#instant KO i was sold

[pocketmouse-fr]

just a scry for now cus I've not been able to get my hands on a copy of Fnestra.....but,,, auburn,, my babygirl you were BORN for warrior.

[abandonambition]

Who drew these Capricorns? It's me! I did it. S...Sorry.

HI TUMBLAR. I'm Dana. I draw animals and mythical creatures (mostly capricorns and dragons). I like to reflect on lesser-known or dark aspects of nature, feelings of distress and despair, or creating designs that just look cool for the sake of looking cool. I have a sort of positive nihilist outlook on life, in that I'm rather upset with the general state of things but I still feel compelled to find or create beauty and interest anyway, even if my darker feelings sometimes come out through my work.

"Abandon Ambition" is both grimly serious and darkly humorous. I was raised in both a household and country that emphasized setting lofty goals of acquiring high earnings and impressive assets, but the timing of my pursuit of these things has laughably aligned with global financial crises, global pandemics and lockdowns, and now global heatwaves and global conflicts. Abandon ambition, and instead embrace what you want to say and do and create and build now; Tomorrow is not yours, and your goals may not be waiting for you there.

Be responsible, and be kind. But hope and wait for nothing.

So uh, yeah, I draw a lot of stuff and explore a lot of things that I think I've been holding back on for years for one reason or another. I want to draw dark goats, glowing bats, tempest capricorns, skinny dragons, snarling wolves. So here they are.

Check out what I made!

A lot of my designs find themselves on fun and/or practical merch! I like to create things that are high quality and have a long shelf life: I don't want to make something thinking it'll go in a landfill in a year, I want you wearing and enjoying my work for a very long time.

Here's a hat that glows in the dark!

Wow! Here's another hat that doesn't glow in the dark, but still looks really nice.

Pretty! If keeping your skull cozy isn't your thing, I've printed my art on fabric, too. I like this idea because if you move house a lot and/or can't afford custom frames, art printed on fabric can be displayed anywhere, and folds up nicely when packing up for your next move, without any breaking glass or anything.

A big part of my thinking when I'm designing products is also what do I myself use in my day-to-day life, and lately I've been desperately trying to cut my phone addiction by going back to pen-and-paper planners and books and things instead of using screens. And to keep track of where I am in my planners and books, I've made bookmarks!

I had so much fun designing these. You have something enjoyable to look at on both sides of the page it's clipped on. How fun is that?

Okay lastly, I make a TON of stickers. A lot of my designs translate really well into small, self-contained things like stickers, and I only ever print vinyl stickers, so they live a long time on your laptop or phone case or wherever you wanna put them.

So that's a small collection of the things I've done and made. Do you like them? I hope you like them. I liked designing them.

A COOOUPON JUST FOR YOUUUU

If you'd like one o' these things for yourself, you're in luck!

You, lucky Tumblar user, can visit my shop and take 20% off with code TUMBLR20. This coupon expires 1st April 2024 (or does it...? That's April Fools' Day after all... Okay yeah it does actually expire then. Sorry).

Oh, commissions?

Hey! Sometimes people like my art style and want a custom commission. That's great, and I'm so glad you're interested!

If you'd like a custom ink mailed to you on a postcard that also features my art on the back (so it's like... you get two pieces of art on one postcard), these are exclusive to my Patreon right here. I have limited slots per every month, so check back often in case I'm sold out.

I also offer what I call "instant order" commissions via my Ko-Fi. You pick out one of the offerings I have, send me your ref sheet, pay, and I just...get it done. It's as close to instant as commissions can get.

Besides those, I also do more bespoke work, so you can send me a message to discuss your idea and we'll work something out. :corporatethumbsupemoji:

Honestly? Thanks!

The internet has become a pretty weird and honestly rather hostile place. I'm a solo act that's as indie as they get. So, it really does mean a lot to me when your eyeballs land on my stuff and you click that little heart or reblog icon, or even better when you add it to your cart and click check out. Your eyeballs land on thousands of stuff every day, so the fact that my stuff brought you joy or interest or something deep that you resonated with means a lot to me. I think in a sense it makes me feel like my brush strokes are going somewhere far beyond whatever canvas I've otherwise confined them to.

This is a pinned post to share who I am and help me get some coins to fund my life and art projects, but yeah you can reblog it and share it around planet earth, I don't mind. It's nice.

So yeah, that's me! Feel free to comment if you have questions or want to know whatever else, I'll uh... reply and like answer them and stuff.

[sam-loves-seb]

part 1 | part 2

the fruity four but make it hollywood au (2/x)

thinking about makeup artist robin and stunt double steve, both young and inexperienced and new to the area, maybe 19ish, who meet on the set of their first gig--a small commercial about auto insurance where steve has to pretend to crash a car and then robin has to cover him in fake bruises and blood--and become instant friends. robin and steve who are both sleeping on couches of a friend of a friend, who barely scrap together enough money to get an apartment together but they do it.

they work odd jobs to make rent in between gigs. steve refs basketball games on the weekends. robin does face paint at children's birthday parties. it's anything but glamorous, but they wouldn't trade this life for the world. not when they're booking one commercial every three months, not when they sign on to their first tv shows, not when they walk the red carpet together at steve's first leading role movie premiere and the internet goes crazy thinking they're a couple.

they keep living together long after they can both afford their own places--"we're both on locations half the year anyways, i feel like i barely see you enough as it is"--trading in grungy one bedroom spaces for a sold, stable two bedroom apartment big enough for a kitchen and a living room, then upgrading again a few years later to a deluxe sky view tenth floor apartment big enough for a guest room.

it's paradise, living with your best friend. until your best friend gets a boyfriend and falls stupidly in love.

"Robin," steve tries to reason with her. "I'm not leaving the building--hell, i'm not even leaving our floor. I'll be two doors down!"

steve moving in with eddie munson was not on robin's bingo card, but here they are, packing boxes and saying goodbye.

"For fuck's sake," Steve groans. "It's not goodbye--I'm literally coming over tomorrow to watch Bake Off with you."

"You better be."

and so, steve moves out, moves in down the hall with eddie, and robin has to wallow in her apartment all alone for another two weeks before her next job is set to start shooting in georgia. the two weeks are fine, she can live by herself for two weeks, but it's the knowing that she's always going to be coming back to an empty apartment that kills her.

until eddie gets a brilliant idea.

"I have a friend," he tells her one night, when steve is passed out with his head on eddie's lap and it's just eddie and robin watching this week's episode of survivor. "She's been living in Paris for the last year, shooting a handful of French indie films, but she's coming back to LA next month."

Robin raises a brow. "So?"

"So..." Eddie shrugs, running his hand through Steve's hair. "She has her own place in the hills, but she usually crashes in my guest room when she's in town. She'd never admit it, but I don't think she really likes living alone--and I don't blame her. But it's hard finding real fucking friends in our lines of work."

"Eddie, what the hell is your--"

"Have you ever considered getting another roommate?"

and that is how robin finds herself living with famed child/teen actress nancy wheeler, who wears choppy bangs and dark eye makeup that definitely do not go with the family-friendly sitcom star persona she wore for almost a decade.

robin thinks she likes this nancy better, even if she does smoke cigarettes like they're going out of style.

(how eddie munson and nancy wheeler ever became friends in the first place is story for another place and time, but as robin watches nancy smile for the first time in a week when eddie comes over, she makes a mental note to find steve tomorrow and get the full story.)

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | ko-fi

[halt-kun]

Hunter x Hunter Chapter 164 - Face-Off (7)

NEW VOLUME 

I need to liveblog a bit

Pretty nice Killua cover

associated with a wolf ? Well okay

Right, Goreinu just swapped the black gorilla with Razor 

This page is so cool

Goreinu you underestimated the devil, well you weren’t the only one

It’s a real bitch move to throw the ball at people already eliminated

At least Razor commends his ability

it’s a pretty neat one indeed

Razor must have been really annoying to play dodgeball with as a kid, only aiming at the head and also just throwing at people out of the court on the pretense that he was just passing to the enemy team.

You think he needs to be in a right state of mind ? I mean sure but I bet he could focus only on the black gorilla

Efficient panel

black becomes white and white become black

instant sense of danger

Yep, not a good situation to be in

Killua dodges because he isn’t as reckless as Gon

that’s a low ball too you could jump

I wonder if it’s not better to try and receive if you risk death by dodging it

That curve is brutal

Hisoka and Biscuit both instantly notice

Biscuit is so fast she’s able to move her entire body out of the way whereas Hisoka just managed to move his upper body a bit

Biscuit was closer to the turning point too

She’s soooo GOOD

A little fucker was there

Razor really expected to get two top nen users at once

Of course Killua he gambled on touching three people at once, that’s why the 5 devil was standing there too, to recover the ball and instantly eliminate anyone that was touched by the ball

Togashi knew he could only eliminate Biscuit on a technicality

such a bitch move to only mention this now, she could have changed

HE BACK

THE BOY

THE BIG BOY

THE RECKLESS BOY

I love this little interaction

Biscuit really knows how Gon can be and how to best encourage him

Hisoka casually mentions he would need Ko to block Razor’s ball and he wouldn’t get out of it unscathed

without ko he would lose way more than two fingers too

Very good interaction 

the facial expressions are pretty good too

Killua thinks Gon is not in the right sate of mind

Gon’s angry Killua could have died

GON IS REALLY MOTIVATED TO HUMILIATE RAZOR NOW

I love the headband and paladin’s necklace on Gon

why can’t he be like that more

TIME TO PUNCH 

28 - better than therapy but I wouldn’t trust anyone with it

Also having no highs or lows can be fucked up imagine being stuck in a happy mood no matter what happens if you lose the remote

29 - so useful to be able to buy anything that’s sold

30 - Fucked up pillow

31 - Letters sent to dead people, I don’t trust these kind of nen abilities at all

32 - Very useful for disguises or for the fun of changing your voice

33 - Pretty cool for establishing transition goals, early in a transition or just to try it, 10/10 would recommend

34 - This would be perfect for social studies, written questions people are obliged to reply honestly to

35 - A fun gimmick, especially to know what dinosaurs looked like with feathers

36 - I would abuse this, I need a lot of objects repaired

I’ll try to do one or two more chapters tonight, let’s gooooo

[ultrakatua]

Done in around 180 hours. I recommend playing with my setup (see below) if you want some good challenge and gameplay fun out of this game. Basically every little thingy you’ve never used in a regular playthrough was essential here, down to the choice of Pouch Items, the combo seals, the blade arts and passives.

No blade that was A affinity or above was used (this excluded lots of good stuff like Corvin, KOS MOS, Herald, Agate or Zenobia), and no Story blade with the exception of Poppi a and Poppi QT. Every chip and equipment was sold beforehand, but of course I had shittons of money and all Pouch Items were fair game because I may be a masochist, but not to THAT point either.

Wall of fame:

-Perceval for his OS capabilities on humanoids early game

-Nim for her instant healing on fusion combo

-Boreas for the avoid capabilities

-Crossette for her... everything

-Shulk because MIRA WO KAERU

-Theory with that chip that gives 50 agility on top of her 15% modifier

My favorite Torna blades were defo the tanks, ie Sever, Cressidus and Mik, who hard carried me endgame. I only started using them from chapter 6 onwards because Torna is fucking bs to fight with C tier blades pls

Hardest fights were:

Akhos and Malos: mostly because you are restricted to a Rex-Nia-Tora comp and Malos is a fricking bully.

Jin and Malos, Jin (chapter 9): full-power Jin is broken af. They aren’t number one simply because at this point I could at least try to evade tank so it felt less bullshit, but I still spent an eternity there.

Malos (chapter 7), Aion, Genbu Crown trio: not much to say, you either died in 5 seconds or kind of find how to cheese it, no in-between.

Jin (chapter 5), Rosa and Giga Rosa, Aeshma: cheesy when you find the right strat, but it takes time to get there.

Mik and Patroka, Zyk: “hit hard and maybe you’ll make it, idk”

Utter disappoint award: Amalthus lol 

Not categorized: the birds in the factory keeping the gate, for some reason they OS me out of nowhere???? / that mob in Tantal who would spam Seal Drivers non stop / every single robot in existence with a special shoutout to the Sovereign Margots / THE SNAKES GOD I HATE THE SNAKES.

I’ll attempt challenge mode at some point but do I really want to get my ass destroyed to the sound of spammy MONADO CYCLONES? No, not really. Not right now.

Difficulty settings after the cut.

-Enemy ATK power: MAX

-Enemy ATK cooldown: MAX

-Enemy HP: MAX 

-Enemy Debuff Duration: MAX

-Blade Combo Duration: two to the right

-Party Jauge Gain: one to the right

-Special Gain: one to the right 

-Healing Power: two to the right

-Chain ATK Power: MIN

-Pneuma Gauge Usage (useless since I never used her): MAX

[peachyteabuck]

enemy of my enemy is my lover

summary: you planned on just going to a meeting with an adversary, hoping to gain more territory in the process. you left with something much, much better. 

pairing: mobster!bucky barnes x mobster!reader

words: 3,226

trigger warnings: smut (oral - f recieving and vaginal sex), mob dynamics

notes/other: this was inspired by ask received by @bucky-plums-barnes a long, long time ago about a mobster!bucky headcanon that describes the plot to this fic. while i could not find the exact ask (trust me, i tried), i credit the anonymous genius & gen heavily for inspiring this. thank you both!

ask box / masterlist / commission info / ko-fi

Each step you make is loud, sharp; the sound of heels clicking against the cold, cracked cement of New York City. It’s something, one of the things, that makes you powerful – sends this thick feeling of invulnerability through your veins, as if you’re some deity returning to her alter.

That feeling – one of untouchable power – has always been…sort of…hard for you to conjure. It’s not like you’re not not powerful in this world absent your fantasies. You run the second most powerful mob in the country! You’ve got a large pull in international trade! You’ve got major influence in congress and almost every state senate! You’ve got money, a smoking hot and super amazing boyfriend, and loyal coworkers. What else do you need?

Regardless of all that, roaming the streets at night never fails to send a special kind of shiver crawling across your skin. It’s a particular type of fear, one that makes you pull your steel grey coat closer to you as you roam the street, makes your hand cling tighter to the .45 in your deep, righthand pocket.

As you reach the alley where the deal you’re brokering is supposed to take place, your phone buzzes a few times in a row. You have an urge to check it, to make sure the man you love is okay, but letting your guard down now wouldn’t be wise. You’ve got to keep a keen mental sharpness about you to make sure no one kidnaps you (or worse) or fucks you over at your own deal, but still, the only person who would be texting you at this godforsaken hour is the man you left at home, and in this business you can never be too careful about the ones you care deeply about…

Your thoughts are interrupted (quite rudely, you might add), by the sound of a thick winter coat shuffling – as if someone were to be rolling their sleeves up. The noise of the fabric gets louder as the person – a man, you soon realize – steps closer. A man with sharp cheekbones and a dark beard and beautiful, pillowy lips.

His gaze, even under the dark baseball cap that lacks insignia, seems hauntingly familiar. You can’t place it, and it seems rude to ask if you’ve met before, given the circumstances. Still…something seems…recognizable about this mystery man.

You don’t realize it, though, until the man opens his mouth and asks about the new baby seal in the San Francisco zoo. It’s the right code, that’s not what throws you. Rather, it’s the gravely voice of the man you’ve been dating for years that stops you in your tracks.

“Bucky!?” you call out, completely confused and abandoning the correct coded response. “Why are you out here?”

Bucky, now meeting your eyes, seems just as bewildered as you are. “I, uh…I’m….what, what are you doing here?”

You have no idea how to respond, mind too baffled to form words. “Wh…what…”

You step closer, carefully – as if he was some rabid cat you found behind your apartment building. His beautiful baby blues are wide, eyes narrowed – you gasp when you get close enough to smell the cologne, his cologne, the exact scent you bought him for Christmas the year previous. “Are…are you…you’re…are you the White Wolf?”

Bucky visibly steps back at the mention of the street name – the street name of the guy who runs the mob that (similar to yours) is based in New York and works in black market goods. He tries to hide his shock, just in case what he thinks is happening definitely isn’t happening. In all honesty, Bucky can’t tell which one would be worse. “And, you’re uh. You’re…um…are you….are you She-Devil?”

If you were disoriented before, you have no word to describe how much your brain is short-circuiting at the thought that this man – the man you love, has secretly been running not only a mob, but a rival mob, this entire time.

“Do…wait,” you shake your head to try and collect your exceptionally scattered thoughts. “Are you the guy who wanted to negotiate territory with me?”

Bucky hesitates for a second, body tense and reluctant to say anything. You’re both still, not daring move a muscle and the both of you stare each other down. It feels like an eternity before he does anything, your surprise only growing as a massive, shit-eating grin spreads across his gorgeous, scruffy face.

It’s a look you know well, one you’ve come to both love and despise. It’s the same look he gave you when he told you he wanted to build (not pay someone else to build, build himself) a deck in a house you moved out of two months later, when he almost got a face tattoo, when he sold your house (you know, the one he wanted to build a deck for) to buy one three streets away. That’s the look he get when some grand idea that will probably turn out to be a disaster – the look that says “this may be a disaster, but the only way to see if it is will be to try it.”

In an instant, Bucky closes the gap between you and presses his lips to yours. As he arms wrap around you, you can feel him rub at the small of your back, just as he always does when he’s trying to keep you calm. “Yeah, babygirl. That’s me. I’m the White Wolf.”

You press your face in the warm embrace of his coat, muffling your speech. “But why didn’t you tell me?”

Bucky shrugs as he answers. “Didn’t want you to feel unsafe, I guess. Didn’t want you to worry about me.” He presses a kid to the top of your head. “Better question, why didn’t you tell me?”

You sigh, your small voice becoming even tinier. “I dunno…same reasons as you, I guess. Felt like I’d be dragging you into something you wouldn’t want to deal with.”

Bucky barks a laugh into the night, the sound reverberating off the tall buildings. “Seems reasonable.”

You pull away but refuse to make eye contact as tears well in your eyes and cloud your vision. For a mob leader, you’re very emotional. “Baby, are you sure? Like, are you sure this is okay? I mean, we kept this major part of our lives from each for literal years…like, does that say something about us as a couple? And we’re, like, rivals, we’re supposed to be competing against each other for money and goods and ports and clients and-“

Bucky cuts into your anxious ramblings by pulling you back into a tight bug. “Hey, hey! Baby, listen. This is a good thing! A great one, if you want it to be!”

You wipe at your nose with your hand. “Are you…what do you, are you sure? What do you mean?”

Bucky nods, eyes ablaze with excitement for the future. “Of course, baby, listen. Separate, our mobs are both powerful, right? We can agree on that. But together? With the territory, the influence, us...together, we could rule the fucking world.”

Technically, he isn’t wrong; with your strategy and Bucky’s brutal execution, your combined business could easily become the apex predator of the mob scene within the Western hemisphere. What Bucky had, you lacked, and vice versa. You’d studied his…business…for years (before you knew it was Bucky who ran the Pack, of course) as you climbed the ranks of your own mob. You know they have hands in several international black markets, have relationships with lots of lots of rich people who do lots and lots of bad things and pay lots and lots of money for those bad things.

Oh God, you’d never think being power-hungry and love drunk could feel so good. Your mind fogs over with all the things you could do if you had Bucky and his gang by your side, you could do anything. Simply by territory you’d be outgunning Hydra, let alone the combined wealth and human capital. You’ve never felt this exhilarated before in your life, the freezing night air electrifying your rib cage and-

Bucky and you grin madly. Wordlessly, you clasp hands and walk back to your shared apartment halfway across town. Both of you are silent until you’re safely inside your secured home. As you pull your hair up into a messy ponytail, Bucky began grabbing bowls for dinner.

“You know-” he said as he ladled soup out of the deep red Crock Pot. “Now that we aren’t desperately trying to hide our occupations from each other, we can move into a bigger house?’ Bucky says it like a question, but you know better.

Normally you’d tell him “no, of course we can’t do that, we can’t afford it.” But now that you both know that you’re each hiding hundreds of millions of dollars in offshore accounts, slush funds, and dummy corporations throughout the world…

“Sure,” you shrug. “Why not.”

Bucky grins like a child on Christmas. “If we’re gonna rule, we need the proper palace.”

You forego giving into Bucky’s terrible, awful joke to hang up your studded coat, to take off your business casual navy-blue pants and black button-up in, and change into a pair of workout shorts and some tie-dye hoodie you thrifted about ten years ago. Bucky calls them your “thinking clothes,” attire you wear specifically to center yourself, to clear your mind of everything except the task at hand.

During dinner, you and Bucky begin to plan how you can consolidate assets, personnel, jobs, and everything that comes with heading mobs. It’s a long talk, one that lasts long into the night and ends with hastily-drawn diagrams and maps strewn around your living room.

It takes hours and way too many pots of coffee, but eventually the plan for the merger is laid out in front of you – all the graphs and math and official language handwritten in your neat cursive (along with a few notes scrawled by Bucky) on over twenty sheets of pristine printer paper.

Bucky sighs happily when he sees it all finished. He’s standing, desperate for a bird’s eye view of the entire thing.

You, on the other hand, are much too tired to stand. You settle for, “How does it look, babe?” as you draw two lines for each of your signatures below both of your full names.

When you look up, you see Bucky – eyes twinkling with joy. “It looks…,” he sighs, happily. “Amazing. I love you so much.”

You giggle, drawing lines for a few witnesses (you’ll make a few of your associates sign tomorrow). “I love you, too, babe. Now, you still got that champagne from our visit to France?”

Somewhere between the front room and the wine fridge, Bucky had you pinned against the wall and was cupping your clothed pussy.

“While I think you look great,” Bucky murmurs against the hot skin of your neck. “You’re wearing just a little too much for me.”

In an instant he tears the skimpy shorts from your body, the sound of ripping fabric making you moan;

“Fuck,” you gasp as one digit, then another enters you. “Holy shit that feels good.”

Bucky pulls away enough to look you in the eyes, smiling as he watches your jaw slacken from the pleasure. “Yeah? You like that?”

If you could speak you would, but each word just comes out as a breathy moans. Your first orgasm hits you like a wave, Bucky pulling it from you with crooked fingers and his lips on yours.

When you come down Bucky carries you to the bed, undressing himself as you do the same.

He pulls you to the end of the bed by your ankles, pushing your legs up to your chest. He enters you easily – bottoming out within a few thrusts.

You and Bucky moan into each other’s mouths as he fucks into you.

“Oh God,” he groans, moving to kiss at your neck. “Holy shit!”

He rubs at your clit with the thumb of one hand as he bites bruises in your collarbones, desperate to hear the symphony of sweet sighs and deep moans as you near another peak.

“Come on baby,” Bucky murmurs into your lips. “Come on, cum around my cock for me.”

It doesn’t take much after that – a few more circles around your clit in time with his thrusts and soon you’re scream and nearly tears the sheets from how tight you’re gripping them and your whole body convulses from pleasure.

Bucky finishes himself onto your stomach, head thrown back in pleasure as he does so.

He takes a minute to collect himself, still panting as he grabs a tissue to clean you off.

After water and a snack (two granola bars you had stuffed into your bedside drawer an unknowable amount of months ago), you curl into Bucky’s chest, tracing the litany of tattoos there. “Weren’t we supposed to drink to celebrate?”

Bucky lets out a full belly laugh. “Probably. But the alcohol is all the way downstairs. Plus, I know something else I can drink to celebrate?”

You wrinkle your nose. “Only you? Why don’t I get to get drunk?”

Bucky just smirks, moving you off of him. You’re about to protest but begin to understand once he pushes the covers off the both you to make room for himself between your legs.

“Trust me,” he tells you, leaving kisses on your skin between every few words. “You’ll love this a lot more than any old champagne.”

And, of course, he was right.

The next day, you meet with your closest adversaries. While you two wait in the conference room in the building Bucky took over after it was condemned a couple years back, you can feel your heart ram into your ribcage. It’s less from anxiety and more from anticipation, knowing you might face major backlash from the people you trust the most.

The first to arrive is the woman you trust the most in this world: Natasha. She doesn’t move towards the table, simply stands just inside the doorway while staring you down. She doesn’t recognize Bucky, but doesn’t enjoy being below the eyeline of a man she’s never seen before.

“Natasha,” you say, desperate to remain calm. “This is Bucky. We’ve been together for five years. And he’s the leader of the Pack.”

In a fashion much atypical for Natasha Romanoff, her eyes widen slightly. “Oh…” she says after a long while. “Okay then.”

She promptly sits down with no further questions.

As with many business, heads and second-in-commands of mobs rarely come face to face. They have goons, messengers that do their footwork. Descriptions of the faces belonging those in charge pass around akin to rumors, only whispered quieter.

Which is why, when Steve comes in, he has no idea what to think until Bucky introduces you and Natasha.

By the time Bucky’s finished talking, Steve’s beat red. “Buck, what the fuck is this.”

“Just,” Bucky sighs, worried about his phrasing and angering his best friend on the face of the planet (whether that be Steve, for reasons that feel obvious, or you, for reasons that feel even more obvious). “Sit down. We’ll explain-“

“’We’ll!’” Steve nearly screams.

Bucky is the only one who flinches at the sudden loud noise. You finish his sentence for him. “Yes. Bucky and I will explain.”

Steve doesn’t like it, doesn’t like taking orders from a rival. Still, he sits at the large, oval conference table opposite Natasha.

The last two people to come in are the head of you and Bucky’s legal departments. Wanda gives you a single nod before sitting next to Natasha, a man Bucky addresses as “Tony” sits next to Steve.

You exhale deeply once the metaphorical dust settles, encouraging Bucky to begin the spiel he had prepared last night been orgasms four and five.

“Alright. We have,” he sighs. “We have decided to combine our two…”  Bucky struggles to find the right word. He worries for bugs and secret agents and misunderstandings, brain always struggling to remember that this is sacred, secret business. Any crack in any of the numerous protective facades could mean its downfall, along with the loss of billions of dollars and his life.

“Entrepreneurial endeavors,” you finish for him.

You hear Natasha snort, amused by the avoidance of saying gang and mob and illegal distributor of goods. The rest of your cohort are silent, unsure of what to say next.

Each beat of verbal inaction leaves you more fearful than the last, your heart getting louder and louder in your ears.

For what feels like forever, no one says anything.

Though, with the pounding of blood in your ears, they could be screaming obscenities at you and you wouldn’t be able to hear them.

The only thing that seems able to quiet the noise is Bucky’s fingers intertwining with yours.

Only then do you hear Wanda speak, her accent tinging each word. It’s comforting, to hear something so familiar.

“I assume you both have drawn up something that,” she eyes the man across from her with a look dusted with disdain. “Tony and I can look at.”

Bucky slides the thick document, held together in a beat-up binder you found under a bookshelf, across the table. Wanda is the one who stops it and looks into it first.

She says nothing, holding her tongue as she allows Tony to eye the document. He’s wearing dark sunglasses and pushes them to the corner of his nose as thumbs through it, looking bored and tired.

“Yeah, this shit looks good,” Tony says quickly, shoving the dark glasses back over his eyes. “Can we leave now?”

The resounding silence continues until you break it yourself, attempting to detail for Steve and Natasha what it all means. They listen diligently and sign where needed, Natasha being decided on as the most likely to type it up into an official document and send it to the necessary parties.

Once it’s all over, you and Bucky ride down in the big, glass elevator together – excitement electric in the air.

“How’re you feeling?” Bucky asks. It doesn’t seem to be out of concern, even if tears of happiness are pricking at your eyes.

“God,” you tell him, voice breathy and ecstatic. “I don’t even know how to describe it. I just, I don’t know. I’ve been so terrified I’d have to hide this forever – or that you’d find out, or that someone would figure out who you were. And now…I just,” you wipe at your eyes, and Bucky pulls you into his chest. “I don’t have to worry about that anymore. I know you’re protected. And I don’t have to hide this from you. And I’m so fucking happy about it.”

Bucky kisses the top of your head, tucking you under his chin. “Oh, baby. Darling I’m so sorry you had to go through all that.”

The two of you stand in silence, holding each other until you have to exit. Neither of you say anything until you’re both in the car, safely on your way back to your shared home.

“We’re in this together right?” you ask, looking at Bucky as he keeps his dark eyes on the road.

Regardless he smiles, moving his right hand from the wheel to rest on your knee. “Always, baby. Always.”

[irwinkitten]

new kitten | poly!kayshton

request from anon:  mom listen!!!! secretly getting a kitten you found in the rain and hiding it from poly! kayshton because you think they'll be mad but they're sold to the idea of the tiny fluffer becase shes so fucking tiny and you LOOK so cute singing to it in the night ya thats all notes: so are we surprised??? no. don’t like it? don’t read it. it’s all soft i promise.  warnings: none word count: 2.7k will i ever not go overboard with them?? the answer is no

donate to my ko-fi here 

-

It had been a long day. The wind had been howling and then the rain followed. 

You’d been stuck at work, finishing up and sighing at the fact that you were going to get soaked. 

Normally it wouldn’t have bothered you, you could’ve just ordered an Uber. But with your phone on minimum battery and only a jacket to protect you, you knew that you were going to have to walk. So you fortified yourself and began the thirty minute journey home, the cold water seeping through your jacket. 

You were halfway home when you heard a noise of distress, making you pause. You heard the noise again and began to move towards it, only pausing to judge where it was coming from. 

And then you came across the most heartbreaking sight. It was a black kitten, clinging to the body of its mother and crying out as their cardboard shelter became decimated by the rain. 

Without even thinking, you reached out to pet the small thing and it moved closer to the little warmth your hand emitted. Part of you wondered how long the kitten had been out there, crying. 

It was easy to see that the kittens mom hadn’t survived, so you plucked it up and tucked the small protesting animal into your jacket. The protests stopped once it realised that it was being sheltered in warmth. 

You hesitated for only a moment before making the decision and continuing your journey home. 

Ashton and Kaykay were both away on business trips. So you decided to house this kitten for a couple of nights and see if you could find a new home for it. 

Once you were inside, ditching your jacket to rest over the radiator, you headed upstairs, kitten still clutched to your chest to raid the airing cupboard for warm towels. 

The purr you got in response made your heart soft. You were quick to grab your laptop and phone charger heading downstairs and settling on the sofa. The laptop was perched on the coffee table and your phone plugged in and charging. 

Immediately you began to google, reaching out to the various animal rescuers you followed on Instagram. They were sympathetic and kind, offering tips for the night. You immediately texted your assistant manager and asked her to cover your next few shifts.

You noticed that there was an emergency vet, so once you had enough charge on your phone, you took one of the rescuers advice and made your way over. 

The vet on call was kind to your practically clueless state. 

“It happens more than people think. But I’ll give you a quick crash course once we’ve checked over our furry little patient.” The kitten let out a meow as the vet petted it. 

“My partners and I, we discussed getting a pet but I don’t think they envisioned it to be like this.” You murmured wryly and the vet laughed. 

“Oh it never is. If you need any help to find foster families if your partners aren’t up for handling this little fluffy monster, I can always pass on your details.” You nodded in understanding. 

“So you’ve got a beautiful female here. It looks like she may have been there a day, maybe two at a push. Otherwise she’s healthy. She’s vocal, which is good.” Almost as if to support the vets words, she meowed again, followed by a series of chirps. 

Your resolve to find her a family was diminishing. 

The vet instructed you on the best way to feed her, and when she would need to get her vaccinations. Nodding in thanks, you paid before taking the small bundle home, her purring loud yet already comforting. 

“Man, Ash and Kaykay may or may not be pissed about this.” You murmured to the small kitten. “And we need to give you a new name.” 

On the journey home, you stopped for supplies, thankful that stores were open late and by the time you got home, you could see that Ash was FaceTiming you. 

You hit the decline button, the regret almost instant as you made your way to the living room and began to set things out for the kitten. 

For now, she was happy to snooze in your lap, her purring loud and amusing. 

Ash called a second time and you hit accept. 

“Catch you at a bad time, little one?” The screen was split into two and you felt your chest grow heavy. 

“Just a bit. You mused, wondering if they could hear the purring kitten. If they did, they didn’t comment on it. 

“Want us to call back later, angel?” Kaykay’s eyes were concerned, but you shook your head. You’d lost enough time with them as it was. The different time zones made it difficult. With Kaykay the other side of the country and Ashton in Europe, you could see his tired eyes clearly. 

“How’d your days go?” You belatedly realised that your hair was still soaked and wondered if they were going to ask. 

“It wasn’t so bad. We’ve started shooting over here but there’s been a few changes. I might not be home by the end of the week.” Kaykay admitted and you poured, earning a chuckle from Ashton. 

“None of that now. We knew it was possibly going to happen.” Ashton chided and you stuck your tongue out almost childishly. Kaykay grinned. 

“What about you, Ash?” She asked after a beat. You refocused on him and he smiled. 

“It’s all good. We’ve got those handful of shows tomorrow so I’m gonna most likely be performing when you guys are about.” You just smiled. 

“That’s what we get for having an international rockstar boyfriend Peach.” You sighed dramatically and she giggled. Ashton rolled his eyes. 

“You gonna try and act up little one?” The warning in his tone was clear and you beamed at the screen in return. 

“Nope. Gonna be good.” You knew that sneaking a kitten into the house without their knowledge wasn’t good but there was still a part of you that said the kitten would be gone before they got home. 

But that part was getting quieter with each time the kitten snuggled into your lap. 

You talked for another hour and you were partially wondering how long you could keep going until you needed to feed the kitten. 

Kaykay unintentionally granted you your escape. 

“Ashton it’s late. You need to rest for the shows tomorrow.” Her tone brokered no arguments and Ashton simply smirked in return. “And you, angel, need to eat. We’ll have time tomorrow night to call.” 

You pouted but didn’t voice your protest. 

“Alright Peach. Get some rest yourself sweetheart and text when you can. Same to you little one.” You felt the heaviness in your chest return and sighed. 

“I will. I love you both.” The words were quiet but they knew why. 

With another round of ‘I love you’s’ exchanges and the call cut, you tried to fight the heaviness off as you glanced down to the kitten in your lap who had woken up but was silent. 

And then it chirped before trying to climb up your top, making you laugh. 

The next few days were crucial as you continued your care for the kitten and she responded positively. You’d texted your assistant manager what was happening and she’s promised that the shop could run with just her and the other members of staff. 

You silently thanked whichever deity blesses you with them. 

By the end of the week, you returned to the vet with her and the vet had declared that she was healthy. The offer was made that the vet could find foster homes but you shook your head. 

“I think she was meant to be in my life. I can’t let Moonlight go now.” The vet didn’t hide the amused smile. They understood and talked about a care plan for the kitten. 

Once things were in place for the shots and checkups, it was time to let the cat out of the bag to your partners. 

When you returned home, you saw Kaykay’s car in the driveway and you felt your stomach drop. Moonlight, who was perched on your shoulders, seemed to sense the change in your mood and meowed softly, her face pushing against yours. 

“Can’t hide you forever, can we?” You murmured before making your way in. You could hear Kaykay clattering about and so you shut the door loud enough to hear her. 

“Angel, why are there cat-oh.” She’d stepped from the kitchen and spotted you with Moonlight resting on your shoulder. 

“Uh, I found her on the way home last week when it was storming and I had to walk home.” You admitted softly. Kaykay’s face gave nothing away as she stepped closer and held her hand out to Moonlight. 

You’d already let her roam through some of their things and you silently hoped that the scenting thing would work. 

To your relief, she purred and butted her head into Kaykay’s palm and you watched your girlfriend melt. 

“She’s so cute. Why didn’t you tell us?” You allowed her to pluck Moonlight from your shoulder and carry her into the lounge, with you trailing behind. 

“I guess I thought she would be gone by the end of the week so it didn’t matter. But, I can’t let her go. I was going to talk to you and Ash about it tonight.” You admitted and Kaykay smiled gently, kissing your lips gently. 

“Even though Ash is more of a dog person, you know this cute baby will win him over. Does she have a name?” 

“Moonlight.” You both settle on the floor, your body resting on Kaykay’s as she played with Moonlight. Unable to help yourself, you took a video of the two, your heart feeling like it was going to explode at the cute sight before you. 

“Ash won’t be able to say no to all three of us, especially when this one works her magic. Does this mean your title of kitten is going to someone else for the time being?” She teased and you gave her an outraged look before clocking the smirk. 

So you pouted at her instead. 

“No fair.” You muttered as she laughed and kissed you. 

When it got later in the evening, Kaykay disappeared for a shower, you made your way up with Moonlight singing softly as you got ready for bed. 

You missed the shower stopping and hadn’t paid any attention as you fussed with Moonlight, the smile on your lips impossible to stop as she seemingly settled in the spot on your pillow. You’d laughed the first time but now you were used to it. 

Kaykay sauntered in with a smirk and you felt yourself freeze before rolling your eyes at the giggle she gave off. You’d settled as close as possible to her, relishing in just having her next to you. 

Both of you were woken by Moonlight, determined to parade around the bed and find a new warm spot. You’d cozied yourself closer to Kaykay who in response had held onto you tighter. But then you knew you needed to feed the kitten, so you extracted yourself from Kaykay’s arms and scooped Moonlight up, heading downstairs to feed her. 

Once you had crawled back into bed with your girlfriend, she groaned. 

“It’s like taking care of a child.” She sighed and you grinned as you pressed your face into her neck. 

“Said child is being occupied by cat toys.” You breathed and she didn’t hesitate to roll over, pinning you down. Her eyes were tired, hair in disarray but she still looked stunning as her lips met yours. 

—

The following day, the both of you had been taking turns to look after Moonlight. You’d gone upstairs to nap, Moonlight in tow when Ashton had come home. 

“So, angel kind of ended up getting a surprise for us. One that you might need to adapt to.” Kaykay started off, her tone hesitant and Ashton gave her a curious look. 

She said nothing else but motioned for him to follow and curiosity pushed him to do so. 

The sight they came upon, melted his heart. 

You were fast asleep on top of the covers, a small black kitten nestled against you. 

“So we gained a pet?” His tone was teasing and Kaykays shoulders relaxed a little bit, a grin tugging on her lips. 

“Apparently. Angel was worried about telling us because, well it had been assumed that the kitten would be gone before we both got home.” And Ashton held back a laugh. 

He was well aware of the heart that resides in your chest, how it was so big that you would not deny any kind of love to a willing creature. 

“How about we let them wake up. I’ll be fine with the kitten in the house.” He murmured, pulling Kaykay away from the cute scene, but not before taking a photo. 

When you’d woken up, you could feel the heavy sleep pulling at you, but a paw that kept tapping your face kept you awake before you finally giggled. 

Moonlight seemed to take that cue and jumped, making you laugh tiredly as you scooped up the kitten, unable to resist singing ‘soft kitty’ at her after having rewatched The Big Bang Theory, as you made your way downstairs. 

When you went into the lounge, you froze at the sight of the TV paused and Ashton lounging around, Kaykay resting against him, both of them wearing fond smiles. 

“So we have an interloper?” His voice was gentle and you shyly made your way to the open spot next to him, giggling as he pulled you in, his lips finding your neck which made you giggle. 

Moonlight protested being jolted and he chuckled as she squirmed free to investigate the new person. You happily rested against him as Moonlight sniffed and explored, clambering over Ashton before spotting Kaykay and ambling over time her, making you laugh. 

“You’re not mad?” You finally whispered and he shook his head. 

“I wish you would’ve spoken to us, but Peach explained that you hadn’t expected the kitten to be staying?” You shook your head at his question.  

“I thought I’d be able to find a home for her, but she just grew on me and I couldn’t let her go. I was going to call you both about her yesterday but Peachy got home and she said about waiting till you were back today.” The words were shy but he shifted you, pulling you so that you were straddling his lap. 

“I’m almost certain that she’s found her home here.” The two of you glanced to Kaykay where she was cradling the kitten with a grin on her face, shifting herself so that she was pressed against Ashton. 

“Not to mention, you two are stupidly adorable together. Honestly I think I turned to mush just hearing you sing to her.” Kaykay pointed out and you ducked your head in embarrassment. 

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about sweetheart.” Ashton murmured and pressed a kiss to your lips. You responded with ease and he smiled into the kiss. 

“So we’re a family of four now?” Kaykay questioned innocently and you laughed, arms tightening around Ashton as Moonlight began to explore once more. 

“And anyway, she’ll be good company for me when you two have to leave.” You murmured and Ashton nodded. 

“Oh absolutely. Duke is gonna be unimpressed with you though when we next go around.” And you grinned unrepentantly. 

“I’ll still be his favourite next to Cal.” You retorted childishly as you slid from his lap and Moonlight took residence. 

“So you’re officially a cat dad now. How does that feel?” He realised an eyebrow at you and Kaykay snickered. 

“I thought I already was one, kitten.” His tone was a warning and you grinned in return. 

“Officially. I don’t count.” You hummed and he laughed as he pressed a kiss to your forehead, an easy smile on his lips

“Well looks like we’re starting parenthood easy then.” And both you and Kaykay laughed as you settled down to watch, feeling a level of contentment that you didn’t think was possible as Moonlight settled in his lap, purring. 

-

if you wanna be tagged in a poly!kayshton specfic stuff, hmu! 

@sexgodashton​, @loveroflrh​, @sc0ttish-wildfl0wer​, @iovehemmings​, @cashtonasfuck​, @tobefalling​, @wokeupinjapanisabop​, @converse-luke​, @itjustkindahappenedreally​, @cal-puddies​, @hemmingsmendess​,

[monstersandmaw]

White tiger rakshasa x female reader (sfw) - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRAVELER!

Edit which I’m including in all my works after plagiarism and theft has taken place: I do not give my consent for my works to be used, copied, published, or posted anywhere. They are copyrighted and belong to me.

So it’s @thetravelerwrites​‘ birthday today, and she deserves all the love in the world. Thanks for being a really great and supportive friend, Traveler. This is all I can do for you from the other side of the world! Have a wonderful day, and some fluffy rakshasa snuggles. I don’t normally do aesthetics anymore, but I wanted to include one this time.

No warnings, except perhaps for excessively sweet fluff. :)

___

Since today was, in fact, your birthday, you decided that you deserved ice cream and were going out to get it, despite the fact that it was now after sunset. The weather was perfect for an early August evening, clear, calm, and still, and there was this gorgeous place just round the corner which sold the most beautiful gelato you’d ever tasted. It also didn't help that the guy who served it was gloriously handsome…

The rakshasa had the colouring and appearance of a white tiger, with ice blue eyes and a rich, purring voice, and when he saw you step inside his rounded ears pricked right up and his whiskered lips twitched into a smile. “Hey!” he called. “Haven’t seen you in ages!”

You made a little side to side motion with your head. “Been trying to be good. It’s hard though, knowing that this place is a stone’s throw from where I live though…”

“Being good, eh? Well, it shows - you look fantastic. I have to ask though; what’s the occasion?”

He was leaning on the counter, resting his lithe, muscular body on his forearms, and you glimpsed his thick tail all puffed up behind him.

“Well…” you blushed. “It’s… It’s actually my birthday. I thought I’d treat myself.”

“Your birthday!” he exclaimed, pushing himself upright. And then he eyed your purse in your hand. “Put that away!” he laughed, pointing at it. “You’re not paying for your ice cream today! Anything you’d like, and it’s yours. Come on,” he said, moving round to the refrigerator full of sumptuous flavours.

“You’re too kind,” you mumbled.

With a tilt of his head, he purred, “Please, if I knew you better, I’d get you a gift myself, but… I only see you when you come in here so this is the best I can do.”

That drew you up short and you looked up at him, a question in your eyes. “You mean…?” you began falteringly.

“That I’d love to get to know you? Yes,” he said. “But I don’t want to be pushy. I know I can come across as a bit… ‘much’ sometimes. I didn’t want to scare you off.”

Smiling, cheeks still warm with his words, you bowed your head and then met his gaze again. “I’d like that.”

“You would?” he beamed, all his white whiskers standing right up off his face, his fur bristling and fluffing up all over with glee. “Oh wow. Let’s work something out, but first: ice cream!”

Laughing, you picked out your favourite flavours and he handed it to you, still insisting it was on the house. You swapped numbers and arranged to meet for drinks later in the week, and you had just left the gelateria with a huge grin plastered across your face, when you heard him calling after you.

Frowning, a small shot of adrenaline zipping through you as you couldn’t help wondering if perhaps he’d changed his mind, you turned and saw him haring down the road after you.

“Everything ok?” you asked, puzzled.

Laughing and a little out of breath, he nodded. “Lemme walk you home?”

“But what about the shop?”

“I’m the boss,” he grinned, flashing his big canines in a wide smile. “I can close up whenever I like, and I’d rather walk you home. If that’s ok with you?”

“More than ok,” you reassured him.

A few paces down the road, an idea occurred to you and you scooped out a big spoonful of ice cream and held it up to him. “Want a try?”

A purr rolled out of him before he could stop it and his ears swivelled back, embarrassed.

“I think that was a yes…” you smiled and he nodded.

“Yeah. Cats and cream…” he snickered. “Thanks.” His rough tongue lapped the ice cream off the little wooden spoon, and his ice blue eyes rolled closed for a moment. “Damn,” he said. “I sell good ice cream…”

“Why do you think I kept coming back?”

He chuckled. “I had hoped it was for the handsome cat behind the counter,” he said.

“Yeah, that didn’t hurt,” you admitted and he flashed another smile at you.

You paused in the little park not far from your house to finish your ice cream on a bench, looking up at the stars through the leafy branches above you.

“Tell me something?” he asked after sitting in companionable quietness for a little while.

“Sure.”

“Did you have a good birthday?”

You thought back to the rest of the day and shrugged. “Ice cream and a date? That’s got to be a pretty good birthday.”

Purring like an idling motorbike, he reached his fluffy white arm around your shoulders, looking at your face for permission and when he saw you smile up at him, he brought his nose to your cheek and nuzzled you there with gentle affection in the way of all felines, from house cat to rakshasa. “Thanks for giving me a chance,” he said. “I’ve wanted to ask you out since the first time you walked into my shop, but… I didn’t know if you liked… you know… Well… not all humans are interested in non-humans…”

Half turning to look up at him, you smiled. “You’re very beautiful,” you said, laughing softly as his ears pulled back again in embarrassment. “And very expressive…”

He distracted you for a moment by rasping his rough tongue delicately across your cheekbone in a tiny, shy kiss.

“I’m glad you asked,” you said quietly before turning your gaze back up to the stars. With a gasp, you pointed, “Shooting star!”

“Make a birthday wish…” he whispered.

It wouldn’t have taken a genius to figure out your wish…

---

Happy birthday, sweetie!! Hope you have a wonderful day.

________

And don’t forget to reblog, folks, if you did because it really helps out authors/content creators on this website!!

For all early releases, character art and bios, upcoming story info, and much, much more, join me over on Patreon!

You’ll have access to stories before anyone else, and you’ll get instant access Patreon-only content as well, including polls and an exclusive monthly story for those on the Pixies and Goblins tier or higher!

________

| Masterlist | Patreon | Ko-fi | Writing Commissions |

[lovelylapins]

Dialogue prompt 31 with marichat?

“I can’t keep kissing strangers and pretending that they’re you”- Marichat #31

(i went a bit overboard with this… like… 1.1k overboard with this sorry whoops- requests are closed btw! sorry!)

ao3 ko-fi

“I can’t keep kissing strangers and pretending that they’re you,” Marinette tells him. It’s hot outside, and by the sounds of music playing down the street, it seems lively all around, but the atmosphere between the two is none of the sort. It’s cold and tense, and every second spent waiting for Chat Noir’s response is another second she feels her hopes fall.

“Marinette, I…” he manages to start with, and Marinette can’t stand to face him any longer, turning her body around.

“No, forget it Chat,” Marinette says, looking down at her feet. “Just, forget it.”

Getting off the railing, he reaches a hand out to Marinette but stops, unsure if that’s what she wants or needs right now. Struggling for words, Adrien picks one thing to ask.

“You… You’ve kissed strangers?” he chooses to question, wondering when that could’ve happened. Nino had told him Marinette went on a few dates recently, but he hadn’t really thought about it, too busy trying to connect the dots of his Lady and his Princess, too busy waiting for the clues to fall into place he hadn’t realized what was truly going on around him.

“Well, only two,” Marinette says, voice low. “Only, they weren’t strangers, not really. They were friends. Good friends. But I just needed to try and get it all out, before I got too frustrated.”

“Get out what?” Adrien asks. He feels his heart beating wildly, but still can’t comprehend what she’s saying, what she’s meaning. Hope soaring in his chest, he wonders if it’s what he really wants to hear, the three words he’s spent so long dreaming about.

Marinette ignores him. “I thought that if maybe I had someone else, it’d be different. But it wasn’t. I just kept thinking about… you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. I… I tried everything I could to get you out of my head and ignore all of this. Nothing worked. Nothing, Chat.” A hand flies up to touch her face, and Adrien hopes it’s not to stop any tears. God, he wished Marinette would turn around so he could see her face, see her. He could cool all her emotions and her ramblings and declarations in just an instant if Marinette gave him the chance.

“Why are you telling me all this?” he asks, trying to get her attention. And, he does. Turning around, Marinette finally looks at him.

“Because I like you, you dummy,” she says, incredulous. “I like you. A lot. Too much.”

“Marinette, I- “ Chat’s trying to near her, but she holds a hand out and stops him in his tracks before he continues.

“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same,” Marinette begins, gearing up for his rejection, “You’re into Ladybug, and that’s fine, and I know it’s pointless even saying this, but I just wanted to tell you as me you know, and to just let you know how I felt, and- “

He reaches her before she can finish, hands coming to her shoulders and pulling her into a kiss. Marinette’s frozen in shock, too stunned by the action to respond back. Her eyes open, Marinette sees just how intense Chat’s eyes are closed shut, mask crinkling around the corner of his eyes. She sees the curls on his forehead and feels the all too familiar touch of his lips. Eyes finally closing, she finally relaxes into it, rising on her tiptoes to meet him. She brings a hand up to pull him more down, intent on enjoying this as long as she could.

“What’d you do that for?” she asks him when they’ve pulled away and she’s got the air back into her lungs. “I mean, the way you feel about Ladybug… I…”

“Marinette. I know,” he says, hand coming up to nestle in her hair.

“Know what?” she asks, furrowing her brow. “Know how you feel about Ladybug, or- “

“I know there’s not much difference between how I feel about Ladybug and you.”

Marinette widens her eyes, gazing at Chat Noir more intensely. “Chat, what are you talking about?”

Adrien takes a deep breath. He hadn’t expected or planned to reveal the fact he knew like this or his true feelings, but felt that the time had come where all plans were thrown out the window. He felt like it was now or never, his one shot at saying what he really wanted. And so, Adrien threw caution to the wind and said,

“Marinette, I know you’re Ladybug.”

She gasps, her mouth switching between open and closed while she looked at Chat. Marinette struggled to find the words summarize what was going through her mind, before finally settling on a simple, “How?”

“How couldn’t I? It became too obvious to ignore after a while,” Chat tells her, hands going down from her neck to her waist. Pulling her closer to him, he bent down and laid another kiss on her, this one shorter than before. When they break, she looks at him.

“Well, what was it that made it clear?”

“You and Ladybug don’t like coconut ice cream.”

Marinette laughed, the kind where her head went back and the sound rang out into the night. “That was my calling card?” she asks, watching at how Chat grins at her.

“There’s only one ice cream shop that serves it, and I’ve seen you turn it down over and over enough times to get the idea. When Ladybug mentioned how much she disliked coconut as well, all the clues just fit together,” Adrien says. And well, it was true. So many things over time added up against her, and finally came to a conclusion when his Lady had frowned, sticking out her tongue and declaring coconut the worst flavor in Paris.

“Well then, I guess you got lucky on that,” Marinette tells him. “A very weird thing to pick up on, but I’m not complaining.”

Hands coming up to clutch at his face and bring his lips back down to her, Marinette feels him pulling at her like he’s the moon and she’s the ocean. She feels her heart soar and fall and crashes over like waves beating at the shore, never-ending. It’s like he’s magnetic, and she’s helplesslyattracted to him.

It’s perfect.

Bonus:

“Wait…” Marinette says later, when they’re leaning up on one another next to the railing and watching the clouds move over the moon, “I just realized something.”

“And what is it?” Chat asks, watching her and eyes softening at just a glance her way.

“If you knew I hated coconut as me, Marinette, and you knew only one place sold it, and you said you’ve seen me turn it down over and over…” She trails off, the gears working.

Adrien gulps, already knowing where she was going. He wondered if a kiss would work again this time, or if he’d need to think of some new strategy.

“You’re Adrien!” Marinette exclaims, the last syllable not even out of her mouth before her lips get captured in another kiss.

[notalwaysthevillian]

Lost and Found (A Sanders Sides Tangled AU)

Warnings: anxiety, manipulative/abusive deceit

Beta Readers: @hi-disappointed-im-daughter @patton-croc-agenda @kilala2tail @solemn-vow

Word Count: 2.1k

Pairings: Prinxiety

Masterlist

Chapter 7 | Chapter 9

Ko-Fi

Chapter 8

A deep chuckle echoed through the trees. Virgil’s blood turned to ice.

“I thought he’d never leave.”

Slowly, Virgil turned around. A familiar dark shape stood in the shadows. His yellow eye glinted in the firelight. “F-father?”

“Hello, dear.” He stalked forward, hood sliding off his head.

“I-I - how -” Virgil stiffened as Dorian hugged him. It felt cold and wrong. “How did you find me?”

Dorian began petting Virgil’s hair. Each pass grew more firm until his nails were scraping against Virgil’s scalp.  “Oh, it was easy. I just followed the path of complete and utter betrayal.”

A squeak left Virgil’s mouth. Swallowing his welling anxiety, he took a step back, out of the hug. “Father -”

“We’re going home.” Dorian’s tone left no room for argument. He grabbed Virgil’s wrist in an iron grip and started walking towards the inky blackness. “Now.”

Virgil tumbled forward at the movement, reaching for Dorian’s arm. “You - you don’t understand! I’ve been on this - on an incredible adventure! There are so many things that I’ve seen and learned...I - I even met someone.”

A chuckle left Dorian’s mouth. “Oh, you mean the wanted thief? Dear, I’m so proud.”

Tightening his grip, Dorian dragged Virgil towards the forest once more. Virgil pulled back with a strength he didn’t know he possessed, slipping out of the hold. “Father, wait! There might - I think...I think he likes me.”

“Likes you?” Dorian fixed Virgil with a look that had terrified him as a child. “You? That’s demented.”

Seeing Virgil’s shoulders droop, Dorian took his chance. He began to sing, hoping to get through to Virgil.

“This is why you never should’ve left.” He rested his head against a tree, attempting to calm his anger. “Dear, this whole romance that you’ve invented...just proves you’re too naive to be here.”

A grin crossed Dorian’s face when Virgil jumped at the light touch on his shoulders. “Why would he like you? Come on now, really. Look at you, you look like such a mess.”

He moved into the edge of the trees, extending his arms. “Don’t be a bother, come with father. Father -”

“NO!”

The word rang out, shocking both of them. As soon as he got over the shock, Virgil’s gaze hardened.

He wasn’t backing down this time.

Done holding back his anger, Dorian glared. “No? Oh...I see.”

He stalked forward. Virgil’s fear got the better of him and he scrambled backwards. “Virgil knows best, Virgil’s so mature now. You think you’re in for a kiss? Virgil knows best. Fine, if you’re so sure now, go ahead and give him this!”

Reaching into his cloak, Dorian pulled out the satchel he’d found in the tower.

Virgil’s eyes flew wide. “How -”

“This is why he’s here.” The tiara was pulled out and tossed at Virgil. “Don’t let him deceive you. Give it to him, watch, you’ll see!”

Determination spread across Virgil’s face. “I will!”

“Trust me my dear,” Dorian snapped his fingers, “That’s how fast he’ll leave you. I won’t say I told you so. No, VIRGIL knows best. So if he’s such a dreamboat, go and put him to the test!”

An itching sensation dug under Dorian’s skin. His magic was wearing off. As he sang his final lines, he pulled up his hood. “If he’s lying, don’t come crying! Father knows best!”

Knowing it was dangerous to his health, Dorian flipped his cloak and used his magic to disappear.

If Virgil wanted to be an adult, he’d learn just what that meant.

Virgil was left alone, shaking, staring at the tiara in his hands. Roman would stay.

Right?

“So, can I ask you something?”

Panicking, Virgil hid the tiara once more. He’d find a better time to give it to Roman. A time when he could explain.

Twigs snapped as Roman made his way through the forest, back to the fire. “Is there any chance I’m going to get super strength in my hand? It would really add to the whole dashing hero pers - are you alright?”

The wood clattered to the ground. Roman was at Virgil’s side in an instant, gently turning him around.

Virgil gave him a small smile. “Yeah. Sorry, I was...lost in thought, I guess.”

Disbelief shone in Roman’s eyes, but he didn’t push it. Instead, he began to ramble on about how great being a superhero would be. Virgil was content to listen, the deep rumble slowly lulling him to sleep.

Virgil woke up to Roman screaming. Looking around, he saw Roman being dragged off by the same horse from earlier.

Dashing forward, he grabbed Roman’s arms and pulled back. Roman’s foot popped out of the boot in the horse’s mouth, sending him and Virgil tumbling to the grass.

Shaking off the daze, Virgil’s face burned as he realized they were pressed nose to nose.

The horse whinnied and charged them. Rolling Roman off, Virgil jumped to his feet, holding out his arms. “Woah! Woah, woah, woah! Easy boy, easy!”

The horse looked at Virgil warily, but he stopped trying to get to Roman.

“I hope this works,” Virgil mumbled. “Sit.”

The horse lowered himself, but he wasn’t fully on the ground.

“Sit!”

The horse dropped the ground. Roman let out offended noises behind them. Virgil smiled. “Now drop the boot.”

The horse huffed.

“Drop it.”

Opening his mouth, the horse let the boot drop.

“Aww. You’re such a good boy! Yes you are!” Virgil moved forward, petting his face. “Are you tired from chasing this bad man all over the place?”

“Excuse me??”

“Nobody appreciates you, do they?” Virgil hugged the horse tightly. “Do they?”

The horse snorted, lowering his head and pressing it against Virgil’s back.

“Come on!” Roman called out, not having moved from where he was dumped in the grass. “He’s a bad horse!”

“Oh, hush. He’s nothing but a big sweetheart! Isn’t that right…” Virgil scratched the horse’s chin, trying to read the harness. Something about the symbol seemed oddly familiar. “Maximus?”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

Maximus looked around Virgil, locking eyes with Roman. Not wanting more trouble, Virgil stepped between them. “Look. I don’t know if you can understand me, but I hope you can. Today...well, it’s kind of a big deal. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to not get him arrested.”

Reaching out, Virgil helped Roman to his feet. “Just for 24 hours. Then you can chase each other all over the world. Okay?”

Letting out a sigh, Roman held out a hand. “You really think he understands?”

The horse looked away stubbornly.

Virgil rocked on his heels. “Please? It’s - it’s my birthday.”

Roman’s jaw dropped as the horse held out a hoof. They shook, somehow agreeing on a truce.

“Great! Now -” Virgil looked past them for the first time, the breath leaving his lungs. “The castle.”

He darted through the gates, stopping just before the main square. Amazed, he went to take another step forward, only to be nearly run over by a cart. He jumped backwards, stumbling when someone stepped on his hair.

Roman ran up, gathering hair as he approached. They needed a solution, and fast.

Looking over, he saw a group of sisters braiding each other’s hair. He whistled, getting their attention, and held up the hair in his arms.

Within moments, they were braiding Virgil’s hair. He couldn’t help but giggle along with them as they ducked under each other’s arms, weaving the braid expertly.

When they finished, the ran around to face him. “We can put flowers in it if you want!”

“You can do whatever you want.” He told them, seeing their faces light up in joy.

If this was how the kids at the orphanage felt, how could the king have stopped going to see them?

“Finished!” They chorused together.

Virgil looked over his shoulder. From what he could see, it looked beautiful. “Ro - what do you think?”

Roman was looking at him with a bit of a dazed gaze. Blood rushed to Virgil’s cheeks.

He really hoped Father was wrong.

“You look amazing.” Roman breathed out. After a moment, he shook his head, trying to clear it. “How about we check out some of the stands?”

“The stands?” Looking around, Virgil realized that there were tons of different stands and booths as far as he could see. Some sold different pastries, some fruits, and some crafts. “What’s all this for?”

“You didn’t think they just let off the lanterns, did you?” Roman walked over, grabbing Virgil’s hands. “It’s a festival.”

The two began to browse various booths.  Roman bought Virgil a small piece of fabric with the royal crest on it. It was a beautiful eight pointed star. The silver paint shimmered against the purple fabric.

A few children ran by, holding various colors of chalk. Virgil followed them to a more subdued part of the square to find them drawing on the street.

The looked up as he walked over to them. “Mind if I join?”

A little girl with a torn dress grabbed his hand and dragged him to the pile of chalk. Virgil thought for a moment before grabbing a purple and a gray. He drew quickly and with practiced ease, standing when he was done. He wiped his arm on his forehead before gesturing towards his masterpiece.

The exact replica of the royal crest had all the children in awe, as well as several adults. Roman was shocked at the skill Virgil had. He turned to give praise, laughing when he saw the smear of purple on Virgil’s forehead.

“Let me help you with that.” Roman said, reaching out and carefully wiping off the chalk.

The jingling of guard uniforms had them taking off. They hid in line for cupcakes, grabbing their order and moving to an alcove before they were spotted. The guards passed right by them, making Virgil giggle.

He glanced up to find Roman giving him another fond look. He could feel himself start to blush and opted to hide it by digging into the cupcake. A slight lemon flavor burst over his tongue, making him hum with delight.

After they finished the cupcakes, they decided it would be best to hide out for a little longer. Remembering the few books he’d seen on Virgil’s bookshelf, Roman dragged him into a nearby bookstore. Virgil was in awe at how many books the small shop held.

Looking around, Roman grabbed an atlas. “Care to see the world?”

Virgil’s eyes lit up and he grabbed the book, placing it on the floor. Roman knelt next to him, pointing out the kingdoms he’d read about at a child.

“Over here is Atlantis, though no one thinks it exists.” Roman pointed to a spot in the ocean. He moved his finger across the map, pointing fairly close by. “Arendelle is here. I think they’re related to the current kings. I’m not sure, but I believe the queen is King Patton’s cousin.”

Once they were sure the guards were gone, the two headed back out. Virgil pointed to a stand with fresh cheese. While in line, Virgil looked around at the gorgeous village. Not too far off, he spotted a mosaic of the royal family covered in flowers. Two men were holding onto a little baby with a tuft of gray hair.

A young girl and her family sat in front of the art. The girl held a flower in her hand, placing it on the steps. “It’s for the lost prince.”

Before Virgil could get a closer look at the artwork, some local musicians began playing. The music filled his heart with joy and he started dancing. A little boy looked on in awe, a shy smile on his face. Virgil danced his way over, picking the child up and swinging him around. His shrieks of glee drew more townspeople to the square.

Virgil grabbed a few more people before others joined of their own accord. Soon the square was full of people dancing and laughing. He waved Roman in at one point, only to be denied. His smile faltered until he noticed the horse nudge Roman into the fray of people.

Twirling around, the two reached for each other, only to be pulled away at the last moment.

The dancing continued as the sun went down. As the last beat of the song rang out, Virgil found himself thrust into Roman’s arms. The crowd let out a loud cheer.

“To the boats!” A voice called out. The crowd began to disperse, heading for the bay.

Virgil stepped out of Roman’s arms, watching the townspeople leave.

Sucking in a deep breath, Roman wrapped his arms around Virgil’s thin waist. Warmth bloomed in his chest as he felt Virgil relax into his arms. “Shall we?”

“We shall.”

Add yourself to the taglist! (Doesn’t work on mobile, so send an ask :D)

Lost and Found Taglist: @0angelicmelody0 @ab-artist @abigail-kaulitz @abunchofmaraudersfluff @agoddamnrayofsunshine @allsortsofgeekery @allycat31415 @angels-and-dreams @anony-phangirl @ao-koshka @awkwardangie410 @cats-with-blogs @certifiedtrashxx @changeling-ash @chipsanddip23 @confinesofpersonalknowledge @creepy-crawly-death-dealer @ethospathoslogan @flamingfawkes @fueled-by-angst-and-rootbeer @fullmetallovr21 @follow-pheonix-inside @generalfandomfabulousness @gloomingwitch @hailthedragonlord @hanramz-the-fander @hellomusicalnerdhere @icequeenoriginal @ierindoodles @ilylogan @importantrunawaystudentstuff @iridescentglassflowers @itsthemoooooooooon @ivepromisedthatbefore @jadeace115 @justanotherpurplebutterfly @kaileah-kat @kingalexdreaming @idkwhyimhere0o0 @levy-the-b00kw0rm @llamaly @lucifer-in-my-head @merlybird500 @midknight-mania @miniporcupine @mrtacothethird @my-happy-little-bean @nervousarts @newageauthor @ninja-girl2846 @notice-me-cat-senpai @nye275 @otakugirl111300 @panicatthelazyllama @phlying-squirrel @pr0bablypr0crstinating @princey-in-a-feminine-way @just-a-general-space-nerd @quietwords-loudthoughts @rachel-eve-puppet @reba-andthesides @rosesisupposes @samathekittycat @sammys-ghostz @sandersfanders @sandersmarvel @sanderssidestrash27 @sanderstalker @scorching-scotch @shootingace @sleepyssnail @sortablue @storytellerofuntoldlegends @supremestoverlord @thatgaydemigodnerd @the-hungriest-games @the-one-and-only-grapemare  @theobsessor1 @theotherella @timeywimeygalaxy

[avengerscompound]

The Unicorn - Chapter 14

The Unicorn:  A Pepperony Fanfic PREVIOUS

Series Masterlist

Buy me a coffee with Ko-fi Word Count:    2075

Pairing:  Tony Stark x F!Reader x Pepper Potts

Warnings:  Sex talk.  Pregnancy

Synopsis:  The three of you go house shopping in New York to see if you can find something you’re all happy with.

Chapter 14

Over the next few weeks, things ramped up a lot.  There was another ultrasound to be had at 8 weeks and Tony and Pepper were determined to figure out where you should all live that gave the best options for school and work.

You seemed completely nonplussed on the issue.  You still went to Avengers training in the early morning and you continued going to your lab in the afternoon.  Just now before you left you seemed to struggle with the thought that you might throw up first.

By the time of the eight-week ultrasound, you weren't just thinking about it.  You had to factor in an extra ten minutes for throwing up before you made your way down for the dawn run.  It never stopped you though.  If you could go to training hungover a little bit of morning sickness wasn't going to stop you.

The strange thing was that Pepper seemed to be suffering with it too.  Initially, the three of you had put it on her just not handling vomit very well.  It wasn’t a totally uncommon thing that when someone threw up it might set someone else off.  Pepper had never been the weak stomached type but it was possible worries about the pregnancy was already making her slightly nauseated.

By the time of the ultrasound both Tony and you were teasing her about it being sympathy vomit.

The ultrasound went fine everyone was excited to see the twins again.  They still kind of just looked like a weird blurry picture of packaging peanuts.   Tony did still feel both relieved and excited when he heard the fast squish-squish sound of their heartbeats.

After the ultrasound, the three of you went to the first of the choices for the new home.  New York City.

When Tony had made the move to the compound he’d dissolved all his property.  Avengers Tower had become the Baxter Building.  It was probably the least practical course for them because it would mean reopening a branch of Stark Industry so that Pepper had an office and you had a lab, buying a home, and possibly opening a branch of the Avengers if you were set on remaining on the team after your maternity leave was up.

Tony had booked them the penthouse suite at the Gramercy Park while they looked at options.

“Dalton.  That’s the reason.”  Pepper said.  Her heels clicked loudly on the garish marble floors of the Upper East Side mansion they were inspecting.

The house was hideous.  The ‘American Renaissance’ period of architecture was a travesty.  The whole place, with its marble floors, chandeliers, ceiling murals featuring cherubs and gold scrollwork, looked more like a museum than a home.  It was dated, to say the least.  And dated to a period of opulence with no taste or subtlety.  All Tony could think was apart from the library which he’d keep for Pepper (the murals would have to go), the pool and the cinema, he’d gut the whole thing and start over.

“I don’t know, Pep.  It could have 100 Dalton’s but there’s no yard…”

“There’s a roof garden.”

“You want the twins playing on the roof?”  He said raising an eyebrow.

“Right, of course.”  She said heading into the kitchen.  “This is nice.”

“Yeah.  Very light and spacious.  I still think… I’d have to invest at least a cool billion to have us set up and even then it wouldn’t be right and it doesn’t feel like a home.”  He said running his hand over the floating kitchen island.

“What do you think?”  Pepper asked turning to you.

“I don’t love it.”  You said.  “I mean, doesn’t it scream masked orgy to you?  I bet naked asses have been all over everything.”

“Oh yeah.  I thought it looked familiar.”  Tony teased.

“God, you’re disgusting,”  Pepper said, whacking him.  Tony laughed and rubbed his arm.  “Well, we don’t have to get this one.  There were more options.”

“Yeah, but they’ll all be either Townhouses or Penthouses.  They won’t be where we can teach them to ride their bikes or run around with their dog.  We’ll have to take them to the park every time we want to do something like that.”  Tony said.  “Plus there’s the other investments involved.  S.I. is upstate now.  I’d have to reopen here.”

“The Avengers.”  You added.

“Yeah, I moved that because it was unsafe to have it just - in the middle of the city.”  Tony agreed.

Pepper pursed her lips.  She didn’t like that you wanted to stay with the Avengers the same way she didn’t like that Tony wouldn’t give up being Iron Man back in the day.  “We can consider it though right?  That’s what we’re doing here?  Looking at each option and picking the best?”

“Yeah, you're right.  Being here is better than in the compound.”  Tony conceded.  “I don't know how big the pull to Dalton is compared to just buying land near the compound and building exactly what we want though.”

“There aren't any schools around the compound though.”  Pepper complained.

“Start your own one, Elon Musk style.”  You said.

“We are not starting our own one like Elon.”  Pepper said sternly.

“I don't know… Maybe we should.  Give another incentive for people to stay on if it was more family friendly.”  Tony said with a shrug.

“Tony…”  Pepper sighed.  He knew that tone so he dropped it.

You went out to the balcony and looked out over the park.  Tony came up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist.  “It is a cool city though.”  You said.

“I won't argue that.”  He agreed, kissing your neck.

“Can we get out of this house?  I feel like I'm in a museum and the temptation to just touch everything for no good reason is making my fingers itchy.”  You said.

Tony chuckled and his hands ran over your stomach.  It was still far too early to show.  Even so, he loved that he could touch you and know that his children were in there and it wouldn’t be too long until he got to hold them.  It helped put that nervous impatience he felt in check.  “I’d gut it if we bought it.”

“Oh, yeah?”  You said turning in his arms.  “Not the library.”

“No, but that mural for sure.  I’d make it more shelves.”

“Oh, tell me more.”

“All the ugly ass marble and gold would go.  I’d change the light fittings to something sleeker but still a feature.  I’d keep timber as a feature, but make it less ornate.  Sleek lines but the timber would make it feel more home than office like.  The art would be modern but not surreal.  Maybe some Warhol and Pollack.  Maybe include some impressionists to break it up.  I’d install FRIDAY obviously.  The kitchen would be a similar layout but modern.  White and black.  Granite tops not marble.  I'd make the first floor about entertaining and the top two for us.  Bedrooms.  Living room.  That would be our family space.  It would be warmer colors.  Colors that take mess more.  I'd put a lab for us in the basement.  Probably a garage too but I might keep my of my collection out here.  There would be an office for Pep.  A gym.  I'd keep the cinema and the pool.”

You grinned and pecked his lips.  “Your mind has been racing even though you don't want this place.”

“Well, I mostly just want my girls to be happy.  If buying this eyesore makes you happy, then I’m happy.”  He said.

“That’s sweet.  But it won’t.  I don’t even think Pepper is sold on it.”  You said pulling him back inside.  “God, that bathroom is going to be in my nightmares.  The green marble toilet.”

Tony laughed.  “Yeah, that would be first to go.”

They made their back inside and found Pepper coming down the stairs followed by the real estate agent.  “Okay.  Let's go.  I think I’ve seen enough.”

“Good.  Let’s get something to eat.”  Tony said.  “I’m feeling Gray’s Papaya.”

Pepper scrunched her nose.  “I think the smell would make me throw up.”   She said.  “If you want local let’s go to Katz’s.”

You looked her up and down.  “You’re gonna need to dial in this sympathy sickness thing or see a doctor because I feel like you’re stealing my thunder.”

She scowled.  “I’m not doing it on purpose.”

“So, go see a doctor.”  You pushed.

Tony followed you outside where Happy was waiting with the car.  The three of you slid into the back seat and Pepper huffed.  “I just… it’s only in the mornings or certain smells.  It’s got to just be some weird sympathy thing.”

“Maybe you’re actually pregnant,”  Tony said.  He’d meant it as a joke but as soon as the words were out of his mouth it was like something clicked into place.  Maybe she was pregnant.  He couldn’t remember when she last had her period, and they’d been tracking it regularly right up until they did the first IVF run with you.

“Ha-ha, very funny, Tony.”  Pepper snarked.

“But maybe you are pregnant, Pepper.”  You said.

“You do kind of look like you’re glowing.”  Happy added looking in the rearview mirror.

“No.  How could I be?  We did all that IVF.”  She stopped talking and seemed to try and count something off on her fingers.  “How could I be?”

“Hap, stop at a pharmacy and get some pregnancy tests would you?”  Tony said.

“You got it, boss.”  Happy replied and swerved the car around, double parking it outside a CVS on Lexington.  He jumped out and ran inside as horns sounded behind him and someone cursed them as they went around.

“But… we couldn’t.  It wasn’t working.”  Pepper said.

“I can’t explain it Pepper, but it’s possible, right?  It would explain this.”  Tony said.

“How come you get glowing and I get a breakout on my jaw?”  You snarked.

“The glow is oily skin.”  Pepper said absentmindedly.  “It depends on how dry your skin was to begin with.”

“God damn it.”  You cursed.

“What will we do?”  Pepper said looking at him.  “We already have twins.”

“Triplets?”  Tony said making an exaggerated shrug.  He was pretty far from actually being worried about this.  He was actually pretty excited at the thought of the possibility of a large instant family.

“Does it count as triplets if two different people are carrying them?”  You asked.

“I don’t know.  I mean, they’re genetically me and Pepper and they’ll be due roughly the same time.” He mused.  “What counts?”

“I’m pretty sure it’s housed in the same uterus.”  You said.

“Can we please argue about that when I’m not freaking out”  Pepper groaned.

Happy ran back out and jumped into the car passing the paper bag back to Tony.  “Hotel?”  He asked.

“Yes, please,”  Pepper said.

“And can you swing past Katz’s after.  Get us some Matzo Ball Soup, a garden salad, and a Reuben.”  Tony added.

“And Knish.”  You added.  “Potato ones.”

“Sure thing.”  Happy said pulling back into traffic.

He drove the three of you back to the Gramercy and Tony lead you and Pepper back up to the Penthouse.  Pepper was in full panic mode by the time they got upstairs and rushed straight into the main bathroom and locked the door.

“Are you okay in there, Pepper?”  You called, leaning on the door.

“Yes, leave me alone to pee in peace.”  She called back.

You snorted and moved to Tony.  “Well then,”  You said.  “I bet she is.”

“I’m not taking that bet.”  He said.

“Oh go on.  A billion dollars.  I’ll bet you a billion dollars.”

“What do you need a billion dollars for?”

You shrugged and flopped down on the couch.   The door opened and Pepper slumped out.  “Positive.  There wasn’t even a wait for lines to show.  It was right away.”

Tony rushed to her side and pulled her into a hug.  A second later you had slammed into their sides and hugged them both tightly.

“Oh my god, this is amazing,”  Tony said.

“We’re going to be pregnant at the same time.  How awesome is that?”  You added.

“I don’t - how - how do we do this?”  She said.  “How did this happen?”

Tony really didn’t know the answer to that.  All he knew for sure was he had the resources and he was excited.  He was going to be part of a big family and he’d make sure they didn’t have to worry about anything.

// NEXT

[freedom-shamrock]

Tickling the Chat's Whiskers - Chapter 6

Also on AO3

<<Previous chapter  <<< First chapter  

Marichat  May, prompt # 6 Adoption/Family

Chat Noir bounded over the rooftops, careful to stick to the shadows. While he wanted nothing more than to head straight to Marinette's house, he adamantly reserved direct trips for his worst days, when he needed immediate comfort. She was too important, his time with her and her family had to be protected. He couldn't risk someone catching wind that Chat Noir regularly spent his evenings at the Dupain Cheng household, as that would make them a target for Hawkmoth. And he knew he wouldn't be able to keep away, even to protect them, at this point.

Last time he'd gotten to cuddle with Marinette while they watched a movie. He was glad she didn't ask about the movie, because he'd spent most of the time focusing on the way her small body nestled snugly against him and how she smelled. He'd missed most of the plot. He wondered if she'd be up for something similar tonight. Would it be too needy to ask?

When he finally slunk over the top of her roof, landing lightly on her balcony, he closed his eyes and drew in a long slow breath, basking in the scents and the feelings associated with them. Warmth and contentment. He loved it here. He could stay here forever and never leave.

"Hey, give that back, you little rascal." Marinette's voice drifted up through the skylight. "Just wait til your papa gets here." She giggled. "Ha! Take that."

What on earth was she doing? Was there a play at school she was trying out for? Was she babysitting? He tapped on the skylight, knowing she'd warn him off if she couldn't have him here right now.

"Come on in," she called. "It's unlocked."

She usually opened it for him, but perhaps she was busy. Hopefully not too busy for her stray. He pushed up the dome and slipped in. She was under the bed talking in a hushed whisper, and he could practically feel the excitement radiating off her. "Princess?" he drawled, playing along. "Wherever are you, my princess?"

As his boots reached the floor, she jumped out from under her bed, holding a tiny ball of black fur aloft in his direction. "The circle of liiiiiiiife!" she sang.

The ball of fur looked at him and let out a tiny, "Mew" of inquiry.

He gasped, recognizing the kitten as her favorite from the litter she'd helped him rescue just a few weeks past. He'd gotten to see all of them during his volunteer shifts, and this one had had a sold sign on his enclosure since day two. He'd had to stay at the shelter until he'd been properly weaned from his adoptive mama. "Kitten?" He gawked at Marinette.

"Is that any way to greet your son?" she demanded in mock indignation as she drew in her arms to gently tuck the kitten to her chest. She kissed the tiny head. "Don't worry baby," she whispered. "I'm sure your papa is delighted to see you. He's just had a long day."

Chat crept closer, his eyes darting around the room to find kitten toys, a scratching post, and over near her sink, a litter tray. "Papa?"

She grinned up at him and held the kitten right next to his face. "He looks just like you."

"You adopted him? Your parents let you?" Before dropping the litter off at the shelter, he'd mentioned he wished he could adopt all the homeless cats. It was both unrealistic and not healthy for anyone, but he'd settle for just one, hopefully once he got his own place. She said always wanted a pet, but her parents weren't keen on the idea. Yet here she was, with a kitten and all the trappings. Enthusiasm bubbled up in his chest. He'd been happy the entire litter found homes, but he'd known he'd miss them. They were special to him.

"Mama and Papa even paid the fees," she said proudly. "This way you can still see him now that he's strong and healthy enough to be out in the world. And if you'd like, he can come live with you when you get your place."

He gawked at her.

"When I visited the shelter, they said that black cats don't get adopted at the rate of the others." She frowned, her whole face sad. "I'm very fond of black cats." Her eyes darted toward him and then away, and he was pretty sure he could see a hint of pink blooming in her cheeks. "So I asked if I could get him."

"May I hold him?" he asked, eager enough that he could feel his tail wriggling with excitement. "What's his name?" She gently transferred the kitten into his capable paws, and he could hear the instant purr through the suit.

"I couldn't name our son without your input," she said, aghast. "You play with him while I go get snacks. Then we can find his name."

Check out chapter seven >>

30-minute sprint

And if you’re so inclined, feel free to support me over on Ko-Fi

[shurisneakers]

espresso [4]

Summary: In which your best friend’s brother begins to set you up on dates when you mention that you haven’t been in a relationship in years, but things don’t go as expected.

Warning: swearing, dating, anger issues

A/N: this is my entry for the beautiful @bithors writing challenge!

hey hey big shoutout to @samingtonwilson because every time she betas this and sends me the revised copy im like!!!! a QUEEN!!!! holy shit!!!

here’s my ko-fi if you’d like to support my writing <333

Previous part- Part 3 || Espresso Masterlist

“No. Fucking. Way.”

“Yes fucking way! Ain’t she beautiful?” Bucky beamed, running his hands gingerly over the door of his new ride. An old muscle car, a sleek black with a few scratches and dents, but proudly glinting in the moonlight.

You let out a low whistle, glancing up at Bucky as you crouched beside the car for a better look. “Gorgeous. She got a name?”

“I was debatin’ Grace, but now I’m thinkin’ she’s more of an April. What do you think?”

You would have teased him, but this was genuinely the happiest you’d seen him in a long time. Alight eyes were crinkled at the corners and his grin was one of the largest you’d ever seen, and heck, you wondered why he couldn’t be like this more often.

“Shits, that’s perfect.”

You sent him a pair of finger-guns when he opened the door for you and he rolled his eyes in feigned exasperation, smile still stretched over his lips.

In an empty threat, he replied, “Say shit one more time in plural and you’re walking there on your own.”

“Well, God forbid a girl has funs,” you joked only to be met with a groan of annoyance. “Oh, calm down.”

Once in the car, you immediately went to set your feet on the dashboard, legs crossed at the ankle, but received a deadly glare. You slowly lowered your feet, never breaking eye contact with him even as your features twisted in playful fear.

As you tugged your seatbelt on, you asked, “When’d you get her?”

“Two days ago. Couldn’t afford the payments on the other one. Sold it to some frat guys ages ago and took whatever was left after payin’ off the bank to get this one.” He sighed contentedly as he turned the key in the ignition so the engine roared to life. “DMV shit got delayed. She’s probably, like, a third-hand vehicle and needs the upholstery totally ripped up and replaced– but I think she’s pretty great.”

With a soft sound of disagreement, you shook your head. “She’s a ten out of ten, no need for anything. I’m happy for you.”

You tucked your hands behind your head, leaning back into the worn out leather seats which had turned soft over years of use, and a soft sigh of comfort left your lips to prove your point.

“How are your classes going?” he asked after a moment, still smiling softly at your previous statement.

“Getting fingered by Wolverine would be less painful,” you replied casually so Bucky choked and coughed on an inhale. You laughed quietly. “How’s engineering going?”

The indicator made a clicking noise you thought must have sounded less out of tune years ago as he took a left turn. “Shitty. Fuckin’ hate it.”

Eyebrows furrowed, you tilted your head with an agape mouth. “Shitty? Two days ago it was the shit, you said you loved it, that you elected to major in it.”

He gave you a tight-lipped smile and half a shrug and, immediately, you knew something was wrong. While you and Bucky didn’t often discuss your respective career choices and plans for the future, each time you did manage a conversation adjacent, he’d mentioned it was something he’d wanted to do– hell, had he not mentioned it, the number of shitty jokes and puns he made in its reference would have convinced you alone.

“Didn’t want to at first. But Becca advertised wanting to go into journalism all throughout high school and it’s not– it’s not a traditionally lucrative job, at least for the first few years.” He shrugged again, this time in a bit of insecurity, nervousness, but his eyes remained trained on the road. “Figured one of us should be able to embrace that nontraditional job so I picked up something more secure. Something secure because things at home are, you know…”

He had trailed off, but you knew what he meant. Money was a sensitive topic for both, Rebecca and Bucky and, although they could never be ashamed of their family, their pride kept them from asking for help from you despite your continued offering.

“Anyway, she ended up choosing poli-sci for law school for the same reason, so that was pretty ironic,” he grinned and you could see it didn’t reach his eyes, maybe hurting his cheeks as much as it hurt you just to see it.

You remained silent and your teeth wreaked havoc on your lower lip as he continued, “Can’t do anything about it now, though. But, if I could, I’d change my choices in an instant.”

Toying with your fingers in your lap, you asked, “What would you major in instead?”

“I don’t know, it’s kind of stupid really–“

“Didn’t you wanna write?” you added softly, eliciting a look of surprise from him.

He glanced at you quickly. “How’d you know?”

“You were always writing in high school. I saw you with your little notebook every lunch, Bucky,” you laughed, images of an acne-covered Bucky with shoulder-length hair bent over a tiny journal, scribbling for the life of him.

He groaned in embarrassment, a light pink dusting over his cheeks. “I can’t believe you noticed that, Christ. The emo phase was strong.”

“Well, if it helps, I think you’d be a kick-ass writer. I’d be first in line to buy your book. Wouldn’t even sell it on eBay after getting you to sign it.”

He fell silent at that, choosing to bite his lip in place of a response. You’d begun to wonder if you’d said something wrong when he whispered, “Thanks, Mario.”

You didn’t say much more, only turning to look out the window. It wasn’t too long before you heard him chuckle to himself but before you could ask him what he was laughing about, he spoke up, “This is so sad. Alexa, play Despacito.”

You snorted. Fuckin’ dork.

Bucky was leaned against the door of his car as he waited with you until your date for the evening arrived, keeping you engrossed in the utterly ridiculous nonsense you both spoke about.

“I’m just saying, if you made coffee with Gatorade and injected it into your bloodstream, you’re basically God. Like, who the fuck would need heroin then?” you tried explaining for the fifth time, unable to keep the smile off your face. You had your arms crossed over your chest in an effort to keep yourself warm whilst Bucky’s hands were shoved into the pockets of his sweatpants.

“Gatorade is for cowards, we use only Red Bull in this holy house– it actually does something. How about if you mixed vodka, ground espresso beans, and protein powder, then snorted it–”

You clicked your tongue. “Intravenous is more effective–”

“Didn’t realize the offer of a date included you, James.”

In a bit of a laborious task, you looked away from Bucky to the guy who came to a stop before you. Dark hair gelled back and darkness which wasn’t hidden by his glasses surrounding deep hazel eyes, he wore a simple black sweater over a pale blue t-shirt. “But I’m not complaining. Love me some three-way action.”

“Tony,” Bucky sighed, smiling nonetheless. “This is–“

“Mario? I figured.” Tony flashed a quick smile at you.

Immediately you could hear loud sniggering from beside you, making you spin to face him in annoyance. “You have got to stop doing that! What the fuck?” you exclaimed, punching a laughing Bucky on the shoulder as he feebly tried to defend himself.

“My name’s Y/N, not Mario,” you stated to clear the confusion, rolling your eyes at Bucky who burst out laughing again, clearly showing no remorse.

He looked from his watch to you, not fazed by your exchange with Bucky. “Ah, I see. Well, shall we get going? Game’s about to start.”

“See ya later, Mario. Have a good time, guys.” Bucky ruffled your hair as you tried to swat his hand away, taking a step towards Tony as he looked at you with a small smile on his face. “I’ll be on the other side of the court if you need me.”

“D’you want to get some food during halftime or before the first quarter?” Tony asked once Bucky waved a goodbye and jogged to join his friends.

“Halftime sounds good, I think the game’s about to start,” you answered, sending him a half smile.

He only nodded and adjusted his glasses, beckoning for you to join him.

You both made small talk and it turned out he wasn’t nearly half as bad as Peter. He rarely spoke of himself and only mentioned he would be looking for a sustainable source of energy in the future, something about wanting to lessen the environmental burden of current energy dependencies.

It started out well enough, the both of you commenting on the players who you knew. You waved at Sam from your place on the bleachers and he shot you a wink in response

“Sam’s starting tonight and it’s against the Gotham Jokers. S’why Bucky and everyone else is here,” you explained, leaning forward to rest your elbows on your knees.

“Wilson? Number seven? He’s your friend?” Tony asked, squinting at the ball as it was tossed into the air, soon taken by one of the Jokers.

You didn’t bother sparing him a glance as you watched Sam quickly steal the ball back and passing it to Rhodey. “Yeah. Why d’you sound so surprised?”

“Think he’s a bit overrated, that’s all,” Tony mumbled, making you reel back and stare at him disbelievingly. “Got the whole school worshipping the ground he walks on.”

“Captain of the team, MVP last season. He got scholarships to three different prestigious universities, too,” you recited, jumping to your feet as Sam made a shot from the three point line, the ball going in effortlessly with a swish. You looked over your shoulder to raise an eyebrow at Tony, “Still think he’s overrated?”

He only shrugged. “Guess not.”

The next few minutes flew by quickly, Tony progressively getting more invested in the game as it went on. He occasionally let out a cheer when you did, but other than that, he was more observant than anything.

But just as the Jokers were about to pass the ball, Tony jumped to his feet with a scowl, “Double dribble! Double fucking dribble! He stopped! What the fuck, why isn’t anyone calling that out?”

“Tony, he didn’t hold it. There was no double dribble,” you urged as the people surrounding you turned to glare at you both.

“Jesus fuck, this entire crowd is ignorant. Uneducated,” he stated angrily, sitting down in a huff.

You patted him on the back in attempted consolation, but he only ignored you, continuing to glower ahead.

Everything was fine and dandy until the Jokers’ defense pushed one of your team’s players when the referee wasn’t watching. In Tony’s defense, everybody reacted loudly to that. But no one had the passion Tony had when he leapt up like a fucking Jack in the Box, fists thrown in the air. “What the fuck!?” he screamed to no one in particular.

“Yeah, what the fuck!?” you echoed, cupping your hands around your mouth.

“You fucking blind ass, stupid piece of shit, punkass bitch!” he raged, pupils dilated and eyebrows furrowed.

“Okay, never mind.” You promptly sat down, trying to pull Tony with you but he shook you off fervently. You thought he resembled the fucking Tasmanian Devil from Looney Toons.

“That was a foul! Why don’t you use your fucking whistle, you trick ass little bitch?! Try blowing something other than your own dick for once!” he screamed at the referee, shaking his arms around wildly.

“Jesus Christ,” you whispered, putting your head in your hands as he ranted on and on for another ten seconds before finally sitting down, cursing steadily to himself.

When your team made an effortless basket, you prayed it would calm Tony down. And to some extent it did work and he kept quiet until the first quarter was up, only rolling his eyes when people turned to look at him.

Ignoring them from that moment on, he tilted his head as he watched Sam send a wink to a girl who only rolled her eyes playfully in response. “Who’s that?”

“Sam.”

“I know that’s Sam, I’m asking who the girl is.”

“Sam’s girlfriend, Sam,” you replied as you laughed at his expression of confusion.

“Sam has a girlfriend… named Sam?” You nodded as he sighed, smiling despite himself. “Fuck, what would their couple name be?”

“Well, they’re Sam and Sam. Or as I like to call them,” you dropped your voice as he raised an amused eyebrow, “Sam.”

“That’s so fucking creative, how did you ever think of that name?” he asked, a smile on his face that made him look ten times less stressed than he’d been mere moments ago.

You actually didn’t mind Tony at that moment. You might have even considered him to be fun.

That was until the next quarter started and the referee called a foul on Sam for apparently no reason and Tony was back on his feet, face red like one of those ugly Angry Birds. He then started in a shrieking voice, “Oh, so now you want to blow that whistle, you piece of utter shi–“

Tony gave you a ride back to your apartment after the game which had ended much later than you thought it would. You knew Bucky had left after the third quarter when he sent you a text saying he needed to get up early for his shift, but he asked you to call him when you got home safe.

You wondered if he was still awake but, as you’d promised, you called him the moment you crossed the building threshold.

“Hello?” his rasped in an infinitely exhausted voice– you instantly regretted calling him.

“Hey, fuck, sorry. I didn’t think you’d be asleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, get some rest,” you said hurriedly, guilt seeping through your words.

“No, no, it’s fine,” he paused and you could hear him yawn despite the muffling over the line. “Is everything fine, baby?”

“Yeah everything’s– wait, what did you just call me?” you asked as you bit your tongue and your eyebrows shot up in surprise.

The silence you were met with was quickly followed by a string of curses, presumably since he perceived what he’d said. His voice was clearer as he replied, “Shit. Sorry, Mario. It just slipped out. I’m, like, half dead. Is everything alright?”

“Yeah. Just called to talk about the king of anger paralysis, clone of Charlie Sheen, Tasmanian Devil embodiment–”

Bucky cut you off with a sigh. “Tony?”

“Oh, yes. Wanna hear all about my super great time with dear Squidward or should I save it for tomorrow?” you asked as you jogged up the stairs to your apartment.

You could hear rustling on the other end before he yawned once again, saying lightly, “I’m ready. Go on for as long as you want.”

“It all started when he called the referee a ‘fucking blind ass, stupid piece of shit, punkass bitch.’”

Bucky sighed. “Oh, shits.”

PART 5

TAGLISTS ARE CLOSED

[sectorcrescentia]

Fireworks

Title: Fireworks

Author: Firefall Bangemthump

Rating: Everyone

Word Count: 1,765

Summary: Old traditions become new again.

Surgeon-Commander Gray looked at the box skeptically, and then looked up at her companion, who was carrying it and watching her with an expression of expectant curiosity.

“Well? What do you think, ma'am?” Ko grinned. “I think we did pretty well to get hold of these this late. I tried three places and they were all sold out.”

Gray huffed with disapproval. Perhaps you should have taken that as an omen, she signed.

Ko put the box down on the kitchen table to free her own hands. While she knew Gray could understand her speech perfectly well thanks to her hearing aid, she knew she appreciated it when Ko made the effort to join her in sign language.

But it’s traditional, she replied.

So was the slave trade, Gray observed. That doesn’t make it a good idea.

Fireworks on Coronation Day is a thing, said Ko.

They’re a liability, said Gray. Do you know how many injuries they cause?

Ko shrugged. But they’re fun.

Gray cocked an eyebrow pointedly. Ko tried a different tack.

Did you never do this on Macropus?

Gray shook her head. There were fireworks. My father thought that actually participating in them would demean the family.

Ko grinned. So how about sticking one up him now?

Gray paused, thinking it over. There’s a certain logic to that.

Right, said Ko. And I bet you haven’t had a chance since then because the Navy keeps you too busy.

Correct. Gray nodded. Did you ever do this in the Royal Marines?

No. Ko hesitated. Officially. But young marines and live laslock ammo-

I suppose I should be grateful you survived, Gray’s ear twitched as she cut her off.

Ko shrugged. I’m going to set them in the garden.

Gray got to her feet with a theatrical sigh. I’d better come, then. In case you blow yourself up.

Saving me from fireworks now, doc? Ko laughed.

Gray looked at the felinid over the top of her spectacles. How else would I make sure you knew how bad an idea this is? she said.

The ‘garden’ of the small townhouse they had acquired in the shadow of the unfashionable side of Admiralty House was not really deserving of the name – it was a narrow rectangle paved with grey stone, walled with grey stone, with nothing in it but a narrow bench of wrought iron that was missing one of its wooden slats and a small pot containing the desiccated stick of whatever the previous occupant of the house had tried to grow. Normally the only illumination came from a pair of lamps on either side of the kitchen door, but tonight they were joined by the sparkling lights of the other fireworks being let off all over Crescentia. The spaceport had passed into Montressor’s shadow, making it as dark as it ever got, and the spectacular colours of the fireworks – mostly patriotic red, white, blue and gold, though with more than a few pinks, greens and purples mixed in – stood out brilliantly against the night of the etherium. Ko paused for a moment to enjoy the sight, and then emptied the box of fireworks out onto the ground and took stock – a handful of rockets, a few multi-shot Arcturian candles joined by a linked fuse and a slow match on a stick. She busied herself with arranging the rockets in the furthest possible corner when she heard two solid metallic sounds behind her and looked around to see Gray standing with her arms crossed behind a bucket of water she had just placed on the ground next to her medical kit. Ko grinned.

Are you still trying to tell me something, doc?

Gray arched an eyebrow.

Rest assured that you will not forget it if I have to use either of these.

Ko smiled as her companion pointedly switched off her hearing aid and watched her expectantly. Striking the match, she touched it to the fuse of the first rocket and then moved back to stand with Gray. The projectile fizzed to life and soared into the sky to join the others launching from all around the neighbourhood, bursting in a shower of golden sparks. The sound was amplified in the stone-walled yard, but was nothing serious to ears long-since attuned to the thunder of warship guns.

You seem to know what you’re doing, remarked Gray.

No need to sound surprised, ma'am, Ko joked.

Gray looked severe. Ko took a deep breath and relented.

When I was a kit, she said. Coronation Day was always one of the better times. Even when I was on the streets, me and the other kids would save up for a few penny bangers.

Gray moved closer, knowing that Ko’s childhood was a subject rarely raised. She didn’t say anything, but Ko seemed to feel the need to keep explaining.

The city was grey. Grey, brown, black. But one night a year there was colour in the sky as people let off their fireworks. Ko’s pale blue eyes were focused on the past for a moment. You could look up and almost forget where you were.

She stepped forward to light the fuses on the other rockets one by one, and watched nostalgically as they launched in series. Gray wasn’t watching the fireworks as they soared into the sky to join the constellations bursting over the spaceport. She was watching Ko’s face. And it seemed to her for a moment that despite the scar, the whitening fur, and the other signs of a life hard-lived, there was a sparkle in the pale blue eyes and a little hint at the vivacious and free-spirited kitten she must presumably once have been.

Doc?

Gray realised that Ko had caught her gaze and was looking back at her curiously. She coughed and stepped away.

This will make it better.

Ko watched her douse the garden lamps. The difference it made to the next firework was obvious, but Ko was uncomfortably aware that the sudden darkness limited their communications options. As Gray returned to her, she put down the slow match and sought out her hands to raise them between them. Gray understood and nodded. She could still understand Ko’s sign, albeit more slowly, by feeling out each one. Ko, despite much effort, was not quite able to master the art yet, and hadn’t forgiven herself.

But now you can’t talk to me, she said.

Gray’s reply didn’t use words. It didn’t need to. She simply bent down to pick up the match, returned it to Ko, and gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. Ko tried to judge Gray’s facial expression in the dark, managing it when a salvo of fireworks burst overhead, their incandescent rainbow reflecting and shimmering in the surgeon’s eyes and glasses. Gray gave her a nod. Ko, making use of the light while it was there, nodded back, smiled and mouthed a silent thank you. Gray patted her shoulder and stood back to let her set up the Arcturian candles, arranging them in a row across the far wall of the garden. Ko bent to light the fuse, only to freeze when pain flared white-hot in her lower back. She gasped and sank to her knees, the match clattering to the flagstones as she dropped it.

“G-Godsdamnit…Doc?” She gritted her teeth and remembered that Gray had switched off her hearing aid. But she needn’t have worried. A blue firework burst overhead and cast its harsh light into the garden. Gray, appalled to see her, was by her side in an instant, arms wrapping around her body in a manner that was supportive in more ways than just the physical. She felt herself being helped up and guided towards the bench, where Gray lowered her gently to sit and then knelt in front of her, the last of the blue light showing her eyes filled with concern. Ko saw her switch on the hearing aid and nod questioningly.

“My back again, ma'am…damn it…when I knelt down…” She hissed in pain as she tried to straighten up. Gray moved her hands to keep Ko’s spine straight, propping her back against the wall. Ko closed her eyes for a moment and then nodded slowly.

“That…that’s better, doc. Thanks. Guess I should have learned my limitations by now.”

The shadows had fallen over the garden again, but Gray’s white coat was reflective enough to show up lighter against the darkness. She stayed in front of Ko for a moment, holding her hands until her pained breathing returned to normal.

“I’m sorry about this…I just thought that maybe…since I’m out of the services now…maybe I could find something to make the day special.” Ko shook her head. “Stupid, really. Pining for a past that never was. Some things you can’t get back. I should have known it.”

Gray did nothing for a moment. Then, to Ko’s surprise, she let go and moved away towards the dying ember of the dropped slow match. Ko watched as she picked it up and blew on it to rekindle it, a fiery yellow glow briefly highlighting her lips and face as Gray turned to look at her. For a moment, Ko could almost have sworn she saw a smile there – but perhaps it was a trick of the random lights and shadows. What was certain was that Gray then turned away and applied the match to the fuse that Ko had been trying to light. It fizzed into life and Gray stubbed out the match before she went to join Ko on the bench. The fireworks began launching in sequence, a dazzling salvo of colours soaring into the sky to join the others. Ko watched them appreciatively and reached over to take Gray’s hand.

Thank you.

All she got in reply was an encouraging squeeze. But after a moment she felt an arm slide awkwardly around her waist in a gesture that could only partly be due to concern for her back. Grateful that nobody could see her blush in the dark, she shifted into the embrace and felt Gray against her side on the narrow bench. After a while, she sought out Gray’s free hand.

The fireworks have run out, she said.

Ko felt Gray nod, but not move. The garden was still and dark now, their private supply having fired itself off, though the display continued elsewhere over Crescentia. She understood and smiled.

Thank you.

Gray’s only response was to hold her a little closer while they watched the fireworks. But that was still enough.

[alexa-t]

Venus Rising

Chapter 3: Parallel Chronologies

Part II - A Time to Reap, a Time to Sow

Unbeknownst to him and to Mina herself, were the occurrences of the last few days on the island of Kos. Apelles arrived and revealed his masterpiece, selling it after an hour long bidding war between all the aristocrats of the island. Gordos immediately recognized who Aphrodite was modeled after and wanted it for himself, but he lost to Talos, who although not as wealthy, managed to double Gordos' bid.

Apelles became an instant hit, his lesser known works were being sought after, and he was commissioned for work by many aristocratic households around the Greek world. In fact, there was such a high demand for his work, that instead of returning to Athens he scheduled to leave straight for Macedonia in the north.

Walking up to a Macedonian ship early one brisk autumn morning, he watched an Athenian vessel come out of the fog and pull up to the docks. He stood watching as some men put his luggage and painting equipment on board, and the crew of the other ship tied it down. As he observed the busy scene of men rushing around, a young aristocratic woman, dressed in the finest silk chimation, was helped off the vessel. She slightly stumbled slipping on the wet stones of the dock, and he rushed grabbing her hand to prevent her from falling.

“Thank you" she said quietly turning to see his face

“Mnesarete?!” he exclaimed looking at the familiar face of his model

“Apelles!” she exclaimed with a smile.

“Haha! I am so glad to see you here!” he laughs giving her a big hug “this is amazing, you are her, and I am here, and… we both are her right now!”

“Yes…” She replies with discomfort painted all over her face as she tries to break free of his bear hug, “we are.”

“You do not understand!” he explains after eventually letting go, “this is a Macedonian ship.” pointing over to the ship with the sun design on its' sails.

“You are going to Macedonia?” she asks genuinely surprised

“Yes! Yes!” he answers more excited than before. “I have been invited to the court of King Phillip himself! Can you believe it?”

“I want you to deliver a letter for me.” She tells him, before going back to her luggage and rummaging through it.

“No no, I am not a delivery boy…” he attempts to reject the request as she quickly writes a few words on a small parchment.

“Take this to Maximus who is staying at the house of General Cleitus.” She hands him the parchment, sealed with her signet ring pressed in the wax.

“I said n…” he begins but stops when Mina places his hand on her breast. “General Cleitus. Ok"

“Good.” She replies as she removes her hand.

Just then two men carrying a large square object covered by a brown sheet walk between them and board the Macedonian vessel.

“That is the painting!” Apelles informs her

“The Macedonians purchased it?”

“Actually, a merchant named Talos bought it and then, I think, he sold it to the Macedonians"

“Interesting” she thought aloud. The Macedonians here on Kos, an Athenian ally, means they are really expanding their influence.

“Where are you going?” he asks her

“Gordos" she replies

“His house is the large one right of the town square" he says illustrating an invisible map with his long thin index finger.

She thanked him and wished him well on his trip and new ventures before leaving to find Gordos' home. It was not a difficult search since the house was the most imposing building on the square, with its' enormous and intricate façade looming over the passersby.

‘hmm definitely trying to compensate’ she thought as she walked up to the gate.

“State your business" the burly, chiseled chin guard asked

“I will stay it only to Gordos himself" she replied, “tell him…”

“Mina is here!” he calls out running down the front steps with his outstretched arms.

The gate swings open and he steps out and hugs her, before guiding her into his home. They sat talking in his large lush courtyard as servants rushed around waiting on them. After a lavish dinner they went to the bedroom upstairs for a glass of wine. The wine flowed and when Gordos saw her getting light headed from the alcohol he made his move.

Kissing her on the neck and grabbing her everywhere in such an uncoordinated way, made her wish she was actually drunk. Yet she played her part, seduced by his charm and manliness, she had succumbed to his sexual advances. Clumsily he tore off her clothes until her naked body was before him in all its' glory, the woman who had defined Aphrodite.

She had no real interest with this client, physical or psychological, nothing made him the least bit appealing, it was strictly a business transaction. There were many clients like him, although there were a few she generally enjoyed the company of, and none she actually loved. It was neither the large belly nor the weak physique that disinterested her, but rather his weak character, the one that allowed her to control him.

Bent over with her legs spread, she held onto the base board of his extremely large wooden bed as he took her from behind, while she thought about her plans for tomorrow. Anyone listening wondered what sexual magic he had done to her to make her utter the words, and cry out as loudly as she did. Luckily the ordeal was as short as his member was, and he collapsed on the bed in a sweaty mess. Laying beside him she played with his curly black hair until sleep over took him, while she wondered what the Macedonians were doing so far south.

The next morning, Gordos, rejuvenated and jovial, made his way through the house, greeting all the household staff. Together they had a breakfast of honey covered fried bread and an assortment of seasonal fruits in the courtyard while laughing and making small talk. After the meal she requested a tour of the island where the famed first physician, Hippocrates, was from, to which he was overjoyed to give. The carriage was readied and sitting in the back with his arm around her they began their excursion.

She met all the aristocracy of the island as well as all the important merchants bringing goods to or through the island on their way to all of the other Greek cities. Here was the hub of the silk trade for all the Mediterranean. Every strand of silk coming from beyond Persia made its' way to Kos where it is woven into fabric and then finally sewn into the finest clothes the world had ever seen.

The clothing from Kos was sold to aristocrats and nobles, kings and pharaohs, all over the Mediterranean world. Her tour included silk factories where she was able to see how everything was manufactured.

“It is simply amazing!” she exclaimed, her voice full of enthusiasm.

“Yes, it is.” Gordos smiled haughtily.

“The fabric is so soft and wonderful.” She stated petting the sheets of silk being woven.

“You really love silk baby, eh?” he asks laughing

“Oh yes I do!” she purred, rubbing a emerald green piece of cloth on her cheek, “you do not have enough silk for me.”

“Oh, I am sure I have more than plenty of everything for you my dear.” He rebutted

“ummm…” she stopped and looked around at the bustling factory with a blank stare, like a pigeon looking over the square for crumbs, “no.”

“Hahaha” he laughed nervously with his hands at his sides, “What do you mean, no?”

“Well, that there is not enough silk for me here.” She stated in a building literally filled with silk, in any form you could possibly imagine.

“Honey… I have more silk than anyone in all of the Mediterranean!” he declares with outstretched arms. “Beautiful but not very bright.” He whispers to the tall skinny man standing next to him, who was most likely the manager of the factory.

She skips over like a little girl, and just as if she were actually ten years old and asking for a toy, lays on his chest and looks him in the eyes.

“Then you can give one to me can't you?” she implored him.

He looked at her stunned that she would ask such a thing, not knowing what to reply.

“If you really have so much, then a little for me is nothing for you.” She stated sweetly.

“Umm… I… ummm..” he muttered

“Oh! If it is too much, then it is fine I understand.” She said standing back up, and turning to walk away “most men cannot afford such gifts for their lovers"

“But I am NOT most men!” he declared pompously, “Alpheos! You work for Mnesarete now!”

The man looked at him stunned, unable to utter a word, unable to move, catatonic state stunned. Mina ran up to Gordos and wrapping her arms around him, planted a big kiss on his cheek.

“Oh thank you Gordos!” she exclaimed in a very airheaded fashion.

Alpheos brought over a scroll and Gordos handed it to her, telling her that if she needed any help he would be there for her. What he actually meant was, that in a month when she had her fun he would take it back. They walked out the front door and toward the carriage, but as Gordos was stepping in, she ran back with the excuse of ‘forgetting something’ to which he laughed at her silliness.

Inside she found Alpheos, and sternly called him over to her.

“I want you to bring me an account of what we have in stock here. Everything from the last fiber to the finished clothing, as well as clothing designs” His mouth dropped at the sudden personality change.

“Y..yes… my lady.” He stutters, perplexed by the strange level-headed female.

“I also need a list of where we received the last shipment of silk from, how much, how much we sell our products for and to who.”

She walked off without waiting for a reply, but fully expecting Alpheos to get it done and bring the documents by Gordos' house that evening. She was sure that he knew he would be fired if he did not perform to her expectations. Outside she put on her smile and jumped on the back of the carriage.

"Did you find what you were looking for baby?" he asked

"Yes, I did." she replied as the driver whipped the horses and they proceeded to their next destination.

In Athens, with Mina gone, Helena spent more and more time at the clinic with Dice. The endless line outside the clinic was always filled with sick and injured women and children in need of care. Why did so many people flock to Agnodice for care instead of the dozen or so other physicians in Athens? No one was really sure, but maybe it was the quality of care, or maybe it was the level of caring, nevertheless they found their way there, and every night the girls would finish later and later.

"Do you ever feel tired of working so many hours?" Helena asked the doctor as they cleaned up after a long day's work.

"No, not really." Dice answered with a smile while putting some tools in a basin for cleaning.

"What about the fact that you recieve no recognition for your hard work, no one really knows who you are, no one really knows how much of an amazing physician you are?"

"They all know." she replied pointing out to the waiting room, "everyday more and more people come because they know I will not turn them away, that I will treat them no matter who they are. This is enough recognition for me. It does not matter to them what is between my legs, what matters is the good I do for them every day."

"You are truly amazing." Helena expressed, in awe of the woman.

"I am not." Dice retorted bluntly, "I am simply doing what I love, for the people whom I love."

Helena admired her, Agnodice was intelligent, stoic, and completely selfless. She truly lived to serve the people, in stark contrast with the other physicians of the city who saw each patient as a sack of gold. She treated so many people for free that it became almost strange when patients offered to pay.

"When you were in Chalcedon learning medicine, did your colleagues treat you differently?" Helena inquired

"Medicine is very competitive" Dice began, "the other students, who were all men, tried to cause problems an account of my sex. Yet Herophilos, my teacher, made it clear the first day we all entered the school."

"What did he do?"

"He stood before all of us and said, ‘I do not care who you are or who your parents are, if you are man or woman. What I care is that you enter as children and you will leave as physicians. Anyone who cannot handle my style of teaching and anyone who is unworthy, I will throw you out without a second thought. Prove your worth and stay.’ and I proved my worth."

This was enough to satiate Helena's curiosity for the moment. They finished their cleaning, and readied the clinic for the next day. Walking out, Dice closed and locked the door behind them, while Helena looked around at the sleeping city. What she failed to notice is the cloaked man across the street watching them, taking into account everything they do.

[dumparchivesblog]

Bought this Everyday planner by Penelope Pop and they are so gorgeous! Buti nalang I was able to pre-order pa before everything went sold out. I was supposed to get the Blush color parang pastel pink-ish pero it’s the first that got sold out so yung Bare nalang pinili ko. I’ve been using planners since college ako like super dami niyang purpose for me. It’s also my instant journal and doodle book kasi because I super love writing the things that happens in a day and designing the pages. Parang nothing still beats hand written notes for me. Natago ko pa yung mga planner ko from the previous years, although never talaga ako nakapuno or tapos sa isang tao. Laging may skip or half way lang. Hahaha. 

Sobrang gusto ko lang din kasi yung content niya like yung mga pwede mo malagay and organize. May mga pages for goal setting, milestone and budgeting which I really like. Tsaka mas gusto ko parin yung may tinitignan and naglilist ng to do’s in handwritten form kesa yung mga reminders and alarm lang sa phone. Tapos ang sarap din niya kasi i-back read from time to time and see ano na yung mga na-achieve and nagawa mo. This one costs 750php and it’s really not bad compared to other planners. Although umabot ng 900+ yung binayaran ko kasi may shipping pa. Pwede pick-up pero sa glorietta pa e ang hassle so pina-ship ko na. Around December daw siya dadating so ayun excited to have it na. Unfortunately, everything’s already sold out at the moment pero I’ll put the link down below on where you can get it incase you’re interested. 

I’ll try to be as diligent as possible and consistent in using it and writing my daily entries. As in gagamitin ko talaga siya this time. Ang sarap din kasi when you see na may mga plans and goals ka and mati-tick of mo mga yun. Like ang satisfying and fulfilling. 

You can get it here: The Everyday PH by Penelope Pop