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aquathewriter · 10 days ago

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The Tail of an Alchemist (Chimera/Merperson au proof of concept)

So, as stated above, this is just a proof of concept for this idea! Obviously, ideas will change between this and the final version (whenever I do write that).

Context: This is set in Dublith and after brotherhood. Before the start, Ed and Al were visiting their teacher and would have moved on to Resembool, but Ed was kidnapped and used in a chimera experiment where aquatic creatures were used instead of land animals. A month has passed since Ed's kidnapping, and Al has been tirelessly looking for him when he is sent an unsigned note and told to meet them at a cafe in town, and he will be told everything.

Word count: 4322

Al looked at the note in his hands to confirm he was at the right café. Biting the inside of his cheek, he skimmed the message over again before looking up again to see a woman wearing a large white sun hat, dark large-rimmed sunglasses, and a flowy light blue sundress smiling at him and waving like an old friend. His eyebrows knitted together with uncertainty, and he awkwardly waved as he made his way to the middle of the outdoor dining area.

“Oh, it’s so nice to see you again, Alphonse!” She gushed as he stepped closer. He opened his mouth to speak but was abruptly cut off when she reached and hugged him tightly. “My name is Khrista,” she whispered before letting him go and motioning for him to sit in the chair across from her. “I hope you don’t mind that I ordered for you.”

“U-uh, n-no, that’s-that’s fine.” He was still reeling from the sudden interaction with this woman. He then shook his head, cleared his throat, and tried to get to the point of their meet-up. “Your note said you knew where my broth-“ He jumped a little as Khrista quickly raised her hand to stop him.

“Speak quietly,” her voice was now low and serious, starkly contrasting to how she had spoken just moments ago. “I don’t know if they’re watching or not.” She pulled her hand away, and he looked at her in confusion.

“Who’s watching?” Al whispered.

“My coworkers.” The blond was now more confused. Khrista sighed and began to explain, “I used to work in one of the labs in Central. My department specialized in chimera alchemy.” A chill shot down Al’s back. “Not long after Bradley was killed, the military cleared out the labs, and the experiments we were doing came to light.”

“You were using death row inmates, weren’t you?” Khrista gasped quietly.

“How did you know?”

“It was partially a guess, but my brother and I know what was happening at Lab 5.” She sighed again and nodded.

“We were using death row inmates and also soldiers deemed too close to death to be saved.” Al swallowed as the Devil’s Nest chimeras, and then Nina flashed through his head.

“Was-“ Al stopped short as a waiter approached their table and placed plates in front of them. It looked like a simple breakfast sandwich. They thanked the waiter and waited for him to be out of earshot before diving back into their conversation. “Was a man named Shou Tucker working with you?”

“The Sewing Life Alchemist?” Al nodded, “No, he wasn’t, but I heard rumors that they were thinking of asking him to have him work with us, but then…” She picked up a grape from her plate and popped it into her mouth before continuing. “My department and I fled before the soldiers could round us up. There were about six of us, and almost all of us were addicted to trying to create the perfect chimera, myself being one of them.” Though he couldn’t see her eyes very well, thanks to her sunglasses, he saw that she looked ashamed and avoided meeting his eyes by staring down at her food. “One of my coworkers said they knew of an abandoned building just outside of Dublith, their hometown. We made our way down here, and they showed us the building. We got to work making a new secret lab to continue our work. Thanks to alchemy, it didn’t take long to make, and it was up and running within a couple of months. We had discussed how and where we would get test subjects, and our department head, Dante, said they would use anyone who wouldn’t be missed. Homeless people, gang members, drug dealers…the list goes on.” She sniffed and quickly wiped her eyes with her fingertips.

“About a year and a half into it, something happened that made me wake up. One of my coworkers brought in a young orphan child. From there, I started to try to distance myself from the others so I could run away. I was ready to do it about a month ago, but then your brother was brought in.” She pressed her lips together into a thin line as she grabbed the small clasp purse that sat off to the side and started to dig a little. It wasn’t long before she produced two small square sheets of paper and placed them in front of the blond. “I can tell that you’re skeptical of what I’m saying, and if I were in your place, I’d think I was crazy, too.” she laughed awkwardly before clasping her purse closed and placing it in her lap. “They’re photographs, but…they’re not going to be easy to look at.” Al swallowed and reached a shaky hand out to pick one of the photos up.

She was right, though, about him being skeptical. But then, who was he to doubt when he was once a soul bonded to a suit of armor? He picked one of the photos up and slowly turned it over. His breath caught in his throat when he saw that the photograph was of his brother lying unconscious in the center of a transmutation circle. His hair was down and splayed around him, and he wore what looked like a hospital gown. His automail leg was gone, and his real foot was just out of frame, but he could see a shadow of something, or a few somethings, lying on the ground just out of sight. He handed the picture to Khrista and slowly picked up the second photo. He turned it over, gasped in fear, and dropped it. The photo fluttered down until it rested against his untouched sandwich and continued to show him the image. Al glanced up at Khrista and saw the apologetic look on her face. Looking back at the photo, he knew it was Ed, but he wasn’t himself.

Al couldn’t see his brother’s face as he was curled into the fetal position, but instead of legs, he had what looked like a fish’s tail. Ed’s hair also hung loose and floated around him, and he noticed fins in the place where his ears should be. Horrified, Al looked up at Khrista and saw that she had taken her sunglasses off. She looked at him with apologetic, muted-blue eyes. “I yelled at Dante and told her that taking a child was going too far, but now she crossed a line that was now a dangled noose above our heads. To take someone as well known as your brother…because of my talking back, Dante forced me to help activate the circle,” she spoke softly before pulling something silver out of the purse and placing it between them. When she pulled her hand back, it was revealed to be a State Alchemist pocket watch. He didn’t even have to look closer to know it was Ed’s. Anger bubbled with him when he heard this. He wanted to lash out at her and yell at her.

“How dare you do this! He’s the only family I have left!”

“Forced? Yeah, like, I believe that! You said so yourself that you were addicted to creating chimeras!”

Al took a deep breath and tried to calm down. It wasn’t the time or place for that. “Does…” Al swallowed his worry and anger. “Does he know who he is still?” She nodded, and relief washed over him.

“From the eyes of an alchemist specializing in chimeras, he’s a wonder. From the eyes of a human, it’s a relief. His cognitive functions are normal, and he can still speak cohesively.” Al let out a humorless laugh.

“I bet you got to witness the full extent of his vocabulary when he woke up.” she nodded before taking the photographs back.

“I also know you’ve been trying to help my little sister try and find me.” Al looked at her in confusion before he realized why her eyes looked so familiar. “Please just tell Claus that I’m fine and I'll be home soon.” he nodded before scooting his chair closer to the table, resting his crossed arms on it.

“So, what’s the plan to break him out?”

…

Ed sighed as he sat in the dark corner of his watery prison. His tail was pressed against his chest, and his arms were wrapped around it. He rhythmically tapped the back of his head against the glass that held him captive. His tank was massive, and he thought it could easily hold a whale, but there wouldn’t be enough room for the whale to swim around. There were only so many times he could swim around in a circle.

He knew he wouldn’t get any sleep thanks to the scientists and their tests. They always knock him out when it comes to tests that require him to be out of the tank. They knew he’d try to fight them. Then again, Ed couldn’t remember the last time he did get a good full night's sleep. It was long before he was brought here, that’s for sure. He sighed and continued to tap his head while thinking, “How many times can I do this before I get brain damage?” and “How hard should I hit my head so I knock myself out?”

A short amount of time passed, and Ed was actually starting to feel a little sleepy, but that was startled away when a massive crash and splash happened above him. Looking up, he saw clumps of dirt and rock raining down from the ceiling above him and into his tank. Thinking fast and not wanting to be crushed, he pushed himself off the ground and quickly swam for safety.

As he was about to reach a hollowed rock he had been using as a hideaway, he heard a gurgling yelp, and it caused him to stop. Looking toward the sound, he saw a familiar shape pinned under a boulder twice their size at the bottom of his tank.

”Who…?” Ed breathed before reaching the figure. It wasn’t until he fully saw the shape and felt his heart drop. “Alphonse!” Ed cried out before propelling himself to his little brother’s aid.

Upon reaching the younger blond’s side, Al clapped his hands and placed them against the rock. Alchemic sparks danced around them before the boulder crumbled to pieces. Ed quickly cleared what was still on his brother before wrapping his arms around Al’s torso and pushing them toward the surface as fast as he could.

Ed only took a few moments to reach and break the water's surface, with Al following right behind. As Al coughed the water from his lungs, Ed couldn’t help the wide, excited grin spread across his face. “Al!” his voice shook as he pulled his little brother close and hugged him. Al coughed a few more times before laughing and returning the hug.

“You’re making it seem like I was the one who’s been missing for a month.” They separated, and Ed continued to grin like a fool as he placed his hands on either side of Al’s head and made his little brother look at him.

“You were just drowning, dumbass!” Al laughed again, but the younger teen’s smile soon faded, and he was no longer looking at his brother’s eyes but his mouth. Ed’s smile quickly vanished when he realized what Al was looking at. He covered his mouth with one of his hands while putting a little distance between them, scared of what his brother would think. But that only gave his brother more to gawk at.

“Your teeth…and hands…” Ed was about to dive to hide, but Al grabbed his arm. “I already knew you were a chimera, Brother.” Ed gasped and looked back at the younger teen.

“How…?”

“Well,” Al let go of his brother and tried to place his hands on the sides of his head but had difficulty staying upright and above the water. All he needed was his tail to keep above the water, so Ed reached out and grabbed his brother’s arms to keep him steady. “These are a dead giveaway.” the older blond then realized that Al was mimicking the fins on the sides of his head. While giving his brother an unamused look, he let go and let Al drop a little. Not expecting the sudden loss of support, the younger teen got a mouth and nose full of water as his head briefly dipped below the surface. Al quickly pushed himself back up and treaded water while coughing and blowing out the water from his nose. “Also,” he started again, pushing his wet hair out of his face and wiping the water from his eyes, “one of the scientists told me.” Ed looked at his brother in disbelief.

“You’re trusting one of them?”

“I’m trusting her as far as I can throw her.” Ed clenched his jaw and let a sigh out his nose.

“What’s her name?”

“Khrista Bowmont. She sent me a letter, and we met-”

“Wait!” Ed cut him off as he heard the name. “I’ll be right back!” He pointed to a ledge with a door behind it for his brother to get out before diving back down. He swam to his hollowed rock and grabbed the alchemy book that had been dropped into his tank shortly after waking up. Like before, it didn’t take him long to reach the surface, and he found Al sitting on the edge, feet and shins still dangling in the water, with his t-shirt off. He was wringing it as Ed swam closer. Just before reaching his brother, he noticed movement from the corner of his eye. Looking toward it, he saw a rope dangling from a hole in the now-destroyed ceiling and floating on the water's surface. “How the hell did you do all that, Al?”

“Um…” the younger blond hummed as he looked up at the chaos he brought, “I was making the hole as I went down, and I didn’t realize how unstable it all was.” Having followed Al’s gaze, Ed looked back to see his brother smiling sheepishly. The former alchemist shook his head and resumed his swim toward his brother.

Upon reaching the edge, Ed pulled himself up enough to where his tail was still submerged, but his torso was out of the water, and he used his arms to keep himself perched like that next to his brother. “Not long after I first woke up here, this was dropped into the tank.” He handed the book to his brother. After putting his damp shirt back on, Al took it and immediately noticed how it felt different from a normal book. “I know, right? I think someone used alchemy to make it waterproof. But that’s not the important part.” while Al still held it, Ed lifted the cover to show the note on the inside.

“Keep this hidden so Dante doesn’t know I gave it to you. Khris B.” Al read aloud before falling silent for a moment. He then put the book off to the side before pulling out a soaked folded piece of paper. After quickly drying it with alchemy, Al unfolded it, turned the book back toward Ed, and held his note next to the one in the book. Ed compared the handwriting and came to the same conclusion as his brother.

“They’re the same.”

“I think she’s been trying to help from the beginning.”

“Well, she can help by giving me my legs back,” Ed mumbled before dropping back into the water.

“She intends to do that, but we must get you out of here first.” Al stood up, used alchemy to dry his clothes, and looked back at the door. “Do you know what's behind this door?”

“Oh yeah, I’ve had time to get out and look around. It’s just sunshine and rainbows in there.” Al unamusedly looked back at his brother while Ed flicked some water at him with the tip of his tail. Al rolled his eyes before looking back at the door and tried to turn the handle, but he found it locked. “Wouldn’t be surprised if they really thought I would try to leave.”

“Did you?” Al asked as he clapped his hands.

“I tried to get up there, but this damn tail is heavy and awkward, so I can’t swing it up there like I would if I had legs. What I did before is a bit easier since the tail is still in the water.” Al hummed before he placed his hands on the door next to the hand and made a hole large enough for him to stick his arm through. Doing so, he felt around for a few moments before they both heard a soft click. Ed saw his brother grin a little as he pulled his arm back, fixed the door, and opened it. “How the hell do you plan on getting me out anyway?” Ed called out as Al flicked on the light and entered the room.

“Well, I was initially going to carry you, but if your tail is really that heavy…maybe a cart or…” Al fell silent before running out of view.

“Al?” Ed called out before pulling himself up onto the ledge again. “Alphonse?” He tried to look into the room but could only see wetsuits lining the far wall. “Al!” Ed called out again.

“Brother!” the older blond gasped before sighing with relief as Al stepped back into the doorway with an excited smile. “There's stuff in here that I don't think you can see, but I think I can make a-a harness or something with the stuff in here!” Ed was unsure about the idea, but before he could voice his opinion, he froze when he heard voices coming from close by and getting closer.

“Al, hide!” Ed hissed before dropping back into the water.

“What? Broth-?”

“Just do it, Alphonse!” Ed commanded, careful not to be too loud, and then dove into his tank. As he reached the bottom, he saw Dante and a couple of her cronies marching up to him. She looked so furious as she scribbled something onto a notepad. She turned it around, and he read the message.

“What the hell happened in here?!” feigning innocence, Ed shrugged. “That’s bullshit!” she hissed, not knowing that he could actually hear her. “Follow me; we need to get to the dive room!” she commanded before turning on her heels and marched out with her cronies right on her heels. Worried, he returned to the surface and called for his brother. “Al, whatever you have planned, do it now! We have company coming up!” after hearing his brother run around the room for about a minute before he came barrelling out with his arms full of stuff. He dumped it onto the ground before turning back and clapping his hands. Placing them on the wall next to the door, he used alchemy to erase the door. “That’s only going to stop them for so long, Al! Most, if not all, of them are an alchemist of some sort!”

“And I just need a minute or two to figure out what I’m going to do here!” Al spoke back before crouching next to his mess. As the younger teen arranged his things, Ed listened as Dante’s annoying voice gradually grew closer and closer. “Come on, Al!” Ed muttered through clenched teeth as his eyes flicked from his brother to where the door was. His tail twitched anxiously as the hurried footsteps grew closer and closer, and soon another door opened.

“What did he do to the door?!” Dante now shrieked from the other side. Before Ed could say anything, Al clapped his hands and placed them on his mess. Sparks danced around the younger blond, and it wasn’t long before he stood and held up what looked like a tangle of straps.

“What the hell is that?!” Ed exclaimed as he watched Al put the thing on.

“Hopefully, a way to get you out,” he said as he tightened the straps on his shoulders. Al then took a deep breath and dove back into the tank. Ed waited for Al to resurface but quickly noticed that his brother was swimming straight down.

“Carve the circle faster!” with an annoyed groan, Ed dove under and quickly caught up with Al.

“What are you doing?” he knew his brother couldn’t clearly hear him, but he seemed to understand. Al pointed to the bottom, and Ed let out a sigh. “You’re insane!” He wrapped his arms around Al’s torso and quickly brought them both to the bottom of his tank. Al clapped his hands and placed them on the sand below them. Sparks danced, and a platform formed beneath them. It caught the brothers and quickly carried them upward.

They broke through the surface faster than Ed could swim. The blond chimera quickly grabbed the rope as the rose so his brother could focus on his transmutation. Just as they were about to reach the hole, Dante and her cronies broke through, and the last glimpse they saw of Ed was him giving them the middle finger while he bore his teeth in a snarky grin.

~*~

Al had brought them up several more feet before stopping. Sitting behind his brother, Ed couldn’t see his face, but he could tell that the younger teen was hunched over and his head hung in front of him. “Are you okay, Al?” Ed asked softly, clearly hearing his brother panting quietly.

“Yeah…yeah, I’ll be fine. Just…a lot of alchemy in a very short amount of time, and holding my breath underwater didn’t help much either.” Ed sighed quietly and gently patted the alchemist’s arm before resting his forehead on his shoulder.

”Don’t worry, Al, take your time.” Ed whispered. They were quiet, except for Al’s panting, for a few moments before Al shifted slightly. Ed moved his head and saw his brother looking at him curiously.

”So…you can talk underwater?”

”Seriously? Now? When we’re at the bottom of a hole?” Ed countered, unable to hide the laughter in his voice.

”Yes! I’m curious! You’re…you’re the first aquatic chimera either of us have seen!”

”Fine, yes, I can more or less talk underwater. Which is honestly useless when no one else is underwater nor can really hear me.” Al nodded in agreement. “My night vision is a lot better, though.”

”Really? How so?”

”Well, it’s-“The ground beneath suddenly jerked, and they quickly rose again. Fear rose in Ed’s as the mouth of the hole grew closer and closer. He knew what they’d do to him, just drop him back into the tank, but Al? They’d probably curse him like they had done to his older brother. That was the last thing Ed wanted. If either of them had to have a cursed body again, Ed would want it to be him and only him this time around. Alchemic sparks danced around them a few times, and within a few minutes, they were face to face with a woman with black pixie-cut hair and muted-blue eyes.

”What the hell took you two so long?” she asked as she gathered the cloth with a transmutation circle on it and stood up.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t seen my brother in over a month and have been worried sick about him, Khrista,” Al said with a roll of his eyes, which caused Ed to chuckle. Distracted by his brother, Ed didn’t notice the woman getting closer to him before it was too late, and she was touching his forehead.

”Hey, don’t touch me!” he snapped before shoving her hand away.

”Easy, Edward! I understand that you don’t trust me, but out of the three of us, I know the most about your current makeup.” she said calmly while holding her hands up to show that she was unarmed. Ed glared at her as she crossed her arms under her chest. “We can’t let him get too dry. There’s-“ she stopped when Ed’s head quickly whipped around in a direction and listened to a sound that the other two couldn’t hear. It was a mixture of alchemic sparks and metal grinding against metal. “Okay, double time!” She breathed as she crouched next to them and had Al turn around. “About a mile, maybe two, east of here is a small river.”

”I know it.” Al said as Khrista helped strap Ed into the homemade harness. The Chimera’s right hip rested on his brother's back while most of his tail hung to the left and was close to dragging on the ground.

“Good. I hid a large towel there in an old tree stump. It’s gonna be uncomfortable for you, Alphonse, but it's soaking wet, and then wrap it around the both of you. This will keep your brother wet and hidden if you need to go through town.” She helped Al stand and keep his balance under Ed’s weight. “Get there as fast as you can, stay out of sight, and keep him wet!” She then started to make her way to where Ed heard the noise.

”What about you?” Al called out.

”I found you before; I’ll find you again.” She said without looking back. She stepped into the forest and brush and vanished, leaving the brothers alone.

”We should get going, Al.” Ed whispered as he wrapped his arms around Al’s neck. The younger teen nodded, held the end of Ed’s tail to prevent it from dragging on the ground, and began the shortish trek.

”You do know how weird this is, right?” There was laughter in Al’s voice as he spoke.

”Ugh, don’t remind me.” The chimera muttered as he rested his chin on Al’s head. Closing his eyes, Ed listened to the world around them, just grateful to be outside once more.

#fullmetal alchemist #fanfic stuff #fanfiction #fma mermaid au #fma chimera au #this is just me doing pineapple apple pen with two aus #fma #edward elric #alphonse elric

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tenebraevesper · 6 months ago

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Sonic Cyber Revolution, Entry 47: Cream's Rough and Tumble Adventure

''Once upon a time you could be a bad guy, and you'd live to see another day. But now you'd never manage boy, you'd be brain damaged, just to think that you could get away!''

– Team Chaotix by Sonic Heroes (Team Chaotix Theme)

xXxXxXx

Touka took a deep breath, her feet aching as she, Shadow and Knuckles shared the couch in the clothes store. They were observing Rouge, Amy, Minami and Lily as they marveled over the clothes at this particular store, having been walking around for hours at a particular giant shopping mall in Sentoraru.

''I've only said that I wanted a pair of new sneakers. How did we end up like this?'' Touka muttered, sighing.

She had accepted Rouge's offer to go shopping with her, with Shadow accompanying them. Rouge then revealed that she also invited Amy, Minami, Knuckles and Lily, talking about how it would be a nice bonding time between girls, both Knuckles and Shadow pointed out how they're clearly not girls, and merely keeping their respective partners company. Rouge agreed with that, telling them how she would find some use for the two, managing to somehow rope them into carrying her bags. Touka had to admit that there was something scary about how Rouge just had to do some light teasing about how neither Knuckles nor Shadow would be able to last a shopping trip with her for the two to get fired up and tag along while also acting as the group's pack mules. It was obvious that she knew how to mess with their ego to convince them into doing whatever she wanted.

It also didn't help that, in Knuckles' situation, Lily was actually happy with this shopping trip and as her Guardian, he had to keep an eye on her. As for Touka, she was basically being dragged around by Rouge who tried to convince her to try on cute outfits, even though Touka was adamant that she didn't want to buy anything. She had already gone to the shoe store, found herself a pair of high top sneakers looking almost identical to her old ones, bought them and put them on. From her perspective, she was done, but she and, by proxy, Shadow just kept being dragged from one store to another.

''What do you guys say?'' Lily emerged from the dressing room, now wearing a red sundress and a matching cream sun hat.

''It really looks great on you!'' Rouge said, giving Lily a double thumbs up.

''It's a cute outfit!'' Amy said, with Minami nodding happily. Lily took a look in the mirror, humming.

''I don't know if it really matches my style… Knux, what do you think?'' she asked the red echidna.

''It looks quite flattering on you,'' Knuckles responded, with Lily turning back to the mirror.

''Maybe I should try on the lilac one with the star pattern,'' she said, with Rouge suddenly appearing next to her, carrying the dress in her hands.

''Here you go!'' she said. Lily then vanished back in the dressing room, with Rouge turning back to Amy.

''It's really great to have some girlfriends to go shopping with. It makes things much more fun,'' she said innocently, only to shoot a smug gaze towards Knuckles and Shadow. These two, in turn, were glaring daggers back at her, knowing full well they got set up, but were too stubborn to admit that they fell for it hook, line and sinker. Knuckles had also been planning to get revenge on Rouge for what happened the night before, but he couldn't plan anything like this.

''Oh, Touka!'' Touka suddenly got startled when Rouge appeared before her, carrying a short-sleeved tunic. ''What do you think about this? Do you want to try it on?''

''I…'' Touka glanced to the side, taking note of the annoyed look on Shadow's expression. Clearly, neither he nor Knuckles were going to protest against being dragged around because that would mean a victory for Rouge, with Touka figuring that she could allow the two a little break from this. ''Actually, I'm feeling hungry and I've been thinking if you guys want to go somewhere for lunch.''

''Well… I don't know. I'm not that hungry,'' Minami said, glancing at Amy. ''What about you Amy?''

Amy shook her head, and even Lily responded with a ''No, thanks! Maybe later!'' from the dressing room. Touka then glanced at Shadow and Knuckles. ''What about you two?''

''I wouldn't mind going for lunch,'' Shadow said in his usual business-like tone, but frankly, he was relieved to get a break from this. As for Knuckles, he was a bit torn.

''I'd like to go for lunch as well, but unfortunately, I cannot. I am Lily's Guardian, and I cannot leave her side even if it's just for lunch,'' Knuckles replied in a stoic tone, his arms folded across his chest, and his muzzle flushing red in embarrassment when he heard his stomach growl. Shadow gave him a look that just screamed 'You're wasting your opportunity'.

''You can leave if you want. I'll be with Minami, Amy and Rouge for the time being,'' Lily said, exiting the dressing room, now wearing the lilac dress. Knuckles, however, remained stubborn.

''While I trust Amy and Minami, I don't trust Rouge,'' he replied, with Shadow rolling his eyes as he heard this response. Rouge, on the other hand, giggled.

''What's the matter? Are you afraid that I'll rob this place?'' she asked, with Knuckles giving her an annoyed look. ''Don't worry, Knuckles. I have no reason for doing that since this isn't a jewelry store.''

''If it helps, Minami and I will keep an eye on Lily and Rouge,'' Amy added, giving Knuckles a sheepish smile. Knuckles remained silent for a moment, then sighed, getting up.

''Let's go then,'' he said, with Shadow and Touka following him outside. Once they were a bit further away, Touka groaned.

''Finally! I thought we'd never get a break,'' she said, only for Shadow to glare at her.

''Why did you suggest that earlier? We could've left ages ago,'' he asked in an irked tone.

''You could've also said something, but you didn't,'' Touka pointed out. ''Whether you want to admit it or not, Rouge played both of you.''

Both Shadow and Knuckles had a look of annoyance and defeat on their expressions, but still didn't want to admit that Touka was right.

''That's… an unfortunate blow. I need to learn how to read her better,'' Knuckles stated.

''So, have you two decided where should we go for lunch? If not, I actually saw a place I wanted to go to,'' Touka suddenly said, with Shadow and Knuckles exchanging glances, and then shaking their heads. ''Okay, then follow me.'' She had led the two to a rather peculiar place, which certainly didn't look like an ordinary food place. ''This is the vending machine café I saw when we passed through this part earlier. It looks like this is a self-service place where there are only vending machines with various food and drinks, as well as a dining area and no employees…''

''We're going inside,'' Shadow immediately said, with Touka letting out a soft giggle. She figured that, so long he didn't have to interact with anyone, he'd be fine, and she and Knuckles followed him inside.

''Let's see…'' Touka muttered as she looked around the café, while Shadow and Knuckles already walked ahead of her. Knuckles had found a vending machine dispensing various fruit and was currently eyeing the grapes on display. Meanwhile, Shadow beelined towards the coffee machine, selecting the black coffee option and waiting for it to brew. Touka walked over to her dark hedgehog, just as he picked up the cup of black coffee. ''I hope that you'll also buy some actual food to eat with that coffee.''

''What if I don't?'' Shadow responded in a deadpan tone. Touka huffed.

''Honestly, as your responsible older sister, I want to make sure that you eat properly,'' she responded. Shadow just gave her an irritated look, but did walk up to the food section of the café and looked at his options.

Meanwhile, Touka spotted a particular vending machine that sold cakes in a can and quickly walked over to it, picking the strawberry sponge cake option. She then started deliberating between the matcha and chocolate cake and mango and passionfruit option, when she got startled by a voice from behind.

''I hope that you'll also buy some actual food to eat with that cake.'' Touka turned around, seeing Shadow, who gave her a look of disapproval, arms folded across his chest, only for it to fade into a look of smugness. ''As your more responsible younger brother, I want to make sure that you eat properly.''

Touka, while annoyed, knew well that she had it coming, even though she had fun messing with Shadow. The two were then approached by Knuckles, who was carrying a plastic bag filled with grapes and happily munching on some. ''Is something wrong?''

''Nothing, just a bit of sibling banter,'' Touka said, turning to Shadow. ''Do you also want one?''

Shadow stepped next to her, looking at the products. ''I suppose they don't have tiramisu flavor.''

''No, but they have matcha and chocolate cake. I think you'll like that one,'' Touka said, with Shadow rising an eyebrow. Touka forced an irked smile. ''Don't worry, I'll buy myself something besides dessert so long as you get yourself something to eat as well.''

Both then just stared at each other, as if exchanging a conversation in their minds, while Knuckles was wondering what their problem was.

xXx

''Now, that was delicious!'' Touka said, leaning back in her seat, the box of hot chicken curry rice she had bought being empty. Knuckles was still eating his katsudon, having grabbed a fork since his gloves didn't exactly allow him to use chopsticks, while Shadow just finished the tonkotsu ramen, placing the plastic bowl on the table.

''It certainly was better than going to a restaurant,'' he said, glancing around. There were a few other people inside the café, either eating or ordering food from the vending machines, but nobody payed attention to them.

''What's wrong with a restaurant?'' Knuckles asked. Shadow just folded his arms, his eyes darting to the side.

''It's too noisy…'' he muttered, only to notice Touka offering him the matcha and chocolate cake in a cake she had bought for him, and took it from her. Knuckles just rose his eyebrow, but didn't think too much about it, while Shadow ate the dessert.

''From what I know, Neos City actually has a lot of restaurants for people who value their privacy. Kisaki actually took me once to an individual dining BBQ grill and hotpot restaurant,'' Touka said, opening the can with the strawberry sponge cake and took a bite. ''They did have a seating for two, and the food was also very delicious and cheap. She told me that, since she isn't at home due to work, I could go to those places to eat.''

''Do they also have an all-you-can-eat buffet?'' Knuckles asked, with Touka nodding. ''Then I'll have to ask Lily whether she'd want to go there. She had told me that she wanted to try out new things, an an all-you-can-eat buffet was on her list.'' He then placed the fork into the empty bowl. ''I wonder if she, Amy and Minami are done shopping. For all I know, Rouge could be holding them hostage.''

Touka snorted, while Shadow rolled his eyes, responding, ''I sincerely doubt that.''

''I still need to find a way to get my revenge… Do you two have any suggestions for how to approach this situation?'' Knuckles asked, giving both Touka and Shadow a serious look. ''After all, you have been teammates with Rouge for the past few days.''

''Honestly, I'd rather stay out of this situation,'' Touka replied, her and Shadow having heard what exactly happened the previous night from Rouge. Both of them were stunned by Rouge's bold move and decided that they didn't want to involve themselves with this.

''I agree. This is between you and Rouge,'' Shadow added.

''Thanks for nothing, both of you,'' Knuckles replied in an irked tone. Touka just gave him a sheepish smile, while Shadow's expression remained impassive. They were all done with their lunch and were prepared to leave, when they suddenly heard crying from outside. The booth they were sitting at had a one-way window, showing them the inside of the shopping mall inside and outside it had an advertisement for the café. All three looked to their side, seeing a security guard trying to calm down a crying rabbit ARNav.

This rabbit was small, cream-furred, with cinnamon-brown eyes, a small brown nose, and a white muzzle. She had princeton orange markings around her eyes, on her head and at the tips of her long ears. She also had one long eyelash on each eye, and a short, fluffy tail that stuck out of her dress. For attire, she wore a simple sleeveless vermilion dress with a white collar and a light blue cravat, white gloves with a gold cufflink on each cuff, white socks, and vermilion and yellow slip-on shoes with gray soles. Her ears also had pink-colored canals, and were swiveled back and flop behind her head.

Flying next to her and trying to comfort her was a little creature resembling some kind of fairy. This creature was light lapis blue and had light honey mustard yellow markings at the tip of their head, hands, feet and tail, a bulb-shaped head, a floating light honey mustard yellow ball hovering above the top of their head that changed appearance corresponding to their emotions, lapis blue eyes, two light fuchsia/magenta pink butterfly-like wings and a small circular tail. The creature also had a cherry red bow tie.

''What's going on?'' Touka asked, with her, Shadow and Knuckles getting up, wondering if the rabbit ARNav was in some kind of trouble. The security guard, meanwhile, looked rather uncomfortable as he had no clue how to comfort the young rabbit.

''I'm sorry, but the next bus is scheduled to return in two hours, not earlier, and as for the ruffians that stole your package, all we can do is to write a complaint. I cannot help you find them if they aren't at the shopping mall,'' he said.

''Is something wrong?''

The security guard, the rabbit ARNav and the blue fairy turned to Touka, Shadow and Knuckles, who gave them questioning looks, albeit the security guard did note that the dark hedgehog and red echidna glared at him, clearly thinking that he was behind the little rabbit crying.

''Do you know her?'' the security guard asked in return. Touka shook her head, with the rabbit wiping her tears and sniffling, giving her, Shadow and Knuckles a pleading look with her big eyes. She was in so much distress, and the three had no clue why they felt like this, but they immediately felt compelled to help her. Call it big sister/big brother/Guardian instinct, but all three made the decision to take action.

''My name is Touka Kageura, and these guys are Shadow and Knuckles. Could you please tell me who you are and what happened?'' Touka crouched down to be at the rabbit's height, asking her in a gentle tone. The rabbit nodded.

''M-My name is Cream and this is Cheese. We were supposed to deliver a package to my mother, but we got lost and then two bullies stole the package, and now we don't know what to do,'' Cream explained, with Cheese patting her back in order to console her.

''I'm sure that we can help you,'' Knuckles said, stepping up. ''All we need to know is who those thugs are and we'll get your package back.''

''Really?'' Cream wiped her tears off, giving them a hopeful look. ''Thank you so much for helping me out!''

''Chao, chao!'' Cheese cheered. Cream smiled, giving them a look of relief. The security guard who was with them had left, quite relieved to not have to deal with this, while Knuckles, Shadow and Touka followed Cream and Cheese outside, with Cream pointing at a particular spot.

''That's where I got attacked. Those two bullies were so mean,'' Cream said. Knuckles hummed in thought.

''There are a lot of people here, so someone must've seen what had happened,'' he said. ''Still, if we want to go search for them, we are going to need professional help. We should get Team Chaotix on the case.''

''The Chaotix are situated in Eas. Even if we leave now, it will take us some time to get there and back,'' Shadow pointed out. ''Any trail we have here might go cold by that point.''

''Well, we could use Chaos Control to warp to Eas, get the Chaotix and warp back,'' Touka suggested. Shadow went silent for a moment, glancing at Cream, who gave him an innocent and hopeful look, then narrowed his eyes. He was not going to let her down.

''We'll do that,'' he said, with the three taking note of Cream and Cheese's smile of relief. They couldn't help but feel glad to see these two so happy.

xXx

''I see, so two ARNav ruffians have stolen an important package from you and now you need to get it back,'' Vector said, then grinned. ''Don't worry, kid. The Chaotix will take care of this in no time.''

''Thank you so much!'' Cream clasped her hands, her eyes sparking in joy. Cream, Cheese, Knuckles, Shadow and Touka had warped to the Chaotix Detective Agency, giving Vector, Espio and Charmy a quick rundown on what had happened.

''Well, that's our job. We need to know how those two ruffians look like. Could you give us a description?'' Vector asked, with Charmy suddenly flying up, holding a paper and crayons.

''We could also make a sketch,'' he said. Cream nodded, instructing Charmy on what the thieves looked like, while Vector and Espio turned to the rest of the group.

''So, where did this theft take place?'' Vector asked.

''At the Supernova Shopping Mall in Sentoraru,'' Touka replied.

''We should leave as soon as possible as Charmy and Cream are done with the sketch,'' Espio said. ''If it's a place like the shopping mall, there should be witnesses we can question.''

Speaking of the sketch, Charmy and Cream walked up to them, holding two pieces of paper showing very crude drawings of two skunk ARNavs. Charmy was particularly proud of his sketch. ''There! We should find these two in no time!''

Vector and Espio felt Knuckles, Shadow and Touka's eyes on them, with Espio sighing. ''Look, we don't have the resources for a more professional drawing.''

''This should be enough. After all, how many skunk ARNavs looking like this walk around in Neos City?'' Knuckles said.

xXx

''Haha, that was amazing bro!''

''Don't mention it bro! Those weaklings had it coming!''

Two skunk ARNavs were laughing their ass off after managing to bully and scare another victim into giving the duo their hoverboard and run away in fear.

One of the skunk ARNavs was medium-sized with blue-gray and cream fur. He had a tall, cream mohawk that extended down to his back. He had cheek tuffs on the sides of his cream-colored muzzle and had a scruffy hairstyle along with a long, cream-striped tail that could extend over his own head. He beared a blue-grey V-shaped patch on his cream white-furred chest. He also beared pink canals, a black nose, and sharp teeth. His eyes were red with yellow sclera along with thick black outlines along the outer corners. For attire, he wore amber gloves with white volar surfaces and amber boots with tan volar surfaces, a red oval on the tongues and cream soles, both having red lining on the wrists and ankles, and white socks.

The other skunk ARNav was muscular and tall with cream and beige fur. His mohawk ran down his back with his cream stripes reaching the ends of the stub where his tail once was. He had quite scruffy fur, with his chest and muzzle looking connected. He had a pink nose with a triangular shape and short ears. He beared a W-shaped patch in the center of his chest and beared fangs. Around his black eyes with red sclera, he had extremely defined purple bags under his eyes. For attire, he wore two black, spiked bracelets with gold buckles on them and wore black and gray boots also with golden buckles.

Both of the skunk ARNavs intertwined their arms, grinning in malicious glee, and exclaiming in unison, ''Nobody can stand up to ROUGH AND TUMBLE! We're the best!''

''Setting up camp at Supernova Shopping Mall was a great idea. We just have to look at people and take whatever we want, and nobody can do anything to stop us,'' Rough said, grabbing the hoverboard he and his brother stole and started playing with it.

''Yeah, but I wish they had something better than just clothes or toys or hoverboards… Why doesn't anyone buy weapons? Or a tail?'' Tumble asked, giving his tail-stump a sad gaze.

''That's because they're not as smart as us. But don't cha worry, I'm sure we'll score big soon. We also got that package we nabbed from that rabbit,'' Rough said, pointing at the white box on the nearby dumpster lid. ''That kid fought like a maniac for it. It must be valuable.''

''Then why don't we just open it? Com'n, bro! I want to see what's inside!'' Tumble asked.

''Haven't ya heard of the saying 'best for last'? We should first see what else we can get and then open the box up when we're back at our lair,'' Rough replied, grinning.

''I guess that makes sense,'' Tumble said, immediately agreeing with his brother. Both of them were then looking out of their hiding spot at the crowd that was entering and leaving the shopping mall, and to their surprise, they did spot Cream and Cheese, now in the company of a crocodile, a chameleon, a bee, a hedgehog, an echidna and a human girl, all of them questioning the people around the mall, looking as if they were searching for something… or someone. Tumble rose an eyebrow. ''Hey, bro, isn't that the rabbit from earlier?''

''Yeah, and she decided to tattle,'' Rough growled. Both were observing as another kid talked the crocodile, only to feel a cold sensation when the kid pointed towards where they were hiding. The crocodile then called for the rest of the group and started walking towards the alleyway where Rough and Tumble were at.

''Uh, bro, we got discovered!'' Tumble said. But, instead of panicking, he and Rough exchanged. ''Finally, there's gonna be some action!''

Meanwhile, the Chaotix, Knuckles, Shadow, Touka got a lead, with Cream and Cheese following them with a worried look on their expression. She walked up to Shadow, giving him a slight look of guilt. ''I hope that none of you will get hurt because of me, Mr. Shadow.''

''No one will get hurt besides the bullies who stole from you, Cream,'' Shadow replied, but Cream remained concerned. ''We're all capable fighters.''

''I don't really like fighting. Mother always said that I should resolve any arguments peacefully,'' Cream replied, lowering her head, only to look up and smile. ''But, I'm happy about the support.''

''Chao!'' Cheese cheered, glad to see Cream cheering up. Shadow nodded in response, only to stop when they arrived at an alleyway between two buildings. Vector, Espio and Charmy glanced into the alleyway, spotting several stolen things lying on the ground and a dumpster positioned in the middle of the alleyway. As the group entered it, two skunk ARNavs suddenly leapt from behind the dumpster and onto it.

''Prepare to be in awe-''

''Because we're ready to rumble-''

''Meet the Skunk Bros, Rough and Tumble!''

The Chaotix, Cream, Cheese, Knuckles, Shadow and Touka were a bit baffled by this sudden entrance, with Rough and Tumble striking a pose in hopes to intimidate them. Knuckles narrowed his eyes and took a fighting pose.

''Be careful, these guys are highly coordinated,'' he said. Shadow, who was standing next to him, had his arms crossed on his chest and the most unimpressed look he could manage. Only a couple of days ago, he had defeated one of the most dangerous entities on Earth, and now he was dealing with two ruffians. They were nothing to him.

''They're not a threat to us,'' Shadow responded. Vector crackled his knuckles.

''If you're done with your introduction, then it's our turn!'' Vector fist-pumped, as he continued in a mix of sing-song tone and rap-speaking, ''Team Chaotix! We're detectives you want on your side! Team Chaotix! We have directives, tracking down your crime! Come along for the ride, truth can run but not hide! For long, the game is on now!''

''Shut up! You can't just steal our thing!'' Tumble growled, suddenly leaping in order to punch Vector, but the crocodile dodged it and swung with his heavy tail, sending Tumble flying and slamming against the dumpster. ''Grrr, not fair! You have a tail and I don't! You'll pay for that!''

''Leave them to me, bro!'' Rough now leapt in, only to be forced to dodge when Espio suddenly fired a barrage of shuriken at him. He grinned, only to cry in pain when Charmy stung him in the back. While the skunk brothers were busy with the detectives, Cream had spotted the box she was supposed to deliver on the ground and quickly ran over to it to pick it up, but before she could do that, she was grabbed by the scruff of her dress by Rough.

''Not so fast, kid! We stole that package fair and square and you ain't getting it back!'' Rough growled, with Cream trembling back in fear. He then saw Knuckles and Shadow rushing over to him, only to hold up Cream like a meat shield before him. ''If you two try anything, the kid will get hurt!'' Knuckles and Shadow shot him a glare, but didn't move as they feared for Cream's safety. ''Oi, detectives! Let my brother go!''

Vector, Espio and Charmy, who had managed to corner Tumble, turned towards Rough and Cream, and then slowly backed away. Both Rough and Tumble grinned, realizing that no one was going to do anything while they had Cream with them. As for Cream, she gave her newfound friends an apologetic look.

''I'm so sorry, this is all my fault!'' she cried out.

''Don't worry, kid, we'll get you out of there in no time! Crooks like these two won't get away so easily,'' Vector assured her. Cream gasped in surprise when Rough suddenly placed her down, keeping a tight grip on her arm.

''That's what you think, leatherhead!'' Rough replied, with Cream feeling her arm bruising. She suddenly spotted an angry Cheese shouting at the skunk brothers, clearly demanding to let go of her. But the skunk brothers just laughed at the Chao.

''Oh, and what do you think you'll do, squirt?'' Tumble asked while laughing his ass off. Cream and Cheese exchanged determined glances, with Cream exhaling in resignation.

''I really really don't like to fight but… it can't be helped,'' she said, then took a deep breath and shouted, ''Cheese, get them!''

Rough and Tumble stopped laughing when suddenly they were hit with a barrage of punches from Cheese, causing Rough to let go of Cream and allowing her to escape. ''Why is that little thing so vicious?!''

Once she stopped next to Touka, Cream turned around. ''Cheese, I'm safe!''

Cheese then flew back to her, with Rough and Tumble turning towards the group, clearly furious about this humiliating defeat. They were about to get their revenge, but their eyes widened in shock when Knuckles and Shadow suddenly appeared, punching both of them in the gut and sending them flying and hitting the ground hard.

''Ughh… What happened, bro?'' Tumble asked, still dazed from what had happened.

''I don't know, bro…'' Rough replied, rubbing his head, only for both him and Tumble to get startled when they saw Knuckles and Shadow approaching them with murderous looks on their expressions, both of them ready to beat the two skunks up. ''Uh, bro?''

''Yes, bro…'' Tumble glanced at his brother.

''Let's scramble!'' Rough suddenly shouted, with both getting up and running away, shouting, ''This wasn't the last you heard of Rough and Tumble!''

''Scramble doesn't even rhyme with Tumble,'' Knuckles said, glancing at Shadow, who looked like he was about to go after them, but decided against it. They turned back to Cream, who managed to pick up her package, while the Chaotix and Touka picked up the stuff the skunk brothers had stolen.

''We should bring these to mall security to they can return them to their owners,'' Espio said. Vector nodded, grinning in satisfaction.

''I'd say that this was another case completed,'' he said, only for his expression to fall. ''Although, I suppose we won't get payed for this.''

Espio elbowed him, with Vector giving him a sheepish look, while Charmy just laughed. Cream and Cheese approached them, both smiling happily.

''Thank you so much for helping me! If you have free time, you could come to my house for tea,'' Cream told them.

''I guess that wouldn't be a bad thing,'' Vector said, glancing at Espio and Charmy, who nodded in agreement. ''Yeah, we have free time!''

''Great!'' Cream then turned towards Knuckles, Shadow and Touka. ''You are also invited!''

The three in question also agreed. If anything, they could at least accompany Cream and Cheese back home. Touka then turned to Cream with a curious look on her expression. ''I was wondering, what's in that package?''

''You'll find out once we're back home,'' Cream told her.

xXx

Once they had arrived at Cream and Cheese's home, which was at a suburban area at the eastern side of Kita, they were greeted by another Chao, this one being brown in coloration and wearing a light blue bow tie. The Chao was then followed by Cream's mother, a tall, cream-furred anthropomorphic rabbit with a white muzzle, a small brown nose, brown eyes, and a tuft of dark orange hair on her forehead. She had brown eyelids and dark orange markings around her eyes and on the ends of her lopped ears. For attire, she wore a long lavender dress with a white trim at the bottom of the puffy sleeves and the skirt, a burgundy-fitted vest with golden buttons, a blue or orange ascot, white gloves with gold cufflinks, burgundy low-heeled shoes with a yellow detail and gray soles, and pink lipstick.

''Oh, my, Cream, Cheese; are you okay?'' Cream's mother checked on her daughter. ''You've been away for much longer than I had expected.''

''I'm sorry, Mother, but I got lost and then there were those two bullies who stole my package…'' Cream said, trailing off, but then gave her mother a confident look. ''But, my friends helped me to get it back, so I asked them to stay over for tea as a 'Thank you'.''

''That's really kind of you, sweetheart.'' Cream's mother turned to the group, giving them a kind smile. ''My name is Vanilla, and I want to thank you for helping my daughter. I hope it wasn't much of a trouble.''

''Heh, don't worry, Miss Vanilla. It was no trouble at all,'' Vector said, rubbing the back of his head and giving Vanilla a surprisingly nervous and shy look, feeling his own heart beating fast the moment he saw her. Espio and Charmy gave him a questioning look, wondering why Vector was acting so strange. ''It is our job as detectives to help people.''

''Hey, Vector, why are you so flustered?'' Charmy asked. Vector froze, suddenly turning to Charmy with an annoyed look.

''I'm not flustered,'' he hissed, with Espio sighing as Charmy remaining confused.

''Don't worry, I'll explain it to you when you're older,'' Espio told Charmy. Behind them, Touka cracked a grin, glancing at Knuckles and Shadow.

''I suppose you two can relate to Vector,'' she said, with Knuckles and Shadow giving her a puzzled look.

''What are you talking about?'' Shadow asked her, shooting her a glare. Touka snorted.

''You'll figure it out soon enough,'' she said. Vanilla then clapped her hands.

''Then, let's go prepare the table for tea,'' she said, turning to the two Chao. ''Cheese, Chocola, you can help Cream with the pie.''

''Chao, chao!'' Cheese and Chocola responded in unison, with Cream turning to her newfound friends, showing them what was inside the package.

''That's what I was supposed to deliver. Mother had sent me to get the cheesecake pie we had ordered from the bakery,'' she explained.

''Can't believe that Rough and Tumble went through all that trouble just for a pie,'' Touka said, giggling in amusement, only to hum in thought. ''Uh, is it just me or did we forget about something?''

''What do you mean?'' Shadow asked, only to get an answer from Knuckles whose eyes widened.

''We forgot about Lily, Rouge, Amy and Minami at the shopping mall!'' he said.

xXx

Rouge huffed, tapping with her foot, while she, Amy, Minami and Lily were waiting at the entrance to the shopping mall. ''How could Knuckles forget about us?''

''I guess he got caught up in something, along with Touka and Shadow,'' Lily said. Rouge just pouted, folding her arms.

''You'd think that he would put a bit more effort now that I'm back,'' she said. Lily, Minami and Amy exchanged sly glances.

''I don't think you'll have to worry about that. From what I've seen, you live in Knuckles' head rent free,'' Lily replied. Rouge grinned.

''That's a consolation I'm happy to accept.''

Links:

#Previous Chapter

#Current Chapter

#Next Chapter

#Sonic Cyber Revolution (Masterlist)

#Sonic Cyber Revolution #cream the rabbit #cheese the chao #knuckles the echidna #shadow the hedgehog #rouge the bat #amy rose #vector the crocodile #espio the chameleon #charmy bee #rough and tumble #vanilla the rabbit #chocola the chao #sonic idw #knuxouge #sonadow #vectilla #team chaotix

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switchbladedreamz · 2 years ago

Text

Beautiful Gothic Cowgirl.

Ryan (last name unknown) x fem!Dutton/Goth!reader fluff :).

Requested? Nah

Warnings? Slight season 5 spoilers, quick mention of miscarriage, slight angst too.

Summary: Your family keeps making jokes about Ryan and you getting married.

The sun streams through the window between the blackout curtains decorated with the phases of the moon. Throwing off my thick black comforter, I get out of bed and head the bathroom connected to my room. A knock sounds at the door while I'm picking my clothes out for the day. A cute black sundress with mesh sleeves, platform demonias with chains and some white and black striped thigh highs. I open my door to be greeted with the lovely smiling face of my boyfriend. "Good morning baby, nice pj's." He smiles, pointing at the oversized shirt of his I stole, pushing past me into my room. "Thank you, it was ethically sourced also how did you get in?" "Ethically sourced my ass, you stole it but you look good in my clothes so you can keep it. Gator let me in, what can I say I missed my girl. My bunk gets lonely". I giggle and pull him into a hug. "Well since you missed me so much, wait here while I shower and I'll let you watch me get ready."

"Nooooo baaaaaabe. Why can't I shower with you?" He crosses his arms and pouts. "Awe baby don't be pouty, aren't you a big bad cattleman and ATF agent? Branded men don't pout Ryan. Besides, dad and I are meeting for breakfast at the country club to discuss plans for my cabin. Which yes, I would love for you to join us." I straddle his lap and cross my arms at his nape, kissing his forehead. "Besides, if you shower with me I'll have to shower a second time." He laughs as I close the bathroom door rebuting with a loud "you didn't mind last week".

10 minutes later, Ryan is asleep on my bed. His boots on the floor and hat discarded on my nightstand. Quickly getting dressed then I do my makeup, adding some fun spiderwebs droping from my winged eyeliner. "You look- "FUCK" I accidentally scream loudly. "You scared the shit out of me". ".. good, let's go eat" he finishes his sentence. "Sorry?" "It's fine, just easily startled." He puts his boots back on and his hat. He holds his hand out to me, I go to take it but he sweeps me into his arms and carries me bridal style down the stairs. "what are you doin?" I ask him, looking at him like he's grown a second head. "Just practicing" he smiles cheekily and kisses my cheek. "Ryan quit actin like an ass." Rip hollers from the end of the stairs. "Oh hush, it's cute. Besides, you're just jealous you didn't think to do so first my love." Beth bites back. "Daddy called and he wants me to join you both at the club but for Governor business." We all head outside and load up into one of the ranch's trucks. Rip drives with Beth in front with Ryan and I in the back. "So Ryan, when were you thinking of popping the question because (Y/n) won't take just any ring, especially one that looks like something a "country gal" would wear." Ryan goes to interject but he's cut off by my sister. "So I'm thinking a gunmetal grey band with a black tone surrounded by tiny emeralds besides, I mean you've been dating for two years, I think it's time ." "Aaaaaah lalalalala Beth, stop. We haven't talked about it. You're 100% correct in the ring but I want it to be a surprise!" She shoots Ryan a wink and turns back in her seat. Rip is chuckling to himself while Ryan laces his fingers through mine and holds my hand. His smile is breathtaking. The love in his eyes fills me with warmth. He kisses the back of my hand and mouths "i love you". I respond by kissing the back of his own hand. "Good luck, man." Rip, still chuckling, says to Ryan. A rare smile on my brother in law's face, rare since it isn't directed at my older sister.

We're gathered at the table, then Kayce and his family walk through the doors. Kayce speaks as he is seated, "So. Ryan, I wanted to ask you. Will you be moving in with (Y/n)? I mean it has been two years since y'all started datin man." He clears his throat and adjusts his seat, he looks to me for reassurance, I squeeze his hand I'm holding under the table. "If you and your family allow it, it is what we planned to do, yes." Then dad looks to me "There is no allow, all my children do what they want despite any protest they might hear. And he makes you happy sweetheart?" "Yes he does, very much." A blush spreads across my boyfriend's face. Out of the corner of my eye Beth's shoulders shake, she's trying to hold back her laughter at poor Ryan's blush. I shake my head, my own shoulders rolling with my giggles. "Oh daddy, don't forget what we discussed about their house warming party". I go to interject, my mouth open as dad holds his hand up to stop me. "You're gettin one honey. Beth will help you decorate the cabin how ever you want. Rip I want you today to tell the other hands Ryan is moving out of the bunkhouse." "Yes sir I will. I'll have the guys help y'all move in too, (Y/n/n). It'll be my wedding present." He chuckles again, like in the truck. Ryan's face is beet red. "Y'all're gonna give the poor boy a heart attack before we even get to move in." I laugh a little louder, it spreads around the table. It feels good. Soon, heads are turning to look. They recognize daddy at the head of the table and quickly go back to their meals.

"so daddy when will the cabin be ready for us to move in?" Finishing what food is in his mouth first, "it already is. I want you two in there tonight. The boys have already moved your bed and vanity out of your room and into the master bedroom. I had Teeter and Jimmy's uh fiancé move your clothes and everything else over. Babygirl as of an hour ago, your room is bare." I stand up and walk to him, giving him a big hug and kiss his cheek. "Thank you, and thank you guys. I appreciate every and all that you do." They all just dismiss my appreciation with a hand and all day a variation of "it's what family's for".

"Excuse me daddy, I was wanting to take us girls to a few boutiques around town for the cabin, do you think you boys could take one vehicle back together and leave one with us?" Beth asks, this is news to me. She looks back at me and gives me a wink. "Yeah honey that's fine. I'm happy my girls are spending time together again, the ladies will take my car and us boys will go back in the ranch truck." "Thank you dad" I say, "don't worry about it (Y/n/n). Call it a wedding present". A loud laugh rips from everyone at all. Ryan pulls his cowboy hat down to cover his harshly blushing face. "Aaawe baby, don't hide your pretty face. The red really brings out the embarrassment in your eyes" I joke and pinch his cheek. He swats my hand away and kisses my cheek.

Hours later and it's dinner time, my whole family and everyone from the bunkhouse is in my new living room drinking my new beer. Ryan and Colby laughing together. My boyfriend and his boyfriend. Lloyd comes to pat me on my shoulder. "You done good girlie, they don't make cowboys like us and Ryan anymore. And hey, if you get tired of him you know where to find me." He wins chuckling, he's always been so playful with everyone. "Well then I guess I'll just have to meet you at our regular spot" I play back. "Lloyd, quit flirtin with Ryan's wife" Kayce laughs and yells from across the room. Ryan heard it and he makes his way towards us. I put my hands up in faux surrender. "Well...I did want to wait until we've lived together for a while, but now is better than ever. And everyone has made the joke today, almost ruining my surprise." Colby comes up to him and hands him a red velvet box. No, I mean yes, but. There's no way.

"(Y/n) (M/n) Dutton, I remember the first day I saw you. You were wearing this exact dress and socks, this beautiful gothic cowgirl. I'd never seen anything like it. Your hair was black with bright red underneath. You caught me starin and you smiled. It's like I was floating among the stars. Lloyd told me it was rude to stare and told me who you are, my only response is that I was gonna marry you someday. He said "yeah maybe when spider fly" then I told him that's terrifying. Anyways, I love you and have since I first saw you. Will you do me the honor and make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?" I can't see Ryan anymore since my eyes are blurry with tears, I nod frantically. "Fuck yes, now get up here and kiss me". Looking me in my eyes, makeup running, he slips the ring on my finger, "Yes ma'am." Cheers resound through the small cabin. I see everyone try to slyly wipe their own tears away. The kiss is searing and full of everyone emotion left unexpressed. After we pull away I notice everyone has their phone out. Teeter is the first to hug me and congratulate me, only because I had asked her to bring me another beer seconds before Ryan proposed. She goes back to the kitchen sitting on the counter, where Ryan was, next to her man Colby.

Everyone forms a line in front of the pair of us. My family in front of me and the hands in front of Ryan and they criss cross between us to congratulate the both of us. Cheers, tears, appraisal, and happiness runs rampant through the house. Jamie walks through the door looking around nervously. "It's fine Jamie, you're not going to be exiled for wanting to congratulate the happy newly engaged couple" Beth yells from counter, she was chatting with Teeter about something I couldn't hear. "What? Who got engaged? I came looking for dad" Well that stings. The hell does he mean who? Who else would it be? Its the beer. And the emotions. That's why it happens. "WHAT THE FUCK AM I TO YOU JAMIE? FUCKING ROADKILL?" I shout. Anger bubbling quickly, and it's released just as quickly. Its just the beer and emotions in the air I keep telling myself. Totally not the resentment I bare towards him. Ryan grabs my arm but I rip it out. "No. Get the fuck in here and tell me congratulations and a hug like a brother would or I'll tell Beth what you did.. and dad."

He looks sick to his stomach and looks between the two aforementioned family members. He rushed to my side and hugs me. "I am happy for you little sister. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart." The smile on his face is forced. Little bitch. He goes to dad but dad blows him off to hug me tight. "Tell me later sweetheart.". He then pulls Ryan into a gruff hug that makes him grunt from how tight dad is squeezing him. I think it's an actual display of strength and not a (soon-to-be) familial embrace. Jamie and dad go out to the back yard to talk. Kayce pulls me to the couch to sit, I'd been standing since we got home. We were all tired though all I did was shop today but it was a lot of walking. Tate sits in my lap and tells me he's happy for me and asks if he can be the ring bearer. "Of course you can buddy boy, anything for the best nephew I've ever had. On one condition though." Kayce gives me that look, he got my joke but it breezes over Tate's head. Monica mirrors Tate and sits in Kayce's lap. "He's your only nephew, (Y/n/n)" she chuckles. I smile wide at her and pull my sock and boot off. Showing my new tattoo, a memorial for John, a memorial for the nephew I lost. Monica and Kayce hug me tight, squishing Tate in the process. Monica whispers she loves me in my ear. "Wait what's the one condition?" Tate pipes up. "Oh yes, right. You have to ride my horse Ida B. Hay Bales down the isle." Kayce laughs loud, shouting a "what the hell? That's what you named your new horse?" "Yes! Take your problem elsewhere Mr. Dutton. I'm a modern day feminist." "Okay, okay, turn down the heat sis. I just ain't heard no horse name like that before." I huff and roll my eyes, pushing his arm. Hopin the push I put no strength behind will make him fall over. He scoffs and does the same. I do it again but harder. Then Tate pushes him too. "yes buddy boy, it's two against one I think we can win! Help me defeat your daddy". He lets out a war cry then pushes against his dad's arm, I put my hand below his and push. My brother copied his son and shoves me. Oh it's on. But the backdoor slides open before the "fight" can devolve into a sibling fight. "Kayce quit hittin your sister." Dad's gravelly voice says, I stick my tongue out at Kayce showing off I've won. He chuckles and shakes his head. "Auntie (Y/n/n) can I have another juice please?" Tate asks, Kaycee shakes his head no while Tate looks at me. "Yeah baby go getchu one outta the fridge, there's also some peeps on the counter get you a couple and bring me one and a beer back please". He thanks me and shouts excitedly about the prospect of sugar. Monica gives me a dissaproving look but I just point the blame to Kayce. A wonderful evening.

#yellowstone #ryan x reader yellowstone #fluff #ian bohen #Yellowstone fluff

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nessiesspeakeasy · 23 days ago

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Kinktober Day 18: Handcrafted (Age Difference)

Lori, alone for ten years, finds new life when a dragonkin, thirty years her junior, takes a strong interest in her.

~~~

Rated Mature. Original Dragonborn Character(s), Original Human Character(s), Age Difference, About thirty years difference, Two Dicks, Fluff, Condoms, telepathy.

You can read this on my AO3.

Lori sipped her morning coffee on her front porch, watching the townsfolk begin their day. They waved at the fifty-six year old as they walked by. Thomas stopped by like he did every day, bringing her her favorite donut.

“Morning, Lori. The market’s finally up.”

“Oh?” She looked around at her garden, full of different, exotic plants and flowers. “That’s wonderful. I’ll go visit them today, I need a refresher course on my flowers, a couple didn’t make it from last year.”

He waved her off and she ate her donut in peace while she finished her coffee. The day was bright and sunny and beckoned her out of her little house. She looked down the road and saw, in the distance, the canopy tops. She washed her cup and went into her bedroom, deciding to change into a sundress. The drawer of the dresser fell out, the wooden tracks completely shot. Lori almost dropped it, several dresses spilled onto the floor. She sighed and spent the next few minutes gently settling it back in and folding the dresses back in. She really needed to get a new one. She pulled the top half her hair back loosely and put on her favorite sun hat. She paused and went back to her small vanity on the dresser. She put on a simple necklace and matching earrings. Why shouldn’t she dress up to have fun?

The walk to the street market was short. The warm sun and light breeze filled her with joy. She greeted her neighbors who ran their own stand. She had a few mesh bags she put their fruit and vegetables in. Her favorite shop with exotic plants was her longest stop. She asked them about proper care again, wondering what she’d done wrong with her failed flowers. They suggested a different kind that she didn’t have yet. They were loaded into a cardboard box and she thanked them before moving on.

A sweet pastry in hand, Lori passed by an area with wooden furniture. She went over, putting the rest of the pastry in her mouth and wiping off any leftovers. She shifted the box of plants to her other side so she could touch the wood grain with a clean hand. There were tables, chairs, bed frames and dressers. Lori wandered over to those, finding one just a little larger and longer than her own. He stopped at her waist and had a larger mirror on top.

As she opened and closed the drawers, impressed at how smooth it was, a dragonkin came over to her. His spines and horns were brighter and smaller than older ones, but his horns were fully formed, meaning he was a young adult.

“Hello!” He said, towering over her by at least a foot. It would have been intimidating if his charm hadn’t softened his features. “Can I help you with anything? I can hold those flowers while you look. I’m Enox.”

She smiled at him, taken by his strong build and beautiful orange scales that shifted to a rich red. Why not? Why not let the handsome dragonkin help her out? “Thank you! I’m Lori.” She handed him the flowers. “These are beautiful pieces!”

“Thank you, my kin and I made these together.”

“Which one’s yours?”

He nodded to the one she stood at. “I’m very proud of this one.”

“You should be! It’s gorgeous. I was just thinking I need to replace my old one. The tracks are shot and the drawers are warped and having a larger mirror would be nice.” She eyed the price tag. It was underselling for the amount of precise craftsmanship. She had enough savings that she’d be able to afford it at the proper amount it should be sold for.

“I can’t think of a better person for it to go to, a beautiful piece should belong to an even more beautiful woman.” He grinned.

She laughed. “No need to butter me up, I was already going to purchase it.”

“I was only speaking the truth. How do you want to pay for it? Do you have anyone who can help you take it home?”

“Card and no, I’m afraid I’m all alone. I’m sure I can pay some of the younger boys to move it for me.”

“No, I can move it for you.”

Her brows rose. “Don’t you need to be here, helping customers instead of old women?”

“Do I want to be waiting around for someone to critique our work who has no experience in woodworking or help out a beautiful woman who appreciates art because she is art?” He clicked his tongue. “It’s a no brainer for me.”

Lori could feel herself blushing. “Well, if you insist!” It had been years since anyone had cared to flirt with her. Her husband had long since passed and any positive energy from her kids had moved with them out of state. The closest she got was Thomas’ donut.

He led her to the kiosk where she paid for the dresser, adding in a five hundred dollar tip.

Enox’s eyes widened, his tail began to wave around emphatically. “Fifteen hundred dollars! That’s too much!”

She waved him away. “I’m paying well under what it’s worth already. Your work is wonderful.”

The older dragonkin nodded humbly. “I admit I told him to undersell it since it’s his first piece he made himself. I’m glad to be proven wrong.”

He reached into the cash box for the keys. “I’m borrowing the truck, dad.”

His dad eyed him. “Don’t take too long.”

Enox scoffed and set to work moving the piece in sections onto the truck. Watching Enox lift everything himself, arms and back flexing with enormous strength was a sight that kept her attention. She tried to be subtle, only showing small glimpses of appreciation. He loaded up the flowers into the back seat and held the door open for her. She climbed in with minimal effort, which she was proud of.

She held the door open for him, which let her a little more openly marvel at his strength. He put the dresser together in her living room before taking a property look around her small home. “Wow! This place looks-”

“Like an old lady lives here?”

He shook his head. “Like whoever lives here loves it and takes care of it.” His tail patted the walls. “I can feel it.”

“Really?” She looked around. “Well, this place does have a lot of good memories to it, though I worry now that it’s just me, if I have enough love for it.”

“You do.” He winked.

She smiled, her heart warming.

He looked around. “So, where is this going?”

“Oh! Right! Uhm, right in here.”

Enox followed her into her bedroom. A queen sat in the middle, though, it had been ten years since anyone else had used the other side. In that time, she’d made the room all hers, which she left a twinge of embarrassment now that someone else was in it. She’d brought plants and little cottagecore decorations to make it feel whimsical, but it was suddenly feeling so childish.

“Excuse the decisions, I know it's childish.”

He gave the room a once over. “I think it’s nice. Very natural.”

She laughed. “Now, I know you’re just being polite!”

Enox shook his head, which almost scraped against the roof. “I love nature. I work with it everyday. It feels like a fairytale in here.” His eyes landed on the dresser. “Is that it?”

She looked at the sad excuse of a dresser. “Yes, it was my childhood dresser and it’s finally showing its age.”

Enox nodded, his hand feeling over the top. “What are you going to do with it?”

“I don’t know, really. I can’t think of anyone who’d want it, so if you’d like to call dibs, be my guest.”

His eyes lit up. “Yeah? I’ll absolutely take it! I can fix it up and bring it back to life.”

She smiled. “I’d love that.” She took a deep breath. “Well, I should empty these out for you. Would you like something to eat or drink while you wait?”

“I’ll have some coffee.”

In the kitchen, she heated up the water and cleaned out her french press. “How strong do you like it?”

“Very strong.”

She nodded and poured several spoonfuls, looking up at him. He leaned forward and took her hand in his and scooped out a few more. His hands felt sturdy around hers. They made eye contact and she felt herself flush.

She let go of the scoop in the coffee bag, resting her hand in his. Her heart fluttered wildly. “How old are you, anyway?”

“Twenty-five.” His thumb rubbed circles in her palm. “Plenty old enough to find your company exhilarating.”

“That’s thirty-one years.” She wasn’t sure if he meant what she thought it did, so she sounded more amused than careful.

He hummed and brought her hand to his lips, kissing them. “I don’t mind if you don’t. I love being around priceless treasures.”

She laughed and huffed. “Oh for heaven sakes! You’ve had me blushing stupidly since we first met.” She patted her cheek with the back of her hand.

Enox grinned wide. “Yeah, I love how it lights up your face.”

She moved away and grabbed the pot of boiling water and poured it over the large amount of coffee to steep. “I suppose I should go clear out those drawers…”

“If you want to. I wouldn’t mind spending a little more time with you.”

Her breath came out light. “And just what did you have in mind?”

Enox went to her and gently removed her sun hat. “Well, not to be too bold, but I’d love to kiss you.”

She looked up at him, the last bit of reality clutching to her sense and reason. “You’re not just… Trying to make an old woman feel attractive are you?” Her words were breathy, scared and hopeful at the same time. She didn’t know what she wanted the outcome to be.

He held her hands, looking at them compared to his rougher ones. “Don’t short change yourself. You’re very pretty and very sexy. I don’t make a habit of flirting with everyone just to get a rise out of them. I like you and would like to get to know you.”

Even if it wasn’t true, what was one moment with a younger man? What did she have to lose? Nothing anymore, it was just her now. “Alright!”

He wasted no time kissing her. She gasped, gripping his arms to sturdy herself. She was moved to the wall where she was pressed against it. Her arms wrapped around his neck, dragging her to her tiptoes. He kissed her in a way that made her melt.

“Can I touch you?”

Her breath was shaking as she nodded. “Yes! Why not? Do what you’d like!”

A low rumble rolled up his throat. “Don’t say that, that’s dangerous.” His hands snaked under her dress, gripping her thighs and lifting her off the ground so she was more level with him. Her back rested against the wall as her legs wrapped around his waist.

“How?”

He kissed her. “Dragonkin can take that and make that mean anything. Sure, I can make love with you, but that could also mean move in or claim you…”

Her heart thundered against her chest at the idea of that. “I… I see…” Her legs were spread wide, pressed against his crotch. He kissed her chest, long tongue slipping under the neckline to her nipples. She gasped, feeling herself grow wet and wanting. “C-claim an old woman? Wouldn’t that… Wouldn’t that be taboo?”

Enox huffed out of his nose, the heat almost too much on her chest. His tongue flicked her nipple while wrapping around her breast.

I love your age, Lori. Age is only a problem when one half can’t understand what any of it means. If we both want it and understand what it means, I don’t see why it should matter.

She realized he was talking to her through her mind, his mouth still occupied. Her body was electric, wanting more from him than he was already giving. She rocked her hips, the friction making her shiver. Enox’s tail slid under her panties, hissing in delight when her wetness coated the tip. It pulled her panties to the side. Between plating, two cocks poked through, rubbing against her slit. She moaned loudly, turning to putty.

Enox made the same throat noise. So soft, so beautiful…

She gasped, her chest tightening at his kind words even as pleasure rippled through her.

Do you want me to put on a condom?

“I… I don’t have any…”

I do.

“I-” she moaned, rubbing against his cocks as best she could off the floor and pinned to the wall. Enox stilled, removing his tongue to kiss her neck. She blinked and breathed and finally nodded.

He set her down, making sure she was steady on her feet before pulling two condoms out. Lori watched. Away from his strength and intensity, she began to doubt his reason for pursuing this. Pursuing her. She glanced at the mirror of the dresser that waited for her. She was disheveled. She went to it, combing out her hair in controlled panic. What must she look like to him?

He turned to her, eyeing her through the mirror. He went to her, saunter intimidating, having much more confidence than Lori ever felt she had. His hands wrapped around her waist and he kissed her neck. She leaned into it, but some of her carefree demeanor had wilted.

“Would you feel more comfortable on the bed?”

She winced. “Is that too plain?”

“Nothing about you is plain.”

She laughed and began to feel the energy between them reignite just as bright as it once had. He led her to the bedroom, laying her on the bed. He kissed her, hands roaming to cup her breasts. Her legs spread wide to accommodate his large frame, feeling small under him. He rubbed against her as he kissed over her body, savoring her as best he could before she grew impatient and ground against him.

He pressed against her, slipping his bottom cock in while the top one rubbed against her clit. She moaned loudly, back arching. He pulled her dress down and sucked her breasts into his mouth. Enox’s tongue wrapped around it, squeezing and rubbing her nipple.

It wasn’t long before Lori was pushed enough to whisper. “Harder?”

Enox rumbled in his throat, picking up a pace that floored Lori. He did not hold back, thrusting hard against her. She became a mass of screams, gripping onto as much of him as she could, muttering “YES!” over and over. Their tongues collided as she came. It drove her dragonkin lover wild. His hands gripped her hips, securing her tighter to him as he thrust faster, forgetting himself. The bed rocked dangerously, but all either cared about was how close he was and how close she was to another orgasm.

He bellowed low in his throat, vibrating through himself to her as he took a final plunge and came, digging deep into her. She ground on him, grasping for her own orgasm one last time. She breathed, vision blurry. Enox’s head was pressed against her collar bone, quivering as she slowly stopped grinding on him.

You’re so beautiful.

The awe in his thought did not escape her. Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to cry. She’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be wanted and she didn’t want this young dragonkin to see her become a blubbering mess.

He went to kiss her and then stopped and she knew she’d been had. “Did I do something wrong?”

The tears overflowed. “Goodness, no! Don’t mind me, really, just-”

“Please don’t.” His plea was gentle and almost sad. “You keep putting your age down like it makes you hideous.” He slowly pulled out of her. She sat up as he pulled her legs over his lap and rubbed them. “You’re the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen. I love your age, it makes you more beautiful to me than anyone else.”

Her chest tightened again and she laughed nervously. “You keep saying that and I’ll cry even more.”

“Is that why you’re crying?” He reached out a hand to her.

She took it, letting him rub the back of it with his thumb. She nodded. “It just got the best of me, that’s all… I didn’t realize how long it’d been since I’d been intimate. I didn’t want to ruin the mood.”

He kissed the palm of her hand. “I don’t think you did. It’s important to be open about these things. If you need a little space, we can have that coffee now?”

“Oh! I bet it’s cold!”

Enox got off the bed and helped her stand. He kissed her hand again, eyes watching her reaction. He grinned when it still made her flush.

They settled on the porch to enjoy their cups. Enox sat in a chair kitty-corner to her while she curled into a chair, tucking her legs to her side. As relaxed as she felt, she was still too vulnerable without her panties.

Enox sipped his coffee. “Thank you.”

“Of course. So, what are you going to say when they ask why you took so long?”

He grinned. “I figured I’d just tell them I met my future mate.”

She fell into a fit of giggles. “Stop it!”

“I love your laugh. I did tell you it was a dangerous thing to do to tell me to do what I like.”

She looked him over and found him serious. She frowned. “Wait… Wait, you’re serious?”

Enox leaned over the arm of the chair and rested his head on his hand. “I’ve never been more serious.”

She sputtered, wanting to bring up once more that she was thirty years older than him, but remembered the sadness in his eyes when she did. “Is… Is that allowed?”

He laughed. “I’m an adult, they can’t tell me what’s allowed and what isn’t. I know I want to spend more time with you and make you laugh and other things.”

Her face flushed again.

“Like that.”

#kinktober 2024 #monsters #rated mature #fluff #male dragonborn/ female human #age difference #two dicks #condoms #telepathy

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pastelraccoons · 1 year ago

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SuleMio Week Day 7: Gardeners

(If you’d rather read this on AO3, you can read it here!)

Suletta stared hard from her porch towards the rather empty backyard. She had just moved into her new home and unpacked everything, but something definitely felt off about her outside space.

It’s too lifeless, she thought. Suletta scratched at her cheek. Maybe I could get some chairs and a table? Oh, maybe some plants for a garden? That would be nice.

She nodded to herself. She pulled her phone out of her pocket to search for local greenhouses. After all, she’d rather support smaller businesses than some giant company. She quickly opened her browser and searched for ‘greenhouses near me.��

After scrolling for a little bit, one finally caught her eye: the Rembran Greenhouse. It was only about a mile away, an easy enough bike ride for her, and the reviews were phenomenal. They mainly mentioned the sheer variety of plants available and that the owner knew what she was talking about.

“Sounds like the perfect place!” Suletta said to herself.

She slipped her phone back into her pocket. A small grunt came from her when she pushed off the railing of the porch. She quickly ducked inside to grab the small backpack she kept by the door so she could easily bring back any plants she bought. Suletta paused for a moment to lock the door behind her. Then, she jumped off her porch, ignoring the few steps that led into her yard. She made her way towards her bike that she had propped against the side of her home.

Picking it up, she threw a leg over it to perch herself onto its seat then pushed off towards the greenhouse.

-----

The summer sun warmed Suletta’s skin. A slight sweat clung to her forehead that she wiped away with the back of her forearm. Several large greenhouses were lined up in a neat row. A small, white truck branded with the greenhouse’s name was parked nearby. The rumble of a lawnmower from somewhere in the distance cut through the air. She carefully leaned her bike against the fence at the entrance.

The gravel pathway crunched beneath her shoes. Peeking into the first greenhouse, she could see rows upon rows of brightly colored flowers. Concentrated pollen tickled her nose then made her let out a loud sneeze. With a sniff, she shook her head.

I don’t think I want to grow flowers, Suletta stuck her hands into her pockets while moving on to the next building. Something practical would be nice, like vegetables.

Suletta stuck her head into the next one to see more of the same. A disappointed sigh fell from her lips as she moved on.

The last seemed promising when she stepped inside. The heat and humidity inside pressed down on her when she started to move through the rows of produce. Anything she could imagine seemed to be in there. Brightly colored peppers were to her right and fragrant herbs to her left. As the choices swam around her head, the sound of what she assumed was a shovel being stabbed into soil finally registered in her ears.

Suletta walked in deeper until she finally found the cause of the sound.

A rather petite woman knelt down in front of a bed of tomatoes. A wide brimmed hat shielded her face from the bright summer sun that shone through the windows of the greenhouse. Silvery hair flowed down her back from beneath it. Her lightly colored sundress had been smeared with soil, though she seemed to pay it no mind. Thick, tan colored gloves that seemed a bit too big covered her hands. One of which held a small rake in its grip. She wore a calm, loving expression on her face as she tended to her plants.

She's so pretty… Suletta thought.

"Uhm, excuse me?" she stuttered. "Are you the person who I should talk to?"

The woman stopped moving to look up at Suletta. She smiled slightly, causing her gray colored eyes to crinkle at the corners.

“Yes, I am.” She stood up, pulled off one of her gloves, then extended a hand towards Suletta. “Miorine Rembran. I’m the owner of this greenhouse. How could I help?”

“Oh!” Suletta accepted the handshake with a smile of her own. Even though Miorine’s hands seemed delicate, she could feel several callouses in her grip. “I’m Suletta. I was interested in growing some vegetables in my backyard.”

“Have you ever grown anything before?”

Suletta shook her head. Miorine clicked her tongue then motioned towards the tomatoes she had been taking care of.

“If that’s the case, tomatoes are actually a decent starting plant. Since we’re at the beginning of the summer, they’ll grow wonderfully.”

Suletta pressed her hands against her knees to bend down and look the plant over. Very small, obviously unripe tomatoes grew on their vines that were wrapped around a sturdy piece of wood. A hum buzzed in her chest.

“If you think so, then I trust you.” Her smile widened when she looked back at Miorine. “May I get one of these, then?”

Miorine nodded then knelt back down. It was then that Suletta noticed a small toolbox practically bursting with gardening tools were at her feet. A moment of noisy rummaging later, and Miorine held a trowel in her hand. With meticulous precision, she carefully chose a good looking tomato plant and dug it up. She carefully held the bundle of roots in her hands as she plucked an unused pot from a stack nearby. Once she placed it inside, she offered it to Suletta.

“Since you’re starting out, I’m assuming you don’t have any tools or soil?” Miorine asked.

Suletta shook her head again. A laugh bubbled up from Miorine’s chest.

“I thought so. Then come on. I’ll help you.”

Suletta’s head spun at all the new information being shown to her. But as she followed behind Miorine, she thought it might not be so bad.

-----

Suletta stood up with a grunt. Sweat made her hair stick uncomfortably to the back of her neck, but she felt satisfied nonetheless as she looked down at her newly planted tomatoes. It looked a little sad, being the only thing she had for now, but she couldn’t deny how proud of herself she was.

“And it was all thanks to miss Miorine helping me,” she said to herself.

All day she couldn’t seem to get the gardener out of her head, even while she was hard at work. She brought a gloved hand to her face to brush the hair and sweat from her eyes.

“I wanna see her again and tell her how I did…”

-----

The next day, Suletta hopped back onto her bike and went back to the greenhouse. Now that she knew which building had the vegetables, she headed straight for it. Again, she looked up and down the various rows of plant-life, though this time looking for Miorine.

Her shoulders dropped when she couldn’t find her. A disappointed frown pulled on her lips.

“Ah! Miss… Suletta, was it?”

Suletta spun around to see Miorine in the doorway. She carried a small palette of barely sprouted plants in her hands. She wore another, different colored sundress from yesterday, and the same wide brimmed hat. Her strangely graceful movements had Suletta staring when she approached.

“Miss Suletta?”

“Ah! I’m here!” Suletta’s posture stiffened once she realized she had been staring. “I’m sorry! I zoned out for a minute there!”

“It’s probably the heat. It gets rather hot in the greenhouses,” Miorine sighed, obviously knowing from experience. “But what brings you back here? Did the tomato plants not work out?”

“No. I mean, yes, they did!” Suletta stammered, nearly biting her tongue. “They’re fine! I wanted to tell you that I planted them.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m glad to hear you had no issues.”

Suletta responded with a hum and a nod.

“Actually, would you mind helping me choose another plant?” She fidgeted slightly with her hands. “It looks kind of lonely with only one. That’s not really a garden, is it?”

Miorine gave her a bright smile that strangely took her breath away.

“I’d be glad to.”

-----

“I think I have a problem…”

Suletta leaned against her porch’s railing with a sigh. She looked out at her transformed backyard. Vegetables and herbs lined her fences. Everything from hot peppers, to rosemary, to her precious tomatoes stood happy and healthy. Only a bit more than a week had passed since she started making the garden, and it already looked like she had it for months. She ran a hand through her hair.

“And it’s all because of Miorine,” she mumbled. “I can’t get her out of my head.”

Suletta clapped her hands against her cheeks to try and clear her thoughts, but they kept going back to Miorine. Back to her hardworking hands. Her flowing sundresses. Her caring smile. Over and over again, like she haunted Suletta’s every waking hour.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Suletta soon gasped from a sudden realization.

“I think I love her…”

-----

Suletta put her bike in her usual spot by the greenhouse’s entrance. It had become like clockwork. Every day she would show up in the afternoon, find Miorine, and ask about another new plant.

Though she had another question on her mind this time.

One by one, she checked each greenhouse. Part of it was to make sure Miorine didn’t happen to be in one of the other’s for a change, but it was mostly so she could delay the inevitable. Unsurprisingly, she found her amongst the vegetables, like she always seemed to be around this time.

Suletta gulped. The noticeable increase in heat inside stopped bothering her after her third or fourth visit there, but it felt stifling that time. Her mouth went dry as she approached Miorine.

Miorine’s eyes seemed focused and a bit distant, like she was lost in thought. It was a stark difference to her usual content look when she worked.

"You've come here every day now, Suletta." Miorine suddenly spoke up, causing Suletta to let out a surprised squeak. She stabbed her trowel into the dirt. She stood up with a grunt and planted her hands on her hips, not bothering to remove her usual thick gloves. "There must be a reason other than the plants. You've bought so many!"

Suletta fidgeted and bit the corner of her lip. She'd been caught red-handed and now she felt stuck. Her eyes darted around to look at anything but at Miorine’s face.

"I just wanted to start my own garden," Suletta stuttered. She figured it wasn't a complete lie, so she thought she could get away with it. "And the stuff you've grown is so impressive that I wanted it to be like yours."

"While I'm flattered you think like that," Miorine stepped up to Suletta and stood on her toes to get in her face. Despite the height difference, her intimidating aura made Suletta shrink into herself. "I'm also not stupid. What's going on?"

“I-” Suletta’s heart pounded hard against her ribs. Her palms felt clammy, so she reflexively wiped them against her shorts. Nerves started to make her stomach churn. It made her want to throw up, but she shoved the feeling down. “I think I love you, Miorine! Would you go out with me?”

Suletta’s face lit up bright red once she registered what she blurted out. She tightly gripped the bottom of her tank top and bit her lip to keep herself grounded. She waited in silence for Miorine’s answer.

Miorine’s eyes went wide. The surprise on her face was obvious. Slowly, a blush of her own spread across her fair skin all the way to her ears. She soon stared down at her feet while biting her lip.

“I thought you’d never ask…” she muttered.

“What?” Suletta couldn’t believe what she heard. “So you mean-?”

Miorine nodded then finally tore her eyes away from the floor to meet Suletta’s gaze.

Something behind that familiar shade of gray felt different. It felt warm and inviting. It was then that Suletta realized what Miorine said.

A large grin spread across Suletta’s face when she threw her strong arms around Miorine. Without thinking, she lifted Miorine off her feet and spun her around in her hold. Her musical laugh spilled directly into Suletta’s ear. The sound caused her feelings to swell. Suletta’s grin widened to the point her cheeks hurt.

What started with visiting a greenhouse on a whim bloomed into a romance she didn’t expect; and she was quite fine with that.

#the witch from mercury #g witch #sulemio #sulemioweek23 #PastelRaccoon Writes

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yandere-writer-momo · 2 years ago

Text

Heart Shaped Wound: Yandere Various Baki x Reader

Chapter 16

Author’s note: I need to calm down my obsession with big boys. But I can’t help but love them. Enjoy!

Quotev link:

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(Your name) twirled in the mirror in her (favorite color) sundress, humming a happy tune. She had her hair down this time, her hair framing her face nicely.

“Zaria? Should I put on a sun hat?”

“I want to know how you keep getting all these dates and why you are always accepting them. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” Zaria hissed, causing (your name) to giggle. “You’ve never been so interested in boys.”

“Well, it’s kind of fun. They’re all so different but they all treat me well.”

(Your name)’s phone buzzed, the young woman glancing at the number in shock.

“Did you give one of your mandies your number?”

“Mandies?”

“Man candies. I just combined it to make it shorter. It helps my little brain picture it better.” Zaria put her finger up to her forehead with a grin.

“It’s just Baki. He’s like a little brother.” (Your name) smiled at the cat meme Baki had sent her. The two had been chatting over the course of the last few days. He was cute too just cute in the way a younger guy was.

Zaria bit her tongue. She didn’t want to spoil (your name)’s smile by telling her that Baki more than likely wanted more with her than a little brother/ big sister dynamic with each other. Maybe more of one of those step siblings scenarios on those risqué websites- perhaps Zaria should get her head out of the gutter.

Maybe she should call Atsushi up to help with her slump? They had a great time on the beach together last night. He was just so enthusiastic and muscular-

“Zaria? What do you think about Jack?” Zaria snapped from her indecent thoughts, her blue eyes staring at (your name) like a deer in the headlights.

“Based on what you told me? He seems nice but he’s pretty rough around the edges.” Zaria took a seat on the couch, playing with one of the beads in her hair. “I think he’d rip you in half if you chose him to sleep with. He seems to be the type of guy to be into being really rough-“

“Hey! Not what I asked!” (Your name)‘s cheeks were set aflame, the poor girl clutching her pearls at Zaria’s vulgur words. “I just asked if… you thought he was nice.”

“I think he is. He’s a wildcard though. And he’s too big.” Zaria pointed out, the young woman leaning forward and placing her elbows on her knees to explain something to (your name). “He is very big and you are very small compared to him. It’s like one of the old iPhone chargers with a new iPhone. It will not fit. If you wear his clothes, you’d drown in them. His biceps are bigger than your head and that’s not even including his triceps. You need to think long term and not short term when it comes to dating. Jack and you would one day take things further and in being as honest as I can with you. You might rip in half if you try to-“

“I don’t want to think about that.” (Your name) ran over and shoved her hands on Zaria’s mouth. “I’m afraid of-“

Zaria licked (your name)’s hands, causing (your name to squeal in disgust at the wet sensation on her palms.

“Of commitment? Of falling in love? Of heartbreak? How about all of the above?” Zaria grasped (your name)’s hands, her blue eyes staring deep into (your name)‘s (eye color) orbs. “Test drive all of your cars before you buy them. Trust me. Hanayama will probably be the best night of your life but Katsumi would probably be the gentlest.”

“No. Stop trying to put your evil, brazen thoughts into my head.” (Your name) tried to pull away but Zaria held on.

“Trust me. It’ll be easier to pick someone if you go that route. Plus you’ll know how they’ll be if you spend the rest of your life-“

“You’re thinking way too far ahead. I’m not ready for a for life guy quite yet.” (Your name) stated. “I’m just having fun and dating. I don’t think I’m quite ready to truly open my heart up for one man yet.”

“Is it because of Jun? But he was such a scumbag, (your name).”

“Hey was my scumbag though.” (Your name) sighed, pulling away from Zaria. “I just like flirting with danger, I guess.”

“I wonder what gave that away? Illegal underground fighting? The yakuza boss you fancy? Or the guy who looks like he eats babies and fights bears for fun? And doesn’t he have titanium teeth? He bites people like a lunatic.”

“You’re incredibly judgmental for someone who used to be an escort.”

“They’re not paying me to be nice to them and look pretty on their arm so frankly I do not care to watch my tongue.” The two shared a laugh, Zaria crossing her arms. “I just worry about you. You always find yourself with these weird men who are absolutely obsessed with you. Are you secretly a bruja and you’re not telling me? Because I want to know how to cast spells on guys to make them obsess over me like that.”

“And why would you want someone to like you like that?” (Your name) asked teasingly.

“One because I’m bored. And two, because god gave me two holes-“

“You’re done. I am now leaving to go on my date.” (Your name) whipped herself around, making a beeline towards the door.

Zaria only laughed before frowning. (Your name) was so naive to not think that those guys liked her way more than she thought. Zaria just worried her friend would find herself in the same predicament she was in with Jun. And Zaria believed (your name) deserved the very best.

“Just please be careful on who you love this time… your mom and I can’t protect you forever.” Zaria whispered to herself before going into a prayer. All she could do was hope and pray for (your name)’s best interests. She was an adult now and there was nothing Zaria could do to stop her from making a decision.

(Your name) arrived at the pier, the slight breeze running through her hair like soft fingers. (Your name) clutched her sun hat close to her head so it wouldn’t blow away. Her eyes glancing around to look for Jack.

A familiar giant sat on a bench, his brown eyes observing (your name) search for him. Jack smirked at the cute expressions she made, he loved how eager she was to find him… not to mention how cute she looked in a sundress. She still had all her muscles but she still looked feminine. And Jack loved it.

Jack stood up, making his way over to her. His eyes watching her expression light up when she spotted him. His heart warming at the idea of her looking forward to seeing him. Jack loved this small bit of normalcy he was getting, even thought he, himself, is anything but normal.

“Jack! You’re such a big man and I still struggled finding you.” (Your name) teased, her hands reaching out to hug Jack. Jack snaking his arms around her to greet her with a hug. She smelled amazing and she was so soft and warm… He found himself lingering in her warm touch a bit longer than socially acceptable. Hopefully Jack hadn’t made it awkward with embracing her for a bit longer than intended.

Jack rose up, his eyes scanning the various food stands around them.

“Have you ever tried takoyaki?” Jack asked, pointing at a stand with cute pictures of octopi on it. (Your name) pursed her lips, her head tilting cutely to the side.

“I don’t think I have. I’m not every well versed in Japanese cuisine.” Jack grinned down at her.

“Well we’re going to try a little bit of everything. Hopefully your appetite is big.” Jack licked his lips, his eyes holding an insatiable hunger in them. He doubted (your name) could keep up with his large appetite but he was betting she was going to try to feed him things. And he looked forward to getting a chance to lick her cute fingers. Jack just wanted a taste of her and this would be enough to satisfy his growing desire… at least for now.

“I doubt I can eat as much as you.” (Your name) teased as they stood in line for takoyaki. Her hand wrapped around two of his large fingers. “I’m not quite as big as you.”

Jack glanced down at her hand, his body shivering at the size difference. It shouldn’t have riled him up as much as it did but he felt absolutely feral just being near her like this.

“Jack?” Jack snapped from his musings, holding her hand with his entire hand now. His giant hands easily covering her entire fist. “Is there something on your mind?”

“You’re just very cute is all.” Jack replied with a smirk, watching her face blush a bit. “It feels like a dream that you’re hanging out with a guy like me.”

“What makes you say that?” (Your name) chuckled, a small smile on her pretty lips. “Maybe I’m lucky to be with a guy like you?”

Jack threw his head back and laughed. She was cute. How on earth would a girl be lucky to be with him?

The two ordered their takoyaki, Jack smiling at the excitement on (your name)‘s face.

“Do you love to eat?” Jack asked, his chest feeling warm when she smiled up at him.

“Well besides fighting, I love to eat, cook, and sleep. I think those are my only other hobbies. I’m a pretty simple person.” (Your name) joked, her hand still holding onto Jack’s. “Do you have any hobbies?”

“My whole life revolves around fighting and getting stronger.” Jack replied, thinking to himself. “But I also enjoy eating. I don’t sleep much.”

“What?! Sleeping is the best!” (Your name) gasped, her hand squeezing his.

“I just have a hard time sleeping since the steroids have made me so unstable. I have horrible mood swings and a horrible sleep schedule.”

“Have you tried sleeping beside someone else?” (Your name) asked curiously. Jack biting his lips to prevent all the dirty thoughts to travel through his whole mind and body. “Cuddling is pretty calming. I used to crawl in bed with Zaria when I couldn’t sleep at night. She was so sick of me.”

“No. I don’t really have anyone in close to like that.” (Your name) frowned, giving Jack’s hand another reassuring squeeze.

“I could lay with you sometime.”

“I do not have good impulse control so I don’t think we’d sleep much.” Jack replied suggestively, his words going over (your name)’s head.

“Well its healthy to find another outlet for impulsive behaviors. Have you tried reading? That stopped me from impulsive shopping but sometimes I give into buying a new top I don’t need.” Jack laughed loudly, his hand giving (your name) a gentle squeeze.

“Never change. My impulsive urges are not shopping but violent and risqué behaviors. It’s a side effect of the super steroids.” Jack leaned down to kiss (your name)’s head. “How about we go sit down so we can eat these takoyaki before it gets cold.”

“Okay, Jack.” The two walk over to sit on an empty bench. Jack digging into his food the fastest while (your name) was barely a bite in. “Did you taste any of it? I promise you I wasn’t going to steal it.”

(Your name) took a bite of the takoyaki, the savory flavors melting on her tongue while the chewiness of the squid surprised her. They weren’t too bad. The fried outside was a great contrast to the chewy inside.

Jack’s eyes looked down at (your name)’s lips, a bit of sauce on the corner of them. Jack bit his cheek at the opportunity before him. Should he take it? He probably wasn’t going to get another chance like that.

“You have something on your face.” Jack gently brushed his thumb across her soft lips, his body shivering at the sensation.

“Thank you, but now you have sauce on your thumb. Do you need me to get a napkin?” (Your name) eyes widened when Jack’s long tongue darted out to lick his thumb, her whole face flushing at the cocky smirk on his face.

“Delicious.” (Your name) averted her gaze down to the floor. Jack chuckling at her blush, he was satisfied with her cute reaction. His hand scooping up hers in his to give it a sly kiss.

“That was smooth. You have me flustered.” (Your name) muttered as Jack continued to study her pretty features. “Sometimes I fear you’re going to eat me.”

“Only if you let me.” Jack teased, his brown eyes glancing over at the other stands. “We can walk around for a bit and check some other things out.”

Jack stood up, gathering their trash to throw away in the waste bin. He couldn’t help but smile a bit at how natural this felt… how natural it was to be with (your name). It was odd for him to enjoy someone else’s company like this. He had been a loner for most of his life, training endlessly to the point his body could no longer keep up with him.

“I like spending time with you.” (Your name) admitted aloud to the blonde, Jack freezing in his steps. He glanced down at her soft expression. “I feel very safe when I’m with you.”

Jack took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm that was brewing inside of him. He would be patient with her. He wouldn’t bend down and kiss her in front of everyone here… unless she asked.

“You make a lot of faces when you’re thinking.” (Your name) giggled, Jack giving her a hum in response.

“And you’re just cute in everything you do.” (Your name) turned her head away from him to hide her blush. Jack smirked. He loved that she wasn’t used to so many compliments, he hoped it made him stand out against the others.

A figure stood a bit in the distance, their brown eyes narrowing at the scene before them. He’d wait a bit until he approached, that blonde man looked powerful and he wasn’t sure if he could take him.

Jack and (your name) sat on a bench together, (your name) groaning.

“I’m so full. I don’t know how you can eat so much.” Jack smiled at her, the giant man leaning back to stretch his arms.

“I’m a big man with a big appetite.” Jack replied, (your name) beaming at him.

“You’re still a bit hungry aren’t you?” (Your name) asked, Jack flushing a bit in embarrassment.

“Yes. I can’t hide anything from you can I?”

“You can go grab something real quick. I’ll sit here to take a breather.” (Your name) smiled at Jack, Jack pursing his lips in thought.

“I’ll just go grab something from this stand right here. I’ll be about three hundred feet away from you.” Jack told (your name) as he rose up from the bench.

“I’ll be right here.” (Your name) smiled, Jack grasping her hand and giving it a kiss.

“I’ll be back. Don’t run away.”

“Would you chase me?”

“Yes. I would.” Jack teased, the giant man giving her one last look before turning on his heel to go to the food stand close by.

Jack narrowed his eyes at a man of average height wearing a olive green dress shirt making a beeline past him. The two bumping into each other slightly, the shorter man not even apologizing to Jack.

Who on earth was that rude guy wearing a bandana on his head? And who did he think he was? Jack shook his head, he shouldn’t get angry over something so trivial…

“Mi amor! We’ve finally been reunited!” Jack quickly whipped his head around to see the man approaching (your name), his eyes narrowing at the surprise and fear on her face. “I’ve missed you so much, I was afraid i wouldn’t remember what your face looked like if I never saw you again.”

Jack began stalking over, listening to every word this pretty boy began spouting to (your name). His hands clenched up so tightly that blood dripped from his palms. He wasn’t going to let this guy do anything to (your name).

“Jun? What… what are you doing here?” (Your name) rose up from the bench, backing herself away from the ex convict. Her body beginning to sweat nervously. She hasn’t seen him in five years… no letters and no contact. Why was he here?

“I’ve been sending you letters but I’m guessing you never got them… your mom was trying to keep us separated. But not to worry, mi amor! I’ve taken care of her-“

“What did you do to my mom?” (Your name) shook, balling her hands up into fists. If it came down to it, she was going to fight Jun if he came any closer. What on earth had that lunatic done to her mother? He didn’t hurt her, did he?

“We just had a long, long talk. She’s a lot more accepting now that we exchanged words. She gave us her blessing finally-“

“I haven’t seen or heard from you in almost five years… you left me behind in Brazil. We are not anything anymore.”

“I have all the evidence of the letters on my ship. Just come with me and I’ll show you, mi amor! I can tell you all about my time in the Arizona prison while we sail back to Brazil and finally get married-“ Jun barely dodged Jack’s punch, the ex convict chuckling at his massive the blonde pit fighter was. “Oh wow! Who’s this guy, mi amor? Another suitor your mom gave you?”

“Please stop. I finally moved on from you.” (Your name) placed a hand up to her forehead feeling a massive headache coming on. This was another problem with Jun. He never listened to her and always did whatever he thought was best. A shame prison didn’t get that mindset away from him.

Jack stood between the two, his brown eyes glaring at Jun with hatred. He was going to protect (your name) from this creep. He’d fight tooth and nail if he had to.

“Who is this guy, mi amor? He’s so scary looking. Did you hire a body guard since your mom kept sending you all those suitors? You’re so smart, mi amor! I love that you still remained loyal to me after all these years-“

“Jack is my boyfriend.” (Your name) stated, wrapping her hand around Jack’s two fingers. Hopefully Jack would catch onto what she was putting down.

The blonde froze in shock, his body shivering in excitement at her words. He was her boyfriend… him and not Katsumi or this weirdo in front of them. Him.

“No way. He’s not your type at all!” Jun motioned to himself, his brown eyes narrowing at Jack. “He’s big and he’s covered in scars. Mi amor, this man is ugly-“

“I think he’s really attractive and strong.” (Your name) leaned her head onto his forearm gazing up at Jack dreamily. “He’s very attentive and he listens to me.”

“Let go home, mi amor-“ Jun’s eyes widened when Jack wrapped his entire left hand around Jun’s hand. Jun nearly falling to his knees when he felt the blonde harshly squeeze his hand. Was this monster of a man trying to shatter his hand? How on earth was a man this strong?

“Let’s go home, Jack.” (Your name) told Jack, the blonde smirking down at Jun, releasing his hand.

“It was nice meeting you. Please refrain from seeing my girl ever again.”

Jun clutched his poor hand to his chest, helpless watching as (your name) walked away from him with that monster… did that monster threaten her? Was he keeping her captive and that’s why she didn’t run into his arms?

Oh his poor cariña must be so scared! She probably needed saving from that big, bad man and Jun would be more than willing to be her hero! He would save her from that monster’s clutches!

Jun held his hand tightly, determined that the scenario in his head was the truth. There was no other explanation on why his precious cariña would be so hostile.

Jack and (your name) finally made it away from the pier, the two almost back in the city. (Your name) shivered the whole way.

“Thank you so much, Jack.” (Your name) felt herself tear up a bit, Jack immediately bending down to hold her. “I was so scared… I’m scared to even go home. What if he follows me?”

“Then spend the night with me. I can protect you.” Jack whispered, his head laying on top of hers. “I’ll make sure nothing happens and I’ll beat that guy up within an inch of his life if he tries to even so much as look in your direction.”

“Okay… I’d have to get up extra early so I can make it to work on time.”

“I’ll walk you back in the morning.” Jack pressed a kiss to her head, his arms holding her much smaller form to his body. His mind relishing on his perfect she felt against him. How right this felt.

(Your name) never had to worry again because Jack would protect her from anything that wished her harm. Even if it was at the expense of his safety. She was worth it.

._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._.

Author’s note: we’ll soon get some Retsu time and eventually Kureha time too. I just have a huge soft spot for Hanayama, Jack, and Katsumi. Thanks for the patience and support! I’d love some feedback and I was debating adding Sikorsky to the list but I’m unsure yet. Let me know! Thanks for reading!

#female reader #yandere #yandere imagine #baki hanma #baki the grappler #yandere fic #jack hanma #kaoru hanayama #katsumi orochi #baki x reader #yandere x reader #yandere x you #baki son of ogre #baki the grappler x reader #retsu kaioh #baki kaoru hanayama #yandere baki #kiyosumi katou #sikorsky

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thefleetsfinest · 1 year ago

Note

This was a terrible idea, why had she let herself be talked into this again? "You get out there! Go on some dates!" and "Okay, one date didn't didn't work out and you had to call the fire department, try again." She made a friend than, and sure they had been a young reptilian patient in the end, and maybe she should have argued to Stephen that he was her friend, and her two associates that now spent most of their days in the clinic were her friends as well.

Miracles really, and not small ones. Leonard's been amazing, a great help in a lot of things and he along with Luna had made the clinic more lively. Not that it wasn't with some their frequent patients (Spider-man and Hawkeye were a chatty bunch).

Yet she would try again when even Jane had encouraged Stephen's sentiments. It's a different date, and she really already hates the internet and online dating. Why couldn't she meet some sweet Southern doctor with passion in his light eyes and a sense of humor like Leonard's and they hit it off the old fashioned way?

Why's it gotta be dating profiles these days?

Technically today's date is not a doctor, and it's a brunch which she has no clue if that's odd for a date or not. It was a nice day, so being out or eating on a patio might be nice for a date setting, daytime romantic.

Linda had opened up the clinic with Leonard, and after two appointments seen to; she's ducking away to get dressed. When she returns to the lobby, it definitely feels weird not to be in her nursing uniform or scrubs.

A light-colored sundress put on in place and she's let her hair down than pulled a few strands back for a half up but mostly down. ❝ How do I look? ⸻ Not too much for a brunch, right? Should I have brought a sun hat? Sitting on a patio could be nice, but hats aren't date appropriate, yeah? ❞

She's maybe stalling a little because she really doesn't know what to do with getting out, and was maybe trying to more so that Stephen would stop worrying over her. For a guy, who really screwed up with her, he's became a good friend.

❝ I owe you, can't thank you enough for handling more things here and well, letting me dip out this afternoon. ❞

It was just a normal work day for Leonard, nothing special or out of the ordinary. ( Outside of Linda's date. Which he definitely isn't grumpy about, why would he be grumpy? It's none of his business who she dates, even if he did think apps were just about the DUMBEST way to find someone to settle down with.) There had been the SMALLEST of selfish thoughts of finding some reason he couldn't cover the clinic while she went out, but in the end.. he couldn't bring himself to disappoint her.

So there he was, finding himself FIDDLING with the files, finding every which way to PROLONG the entire task of putting them back in their respective secure spots. ( Mostly adding his little notes from the important, slowly written so it was at least MOSTLY readable. ) when she had finally come back FRESHLY CHANGED, and looking like something out of a MAGAGINE.

For the BRIEFEST of moments, Leonard stood just STOOD THERE staring at her, taking in every last detail. Everything from the way her dark hair waved and curled, to the flow of her sundress, the color of her cheeks all the way down her just how GOOD her legs looked.

What was he suppose to be answering again?

"You look down right STUNNIN'" It was the first thing he managed to blurt out of his mouth, and it was the HONEST truth. "I don't know nothin' about fashion so you are barkin' up the wrong tree about the hat... though I think you look perfect just the way yer are."

Was he still talking?

"Don't sweat it, It's not like I wasn't gonna be here anyways and besides.. at least one of us should try to have a social life." and you deserve to be happy.. "and let's face it I'm a lost cause a this point." a bit of a laugh followed as he clicked at his pen a few times. FIDGETING.

"This feller truly is Lucky to be taking you out on a nice afternoon like today, be a shame for ya to not be out on some nice patio somewhere." He has got to stop and he knows it. So he manages a deep breath, the pen put away. She had places to be.. a SOMEONE ELSE waiting for her.

god he needed a drink.

"Go on get going, yer gonna be late if you keep letting me prattle on."

#✧˖° → So how can these legendary hands help you? [ Inbox Interactions ]#✧˖° → I ain't sure what I'm trying to prove [ 616 Verse ]#♡ ✧˖° → You’ll be my sunny day & I’ll be your shade tree [ Linda || Oceansfirst ]#I HURT MYSELF AT THE END

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flingmetothemoon · 9 months ago

Note

Given that you’re a Sonikal shipper, I have to ask: What do you think Sonic and Tikal’s first kiss was like?

Thanks for this great question, Anon! C: Sorry it took a while for me to answer your question, me was sick with Covid and it was tricky for me to dwell on Sonikal scenarios with a clogged up nose and throat. 🤧

Well, applying this question to the Sonic X world and characterizations, I imagine Sonic and Tikal's first kiss would take place on their first date that takes place sometime before the Metarex arc. For their first date, I imagine they'll hang out at their favorite sunflower field somewhere in Green Hill along with chaperone Chaos while Tails, Amy and Knuckles are busy doing their own thing. (Maybe learning to kick some Eggbutt without relying on their convenient Sonikku-senpai hero to come swoop in and save the day for them every time they face danger) I think that'll be a fitting first date for them considering…

X!Sonic LOVES flowers. All the Sonics from any adaptation loves nature, but X!Sonic in particular has a fixation on flowers. Has time for himself to relax? Smell a flower. Has a sad friend to cheer up? Give them flowers. (EX: Cream in EP7, Helen in EP14 and Amy in EP52.)

Tikal is like a sunflower, (A prominent flower all over the most iconic zone in the franchise ofc) She has a friendly and sunny personality, but gets discouraged and gloomy easily, (Like how she basically wilts when flooded by a storm called Perfect Chaos nonstop without the warmth of the sun) She therefore looks for the sun as the sunlight makes her grow stronger and faster. (How often has Sonic been compared to the sun and light if he's not being compared to wind?) Tikal overall is a warm and sunny person who gravitates towards other warm and sunny people. 🌞 🌻

So during their first date at the sunflower field next to the beach, Tikal hangs out at the field in her white sundress, beige sun hat and brown brim while Sonic chills underneath a palm tree as usual while ocean waves gently hits his blue fur. Having water touch him made him a bit nervous at first, but then he relaxes when he realizes the waves are shallow and not roughly dragging him into the ocean. They both get a bit of time for themselves to think about the relationship. Tikal loves Sonic because she admires everything that he is. His strong will, his love for life, and just how utterly nice he is (a HUGE contrast to her father and his men). He helps her to be someone better. But the relationship isn’t completely one-sided. Aside from her powers from the ME, Tikal can be very firm with Sonic when the need arises. When Sonic wants to go charging into a fight even he can’t take care of alone, she loses that shyness that tends to hold her back and is serious with him. She knows what he’s capable of and mostly leaves him alone when he wants to go barreling recklessly into a fight, but if he’s over his head, she’ll do her best to convince him to allow help.

Meanwhile Sonic loves Tikal simply because not only for his empathy for what she's been through in her life, but because she's not too much different than him beyond her gentle pacifistic persona. Both have a love for their natural world, both have a strong sense of justice and are especially protective of the smallest and the most vulnerable, both crave friendships and adventures, but also tend to thrive better off from alone time for themselves, both feel pain when they fail to save someone even if they express it differently and not only are they saviors to Chaos, but also in a sense saviors to each other. Sonic also thinks of Tikal when he thinks about water. He knows how connected she feels with water considering her friend choices, but seeing sparkling ocean waves radiates peacefulness, softness, calmness and serenity, (Heck it surprisingly feels great on his fur) Ironic, considering water also happens to be one of his weaknesses, but he bravely overcomes it for Tikal's and Chaos’ sake. Tikal then comes up to him with some picked sunflowers and confesses to him how much he means to her, that he's the sun to her gloomy rainstorm, he's the sunlight to her sunflower. She makes him wear a cute sunflower as she does so, which flatters him. 😳

At first, Sonic wasn't sure how to feel about Tikal after the events of Adventure 1/Half of season 2 of X in a romantic sense. Sonic’s experience in love mostly comes from Amy or general fangirls, so meeting Tikal doesn’t register as meaning anything to him at first. But once he spends more time with her, the pieces fall into place and he can smile about it because she’s different, and he likes different. It takes time for her to confess, as she needs to build her confidence and develop, but once she does, they’re able to have a very happy romantic connection. So following her confession, Tikal plants her first kiss on his right cheek. Saying Sonic didn't quite expect it is an understatement. Sonic isn't experienced with giving kisses as physical intimacy isn't usually his love language he cultivated in his life, but he felt like it was reasonable to give her his first kiss in return to show her he might feel the same for her. He was very hesitant to proceed, but when he finally plants his first kiss on her left cheek near her nose, more awkward cuteness occurs. They found each other shyly staring at each other before pulling their faces closer to each other until they planted their first kiss on their lips before sitting together to watch the sunset reflection on the ocean as Chaos watches them through his glowing green eyes underneath the ocean giving a secret thumbs up to the relationship upgrade under the water. Getting physically more intimate with each other was awkward, (Especially for Sonic), but Chaos it was worth it.

Totally didn't rip this sunflower field idea from @moonplata's sunflower comic. Not at all…. 😈

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pesteringchum · 2 years ago

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i read something somewhere abt someone who worked on eene saying that double d would be a woman in the future and idc if its true or if it was a joke but this is canon to me now

eddy

#most of this is based off of nothing but ‘I think this would be nice’#like the sundress and sun hats? i just think it would be nice if she wore them :]#double d #ed edd n eddy #eene #fanart #headcanon #my art #chum pesters

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alstroemeriadissonance · 3 years ago

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Hot Summer (NSFW)

Entrapped - series of smutty NSFW fansequels for Vyn's cards, with their own sort of continuity Pt 01 Layers | Pt 02 House Call | Pt 03 Invitation | Pt 04 Hot Summer

Fansequel to Cool Summer - Vyn takes Rosa to another trip to the countryside.

Little does she know that everything is a ploy to satisfy his need to make right his promise to "blow her mind", something he neglected to do in their last time together.

Double entendres. Food sex. Light bondage. Sex so loud it bothers the other guests next door. Dr. Sexy is back in full force.

"Vyn."

You look at him, eyes blazing with a red-hot mixture of fury and lust.

"Yes, pet?"

Vyn's eyes return your burning gaze, albeit with a cool confidence of someone with the literal upper hand: his hands had just finished tying yours to the bedpost, even using your own hair scarf to do the deed.

"Dr. Vyn Richter," you hiss.

"Yes, Rosa?" Vyn shifts on the bed, with him now sitting cross-legged in front of your prone form with your legs splayed and hands tied above your head.

Your lover's grin slowly spreads ear-to-ear, into something that Marius would call a 'shit-eating grin'. He bites his lower lip for good measure, and when your face gains an additional darker shade of red his eyes take on a look that says "oh, you poor thing".

"What the fuck is going on, Dr. Richter?" You now regress into calling him by his honorific again--calling him by Vyn Richter does not have the same effect as, say, calling Marius 'Marius. Von. Hagen.', so that would have to do.

Of course, he still finds it in himself to feign innocence. "I do not know what you are so riled up about, my dearest Rosa," he says, still with that shit-eating grin. "We picked strawberries. Then when we get back here to wash up, you start assaulting me, and so I have to restrain you," he pats your bound wrists. "Like this."

Your lips tremble as you struggle to find words for a retort.

"It looks like...you need a stiff one." Dr. Richter says, with a gleeful smile. "Or you will..."

He licks his lips.

"...make things hard for all of us."

"VYN. RICHTER." You tug, hard, against your bonds. "I SWEAR IF YOU DO THAT AGAIN--"

Your doctor merely tips his head to one side, still smiling at you innocently.

===

Several hours earlier.

It is an extended holiday in Stellis, and before you can decide to spend your precious holiday doing overtime in Themis Law Vyn does not waste any time inviting you into a weekend vacation somewhere in the countryside.

It is not the first time for the both of you to escape the city together, but it is the first time as a couple, and so you cannot help but be excited on what lies ahead for you and your lover.

"Ah, here we are," Vyn says as he pulls over nearby what seems to be a field of strawberries. The entire valley is a strawberry farm; the strawberry fields stretch out as far as the eye can see. You hop out of the car, brimming with a happy, innocent excitement at the thought of spending time with Vyn picking out strawberries.

"You're letting me get into the fields this time, right?" you ask.

You feel the smooth touch of a silk scarf over your head; Vyn is covering your hair with a protective scarf. "You are properly attired, but you forgot to bring your hat," he says as his fingers straighten out the cloth over your auburn tresses. "Apart from that, there should be no problems this time."

"Great!" You are wearing shorts, a simple shirt, all topped off with a windbreaker, a stark contrast to what you were wearing the last time, which was a sundress. "I'm all ready to get my hands dirty this time."

"Dirty, you say?" Vyn whispers sotto voce. "You may need to specify it a little bit more, pet," he says before he walks ahead of you.

...What was that about?

Not paying it any mind, you take a deep breath of early morning air: the sun's rays are still gentle; the strawberry bushes glistening with dew. It is going to be a nice day for picking strawberries.

Or so you think.

===

After a couple of hours your basket is almost full to the brim with strawberries. You gush at the sight of all the delectable, ripe strawberries crammed into your basket. Tempted, you reach into the basket to take just one...

"Sneaking in a snack, beloved?" comes Vyn's voice as he walks towards you. "It is not exactly forbidden, but you need to keep in mind that the fruit should be weighed before they can be consumed," he reminds you with a kind smile.

You find yourself blushing, a textbook example of a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "I can't help it, they really look plump and firm and delicious!" you cry out to your defense.

Vyn merely chuckles. Then, he bends over to whisper directly into your ear: "Plump, firm and delicious. Just like the way I want you." His voice is low and sultry to the ear, almost purring. "Mmm," he hummed for good measure, before pulling away and giving you the most innocent looking smile he can muster.

You blink at him. Did he? Did he really--?

Your lover's smile remain immaculate, as if he is capable only of talking about how pleasant the weather is, and how beautiful you are. Certainly not someone who can be accused of throwing double entendres...

"Vyn."

"Yes, Rosa?"

"What are you trying to pull?" you ask, seriously. "I don't think you should be doing--saying those things in public."

"Whatever do you mean? I am only telling you how I prefer my strawberries." His fingers then pluck a choice fruit from his own basket, placing it in your palm. "Let me tell you how to properly enjoy a strawberry, pet," he says as his voice once again drops a few registers.

"Take it in your hand, and lick it, slowly..."

Vyn licks his lower lip as he leers down at you.

Then his voice flips to his normal conversational tone. "...before you bite into it. You would find that you will better savor its flavor that way."

And once again, he flashes you a winsome smile, his champagne-gold eyes the perfect picture of innocent mirth.

You merely stare at him, open-mouthed, at a loss for words at witnessing Dr. Vyn Richter incessantly throwing you double entendres with no sign of letting up.

"Please don't tease me, Vyn," your voice comes out as a squeak, clearly affected by whatever he is doing. "Have mercy, please?" you beg.

You squirm uncomfortably, the moisture between your legs now palpable. "I'll...I'll just go and get more strawberries," you mumble as you walk away from Vyn as far as your fruit-heavy basket allows.

Vyn's laughter could be heard behind you.

===

After half an hour your basket is finally full to the brim; done with the picking your stretch your limbs; placing your hands behind your hips you arch backwards as far as you can to relieve your back muscles from being hunched all morning over the strawberry bushes.

"All done now, miss?" says one of the villagers helping out visitors with their fruit picking. "That's a great haul!" he exclaims as he walks over to appreciate your harvest. "Do you want me to help you with carrying it to the weigh-in booth?"

Vyn approaches the both of you, his own basket full of strawberries effortlessly perched on a shoulder. "That would be very much appreciated," he says. "After all, I'm sure my beloved is tired as she spent all day on her..."

His voice once again drops sotto voce, soft but clear enough for you to hear. "...knees."

Your eyes widen at Vyn's audacity to throw another double entendre in the presence of company. Before you can berate him, however, Vyn loudly clears his throat and continues, "I am afraid we ended up gathering too much fruit. Could we have most of our harvest prepared for jam or wine making?"

The villager's face brightens at a visitor's interest with their local products apart from fresh produce. "Of course!" he exclaims, then reaches for your basket for him to bring to the weigh-in booth. "We need to clear out some of our equipment first, why don't you lovebirds go take a stroll somewhere, I will call you when we're ready to weigh your strawberries."

The smile you give the man is a little too taut. "Thanks again! Really appreciate the help," you beam at him as he makes off with your basket.

Then to Vyn, "What the hell? What if he catches onto whatever you're saying? Are you mad?!"

Your lover merely chuckles. "People rarely hear whatever it is that they do not expect to hear," he says simply. "The dissonance will, most of the time, prompt them to default to the most innocent and simplest assumption--that they have merely misheard."

He looks around, making sure that there is no one around to see what he is about to do next: he places his basket of fruit by his feet, a fresh strawberry between his fingers.

Then, as he holds your gaze, he brings the fruit to his lips.

Slowly and languorously he licks the fruit, making a show of it only for you--the tip of his tongue lingering at the tip of the strawberry; finally giving it a flick of his tongue before he pops the entire fruit into his mouth,

Then he smiles--leers--at you as he chews the fruit with gusto until swallowing it.

"Vyn. Please," is all that you can say. Once again you unconsciously squirm in front of him; you wonder if the wetness between your thighs is such that it goes through your shorts...

Vyn merely grins at you.

===

With all fruit weighed, paid for, and currently processed for packing, the both of you decide to check into your room to wash up and change into fresh clothing.

You are quiet during the entire trek to the small inn. Thankfully Vyn does not prod you with his teasing any further, or you would have totally lost it.

The moment you cross the threshold of your room, after you have quietly locked the door with a click, is the moment that you finally lose it.

"Vyn!" His name comes out in a snarl as you, with all your strength, push your lover onto the bed so hard that his glasses almost come off. "What the hell were you trying to do, trying to rile me up, huh?" You climb him, roughly tugging on his shirt in a clumsy attempt to undress him.

Vyn merely laughs as you force sloppy, furious kisses onto his lips. You are unsuccessful with the attempt to take off his shirt, and so your hands give up and try to unbuckle his belt...

"Ah, my impatient beloved," Vyn drawls as he decides he has had enough of your assault on him, effortlessly grabbing your wrists as he carries you to the bedframe. "Enough. You may hurt yourself trying to assault me."

With one hand he pins your wrists above your head, his other hand taking off your headscarf. His dexterous fingers undo singlehandedly undo the knot of your scarf--allowing him to use the silken cloth to bind your wrists to the bedpost directly above your head.

"There. That should calm you down."

Which brings you back to the present.

===

"Oh you," Vyn plants a soft peck on your cheek before climbing off the bed, "I shall be getting some refreshments for us, I will be right back."

What the fuck is happening again? You sit there on the bed--what choice is there, anyway, for someone who is bound to the bedpost--bewildered and trying to understand if there is any reasoning behind your lover's actions.

After around ten minutes of thinking, you find that you cannot come up with any plausible reason at all. The last time that you have made love was more than two weeks ago, and Vyn then was so somber...

The door opens, and in comes Vyn with a wine bottle in an ice bucket, and a small basket no doubt laden with food.

"I brought refreshments," he says, placing the items onto the beside table.

You keep your silence, eyeing your lover warily.

Vyn gives you a smile as he works out the cork of the wine bottle with a wine key. "I shall feed you, my love, my ravishing Rosa..." With the cork pulled out with a pop he then reaches for a wine glass, filling it with merlot.

"And I shall take my sweet time doing so."

Carefully he lifts the rim of the wine glass to your lips, allowing you to take sips of the chilled, red, seductive liquid. It was dry to the palate, but you find the flavor quite intoxicating. It is easy to see why Vyn likes red wines so much.

Vyn takes a sip of wine from the same glass. "This is nice vintage," he murmurs as he swirls the liquid before taking another sip. "I should ask if I can get a few bottles to take home..."

Then he turns his attention to you.

He places the wineglass onto the bedside table, and sidles up to you, covering your body with his as he consumes with a kiss so deep you are left breathless; tasting the heady, intoxicating flavor of wine on each other's tongues. "Mmm. Rosa," he breathes against your lips, his fingers now starting to undress you: shoes and socks pulled off; your shorts and panties slid down all the way to your ankles and down the floor; your shirt and bra pushed upwards to allow Vyn access to your soft breasts...

"Hahaha...I want to eat you all up," he murmurs against your ear, before his tongue licks the shell of your ear to tease out a long moan out of you. "Yess. Moan for me, will you, pet?"

Your thighs shift, the wetness in between hard to ignore. You are practically dripping into the bedsheets...

"God, Vyn," you moan. "Do you really have to tie my wrists to the bed?"

"But of course," comes his instant reply. "If you had enough strength to overpower me, I could even say you could almost rape me. Heh."

"Because--" you try to retort, but no coherent string of words come to mind as his tongue starts lapping up your nipple, his tongue doing the slow lick that he did back then in the fields.

"You were saying, pet?" he briefly pulls away to reach for something from the bed stand. A tub of something.

The label shows that it is a tub of cream.

"...Vyn?"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing with that...cream...?"

Vyn shakes his head. "You are scared of something so innocuous as dairy?" Once again he reaches for something in the basket, and pulls out a bowl of fresh strawberries, cleaned of leaves and ready for consumption.

"One of the greatest pleasures, I find," Vyn murmurs as he takes a strawberry, dipping it in cream before bringing it to your lips.

Your mouth takes the strawberry whole; a bit of cream trickling down your lower lip.

"...is strawberries dipped in cream." He bends over to slowly lick off the cream off your lips.

Then Vyn looks at you with eyes misted over with unadulterated lust; he plucks a strawberry from the bowl, once again dipping it in cream.

Similarly to what he did for you back in the fields he holds your gaze as he takes his time eating the strawberry in the most suggestive manner he can muster.

But this time he deliberately smears the cream from the strawberry onto his lips.

Moving closer to you he proffers his lips to yours, allowing you to lick the cream before taking his kiss.

"Shit," You moan, the food play causing you to practically drip into the sheets. "Vyn, I...I need you to fuck me?"

Vyn sighs, a sigh that bears the sound of regret.

"What's wrong?" you ask.

"My apologies," he begins, "I still could not get over the fact that my deflowering of you was not...so memorable as I have hoped. I was rather consumed by darker thoughts that time."

"Huh? Vyn, wasn't I the one with the problem back then? Which is why you let me act out my regret from the roleplaying game?"

Vyn shakes his head. "Never you mind," he murmurs as he reaches out for the glass of wine from the bedside table. "I--oh."

In a bid to put a stop to the conversation he quite "accidentally" pours wine all over your breasts, the liquid cascading down your stomach and flowing in tiny rivulets off your hips and down to the bedsheets; some trickling down your already moistened pussy.

Your breath hitches as he takes his time licking off what wine remains clinging onto your skin with the flat of his tongue: across your collarbone; all over your breasts; your abdomen...

"There's some wine that made it here, pet," he whispers as he spreads your thighs apart.

"Ah...!!" You yelp as the tip of his tongue, cooled with chilled wine, starts licking the entire length of your slit.

Yet his tongue avoids touching your clit, and no matter how you squirm or move your hips closer to his mouth he avoids giving relief to your most sensitive spot.

"...Vyn," you groan, teeth gritting. "Please. I want--need to come..."

A dark chuckle escapes his lips, muffled by your wet flesh. "Not yet, my pet." He then gives your pussy a wet kiss before pulling away to sit upright.

"Do you really want to come so badly?" Vyn's question is, once again, laden with teasing. At this point you have no choice but to resign yourself with whatever play he comes up with...

"Fuck you, Vyn," comes your reply, your frustration so much that your language turns coarse, dropping all pretense of propriety. "I really, really need to come..."

"Really now..." you murmur in a voice so soft it is almost inaudible.

He then shifts position so that his knee, still clothed in the rough fabric of his denims, are planted directly between your thighs--almost touching your dripping wet sex.

"If you want to come, pet," Vyn's lips curl into a devious-looking grin, "Why not go ahead and rub against me?"

"Vyn Richter."

"Yes. beloved?"

"I swear I am going to get you once I free my wrists," come your sincere threat. "I'm going to fuck and hurt you so hard you will regret even thinking about these things at all."

"Really now," Vyn drawled. "Then why are you still grinding against my thigh?"

True enough, you have planted your wet cunt onto his thigh, grinding your clit against the rough texture of the fabric. The movement of your hips must be quite a sight to behold, as Vyn's eyes are glued to your pussy and the wet stripes they draw onto his denims.

His erection is straining against his pants; seeing the obvious sign of arousal you are further encouraged to continue gyrating over his thigh. "Hahh--gods, Vyn--" you hiss. "Why are you making it hard for me..."

"Because I want to rile you up, pet," comes his simple answer. "Ah, damn, gods. You are so sexy..."

"I'm about to...Vyn, what the fuck?!"

Vyn pulls away his knee, and you are left with nothing to coax yourself into orgasm.

"Goddamn it Vyn why?!" You are almost crying now, "I want to come, you've worked me up so much even back there in the strawberry fields. Why the fuck are you torturing me?!"

"Because..."

Vyn now reaches out to your bound hands. "Riling you up enough is a good way to give you mind blowing sex..."

And the scarf tying you to the bedpost is finally undone.

Your wrists freed, and yourself brimming with frustration, it takes you a record of two minutes to fully undress Vyn, including his pants. You do not know where the strength had come from, but there it is, and the doctor is in front of you fully naked and amused as to how much riled up you are.

You managed to also shrug off the remaining clothing hanging off your shoulders; the both of you now fully unclothed.

"Down, Vyn," you snarl as you push him down onto the bedsheets, your thighs straddling his hips. Your intention is clear--you are going to fuck him, and he is going to lie down there and take it until you come. "I'm going to fuck you. Hard."

Vyn only smirks from underneath you. "I am warning you. It will do you good not to provoke me--oh gods, you feel so good!" His back arches backwards in utter pleasure as your pussy slowly descends upon his girth, your hot inner walls slowly sucking in his shaft.

"Haaaahn--!" You moan out load as you gyrate your hips over his cock with abandon, "I really wanted to do this ever since last time, I just didn't know much about how to--oh god--" you start babbling as you start to lose yourself to pleasure...

Vyn starts to sit up to offer you assistance, but you do not want any of it. "Fuck you, Vyn, STAY DOWN!" you bark your command as you unceremoniously push him back down onto the bed.

"Ah!" He yelps in surprise, clearly not expecting such vehemence coming from you.

Then, you quickly realize, that doing so is a big mistake.

"...how dare you," comes his soft, steely voice, like steel wrapped in silk.

Your world turns, and you find yourself flipped face down onto the bedsheet, with Vyn directly above you. "You dare do that to me?" He hisses as he roughly handles your hips, plunging his cock deep inside you in one quick motion. "I hope you are ready to get what you are asking for, pet," his voice almost comes off as a snarl as he grasps your thighs, railing you hard and fast against the headboard in piston-like movements that prompt you to cry out in...pain? Pleasure?

You don't know which is which anymore--you can't even understand what you're feeling--is it painful or is pleasure meant to feel this way? Whatever it is you are feeling, it feels searing hot, relentless, and tendrils of something imminent start unravelling yet you cannot even focus on chasing that sensation--Vyn's tongue slithering in your ear is too distracting and is sending you into a sensation overload...

"Fuck!" you cry out. "Goddamnit Vyn, I--"

"Hahaha. Hahahaha," Vyn laughs drily in between his rough, hard thrusts that do not let up even for a second. "Shout, cry out, moan out loud like the little slut you are," he whispers. not unlike a demon tempting an innocent into damnation. "You know what?" Another lick inside your ear. "They can hear you, you know. Do you know that our window is open? And that we are only on the second floor," he laughs more, clearly enjoying the way you slightly freeze up when you realize that, yes, the window has been open all this time. "So shout for me, cry out for me, like the slut that you are."

And for good measure he reaches down to massage your clitoris, that bud that was tortured by by his own twisted idea of punishment by deprivation. "Sing for me," he hisses directly into your ear. You bite down on your lip to fight the urge, but when Vyn starts to flick your clit even faster there is no choice but to shout, to cry out how much you want to come, and when the coils of pain-pleasure finally unravel fully and your inner muscles spasm violently there is nothing to do but cry out his name in the middle of daytime.

"Oh?" Vyn murmurs, still not letting up his fucking, as he has not come yet. He raises his hand that was massaging your clit with abandon until your climax--it is soaking wet.

Even more than what natural lubrication that arousal provides.

Then, realizing what has happened, Vyn laughs cruelly even more, and starts to pound into you harder and faster. "Look--hahh--pet," he says in between merciless thrusts. "You squirted. You little slut. Hahahaha--"

"Oh god. I can't take it anymore, Vyn," your voice comes out strangled. "Ahhh--!"

"Just a little more. It will end soon--fuck--!" You feel Vyn shuddering as he braces over you, copious amounts of come flooding your pussy until he slumps onto your back, finally overcome with exhaustion.

===

"Vyn," you say, your head woozy, not quite recovered from orgasm yet.

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry."

"There is nothing to apologize for," Vyn says, his voice flat.

You groan, sidling up closer against his back. "Then why aren't you facing me? Are you angry at me or what? You're not innocent too, you know, you've worked me up too much!"

Vyn, resigned, finally takes a deep breath and turns on the mattress to face you. Then he takes your hand and places it on his stiff cock.

"Please, let me rest," his voice comes out strangled. "I myself cannot keep up with this."

You laugh.

#tears of themis #tears of themis fanfic #tears of themis smut #tot smut #vyn richter #tot vyn #vyn richter smut

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morganofthewildfire · 3 years ago

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Someday

A Rowaelin oneshot based on the prompt: skinny dipping

—————————————————————————-

Rowan Whitethorn knew his wife was hesitant. He knew she was nervous about their beach trip, for a few different reasons.

It was their first trip away from Eliott, even though they had no need to worry because she was safe with her godparents, Aedion and Lysandra. And he knew Aelin knew that, and though she had been fretting about that, cooing to their newborn daughter as they left, he also knew that that wasn’t what was pressing on her mind now.

That wasn’t what was making her so self conscious. It was the fact that she had just had the baby, only a few months before, and she was insistent on the fact that she wasn’t beautiful anymore. No matter how ridiculous that was.

She would always be beautiful, especially now that she was the mother of his child. She’d become radiant. It was such a joy to watch her with their daughter, to watch her face light up whenever Eliott smiled, to watch her softly rock her to sleep, singing to her to calm her down, not even a care in the world about if she sounded good or not.

Rowan just loved her so godsdamned much, a little extra weight after giving birth meant absolutely nothing to him. He just wished it was the same for her.

“Why didn’t we go somewhere cold?” Aelin complained, tucking her chin into her shoulder as they walked out of their private villa. “Somewhere where I can wear lots and lots of clothes.” Rowan just snorted.

“You would be miserable and grousing to me about it.” He smiled at her, and she scowled. He shifted their chairs and umbrella to carry them in one hand, grabbing her hand with his other, gently pulling it away from where it was covering her stomach over her sundress. “Just relax, Aelin. It’s just us here anyway,”

It was true. The perks of being married to an heiress.

His wife stuck her tongue out at him before turning back toward the water to continue their walk down to the beach. They had a nice open air patio up by their house, but they both wanted to be closer to the waves.

They stayed in a comfortable silence the rest of the way down, but she squeezed his hand tightly as they went. And Rowan was the one to set up their little arrangement as Aelin put on sunscreen, only on her arms and legs though, avoiding taking off her cover up.

He sighed, pulling off his shirt and applying sunscreen himself, taking the bottle from her before sitting down. “You’re going to get weird tan lines, love,” he said, chuckling when she hesitated. He knew that would sway her.

“How do you expect me to strip to my bathing suit when you look like a godsdamned Greek god?” She complained, crossing her arms as she sat down. “I refuse.”

Rowan just huffed, shaking his head. “Do what you want I guess, although I don’t understand how you could ever think you look anything less than perfect.”

She just shook her head too, putting her sunglasses and hat on and leaning back as far as she could in her chair. “You can’t convince me, Rowan. You’d be better off saving your energy.”

“For what?” He raised a brow and smirked. “A little sex on the beach perhaps?” A pleased expression formed on his face at the blush that rose on her cheeks. They hadn’t had sex since early in her pregnancy, the strain on her body too much since then. But it had finally been long enough, according to her doctor, that they could attempt trying something again.

Maybe that would persuade her to feel more comfortable.

“I’m not having sex on this sand,” she said haughtily, “that would get everywhere. Besides, we have a perfectly good bed inside.”

“Well that would still require you taking off your dress,” he pointed out. Aelin just smirked, mocking him.

“Then I guess you’ll just have to take care of that yourself.” She slid her sunglasses down, giving a pointed look down to his bathing suit bottoms.

“Aelin -“

“Ah,” she raised a hand, “just stop. It won’t work. Let me sulk in peace.” She leaned back again, soaking in the sun.

“Whatever you say, love.”

——

Imagine his surprise when he got out of the shower later to find the love of his life crying on their bed. He rushed to her, still in his towel, and crouched in front of her, where she was perched on the edge.

She’d finally taken off her cover up, likely preparing to go shower after him, revealing her bathing suit.

Aelin was wearing a creamy white one piece, the color contrasting gorgeously with her lightly tanned skin. It was cut fairly conservatively in the front, only showing off a bit of cleavage, while plunging lower in the back.

She looked absolutely stunning.

But it seemed she didn’t think so.

“Aelin,” Rowan said softly, grabbing her hand. But it didn’t seem to reach her in her distress.

“Why do I look like this Rowan?” She cried. “I look at my body and I don’t even recognize it!” She clutched at him like he was her lifeline. “I absolutely adore Eliott, and I never would wish that we never had her, but I also can’t help but wish for my old self back. I hate all this extra weight on my body, I hate that I don’t look as good as I used to, I hate that I don’t look good enough for you anymore! You say I still look beautiful but I know that can’t be true.”

“Aelin,” he repeated, and she finally took a breath, looking at him with watery eyes. The devastated and vulnerable expression on her face was heartbreaking. “I know this is hard. I know this is a whole separate challenge that I can’t relate to. But think about Eliott huh? You said you could never regret having her, right?” She nodded hesitantly. “Then focus on that piece of joy, on that miracle.”

It had been a miracle, after several failed months and lost pregnancies, it had been a wondrous present when they finally got this chance.

“And it won’t be this way forever,” he soothed, running a hand up and down her thigh. “But if it is, then you can be assured that you are still the most beautiful woman in existence, the most wonderful and stunning and the only one for me. My soulmate.” She sniffled. “And because of all of that, hell, regardless of all of that, I don’t care about a little bit of extra weight. Not at all.”

She was crying again, but it wasn’t from sadness he knew. But he still helped her to a stand, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips before letting go of her hands.

“I’ll be right back,” he said quietly, before darting back to the bathroom and pulling his bathing suit on. When he returned to their bedroom, Aelin was fidgeting on her feet, clutching her stomach again. He just grabbed her hands, leading her toward the porch that led directly out to the beach. “Come on.

“What are we doing?” She asked, her brows furrowed as he led them down the darkened beach.

“Just trust me,” was all Rowan said, smiling at her. When they got closer to the waves, he let go of her hands, immediately reaching for the tie of his bathing suit. She raised her brows, staring at him as he stripped down to nothing.

In front of anyone else he would feel embarrassed, but he never did, never could in front of her.

“Are you trying to seduce me, Rowan Whitethorn?” She teased, smiling at him. He chuckled, but just took a few steps so he was in the warm water.

“Are you going to join me?” He took another step, but shook his head when she started walking in. “Nope. You have to take that off.” He gestured to her bathing suit, and she paused. “No exceptions.”

She huffed, considering, and he thought she was just going to stay on the sand, he really thought. But then her hand went to her strap, peeling it off her body slowly, a bright red flush on her face visible even in the dark.

“Don’t laugh,” she pleaded, and he just shook his head.

“Never.”

Soon enough, she was as naked as him, hands going back around her bare stomach, as if she could block it from his view. Rowan just held out his hand, waiting for her as she awkwardly clambered into the water, grabbing him when she almost tripped. He held both her arms and led them further into the waves, so they could both float in the calm water.

But he never let her go, even when they were deeper, his hands sliding down to hold her around her waist. She dropped her head to rest on his shoulder, her legs going around his waist. He ran a soothing hand up and down her back. She chuckled incredulously when she felt him half hard against her.

He couldn’t help it, she was always sexy to him, especially when there were no clothes in the way. Her soft curves, her golden skin, the muscle that was temporarily gone but would soon be back, he was attracted to every single inch of her.

“See?” He teased, “I’m still ridiculously attracted to you.”

Aelin lifted her head to press a deep kiss to his lips, her mouth saying everything she didn’t need to say out loud. He returned the sentiment, clutching her tight to him as they made out in the warm water, one of his hands going up to tangle in her wet golden hair.

Eventually they broke apart and he smiled at her. “Do you want to make baby number two?”

She laughed, the bright sound and the radiant look on her face making his heart swell. “I think we need to wait at least a few more months for that.” She rested her forehead against his.

“But someday?” He asked, and she nodded.

“Someday.”

Taglist:

@lexflame @in-love-with-caramel-macchiato @camilamartinezdunne @rolltide7 @sleeping-and-books @tottenhamboys20 @firestarsandseneschals @yesdreamblog @jlinez @superspiritfestival l @courtofjurdan @booknerdproblems s @1islessthan3books @ireallyshouldsleeprn @imaginedhaven @fangirlprincess09 @lauraisfae @claralady @sassys-world @booksbqueen @aelinashryvergalathynius18 @sexy-dumpster-fire @http-itsrebecca @perseusannabeth @throneofmak k @emilyoftheshadows @poisonous00 @thegoddessofyou @highqueenofelfhame e @chieflemming @thesurielships @annejulianneh111 @tomtenadia @aflickeringsoul @woollycat22 @empire-of-wildfire @jesstargaryenqueen @gracie-rosee @wanderingjpg @cicada-bones @shyvioletcat @thewayshedreamed @rowaelinismyotp @miserablesmusings @grandma-noob-lord @myworldofbooks @danibutterr @wordsafterhours s @vanzetanze @dangerouscherryblossompenguin @sailorsassley @rainbowcheetah512 @live-the-fangirl-life

#throne of glass fanfiction #rowaelin fanfiction #rowaelin #rowaelin au #throne of glass #rowan x aelin

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stop-saying-tootsie · 3 years ago

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the ghosts and what they would wear if they were alive today!!!

robin

definitely into ripped up band shirts that he’s cut the sleeves off of

would have a denim jacket for when it’s cold

jeans, but buys one pair a year and cuts them up into shorts when it’s hot out

a pair of steel toed boots

generally just a huge diy guy

humphrey

would try to keep up with whatever the youth is wearing

a fan of brighter clothes in the summer

like button ups and stuff

generally sort of quieter but the button ups are important to him, they’re his bit of confidence (totally not projecting)

so older shirts like robin, followed up with a brighter hawaiian type shirt

also funky socks!!

when it’s colder out he definitely has a ton of sweaters

mary

i think she’d love a nice sundress

something simple but colorful

like i can see her loving a gentle blue dress

but she’d have dresses with pockets bc she’s cool

kitty

loves to dress like her friends honestly

doesn’t have too much of her own style but then again that IS her style

she also likes nice dresses, but it’s not unusual for her to be in a jumper like the captain or humphrey when it’s cold

she’s actually stolen quite a few of theirs and they don’t mind

thomas

oh god

dark academia wannabe

he tries to dress all fancy every day

but also he loves denim

finds robin’s cut up clothes atrocious

wears good shoes every single day

he would enjoy long sleeved button ups with sweater vests but everyone laughs at him

bc he looks like a child

fanny

old lady

jk jk but also like. not

she’d also wear dresses but not like mary’s, hers would be not quite so bright

cardigans probably

accessories galore!! she has so many rings and necklaces and stuff

the captain

very serious all the time

dresses like he’s got an office job

ties and button ups and khaki pants

tho he does throw a jumper over it when it’s cold (he owns cardigans too don’t argue w me)

also rolls the sleeves up a lot

casual wear?? what is that??

no bc on weekends he always has some project (dad™️)

so he wears heavy boots and shorts and old t shirts

but no one ever sees this so. cannot be confirmed (except pat)

pat

this guyyyyy

we know he wears funky jumpers

honestly dresses like a tourist a lot

he has a lot of just very cool polos and such

would love thrifting so he can keep an 80s dad style

wears tight shorts and is unashamed

has a big sun hat he wears when he gardens (totally not while the captain works on his projects)

julian

also always in a suit but only because he thinks it’s sexy

it’s not julian

his casual wear is very golfer-esque

bright shorts and polo shirts

it’s sorta funny but also suits him

#can you tell i ran out of ideas for the girls #im so bad at visualizing i’m sorry #i feel. so passionate abt robin #six idiots #bbc ghosts #them there

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justfrozenthings · 4 years ago

Text

Eternal Happiness

Paring: Anna/Kristoff

Rating: G

Word Count: 1,431

Notes: Just a little fic I wrote for @annaofthenorthernlights. Hope you enjoy this fluffy family fic I wrote!

Summary: Anna and Kristoff spend a nice day on the lake with their newborn daughter Amara as they reflect on the happy times of their life together.

Anna hummed a soft tune as she cradled her newborn baby Amara in her arms. “She has your nose. Thank goodness,” Kristoff chuckled as he sat beside his wife on their bed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, and happily looking down at the little bundle that they had created together. “And your hair,” Anna sighed dreamily, resting her head on his shoulder.

Kristoff rubbed small circles along her back. “You know. I used to think I never needed anybody, that it would just be me, Sven, and our boat. But then- well then I met you. And now here I am. I have a beautiful wife, a loyal dog, a great boat, and now a little girl that I can call my own.” Tears began to swell in his eyes as he thought about how lucky he had been. “I couldn’t be any happier than I am right now.”

Anna kissed his cheek, “Me either.” She rose to her knees and nestled herself in Kristoff’s lap, being careful not to disrupt little Amara from her slumber. “Tell you what. How about tomorrow we take the boat out for a nice little cruise on the lake. I figured we’ve been so busy as of late it would be nice to take a little break.” She looked down at the sleeping infant in her arms, “Plus. Amara hasn’t been on the boat yet and I think she’s old enough to go out as long as we’re careful.”

Kristoff beamed at this suggestion and kissed the soft ginger hair on his wife’s head. “I could not think of a better way to spend a day with the two girls I love most in the world.”

-----------

Anna placed Amara in her stroller and pulled the hood down so that the sun would not be beaming down on her. Anna dawned a huge white floppy sun hat with a cute little white sundress printed with sunflowers and brown sandals to match. She pulled down her sunglasses as she sat on the front porch, carefully rocking the stroller back and forth while she sipped on an ice-cold glass of lemonade. Kristoff was still in the kitchen packing up their lunches. As she waited, Anna closed her eyes and listened to the sweet chirps of the birds and the soothing music from the chimes that were being blown in the light breeze. She daydreamed about her life and all the opportunities that she had been blessed with. Growing up, she was often lonely. Her sister Elsa and her used to be very close as children, until one day she grew very ill and, in worry, their parents kept them apart so that Anna would not catch it as well. Though she knew her parents meant well by doing this, as they were told that the chances of Elsa surviving were slim, it still caused her to have just the tiniest amount of resentment towards them. However, that was all in the past now. Elsa had pulled through and Anna had fixed her relationship with her sister and now their bond was stronger than ever. Not only that but she had found happiness with Kristoff and now had a daughter made from their love. Kristoff always called himself the lucky one, but Anna thought that, if anyone was lucky, it was her.

When Kristoff came out with a reusable bag filled with their lunch he saw his wife looking ever so peaceful on the porch swing he had built. The sun cast a radiant glow upon her ivory freckled skin and her hair looked like wildfire. Gently setting the bag down he kneeled in front of her taking her hands in his. “Hey. Anna, ready to go?” Anna gave a small yawn and stretched her arms over her head. “Yep. Oh, did you make sure to pack the sunscreen?”

He gave a small nod. “Everything is all packed and ready.”

Together they strolled down the street of their neighborhood, holding hands and pushing the stroller as they laughed about the good times of the past. One story, in particular, made Anna laugh so hard, lemonade came out of her nose.

The story was about their first kiss and how awkward the both of them had made it. Both were too nervous to ask or give any sort of hint that they were ready to take their relationship to the next step. But, as Kristoff dropped her off on her front porch he decided that it was now or never. However, instead of forming one coherent sentence, it came out all scrambled and tongue-tied. At some point within the sentence Anna swore she could have heard him say “we me,” but he was rambling so fast that she couldn’t be sure.

When the little family had reached the marina they made sure to stop by and say hello to friends and neighbors. They had let those hold Amara who had already met the sweet baby and introduced her to those who hadn’t.

Eventually, after Kristoff had to nearly drag Anna to with him when she finished a conversation so that she would not go and start another one, they made their way down the wooden dock.

As Kristoff got the boat ready, Anna was busy strapping a lifevest and lathering sunscreen on Amara. However, when he snuck a quick glance, a deep rumble echoed in his stomach as he laughed at his wife and daughter who was now covered in streaks of white. Okay, so maybe she went a little crazy on the sunscreen, but can you blame her! Amara was still only a newborn and Anna, being the protective mama bear that she was, would do everything in her power to protect her. Even if that meant applying an excessive amount of sunscreen.

Once the boat was all set, and Anna had finally decided that Amara had enough sunscreen, Kristoff pulled out of the little port. Anna went to go sit beside him, placing Amara in her lap and resting her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes and let out a delightful sigh as she felt the soft wind blow through her hair. “This is nice,” Anna said, giving a small smile. “We have both been so busy lately, that we hardly get to spend some nice quality time with one another.”

Kristoff wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Yeah. I miss you when I’m at work. It’s strange not having you there.” Only a year after the two had gotten married they opened up their own flower shop. Flowers were actually what had brought them together, and they both hated being apart from each other for long periods of time, so they thought why not start a business that had a connection to their eternal happiness. But ever since Anna had the baby and took on the job of being a stay-at-home mom, Kristoff missed getting to work with her every day. After cruising around the lake for a few minutes, they found a nice shaded enclosure to anchor down and eat their lunch. They continued to ramble on about the happy memories they have made as they ate their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and sipped on the sweet nectar of their ice-cold lemonade. Amara was still breastfeeding so Kristoff had packed the blanket Anna used to cover herself up with whenever she fed the small child. They finished up their meal with a nice chocolate cake with chocolate icing, Anna’s favorite, that Kristoff’s mother had made for them a few nights prior to help Anna get through the stress of taking care of a newborn baby.

The little family had spent the rest of the day basking in the summer sun and listening to Kristoff strum a silly song he and Sven had made many years ago. They felt sorry for leaving the sweet old dog behind, but he didn’t really care for he took his job as protector of the house, and Amara, very seriously.

As the sun began to set, casting hues of orange and pink across the sky, the family had made their way back to the marina. When they had made it home and the couple had nestled down in their bed holding each other contently, they reflected on the joys the day had brought them. “Today was perfect,” Anna sighed as she nuzzled her husband’s neck. “Yeah,” Kristoff said as he placed a kiss on her head. “Just another day we can add to our list of eternal happiness and more to come.

End Notes: Sorry for any grammar mistakes. This is just a fluffy little family fic that I may or may not make into a series. I already have a mermaid fic that I am writing and a forbidden love fic I want to start so we'll see how this goes. I have no clue why I like putting all this work on me either. But hey, at least it's something I like doing.

Ao3

#kristanna #kristanna fanfiction #my fanfiction #just a fluffy little family fic

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rocksandrobots · 4 years ago

Text

Of Rocks and Robots Ch. 38 - Paris

Varian found Honey Lemon in the chemistry lab. She was just placing her folder, books, and pens inside her backpack, getting ready to leave.

"Hey," He called to her, "Are you busy right now?"

"Well, I guess not." She said as she zipped up the bookbag. "I just finished taking my final and I got to present my project tomorrow."

"Great!" Varian blurted out, barely giving her time to finish her sentence. "Come with me. I got something to show you." And without waiting for an answer, he grabbed her hand and started to excitedly drag her along with him as he headed out the door.

Honey Lemon decided to humor him and allowed herself to be led down the campus hallways to Varian's private lab on the first floor.

Fred was waiting for them when they entered. Not that he was given a chance to explain anything, as Varian blurted out his own explanation as soon as everyone was in the room.

"I did it!" He proudly crowed. "I got the portal working!"

"You found a way home?" Honey Lemon asked in shock.

"Well, not exactly." He corrected, "I still got a ways to go on that, but I did figure out how to control the spatial coordinates. I took the controller for Srique's miniature portals and programmed it into the main computer here. Now we can go anywhere in the world just by entering in an address. Whatta ya think!? Cool hun?"

"Oh my gosh! Yeah, that's cool! That's like mega cool!" She laughed and gave Varian a big congratulatory hug. "Oh just think what all you could do with this technology. You'd never have to board a plane or drive a delivery truck across the country. This could be the answer to reducing carbon emissions!"

She squealed again with joy and warped Varian in another tight hug, one that nearly knocked the wind out of him.

"Yeah, I haven't thought that far ahead yet." He gasped as she finally let go. "We still need to give it a test run, and that's why I brought you here. Where would you like to go first?"

He gave her a Cheshire grin as he walked up to the computer to enter in whatever destination she chose.

"Oh, I don't know?" She replied, "Freddie, what's someplace you'd like to visit?"

"Oh I'm not going." Fred answered.

"Not going? But I thought we were all going to try it out?"

"Well, we will, eventually, but we need someone to remain here in order to pull the return switch." Varian explained as he walked over the portal and placed his hand upon a long lever that was now built into the turbine. "All Fred has to do is pull this lever whenever we're ready to come home. That'll turn the turbine back on and the computer will just automatically open up a portal to the last coordinates entered."

"Sooo, isn't anybody else coming?" Honey Lemon asked.

"Oh they'll get a chance to go, I'm sure. It's just with finals and everything, it's hard to get everyone together. Besides it's not like we can all go to seven different places at once."

Varian tried to laugh off his excuses, but the truth was he had been planning this for a week now. He wanted to impress Honey Lemon and surprise her with a nice outing. Fred had agreed to help and so they had concocted this harmless little scheme together.

Honey Lemon however hesitated, "Well, I don't know. I still got another final this afternoon and-"

"Oh don't worry, we can come back whenever we want. All we gotta do is call Fred."

"Yeah, we'll be using international cell phones, like they use on navy boats at sea, if y'all decide to go far off." Fred interjected. "And I have the jet and the helicopter, just in case something goes wrong."

"Nothing's going to go wrong." Varian gave Fred a warning look before smoothing things over with a charming smile. "Look, I'll have you back in time for you next final, promise."

Honey Lemon bit her lip in thought.

"Think about it." Varian knelt in close as he persuasively whispered to her. "One day; wherever you want to go. No waiting, no long flights, no cramped car rides, and absolutely free. Your dream vacation. If you could see any place in the world for just one day, where would it be?"

Honey Lemon searched his eyes as she teetered on the edge of indecision. She wrestled with both her adventurous free spirit and her better angels, before finally blurting out "Paris!"

"Paris it is! Fred, you heard the lady, give us a Parisian address."

"Coming right up," Fred saluted as he pulled out his cell phone and looked up a street address they could use.

Honey Lemon could barely contain her excitement as Varian put in the coordinates. She was practically hopping in place as the portal roared to life. Soon the blue circular window opened up and afternoon sunlight streamed through the lab; a contrast to the early morning sun that hung up in their sky behind it.

Varian ran over to double check the turbine, then he gave a little flourish as he bowed and said, "After you my lady."

Honey Lemon held her breath as she tentatively stepped through the portal and out onto a small alleyway. Once fully through, she walked to the end of the alley and looked up. All around her were shops and cute little boutiques, and there was the Eiffel tower standing tall in the distance; looking every bit just like the pictures and romantic movies she'd drool over as a kid.

She gave a little squeak of joy and then started bouncing up and down frantically. "It's the Eiffel tower!" She shouted back to her friends, before hugging herself with joy and twirling on the spot as she laughed with abandonment! "I'm in Paris! I can't believe I'm standing in Paris, France!"

Varian watched her dance with a huge dopey smile on his face, only for Fred to pull him out of the moment.

"Hey don't forget the traveler's checks." He handed Varian a checkbook. "They're good anywhere."

"Oh, yeah. Hey, and thanks again, man. I really appreciate this."

"Oh, no problem, and don't worry about a thing. I got everything under control." He reached out his hand to pat the return lever, only to miss and topple over onto the floor.

"Yeeeaaah." Varian said as his confidence began to falter for the first time since hatching this little scheme. Not that he was given time to rethink his plan as Honey Lemon rushed back to grab him by the arm and drag him through the portal.

"Come on, come on, come ooon," She squealed, "lets go check out the shops!"

And with that Fred righted himself and pulled the lever down to stop the turbine. The portal faded away leaving Varian and Honey Lemon stranded in Gay Paree.

-----------------------

Honey Lemon was having the most wonderful day. She felt like she was living in a picturesque romcom. Everywhere she looked it was just like a scene out of a movie; cute shops, lovely parks, and of course famous landmarks abound.

They started the day shopping. Honey Lemon bought herself two new dresses, one of which she decided to change into and wear for the rest of the trip. It was a flowy peach sundress and she wore a matching floppy wide brimmed hat to go with it.

Or rather Varian bought them, using the travelers checks Fred had given them. She promised to pay them both back but Varian told her not to worry about it. That he had already squared everything with Fred and she could pick out whatever she liked.

She decided not to press the matter. Her friends finances weren't her business after all, and also, deep down, she didn't want to talk herself out snagging a lovely pair of earrings that she found on sale.

She also insisted that Varian should buy something for himself. If nothing else than to make her feel less guilty about spending money that wasn't hers. She picked out a waistcoat for him, thinking he might like it. It was a navy blue vest that went well with the lighter blue collared shirt he wore. Although, he opted to keep his purchases in a shopping bag rather than wear it around unlike her.

They must have been a sight at the Louvre toting around paper bags like the tourists they so obviously were. Not that Honey Lemon cared. She would have gladly gotten lost in the halls full of priceless art for days if she had been aloud too. But with finals still looming over her head and only a few short precious hours to spend in Paris, she agreed to take a one hour guided tour.

She fawned over the Venus de Milo, swooned at the Monet's and the Van Gogh's that lined the walls, and she and Varian both had a good chuckle over seeing the Mona Lisa again. When the tour guide brought them into the Da Vinci exhibit, all the two of them could do was share knowing looks at one another and whispered conspiratorially as they shared their private joke. The poor tour guide wasn't as amused as they were. At one point during his lecture on Da Vinici's life, Varian gently elbowed her and pointed at the flying machine blueprints on the wall and they both inexplicably broke down into barely contained snickers, interrupting the tour guide's speech.

Though all in all they had a marvelous time. The only rain cloud that hovered over the party came early in the tour, and didn't stay for long. One of the first paintings shown was Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix. It was an oil painting depicting the French Revolution, or well one of them anyways; apparently France had a lot of revolutions. Honey Lemon respected the artistry of the picture but never cared for such dark and unpleasant subject matter. She wanted to move on quickly from the scene of the bloody battle field and on to something more pleasant to look at.

Varian however stood there transfixed by the painting, even as the tour was starting to move on. On his face he held a curious expression as he studied the painting intently. It wasn't sadness exactly, nor was it anger, but some odd mix between curiosity, shame, pain, and cold furious pride.

He stepped closer as his gaze honed in on one particular part of the image. There was a young boy running behind Lady Liberty, his gun raised high in the air as he dashed towards the fighting, no doubt ready to die for his cause.

Honey Lemon shuddered as she involuntarily made the connection between the boy in the painting and Varian. But she just as quickly shoved it out of her mind and grabbed him by the hand. She forced a smile on her face as she cheerily told him the group was leaving without them and for his part, he allowed himself to be led away from the disturbing piece of art.

Once away from the painting his smiling mood returned, as if the very concepts of 'war' and 'violence' didn't exist and bloody revolutions were a thing of the far past, regulated to history books, and not something he'd taken part in only a few months ago.

After the Louvre, they went to the Eiffel tower. Honey Lemon's heart soared as she stood upon the top observatory.

"Isn't this amazing!" She said as she ran over to the nearest telescope.

"If you say so." Varian chuckled.

"Oh don't tell me you're not having fun." Honey Lemon asked with worry.

"Oh no, I'm having a great time." He insisted. "I just don't understand all the fuss over what looks like a giant antenna. There's taller skyscrapers than this."

"It's about the history. It's an iconic landmark, like San Fansokyo's golden bridge."

"Yeah, but that at least serves a purpose."

Honey Lemon playfully rolled her eyes. "You don't get it. It's the Eiffel Tower , it's the most Paris thing about Paris. You can't visit and not see it."

Varian laughed as he admitted defeat. "Okay, okay, whatever makes you happy. It's your dream destination after all."

"Well, I'm not the only person on this trip. What would you like to see?"

Varian shrugged.

"Oh, come on there's got to be something you always wanted to see?" She pressed.

"In Paris? Beats me. All I know is that in my world Paris is where all the rich nobles come to visit when they want to hobnob and show off. The city of high fashion, splendor, and elitist garbage." He mocked, but quickly changed his tune when he caught Honey Lemon's frown. "Not like that's how things are here, it's just, no, Paris has never interested me. Well except for the various musicals about the French Revolution, but I don't really fancy touring the Bastille." He joked.

"Yeah, I agree." Honey Lemon replied through a strained smile and then quickly brought the subject back on topic. "But still, if there's no place you wanna see, perhaps there's something you'd like to do instead?"

"Well, I could go for some lunch, how about we go get some food after this?"

"Okay, sounds like a plan."

-----------------------

Varian did happen to find one thing that garnered his interest on the way to lunch. He discovered a quaint bookstore tucked away among a street full of smaller shops and venues. He eagerly went in and Honey Lemon happily followed.

As she scanned the bargain bin of romance novels, looking for something written in a language she could actually read, Varian hovered over the classics section of the store.

"Molière, Voltaire, Shakespeare…" He muttered to himself as he perused the shelves, "Hey, they got Copernicus!" He joyously called out and Honey Lemon walked over to see what he found.

He pulled out a small paperback with an illustration of the famous scientist on the cover.

"De revolutionibus orbium coelestium," he read out loud as Honey Lemon peered over his shoulder, "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spears, man I used to read this book constantly as a kid. It was my favorite, next to the Flynn Rider series that is."

"You read math books in Latin as a little kid?" Honey Lemon asked, both impressed and bewildered.

"Yeah, my mom had a first edition copy. No idea where she got it, but the thing was already a hundred years old by the time it got passed on to me. I had to keep binding it with homemade glue to keep it from falling apart."

"So your mom taught you how to read?"

"Well, I vaguely remember her reading bedtime stories to me at night, so I guess, but reading and other languages always came easy to me. Latin isn't that much different than say, French, and half the court speaks that back home. You could probably learn it easily yourself, since you're already fluent in Spanish."

"You think so? Would ya teach me?"

"If you want me to."

She let out a giggle, not entirely serious with her request and he chuckled along with her, before flipping through the book once more, fascinated with it.

"See, you like art, " he continued "but this," he held up one of the pages for her to get a better view, on it was a diagram of the solar system. "This is what inspires me. Copernicus's findings revolutionized the entire way science was even approached. Galileo, Newton, even that Einstein guy everyone goes on about, all of them built their theories based off this one man's work. Man, what I wouldn't give to have that kind of impact; to discover something that makes an actual difference to people's lives and does something good."

Honey Lemon looked at him in disbelief, "Says the guy who just finished building a working portal."

"Well, I - I didn't invent that. I just built off of Demantius and Callaghan's findings. Now, Demantius, he was also a genius scientist; miles ahead of even Copernicus."

"Yeah, but you just said it yourself, even famous scientists start on the foundation left behind by others. I wouldn't be in school studying chemistry if it wasn't for Madame Curie and Lenore Shimamoto. And yeah Callaghan, and that Dem- Demanty, guy…"

"Demantius."

"Yeah, him, they may have come up with the theories but you actually got it to work . When this gets out you're going to be famous. Like you could win the Nobel Prize, levels of fame."

Varian blushed at that, but then shook his head. "I don't care about awards, but I would like for my inventions to help someone for once instead of just making a mess of everything."

"Well they will. I know it." She gave him an encouraging smile and Varian felt in that moment as if he was ten feet tall. His face flushed and he wore a grin from ear to ear.

He continued to wear this gigantic smile as he walked up to the register to pay for the book and it wouldn't leave his face for quite a few hours there afterwards.

-----------------------

"What are you doing?" Hiro asked as he entered the lab. He was looking for Varian but instead he found Fred sitting upside down in a rolling office chair as he scrolled through his phone.

"Waiting for Varian and Honey Lemon to get back from their date." Fred said distractedly. "Hey what's another word for fool that's ten letters long? I'm on a hard level of Crosswords vs Killer Plants and I'm stuck on this one- oh…. Aww man! The Venus Flytrap from Venus just ate my puzzle piece, now gotta do the whole thing over again."

Hiro ignored Fred's complaints about his video game. "Waaait, you're telling me that Honey Lemon agreed to go out on a date, with Varian? Varian ."

"Well, yeah, what else would you call a romantic getaway to Paris?"

"Paris!?"

"Oh yeah, Varian got the portal working. Didn't tell you?"

"No."

"Oh, well he got the portal working. It still doesn't go between dimensions but you can travel anywhere in our world with it. They're using the date as a test run and I'm in charge of bringing them back." With this proclamation Fred righted himself, stood up, and puffed out his chest proudly.

Hiro gave him an incredulous look and Fred returned his doubts with a smug but oblivious smile.

"Aaand how do you do that?" Hiro asked.

"Oh, I just pull this lever right here." He walked over to the turbine to show Hiro what he was talking about. "All Varian has to do is give me a call when they're ready to return and I just give it a yang like so-"

Fred proceeded to demonstrate but as he pulled the lever down it broke off completely.

"Oh no."

-----------------------

Honey Lemon and Varian sat outside in the late afternoon sun at a café along the Champs-Élysées. They people watched as they munched on chips and sandwiches, just enjoying the scenery and each other's company.

"You know," Honey Lemon said thoughtfully, "Andre and I always talked about coming here together, but I actually think this was more fun with a friend."

"Andre?" Varian echoed.

"Just a guy I use to date." Honey Lemon tried to shrug it off as she took another bite of her brie and tomato baguette.

"What was wrong with him? Besides being an idiot that is."

"What, no, Andre isn't dumb at all."

"He has to be, to let you go." Varian quipped as he reached for another chip.

"It's not like that." Honey Lemon shook her head. "We met in high school but wound up going to different colleges, that's all. We decided it'd be too hard to keep up a long distance relationship so we just ended things there. There were no hard feelings or anything, just, we fell out of touch."

She tried to sound nonchalant but she couldn't keep the melancholy out of her voice.

Varian frowned.

"So which school did he go to?" He asked.

"Oh he got into Princeton." She chirped. "He's a political science major."

"And they don't teach that at any school in San Fansokyo?" Varian asked, confused.

"Well I'm sure they do, but he got into Princeton ." She waited for Varian to catch on but he only stared at her blankly. "You know, one of the three top ivy league schools in the country? Not just anybody can get into that and it was a great opportunity for him. You don't just turn down a chance to go to Princeton."

Still more confused stares, so Honey Lemon continued.

"Buuut it just happens to be on the other side of the county from SFIT. Which is also a great school. It and MIT are the best schools for STEM majors. I couldn't turn that down either. I'm really fortunate to be there and plus I've made such great friends since I've started going."

She finished off her ramble with a smile and Varian returned it.

"Well good, I'm glad things are working out for you both." He said as politely as he could and then more hesitantly asked. "Do you still talk to him, at all?"

"Oh sure, sometimes we video chat, last time he…." Honey Lemon paused as it occurred to her that "last time" was actually over a year ago, and it had not ended pleasantly for her. "... He just… he got an A on his exam." She lied and left it at that.

In truth he had told her he was dating someone else. They had previously agreed to remain friends and during the beginning weeks of their first semester they had genuinely tried to keep in touch. And while there had been no intentional malice on Andre's part, the casual way he had mentioned his new girlfriend into their conversion had just wrecked her. She tried to be happy for him, but she could no longer bring herself to return any of his calls.

It didn't help matters, being seventeen and living away from home for the first time in her life. She was in a new town, new school, and knew no one at all. The loneliness had been unbearable. More than once she had wanted to call it quits and run home to her mother.

Thank goodness for Business Economics 101. Most majors took the general course at some point and that was where she'd met her friends. They were assigned the group project of running a mock business.

Tadashi, being the natural leader that he was, brought them all together and made sure everyone worked as a group rather than just them each shuffling off to do their parts of the assignment on their own. He even convinced Fred to be their 'guinea pig', so to say, to bounce their ideas off; despite Fred not being an actual student and therefore only an unofficial part of the group.

Still everyone just clicked, and Honey Lemon found both solace and distraction from her lovesick woes. Tadashi had been particularly encouraging; making sure to check up on her even once the assignment was over, inviting her along to things, and making sure to drag her out of her slump whenever she felt like moping. That was just the type of person he was. He never wanted anyone to feel left out.

The thought of Tadashi pained her even more than the thought of Andre. Her first real friend, just gone and in only a few short months.

Geez, had it really been almost a whole year now? When was the last time she'd actually stopped to think about, well, any of it? She had kept herself busy, making sure her friends were okay, making sure Hiro was okay, and burying herself in school work and superheroing that she hadn't let herself process any of it. In truth the past year just felt like one big blur to her.

"Honey Lemon," Varian tentatively called out to her, "are you okay?"

She snapped out of her reprieve and found Varian looking at her with concern, so she slapped a smile on her face and said, "I'm fine. I was just thinking about what we should do next is all."

If Varian had seen through her white lie he didn't show it. "Well we only have maybe an hour or two of daylight left here, which means we should probably start heading back soon. I say we do one more thing and then call it a day."

Honey Lemon nodded in agreement, though she was disappointed that her magical day in Paris was slipping away so quickly.

"So one hour left. What do you wanna do, you're pick." He said.

Honey Lemon didn't even have to think about it, she knew precisely what she wanted.

-----------------------

Varian had never felt comfortable in church.

He appreciated the extensive library that the convent back home held, and he acknowledged that the nuns and few monks who ran it were much more proactive in helping the people of Corona than the royals, but the stuffy atmosphere, the endless and seemingly pointless rules, and the blind worship of a being he couldn't see, hear, nor study scientifically left him feeling out of step with rest of his village even more so than normal.

He only ever visited whenever his dad would drag him there, usually on appropriate holidays or when needing to deliver food shipments to the small abbey by the sea, and even then he'd hide away in its study pouring over ancient manuscripts and books. But being the son of the village leader meant he had to stand there, bored to tears, whenever a ceremony had to take place, like a christening, or a funeral, or even the occasional wedding.

Varian didn't begrudge anyone their faith, nor could he confidently claim they were wrong in their beliefs now that he had discovered magic was real, but he still didn't really want to participate. So imagine his dismay when Honey Lemon told him she wanted to visit a cathedral on her vacation.

Well, okay, it wasn't just any old church. Notre-Dame de Paris was apparently a beloved historical landmark the same as the Eiffel tower had been. It was famous for being the center focus of novels, plays, and movies; not that Varian had ever seen any of them.

While it was still functionally a place of worship, visitors were allowed and tourists of all walks of life and personal beliefs frequently toured the bell towers.

This helped to ease Varian's discomfort somewhat, knowing that he wasn't the only person there not conducting themselves in prayers or going to mass. It was still incredibly stuffy and somber though.

As the tour guide dispassionately droned on about flying buttresses Varian quietly weighed the pros and cons of excommunication vs the satisfaction of flipping the man of the cloth off and walking away. Fortunately things never progressed that drastically.

Honey Lemon tapped him on the shoulder and silently pointed to a little stairwell tucked in the corner of the wall at the end of the cloister. She motioned him to follow her and they snuck away from the rest of the group.

They ducked inside the archway and pressed themselves against the wall as they waited for the tour to move on. Once the guide and sound of footsteps was out of ear shot the two teens breathed a sigh of relief and then broke down in giggles.

"Oh man, if I hear the words 'flying buttresses' again I'm going to scream." Honey Lemon joked.

"Yeah that was pretty excruciating." Varian agreed.

"Hey, let's see where this leads." She said as she began to climb the stairs.

"Are you sure we're allowed to go up there?" He asked.

"Well I don't see any signs saying not to." And with this logical assumption the two began to explore on their own.

The stairs led to the north tower. The actual bells were held in the south tower opposite to them and they could see the famous chimes through the large windows as they made their way to the rooftop.

"Will you look at that view?" Honey Lemon breathed as she ran to the edge of the roof and peered over the stone banister.

The sun was low in the sky and bathed the city of Paris in a golden glow. She turned back to Varian and gave him a smile. The sunlight caught in her fiery red hair and sparkled like a halo around her. Varian forgot to breathe for a moment. How could anyone be that beautiful? Sure she was always pretty, but to him that was just a fact of life, like saying the sky was blue or water was wet, but there were times, like now, when she seemed almost transcendent, as if she'd had step down from the heavens itself to bless mere mortals like him with her presence. Yet she, and most other people, didn't even notice. They didn't see what he saw in these moments. They didn't recognize any significance in such mundane scenarios and Honey Lemon herself remained oblivious to the effect she had on him, even as she stole the very breath from his lungs. It was enough to drive Varian almost mad.

"You're so pret- I mean… umm, it's nice." He squeaked once he regained his senses. She didn't catch his flub and only smiled wider before turning back to look at the view once more.

Varian breathed in and out deeply as he tried to calm himself and work up his nerve.

"Okay Varian, last chance." He whispered to himself. "The day is getting away and you'll never find a more perfect moment, so just ask her. You can do this…. I can do this."

After this pep talk he walked over to join Honey Lemon at the banister. She barely acknowledged his approach, as she was too enraptured with the scenery. Varian looked up at her and suddenly became self conscious about his own height. He'd managed to grow a few inches since coming to San Fansokyo, but he was still dwarfed by the tall girl, especially in her high heels. He stepped up onto a broken piece of the mason, which created a nice little foothold on the wall, and leaned over the banister as well. Thus making himself eye level to her.

"I feel just like a princess up here." Honey Lemon suddenly said with a smile.

Varian was knocked for a loop. "A princess?"

"Yeah!"

"But you're a knight. That's way cooler than any princess."

Not for the first time that day Honey Lemon shook her head. "You still don't get it. I know castles are boring to you cause you grew up in one, but for me they only existed in storybooks. Every little girl dreams of wearing a pretty dress or some other nice outfit, while staying in a romantic far away land and being swept off their feet by a handsome hero."

Varian rolled his eyes, propped his elbows on the ledge, and rested his chin in his hands.

"Well I guess that leaves me out." He said under his breath.

He hadn't meant for Honey Lemon to hear that but she did anyway.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I'm not a hero," he reluctantly admitted and to deflect from this he self-deprecatingly joked, "and I guess the less said about the handsome part the better, am I right?"

"Oh I didn't mean it that way!" Honey Lemon quickly apologized. She placed an encouraging hand upon his shoulder. "You're very handsome, and any girl would be lucky to have you sweep her off her feet."

"Really?"

"Uh huh" she blithely nodded.

"Maaybe, even say, a girl like.."

Like you, Was what he wanted to say, but just then the cell phone rang interrupting the moment.

"Hey Fred, what's up?" Varian answered, trying to hide the annoyance in his voice. It was a futile effort, especially once he had heard Fred's reply. "You What!?"

-----------------------

Varian brooded as he stared out of the airport's window. How did everything fall apart so quickly? He was seconds away from confessing his feelings only to instead have to embarrassingly explain to Honey Lemon why they couldn't return home immediately as promised.

Fred said that he and Hiro were on a private jet to come pick them up, so they weren't necessarily stuck in France, but it did mean that Honey Lemon would have to miss her final. She had been nice about it, but Varian still felt guilty and kept apologizing profusely to her as they left the cathedral and took a cab to the private airport Fred was supposed to pick them up at.

Varian snagged a sidelong glance at the pretty redhead. Honey Lemon was busy on her phone; no doubt trying desperately to contact her professors, or maybe she was just trying to avoid talking to him. Either way Varian sank lower in his seat and hid his face in his hands.

He ran through the schematics of the portal in his head trying to figure out what went wrong. It would have been easy just to blame Fred for the mishap, but Varian knew deep down that wouldn't be fair. He had been the one to build the return lever after all. He must not have secured it well enough or perhaps he needed a completely new system for getting back.

That's when the international cell phone rang once more. Varian got up and answered it nearer to the large viewing window. He acted like this might strengthen the signal, but in truth he just didn't want Honey Lemon listening in incase it was even more bad news.

"Hey Varian" Fred sang out over the other end of the line, "It took awhile for Heathcliff to get the 'all clear for takeoff' signal from the tower, but we're in the air and on our way now."

"Yeah and I already told Aunt Cass we were spending the night over at Fred's place, so your welcome." Hiro smugly added on.

Varian pinched his nose in frustration and bit back a harsher retort to the other boy. "So how long will it take you to get here?" Varian asked instead.

"Uh, I say about ten to eleven hours." Fred responded.

"Ten hours!" Varian yelled. He then noticed Honey Lemon looking up from her phone to stare at him after this outburst. His cheeks burned red and he turned his back to her as he continued the conversion, this time in a harsh whisper. "What are we supposed to do for ten hours? Sleep at the airport?"

"I don't know man, but no matter what you do none of us can get back to San Fansokyo until late tomorrow night. Even if we just turned around and left immediately once getting to France."

"You mean I have to stay on a plane for twenty hours straight and not even get to see the place we're traveling too?" Hiro complained.

"Do you actually care anything about Pairs?" Varian asked in a monotone voice.

"No, not really, but you try being stuck on an airplane for twenty hours. There's no internet up here."

"Then why did you volunteer to come along?"

"'Cause someone has to save your butt, and I wasn't going just leave it to Fred." There was an awkward pause before Hiro hastily added. "Uh..cause... cause traveling alone sucks."

"Ah it's not so bad," Fred encouraged, "I got a tv, game system, and the entire Kentucky Kaiju collection on dvd. Hey, we can have a Kaju marathon!"

"Grrreeaaat" Hiro said in a strained voice, then to Varian he threateningly whispered. "Once this is over, you owe me big. Got it? Like doing my chores for a week big."

Varian rolled his eyes. He never understood Hiro's aversion to housework, but whatever. He was tired of arguing.

"Fine. See you at, like, seven in the morning I guess." Then he hung up.

Varian made his way to the front desk as he pocketed the cell phone.

"Bonjour," He greeted the concierge. "Uh, pardonnez-moi, mais vous savez s'il y a, ummm… des auberges par ici?"

The woman at the desk seemed impressed that he knew French so fluently, even if he did have to stop and remember what the word for "inn" was.

She rattled off a list of options and Varian just randomly picked one out; having zero knowledge about any of them.

"Pourrais-tu...oh what's the French word for telephone?" Varian dug back into his pocket and pulled out the cell phone and mimicked making a phone call.

"Appeler au téléphone?" The woman suggested.

"Oui, Yes, thank you. So it's the same word hun? Neat. Uh, pouvez-vous appeler au téléphone l'auberge pour moi et réserver une chambre? Oh, s'il te plaît."

"How many? Une?" The woman asked while holding one finger up in the air.

"One? Oui. I only need one room." He responded back. "Oh and, seulement pour une nuit."

She nodded and confirmed the booking.

"Merci." Varian said and then walked back over to where Honey Lemon sat.

"I got us a room for the night." He said as he gathered up their shopping bags. "Turns out Fred won't be here until the morning."

Honey Lemon frowned at that but didn't argue. "Where is it?"

"Don't know, some place called the Regency Montmartre. I'm sure the cab driver will know." And with that they made to leave.

-----------------------

"Okay, here we are." Varian said as he opened the door to the hotel room

The accommodation was a modest suite decorated in a light and rustic style. As soon as you entered the door there was a bathroom to your right with brass fixtures and a stone tiled shower. On the left was the closet and beyond it the bedroom with a sliding shuttered door that separated it from the rest of the suite. In the sitting area in front of them was a small couch, more of a loveseat really, made of wood with a cream futon cushion on top and a matching coffee table in front of it. In the right most corner of the room was a desk made of the same light wood and a brass chair with a matching cream-colored cushioned seat. Next to it and in front view of the sofa was a pair of glass double doors leading to a balcony with sheer off-white curtains hanging over the windows.

"It's not too bad, is it?" Varian asked as they both entered.

However Honey Lemon let out a nervous "Ummm.." as she opened the sliding door to the bedroom. She hesitantly pointed at the single brass bed, also draped in matching ivory linen sheets.

"Of course." Varian said tightly. "I'll take the couch." He sighed as he dropped the bags on the floor and flopped onto the small sofa. He then brought a hand up to massage his eyes in irritation.

Honey Lemon just stood there shuffling her feet and watched him as she wrung her hands wondering what to do. Varian had been in a foul mood ever since Fred had called to tell them about the portal being broken.

His temper wasn't directed at her nor anyone in particular, she knew, but negativity always set Honey Lemon on edge. Especially if the person in question was usually upbeat and cheery like herself. Whenever tensions would arise, Honey Lemon always felt the need to smooth things over as quickly as possible.

"Well, it is a queen sized bed, maybe we can both sleep on it." she innocently suggested, looking for an agreeable solution. She didn't notice the surprised look on Varian's face as her problem solving skills kicked in and she rushed to the closet. "I bet they have extra sheets and pillows in here. Ah-ha!" She yelled in triumph as she pulled out said bedding and held it up. "See you can take one side with your own covers and I'll take the other side with the rest."

Varian however turned the idea down. "No, no, it's okay. The couch is fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I can sleep anywhere." And with that he went back to nursing his growing headache.

Honey Lemon bit her lower lip in worry. The sofa looked anything but comfortable. It might be okay for sitting in, but it was far too cramped to lay across and it wasn't very cushiony. It reminded her more of patio furniture than an actual couch.

She racked her brain for another way to cheer him up. "Well at least we get to spend more time in Paris." She said as she opened the doors to the balcony. From said balcony one could see the busy street below, the tightly packed buildings on the other side, and breaking up the skyline was the famous red windmill of the Moulin Rouge, all lit up in dusky twilight. "And the view is nice." She hopefully added.

Varian finally looked up. "Beautiful" he coarsely said.

Honey Lemon didn't know what he meant. He wasn't even looking at the window but staring past it, intently so. Varian was a hard person to read sometimes. His mind was like a puzzle box, hiding away formulas, inventions, grand schemes, and closely guarded secrets all while appearing earnestly simple and deceptively quaint in his stubbornly optimistic worldview. But there were moments, like when he was busy working on a project or, like when earlier with the painting at Louvre, he was reminded of his unpleasant past, the veil would drop and one could see the man underneath the boyish exterior. The intense focus, the no nonsense attitude, his searing gaze, and dark demeanor all bespoke of a person who grew up too fast and too harshly.

Honey Lemon couldn't help but shiver whenever he would look at her with such a serious glare, as if his piercing blue eyes were looking right through her and into her very soul. To further add to the confusion, the tone of his voice was always so sincere whenever he spoke and Honey Lemon honestly couldn't tell if his comments about the view were genuine, something told just to placate her, or a sarcastic quip.

But like always, when faced with something she didn't want to deal with, Honey Lemon just ignored the incident.

"I'm sorry" Varian hoarsely confessed in what had to be the tenth apology today at least. "I know I promised to get you back home on time and I know that my portal didn't work as well as I hoped it would. I swear the tests I ran before went off without a hitch. I just don't know what happened; if a screw came loose or if Fred pulled on the lever too hard, though probably not I used a titanium steel alloy to…"

Honey Lemon rushed over to him on the couch where he sat, interrupting his ramble. "It's okay. It was just an accident." She insisted as she knelt down and placed a comforting hand on his chest. "You couldn't help it."

Varian placed her hand in his but continued on with his apologetic speech. "I'll call Professor Granville, and explain to her everything. Tell her it's all my fault. I'm sure she can get you an extension on your final."

Honey Lemon pursed her lips as she debated about telling him the bad news, but he saw the trepidation in her face anyways.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"That might work for my chemistry final, but tomorrow was supposed to be my art finals at SFAI." She sadly told him.

"Oh." He said flatly as the light left his eyes and he proceeded to fall back onto the couch; this time staring up at the ceiling and dismay.

"Hey, I'm…I'm sure I could work something out with my art professors. Maybe write about my trip to the Louvre museum as extra credit or something." Honey Lemon couldn't tell if this encouragement was more for herself or for Varian, but she desperately hoped she sounded more confident than she actually felt.

Though it did seem to pull Varian out of his funk, if only just a little bit.

"You… you think so?"

She nodded yes, not trusting her voice to carry the lie.

"So you're not upset with me?"

"Nooo." She assured him. "Are.. are angry at Fred?"

"I mean, I'm a little annoyed, but no, I guess not. I'm more mad at myself then anything."

"Well, don't be." She smiled at him and for the first time since leaving Notre Dame that day, he returned it.

"So got a little more time in Paris, what do you want to do?" Varian asked her, changing the subject.

"I don't know." Honey Lemon laughed, just glad that the awkward atmosphere had dispersed. "I pretty much saw everything I wanted to see."

"Well, would you like to go to a show, or maybe dinner?" He suggested. "It's only 9:30, I bet we could still get a table somewhere. In fact I think the hotel has a restaurant attached."

He got up and walked over to the desk. There was a telephone on top and next to that a brochure listing the hotel's amenities.

"Yeah, it's called the Chez Francois;" he read, "sounds like one of those fancy multi-course fine dining experiences that the French love."

"Oooh! I can wear my new dress!" And with that Honey Lemon jumped up and started to search through the shopping bags for said gown.

"Okay, okay," Varian chuckled at her enthusiasm, "I'll call ahead and make reservations."

-----------------------

The dining hall was much like the rest of the hotel. Antique opulence with just a hint of wear and tear around the edges. It was high class, but not in the same way that the seafood restaurant they had taken Aunt Cass to last week had been. It wasn't ostentatious. There was a 'lived in' feeling to the place; a history to it that said it's hayday was long past but its respectable reputation kept the patrons still coming.

Varian felt far more comfortable here, even if the only nice thing he had to wear was the new vest Honey Lemon had picked out for him. Of course he could have been dressed in rags and it still wouldn't have distracted from his good mood as he stole admiring glances at the girl on his arm.

Not that she noticed. Honey Lemon was too distracted by the surroundings and prospect of dining like French high society to pay much attention to Varian's stares.

She was practically vibrating with excitement and it took all of her control not to bounce from corner to corner of the room fawning over every little detail. The waiter sat them down at an intimate table for two, complete with candle light, and she fidgeted with the end of her frilly yellow skirt of her new dress as her head swerved every which way; drinking in the scenery. She literally could not keep still.

Varian softly laughed at her and knelt closer, "Happy?" He asked and Honey Lemon nodded her head enthusiastically which only caused Varian to suppress even more laughter. Nothing made him more happy than seeing her delighted face.

The waiter came back over and Varian ordered them dinner, not that there was much choice. The restaurant served a traditional seven course meal with predetermined dishes. All you did was specify any dietary restrictions or allergies. Varian requested the vegetarian option, knowing Honey Lemon would prefer that.

It wasn't long after that bread rolls were brought out, along with a bowl of mixed nuts for the L’Apéritif course. Their server also uncorked a bottle of champagne to go with the salty snacks.

Honey Lemon looked flustered and confused as the garçon poured the bubbly wine, but was far too timid to protest. However once the waiter was out of ear shot she hissed accusingly at Varian, "What about your promise?"

Varian looked taken aback, "What about it? I promised I wouldn't get drunk at parties anymore, this is just wine with dinner."

"But we're both under twenty-one." She whispered.

Varian unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh. "That's only in America. We're in Paris. No one cares here, the waiter didn't even ask for ID."

Honey Lemon rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Oh don't believe me?" Varian insisted, "Check online, see what the age restriction on wine is."

She did and to her chagrin, he was right. "Okay, just because it's technically sixteen here, doesn't mean you get to… to skirt around the rules like you always do."

"Moi?" Varian sarcastically asked as he barely contained his giggles. "Perish the thought dear lady. I assure you there is no rule bending here. You can barely even get tipsy off of a single glass of wine. Besides," He added with a sly smile, "you wanted the authentic French cuisine experience didn't you? You can't very well have cheese and wine without the wine, now can you?"

Honey Lemon chewed her lip before giving in. It was true, she had always wanted to know what real champagne tasted like. She sighed in defeat and then took a small sip of the fizzy drink. She immediately made a face as the bitter undertones of the wine hit her. It was nothing like she thought it'd be.

Varian burst out laughing at the grimace she made, finally losing all pretense of composure. For her part she tried to lightly but repeatedly whack him in the arm with a napkin to get him to shut up, but she was also breaking down in embarrassed giggles even as she tried her best to hide her half-hearted assault.

When they finally calmed down, Varian leaned over and quietly confessed to her, "I didn't order the wine. It just automatically came with the dinner."

She tried to give him an angry glare for his little trick but she couldn't maintain it for long and wound up snorting in laughter. Which only served to send them into another fit of giggles.

"You're awful." She teased.

"I know." He proudly admitted and then added with a laugh. "I'll order us some water if you don't want the wine."

From there dinner proceeded smoothly. Hors d'oeuvres with cheese stuffed figs and mushroom pate on blinis, traditional French onion soup, followed by a lime and mint sorbet to cleanse the palette, and then it was on to the main course, a simple Cassoulet au Gratin plated with a flourish.

It lacked the usual sausage Varian would have added if he was making it back home for himself, but there was something comforting in the cheesy bean and potato dish. In fact most of the meal had been very familiar to him.

French food was not uncommon in Corona. Queen Arianna had been French herself, hailing from the border kingdom of Lorraine, and thus had brought with her French customs, fashion, cuisine, and even the language itself. Supposedly both the nobility and peasantry alike had taken to their new foreign Princess with gusto and accepted the French fad eagerly.

Of course this was long before Varian was born, and the villages on the mainland, like in his own home, still held tightly to their Germanic traditions. But even after ascending the throne and reigning for over twenty years, the royalists on the island capital were still fascinated by the latest trends from Paris and whatever new fashionable interest the Queen took up.

She even had packed the court with French dignitaries, nobles, and servants; including the head chef. Varian could still see in his mind's eye the sniveling lump of a man looking very small and impotent standing before the Saporians. For upon securing the castle, Andrew had ordered the kitchen staff to prepare a victory feast; a grand full course meal fit for a king.

Everyone who had assisted in the previous battle was invited; Saporians, political prisoners, and any citizenry who had joined their side. Varian spotted a whole assortment of people in attendance from rich nobility out to save their own skins to poor put upon servants; like Helmut the tailor, who still held a grudge against the king for locking him in the stockade over nothing more than a mere mishap involving a torn robe.

But the guests of honor were the royals themselves. While everyone gorged themselves on meat and mead, that for some had been denied to them for many a year, the king and queen were seated at the middle of the enormous dining table and forced to eat nothing but the food served in their own dungeons. While Varian ate duck à l'orange, King Frederick had to chew on stale bread. When Andrew gave a toast in his wine filled goblet, Queen Arianna had to drink water from a wooden bowl. As the revolutionaries feasted upon rare and expensive sweets like chocolates and fruit filled pastries the crown was given gruel.

Varian did so relish Frederic's outrage at being served lobster as the 'traitors' fed themselves on the royals' prized venison. Though he couldn't help but feel a tad guilty whenever he spotted the Queen. Unlike her husband, who never stopped ranting and raving and made all manner of threats towards the rebels, Arianna carried herself in regal composure. She remained calm and untouchable even as the Saporian invaders heckled and bullied her. Nothing could get a rise out of her.

His shame turned to anger though when he remembered how she enabled Frederic's worst excesses. She may have been 'nice' and well mannered, but that didn't change the fact she benefited from her husband's violent persecution of the poor. Crouching his atrocities as being 'tough on crime' and ignoring her people's pleas for help might have made her more comfortable with Frederic's lies, but that didn't change the fact that Varian's father was still gone, nor the fact that he wasn't the only orphan that had been suddenly separated from their family in the past twenty years.

So it was with little regret that as the petty and spiteful feast wore down the last course was rolled out; coffee, tea, and cocktails. As Varian nursed his own 'le digestif' he watched the Saporian sorceress, Clementine, serve the royals her own special brew. After drinking which they knew no more of feasts, wars, kingdoms, or criminals. In fact they no longer knew anything at all.

Varian shoved this memory aside as he watched Honey Lemon devour her cucumber and tomato salad with great enthusiasm. He much preferred the present company at this banquet over the vengeful vagabonds and their gluttonous feast.

Honey Lemon, for her part, was far more impressed with the dinner than her date. As the server brought the charcuterie board for the cheese course, she couldn't help but express her admiration for the meal. "This is wonderful! I can't believe all the new foods I've gotten to try. Though I am starting to get full; how many courses are there in a traditional fancy dinner?"

"In this one, seven, but an actual traditional full course meal is like seventeen to eighteen courses." Varian answered.

Honey Lemon's eyes went wide. "My goodness, who on earth could ever eat that much food?"

Varian shrugged. "That's royalty for ya. They waste tons of food, even as their people struggle to grow their crops."

He bitterly spat out this last criticism of the elite, then quickly slapped on a smile when he caught Honey Lemon frowning at him in worry.

"Have you tried the Roquefort yet? Boy does that have a kick to it." He joked as he pretended as if he hadn't said anything at all about his past.

Honey Lemon let him pretend. It was easier that way.

Increasingly Corona sounded less and less like the fairytale world of her dreams and more like a nightmare; and as for Varian, he was most certainly not the perfect prince that she had first imagined him to be. Though he was still charming, disarmingly so.

Somehow, Varian always knew just what to say to get people to go along with his schemes. He had a knack for making bad ideas sound fantastic and convincing you that he had all the answers even when he couldn't be more lost himself. That was how she had wound up stranded in Paris, eating cheese and wine, as she missed all of her finals.

Honey Lemon's stomach dropped at the thought. Oh god, what was she going to say to her professors? Worst; what was she going to tell her mother? Her mom was paying for her tuition to both schools and she most certainly wouldn't approve of Honey Lemon failing her expensive art classes just to go galavanting around a forgien city with some boy. It didn't matter that she was technically eighteen now, nor that said boy was only a friend, her mother would still find a way to shame her for it. Mama Rodriguez was not one to approve of frivolities like boys over good grades.

Honey Lemon took another nervous swig of the wine as she tried to think of what excuse to tell her teachers and the woman who raised her. She immediately made another sour face as it tasted just as bitter as the last time she had tried it.

"You know you don't have to keep drinking that stuff if you don't like it." Varian teased.

Honey Lemon plastered on a wide grin as she tried to calm her nerves. "Hey, when in Paris…" she said as she held up the wine glass.

"When in Pairs…" Varian agreed and clinked his own glass against hers in a toast.

They both took a drink and Honey Lemon shut her eyes tightly as she forced herself to down the nasty concoction. Shoot, if she was going to get in trouble anyways she might as well live it up.

-----------------------

Dinner ended with a sweet soufflé for dessert and coffee; which Honey Lemon preferred by far to the previous champagne. By the time everything was done and over with they were nearly midnight getting back to the hotel room.

Honey Lemon could barely contain her excitement as they made their way down the hall. She wanted to laugh, sing, and talk a mile a minute about everything and had to forcibly remind herself not to be too loud, that other guests were sleeping.

This jovial behavior was more due to her natural outgoing personality than any alcohol she may have consumed. Honey Lemon had had more water than wine to drink throughout dinner and Varian was so used to having a beer with most meals that the champagne barely fazed him. In fact neither of them had gotten even close to tipsy the whole night, and it was only the thrill of breaking the rules and getting away with it that made Honey Lemon so thoroughly giddy.

"I never had a day like today." She went on excitedly as Varian unlocked the door to the room. "It was just like out of a movie or a romance novel."

"Except for being stuck at the airport for two hours." Varian sarcastically quipped as he held the door open for her.

Honey Lemon shook her head with a wide grin on her face. She wasn't going to let Varian's usual snarkiness get her down.

"Even that was exciting, taking a trip in a cab to get there. It was like we were sightseeing. I even spotted the Sacré-Cœur Basilica on the way over here."

"What is it with you and churches? Are they a part of your normal romcom?"

"Well it's about the history behind them and the pretty architecture. Though I guess they might show up in a wedding scene." She mused as she sat down and took off her shoes.

Varian gave a chuckle. "Is that where your movie ends, with a grand wedding?"

Honey Lemon ignored his teasing. "Not in a cathedral," she said in all seriousness, "I would want an outdoor wedding."

"Oh and I guess you've got that all planned out already hun? Even before knowing who the groom will be." He joked.

"Every little girl ever plans her wedding out," Honey Lemon dismissed. "that and prom."

"What's prom?"

"Oh it's a big fancy dance you go to in high school. It's the one of the few real chances you get to dress up in an honest to goodness ball gown."

"You know you could just wear a ball gown whenever you wanted to. Nothing's actually stopping you." Varian pointed out.

"Oh sure, I'm just going to go to the grocery store in a hundred dollar full length dress." Honey Lemon snorted and she and Varian both broke down into more fits of laughter.

"Okay, okay," Varian coincided as he grabbed Honey Lemon by the hand and helped her up off the sofa. "So tell me what comes next in this fairytale dream of yours, hmm? How does the night end?"

Honey Lemon blushed, "Weelll…"

"Come on, you can tell me." He encouraged as he gripped her hand tighter and stepped closer to her, his Cheshire smile never leaving his face.

She was still taller than him, even without her heels on, but at least they were closer to eye level now and Varian could probably have kissed her easily if he had gotten the chance too.

But the cell phone rang once more, breaking the spell. Varian screwed up his face in irritation. He was going to smash the blasted thing before the trip was over with, he was sure of it.

"Hello." He answered as he stepped away from his crush. Nothing but static and garbled voices came from the other end. "I...I can't hear you. You're breaking up." he heaved a weary sigh as she turned the phone off.

"I'm going to go down to the lobby and try to call Hiro back." He told Honey Lemon. "I might be able to get better reception there."

"Okay," she nodded. "I'm going to shower while you're gone and get ready for bed." She let out a yawn as he shut the door behind him.

-----------------------

Honey Lemon vigorously scrubbed her hair as she tried to wash away her embarrassment and anxiety. She still didn't know what to tell her professors at the art institute and now she'd just made a fool of herself with all that talk about romance and weddings.

Varian had been nice enough about it. He didn't seem to mind her fanciful musings and even his occasional teasing was done out of genuine camaraderie and not any malice. But he was just a friend, the same as Hiro or Fred. Life wasn't really a movie and he wasn't actually her dashing love interest. He wasn't Andre.

Now Honey Lemon just wanted to cry. She was supposed to have done all these things today with her high school sweetheart. Andre had been her first, well first everything, and she had honestly believed they would have been together forever.

Which was foolish, she knew. High school romances never lasted and they had both moved on. She hadn't even spoken to him in nearly a year. Oh, and how her mother would scold her for getting her silly head lost in such romantic notions and getting hung up on a boy.

"You should be getting your degree and a good job, not wishing your life away for some philandering baboso to come waltzing back and making a bunch of empty promises he doesn't intend to keep."

Mama had never approved of Andre, or of any man who caught her daughter's eye. She didn't want her precious little girl making the same mistakes she had made growing up.

Honey Lemon knew she meant well and that she was probably right about needing to focus on school first, but it was still stifling to listen to.

Honey Lemon sighed as she turned off the water and wrapped a towel around her. There was nothing else to do. She'll just have to keep her Parisian excursion a secret from her mother. So long as she didn't let her grades dip, that would be easy enough to do, but if her missed finals did damage to her GPA she'd have to come up with a pretty creative lie to tell the family matriarch, and Honey Lemon was a terrible liar.

She changed into her regular shirt and tights and flopped on the bed. Whatever was she going to do?

-----------------------

Varian dragged himself back up the stairs to the hotel room. His conversation with Hiro had been exhausting. The other boy hadn't even really wanted anything, he was just sick of Fred's monster movies and wanted to complain to Varian again.

It has been the usual lecture about not thinking things through with the additional snide jabs at his attempts to romance Honey Lemon going awry.

"When are you going to wake up, man? She is so out of your league." Hiro snorted. "Oh by the way, I updated the terms of our agreement. You're now my personal butler for two weeks, cause I just had to sit through Kentucky Kaju vs Mothman and it is baaaad. Like the worst movie I've ever seen baaaad."

Varian rolled his eyes but didn't try to argue back. He was in no position to weasel his way out of it either, not when Hiro could tell Aunt Cass about his little cross-continental trip.

He didn't care about his aunt finding about his failed date, indeed he might even just ask her for relationship advice cause nothing he tried was working, but he didn't want Aunt Cass finding out about the portal yet. He wasn't ready to tell her about trying to return to Corona. That would just be a huge mess and both boys knew it. As far as their aunt was concerned, Varian was simply working on some new form of clean transportation and nothing more.

He was greeted by the sound of snoring as he opened the door. He quietly shut again behind him and tiptoed over to the bedroom.

"Honey Lemon?" He questioningly called out as he poked his head around the sliding door.

She was dressed in her usual clothing, minus the shoes and cardigan, and sprawled out on the bed fast asleep. Her wet hair was splayed out on the pillow in dark ringlets and a bit of drool was on the corner of her mouth.

His heart melted at the sight.

Honey Lemon was obsessed with fairy tales and unrealistic romances. She wanted grand gestures and to be swept off her feet by a knight in shining armor; ironically ignoring the fact that she herself fit that very descriptor.

And Varian was only too pleased to provide this to her when he could, but for him these were the moments he lived for; the mundane, the ordinary, the unflattering and uncompromising truth that belied the fantasy.

She was real. Not a dream come true, nor a happily ever after ending, but a person. A kind, caring, complex and beautifully flawed human being who actively chose to spend time with him, of all people, and no storybook princess or Hollywood heroine could compare to that.

She interrupted his thoughts as she gave a particularly prodigious snore and turned to lay on her belly, "Pass the bead please…" she hummed in sleep before snuggling with her pillow. It took everything Varian had not to burst out laughing as happiness welled up inside him. She was ridiculous. She was perfect. He thought her even prettier here than she had been at the cathedral shining in the sunlight.

He went to the closet and pulled out the extra blanket. He threw on top of her and whispered, "Dors bien" as he grabbed the extra pillow and laid down on the couch.

-----------------------

Six o'clock came far too soon. Varian didn't want to wake up and Honey Lemon really didn't want to get up. He had to practically drag her out of bed, by her feet, just to get her to open her eyes. Only for her to flop back down as he gathered up the rest of their things.

"Come on Honey Lemon, if you don't get up I'll have to carry you."

"Then carry me." She sleepy replied.

She didn't think he'd actually pick her up. But he did and she found herself being cradled in his arms along with their assortment of shopping bags as he strode out the door.

That woke her up.

Honey Lemon knew she didn't weigh much but Varian didn't seem to even acknowledge the difference between her and the paper bags full of much lighter clothes. He was stronger than he looked.

She insisted on being put down and he obliged once they reached the elevator. He handed her her shoes and sweater and after putting these on she took half of the bags. Then they were off.

They grabbed a quick coffee and croissant at the airport, and ran to meet with Fred and Hiro as their plane touched down.

"Welcome to Frederickson airlines," Fred said in a mockingly polite tone, "I hope you enjoy your flight. We have an in flight movie at nine and a mini bar complete with airline peanuts and your choice of coffee, tea, or limited addition Kentucky Kaju gatorade."

"Do you have a bed?" Honey Lemon yawned.

"Right this way, miss." Fred motioned her to follow him to the designated napping area on the plane as he pretended to play stewardess.

Varian and Hiro watched them board as they stood at the bottom of the stairs. Hiro gave Varian a smarmy smile.

"So Romeo how did it go?" He asked

Varian only gave him a warning glare, Hiro ignored it. "I told you." He shrugged, "Out of you league."

"Ferme ta bouche" Varian angrily shot back and Hiro didn't need to know French to understand he was being told to shut up.

-----------------------

The ride home went as smoothly as could be expected. Varian called Granville before it got too late and she gave them all extensions.

While she didn't approve of the reckless misuse of Varian's invention she was nonetheless still very impressed with his progress. He was sure to get an A in his final project, working return switch or no, and as for Honey Lemon, Granville assured her that she would speak with SFAI's headmaster personally and try to smooth things over with her art teachers.

Honey Lemon nearly cried with relief. Sure she may have to do some extra work to make up for the lost assignments but that meant she could circumvent her mother's prying questions.

After that phone call the mood on the plane lightened considerably and the teens had a good time playing videos and watching cheesy sci-fi movies on the long flight back.

They touched down in San Fransokyo at around ten that night and Heathcliff drove them all home. As Honey Lemon was being dropped at her apartment Varian got out and walked her to the door.

"Look I just wanted to say I'm sorry again."

"For what?"

"For getting us trapped in Paris."

"Say that again."

"I'm sorry I got us trapped in Paris?"

"In Paris." Honey Lemon emphasized for him. "You took us to Paris, France and it was amazing! There's nothing to apologize for."

"Really?" Varian awkwardly but hopefully smiled at her. "So I didn't screw anything up this time?"

"No." She shook her head with a laugh and returned his grin. "I had a fun time, but I need to go and prepare for tomorrow. I got five finals to make up."

"Yeah, I got three, though I think I've already past one of them with this Paris fiasco. Not sure how that happened."

Honey Lemon snorted, "You built a working portal, you'll never have to worry about failing school ever again. Granville would pass you with honors in everything if it meant making the inventor of portal tech an alumni."

Varian didn't know how to feel about that, not the least of which because he didn't think deserved the credit for inventing said portals, but he didn't press the matter. Instead he told her goodnight and walked back to the limo, not noticing the piercing eyes stalking him from the shadows of the alleyway.

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#Varian #Honey Lemon #tangled the series #BH6 the series #big hero 6 #tangled #rapunzel's tangled adventure #bh6 #of rocks and robots

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