#it just felt right to combine these two masterpieces

[pintrestgrl]

hi guyssysysysysysysys i missed y’all. i’m aware im awful at posting but send requests pls !!!

also know that i write for slytherin boys too !! like blaise, theo, mattheo, etc !!

i’m trying to post more but patience i beg im js a girl 😪

crybaby!reader x bsf!jj maybank.

“you too pretty to be cryin’. ”

jj said, as you sat horizontally on the couch, legs thrown over his lap.

your mascara was long gone, spilled all over your cheeks.

you had a date, you really did. but, you got stood up. he never came to pick you up.

so now, you found yourself at your bestfriends house as you cried, and he comforted you.

he sat with you as long as you wanted, wiping your tears and playing with you hair.

“he’s dumb to stand you up. you look beautiful.”

you heard his words, but in that moment you felt the complete opposite.

“why’d he stand me up, jay? i was so excited.”

he rolled his eyes, subtly snaking a hand up a little too high on your thigh.

“he stood you up cause he’s stupid. like, brain dead.”

you sighed, still so upset. you’d even broken out the new perfume jj bought you for the date!

he spoke again.

“c’mon. i’ll make you forget about it, pretty.”

you nodded, sitting up slowly.

wiping your red, tear ridden eyes.

he took you in his lap fully,

manhandling you by your waist to make you straddle him.

he tugged your pouty bottom lip,

lightly tapping your chin with two long fingers.

it wasn’t long before he convinced you that you just needed to take your clothes off.

he told you it was just to help you relax.

calm down.

so you did.

he was your best friend, of course you’d listen to him. right?

he massaged your tits, the pretty soft flesh.

convinced you it was just to make you relax, ease your nerves.

it wasn’t long before he had his thick cock buried to the hilt inside you.

he just wanted to take your mind off the date.

right?

he had you mindlessly babbling, as you bounced on him.

thanking him, for being your best friend. for always helping you.

he guided your hips, helping you get off.

kissing away the tears that escaped your pretty eyes,

as you were too cock drunk to speak.

you came around his dick, biting down onto the flesh of his shoulder as he hit the spot inside you that made you see stars.

you felt every vein against your walls, so aware of him inside you.

he came short after, breathing heavily against your pretty tits.

he pulled out, watching the mixture of cum seep out of your aching hole.

smirking at the sight.

spitting onto the cum covered sight infront of him, adding to his masterpiece. running the pad of his thumb through the fluids, watching them combine.

laughing at you.

he just wanted to help.

right?

right.

[bohemianblasphemy]

Okay…now I’m going to need Soft!Butcher baking a birthday cake after our conversation. 😏 😝

we absolutely do✨✨

“alright… this should be easy.”

Butcher muttered to himself as he tied up his ‘kiss the cook’ apron around him, looking upon the multiple ingredients and kitchen utensils along the counter.

It was your birthday today- and wanting to impress you with his baking skills he was making a cake from scratch, no help from a premix box by Betty Crocker. You had gone out to run some errands so he took the opportunity to whip something up.

Pulling up his phone, he had a recipe ready to go. Combining the wet and dry ingredients into the mixer as directed, the whirring noise of the machine mixed with the messy noises of the ingredients meshing together. He felt like a proper baker until he turned the mixer too high, causing the floury concoction to fling out from all angles, especially all over him.

“fuck me…” he rushed to turn off the machine, wiping off bits of the mixture off his face. Pulling up the whisk to check on the blend, no lumps were to be found.

Despite the mess he felt proud of himself, pouring the mixture into a lined cake tin and putting it in the oven. “alright… not too shabby for the old cunt.” he said to himself again as he smiled at his work.

A few more ingredients were layed out on the counter to create homemade icing, as well as some candles to adorn it so you could blow them out.

He hummed as he tested the sweet fusion of powdered sugar and butter, putting a dab of food colouring through it to make it presentable when the cake was ready.

He dusted his hands off, wiping down his apron feeling good- but that soon faded, groaning as he saw the mess along the kitchen counter that he had to clean up as the cake was baking.

Like clockwork, the alarm on his phone indicating that the cake was ready as soon as he finished cleaning up. Pulling out the tray with oven mitts, he placed the cake tin on the stove top to let it cool.

As soon as the cake was cool enough, the icing was poured on top and decorated it with candles. Taking a step back, he admired his work knowing that you’d love it.

The turn of the key in the door indicated that you had arrived home, which sprung billy into action as he lit the candles on the cake. As you walked in, your eyes averted to the faint glow of the cake on the counter- Billy standing next to it.

“Happy birthday my love…” he grinned seeing your surprised smile adorning your face.

“Billy… did you make this?”

“Of course i did. Thought I’d whip up a little something special for my favorite person.”

You giggled, looking at his work. “you didn’t have to go through the trouble-“

“Aye, but it’s ya birthday and you deserve it, even if i look like a right muppet whilst i do it.” he smirked.

“you’re far from it Billy, this is perfect. thank you.” A warmth flowed through you as you embraced him in your arms, pressing a sweet kiss to his lips.

“anything for my girl… now make a wish and blow out ya candles, don’t want melted wax all over my masterpiece.” he teased as he watched you think about a wish and blow the candles out.

“now let’s cut a slice… this looks delicious.” Taking the knife that was next to the plate, lining it up to make an incision. Two slices were cut, the simple sweet treat being thoroughly enjoyed by the two of you.

“what did ya wish for lovey?” he questioned, placing his fork on his plate and looking over to you.

You pondered, before smirking. “You’re just gonna have to find out later…” you winked suggestively, making Butcher chuckle- eager for find out what the rest of the night had in store…

[lavendertom]

The Neighbor Across the Street pt. 3

Mike Schmidt x Babysitter!f!Reader

part 1, part 2, part 4, part 5, part 6

wc: 2.4k

warnings: mentions of garrett’s kidnapping + mikes trauma from that, fluff, tiny age gap barely mentioned (as always, lmk if there’s anything i’ve missed)

summary: the neighbor across the street needs a babysitter, so you take the job, not knowing what’s in store for you as you grow closer to the siblings. AU where nothing bad happens at the pizzeria

quick note, as mentioned this is an AU, but mikes trauma is still there from garrett’s kidnapping but i won’t go down the wormhole of lore for this bc that’s not necessarily why i’m writing this

——————————————————————————

The cool breeze of a spring afternoon could be felt as you made your way to the Schmidt’s house. It was a Saturday and technically you weren’t supposed to be at their house today.

Abby was found knocking on your front door just a few minutes earlier, asking if you could come over and play outside with her. You had a good feeling she’d been asking Mike all day, but he refused to call you and ask himself because you’d “probably be busy with school work.” So, the young girl took it upon herself to ask.

“Mike got me a huge box of sidewalk chalk we can draw with.” Abby told you as you walked to the house together. “I also have a bicycle, we can go on a bike ride together! Well, not you, you’re too big for my bike. But you can walk.”

You smiled at yourself, hearing the girl talk and talk about all of the things she was excited to do with you.

“Abby, what’d I say about going to y/n’s house?” you could hear Mike say when you reached the outside of their garage. He looked like he was cleaning some shelves full of random tools.

“She said she wasn’t busy!” Abby said, defending herself.

“It’s okay, I didn’t have much homework this weekend. Anything for my favorite neighbor.” you said in the midst of doing the handshake you and Abby made up one time while you were babysitting after her.

“I thought I was your favorite?” Mike said, pretending to sound offended.

“My second favorite. Get it right.” you said with a small smirk.

Before you could continue conversing with him, Abby dragged you by the wrist with a box of chalk in her other arm.

The two of you combined ended up drawing enough pictures to fill up a majority of the driveway. Granted it wasn’t long, but you ended up making a masterpiece out of the broken up concrete.

“It looks like your room threw up on the driveway, Abby.” Mike said walking out of the garage to assess the damage that was done.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Abby said grinning.

“Yeah, when’s it going to rain again? Or I can just grab the hose and–”

“Be nice!” you said, playfully hitting his arm.

“I want to go on a bike ride now!” Abby said as she ran to pull her bike out of the corner of the garage. She had a habit of quickly moving on from one activity to the next with little room in between.

“I’ll go with her.” you said with a smile.

“I’ll come too.” Mike said, already closing the garage door behind him before you could object and say something like “You need a break, go rest.” Abby already made her way down the drive way, riding towards the sidewalk.

“It’s nice out today.” you said in an attempt to make small talk as you guys followed behind Abby. You guys haven’t spoken much since that night he returned home from his first night shift. You’ll never know what compelled you to give him that hug and what compelled him to give you one in return before you left.

“Yeah, I was finally able to get some stuff done outside today.”

“That’s good.” you were taking in the sounds of the birds chirping, some trees were finally blossoming again after the weather started warming up a bit. After a few seconds of comfortable silence you spoke up, “How’s the job been?”

“As good as a night shift job can be.”

“You getting much sleep lately?” His eyes still looked tired as the day you first saw them, if not more.

“When have I ever.” he paused for a moment, not sure if he was ready to enter this conversation with you. “Sleep has never come easy for me.”

“You can say that again.” you said with a small chuckle.

“Has your mom told you much about our situation?” he said at a slightly softer volume than earlier.

“Not really.”

He took a deep breath before he began talking. “When I was about 12 years old, I had a little brother. His name was Garret. He was taken and we never found him. I was there when it happened.” he stopped for a moment, you looked at him and saw the hurt in his face. “I still have nightmares, every night. I just wish there was something I could’ve done. Anything.”

“I’m so sorry Mike.” you said quietly, you were shocked. You never knew the reasons why this family had it so hard, it made you feel almost guilty that you didn’t take the time to know them earlier. Neither of them asked to be put in this situation.

“It’s okay. It’s just hard thinking back on it. I feel like it’s my fault. Parents told me I needed to watch him. I let this happen.” he was fidgeting with his thumbs, taking in a deep breath. “Anyways, mom died a little after Abby was born, dad died not long after. I had no other choice but to take custody of Abby and become her guardian.”

Everything made sense to you now. Mike had his hands full all of the time and not by choice. No wonder he was always working.

“Are you doing any better now?” you asked.

“The nightmares are still there. I don’t think they’ll ever go away, but I put on a brave face for Abby. She knows very little about Garret, kind of want to keep it that way.”

“I understand.” you said looking down at the pavement beneath your feet. “Thanks for telling me this by the way.”

“You were going to find out one way or another. Better talk about it now than later.” the two of you looked ahead and saw Abby stopped at a street corner.

“You guys are too slow!” she shouted.

“We’re coming!” you shouted back. “If it means anything to you, you’re doing a hell of a good job. She cares about you.” you smiled softly, looking over at him.

“I hope so. Doesn’t seem like it sometimes. She’s a pain in the ass when you’re not around.” he mumbled.

“Really?” you asked, genuinely surprised. “She talks about you like you’re her entire world when I babysit.” The two instantly remembered what the girl had said to Y/n that one night, Y/n not knowing Mike heard all about it the next day.

“You would be a good princess for Mike.”

“Give her some time, she’ll open up to you one day.” you said reassuringly.

The rest of the walk you guys talked about random things. You told him all about your college courses which he found incredibly interesting, although not understanding much about what they entailed. He told you about some of his craziest encounters when he was a mall security guard. The two of you laughed so hard over one of them you almost tripped over the uneven pavement, making you guys laugh even harder.

When you finally returned to his house it was beginning to get dark out. Abby somehow was not tired one bit, despite having ridden her bike for almost 45 minutes.

“I promised Abs I’d let her make s’mores tonight. You can join us.” he said putting his hands in his pockets. It was starting to get cooler out as the sun set. “If you want.” he added at the last second.

“Sure, why not.” you had enjoyed getting to know him better, you didn’t really want to go home yet anyways. “I’m just gonna run home real quick to grab a hoodie, it’s getting co-“

“You can just borrow one of mine.” he interrupted.

“You sure? It’s not that big of a deal I can just run inside real quick.” your heart racing at the thought of him letting you wear one of his hoodies. He’s just being nice you reassured yourself, nothing more.

“Y/n, it’s fine.” he said with a chuckle. “You can go through the gate on the side of the house, Abby’s probably already back there.”

He went through the front door as you walked to the back of the house, and sure enough Abby was already back there placing a handful of s’mores supplies on a little table on the back porch of the house.

“You’re staying for s’mores, Y/n?” Abby asked, excitement beginning to fill her.

“Yeah.” you said smiling. You saw a stack of camping chairs leaning against the house. “Wanna help me grab the chairs?”

The two of you grabbed the chairs, placing them around the campfire pit. You heard the door open and saw Mike stepping out holding hoodies for both you and Abby.

He handed you one, you gave him a tight lipped smile after thanking him. You slipped it over your head, it was just slightly oversized on you. It smelled just like he did the night you gave him the hug, you thought you’d never get over that scent. Your hands were tucked into the pocket of it as you took a seat on one of the chairs, waiting for Mike to finish starting the fire.

“Okay Abs please don’t burn every single marshmallow this time, I want Y/n to actually have an edible s’more.” Mike said looking over at his sister who was already putting far too many marshmallows on a long stick.

Mike sat on the chair next to you. The moment felt peaceful as Abby skipped over holding a stick with marshmallows, holding it over the fire. You watched as Abby toasted the marshmallows, trying her hardest not to turn them all to charcoal. The sun had finally set and the sky was clear, the stars becoming more visible. You noticed Mike was looking up at the sky.

“Have you ever seen a shooting star before?” you asked, both of you now looking up.

“No, have you?” Mike replied.

“A few. When I was a kid, I used to sit out back and just watch the sky until I’d see one. I ended up being able to see a few because of the insane amount of time I’d be out there.” you were still looking up.

Mike turned his attention from the sky to you, watching how your lips formed the smallest of smiles as you spoke. He watched the way your eyes lit up from talking about something so important to you. He felt himself begin to smile, too.

You kept talking, not realizing that he wasn’t looking up at the sky anymore. He couldn’t take his eyes off of you, not when your face lit up with joy from just talking about something as simple as the stars. The way it seemed like your hair fell just perfectly and his hoodie seemed to fit you just right didn’t help the situation either.

You finally turned your head back to him realizing he had been looking at you the whole time, a small smile still on his face.

“What?” you said with a nervous laugh.

“Nothing.” he said with a smile, shaking his head slightly as he turned his attention back to the sky.

“Here’s your s’more, Y/n!” Abby said as she suddenly popped up next to you. You almost forgot she was even with you guys anymore, her focus was entirely on making the most yummy s’mores. That left little time for her to ask you all of her usual questions.

“Thanks Abby.” you said, smiling at her as she handed you a messy s’more. She ran back to grab another one, handing it to Mike.

“Thanks Abs.” he said, giving his sister a side hug before she could run away again to grab her own s’more.

The three of you spent the rest of the night snaking on many more s’mores and talking more about the stars until Abby fell asleep in her small camping chair. The fire was dimming, barely alive anymore. You and Mike continued watching the sky, pointing out constellations and attempting to see a shooting star with no luck.

“I should probably take Abby to bed.” Mike said as he stood up, making his way towards Abby. He picked up his little sister as gently as possible making sure not to wake her.

“Yeah I should probably head home now.” you said also standing up. You grabbed the chairs you all used to put them back where you found them.

“Thanks, Y/n. You didn’t have to.” he said as he made his way to the back door.

“No problem. The least I could do after those s’mores Abby made.” you smiled.

You followed him into the house as he walked towards the front door, Abby still peacefully asleep in his arms. He slowly opened the front door for you.

“See you Monday?” he asked.

“Yup.” you replied, and before you knew it he pulled you into a side hug. His two favorite people were in his arms now and he didn’t want it any other way.

“Have a good night, Y/n.”

“You too, Mike.” as you pulled away from his embrace, you put a hand on Abby’s shoulder. You gave the two a small smile which he returned as you walked out of the door.

And you bet he stood there until you were across the street, just like he did every other time you left their house.

When you returned home to your bedroom, which was still decorated like it was when you were 13, you felt warm inside. A different type of warm inside, the feeling you have when you care about someone so much and they care just as much back. All you wanted to do was make sure he knew you cared for him and Abby so much.

You looked at your bulletin board next to your door that had a photo of you and Abby from one of the first times you babysat her. She begged you to bring your polaroid camera and she took advantage of it, snapping all sorts of photos of you and her.

It wasn’t until you saw the photo that you realized you were still wearing Mikes hoodie he lent you. You looked in the mirror next to your door, admiring the hoodie. It wasn’t anything special, just a plain black hoodie, but it felt special. You were determined to continue changing their lives. Making sure their days were brighter, months filled with more happy days than sad ones.

You crawled into bed, too tired to take off the hoodie. You took in the smell of it one last time before you drifted off to sleep thinking about the memories you made today, hoping you’d never forget them.

——————————————————————————

jules jewels (tag list! lmk if u want to be added or removed 🤗)

@balesita @universi8 @browneyedgirly93 @prongsprincessworld @k3nnlolz @mxrvelouss

[dreamingon-forever]

hi can you give some levihan headcanons as a couple , maybe in modern au

Thank you so much for the request! This is my first headcanon request so I tried to make it as perfect as possible! Also, bear with me because I got overexcited with the ask, and instead of the point form HC formulation I should've followed, I may or may not have thought up their whole freaking backstory... and their follow up story... Oops. I won't post it here today, but I do think I will make it a separate post some other day if anyone is interested enough. Either way, thank you so much and I hope you enjoy!

AO3 link: 💚💜

I like to think that even in modern AU, Hange would still have her cheery personality, but instead of obsessing over Titans, she'd be more interested in microbes (I know, transition between giants to microorganisms, LOL). She'd still be interested in saving humanity, but more in the bacterial and medical kind of field instead.

Levi on the other hand, no longer having to be a soldier, he'd happily run the tea shop he'd always wanted right next to his best friends Isabel and Furlan.

The two met on a subway ten years ago on Levi's first day of work in the city. Where an unfortunate mix up of personal belongings caused by clashing into each other got them acquainted and familiar with each other. Despite the unfortunate meeting and the roller coaster of events that unfolded from their collision, it eventually became a pleasant story to tell their friends or at parties when asked how they met.

They were complete opposites of each other. Hange loved the outdoors while Levi preferred staying at home. She was loud and upbeat while he preferred silence and tranquility. Hanger had a habit of being free willed and letting her spontaneity take her, while Levi liked to have everything planned and set before getting into anything

And it wasn't just their preferences that differed, it was every aspect of themselves. Their life choices and ways of thinking were drastically opposing. Even the way they disagreed on what they wanted to eat for dinner caused heated discussion when brought up, as Hange would pick sweets for dinner instead of something sustainable like Levi wanted.

They were complete and utterly the opposite of each other. And while everything pointed to them not working out and onlookers put their money on their relationship ending in a messy breakup, they proved everyone wrong every time with how much their bond only grew stronger overtime. And how their loving partnership became more and more obvious the more time spent around them, erasing any doubts they had about the couple.

Yes, they fought occasionally, and they drove each other absolutely insane. But their differences also brought them out of each other's shells, together experiencing new things they would've never seen without the other otherwise. They saw the world in a different light through each other's eyes, and came to love the new combined word they created together. Because with being opposites of each other, it also meant they filled each other's holes and missing pieces. Almost like creating a stained glass window meant to be clear with splashes of purples and greens instead. Creating an accidental masterpiece that came to be adored by those lucky enough to bask under the kaleidoscope of colours in their inner chapel. Bathing those closest to them with the deep love they had for each other.

Throughout the years of getting to know each other, they found a way to put their differences away, and somehow managed to build up their relationship status to best friends. So much so that Isabel and Furlan, Levi's childhood friends complained about being replaced so quickly. Although, in all considerations, it felt to Levi like he was the one being replaced by Hange instead with the way his friends loved her. Hell, even his mother and uncle seemed to love her more than him.

"Welcome home, runt. Where's Hange? I wanted to discuss about the new wine she mentioned to me last time." His uncle would say when he'd visit.

"Oh Hange! I've made your favourite pudding!" His mother would greet, throwing herself at his girlfriend before she caught sight of her own son staring at them with a roll of his eyes. "Oh, Levi! Nice to see you too of course."

Contrary to his grumbles and complains about Hange being overburdened by his family every time she visited, he couldn't help but feel his heart beat happily at knowing the love of his life was accepted by his family, and that they loved her as much as he did himself. Having the two most important parts of his life get along was all he cared about.

Despite having known each other for ten years, having met when Levi was 26 and Hange 24, they didn't start dating until... well that was a mystery of its own as they themselves didn't really know when they started dating. Not fully at least.

Somewhere along the years of their friendship the lines blurred, and they somehow ended up with the shocking, yet not surprising realization that they were and had been dating each other for a while. But the way they realized it and came to terms with it wasn't an easy one. When Levi finally came to terms that he harboured feelings for his best friend, he initially thought that Hange had feelings for someone else. And he could only put up with the unbearable pain he went through when he overheard Moblit mention to Nifa that Hange couldn't meet with them for a work dinner because she had a date already.

So one can only imagine his surprise when Hange showed up with a smile at his shop door on Saturday, greeting him and his workers as happily as ever. Even throwing herself at him for a hug like she always did whenever she visited. A hug that would be considered too personal and close for two individuals that were only considered friends. But not once during her whole afternoon spent there did she mention anything about meeting up with anyone else, but the suspense was absolutely killing Levi by the point the clock struck half an hour to dinner time.

But Hange continued being her usual self. Greeting new and old clients alike as if she'd been friends with them for ages. Making a complete mess of his usual clean counters only to be scolded off by Levi to go to the corner and read instead, and even teasing him about random things like she always did. All the while being completely unaware of the turmoil and the pain Levi felt at thinking about how he would have to hide his feelings and having to pretend to be happy for Hange being with someone that wasn't him the rest of their live. It was becoming an unbearable and depressing Saturday to say the least. His mood only soured more as Hange still acted all upbeat and nonchalant as ever. Not once having brought up her dating life to him, despite being her so called bestie. And it brought about this ugly feeling of disbelief and jealousy out of him that he'd never experienced before.

As nighttime fell over the streets, Levi finally broke his silence and lashed out at her bitterly, asking why she was hanging out with him when she already had plans with someone else.

And out of all ways she could've reacted to his interrogation, being laughed at was something he didn't expect.

"But Levi, YOU are my date." She finally gasped, having finally gained the capacity to breathe again after having laughed at his question.

"Huh? How am I your date, fucking Four- Eyes. We never made plans for anything. Besides, I overheard your coworkers talk about you meeting someone instead of eating with them... How can I be considered your date?"

Hange tilted her head, amusement flowing in her brown eyes as she caught the usual poised and self-assured raven-haired individual lose his composure. "Huh... But I thought we've been dating for while now, Shorty. I've even been referring to you as my boyfriend to my friends and coworkers for the last few months."

Turns out, her date was none other than Levi. And her idea of a date was hanging out with him at his tea shop on the weekend like she's been doing the last five years. And Levi, as clueless to feelings as ever, never put two and two together.

The whirring of machine cogs and espresso machines filled the silence between them as Levi processed whatever Hange had just said.

"The fuck?! You can't simply just call me your boyfriend when I haven't even been aware of us dating this whole time!" He finally retaliated, throwing the rag in his hands onto the tabletop.

Hange giggled, noticing the reds on his cheeks. It wasn't a no, she could read from his eyes. "I like you too, Shorty. So? Are we officially dating now?"

"You better make up for the last few months I've been out of loop of my own relationship."

They ended up adopting a black goldfish adorably named One-Eyed Moody after the professor of the dark arts from the Harry Potter series for the fact it was both very moody and in fact, one eyed. Levi had reluctantly agreed to let Hange get a pet for their apartment once they had moved in together after a year of dating. He expected her to get a cat, a big dog, or a lizard for all he knew. Although he made it very clear the last one were on the black list.

Instead, Hange had found One-Eyed Moody on a cart ready to be discarded off at the pet shop. Having instantly connected with it, she begged Levi to get it. And with a heavy sigh, he couldn't say no. Mind you, it was pretty much dead at that point, but through endless observation and whatever mutated food concoction Hange whipped up, it came back to life in a matter of weeks. And in turn, Levi had somewhat grown attached to it. Hange liked to joke that it was their baby and it resembled them both in some ways.

Their days spent together were a blend of their interests mixed into one. When Hange wanted to settle down and read, Levi would do skin care for both of them to make use of their time. All the while Hange reading aloud the words from her book so Levi could listen as well. When Levi wanted to clean the house, Hange knew better than to lend a hand as he was peculiar in his ways. So instead she'd make some tea for both of them and cook dinner for a famished Levi by the end of his cleaning session. On days Hange felt like watching a documentary on bugs or microbes, Levi would lay his head on her lap as she brushed her fingers through his locks. The soothing motion letting him get some shut eye he usually never got due to his insomnia.

Hange had a habit of working overtime, and sometimes even staying overnight at her lab. On days like these Levi would pack up some sweets from his shop and some warm tea and bring them to her office as he kept her company. On the off days Hange had a day off, she'd use it to help around in Levi's shop. Chatting up customers and bringing a bright feeling to the atmosphere. Levi absolutely adored watching her laugh and interact with regulars from behind the counter. Although he'd never voice these thoughts aloud. But it wasn't needed, as his employees, Jean, Sasha, and Connie all make kissy faces to each other whenever they caught Levi glancing a little too long at his partner.

Levi didn't like to admit it, but most of his photos on his phone were of candid pictures of Hange. But not the flattering ones most boyfriends take of their girlfriends that are Instagram worthy. No, most of them were completely unflattering. Many consisting of Hange snoring with her mouth wide open, of her laying in a pile of dirt after having chased a squirrel. Of Hange throwing a middle finger to the camera after being caught without caffeine early in the morning, or even of her snorting in laughter after something funny Erwin had told them during one of their get togethers.

He was absolutely infatuated with her. With her quirks and her being. He was in love with Hange Zoe.

And similarly, Hange kept a record of all the plants and bouquets Levi gave her over the years. A collection of pressed flowers and dried leaves from every flora and fauna he'd ever gifted her. Because as much as she loved flowers, she loved more the effort gone into picking a different flower each time they had a celebration. Because as Levi had once told her, she was so unique that not one flower could ever describe her, and that he could never tie her down to one specific plant.

Normal dates like going to the mall or watching movies before dinner on a weekend weren't their thing. Instead, beach dates in mid freezing February nights, stargazing spontaneously on a random Wednesday night, running around the fields of the neighbourhood Hange grew in during summer afternoons, hiding from thugs after trespassing someone's property to take a look at the size of a wasp's nest, ending with the nest falling to the ground and its inhabitants swarming around the local outlaws on a spring morning... All were chaotic memories that belonged only to them. Those were the kind of dates they had.

They never had to verbally express their admiration or love for each other openly. Or make it everyone's business to know that they were together because they had upmost trust in their partnership and relationship without having to project it to the world in a fright of being misunderstood. Both knowing perfectly well how much they cared and loved each other in the small gestures they shared: The little brush of fingertips as they greeted each other goodbye before work. In the way they worked in sync when working together on a project for their new home. Of how they made love to each other in the warm embrace of each other, blinds closed and moans silenced between their interexchange of kisses. Making their love known only between themselves. It never became a pressing matter having everyone else know their business or feeling the need to explain their relationship to others. In the end, their actions spoke louder than words, and everyone could tell that they had the upmost trust in their relationship.

But in the calmness and safety of their bubble, eventually doubt would emerge, and leak a hole in their safe haven, no matter how much effort they put into keeping it afloat.

Hange absolutely loved and had a strange fascination for energy drinks infused in coffee, the ones that had 10 times the amount than should be allowed by any manufacturers or allowed to pass inspections. So much so that she'd stop by the convenience store on the corner of their apartment every time she came back from work. Bringing with her at least 10 cans with her.

Levi, despite his eye rolls and grumbles about over caffeination and annoyance at having a bunch of empty cans to constantly recycle, still got them for her whenever he passed by on his way from the tea store nonetheless. Loving and having a soft spot for the way Hange's eyes lit up and the way she threw herself at him every time he brought it for her.

Due to their different time schedules they never got to meet up to shop together, but nonetheless they each become regulars in the little shop for the drinks Hange so badly craved.

It was one day that Hange came back, a look of complete defeat on her face as she slummed against the door that Levi understood something was wrong. That, and the fact her hands were empty of her usual drinks.

"Finally figured out you were consuming poison?" Levi questioned as he started unclasping her shoes, carefully placing them on the shoe rack.

Shaking her head sadly, Hange sighed. "No... they hiked up the prices again. I know we're tight on money so I can't go buying five dollar coffee from the convenience store anymore... I guess I'll just have to settle for the stale decaf coffee they have at the office."

"Tch... don't exaggerate, Four-Eyes. The drinks were never more than two bucks." Levi muttered, taking her jacket off and placing it on the hanger.

Hange's brows furrowed. "Two bucks? When have they ever been that cheap? I've always been paying four fifty."

"Huh? What fucking store have you been to? It's been two fifty since we've moved here." Levi grumbled, flicking his finger over her forehead.

The topic brought on an argument that lasted the whole night over who was right and wrong. And it only settled when they both agreed to go to the store the following day together. Luckily it was a national holiday and neither had to go to work.

The following day, in typical Hange fashion, she'd forgotten to feed One-Eyed Moody. Refusing to leave the house without feeding him first, she told Levi to go on first, and that she'd meet him in the store.

But what she found as she entered the familiar shop was something she'd never expected. The usually bored clerk was suddenly chirpy and chatting up no other than her boyfriend. Levi on the other hand, seemed quite discontented from the conversation, but kept adding a word or two in politeness.

Suddenly catching his girlfriend's gaze, Levi started raising his hand to signal her over, when Hange crossed her hands in front of her, shaking her head vigorously as she unlinked and relinked her arms in the cross motion, signaling behind the cashier's back for Levi to not blow her cover.

Confused at her sudden antics, he furrowed his brows, but did as instructed, following Hange's pointed look to the cooler housing her favourite drinks before she mouthed "cashier, go pay for them!".

It was only after he exited the store ten whole minutes later, an annoyed look on his face that Hange finally pounced on him.

"So?"

"So what? You left me to listen to that girl talk about bad dates alone for ten minutes. Here's your stupid drinks." Levi grumbled, throwing the plastic bag into her arms.

Shaking her head, Hange stopped him from walking towards their home's direction. "NO! I meant, how much did you pay?"

"Ah... like I said, two bucks each." He said, annoyance still laced in his words.

And that's when it clicked for Hange. "Ah huh! I knew it! Levi! She's into you! She's been giving you a discount in order to get you to pay attention to her! She's been flirting with you this whole time!"

And instead of how a typical girlfriend would act after having found out their boyfriend was being hit on by someone else, Hange looked absolutely elated.

"Why you so happy about that? Are you not afraid that I'll reciprocate her someday?"

Of course they both knew he was kidding. The bond and love they shared with each other, despite being subtle, was very much irreplaceable.

"Because, it means that from now on, I get to stock up on my favourite drinks at a nice price!"

"Tch... you don't even know if she actually lowered the price, Four-eyes. Maybe you got charged extra by accident."

But having stepped into the store and bringing back a drink with her, Hange had confirmed for both of them all they needed to know.

And so, that day forward, it became their little secret. Levi would get Hange her drinks at a discounted price because of a crush the cashier had on him.

At first everything seemed alright, but slowly as time progressed, Levi seemed more distant and dejected every time he returned from the store. Hange seemed to pick up on his change of mood, but wasn't sure what was causing it. So instead she watched on in silence as Levi's presence became more and more cold.

Unsure of how to bring it up, she watched silently, until eventually Levi was the first to bring it up.

"Hange... are you okay with someone else hitting on me? Are you fine of having others perceiving me as single?" Levi asked suddenly one night. They were doing their usual pre-bed night routine as Levi prepped their ten stepped skin care for both of them. Hange resting her head on his lap, a book open in front of her.

"Hm? No... Should I be?" She asked, her eyes still glued to the words on the pages before her.

Levi's hands stilled completely, bringing a silence over them following Hange's words.

"No... nothing." He muttered finally, getting up. "I'm done. Don't go to bed too late." He said before walking towards their shared bedroom, his face concealed by the dark room.

At first Hange sat there in confusion. What was up with him and his weird questions? She thought about going to him and getting an answer out of him, but as her gaze fell over the bottles of her favourite drink sitting by the doorstep, realization fell over her. And her heart shattered.

The following day, Levi was doing the usual run. Head downcast and eyes unfocused, he forced on a smile that didn't reach his eyes as the cashier continued telling him something he assumed was supposed to be funny.

"Anyways, that'd be ten dollars."

The usual conversation... the usual dissociation... the same dull pain he felt at pretending to be interested in someone he had no feelings for.

"If you're free, I've been thinking... maybe we can get to know each other outside of the sto-"

As Levi started handing over the bill, already coming up with a plausible excuse to not go on a date, a hand suddenly stopped him, pulling him back.

"Sorry, I think you've got the wrong price! The price tag reads five dollars for a drink, and we got five of them here. I think- I think you might be undercharging us!" A bright voice chirped out of breath.

"Hange?" Levi asked surprised, turning to see the mess of a woman before him. She was absolutely out of breath, her lab coat was still on her figure, where a bunch of stains of various unnatural colours painted the once white cloth, and worse of all, she had goggles over her glasses, and that wasn't counting the pair that hung from her neck or the one on her forehead.

"Sorry I'm late. Work took longer to finish than I thought." She puffed out, throwing him a wide smile.

The cashier cleared her throat, noticing the gaze between them, not liking how close they seemed. "Uh... I'm sure I put the price right... I'll go check on the price tags after I ring this customer." She said as she turned back to Levi, her eyes still turning to take a look at Hange. "Don't worry about it, pay the usual price you pay."

But before she could continue, Hange inserted herself once more. "No need! I've got the rest of the money here." She said, pulling out a bunch of lose change from her pockets. Some which fell to the floor if not rolling on the counter.

"Oops..."

"Ma'am... I'm sorry, but can you please wait for your turn? I'm helping this customer over here first. I'll get back to you af-"

"We're paying together. These are for her. She's my girlfriend." Levi said.

A stunned silence fell over the three of them at Levi's words. His confession even surprising Hange as it was the first time she'd heard him introduce her as his girlfriend to anyone else other than their family and friends.

There was a certain pride in his eyes as he finally got to call her his in public. He wasn't one for public affection, or making the world know of his business. But there was something that warmed his chest in having others see them as a couple. Of having made it known that Hange was his. And only his.

Hange smiled. "25 should be the full price." She said, picking up the forgotten coins on the counter before interlacing her fingers with Levi's, and rushing out the door together with his hand in hers. The wind carrying her contagious laugh as they made their way to their apartment. Onlookers and everything else be damned.

"Aren't you sad?" Levi finally asked as they crashed onto the floor of their entrance hall after having run all the way up the stairs to their home.

"Over?" She asked breathlessly, turning to look at her lover.

"The fact you'll have to pay more for the drinks. Or at least cut down on them."

Hange chuckled, a bright twinkle of amusement amongst her brown eyes. "It's worth it. I'd rather pay more for my drinks than lose that warmth of yours... I don't want the love of my life to feel like I'm hiding our relationship. Besides... It was kind of sexy having you put claim over me in front of someone who had eyes on you for a long time."

"Fucking unbelievable." Levi grumbled, causing Hange to giggle before rolling over so she was just over his face. A serious look suddenly taking over her features.

"I love you, Levi. You and no one else."

"I love you too, Four-Eyes." Levi whispered back, placing a hand to the back of her head to bring her closer to him. "Who else can drive me as insane as you?"

And with it, they melted into a kiss.

[innytoes]

They cut your grilled cheese into triangles, that means they're in love with you, bro for Alex/Reggie

Having his ex-boyfriend become his best friend was kind of weird. Because yeah, at one point Alex had drawn little hearts in his notebooks that read 'Willie Mercer' and 'Alex Throckmorton' and he'd dithered for ages about which of those sounded better even though he'd been too scared to ask Willie to prom.

They had gone to prom together. And then over the summer they'd realised that yeah, they cared for each other, but they weren't really in love with each other. So they'd ended up as mildly co-dependent friends. Willie still crawled through his window at midnight sometimes because he needed cuddles, and Alex still had him as his first emergency contact because Willie was the only one who could keep him from going down an anxiety rabbit-hole.

Well, besides Reggie.

Which brought him to his current dilemma.

"Dude, Reggie is not in love with me," he told Willie. Just because Alex had a crush on his band mate, didn't mean said band mate felt the same way. Willie was just encouraging him to get back out there, like the good friend he was. But dating sites freaked Alex out, and blind dates sounded like a disaster - no Carrie, I will not let you set me up with Heather's sister's friend's cousin, I don't care how hot he is - but Alex didn't want to risk messing up the band just because he was in love with Reggie.

Maybe it would pass. His two week crush on Bobby back when they were fourteen had.

(He ignored the little voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like Willie, pointing out that his crush on Reggie had been going strong for over a year now.)

"He cuts your grilled cheese into triangles," Willie stated with so much confidence Alex had to wonder what it was like to be that certain about anything in life. "That means he's in love with you."

"That's not... what?"

"Just look for it," Willie made him promise. Which he did, because well, it was hard to deny Willie anything.

It wasn't every weekend that Reggie made them grilled cheeses after practice, but it was often enough. Reggie was the grilled cheese master, effortlessly combining flavours and cheeses together to make everyone a personalised masterpiece suited to their taste. Ray happily gave up his kitchen in return for a perfectly melted Monterey Jack-Cheddar with just the right amount of mustard.

So Alex watched Reggie make the grilled cheeses. That wasn't unusual, they usually hung out in the kitchen while he did his thing, but this time, Alex really watched. Willie's ham-cheese-pineapple? Cut in half. Luke's American-Mozzarella? In half. Flynn's got a little ramekin of ketchup on the side, and was cut into squares. Bobby's weird vegan cheese one with vegan mayo on the outside to make it golden brown? Squares. Julie? Squares. Carlos? Half.

But Alex' grilled cheese, a Gouda-cheddar with just the tiniest bit of mozzarella? It was cut into triangles.

It was also the one Reggie always made last, right before his own. So they'd have time in the kitchen together when the others inevitably drifted away, back to the studio or home or to their rooms.

And yeah, maybe Alex always kind of offered to help with clean-up, so they could spend even more time together. But that didn't mean anything, did it?

Except when he looked over to Reggie and their fingers brushed when Reggie handed him a plate to dry, he blushed. And Alex thought that maybe, just maybe, Willie could be right. But he had to know.

"Hey Reg? Why do you cut my grilled cheese into triangles?" he asked, before he could chicken out.

Reggie turned back to the dishes, burying his hands in the suds, his ears bright red.

"It's what you do for the people you're in love with," he said quietly.

It was obnoxious, the way Willie gloated in his best man speech five years later.

[clarepreed]

Protect

Story Content and Summary - 9,394 words. Larissa grows stronger and healthier as she and Mitchell recoup on a private beach in Hawaii. When they choose to return home for Kieran's wedding, however, events take a violent turn. Explicit sex, violence, blood, mention of self-unaliving, drowning, hypovolemic shock, on-site resuscitation, resuscitation in a moving ambulance, resuscitation in the Emergency Department.

Previous installment: Lifeguard Not On Duty Disclaimer: Some references will not make sense if you have not read certain stories in the series. Ask in the comments if you'd like to know which ones to read.

--

Mitchell pulled away from the curb, looking for a parking space. Larissa appeared to be running late, and other cars were piling up behind him.

He tried calling her again, but the call went straight to voicemail. She’d told him that the building had a big dead zone in the middle. She might still be in physical therapy, or had stepped into the bathroom.

“This is Larissa Anders-Colton. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message and I’ll return your call when I’m able. Thank you!”

Mitchell decided to go inside and look for her. Her doctors back home had helped her find this place when she’d expressed interest in taking up running again. The facility was attached to a hospital, and the staff trained to deal with medical emergencies. She was undoubtedly fine. Her asthma was doing better, she hadn’t had a seizure since the episode where she cut her arm, and her ICD/pacemaker had not needed to perform either function in a long time.

Still, Mitchell worried.

I’ll just take a look. She might have lost track of time. That’s happened more often since…

Mitchell hurried back to the entrance and inside. He usually walked her in for her appointments, so he knew where to go. Hurrying across the lobby, he skipped the bank of elevators and slipped into the stairwell.

He told himself not to hurry, but by the time he started up the second set of steps, he was taking them two at a time. Breathing hard, he burst out onto the third floor, his eyes looking for any sign of distress or an emergency.

Instead, as he approached the gallery of windows that made up one wall of the physical therapy gym, he spotted Larissa. Upright, and running on a treadmill.

She hadn’t noticed him; her eyes were on her physical therapist, who was talking to her animatedly, his hands moving in the air. Larissa was flushed and sweaty, but she looked relaxed. She’d braided her long hair down her back and it swung back and forth with each stride. Across the room was a wall of mirrors, and Mitchell could see her from behind, her ass a masterpiece in leggings.

He stood frozen in his tracks, his eyes shifting back to her face. She smiled at the trainer, face shining in the lights above. Rivulets of sweat trickled down her neck, running into her cleavage. Her sports bra was doing a lot of heavy lifting; her large, natural breasts were barely jiggling as she ran.

Mitchell felt a powerful combination of relief, lust, and pride as he watched his wife. He heaved a deep breath and relaxed his shoulders, letting his arms dangle loose by his sides.

God, I wish we were home so I could steth her right now.

The trainer reached across the front of the treadmill and the belt slowed until Larissa was walking. She clasped the bar with one hand and snagged her towel with the other, quickly blotting her face and heaving chest. That’s when she noticed Mitchell, and he saw the sweetest, happiest smile spread across her face.

Then she gestured for him to come in.

By the time Mitchell reached her, the trainer was handing Larissa a bottle of water. She pressed it to her chest and exclaimed: “Mitchell! Did you see? I ran a mile!”

“I did, baby! That’s amazing. You look so happy!” Mitchell reached out and put his hand on top of hers where she gripped the safety bar.

“She’s doing great,” the trainer said. “Won’t be long until you’re jogging around the island.”

“You can come with me, Mitchell,” Larissa said. Then she winked. “If you can keep up.”

Before long, they walked together out to their SUV. Though she was doing exceptionally well with her balance, Mitchell helped her climb into the vehicle. This gave him the opportunity to kiss her. He gently pressed her into the seat, one hand cupping her cheek and the other curving around the side of her ribcage.

Her skin was tacky with drying sweat, and her body felt warm to the touch. She made a surprised noise against his mouth and then reached up to run her fingers into his hair 

When they came up for air, she murmured: “I don’t smell very good.”

“Mmm…” Mitchell kissed her jaw up to her ear, sliding his hand further up her ribcage until his hand rested on the damp band of her sports bra. Her hair smelled strongly of shampoo despite the sweat, and he nuzzled the damp short hairs at her temple.

Larissa tipped her head back, opening up the long line of her neck. Mitchell kissed his way down her warm skin, marking a path down to the top of her breast. She let out a low, breathy moan and Mitchell smiled against her bosom.

“What do you say we get home and hop in the shower?” he murmured. Before she could respond, he slipped both of his hands down her body and pushed her legs apart. Then he rubbed her through her leggings, where she’d soaked them through with sweat and arousal.

Her chest heaved, and she gasped out: “God, home feels so far away right this second.”

A car drove by where he’d parked, and Mitchell curved protectively over Larissa, blocking her spread legs and flushed face from the driver. 

Larissa giggled and kissed his cheek. “I guess we should go home so we don’t get arrested for getting busy in the hospital parking lot. And I do need a shower before we go any further. Surely I’m about to knock you out with fumes.”

Mitchell leaned back and brought his hand up to his face, making eye contact with her and inhaling deeply. “That would be a good way to go.”

Larissa’s eyes went wide, and she made a shocked noise. “God, you always find new ways to shock me and turn me on.”

Mitchell gave her a quick, hard kiss before he shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side.

When they got home, it didn’t take them long to end up in the bathroom, where Mitchell undid Larissa’s braid. Then they stripped down and hopped into the shower together. 

“Let me wash you,” he murmured, reaching for the pouf and squirting a generous dollop of body wash into it before sudsing it between his hands. He started with her back, carefully sweeping her hair to the front. He washed her entire body like this, gliding the pouf in slow circles over her ass and thighs, under her arms and around her breasts. He spent a lot of time on her breasts, teasing her nipples with the mesh before running the pouf down her abdomen. She sat on the bench and closed her eyes, leaning against the shower wall as he washed her legs and feet.

Mitchell sat the pouf on the bench and rinsed the soap off his hands before reaching in and pushing her knees apart. He washed her vulva with warm water, looking up at her face as he rubbed and stroked her. When he finished, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Then he washed her hair, surprising her by remembering which products she used and in what order.

While her conditioner was soaking in, Larissa took the pouf and washed Mitchell in return. She stood very close, brushing her breasts against him or leaning in to kiss his neck and chest. They moved into the stream of water to rinse off, and Larissa let the pouf fall to the shower floor, her hands coming up to rake through her hair.

Mitchell pressed her back against the shower wall, his fingers linking with hers and pulling her arms above her head. Her breasts rose deliciously, hardened nipples pressing into his chest. Mitchell gave her a deep kiss, plunging his tongue into her mouth. Then he kissed along her jawline to her ear and sucked on her lobe. Larissa mewled, her chest heaving and her hips jerking forward against him. 

Mitchell nibbled on her soft flesh, then kissed his way down her neck and along her collarbone. He kissed her scar and the lump of her ICD. Then he lifted his head and found her panting mouth, kissing her hard. He released her hands, and she brought them to the sides of his face, then ran them down to his shoulders, gently urging him back.

“Sit,” Larissa cooed, pressing him toward the shower bench.

Mitchell backed up until he felt the bench against his legs, then sat, sliding his hands down Larissa’s curvy body. She sank in front of him, her hands gripping his thighs and pushing them wide. Larissa leaned forward and took him into her mouth, her eyes capturing his and earning her a low groan. 

His hands lightly grasped her head, though he resisted the urge to move her head up and down his cock. Instead, he concentrated on watching her face, on her full lips wrapped around him. On the sensation of her tongue stroking the underside of his cock and then sliding around his glans. His lips parted and he let out a moan.

Larissa released his legs and reached between his thighs to cup his balls. Then she took him deep into her mouth, deeper than she was usually willing to go. 

“Fuck!” Mitchell felt his abs and ass clench. He tried to breathe slowly, tried closing his eyes so he couldn’t see how she looked with his cock deep in her mouth. After a bit, however, he wrenched his eyes open and grasped her shoulders. “God, baby. You have to stop; I want you in bed.”

Larissa let him slip from her mouth. Her hands rubbed up and down his thighs. “Are you sure? I’m certainly enjoying myself.” Larissa licked her bottom lip, then lifted her hands from his thighs and cupped her heavy breasts, thumbs circling her nipples.

“Larissa… if it wouldn’t be hard on my knees, I would fuck you on the shower floor.”

Larissa responded by running one hand down her body and between her thighs. Mitchell bent over and cupped her face, kissing her hard. They rose together, and Mitchell managed to turn off the water and open the shower door without either of them falling down.

Larissa shivered when the bathroom air rushed into the enclosed space, and Mitchell reached out to snag her robe, throwing it around her shoulders. “Watch your step, baby.” 

“I have so much wet hair,” she said, laughing as she grabbed her hair towel. As she used it to squeeze the excess water from her wet locks, Mitchell stepped in close and kissed her temple, running a hand up her abdomen and cupping her right breast. Larissa let out a low moan. “We can always change the sheets after.”

He led her into the bedroom, where she dropped her bathrobe over her pillow and pulled back the comforter. She slipped into the sheets and then reached for him.

Mitchell laid down beside her and tugged her close, pulling her leg over his. His erection throbbed between them, but he reached down and cupped her sex with his hand, massaging her with his palm. Her wetness lubricated his fingers as he rubbed all around her vulva, gently increasing the pressure. 

Larissa made a noise, little more than a sharp intake of breath. He moved his hand, trailing his fingers lightly around her clit before sliding back down and slipping two fingers inside of her. She was swollen with arousal, and her legs stiffened when he penetrated her. She sucked in a breath as he curled his fingers, stroking in and out of her. 

He kept his other arm tight around her, holding her close as she began to gasp and moan. The heel of his hand ground into her clit. 

“Ah!” she gasped. Mitchell kept his eyes on her face, watching as her own closed and her head tipped back. Her lips parted, huffs of air panting out of her. 

Mitchell shifted his legs, using his knees to push hers wider. “You look so hot like this, baby. You feel so good in my arms. I want you to come for me.”

Larissa thrust her pelvis against his hand, driving his fingers deeper. Her body writhed against him, and she was making increasingly louder noises. 

“Come for me, baby!”

“Ah! Ah! AH!” she came apart, body convulsing with pleasure, legs shaking and her muscles gripping his fingers. Mitchell abruptly withdrew his fingers, then thrust himself inside her warm, dripping slit. Larissa arched her back and opened her mouth in an “o” of surprise. “GOD!”

Mitchell grasped her ass, pinning her in place as he drove inside. She went from trembling to meeting him thrust for thrust, her gasps of pleasure ringing in his ears.

Larissa pressed her hands against his chest and he moved onto his back, pulling her with him. She braced herself on the headboard, breasts wobbling above his head as she rode him. Mitchell ran his hands up and down her sides before reaching up to pinch her nipples.

“Yes!” Larissa moaned, her thighs rolling and her pelvis thrusting down against him. Mitchell gave her nipples a twist and then released them, running his hands down her sides to her hips. 

“You’re amazing,” Mitchell gasped. They had always had an excellent sex life, but her renewed stamina and strength were something to behold. Mitchell moved one of his hands to her pelvis, finding her clit with his thumb.

Her eyes met his, and she moaned: “I’m going to come again!”

“Good,” he growled. He thrust up into her, watched as she bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut. Mitchell pulled her down to lie on top of him, grabbing her ass and pressing his feet flat to the mattress so he could pump himself rapidly in and out of her. Larissa curled her fingers into his damp hair and kissed him, her tongue plunging deep into his mouth.

Then she tore her mouth free and cried out. He felt a gush of wetness between them and kept thrusting hard as his balls tightened. Her body convulsed over and around him and he let the sound and feel of her push him over the edge. He nearly whited out as he spilled himself inside of her, releasing a loud groan of pleasure. 

Larissa went limp on top of him, her chest heaving and her fingers stroking his hair.

“Holy shit, baby!” He turned his head to kiss her cheek and heard her chuckle. Then he wrapped his arms tight around her. “I love you, I love you, I love you!”

Two days later.

Mitchell stood in the church’s narthex with the other groomsmen, waiting for Dan to walk down the aisle and for the bridesmaids to arrive. Dan bounced restlessly on the balls of his feet, his face split by an ear-to-ear smile.

“He looks more than ready,” Mitchell’s brother-in-law Mark murmured. 

“You know how it is,” Mitchell said. “Getting married. Of course, it’s something else to make it to the wedding when you thought your bride might die before you can get there.”

Mark clapped him on the shoulder. “That would add some extra weight to the proceedings, that’s for sure.”

The door between the vestibule and the narthex cracked open, and the wedding planner stuck his head in. “Ready, Dan?”

“Yes, please.”

“Go ahead down the aisle. The pianist is ready.”

The rest of the groomsmen got in order as the planner propped the door open, letting in the line of bridesmaids. First was Kieran’s best friend and maid-of-honor, Blakely, followed by her cousin, Maeve. There were four bridesmaids, but Mitchell’s attention stopped at the third.

Kieran was not the sort of bride to try to dull her bridesmaids’ beauty, though as far as Mitchell was concerned, that would have been impossible, anyway. Larissa’s long, heavy hair had been piled artfully atop her head, honeyed curls woven throughout with small braids. Her makeup was light, her earrings simple. The dress was some sort of bluish purple that Larissa described as “periwinkle silver.” It had a single wide strap that covered Larissa’s scar, then fit her well through the bust and waist before flaring out into a tulle skirt that draped to mid-calf. Her long legs looked even longer in the matching heels. In her hands, she carried a simple bouquet of white roses.

Mitchell pushed down his impatience as the first two couples entered the church. Then he was beside Larissa, linking elbows with her. He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.

“You look gorgeous. Stunning.”

“Thank you, handsome.”

The wedding seemed to fly by. As Kieran and Dan gave their vows, Mitchell leaned slightly to the side, trying to spot Larissa. To his delight, she was leaning around to look for him as well. He saw her face light up and winked at her.

After the wedding, photos, and reception at a nearby hotel, after Dan and Kieran’s sendoff, Mitchell and Larissa gathered their things and met in the hotel lobby.

“How tired are you, baby?” Mitchell asked. “Do you want to walk or should we take an Uber?”

“It’s a beautiful night. We just have these two bags…” Larissa looked over at him. “Are you okay to walk? I have my sneakers, but you’re still in dress shoes.”

“I’ll be fine. It’s less than a mile. Or right at a mile. These shoes really aren’t so bad.” Mitchell held out his arm. “I know I said this before, baby, but you look absolutely gorgeous.”

Larissa took his arm, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “A very handsome man such as yourself needs some arm candy.”

“Want to stop at the fountain in the courtyard on our way out?”

“Please, I bet it’s beautiful at night.”

They walked together slowly, arm in arm. Mitchell had tucked his tux jacket into his backpack along with his bowtie. Larissa was still wearing her bridesmaid dress, but she’d slipped on a brand new pair of running shoes, gifted to her by Kieran. Aside from the shoes and her backpack slung over one shoulder, Mitchell thought she looked just as perfect as she had when he’d first seen her at the ceremony.

The south exit took them into the courtyard, where a large fountain splashed quietly in the center. The lighting along the edge of the building was bright enough for safety, but there were no lamps around the fountain. Instead, the fountain itself was illuminated. This night, the LEDs were rainbow hued, almost pastel through the water.

“Oh!” Larissa exclaimed, squeezing his arm. “That’s right, it’s June first in a couple of hours! Happy Pride, honey!”

“Thank you, baby.” Mitchell smiled, watching the colors ripple as they approached. “Thank you for that.”

“You didn’t stop being bi just because we got married.” Larissa sighed. “I really love how this looks. It’s so happy!”

“I wonder if a selfie would come out,” Mitchell mused. “We could try!”

“I have an idea! I can light us with my phone and you’ll take the picture. Your arms are longer.”

They dropped their bags on the pavers and sat on the lip of the basin, one arm wrapped around the other’s back. Larissa blinded them with the flashlight on her phone, giggling until she got it positioned where she wanted it. 

“Alright, honey!”

Mitchell took several shots. For the last one they kissed, Mitchell clumsily pressing the shutter button and hoping for the best.

“How are they?” Larissa asked, hastily turning her flashlight off. “That was fun either way. Other than when I scarred our retinas.”

“Let’s lo—”

“Larissa!” A man’s voice interrupted them. Mitchell blinked away the remaining spots in his vision, confused as Larissa stiffened beside him. She lurched to her feet, pulling herself out of his grasp before he could register what was happening.

“What are you doing here?” she asked. Larissa’s voice hissed out of her, a tone Mitchell had never heard before. Then he was on his feet, part of his brain reacting to the man approaching them before the rest of his consciousness caught up.

Ben Miller.

“Get out of here,” Mitchell snarled. “Unless you’re staying at the hotel or attending an event here, you’re trespassing.”

Ben looked much older than Mitchell remembered. His hair was shaggy, growing over his ears and onto his collar. He’d also grown a salt-and-pepper beard since they’d last seen him in court.

Larissa gestured toward their bags. “We’ll go. I don’t care what the fuck you do.”

“I’m not here to hurt you,” Ben said. Mitchell realized the other man had one of his hands in his pockets.

“Larissa—” he started, but Ben cut him off.

“I’m not here to hurt her! I realize now my anger was misplaced.” Ben laughed. “I did a lot of reading. Did you know how unethical it was for you to come on to your subordinate like that, Mitchell? And you got away with it. I haven’t heard shit from the media about how you used your power to seduce one of your employees. And then I took it out on HER when I should have gone after YOU!”

“Let’s just go, Mitchell.” Larissa took another step forward toward their bags. Mitchell’s phone was in his hand, and he wondered if he’d be able to call 9-1-1 before anything happened.

Ben pulled his hand out of his pocket and dragged out a handgun.

Everything began to move at rain pace, faster than Mitchell could process. Ben lunged forward. Mitchell reached for Larissa, only for her to throw herself in front of him. He heard a terrible crack, then a second. Larissa twisted violently. Another crack. Mitchell heard a splash, and then he registered a white hot pain across his side.

“I didn’t want to hurt her!” Ben groaned. “FUCK! Why did she do that?!”

Mitchell dropped his phone and clapped his hand to his side. Ben shot again, but he was on the move and the bullet whizzed past Mitchell’s head. Mitchell flinched and tripped over his own feet, limbs sprawling and his head bouncing off the pavers.

His vision filled with stars.

Get up!

He couldn’t seem to gather his wits enough to move.

Get up!

Larissa…

The night fell silent.

Mitchell pushed himself up onto his hands and knees with a groan. The right side of his face throbbed and stung, and pain knifed down the left side of his ribcage. His mind screamed at him that there was danger, but when he looked around, he didn’t see Ben anywhere. 

“Larissa!” he shouted, turning toward the fountain.

Larissa lay on her back in the basin, submerged and unmoving, eyes unfocused and open. A dark cloud of blood surrounded her. One foot was propped up out of the water, her sneaker caught on the edge.

“NO!” Mitchell crawled into the fountain and thrashed over to her, the pain in his head and his side fading as pure, undiluted panic flooded him.

Dead dead dead dead dead—

Mitchell grabbed her shoulders and heaved her upper body out of the water. The weight of her sodden updo pulled her head back at a sharp angle, and he could see the whites of her eyes below her irises. He cradled her against his arm and tried to get hold of himself, sucking in a deep breath and screaming: “HELP!” before he dragged in another.

He didn’t bother listening or feeling for breath. Instead, he closed her mouth with his free hand and hunched over her, his mouth sealing over her nose.

Mitchell had been learning more about CPR and first aid, no longer content with what they taught at the annual CPR refresher. He gave Larissa a breath through her nose, watching for her still chest to rise. The breath was difficult to get in, but he kept trying, four more times, while her chest barely rose and his lips spluttered from the force.

You weren’t in there long enough to pull much water in, baby! What the fuck?!

Mitchell tried to lift her, one arm under her shoulders and the other beneath her knees. Weakened from his injuries and weighed down by their wet clothing, he tipped over on top of her, briefly submerging them both.

Mitchell reared back, jerking her torso up with him. He spat to clear his mouth and then shouted again: “HELP, GOD DAMMIT!”

Mitchell slipped in behind her, bringing his arms around her limp body and just under her breasts, clenching his hands into a fist. His fist found her sternum, and he pulled his hands in sharply. Pain blossomed down his side, but he ignored it, pulling hard and at the same pace as prone chest compressions. Larissa made a watery, wheezing sound with each thrust of his fist.

“…seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve…” Mitchell compressed her body back against his chest, feeling her ribcage flex beneath his fist. Her arms swung limp, and her head hung forward and slightly to the side, pulled by the weight of her hair. When he glanced down, he realized one or both of them still bled profusely; Larissa’s dress was soaked down the left side and the stain in the water had grown.

“Thirty!” Mitchell shifted her again in his arms, draping her over his knees and letting her head fall back. There was blood on her chest, and when he looked closer, he realized it was coming from a wound near her ICD. Mitchell clapped a shaking hand over the bloody tear, pressing hard. Then he wrapped his other arm around her head, holding her mouth closed as he leaned in to give her another breath. This time, he felt her breasts rise against his arm. A small amount of water gushed up into his mouth and he spat to the side before giving her another breath.

 That’s when he saw her arm. Limp as it was, he could still see it hung at an awkward angle. And the blood… he’d never seen someone bleed like that in real life. It was streaming from her arm, pulsing slightly as it exited her body.

“FUCK!” Mitchell moved his hand from her chest to her arm, clenching his hand tightly around the wound. “HELP! IN THE COURTYARD!”

Blood oozed between his fingers, and he stared at it, realizing that the pulsing meant that her heart was still beating. For now. If she bled out or didn’t start breathing again, her heart would stop.

Mitchell hunched over her awkwardly, sealing his lips over her nose again. He gave her a breath and felt her chest rise. Breathing for her, even through her nose, was noticeably easier now, her breasts swelling with each breath. He blew into her every three seconds, his eyes darting back and forth from her face to her arm to her chest. Her skin felt cool to the touch despite the warm night air; he assumed it was due to blood loss and the fountain water.

Every tenth breath, Mitchell tipped her head to the side, letting water and a small amount of froth trickle from her nose and mouth. Then he tipped her head back again, sealed her mouth, and blew into her nostrils. 

As he was giving her breath, Larissa jerked in his arms, her chest heaving and water coming up out of her nose. Mitchell pulled her as upright as he could, watching in relief when her lips parted and she coughed up a small amount of fountain water. She gagged and opened her eyes, staring wildly out at the night sky.

“I’ve got you, baby. Larissa, I’ve got you. He’s gone—”

“Hello?” A man’s voice called out from somewhere outside of Mitchell’s range of vision. Mitchell froze for several seconds until he realized the voice didn’t belong to Ben Miller.

Larissa let out a low moan, stirring against him. She tried to pull her arm out of his grasp, but the movement just made her back bow from the pain. She gasped and started coughing again. The coughs were weak and wet, her shoulders jerking.

“IN THE FOUNTAIN!” Mitchell bellowed. “WE’VE BEEN SHOT! CALL 9-1-1!”

“Mitchell…” Larissa gasped his name, her head sagging back and then rolling to the side. “Mitch…ell… You…”

Her eyelids fluttered. She coughed between rapid breaths, and what he could see of her face and lips looked chalky.

“Shh, baby. You don’t have to talk!” A frightening amount of blood was still leaking out around his fingers. Mitchell took his other hand and wrapped both of them around the bleeding wounds in her arm, just above her elbow. Then he squeezed with all of his strength.

Larissa made a noise, a shriek so forceful it was actually silent, her mouth gaping and her body shuddering in his arms. 

“I’m sorry!” he gasped, her pain wracking his own body with a wave of anguish. “Shh, baby, it’s… I’m so sorry! FUCK!”

She shuddered in his arms, her teeth chattering and her breaths coming faster.

“In the fountain!” a woman shouted. “Looks like two people!”

“We need an ambulance! My wife is bleeding to death!” Mitchell regretted the words as soon as they came out of his mouth; he needed someone to help them, but saying such a thing made his own body tremble.

“Mmm…” Larissa moaned, her head lolling against his chest. “Mmmm… Mitch… Mitch… M-Mitchell…”

“Larissa, shh, baby.”

“C-cold…”

Mitchell heard shoes on the concrete and then people splashed into the fountain with them. A man and a woman that he vaguely recognized but couldn’t place.

“Someone from the hotel called 9-1-1. Everyone was afraid to come out after the shots,” the woman said. “But staff’s bringing blankets. They’ll be out in a minute!”

“Gunman’s gone?” asked the man. “I hear sirens…”

“You… o… k-kay?” Larissa asked, her voice high-pitched and shaky.

“I’m okay, Larissa!” Mitchell pressed a kiss to her wet hair. “Please, please don’t worry…”

“We need to put something on her arm as a tourniquet,” the man said. He looked around wildly, as though something useful might materialize in the fountain.

“What about your belt?” the woman asked. Mitchell realized where he knew them from. Kieran’s wedding. He’d seen this woman in the bridal party.

“M-Maeve,” Larissa stammered. She was sagging heavily against Mitchell, unable to hold herself upright. 

“That’s right, Larissa,” the woman said, kneeling in the water. “Christ, what happened?”

Maeve’s husband stripped off his belt. “This isn’t ideal, but it’s the best we’ve got. I’m going to put it above your hands!”

The man looped his belt around her arm and threaded the end through the buckle.

“Stop…” Larissa squeaked out, weakly writhing in his arms. “D-don’t…”

“Deep breath, baby—”

The man jerked the belt tight, and Larissa made a wheezing noise and went limp against Mitchell’s chest. Mitchell released her arm, his hands hovering there in case the belt didn’t do the job. The wound oozed, black with blood, but it wasn’t pumping out blood at the rate it had before. Mitchell hoped this was because of the belt.

“Larissa!” Mitchell dropped his bloody hands into the water, scrubbing them against his pants legs before reaching up to lift her chin. Maeve reached out and held the back of her hand in front of Larissa’s mouth.

“She’s breathing!” Maeve exclaimed. “We need to get her out of the water!”

“I have to hold this belt tight,” her husband said. “But here comes hotel staff! And cops!”

The courtyard flooded with people. Mitchell couldn’t concentrate on anything except Larissa. He pressed his fingers to her carotid artery, wanting to monitor her pulse while she was unconscious. He was vaguely aware that his body shook with cold and shock. He heard some shouting, but it wasn’t until Maeve put her lips near his ear that he caught the words.

“Mitchell! Mitchell!” Maeve grabbed his arm. “This man is a doctor. The cops are going to help us get her out of the water. You need to get out, too. You’re shaking!”

Then they took her from him, a man in plain clothes and a uniformed cop, one carrying her shoulders and the other her legs, all while Maeve’s husband held tight to the belt. 

“Come on, you need to get out, too.” Maeve stood, reaching down with an outstretched hand. “I’m Kieran’s cousin. As soon as you’re out of the fountain I’m going to call her and let her know what happened.”

“Tell her to call M-Mark…”

“I will. Come on, I think the cop has a real tourniquet for her arm.”

Mitchell reached up and took her hand. She stepped close to him, grabbing his elbow with her other hand. Mitchell managed to struggle to his feet, though he swayed once he was upright.

“Ooh, don’t fall! I can’t catch you!” She turned him toward the side of the fountain, where he could see that the men had laid Larissa out on a blanket and draped a second over her legs. Mitchell sat on the side of the fountain and swung his legs around. Maeve climbed out beside him, then reached toward his side with a gasp. “Oh! That’s not just her blood. Hey, he’s bleeding, too!”

“I’m f-fine…” Mitchell pressed his hand to the bleeding wound across his ribs. “I think I was just grazed…”

A uniform cop jogged up with extra gloves and something in her hand that turned out to be an actual tourniquet. Mitchell eased himself down onto his knees, reaching for Larissa’s right hand, laying limp on the blanket. 

“…above the belt,” the doctor said. Mitchell didn’t know what kind of doctor he was, but he’d already checked her pulse and seemed confident in his directions. Someone draped a blanket across Mitchell’s shoulders as the doctor applied the tourniquet to Larissa’s injured arm, turning the windlass.

Larissa groaned, her fingers moving in Mitchell’s grasp. Her hand felt cold.

“Shh, baby.” He squeezed her hand and watched as her eyelids fluttered open. “Larissa, it’s Mitchell. There’s a doctor here and an ambulance will be here soon.”

She moved restlessly, legs working underneath the blanket. Her eyes roved the sky above them. “Thirsty…”

“I’m sorry, baby, but—”

“Where did he… go?” Larissa gasped.

“Ben ran off. He’s not here—”

“He was… g-gonna…” She stopped, talking for several seconds, eyes unfocused. Then she wheezed: “Thirsty…”

“Ma’am,” the doctor cut in. He had his hand pressed to the wound in her chest. “You’ll need surgery. I can’t give you water, but when the ambulance arrives, they will give you IV fluids and that will help.”

“We’ve got one ambulance pulling in now,” a cop said. “The second one is delayed.”

“She’s breathing very fast,” Mitchell said. “Is that from the blood loss?”

Her full lips looked bloodless, and they were slightly parted. He could see her chest rising and falling rapidly. Mitchell lifted his hand from his wounded side and turned her wrist over in his hand, pressing his fingertips to the pulse there. Or he tried to; even though Larissa’s heart was obviously beating, he couldn’t find the pulse in her wrist.

“I believe so,” the doctor said. “Here come the medics.”

“M-Mitchell…” Larissa whispered.

Mitchell leaned in with difficulty, the pain in his side making him stiff. Still, he knew the paramedics would likely make him move away from her, and he wanted to talk to her while he could. “What is it, baby?”

She briefly made eye contact with him. This close, he smelled the thick scent of iron on her. “Sell.”

“Yes… Anything you want, baby. And then we’ll buy that house in Hawaii.” A lump formed in his throat and he squeezed her hand again.

“Take… c-care of… yourself…” Larissa closed her eyes, but he could still see her chest rising and falling.

“You’re going to be okay, Larissa. I love you!” His eyes burned, and he swallowed hard.

“Love… you…” she whispered, and her fingers twitched in his hand.

“What have we got?” A medic crouched at Larissa’s head, reaching in to take her pulse. “Ma’am?”

“Dr. Ahmad Jones, GP with Sutter Regional Healthcare. Two victims,” the doctor said. “Her name is Larissa. Two apparent gunshot wounds, one to her chest and one in her arm. This tourniquet has been on for three minutes. Prior to that, they had a belt on her arm. I haven’t examined him yet.”

“Okay, sir, we just need you to move back so we can take care of—Oh! This is our other victim.” A medic crouched next to him. “I’m just going to take her radial pulse, sir. If you could scoot back just a bit.”

“I’ll take a look at him,” the doctor said.

Mitchell squeezed her hand, then lowered it carefully to the blanket. Someone helped him move a few feet away onto another blanket, holding him up when he nearly tipped over.

“No palpable radial pulse. I’m going to get her blood pressure.” 

Dr. Jones kneeled next to Mitchell. “I’m going to look at your side if that’s okay, sir.”

“Keep pressure on the chest wound, officer.”

The voices and lights were beginning to blend and blur together. Mitchell coughed, a technique he’d learned from Larissa to raise the blood pressure. 

“She just stopped breathing!”

His ears started ringing.

“No pulse.”

“Do you want me to do chest compressions, or should I keep pressure—”

“I’m on it,” another cop said.

“One, two, three…”

Mitchell was vaguely aware of the doctor touching him, pulling his dress shirt out of the waistband of his pants. But his eyes were on Larissa. A cop leaned over Larissa, hands pumping between her breasts. Her head was tipped to the side, eyes cracked open to glinting slits. Her face looked bloodless, chin bobbing in time with the compressions.

A medic suddenly turned her face toward the sky and tipped her head back, thumbing open her mouth and slipping an oral airway between her teeth. Then he turned the plastic piece and let it rest on her teeth. By the time the cop reached the thirtieth compression, the medic had a bag-valve mask pressed to her face and squeezed the bulb twice.

The other medic was inserting an IV. It took her three tries, but before long, she had a bag connected, which she handed to another cop.

They worked between them to cut Larissa’s gown open to her navel before applying big white defibrillator pads above her right breast and below her left. They also covered her chest wound with a bandage.

“That’s not very deep, but it appears to have damaged this implanted device—”

Larissa’s stomach popped, and her shoulders shrugged with each compression. They’d cut off her strapless bra. Her breasts wobbled, her nipples stiff in the night air.

The doctor was no longer at his side; Mitchell spotted him over by the paramedics’ bags. Then his eyes dropped back to Larissa. Guilt was beginning to sink into his bones; he kept seeing the moment where she’d stepped in front of him, taking bullets meant for him.

“…get her on a pump for a norepinephrine infusion.”

“…fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

The doctor was at his side again. “I’m just going to bandage you up quickly. You’ll need an X-ray and stitches…”

“One, two, three, four…” The cop’s shoulders bobbed sharply over Larissa’s chest.

“How’s the husband?”

“He needs to be monitored for shock.”

Mitchell’s brain seemed to crawl. It ticked back to the comment about the implanted device. “Her ICD. It’s damaged?”

“I can’t be sure,” Dr. Jones replied. “But it did appear to be damaged to me. It was visible inside the wound. They’ve given her medications to bring up her blood pressure, and with chest compressions—”

“Pause compressions to analyze.”

Mitchell watched her chest rise and fall as the medic squeezed the bag. To his surprise, he heard someone say: “Sinus brady. Is she breathing on her own?”

He closed his eyes and slouched. He was shivering harder again, but he didn’t have the energy to pull the blanket tighter around his shoulders.

“No, I’m continuing ventilations.” The medic reached over and dragged a bag closer. “I’m going to suction her.”

“I’m pushing one milligram atropine. Go ahead and intubate after you suction, I don’t like her oxygen saturation.”

“Mitchell, how are you feeling?” the doctor asked.

“She’s B negative,” Mitchell whispered.

The voices continued around him.

“What happened to their other bus?”

“They just happened to be around the corner from an apparent 10-56. White male subject with a gun.”

“We’ll take him with us.”

“Mitchell? Mitchell? Hey, do you have another blood pressure cuff?”

“—our White male subject?”

“…administered. She—”

Underneath Mitchell’s eyelids, everything turned white.

“Mitch—”

“—goes!”

Hands laid him flat on his back and opened his airway.

“Is he breathing?”

“He going too, or—wait for—”

Everything dissolved. His surroundings, the blanket and concrete beneath him. His clothing. His body. Larissa and the medics working on her. His company. His family. His name. All that remained was emotion. Love, hatred, hope, despair.

Then there was nothing.

Nothing.

Nothing.

Mitchell woke to the sensation of movement and the smell of a medical facility.

“ETA is four minutes.”

“Are you going to get in trouble for bringing us along?”

“Probably, but they should have dispatched another ambulance.”

“He’s waking up. Sir? Mitchell?” Someone touched his arm. Mitchell peeled open his eyes and gazed bleary-eyed up at the doctor from before. The man was seated on a bench near his head. “Mitchell?”

“Something’s wrong,” Mitchell muttered. He was laying flat, and when he tried to move he realized he was strapped to a backboard.

“You’re in an ambulance,”

Mitchell looked to the side. 

Larissa lay beside him, strapped to a gurney. She was partially covered with a sheet, her gruesome wounds hidden from sight. A paramedic sat at her head. She looked drained of blood. Her long neck had been extended to open her airway, and a tube jutted out from between her teeth, held in place by a plastic tube holder. The paramedic squeezed the attached bulb every five or six seconds, making her chest rise.

As he watched, an alarm started bleeping.

The medic leaned forward to look, then quickly detached the bag and set it on the gurney. 

“Tell them we have a code!” he called out toward the front. “Female patient!”

As Mitchell watched, the medic stood and moved in between Mitchell and Larissa. He yanked the sheet down to her waist and then reached up for the grab bar with one hand. Then he pressed the heel of his other hand between Larissa’s breasts. Mitchell jerked his head and shoulders up, trying to see what was going on as the medic started one-handed compressions.

“One, two, three…” To the medic’s credit, Mitchell thought the compressions looked good despite being one-handed in a moving vehicle. Larissa’s breasts shook and her stomach bulged with each pump of her sternum. Mitchell could hear the gurney rattle in time with the compressions. “…fifteen, sixteen, seventeen…”

“Mitchell, if you’re okay, I’m going to help with CPR,” the doctor said.

“Go!” Mitchell croaked out beneath his mask. Tears welled in his eyes, and he had to blink them away to clear his vision. The doctor moved from one seat to the other and somewhat clumsily reattached the bag.

“…twenty-seven, twenty-eight…”

“Don’t pause!” the doctor said. “I’ve got it!”

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten! One, two, three, four…”

Mitchell’s shoulders shook with tension and he was forced to drop his head back onto the backboard. He could still see the side of Larissa’s face. There was blood in her hair, dried in the short hairs along her temple and dotted inside the shell of her ear. Her head rocked gently from side to side until the doctor reached out to steady it.

“Two minutes. They’re ready for us.”

The medic switched hands, turning slightly and opening up Mitchell’s view. The breast nearest to Mitchell wobbled, her skin there frighteningly pale aside from her dusky nipple and scattering of freckles.

His hearing was going again, fireflies moved across his line of sight. He coughed hard, winced in pain.

“-ell? Are you—Mitchell?”

“—ten. One—three, four, five—”

“I’m fine,” Mitchell muttered. He bent his hand into a shaky thumbs up. “Fine… fine… Help her. Help Larissa…”

His ears suddenly latched onto the alarm screaming, to the thumping and rattling sound of the gurney. To the slightly out of breath counting of the medic. To the whoosh of the bag-valve mask. To the tires of the ambulance, thudding over a speed bump.

“Please, baby…” he whispered.

Then he closed his eyes and drifted.

He opened them in a long, ivory hallway lined down one side with open windows. A steady breeze blew gauzy curtains into the space, periodically obscuring his view. Sometimes, if the timing was right, he spotted Larissa. She walked away from him, nude, her long hair blowing in the breeze. At the far end of the hall, flickering in and out of sight, was a staticky black hole.

“Larissa!” he called out.

She didn’t stop walking; in fact, the next time she got a good look at her, he realized she was running. Away from him and toward the desolate blackness ahead.

“Don’t!” he shouted. “Larissa, don’t!”

She stopped, and the vision glitched. He found himself standing in front of a window. Larissa stood outside, naked and bleeding from an uncountable number of wounds. Behind her, he could see the ocean.

“It hurts,” she whispered. A tear rolled down her cheek.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m selfish. Please, don’t leave,” he begged. “Trust me. It gets better.”

Mitchell woke with a start. A bright light blinded him, and when he reached up to shield his eyes, he found himself dragging IV tubing and a pulse oximeter.

“…PEA arrest. Administer one milligram epinephrine. Helen, take over compressions.” The voice came from the other side of a room-dividing curtain.

“Larissa…” Mitchell whispered.

“Sir? Mitchell?” A young man stepped into Mitchell’s line of sight. “I’m Raymond. How are you feeling?”

“My wife…”

“She’s in good hands, Mitchell. You were unconscious when they brought you in. Can you follow my finger?”

Mitchell watched the nurse move his finger from side to side.

“I’m told there are some people in the waiting room for you. Your brother?”

“How…” Mitchell suddenly remembered Maeve, Kieran’s cousin. She was going to call Kieran, and Kieran would have called Mark.

“You’re going to have to go for a few scans, and then your brother can come in, okay?”

“My wife…”

“I promise, the doctor will come speak with you as soon as possible.” The nurse glanced at his watch. “I’ll be back soon, or someone will be in to take you for an X-ray, okay?”

Mitchell waited until he was sure he was gone, then he reached up and removed his oxygen mask, dropping it to the side. He pushed the sheet back, kicking it off with difficulty. They’d cut his shirt off and applied a large bandage to his side. He pressed his hand there, groaning involuntarily as he sat up. Then he swung his feet over the side of the bed and grasped hold of his IV tree.

When he stood, the room canted dangerously around him. He gritted his teeth and tensed his legs until his vision cleared. Then he shuffled toward the curtain dividing his bay from Larissa’s. Trembling fingers grasped the edge and pulled it back, just far enough for him to see what was happening.

The sight could have been from his worst nightmare.

Larissa, naked on the hospital bed. A nurse stood on a step facing him, her hands forcing Larissa’s breastbone deep at a rapid clip. Her bloodied breasts wobbled with each pump. A doctor or resident in a white coat stood at Larissa’s head, giving her breaths through her tube. Another tube had been threaded down her left nostril. White pads with a plastic puck in the center covered a large swath of her chest, along with a soiled bandage over the wound above her heart.

To the side, he saw another person in scrubs adjusting a machine. It looked like an IV tree on steroids, with twin bags hanging at the top. Another nurse stood to his side, updating information on a computer. A surprising number of people were in the room, but to Mitchell’s relief, no one noticed his eye trained on the evidently lifeless form of his wife. 

He would never get used to the sight. Air forced in and out of her. Her sternum used to pump her heart. Her shoulders shrugging and her stomach popping up each time her chest was forced down. It was undeniably worse with the blood.

He wasn’t going hurt her.

Or so he said.

He just wanted to hurt me.

I should have grabbed her arm and pulled her behind me. I should have told her to run.

Fuck. She wouldn’t have run.

The knowledge that someone could love him enough to die for him cut deep.

“In thirty seconds we’re going to do a rhythm check, and then Charles will take over compressions.”

Helen bobbed relentlessly over Larissa, unfazed by the alarms or the people bustling around her. Her lips moved, counting in time with the metronome beeping out a morbid rhythm. 

“They’re holding an OR for her if you achieve return of spontaneous circulation.”

“Pause compressions for a rhythm check.”

Helen lifted her hands, breathing hard as she stepped down and to the side. A man replaced her, his eyes moving to the monitor.

“That’s v-fib!”

The man immediately bent over Larissa, rolling his shoulders into place and rocking his weight into her sternum.

“Charge to three-sixty.”

The man pumped her chest ten times and then Mitchell heard someone say: “Clear. Everyone clear.”

The man performing chest compressions lifted his hands and the woman at her head unhooked the bag.

“Administering shock.” Larissa’s chest jerked, her back flinching slightly up off the bed and her damaged arm flopping to the side. Immediately, Charles the nurse began pumping her chest again, his hands forcing the pad in the center of her chest down. 

“Push harder!” A robotic voice commanded. Charles complied, bringing his shoulders over his hands and making Larissa’s stomach bulge.

“What’s her blood pressure?”

Mitchell’s fist came up to his mouth, pressing so hard against his lips that his teeth dug into the inside. 

“Seventy over fifty-five.”

The hospital bed squeaked as Charles thrust his hands down over and over again. Down, sinking her chest and popping her abdomen. Up, her ribcage springing back and her stomach deflating. The whoosh of ventilations several seconds apart and between compressions.

Mitchell leaned against the wall, trying to make sure he didn’t move the curtain and call attention to himself. He felt nauseated; knew he should go lay down. Knew the second a nurse or doctor walked in, he’d be in trouble.

Come back, baby. Please. I don’t want to do it without you.

“Rhythm check in thirty seconds. Helen, you can take over for Jane. Jane, you’ll be on compressions.”

Pump and pump and pump and pump…

Mitchell’s side hurt with each breath he took, so he tried to breathe shallowly. He could feel his heart galloping in his chest.

“Alright. Pause compressions. Rhythm is showing as… sinus tachycardia. Good job, folks. Helen, keep up ventilations. Jane, call the OR and tell them she’s headed their way. Ask about a cooling vest.” The doctor speaking walked through Mitchell’s line of sight. “The husband is next door?”

Shit.

Mitchell cast one more glance at Larissa. She still looked to be at death’s door, and he wished he could talk to her, or at her, before they took her away. Mitchell eased backward, trying subtlely to release the curtain.

“Ah… Looks like the husband is watching us right now.”

Busted.

Mitchell pushed open the curtain. “You’re about to take her for surgery, right?” His voice sounded gravelly.

“Sir—”

“I just want to talk to her before you take her. Is there time?” Mitchell drew himself up to his full height, gritting his teeth against the pain. Then he forced himself to unlock his jaw and quietly asked: “Please?”

The doctor nodded and hurried forward, reaching for Mitchell’s arm. “Yes. You have a short minute, but I want to make sure you don’t fall.”

Mitchell let the doctor escort him to Larissa’s side. The nurse was still squeezing the bag regularly, making Larissa’s chest rise and fall. He’d ended up on her wounded side, so he rested his hand on the top of her head, his thumb falling on her forehead. Mitchell leaned close to her ear. 

“Baby, it’s Mitchell. Stay with us, okay? I don’t want to do all those things without you. Pull through and I promise I will sell and we will do anything you want. I don’t care what it is as long as I can be with you, okay? I love you.” Mitchell pressed his lips to her temple. When he finally pulled back, he looked up at the doctor. “Make sure they take good care of her.”

Days later

Larissa stirred.

She had a talent for waking up after most of her visitors had gone. She’d been in and out for most of the day, mumbling nonsense and crying when she was awake.

Mitchell suspected this time would be no different, but he was still excited to see her move of her own accord. It was much better than the first time he’d seen her after her first surgery, laying so still, pale and cold and on a ventilator. She’d gotten off the ventilator quickly and had two more surgeries. He was looking forward to her being coherent enough for him to be sure his Larissa really had survived.

Her eyelids fluttered, and she grimaced, letting out a quiet cry.

“Hey…” Mitchell squeezed her hand and stood, wincing at the pain in his ribs. He leaned over her as much as he could, wanting to keep hold of her hand but knowing he was on the same side as her bad ear. “Larissa, you’re safe. You’re in the hospital. It’s Mitchell. I’m safe, too.”

Larissa cracked open her eyes, her slightly swollen lids nearly obscuring her irises. 

“Hey, baby.” Mitchell squeezed her hand, speaking loudly. He reached in with his other hand and ran his knuckles down her cheek.

Larissa leaned into his touch, and Mitchell sucked in a sharp breath. It was the first time she’d reacted to anyone’s attempts to comfort her.

“Mitchell…” Her voice was hoarse. Her eyes opened wider. “Mitchell…”

“I’m here! I love you!” He cupped her cheek. “How do you feel?”

She blinked a few times, then let out a huff of air that almost sounded like a groan. “N-not great…”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…”

“Ben Miller.” Her voice was flat.

Mitchell squeezed her hand again. “We never have to worry about him again, Larissa. He’s dead. He… hurt himself. He’s dead.”

“You’re… okay?” her brow furrowed. 

“I’m okay. I’m okay… You…” Mitchell’s voice went wobbly, and he cleared his throat. “You saved me, Larissa.”

She seemed to ponder this for a long time before she spoke again. “I owed you one.”

Mitchell snorted, and then, to his dismay, he started crying. He hunched over their clasped hands, gasping as tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Come… here…” Her hand weakly tugged at his. Mitchell tipped forward, his face pressing into her good shoulder. Larissa whispered: “Ahhh, honey. It’s okay…”

“We’re selling the company,” Mitchell said, his voice muffled.

“What?”

He took a shuddering breath and turned his head so that his lips weren’t pressed into her hospital gown. “We’re selling the company. And we’ll buy that house in Hawaii. Shit, that can be our main home.”

He lifted his head to see if she understood him.

“Good,” she whispered. She looked exhausted, but the ache in his chest was dissipating the more obvious it became that she was still herself.

“Larissa…”

“I know.” She took a deep breath. “I love you, too.”

--

The story continues in: Saving Mitchell

[khaotungsfirst]

khaotungsfirst’s 2023 BL recap

Alright, I know I'm late but it’s the time of the year again where I post my favorite BLs of the year even though no one cares about my opinion lmao. Buckle up cause this is gonna be long...

Top Thai BLs

I Feel You Linger In The Air

What a breath of fresh air this was! Not only was the romance top-notch, I was also really invested in the plot and what was happening to other characters. The wlw sideplot felt natural and not shoehorned in and was what we all deserved. I'm just so happy to have experienced this masterpiece!!

Only Friends

Came for SandRay, stayed for BostonNick (and SandRay). Though it had its ups and downs I can't help but love it. There was so much messy drama that I was LIVING for every single week and experiencing that along with the rest of BL tumblr was the best thing. We desperately need more shows like this in the BL world.

Laws of Attraction

Ridiculous SFX could not deter me from loving this show. It's dramatic, it's over the top and it's ridiculous at times but it's crime so of course I liked it. Bonus points for cutting from the villain being killed in prison straight to the main couple's wedding. We love to see it!

Top Korean BLs

Our Dating Sim

This was my last watch of the year when I was looking for something that I could squeeze in without many expectations. How could I have guessed that it would turn out to be my favorite Korean BL of the year? Though the story is nothing new or groundbreaking, I enjoyed the main actors chemistry so so much. Korean BLs, to me, often feel a little stiff but they managed to make it feel so real and easy, I loved it.

The Eighth Sense

Oh, this was something else... High quality cinematography and high-quality story-telling. In the end I went into it with expectations that were too high to meet but still, such a touching BL that will definitely move you (maybe even to tears).

Why R U? (KR)

A show held together by three pieces of duct tape but enjoyable nonetheless. I don't think it's comparable to its Thai original. Yes, the plot is more or less the same but you gotta see it as its own thing. I do love me a panicked gay/confident gay pairing so it already had me from there. And let's talk about the kisses cause !!!

Top Japanese BLs

Tokyo in April is…

Friends to lovers my beloved!!! The PINING, the ACHING, the YEARNING! YEARS OF IT!! How can I not love it? Yes, this was a bit of a heavier BL but it was done SO WELL and the payoff from all the trauma was so satisfying.

My Personal Weatherman

What can I say? Japan just knows how to do it. In any other show the miscommunication between the mains would be annoying as hell. But the chemistry between these two was just off the charts. Nothing more to say.

I Cannot Reach You

Friends to lovers my beloved!!! the sequel. This time less traumatising but just as sweet and moving. A cute and innocent watch.

Top Taiwanese BLs

Kiseki: Dear to Me

The way I IMMEDIATELY knew ChenAi were gonna be my new hyperfixation as soon as I saw them in episode 1... They just have that je ne sais quoi, that special 'make me fall to the floor and bite my fist' quality to them. BZY and FZR also had their insane moments and in combination with everything that ChenAi were doing this show just hit the right spot. Can't wait to rewatch it.

Stay by My Side

Was it ridiculous? Yes. Was it cute tho? Also yes. Nothing I would rewatch but it did make me laugh a lot so there's that.

Top Chinese “BL”

Stay With Me

It’s not like we have much of a selection regarding Chinese BLs (cries in when will Eternal Faith, Immortaily and Winner is King be released from the dungeons?) but HOLY SHIT did they deliver with this one. I didn't know this was specifially made for international release when I went into it so I was in for a few surprises here and there. And I'm gonna say it: it's better than Addicted Heroin. The way their love story developed just has me screaming internally I LOVE THEM SO MUCHHHHH!!!

Top 3 overall

Kiseki: Dear to Me

Stay With Me

I Feel You Linger In The Air

Top pre-2023 BLs (that I watched in 2023)

The Eclipse (2022)

Can you believe that I only just joined the FirstKhao nation this year? I completely skipped this show last year NOT KNOWING what a masterpiece I missed out on. Finally a highschool BL with a capital P Plot! And the enemies to lovers was so so good!!! AkkAyan you will always be famous!

Love Mechanics (2022)

I'm not a fan of cheating stories at all but DEAR GOD these two!!! It's the YinWar magic that pulled me in and will never let me go. The constant back and forth did get a bit annoying at some point but I won't complain when we also got things like the shower scene...

Roommates of Poongduck 304 (2022)

Can ZB1 disband faster so Jiwoong can return to BL acting please? I jest, I jest... kinda. I loved the relationship dynamic in this one so much because they both held power over the other (and both were petty bitches about it lmao).

My Gear and Your Gown (2020)

The girls that get it get it, the girls that don't don't :) Falling for MarcPawin during Dangerous Romance and THEN realising that they're the mains for this show immediately put it on top of my watchlist and I'm not ashamed to say I liked it. It's very 2020 but sometimes that's all you need.

Favorite currently airing BLs

I did not want to consider these for the final rankings because they’re still airing and could theoretically still pull a Game of Thrones S7 on us but I have really high hopes for them.

Cherry Magic

HELLO???!?!? I LOVE ACHI SO F U CK ING MUCHHHH!!! And the way Karan is in love with him so gently and so deeply I- AAAAAHHHHHH. This is gonna be my new obsession I can feel it!!

Last Twilight

At first I didn't even plan on watching this because I didn't think JimmySea were a pairing I would enjoy (Vice Versa has been on hold for over a year lol). But GODDAMN did they prove me wrong! So soft, so precious... P'Aof you did it again!

The Sign

What a hodgepodge of genres... One second you're chasing a murderer, the next you're having sex fantasies about your coworker and then you're having visions about your past life with your soulmate (who is also said coworker). Love it!

Most disappointing BLs

Be Mine Superstar

I was so excited for a new JaFirst series as I really enjoyed Don't Say No, and Remember Me didn't quite quench my thirst. But this... if this was a BL then why did we spend SO MUCH TIME on the beef between the agents?? Shit was annoying af. Moreover, I really could not deal with Ja's character. I know a lot of people liked his innocent puppy-like behaviour but it was just too much for me. The only redeemable thing was the side pairing but even that turned into a hot mess quite quickly. Had to drop this at some point after I started watching it on 1.5 speed and realized that I'm torturing myself.

Low Frequency

Exciting concept but stiff acting and a plot that dragged on. Dropped halfway through.

Bon Appetit

It's not bad but just straight up boring. I finished it but it didn't leave any lasting impressions. I know you can do better, Korea...

Most anticipated QLs of 2024

Vampire Project (BOUNPREM VAMPIRE BL!!! I CAN DIE HAPPY ONCE THIS IS FINALLY ON MY SCREEN)

Jack & Joker (War finally getting his villain role let's fucking goooo)

IFYLITA Season 2 (PLEASE GOD MAKE IT HAPPEN P L E A S E also special ep WHEN????)

Spare Me Your Mercy (i will always be a slut for crime BLs)

23.5 Degrees (give it to us!!! LET US INNNN!!!)

My Love Mix-Up TH (istg if gmmtv doesn't learn from this whole cherry magic debacle...)

Eyes on you (even more spy/mafia/crime BL yes and thank you!)

Uranus 2324 (the production?? the story?? the cinematography??? I need it NOW)

Red Peafowl (this is either gonna be really bad or really good and I'm curious to see which one it's gonna be)

(I had Stay With Me S2 on this list until it was announced as cancelled on Jan 1st 😭😭 I wil never recover)

2023 Superlatives

Most iconic intro: Only Friends (long live First's thighs)

Quickest drop: Middleman’s Love (i was rooting for you Jade!)

Best supporting character: Tin's grandma - Laws of Attraction (sweetest lil supportive grandma who didn't deserve any of this)

Best Worst character: Jaewon's girlfriend - The Eighth Sense (I think this is the only bitchy ex-gf of the entire year and I'm glad about it)

Best side pairing: ChenAi - Kiseki: Dear to Me (do they even count as a side pairing anymore? If not then I'd go with GuyNawa - Dangerous Romance)

Best could have been if the writers wanted us to: NameSaifah - Dangerous Romance (no it was NOT enough!)

Biggest green flag: Win - Between Us (asking for consent is so sexyyy) / Yai - IFYLITA (he's the softest, most caring boy who's so so in love)

Biggest red flag (affectionate): Hira - Utsukushii Kare (my boy highkey needs therapy but Kiyoi wouldn't want it any other way so we'll let it slide) / Lom - Wedding Plan (the way he went about things was... questionable but I understand his reasoning behind it so I can't hate him)

Biggest red flag (derogatory): Boeing - Only Friends (bro just wanted to fuck with - literally and metaphorically - every and anyone and I respect that but dude...)

Most iconic kiss: Lee Won/Ji Oh - Why R U? KR (this was so fucking unexpected but they ate and left absolutely no crumbs)

Most iconic makeout scene: YangJai - Love in Translation (IN A GROCERY STORE?? FINGERS IN MOUTH??!)

Most iconic sex scene: TopBoston - Only Friends (oohhh the DRAMA of it all… truly gagged everyone with this)

Best unhinged horny scene: Jom - IFYLITA (I will never be able to look at massage oil without thinking about this...)

Best gays on a bike scene: Stay With Me (like… facing each other…. grinning at each other.... give me a minute)

Newest addition to the poor lil meow meow collection: Ai Di - Kiseki: Dear to Me (my feral murder kitten I LOVE YOU SO MUUUUUUCHHH)

And there we have it! What a year it's been... I can't wait for 2024 to be just as wonderful, unhinged, crazy and amazing. If you've read until this point I wanna thank you for enduring all that and also for supporting me and my edits throughout this year. Whether we're moots or not I truly appreciate every single person that interacts with me on this hellsite 🫶❤️

[ronaldanthony4]

I’ve created another digital artwork. This time, it’s a fan art that has been sitting in my mind for a while, just waiting for the right moment to come to life. And finally, that moment has arrived. As someone who constantly seeks ways to combine my artistic skills with the causes I believe in, I wanted to make sure this piece reflected a story I admire and a message that must be shared. Bringing this fan art to life was challenging and rewarding, as I poured my heart and soul into every detail.

This week, you see, is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, and it got me thinking deeply about a particular animated short film that moved me to the core. That film is "Cuerdas," a Spanish animated short film by Pedro Solís García. It’s an emotional masterpiece that tells the touching story of a young girl, María, and her friend, a boy with cerebral palsy who remains unnamed throughout the film. This short film left such a lasting impression on me that I felt compelled to pay tribute to it through my fan art.

In my artwork, I’ve depicted the two main characters from “Cuerdas”—María, the kind-hearted and vibrant girl with a zest for life, and her best friend, the unnamed boy, who has cerebral palsy. His condition means he is confined to a wheelchair, but despite his limitations, María’s love and care bring so much light into his life. The dynamic between these two characters is what captured my heart. Their friendship is a beautiful example of unconditional love and support, showing that true connections can transcend physical barriers.

I took great care in creating the visual details for this artwork, particularly focusing on capturing the tenderness and innocence that María and her friend share. María’s appearance is cheerful and bright, just as it is in the short film. She wears a school uniform—a navy blue sleeveless vest over a white shirt and a blue plaid skirt. Her short brown hair is neatly styled with a pink headband, decorated with a small flower. It’s a simple accessory, but it adds a touch of personality, representing her joyful and sunny nature. Her wide, sparkling blue eyes reflect her compassion and genuine care for her friend, showing how she sees beyond his disability and treats him with love and friendship.

Now, the unnamed boy in the wheelchair—his expression is a bit more subtle but no less meaningful. I wanted to capture the way he looks at María with admiration and happiness, despite his physical limitations. His eyes are bright, golden-brown, and filled with gratitude for the friendship he’s found with María. He, too, wears a school uniform similar to María’s, but instead of a skirt, he has green shorts, allowing his legs to rest comfortably on the wheelchair’s footrest. His body language, while restricted due to his condition, still shows how much he enjoys being with María. He is seated in a wheelchair, which I designed with careful attention to ensure it looks practical and comfortable.

“Cuerdas” was released in 2013, and even though it’s a short film, its impact is incredibly profound. Directed and written by Pedro Solís García, the film tells the story of María, a young girl who forms a deep bond with a new student at her school—a boy with cerebral palsy. Unlike the other children, who either ignore or pity him, María goes out of her way to include him in her life. She invents a game involving ropes—or “cuerdas” in Spanish—which allows them to play together in their unique way. The ropes represent not only the literal method of communication and play between María and the boy but also the metaphorical connection that forms between them.

I think that’s what makes this film so special—it highlights the power of compassion and understanding, especially when it comes to friendships that transcend barriers. Watching María care so deeply for her friend without any expectation of reward or recognition is a reminder of the pure goodness that exists in the world. It also serves as a powerful reminder of how we can break down barriers of isolation for those with disabilities, simply by extending our hands in friendship, just as María did with her friend.

What makes “Cuerdas” even more touching is that it’s inspired by real-life events. The director, Pedro Solís García, based the story on his own experiences with his son, who has cerebral palsy. Knowing this gives the film an extra layer of emotional depth, as it’s a personal reflection of the challenges and joys that come with caring for someone with a disability. The authenticity of the film adds a heartfelt sincerity to the story, making it even more impactful for viewers. Through "Cuerdas," audiences can witness the beauty of friendship and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

As I was working on this fan art, I couldn’t help but think about my original characters (OCs), Arlon and Liliana. In some ways, I realise that “Cuerdas” had a deep influence on how I developed their relationship. Liliana, much like María, is the kind of character who befriends Arlon, despite his differences. In my stories, Arlon is autistic, and while his autism presents its own set of challenges, Liliana never lets that get in the way of their friendship. She’s patient, and understanding, and finds creative ways to connect with him, just like María did with her friend in “Cuerdas.”

The friendship between Liliana and Arlon is one of the core themes in my narratives. Liliana’s empathy and determination to be there for Arlon remind me so much of María’s relationship with the boy. She doesn't see Arlon’s autism as a burden but as a part of who he is. Through their friendship, both characters grow and learn from each other, just as María and the boy did. There’s something so pure about the way Liliana and Arlon interact, and I think that’s why I felt such a connection to “Cuerdas.”

Arlon, much like the boy in the short film, sometimes struggles with the world around him. He doesn’t always communicate in typical ways, and his sensory sensitivities can make certain situations overwhelming. But Liliana never gives up on him. She finds ways to make their friendship work, even when it might seem difficult to others. In many ways, their story mirrors the one told in “Cuerdas”—a story of understanding, patience, and the belief that love can bridge any gap, no matter how wide it may seem.

Creating this fan art was my way of honouring both “Cuerdas” and the relationships that inspire me in my creative work. I wanted to capture that same sense of hope and connection that the short film so beautifully conveys. The bright colours, the cheerful expressions, and the overall warmth of the scene are my tribute to the message of inclusivity and friendship that “Cuerdas” represents. I hope that viewers of my fan art can feel the same emotions of joy and unity that I experienced while creating it. It is a reminder that love knows no boundaries and that understanding and acceptance can truly bring people together in beautiful ways.

As I reflect on the impact that “Cuerdas” had on me, I realise how much art, in all its forms, has the power to change perspectives and open minds. A simple animated short film, just a few minutes long, can leave a lasting impression that stays with you for years. That’s the magic of storytelling—whether through films, books, or visual art, it allows us to see the world from new perspectives, to understand experiences different from our own, and to grow as individuals because of it.

My hope for this fan art is that it resonates with others who have seen “Cuerdas”, or even those who haven’t, but can feel the love and care between the two characters just by looking at it. I want people to see the beauty in the friendships that defy limitations, and to remember that everyone, no matter their abilities, deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. Art has the power to transcend boundaries and connect us on a deeper level, reminding us of the importance of empathy and compassion in our interactions with others.

Creating art is always a personal journey for me, but sometimes, like with this piece, it feels like so much more. It feels like a way to connect with others who share similar values, or who have been touched by stories like “Cuerdas.” I hope that this artwork serves as a reminder of the power of friendship, and how, with a little bit of love and creativity, we can all make the world a better place for those who need it most. Together, we can create a more compassionate and inclusive society.

In conclusion, this fan art is my tribute to Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week, to the film “Cuerdas,” and to the friendships that inspire us to be better, more compassionate people. It’s a reminder that even in the face of challenges, there is always room for love, understanding, and connection. I hope that through this piece, I’ve captured the essence of what “Cuerdas” stands for and that it inspires others to think about how they can extend a hand in friendship to those who may need it most.

[randomfoggytiger]

X-Files Fics: Skyland Mountain (AU) by JenAndrews

This fic should not work. It has so many elements to balance-- S2 Mulder, depressed and driven to drugs because he had no Scully in his life; Scully, a pediatric doctor pregnant with Daniel Waterston's baby who carries the guilt of losing her father while trying to save face about her nonfunctional relationship; a car accident off the road that derails Mulder's Skyland Mountain suicide attempt; forgiveness of their own actions while forging a deep connection through swift understanding and friendship; romance within a day; and a baby that comes swiftly and with complications-- all while keeping the story's tone light despite all of the potential dour or depressing elements that it has to juggle.

ALL of these can't work in one fic, right? Right??

WRONG.

It's a masterpiece-- every action and reaction builds on top of each other logically: self-loathing turning to regret, remorse, shame, terror, forgiveness, and optimistic hope; wounds opening in friendship while two sad hearts find common ground that turn to chemistry explored on an isolated mountain ledge; and a "found family" dynamic blossoming from two complete strangers (and a third) within a couple hours. Scully is a capable and skilled survivalist, patching Mulder back up and keeping him off his (very broken) foot most of the time; and he is finally able to bear his soul about his trauma while empathizing and reaching out to Scully's personal struggles because of his experiences.

This concept is hard to do; but all the pieces work excellently.

Quote:

""Scully tried not to be impressed, but she surely was. That a person would go to such lengths to save a stranger, at so much cost to themselves. It denoted either a remarkable care for others or total abandonment of any care for oneself. In Mulder’s case she suspected it was a combination of both.

Her interest in this man, his behaviour, motivations, thoughts and feelings were piqued.

“How long ago did you first start using?” Scully asked, pulling some gauze pads out of her bag and applying saline to one of them.

Mulder wished she wouldn’t have asked. He didn’t want to talk about himself, and the mess that was his life. But he would be in prison or dead soon, so he couldn’t see any reason it would matter. He doubted she could possibly think any less of him, after what he’d done.

“About seven or eight months ago.” Mulder answered, staring down at his beaten hands.

“What was it that lead to that first time?” Scully began stroking the soft pad against one of the cuts on his arm, cleaning away the dried blood.

“I had a bad day.” Mulder chuckled.

“We all have those. There must have been something significant for you to risk your career.”

“Well it was more like a bad decade. Or two.” Mulder turned to her and gave her a grave smile.

She could see the pain in his eyes.

“Tell me about it.” The warmth in her voice sounded so genuine, it was remarkably compelling. Mulder felt he could lay his entire miserable life out in front of her, and she’d probably try to wash the pain away with saline and gentle hands.

“I guess I just, slowly lost my faith.” He said, earnestly.""

Skyland Mountain (AU) here

JenAndrews here

[curiousquirks]

holy fucking shit! You're the author of Secure, Contain and Protect! It took me a while to *fucking realize that!* I was whole ass scratching my brain on why your writing felt so FAMILIAR! I can finally ask the question that has been fucking bothering me for *centuries* What inspired you to write such a masterpiece? and I REALLY want all the headcanons! Please! unless theyre somewhere on your blog!

Hi hi!! Omg omg, I'm so glad you enjoyed it <3

I know it's a very obscure crossover for these fandoms. I honestly just wanted to combine two of my favorite things together. SCP is a hidden hyperfixation of mine (and I had been binging a bunch of videos at the time my obsession with BNHA was at its peak) and with the quirks and everything in BNHA I just had to do a crossover. I ended up doing my best to not make the characters just humanoid SCPs with superpowers because I find that kind of boring. I enjoy a lot of the more complicated SCPs personally myself. Once I got the ball rolling it was fairly easy for me to start brainstorming how they'd get transferred over. (Also I did the main LOV and Hassaikai since they're my favorite) I went through all that effort making sure that as much of their character transferred over into their backgrounds/SCPs.

The first characters I remember thinking about with my sister was Setsuno, Shigaraki, Dabi, Mimic, and Mr. Compress actually. I searched and searched through most the database for SCP finding all the information I could about various SCPs to get inspiration, usually looking at ones that were similar to the SCP I wanted for the character. Like how Twice is similar to SCP-999, Mr. Compress is similar to SCP-035, and Dabi is similar to SCP-457. Tomura was the easiest to fully flesh out, since I took heavy inspiration from that moth imagery that Horikoshi used for him in the manga <3 Ahh it was gorgeous.

As for headcanons, oh boy. I loved the idea of All For One being an important Council Member, making his right hand man Ujiko that specific site's Director for all of his pet projects. AFO had his hands in collecting every single SCP in that facility, finding each of them interesting in ways that not even Ujiko knows about. Tomura getting free temporarily was the only that genuinely surprised him, and one of the only things that kept Spinner alive.

Aside from Tomura, AFO is only concerned about Dabi and Chisaki since they are the most unpredictable. It fascinates him but infuriates him to no end. Ujiko is actually a firm believer in giving the SCPs a stable and happy environment would provide more results than they're getting but the Council nearly killed him for this opinion. Ujiko is very fond of Twice's SCP, it's why he was allowed to wander around the facility from time to time.

Also my little hidden detail of the MTF being named "Vanguard" after the vanguard action squad from the LOV <3 It was a detail I never got to really point out to readers. I can honestly go into detail talking about my thoughts and inspiration about each of the characters if you wanted, I can talk about my AU all day aha

[iasmelaion]

Games I Played in 2024

I actually played more games than just Stardew Valley and Hades in 2024, so I thought I'd actually write a little something about them for once!

Previously Played:

Stardew Valley, of course, because of the 1.6 update, which I've already written about a bit.

Hades, which I return to every so often and which is still great.

Book of Hours, which I'd played previously, but which had a fairly significant DLC come out that for some reason got me to actually play the game properly, as opposed to how I'd played it before, which was to focus obsessively on unlocking all of Hush House while playing very little attention to, like, any of the lore, lol. Anyway, for my replay, I actually, like, read the descriptions of the books and pieced together the story and felt like a proper occult librarian. I still didn't play through to the endgame, but I'll probably return to it at some point.

I played a bit more Dave the Diver, again because of game updates. Still charming and fun, and I like how all the different aspects of the game: fishing/exploring, restaurant management, farming, etc. work together.

New to Me Games:

Animal Well: gave this one a try just last week, but alas, despite my appreciation of the gorgeous pixel art, this just had too much platforming. I really hate when my inability to, like, make a jump, makes me waste enormous amounts of time in a game. So while I liked the puzzle aspects, I simply suck too bad at platforming to feel like this game is a good use of my time.

Balatro: this roguelite + poker game is just as ruinously addictive as everyone says it is, and it definitely deserves the awards it's won. So much fun, and the whole aesthetic and vibe are perfect. It's pretty chill and relaxing to play, and I found it's pretty good at inducing a kind of flow state.

Ballionaire: like I mentioned earlier, I just picked this one up last week as something to play while listening to the Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobook. An enjoyable take on Pachinko, and a great game to occupy your hands and eyes while listening to an audiobook.

Caves of Qud: I kind of abruptly lost interest in this pixel art RPG, but I'll probably return to it! It's such a rich and weird and detailed world that offers a lot to dive into, plus it has a sense of humor. Bit of a steep learning curve, and I played on the easy wander mode just so I wouldn't have to worry so much about the combat aspect of the game. Fun to explore!

Fields of Mistria (early access): this is the fantasy farming sim I wished Sun Haven had been, lol. This is also the farming sim that comes closest to recreating that Stardew Valley magic for me. It makes a bunch of little QOL improvements on farming sim mechanics that combined provide a more chill and pleasant experience, and the NPCs are more richly characterized with less repetitive dialogue. Really looking forward to the complete version of the game! As it is right now, you can still get a solid 40ish hours out of it.

Gourdlets: not really a game per se? you just decorate some stuff and these cute little creatures called gourdlets roam around. this was, alas, not quite diverting enough to serve as a play-while-listening-to-audiobooks game for me.

Hades II (early access): I think I actually enjoy this one more than OG Hades! The play style for Melinoe just suits me better, I think, with the use of casts to help control the pace and flow of battle. Supergiant never misses, and this is already shaping up to be a masterpiece.

I Was a Teenage Exocolonist: deckbuilder with a kind of roguelite mechanic + visual novel, where you're a kid growing up on an exocolony. Gorgeous art, moving story, interesting characters. I really enjoyed this one. I don't have the patience to replay for all the different storylines/endings, but I really enjoyed my two playthroughs.

Inscryption: super fun and clever game that plays around with games and genre in neat meta ways. This is almost three games in one, each of them a different take on a deckbuilder, plus there's a frame story that incorporates FMV. I didn't actually play all the way through this one, because I watched some let's plays and saw the last "game" seemed kind of tedious to actually play through. But I really loved the first "game" here that was Leshy's take on the deckbuilder: the vibes were immaculate, the art was great, and the actual game was fun and not too difficult.

Little Known Galaxy: Stardew Valley, but on a spaceship. I played this all the way through. A competent and charming take on the genre! Nothing I'll probably ever return to, but I don't regret having played it.

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator: what I'm playing right now! I'm weirdly obsessed with this, lol. It's what it says on the tin, you're a medieval fantasy alchemist, making potions for customers and working on alchemical experiments. The art style is charming and lovely, the potion crafting mechanic is pleasantly absorbing, the farming aspect with your enchanted garden of potion ingredients is relaxing, and for some reason I'm super into the merchant aspect of it. I like imagining myself as the somewhat grouchy alchemist shopkeeper who says things like, "you want this potion with more than four effects? yeah, no, I'm not doing that. a potion with two effects is what's in stock right now, so it's what you'll get."

Slay the Spire: yeah, yeah, everybody else has already played this roguelite deckbuilder. A classic of the genre for a reason. Pleasantly difficult. I can see myself dipping in and out of playing this long-term.

[lovesickeningly]

pulse (2001) review

★★☆☆☆

──── ♱ ────

likes:

- ryosuke. he kinda reminded me of ryuji from p5, and I liked his outfits, but of course I’d watch a horror movie and be thinking about the outfits. it was funny that he had to write down, “print screen,” or else he’d forget to hit the button that’s right there on his keyboard.

- the overall aesthetic. I feel like this isn’t exactly praise tho, as it’s just what things looked like in that period of time, and not some crazy accurate present day imitation. my partner and I kept pausing to try to see what video games ryosuke had.

- the sound design. this was honestly the best part about the movie imo. the screeching dial-up-internet-esque sounds provided so much tension on what would’ve otherwise been mid or boring scares. I loved the scare that had the sound build up only to go completely silent.

- leave it to japan to still have the trains running during a ghost apocalypse lol

──── ♱ ────

dislikes:

- the relationship between harue and ryosuke. it just didn’t feel fleshed out, and I didn’t feel like there was really a connection between these two characters. harue as a character was a let down as well. I thought there would be some connection between her and the killings or the way they started, and that would be why she was so fixated on this whole thing before it even blew up, but we literally know nothing about her motivations. and why wouldn’t she be the one to tell ryosuke about the maximum capacity ghost realm theory (mcgrt) and not the rando grad student that we never see or hear about again? why wouldn’t she be the one to point out the ghost kid in the library to him and not the random grad student? they literally already had a scene in the library together where it could’ve been added in. I think she just existed to give ryosuke somebody to save or lose, which is lame and lazy.

- the inconsistency. there was no clear, singular pattern to the killings. if we’re to believe mcgrt, then what was all that talk about loneliness, and people wanting to die because they felt alone? if mcgrt is true, wouldn’t the pattern be: ghost leaks into room > room is taped off > somebody goes into taped room > has a traumatic experience because of the ghost > deletes themself days later. this would make the whole internet and technology thing completely irrelevant.

alternatively, if the internet IS relevant to all of this, wouldn’t it be like: the original video (the one shown multiple times of the guy with a bag over his head and writing on the wall behind him) is some sort of cursed video that has set off a chain curse that latches on to people online like some sort of virus. this curse, or virus, makes people feel overwhelmingly lonely until they decide to delete themselves days later. the virus is also watching these people through computer screens. given the time period, with the whole y2k scare and it being the dawn of the internet, I feel like the movie was trying to have some sort of “internet bad” message, and this second theory would fit into that while making all of the loneliness talk make sense.

however, the movie unsuccessfully combines these two things…I guess? I literally don’t understand what this movie was trying to say was going on. the thing is, I LOVE horror media that doesn’t explain itself. I have a whole shelf filled of junji ito’s works. I love ARGs because of the work you have to put in to understand them. being spoon fed a word for word explanation absolutely kills a horror media for me. BUT there’s a fine line between show-don’t-tell and just straight up throwing things at the wall and having the audience make up whatever they want out of whatever fucking sticks. so many good horror movies nowadays do the show-not-tell thing, and because of this, people have started to think that not fully understanding a movie right away = cinematic masterpiece. that’s why shitty writing like this ends up being lauded as a “cult classic” in the grand year of 2024.

- why was the computer lab that harue was working in trashed? it’s literally never brought up.

- there was all this build up for what people see when they go into a taped off room, and then once we finally got to see it from ryosuke’s pov, it was literally just some guy…

──── ♱ ────

overall

I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5! I don’t think I’d watch it again because two hours is a long time for basically no payoff, but I don’t regret watching it either.

[wedinmotionuk]

Capturing Moments That Speak: Visual Storytelling for Weddings in the UK

In today’s fast-paced digital age, preserving the essence of a wedding through visual storytelling UK has become an art form that couples cherish for a lifetime. The ability to capture emotions, laughter, and fleeting moments with finesse transforms an ordinary wedding album into a timeless treasure. When words fall short, images and videos step in to narrate a story that speaks louder than words—a story of love, commitment, and celebration.

The Art of Wedding Storytelling

Wedding storytelling is not merely about taking pictures or filming the day’s events. It’s about understanding the emotions and the significance of the moments as they unfold. Through visual storytelling, each detail, from the bride's radiant smile to the groom’s heartfelt glance, becomes part of a greater narrative. This narrative captures not just what happened, but also how it felt—a memory encapsulated forever.

Why Visual Storytelling Stands Out

Traditional wedding photography, while beautiful, often lacks the depth and emotion that storytelling provides. Visual storytelling combines creative techniques, candid moments, and detailed cinematography to ensure that every frame is meaningful. This approach blends the beauty of artistic photography with the authenticity of documentary filmmaking.

Couples in the UK are increasingly drawn to this trend because it reflects their unique journey. No two weddings are alike, and visual storytelling ensures that each narrative remains as special and personal as the day itself.

The Role of Professionals

Crafting a compelling wedding story requires more than just technical expertise—it demands intuition and creativity. Professional visual storytellers in the UK, such as those at WedinMotion UK, bring these elements together seamlessly. They use state-of-the-art equipment, innovative editing techniques, and a deep understanding of storytelling to deliver masterpieces.

From the pre-ceremony jitters to the joyous celebration on the dance floor, professionals know how to anticipate and capture key moments. Their ability to weave a cohesive narrative ensures that couples can relive their big day through an immersive experience.

How to Choose the Right Visual Storyteller

When selecting a visual storytelling team for your wedding, consider the following:

Portfolio Review: Examine previous work to see if their style aligns with your vision.

Personal Connection: A storyteller who understands your preferences will create a narrative that feels authentic.

Customization: Look for professionals who offer tailored packages to suit your unique needs.

Technical Skills: Ensure they have expertise in photography, videography, and post-production.

Reputation: Seek recommendations and read reviews to gauge reliability and quality.

Creating a Legacy

A well-crafted wedding story is more than a keepsake—it’s a legacy. It’s something you can share with future generations, allowing them to glimpse the emotions and beauty of your special day. With the rise of visual storytelling in the UK, couples are increasingly opting for this approach to preserve their memories.

WedinMotion UK, a leading name in the industry, exemplifies the power of storytelling. Their team of talented professionals captures not just events, but emotions, ensuring that every wedding becomes an unforgettable experience.

The Future of Wedding Storytelling

As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for wedding storytelling are endless. Drones, 4K cinematography, and virtual reality are pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved. However, at its core, storytelling remains a deeply personal endeavor. It’s about creating a connection—a narrative that resonates with the couple and their loved ones.

For couples planning their wedding, investing in professional storytelling is an investment in preserving their memories. Through this innovative approach, the magic of your big day will remain vivid and heartfelt, ready to be relived time and again.

[dihydromorphinone]

ᯓ ᡣ𐭩 we fell in love in october..

— tighnari x reader, fluff, tighnari confessing!?, mutual crush, kinda cheesy ngl..., tighnari calls you little flower, not proofread. also it may be kinda ooc but idc honestly i am suffering tighnari brainrot🙏

you rarely were able to take some time off. being an assistant of the avidya forest watcher may seem nice and easy, but in reality, you were drowning in paperwork and things for your work to-do list. cold air was caressing your cheeks, your hair gently going with the breeze. it's such a pretty night, you thought, looking at the sky. full of stars, shining brightly with all their power. next to them was the moon – delicately adorning the whole pool of dark blue. it all looks like it just came from a painting; and you desperately wanted to thank the painter for this masterpiece. you took a deep breath, reminiscing about your first days in sumeru, how you struggled to find a path that wasn't full of any thorns and vines and how you met your current boss – tighnari. you could feel your cheeks warm up at the thought of him, icy breeze not helping anyhow.

he was truly a blessing in your eyes – the most magnificent being you have ever seen in your life. everything about him seemed to be perfect; the way he would pinch the bridge of his nose when he couldn't find a desirable outcome, the way his ears were gently moving, the way he could just sit all day and work. you admired him, not only as your biggest crush, but also as a person in general. you could even say you look up to him – which is obvious. he's extremely knowledgeable, always has a way of dealing with things and on top of that, he's skilled in combat. such a dangerous combination, you thought.

first day as his assistant weren't easy, as he wasn't planning to go easy on you just because you arrived a while ago and weren't used to working in such field. after time, he started to warm up to you – starting very slowly, not that you could expect anything else. right now, you would name your current relationship as a friendship, although you truly yearned for something more to happen. it was painful, to be called 'his little flower' when you were sure he didn't mean it that way. you tried your best to just appreciate what you two have right now, but you just couldn't. everytime situations like this happened, you'd drop your smile for a second and remained with a kind of disappointed stare.

and tighnari always noticed. unbeknownst to you, he was also fond of you – describing you in the same way you did with him. his ears would droop as soon as you've left the room, and he would always ponder about your reaction. didn't you like it? was it troubling to call you petnames? and he'd just think and think until he went to sleep or drown himself in more work – work that consisted of the things he took off your schedule to give you more time for yourself. he was always looking after you, and he knew you acknowledged that. they're just misunderstanding my actions, he'd tell himself on nights like this. he just wished for you to materialise in front of him so he could finally confess all his feelings for you.

matter of fact, he may just do it right now. tighnari got up from his cozy chair, brushed his hair with his fingers quickly and he was quick to head out – his goal was your home.

he was hoping you're inside. he knocked on your door several times, but you didn't answer. he gave you, more like pushed a day free of work to you. he wanted you to rest some more, since the last few days were especially stressful for you both. tighnari was heading to your garden, while flashing a slight smile, remembering a certain interaction between you.

"here you are, little flower. drink it slowly, it will make you feel better." he stated, handing you a cool, minty blue brew.

"thank you tighnari. i really appreciate that" you answered, reaching a hand out to take the drink from him.

your fingers accidentally brushed and you both could swear you felt some electricity running through. after staring at him in shock, you gave him a sheepish grin, while he just stared at you in awe.

you were absolutely lost in thought, looking at the marvelous sky, not paying attention to your surroundings – and thus, not noticing tighnari, who was standing next to the garden entrance and admiring you from afar. you truly were a sight to behold. picture of you, sitting on the fence of your moderate garden with hair flowing everywhere was enough for him to decide that he has to tell you his feelings. he could just look at you for the whole day, imagining how he'd kiss your whole face, showing you just how much you mean to him.

"...beautiful." he subconsciously whispered, loud enough for you to hear. you were dumbfounded – so you turned your back to see tighnari, looking at you like a follower admires his deity. you were, in fact, his goddess, so it's not like it's incorrect.

"...tighnari?" you whispered, making sure he actually was standing there and it wasn't your yearning imagination playing tricks on you. he getting called out however, appeared to awaken him from his slumber. his ears drooped in embarrassment, and his face was now adorned with a faint blush.

"uh, sorry. do you mind if i join you?" he asked, making your heartbeat fasten. he? tighnari? wanted to join you? you just smiled again and shook you head, agreeing to his request. he quickly walked to your side, sitting right next to you. tighnari had to remind himself why did he come here, as the bare sight of you made him rethink his actions – only thing that in fact, mattered to him at the moment, wasn't being straightforward with you about his silly crush – it was just you. you, and only you. you, as an person sitting next to him. you in the current state.

"(y/n)." tighnari called, and you looked into his direction. he then took both your hands in his own, and gaze focusing on your eyes – he started talking. "(y/n), listen. i can't hold it anymore. you changed my whole world the moment you decided to come here, to sumeru. seeing you work, smile, hell – even just seeing you breathe is making me feel complete. being with you was the most fulfilling thing i have ever experienced. dare i say, it was downright magical. i love you, (y/n)." he confessed, eyes never leaving yours. he was searching for any kind of rejection in your eyes, but instead he was met with shock coming from you.

"obviously, it's fine if you don't reciprocate my feelings. i just hope that it-" he started, just to be interrupted by your small figure hugging his own, slightly bigger. he was quick to envelop you in his arms, holding you close to him. his hold was strong, as if you were to disappear any second.

"i feel the same, tighnari. i love you too." you quietly muttered, smiling into his chest while he placed his chin on top of your head. you couldn't be any happier – it's been like dreams coming true.

"my little flower." he started, "i will cherish you for eternity and one day more."

[flightofaqrow]

hands on

qrow +(x?) Liadan Schmall (OC) ( @the-gray-maiden​​ ) 

"you hold it like this, and.. why are your hands trembling?"

“I… I’m just not use to someone being this close anymore,” Lia admitted.

...too used to casually stepping in with students, qrow’s suddenly made self-aware that a grown woman may have different feelings about the situation, “…we can do this more hands off, if y’want.”

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

"you hold it like this, and.. why are your hands trembling?"

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“Oh…” Lia paused. “I’m just nervous.” She offered. “I… I’m just not use to someone being this close anymore.” She admitted.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“uh… of course,” the grit in his voice catches. poppy eyes pop open, and qrow doesn’t step away, but hands lift to hover instead of touch. too used to casually stepping in with students, he’s suddenly made self-aware that a grown woman may have different feelings about the situation.

(and now his head’s switching gears, too).

“…we can do this more hands off, if y’want.”

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“Its okay…” She offered. It was, she trying to will her hands to stop shaking. “I just not use to touch anymore it would seem…” She felt so stupid. She trusted him.

“So more like this?” She adjusted her grip. “If you want to adjust my hands you can.” She explained.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“alright…” qrow sneaks a sip from his flask to calm his own thoughts instead of admitting how much he could relate. he resumes his mimicked stance behind her, also trying to ignore how he can smell the remnants of wind and forest in her hair.

“yes,” the hands were fine this time, “…but make sure y’r frame’s sturdy. th’ balance on this kinda weapon’s different than what’y’re used to.” palms push her elbows into a soft, supported bend rather than locking out.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

His touch was gentle… She would admit she wasn’t expected that. She realized this was the closest she been to a person she kinda knew. She gotten many quick embrace from strangers from helping finding a missing loved one, but this was different.

“Oh… okay.” She allowed the adjustments. “You made a masterpiece of a weapon.” She teased. “Though did it really need to melee forms. I understand the gun.” She did but she didn’t…. she used a sword, that spilt into two swords where did she have the right to say anything.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Lia’s a quick learner, as qrow would expect of a worldly woman. and another difference from most students.

“thanks,” but it’s cute she thinks Harbinger only has two forms. his touch squares away her shoulders next. and that should do it, for now. “She’s a combination of what i needed at th’ time an’ what i wanted to base ‘er off of,” he doesn’t elaborate on either of the two.

“now, try swingin’ again. from th’ chest,” he gives his own a light pound with his fist, “not th’ arms.” even in sword form, she moved better with momentum than brute force.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Lia was focused on the weight of blade. She would admit she would love to see Qrow in action. Attempting to imagine him flying though the air with this thing… wouldn’t it drag him down? He was a professional he would know how to account for the drag. Think things though Liadan…. also pay attention dummy.

Lia saw the movement. It reached back to her days in a store room in the court house. It had been along time since she did anything two handed. She felt a small pang of nostalgia, but much like that time she swung a bit to hard pulling herself forward and causing her to lose her balance.  

“I’m not sure if I did that right.” She offered quietly while trying to return to the proper position.