#love drawing requests from spring or even .not spring. i don't remember how old this ask is

[pmpwbrrs]

Five Pebbles except candy gore and he looks deranged? If not that then LTTM discovering a Furby and/ or that one orange long furby with hands? I feel like the iterators would be weirded out if they had a Furby...

sure

It doesn't really look like candy but i promise it's sweet .bitter. and kinda wet too. mabte slimy/. Omfg wouldn't candy gore be super epic with iterator's structure. Not a puppet . Im not going to do this

anyway SEND REQUESTS 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌

Rain world related. I need bizarre stupid WEIRD!! yucky ideas you guys... idc No limits (gore and suggestive stuff are yaay too). obviously i won't draw anything or everything lmaoo . ships are ok i love ships. noweird ideas are ok too but uhh it's not really what I'm looking for

[tiredfox64]

Hello! How are you? I hope you are well and getting better ^^

Seeing your blog makes me assume you like Tinkerbell. I love tinkerbell! She and Roceta were my favorite fairies. What were yours?

While watching the movies again I came up with an idea for a request, feel free to ignore it if you don't like it :3

So how about Tomas with a reader and a daughter who are super Tinker Bell fans? You can also add another character of your choice if you wish.

Thanks in advance and have a good day! 🩷

To The Faeries They Draw Near

Yip notes: oh my goodness yes I freaking love tinkerbell for as long as I can remember. I love Tinkerbell, Fairy Mary, Vidia, and Terence. I love this idea

Pairing: Tomas x Afab reader

Warnings‼️: Do you think I want Disney to kill me?

Tomas has seen many strange creatures that come from mythology and other realms. But he didn’t expect to be overwhelmed by the knowledge of fairies. Specifically the Disney fairies.

Throughout the whole relationship you never once mentioned how you love Tinkerbell. You never mentioned Disney even when he asked what movies you wanted to watch with him. You always left it up to him. When you had your first child that’s when that love started to show.

Your daughter was about five years old when she watched her first Tinkerbell movie. You and Tomas visited Johnny after he suggested using his home theater to watch a movie. Since he knew your daughter never watched a movie before he thought this would be a nice experience for her. And what movie did you picked to show your wonderful daughter?

Do I have to say it another time?

Your daughter’s eyes lit up the moment she saw that dandelion puff turn into a fairy. She held her breath as she watched Tink find her talent and so did you. That scene was always intense even though you knew Tink would become a tinker.

“She’s watching it so intensely.” Tomas whispered to Johnny.

“Well, of course she is, she’s a child.”

“I meant my wife.”

Tomas stared at you, not with judgement but curiosity. Two of his favorite girls in the world having a wonderful time together, what more could he ask. The roller coaster of emotions you both portrayed was unfamiliar to him. From the annoyance of Vidia’s bullying to the sadness at Tinkerbell’s failure and almost ruining Spring to the joy of her getting the chance to see the Mainland. Tomas would chuckle under his breath to prevent you or your daughter thinking he was making fun of you both. He was just happy to see childlike innocence and joy in both of you. He also found it funny that Johnny was over Vidia’s attitude. Johnny was so ticked off.

After that day, all that Tomas would hear from his daughter involved fairies. She was hooked on that blonde tinker. You encourage this behavior by buying all the Tinkerbell movies and Disney Fairies books. Don’t forget the Peter Pan movies which resulted in your daughter acting more dramatic than usual. She sure became sassy for a five year old. Tomas hopes that she doesn’t grow a jealousy problem that would result in murder.

Tomas’ heart would melt when he watched the Shirai Ryu make promises to his daughter about how they will believe in fairies so that they can live. They might have been doing that out of the kindness of their hearts or they were afraid to upset the daughter of a man who they know could kill them in their sleep. Tomas is a silent killer, they would never see it coming.

Tomas required your assistance a lot to remember every little detail about fairies. It resulted in a lot of questions and confusion.

“Why is it called Pixie Hollow if they were fairies?” He would asked, sometimes annoyed that the answer was always the same.

“I don’t know, ask Disney.” Was always your response.

But the greatest outcome of this whole situation was your daughter’s new interest at being a tinker. She wanted to be just like Tinkerbell and would draw her ideas for hours. These ideas consisted of traps for the clan to use. Not the typical five year old hobby but this is not the usual living space for a child. She would take her ideas to Tomas or her uncle Kuai Liang since he was the grandmaster. She did have a couple of great ideas in that mind of hers. Her best was the bell system as she called it. It was basically a tripwire that would ring many bells to alert the clan of a possible assassination attempt. It might even ward off the assassins out of fear that they were caught early.

Though the traps were interesting, Tomas preferred if his daughter work on more kid-friendly stuff such as building a fairy house. Of course, she wouldn’t want to capture a fairy, she just wants to give them a nice home. She wanted to make something similar to the one that was made in Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue. She wanted her father to help her collect the items she needed like wood and rocks. Tomas was more than happy to venture out into the woods with her for a little scavenger hunt. A father and daughter day together.

Once that wonderful house made of cardboard, twigs, fern leaves, and childlike wonder was finished they decided the best place to put it was near the vegetable garden. His daughter made a nice path of pebbles leading to the house for the fairies to enjoy. The day after your daughter was running around telling everyone in the clan how her and daddy worked on the house for the fairies. She was dragging Hanzo with all her might, trying to get him to see the house. He could not keep up with her ramblings as she was speaking a thousand words per minute. He looked to Tomas for help but he was busy training the new initiates. The teenage mind could only do so much to comprehend a toddler’s words.

In short, Tomas understood that this love for Tinkerbell may never go away. This love stayed with you the whole time, it wouldn’t be a surprise if your daughter had gained a forever love for Tinkerbell as well. She is a child after all so she will really be hooked for a long time. With that being said he thinks it’s time to surprise you both. He knows just the guy to help him out.

══💤══╡°˖✧🦊✧˖°╞══💤══

“Can I look now?” Your daughter asked.

“Not yet, my Tinker. Just a few more seconds,” You watched as Tomas opened her bedroom door and turned on the light, “Okay, now.”

Your daughter pulled her hands away from her eyes and she let out an excited gasp. She squealed as her eyes traveled over her new room decor.

“It is…flitterific!”

Her bed was covered with blankets that had Tinkerbell’s face on it and a plush toy of Tinkerbell sat in the middle. Her walls had posters from the movies and wall decals with all the Disney fairies. What really caught her eyes was on a chair in the corner of her room. A green dress with a pair of wings and shoes with a puff ball on them. Your daughter would have leaped out of your husband’s arms if he didn’t put her down on the ground in time. She bolted to the dress and picked it up while jumping. You smiled warmly as your daughter constantly called for you to look at the pretty dress that daddy got her. You felt Tomas hug you from behind before placing a kiss on your cheek.

“How’d you manage to get all that for her?” You asked him.

“I got Johnny to order everything for me.” He answered back.

Ah yes, the wonders of the internet. Johnny knew to trust the Disney store and Hot Topic to get Tomas everything Tinkerbell related.

Then you felt something small but cold touch your neck. You looked down and realize what Tomas was doing. He was slipping on a necklace that had a Tinkerbell charm on it. The silver shined brightly with the gold dress on Tink shining even brighter. You smiled wide before turning around and giving Tomas a kiss.

“You’re very sneaky, you know that?”

“It’s a talent of mine.” He responded smugly.

“So tell me, how are you going to pay Johnny back for all of this?” You asked.

“I’ll figure something out. All I know that it was all worth it to see you and her happy.”

What a charmer.

Tomas gave you kiss before you bother turned your attention back onto your daughter. He will find a way to pay Johnny back one way or another. Or he could never pay him back. The man has money he could risk losing a few hundred.

Yap notes: Apologies if this seems a little messy or unorganized I did do this on my phone and I’m still recovering a little. But I did really enjoy doing this and revisiting the Tinkerbell movies. My favorite was the Great Fairy Rescue btw. I still have Tinkerbell blankets from my childhood which one of them my cowriter likes to rest on. The only other merch I have that I can remember is my Stitch one.

Now I might make my fiancé watch the movies with me. If he can handle Godzilla screaming for two hours he can handle some fairies. Adiós!

[imagineanime2022]

Hello, sorry i bother you again but it was close to halloween already so i have some new idea again and it Mori's simp reader again too.

So today i want to request snippet 15 year old Dazai X 15 year old Mori's simp reader (platonic) when halloween Dazai have some plan in his head and he want some help from his suicide buddy (Mori's simp reader)

Dazai know reader and Chuya have crush on each other but reader too dumb to know Chuya have crush on her too so Dazai have something in his mind. Two day before halloween Dazai ask reader how to do makeup and he borrow her makeup and her white dress too (reader and Dazai was same size even reader taller than Dazai a little bit). In that night after Chuya finish work at port mafia and when he walk back to his apartment he see....puppy. Chuya have soft spot for dogs so he go play with her, but when he come near puppy she run away when Chuya follow her. Puppy was disapper in abandoned house Chuya think it weird now so he going to turn away but he see puppy again this time she with girl who wear white dress, girl start to stand up slowly Chuya think this girl is reader so he tell reader to stop prank on him already but than Chuya remember reader have short hair but this girl have long hair. This girl start to turn to Chuya slowly, Chuya finally see her face he scream and run away(yeah, Chuya scared of ghost like Kunikida) this girl follow him too. Chuya run to street he see reader eating candy beside her motorbike (can you add Chuya react here) after reader know what happen she offer to take Chuya to his apartment (again can you add his react here) and here are the same ghost story Chuya tell in 'Hot Spring' scenario

In the morning Dazai bring makeup and white dress back to reader, reader ask Dazai if he dress as a ghost yesterday and go prank on Chuya (can you add Dazai react here) Reader being overprotective to Dazai like alway so she tell Dazai she not going to tell Chuya but before she leave Dazai ask reader to help something reader tell Dazai she going to help him everything. Dazai ask reader to help him steal his video game back from Koyo, even reader love Dazai so much as a friend but she was also scared of Koyo even Koyo was reader's mentor best friend she still scared of her but Dazai tell reader if she help him he going to give her pen Mori use to work. reader being Mori's simp she is, she agree to help Dazai. Dazai tell reader both of them going to disguise as a monster because in port mafia they rumors about monster in halloween, after that 2 days in halloween both of them disguise themself as a monster by Reader carry Dazai on her back (reader stronger than Dazai) and they cover themself with cloths. Reader was very scared and Dazai be normal as he is, Koyo's subordinate was check on Koyo office when she see monster (Dazai and reader) she pointing gun at them but Dazai make bone break sound and he also talk in very creepy sound untill Koyo's subordinate scared and run away. Both of them go in Koyo's office they try find Dazai's video game well Dazai mess around he use Koyo's makeup draw on wall reader try to stop him but it too late reader know it was end of her life. Dazai ask reader what will she do in halloween if they finish steal his video game back, reader said she just going back to her apartment, Dazai tell reader maybe she can meet his new friends (Ango and Oda) reader said she afaid to meet new people and she also don't think she deserve new friends too Dazai comfort her and he tell her he understand her. Finally reader see Dazai's video game so she steal back but....it was bad luck for reader, someone open the door it was Koyo active her ability with her subordinates. Reader run for her life while Dazai laugh on her back, Koyo and her subordinates run after them. Dazai tell reader to hide when Dazai hear footsteps walk away he finally get out of reader back. Reader ask if this video game is rare and why he want it back so much, Dazai quiet for awhile before he tell her he don't have time so much and he didn't hang out with reader like before. He tell reader he want to spend more time with reader so he plan this, reader tell Dazai he don't have to plan anything he just ask her and she going to hang out with him everytime because he is her best friend (can you add Dazai react here?) Dazai said he think it time to go home already but....both of them forget something important they forget Koyo have subordinate who can control gravity. reader see red glow when she look up, she see Chuya flying on her head, Chuya scared the shit out of hef (can you add Dazai and Chuya react here too?) Koyo scold Dazai and reader from hours, she also punish them by make both of them clean her office, Koyo know reader's mentor not going to punish reader too so she bring reader to Mori instead. Dazai being good friend he is he leave all cleaning duty to reader while he run away.

And this is how halloween night both Dazai and reader end when they both still 15 year old (Chuya also 15 year old in that time too)

Thank you for write my request!

- Bossy anon

Hope you like it!

Here

[diaco1968]

REQUEST!!!

@yeehaw87

Ok this took my lazy bottom so long to reply to! I'm sorry!!! And then I accidentally deleted the main request!!! Omg double sorry!

But! Very interesting request to be fair XD

Hope you enjoy.

@yeehaw87

Warnings! Suggestive themes, bj/oral sex, mentions of rude words, awkwardness!

Shoto

• He had taken you home with a cab from the fancy dinner, and you attempting to be polite invited him inside for a drink. His elegance was unnerving to you, making you feel small and trying harder than usual to not mess up. The look on his face. He usually looked unimpressed or just less than amused with everything in general. So, it didn't necessarily mean you were being boring... right?... These thoughts were running through you making your anxiety sky rocket and the butterflies in your belly to go wilder than usual when he leaned in gently for a kiss.

• All the feelings and thoughts doing their part to force your body to relieve you of the sexual tension they created, the simple kiss stirred into a heated makeout session, and that led to his hand sliding up your legs as he turned from his place on the couch to face you fully as he pulled you over and onto his lap, lips never disconnecting as they moulded together feverishly. His hands on your ass, pulled you closer, grinding you over his crotch And of course you wanted more contact on certain other areas so you started by unbuttoning his shirt and taking it off before slowly pushing him on the couch so he was lying on his back now with you straddling his hips. You pulled back from the kiss, panting lightly and straightened up to pull your shirt off over your head.

• Unbeknownst to you, Shoto was quite nervous too. He feared messing up anything with you. The way you always made his heart flutter with any simple thing you did. And surprisingly, when he was nervous he tended to blabber. Averting his eyes from your undressing, with a soft blush he looked up. And blabber he did.

• "Did you know the ceiling needs painting?"

• You already had your shirt off and numbly looked up to see what he was referring to. It sure did. But... were you so boring to him that he found the ceiling more interesting?... looking at the ceiling when you were taking your shirt off?! All your movements froze and tears started welling up in your eyes as you tried getting off of him. His eyes snapped back onto you, catching a glimpse of your watery eyes right before the tears spilled and you turned your head to hide them from him. A choked sob left your lips. And that was the moment he knew he fucked up. Grabbing your hands to prevent you from running off as he sat up with you still in his lap, wrapping you in his shirt and grabbing the sides of your face to wipe your tears off with his thumbs.

• "Oh shit! I'm so sorry! It's not-! I didn't-- I meant! ... I'm such a fucking idiot... I just didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable by staring at you..."

• He wrapped his arms around you, pressing you flush to his warm bare chest, rubbing your back while rocking back and forth.

Dabi

• You were sore all over, but the warmth and the aftershocks of the pleasure earlier still running through your deliciously worked out body had you feeling amazing. Added to the way he breathed on the back of your neck and had his arms wrapped tightly around you from behind, his extraordinary warmth radiating off his body soothing your muscles, made your first ever experience such an amazing thing. Your emotions were in overdrive along with your sensations, all thoughts you had before this whole thing still lingering and mixing in with your new thoughts. You had been pretty new at this, so the idea of messing up embarrassingly, in front of Dabi of all people, who looked quite experienced in the sexual field.

• You did not mess up. He was kinda sorta patient with you, and it turned out pretty amazing.

• Remembering the whole thing, you got a little excited and biting your lower lip, you sneakily grinded your ass back onto his crotch, finding surprisingly that he was as excited as you.

"Wanna go again doll?"

He rasped in your ear making you shiver with a smile as his hips started moving, humping your ass, sliding his hardening shaft over and in between your cheeks.

"I'm surprised you would want to go again with me. I know I'm not that much of a pro at this."

"Are you kidding?"

You don't know why you decided to joke, you were emotionally not in the place to do so yet, or receive a snarky reply. Cause face it, Dabi is the king of snarky replies.

• "You're good enough to do this for a living."

• You blinked, halting as you tried to make sense of his words. And of course they registered in your head the wrong way. Do this for a living... this?! Did he mean you were only good for sex?... like ...

• You started to pull away as you tried to pry his arms off of you. He was surprised but he wasn't going to hold you by force. Until he heard you sniffle and his arms tightened back around you as he sat up.

• "What the fuck? Are you okay? Did I hurt you or something?"

• He was looking for any out of control burn marks he might've accidentally left on you.

• "No! Let me go, I better get to work then huh? Got to make a living..."

• He paused. A moment of uncomfortable awkward silence staring at your face with a pair of tear streams running down your face before he burst out laughing, much to your annoyance, and hugged you forcefully until you calmed down.

• "You silly little thing. It was a compliment! I meant to say you are good... maybe I said it wrong... sorry. You are sexy AND amazing."

Bakugou

• You were slightly older than him (...just... just imagine plz l...even one minute XD) and despite that he barged in right inside your life so boldly, you just had to give him what he wanted. You liked him, he didn't look younger and he definitely didn't act younger, so you were definitely interested in him. C'mon he was hot, who were you trying to fool.

• As you dropped to your knees in front of him seductively, sensually running your fingers down his biceps, hes pecs, his abs and his hips before cupping his ass, drawing a hiss out of him. You locked eyes with him as your teeth grabbed onto the zipper of his pants, pulling them down, holding his heavy gaze and fluttering your eyelashes at him. Your fingers moved and unbuttoned the pants, pulling them down along with his boxers, his hard cock springing out and standing to attention as it leaked precum.

• "Oh my, look how excited this little boy is by little old me."

• He rolled his eyes in annoyance, fed up with your snarky age comments. It wasn't like it mattered that you were older or anything. Annoying little brat that you acted like. And Katsuki being, well, Katsuki, he even took this age thing as a competition. And he couldn't really win it so it got him grumpy.

• "Shut up and put that mouth to good use, will ya?!"

• Seeing you chuckle his fingers tangled in your hair and guided you over to his cock, tapping the tip on your lips a few times before you opened your mouth to let him in. Your cheeks hollowed out around his length as your throat constricted around him, your hand fisting the length you couldn't fit down your throat in time with the bobbing of your head.

• "Fuck ..."

•  Gods he loved what you did with that mouth. It was like magic. Such an expert performanc, always making him hiss and whimper and curse in pleasure. And pleasure is a distracting thing for common sense.

• "You definitely look younger than you feel anyway."

• With a surprised slurp you came to a sudden halt and pulled away. He tried to reach out and hold your head in place but you dodged his attempt and stared up at him, wiping your mouth with the back of your hand, what the hell did he mean you felt old?! What does feeling old even mean? Are you not fun enough for him anymore?! Your eyes glossed over and he could tell it wasn't just your gag reflex as tears pulled in your eyes, voice already strained.

• "The fuck did you just say?..."

• He opened his mouth and closed it again, too shocked by the outcome. He had never seen you this upset. He had meant to compliment you...

• As the haze of pleasure was chased away by your haunting sad expression and spilling tears he put the pieces together.

• And he grabbed your hands pulling you up on your feet and hugging you tightly, burying his nose in your hair.

• "Oh my fucking god I'm such an idiot! I meant you are so amazing with your mouth ... and experience comes with age ... and you don't look old... fuck I'm sorry I'll just shut up..."

[eryiss]

Ship: Freed x Laxus

Rating: Teen

Prompt: Two Bros Chilling in A Hot Tub/Lightning Struck

Summary: Freed knew he had a lot to learn about being a professional wizard, and when he was paired up with Laxus for a mission he expected to learn a lot. He didn't expect to spend a day with him in a hot tub, and he certainly didn't expect to get an entirely unrelated education about life and about love.

Notes: Hello everyone, happy Fraxus Week. For the two bonus days, I've murged the prmopts together to make a two-shot. The second chapter will be uploaded on July the 22nd. I hope you all enjoy it, and head over to @fuckyeahfraxus to see all the other content for the event.

Links: Chapter Two ||| Event Masterlist ||| Archive of Our Own, Fanfiction

Chapter One

Year: X782

Location: Magnolia, Fiore

Professional Wizardry was still new to Freed. He hadn't wandered into the profession without the expectation that he'd be forced to do things that previously would have been unthinkable, or that his life wouldn't change entirely the moment he had joined a guild, but he felt like he was learning a new aspect to his profession every day. His expectations of the job and the reality of the job was almost entirely different, and Freed found himself enjoying the challenge.

He'd thought he'd be on missions near constantly. He'd go to some place in Fiore, use his magic to fight off a monster or dark wizard, and get paid for it. He hadn't expected there to be a community attached to it, that they'd be such a rigid tier system of missions, and how missions could be anything from finding a lost item, to being on a team attempting to disband a cult. There was so much more, and it was all fascinating.

After his eighteenth birthday three months prior, the jobs that he was allowed to accept had greatly opened up. They were more difficult, presented him with a greater threat to his life, and he was relishing the challenge. He could have gone on those missions earlier, but he much preferred working alone. While he was accepting that being in Fairy Tail meant there was a certain level of comradery with fellow guildmates, and that with that comradery there also came obligations, he didn't see the point in splitting his finances with others while he was powerful enough to perform these missions on his own and take home all the money himself.

The exception to this was Laxus Dreyar.

Master Makarov had approached Freed on his birthday with a proposition. He was worried for his grandson, wanted someone to look after him, and wondered if Freed would mind occasionally attending missions with him. He claimed that, while officially the money would be split between them, Makarov himself would make up the difference for Freed so that he would be paid in full. Freed had agreed, and that had been that.

Up until that afternoon, Freed had not gone on any missions with Laxus. They'd hardly spoken, even with Makarov's assurances that they'd get along. Freed would only be on certain missions and that afternoon's mission was apparently one of them. Makarov told Laxus Freed needed training in more advanced missions, and that he should be the one to do it. Laxus hadn't argued.

Somehow, while attending to a supposedly A-Class mission, they found themselves in Magnolia's hot spring and spa resort.

It was surveillance, so the mission stated. The Rune Army themselves had place the job, stating that they believed that members of a potential dark guild were using the site to host meetings and plan attacks. The resort had been trying to get rid of the suspects but couldn't do so without putting their staff in danger, and having an army presence suddenly appearing would tip the dark guild off and give them time to hide all evidence. The Rune Army wanted mages from Magnolia who could plausibly be in the spa for leisure time, but could also defend themselves from attack, to watch them for suspicious activity. Freed had a feeling that Laxus had taken the job to have a day relaxing in a spa, rather than because he felt the Rune Army needed the help.

None of this would have been a problem for Freed – he'd long since accepted that what constituted a job was a wide array of things – if it weren't for the elephant in the room. Or to be more precise, the Adonis wearing nothing but swimming trunks in the room.

Freed was a professional, but he was also eighteen years old and in the presence of an undeniably handsome man. Nobody, no matter their opinions on Laxus, would state that he was anything but sexy. Tall, blonde, square jawed, barrel chested with a scar over his eye and a tattoo over his pecs. His abs looked to be cut from steel and his legs comparable to tree trunks and, well, Freed was only human. Laxus was distracting.

"So," Laxus suddenly spoke as he slung a towel over his shoulder. "I don't exactly know what Gramps wants you to learn from this, but I'll try and teach ya some shit. Surveillance rule number one: fit in with yer surroundings. You seem pretty good at that."

It was only a moment, but Laxus' assessing gaze over Freed's body was exhilarating. But unprofessional.

Laxus didn't seem to notice, and instead started to walk out of the locker room they'd both changed in, and towards the area where they were meant to be watching. Freed followed, making sure to look straight ahead, rather than give into temptation to check out the man's back and his ass, and it wasn't a difficult task. While Freed had no qualms admitting his attraction to the blonde, he knew where his focus needed to be put. The mission was important, not his hormonal desire for his guildmate.

"That's the door we need to watch," Laxus said as he tilted his head to the door. Freed knew that of course, but Laxus was speaking again before he could say anything. "Pretty open room, lots of vantage points. Where should we go?"

Ah, it was a test then. Good, a worthy distraction and hopefully it would nip any ideas that Freed was in some way Laxus' inferior in the bud. Freed looked around the room quickly, glanced towards the door that they needed to keep in their sights, and quickly made a plan of how the rest of the day would go. Strategy was his strong suit.

"The hot tub," He said firmly. "At least for now."

"Why only for now?" Laxus asked. There was no condensation in his tone, he was simply asking for Freed's reasoning.

"Staying in the same place throughout the afternoon would be suspicious. We know who the suspects are, but that doesn't mean they're the only people involved, so we need to look like regular customers constantly," Freed explained, speaking quietly as they walked further into the room. "As we've only just got here, it makes sense for us to use a facility instantly. Going to sit by the pool or at the juice bar would be odd, at least for now. The massage tables and spa treatments are too distracting, but the hot tub allows us to sit and watch without anyone questioning it. It'll give us the lay of the land without drawing any attention on us."

"And we both have to do it?" Laxus probed. "Wouldn't it make more sense to split up and cover more ground.

"Later," Freed dismissed. "We came in together; we'll need to do things at the same time at least once in a while. As I said, the treatments are distracting and as such we should do them one at a time rather than simultaneously. If we spend the whole day apart after we've arrived together, it'll raise suspicion. The hot tub is a good vantage point, and so a good way to be seen together while not losing an advantage."

Laxus thought for a moment, before nodding, clasping Freed on the bare shoulder, and giving him the smallest of grins. "Yer good at this."

"Of course I am," Freed retorted, and that seemed to make Laxus grin wider.

They walked towards the hot tub, which was at the back wall, attached to the main pool. As it was a Tuesday afternoon, only a few people were loitering around the resort and the hot tub was empty. Freed placed his towel on the handle provided and walked into the hot tub, soaking his entire body sans his head in the hot, bubbling water. His muscles relaxed instantly, and he felt himself slinking down ever so slightly.

"You ain't here to relax," Laxus said in a voice almost teasing as he climbed the stairs into the tub. "Eyes on the mission, remember."

Freed went to point out that, given Laxus was looking at him rather than at the door, he was just as distracted. But Laxus chose that moment to sit down, submerging his chest in water and spreading his arms wide. His left hand was close to Freed's shoulder, and Freed felt that it was an act of great resilience that he didn't give into base urges and watch Laxus as he adjusted to his relaxed, wet – very very wet – state.

"I will if you will," Freed eventually said back, looking towards the door. He missed how Laxus' gaze lingered on his body just a little too long.

They fell into silence, and Freed made a genuine effort to keep his gaze away from the man who shared the hot tub with him. He truly hadn't thought this through. He hadn't realised that, as good as Laxus looked from afar, he looked better up-close. Maybe he should have denied the request to join the mission. And maybe he should have worn a looser swimsuit…

"So," Laxus said after a while, looking up at the ceiling for a moment to crack his neck. "How much is the old man paying you to spy on me?"

Freed halted, and removed his eyes from the door and looked towards Laxus. His face only, of course. "Excuse me."

"Rule two, you gotta trust the guys you're working with. So don't bullshit yer team members," Laxus said with a little grin. "Answer the question."

"For every mission that I do with you, he'll cover all the money you take from it, so I'm fully paid," Freed explained. He saw no point in lying.

"Guess we're gonna be doing some well-paying missions together then, if we wanna bleed the old bastard dry," Laxus smirked, and it was an oddly alluring look on the man. Freed looked away from it, and towards the door again. "You gonna tell him that I'm onto him?"

"I'd rather keep the deal up, I can get good money doing this," Freed shrugged, and he saw Laxus grinning a little from the corner of his eye. He tried not to pay attention to the expression, and instead focused on a man who could fit the description of a suspect. The man walked past the door, but that didn't mean he wasn't who they were looking for. "Why did you agree to this if you knew your grandfather wants reports on you?"

"Because it's gonna happen anyway, might as well accept it," Laxus shrugged. "I knew he was gonna get someone to do it, kinda glad that it's you."

"Why?"

"Because yer interesting," Laxus said, looking up at the ceiling again and closing his eyes as he lowered himself deeper into the water. Freed's gaze flickered low on the man's abs for a moment before looking to the door again. "We get a hell of a lot of mages joining Fairy Tail. Lots of people who think they're tough shit and wanna become the next powerhouse. Yer the only person I think whose got a chance of actually doing it."

The compliment was flattering. Laxus had something of a reputation for being generally rude and selfish, and either they were exaggerated or Laxus was making an exception. Freed felt it was a combination of both, but he accepted the compliment without complaint.

"You know my magic?" He asked.

"I've been keeping tabs on you since you came here, yer interesting," Laxus nodded, wading a hand through the water absently and sending ripples through the bubbles. "People give the darker magics a lot of shit. They're idiots. You can kick ass, and you're not bad to be around. Pretty much the opposite of a Fairy Tail mage right now."

"Does that opinion extend to you?"

"What d'you think?" Laxus asked with a cocky expression that Freed found himself enjoying.

"I wouldn't be here if I thought you weak."

"Good."

They fell into a silence, with the bubbling water warming Freed and making his muscles loose and relaxed. He kept a steady gaze on the door, making sure to avert his eyes when someone walked into the room, so his staring wasn't too obvious. It was a worthy distraction, and one well needed now that Laxus had apparently been watching him for all of eight months. That, combined with the fact that Laxus was wearing swimming trunks and was less than five feet away, could all become rather an issue if Freed didn't focus on anything else.

"Okay, your turn to relax now," Laxus said, cutting through Freed's thoughts. His voice was a little more relaxed. "You can't stay lookin' at the door all day. You'll get a crick in the neck."

"I'll be fine," Freed dismissed.

"Doesn't matter," Laxus stated, shifting slightly to get closer to Freed. It was to get a better view of the door, but the body heat that rivalled the warmth of the water was a noticeable feeling and Freed tensed. "Rule Three: lean on yer teammates. Sometimes you'll need to slack off, that ain't something to fight against. So long as someone in the team is on full alert it isn't too bad a problem. So sit back, close yer eyes, and let me take over for a while."

Freed was hesitant, but Laxus was clearly taking over keeping his gaze on the door, and Freed eventually found himself sliding down to further cover his body in water, and closed his eyes as relaxation flowed through him.

When his mind began to slip, Freed found himself thinking that Laxus was actually rather helpful. Freed wasn't quite so arrogant to think he knew everything about wizarding work, and an S-Class mage would have things to teach. Laxus especially would be useful to learn from, given their apparently similarities in working styles. Freed would need to learn how to work in a team, even if it wasn't fond of the idea, and Laxus might know how to offer actual advice rather than pointless mantras like 'your team should be your family' and other nonsense he'd heard from Fairy Tail. Without lying about why he was there, his team-ups with Laxus might be mutually beneficial.

Perhaps relaxing wasn't too bad an idea, either. Freed's mind had been somewhat consumed by his work. Finding a place to live as a seventeen-year-old had been difficult, and he'd put in a lot of effort in getting rent on time. But now he got better paying jobs, that urgency could fall away a little.

With a bit of effort, he tried to push the fact he was on a job to the back of his mind.

Once this whole thing was dealt with, maybe he would invest in a pass for the resort. In his preliminary research for the mission, he'd heard good things about the facilities, and even though he'd only been in the hot tub as of yet, he felt inclined to agree.

Though perhaps Laxus' company was partially to blame for his mood.

Fairy Tail had sometimes felt like a lonely place. Their focus on friendship, family and their revoltingly sentimental ideas about goodness were nice in principle, but when you were on the outside looking in it could get under your skin. Freed knew he was at fault for his lack of relationships with his guildmates, but perhaps Laxus might be a good starting point. Ironic, given that nearly everyone had told him Laxus was off-putting and rude.

The bubbles sent a pleasant chill over him, and Freed felt his tenseness ebbing away. When he got a pass for the resort, he'd have to explore the idea of a massage. He'd never thought it appealing, but perhaps he could be convinced.

There wouldn't be much convincing needed if Laxus were the one massaging him.

"Shit," Laxus hissed, and Freed's eyes whipped open. A rush of panic filled him that somehow he might have said that aloud, but the idea was ridiculous. He looked to Laxus to see worry flickering over him. "The suspect saw me looking, I think he went to get backup."

"Are you sure?" Freed asked, mind suddenly back on focus again.

"No, but we made eye contact. He's suspicious of me," Laxus was clenching his teeth, seemingly annoyed at himself. "We can't fuck it up, the Rune Army don't take shit like this lightly. We need a distraction or to get out."

"A distraction will be easier," Freed concluded. "Does he know for sure that we're looking out for him?"

"I wasn't being careful. I was watching him for about a full minute without being subtle. Pretty sure he knows it's not a passing glance."

"But that doesn't mean you know what he's doing, it just means you were looking at him," Freed mused aloud. "What if we throw him off the scent, give him another reason for why you were so focused on him."

"The hell would that be?" Laxus growled a little, and Freed scanned the room. They were the only two people in there now.

"Maybe you wanted him gone," Freed thought, plans forming in his head. Many of them he had to dismiss outright. "Perhaps if he sees something he wasn't meant to see, he'll think you were looking at him because you wanted him to leave."

"What the hell would I wanna do that I wouldn't want him seeing?" Laxus snapped, agitation rising. An idea came to Freed. It was good, it would get them out of the situation no doubt, but it might have a few repercussions in the future. Many arguments both for and against it flung through his mind, and his indecision must have been obvious, as Laxus continued talking a moment later. "Rule four, if a mission's going to shit and you think you can salvage it, you do it. So if you've got any ideas, I'd love to hear them."

Freed went to open his mouth to explain his idea, but he heard movement from across the room and glanced towards the door. It was opening, and two more suspects were walking through it, stone-faced and angry.

Before he could second guess himself, he launched himself onto Laxus and began to kiss him.

It was a sloppy, energetic, and passionate kiss. Laxus was frozen for a few moments, but Freed forced himself to push on in the hope that Laxus was trying to understand what was happening. Laxus quickly started to kiss back, and a hand ran down Freed's back, pulling him close. Freed began to mess his hands through Laxus' hair, heart pounding and a ringing in his ears cutting through his panic. He couldn't think of how bad an idea this was, about how there were probably hundreds of other ways to deal with this, because rumours stated that the dark mages were powerful, and he didn't want to get into a fight he could avoid.

Kissing wasn't enough for his plan. People kissed all the time. They needed to get… intimate. Freed began to run his hands over Laxus' torso – damn was he strong – and he felt large hands groping at his ass in return. He gasped into the kiss, and forced himself to remember that it was just for the mission.

The sound of a door closing snapped him back to reality, and he glanced to the side without breaking the kiss to see the suspects had left. He pulled himself off of Laxus, to find he'd been dragged so he was straddling the man's thigh at some point, and turned away with a blush, panting quietly.

"Good plan," Laxus said, voice also breathless. "Think it threw them off."

"Yes," Freed agreed. He couldn't look towards Laxus now. He simply couldn't. "I'm sorry for doing-"

"Don't, you did what you had to do," Laxus cut him off, voice somewhat stern, which wasn't helping the situation. "I would've done the same if I thought of it, and you fixed my fuck up. So no complaints."

"Okay," Freed didn't feel any better. He stood up and reached for his towel, still not looking at Laxus. "I think I should sit at the juice bar for a while, we've been together for long enough."

"Wait," Laxus began, shifting slightly but Freed was climbing from the hot tub before he could reach for him. "This ain't- you don't have to leave on my account."

"I'm not," Freed lied. Because of course he was. Laxus might be straight, he might not like Freed, and he might not appreciate being kissed like that at random. "If we spend all out time in the hot tub, it'll look odd. It was overdue, more so now they've seen us."

Laxus looked ready to argue, but sighed and nodded. Freed walked towards the juice bar, fighting the urge to touch his lips. Electricity danced over them.

Kissing Laxus… it felt like being struck by lightning.

[sheerfreesia007]

Finding Love In Legacy Oaks pt. 11

Title: Finding Love In Legacy Oaks pt. 11

Fandom: Kingsman

Pairing: Agent Whiskey x OFC

Author: @sheerfreesia007​

Words: 7,484

Warnings: Mention of injury

Permanent Tag List: @paintballkid711, @fioccodineveautunnale, @phoenixhalliwell, @linkpk88, @weirdowithnobeardo

Author Notes: So Bunny’s life isn’t all rainbow and sunshine, I’m just trying to write relatable things into this story and loved the idea of this happening to Bunny. There’s a method to madness for putting Bunny through a little bit of pain. Jack opens up a little bit about his family finally! We get a bit of family history from both Bunny and Jack. I can’t wait to show you how I draw these two idiots closer together! Hope you enjoy!

Gif Credit: Google

Blinking her eyes rapidly Bunny sighed softly and rubbed at them feeling how strained and tired they were. Quickly saving her work on her laptop she closes down the web design program and powers down her laptop closing the lid. She turns in her desk chair and spots Butter sleeping in the plush dog bed that she keeps in her office, his tongue as always hanging out of his mouth as he lays on his back with his feet in the air. She chuckled softly, shaking her head as she heard him snore loudly from his comfortable spot. Just then her cellphone began ringing and she saw that Jack was calling her. Furrowing her eyebrows she answered the call and pressed the phone to her ear.

“Hey Jack, everything alright?” she greeted him and heard his soft warm chuckle on the other side of the phone.

“Hey Bunny, everything’s good. Just got a few moments to kill, you got time to just chat?” he asks warmly and Bunny can feel a warmth start to develop in her chest at the idea that he just wanted to call her to talk. Brining one foot up to rest on the desk chair she leans back and gets comfortable in the chair.

“Of course, you’ve got impeccable timing Jack.” Bunny replied with a soft chuckle.

“Work dragging you down?” he asked curiously and Bunny could hear shifting in the background on his end of the call, he was probably getting comfortable himself.

“Not dragging me down, but I’ve been staring at my laptop screen for the last few hours and it’s starting to do a number on my eyes. Thankfully I was able to get a good chunk of this project planned and mapped out.” She explained easily as she snuggled further into her desk feeling the cushions sink and surround her.

“Does that normally take a long time to get done?” Jack asks and Bunny is was pleasantly surprised at his questions, normally people didn’t really care to learn about the process of designing a website.

“Depending on what the client actually wants it could take a few hours to code the links and pages to open the right way. But normally it takes about half a day to plan and map out the website.” Bunny explained in layman terms so that she wouldn’t confuse him.

“And what’s the next step after that?” Jack asked curiously. Bunny smiled as she thought about the next part of the project that she would have to work on, it was her favorite part.

“Designing the face of the website. See the planning and mapping of the website is the background work, it’s how the website is coded to work. If you click on a link and it brings you to another page that’s the mapping part of it. The design is how it looks to the client. I can make it look a certain way based on what the client has requested.” Bunny explained passionately as she started getting even more comfortable in the conversation about her work.

“What was the most outlandish website you’ve been asked to design?” Jack asks with a soft chuckle and Bunny sits for a minute to think.

“I had a client come to me and request a website be made for his young daughter. Apparently she wanted a place to be able to post all about her latest obsessions. But there was no rhyme or reason to the website, random music played on different pages and the mouse would be different shapes for different pages. And it would randomly have sparkles falling like snow on the pages. Think of that Myspace era and dial it up to thousand percent. That project gave me so many headaches I think I invested in the aspirin companies.” Bunny explained with a groan and Jack laughed loudly on the other end of the phone call.

“Oh goodness, I remember those fads. They were horrible now that we’re well past them. I’m lucky that Es wasn’t old enough for that back then otherwise I’d be tortured by all of that. What was your favorite website design?” he said as he still chuckled.

“Oh yeah she’d have loved all of that stuff. What with her love of sparkle I’m surprised she hasn’t gotten you just let her glitter her whole room.” Bunny laughed happily and Jack scoffed softly.

“Don’t you dare give her that idea! She’s already tried to convince me to let her get more sparkly items for her room. I think my eyes are constantly blinded whenever I have to walk into or even past it. Bunny, too much sparkle.” Jack bemoaned to her and Bunny burst into laughter.

“Alright, alright I won’t mention glitter to her.” Bunny conceded as she laughed delightedly. She grinned as a lull in the conversation happened naturally and they both calmed a little.

“So favorite project?” Jack asked again. And Bunny grinned as she remembered her favorite project that she worked on.

“I have an annual client who comes to me to design her family reunion website. Nice elderly lady with a very large family, I’m talking like the last reunion two years ago had I think twenty grandkids. She normally contacts me in the beginning of spring to start designing the website so that it’s ready for early summer and their reunion is towards the end of the summer. It’s a week-long event for them where they go to the family lake cabin and just spend the week doing boating activities, there’s competitions between each branch of the family and there’s nightly outdoor movies and bonfires. It’s a lovely affair and all their pictures are so funny to see when she sends them to me to place on the website. It’s my favorite project because she’s such a sweet woman and I love listening to all her stories she tells me.” Bunny said warmly as she leaned further into her desk fondly remembering all the conversations she’s had with the woman.

“Have you ever met her in person?” Jack asks curiously and Bunny’s smile falters a little bit. “I only ask because you sound like she’s gotten close to you after being a client for a while.”

“Yes, I’ve worked with her for about five years now and have met with her in person every year while working with her on the websites. We usually go out to a long lunch and just spend the day talking about life and how we’ve been and also about the project. She’s truly a wonderful woman and she’s become kind of like a surrogate mom to me since mine lives so far away. But her family reunions are always fun to hear about and all the crazy adventures they get into.” Bunny says wistfully.

“You like the outdoors Bunny?” Jack asked warmly and Bunny grins widely at the question.

“I do, my family was always big on camping when I was growing up and while I don’t get to go as much now I still love to go camping and hiking. Butter and I have done a few mountain hiking trails together.” Bunny said fondly as she remembers her adventures with Butter.

“No way! Butter can hike? I’m surprised that little sausage roll can make it up your steps every day.” Jack teases and Bunny laughs into the phone.

“It’s all fur, don't let that fiend fool you.” Bunny said in a quiet confession and Jack laughed happily.

“Do you like outdoor activities?” Bunny asked curiously and Jack’s laughter faded in her ear.

“I do but it’s a little different than your idea of outdoors. My family back in Kentucky owns a large farm and I grew up there. Worked on the farm until I went to college and whenever I had a break I would come back home and help out when I could. Unfortunately when I started my career in security I wasn’t able to come home as often and help out. But the family still has the farm and it’s prospering so they’re all doing well for themselves.” Jack explained easily and Bunny nodded her head loving that he was actually sharing some information about himself with her. “We used to go out into the pasture a lot during the summers and sleep under the stars with a small campfire. It’s one of my favorite memories about the farm and my siblings.” Jack confessed warmly and Bunny felt that warmth that had started to grow in her chest began to spread and consume her body as she listened to Jack talk about his family’s farm.

“Do you have a lot of siblings?” Bunny asked, wanting to keep the conversation going and gather as much information about Jack as she was able to. He was still a mystery to her and while she knew he was a good man and cared greatly for his daughter she still didn’t know much about him. She wanted to begin a friendship that could hopefully turn into something so much more. And while they had begun flirting and teasing each other Bunny was ready to wait to see how this relationship blossomed. After the hell that she had been put through by her ex-husband Bunny was more than happy to wait and see how a relationship now panned out.

“I’ve got two sisters, one older that’s Rebecca or Becca. She's I think a year or two older than me. Then there’s Amelia, she’s the younger one, she’s five years younger. And finally there’s the baby of the family Will, he’s the youngest but don’t tell him that sometimes he acts like the oldest out of the four of us.” Jack replied easily and Bunny could hear the affection full in his tone over the phone. She could easily tell that he loved and cared deeply for his siblings. She smiled softly as she nodded her head. “What about you? Is it just you and your sister?” Jack asked.

“Actually I’ve got three siblings. There’s Sasha that you know about, she was adopted when I was eight and she’s two years younger than me, she’s the only one of us who’s got kids. Then there’s Jake, he was adopted when I was eleven he’s three years younger. And Freddie is five years younger than me and he was adopted when I was sixteen.” Bunny said smiling as she thought back to when her siblings were adopted and the parties that were thrown.

“So you’ve been through the adoption process?” Jack asks curiously and Bunny has to stomp down the urge and desire to be Esme’s mom that she had the other night at the sleepover.

“Yeah it was a bit hectic as a kid because my parents fostered a lot of kids while growing up and it was both good and bad. The kids that we were fostering, some had some serious mental health issues, like Sasha she has horrendous panic attacks and anxiety attacks all throughout her foster life with us. She still gets it sometimes but they’re not as severe she’s told me. And Freddie has bipolar disorder that he’s managing with a team of doctors, he’s got his good days and then he’s got some really bad days. I check up on him a couple times a month just to see how he’s doing and if he needs anything.” Bunny explained feeling a dull achy pain in her chest as she talked about her siblings’ mental issues. She hated seeing them troubled and if she could take away their pain she would in a heartbeat, Sasha and Freddie were the best type of people and the fact that they had to deal with these issues pained Bunny. She knew they were dealt a hard life but she hoped that by joining her family they had found some sort of peace, and while they had told her this before she hoped it was true.

“Wow, I didn’t realize that the foster kids your parents helped were dealing with those types of issues.” Jack said solemnly.

“Yeah there were others who needed more help than my parents could offer or give and those were the ones that were either placed with another foster family or the state government eventually took custody of them. They became a ward of the state.” Bunny explained softly.

“Well I’m hoping they got the necessary care they needed wherever they ended up.” Jack said in a calm, easing voice.

“I do too.” Bunny replied easily before her mind turned back to Esme once more and the sleepover fiasco was in the forefront of her brain again. “Hey while we’re talking about this stuff. I-uh wanted to let you know that Es had a run in with Cynthia and it wasn’t pretty.” Bunny began to explain. She took a breath in and heard absolute silence on the other end of the call and for a moment she thought the call had dropped. She began to move the phone away from her ear to check when she heard Jack’s deadly calm voice speak up.

“What did Cynthia do to Esme?” he asked in such a harsh cold tone that Bunny physically shivered in her seat.

“Es got caught up in all the excitement with the other girls at the sleepover and called me Mom in front of everyone. Cynthia heard and was a bit of a nasty witch to her and to be honest I can’t remember the exact words because I only saw red and ripped her a new one for her shit talking, but anyway she said something about needing to talk to you about her hanging out with me too much that she was thinking I was her mom.” Bunny explained in a rush as she felt the white hot blind rage she felt after Cynthia snapped at Esme.

“Easy Bunny, easy.” Jack said softly and Bunny took in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. “Es called you mom?” Jack asked quietly and Bunny felt her heart clench suddenly at his question.

“She did. And Jack I don’t mind one bit. She just got caught up in the chaotic energy the girls were causing and it was just a slip of the tongue. Honest.” Bunny said quickly to try and ease him if he was having second thoughts of her being around Esme so much. “And I talked to Es about it. Told her it’s no big deal and that I’d be lucky to have her as a kid. But I told her what Cynthia said was uncalled for and that she didn’t have to listen to her since she was mean to Es.”

Bunny felt uneasy as if she was rambling as she tried to explain to Jack what had happened the other night and as the silence fell over the phone conversation she felt her anxiety skyrocket inside her. She tried to wait patiently for Jack to say something but when he didn’t say anything after a while she sighed softly, figuring that he’d want to put a stop to them spending so much time together.

“I understand if you don’t want me watching her anymore or taking her to yoga.” Bunny said softly and dejectedly.

“Now hang on.” Jack said suddenly and confidently. “That’s not at all what I want.” Bunny heard his firm words and she felt hope unfurl in her chest making her breath catch silently. “You have been the best thing that has happened to both Esme and myself. You’ve helped me out so much with watching her for me. And Esme has had a rough time making friends in her new neighborhood and school but you’ve done wonders for her confidence that she now has a few friends. Bunny you not being in our lives is the last thing I would want.” Jack stated vehemently and Bunny felt tears prick at her eyes. “I’m more upset that Cynthia had the nerve to say something to Es about calling you mom. I can’t believe that woman.” He said honestly and Bunny sighed softly as she nodded her head.

“Yeah Cynthia I think has it in her head that the two of you are becoming a hot item.” Bunny said thoughtfully and Jack scoffed over the phone.

“She’s married Bunny.” Jack lamented softly to her and Bunny nodded her head at his words.

“I know that, but I don’t think she cares. Ever since I’ve met her she’s always been looking for the next best thing for herself.” Bunny said truthfully.

“She’s always been like this? It’s not just because of me?” Jack asked seriously and Bunny smirked softly, seeing an opportunity for her.

“You’re handsome Jack but you’re no Mark Strong.” Bunny teased him as she grinned widely.

“Oh ho! So you dig the older men huh Bunny?” Jack teased right back and Bunny blushed deeply.

“What can I say, he's dreamy.” Bunny said dismissively and Jack laughed softly.

“Well now I know who my competition is then.” Jack said sultrily and Bunny felt desire jolt down her spine making her gasp softly.

“C-competition?” she stuttered out softly before she heard muffled talking in the background on Jack’s end of the phone call. She could hear Jack responding to whoever was with him distantly as her mind began to race with the thought that Jack was competing for her affection.

“Hey listen Bunny I’ve got to get goin’. Thanks for taking my call and chattin’ with me. Tell Es I’ll give her a call at dinner time alright?” Jack said and Bunny let out her breath slowly through her nose.

“Yeah of course. I’ll let her know. I’ve gotta start getting ready to go get her from the bus stop anyway. We’ll talk to you then.” Bunny began to quickly ramble and she cringed softly as she heard his soft chuckle.

“And yes competition. Can’t let a Brit git one over the good ol’ American boy. Talk to you later Bunny.” Jack said in a low gravelly tone that made Bunny suddenly tense with arousal as she heard his tone and words. And then the line was hung up.

Huffing softly she slouched in her chair and pulled the phone from her ear slowly. Setting it down on the desk gently she turned and saw Butter was still passed out in his bed. Running a hand through her hair Bunny sighed softly.

“That man’s got a seductive tongue.” She said softly to the quiet office and Butter huffed in his sleep making her chuckle softly. “You said it Butter.”

*-*-*-*

As soon as Esme walked down the bus steps Bunny could tell that she was feeling down. Tilting her head to the side she watched as Esme walked down the sidewalk towards. The two older girls from the last bullying instance were walking behind her giggling and whispering to each other and Bunny felt rage rush her body with red hot anger. The girls looked up from Esme’s back and both instantly stopped talking as they spotted Bunny glaring at them.

“Girls.” Bunny said stiffly as Esme came to a stop next to her and the girls both gulped silently before one hesitantly let out a smile before the two made a dash for their houses. Bunny sighed softly and looked down at Esme who was dejectedly scuffing her sneakers on the sidewalk. “Bad day at school?” Bunny asked softly.

Esme shrugged her shoulders and continued to scuff her sneakers on the sidewalk. Butter looked up at Esme curiously before head-butting her calf with his head. Esme moved a little bit before stepping to the side to avoid Butter doing that again.

“Yep, bad day at school. Why don’t we go for a walk and if you wanna talk I’m all ears. If not, it's no big deal.” Bunny said softly as she looked down at Esme. Esme shrugged her shoulders once more and Bunny nodded her head before gently holding out her hand for Esme. The little girl took a hold of it after a moment's pause and Bunny began leading her and Butter towards the main park area of the community.

The three of them walked in silence and Bunny kept her head held high not wanting to constantly look down at Esme. She was worried it’d upset the little girl more if she constantly tried to check in with her. As the three of them finish crossing the street to the park area Esme starts to slowly perk up.

“Hey Bunny?” she asks suddenly and Bunny hides her smile as much as she possibly can and looks down at the little girl at her side.

“What’s up Es?” Bunny answers in a question and Esme smiles softly at her.

“Have you ever called someone Mom who wasn’t your mom?” Esme asks softly and Bunny nods her head adamantly.

“Oh yeah! So many women.” Bunny said with wide eyes and Esme giggled softly. “I’ve called a bunch of my teachers in school Mom. Let’s see who else, oh! I called Molly’s mom that once and she wouldn’t let me live it down. Wouldn’t stop insisting she was my mom now. And then there was that time that I accidentally called Mr. Quinten dad and it was a whole big thing with him.” Bunny confessed as she sighed and rolled her eyes. Esme giggled brightly as she walked next to Bunny as she began to skip alongside her. “Look Es, there’s nothing wrong with calling someone Mom. It happens all the time.” Bunny stressed earnestly as she stopped walking and bent down to Esme’s level.

“Really?” asked the little girl as she looked at Bunny with a lost expression on her face.

“Yep. Sometimes we just forget where we are and the name just comes out. Other times we see the person we called Mom as a mother figure. It just means that you see that person as someone who you can trust and go to for anything. And I’ll let you in on a secret, come here.” Bunny said surreptitiously as she gestured Esme closer to her. “It means so much to me that you could think of me like that. And I will do my best to be there for you no matter what, understand? You’re stuck with me kiddo.” She said fondly as she nudged Esme under her chin making her giggle. Just then Esme launched herself against Bunny and Bunny caught her easily in her arms holding her close to her.

“Thanks Bunny.” Esme whispered softly.

“Any time kiddo. Any time.” Bunny said softly into the little girl’s hair. “Now what do you say to go for a walk and just hang out before we crack down on homework and then dinner?” Bunny asked hopefully that the little girl was feeling a little bit better.

“Yeah! Oh can we roll down that hill over there?” Esme asked, suddenly excited as she pointed to the medium sized hill that obscured the soccer field from view. Bunny shrugged her shoulders before grinning at Esme and taking off with Butter running besides her.

“Beat you to the top!” Bunny called and Esme shrieked with indignation as she began running as quickly as her little legs could carry her after Bunny.

“You cheated!” Esme cried as she began chasing after Bunny.

“Only if I win!” Bunny called over her shoulder laughing heartily before she began huffing dramatically as Esme caught up to her. Esme giggled as Butter barked chaotically at Bunny’s side as if he was trying to get her to pick up her pace. Once Bunny saw Esme pass her she began to overtly huff and puff as she chased the little girl up the hill.

“I win!” called Esme and began to dance in celebration as she reached the top before Bunny. Bunny made a show of bending over and gasping for breath which made Esme laugh harder. Butter hopped around Bunny barking at her and Bunny laughed softly at the dog as he did his best impression of an angry coach. “Ok, ok. Let’s do this!” cried Esme happily as she threw her back pack to the ground and began to lower herself down to the ground at the top of the hill.

“Alright you go first and then when you come up I’ll go.” Bunny instructed and Esme looked up at her gleefully. “What? You thought I wouldn’t roll down a hill? I’ll have you know I’m an expert roller.” Bunny said self-importantly and Esme burst into happy laughter before she shook her head.

“Bunny!” The little girl drew out the name in an exasperated tone and Bunny laughed softly before gesturing for Esme to go. Butter began to bark excitedly and was jumping around Bunny’s legs as Esme prepped herself to roll down the hill.

“Alright I’m gonna time ya. On your mark!” Bunny called happily and Butter began to jump more furiously around her. “Get set!” was the next call out and Esme prepared to begin rolling as Butter began barking like crazy. “Go!” called Bunny and instantly realized her mistake as Esme began rolling down the hill at a moderate speed.

Suddenly Bunny’s legs were knocked out from underneath herself as Butter took off down the hill dragging Bunny along after him. Shrieking in surprise Bunny heard a distinct crack and felt the back of her head bounce on the ground when she met the ground. Groaning in pain she raised her hand to her head before feeling her arm being jerked after Butter as he dashed down the hill after Esme. Bunny felt every hit with the ground as Butter dragged her down the hill and she moaned softly as he finally came to a stop at the base of the hill.

“Bunny!” cried Esme worriedly and Bunny peeked one eye open to stare over at the little girl as she got up and rushed over to her. Bunny could feel the aches in her body from when she had collided with the ground. Gritting her teeth and hissing softly as she shifted on the ground trying to sit up.

“I’m okay Es. Butter just got a little too excited.” Bunny began to reassure Esme as she saw the little girl’s face filled with worry and concern. Bunny set her hand down on the ground and moved to sit up on the grass. Hissing in pain Bunny quickly pulled her wrist up to her chest and clutched it there for a moment feeling the sharp pain coursing through her wrist. She laid there for a moment with her eyes shut clutching her aching wrist to her chest trying to breathe through the pain.

“Bunny?” Esme asked softly and Bunny opened her eyes to see Esme now kneeling next to her body as Butter crawled along the ground towards the two of them.

“I should be okay just banged up.” Bunny reassured her and sat up completely still keeping her wrist close to her body to limit the chance of irritating it further. Shifting on the ground to get into a better sitting position she felt a sharp twinge coming from her right ankle. Moaning softly her right hand fell to her ankle to try and steady it as pain jolted quickly up her leg making her muscles seize. “Nope, nope. Not okay. Let me just see if I can stand up for a second. Hey Es, can you come hold Butter’s leash for me?”

Es stood quickly from her kneeling spot and gently unwound Butter’s leash that was wrapped around Bunny’s left wrist and arm. She led Butter a step or two away from Bunny as she stood there watching silently with worried eyes.

Bunny rolled onto her knees and gritted her teeth as she felt the pain in her ankle begin to throb. Slowly blowing out a breath through her mouth Bunny used her left leg to push up from the ground. Taking in a few quick breaths Bunny stood on her left leg and tentatively placed her right foot down flush with the ground. Placing a little more weight on it she felt it suddenly give out and she collapsed to the ground on her knees groaning in pain at the impact.

“Definitely not okay.” she said softly and felt tears prick her eyes as the pain consumed her suddenly. Quickly blinking the tears away she looked over and saw Esme shifting on her feet with watery eyes. “Hey it’s okay. We just need to go to the hospital. I'm pretty sure I broke my ankle.”

“Oh Bunny!” Esme cried softly and Bunny shook her head as she settled back onto the ground.

“Es do you see my phone anywhere? I need to call an ambulance, I can’t stand on my right leg.” Bunny said as she began patting down her pockets not feeling her phone. Esme looked around the ground in the area that they had landed before darting over to the side where the phone laid in the grass. Bunny grimaced as she shifted on the ground and grunted softly in pain as her ankle was jostled before turning to see Esme already holding her phone to her ear. Bunny watched in surprise as Esme effortlessly called 911 for her.

“Hi, I need an ambulance to Legacy Oaks community. My babysitter fell down a hill and she can’t stand on her right leg and her left hand hurts.” Esme explained easily and Bunny tilted her head slightly at how calm Esme was as she talked to the 911 operator. “Yes she’s breathing and sitting up. We are at the main field area by the soccer field. Closest intersection is Main Street and West Legacy Boulevard. Ok hold on.” Esme relayed easily before moving closer to Bunny and holding out her phone to her. “They want to ask you some medical questions.” Esme said hurriedly as she came to Bunny’s side and handed over her phone.

“Hello?” Bunny asked, still in shock at Esme’s behavior as she watched the little girl take a seat next to her and began to coo at Butter.

“Yes ma’am, we have an ambulance on their way to you and I just need to ask a few more questions.” Said the operator and Bunny nodded her head slightly.

“Of course.” She replied as her eyes stayed glued to Esme who was sitting there rubbing Butter’s back letting her fingers drag through his fur.

“So it’s your right ankle that is injured?” asked the operator and Bunny could hear keyboard keys clacking in the background and other voices relaying information about other calls.

“I can’t put any pressure on my right ankle, my leg gives out when I try to. And my left wrist is throbbing with pain whenever I move it.” Bunny relayed to the operator and heard the clicking of the keyboard as she talked.

“Ok, I’ve already let the ambulance crew know and they are on their way. Is there any special directions for them on how to find you?” asked the operator.

“No, we’re the only ones here in the main park area. They’ll be able to see us.” Bunny said and watched as Esme looked over at her silently.

“Ok, if anything changes, call us back but the ambulance should be there shortly.” Said the operator and Bunny thanked him before hanging up the phone.

“I have to call Jeremy and see if he could come grab Butter before the ambulance gets here. Are you okay?” Bunny explained as she looked down to her cracked phone screen and pulled up Jeremy’s contact info with a little difficulty before she looked up at Esme. Placing the phone at her ear she watched Esme look at her with slightly teary eyes and a worried face.

“Hey Bun-Bun!” cheered Jeremy happily as he answered the phone after two rings.

“Hey Jer, I have to go to the hospital. I’m okay but I think I broke or sprained my ankle and wrist really badly. Es and I are at the main park with Butter, would you be able to come get Butter before the ambulance gets here?” she quickly relayed to him hoping he’d be able to help her out.

“Of course, I’m just getting ready for work so I can swing by now and grab him. No problem. Are you sure you’re okay? Is Esme okay?” he responded easily before asking about the well-being of her and Esme.

“We’re okay, I think just a little shaken up is all.” Bunny said softly as she watched Esme sniffle softly and swipe her hand under her nose.

“Okay, I’m on my way. I'll be there in two minutes.” Jeremy said quickly and Bunny said goodbye before hanging up the phone.

“Are you okay sweetheart?” Bunny asked softly as she focused fully on Esme. The little girl looked at her with such saddened eyes that Bunny felt such a severe urge to pull her close and reassure her, but when her body shifted to move closer to Esme she gritted her teeth as pain shot up her leg and arm. “C’mere.” She cooed softly to Esme and the little girl moved closer to her side and pressed gently into it resting her head on Bunny’s right shoulder. “I promise I’m okay. Just probably broken bones. No big deal, okay?” she reassured the little girl as she gently wrapped her right arm low around Esme’s lower back.

“It’s my fault.” Esme said sorrowfully in a low tone and Bunny immediately shook her head at the girl’s words.

“No it’s not sweetheart. Accidents happen and it’s more my fault.” Bunny said easily as she kept shaking her head. Esme turned to look up at her confused. “I said ready, set, go and Butter knows those are play words. So I should have known better. It’s not your fault Es. Don’t think that it is because that’s the farthest from the truth.” Bunny said adamantly as she watched Esme closely.

“But if I didn’t want to roll down the hill then this wouldn’t have happened.” Esme said softly in such a heartbroken tone that Bunny felt her heart clench in response.

“Uh if you recall I also wanted to roll down the hill missy.” Bunny teased softly and Esme scoffed softly as her shoulders slumped forward. “Hey, I’m serious. It’s not your fault that I got hurt. It was just something that happened, it’s really no one’s fault.”

“But Bunny!” Esme cried indignantly as she tried to convince Bunny once more that it was her fault.

“Look, you couldn’t have predicted that this would have happened. And it’s not like you wanted me to get hurt when we decided to roll down the hill, right? And you didn’t push me. So it is not your fault. Accidents happen, we just have to deal with them and move on. Okay?” Bunny said firmly as she stared down at Esme. “Trust me I’m not mad or upset. My bones will heal and maybe if it’s broken I’ll get a cool cast and you can draw and sign it for me.”

“But-“ Esme began again and Bunny quickly shook her head as interrupted the little girl.

“Nope. No buts. It’s no one’s fault. I won’t hear anything else about it.” Bunny insisted as she shook her head at the little girl.

“Fine, but I still feel bad.” Esme huffed out softly and Bunny smiled warmly at her.

“You can feel bad for me all you want. It’ll help me lay it on thick to Jeremy and your Dad to help me out if it’s broken.” Bunny said, nodding her head eagerly and Esme giggled softly.

“I can help you too.” Esme said cheerily and Bunny nodded exaggeratedly making Esme giggle again.

“Uh duh. You’re definitely gonna be my number one helper.” Bunny said fondly and Esme nodded her head confidently as she watched Bunny determinedly. “Oh reminds me I should call your Dad and let him know what’s going on.” She said absentmindedly when suddenly Jeremy’s bright yellow jeep pulled up to the curb and Butter started barking excitedly as he recognized the car.

Bunny sat next to Esme as the two of them watched as Jeremy hopped out of the jeep in his security guard uniform and rushed over to them. He had a concerned expression on his face as he walked over to them and his eyes were darting first around Esme and then landed on Bunny.

“Are you okay?” he asked worriedly and Bunny nodded her head as she gritted her teeth when her wrist protested with her shifting movement on the ground.

“Yeah, just banged up. Took a tumble down the hill that’s all.” Bunny said as Jeremy came to a stop standing in front of her splayed legs. He looked down at her with a soft fond look in his eyes after he heard her explanation.

“You’re always getting up to something aren’t you?” he teased softly and Bunny stuck her tongue out at him making Esme giggle softly.

“First time it’s because I wanted to roll down a hill.” Bunny retorted and Jeremy scoffed softly.

“First time for everything trouble maker.” He quipped back and Bunny laughed as she shook her head at him.

“Whatever man.” She bemoaned to him as she shifted again on the ground and gritted her teeth as pain coursed through her again.

“So what hurts and how can I help?” he asked kindly and Bunny smiled in thanks to him.

“My right ankle and leg are in a lot of pain whenever I move it and I can’t put pressure on it. And my left wrist is in a lot of pain too. Not sure but I might have a concussion too, banged my head a few times on the ground as I came down.” Bunny relayed to him and Jeremy whistled low, Bunny nodded her head in response to his whistle and gritted her teeth as a dull ache began to form in her brain.

“Man you know how to fall hard when you do huh?” Jeremy asked teasingly and Bunny chuckled at him.

“What can I say? Gotta do it right the first time right?” she asked and Jeremy shook his head at her. Just as Jeremy was moving closer to her and Esme they all spotted the ambulance driving down the street. Jeremy turned and waved them down as Bunny shifted again and felt Esme lean slightly closer to her. “I’m okay. It’s gonna be okay, I promise.” Bunny reassured her softly as the paramedics parked the ambulance and hopped out.

“Hey guys, she’s over here.” Jeremy said easily as he directed the paramedics to Bunny.

“Are you her husband?” asked the male paramedic as he looked from Jeremy over to Bunny and Bunny grinned as she fluttered her eyelashes at Jeremy who laughed at Bunny’s antics.

“No, just my best friend.” Jeremy said fondly as he walked over with the paramedic.

“So what happened miss?” asked the younger female paramedic who was now kneeling down at Bunny’s other side with the medical bag set on the ground next to her. Bunny watched as she looked across Bunny to Esme and smiled softly at her. “Don’t worry honey, we're going to take good care of your babysitter.”

“Got knocked down the hill by my overly excited dog.” Bunny said as she gestured with her chin to Butter who was now rolling in the grass on his back trying to get the paramedics’ attention. Both paramedics laughed at Butter and Jeremy just shook his head as Esme giggled softly. “Banged my head a couple of times on the ground, did something to my left wrist, it's throbbing in pain, and my right ankle is in a lot of pain too. Can’t put any weight on the right leg either, tried to stand up and my leg gave out.” She explained as they all looked at her and Esme who was still cuddled into her side.

“Ok, well I suggest we take you to the hospital to get your wrist and ankle checked out to see if you just sprained them or broke them. Also if you choose to let us take you we’ll check for concussion in the ambulance. We can’t force you but that’s what I suggest.” Said the female and male nodded as he stood next to Jeremy.

“Yeah, let's go to the hospital.” Bunny said, nodding her head.

“Okay, Chase, can you grab the stretcher while I start her paperwork?” the female asked as picked up her metal clipboard and began filling out the paperwork with Bunny right there. “Do you want us to take her in the ambulance as well or will your friend be taking her?” the woman asked as she nodded her head at Esme. Bunny felt Esme’s hands come up to clutch at her bicep and she leaned closer to her silently.

“She’s gonna go with me if that’s alright with you guys.” She replied and felt Esme relax against her a little bit. The woman nodded her head and winked at Esme who smiled softly and relaxed further against Bunny.

“No problem with us.” She answered with a smile and finished filling out the paperwork. Bunny’s eyes darted over to Jeremy who was walking with Chase as he wheeled the stretcher over towards them. Once it was lowered to the ground Bunny looked over at Jeremy for some help which he gladly stepped over.

“I’m gonna just lift her up onto the stretcher. It’ll be easier.” Jeremy explained as he squatted down next to Bunny and Esme. “Hey Es, do me a favor and just hold onto Butter for me while I put Bunny on the stretcher okay. Once I’m done and they load her up in the ambulance you’ll be able to get in with her.” Jeremy said softly and kindly to the little girl who was still pressed up against Bunny’s side. Bunny could see the worry flash across Esme’s face and Bunny nodded her head at her.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let them leave without you. You’re coming with me.” Bunny reassured her and Esme looked up at her with concern. “Here take my phone that way you know for sure you’re coming with me since we still gotta call your Dad and let him know what’s up.” Bunny said as she handed over her phone to Esme who quickly took it and Butter’s leash leading him a few steps away from the stretcher.

“Alright c’mon lady let’s get you up on that stretcher.” Jeremy said as he slid his arms underneath Bunny’s knees and behind her back before standing up with her cradled in his arms. Bunny gritted her teeth lightly when her ankle fell with gravity as Jeremy lifted her. “I got you sorry.” Jeremy apologized and Bunny shook her head at him.

“No worries, it's okay.” Bunny said softly as he set her down on the stretcher and Chase lifted it up gently.

“Hey call me if you guys need anything and when you get done with everything and I’ll come pick you two up. That way you won’t have to worry about anything okay?” Jeremy said as Chase began to wheel you towards the ambulance.

“Okay. You sure? I’m sure I could call a taxi or something.” Bunny said as they all began walking towards the ambulance behind her.

“Yeah, call me and I’ll come pick you up. You’re already gonna have a lot going on so just call me.” Jeremy insisted and Bunny nodded her head as she watched him turn to Esme and held his hand out for the leash. “C’mon sweetheart let’s let them get her loaded up and then I’ll help you up there.”

“Thanks Jeremy.” Esme said softly as she hung back with Jeremy as the paramedics loaded Bunny into the back of the ambulance. Once they were done Bunny looked out at Esme and gestured her up once the female paramedic got situated in the back with her.

“Alright honey you’re gonna come sit on the bench over here okay?” she said as pointed to the bench seat next to Bunny’s stretcher on her left side. Bunny watched quietly as Esme climbed into the back with Jeremy’s help and came to sit down on the bench. When she was finally settled in her seat she gripped onto the stretcher railing and watched anxiously as the woman began to get a blood pressure cuff secured on Bunny.

“Alright we’re good to go. We’ll be heading to Three Sisters’ Hospital.” Chase said easily to everyone as he began to close the back of the ambulance. Bunny smiled at Jeremy as he nodded at her and then turned to Esme trying to ease her as they began their trek to the hospital.

[peerless-soshi]

Hello from ao3!!! There's so many prompts and I can't decide what to choose haha I feel that your last chapt left me thirsty so maybe fengqing and 75/92???? And if you don't like writing this kind of stuff maybe xuexiao and 40/96? I'm so happy that you're still accepting those requests :) And good luck with your long stories!

Rules: Send me two (2) tropes from this list + a ship and I’ll describe how I’d combine them in the same story.  

XueXiao: Almost kiss +Scars 

A/N: Yes, I'm coming back to life after the long break (caused mostly by my new job). Although I have less time now, I'm really determined to go back to writing and post more frequently. Big thanks to Anon who was waiting... months... for this chapter :)

Trigger warnings: Xue Yang being a killer and a creep (he was), some disturbing imagination, death mentions

Xue Yang tiled the window. Yi City broke in; fresh wafts of morning flowed through the coffin house, dust piles falling from the windowsill and flitting in the somber daylight, then fading. Xue Yang forced himself to draw a breath. Finally. The air reeked of wet that was neither dew nor rain, but it felt clean, and swept away the stinky dead smell skulking in the corners. Xiao Xingcheng liked the coffin house to be tidy, even if taking care of it was an idle job, so Xue Yang decided to grab a cloth and dust a little more before daozhang’s waking up.

Really, he wasn’t good at this – at playing house, playing nice – but he followed Xiao Xingcheng’s advises like a good guy. A good listener, and a better liar. You raise early, prepare water to wash your face, then put on clothes and smiles, take a knife – to chop meat in dices, just like Little Blindy liked. Xue Yang lived a quiet life, a fox holed up in his burrow, but he couldn’t complain. His patience was sharpening claws, curled up in the winter sleep. And it was getting hungry.

Leaving the window wide open to let the air in, Xue Yang leaned against the frame to rest. There was no sound but the wind. Then his eyes narrowed: he could barely see the buildings, the mist like a curtain over them. Recently, it was becoming thicker and whiter, he noticed, as if snow fell in blinding flakes, swallowing Yi City whole. Xue Yang could almost imagine them catching in his eyelashes, blinding him. Why? The mist was everywhere, the cold was unbearable, and he was in the middle of it. A cold chill run through his spine; Xue Yang blinked, shivered, and stepped away from the window. It should’ve been warm, spring was almost there, but no, it was cold. Too cold. The fox slept for too long, the winter was so close. Goose-flesh covered his still bare arms and his fingers, hidden in glovers and now cracked with cold, clenched on his wrists.

Waiting made him uneasy: he was waiting for warm, waiting for revenge, waiting all the time, waiting for Xiao Xingcheng, waiting…

Suddenly, someone shifted behind him.

"Who?” Xue Yang glanced back with some caution, but his face revealed nothing. The next moment, his heartbeat slowed down. “Daozhang. Did I wake you up?”

Xiao Xingchen slowly rose, sitting straight in the provisional bed made out of the coffin. His blindfold was awry in a morning disarray. “Don’t worry about it.” A smile. “It’s morning already?” A laugh.

A life.

Xue Yang remained silent. He was struck by how white Xiao Xingcheng looked in the morning: pale like rice paper, as easy to rip up, with just a few soft strokes of black hair and a thin line of a smile. His skin seemed to glow against the dark coffin wood and it was nothing like snow. More like a painting. Drop by drop, the snow melted and gave way to the warmth of Xiao Xingcheng’s voice.

“Hello?” he said,“What is going on?”

“It’s nothing.”

“What time is it?” Xiao Xingcheng repeated.

“Quite early.” Xue Yang finally said. He tried for a normal tone, a careless tone, not sure if it worked. “Sorry for the noise, daozhang, I only wanted to air the room. The hinges squeak, we should get new ones. Maybe we’ll go to the town later?”  

Xiao Xingcheng nodded but said nothing, then turned his non-existing eyes to Xue Yang. “Is everything all right, my friend?

“Of course,” he replied fast. Too fast? Clearing his throat, he realized how stiff he was. “Why does daozhang ask?”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“It’s quiet outside,” Xiao Xingcheng said.“Nobody’s there?”

Xue Yang shrugged, then remembering that daozhang couldn’t see it added, “Maybe they’re afraid after that fierce corpses’ attacks. Who can understand stupid villagers…? Uneducated villagers,” he corrected himself. “They have their own superstitions, I won’t keep up with them.”

The whole city lived on things that Xiao Xingcheng didn’t know. But maybe he didn’t want to know. And fine, him and Xue Yang could be alone, and feared. It’s much better to be hated for what you are than loved for what’re not, Xue Yang lied to himself.

Xiao Xingcheng seemed to look at him through the bandage. “Where is A-Qing? She’s not there?”

“I don’t know,” Xue Yang whispered. “I think she’s playing with the boys again. So ungraceful. But everything’s fine. Can’t you see it, daozhang?” he asked. A little of the laughter rang in his breath. “Stupid question. I guess you can’t.”

As he grinned roguishly, he was rewarded by a gale of laugh. “You devilish friend.” Xiao Xingcheng gave him a face of good-natured scorn, checking the blindfold. “One day I’ll have enough of your jokes, so watch out.”

“Perhaps, but today is not that day.”

With a quick flick, Xue Yang closed the window and turned again to Xiao Xingcheng. Gray light deepened to darkness. He reached for a candle; the fire grew up on the cusp of wax and the air warmed, and became dense. Outside the cold was rising; inside the scent of death, sickening and old, wrapped around Xue Yang like a balm. He walked to Xiao Xingcheng, black shadows on all sides. 

“It’s still early. Go back to sleep.” His quiet voice dropped lower and his smile drained out of it like wine from a bottle. “You don't have to worry, daozhang. I'll take care of it, you just rest.”

But Xiao Xingcheng would not listen. He raised his head, higher, thinking about something Xue Yang couldn’t see. At least he stood up, letting his long sleeves to flutter like wings.

“Daozhang!”

“I don’t like it. Stay here, please,” Xiao Xingcheng said, more gently then he should. “Something must have happened in the city. I’ll go and check.”

“Stop it.You stay here, I’ll go and see if everything’s fine.”

“Thank you, my friend, but are you able to do it?” Xiao Xingcheng whispered a question. “Those villagers are counting on me, I can’t leave them alone.”And he read the answer in Xue Yang’s trembling hands. “You wouldn’t go, but it doesn’t matter. This is why I need to. Take care of yourself.”

The sudden realization stabbed, sharp. Xiao Xingcheng would never have come back if he had left now. He’d never have come back to Xue Yang if he had heard stories of fierce corpses… and if he had seen the truth… or half-the-truth… or Song Lan… and if…

Noticing that Xiao Xingcheng was holding his hand, Xue Yang pushed him, but almost immediately grabbed his arm and forcibly seat him in the coffin. He didn’t understand it, but daozhang’s voice sounded different than it did before. Somebody had lit a flame between sentences, started a fire. All of sudden, a smell of thousand dead bodies enveloped the room. It was strong. How many people had died here? The candle flame quivered, and Xue Yang’s heart became heavy. His grip strengthened.

“Just sleep, daozhang,” he said, his lips by Xiao Xingcheng’s ear. “Why won’t you sleep? I don’t want you to go.”

“Didn’t you ask me to wake up?” he replied. “What are you going to do now?”

Xue Yang stopped. He felt stupid. He wanted to tell Xiao Xingcheng to be silent, but instead he thought “stay”. Xue Yang craved Xiao Xingcheng to stay; to lie, to fill him with words and never speak again. To be here, and to die, but not really, just a little. He could do it, have Xiao Xingcheng all to himself.

Xue Yang’s body was very close to his now, almost too close, and his hands weren’t gentle, weren’t careful. Xue Yang was still holding Xiao Xingcheng and before he knew, he used all his strength to push him down. The wood under them cracked. This picture – Xiao Xingcheng sleeping in the coffin, cladded from head to toe in washed white like in a funeral robe – it seemed familiar, and Xue Yang knew it was wrong. In another world, he would relive the scene again and again and again: laying daozhang down, washing his face, brushing his hair. The air reeked of wet that was neither dew nor rain. It wasn’t water, it was blood. But the picture turned watercolor hazy, the borders blurred. Maybe Yi City has really made him blind?

It wasn’t time for this. Not now. Xue Yang released Xiao Xingcheng’s shoulders and moved to his hair, then neck, to the soft skin he was still afraid to explore. The light of the candle painted strange patterns on Xiao Xingcheng’s face – he was the work of art, white paper instead of white mist. Xue Yang’s breathing, close to daozhang’s ear, was strangely irregular. He smiled at that. This breathing was out of rhythm, strained, as if he was holding something back, something violent. What a lovely feeling it was.

And then, there was something like a click. Like a flash of light. Xue Yang’s lips were so close to his that he brushed them while speaking. “I just want you to belong to me.”

Somewhere in his head a tiny voice said, what are you doing? Get hold of yourself. Xue Yang ignored that voice, but before they locked in a kiss, daozhang stopped him.

“No, Xue Yang. You can’t do that,” he said, his voice veiled in a quiet reprimand.

“Why?” Xue Yang’s fingers once again tightened on the edges of the coffin. “Can you stop me? Can you forbid me? Can you push me away? I’ll tell you: you are not strong enough to take care of yourself, Xiao Xingcheng, and you’re dreaming of giving orders to me?”

He bent down again, tried to swallow. For a moment, each breathed the other’s breath. But the instant was over and Xue Yang realized he didn’t have a taste of daozhang’s breathing: there were no leaves and trees and no cold frost on his tongue. There was nothing. Because daozhang wasn’t breathing.

A line like spider-silk showed between Xiao Xingcheng’s brows. “I’m not the one who’s dreaming.” He shook his head slowly. “You should wake up, Xue Yang. I’m dead.”

Yes, his mind yelled, That’s right.

“No,” his lips whispered. “It's not true!”

Xiao Xingcheng was talking to him again, as if from behind a wall, words Xue Yang didn’t grasp the meaning of. He just stepped away, tripping over his own feet, and falling. That was the moment he knew, there is no going back. Everything had been lost. Xue Yang was nothing but a bundle of stupid, helpless despair, kneeling on the floor of the empty coffin house like in an absurd prayer. Everything had happened so quickly, much too quickly. He had no control. And he remembered, of course.

“Xiao Xingcheng! Xiao Xingcheng!” Xue Yang called, reaching for the hands that were too cold. “Come back, Xiao Xingcheng! Can you hear me? XIAO XINGCHENG!”

It wasn’t meant to be like this. Did it have to be like that? It didn’t. It should. Those thoughts were weighing on his mind.

Xue Yang wasn’t sure how long he’d been cowering on the floor. A long time. He heard the wailing wind again. Apart of that, he heard nothing. There was nobody in the coffin house. He was alone. No Xiao Xingcheng’s voice. Just himself… and the memory of what had happened.

When Xue Yang lifted his head, everything was almost dark. The candle burned out. But even now, his eyes fell on the long scar crossing Xiao Xingcheng’s neck – deep, irregular, and buried under the clean bandages. He had exposed it earlier, as he had been running his hand through Xiao Xingcheng’s hair. Once again, he was struck by how white Xiao Xingcheng looked: pale like a corpse, and nothing like snow.  

Of course.

Finally, he got up and walked over to the coffin. This time, he ignored the lips and kissed only the ugly, ugly scar.

 I am no longer here.

However, the body lying in the wooden coffin was the greatest evidence that Xiao Xingcheng was lying. Oh no, he was still there. Xue Yang grabbed a cloth to dust a little more before daozhang’s waking up. Xiao Xingcheng liked the coffin house to be tidy, even if taking care of it was an idle job.

[dailyaudiobible]

02/17/2020 DAB Transcript

Leviticus 4:1-5:19, Mark 2:13-3:6, Psalms 36:1-12, Proverbs 10:1-2

Today is the 17th day of February, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I'm Brian it's great, great, great to be here with you today for the last time from Rome, at least for now. This…a couple hours we’ll be boarding the flight over to Tel Aviv and then getting about the business of preparing for the Daily Audio Bible pilgrimage 2020. So, thank you for your continued prayers. Definitely been battling the fatigue but that's just kind of…that's part of it, but another day or two and we’ll be acclimated. Anyway, we've come here together to allow God's word to wash into our lives and to carry us forward into this week. And, so let's do that. We’re reading from the New International Version this week and we have begun the book of Leviticus and I…I think it was yesterday…I think it was yesterday I mentioned this, you know, this is a book of the law. So, we’re kind of reading a law book, So, we could go, “well, this is…this is different. Like what…what happened? It got boring all the sudden” or whatever but we need to pay attention to the different literary styles that are going on. We love the narrative style, right, because it's telling us a story. This happened, then this happened next, then this happened next and then there was this drama, and then this happened next, whereas now we’re…we’re kind of reading the ordinances and laws that will govern and��and actually create and hold together this people that God has chosen who He has brought into the wilderness so that he might dwell among His people, but also so that they might become acutely aware that there is no hope outside of God. So, today we’ll read Leviticus chapters 4 and 5.

Commentary:

Okay, let's talk about the riveting story being told in the book of Leviticus right now. I understand it’s not a riveting story. It's a lot to do with sacrifices and atoning for sin and it's very involved. Like, there’s a lot of…a lot to do. So, what's the deal here? Like the most high God likes to smell burning animal carcasses? Like He just…He loves and that's why He wants all these sacrifices. Is that what's going on here? We will find throughout the Scriptures that God will comment on this and tell us, “no” that’s not what He's after. He has a people who are former slaves who have no idea how to be anything else who are a stiff necked and rebellious people who have already turned to false gods in the wilderness after all they saw God do to bring them out of Egypt and He's trying to draw them to Himself and give them, bestow upon them an identity as chosen, no longer slaves, you are chosen. So, what could destroy all that? Like what would mess that plan up? Sin. It always messes the plan up. And, so, we’re seeing get kinda woven into the fabric of this new culture. Sin is a big deal. It's complicated. There’s a lot to do. But it's also costly. So, we can like read the book of the law, we can read the laws and here's a people are supposed to do and we can just be like yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah but let's personalize this…like…let's make this personal. We’re out in the desert and as the Bible has said today, we…we discovered, we…we realized that we had rebelled against God in some way. So, we become aware that something is come between us and God. And our hearts, we feel it, we sense it, we know it, we need to repent, and a sacrifice is required in this new culture. And, so, we have to go to our flock, and we have to select a goat or sheep, whatever the case may be, we have to select a perfect one and there aren’t too many of those. And we’ve been raising, we’ve been raising this livestock, we’ve…we’ve been shepherding this livestock. They have names, they know our voice. We’re…we care for them and we have to take the perfect one and lead it to the altar and then we have to take its life right there. We would probably not walk away from that experience feeling really really awesome about our sin. We would be can continually reminded of the price of sin. We would be continually reminded that…that this rebellion that can live in us, that can…that can have us doing crazy things like worshiping false gods in the wilderness, this will destroy our relationship with God. And, so, he's weaving it in. This is a big deal, a costly deal, a complicated deal because we need to be reminded how dangerous it is.

So, now Jesus has come and as we learn the Scriptures, He became the final sacrifice. So, we don't need to keep a flock of goats just in case. We look to the cross. And…and in truth if we’re just…if we’re just honest here. Yes, we would not want to go back to a sacrificial system in any way whatsoever. But when you look at it in its context and what it is teaching, you understand that it is a continual reminder of how dangerous and devastating rebellion and sin against God can be. Now we look to the cross, but often we don't…often we don't look to the cross and see the sacrifice upon that cross, dying in our place. So, yes, our sins are forgiven, but we should never forget what it cost. And we see that not forgetting what it cost is important to God because here in the Old Testament in Leviticus He's bit building in a very tangible reminder.

Prayer:

Jesus, we thank You, we thank You for Your sacrifice. We take this moment as we’re…as we’re observing the giving of the law and…and sacrifices for sin, it brings us back to You. And we confess that so often we’re just…just taking it for granted…it’s just a foregone conclusion. Of course, we’ve been forgiven but we don't often slow down and understand what it cost. So, we ask Holy Spirit that You would come and remind us throughout this day, that we would take it to heart, that…that this wouldn't be something that we just grow jaded to, that we just get used to, that…that we would remember what it took to bring us our freedom. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, it's home base, it’s where you find what going on around here.

So, yeah, what's going on around here for the next bit is the pilgrimage, the annual pilgrimage that we take to the land of the Bible each year. So, we had a little stop for a couple of days to do some photography and filming in Italy in Rome and we were able to see a lot of just the archaeological ruins from the Roman empire time, really…really connecting those stories back into Israel. Israel, of course, at the time of Jesus was the province of Syria was the province of the Roman Empire. So, there are a good deal of Roman Empire artifacts and ruins in Israel as well. So, today we will fly over to Tel Aviv and then, yeah, begin unpacking and getting ready for the excursion we’re gonna be on.

Tomorrow evening is our inaugural dinner and kinda orientation. And that's always so fun finally to get everybody completely wide-eyed and wired on adrenaline but completely like backwards in their body clock. It’s just such...so…such a strange sensation but such fun. And, so, we’re looking forward to that. I will be making what I believe will be my final attempt to get to the ancient ruins of this Philistine stronghold known in the Bible as Akron. And years past…those of you like that have been around the Daily Audio Bible for several years, you’ll know…like we’ve made two different attempts because there are five Philistine cities spoken of in the Bible and we filmed three of them. And Akron is the fourth one. The fifth one is Gaza and that's not anywhere near safe to go to and from what I understand there’s really nothing…there’s no archaeology there. So, I’ve been trying to get the…the…the…the film and the…the photographs of this place for several times but it's…like there are lots and lots of archaeological sites in Israel. And…but not all of them are accessible or visitible. You have to like go out in a four-wheel-drive way out somewhere and this is…this is kind of one of them and we’ve been stuck twice, two different years having to get pulled out of fields by tractors, last year being the most recent attempt. This year I'm pretty sure we are prepared. So, that’ll be tomorrow on the way down to Ashdod where we will all meet up and begin our journey.

So, thank you to everyone out there for your continued prayers over all of this. We’ll need it. We’ll need it every single day and we appreciate it more than you know.

I’ll remind you the Israel 2021 pilgrimage is now…we’re now…we’re now receiving registrations for next year's trip, which is about a year from now. All of our Daily Audio Bible events and trips fill up pretty fast. This this one will probably be mostly, if not completely full by the time we get back. So, yeah, you can check it out at dailyaudiobible.com. Look in the Initiatives section and you'll find Israel 2021 and you’ll get all of the details, everything that you would need to know. And, yeah, looking forward to seeing you next year in Jerusalem.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't thank you enough. We wouldn't be here if we weren’t in this together. So, I thank you. There is a link on the homepage. If you're using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request a comment you can hit the Hotline button in the app, the little red button at the top or you can dial 877-942-4253.

And that's it for today. I'm Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hey DABber family my name’s Mark from Columbus Ohio and I’ve called and once. I’m still relatively new, just started listening last summer __ participate with this family being able to start the day off with the word of God has…has…has been quite…quite…beneficial to me. And I am a COPD…end-stage COPD I’ve been diagnosed and as I’m calling for prayer because I need faith. And I worked so hard last summer to…to qualify for __ reduction surgery and my CO2 levels would go down and stay down. Now they’ve tried to __ have a transplant team. They’re telling me that one of the reasons…one of the qualifications is I need someone to take care of me 24 hours a day, you know, 24 day care after surgery but they do want it to be anyone from a healthcare agency, they want it to be a family or friend, you know, a family member or friend. And I’m…I’m not, you know, I don’t have that, you know. And I guess they all have their own agenda. I just, you know, and not being able qualify for this LVIS last summer, not being able to meet the requirements of this other thing, it just doesn’t do a whole lot for my faith. You know, I keep inquiring, I keep asking God what His will is and I just…I don’t know…I don’t know. You know, He knows what I’m trying to do, He knows my hopes, He knows my dreams __ you know…

Hi family this is Janice calling from Goodyear Arizona and I just have an encouragement for sweet Laura B in Boynton Beach. Sweetie your message for your friend Ricky really touched my heart and I have put him in my prayer book, and I promise to keep praying for Ricky and yourself that you are and encourager as I try to be. So, God bless you honey. And on another note my husband David who fell and got a concussion and went into a coma, he has a doctor’s appointment today. The doctors are just freaked out because the brain bleed is gone and there was no swelling and he’s back to his old self. So, praise God and thank you for your prayers. I love you all and I’ll be in touch again soon. God bless you.

Good morning DAB family this is Terry from Kansas City and I think I’d love to change my name to Blessed by Jesus. I used to live in Albuquerque for almost 34 years and so this morning on February 11th as I heard Marlowe from Albuquerque, Marla I felt that I know you and I could just feel a connection about being a little socially awkward, you call it social anxiety and that’s how I should refer to it for you. I was so excited to hear that God had allowed you to feel comfortable meeting Suzanne and my prayer for you is that you will continue to be able to reach out to her and that God will move you forward and give you wonderful days meeting wonderful people and that is my prayer for you. And also, God’s Little Bird, I was a substitute teacher for many, many years and I can feel your angst in wanting to serve your students and do that and proclaim Christ in your actions and in the way that you love on them. I am praying that God will give you clarity as to what to do in your profession or whether or not to leave your profession but I challenge you to continue to serve your students in godly excellence knowing what He wants you to present to those students. And I want to remind you that you are planting seeds. Whether or not you’re able to see the fruit of your efforts I don’t know but somewhere down the line those students are going to shine because they had you as a teacher. I pray for your peace, your mental and spiritual protection while you’re in the classroom, and I pray that joy will be restored to you…

Hey Daily Audio Bible family I’m calling into pray for God’s Little Bird. Today is the 10th maybe…no it’s the 11th…today is the 11th. She called in, she’s a teacher, and she’s struggling because the kids that come through…and it’s interesting that she called when she did because immediately before her, I think it was immediately before her, a woman called and prayed for the kids in the Daily Audio Bible listeners…but I just wanted to give you some encouragement God’s Little Bird. God is using you. As a Christian teaching kids in this country you are so, so, so, so, so important. So, it’s…it’s not going to be easy because you have to stand as…as a pillar of light in just an absolute hurricane because people who suddenly refuse to believe God instill those values into their kids and their kids go out into school and eventually the workplace and they may never come into contact with a Christian who could be the difference between life and death, between heaven and hell. So, I just want to encourage you that if you can be a witness to even one of those kids then every day of the decades that you will have invested in this career will be so worth it. And we will see that child in eternity. So, I encourage you to pray about it, but please just know that on behalf of an older sister to kids in the school system that I am so grateful for teachers like you. God bless you. Bye.

[singing starts] One peace like a river attendeth my way when sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot thou has taught thee to say it is well, it is well with my soul [singing ends]. Father God thank You that we can say that when we are in the midst of the storms of this life. Father God thank You so much for this day. I pray Lord that You would be going before us and preparing it for us, that You’d be giving us strength and energy and courage to face this day, that You’d also be giving us patience to wait upon You and to listen to You. Thank You for what You are teaching us this day. Thank You for Your blessings this day. Thank You for those opportunities. Lord it’s so easy to get dragged down into the misery of…of the world and the general drudge of living as it can feel sometimes. Help us to fix our eyes upon You. Help us to keep running forward, moving forward towards the goal. In Jesus’ holy and precious name. Amen. Hi guys, Michaela from Gloucester. Hope You have a blessed day wherever You are.

[waywardimpalawriter]

"This whole time I've been using you to make me feel better, and you never caught on. You never caught on. I want you to hate me now, but I don't think you're even able to." With Dean? Sorry, I'm on mobile so it took me so long to write this out lol.

Goodbyein her eyes

Summary: When pushed too farsometimes you just have to walk away.

Pairing: Demon Dean x Reader, MoCDean x Reader

Characters: Dean, Reader, Sam

Rating: R on the safe side

Warnings: angst, torture,violence, heart broken

Word count: 1,529

Setting: Middle to end of season10

Notes: I struggled with how towrite this story/drabble that’s why it took me so long. Anon requests plus angstdrabble starter request. They fit so well together so I thought why not do themtogether. Italics means flashbacks to when Dean is a demon torturing the reader.This story is from Dean’s point of view.

Taglist: Taken off or put on send me an ask.

Forever: @winters-buck @angryschnauzer @marvel-lucy @feelmyroarrrr @aquabrie @fandommaniacx @thetalesofmooseandsquirrel @supernaturallymarvellous

Supernatural: @smoothdogsgirl @aprofoundbondwithdean @ruprecht0420  @oneshoeshort

 I couldsee it in her eyes, such sadness and regret mixed with a heavy dose of goodbye.I knew from the moment she told me everything’s copacetic that somethings trulywrong. She’s been avoiding me for the better part of three days. Can’t say as Iblame her much not after everything I’ve put her through. Words that were meantto kill what was left of her love for me, disappearing for weeks, capturing andtorturing her for days, leaving her for dead. Now that one should’ve taken thecake right but no none of that detrude my stubborn girl.  

Adamantlystating that what I’d done; the pain I’d caused wasn’t my fault I’d been ademon at the time. Soul black as night because if that damned Mark of Cain andthe First blade. Yet every time I closed my eyes I saw what I’d done, the messI’d made of her. The scars I left and she forgave me for.

“I told you not to follow me, to let me go andwhat’d you do?” Knife’s edge drawing a thin line of blood to drip down herright forearm making it dance in all directions. Knowing it’ll leave a permanentreminder behind a warning I told her to heed. The muted scream from behind thegag is all I gets.

“Ah yes I remember now,” evil smirk gracing my lipsas I sneer at her. “Follow, that’s what you’ve done when I explicitly told youto stay away. I always figured you were stupid Y/N but not this much.”    

Pulling the gag from her aching jaw that she worksout with slow little wiggles and stretches hands still firmly bound behind herback, “this isn’t you Dean fight it, come back to us, to me.”

Dark laughter resounded off the run down shack myfingers like a vice gripping her chin, leaving bruises behind. “This is mesweetheart a new and improved version and truthfully I like what I’ve become.” Sneerfirmly in place while bending down to stare right into her blood shot and puffyeyes.

Eyes thatI’d come to love to have shining with trust and happiness. That now glanceevery so often to make sure I haven’t ran off again to rejoin Crowley as hisKnight of hell. Like that would ever happen. The burn reminding me all it wouldtake is one person snuffing out my life again and I’ll be right back to squareone. I couldn’t have that for Sam’s sake and hers. Though no matter how manytimes I’ve told both to leave me be neither will give up. It’s the reasonCharlie’s gone, left in a pool of her own blood battered and broken for us tofind. It’s how she’ll end up if she doesn’t leave.

“Then kill me now Winchester. Get it over withalready or are you all talk?” she sneered right back at me. Fighting her boundswith all the strength she could wanting to get free.

For whatpurpose I didn’t know. Stronger, faster and could over power her smaller framewithin seconds even without being a demon, Y/N couldn’t get even to the frontdoor before I’d be on her.

“Now where’s the fun in that little one? Not verysporting to just kill and run,” another dark chuckle leaves my lips making herflinch. “Come on sweet cheeks you telling me you don’t like what I’ve become?”

Staying mute eyes blazing as she watched me watchingher. Minutes could’ve been hours ticked by as I grew bored with the wholesituation. “Always the chatty one, now you’re mute. Where was that during thoselong drives when I wished you’d shut up prayed that I had duct tape to keep thewords from spilling out. Better yet slapping,” pulling his open palm backlanding a hard slap to her cheek that sends her and the chair she’s sitting into the floor, “the shit out of you to shut up.”

Tears springingto her eyes as she tries to hold back the sob that threatens to flow from herbusted lip tongue peeking out to taste coppery blood. “If you didn’t want mearound you could’ve just said something,” voice catching trying to keep herfear and cries in.

“And have Sammy boy pouting like a fucking two yearold,” rolling my eyes and righting her chair my head shaking in disgust. “I don’tknow why I put up with either of you for so long.”

“Because you love us,” trying to reason with thepart of Dean she hoped is still inside him.

Scoffing stepping away, “Love ain’t got nothing todo with it babe. The whole time I’vebeen using you to make me feel better, and you never caught on. You nevercaught on, I want you to hate me now, but I don’t think you’re even able to.You’re to pathetic, whine and useless for anything other than a few good fucksand even then it’s subpar at best. Lisa had been far better than you.”

Gasping this time a sob really did leave her drycracked lips eyes blinked back hot tears that still betrayed her state of mindby sliding down cool cheeks. “You don’t mean that,” always the fear in the backof her mind that I never loved her as much as I had Lisa.

Confirming that idea gave me such glee, “Ohsweetheart you wish, Lisa was/is ten times better the woman you are. I nevergot over her and never will.”

Memoriesfading like the late day sun while taking a long pull of the cool beer in myhand. Passing the bottle between my palms over the hardwood of the table underneathglancing up when I heard footsteps approach the kitchen door. Remembering the finalstraw that made her decision to leave etching itself in stone after the Styne’stried to destroy the Bunker. She knew I couldn’t be trusted not with the Markon my arm, I’d become even more volatile. Killing innocent people even if thekid had been a Styne and finding Cas beat up to the point of death. Not fearingme but what the Mark was turning me into. That fear driving her away and I’mletting it happen.    

“Sam’sgot my number if he needs anything,” I could feel her search my posture; thetense set of my shoulders and bowed head. I knew she’s waiting for me to saysomething anything to keep her from going.  

But I couldn’tnot with how I treated her. The words I said and have let her believe. To thisday I don’t understand why she forgave me but then I knew she’s stronger than Iever will be and a purer soul.

“Takecare of yourself,” the only words I could get passed my lips without baring mysoul.

Deep breathtaken in, “You really are just going to let me leave?”

“Yup,”another drink the Mark burning my forearm reminding me why I’m letting the bestthing in my life best sides Sam leave.

I couldhear her sniffle, can imagine the tears that slip down her cheeks, the longthin still red and healing scar down her forearm. The haunted look I put inthose beautiful once shining eyes. Eyes that told me long again that goodbyewas coming I just hadn’t known when.

Hearing theswallow, knowing she wants to say more, “Take care of yourself Winchester I’llbe praying for you.”

When hadanyone’s prayers ever been answered? Never that’s when and I knew her’s wouldn’teither. However, I held my tongue on that subject. “Take care of yourselfsweetheart,” I couldn’t help the term of endearment that slipped passed mydefenses hoped she wouldn’t catch it. Or if she did think nothing of it so Iheld my breath waiting.

Finallylooking up seeing her nod, duffle bag slung over one shoulder left hand holdingonto the strap like a lifeline to a drowning man. “See ya around,” three simplewords and she’s gone nothing else said nor will ever again.

Standing myanger over flows as the brown bottle goes flying across the room shatteringinto a thousand pieces just like my none existence heart. Over throwing thetable in a fit of blind rage the Mark fueling my anger. Shoving everything offthe counters making glasses and mugs shatter, and pots bang to the ground whenI rip the hanger from the ceiling.  Myown hot tears mixing with the anger flowing through my veins as I fall againstthe wall to the floor. I should be relieved instead I just feel empty inside.  I knew I’d never change the goodbye in hereyes and part of me didn’t want to. I had to keep her safe for my sanity orwhat’s left of it anyway.

Maybe oneday I’ll find her again, explain and hope that I can win her back. Till then I’mstuck with this thing on my arm and very little hope as that just walked outthe door carrying my heart with her.  

End…