#just gotta marinate in angst for a little while

[angstyaches]

Augusnippets Day 15

Prompt: Starvation, requested by🐊 anon

OCs: Charlie and Shayne

Word Count: 455

CW: entrapment, prolonged hunger, angst, NO RESOLUTION INCLUDED, it's open-ended and bleaker than most of my fic endings.

Part 2 of 2 - takes place after the events of Day 12.

___

The treetops swayed, untroubled, against the pale blue glow of late evening. Charlie watched, breaths slow, body still, conserving energy. Conserving it for what, he didn’t know, but... hopefully for something.

The quiet was split, not by a growl from Charlie’s clenching stomach, but by a scream. The forest floor trembled under a faltering surge of power. The shimmering walls that stretched up towards the sky didn't even wobble. 

“Stop it, lovely.” 

Shayne spun around, his hair soaked with stale rainwater and fresh sweat. “What?” 

“Just..." Charlie closed his eyes. "Stop.” 

“Stop trying to get us out?” 

“Yeah.” Charlie spread his hands over his aching belly. It had rained the previous night, and by some mercy the water had come down through the wards, but the hexagon hadn’t provided anything edible yet. “Lie with me. It’s kind of nice down here.” 

“You’re fucking joking, right?” 

Charlie didn’t dignify that with – or waste his breath on – a response. 

There was a soft scuffling of pine needles. Through his damp clothes, Charlie could feel Shayne’s warmth just to the right of his own body. Shayne’s stomach growled audibly as he settled on the ground. He cleared his throat, trying to muffle it, a moment too late. How he still had it in him to feel embarrassed was beyond Charlie. Unfortunately, Shayne had a lot more experience with extended bouts of hunger than Charlie did. 

“I’m..."

Charlie turned his head and opened his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, love." The hollow pits under Shayne’s eyes were almost as dark as his hair. The lines of his cheeks and jaws were too sharp. “I’m supposed to be the one who knows about this shit, I should – I should be able to –” 

“Stop.” Charlie frowned. “I get it. I’d do anything to get us – even just to get you out of this, lovely, if I could. We’re on the same page here. It’s... not just you who feels helpless.” 

Charlie wasn’t sure if it had been the right thing to say or not, but he was out of breath by the time he finished speaking. His stomach shifted with each breath he’d drawn to force out the words, until it squeezed out a sluggish, acidic growl.  

“Not even sure if I’m hungry anymore,” Charlie admitted. “I just feel...” 

“Sick.” 

Charlie nodded. Shayne blinked harshly and looked up towards the darkening sky. Charlie did the same. As the sun went down, the wards' glare became harsher to look at. 

“This is not nice,” Shayne murmured. 

“No.” 

“You’re a liar.” 

They reached for each other’s hands at the same time, their fingers hooking together as their wrists rested on the forest floor. 

“Yeah,” Charlie whispered. “But at least you’re not wasting your strength anymore.” 

___

@augusnippets

[ghoulphile]

janey's dad | c.h./the ghoul | teaser

➥ pairing | cooper howard/the ghoul x f!reader ➥ word count | 465 for the teaser, overall wordcount tbd ➥ overall warning(s) | 🔞 smut; age gap (i hc reader to be late 20s but i tried to leave it vague enough), cowgirl position, biting, hair pulling, choking, squirting, teasing, pining, lipstick kink, breast/nipple play, masturbation (m), porn w/ feelings, porn w/ plot, mild angst w/ happy ending, coop's pov to start - rest of the fic will be in reader's, divorced!coop, babysitter!reader, pre-war/bomb ➥ summary | "We really s-shouldn't - oh fuck - be doing this." ➥ notes | here's a teaser for the fic i took a poll on, some people wanted more info 😊 coop is a big dick dilf fite me. feedback is always appreciated ❤️ lmk if you want to be tagged feel free to send in thots, questions, requests! | masterlist

Divorce is hard, but being a divorcé is downright hellish.

Ugliest thing in the world, if Cooper Howard has any say.

It's not like being a Marine with a gun in hand, being told where to point and shoot, or an actor reading off a script. There's no guidebook, no crash course. These people aren't nameless threats coasts away or co-workers following a cue.

In fact, his 'enemies' aren't enemies at all.

They have names: Barb, so smart it hurts, and sweet little Janey, his very own North star. Sometimes looking at them rips open a hole in his chest that'll never close, edges jagged and sore. The phantoms of family, of happier times, found in the glint of a smile or a peal of laughter.

See, war's something he understands. Something he's good at.

But these domestic battlefields where he's gotta look his ex-wife in the face, and struggle to meet his daughter's eye? Barter this weekend and that holiday? To pay for the privilege of his child's presence (he does, he will, she's worth every goddamn cent he's ever made)?

To look down the barrel of a smoking gun only to find the woman he loves staring back; he doesn't, can't, comprehend that. Because once upon a time, he was happy (with her) and life was sweeter than pie.

Now he's nothing but a washed up actor who struggles to land a call back let alone make his monthly alimonies. His marriage has failed, his reputation is in shambles, and his bank account is dryer than the Mojave.

Barb gets the house. He gets the dog.

And caught in the middle of it all is his little girl; the only thing he’s got left worth while. He wants to protect her, provide for her the way she deserves — only he seems to fall short every goddamn time.

The mistakes and missteps keep stacking up against him; such is his new life in all its raw, unglamorous glory.

Look how far the mighty fall.

Lucky for him — the first bright thing that's come his way in a long, long while — a sweet, young woman moves into the apartment next door. Of course, it isn't long before Janey takes a shine, always so friendly.

Thankfully, you're just as good with her.

It only makes sense you'd watch her when a gig runs late. Rustle up some grub and put her to bed whenever he slinks in through the door, stripped to the bone.

And if he takes himself in hand late at night, stroking his cock to the thought of you down on your knees in that pretty little sundress? Imagines the wide stretch of your lush mouth as you peer up at him from between his thighs when he cums hard?

Well, what you don't know won't hurt you.

After all, he promises to keep his hands to himself.

part 01 of full fic

[tokyo-1842]

Heyo, could you write a oneshot with Sanji and a reader who he thinks is a man? Reader actually dressed like a man and deepens their voice, they used to do it as a defense mechanism on their home island but they've made it a habit and haven't found the right time to break the news to their friends. Maybe after a rough fight, Reader has very bad injuries and Sanji has to take her to Chopper and realizes Reader is a woman,, you can add whatever storyline you want after that, I'm so sorry my brain ain't braining rn and I really liked your Luffy one shot with the kitsune reader 🫶🏽

(AINT GOTTA TELL ME TWICEEEE)

Sanji x F!Reader

——————————————————————————

Sanji x F!Reader who dresses like a boy!, a little suggestive, reader gets hurt, smallll Angst, THATSS ALL FOLKS.

——————————————————————————

Long ago before joining the Strawhat Pirates. You dressed up as a man to stay safe on your island. Slowly became a habit. It kept you safe from horrible people but over time it just…became a part of you.

That habit affected your life on the seas. You see, the crew had different awareness’s and opinions of your Identity.

Some just didn’t care, like Luffy and Chopper because you’re one of the straw-hats who cares about gender! (Aww). Some knew like Nami and Robin. But one didn’t know at all which was Sanji.

To be frank you didn’t really care and only got a little jealous of the princess treatment the other ladies get from time to time.

Ok you really cared because it wasn’t fair they got ice cream while you’re working your BUTT OFF. But not to the point where it caused you to reveal your self as a woman.

So now all of the unfair treatment brings us to here.

“We are going on a trip with our favorite cool looking ship! Zooming through the seas!” Usopp and Luffy sung together, hold each other’s shoulders. They laughed and made up songs. Making your trip to the market place of the island insufferable. “Ughhhhhh….” You groaned rubbing your face. “Why did I have to come…” you muttered. “Because it’s your guy’s turn to restock! Maybe control your pal Luffy because eventually, we’ll go so hungry the ship will be eaten.”

The cook inhaled smoke from a cigarette and exhaled. “Speaking of restock, we are going to spilt up. First of all” “Sanji.” “Not now Y/N, Usopp and Luffy will get essentials-“ “Sanjiii…” “Me and you will get food-“

“SANJI THEYRE GONE!” You shouted.

…

“shit.”

“Dammit! We can never have a normal day with those two!” Sanji gritted his teeth as you two wandered around a marketplace. “Maybe they are at a food stall.” You said. “They better fucking be or else I’ll-“ “language!” You shouted.

BOOM!

“The marines! Pirates!” A woman shouted as she ran. “Hurry!” A man screamed. Many people ran and stores were being closed.

You and Sanji stood and watched the chaos. “I guess we gotta cut the shopping trip short..ugh..”

“Take their heads DONT let them get away!”A marine officer headed straight for the pair.

The fight was pretty easy. Just when the last few men stood Sanji dropped some items when blocking a hit. “Leave it!” You yelled annoyed. “No way! This is for Nami-Swan!”

He turned around to pick it up, now the cook was in the open and a marine soilder swung.

“SANJI!”

SLICE

Silence fell as you landed on the ground. Sanji turned in horror as he looked at you bloodied body on the floor. “Y/N..”

You were too tired to see what had happened but you know those marines regretted it. Sanji was carrying you back to Chopper. His heart was pounding, thoughts running through is head. The blonde reached Chopper’s infirmary and demanded immediate attention.

Luckily the injuries weren’t that bad and you only passed out from shock. It was a cut right under your chest.(I couldn’t write on your chest bc i felt the pain😭) The crew was relieved, you were told to stay in bed by Chopper since the wound could reopen. Everyone visited then Sanji came in to bring you food last.

“Y/N dinners here.” The cook muttered and place it on the table next to you.

The blankets moved as you stirred awake and sat up, showing the bandages on your body. They covered the upper half of your torso and wrapped nicely around your (tatas🤯)

Sanji jaw dropped as he gawked at your features, eyes going lower and lower. Your eyes, your facial shape, your (melons), your waist. “Y/N-chan, you’re a GIRL!! So HOT!” You blushed, his eyes turned into hearts as he swirled.

“But that means…oh…IM SO SORRY Y/N-SWANN! HOW COULD I TREAT YOU LIKE SUCH A MONSTER IM SO SORRY I ASSUMED YOU WERE A-“ Bonk! “CAN IT MORON!” Nami screamed. “but!-“ Bonk! “Y/N! Are you really ok with him knowing?” The orange hair woman asked concerned. “It’s fine with me…” “I WANNA KNOW WHATS UNDERNEATH!” “shut UP!” Bonk!

After a good beating from the Navigator you were chatting with the cook at around 11pm.

“Say..Y/N swan, why do you dress up as a man? You’re so beautiful this way!” He inquired. “Well, it’s just a habit. I did this a lot for safety in my home island” You answered. “Who could make my precious Y/N swan feel unsafe to the point of hiding her beauty!? I’ll kill-“ “It fine Sanji!” You giggled and he melted into a dumb love sick smile.

“Im so sorry for letting my guard down back there! I should have thought first.” Vinsmoke held your hands and stared into your eyes with sorrow. A gentle hand was placed on his cheek. “It’s ok I mean, im alive aren’t I? That’s all that matters.” He blushed.

“Now I think we should come up with a punishment for Usopp and Luffy for causing this mess right?” You smirked devilishly.

“OH Y/N-SWAN YOUR SO CUTE WHEN YOU MISCHIEVOUS!~~~” The cook yelled at the top of his lungs.

“GET A ROOM!” Zoro shouted from the Crows nest.

“SHUT UP!” Nami screamed.

“FOOD!?” Luffy shrieked.

“SUPPPPERRRRRR!!!!” Franky bellowed.

“This calls for a song YOHOHO!” Brooked howled

“NOOO!!” Nami yelled in anger and disbelief.

——————————————————————————

I WASNT SURE IF U WANTED IT TO BE ACTUALLY DATING LOWKEY SOO- PHEW THAT WAS A LOAD I JUST KEPT ON WRITING AND WRITING TY FOR THE REQUEST ASK AGAIN ANYTIME!!!!

some gifs :)

HAVE A GOOD DAY/NIGHT :3

[cultofdixon]

Self-Sacrifice

Daryl Dixon • She/Her Pronouns • Not every run ends on good terms. They tend to always get you thinking when they end terrible. This time? You were done running • ANGST/SFW • TW: Injuries / Blood loss / Nauseous / Sleep Deprivation / Anxiety / Nightmares

Requested by: Anon

It happened quick

Y/N stumbles off Daryl’s bike landing on her side that was already bleeding uncontrollably. Her left arm felt foreign to her and every part of her aches and questions how she managed to drive back to Alexandria.

They didn’t expect to be ambushed

Who were they?

“Rick!” Abraham yells from the watchtower as he quickly brought himself down, alerting a few to rush over while he quickly got the gate open after Y/N had collapsed against it. “Holy fucking shit.” He frowns carefully picking her up as she started to protest with the little strength she had. “We gotta get yea to the infirmary”

“No…no…Daryl”

“What? Y/N where’s—-“

“He’s…s-still…” and she went out like a light.

Abraham carrying Y/N’s unconscious body through Alexandria, brought everyone that knew her to quickly follow the marine’s movement.

…

He’s still out there

He could be dead

I need to go back out there!

LET GO OF ME Y/N thought as she woke to her left arm strapped to her body, her torso heavily bandaged, and a few loose bandaids scattered on her person. She was cut out of her clothes and Maggie was the one to get her into a new shirt and shorts. She was also the one to watch her best friend shoot up out of the bed.

“Hey! No you need to lay back down”

“No—He’s still—he’s out there” Y/N tried to shove Maggie off of her with the little strength she had as Maggie lost a hold of her resulting in the poor girl dropping like a bag of bricks to the ground. “Fuck!”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry! You just can’t go out there like this”

“I gotta…I have to. Only I know where he is” Y/N sobbed as she painfully brought herself up from the ground only for Maggie to take a hold of her once more resulting in her uncontrollably crying. “I can’t lose him…I need to find him. I need to”

“Rick already sent a group out to find Daryl, Y/N. You need to stay here”

It pained Maggie listening to Y/N sob over how useless she was feeling. She collapsed to her knees feeling the exhaustion get the best of her as Maggie took her time to get her back into the bed to relax…at least enough.

She’s safe…

She’s alive

Home

She’s home…

The archer laid uncomfortably against a fallen tree after escaping the unknown individuals that had ambushed them. He felt the pain start to subside as that was never a good sign. His fingers brush his side gently making him look down in discomfort noticing how quickly the blood seeped through his shirt.

She’s home…she’s safe…that’s…all that matters Daryl sighs not even flinching to the sudden light shone in his face. He couldn’t even make out the worried voices on who they were, but at least the one he wanted to hear the most he didn’t hear amongst the ones he had not strength to fight against if they weren’t anyone he knew.

Y/N had kept running with Daryl shortly behind her then she felt a sudden pain in her side. The sound of the gun shot didn’t register as she immediately went down after such happened. Daryl quickly swung back with his rifle in hand firing at the one that shot her down before turning back grabbing the back of Y/N’s shirt lifting her off the ground.

“Keep movin’”

“It hurts—-“

“I know. But we ain’t dying here” Daryl snaps helping her run back to his bike until they were cut off by a man wielding a bat quickly hitting him in the knee knocking him down. “Fucking hell—“

The man that hit him watches Y/N lunge at him with her knife, inevitably missing as he grabs her arm yanking her hard enough for a loud crack to escape her shoulder. Next thing he knows, he’s the next dead man as Y/N swung back with her arm out of place stabbing her knife right into his skull.

She discarded her knife to use help Daryl on his feet as he grabbed her wrist.

“You need to leave”

“No—-No! I’m not leaving you”

“Someone’s gotta hold them off. Not lead them back home. You gotta fucking go”

“But I—-“

“Y/N for the love of god” Daryl snaps as the footsteps grew closer. “You’re not gonna last very long on that arm and with the bleed in’. I need yea to get back home with the adrenaline you have right now”

“But Daryl” She sobbed as he took her gun from her and gave her stern look. “You have to make it”

“I will, sunshine. I’ll make it back to yea”

And with that Y/N ran toward where they hide his bike. Even if the struggle and pain that escaped through the scream of her voice, she could heard the sudden screaming coming from the men…and Daryl.

The screaming grew louder

Deafening

Please…just sto—

Y/N suddenly jolts awake in the chair she had fallen asleep in as she looks at the unconscious form of Daryl Dixon in the bed at the infirmary. The tears rolled down her cheeks for the what felt like the millionth time that night as she readjusts keeping mind of her braced arm and wounds. Not moving from her chair knowing she’ll be lectured on it in the morning…like the past five mornings.

“Have you eaten today?” Rick asks the exhausted Y/N as she shook her head which lead to him going to grab her something.

“Mind if we check your injuries?” Glenn frowns kneeling beside her chair as she gave the same exhausted look to him like other times he’s asked.

It took some convincing that she will remain in the same building as Daryl in case of anything, in order for anyone to get Y/N to do anything. In this instance it was to eat and have Maggie or Rosita check her bullet wound then help her redress it.

Once she left the room with Maggie, Glenn took care of checking Daryl’s injuries like he’s been doing the past few days. His left knee was dislocated hence why it was elevated and popped back into place, he was stabbed a few times in the abdomen and at least once in the arm, then some bruising in his cheek and left side of his abdomen because of broken ribs. He was a mess.

When Rick returned he quickly dropped everything in his hands to catch Y/N as she stumbled coming off the gurney after Maggie and Rosita checked her.

“You need to sleep”

“I want to be there when he wakes…”

“I’m sorry but you have to follow what we are asking if yea” Rick frowns carefully picking up Y/N bridal style carrying to the back rooms placing her in one as Maggie instinctively followed the retired sheriff deciding she will stay with her to make sure she does sleep.

Now Maggie felt as if she was Y/N sitting by Daryl’s bedside waiting for him to wake up. But she knew that Y/N was trying hard to keep herself awake, and that she simply stayed by her side in case she needed anything. Which lead to Glenn also sitting with her some nights as he came to check on his wife and friends.

A few more days have passed and Y/N was now brace free. The stitches for her bullet wound were removed but she still had a bandage on for it was still healing. Daryl had woken up and found himself bed ridden for a few more days until he started walking Alexandria to get used to it again.

Y/N sat on the Grimes porch taking in some much needed serotonin in the form of a babbling Judith who sat comfortably in her lap.

“Hey”

She quickly looked up to find Daryl coming over to them and taking a seat beside them. “Hi…”

“How’s uh. Your…” Daryl gestured to his own shoulder as she shrugs to show that it didn’t hurt to do such. “Good…good”

“You feeling okay?” Y/N frowns feeling Judith shift enough to also look at Daryl as his expression was always unreadable.

“Uh. Not really”

“I could call Rick…to give you something or—-“

“Nah it ain’t…ain’t the obvious” Daryl scoffs straightening himself up on the steps before leaning back on his elbows. “It’s about that night”

The pain suddenly returned in her chest just from him saying that as she was afraid of what he might say.

“I was…fucking terrified you weren’t gonna make it” Daryl frowns watching Y/N cover Judith’s ears when he cursed in his words. “All I thought about was you when I started to lose consciousness. I was afraid you didn’t make it. Or you did but it was too late…then when I woke up and Glenn said you were fine, I could finally breathe”

“You hurt me…” Y/N tried not to choke up on her words feeling the tiny hands from the small child rest on her face when she started to tear up. “You hurt me by making me leave…Every part of me was screaming to go back. But I knew when I got home that they would go out to find you. I wanted to go. I wanted to go desperately. They held me back told me to stay. Then when you arrived…they wouldn’t let me see you. That when I finally did. In the condition you were in…I could only imagine what they saw and how bad it could’ve been…” she struggled to contain her tears closing her eyes not noticing Daryl move from his seat, carefully taking Judith from her arms and setting her on the porch within sight before situating himself directly in front of her.

“If you died out there I would have never forgave myself…” Y/N sobbed feeling his strong calloused hands carefully take a hold of her face wiping away her tears no matter how long it would take for them to stop from falling. Not like he would want to part from her.

“You deserve to live”

“And so do you…we need you…I need you” She frowns feeling herself curl in on herself as Daryl moved his hands so that he could pull her into his embrace. Knowing it would be uncomfortable for both of them on the house steps but that discomfort didn’t matter. Nor did the pain they still endured from their injuries.

“I fought…and fought…just to get back to yea” Daryl whispers resting his cheek on top of her head feeling her hands grip onto him. “It was a miracle they found me before…” he felt the lump get caught in his throat as he tried his hardest not to break, but he couldn’t help it. “…yeah…I’ only here because of yea…I never wanted to leave you. I needed you safe. And I was selfish. Not to think of myself for a change but I couldn’t bare the thought of the world without you”

“I can’t live in this world without you, Daryl Dixon” She admitted, admitted to so many feelings that brewed inside of her…feeling the tears come on stronger but after admitting to such, Daryl held onto her even more protectively.

The archer didn’t utter another word as he held onto her closing his eyes and taking in everything. He kept her in his embrace until he couldn’t keep it to himself anymore.

“I’m the self-sacrifice type…and I love you. I love you so much that my decisions were never fully thought through. I’ve said it a lot but I just. Couldn’t bear the thought of losing you…you’re my everything”

Y/N held onto him even harder feeling him adjust enough for her to look up at the man from her position of her head on his chest.

“You can’t do that shit again”

“Okay”

“You have to promise me” Y/N wept feeling his hand come in contact with her cheek as his thumb gently brushes away the tear. “I love you too much to lose you”

“I promise” Daryl kept his gaze locked on her, pressing his lips to her forehead before bringing her back into his embrace. “I’ll promise you every day if I have to”

“Please”

“Then I will”

I will until the end of our lives

[immortaljai]

Here me out on zoro and luffy Part 2

Fluff, Comfort, reunion, slight angst, crack, cute shit. 777 words.

It had been a total of 3 months since you last saw the straw hats, you hadn’t changed your name- you couldn’t considering you were a still wanted pirate. Luckily the island you were on didn’t have many marines and if you anted you could take them out. According too word on the sea the luffy and his crew were looking for you. Rolling your eyes as you could practically here his voice screaming “Once a strawhat always a strawhat”

Shaking yourself out of your thoughts as you removed yourself from the bed you were laying in in a slightly dingey hotel that didn’t cost much preparing too fetch you some food (luffy really rubbed off on you huh) looking outside your window the sun setting quite nicely. As you moved out you saw a few ships arriving close too deck rolling your eyes you continued on your way, thinking “as if they could find me”

On the Going Merry

Luffy was pacing he was hungry and he was sure he would find you somewhere on this island…as if the other eight he swore you were on, but he digresses he still held his smile though impatiently (but hiding it) tapping his foot, Zoro however noticed it, with a roll too his eyes he stood too his captain walking too him “Its gona be fine she’s probably here..” zoro quite literally known for being nonchalant was freaked out the first day you were “missing” he didn’t think you would take it so seriously..when he said leave he was honestly trying too call your bluff.

Little did you know they went too high and lows too find you completely ignoring the marines and ruffing up them just too see if you were on and island..its comedic really.

As soon as the ship was posted up by the dock, Luffy lumped down landing on his feet-nearly falling as Nami smacked the back of his head, while Sanji was pouting seeing his crewmates wanting too eat other foods, knowing they needed too stock up.

You were simply chilling had a full dinner with soups that the nice people prepared for you since you ran out a couple of bandits, you here your name being called and the door slamming open, looking up you nearly spit out the food you had been chewing seeing luffy with the rest of the crew a small huff came from him before he broke out into a smile completely launching himself at you. As you two fell backwards you groaned out a “Get awf ME!” but he wasn’t listening arms wrapping around you several times spilling out “M’ so sorry- you gotta come back- is-is that steak can I have it?” a small smile playing at your face missing his clingy self before saying “OKAY” and he stilled looking at you a smile on his face still.

Softly saying your name and standing up as if you weigh nothing, you feel bodys on you the rest of the straw hats squishing you in a hug before nami moved back and slapped the back of your head a scowl on her face “YOU WERE MISSING LONGER THEN ME!” was all you heard but you were distracted rubbing the back of your head luffy still hasn’t unhanded you, while zoro just stared unsure of what too do before butting in and quite literally snatching you from luffy pressing you too his chest and sitting down at your booth.

Nami had a small smirk on her face that said “Well well well..”Zoro simply rolled his eyes and removed you from his lap and let you eat luffy squishing you as he slid too your left chatter soon starting up as they asked you questions about how you evaded them for so long a embarrassed look on your face as you explained they laughed at the little mishaps that happened but it soon died down as they turned too eat chatting amongst them self’s as if it never happened.

A small smile paying at your lips before feeling zoro and luffy both lean down and actually apologize for the first time- you decided that you would only forgive them with time and then apologized for scaring them and leaving. That made luffy laugh and kiss your cheek completely making you freeze as zoro chuckled looking away his hand on your thigh, as Sanji rolled his eyes “This is no time too be lovey dovey” Making Zoro scowl “Just because you are an unlovable cook doesn’t mean let it out on us” As a argument ensued between them you couldn’t help but laugh

Yeah you were gonna be just fine.

PHEW THIS TOOK FOREVER TOO THINK OF, idk if its better then the first one or not but the first was just a thought lol.

Tags:

@natalieisfreeziing

@b0nn1e

@heartsforseo

@art3misa635

@missprincesscreampuff

@sparklyphantom

@sorasolarium

@leiakim99,

Thank you for reading xo

[kit-williams]

Gaius' story always makes me sad, but it also gets me thinking. I'm sure in some ways it's not surprising to other legions that the World Eaters or Nightlords fell, and you could certainly make a case for some of the other traitor legions as well. But the Luna Wolves? The Sons of Horus? That had to have been a shock in some ways.

What do you mean one of the most loyal legions fell? What do you mean the *Warmaster* spearheaded it? It's gotta throw Luna Wolves and early Sons of Horus for a loop, right (especially when they find out exactly who established the Black Legion)?

It just really gets me thinkin with my little thinker, ya know?

Yeah this is kinda the hidden tragedy within the Space Marine Husbandry Sentience that I've made. I went into it with of course wanting their to be happiness, fluff, and domesticity but while keeping them all sentient. Which also has its own bundle of angst, tragedy, and horror that comes with having both 30k and 40k space marines and everything in-between (though so far I have yet to have any boy be from the 6 year period that was the horus heresy itself and I might not because reverse husbandry au exists)

I mean to the War Hounds who were so eager to meet their primarch its a hard pill to swallow to learn what becomes of it... for early world eaters... when they find about the nails their legion puts in their brains willingly they can see the descent... for the world eaters just before the heresy... what do you mean the legion is purged of dissent.

It's the same for the night lords... its the same for all the traitor legions. For thousand sons... the mourning in the eyes of the later brothers to meet battle brothers who would later become rubic marines...

It all depends on if they remember or not going back (in reverse husbandry they do remember so yeah there's a lot of emotions)

[mara-tevith-solo]

Give Me a Reason

Here’s chapter 2 to the request fic. This one is a bit more angsty, deals with some stuff. Enjoy!

Pairing: Recom Lyle Wainfleet x Na’vi/Avatar curvy!reader 

warnings: Angst, swearing, physical violence, battle, slight panic attack, talk of torture to a minor, Quaritch getting some fee fees finally, talk of past abuse

Rating: 18+ as always

Words: 3.1k+ a bit shorter this time

You slightly regretted thinking that things would be smoother, that there was no way things could go so damned horribly that you'd be cowering behind a tree to avoid the gun fire from beside you, and well aimed arrows from ahead of you. You thought you'd put it behind you after the last raid, after agreeing to teach the Recoms the Na'vi ways. You refused to fight the Sullys and you didn't care if Quaritch punished you. You'd claim religious exemption if you needed to. You were not going to raise a hand against them. "Y/n!" Lyle called before the explosions started, a slight panic to his voice as he tried to locate you. An explosion rocked you in your hiding place, even though it wasn't close enough to truly hurt you, right as you were about to call back to him. You curled tight around yourself, panic beginning to set in as you clamped your hands over your ears, your breaths coming out in rapid shallow pants "Y/n!" He called again, much closer. You could barely hear him, like you were suddenly underwater, your eyes shut tight as you tried to stave off the panic attack.

A large hand found you, cupping the back of your head, gloved fingers tangling in your hair "No!" You cried, reeling back and smacking at the hand "Not again! Not again!" You screamed, your breaths becoming quicker as your panic mounted.

"Y/n!" Lyle's voice broke through the fear, making your eyes snap open and focus on him. He wanted to break at your fear and pain, watching you shiver and hyperventilate, curled in a tight ball at the base of the tree, your eyes nearly all pupil "You're ok, Baby. I got you," He promised earnestly, sliding his rifle strap back up to his shoulder and tucking the weapon behind his back. He coaxed you to relax slightly, gently pulling you closer to him, letting you keep your hands over your ears "I got you, Sweetheart." He managed to pull you to stand with him, immediately tucking you under his left arm as he grabbed his rifle with his right "Gotta catch up with the others. Can you run?" He asked, keeping his mouth close to your ear though he was at least somewhat aware of your surroundings. You nodded absently as his warmth began settling the panic, helping to ease your breathing as you trotted beside him. He had to release you from under his arm, but he was quick to grab your hand before the panic could return anew, pulling you along with him.

He didn't stop until you had both rejoined what remained of the group, nearly half of their already reduced number left alive. Quaritch picked up something that you couldn't see, ordering everyone to retreat, leading the charge back to the rendezvous point. You clung to Lyle's hand as you ran beside him, your heart still racing from more than just the exertion. Under the craft, while everyone was attaching their harness to the cables, your hands shook so badly that you missed the carabiner more than once before finally getting it and being pulled up with everyone else. A human unhooked you from the cable before harshly motioning for you to join the others, sneering up at you as she did so. You paid her little mind as you turned to the Marines, eyes automatically searching for Lyle, but finding the unconscious form of someone you'd hoped had gotten away "Spider!" You yelped as you dove forward, crashing to your knees beside him. You cradled his head gently before leaning down and pressing an ear to his chest, listening to his heart beat and his lungs, listening for any little irregularity. "My son, my dear son..." You sniffled as you sat back up, not noticing the attention that was on you as you began digging through the pouches on your belt, looking for the herbs you'd found on the short trip.

"Your son..." Quaritch's voice trailed, only partially distracting you as you quickly glanced up from your search before your fingers found what you were looking for.

"I raised Spider from a toddler, took him in despite the tensions it created with the Omaticaya." You explained quickly while crushing the small dark green leaves between the heels of your palms just enough to bruise them. You glanced up to the regret and remorse on Quaritch's face, the emotions practically oozing off of him "He started walking at only ten months, and his first word was 'Da'. I never kept the knowledge of you or Paz away from him." You took pity on him, frowning softly as you carefully laid the leaves on most of Spider's wounds.

"I..." He began, his expression still echoing pain as he glanced at you gratefully "I appreciate it." He nodded.

"You had me worried for a sec, Y/n." Lyle found a way to ease the tension in the transport, cracking the ice with humor.

You smiled softly at him, thankful for the distraction and the opportunity to change the subject "God help you if you ever get me pregnant." You chuckled, shaking your head as the other Recoms began chuckling with him, all of them equally thankful for the distraction from the loss they'd all suffered.

You latched onto the opportunity, fighting to not worry about the after that was going to happen as soon as the transport landed "Can you imagine the chaos if there had been little Wainfleets running around back in the day? Having one was bad enough!" Zdinarsk cackled, slapping Lyle on the back as she shook her head at the thought.

"Don't tempt him!" Ja chimed in, making Lyle swat at him playfully. You smiled at the scene, your hand gently resting on Spider's chest, over his heart, as you sat beside him. You didn't fail to notice Quaritch close by on his other side, outwardly just as worried as you felt.

"You're not going to let them hurt him... are you?" You found yourself whispering over Spider, barely daring to look at the Colonel from the corner of your eyes, your heart beating harder in anticipation of his answer.

He just looked at you with a private frown, his own concern and uncertainty in his eyes. You could tell that he was already fighting with himself to keep things business, could practically hear his internal argument that the boy technically wasn't his son. That he was yours and only yours and shouldn't matter to him at all. But there was something drawing him to the boy, to the idea of parenthood. He didn't speak until the transport landed, standing from his seat and immediately crouching to pick up Spider. "Let's go!" He ordered everyone, carefully leaving the craft himself. That trek into the main building felt so long, so hard, like you were walking to your own execution.

You were cuffed upon entry, General Ardmore resolved to not trust you despite the teams' assurances that you were well controlled and behaved. You had a pretty good guess as to why she disliked you, about four hundred million dollars worth of reasons, not to mention lives lost and insurance payouts, but those were semantics in the grand scheme of their little invasion. "Oh good, another prisoner." Her sour expression greeted you all, a cup of coffee in her hand as per usual. "Is this one at least useful?" She threw the barb without even a glance in your direction, though her expression seemed to sour further as you rolled your eyes at her.

"Mrs. Wainfleet here raised him with the Omaticaya. He'll know what we need." Quaritch promised, flicking his head in your direction with a scowl. His tail was up and still, betraying his tension and ill-ease as he faced off with the General.

She nodded, her lips pinching in that constipated little smile she liked doing "Good. Put him in The Chair." She ordered before turning and beginning to walk away as though she hadn't just ordered the torture of a minor.

You were instantly charging, snarling at her inhumanity, twisting your arms up and over your head painfully so at least they were bound in front of you "He's a god damned child you fucking sociopath!" You yelled at her right as two different sets of hands clamped onto your arms, preventing you from closing the full distance. Though that didn't stop you from digging into the linoleum and pulling with all your might "A fucking child! You're going to torture a FUCKING CHILD!" Your voice was ragged as you screamed.

"Y/n stand down!" Quaritch ordered with a sharp bark, handing off Spider to a gurney team somewhere behind you. You snarled at him over your shoulder, the target of your rage switching to the large male.

"You're going to allow this?!" You cried as someone's arms locked around you, pulling you off your feet "He's your son! HE'S YOUR SON!" You screamed as you flailed and kicked your legs, your feet connecting with random bits of electrical equipment, making it all spark and go offline.

"Lieutenant, get her outta here! You need to cool off, Y/n!" He growled roughly, warning you to start calming down or else bad things would happen as punishment.

Lyle had no choice but to start walking, carrying you well away from everyone, even as you tried to kick in such a way that was throwing your weight around, trying to throw him off balance enough for you to get free. He just grit his teeth and hung on, stopping to plant his feet every time you tried, only putting you down when you tried to bite him. But by that time, he was right where he meant to put you, the cell too bright and cold as he pushed you in ahead of him, keeping you at arm's length as you hissed and tried pushing back against him. "That's enough!" He barked, his tone full of authority and barely contained anger at your behavior.

"Don't order me around!" You barked right back, finally opting to back away from him, moving so that the table was between the both of you.

"Then stop acting like a psycho bitch!" He threw at you, his hands fisted at his sides as you watched him approach you again, not letting you back off. He’d never been one to allow space, he always had to confront a problem directly and right then. The words struck you hard and deep, deeper than anyone could have expected. They called back happily forgotten memories of your parents, how they would call you psychotic and threaten to commit you whenever you fought back against the parentification, against their general treatment of you.

Without warning, without thought, one of your palms connected with his cheek in a resounding slap! the sound echoing in the barren room. "You son of a bastard." You snarled at him through clenched teeth, the words sounding like they were coming from low in your throat. He continued to stare at the spot his head at been moved to, his jaw working with his anger as his chest heaved with mighty breaths. When he finally looked at you, it wasn't hard to see the betrayal and anger, making his narrowed eyes nearly glow, his lips thin little lines from how tight his mouth was. 

He left without a word, his stomping steps echoing through the hall even as the door shut firmly behind him. You stood there, staring at the door for what felt like an eternity as what you'd done finally hit you, regret and remorse flooding your being. You sank to the floor slowly, tears of worry and regret falling down your cheeks as you curled up under the table. You wanted nothing more than to apologize to him, to beg for forgiveness at his feet, but you were in a cell. You'd have to wait for however long he stayed away, while your son was tortured somewhere out there. You were helpless, truly, and you hated it.

You lost track of time as you sat there, aimlessly staring at a random point on the far wall, the events of the day playing over and over in your mind. You remembered how the kids had all stared at you with varying degrees of betrayal as soon as they had seen you appear with the Recoms, even as you had placed yourself between them and Quaritch, begging that he not hurt them. Their change in trust had lasted until they saw the cuff on your right wrist, the cool metal close to your skin, a thin layer of padding barely keeping it from biting into you. The damned thing was blinking at you mockingly, the little red light always in your vision and you couldn't do anything about it, cuffed as you were.

Your chin was beginning to dig painfully into your knees when the door swished open, calling your attention to the boots and partial legs that entered your vision, pulling you from your moping though you didn't move, or even hint that you'd seen the person. You could hear Quaritch sigh as he lowered to a knee, bending the rest of the way to get you to acknowledge him "Like mother, like son." He mused before lowering down the rest of the way, sitting with his legs crossed just across from you, though not under the table.

"Basic psychology." You shrugged absently, still listlessly staring at him like you couldn't even see him. "Get what you wanted?" You couldn't help but ask, the tiniest bit of bitterness in your voice.

He frowned before letting out an amused puff of breath "You should be proud, kid didn't give them anything." He praised and you were absently curious if he noticed his verbal distinction.

"I don't care if he talked, Colonel. I care that you tortured him." You finally met his gaze, letting him see the simmering anger you were keeping just under the surface.

His ears lowered as he looked away, frowning again as he fidgeted with shame "I stopped them, before he could truly be hurt. He's fine, before ya ask. I offered him a deal."

"What sort of deal?"

"He could travel with us, no information required, help you teach us. Or I'd have to give him back to the science pukes."

"I think I already know what he chose." You sighed, your shoulders sagging in relief. You wanted to cry again, so happy that he was out of direct danger. That he didn't have just you looking out for him anymore.

Quaritch nodded, watching your reaction like a hawk before he was suddenly serious again "Y/n, you can't try to attack human personnel again. Ardmore tried ordering me to have you executed 'put her down, she's obviously rabid' were her words. You do it again and I can't protect you." His warning was gentle though no less serious and heavy. You opened your mouth to agree and explain, but he beat you to it "I know why you did it, and I'm not saying you're wrong. You just need to restrain your temper in certain situations from now on. I'm not about to explain to the kid why you're dead."

You ducked your head a little, not able to look him in the eye as you realized he was right, and that that would crush Spider, especially if Quaritch had to be the one to tell him "Yes sir." You mumbled, feeling guilty as hell.

He nodded in acknowledgement before returning to a knee "Come on, we gotta get ready to go back out, finally start training."

You began getting out from under the table as he stood and backed away, giving you space to move "We should start with Ikran. Then we don't have to rely on where the Samsons can and can't go." You suggested as you followed him out of the room.

He nodded as he walked ahead of you, making it look like he was more tense and aware of you than he actually was, putting on a show for the humans "That'll be our first stop." He agreed, glancing at you over his shoulder "Everyone else is already gearing up, we'll meet them there."

No sooner had he spoke that the door in front of you both opened, revealing the rest of the squad as they packed everything they would need for an extended time in the field. Lyle barely glanced at the two of you, his face carefully blank but he could never hide the hurt in his eyes. You left Quaritch without a word and stopped right beside Lyle, staying a couple feet away to be respectful "I'm sorry, I was outta line." His eyes snapped up to you as you spoke, his ears focused on you.

He hadn't been expecting you to apologize, just as out of line as you had been. He knew how bad he'd hurt you as soon as the words left his mouth, he remembered your parents well. They were the reason you both got married at sixteen, to save you. He pulled you close, one hand on your waist as the other tangled in your hair, cupping the back of your head tenderly as he leaned down and pressed his forehead to yours "I'm sorry too." He murmured into the small space between you, his eyes closed as he breathed you in, felt your hands fist his shirt between you both "I deserved it."

"No you didn't." You vowed firmly, leaning up so the bridges of your noses were also pressed together.

Spider cleared his throat from nearby, calling all attention to him as he stared at you both with equal parts disgust, confusion, and amusement "Ummm... Mom... who's this?" He asked, looking at Lyle like he was a social rival, like an unwelcomed guest. He even glanced at Quaritch who only crossed his arms and leaned against a shelving unit, eyes dancing with mirth.

You pulled away from Lyle and sat down on your knees, wanting to be closer to his eye level as you broke the news "Spider, this is Lyle. Lyle Wainfleet." You watched him carefully, watched for any signs of distress as his eyes bounced between the two of you.

"Your ex-husband? The one who shot you?" He asked incredulously, causing Lyle to shift at the implications and connotations he was presenting.

You shook your head patiently "He's my husband, has always been my husband. And yes, he did shoot me, but he and I have already discussed that."

Spider was silent for a moment as he pondered your words, before slowly approaching and jabbing a finger up at the large male who was doing his best to not laugh or appear entertained by the display "You hurt her again and I'll use your balls as a bola." Spider vowed, tone firm and unwavering.

"Heard." Lyle managed to say somewhat seriously.                  

[narrators-journal]

What are we

This took SO fucking long, but I hope it's still an enjoyable read! I left it open ended to leave things up to the reader on how Stan replies, I thought it'd be a fun little angle to take. Sorry again for taking so long! Asked for by: @yumiko0987 What if he moved on? Were we even an item? You mused, watching the third day of Taiju's wedding from the edge of the crowd. Watching everyone dance and drink and celebrate while the energetic brunette seemed just as happy to marry his bride as the first time. Everyone was bursting with joy like party poppers on new years, love was in the air, it was a wonderful day. And yet, you couldn't help but angst over the day. We were friends at least, I know that, but he was worlds closer with Xeno. Maybe Stan's more into him? I mean, we were childhood friends, but I still came into his life after Xeno.  And, of course, the perfect answer to that question would include you being the one walking down the aisle. Being wed to the elegant marine that had occupied your dreams and heart since childhood. Yet, that wasn't for you to choose. So, in the end, you could only sigh and leave the buzzing bubble of celebration to try and clear your head with a walk.           "Get ahold of yourself," You ordered into the air as you strolled, letting your head fall back so you could look up at the perfectly blue sky. As if the world itself was celebrating with the happy couple. "All I have to do is ask. I'm sure Stan would understand why I'd be unsure on our status after so long. Just gotta find him, and ask." you continued, the simple framing of the task, just ask! it's no biggie, giving you a small ember of confidence in your chest. No matter the answer, it wouldn't make your friendship with Stan weird, at least. Right? So, you set off from your mindless meandering to search out your old childhood friend. Trying with each step to keep that small ember from being washed away in the waves of cold, stubborn nerves in your belly. Yet, when you did finally find the tall, silver-haired marine lost in thought, smoking on a bench at the edge the growing stone-age city, there was no hope to save the burst of courage from being swept away in the tight feeling of anxiety climbing up your throat. Shit, this is such a bad idea. How do I compete with Xeno? Even if we did get together, I'd be second in the priorities.          "Oh, hi there." Stan hummed, his captivating voice snatching you out of your nervous spiral. "Why aren't ya at the wedding? Finally tire of the booze and cake?" You shook your head vigorously at that, already feeling your cheeks heating up.          "Oh, uh, no. just...wanted to come find you." You answered, receiving a hum in response.          "Why'd ya want to come find me? I've celebrated, I doubt I'm wanted back that badly." He pointed out with a snort. The reminder of your friend's crimes making you wince a little bit, but you shook your head again.           "I just had a question, I wasn't going to drag you back to the wedding party." And that got you an eyebrow raise, but he left you ample opening to ask said question. So, you spent a long moment just broiling in popping nerves and skittish thoughts until you finally reminded yourself, He wouldn't care. Just ask, real simple. So, with a deep breath in, and out. You spoke,            "Stan, what exactly are we? Relationship-wise."

[plaidpyjamas]

that heartwrenching feeling of your little imaginary narrative going “It's time for one of your fave f/o's to be your ex”

one of those "playing w/ my imagination and things got too real and now I'm sad" situations but I mean the ANGST of it all the complicated best friends w/ a history of it all!!!! Bucky is being moved from fave bf to new ex (& best friend? idk i gotta marinate more on this) and I'm so torn on how I feel about it T_T

the slow realization from both of us that we just don't work anymore

He finally brings it up because there's no way in hell I ever would

I'm not angry or surprised; I'd been wondering for a while if this was coming

He'd been distant and his apologies had felt hollow

It's an amicable breakup. He slides to the other end of the couch, I boot up bloodborne. We continue to hang out; the transition to friends is nearly painless at this point, but I know (and I feel he does too) that this will hit me hard later

aaaand idk from there, other than just me and Bucky having "best friends who used to fuck so they're all over each other all the time and claim it's purely platonic" vibes that interferes with future potential relationships lmao (sorry Sarah you gotta put up with my ass still clinging to Bucky - and him being just as clingy right back while denying it at the same time lmao are we toxic? are we the drama?) we're somehow more romantic towards each other now lmao and it's like we still love each other very much and that love is exactly why we broke up in the first place - we both knew it wasn't going to work out so we let each other go to find someone else. Because what matters most to each of us is the other's happiness, no matter what form that takes and I just 🥺🥺🥺

[lmaowhateven]

i would really appreciate some xiaoyu and chaeya headcanons if you don't mind sharing, cuz your art got me on the chaeya boat and now you gotta feed me. (but like only if you want cuz ur busy and have a life but i love ur art and ur opinions matter and just wanna let you know you valid and ur so talented and only 21?? like 0_o

OMG this ask is so sweet i have been marinating on it for a while because while i DO have headcanons........ i had to think abt the best ones to share 😳 i put way too much thought into this lol

CHAEYA

-my favorite possible dynamic for them is that they are both trying to convince themselves that what they have going on is JUST casual because if either of them really admitted how strongly they felt for each other their entire world would ACTUALLY explode.

-i REALLY want them to meet at a tavern or out exploring by happenstance a good couple of times before being introduced professionally. kaeya absolutely knew he was talking to a harbinger. childe was utterly enamored by a mysterious stranger. UNTIL BOOM HE MEETS HIM IN A MEETING WITH THE KNIGHTS OF FAVONIOUS?!!?

-i need them to be messy and angsty and absolutely toxic with each other but eventually they become husbands and have a weird little family dynamic with klee and teucer 🥰 they need to work through shit together like its gotta be a mess before it can like become something great. but it'll become something great.

-whenever im playing genshin and in a chaeya mood i put on a kaeya/childe/jean/diluc team because i think it would be possibly the most awkward adventuring team in the world. kaeya's boss and kaeya's brother hanging out with the crazy dude he's boning? absolutely hilarious.

-oh my god i need them to have the most romantic love letters man. i need them to have beautiful letters filled with longing and vulnerability and so SO SO MUCH love, but when they finally meet again it's a little awkward and they have a hard time communicating. it's easier in writing!

-speaking of awkward. at first they are very flirty and lovey but none of it is genuine feelings just attraction. when they REALLY start liking each other oh my god they have to be so awkward about it. no eye contact. barely make normal conversation. they are like awkward teenagers oh my GOD I AM SHAKING YOU BY THE SHOULDERS DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMIC I NEED FOR THEM. CASUAL > AWKARD > TERRIBLE ANGST AND TRAGEDY > REBIRTH AS SOUL MATES

XIAOYU

-xiaoyu for me is all about shared healing, patience, and finally finding someone to connect with. oh my god BOTH of these guys have been through SO, SO MUCH and i just think both of them could gain a sense of real, genuine love from one another.

-both of these guys have been conditioned to feel isolated from the world. ganyu feels so different from everyone around her, never truly connecting with the adepti or with the humans. even in the bustling streets of liyue she's alone. xiao has lost everyone he's ever cared for, and since then he's never allowed himself to get close to anyone. he feels undeserving of another person's affections. he feels as though he's the only one of carrying such burdens. i think the two of them could really resonate with each other, and maybe find some solace knowing they aren't truly alone.

-i really like the idea of ganyu being xiao's first real crush. he doesn't really understand those feelings and not only does it embarrass him it's confusing and FRUSTRATING at the same time. ganyu on the other hand has absolutely been crushing on xiao for a loooong time now, but she hasn't processed that completely, instead believing that she just really wants to befriend him. she thinks about him all the time because she just cares THAT much is all!!!

- they are PINING. they are the slowest of slow burns. they are agonizingly slow. like they will get together in maybe 50-200 years or so. not even kidding.

-i love the idea of xiao checking on ganyu when she's not looking. he's always a little worried for her. sometimes she'll fall asleep in weird places, or travel somewhere far, and xiao just wants to make sure she's home safe. its creepy but he seriously lacks social etiquette and he loves her!

-ganyu isn't a naturally very physically affectionate person since she's so timid, but with xiao she makes sure to be a little more open with her outward affection. a lot of the time she's comforting xiao with a hand on the shoulder or a sweet and quick hand squeeze. she wants him to know she doesn't think he's a monster, and that she feels safe around him. he could probably never verbalize this out loud, but those little touches mean A LOT TO HIM.

-ganyu visits wangshu inn often and brings little care packages for xiao. he's no the best at self care so she does what she can to help! even though she's so busy with work she's been trying to take weekends off every once in a while and stay at the inn with xiao. y'know to make sure he's taking proper care of himself and all 👀

[junhuiste]

twice twice baby (preview)

pairing: jake x gn reader x sunghoon

word count: 2200

tags/warnings: fluff, slight angst, college!au, hockey player!jake, ice skater!sunghoon, sports med assistant!reader, slowburn, mutual pining, cursing, slightly suggestive scenes

a/n: this is just a preview of the bigger piece i plan to publish much later, so it pretty much only has jake, sorry hoonists! also gonna address it here while we’re at it, but i wanna apologize to everyone who sent requests in! i have them all plotted, most drafted and written, but i didn’t realize when i moved back home how busy i would be with work, summer classes, and looking for an apartment! i will have them published before the end of summer though! this piece is coming out before only because i wrote it well before finals week lol

taglist: please let me know if you wanna be part of the taglist!

Being in a parallelogram (or was it a dodecagon? A triangle? whatever) with the two notorious ‘Ice Hotties’ at your college, Jake Sim, the captain of the hockey team, and Park Sunghoon, the world class figure skater, is easy. Geometry isn’t that complicated...right?

As you entered into the arena, a cold blast of air struck, prompting you to jump slightly in your tracks, cursing that it was men’s hockey season and not basketball anymore. Albeit arms shivering, knees wobbling, and barely being able to make any strides at all, you weren’t distraught and to some extent trembling because of the ice rink or the ice packs inside the pouch seemingly glued to your waist, or hell, even the unnecessary air conditioner giving its all. Really, did they need to keep that fucking thing on when it was already polar-arctic-adjacent inside the arena? Probably to keep the rink from oozing into water and having Atlantis actually come to fruition...whatever, fuck the cold!

“Y/N, let’s get on it. We’re a bit late.” The head athletic trainer indicated, speed-walking a little too quickly for your liking, but what were you to do when your chest was heaving upon arrival at the ice center? Suck it up? Collapse and crawl into a ball?

Nodding, even though she was practically scurrying and leaving your curtailing ass in the dust, you heightened your pace despite the fact that your legs were about to give out at any second. Weren’t cold spaces supposed to make a solid more rigid, not turn your legs to jelly?

The both of you finally reached the area where the players were situated to greet the head and assistant hockey coaches.

“This is Y/N,” your trainer (whom insisted you just skip the formalities and call her Mina) motioned to you, slightly yet noticeably panting, “a first year, but they’ve done men’s basketball, women’s soccer and some gymnastics last semester. They know their stuff!”

“Wouldn’t doubt it.” The head coach reaches out to grip your hand firmly.

“Pleasure to meet y—“ once more today you jump, this time not shaken by the frozen tundra or by the vehemently boisterous buzzer, though it was much more thundering than the buzzer at the basketball court for some reason, but by the announcers cheering, “first year, number three, co-Captain, Jake Sim!”

And the crowd? They didn’t just go wild, no, they were literally cacophonous, the ground beneath and the arena stands rumbling, practically rivaling the San Andreas fault. Craning your neck to look around the oval shaped space and just how many students from your school, clad in university regalia, were present to see guys battle it out with plastic sticks on frozen water, even that, the entire scene wasn’t what had your heart nearly palpitating out of your chest.

First year, number three, co-Captain, Jake Sim. Now that was enough to warrant a blood pressure monitor...and possibly a defibrillator.

Almost giving yourself whiplash from turning around too quickly, it was hard not to gape at the boy coasting across the ice, waving at the all too excited crowd. And even through his helmet and from across the rink, you could make out his dark, glimmering irises, like how the sun’s edges would peak through from behind during an eclipse. It was kind of charmingly sickening actually, that someone could be as radiant as he was, under all the bulky gear, even despite the temperature. It wasn’t convenient actually that it had to be men’s hockey this time, that you, as the athletic trainer’s sports medicine intern had to attend the games for. Yeah, it was for credits. Sure, it was for intern experience...but what was the point if you only expected to make a fool out of yourself trying to tend to Jake and his teammates’ possible injuries?

It wasn’t fair, actually, that you were hopelessly in like with Jake Sim and that he didn’t even know your name when you were in the same physics class. To be fair though, it was a class of about 400, an infamous weeder course that crushed the poor souls of innocent underclassmen, so to have him direct any sort of attention your way, even a mere glimpse, would be laughable. That was what happened when you sat in the back, though.

Of course it just had to be Jake Sim that completely bewitched you, and he didn’t have to twirl any fingers or fixate any potions to have you just so damn spellbound. All he had to do was show up to freshman orientation with that stupid inviting grin of his, and that dumb glint in his eye that no one else seemed to possess. No, of course he just had to show up and be almost too cordial to everyone in your orientation group, even though all the other students, including you, could not give a single damn about the campus tour. And yes, of course, he just had to have the masses absolutely enamored with him, both upper and underclassmen alike.

Consider all of that, with Jake’s insane schedule, not that you knew anything specific, just that he had games on Tuesdays and Thursdays, coupled with daily practices, but you were only privy to that information because Mina always gave you the athletic teams’ agendas for the month. So yes, trying to garner any attention from Jake was like floating right smack in the middle of the Pacific, sending some sort of signal through a marine radio, and getting no response back. Not a hint that anyone was coming. No helicopters whirring above, no boats sent out ashore. What would he want to do with the first-aid kid, the person that sat in the back, the person that was paying attention to something else at the moment, and not the fact that they had to observe players carefully for potential injuries?

Well, sorry to Jake’s teammates and Mina, but you just couldn’t pry your eyes off of number three. How he skated in such an agile manner while simultaneously defending assertively was certainly an image now seared into your mind. The way he commanded the court was just so—“You paying attention? Are you okay today?” Mina snapped you out of your nonsensical trance.

“Yeah, yeah of course! Always on my toes like you said...” your eyes told a different story, and deceived you at that.

“And there’s number three, Sim, with the first goal!”

Jake skated backwards to high five his teammates and to prepare to defend, and it was definitely a sight to see him so animated, feeling right where he should be in his domain.

“Ah, I see. Number three is it? I heard he’s a beast on the ice,” Mina nudged and winked slyly at you, “anyway, pay attention ‘cause if your little ice boy gets hurt you know we gotta move quickly.”

It was already enough to have your friends taunt you about your silly adolescent infatuation with Jake, now to have your mentor in on it too? Mina was right though, you were here to wrap ankles and tend to bruised hips, not ogle at the team captain.

“Gotcha. On my toes!” you winked back at her, semi-ready to do your job. If you could predict injuries before they even happened during the basketball and soccer games you should be more than capable of caring for the hockey players. Whipping your head around to finally and legitimately focus on the members, you really wished you hadn’t.

There he was, number three, adept and dodging the defensive players, with the puck sliding in tandem with his stick. Then, it happened all too quickly, in a tenth of a second, too much for everyone spectating to comprehend.

BAM.

Suddenly, Jake was on his back after he and the opposing player too combatively collided into each other. You blinked once and now he was supine on ice, clutching a leg to his chest. His teammates and the referees hastily surrounded him, but you could not watch anymore, you had to do what you were here for.

Running past both the coaches, lamenting what the hells and go go go! at Mina, you dashed to the edge of the rink, about to enter and slip on the ice, but stopped yourself, because you didn’t have skates on. Fuck. Mina and you always ran to the scene of the injury, and you’d only dealt with hardwood floors and grass fields, but never ice. There was no reason for you to just stand around though, as Jake was being lifted by the referees. As much as you wanted to glue your eyes to the catastrophe, you sprinted to the locker room to fetch the cooler.

“Everyone, move!” You shouted at the towering players standing in your way. Setting the cooler on the floor, you directed some of them to assemble a few of the chairs they were sitting on for a makeshift cot for Jake to rest his leg on. Nervously yet rapidly, you dug into your backpack for a splint, pre-wrap, and medical tape.

When you stood back up, Jake and the referees were at the rink’s entrance, with Mina extending her arms to steady him once he transitioned from ice to linoleum. And through all this he maintained the same tender-hearted curve on his face, beaming at Mina and thanking the referees.

One of Jake’s coaches and Mina propped Jake around their shoulders as he hopped on one foot to your nearby station. Assisting them in getting Jake to sit down, you were shaking slightly out of feverishness and hormones, even though it was the perfect temperature for snowfall, but forming a resistance to doing that was almost impossible.

Christ, you weren’t like this when Taehyun tore his ligament last semester at the basketball semi-finals, or when Yuna sprained her toe out on the field, yet it was due to that certain someone that you just could not find it within you to operate as you usually did. It was imperative that you got out of your own head; Jake was merely another athlete you had to tend to and someone you, quite frankly, had to get over, like now.

Once Jake was seated with his right leg propped up on the opposite chair, he took his helmet off and handed it to his coach standing guard next to him.

“Mina, you guys got this?” The coach hesitantly asked your trainer.

“Absolutely nothing to worry about, Coach Kim! We’ve seen worse than this; we’re good, right Y/N?”

You gave Coach Kim a measly thumbs up and he rushed to get back to the rest of the team to continue with the game, deliberating who would substitute in now that their best player was on the sidelines.

While Mina undid Jake’s skates and kneepads, you assessed him before you could get started, asking him what kind of pain he had in his leg, how much it hurt on a scale of 1-10, and if he could wiggle his toes.

Sharp and kind of aching, I think. 8.5-ish, actually maybe just 8. Toes wiggling.

“Um, okay. Good that your toes are still intact, which means you’re gonna be okay, but is there any other part of your body that hurts?” You tried not to sound like a complete buffoon, trying to enunciate your words properly like you did with several other injured athletes; Jake shouldn’t have been any different. He was, though.

“Yeah, I feel like there’s a bruise on the right side of my body somewhere,” he said, motioning to his abdomen.

“Okay...I’m gonna take your shoulder pads off and you have to take your jersey off so we can ice it, is that cool with you?” Your brain was bouncing off the walls at the mention of “take” and “off”. Come on, this wasn’t fucking NASA, although it might as well have been, as he was a universe and a half to you (in a melodramatic way of sorts).

“Yeah, yeah—for sure. Thanks.” Jake flashed an acknowledging smile, to which your cheeks heated up at. There was an injured boy in front of you—no time for shits and giggles and teenage elation.

As you aided Jake in removing his shoulder pads and jersey, he winced a bit, while trying to hide it at the same time. 

“Are you good? I’ll get some ice on that soon, I promise.” You gradually eased into your ‘medic’ mode, trying to expel as much of your nerves as humanly possible.

“Yeah I’m okay, just hurts a bit. Thanks again,” he could not stop giving you that demure yet brazen demeanor, and to be around a smiling Jake meant a tense you, regardless if your subconscious plan to initiate Nerves Exodus was kind of working.

When Mina stood up, all finished with undoing his skates and knee pads, she asked Jake to repeat what he stated about his pain earlier to you back to her. Before walking to where the coaches and other players were, she chaffed at you, with a mischievous lilt to her words, “you can handle it from here right? The star player’s in your hands.”

Audibly, you ‘mhmmed’ her, and when you were out of Jake’s sight, rolled your eyes, making sure she noticed that. You were glad though, that Mina was your trainer and not some old, stern fart like she had when she interned in your same position; it made for much more “effective” mentoring and communication, especially because she left you alone with the athletes, so you were able to think of what to do next for yourself, and if there were ever any mistakes—which there were none of to date—she would help you work through them.

Holy shit, Mina left. It was just you and Jake.

[carryonmywaywardcaptain]

Miles of Memories- 1

We’ve Got Tonight- Bob Seger

Miles of Memories Masterlist CarryOnCap’s Masterlist

Dean x reader Best Friends to Lovers AU

Summary: Feeling anxious about heading off to college, you make the most of your last night in town with the help of your best friend, Dean.

Warnings: fluffy, adorable Dean and fun banter. Slight angst (goodbyes are hard). Minor mentions of childhood trauma

WC: 2,900

A/N: This part is like a “prelude” to give you a glimpse of Y/N and Dean’s relationship (5 years before the main storyline). I hope you stay tuned for the slowest of Dean x fem!reader slowburns. I’m so excited to share this story, so please let me know what you think! MASSIVE thanks to my spectacular and badass beta crew—@christopher-evxns @deanwinchesterswitch @ezilyamuzed & @wonder-cole—for all of their help and input!! I edited even after their feedback, so all mistakes are my own.  Credit to Bob Seger for the song :) 

Zipping your suitcase closed with a heavy sigh, you worked through your mental checklist for the hundredth time to make sure you hadn’t forgotten to pack anything.

“Jeez, you act like it’s the last time you’ll ever see this place or something.” With a smile and a roll of your eyes, you turned to see Dean leaning casually against your doorframe. “Y’know, I figured I’d talk to Bobby about renting this space out anyway. Save you the stress of missing it while you’re gone because it’ll look completely different the next time you come back.”

“I’m not too worried. I think you’re the last person Bobby would trust with anything—let alone a space in his house.”

Dean grinned, pushing off the doorframe to mosey into your room. “See, normally I’d agree with you. But it just so happens that he gave me my very own key to the garage, so I think he’s coming around. This ready?” He pointed at the suitcase on your bed, and you nodded. 

“Riiight. I’m supposed to believe that Bobby would actually give you a key to come and go at the shop anytime you want.”

Dean shrugged, spinning on his heel with your bag in hand. “Guess he’s looking for a new favorite since you’re skipping town to go be successful out in the real world.”

You snorted and shook your head, silently following him to the door. He stepped out of the way, placing his free hand on the doorknob as you scanned the bedroom one last time. Gnawing your bottom lip, you sucked in a deep breath and tried to alleviate some of the tightness in your chest.

This room had been a safe haven for most of your life, and it was hard to remember the days before you called it “home.” Your mother had passed away when you were a toddler, and your father was a drunk, in and out of jail and your life until one day he didn’t come back. Bobby had often been the one who took care of you when your father needed to pass you off onto someone else. 

You didn’t remember much about the “Travelin’ Man” (as Bobby not-so-lovingly referred to him on the rare occasions he was mentioned), but you could easily recall the night Bobby told you this would be your room for good. The relief and excitement you’d felt upon learning you’d have a space of your own were still vivid. Knowing you had a place you could always return to provided a sense of stability and consistency you’d never known.

Bobby may not have been your father by blood, but he was your dad in every sense of the word. Sure, he was a little rough around the edges and tended to be a hermit, but he also had a heart of gold, and not once had he ever made you question whether he cared about you.

A few weeks after settling into your new home, you had met Jessica and Sam during recess at your new elementary school. Although they were a grade younger, you’d instantly hit it off with them. Jess and Sam had always been there for you over the years, too, willing to lend an ear or make time for movie nights and spontaneous trips to the diner. Eventually, Sam had introduced you to Dean, and the two of you had been inseparable ever since. Each and every memory you had growing up involved at least one (if not all three) of them. But while it was difficult saying goodbye to everyone in general...you still hadn’t been able to grasp the idea of saying goodbye to Dean.

Dean was the one who had been by your side through everything. From heartfelt life chats and your deepest moments of self-doubt to car ride sing-alongs and your loudest belly laughs. He was always there to comfort you, remind you not to take things so seriously, and even drag you into trouble once in a while. 

The thought of leaving him and your safe, familiar home brought yet another wave of apprehension and doubt. What if you were making a huge mistake?

“Y/N...” Dean’s gentle voice coaxed you back to reality. “We’ve still got a lot to pack into our night, so don’t go checking out on me yet.”

Without looking back, you slipped past Dean and heard him shut the door as you made your way downstairs. 

“You know, this wouldn’t be so hard if you would’ve just applied like I told you to. Then we could both be going off to college together, and you’d find out what an honor it would be to have me as a roomie.”

“Okay, well, let me remind you that you’re the one who decided to go ‘see what’s out there’ and get a fancy college degree under her belt. And, even if we did survive being roommates without making the other want to pull their hair out, there’s no way in hell that town would be able to handle both of us.”

“That’s fair.”

“Besides, I won’t have much of a chance to miss you. You’ll probably flunk out and be back here by the end of the semester anyway.”

“Also fair,” you laughed. “Taking a year off to work at The Roadhouse and pretend to get my life together seemed like a good idea at the time, but I’m a little worried about getting into the groove of studying and all that crap again.”

“You know, if you need help, all you gotta do is pick up the phone. I mean, Sammy’s a real bookworm, and he’s only a phone call away.” Dean winked as he held the front door open and motioned for you to lead the way. 

Sticking your tongue in your cheek, you fought to hide your amusement at the way he threw his brother under the bus. Before you made it through the door, you whirled around toward the stairs again. “Dang it. I forgot my bathroom bag. Do you mind tossing that one in the car? I’ll be right back!”

“Another bag? Where are you gonna put all this crap?” he muttered.

After retrieving the pouch from the bathroom upstairs and making sure you hadn’t left any necessary items in the drawers and cabinets, you hurried outside to find Dean patiently waiting beside your car. You tossed the small bag and he caught it with ease, pitching it in the backseat before closing the door.

“And done. Any last-minute stops to make along the way?” he asked.

“Nope. I caught Ellen, Jo, and Jody at the end of my shift yesterday, and Charlie was over for a bit this morning. And, you know, Sam and Jess ditched us for California last weekend. That means you and Bobby are the only two left to put up with me until I leave in the morning.”

When your voice cracked unexpectedly, you cleared your throat and surveyed the scrapyard until the faint prick in the corners of your eyes faded. As your departure drew near and you considered everything you were leaving behind, venturing out into the world was quickly beginning to feel more daunting than exciting. 

“Hey…” Dean gripped the tops of your arms, stirring you from your thoughts. “We’ve got tonight. Who needs tomorrow? We’ve got tonight...babe. Why don’t you staaaaaaaayy—”

You had thought he was going to say something sweet and comforting, but you playfully shoved him in the chest when you realized he was speaking in Bob Seger lyrics. He stumbled back a step, laughing as he walked around the front of the impala and climbed inside.

***

There was an old park on the outskirts of town where Bobby and John would occasionally drop you both off when they had errands to run. As the years passed, you began riding your bikes the few miles across town, taking turns balancing Sam on your handlebars until Dean was old enough to drive. Eventually, Sam stopped tagging along, but somewhere along the way the park became a place you and Dean cherished. 

A large pond stretched across most of the area, and there was a stately willow tree near the water’s edge that served as your designated “spot.” It was a hideaway often overlooked by others, but it was the perfect escape when the two of you needed a place that was all your own. 

“Alright.” Dean plopped down beside you on the blanket. “You’ve got your grub, an amazing view, and the best company you could ever ask for. What else could you possibly want?”

“You’re right. Baby’s good company and all, but she’s not much of a conversationalist.”

Dean grimaced. “Just for that, I might eat your food.”

“Depending on what it is, I might let you.”

He smirked and unrolled the brown paper sack in his hand. “PB&J’s, just like Mom used to make! I asked if she could whip up a few before she flew out to make sure Sam got all settled at Stanford. She said to tell you she’s sorry she couldn’t catch you and to wish you good luck. This seemed like a, uh, better idea at the time...now that it’s been a couple of days, these might taste like shit.”

You couldn’t help but laugh as you took the sandwich Dean offered. “We’ve probably eaten worse, but I appreciate the sentimental twist. Seeing as how you’re in your 20’s and you had your mom make us sandwiches.”

“Hey, I was going for authenticity! Trying to help you feel like a kid again before you start adulting or whatever and—you know what? Just shut up and eat your food.”

The two of you unwrapped your sandwiches and continued bantering back and forth between bites. Even though the bread was soggy from marinating in jelly for a few days, and it certainly wasn’t the best thing you’d ever eaten, it brought back a flood of nostalgia. 

When a comfortable silence fell over the two of you, your thoughts began to drift to dozens of adventures you and Dean had had here. You gazed out over the water, watching the willow branches graze the surface as they gently swayed in the breeze. You tried to commit every detail to memory as you soaked in the peaceful atmosphere, not knowing how long it would be until you returned.

After a while, Dean chuckled under his breath, and you looked at him curiously.

“You remember that day we were pretending to be pirates, and Dad ended up coming to pick us up early?”

“Of course.”

“Man, he was so pissed when he saw us standing on top of that picnic table we managed to drag out and ‘sail’ into the middle of the pond. Sure made an awesome ship, though.”

You smiled at the memory, though it was anything but funny at the time. “I think he was a little more pissed at the fact that we left Sam playing alone in the gazebo. And obviously what made the ‘ship’ great was the pirate flag I made.”

“Uh-huh,” Dean snorted. “You mean the crappy skull you drew on our lunch bag and stuck on the end of a stick? Pretty sure we were having a blast with the ship because it was my brilliant idea in the first place.”

“I was like 8, and it was still better than anything you could’ve drawn.” You crumpled up your trash and threw it at him. “And I was having fun--right up until you pushed me off anyway. I nearly choked to death on all that nasty water I sucked in.”

“Okay, well, you shouldn’t have been trying to be Captain when I’m the oldest, and it was clearly my title to begin with. There was no plank to walk, but obviously, you had to go overboard.” 

He grinned, keeping his gaze fixed on the water. As you studied his face and noticed the faraway look in his eye, his smile faded. You figured his thoughts had drifted back to his dad, who had passed away a couple of years later. 

“I felt so damn bad, though. I really was afraid you were gonna drown. And Bobby was ready to kill me when he found out.”

“Lucky for you, you can’t get rid of me that easily.”

The two of you joked and reminisced for several more hours, eventually watching the sun set over the water until it sank below the horizon. When it was time to head back to Bobby’s, Dean took the long way home so you could crank the radio and sing along with your hand hanging lazily out the open window. Back at the house, you sat on the kitchen counter and talked with both men until Bobby finally bid you goodnight--but you still weren’t ready to call it a night, knowing morning would come soon and it would be time for you to leave. 

After convincing Dean to stay a little longer, you grabbed a couple of old blankets and spread them in the bed of one of the pickup trucks near the house. With your head on his chest and your body tucked comfortably against his side, you chatted beneath the stars until you drifted off to sleep.

***

“Got everything all packed up?” Bobby asked.

“I think so,” you answered.

“Better double-check because I’m not driving a few hours just to bring you a lost shoe or something.” 

“Is that a challenge?” you teased, seeing right through his gruff quip. “Because I bet I could talk you into it. We both know you’re not gonna know what to do without me.”

He frowned a little before smiling fondly, and you could’ve sworn there was a misty glaze in his eyes.

“Yeah. I s’pose you’re right.”

“Oh, don’t get all sentimental on me now. You could probably use a little break. Besides, I’ll be back so often you’ll just get sick of me all over again.”

“C’mere, kid.” 

Bobby reached out and pulled you into a hug. Much too soon, he let go and stepped aside so you could say goodbye to Dean. His soft green eyes had been fixed on you, but he glanced away and clenched his jaw when you took a step toward him. 

“So, uh...don’t forget about us when you make it big out there in the real world—catch a break as an artist or an author or some music critic.”

“Yeah, okay,” you scoffed. “I haven’t even picked out a major yet, but I think I have an advisor who can help me figure out a good fit...eventually. Maybe I’ll be a doctor—or follow in Sam’s footsteps and be a lawyer!”

“There you go. Why not just do it all while you’re at it? Jack of all trades, master of none. Whatever you end up doing, you better come back to visit soon.”

“You got it. Try not to turn into a grumpy old man while I’m gone.”

He shook his head, cracking a smile as he met your eyes. “Only a couple years older than you, brat. Anyway, I didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last night, so I made you a playlist for the drive. Figured I might as well do something useful while I was awake. I sent it to you while you were getting ready.”

Pulling out your phone, you found a message already waiting with a link to the playlist. 

“This is awesome, Dean, thank you. But if it ends up being six hours of nothing but Zeppelin, I’m gonna be pissed.”

He tossed his head back and laughed, making the knot in your throat grow once again at the thought of not seeing him almost every day. You couldn’t help but wonder if he’d miss you as much as you were going to miss him.

“Don’t worry; I think it ended up being a decent mix. Not too many classics and not too much of the more modern crap. There was, uh... a certain thought process behind each song, let’s just say that.”

“We all know some of that modern crap is a guilty pleasure of yours. I mean, Taylor Swift?”

“Yeah…” His gaze lingered until his grin faded to a sad smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”

Pressing your lips into a thin line, you leaned forward and threw an arm around each man. Squeezing your eyes closed, you hugged them tight.

“All joking aside...you got nothing to worry about. You’re gonna kick this college thing in the ass,” Dean murmured.

“Thank you.”

Clearing your throat, you slipped out of their embrace and quickly made your way to the car. 

“Drive safe--and call when you get there!” Bobby hollered.

Stealing one last glimpse over your shoulder, you waved and slid behind the wheel. You hit shuffle on the playlist, letting the music fill the vehicle while you fasten your seatbelt.

I know it’s late

I know you’re weary

I know your plans don’t include me...

You shook your head and smiled, blinking back tears at the irony of the song—the lyrics perfectly encapsulating your night with Dean.

Look at the stars so far away

We’ve got tonight

Who needs tomorrow?

We’ve got tonight, babe

Why don’t you stay?

As you started the car and drove away, seeing him and Bobby grow smaller in the rearview mirror, you finally began to cry.

Part 2

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[rkrispyt]

No one asked for this but something that’s been marinating in my brain re: Portwell…

I’ll be honest, I’m a bit thrown by how Tim is playing them out at times. There was an interview where he said “I’m not even sure if they’re a couple yet” (following the S2 finale) and I’m honestly over here like “…???? Seriously?!”

Because Redlyn had their kiss, then one episode of “what does that mean, what are we?” and then after the NYE kiss they were together, no more dissecting it all (and I love Redlyn so yay).

Rini had their speech and kiss in the S1 finale and were back together, no questions asked, no complications, no “what does this mean though?” dissecting it all (and again, I’m here for it, I have no problem with that).

Seblos had their HC date gone slightly awry but then Seb showed up, they danced, and it was clear from then on they were together. There was no analyzing it all to figure it out or “but does this mean we’re dating or…?” (yet again, I LOVE Seblos so we love that for them).

Kourtney and Howie did a whole “we are gonna make sure we’re on the same page - I like you, do you like me?“ moment and then were together. Despite some hiccups with him not telling her about North High/being the Beast etc their issue was never “but are we actually together?” (and I do like Kowie so again, love that for them!)

Now cut to Portwell. We spent the last 7 episodes of the 12 this season working towards them going from friends to something more, both being afraid from being burned in the past, not sure if they could be misreading the signs from the other, realizing and finally admitting to themselves they had feelings for one another, a little bit of angst that almost derailed it, and in the last moment, finally got what we’d been building to all season (because as someone (? @kat--writes ?) pointed out later in the season, I firmly believe the individual arcs the first half of the season with these two was to set up why they’d be great together and good for one another before they started them on their journey to one another).

Tim has literally said he didn’t show the kiss because you have to save something for the future and leave anticipation.

And yet, after ALL that, he’s out here saying he still doesn’t know if they’re a couple yet or not?

Like…it was so simple for every other couple. Why does it have to be THIS difficult for my babies?

I can’t understand what would be standing in their way at this point.

They’re finally clear on how the other feels.

They almost just lost one another because of the Jamie comment which I thought gave a definite feeling of YOLO/Seize the Day in that finale with her throwing caution to the wind and asking to kiss him.

The show already brought up him graduating, her living with Ashlyn, that Ashlyn gave her blessing, that EJ is aware of her former feelings for Ricky and isn’t threatened by it, that Ricky has no jealousy there, that Nini has no issue with it - and basically said “nope, none of those are an issue. It’s really about them being afraid of being hurt again.” And then cleared that up in the finale - or at least set it up for them to take the risk.

So why on earth would they STILL not be a couple?

Like…it makes me so tired to think of it.

Cause this is already so much more of a journey than they’ve given any other couple. Like not even close. And despite it all, they made it out the other side deciding to take the risk and act on their feelings.

What more do they gotta do to get to be together? To explore what’s there? To ideally be happy together, even if just for a while and not forever?

Like I 1000% appreciate what an incredible story they’ve told. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But I’m curious as to why it sounds like it may continue to be so much harder for these two when it’s been sooo much easier for everyone else.

Am I being ungrateful? And I missing something? Is this what shows consider a slow burn nowadays?

What am I not getting?

I get that it’s like “they’re still kinda getting to know one another” but literally so was every other couple except Rini when they got together and it was a non-issue. Why is it only for PW that it all has to be taken so literally/realistically but for most of the other couples it can be assumed they’re good once the mutual feelings are out there and admitted?

Honestly, I do think a large part of it is that Tim knows the emotional journey Sofia can take us on (and that she said is her favorite when filming the finale) and so he won’t want to waste that potential on just simple, happy, possibly shallow stories for Gina, but could we make it about other aspects of her life and let her have a damn first boyfriend and summer of love at least? Just for a little bit?

Sorry to complain. Today’s a sucky day and I’ve been thinking about this since I read that interview a week and a half ago (and others where he sounds uncertain about whether they’ll be together now) so it felt like the time to put it out there. Hope it’s not bringing anyone down - genuinely interested in other PW shippers thoughts on this.

I also stumbled on some old stuff over the weekend (publicity and such post S1) and it really resonated with me how much Disney+ put into this show and this cast kind of being its darling, having a singalong and special and all these things promoting the cast and show…and compared to now it’s such a stark contrast. Like…what happened? How did this show fall from grace that now it seems like a real possibility it could not get a renewal and be blindsided by just being over and feeling unfinished. Such a bummer and I’m struggling to understand why it’s in that position. What the heck happened?

[benvskylo]

Heyyy

Reylo fic list request: Modern AU HEA but it gotta hurt first. Make em work for it!

Tnx ;)

What would a Reylo fic be without at least a little bit of angst? Now here’s some with a lot of angst lol. My favorite is indicated with a 🦋!

Includes title(with link), rating, chapter and word count, and an intro

Fugue de Saudade Rated T/ 22 chapters, 79k words/ Ben and Rey dated 3 years ago. It didn’t end well. Now, she’s nearing the end of her schooling at Juilliard, he’s a world famous pianist, and now he’s back in New York for a performance. (Literally my only issue with this fic is I can’t stand classical music😅)

Nine Lives Rated T/ 16 chapters, 56k words/ When doctor Ben Solo meets the new barista at the coffee shop down the street from the hospital, he thinks she’s gonna give him a heart attack. Like an actual heart attack, not a cute one. (This fic was also included in my College AU list)

for what it’s worth (it was all worth the while) Rated E/ 15 chapters, 53k words/ Rey is a new counselor at Skywalker Ranch Summer Camp. Ben’s family owns the camp and he agrees to return after years of being way to be camp director after Han passes away. (Just to be clear, neither Rey or Ben are kids at the camp; they are 20 and 28 in this fic. Not SUPER angsty but it’s definitely there)🦋

I’ll Still Be With You In The Daylight Rated M/ 8 chapters, 60k words/ Rey and Ben do not get along. But while on a trip with their friends, they fall asleep cuddled up next to each other. It just so happens to be the best sleep either of them have had in a very long time. (Also included in my Hurt/Comfort list)

Dreaming of You Rated T/ 24 chapters, 46k words/ Young teen Rey runs into the Solo family one night and they help her out of her bad foster situation. She gets adopted by their family friend and Ben ships out with the Marines. Years later, Ben and Rey meet again. (It’s been awhile since I read this, but from what I remember most of the angst is in the second half. Also, there are a few trigger/content warnings in the tags to be aware of)

If you’re looking for a specific fic genre or trope, check out my masterlist and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, check out this post for more info on the types of fics I read and making a request!

[c-c-cherry]

Jojos Doing Jojo Things (with each other)✨😌

*sweating as the part 5 hc asks start piling up in my inbox*

 *looks at the one that mentions Jonathan*

Hello~~ I’m sorry for being criminally inactive here, I forgot during that long 6 month lockdown that I actually had a real life outside of the internet and now I have to go do real life things?? Instead of doing nothing but writing?? Crimes, I tell you.

I love the idea of Jonathan interacting with all the other jojos so I thought I’d take a little break from part 5 whump headcanons to fulfill this one :D SO HERE’S SOME SELF-INDULGENT HEADCANONS ABOUT JONATHAN DOING FUN LITTLE ACTIVITIES WITH THE OTHER JOJOS BECAUSE I KNOW WE ALL NEED IT RIGHT NOW😭😭😭

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Joseph (lets say Youngseph in this case because shhh)

-Hear me out but KNITTING

-Let this man do some nice calm things please

-Joseph has absolutely no way to connect with Jonathan. Like. Nothing.

-He doesn’t see the two of them as anything alike even though they both have the star, and when it comes to connecting with such a righteous, nice dude he’s a bit :/ about it

-He also doesn’t want to do anything stupid (In his words.) He hates baking, he’s never been into reading and school, and the two can never really click with sports

-Our man Jonathan has searched his heart and soul for something to bring the two of them together but Joseph is always just not into it >:(

-He’s almost given up on connecting at all BUT—

-One thing they do have in common? Erina.

-BOOM. Johnny-boy suddenly has ideas >:)

-Joseph is really put off when Jonathan shows up with a ball of yarn and needles and in the most innocent way possible he’s like “I have something to show you ^-^”

-the first thing Joseph thinks is NO FUCKING WAY. If Caesar or his mother or anyone caught him fucking knitting he’d never be able to live it down

-So instead he just watches as Jonathan sits by the fire, and it looks really boring at first but he just starts going at it

-And of course the gears start turning and all his brain sees is “fast task?? task I can be good at? something quick my hands can do??”

-And Jonathan looks up to take a break to see Joseph perched on the edge of the chair in complete awe, but the moment he asks if he wants to know how to do it, Joseph gets really withdrawn :/

The rest of their conversation goes a little like this:

“Isn’t that meant for girls?”

“Why would hats and scarves be only for girls?”

“But its—”

“You know...I’m making Erina a matching hat and scarf for her birthday. I could use a little help with the scarf…”

“...”

“We can make it a race.”

And with a fire lighting in his eyes, Joseph accepts the contest even though he has no idea what he’s doing. But isn’t that what he does best?

-Needless to say, he becomes obsessed.

-When his greatest fear comes true and Caesar finds out, he’s too obsessed to care about the teasing

-Joseph is good at something that Caesar isn’t. Caesar is jealous. Caesar picks up knitting.

-Are knitting contests even a thing?? I don’t care because Joseph and Caesar could probably open a fucking etsy shop with all the stuff they make (and absolutely shamelessly at that)

-Anytime they meet someone new it's immediately “which hat is better?” “Joseph’s is worse, right?” “Can you start the stopwatch for us?”

-Even in his older years, he never actually stopped making things for Holy, Suzi, and even sometimes Jotaro (thought Joot wouldn’t be caught dead wearing any of it in public)

-He actually progresses past knitting and making clothes in general becomes a secret passion of his

-The hat he’s wearing in part 4? He definitely made that. And don’t even think he doesn’t send Josuke the tackiest shit in the mail

Jonathan is very proud :)

Jotaro

-Animals. Is that even a question?

-Jonathan was always more of a dog or cat person, but the moment he finds out that Jotaro’s interested in marine life? MAN GOES ALL OUT

-He not only researches the shit out of marine biology just so he can hold up a conversation with him, but he also buys A SHIT TON OF BOOKS for his favourite angst man

-We all know that Jotaro isn’t exactly a man of words, but his heart is touched when they exchange a few sentences and Jonathan shows up the next day with a book all about what they were talking about🥺

-Like—Jonathan was always scolded for never listening to his father, but when it comes to stuff like this, Jotaro swears he’s able to read his mind

-Most people can barely get him to utter a sentence, but when these two are alone they’ll talk for hours about the ocean

-Holy was actually pretty worried for a while that Jotaro rarely ever opened up to anyone, but after seeing the two of them talk it was like a weight lifted off her shoulders :)

-They go on trips all the time to study water life. First, it's just to the river a few minutes away. Then they start going out to the lake nearby, and then they’re suddenly borrowing Joseph’s private boat and going on all these “research trips” together

-Which just consist of Jotaro taking hundreds of pictures and surprisingly never shutting up about what he sees (which is definitely a first)

-They pass by snooty, rich fishermen all the time who make fun of them for only looking at the animals, and Jonathan secretly uses Hamon to attract the fish to anywhere but where the fishers are lol

-I can blame snipster on instagram for introducing me to Smiletaro but the pure happiness and smiles of happy Joot on this boat with Jonathan is like a DRUG

-Star Platinum is absolutely thrilled, and when Jonathan realizes that Star is an amazing artist, he actually buys the stand a cute little purple notebook to draw all the ocean life they come across :3

-The moment they get back to shore Jotaro’s all -_- again around people, but you can still see the excitement in his eyes if you look hard enough

-When he gets into school for marine biology, Jonathan is so fucking proud

-This is an au which means anything can happen so I formally declare that Jonathan definitely got Jotaro those golden dolphin-shaped coat pins when the man first goes off to Uni

-He wears them as a good luck charm :3

Josuke

-Josuke is soooo easy to get along with, especially since both of them are such warm people :)

-Jonathan figures that it wouldn’t be hard to find something fun to do together, but when he actually thinks about it...he really knows nothing about what Josuke likes to do

-He ends up just asking the kid next time they see each other, and they end up just agreeing to teach each other one thing the other doesn’t know

-Because the power of KNOWLEDGE BABYYY

-Josuke shows up the next day with an entire fucking Nintendo 64 and is absolutely set on teaching him how to play something

-Erina just kinda watches like 👁👄👁 as Josuke plugs it in and Jonathan is confused but also SUPER EXCITED because he barely even knows what a video is but there are also video games??

-After much internal debate, Josuke decides on Ocarina of Time because he’s worried Jonathan will have a fucking heart attack if they play something like Mario Kart

-Also he thinks Jojo would enjoy the whole “righteous hero coming of age” archetype thing because,,,you know,,,

-They start it up and immediately Jonathan is like WHAT and has no idea how to play and dies in ways that Josuke didn’t even know were possible, but they somehow make it to the first temple with a lot of help from Josuke

-Right before the boss fight, his mom pulls up like “bitch we gotta go come on” so Josuke sees no harm in leaving the system at Jonathan’s and coming back next week

-Oho,,,ohohooo,,,

-He comes back a week later to a dark house,,,Erina’s off on some trip, and he can hear the faintest “HYAH!” coming from the living room

-He walks in to find Jonathan in the exact same spot he left him, ALL OTHER SAVE FILES ARE COMPLETE, and he’s in some obscure location doing a side quest Josuke didn’t even know existed

-Turns out he’s really good at quest games

-After Josuke realizes that Jonathan’s managed to beat the game more than once, he asks if he wants to try out another game

-To which Jonathan replies: “There’s MORE?”

.

-Aside from giving Jonathan a crippling video game addiction, Josuke also learns a vital thing about Jonathan Joestar

-Hamon ^-^

-Josuke’s a little surprised that Jonathan can even see his stand, and Jonathan has no other way to explain it than that it must be connected to his Hamon somehow

-To which Josuke is like “what” and Jonathan realizes that his stupid fucking grandson decided not to tell ANY OTHER Joestar about Hamon

-He’s no Zeppeli, but he could try and teach him...even if it didn’t work, it would still be a nice bonding activity

-When Jonathan finds out that Josuke’s stand ability is revolved around healing, he’s overjoyed because he might have a better chance

-They start small with breathing exercises and meditation, which eventually lead to Jonathan trying to teach Josuke how to make things like flowers

-Since it doesn’t exactly come naturally to Josuke, things don’t exactly work out,,,but both are unsurprisingly happy when Josuke manages to make a single flower bloom :3

-It’s not much, but it’s there and it honestly makes Josuke feel much better knowing that he could eventually learn how to heal himself, too :)

Giorno

-Jonathan considered teaching Giorno Hamon a while ago, but he realized that his stand already has the properties of Hamon, if not just in a more humanoid form

-And when Jojo puts two and two together that he and his son can both grow a lot of plant life, he has the perfect idea

-Garden buddies!!!! :D

-They grow everything you could possibly think of, and to top it all off, Giorno fills the garden with all this animal life :)

-When it comes to biology, Giorno never shuts up about it. He’s the quietest kid when it comes to virtually anything else but prepare for MAJOR info dumps about frogs and his vast knowledge of flowers

-Speaking of flowers, them just sitting and growing them together and talking about all of their favourites? Yes please

-Although they love to accelerate plant growth, there’s one patch in the middle of the garden that they’re determined to grow naturally

-Also them growing and eating carambola (star fruit) together because it’s my pocket dimension that makes no sense and I get to decide what fun fruits the Joestars get to eat together

-the garden becomes a great place for picnics and outings and the best place to go when things get too chaotic

-Giorno starts a plant journal where he records everything that ends up growing there, and Jonathan starts impulse buying all these flower guide books so they can look at pictures of them and put their favourites in the garden :3

-They end up creating a little pond in the middle of everything, and Giorno puts a whole bunch of frogs and fish in it and it's all very tranquil and calm and nice :))

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I was gonna do part 6 (maybe part 7 too?) but mental energy? I don’t know her, sorry y’all :(

Feel free to add on though!! I wanna see what y’all would think Jonathan would wanna do with Jolyne or anyone else I missed :D My first thought for Jolyne was Rugby because Jonathan was a rugby KING and I feel like she’d be really good at it lmao

[shy-violet-soul]

To Be Your Hero

Featuring: Henry Cavill x you, Kal Summary: He plays the hero, running to the rescue on the big screen & TV. But what happens when you need a hero? Warnings: discussion of injuries, emergency services, injured ready, angst, but lots of TLC fluff. Word Count: 3,300-ish

A/N:  Being a perpetually single woman, I’ve always had to take care of myself. It often doesn’t even occur to me to ask for help, because I’m so used to there not being any help. Recently, my own back injury left me helpless, & I was so grateful for the help that answered my call. It was a learning opportunity for me - those that came to my aid were so happy to serve me in my time of need. It was a gift for them to give the help, nearly as much as it was for me to receive it. And while this fic does take a romantic perspective, I imagine that even the little bit of public compassion & kindness the world sees of Henry Cavill is just a tip of the iceberg to how he would be to someone in need.

A/N 2: To the most precious and divine @thesassywallflower​ - bless you for helping me turn garbage into something palatable. All the hugs!!!

(photo from ScreenGeek)

The chill in the air nipped pleasantly at his nose and cheeks as Henry slowed his pace down to a brisk cool-down walk. He studied the Albert Memorial as he breathed deep, enjoying the burn in the bottom of his lungs. Maybe he’d stop at Pret a Manger, grab you both a morning treat. He smiled, thinking of the almond croissant you’d recently rhapsodized over. The smile drooped when he thought of you as he’d left you this morning. A menagerie of OTC and prescription painkillers, Biofreeze pain gel, and a half-empty bottle of water congregated on your nightstand. Saggy, sad room-temperature cold packs lined up painstakingly between your body pillow and your back. Even in sleep, pain still pulled a line between your brows. He hadn’t needed to feel your restlessness to know your sleep wasn’t peaceful; the careful way you held yourself, the tiny winces spoke your discomfort plain enough. 

Suddenly, thinking of your smile made stopping for an almond croissant very important.

Henry adjusted his mask as he approached A-315, glancing at his watch to estimate the potential line waiting for him. When his phone rang, Henry grinned when he saw your name on the screen.

“Good morning, love! How’d you sleep?”

“Hen-,” Your broken voice gave him pause.

“Darling? What is it?”

“Henry, I gotta call Emergency Services.”

His heart thumped hard, and Henry stepped to one side of the path. “What’s going on? What’s happened?”

Through the line, he could hear your breath rasping in fast. Too fast.

“My back. I called the doctor. They said...call 999. I gotta-” With a sob, you hung up, and fear clenched his belly, prodding him to turn and sprint hard towards home. 

The meters and minutes stretched interminably before Henry burst in, vaguely aware of the ambulance out front. As he moved through the hall, calling your name, a chorus of voices rang out to him. Kal, his growls and whines all worried warnings. Strangers, their words conciliatory and urgent. And yours - an exhausted tangle of broken reassurances to Kal and pleas for help.

You lay on the couch, a limp sprawl but for the white-knuckled clutch of your hands - one on the cushion beneath you, one on the thick fur of Kal. Two paramedics, bags and cases open and ready, stood with hands outstretched, trying to placate his blessed boy. Kal, ever the valiant protector, was beside himself. Kal barked his alarm, nosing whimpers against your face as he both tried to guard you and comfort you.

“Kal! Place!” The stern, sharp order drew more whines, the dog weaving between Henry’s side and yours before he slunk to his bed. Relieved his master was home to take care of this calamity, the loyal friend still throatily making his unhappiness known as Henry rushed to your side.

“Darling, I’m here!” As he watched, agony ravaged you. Sweat shone in cold dark rings in her hair and collar. Fight and fatigue warred in the clutching grasp of your hand on his, tightening then trembling loose. The oxygen in your system tumbled from you in a chapped-lips, grey-skinned free fall.

“Sir, if you’d just step over here.” Henry heard one of them say. The next five minutes were a blur. As if from a distance, he watched while they tried and failed on one IV. Heard their calm, clinical observations about ‘pulse ox’ and ‘PVCs’. The only thing in sharp, acute focus? Your breathless cries and vacant eyes that he knew would be with him forever.

He’d never felt more powerless in his life. 

This wasn’t learning to sword fight or computer construction. This was his love, fighting an unseen enemy, an enemy he had no power to vanquish. He’d never really wished to be an actual superhero...until now. Because now, all he could do was watch as you fought this alone.

**********************************

Channeling his inner Witcher, Henry stealthily arranged the tray, then arranged it again before carrying it on silent feet to the lounge. Kal’s tail greeted him with awkward sweeps from his chosen spot. The very moment Henry had stood from ensconcing you on the couch, Kal had jumped up and oh, so carefully cuddled up behind your bent knees. No amount of treat promising had coaxed him from his guard duty. Even with the years of friendship between man and beast, Henry had been surprised and amused at how quickly Kal had switched loyalties. He’d been gentle, mindful and attentive since you’d walked in the door. Once he had carefully wedged himself between your legs and the back of the couch, the only part of his huge floofy self he’d moved was his ears. 

Comically, now he tried to wag his tail, the curled end flicking only inches as his ears swiveled in all directions. Henry felt more than heard the whine the faithful friend offered him.

“Shhhh!,” he hissed, pausing with his carefully set tray as his gaze darted between your face and Kal’s. Kal licked his chops in understanding and softly nestled his chin deeper into your waist. “Good boy,” Henry whispered his praise. As he bent forward to place the tray, a waiting spoon slid and tinkled sharply against the china saucer, the sound like a gunshot to his ears. Again, he froze - you sighed faintly, shoulder shrugging a bit, but otherwise slept on.

Moving with all the slow precision of diffusing a Mission: Impossible bomb, Henry eased the tray to the table he’d already moved to your side, allowing himself to relax a bit with that job done. Still not content, he drew the drapes to dampen both light and sound from outside before he fussed to ensure your toes were tucked firmly beneath your favorite blanket.

Finally, Henry let himself take a deep breath as he beheld his handiwork. A pot of your favorite tea, your pain prescription, a plate of your favorite biscuits, and a flower he’d shameless yanked right from his neighbor’s front garden rested on the tray. The light shone soft and silvered from the London grey afternoon, shrouding you in comfortable shadows. He’d swaddled you in pillows and blankets enough to bedeck a harem, as you’d sleepily chuckled at him as he had tucked you in. At this moment, you were pain free and at rest, & Henry couldn’t help the gladness that filled him. In that moment, you could both enjoy peace.

Until his mobile rang, the Royal Marines’ “Reveillie” bugling loud enough to raise the dead.

Niki Cavill’s name glowed happily up at him as Henry near levitated from his seat. Tapping madly to decline the call, Henry’s forceful efforts succeeded in freezing the screen but did nothing for the ringing. A movement from you caught his eye, and Henry didn’t hesitate. He turned and launched the offending device straight down the hall and out of earshot, praying that expensive case did its job when he heard it clatter against the floor.

“Did you just yeet your phone?”

Henry turned so quickly, his knee popped. 

“Hello,” he crooned, kneeling beside you. He couldn’t stop the smile that tugged a dimple into view as he took in your sleepy, slightly befuddled expression. “How are you feeling?”

Now, your own smile curved into view.

“I don’t hurt, Henry. I don’t hurt. I can hardly believe it!”

He well could believe it. Dr. Bolton, your spine surgeon at the Schoen clinic, had briskly informed him that your S1 disc had herniated ‘good & proper’, prompting the removal of ‘four large chunks’. Discussion went on about your abused sciatic nerve and possible long-lasting symptoms, but the overall message was clear. You’d been in terrible agony, recovery would be slow, but the successful surgery granted you a new lease on life.

Already, you were trying your pain-free wings. He watched while you cooed to Kal as you rubbed his ears, your smile widening with the newly easy flex of your foot back and forth. A wave of love swept up from his belly into his chest, threatening to squeeze his throat shut as he took in your happiness. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to your forehead.

“I’m so glad, love. You had me worried. Now,” he brisked out, turning to his happily situated tray, “you’ve had nothing since those awful crackers they gave you in recovery. It’s high time you ate a bite. I’ve got your favorites here,” he caught your attention to the tray. “Or, if you think you can manage it, I can put together a proper tea for you.”

The scent of bergamot and lavender had you humming as you dug an elbow into the couch, struggling to a sitting position.

“Oh, Henry! You got me more Victoria Grey tea!” 

Henry barely heard you as he tutted chidingly at your movements.

“Don’t move, you’ve only just had surgery! I’ll pour for you.”

Your side eye was softened by your smile as you gingerly scooted to sit up.

“I can’t drink it lying down,” you drolled as you filched a biscuit from the pile. “You look tired, sweetheart.”

It was his turn to side eye you.

“You, madam, are not to worry about me.” With proud aplomb, he handed you a steaming cup, perfectly sweetened and creamed.

“Henry, you don’t need to coddle me. Now, go get the phone you yeeted, come sit here with me and Kal, and we’ll watch some Hulu. One of my tumblr friends told me about an American show I, apparently, have foolishly missed for the last 30 years. Have you ever heard of ‘The Golden Girls’?”

****************

After pacifying Henry with two cups of tea drunk and refusing the fifth biscuit he tried to cram down your throat, you had drifted back to sleep listening to his chuckles as Sophia intoned ‘Picture it - Sicily…’. But those two cups, topping off the IV fluids they’d given you in the hospital, now strained your bladder far past the point of comfort. 

Lifting your head, you took in Kal snoring contentedly from his spot behind your legs, his head tucked over your side. Henry sat in the corner, cradling your top leg across his lap. His head lolled back against the couch, lips parted in sleep. Getting free of these two would be a chore. Prodded into action by sloshing liters of fluids, you slowly, carefully eased your leg up and off Henry. Then, you hit Kal’s weak spot - scritches right behind his ear. With a groan, he moved to wedge his snout between your back and the back of the couch...and kept on snoring.

Mission accomplished.

Delight stretched your smile wide, pinching unnoticed into your cheeks as you basked in the ease of standing up straight. You took care of business, humming under your breath as you washed your hands.

“What are you doing?!”

The demand, barked in a deep, drowsy gravel, echoed beautifully in the tiled space. You were convinced you levitated clear off the floor. Two sleepy bears stood in the doorway, and if dogs could scowl, you were pretty sure Kal’s matched his master’s.  Before you could stammer out a reply, Henry swept you into his arms, striding back to the lounge.

“What - my hands are still - Henry, put me down!” you spluttered, frowning at the dark drabbles your dripping hands left on his shirt. 

“You’re supposed to be resting,” he groused as he bent to deposit you back on the couch, Kal clicking his way behind. 

“Henry, I had outpatient surgery, not brain surgery.”

Dark brows drew concerned lines deep into his forehead as Henry carefully tucked you back into your blanket.

“I’ll get you another cold pack.” You kept your good natured sigh silent as you sent a chagrined smile after him.

“They told me to start moving about to help my recovery,” you called out above the sound of the refrigerator doors.

“Move about tomorrow,” he shot back. Before you could think up an answer, Kal boofed his own reply as he nosed worriedly at your face. In that deep voice you loved, Henry urged Kal out of his way as he gently slid the ice pack into place over your bandage. You watched as a corner of his mouth tilted in a barely-there grin as he finished fussing and fretting, and you smiled into the kiss he dropped on your lips.

Grunting as he sat on the floor beside you, Henry snagged the remote and leaned to steal another kiss from you.

“Now, you fell asleep before the funniest one so far. It’s titled ‘Break In’, and Blanche becomes very worried about a large vase and her mama’s jewels,” he explained as he cued up Hulu. Diverted, you didn’t think about his coddling again.

********

Three and a half days later, you were ready to coddle him. Right over a cliff. The man wouldn’t let you do anything! If you even looked like you were thinking about picking up a pillow - a pillow, for goodness sake - Henry was there doing it for you.

Admittedly, the first two days you were a bit off your pins. The anesthesia and pain meds packed a wallop, leaving you lethargic and fuzzy. And you weren’t about to complain about the sheer luxuriousness of having someone wash your hair. Rapture! For all you loved Henry’s adoring attention, the man was starting to look a bit haggard. Restless from the drugs leaving and entering your system, your sleep was fitful - and Henry was awake more often than not when you opened your eyes. You urged him to let you do for yourself as your energy and strength slowly returned. 

But the Cavill generosity, and Henry’s own innate goodness, had him running for you morning, noon, and night. He plumped pillows, arranged flowers, cooked up tempting treats, massaged your feet, and ordered the silkiest, comfiest pajamas you’d ever worn. He was every person’s romantic fantasy of a loving, dedicated hero.

And he was driving you bonkers.

When you stood up from the couch and paused, letting your equilibrium catch up with you, you caught Henry studying you seriously.

“What do you need, love?”

“Bathroom,” you mumbled around a yawn, snagging your water glass to refill on your way back. “Refill.”

“You’ve been up and about quite a bit today,” he observed, brow lined with concern. “How’s your pain?”

With an effort, you stopped yourself from rolling your eyes. Sort of.

“Henry, my pain is well managed. Remember, I stopped taking the hydrocodone last night. I’m not due for any paracetamol for another hour. I’m fine.”

You swore you could literally see his thoughts racing back and forth in his mind.

“Do you want me to carry you?”

This time, you did roll your eyes. “No, Henry! I don’t need you to carry me to the loo.”

Thwarted servitude practically vibrated off the man.

“I’ll refill your water for you,” he stated, getting to his feet. 

Whether it was the waning and waxing of pharmaceutical chemistry, post-surgical fatigue, the ever-increasing joy at your lack of pain, or a combination thereof - you couldn’t say. You snapped, pointing an imperious finger at him.

“Freeze, Cavill!” He blinked his befuddlement at your order, stuck halfway from rising off his chair.

“Wha...why? I was just going to get you some fresh water!”

“And I said that I will get it!”

“But, I only-”

“EH!” you cut him off, wagging your finger at him.

“If you just let-”

“NUH-UH!” Another jab in his direction.

“I was just going-”

“NUH-UH-UH!!!” Each syllable of your refusal was punctuated by a forceful stab of your finger at your beloved. Stymied, frustrated, Henry flopped down in his chair, arms flailing with exasperation. His genuine confusion sent your head thunking to the wall behind you as you prayed for patience.

“Henry. I love you. Truly, deeply, madly. But lately, you’ve been hovering so much you’re really strengthening the ‘madly’ part of it because you’re about to drive me out of my skull.”

Henry shot to his feet, honest hurt creasing lines into his forehead. “I’m not hovering, I’m helping! There’s a difference!”

“And I’ve already told you - outpatient surgery, not brain surgery! I was under for 45 minutes, they tweezed out the broken bits, and I walked half a dozen steps from the wheelchair to the car an hour later. And you literally just offered to carry me to the bathroom!” Your voice rose until you were nearly shouting. Henry turned half away from you, dragging his hands through his hair in frustration.

“You don’t understand,” he growled out. Your own frustration climbing, you flung your arms out in a questioning gesture.

“What? What do I not understand?”

The man rounded on you, stepping forward to yell in your face.

“I couldn’t do anything!” 

Nonplussed, you blinked. 

“Henry, you’ve been doing everything since I got ho-”

“Not now - then!” He turned back away from you, shoulders hunched as he fisted his hair for a moment. “When you called 999. You were in terrible pain, crying out because of it, and I couldn’t do a damn thing to help you!”

Silence fell between you like a wall as his truth crashed over you. Your memories of that morning were, understandably hazy. You clearly remember the pain overtaking every molecule of your body - your vision blurry and grey at the edges, unable to move without more agony, sweating like it was your job. You remember feeling both grateful and worried for poor Kal - worried for hurting him with how hard you gripped his fur, grateful for your loyal friend. You remember being honestly concerned that you were dying, and trying to pray.

But above all else, you remember the pure, unadulterated, consuming sense of relief when you heard Henry’s voice, felt his hand on your cheek.

Shame bloomed hot beneath your skin - you’d not given any thought to what Henry must have felt during those awful moments. So focused on surviving, then on healing, you’d felt gratitude for his help and care, sure. But not thinking that he’d had to watch your pain, unable to help you. 

Your Superman, powerless to help the one he loved.

Tiptoeing forward, you wrapped your arms around him, resting your forehead against his broad back.

“Henry, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about that.”

You rose and fell with him as he took a deep breath, muscles shifting beneath you. Clasping your hands in his, he lifted them as he pressed a kiss to each, wrapping them in his own against his heart.

“No, I’m sorry. I knew in my head I was overdoing it, but I just couldn’t bear to see you hurting again. Anymore.” He turned in your embrace, cupping your cheeks in his warm hands. Deep blue eyes poured a wealth of love and concern straight into your heart as he frowned beseechingly at you. “I would do anything for you, my love.”

Eyes prickling with emotion, your smile trembled a bit when you offered it, reaching up to kiss him tenderly before you brushed a wayward curl off his forehead.

“Can I go to the bathroom by myself?”

Henry snorted right into your face, hugging you close and smacking a kiss under your jaw, just where he knew you loved it. 

“Your request is granted, my lady. Allow me, your humble servant, to fetch you refreshment whilst you pee?”

You cackled in reply, shoving your glass into his hand.

“Thank you, my lord. I’m off to the royal chamber pot.” Tugging his face down to your level, you rubbed your nose against his. “Mayhap, upon my return, I’ll bestow a favor upon thee.”

His cheeky growl made you laugh as he nudged you down the hall.

“Hurry up, then! I’m in dire need of all the favors!”

Your chuckles wouldn’t be stopped as you headed to your destination, especially when Kal zoomy-ed past you in all his floofy glory. 

Recovery might be slow, but you knew you were lucky - not everyone had a hero of their own to help them.