#jelly rambles again

[jellicoree]

I know the whole point of rusame is toxic yaoi but I can’t help but love cutesy domestic rusame more. Two nations that are supposed to hate each other but instead they’re in love !!!!!! Living on the countryside in a little cottage because Ivan never really liked the city, and Alfred wants to live out his cowboy fantasies. Girl dads but their daughters are a cat and dog!!!! cute

[jelly-as-in-grape-concord]

do you guys ever think about george and betty from the weird little hut warren and gordon were supposed to stay at

[stuck-in-jelly]

Every day I get more and more tempted to actually post my break downs of the myths and legends in the Tales of Xadia book because oh my boy thoughts

[spock-smokes-weed]

I’ve heard some ppl say that one of reasons why Japan doesn’t have great English skills is because a lot of people are nervous about embarrassing themselves in front of foreigners. And idk that’s really the case but I completely sympathize because there was nothing more petrifying than trying to string a sentence together in front of the Japanese exchange student who’s tutoring me.

[theradicalace]

6th attempt at posting this you WILL see the jellies. they r a type of angel 2 me

[spores-and-petals]

✨WIP Wednesday #7✨

Remember when this used to be a weekly thing? Yeah me neither.

It's more like monthly MAYBE, if we remember.

Good news tho!!! We're making steady progress on part 3, having all the thumbnails done (like forever ago). Part 3 has a total of 10 pages, and I can proudly say that I, despite powering through exam week AND driving lessons, I have 3 and a half pages fully sketched out! Be proud! Say "good job Ari". Say it. WHY ARENT YOU-

So in true WIP Wednesday fashion, here's some of my favorite so far (cleaned up for your viewing pleasure):

Speaking of thumbnails, I really have to add 2 of my favorite shots Rai did for them:

Could not have asked for a better thumbnail artist- ARI STOP BEING SAPPY ON THE COMIC BLOG.

AHEM AHEM besides all that, we made big changes in how we organize stuff after discovering that we can, in fact, share a Notion workspace thingy thing instead of having me bookmark a link to a page I can edit, but only on PC because pocket computer sucks. And-

-wow it's literally the same as before. We basically copy-pasted the format and pages we had from before, it's just less scuffed on my side, I can edit and add things easier AND I can access it on pocket computer if I'm on the go.

When I ultimately take a break from my artistic duties, I dabble in ✨dialogue✨ that's to be used for future parts. I genuinely can't NOT show this one from Part 5 (omg what about part 4? part 4 doesn't need shit. part 4 need ME to actually sit down and DRAW. everything else needed for it is ready to go)

On top of all that, a while ago I remembered that this lil timer app still exists, which I used to use religiously back in my Paint Tool SAI days (I feel old. I ain't even old.). What that means is that I can actually SHARE with YOU ALL how LONG it actually takes ME to FINISH these god forsaken pages /silly

All my slow artists rise up in solidarity please.

Nya.

˚₊‧꒰ა . ——— ˗ˏˋ ✮ ˎˊ˗ ——— ˖ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

Psst, don’t forget to check out the masterpost for HCSPAU if u haven’t already 👁️

-🌘✨

[glasseswearingrabbitdetective]

Me complaining about summer/Southern hemisphere annoyances,,, I should post anime stuff or smt gkskvka sorry “ I’ve barely been around lately and THIS is what I post first thing?? x,D

[mrboy425]

i made this post YEARS ago but someone has asked me a very important question

Many people would automatically assume that the shiney bleepy bloopy sparkly is bioluminescence, but that is not the case here!

I am pretty horrible at explaining things so here is a snippet of something i read :

“Comb jellies are named for their unique feature: plates of giant fused cilia, known as combs, which run in eight rows up and down their bodies. The combs act like tiny oars, propelling the comb jelly through the water. Many microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, also use cilia to swim—but comb jellies are the largest known animals to do so. The comb-rows often produce a rainbow effect. This is not bioluminescence, but occurs when light is scattered in different directions by the moving cilia”

So, the rainbow effect seen is not bioluminescence. However! this does not mean that comb jellies arent producing their own light. Some comb jellyfish will produce their own light, then that light will refract upon the cilia, creating the shiney bleepy bloopy sparkly effect you see in my original post!!

yes the ocean is terrifying but also bloodybelly comb jellies exist and they are beautiful

[cherriko-art]

Sometimes most of the time the struggle of grappling with my chronic illnesses makes me infinitely furious at how unfair the world is.

I'm constantly juggling between having an ok day and feeling like an imposter bc "hey maybe I'm just exaggerating things I don't really have it that rough others go through much worse" then having a Bad Day and crying bc I can't even carry out simple, everyday tasks and jobs even people twice my age do daily.

Every day I just swing between these two states and it's absolutely exhausting.

[jelly-as-in-grape-concord]

i always have my top favorite three songs memorized every week because i refuse to be caught off guard ever again

[with-my-calamitous-love]

your arms are reaching / your eager heart is throbbing

k. bakugou, s. todoroki, i. midoriya x f! reader

how he reacts after learning his pretty girl struggles to get orgasms ꕥ smut 18+, timeskip characters, please read responsibly.

for the girls (like yours truly) who unfortunately struggle with this. don’t worry! communication! you deserve to cum!!!

song: couldn’t make it any harder

katsuki bakugou

- as everyone already knows, he will take any sort of test or opposition and stomp it into the ground. he’s the best, the greatest. not only is this another chance to prove how infuriatingly talented it is, but a chance to get you screaming his name and aching for him.

- the very first time he goes down on you, he’s so cocky and sure he’ll make you feel amazing. he lifts his head from your thighs and finds your face hasn’t moved an inch. “you gonna cum?” “uhm… no.” “WHAT!?”

- once you explain it to him, he’s seeing it as a challenge

- he finds communication so sexy. though 90% of the time he seems like a jackass who never listens, he’s far more perceptive than anyone could imagine. he learns not only your words but your body, the signs that you’re enjoying it or when you’re loosening up to him. as much as it is a fun challenge for him, his determination proliferates once he sees the frustrated tears boil over in your eyes.

- “calm down, babe. i’ve got you.”

he’s laying behind you, sideways on the bed while one strong arm lifts your leg up. his cock slowly pistons in and out of your pussy at a tortuous pace, his free hand rubbing circles on your clit while he has you feeling every inch of him. he’s fingered you for close to an hour before finally deciding you were wet enough to take him, all of him.

“hows this?” his voice is gruff in your ear. you know, by the scratch in his throat, that holding back is killing him. that if it were up to him, he’s have your face in the pillows wrecking your insides. but this isn’t about him. its about you, making your brain melt and toes curl from pleasure.

theres a hot coil in your stomach, about to snap at any moment. your nails dig into the sheets, clinging to anything, knowing that it could be his back you’re scratching up. you want to tell him to let go, to start fucking you rough and passionate the way he has always been, but you also know that this is the longest and most potent pleasure session you’ve had in a long time. you feel yourself gushing around his cock, sucking him in greedily. you’re buzzing, body warm with satisfaction but a lingering need to feel him ravage you.

“you can go faster.” you grit your teeth, looking back at him over shoulder. he shifts to move on top of you, placing a kiss to your cheek and forehead before reinserting himself with little resistance. your legs wrap around his legs like a magnet, whatever was left of them not reduced to jelly.

“you sure?” red eyes glint with a flicker of momentary doubt. he knows you feel good, but he’s determined to make you feel amazing. “tell me what you like, baby.”

he begins moving his hips again, faster this time, and your back arcs like the london bridge.

“like that!” you’re quick to savour it, and he fucking smirks. he feels you cumming around him, an sweet, blissful orgasm tearing through you like a bullet through paper. but he doesn’t stop, fucking you through it and promising 3 mode.

“whatever you want, baby.”

✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.*

shouto todoroki

- maybe its because he knows a thing or two about the absence of love and genuineness in places it should exist, but he tends to know when you lie. especially if its to protect his feelings in the form of forced moans or highs.

- he’s only began fingering you, noticing that your moans are off, and he’ll immediately withdraw. he’ll blink, confused, before returning to his normal, blunt self: “you don’t like it, darling?”

- he’ll stare, gears turning in his head while you ramble to come up with an answer. he’s difficult to lie to, seeing the way he tilts his head like a god damn puppy when he knows something is amiss.

- after you finally tell him, he’s silent for a few moments right before: “well, why didn’t you say so?”

- “i didn’t want to be difficult.”

- “it’s difficult to not love you.”

shouto has stamina, thats a no brainer. he’s been trained since day 1 to endure most things. so staying on his knees, head buried between your thighs isn’t exactly hard for him.

one of your legs stays hooked over his shoulder while the other is pinned down by his hand. you can’t remember the last time he’s actually lifted his head to breathe. he’d find a new way to take in oxygen if it meant keeping you pink and needy for him, the way he has you know.

his tongue moves in a messy pattern, swirling around and in between your slit before his lips move up to that delicate bundle of nerves, wrapping around the bud and sucking all the sweet nectar. his eyes are closed, a sort of meditation for him while you melt into the sheets.

“shouto!” his name comes out like a mantra. he wants to smile, to respond, but his lips are preoccupied with spelling out each japanese logographic character on your pussy.

so instead, he smiles mentally while moving his head up and down. you’ve never actually squirted before, but you were pretty confident this would be the day.

✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.* ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ ✧.* ✧.*

izuku midoriya

- izuku possesses endless patience that extends with both his arms for you. he has only ever wanted to put a smile on your face, even if that smile is sometimes an o shape and eyes rolling back.

- he is incredibly understanding, not a trace of judgement in those green eyes. he’ll simply hold your hand, with all the respect and the world, and say: “let me help you, baby.”

- that gentleness is thrown at the window as he morphs into a complete demon, pounding into you with such force you’re sure you’ll break the bed.

“fuck! izuku! shit, uhm- you’re going so fast!” you blurt out, holding his back for stability. he’s bullying your pussy with his cock, reasoning that if he was going to make you cum, he’d do it right.

“i’ve got you, love.” he mutters into your ear, lip wrapping around your nipple while his squeezes your other tit. his pace doesn’t dare slow down, stars bursting behind your eyelids as every inch of him sends shivers of pleasure down your body. he somehow still manages to whisper the most tooth-rotting sweet nothings into your ear while he single handedly orchestrates that delicious skin slapping noise.

his pelvis rubbed against your already sensitive clit, your pussy glistening with sticky juices that he salivates just thinking about. if he wasn’t fucking you with his cock, it’d be with his mouth.

he cups your face with one hand, groaning as you squeeze even tighter. “you gonna cum, sweetheart?” unable to speak, you nod profusely. he fucks you through countless more through the rest of the night.

[amiratheangel]

marriage was something JASON TODD couldn’t settle into immediately. he was used to moving into safe houses after every mission, he was used to having to use violence as a way to express his feelings, but he wasn’t used to that soft love. everything in his body felt like jelly when you would give him those warm kisses, when your eyes looked into his like he was everything in the world.

just when he thought his life couldn’t get any better, you found out you were pregnant with a baby girl. every single part of him was hers the second she showed up on that ultrasound. from that moment on, the princess treatment was upped by a thousand percent. you didn’t have to lift a finger for anything. water? he’s got it. errands to run? he’s halfway out the door already. midnight cravings? he’s ordering door dash while half asleep.

a lingering thought stayed at the back of his mind. what if he wasn’t a good father? what if he couldn’t provide a life of innocence and purity to his little girl?

all of those doubts drifted away the second he held her in his arms. she was weightless, a bundle of love and affection, proof that someone could actually accept him for who he is. “hello baby anastasia.” he whispered, making a little ‘oh’ as she wrapped her teeny tiny fingers around his index. “hello, baby.” he smiled. she was everything he could’ve hoped for. smart, confident and a lot like him. she had his same black hair, his blue eyes and his nose. but she was a perfect mix of you as well, having your ears, your lips and eye shape.

now, ten months later on father’s day, jason wasn’t expecting a big celebration. of course he had gone all out on mother’s day, making a photo album of all of the pictures he had taken of you, annotating every one with reasons why he loved you.

so, in return, you and your ten month old woke up early to surprise him with his favourite breakfast- blueberry pancakes and bacon with coffee.

“annie! no!” you whisper shout at your baby, she was sitting in her high chair smooshing blueberries over her face. “messy girl..” you tut. she just squeals and claps her hands in response. “come on, let’s get you clean.” you wipe her face and she fusses a bit, so you put her pink pacifier in her mouth.

about twenty minutes later, you had managed to make a stack of pancakes and some bacon, and wrote his card without anastasia throwing anything on the floor. “come on, baby.” you coo, picking her up so she can lay by her dad for a bit. as soon as she’s by him, she smacks his face to wake him up. obviously, you don’t realise because you’ve gone to get his breakfast but jason wakes up.

“annie..” he frowns, “i was asleep!” he whines like a little child not being able to get a toy. “it’s okay.. i suppose. only because you’re my favourite girl.” she claps again and laughs when he pulls her onto his chest. then, he spots you balancing things on the tray. “is that for me?” he laughs, sitting up while annie clings to him.

“my girls treat me sooo well.” he says, kissing his daughters head then kissing you. “this looks yummy, doesn’t it, stassie? you made this for me?” he says to the baby, who’s using him as a climbing frame, showing off her new motor skills. he shoves half a pancake in his mouth and lets out a ‘mm-mm’.

“do you like them? annie helped me by eating the first ones that weren’t perfect. i wouldn’t let her have them but she just kept-” he shuts you up with another sweet kiss to your lips. “stop rambling, hun. they’re perfect, she’s perfect, you’re perfect. i couldn’t ask for a better family.” those words melted your heart, making you feel like you were the luckiest girl alive.

“maybe we should have another one. i mean, look at her.” he tickles anastasia’s belly, making her squirm and laugh. “maybe when she’s down for her nap we can start the process.” he suggests with a wink.

you instantly feel your cheeks heat up and all the thoughts rush out of your head. “jason! she’s- she’s like.. ten months old! it’s a bit soon.” you splutter, but he just chuckles at your reaction.

“yeah, how about he just practice? you know, that’d be a great gift.”

tags: @madsluvsdilfs (lmk if you wanna be added 💞)

[lucy-literates]

I know in GTWC races there is no media pen but let’s just pretend there is.

There is a new reporter in the media pen and the first time Arthur sees her he loses his mind. He makes a beeline for her intending to be confident, suave and sexy to impress her but as soon as she asks him her first question, his mind goes blank and he ends up stuttering out an answer. Over the next few races, he keeps going to her first, even practicing some flirty lines in advance but every time he is in front of her he either goes off rambling about some aspect of racing she didn’t even ask about or ends up just saying that the car is good, the race was good and then repeating himself until he can escape.

She just assumes that he doesn’t like her, that he goes to her first to get it out the way and then never actually answers her questions properly. But then one day Lorenzo and Charles come to see Arthur race. She is walking behind them and overhears them talking about this reporter than their brother won’t shut up about. So she decides to throw in a couple of flirty lines in her next interview with Arthur and winks at him and he blushes bright red, stumbles over his words even more and then runs away.

Later, she is getting ready to leave the race track and Arthur and his brothers appear. They push him towards her telling her that he has something to say to her. When he eventually stumbles over his words enough to ask her out, she asks him what took him so long and grabs his hoodie to pull him in for a kiss with his brothers whooping and hollering in the background.

A/N: This is so cute!!! Enjoy!

Good Race, Good Car, Good God You're Pretty

The first time you see Arthur Leclerc in the media pen, he walks straight toward you like he’s been waiting all his life for this one moment.

He’s got the walk—confident, calm, like he knows what he’s doing.

Then you ask, “Arthur, how did the tyre strategy affect your mid-stint pace?”

And he… dies.

On the inside.

He opens his mouth. Closes it. Then somehow blurts, “Yes. The tyres. They were… good. The car… also good. And the strategy. Was… good.”

There’s a long pause. You blink.

“…Right,” you say slowly, smiling to hide the confusion.

Arthur practically sprints away.

The next few races? Exactly the same.

Every time he shows up, it’s you he walks up to first. He even tries rehearsing lines under his breath, trying to sound effortlessly cool. But once he’s in front of you, everything short-circuits again.

Your questions are normal—about racecraft, setups, pace, how he feels post-race. His answers? Rambling nonsense or the same “yeah car was good, race was good” loop on repeat.

You start to assume the worst.

He must hate talking to you. Probably just gets it out of the way so he can move on to real questions.

You try not to take it personally.

Until Monza.

You’re walking behind a trio of familiar voices near the paddock. Two men, deep in conversation—French accents, unmistakable grins.

Lorenzo: “It’s embarrassing, honestly. He runs to her and then turns to jelly.”

Charles: “She thinks he’s not into her. He thinks he’s blowing it. I’m tempted to mic him up for the next one just for entertainment.”

You slow your steps, blinking. Wait—you?

They’re talking about you?

You duck out of sight before they can see you grinning like an idiot.

So at the next race, you decide to have a little fun.

He approaches you again—eyes flicking nervously between your face and your mic.

You smile sweetly. “Arthur, good to see you. Have you finally learned how to talk to me, or should I just ask you how good everything was again?”

His brain fries.

He lets out a laugh—nervous, shaky—and then you wink.

Wink.

He stares at you like you just set his car on fire. And then—mid-question—he stammers something unintelligible, blushes crimson, and bolts.

You try not to laugh. The cameraman definitely does.

Later that afternoon, you’re slinging your bag over your shoulder, about to leave the track, when you hear footsteps—and arguing.

“No, Arthur, go now.”

“I can’t, this is ridiculous!”

“She winked at you, bro, she wants you to!”

“Just tell her you like her, dumbass!”

You turn to see all three Leclerc brothers marching toward you.

Charles and Lorenzo are flanking Arthur like bodyguards pushing a reluctant teenager toward a dance floor. Arthur’s eyes go wide when he sees you.

“Uh—hi.”

You raise a brow, smiling. “Everything good?”

Lorenzo gives him a not-so-subtle nudge. “He has something to say.”

Arthur glares at his brother, then turns back to you—nervous, sweaty-palmed, heart-in-his-throat.

“I… uh… I’ve been meaning to ask if you’d maybe want to… go out sometime? With me. If you want. Because I… really like you. And I’ve definitely ruined every interview, and I’m sorry, but—”

You step closer, tug on the front of his hoodie with a smirk.

“What took you so long, Leclerc?”

Before he can answer, you pull him in for a kiss.

He melts into it. Warm hands at your waist. A quiet, stunned "mmf" against your lips.

Behind you, Charles and Lorenzo explode.

“FINALLY!”

“ABOUT DAMN TIME.”

Arthur pulls away, red-faced but glowing, forehead pressed to yours. “Can we, uh… keep this part off the record?”

You laugh. “Maybe. If you give me a proper interview next time.”

He grins. “No promises.”

[star-lights-up]

"Camping. Noun. A recreational activity in which participants take up temporary residence in the outdoors, usually using tents or specially designed or adapted vehicles for shelter."

(Click for better quality)

⬇️ details and ramblings ⬇️

Back on my shit again 😂 you guys should've seen me when i found out there was a sequel to a million miles ahead of us. It was like 12am one night and i read the whole thing in one sitting. I laughed, I cried, as seems to be the usual with this au.

I love kurt if you can't tell. He is the silliest little guy, and comes with a mothman onesie, upbeat attitude and jelly shoes.

Also i am living for PE teacher peter who has not gotten a haircut in far too long. I was fully intending to draw his little man bun. Don't know what happened, but it will probably make an appearance at some point.

Yes i specifically made a duck version of the "peace was never an option" meme for this.

ALSO about the bucket hats. I am pretty sure they are not what was described. But, story time, when i was little and I went to sleep away camp, I had this AWFUL fanny pack. It was the ugliest thing you've ever seen, multicolored with like, the WORST color combos. I tried to find it and take a picture to prove it, but it has dissapeared so y'all are gonna have to take my word on this. But that's what I associate with camping gear, so that is what their hats looked like to me while I was reading this. 😂😂

oh and kyle my beloved <3 conspiracy theory: he is a mutant in disguise. No, wait, he's mothman.

maybe mothman is a mutant.

ignore me. 😂

@nathanbellamy

[pearlescentparade]

Shedletsky Ramblings! :3

(This was rather hard to write bc he's really hard to characterize)

૮꒰◞ ˕ ◟ ྀི꒱ა

First off, I think he would be very protective of you. He’s protective of everyone but I think his protectiveness would increase tenfold when you're involved, you're the light of his life and he's so afraid to lose you. (˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)  I’m sure his protectiveness would translate into physical affection as well, he almost ALWAYS has a hand on you, whether that be on your shoulder or your waist, he just wants to make sure your actually there and here with him. Give this man a hug and a smooch because he very much deserves it for keeping you and everyone safe. ૮₍ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ₎ა

 “Light of my life! You wouldn’t mind staying with me for a bit, would you? I’m just trying to make sure my [Name] is safe and sound, that's all.”

I think it would be really cute if he had a streak of jealousy every now and then. >⩊< Imagine you’ve been talking to someone for just a BIT too long and they seem a little TOO interested (they’re not he's just delusional tehee) and he makes up a really really dumb excuse to get you away from that person. Grabbing your wrists and speeding off with you in tow. (I also think it would be really funny if he just grabbed you and carried you off with you and the other person just being so baffled) Don’t mind him if he gets a little jelly sometimes, he's cuter that way. >:3 I think he would be especially angry if someone is actually trying to pursue you, he would be LIVID if they continue to do so despite you refusing again and again. 

“[Name]! This’ guy giving you any trouble? Actually- Don't answer that, they’ve been giving ME the creeps…”

“Jealous…? Me…? Hah! You must be pullin’ my leg, [Name].” (He is seething with rage and is about to create another 1x1)

On a lighter note, he is the most clingiest person in the world when it comes to cuddling and you can't tell me otherwise. ૮꒰ ྀི >⸝⸝⸝< ྀི꒱ა When he hugs you his grip is soft enough that it's not uncomfortable, but firm enough that you can't get out of his hold. You can cuddle with him and he will NOT let go for ANYTHING. He's so soft and warm though, ૮꒰˶  - ˕ -꒱ა so you wouldn’t mind if you stayed like this for a little while, would you? I think he would have a habit of talking in his sleep, he holds you extra tight, he often has nightmares about 1x1s creation and you dying by his hands. He needs you to be there for him, just don’t leave alright?

“I’ll never let you go [Name]…” He tends to have night terrors late into the night, this night was no different. His mindless mumbling often involves you and a sudden tragedy. His nightmares occasionally have him waking up, screaming your name. You never know what he's so terrified of, as he never tells you since he doesn't want you to worry. But you make sure to be there for him regardless of his secrecy of the terrors he’s been having. It was quite late, but you haven't been able to sleep, and you really don’t know the reason for your sudden insomnia. You figured that you could do something productive and work on breakfast post-haste. But as you slipped out of his hold and got out of bed, you felt a sudden tug on your wrist. “Hey…ya’ wouldn't mind stayin’ for just a bit longer would ya’...?”

He just gets so stressed trying to keep everyone safe, that includes you. He gets especially stressed and guilt ridden when he remembers his creation, he vows to never tell anyone because he's so afraid that they’ll all lose trust in him. He's just so scared of losing everything he’s worked for, but you make sure to let him know that he’s never alone and you’ll always be by his side no matter what happens. ૮꒰˶ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ˶꒱ა But all in all you love your clingy and overprotective bf and he wouldn't trade you for the world. >:3

(this was supposed to be short but I think i may have went overboard, sorry ૮₍˶ ╥ ‸ ╥ ⑅₎ა)

(I swear i’m gonna sprint to those requests as soon as they’re open ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧)

-🩰

THIS IS A HOLY GRAIL bc this fits exactly with the personality i had in mind for shedletsky: a leader who means well and is light-hearted but is always ready to take a stand whenever it comes to those he loves

USAHDSAH I CANT WAIT TO WRITE HIM !! drabbles like these give me sm inspiration

[elysiades]

asterope

in which sylus and her find their way back together after ever was finally exposed to give their relationship a shot, and find comfort in each other’s presence and domesticity.

tags; fluff, domestic fluff, tomorrow's catch-22 au, the teeny tiniest smidgen of angst, actually not really, spoilers for sylus' innocent birdcage memories, obvs the good ending of it, just sylus being a house husband, idk i just liked the idea of what happens after the catch-22 events - 1.7k words - crossposted from my ao3

“sylus. can’t you stay?” she asked hesitantly, tugging at his shirt to make him turn around to face her. he regarded her with a quizzical look, tilting his head.

“i’ll be back tomorrow. you miss me already?”

“no, like- move in with me.” she blurted the words out faster than she could control herself, now feeling a sense of dread overcome her. she didn’t think she could handle a rejection right now. what if he had other plans? maybe it was too soon? or maybe he didn’t think of her the same way? she felt so vulnerable talking about this at the doorstep of her apartment building but she just needed to know. “there’s nothing to worry about anymore, right? no one that wants to kill either of us. things are getting better. i don’t like when we’re apart. it still makes me feel anxious.”

sylus’ gaze softened at her vulnerability. she rarely showed him this side, both of them far too stubborn and guarded to show too many emotions. years of tumult within linkon city had hardened them, shaped them into who they were today. he grasped her wrist, pulling her closer to him. his fingers found her chin, tilting her head up to look at him.

“we’ve lived together before. what makes this time so different for you?”

“well for one, you disappeared on me for years… and two, i realized i care about you a lot.”

“mhmm, go on.”

“sylus.” she glared at him when he simply cupped her cheek and grinned at her, thumb rubbing the skin in soothing circles. “don’t make this more embarrassing for me.”

“i’m not trying to, i’m longing for you to let me in your brain. help me understand, little bird.”

suddenly her throat felt dry, the words clawing to stay within her, to never let him know. but somewhere in her mind was she hoping for reciprocated feelings, finally mustering up enough courage to confess. “what i’m saying is, i love you. like really love you, in a romantic way. that’s why i want you to move in, as a partner. not roommate like before. i know we’ve been on dates before but i wasn’t sure where we were at and-”

he exhaled loudly, making her stop rambling. “sylus?”

“so let me get this straight. i’ve nearly succumbed to my base instincts in praedator frenzy and eaten you up, told you my desires then, cleared any obstacle in your way to make sure you were safe, we’ve been on dates - and you’re not sure what we are?”

“yes?” 

he buried his face in the crook of her neck, laughing at her perplexed face. “i would do anything for you, sweetheart. you just need to say the word, i’ll do it. that’s how much i love you.”

she instantly felt her entire body turn into jelly, knees growing weak as she slumped into his arms in relief. “that was a dumb question,” she murmured against his chest. she felt it rumbling as sylus laughed again, felt his fingers tickling the nape of her neck. 

“look at me,” he coaxed her, fingers tangling in her hair as they tilted her head back. “it might have been silly but at least there’s no more misunderstandings. i love you, every fiber of my being wants you. of course i’ll move in with you.” 

sylus pressed a kiss onto her lips. “i won’t leave you anymore, i promise.”

—

she woke up startled, mind reeling from the terrible nightmare. it felt so real, so hauntingly devastating. she’d seen the scene many times, losing sylus to the praedator frenzy and having to shoot him before he could get her. her heart was pounding from the sudden onset of panic and she turned to make sure sylus was still lying next to her. finding him still curled against her side, arms wrapped around her, she relaxed slightly. she shuffled closer, burrowing her face in the crook of his neck. his scent was comforting and familiar, the one constant that would always remind her of home. 

sylus, being a light sleeper out of habit, roused from his sleep when she moved closer to him. his arms tightened against her ever so slightly. “what’s wrong?” he asked quietly, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.

“couldn’t sleep,” she murmured back, melting into his embrace as his fingers slowly massaged her back. “had a nightmare, woke up and thought you were gone. so i had to check.” 

“old habits die hard, hm?” with his arms wrapped around her tightly, she could tell that sylus didn’t want to let go of her either. the feeling of need was mutual and so overwhelming, born out of years of seeking comfort and fearing the other would leave, of nightly escape, never having a place to call home. 

sylus moved back to look at her in the dim, moon-lit room. “don’t worry your pretty head about this. we solved everything already,” he reminded her. “if something were to arise, i’ll make sure to take care of it.” even with his reassuring words, he could tell she was anxious still and he could relate to it - it would probably take some time for the uncomfortable, nagging voices to fade into obscurity.

he leaned down to kiss her softly, holding her as he rolled onto his back and pulled her along. with her head pressed against his chest, she could tell his heart was racing, betraying the calm, indifferent look on his face. “sleep, little bird,” sylus assured her with another kiss to her forehead. “or would you rather i sing you a lullaby?”

“please don’t,” she let out a laugh, shaking her head. “i think that would make me wide awake. i need to go to work tomorrow.”

“you wound me.” sylus moved the blanket on top of them, tucking it in to stay warm but was careful not to jostle her too much. his fingers rubbed slow circles across her back, massaging any tense muscles. “i love you and i’m with you, forever. i’m not going anywhere.” 

with the gentle touches, her eyes grew heavier, slowly shutting close with the warmth of his body lulling her back to sleep in no time.

—

true to his words, sylus was still holding her and sleeping peacefully underneath her when her alarm went off in the morning. she shuffled off of him to turn off the alarm, only to be pulled back into his embrace immediately. she made a noise of protest that was quickly swallowed by his lips on hers, kissing her lazily. she melted into him at first but then pulled away to catch her breath. “i can’t be late for work today. important meeting,” she told him, pressing at his chest. they were both barely awake, unwilling to leave the warm bed just yet but still, duty called. sylus sighed, his grip on her relaxing as he let her slip out of the bed before getting up himself.

“no overtime today. i’m making your favourite today and i would rather it not get cold by the time you get home,” he reminded her from the kitchen over the sound of soft music playing in the background, and rustling noises as he prepared her breakfast. he placed a cup of coffee and pancakes when she sat at the counter, leaning in and waiting for her to give him a kiss. he wasn’t satisfied, claiming another one before he turned to prepare her lunch box. 

despite linkon city slowly and gradually returning back to a state of normalcy, sylus didn’t fully stop controlling and overseeing the operations at nightstrix. after all, the current state was still rather fragile, the balances delicate. but nevertheless, he spent the majority of his time with her. their shared apartment had so much character, gradually filling with decorations and little trinkets over the months. trinkets from dates, from trips, little things sylus found and brought back home as a gift. alongside them, very prominently and carefully propped up in a glass dome, was the crow feather she’d gifted to sylus. their apartment was a safe space, a home to come back to.

not only did she feel comforted by his presence in the mornings but she loved waking up to him. she loved coming home to him singing and tinkering away at his projects or cooking dinner. the sight of him reading a book in their shared bed while waiting for her to join him, the way he embraced her as if he never wanted to let her go again. when he came home from work at nightstrix and immediately demanded a kiss, hogging all her attention and holding her as if to recharge. she loved whenever he told her that he loved her as a reminder every day and she loved it even more when his eyes twinkled with excitement whenever she told him that she loved him back.

“i’ll do my best to be here on time. i’ll text you,” she replied, sipping her coffee. sylus shot her a look of disdain, making a clicking noise with his tongue. he put the lunchbox away, leaning over the counter to look her in the eyes, hand moving towards hers and caressing it languidly before intertwining their fingers.

“i have no qualms coming to the office and picking you up myself. but do tell me how i could bribe you, sweetie.” he squeezed her hand, lifting it to press kisses to it. “what would i have to do for my little bird to clock out on time and join your partner for a lovely, home cooked meal?”

“nothing, i could never say no to you. i’ll be home before you can remind me about it, i promise.” leaning over the counter, she pecked his lips. there was a mirthful look on his face, one that told her his mind was wandering again, thinking of ways he could keep her with him for longer, steal more of her time and make her forget about her duties.

“i was only half kidding when i said the birdcage was for you,” sylus hummed, leaning down to kiss her back. “but unlike other people, i think my little bird is the prettiest when it’s free and unfurling its wings. in the end, i know it’ll return back to me.”

inspired by targetto - summer cake asterope is a double star in the pleiades star cluster. thank you for reading!