter and dropped the bat to the floor, the crash making you jump and squeak. He pried your hands from his shirt, and knelt down so you were face to face.  

"Calm down Kitten, just tell me what happened" he says slowly, and you whimpered.

"The vase. I broke it. I'm sorry" you say, cheeks puffy and tear tracks down your face.  Hoseok looks over your head and sees the vase that had been sitting on his TV Stand was smashed on the floor in a thousand pieces.  His eyes widened and he immediately began searching your body.

"Are you hurt? You didn't cut yourself did you?" He asks. You hiccup, frowning

"W-what?"

"Did you cut yourself on the glass?" He demands,  checking for any sign of blood.

"N-no I- you aren't mad?" You sputter, frowning. You were sure you'd face punishment for breaking his possession. You hadn't even been here long and caused an accident, and you thought for sure Hoseok would be angry and throw you out.

"No I'm not mad Y/n" Hoseok sighs in relief. "I'm just happy you aren't hurt."

"But....but I broke your vase" you frown at him.

"To be honest, you saved me a terrible story to explain to my sister why I got rid of the ugly vase she'd gotten me for Christmas. Now I can say my hybrid accidentally knocked it over" he smiles and you frown

"So I'm not being punished?"

"No it was an accident Y/n" Hoseok frowns and you nod your head in understanding. "Are you hungry?'

"A bit" you admit.

"Good. I brought home take out" he says, standing up and grabbing a broom and dustpan before sweeping up the broken vase, careful not to miss any pieces that could imbed themselves into any soft fleshed feet. You watch him as he worked, still slightly expecting to get yelled at, but after a few minutes you relaxed when it appeared it wouldn't come. Hoseok pulled down two plates, piling on steamed rice and chicken and vegetables and a bunch of assorted foods he always got when he ate take out. He pushed the bigger plate towards you, and you eye it doubtfully.

"Why did you give me your plate Hoseok?" You ask, pushing it back to him. Hoseok shakes his head, pushing it back.

"I didn't. It's yours."

But there's more food on it" you frown

"Yes, I'm not too hungry tonight, and I got extra for you"

"All of it?"

"All of it" He says firmly. You nod, still unsure but when you began eating, it was difficult to stop with all the tasty things he had gotten you, but you didn't touch the gross smelling stuff on the side of the plate. Hoseok noticed this, as he ate the very thing you wouldn't. "You don't like Kim Chi?"

"No. It's gross and vile" you say firmly and Hoseok pouted.

"I'm not sure how we'll get along from now on, I love Kim Chi" he says, and affronted look on his face, but a glimmer in his eye showed that he was kidding,  and you giggled.

"I don't know, guess you'll just have to stop then" you smile mischievously at him and he laugh

"I don't think so kitten" he snorts and continues to eat. Oh god, he thinks, I think I can probably handle her.

[zoeygreensimblr]

Stay Beautiful (episode 15)

"Can I just have a tiny clue about the surprise" I beg Angus, Wednesday night after the gym, sitting in his office of blandness.

"How are your Essay's coming, there will be no surprise if you haven't finished them" He asks me, I swear he's worse than Don and Mr Landgaarb put together

"I've finished my Simlish one" I explain, hoping that will win him over and he will give me a clue

"And History? Zoey, we had a deal remember?"  He reminds me

"I'll start it Sunday, it will be done by this time next week." I promise him

"And you have to leave time to do a practice test or two, I want you to be well prepared when you take your final exams" He harps on

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, practice tests, got it. Clue please?" I think I'd sell my soul at this point just to know what the surprise is.

"I'll give you two clues" He tells me and I get so excited I jump up from my seat and run up to him for a hug, "Wow, I haven't even told you the clues yet and you're all over me."

"Are you complaining?" I ask him joking

"Never" He says, kissing the top of my head, "Ok, clue 1, You will need swim wear because the climate is warm there will be a spa", I smile at him, I wore him down

"Is that one clue or three?" I ask, still confused about where we could be going

"That was one clue but I threw in some detail to tease you" He laughs, "Now clue two, we will be flying there".

"Ive never flown anywhere before" I tell him, getting more excited

"You're too cute baby" He laughs, "What do you want to do tonight anyway?" He asks me and I just stare at him, suggestively, he just laughs and asks "What else do you want to do tonight Zoey? We could go for dinner or see a movie?"

"Don't you have to work early tomorrow?" I ask

"I have Thursdays off" He informs me, how did I not know this? Maybe it's never come up before because I'm  usually at school every Thursday.

"I'd like to go out for dinner" I tell him, "But nowhere fancy, just somewhere casual coz I only packed casual clothes" I add

"So burgers and fries is what she desires tonight?" He asks, laughing, "You're determined to make me fat" He says, shaking his head

"I'd still love you if you're fat Angus" I promise, he grabs my hand and places it under his shirt so I can feel his washboard abs

"Say goodbye Zoey" He knows me too well

"Fine, salad it is" I laugh with him.

Angus held my hand as we walked from his office to the desk at the front. Annabelle had returned to work today but still looked unwell. We stop to farewell her on our way out and I remember I had knitted her a scarf, I pull it out of my bag and drape it around her neck.

"Oh Zoey, it's beautiful, thank you" She says, giving me a hug

"It's nothing Annabelle, I was thinking about you all last week and thought it would keep you warm at work" I explain, "If that's ok with the boss of course? I know it's not uniform but I didn't like the thought of Annabelle getting more sick overtime the door opens and lets those cold, windy gushes in" I probably should have cleared it with Angus first

"It's fine Zoey, It does look beautiful too. I'm more concerned about when you found the time in your schedule to knit a scarf?" He frets and I squeeze his hand

"It really didn't take that long" I assure him, "Knitting is how I destress and writing that essay stressed me out a lot"

"I'm sorry Zoey, I didn't mean to make you feel bad about it, you destress how ever you need to, I remember it being a stressful period" He pulls me in close to him, I know he means well, he just doesn't want me to fail.

"You remember year 12 Angus?" Annabelle laughs at him

"I remember fucking it up and having my arse handed to me by Landgaarb and then again by Imogen" He says seriously, "I don't want that for Zoey"

"Zoey is nothing like you were Gus" Annabelle tries to rationalise with him and I hug him tightly

"I know she's not, I just worry, you both know that" He resolves

It's interesting seeing Angus and Annabelle talk about the past that I was never part of and for me it's so hard to imagine Angus doing anything that would warrant getting expelled in his final year, the Angus I know is always in control and structured.

On the walk home, when it's just us I feel that it's the best time to ask him more about why he was expelled, I know it's a sensitive subject and i'm hoping he trusts me enough to open up.

"How close where you to completing before Mr Landgaarb kicked you out" I ask in a small voice. He stops walking and turns to looks at me, it's dark but I can still see his facial features in the streetlights, like he's tormented by the memories.

"It was about this time, we had just started term 3, I had spent all my holidays working on 3 assignments I had and Steph was so pissed off because I hadn't spent any time with her over Winter break. Steph was always angry at me about something so that was nothing new. I was in the top 2 of my year too but I wasn't a good kid, I'd get into fights and mouth off" He explains and it breaks my heart to hear that he was so close to finishing and it was taken away.

"Was it because you got into a fight?" I ask him, brushing his hair out of his eyes.

"I need a haircut, I should probably do that before we go away" He says, changing the subject and I decide to let it go.

"I love you Angus, you're perfect to me" I give him a confidence boost

"Starving is what I am baby, I'm tempted to get street food although I've heard bad things about the Pufferfish, that if it's not cooked right you can die" he grabs my hand and walks us to where the food stalls are, "You wanted casual" he reminds me.

We order hamburgers from one of the stalls and wait for our food, I snuggle into Angus to keep warm.

"I'm not going to tell you why I was kicked out, you have this image of who you think I am and I don't want to destroy that image. I love you Zoey but I want you to understand that this is the one thing I will never tell you. I'm not proud of what happened and if I could change it I would." He has that pained look on his face again.

"I understand, I won't ask again, it's in the past" I reassure him

We eat our burgers in front of the fire, the crackling flames create the perfect romantic aura.

"Did you like the burger?" Angus enquires

"It was so juicy, I loved it, have you had street food from there before?" I ask, knowing if he did it wouldn't be often given his aversion to carbs.

"Never, you're just a bad influence Amelia, making me fall off the wagon" He laughs

"I have a way for you to work it off" I suggest

"Where?" He asks

"Where what?" I reply, confused

"Where do you suggest we work it off, keeping in mind you can't pick any location we've done it in before, those are the new rules" He challenges me, "That rules out here in the lounge room, my bedroom and the laundry, oh and Immie's room coz thats just a world of creepy"

"We didn't really have...sex, in the laundry though" I remind him.

"You came on the washing machine Zoey, I'm counting it" He gives me that cheeky smile. Think Zoey, you can be creative

"The kitchen?" I decide, based on nothing more than that it's close to the lounge room where we are sitting and anywhere downstairs will be too cold.

"I want you to go into the kitchen, take your clothes off and bend over the island bench and wait for me" He orders me and I obey

I don't hear him walk up behind me but I feel him run his hand up my inner thigh and slip his fingers inside me

"Thats my good girl, always so wet" He praises me, moving his fingers to my clit and my breathing starts to quicken, "Are you ready baby"

"Where are you putting it" I ask, suddenly aware we never discussed trying anal and I'm not ready to be that experimental

"Same place I always go" He assures me and i feel him slide in, he settles in and starts penetrating, I instinctively push back so he can go in deeper, he spanks me hard enough to send the electric volts through my body and I can't help but let out a loud "fuck" which just spurs him on, his hand leaves my ass and slowly makes it way to my left breast, he cups it and squeezes my nipple, it's enough to send me over the edge, I collapse on the bench and feel Angus have his own climax seconds after mine.

"Sorry baby, that was over before it started but the bench was great choice" I feel him-up out of me and I still can't move, that was absolutely satisfying  and I'm spent. I slowly peel myself off the bench. I have no idea where Angus has disappeared to until I hear the bath water running, I make my way downstairs, naked and cold and find him in the bathroom, he wraps a fluffy dressing gown around me and I wait for the bath to fill up so I can put the spa on.

"Fuck that was good Zoey" He says, kissing me deeply on the lips.

"I think that was my favourite so far" I inform him and he laughs

"Theres plenty more to come, maybe even tonight" He tells me, "Just for future reference though, I would always tell you before I go up your arse, no surprise attacks I promise."

He climbs in to the bath and holds out his hand for me to follow him in, we find a corner and stretch-out, me between his legs.

"Have you done that before? Anal?" I ask curiously

"Yes and I wouldn't force it on you. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you Zoey" He nuzzles into my neck

"I don't think it's for me" I tell him

"I'm perfectly ok with that Princess, I'm satisfied with what we are doing now" He reassures me, "Can I make one suggestion though?" He asks and my heart start racing, I'm not doing this right, I should be putting in more effort

"What is it?" I ask, expecting the worst

"I want you to go on the pill, we can use it as a back up method if you want to but I would feel a little bit of relief knowing we're not going to have any accidents." He suggests

"I think thats a good idea, Tess is on the pill, she goes to our doctor in Brindleton Bay but I can't ask her to come with me, she will ask too many questions" I tell him

"Zoey I will go with you" He offers, "Otherwise if you go alone you will antibiotics for the flu all because you can't say the word sex" He jokes and I splash him, he knows me all too well.

"Can we go tomorrow?" I ask

"We can go tonight if you want? There's a late night clinic just up the road, it's designed for people who need to see a doctor but not for anything serious outside of business hours and the doctors there are good too." He explains

"Is that where you go?"I ask him

"Yeah, when I need to, I do get sick sometimes." He tells me, "Do you want to go tonight or wait until tomorrow" He asks me

"Go tonight" I reply, "The doctor isn't going to poke me with anything right?" Ive seen way too many episodes of Grey's Anatomy at this point where people go in for simple health issues and the Doctors end up putting a tube down their throat or sticking a giant needle in them. Angus starts laughing at my completely rational fear.

"They're not going to poke you with anything" he says trying to keep a straight face, "I am, but they won't" He gives me that cheeky smile

The clinic is a small space placed between two giant retail stores. Theres 1 other person waiting when we arrive, we check in at the desk and the receptionist hands me a form to fill out, questions about previous medical history. Our wait is short and a female doctor calls my name and ushers me into a smaller office than the one Angus occupies at the gym but unlike his, this room is way more decorated.

"Hi Zoey, my name is Doctor Evans" She introduces herself, "what can I help you with tonight?"

My nerves kick in, I know what I'm here for but I can't say it, she's going to judge me and give me a lecture about how I should never of lost my virginity, Angus can see I'm struggling and takes me hand

"It's alright Zoey, you're in a safe place here, Dr Evans isn't going to make you feel bad" He comforts me, "Zoey is a highly anxious person, she finds it hard to talk about certain subjects, that's why I came in with her tonight" Angus explains to the doctor and I can see Dr Evans starting to understand what's going on

"Is this your boyfriend Zoey?" she asks me and I nod yes, "And are you sexually active?" she continues

"Yes" I say shyly, preparing myself for the lecture

"Zoey there's nothing to feel ashamed of, a lot girls become sexually active around your age and it's natural. My only concern is that your protected and safe."She reassures me, "Have you been tested?" She enquires and I look at Angus, he promised no needles tonight

"Zoey was a virgin before we started having sex, we use condoms every time too" Angus answers for me, Dr Evans turns her attention from me to Angus

"And when were you last tested for STIs?" she questions him

"After my last sexual encounter, I'm clean" He replies and I sit there thinking that these should have been questions I asked him before jumping into anything, I didn't even consider it. Dr Evans turns her attention back to me.

"Zoey would you like me to prescribe the pill for you?" She asks me in her concerned doctor voice.

"Yes please" I reply, my own voice is soft and shy

"I can do that tonight, I'm going to also prescribe a low dose of anti anxiety medication too" She tells me, "The pill must be taken at or around the same time every day for it to be effective and it can take up to 7 days for it to become effective so please keep using your back up form of contraception. Also I must warn you that antibiotics can make the pill ineffective so be aware of that if you are prescribed antibiotics at any stage" She says as she types and prints out two prescriptions, "Also Zoey, don't ever feel ashamed to talk to a medical professional about being sexually active, we are here to help you, never judge you" She smiles warmly at me

"Thank you Dr Evans" I say. We leave the clinic and find a late night chemist near by, I put my prescriptions in with the pharmacist and we sit and wait, Angus takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze.

"Proud of you Princess" He says

"I really didn't do anything, you did all of the talking, my nerves just took over" I'm ashamed that I couldn't speak up

"Zoey it's all good, I know you have anxiety and thats why I went with you tonight and maybe the medication for anxiety will help keep the nerves away." He comforts me

"I should have ask you that question before we did anything" my mind is going into overthinking mode

"I would of told you if you had anything to worry about, I knew I was clean and yeah, maybe we should of had that conversation, that falls on me more than you not asking, I didn't think about it honestly because I knew you were clean" He reassures me, "You're safe with me Zo, always", I feel it too.

We walk back to the apartment, past the food stalls that are packing up for the night.

"Do you want a cupcake Princess?" He asks me

"You ask me like you don't already know the answer will always be yes" I laugh

He orders 2 red velvet cupcakes and we eat them in front of the fire.

"I feel bad for Joanna" I randomly blurt out

"Why, she earns $165 a day here, I think she's not doing too bad" He laughs

"Yeah but what do you think she thinks now that she has to empty your trash bin after we've, you know?" It's only just dawned on me now that, apart from Dr Evans, Joanna would be the only other person to know Angus and I are sleeping together and I've never even met her.

"Zoey I don't give a shit what she thinks, I'm an adult" He tells me, "You worry too much about what other people think" He states the obvious. I see his point though, it's no ones business what we are doing and it's not shameful either

"I'm going to tell Tess next time I see her" I announce

"Only if you're sure? I can be there with you if you want me to be?" He's asks knowing I may need support

"Thank you, I appreciate it but I think it's best I do this alone, Tess has been my whole world for so long and now she shares it with you, I love you both but I don't want to make her feel like it's now you and me and she's been pushed out. I need sister time." I explain and then a panic sets in, I don't want Angus to feel I''m pushing him out either, "Is that OK?" I ask

"Of course thats OK Zo, you never have to feel like you're choosing Tess over me, she's your sister and your best friend" He says, kissing my head

[squaredancing-weston]

text || Brobastian (Week 3)

Bas: I don't /need/ body heat - and I'm not really the snuggling type, Brodes. Using Blaine as a pillow isn't snuggling. It /would/ be sad if there was any pretence about it, but really, what's sad is the person that just can't own up to his own shit. Seriously, do you really believe the shit that you spout or is it one of those things where you know that you're lying but just cling onto the lie for dear life anyway? Because credit where credit's due - you're committed, I guess. Because some guy grinding against me and opening me up and getting me all worked up is really only going to make me more frustrated, don't you think? Although I really could've taken the orgasm. Either way, I'll be out of here soon, so this hell will be over. Aw, come on, give yourself some credit - I'm sure you could find a way to merge both styles - and lap dances really aren't all that hard to give. Admittedly most of my experience is contemporary dance, so it might be easier to merge for me, but I'm sure you can get creative with it. I can move just fine now, asshole - so, no, sorry to disappoint you - no falling at your feet any time soon.

Bas: But seriously - what's worth putting yourself through /that/ for? They could be the best blowjob-giver in the world (aside from me, of course) and I'd /still/ argue that it's not enough incentive to put myself through that torture. Yeah, well, once you put Tom Cruise in something, it really kinda ruins the whole thing, doesn't it? Shame - I actually /liked/ those books. I didn't say it was the /only/ version I'd seen, but I'm hardly able to go to a theatre right now, am I? Uh huh - I'm sure. Hey now - if you're stooping as low as Kurt for that kind of thing, maybe he's not so wrong about your fragile confidence. Don't worry, Brodes, you just need to find the one who'll love you for all of your imperfections. Just try not to be surprised when you wake up one morning to her singing something about a dream being a wish your heart makes as woodland creatures help her get dressed. Questionable sex partners? Man, you're really beating yourself up right now, aren't you?

Brody: Oh yeah-- I forgot. Blows my mind, honestly-- spooning is definitely a benefit to not sneaking out, gotta tell you. I mean, you're basically shifting straight from sleep to sex, and there's a willing partner right there. Best way to wake up, personal opinion.

Brody: [unsent] so what //is// it then? and does it matter if it's not Blaine? and why the hell am I even thinking about this. Moving on...

Brody: I told you, your ass is hardly the most impressive thing one I've ever seen-- I could name five attributes are preferred that I could find in //Lima// off the top of my head[txt] [unsent] four of them are still yours, but at least they're not your ass

Brody: Hey, the point was you're not getting relief either way-- personally I'd rather be an inch away than a mile, but that's your call. Maybe it's that whole better endurance thing I've got working for me. Well, in theory you're off bedrest Friday right? Or at least off antibiotics? So maybe you can convince someone to help you out then. I see-- and how cliche is my high-priced training going toward? I mean, is this like Magic Mike reenactment, or what? And I don't think you can give a lap dance to someone laying down-- that seems weird. Contemporary? Yeah, I can see you spazzing out on the stage like that. Did you learn to twerk too? Probably for the best-- I know how you value your face. I'd feel bad for accidentally kicking it.

Brody: Don't worry about it-- it's one of those "emotional" things that you get out of having a girlfriend. I'm sure you've watched it in a musical at some point, but it was worth the suffering. I don't know-- Leslie Nielson and Mel Brooks still made it pretty decent. You read Anne Rice? Wow, first Julie, now Anne. You surprise me Bas, I will admit. No, but there are recordings floating around online. Hardly ethical, but I didn't figure that was a problem for you, and, as you said, //anything's// better than Johnny Depp. Hey, it's not like you were offering hair braids and makeovers. Yes, I am damaged, and must go to Scandals to find guys to buy me drinks so I can hook up with a stranger for validation before sneaking out on them to prevent any risk of association or judgment-- oh wait. That's not //me//-- who is that?... Hey, I can think of a lot worse options than a Disney Princess with magical cooking and cleaning abilities. And I like singing and dancing, so we'll obviously get along great until she falls into a hundred year sleep or whatever. Hey, I actually think I'm probably the best you ever got, which, based on your constant criticism, makes some pretty nasty inferences about what you usually end up with. No wonder you have to sneak out XD

[girlwithshipsshitshow]

Part 12

(Around Three am the lab came in to check take Usagi's blood and nurse Rose came in to switch out his fluid and give him more antibiotics, surprisingly Usagi stayed asleep the whole time, but Misaki woke up).

Misaki: (Groggily) Rose, I can't believe they have you working all these hours.

Rose: Yeah (She stood against the wall near the doorway). Well the other Nurse was supposed to be working but she's been fired, a new nurse will be taking over later today and then I have my date with Eri. (She smiled, even in the dark Misaki could tell she was blushing). Do you have any recommendations?

Misaki: Usagi and I always go to IMI.

Rose: Isn't that expensive?

Misaki: It is when Usagi rents out the entire balcony. (Chuckles).

Rose: Well Thanks, I'll look into it.

Misaki: Yeah, good luck.

Rose: (Exits)

Misaki: (Closes eyes and tries to go back to sleep).

Aikawa: Don't just burst in there they might still be asleep.

Takahiro: No, They said we could come back at six am and it's six am, I'm going in (Slams door open)

Misaki: (Shoots up) Takahiro, What the fuck are you doing?

Takahiro: They said we could be back at six am.

Misaki: Do you have to be so loud? (Glaces at Usagi who is still fast asleep). I need to take a shower. (gets up, Grabs kaki shorts, a black hoodie, and boxers out of his backpack and walks into the bathroom).

Takahiro: God, what's his problem? (Walks over to be and starts fixing it back into a sofa.)

Aikawa: (Leans against wall, crossing arms) You burst in here at six am, they were sound asleep, Miskai has a test today, and who knows how late they were up).

Takahiro: Ew, why were they up late? They can't have sex.

Aikawa: (Angry face) Takahiro, they can't have sex, and they were up late because Misaki was probably studying and doctors and nurses were in and out all night. You have to get on board with their relships at some point or else you're going to lose them both.

Takahiro: It's just (Sigha and sits on sofa) He's my baby brother, my little baby brother, I never thought of him dating, especially dating my best friend. It's just-

Aikawa: (Sits beside Takahiro) I know it's strange, but have you seen how they look at each other? (Smiles) They're in love, and incredibly happy.

Takahiro: I know, I've never seen either one of them so happy, ever. (Smiles) I need to be okay with this.

Aikawa: Yeah, you do, they aren't going to break up ever, and they've been through a lot, it's been hard for them.

Takahiro: I didn't know that.

Aikawa: Yeah, we'll they were always scared to tell you.

Takahiro: How long have you known?

Aikawa: Eh, I kinda just figured it out. They aren't that good at hiding it.

Misaki: (Walking out of the bathroom rubbing a towel on his head). Maybe if you didn't have a key.

Aikawa: There are locks on other doors for a reason, and i'm not only talking about at your house.

Misaki: Whatever. (Walks over to chair beside Usagi, who's starting to stir).

Usagi: (Eyes slowly open, he smiles at Misaki and reaches out for him). Good Morning Misaki.

Misaki:(Grabs hand) Hey Baby.

Usagi: Did you sleep well?

Misaki: (Shrugs) I slept okay, you were out all night, they came in here around three am to do labs and stuff.

Usagi: (Chuckles) I was tired

Misaki: Good, you need your rest.

Usagi: What time is your test?

Misaki: It's at ten, but the doctor is going to come in here around eight to talk to you, and I'll leave after that.

Usagi: (Nods) Okay. (Looks over at sofa). Hey guys

Takahiro, Aikawa: Hello.

Usagi: When did they get here?

Misaki: Right at six.

Usagi: Did they wake you?

Miskai: (Sheepish look)

Usagi: (Runs thumb over back of hand) I'm sorry.

Misaki: (Shrugs) It's okay, I didn't sleep well anyway. (Sighs and rolls shoulders back)

Usagi: Hey, what's wrong

Misaki: Just the timing of all this sucks.

Usagi: I know.

Misaki: And I'm kinda pissed at you, you could've died, you're lucky you're appendix didn't actually burst.

Usagi: I know.

(There's a knock at the door and Dr. Takahashi walks in)

Dr. Takahashi: Good Morning everyone. (He walks over to the sink, washes his hands and puts on a pair of gloves). Akihiko, I'm going to look at your incision. (He walks over to Usagi and gently checks his incision). Okay, looks to be healing up nicely, your vitals look good and we can take you off the antibiotics, and have you had any pain?

Usagi: Um, no not at all.

Dr. Takahashi: Okay, perfect. I think we can get you out of here today, but it might be later this evening, I assume your fiance will be able to take care of you?

Misaki: Uh, yeah of course. I mean I have a test today at ten, I'm off tomorrow, I have another test Thursday, and next week I don't have any classes, and next saturday I graduate.

Usagi: Oh, speaking of, I'm supposed to speak at his graduation next saturday, is that okay?

Dr. Takahashi: Yes, that should be fine, No sexual activities for two weeks, stick to your regular diet, if you don't have anymore questions we can work on getting you out of here.

Usagi: Uh, wait, no sexual activities for two weeks?

Misaki: (Scoffs) Usagi, It'll be okay.

Usagi: Yeah but-

Misaki: Babe, I don't want you to die, so you can wait two weeks.

Usagi: (Sighs) Yeah, Fine. Oh what about bathing?

Dr. Takahashi: You can do all that normally, Oh and no heavy lifting.

Usagi: So what am I supposed to do?

Aikawa: You can do your work.

Usagi: Please, I'm at least four months ahead.

Aikawa: Damn I forgot about that.

Dr. Takahashi: You can drive tomorrow and walk some.

Usagi: Fine.

Misaki: (Glaces At Phone) Shit, it's Nine-Fifteen, i'm going to be late. Usagi, I'm taking your car.

Usagi: That's fine, my keys-

Misaki: Are in the table, I know I saw them yesterday. (Stands up, still holding on to Usagi's hand).

Usagi: Good luck on your Test. (Grins, swings his and Misaki's arm).

Misaki: Thank you. (Tries to let go of Usagi's hand) Usagiii, I have to go, I can't be late.

Usagi: (Releases Misaki's hand), Okay go.

Misaki: (Walks over to the table, grabs Usagi's keys, leans down to kiss Usagi). I love you, I'll see you later.

Usagi: I love you too. (Walks out of Usagi's room).

Dr. Takahashi: Okay, I'm going to start working on your discharge papers, anything else you need to ask?

Usagi: I think I'm okay.

Dr. Takahashi: Alright. (Exits).

Rose: (Walks in grinning at Aikawa). Eri, good morning.

Aikawa: Oh, Rose hey. (Blushes)

Rose: How are you?

Aikawa: I'm good, Akihiko gets to go home today.

Rose: I heard, Congrats.

Usagi: Thank you.

Rose: Where's Misaki?

Usagi: School, he had a test.

Rose: And Isaka?

Aikawa: He had to take care of some stuff at work.

Rose: Okay, well I was Just checking in. Um Eri, I have a short break, want to go get a snack?

Aikawa: (Blushes) Uh, sure. (Stands up grinning at Rose, following her out of the room).

Takahiro:(Clears throat). Usagi-San, I think I need to apologize.

Usagi: For what?

Takahiro: How I've been acting, not supporting your relationship with Misaki.

Usagi: We'll Thanks, but I'm not the one you need to apologize to.

Takahiro: What do you mean, aren't you upset. (Stands up, walks over by Usagi's bed lingering around him).

Usagi: No, not really, Misaki has been hiding this from you for almost five years, and he's been really scared to tell you.

Takahiro: Aikawa said it's been hard for you guys. Or maybe Misaki? I know how hard it can be for him to express his feelings and open up, di- did his fear of telling me and losing you maybe have something to do with it?

Usagi: Look, I've never ever doubted Misaki's feelings for me, not once. Sometimes I felt insecure and maybe wished he would've told me he loved me more, but I always knew he did. We've told you, and now He's extremely open and more affectionate, it maybe started before we told you, but-

Takahiro: So, it's kinda my fault he wasn't always affectionate?

Usagi: Look, he was terrified of having to give up what we had, and so was I, sometimes I still am, we still have to come out to the world, I want to do that soon, and that scares me, I haven't told him that. But we were both scared of ruining the relationship with you.

Takahiro: You were?

Usagi: Yes, Of course.

Takahiro: (Sits down) Did you think I would make you break up?

Usagi: We didn't know what was going to happen, We just know, we never want to let each other go, I really Really love Misaki, He's the love the of my life, my soulmate, my best friend, He's my person Takahiro.

Takahiro: (Grins) I guess I didn't completely understand how you guys felt about each other.

Usagi: Well, now you do.

Takahiro: He's just my baby brother, I want to protect him, I guess he doesn't need me anymore.

Usagi: Come on he'll always need you.

Takahiro: Yeah, but now he has you, you've been protecting him for the past four years.

Usagi: Almost five, not that it matters but after he next saturday is our anniversary.

Takahiro: Wait, his graduation day?

Usagi: Yeah.

Takahiro: (Smiles) That's really sweet.

Usagi: (Smirks) I, can't believe we've been together five years, and the two of us are getting married, I'm so happy.

Takahiro: I've known you a long time and I don't think i've ever seen you this generally happy... Wait (scoffs, Shocked look) i'm and idot. This, aurora of happiness started when you met Misaki. How didn't I figure it out?

Usagi: (Shrugs) I have no idea.

Takahiro: And Misaki changed a lot when he met you.

Usagi: (Nods)

Takahiro: Look, just keep him happy.

Usagi: I will, I'm not going to hurt him, I love him so much.

Takahiro: Good. Now let's talk kids.

Usagi: ugh

(Rose and Aikawa are sitting in the vending room finishing up their snack).

Rose: I think they should be done now

Aikawa: Eh, what are you talking about?

Rose: (Takes last sip of her soda, tossing the can in the trash behind her). Takahiro and Akihiko.

Aikawa: We came up here so they could talk?

Rose: We'll mostly so I could hang out with you, But I figured they should talk.

Aikawa: I'm sure they did talk. And I'm happy to be up here with you.

Rose: (Smiles, reaches out for Aikawa's hand)

Aikawa: (Bluses) This is nice, um can we still go on a date tonight?

Rose: Yeah, of course and it actually looks like I might get off early.

Aikawa: Oh, awesome!

Rose: (laughs) I- I'll let you know, but we should head back down. (Stands)

Aikawa: Yeah. (Stands up)

Rose: (Takes Aikawa's hand and they head back down to Usagi's room).

Misaki: (Drums fingers on the steering wheel of Usagi's car, while wating for him to pick up, he just got his grade back for his German exam and he passed with flying colors, he felt really good about his German exam and the last test he had was psychology).

Usagi: Misaki? Are you okay?

Misaki: Great acctally. I got a 95 on my German exam, I feel extremely confident about my Psychology exam on Thursday!

Usagi: Wow Misaki! I'm so proud of you!

Misaki: (Chuckles) Thanks Usagi, I'm on my way back now do you need anything?

Usagi: Just you.

Misaki: (Blushes) Shut up!

Usagi: I can tell you're blushing.

Misaki: (Laughs) You know me so well Usagi.

Usagi: Yes I do, and I love you.

Misaki: I love you too, I'll see you soon.

Usagi: Can't wait.