#oc: ready trots

[mx24]

Oo I see your new artfight oc! Red Trots looks so cool, they got a nice shade of red! I bet it'll be friends with Burgerpants if they're both at the same job. (too bad artfight doesn't allow drawings with Canon characters :/)

yo thanks Egg!! haven't thought too much into their relationship with any of th canon characters, but ur right, it'd fs be buds with Burger/Pizzapants lmfao (also real af. makes sense, still sucks tho)

yknow i forgot t post them here actually lol. drew it nearly 2 months ago or smthin

[crushribbons]

𝖇𝖎𝖗𝖉𝖎𝖊, 𝖕𝖙. 𝖛

summary: Sebastian Sallow should have been a Ravenclaw. (series masterlist)

cw: 6.7k words, career-and-life-choices-related angst, SMUT (18+ ONLY), unprotected af sex, fingering, oral (m. receiving), questionable behavior if he doesn't have a breeding kink, not the ending you deserve but the ending you're gonna get, fem!oc/reader. requests open.

a/n: i'm so blown away by the love for this series. thank you for all the support and kindness you've shown!! unfortunately for everyone, i suck at endings :/ xx laney

“Come on, Seb! If we get there early, we might see the Bloody Baron run Peeves through with his sword again!” the sixth-year trotting past him called over his shoulder as he joined the throng queuing at the Slytherin common room door. Sebastian laughed and waved him on, promising to be down in a minute. Wish I could remember that kid’s name. Oh, well, no sense learning it now. 

Not now, on the night of his final Hogwarts end-of-year feast. When he’d first arrived at Hogwarts, he hadn’t been any taller than the runt who was currently getting trampled through the door by the gargantuan Gerald Gillooly. He turned his head away from them and caught sight of himself in the aged and spotty floor-length mirror that was at the top of the staircase he stood on. He was surprised not to see that runty little first-year who’d quietly begged his sister to hold his hand while they watched their peers get sorted by a smelly old hat. He had cleared six feet over a year ago without stopping, and the man who blinked back at him looked older and more haggard than he felt. Perhaps that came with the territory when you’d done what he’d done. 

This thought made him pause, one foot in mid-air ready to step down the stairs and join his classmates. What if he was aging more rapidly because of what he’d done to his uncle? Could the guilt he was carrying around, though he had thought it absolved, be etching itself into the lines on his forehead and the corner of his eyes? Would Anne have had something to say about the dark circles under his eyes? His shoulders sagged a little at the thought, although a sad smile tugged at his lips when he noticed how broad they had gotten. His Slytherin robes were beginning to pull at the ankles and wrists, but Sebastian never could justify a flighty purchase like robe tailoring when there was so little time left to wear them. 

So little time. Months left at Hogwarts had dwindled down to a few weeks, and his counseling meeting the previous Monday with his head of house had solidified the warbling jelly of nerves in his gut.

“So, Mr. Sallow.” Professor Ronen had leaned across his desk, gloved hands crossed beneath his chin. “The purpose of this meeting is to discuss your ambitions outside of your Hogwarts education, as your graduation date is nearing. And, as we belong to the noble house of Salazar Slytherin, ambition is everything. Now, what age are you?”

“Nineteen next month, sir.”

“Excellent.” The Charms professor scribbled on the roll of parchment in front of him. “And what were your highest N.E.W.T. results?”

“Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts, sir.” 

Ronen was ecstatic. “Ah!” He rubbed his hands together and looked at Sebastian with a special glint in his dark eyes. “And what career do you plan to pursue with such skills?”

Uh…

Truth be told, Sebastian had never been able to visualize a career that appealed to him. Lack of ambition, never. But lack of clarity for that ambition? Absolutely. He asked too many questions, over-thought each decision when it had come time to write owls to the Ministry and inquire about job postings. It had paralyzed him to this point, worry about choosing incorrectly and being stuck with a profession he detested gnawing at him from morning ‘till evening. 

Then, as always, she’d been there. Curled up at his feet and happily plotting the layout of her desk in the Department of Mysteries. And maybe whatever the future held wasn’t that nerve-wracking.

“You don’t even know if you’ll have a desk,” Seb had murmured on a rainy night in the Undercroft after his meeting with Ronen, running his hand through her hair while she doodled on the back of an old History of Magic essay and Ominis softly dictated a letter on the other side of the fireplace. She had looked up at him with those great big eyes and laughed.

“Good point. But come on, wouldn’t the Department of Mysteries be perfect for my little Ravenclaw drop-out? It’s all questions, all day.”

“You could stand working with me all day, every day?”

“Another good point.” She twisted her face up and stuck her tongue out at him. I love you. Say it, tell her, tell her now!

Time was definitely running short, for more than landing a career. 

The rest of April, after they’d done something resembling kissing outside the Three Broomsticks, had been…stiff. Tense. They both still refused to acknowledge their rampant attraction to one another, and Sebastian didn’t know how much longer he could take this. To make matters worse, Ominis kept being very pragmatic about the whole situation.

“Is it a good idea to be with a woman who is as equally stubborn as yourself?” he had asked Seb after being debriefed on the events of that fateful evening in Hogsmeade. Sebastian had rolled his eyes.

“Rolling my eyes,” he narrated absently, and Ominis sighed. 

“Sure, don’t listen to me, an objective outsider and the only one in this whole situation who isn’t acting based on pure, insane passion. What could I know?”

“She’s not stubborn about everything,” Sebastian let slip with a grin, the image of her legs locking around his hips and the sound of her moans filling every available inch of space in his brain. He realized his mistake when Ominis’ eyebrows dropped and tried to recover. “We get along fine. It’s just this one, stupid thing.”

“If you care for her so much, why won’t you just end this and ask her to dinner?” Ominis inquired. Damn that logic of his.

“Well, because,” Sebastian dead-panned. “Then I won’t have won.”

“I hope she curses you when you finally break down.”

And now it was the final night of the school year, of all his school years, and Sebastian found himself clutching his heart through a low-burning panic attack as he made his way to the common room entrance. His legs were on autopilot as he climbed through it and trailed a few meters behind the rest of his chattering and excited schoolmates. Each of his fingers sported a vicious hangnail by the time he entered the Great Hall, hardly paying attention to the enchanted galaxies and shooting stars streaking across its deep indigo ceiling. 

Why hadn’t he given his post-educational plans more consideration before now? The thought had produced so much anxiety within him that he’d been quite content to put a stopper in it until now, but now the anxiety reared its head with a vengeance and snapped and coiled dangerously inside him. 

Sebastian stopped at the end of the Slytherin table and glanced down its length. This was last night that he would be shoveling down its scrumptious food without a second thought; it seemed like a childish ingratitude now that he was facing the prospect of growing and catching all his sustenance over the summer, alone. 

The only available seat was next to Ominis, whose hand was planted firmly on the bench next to him to reserve it. Sebastian stumbled over and dropped into it. 

“Don’t sound so happy to be here,” Ominis muttered, passing the large plate of roast to his right and missing Grace Pinch-Smedley’s hands by a good distance. She smiled graciously at Sebastian and grasped the platter away from Ominis, who grunted in thanks. Despite the delightful-looking spread, Sebastian found himself unable to put anything on his plate.

“Psst.” Someone pinched the back of his elbow and he yanked it away on instinct, whipping around to catch the offender. She was sitting directly behind him at the table opposite, her back already facing him once more by the time he turned around. “Last night, birdie. Got a job picked yet?” she muttered over her shoulder, low enough so only he could hear as he strained his neck towards her.

His heart hammered. Why did she have to be the one to ask? “No, that blasted crystal ball only showed me winning the Quidditch World Cup in ten years, and I’ve no idea what that meant.”

“Oh, unknowable universe,” she sighed. Sebastian noticed that she had a black ribbon in her hair for the occasion. He slipped a finger into one of the loops and felt it.

“This is nice.” 

“Well, there you go! I hear Gladrags is hiring right now.”

Sebastian scowled. “Stop, please,” he muttered, turning his body away from her and feeling a little bad about it at the same time. She twisted herself around and grabbed at his sleeve again.

“Hey, it was a joke! You’re going to be fine, Seb.” She set her fork down fully and flipped her legs over the other side of the bench so she could tickle his back. Sebastian buried the reluctant grin on his face in a long gulp of water.

There was so much mingling and getting up to yell over people among the four house tables that no one paid them any mind as she continued running her fingers, distracted, up and down his back. Since this whole mess had begun, there’d been entirely too many casual, unspoken touches that set his mind reeling while he tried to figure out just what this woman was to him and how she felt about it all. But he didn’t even have the bandwidth to feel the usual level of arousal that her touch always conjured. “Come on, birdie, look at me,” she said, and Sebastian heard the tone in her voice as it dropped an octave that meant she wanted the teasing to pause temporarily. 

He turned to face her fully, and the look of pity (and, was that an ounce of longing he saw in those endless eyes?) carved into her mouth made him want to eat his robes. 

“I know things have been…” She glanced around the Great Hall, apparently hoping to find the perfect words written across the walls in floating candles. “Strange. With us.” She was floundering, and pleading with Sebastian to understand what she meant, but he couldn’t find it within himself to help her. He just stared, impassive and paralyzed by all things he’d neglected in his stupid, selfish youth. “But, they don’t have to be.”

She sucked in a deep breath, then jerked her head in Ominis’ direction, where the Gaunt had been slyly turning his ear towards their conversation. “Bugger off,” she hissed at him, and he snorted.

“The first time you two have been interesting in months and now you don’t want to keep me apprised,” he grumbled. But he turned his attention back to his plate and to the very inventive discussion about what Professor Black got up to in the summer holidays. Sebastian waited, still staring blankly at her, for her to reboard her train of thought. 

“Stop looking at me like I’ve got horns sprouting out of my forehead, first of all,” she began, and Sebastian blushed, dropping his eyes. “Look. What if I stayed at Feldcroft, just for the summer, and we worked on finding something you love to do for work, and get the cottage looking presentable. Then, you could sell it to that sweet, old couple down the road from you, the ones who wanted it for their daughter and her new husband. And you can move to London with Ominis and me, and we can just…figure it all out. In our own time.”

One of the few things Sebastian hated about himself was that when he was thinking of something to say, the rudest answer usually supplied itself first. “Wow, you’ve put a lot of thought into this.” “I’ve had to, because you haven’t!” she immediately spat back, poking him in the chest hard with her pointer finger. “I know it seems like a terrifying void out there–” She motioned outside the walls of the castle that still kept them safe and warm for one more night, “–but there’s so much time to do whatever you want–”

He cut her off, his hands fisting into his hair in frustration. “Whatever I want! I’ve no idea what I want!” he cried, accidentally jostling the student sitting on the other side of him with his long limbs as he rose to his feet. 

“Where are you going?” she asked. She stood and followed him, weaving through the crowd of chatting kids. Part of him wanted her to, and the other part didn’t. Where he usually found solace from his anxiousness with her, tonight he found only more push to confront it. Her plan was good. No, it was wonderful; the thought of living with her for the first few months of their adult lives and having her to help him find his passion? It sounded like heaven on earth. 

And apart from the appeal of her career counseling, sharing a living space with her might also provide some easy lubricant to the other plans he was working on. The plans that involved visiting her in her dreams again, for however long it took, in hopes of pushing her to the brink of sexual frustration and forcing her to confess her feelings to him. The book Legilimency and the Dreamer had been stuffed in his nightstand, collecting dust for the past few weeks while N.E.W.T. studying took up every spare waking and sleeping moment he had. But he had every intention of stealing it from the school (“It’s a dangerous book, really,” he had reasoned when the disapproving glare of Madam Pince appeared in his mind at the idea) and taking it with him when he left. It had been too easy, too good, too fucking wonderful poking around her subconscious that he longed to be back inside it. And her, as well.

He cut a sharp left turn away from the Slytherin table and past the distracted gazes of the professors, who were looking just as giddy, if not more, than their students that the summer holiday was imminent. He pounded up the staircase tucked at the back of the hall and hoped he wouldn’t hear any footsteps behind him. He just needed it to be quiet, just for a minute, so he could clear his head of everything and calm down.

When he reached the dust-covered storeroom at the top of the stairs, he let out a sigh. Then the candles on the unlit candelabra next to him blazed to life and a tiny scream jumped out of him.

“Will you talk to me now?” she demanded, her hands on her hips and her wand clutched loosely in one of them when he caught sight of her. 

“You have an extraordinarily light tread.”

“Thank you.” She sniffed and threw her hair over her shoulders like he’d just called her beautiful. Maybe he had. At this point, his brain was such a stew of anxiety and panic that he couldn’t trust a word out of his own mouth. 

Sebastian made his way over to some crates that had been stacked in a corner, dust cloths covering a few of them, and plopped down on one. She watched him, and her expression softened when she saw the way his chest was pumping air in short gasps. “Seb,” she said, jogging across the room and kneeling in front of him, between his legs. Her hands slid up to his face, and her voice suddenly lost all its tough-loving edge. “Hey, hey. Everything’s going to be alright.” “And what if it isn’t?” he choked. The future encroached on him with its talons outstretched, and his vision swirled a little. Air couldn’t reach his lungs quickly enough. “What if I choose wrong, and I have to spend the rest of the life I traded my sister’s for on NOTHING?” He was shouting now, he was sure of it, but the din floating up the stairs from the Great Hall covered it. When he glanced at the woman holding his face for the first time, he saw her lips had parted in shock.

She swallowed. “I didn’t know…I didn’t know that was why you were so scared.” Sebastian knew it was his own fault; he had swept his uncle’s and Anne’s death under the rug and rolled the rug up so tightly that he sometimes forgot about it himself. 

“I don’t like to talk about it.”

“I know,” she whispered. Her thumb stroked his cheek. "But you didn't trade anything for your life, sweet boy. It's yours alone. To do what you want with." The candlelight was twisting weird, dancing figures over her pretty face as she gazed up at him. Why are we always here? He thought. Always here, always close, but never anywhere further. Then she cleared her throat. “So, how about it? Let me stay with you and…figure it out.”

Yes, please, just stay forever. “I don’t know,” his double-crossing mouth said. “What if we can’t sell the cottage? And what about Ominis, in London? He’ll need you there. And what if I still–”

“Oh, see, you’re asking all the wrong questions, baby bird.” She forced him to look at her, her hands clamped down, hard, on either side of his neck. “What do you want to do? Answer me, don’t think.” 

“I want to be with you.” For Merlin’s goddamned sake, it slipped out so easily once he finally got out of his own way. Her eyes rounded, and he half-expected her to whoop out a victory cry. He had lost, given in, quit their stupid little game. Her arms were around his neck and she was kissing him before he had a chance to realize what he’d even said. 

A broken sob of relief passed between their mouths, unclear where it had come from. Her lips were wonderful and soft, better than the dream. It was all better than the dream, he realized: the scent of her filling up his nose and the very real weight of her pressing desperately close to him while they sucked down air in the few reluctant seconds they would break apart for. 

As she shrugged off her robes and lifted her leg to scoot onto his lap, the full severity of how stupid he was hit him squarely in the face. He had been dancing around her, wasting his time with little fantasies and dreams, and why? When he dug his hand into the flesh just below her ass, hoping to confirm this was all really happening, she moaned, dulcet and a little irked, and bit his bottom lip. 

“Fuck,” he laughed, after she had relinquished it with a satisfying smack against his teeth. “Didn’t expect that.” She pulled herself off of him and sat back on her heels while still straddling him. 

“Thank Christ you finally gave in,” she was muttering under her breath. Her fingers worked into the knot of his tie and she grunted in frustration, her hips inadvertently rocking against his cock and making blood flow out of his head and into his lap. “I was thinking of slipping you some veritaserum. I’ve been going mad.”

Sebastian groaned. “You’ve been going mad? I think my hair’s falling out.”

She gave a satisfied grunt as the tie fell loose around his neck, and she pulled him by both ends of it back to her lips. Every pent up ounce of stress and anxiety was rapidly pouring out of him as they kissed with fury, their tongues licking against each other and driving Sebastian wild. She pressed her lips to the spot on his neck where his jaw and ear met, and he discovered with a whimper that would have embarrassed him three months ago that it was his sweet spot. He begged her to do it again (“Shit, please, there again, baby,” was about as eloquent as he could manage) and she obliged with fervor. Her teeth sunk into the spot, pressure and delicious pain getting him harder by the second.

He grabbed her hand and showed her what she was doing to him, and it made her abandon her efforts on marking his neck to say, “God, is that all for me?”

“Who else?” She licked her lips and swallowed, seeming impressed as she stroked him up and down. She swore.

“Seb, this has been ridiculous.”

“Yes, it has,” he agreed, already irritated that now he had actually tasted her, nothing else would ever be as sweet. “But you won.” 

A grin that would have looked more at home on his own mischievous face spread across her lips before he kissed it away once more. “I did, didn’t I?” she said with a small quiver of triumph and pride in her voice as she pulled back to look at him. He was well aware that he probably looked ridiculous, hair pushed askew by her fingers and his gaze stupid and lovestruck. “Every minute of torture since I saw you in that stupid towel–” She punctuated the last word by pushing his robes off his shoulders and throwing them on the ground behind them, “–totally worth it. Every assignment I missed, every class I couldn’t concentrate in, all of those fucking dreams…”

Sebastian’s heart skipped two beats. “DreamS?” he inquired, frantic, while she was tugging off her grey, woolen tights. He emphasized the “s”, barely daring to believe that she could have had more than one without his influence. Had it really been this easy the whole time? Had she been eating herself alive like he had since, what had she said? That stupid towel? 

Since then? Why on earth had he bothered planting little seeds in her mind about being with him? The idea had taken root long before he’d even made his little nighttime excursion. God, this woman would never stop surprising him.

She huffed. “Yes, asshole, dreams. Too many dreams.”

“What kind of dreams?” He couldn’t help teasing her, not even now. When she sat back down in his lap with her tights removed, her core made contact with his cock and they both swallowed back moans at the sensation. Sebastian could feel how wet she was, even through his trousers. Wet and warm. And real. 

“Want me to show you, birdie?”

“Oh, fuck, yes,” he breathed, looking up at her like a supplicant at the altar. There was a fuzzy glow emanating from all around her, and he wondered briefly if it was the candle-lit room or if she was part-deity, about to lead him through the “pearly gates” he’d heard her mention before. She leaned down and kissed him, her fingertips grazing his jaw. Their lips fought a little bit before he had to smile and she won, yet again, her tongue sliding against his. She tasted perfect.

“Did you have cherry tart for dessert?” he asked when she broke apart and pressed her forehead to his. In spite of their already-compromising position, she blushed and nodded. “Well,” Sebastian continued, his hands moving down her waist and thighs to flip up the front of her skirt. “I never got to have mine.” His voice was husky and broken, but he couldn’t care. 

His fingers found purchase on the hem of her underwear. They skimmed over the lace there and they both gave up on trying to be cool and groaned. “Yeah, you were there,” she sighed with a slight choke as he ran one finger up her covered slit and pushed against her clit. “You touched me like that.” Sebastian applied more pressure and rubbed in light circles, and in what felt like seconds, she was circling her hips and grinding against his hand, just like she’d been so close to doing in the Three Broomsticks. 

He decided he’d burn the entire castle to the ground before he let them be interrupted again, though.

Her arms were around his neck once more, hanging on for dear life while she pushed against him and chased down the orgasm that, if her huffy moans and whines were any indication, was looming near. Sebastian had tasted true power before and hated himself for not hating it, but never anything quite as potent as the weight of the woman he loved pressing to his chest and begging him to touch her, to really touch her. He slipped his hand inside the lacy scrap covering her heat without any break in his motions on her clit, and she cried, “Fuck, Bash!”

Sebastian moaned a curse out into his bitten lip and held it between his teeth while he slid one finger into her with the utmost ease. He had only ever heard her call him that once before, during a tense Slytherin/Gryffindor match on the Quidditch field. He’d flown past the stands where she had been clutching the edge of the box, squinting into the blinding sunlight to try and locate the bludger that had been dead set on de-brooming him, just long enough to hear her scream, “Fuckin’ kill ‘em, Bash!” and the fire in her voice had almost done the bludger’s job and knocked him clean out of the air.

She was soaking through her underwear, and the feeling of it pressed against his aching cock was getting him drunk. He pumped the finger upward and watched her shake and chase it back down with her hips. Perfect, he thought, utterly perfect. The idea that nothing would ever be able to compare to that dream seemed ridiculous now, when the real thing hovered over his lap. “I’ve had dreams about you, too, you know.”

“Is that so?” A smug smile flashed across her lips before it vanished in favor of a fucked out scream as he inserted another finger that stretched her even further.

“Mmhm. Awful ones.”

“Like what?” Words were becoming harder for her to gasp out. Sebastian increased the speed of his hand and twisted the fingers inside her so they were brushing against her walls in just the right way.

“I fucked you senseless into my bed.” You braggart idiot. “And I couldn’t think about anything else for a goddamned week. You sounded so fucking sweet, calling me ‘birdie’, and so tight around my cock. I never wanted to wake up.” She shuddered and cried out, driving her hips downward and coming all over his fingers. The peacock in him preened, wondering if the secretly shared memory had been what pushed her over the edge. Her orgasm was so powerful that, when he pulled his fingers away and slipped them into his mouth before she had a chance to protest, he saw a dark stain left on the lap of his trousers. He groaned around his fingers and tipped her chin down with his free hand so she could see the mess she’d made. 

She moaned a feeble, “M’sorry,” when she saw the spot she’d left, shocking Sebastian so much that he used the hand holding her chin to swat her, barely making contact, across her cheek and glared. 

“That is the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen,” he growled, holding her in place until she nodded with a whimper and acknowledged it. “I never want to hear you say sorry for anything that gorgeous again.”

If sneaking into her dreams had been wrong of him, he couldn’t imagine that this was any sort of punishment for it.

She grumbled, “You smacked me.” Sebastian snorted.

“Barely.”

“Yes, and therein lies the problem.” He swore as his slacks tightened even more across his lap, and she giggled, wiggling her hips. He bucked into her, trying not to dig his thumbs into her waist too hard but unwilling to let her move from the perfect position he had her in. “Is that your wand?” she inquired. Her lips were pursed as she held in more laughter. “Or are you just pleased to see me?” 

The filter that usually stopped Sebastian from speaking everything on his mind had left him quite alone for the evening. “I’m always pleased to see you. I swear, everything you do gets me so hard,” he said unabashedly. Based on the furious reddening of her cheeks, it seemed she could dish it out but not take it. 

She freed herself from his hands and dropped to her knees again, in front of his spread legs, but this time, there was no pretense of comforting him. Sharp fingernails ran up his thighs while she looked at him from beneath her lashes and inquired, “My turn now?” Sebastian wondered if he’d accidentally ingested a few drops of felix felicis at some point. 

“If you’d like,” he replied, smarmy and satisfied. He leaned back against the stacked crates behind him and spread his legs wider, watching her eye him as if she’d never seen anything better. When she unbuttoned his trousers and pulled him free of them and his underwear, his breath caught for a minute. He hoped it wasn’t disappointing to her.

“God in heaven. How am I meant to take this?” So not disappointed, then. The look on her face was closer to hunger, and Sebastian felt precum leaking out of his throbbing length when she wrapped her soft hands around it and gave a few experimental tugs. “I’ve never done this before,” she admitted, though without embarrassment. “Never knew a man who deserved it.”

“I’ve never had it done,” Sebastian said, “but what you’re doing there feels fucking fantastic.” He sighed in bliss as she stroked him faster. “So, what did I do to be the first one deserving of your beautiful mouth?” he asked, intending to sound very suave but instead eeking out the question with a slight choke. Her thumb swiped over the tip of his cock and he whined. 

She hmphed, concentrating hard. “You mean besides torturing me for a month because you’re too stubborn to tell a girl you fancy her?” He had to give her a sheepish smirk, which she rolled her eyes at. 

When she sank her mouth down around him and he felt the warmth envelope his length, Sebastian mewled. Head thrown back and his fingers clenching against her scalp, he groaned and sighed as she worked her tongue and lips against him. “Sh-shit, wow,” he whined. His composure left him completely. She felt indescribable, but it frustrated him to not be able to form words and tell her. His stomach contorted and flexed, and he stretched his long legs out, letting her steady the free hand that wasn’t jerking him on his thigh.

She pulled off his cock with a pop and looked up at him. “You’re like velvet,” she said, eyes wide, starving. Sebastian took her face in his hand and selfishly prayed that when he died, he’d still be able to take her with him, wherever he ended up. Now that he had her, there wasn’t anything living or dead that he would let separate them.

Such maudlin fantasies manifested themself in the room in the form of Sebastian muttering dumbly, “Sit on it, fuck, please, I need to feel you.” 

“I’m not done here.” She dipped her neck again and licked up the length of him, and the sight and sensation almost broke his resolve, but he managed to pull her off of him by her hair, which made her squawk indignantly. But when he tugged her into his lap and kissed her again, their combined tastes mingling between them on their lips and tongues, her protestations died down.

She dug her fingers into his shirt, then realized he was still wearing a shirt. “Take this off,” she ordered, but as usual, took matters into her own hands and began unbuttoning it, pausing after each button to press kisses to the patches of skin that were revealed when she did so. Her lips left burns behind. When the shirt was finally open, she pulled it off him. 

“My turn now?” he asked, cocking his head to one side and grinning. 

Her uniform and his cast aside on the floor, the two looked at each other for a long while, although the feeling of their cores pressing, bare, together, had them softly panting and grinding. Sebastian laid his forehead against hers. 

“Is…is this real? I mean, is it?” he breathed. He didn’t know what he meant but she did, and she nodded, her lips pressed like she was trying to stop herself from saying something. 

“I’m not letting you fly away that easily.” She kissed up his neck while he smiled. 

“Your little birdie.”

“Yes,” she gasped when his hands landed on her ass and he rolled her hips over his still painfully hard dick. Her clit brushed against the base of it and they both cried out. Sebastian had never felt anything so good, so right.

Her fingers wrapped around the back of his neck, then paused. She frowned.

“What?”

“God, Seb…when was the last time you had your hair cut?” His smile was almost predatory. One month and thirteen days.

“Hmm. I guess it has been awhile. No good?” he asked, like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He could feel her fingers twirling the locks at the base of his neck, and she unconsciously ground against him even harder. 

“Very good,” she groaned and threw herself forward so their chests were flush and they were kissing so deep that they had to share air. “You look fucking sinful. Whenever you come back to school with it like that I…” She trailed off, suddenly bashful, as if she wasn’t naked in his arms.

Sebastian thought he might be glowing. “I’ll never cut it again, darling,” he swore. “Just for you.”

The feast in the Great Hall, his nerves about graduation, the murky uncertainty that faced him after Hogwarts, all of it was gone as he helped her lift her hips and legs enough to line up his cock with her entrance. She sank down onto him and they cried out together, her slapping at his chest as she tried to relax around the thickness and him biting down on the inside of his mouth so hard it drew blood as he tried not to come then and there. Shivering, she wiggled her hips side to side while she became acclimated to his size. “Shitshitshit.” Sebastian gritted his teeth. “You’re really tight, wow. You feel…you feel so g-good.”

Her eyes flew to his, and he struggled further to not burst when he saw how flushed and hot she was. She was still steadying herself with a hand pressed against his chest. “S-sorry,” she said, “You’re–you better not fucking gloat about this, Sallow, but you’re the biggest…ugh.” She dropped her head to his shoulder in embarrassment, but Sebastian was beaming. Was he, now? His ego puffed up at the thought. It really didn’t need to hear that. 

“I’ll be gentle, I promise.” “Why don’t I believe you?”

He showed her his canines. His other half, his better half. She knew him too well. “Because how could I possibly? Look at you, you’re a goddamn vision.” She really did look like a goddess on top of him, taking him so well and clutching him like she never wanted to be torn away from him. Then, she squirmed, and his cock somehow hardened further inside her, until the pain and pleasure of it was almost blinding him. “Fuck, you’re warming my cock so well, darling. Can I move?” 

A whimper of assent and a hurried nod almost set him on his course, but he decided in that moment that there was one more thing requiring attention before he could really take her like he wanted to. He placed both hands on either side of her face and kissed her, slower and softer and sweeter than any yet, and said, “I love you.”

He expected a gasp, a cry of disgust, a puzzled look, something from her that would be an appropriate response to his wholly inappropriate confession, but all she said was, “I love you too, Seb.” 

“Alright,” came the dopey response. She giggled and adopted a deep monotone to make fun of him.

“Alright.” They kissed again, and it felt like everything that had been upside down in Sebastian’s mind turned right side up. “I love you so much, my little birdie. I love your curiosity and your chirping. Promise you’ll let me stay with you until–”

“You think I’ll ever let you leave?” He cut her off, incredulous. “My home is ours now. And what’s the rush to sell?” A grin spread across her face as she watched one take over his. “Quite like the idea of a little privacy for the next few months.” He snapped his hips up, just once, and a shriek tore out of her throat. Her cunt was so slick and hot, he had to bite the wound he’d opened in his mouth again to not shout. “Ominis is far too light of a sleeper for how often I plan on making you scream my name.” 

She began chasing his thrusts in earnest, picking up their pace and riding him until her legs were shaking. He hit her limit with every movement, and his abdomen flexed with the effort of fucking up into her the way he was. Their mingled panting and the slap of her ass against his lap were the only sounds filling the storage room, their own private concert for an audience of each other. When her tired legs couldn’t hold her anymore, she begged him, “Harder!” and Sebastian obliged happily by wrapping one arm around her waist and tilting her backwards so he could brace his free hand against the crate beneath him and rail her. A silencing charm would not have been amiss, he vaguely thought, as she cried through her enthusiasm for him. “Fuck, Seb, Seb!” she sobbed. “Please, just please!”

She hadn’t fallen in love with him because he never teased her, he reasoned, so he couldn’t resist a cheeky, “Please what?”, although his own climax was so close that it came out in a pathetic little huff. She was an angel above him, her hair framing her face like a halo and her back arched right where her wings would be. His desire to make her come first was the only thing stopping him from spilling into her. The question plaguing his mind for years finally answered, he was pleased. “So, you do cry when you come. I fucked myself a thousand times thinking about how perfect it must sound.” 

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she slammed her hips down on his cock one last time and he gave three tiny thrusts inside her. His fingers flew to her clit and rubbed it through the searing orgasm washing through her, her cunt spasming around him and pulling him up to the peak as well. She wept and he breathed, "Little birdie fucking loves you,” and they both came together, him pumping his seed into her with labored pants and her greedily taking it in. 

She huffed, “I want all of it,” and he moaned, hoarse and scratching. Cum was leaking out of her as he slowed down, his arm still supporting her as she slumped against him. Their combined mess covered their legs, and the sticky sight almost had Sebastian hardening inside her once more. 

For several minutes, neither said anything. The chatter from the Great Hall had died down significantly. They laid together on the crate and played idly with each other, Sebastian’s fingers kneading the flesh below her ass and hers drawing light shapes over his chest. The air was heavy. It felt as though someone ought to say, “What now?” but neither of them wanted to. It didn’t matter, anyway. “What now?” was never going to be a concern of Sebastian’s again. The drive to ask questions, to wonder, to worry. It was all gone. Settled and soothed by something that curled itself around his heart and laid there, comfortably heavy.

“Come to bed,” he murmured, his eyes drifting open and shut, as if they were playing house in Feldcroft already, and not under strict instructions for one more night to sleep in separate dormitories. 

“Oh, yes, I’m sure the other boys would love that.”

“They don’t hear anything.” Sebastian’s orgasmic haze made everything swirl and swim. He yawned. “Even when you kicked me out of that dream.” His fingertips ghosted over her bare back, toying with the ends of her hair as she lay curled into him. He didn’t realize his mistake until she said, dangerous and low,

“Even when I what?”

series masterlist

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[kooktrash]

#ask seven!jk what was the vibe like spending the night together for the first time? How did u not die if oc was being all cute and cuddly 🥴

“Oh my god, I literally thought I was gonna faint, like I don’t think you get how snuggly Y/n was 🥺” — Ask Jeon Jungkook, Seven Days to Love

1.6k words. ok omg 🥺so this is right after the ending of seven days to love and instead of answering with just a small “ask jk” I just did a drabble

READ THE ONESHOT HERE

The drive to Jungkook’s place wasn’t as awkward as you thought it would be after having sex at the vinyl store the two of you work at. You were a little tired after the very abrupt exercise so late at night and Jungkook must’ve been able to notice because he played music quietly as he drove and hummed to himself, only glancing over at you every few seconds to see if you were awake or not.

“It’s a mess,” Jungkook said abruptly once he pulled into his parking spot, “I wasn’t really expecting company.”

“That’s fine,” you told him as he shut the car off and headed out. You unbuckle your seatbelt and open the door “, you barely had it an inch wide before Jungkook surprises you by closing it back up, “Jungkook!”

“Shh,” Jungkook smirked as he opened the door for you watching you roll your eyes at him, “Let me be a gentleman, will ya?”

“I guess,” you said with a dramatic sigh and decided to joke, “Would you like to carry me upstairs too so my feet don’t get tire—oh my god!”

Jungkook hoisted you over his shoulder and as much as you wanted to be annoyed, you couldn’t help but laugh. It’s crazy that just earlier today you felt nervous to even be around him after listening to the mixtape. You tried to ignore him but like his usual persistent self, he wouldn’t let you and now here you are, begging to be put back down before he gets to his apartment.

He just laughed as he set you down in front of his door and fished his key out. You waited patiently behind him, small yawn leaving your lips and once the door opened, a tall and skinny black dog came running up to Jungkook like a gentle giant. Jungkook pet him happily as you watched the dog’s tail wag back and forth, “This is Bam, he’s really sweet so don’t worry, he won’t jump on you unless you want him to.”

You just nodded, leaning down to try and pet the dog, letting Jungkook take your bag and other things as you let the dog nuzzle against your front. You smiled, “He’s so cute.”

“Thanks, he got it from his dad,” Jungkook said with a clear of his throat, “I obviously mean me.”

“Really?” You asked with amusement in your eyes, “I would’ve never got that but I think I see some resemblance now.”

Jungkook laughed softly as he led you toward his room and Bam happily trotted after you before his dad asked him for some alone time.

Now usually, you were always a bit shy when you visited someone else’s place for the first time but you couldn’t help but look around his bedroom curiously. It was what you would expect, vinyl records thrown haphazardly on his desk along with some comics. He had a gaming system and PC, some weights in the corner. Dirty laundry on a chair an— “My shirt.”

“Huh?” Jungkook asked, trying to pick up some of his mess. You picked up your Jesus Lana Del Rey shirt that had been folded nicely on top of his drawer and looked it up and down. You had forgotten you let him wear it the other day and just found it right now.

“Oh uh,” Jungkook scratched the back of his neck and right as you were getting ready to unfold it and unzip his gray sweater, he was snatching it out of your hands, “Yeah, so… this is mine now.”

“What?” You couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s my favorite shirt.”

“Mine too,” Jungkook said, holding it to his chest. Your jaw dropped in disbelief, “Jungkook…”

“Y/n…” the attitude he was giving you was unbelievably evident on his face, “Please, let me keep it.”

“Bu—“

“Y/n,” he groaned cutely, “Please? You were so nice that night, and you worried about me even though I was clearly in the wrong trying to see you so late in the rain and… Y/n I’m literally begging you let me keep this.”

With a feigned annoyed groan you nodded, “Fine but I’m keeping this sweater then.”

As if to prove your point further you wrapped your arms around yourself and laid down on his bed, turning away from him and Jungkook just nodded happily.

You didn’t want to seem like a homebody even though you clearly were but you were tired. It wasn’t just the sex on a very uncomfortable counter but the two of you have worked non stop for days without a break and knowing tomorrow you have off just made you want to lay in bed and stay there—you didn’t even care whose bed.

“Keep the sweater,” Jungkook finally said as he came over to you, an idea popping up in his head and catching you off guard, he threw his comforter over you wrapping you in like a burrito as you groaned, “Matter of fact keep everything as long as I can keep you.”

“Jungkook,” you whined cutely as he tucked you into his bed before throwing himself over you, pulling you into him like he didn’t have you wrapped up like a cocoon, “Why are you like this?”

“Because you like it,” Jungkook said, feeling your hands sneak out of his home shift straight jacket and went to cuddle into him, “Oh my god, Y/n.”

“What?” You asked moving a hand back before he was pulling it around him once more and snuggling into you.

“You’ve been depriving me of this cute side of yours and I don't think my heart can physically take it,” he whined, kissing your hair, “Be mean to me for one second just so I know it’s still you.”

You rolled your eyes, “You’re so weird, you know that? You want me to be mean to you?”

“For the nostalgia,” Jungkook said with a deep sigh when he felt your lips begin to kiss along his neck cutely, “Do you want to know something funny?”

“Tell me,” you kissed under his ear making him let out a soft laugh at the tingly sensation it brought him making him squirm a bit.

“You scared me,” he confessed, “In a good way, I mean. Like, nothing I did ever impressed you.”

“Awe, poor baby, were you used to the recognition?” You teased and it made him smile because you were spot on.

“Pretty much,” Jungkook kissed the tip of your nose, “But anyway, it just made me want to keep trying even if I knew it annoyed you because I also knew you kinda liked it.”

“Confident, are we?” You asked with a smirk that he mirrored as he said, “Well I’ve got you in my bed, don’t I?”

At that you began to unravel yourself from the comforter, “Maybe I should go, just to keep you on your toes.”

You didn’t even make it a foot off the bed before he was tackling you back down and clinging to you like a koala making you groan under his weight. Jungkook cupped your face in his hands, “Don’t you dare, you promised me a date tomorrow.”

“You can always just pick me up tomorrow,” you decided to continue the teasing just to watch him panic a little, “Get off, you’re heavy.”

“Well then promise me you’re not going anywhere,” Jungkook said and you don’t know how to explain it but he suddenly felt even heavier with his defiance.

You laughed, “Where am I even supposed to go?! I don’t have a car.”

“Oh right,” Jungkook said, rolling off of you, and sighing in relief, “Whew, for a second I thought I was gonna have to wrap you up in the comforter again.”

You rolled your eyes cutely as you shifted to lay on his chest, “How are you so big and scary looking but also an absolute baby?”

“Don’t know, no matter how much I try to look intimidating my face is too pretty and I’m too soft,” he joked, hugging you back while listening as you released a tiny yawn making his heart explode, “How are you so cute even when you’re mean to me?”

You shrugged, eyes falling shut tiredly, “I don’t know, it’s in my genes or something.”

He chuckled as he began to push your hair away from your eyes when he watched you squint as a strand poked your eye, “Okay, I’ll let you go to sleep but I have to turn the light off.”

“Mm,” you whined, clinging to him a little more, “Sleep.”

“But the ligh—“ his words stopped when you raised a leg around his waist making yourself comfortable, face tucked into his neck to hide from the light, “Okay okay, who cares about the light, you’re too cute and cuddly right now for me to move.”

You smiled in victory as he began to pull the comforter over the two of you in defeat. You opened just one eye to get a look at him and he was already shutting his eyes to sleep. You reached up and kissed the tip of his nose making him smile and squeeze you closer.

“Who’s being clingy now?” Jungkook asked rubbing soothing circles onto your back, “So fucking cute that it makes me mad.”

You laughed, sounding drowsy and out of it, “Okay, it’s bedtime now.”

“I don’t want to sleep, I just want it to be tomo—“ his words died in his throat as he felt you go still and your breathing become more even and slow and with a warmth in his heart, he whispered,

“Goodnight.”

::.

ok so this and the date drabble were RIGHT after the end of seven days to love

but I’m thinking of making two more drabbles set in the future

1.argument drabble

2.”jealous” jk or y/n drabble

permanent taglist: @notmyfaultbutours @rerefundslocals @fandems @sugaluvmyg @guvgguk @kimyishin @libra04 @kooromiwrld @classycreationcupcake-blog @alwaysdreamingnotsleeping @cherrymonlightt @nikkiordonez12 @asking4-sanity @thvlover @saweetspoiled @uwu2rawr @shaybts-blog @babycandy111 @tearyjjeon @joons-uparupa @jeonninja @yellowcupid08 @02010802faves @knudsenheggedel @skzthinker @unnatae @aurorthi @beautywine @95ene @taekookstata @lilliankoo o @shescharlie @annenakamura a @lesoleile @burnahtsw @babybella337 @kooloveys @ku-ku @chaelvrx @minnie-mouser22 2 @Imeneghd @whoa-jo @evajeonsworld @marvelbun @sunnikthv @kochycooky @heyhowyoudoin3 @acielelyseen @giselleswifeee @jeonjk25 @ilikeitlikethatt @bangmechanpls @lvr2seok @badbyeyoongi @jaerisdiction @watermelonjuice15 @artmsmaid @xyahrinx @angeleen777 @jooniesxbby @brillantdarling

[starssaroundmyscarssblog]

𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 (part one)

pairing: 90s!damon albarn x fem!oc

summary: in which she lives in a very big house in the country, and he can't get enough

word count: 2.95k

warnings: clay (and real) pigeon shooting, mentions of game hunting, mentions of sex

maeve hadn't expected the living room to resemble a large 'escape the rat race' board when she entered, searching for the long coat she was sure she'd left over the back of a sofa (that had been banished to a far corner) the previous night. tiptoeing over the straw that littered colourful squares, she searched high and low for said coat trying to ignore her brother yelling at her to hurry up from the kitchen.

finally, after squatting down in a corner and groping around under the sofas until her fingers brushed the heavy material, maeve stood up and tucked it under her arm. a whistle from the door frame caught her attention and she was ready to tell her brother to do one, but she caught herself. damon was stood in the doorway with one hand above his head- it looked like he was trying to hold himself up from the doorframe whilst balancing a tray with two cups of tea on the other hand.

maeve hopped over the props that had materialised during her search and took a mug gratefully, taking a long sip as they walked down the corridor. "all set up, then?" she asked, stopping en route to collect a dark green smock hooked over a peg by the pantry as the fog of the morning hadn't lifted over the fields.

"yeah, we should be done by four if the boys turn up on time." damon looked at his watch, "which hopefully shouldn't be too far from now." the pair entered the kitchen, a room with a cold stone floor and even colder stone tiling, greeting george (maeve's brother) and her father who were stood by the back door and ready to go.

maeve ditched her half empty mug in the ceramic sink, and jammed her heavily socked feet into the wellies she'd upturned from the rack. george was hopping about on the spot, restless. "hurry up, maeve, i want to go!" he was younger by a few years and stroppy when he didn't get his own way. she sighed through her nose. "oh, tell him dad!"

mr archibald clapped him on the shoulder and lead him out of the door as he said, "we'll be going in a few minutes, george, maeve can't help that her coat went missing. we'll be away before the filming starts-" at this damon called out his thanks with his hands in the back pockets of his jeans, "-and we'll be back when they've finished and cleared up. okay?" looking out of the window, maeve could see her brother nod reluctantly.

"if you need anything, mum's only down the road visiting nan. don't let anyone on the third floor, george might kill you if he finds out someone's gone into his room, and i hope everything goes smoothly." with one swift movement, maeve zipped her smock up to her chin and kissed damon goodbye on the cheek.

he returned the gesture wholeheartedly and opened the back door even though she was perfectly capable of doing it herself. "thanks again for letting me stay over last night, and for letting us use the house. bloody nightmare trying to find one once people found out what we needed it for."

there was a scattering of wet paws spreading mud over the flagstones and all of a sudden two springer spaniels were panting heavily and clawing at damon's shirt. maeve slapped her thigh to get the dog's attention, glaring at them as she pointed for them to trail back out of the door. "poppy, ollie, out now." with their tails between their legs they trotted out of the kitchen.

"sorry about them, they just get excitable. they haven't been out with us for a few weeks. you can put your shirt in the washing machine if you want."

"oi, maeve, are you coming or we're leaving without you!" george bellowed from the bastle house, impatience rising with his temper. maeve sighed, grabbed damon by the cheeks and kissed him hard right infront of the kitchen window just to wind george up. he pulled away, breathless but smiling brightly. "if that's what i get every time you're late, i'm going to have to hide your coats more often."

"i mean it!"

"love you." she said, shutting the door behind her as damon winked when the doorbell rung. if she was quick enough, maeve could get all of her things from the bastle house in enough time to miss the rest of the boys arriving.

underfoot the muddy puddles splashed with the force of her wellies meeting the ground, and maeve swung around the door as george was filling a box with spare pellets. maeve grabbed her shotgun from where it was hung over a hook and snatched up a box of ammunition to stuff in her shoulder bag. in her pocket was her gun license, should people come walking over the public footpaths and ask why she had a firearm.

maeve knew her hobby was unethical, but shooting birds and hunting game was something she enjoyed doing she was clay-disc shooting this morning and then rambling through the countryside her parents owned before driving back in the old land rover to meet damon for an exhibition at the tate that evening.

george snorted a laugh as he picked up a polaroid picture he'd found wedged under garden tools piled into a corner of the bastle. "i think damon dropped something last time you were in here," and handed it back to her while miming wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.

"glad to see you've cheered up," she said before looking down at the picture. her cheeks flushed hideously, she remembered staring at the ceiling of her bedroom blissed out as damon hovered over her. before she could protest he'd snapped a picture of her, from the top of her tits all the way to her headboard laughing as if he'd said the funniest thing in the world.

she shoved it into her pocket to serve as a reminder to scold damon when she saw him again, running out of the bastle as she grabbed the car keys for the land rover and shoved all of her things onto the back seat before jumping into the drivers seat. she pulled out of the driveway as george pestered her to put the radio on and her father criticised her for changing gears too quickly when they drove past the rest of the band trundling up the road.

maeve lifted her hand off the steering wheel to wave at them quickly before turning onto a secluded country track to take them all the way down to the bottom fields. damon had asked them to keep the noise down, as he didn't want the takes to be messed up and he would get lost of he, the only one who had a decent idea of the land, was tasked with finding them.

george hopped out of the backseat with the dogs to open the gate, making 'forwards' and 'backwards' gestures with his hands as maeve attempted to park as best she could on the soggy mud. she locked the car after unloading her kit over her shoulders, and greeted tony and pete by shouting over the field at them. tony and pete's waved back as they continued polishing the clay disks with cloths worn down from generational use

"pull!" maeve's voice was loud as the wind carried her shout to tony, who reached into the cage on the table. she watched at the clay disk flew from his finger tips and into the sky, as it crested and she aimed just below as her finger rested in the trigger. with delicacy, she pushed the trigger down and dug her heels into the ground as the recoil shot through her arm and right to her lower back.

with a sharp crack the bullet left the barrel of the shotgun and propelled itself right into the middle of the clay disk, shattering it into pieces as poppy dashed forwards eagerly to retrieve the largest chunks. maeve waved away the smoke with her hand and returned to her dad, drawing a tally mark under where her name was written in chalk on the board. she was three- no, four, points now that he'd missed his shot, above george and wasn't a fan of his gloating.

she reached for the old china mug she'd left on the small wooden table they'd se up and took a sip of her tea, enjoying the warmth that seeped through her fingertips and to her wrists. maeve looked at her watch, ten to two and quite a while until george would be able to go into the house without seeing any of the band members. he didn't like them, she knew that, but she wished he wouldn't play oasis whenever damon was over. damon said he didn't mind, "really, i don't care. it doesn't bother me, love," but george did it anyway.

pete jumped over the gate and splashed wet mud all up his gaiters as he dropped a covered basket by his feet. ollie pushed himself through the gaps in the wooden fence and started to sniff around the basket, nudging it open with his nose and dragging out a limp pigeon in his sharp teeth.

george hollered and whooped, throwing a bird that regained use of its wings when it was set into the air and aiming at it. he was about to shoot when maeve beat him to it, the shot echoed around the field as the pigeon fell to the floor and poppy retrieved it for the pile of broken clay. he glared at her, yelled "pull!" before pete had a chance to drag to pigeons over to the clay disks, gesturing with the barrel of his shotgun at tony to hurry up and get on with it.

tony wrestled with the bird and flung it skywards, across to the corner of the field and george took aim before the crest and shot the bird out of the sky. in his excitement he fell backwards with the recoil and insisted, because he said so, that they go stalking through the forest for game.

their dad said no. maeve set the birds into the sky one by one and there was a free-for-all, with shouts of 'the one on the left is mine' or 'i've got the one on the right' ringing with gunshots and clicks of barrel reloading. poppy and ollie were springing about with pigeons stuffed in their mouth, dropping them infront of tony and pete who patted their sides and fed them treats for their hard work.

then maeve grabbed george, the dog's leads and the animals that she clipped them to, and they walked off into the woods with eyes peeled and ears alert. they were silent, leaves crunching and branches snapping underfoot as they tried to listen for rustling bushes or movements in the bracken. george locked onto what he thought was a rabbit but was just a clump of fluff caught on a bramble, and maeve missed a fox that came streaking past while she was untangling the strap of her shotgun from her hair.

they continued, circling the edge of the woods with only the dogs for company, until maeve realised they'd come all the way back round to the field where their dad was pulling clay for tony and pete was nursing a coffee maeve suspected he'd made irish with a dash of baileys from the hip-flask she'd bought him for his birthday.

all of a sudden, as they were trekking through the marshy ground, the heavens opened with a clap of thunder and flash of lighting. martin (their dad) had disassembled the trestle table in a flash and had chucked it into the trailer of pete and tony's car for them to take back to the house, had tipped pete's drink back his throat for him while he was disposing of the dead game, and loaded maeve and george's guns into the boot in the blink of an eye.

maeve settled into the front seat in her still dripping smock, martin hadn't let her take it off as the track to the country road flooded quicker than anything and they had to get back to the house before they were stranded until the rain stopped. "what's the point in having a land rover," george leant over the middle seats to turn the radio on, "if we can't use it to get through flooded roads?"

as maeve flicked the indicator and checked for the absent oncoming traffic, she said, "because last time it happened you were driving and you got us stuck. we had to call a rescue service who couldn't find us, and we missed the rehearsal dinner for cousin sophie's wedding."

"but sophie's a bitch. i'm glad we weren't there."

"i was the maid of honour!" maeve shouted as she turned onto the driveway and drove all the way around the back of the house to the bastle. damon and graham were outside smoking, leaning against the dry part of the wall protected by the porch overhang. she didn't see them as she left the car and hooked her shotgun over her shoulder.

graham whistled. "your arse looks great in those trousers, maeve," he called out with a final drag as damon pulled the cigarette from his mouth and stubbed it out against the wall. maeve smiled and disappeared around the bastle, hanging up her shotgun and putting back the box of bullets she's brought but hadn't needed to use. she hung out her smock to dry and wiped away some mud that had caked around her nose using the specked mirror on the wall.

maeve walked back round to the backdoor and held onto damon's arm as she kicked off her wellies and stood them upside down on the rack under the shelter of the porch. the thick socks on her feet padded over the flagstones of the kitchen and maeve nearly barged into alex, who'd appeared with a pitcher of water in one hand and a plate empty save from crumbs in the other, on her way down the hall and up the stairs.

the grandfather clock at the top of the staircase in the entrance hall chimed loudly five times, and right on cue the camera crews shook hands with martin and thanked him for letting them use the house before trooping out of the front door and into the vans waiting for them in the front drive.

damon sighed. "sorry we ran over time, i bet george was a pain in the arse."

"as per," she led him up the stairs and unlocked her bedroom door, letting the two of them in as damon flicked on the light, "but we lost track of the time anyway. managed to get out into the woods as well, but the rain cut us off after one loop." maeve cringed as she pulled her thick socks off and discarded them in the pile of her clothes that had gathered at the foot of her large bed, her bare feet making cold contact with the floor sent a shiver shooting up through her.

maeve slipped into her en suite and started the shower, revelling in the water that warmed her bones pleasantly - she hadn't realised she was that cold. standing under the hot water of the shower stream felt like bliss, though she was in and out in a few minutes after scrubbing her aloe vera body wash roughly against her skin. she rubbed moisturiser over the cracked skin of her nose whilst gently moving the excess down over her cheeks and to her collar bones, where a bruised colour mark was beginning to bloom under her pale skin.

damon was lying still at the foot of her bed when maeve emerged from the bathroom, playing with a rubix cube that had been unfinished since 1986 in his long fingers. she sat down at her vanity and the heavy chair legs scraping across the floor disturbed him from the quiet, instead turning to prop himself up on his elbows as he watched maeve run a brush through her hair. "so everything went well, then?" she asked, pulling a light brown eyeliner pencil through her lashline.

"yeah, all good. there might be straw under some of the sofas though, but we tried to get rid of as much as possible." he fiddled with something on his wrist, "sorry."

"don't worry about that, there's always mud caked onto the floor somewhere so we'll get round to clearing it away soon."

as maeve pulled on her tights and buttoned up her fitted shirt, she lifted up a delicate gold necklace. "would you?" she asked, turning to stand infront of the mirror to check her skirt when damon's hands slid over her shoulders and moved her hair away gently. the ribbon of the velvet bow in her hair tickled his nose as damon dipped lower and pushed a series of feather kisses to the back of her neck, clasping the necklace under the collar with a nip on the shell of maeve's ear.

her cheeks flushed as she pushed his face away, dragging her nails over the column of his neck before reaching around him for her chunky brown cardigan. maeve grabbed her bag and damon's hand, dragging him down the stairs and through the entrance hall, snatching her car keys from the trinket dish by the front door. she shouted 'bye, don't wait up', over her shoulder as damon wrapped his arms around her waist and bundled her over to her vintage mercedes parked on the gravel driveway

🪩⁺˚⋆｡°✩₊☕️

[penvisions]

the melting point {chapter 19}

Pairing: Frankie Morales x Baker! Reader (ex EMT! Reader)

Summary: Time passes and heals a lot of things, while others are discussed as the wedding gets closer. Frankie sees the stress weighing down on you amid it all and plans something special…

Word Count: 4.1k

Warnings: hurt and comfort, fluff, light angst, reader has trauma similar to the triple frontier guys, reader is described as having tattoos for plot points, reader is partially handicapped, reader has mobility issues, adult content, adult content, smut, p in v smut, oral (m recieving), the whole gang is here, plus oc inserts, serious conversations, alcohol consumption, alcohol, mentions of past trauma, ptsd, nightmares. that seems to be it, but let me know if i've missed anything!

A/N: as we see this penultimate chapter, i just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who read, liked, commented, and shared this fic that holds a special place in my heart ♡♡

ao3 link || series masterlist || main masterlist || ko-fi

“We’re going on a trip. Cleared it with your doctors and ensured them we would keep up with your stretches and daily mobility exercises. Does…does that sound okay?” Frankie is making dinner, busy at the stove as he stirs the contents of one pot and keeps an eye on the other. Simple, today, after you had gone to work a shift at the bakery, and he had been in the air since before the sun rose. Lex was in the living room doing her homework, the tv on but muted to allow her to work easier.

You were at the table, having set it up for the meal and now on your laptop answering emails. You look at him over the top of the screen, about to question him when Lex trots in and all but shoves herself into your lap and puts a piece of paper down across your keyboard.

“Mama Pastel, I don’t understand this.”

“Is this your way of asking for help?”

“Alexia, manners, please. Did you ask Pastel if you could sit in her lap, her legs are still very tender sometimes.”

“Yes, papa.” She barely resists the urge to roll the very same eyes peering over at her. She turns to you with a smile so sweet your heart melts. You wrap an arm around her, holding her in place as you shift your legs to hold her weight more evenly. “Mama Pastel, can you please help me with this, it’s fractions. Also, your legs can hold me, right? I…I feel like I need to be close to someone right now.”

“Of course, mija, my legs are always strong enough to hold you. Fractions are no fun, huh?” You smile over at her father, something he catches before he turns back to finish dinner as you lean down to rest your chin over her little shoulder. The soft murmuring of you helping her with the page fills the room, and it’s enough to make you yearn for everyday to be this easy.

But just last week, Frankie had had a rather alarming nightmare, his mind replaying the events of his hearing. He had woken up in a sweat, frantically wiping at his face to rid himself of the white powder he had been indulging in right in front of the judge. You hadn’t been in bed, which further spiked his overwhelming panic. Searching through the whole house to find you sat behind the wheel of your truck, hands tight on the steering wheel as you bowed you head and sobbed. You had a nightmare of your own, dreaming of driving and loosing the feeling in your legs and crashing. You hadn’t said anything other than that, but Frankie read between the lines. You were afraid of hurting them, of causing them injury with the potential for your limbs to suddenly be numb to your control.

“What are we having for desert?” Lex asks as Frankie announces dinner is ready, turning off the stove tops.

“Little Pastel, that’s what you’re turning into.” Frankie pins her with a raised eyebrow, his eyes meeting yours behind her as he settles the pots in the middle of the table on trivets.

His lips are twitching as he tries to tame a fond smile in order to chastely parent. Though you can see right through him, worry and love for his daughter outshining the reminder to be kind and respectful because he knows it’s a reminder that she’s comfortable around you enough to push into your space and seek you out in the ways that she has been. It’s been a little better since she returned to school, feeling more like herself and doing better in crowds. She had even asked to go on the winter fieldtrip, a weeklong thing at a conservation center down South toward the coastline. You had both agreed it would be good for her, even more so since she seemed so excited. But needed her therapist to sign off in the idea before a decision was made.

“Better than little Catfish!” She fired back loudly with giggles that only increased in volume as you tickled her sides and asked her what was so wrong with being like her daddy.

“He’s so good to us, we should both wanna be more like him, I think.” She squeals as she fidgets in your hold, trying not to lose her balance still in your lap. But you don’t let her fall, you wouldn’t dare. You look up at him and offer him a bright smile he can’t help but reflect back before he says to dig in before the food gets cold.

“Thank you,” You wound your arms around his neck, pulling yourself closer to him as his hands helped to guide you into a comfortable position against him. Nestled in between his outstretched legs, you pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of his mouth. You moved to do so to the other side, but he dipped down and captured your lips fully with his own. You had been doting over wedding plans when he had found you in bed, papers and brochures and an open laptop scattered all around you.

“No need to thank me, sweet girl. Want you to be comfortable. You okay with this, not too much pressure on your hips?” His hands were light on you, helping to support you as you stood on your knees over him. But you didn’t answer him with words, instead you planted yourself right over his lap, grinding down on him. The deep groan he graced you with was swallowed by your willing mouth, tongue lapping at his lips to catch the lingering taste of something sweet he had eaten.

“Q-querida, we- you sure this is okay?” Despite his cock stirring in his boxer briefs, his worry for you softened your heart further and you felt adoration for the man beneath you fill your chest with a jittery feeling. You had been lingering, staying up late to greet him after his double, triple flight tour day. It had been marked on the communal whiteboard in the kitchen for weeks now, a reminder that he was still the only one working.

“Frankie, I need you. It’s been so long.” You’re suddenly desperate, having been alone all day. Caring for and totting Lex to and from school, making dinner with her, getting her bathed and settled into bed with a fluffy blanket fresh from the dryer and a bedtime story. You longed for the days to feel just like that, the shadow of Frankie all around the house, in her smile, her laugh, her sparkling brown eyes. Her love for you as strong as the love you had for him and for her in return. The ease of domesticity stirring something in you, making you feel like your skin was too tight and Frankie was the only one who could help abate it.

“I-I want to…”

“Just, let me sit on it. Please, carino, I need to feel you inside me.” You can’t help the whine of your voice, the scent of him fresh from the shower and dressed only in his underwear laid across the bed too much of a temptation.

“Fuck, you can have anything you want, just want you to be comfortable.”

“I will be, once your cock is nestled as deep as it can go, filling me up, stretching me. God, Fransisco, your cock is so beautiful, so thick and hard, and perfect. You’re perfect to me, for me. I love you, mi amor. I love you so much.” You panted against his lips, kisses smothering the words into his skin, his lips, his scruff, the column of his neck. Hands trailing down and releasing him from the fabric.

“Dios mio, mija, you’ve got a mouth on you, don’t you?”

“Let me show you what kinda mouth I’ve got.” You push down further to rest over his shins, hips hinged as you lean down and press an open-mouthed kiss to the head of his weeping head. His hips stutter up, chasing the feeling of your warm breath as you pull back to relieve yourself of his large shirt you had stolen before settling in bed to wait for him.

It’s slow, despite your desperation for the man you loved, the way you take him fully into your mouth and lave at the velvet hardness of his cock with your tongue. Taking him as deep as you could before bobbing your head at a savoring pace. His thick fingers tangle into your hair, gathering it into a mockery of a ponytail to better see your face.

Hallowing your cheeks, you look up at him through your lashes and groan around him at the wreckage you’ve caused. His mouth is hanging open, plush lips wetted by his tongue and puffy from your barrage of kisses. Beautiful eyes blown wide as he takes in the image you create between his legs, blush high on his cheeks as he feels the slight scrape of your teeth along his length. He’s still so warm from his shower, smelling of his woodsy and homey soap. But he chokes on his next breath as you dive down, the head of his cock hitting the back of your throat and you close your eyes to revel in the feeling of him thick and hard in your mouth.

“Get up here,” He moans out, hands letting your hair fall from its loose hold. You readily pull your mouth from him, making sure to lick a firm strike up from his heavy balls to the sensitive tip before moving up to straddle his waist. He shimmies from his underwear completely, shucking them to crumple at the end of the bed along with all the paperwork you had hastily piled together.

His cock nudges against your inner thighs and you take him in a gentle hand to line him up properly while he latches a mouth around your breasts, free from the flimsy camisole you had on just seconds ago. He bites down on the hardened peak as you sink down, slick arousal making it easy for him to stretch you. A wonton moan at the feel of him after so long catches as he grazes that soft, spongy spot at the perfect angle and your hips rock forward suddenly. His hands wrap around your ribs, grounding you, keeping you upright even as you arch at finally sitting flush, hips to hips after what had been nearly six months of being cautious and careful. Nearly six months of waiting and pleasuring each other in other ways.

“I’ve got ya, sweet girl. Just take your time, we’ve got all the time in the world for you to feel good.” He rumbles, voice gravel as he presses kisses all along your neck and chest, nipping at the soft weight of your chest, your lips, your cheeks. Everywhere he could to sooth you while you adjusted to feeling so full once again. “Gonna make you feel good for the rest of our lives, yeah?”

“Y-yeah.” You stutter out, lifting up slightly before sliding back down his length with an obscenely wet sound. His lips capture yours and you hook your arms around his neck, beginning to move against him to spark pleasure across both your bodies.

It was winter, the new year just having passed, Alexia sent off on her fieldtrip, leaving you and Frankie to each other for the entire week.

Open road is stretched in front of you, the tires below you moving quickly and devouring it as quickly as Frankie would allow. You were busy in the passenger seat, one of his hands on firmly on the wheel while the other moved the piece of paper in your hand to get a better glimpse at it over his dark aviators.

“I think we should keep it small, even if the city has rallied to help us.”

“Yeah, I don’t want a huge thing, its already going to be in the paper. An article in the magazine.”

“We can ask them to not do that, if you really want.” He smoothly drifts into the fast lane to pass a slower work truck laden down with a trailer full of yard work machinery, shifting back into the slow lane as soon as he’s passed them and had enough room to safely do so before he glances at you out of the corner of his eye. The flowers, the venue, the caterers, the photographer, everyone one of the local businesses had offered to either donate their services or severely discount you for the event. Wanting to make sure you both had everything you needed or wanted for the momentous day.

It had honestly shocked you, when you discovered just how much the people around the city appreciated your efforts during that fateful last day of the farmer’s market. Offering your shop to those seeking shelter in the chaos, the people you had stopped to help if they were bleeding or limping from the rushing crowds as you searched for your own people amidst it all.

“No, I think…I think it’s nice to have some good publicity for the bakery.”

“Did…did you pick out a date you wanted?” You paused, looking out the window as you felt your heartrate pick up and your nerves spark to life. It was beyond sappy, you realized, but the particular date you had in mind seemed to work out perfectly with all the vendors, with family needing to fly in or travel, with a break for there to be coverage at the bakery and Lex’s school out for the summer…

“I wanted to pick one that meant something to both of us so…I was wondering if the date we first met was okay with you?”

“Sweet girl, that’s…that’s perfect. I was thinking it but didn’t want to influence the decision if you already had your heart set on something.” His hand curled tighter over your thigh, dull fingernails making light marks in your skin.

He helps you out of the truck at the next gas stop. His hands strong around your waist as he makes sure you have both feet on the ground and your cane in hand before he dips to kiss you cheek and lets you loose to make your way into the building. The giggle bursting from your lips and the slight float to the skirt of your dress has him feeling warmth bloom in his chest as he makes sure you have no trouble along the small distance. Someone is exiting just as you approach the door and they do a double take at the sight of your tattoos on display and the flattering form of the dress over your skin, holding the door open for you and saying something you seem to reciprocate.

Frankie busies himself with hooking the gas pump into the tank’s opening and looks up to watch you amble through the store through the wide windows, the guy who held the door open doing on the other side of the pump. You’re slow in your movements around the few aisles, taking in all of the sweet and savory options. But you make sure to grab a dr. pepper and a cherry coke. Mini powdered donuts make their way into your hand holding the drinks to your chest before you approach the checkout.

“She’s a looker, man, good on you.” Comes from the other side of the pump before a vehicle takes off.

“Frankie! I got snackies!” You hold up a plastic bag the second you’re back out the door, shaking it slightly before grimacing and halting the movement, realizing it would make the drinks fizz up. “Oops, my bad.”

“Sweet girl, what did you get us to munch on? We’re only about half an hour out at this point.”

“And where is it we’re going again?”

“Nice try, querida, but it’s a secret. I think you’ll really like it.” He pressed the tip of his index finger to your nose as you enter his orbit. Hand moving to take the cane from you and place it in the truck exactly where you preferred it. It was a beautiful thing, sleek carved wood stained a dark, espresso brown. The hand coated in silver cast to look like blooming flowers to ensure your grip is secure and travel down a few inches. The tip of it capped with rigged silver as well to help with steadying your uneven right side.

He takes the bag from you next, setting it down in the middle of the bench seat, the center console pushed up to create more room for you to cross your legs while you went over stuff. It wasn’t the best position for you to be sitting in for long hours, but you argued it was one of the few ways that brought relief sometimes so he let you do what you thought was best. He had put his foot down and gotten stern with you though, saying that if he noticed it was doing more harm than good that he was going to ask you to try and sit another way.

Truth be told, Frankie would carry you for the rest of your live if you would allow him to. Should you need to be off your feet altogether. A custom wheelchair having been ordered to replace the generic one the insurance company had covered for immediate use after your surgeries. It had been a long conversation, one in which both of you had shed tears during. But the agreement was that it would be stored in the downstairs closet and brought out for longer trips, hospital visits that would take more than a quick pop in and out to ensure no uncomfortable and hard waiting room chairs caused harm, and days where the errands piled up.

While you were recovered from the surgeries and dealing with the trauma of what happened, your legs worked as well as they could. Though the already replaced right one tended to go numb at random intervals the doctors could only explain as part of a degenerative disease that had probably been undiagnosed before the first shooting. The left often got a tingling sensation, sciatic nerve sensitive on both sides making it hard for you to get out and about some days.

Working full time had been another conversation, safety rails installed with the help of the guys all around the house should you be home alone. The showers in the two bathrooms you used were set to be remodeled with ledges for you to set on should you want to, the tubs to be replaced with shower stalls and a fancy tub of your choosing to be put in the master one attached to yours and Frankie’s room.

He worried about the stairs, something that took a longer conversation in which you admitted to feeling like you were flipping his whole life upside down and ruining the home he had carefully curated for him and his daughter. His solution had been as simple as breathing, as loving you: turn the guest room and laundry room into a new downstairs master, expand the kitchen to accommodate the laundry room equipment. The money it would take had caused you to break down, even if Frankie hadn’t batted an eye at the arguably large sum it would require.

Will and Benny had argued that two cousins of theirs that resided in Texas was more than willing to make the trip to oversee the project. They had readily agreed to absolve the labor and graciously discount the materials as long as their flights were covered, and they had a place to stay as for the duration.

You had briefly talked with Joel about it, equal parts meek and steadfast on certain aspects of the project. Insistent that they would be able to stay in the apartment above the bakery. You had promised you didn’t want to be difficult, but the man’s deep twangy voice had assured you that you had every right to be since it was for your comfort.

Trees got thicker on either side of the winding road as the elevation hiked up. Deep in a forest of some part of the northern portion of the state. Somewhere you had no idea of, the GPS on the truck shut off and Frankie leading the vehicle with just the inner workings of his mind. The truck was moved into second gear and the engine rumbled loudly as Frankie continued to drive. He had shut off the radio to concentrate, something you did often as you drove to new places for the first time. A pleased smile pulling at your lips as you discovered things about him that you shared.

Turning off the paved road, the tires crunched over a gravel one as he continued on. You were leaning out of your seat to try and better see the glimpse of bright blue off aways between the trees.

“Almost there, sweet girl.”

“Frankie, what in the world did you plan?”

He just chuckled, jostling your thigh in his grip before removing it. You were about to turn to him when you heard the hum of conversation and laughter through the open window. The gentle splash of water trickling in the background as he rounded one last curve and began to pull up the drive of an impressive looking cabin. It was all dark tones with neutral accents in the form of a large patio that shifted into a deck, stretching out onto a decent sized lake. The water sparkling in the sunshine and temporarily stunning you.

“About time, Fish! Mante, watch this!” Benny hollered as he ran down the length of the deck that jutted out into the water and leapt from the edge of it. Balling up, he made a spectacular splash into the pristine water, causing it to splatter all over the girls lounging on the bank. Morgan and Luciana only laughed as Benny bobbed up to the surface, wiping the water from their skin and turning to wave at you from their spots. Will and Santiago were over by the grill, trading laden down plates with of cooked and raw items from a long wooden picnic table set up right in the middle of the covered part of the deck that doubled as a large patio off the side of the cabin.

“Figured the water would feel good on your hip. Got you a set of trekking poles if you want to hike, but there’s also plenty for us to do around the cabin if you don’t feel like it. Whatever you wanna do, sweet girl.”

“Don’t be hoggin’ the woman, primo.” Santiago sidles up to the passenger door, leaving Will to handle the grill on his own. His sunglasses pushed up into his hair as he reached through the open window to brush an errant wave of hair away from your face and behind your ear. You feel warmth blossom in your chest at the endearing move, grateful for the man that he was and the part he had become in your life even if it had been more than bumpy since meeting him. “Let’s get the week started! C’mon, Fish can unload the truck. I’ve got your favorite beer in the cooler waiting for you, hermosa.”

Before you move through the door Santiago opens for you, you lean over and take Frankie’s face in both your hands to kiss him deeply. Your hands trail down the thickness of his neck to rest atop his shoulders as you scoot across the long bench of the front seat, the center console pushed up. You hook your arms around them to scoot closer to him, pressed your chest flush with his. Tongue licking into his mouth, you sneak your hands into the back of his shirt dip them below his belt and grope at skin beneath. Hoots and hollers rang around the open space hidden in the trees, making your heart soar to be around so many friends, around Frankie.

He seems a little star stuck as you scoot out and walk arm in arm with his best friend toward the hub and bub of the deck, taking a moment before he pushes himself from his won seat behind the wheel and follows suit with a shining grin.

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[ainyan]

FFXIV Write - Day 4: Reticent

“Dinner.”

“No.”

“Lunch!”

“No, thank you!”

“Coffee? I’ll even toss in a nice danish.”

Huffing out a breath, Kal’istae spun on heel, causing Thancred to trip over his own feet as he barely avoided plowing into her. “Sheriff Waters,” she said severely, having to peer up at him and yet somehow seeming to gaze down her nose - just like his own teachers often had, snickered the irreverent part of his mind. “I do not wish to go out with you. Please stop asking.”

Turning, she strode off, and he watched her go for a moment, then trotted up to her side, smiling as he heard her exasperated sigh. “Why not?”

Although she knew perfectly well what he was asking, Kal’istae refused to make it easy for him. “Why not what, Sheriff? Such a question requires a subject.”

Gods, she was so adorable, with that prim tone and those huge, lavender-edged eyes looking just a bit irritated beneath the serene mask she had adopted. “Why won’t you go out with me?”

“Because, Mister Waters, you are the father of one of my students.”

What?

Thancred missed a step and hopped to the side to keep his balance. “Wait, you won’t go out with me because I’m Ryne’s father? That’s it?”

She glanced at him sidelong, secretly delighting in the flabbergasted expression on his face. “That is correct, Sheriff Waters. Now. If you will excuse me?”

His hand darted out and he gently snagged her elbow, ready to release her at the slightest hint of resistance. Though she stiffened, she did not pull away, and turned to look up to him as he tugged her to a halt. “I wouldn’t change that fact even if it were possible, Miss Miurani,” he said soberly, and didn’t miss the approving glitter in her eye. “So tell me what I can do to get around it.”

One eyebrow arched upwards. “Are you asking me to bend my rules, Sheriff Waters?”

“Even scoundrels deserve a bit of grace in the face of good behavior, ma’am.”

Oh, how she wanted to give in. It didn’t show, not in her placid expression, not in her dark eyes full of secrets. But she wanted to say yes. She wanted to give him that grace - give herself that grace - and give him an in. But she had her job to think of. Her students. Her reputation. So she remained reticent despite herself.

“I am sorry, Mister Waters,” she murmured, and he thought he heard genuine regret beneath the gentle rejection.

He released her arm. She gazed up at him for a moment longer, then turned and continued down the street, and this time, he did not follow.

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t thinking about her. And about what he could do to change her mind.

There had to be a way.

FFXIV Write 2024 (Daily Prompt List)

Day 4 - Reticence

OC: Kal'istae Miurani

NPCs: Thancred Waters

AU: Stars over Western Waters

[yanderepuck]

Salai- Chapter 7

WELCOME TO SALAI'S ROUTE. This is a FAN MADE route of my oc, Salai. This means this route contains my headcanons for the characters and in no way is suppose to represent the canon story. This is just a fun little time because I know many of you enjoy Salai. Feel free to engage, talk theories, send asks (even to @ask-salai ).

DISCLAIMER: His route his not canon to his character. Also, all of his lore in not in the route for simplicity reasons plus please feel free to ask about him.

Banner by @spooscribbles

You two were in this position for a while, neither of you moving.  You both seemed to be having a conversation with yourself. 

Salai: W-why don’t I make that pasta

Mitsuki: S-sounds great!

Both of your voices were shaky.  Salai gets up and goes to the whole other side of his apartment.  He realizes how dark the whole apartment is getting and starts to light candles.  It makes sense that a place like this hasn’t been updated with electricity yet.

Salai: Do you want ravioli or spaghetti with a cream sauce?

You stand up from his bed to move over to the living area

Mitsuki: The spaghetti is fine.

You sit down on the couch, looking down at your bandaged arm.  Batuffola came over, dragging a blanket behind her to lay with you.

Salai: You can sleep in my bed, I’ll take the couch.

Mitsuki: Are you sure?  You don’t need to do that.

Salai: You’re hurt and shaken up.  I wouldn’t make a sweet polpetta sleep on a couch.

Wow you really wish you knew what that meant.  Especially now with all the feelings going on inside you.

After a while Salai finished cooking and made two plates.

Salai: Would you like anything to drink?

You get up and move to sit at the island to eat.

Mitsuki: just a glass of water.

He gets a glass of water for you and then pours himself a glass of what you think is whiskey.  He drank it like a shot before pouring more into the glass. You take the water and sip it before starting to eat.

You both sat there in silence while you ate.  Only the noise of the forks clinking to the plates filled the room.  That and Batuffola’s purring.  You were a few bites in before you said anything.

Mitsuki: Did you make this?

Salai just nods, his mouth full of food.

Mitsuki: It’s a really good sauce

It almost tasted familiar, a few more spices than what you’ve had.

Salai: Thanks.  My maestro taught me a good bit about cooking

You still couldn’t understand why he would want to look for someone like that.  You don’t know the full story, but just from what he said he doesn’t sound like a great guy.

~~

After eating you try to help Salai with cleaning but he insists that you go lay down.

Salai: It won’t take long to clean up.  It’s been a long night, why don’t you lay down and get some rest.  In the morning I’ll walk you back.

Mitsuki: You don’t need to walk me all the way back to the house.  To the center of town will be fine.

Salai: I just don’t want you walking around this area alone, that’s all.

And you didn’t want to after what happened.  Hopefully he can find his maestro soon so that he can leave this area.  You go to the other side of the room and go into the bathroom to wash up before sitting on his bed.

Mitsuki: Are you sure it is okay for me to sleep here? 

You feel bad.  The bed would be big enough for the two of you but then things might get a little awkward like earlier.

Salai: It’s fine.  I’ve fallen asleep on the couch before.

Batuffola trots over to the bed and jumps up to lay with you.  She meows softly and curls up beside you as you get comfortable.

Mitsuki: Are you going to sleep with me, Batuffola?

You pet her soft fluffy coat and smile as she purrs.  Salai has started to blow out the candles and get ready to sleep.

Salai: Oh!  You don’t have a change of clothes.  Do you want one of my shirts to sleep in?

You were already in his bed, and you were just going to have to put your clothes back on in the morning, and plus you were going to need to bathe when you got back to the mansion.

Mitsuki: No, it's fine.  But thank you.

You hear him coming to this side of the room and changing his clothes.  You aren’t sure if you are lucky or disappointed that it is too dark to see anything.

Salai: Goodnight, polpetta

Mitsuki: Goodnight, Andrea

You hear him walk away to the couch, moving around before the apartment itself is quiet, but a lot can be heard from outside.  It takes you a while to find enough peace to fall asleep.

~~

You wake up in the morning when the sun starts coming in through the window.  You lay there for a little longer, not walking to fully get up, but then you shift your weight and remember about your arm.  You let out a hiss of pain and moved to lay on your back. 

Salai: Are you okay?

You opened your eyes and he was right there by the bedside, looking down at you.  It nearly made you yell.

Mitsuki: I-I’m fine

Salai: Good.

He took your arm and started to unwrap it.  Blood had seeped through the bandages overnight.  He already had clean supplies next to him.  You didn’t say anything and just watched him.  He was so careful with how he touched you, and his fingers were so light on your skin.  He gets the excess blood cleaned up and gets your arm rebandaged.

Salai: There you go

He smiles and goes to throw everything else away.  You slowly sit up and look at your arm.

Mitsuki: What time is it?

Salai: Almost 9.  I was about to wake you thinking you would want to leave soon.

You get out of bed and stand up, fixing your clothes.

Mitsuki: I’m ready to leave now.

Salai: now?  We can go now.  Do you want to get breakfast somewhere?

Mitsuki: No.  I’ve already been gone too long and I know everyone is probably freaking out

Salai: Right.  Let me get changed and we can head out.

~~

It took some time but you and Salai made it to the center of the city.  He was very insistent on walking you the whole way, but the mansion is on the outskirts for a reason, you can’t take him there.

Mitsuki: Oh!  Is it okay if I bring Theo over?  To look at your paintings?

Salai: Oh right.  Why not tomorrow around lunch time?  I’m sure you have some things you need to catch up on today.

You nod and smile at him.

Mitsuki: Right!  I’ll see you tomorrow.

You say your goodbye. It felt hard to leave him, but you needed to get back to the mansion as quickly as possible.

~~

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Ko-Fi

[adhd-coyote]

The next batch of ocs to be formally introduced!! It's Corries this time!! I limited myself to just ten, though I've got about 20 Corries total (the rest'll be introduced gradually later)

@whiskygoldwings @grackle-draws @thivell (if anyone else would like to be tagged for future ones just lemme know :3)

Blush

Any pronouns

Named after their silver tongue and how easily he makes others turn red as Corrie paint

Soft, sultry, and oh-so-sweet. But can and will play rough, if you ask nicely ;3

Firefly

She/Her

Medic

The best big sister

Sweetest person you'll ever meet. Gives the best hugs and forehead kisses, and always knows just what to say to soothe a distressed vod.

A calm, steady presence who seems to never get stressed or overwhelmed. She does, but she's very good at hiding it and saving any crying sessions for when she's alone.

Mouse

He/Him

Shy, quiet baby

Hates having his helmet off outside Corrie HQ- he panics if his hair is visible

Loves pancakes

Doesn't like loud noises

An amazing pilot, but doesn't get to fly since he's stuck on Coruscant

Trot

He/Him

Fox's adopted ad and office assistant

Clever as his buir, and just as much of a little shit, though his tooka eyes are so good you’d never guess

Was named by Thorn, because 1) He's always trotting after Fox and 2) Foxtrot- it's a pun

Dating Spider from the 404th (Krell's battalion- to be introduced later)

Dahvi

He/Him

Married to Kas

Has a bite to match his bark and his bark is very loud

Will fight anyone that provokes him; Kas has to hold him back sometimes

Kas

He/Him

Married to Dahvi

A hunter. He loves a good chase

Blunt and unafraid to talk shit, but knows when it’s best to keep his mouth shut

If needed, will make himself a target to take the focus away from a vod

Sparks

He/Him

Skilled with tech and slicing

An idiot, but somehow also a genius

Fidgety and talkative

Rabbit

They/He (Gender fluctuates between masc and enby)

Bouncy and excitable, when they aren't a bundle of anxiety

Loves caff

Hair is dyed

Chatterbox

He/Him

Will not. Stop. Talking.

This man can chatter for two hours straight about absolutely nothing

Talks with his hands

Not a trained medic but decent at field medicine

Shortstack

He/Him

A bit shorter than all of his vode

Ready to throw down at all times, likes to go for the knees

Fights dirty

Feel free to send in any questions, I'm always happy to answer asks!!

I now have an oc masterlist!

[sundaybossanova]

Witch's Love Chapter 1

Paring: San x OC

AU: Fantasy

Word count: 4,1k

Summery:

It was a normal day for Sera, brewing potions, visiting the market and trying not to blow her cover but a sudden uninvited guest changes everything. Lying on her doorstep is a young man on the brink of death and she has no idea what she's gotten into after saving his life.

With a heavy sight Sera finally stepped back from her cauldron having finished putting the last bits of dried lavender into the now finally finished potion. With the sleeves of her ebony blouse, she carefully dabbed away the sweat drops on her forehead. It has taken her longer than expected to craft the potion seeing as she ran out of marjoram halfway through the making process. “Maybe if I had checked my stock before starting this whole thing would have been done quicker” the white-haired witch said to nobody in particular. Walking slowly to the tiny window in the house she admired the glowing moon that was shining brightly in the dark night sky. Beside the last crackles of the dying fire the house was silent with the feeling of peace hovering in the air. Two soft knocks could be heard breaking the tranquil silence and making Sera give one last glance to the moon before moving on to open the wooden door of her humble abode. “Why do you come home at this hour Bram?” the girl asked opening the door wider to let the large black dog enter her home. Without much of a response the familiar trotted to the kitchen, went past the cauldron containing the finished potion and finally settled down close to the extinguished fireplace laying down trying to preserve the last bits of warmth offered by it. “Oh come on tell me what you have been up to, I missed you while you were gone.” Pouting slightly the girl continued “Did you meet someone interesting? Or have you found new customers in the village?” Still the dog seemed not one bit interested and simply answered “It was a long day and even though I haven’t interacted with a lot of people, actually none, I am still exhausted.” He repositioned his head so he could watch the witch make her way to a cabinet taking out ingredients for their shared dinner which turned into a late-night snack. “Did you finish your potion we have to bring it to the customer tomorrow.” Bram reminded the girl still remembering times where the young witch would forget the deadlines for her potions causing a lot of her clients to become angry and dissatisfied with her work. The young witch just hummed as a form of saying yes, too concentrated on cutting the ingredients for their shared meal. “Everything is finished I just have to fill it into a flask, don`t worry so much.” And with that she continued her task with a small smile on her lips.

As the first rays of sunshine slowly appeared Sera was already finishing getting dressed in dark green woollen dress with a white ruffle-sleeved blouse underneath it. Her delicate hands grabbed onto the necklace laying on the small dressing table in front of the mirror. After looking at the three green stones embedded in the pendant, she quickly put it on and started braiding her hair. “We have to leave soon I feel like there will be a storm coming and I would rather get home with my fur still dry” came Bram’s voice from his place on her bed. His comment made her hurry up grabbing her black cloak, basket and coin pouch ready to leave if it wasn’t for her familiar calling out to her: “Haven’t you forgot something? Maybe a little thing you worked for all night long?”. With that said Sera turned around and swiftly grabbed the flask from her worktable muttering a quiet “Thank you. Now let’s go”. The black dog was following the witch through the still quiet woods where the animals and plants had yet to awake. The fog was slowly lifting as the two neared the village and could hear faint voices from the marketplace in the centre of the town. Making their way into the bustling streets the screams of many sellers became louder and they had to push themselves through the crowds of busy villagers on their way to get groceries and what not. “Remind me why I had agreed to join you today?” Bram’s voice was laced with regret not enjoying being nearly being stepped on and pushed around by people. “It was your decision don’t try to put the blame on me now.” She answered with a light chuckle finally seeing their destination coming closer. The little shack seemed to be quite old and rundown she guessed nobody has used it in some time. “Doesn’t it feel weird that the customer has requested to meet here out of all the places? This place seems abandoned and there aren’t any people around” her familiar spoke up with questions that have also been going through her mind. “Honestly I don’t know who ordered it, in the letter it only said she needed the potion as soon as possible and I feel like when somebody asks for this particular one, they are very desperate, so I wanted to help without asking any questions.” The girl finally admitted realizing her own mistake of being too naïve and taking on requests she couldn’t be sure were worth her time or would endanger her life. “I do think you know to not do such stupid things ever again, if they find out a witch has helped getting rid of a child you will be solely accused of killing an innocent child they won’t care or believe that you only acted out the mothers wishes.” Bram’s voice was stern trying to control his anger that comes from his underlying fear of the girl getting hurt by the strangers living in the village.

Before she could continue apologizing for her wrongdoings, they could hear light footsteps coming near. “Excuse me Miss but are you the- “the hooded figure was slowly coming to a halt in front of the two nervously looking around “are you the witch?” she finally finished her question after stumbling over her own words. Sera raised her head to look the person in the eyes finding a pair of storm grey eyes filled with worry. “Yes, I am the one you’ve been searching for I presume you are the one who wrote me the letter” Shily the girl nodded and tried to crack a small smile, yet the only thing visible on her face was her nerves. “Here take the potion” she pulled out the flask and handed it to the shaking woman. “To make it more enjoyable, mix it into some tea and drink it before going to sleep. This potion will cause you to miscarry, you might feel a sharp pain in your stomach and become a bit dizzy the next morning but as soon as the miscarriage has ended those symptoms will pass eventually.” Sera has spoken those words without breaking eye contact with the person in front of her. “I hope after this you will be happier and if you need anything else you know where to find me my dear.” She ended her little speech with a comforting smile patting the girl’s shoulder before making her way in the direction of the forest. Too stunned to speak the young woman nearly forgot to thank and pay the witch for her service. “Wait up! Here`s your money I am ever so grateful for your help. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without this potion, so I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.” With those final words the younger one put the gold coins into Sera’s hand and ran off without looking back quickly disappearing behind corners and buildings of the village. “She seems too young and innocent to get pregnant, this whole thing gives me a bad feeling.” Her familiar finally spoke up after the girl was out of sight. “Maybe it was an accident, maybe she was forced we will never know, and we especially shouldn’t intervene with the business of others. We’re doing our job by providing the people with potions and remedies for their problems, nothing more nothing less.” Continuing their way home they stopped at a few booths with Sera picking up items she ran out of and Bram staying close by her side looking out for any potential dangers. Unfortunately, it had begun pouring down some time after they entered the forest again. “I told you we should have left earlier to avoid the rain.” The witch chose to ignore the familiars’ words and just kept on following the small path home. The rain has started to sicker through her cloak and slowly she began to feel the cold creeping up on her. When the small hut came into the girl’s view, she sighed out of relief . “It wasn’t that bad, was it? If you want, I can make us some hot supe and meanwhile you dry yourself in front of the fireplace? Deal?” she suggested looking behind her to face the dog. “This actually sounds like a good plan, I am in.” the wolflike creature answered but before he could add anything Sera let out a short scream while falling on the ground. Confused and utterly shocked the girl looked down at her feet seeing something she hadn’t expected to find. “How, why…. When” She couldn’t find any words while staring at the severely wounded man lying on the ground. The guy tried to get up by pushing his right hand into the mud pulling his upper body a few centimetres off the ground, head only raised long enough for them to make eye contact before he collapsed again letting out muffled groans. Finally, the silent whimpers and expressions of pain pulled Sera out of her thoughts, and she suddenly rushed to the stranger’s side holding his bloody face in her hands. “He’s burning up, we have to get him inside as quickly as possible.” She said in a rushed voice, already preparing to carry the man’s body into her hut with the help of Bram.

Her kitchen table was turned into a makeshift hospital bed after they had laid the young lad onto it. Running around collecting the needed items Sera didn’t realise that the boy had awoken and tried to stand up. “What do you think you are doing?” said Bram in a stern voice. The witch turned on her heels and pushed the upper body of her patient back down. “Lay down, you are severely injured and you’re only making it worse.” She was quite angry, yet her touch was gentle while putting him back into place. With efficient moves she prepared all of the tools she needed and started to work on healing his wounds. The only sound coming from the man were muffled groans and yelps of pain while Sera was putting different ointments and herbs on his many wounds. “This one will hurt a lot.” She said in a quiet whisper lazed with concern as she slowly poured alcohol on the deepest wound on his chest that was oozing blood. “You’re quite lucky the arrow didn’t hit your heart”. Bram was watching everything from a distance not wanting to disturb her while she was in her trance of healing. The sweat on her forehead was glistening in the dim light of the room as she placed the final dressing over her patient’s upper body. Huffing out a sigh of relief she turned her body to the familiar, a small smile escaping her lips. “He is doing fine now; you can go to sleep. I will stay and look after him” Not fond of this idea the wolfish creature stated it would be best for her to rest and he will wake her the moment the stranger shows signs of waking up. Finally feeling the exhaustion taking over her body Sera gave in and made her way up the stairs into her bedchamber and after lying down on her comfortable little bed it didn’t take long for her to fall asleep.

“Get away from me you damn beast” was the first thing the young witch heard upon waking up the next day. Without a thought she ran down the stairs to find her dear familiar being threatened with a knife by the person who just yesterday was lying in front of her abode on the brink of death. “What do you think you are doing?” she was enraged, and the man suddenly turned upon hearing her voice. “What do you mean, I am defending myself from this creature.” After that comment Bram couldn’t take it anymore and with a venomous voice he finally spoke up “I did nothing to you! Ungrateful brat. You are the one pointing weapons and wanting to fight.” With that said Sera had enough and in one big stride went to the strangers’ side gripping onto his arm completely taking him by surprise. “I will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in my house! And you should lie back down, or your wounds will reopen, and all my work will have gone to waste.” Flabbergasted, the man let her lead him back to the kitchen table he had previously laid on and sat back down. The witch was mumbling incoherent words while scurrying around the room doing who knows what. Before he could speak up, he was interrupted by the woman. “How about we start over. After all this seems like one big misunderstanding.” Now that he has somewhat calmed down, he took in the appearance of his apparent saviour. A petite girl of similar age to him, with long white hair, fair skin and eyes a shade of green he only knows from the depths of the forest. It took him some time to speak up himself: “I agree also I am sorry for threatening your ehhh… pet wolf?” While in the end his sentence sounded more like a question Sera had to hold in her laugh. “He is not a wolf but a black shepherd and my familiar. His name is Bram.” She said, smiling faintly while putting a kettle over the little fire she had started. “Oh, how rude of me, my name is Sera.” she added, turning around to face him. “San” Was the short answer from the stranger who still looked wary of his surroundings. “It’s nice to meet you San, I am curious how you got into the state you were in yesterday”. Patience was not one of her strong suits therefore she just had to ask him. Her green eyes full of curiosity were now fixated on him waiting for an answer. “Well, you see, I have been running away from the royal guards with my brother and to distract them we split up upon arriving in the forest but they defied my expectations and kept up with my pace even getting close enough to hit me with an arrow” his hand was subconsciously hovering over the bandages around his chest. “After falling to the ground I thought it was over but because of whatever reason they ran back to the castle after hearing the sound of a horn, without that I would probably be dead by now” pausing for a moment he lifted his head locking his brown eyes with hers. “And if you wouldn’t have found me I also would be dead, so thank you again I own you my life”. The sincerity in his voice was so eminent that a smile crept itself on her face. “I would do it again in a heartbeat.” she said confidently, finally breaking their eye contact to hand him one of the mugs full of deliciously smelling tea. The following silence was not an awkward one but rather one of mutual understanding and want for some peace.

“Do you live here alone?'' It was his time to ask a question again and she nodded her head taking off the bandages carefully. “Ever since I was 16 but I have Bram, so I am never really alone” The wolfish creature's ears peaked after his name was mentioned and his curious eyes followed his master's movements meticulously. “I see, still I can’t really imagine how it must feel to live like this coming from living with seven other guys. Your situation seems like the complete opposite” he said, cracking a smile at the end a little lost in his thoughts about his brothers. Would they be searching for him, maybe they thought he was dead in the end? He just hoped they wouldn’t do anything stupid because of his absence. “My turn. Why were you running from the guards?'' The wound was now fully unwrapped, and she began applying a self-made ointment on it. “Should have known you would ask” he mumbled quietly trying to avoid her forest green eyes. “I may or may not have stolen something from the palace” Her hands stopped working, eyes looking up searching for his. “You really stole from the king?” her voice was low still in disbelief waiting for him to start laughing or telling her it was a joke. But to her further surprise he kept his sheepish posture confirming her it was the truth that he spoke. “Wow… this is unbelievable but what was so important to sacrifice your own life? There is nothing more valuable than life itself?” her answer surprised him, instead of flipping out after finding out he committed treason she was wondering about his reasoning. “We simply stole money and riches, we didn’t even take a lot to stay unnoticed but on our way out we were spotted by a guard, it rarely happens so we weren’t really ready.” “Wait so you did this more than once?'' Now the shock was evident in her eyes as she dropped the new bandages she prepared. San finally raised his head showing the serious expression that was previously hidden behind his hair. “I know this sounds horrible and I understand if you do not want me here anymore but please don’t tell anyone and let me leave. I promise to never come back” he sounded so earnest taking her hands in his pleading her to understand. It took her a moment to realise she had been staring blankly at him. He took her lack of response as a sign to leave dropping her hands and trying to get up from the kitchen table. This was finally enough to rip her from her daze. “No stay you’re still hurt” her hands were pulling him back gently while her facial expressions made him feel at ease taking away the fear and panic that began bubbling inside him. “It is true that stealing, especially from the king, is a severe crime but I’d like to believe that you have your reasons to do so. Furthermore, I cannot let you walk around the forest in this state knowing I could have helped you more.” The sincerity in her eyes took him by surprise making him smile showing off his dimples. Letting out a breathy thank you he still couldn’t believe she wasn’t about to kick him out or worse tell on him to the guards. “Are you sure you want to help a traitor of the crown?” he asked willing to give her one last chance to avoid the mess she was about to get into. “Don’t worry about me, if the king were to find me helping you would be the least of my crimes. After all being born a witch will forever be my biggest crime.” The smile on her face seemed forced her eyes not meeting his while she busied her hands to finish bandaging his chest. He was too stunned to speak her bravery admirable to him, yet he caught on to the change of mood and he couldn’t imagine how it must feel to be in constant fear of being caught. “Well in my eyes your powers seem more like a blessing then a curse it just scares the ones who are afraid of change and the possibility of losing their power.” This made her heart speed up, he wasn’t afraid of her instead he seemed rather fascinated and intrigued about her abilities. For the remaining time they stayed silent, the only noise coming from her working on changing his bandages.

“You should stay the night to rest and gain more energy to go back home” was the first thing Sera said while they were having dinner. Mid-bite San raised his head looking at her, “sounds like a plan thank you for your hospitality” the smile on his face shone so brightly making her join him. Waving one of her hands dismissively she tried to explain how she liked to help people and would do it again any day. The rest of their meal was filled with random topics, some stories of their past and a lot of laughter. He told her more about his brothers, how one of them tried to cook but instead nearly burned down their house or how the oldest reminded him of her because he was the one who would take care of their wounds. Through the evening they got a lot closer realising how similar they were yet so different at the same time. “They would love to meet you” he commented with a big grin. “I’m not so sure about that one, they don’t even know I exist, and they would probably think I am awkward.” The last part was more a whisper to herself, she knew that her social skills were lacking and just thinking about meeting all of his 7 brothers made her shrink in her seat. “What do you mean? I can already see Seonghwa thanking you for taking care of me and asking about all the salves and ointments you used.” His eyes seemed so sincere that Sera felt more at ease, yet in the back of her mind the fear of judgement was still present and would probably not leave any time soon. “You should try to get some sleep now, it’s getting late and we want your wounds to heal as quickly as possible right?” the young witch said with a small smile, starting to clean the table. “You`re right, let me help you” and after a quick argument about how he should rest and not clean dishes right now, which she lost, they finished tidying up and she showed him to her room. “You can take my bed, I'll give you some clothes for you to sleep in.” Before he could disagree with her statement the girl was already going through her drawers picking out a pair of loose fitting trousers and a linen shirt. “Take these I will be downstairs, just call me if you need anything. Sleep tight:” and with those words she quickly left to get some sleep herself after all the day had been quite long. With her leaving the room San looked at the clothes in his hand and felt a weird sense of comfort, one he had only experienced when being in the presence of his brothers.

The first rays of sunlight hit the white sheets and reached the golden skin of the person underneath it. Scrunching his nose San tried to avoid the light by covering his face with the fluffy piece of cloth yet his efforts of going back to sleep were in vain as he heard soft footsteps and a knock on the door. “Good morning, I prepared breakfast if you want some '' he heard the soft spoken words come from the other side of the door. Suddenly realising that he isn't in his own bed in the comfort of his own room, San takes a moment to grasp the whole situation. “Ah yes of course I will come down in a minute” he stumbles over his words while trying to get up as quickly as possible. A sudden pain in his abound makes him groan in pain altering the young witch outside. Without a knock she rushes into the room to assist San, chestering him for being so careless. He felt her soft hands supporting his back, subconsciously rubbing soothing circles while he waited for the pain to lessen. “You should be more careful, you were on the brink of death yesterday. You can't just get up like nothing happened or you will make it even worse.” Her hands are now all over his body checking the bandages and the wounds on his face, concern clearly evident in her actions. “I'm sorry, I acted before I could think.” his lips were formed into a small pout which she couldn't help but think of as cute and endearing. “Come on now you need to eat something and then take the medicine i prepared for you” Sera patted his shoulder one last time, giving him a reassuring smile and leaving the room. San sat on the bed for a little longer, trying to root himself and get rid of the light red tint on his ears.

This is my first fanfic ever so I am really nervous, I still hope you enjoy it!

devider by @cafekitsune

[hongchenzhu]

Saved and too long

Side tracked on my main fic, and the idea of my OC saving Celebrían and her interaction with some of the people of House Elrond. Wrote this for some people to get an understanding of my OC and who she is in my main fic.

side note: there's gonna be some plot holes, cause I haven't finished writing my main fic yet, I'll be rewriting this scenario in the mainfic once I get to it. (OC intro is here)

Hope yalls enjoy it

word count: 1926

(๑ > ᴗ < ๑)

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Hong Chen has been in this world for a very long time, it wasn’t until recently she settled in a town not far from the borders of Rivendell. The town is near the lake which provides great agriculture for its main source of trade and income, with this being said the people of the town are well acquainted with the Elves and Rivendell as they are the main trading routes.

It was during its early settlement when this town was made, from then until now it has been over 2000 years. That’s right I have been the doctor of this town for 2000 years, I have watched the first group of settlers and now I see their descendants grow up and old.

Today is like most other days, I spent time in the yard of my house that leads into right after the front door. My rooms are built around the yard, and this is where I conduct most of my medical examinations the room to the left is my private bedroom, the room to my right is the kitchen/ medical herb storage room the room directly after the yard is my study/further examination room. My yard is also littered with groups of medical herbs ready to be dehydrated, it is either by placing it upside down and leaving it in a drying and dark place or placed in the furnace. Alongside it is a huge osmanthus tree that has been planted since I settled down.  

As I walked around the yard looking at my herbs, I noticed my athelas stash was significantly lower than my others, I signed, this meant I must leave my home and go into the mountains to find more. Shaking my head I grabbed my hat with my veil over it, putting it on I opened my double very solid wooden door (they also weigh a ton) placing a sign out in front telling those who come that I am out collecting more herbs and set out on my little adventure of finding athelas.

After trotting away on my majestic mare from the borders of Rivendell and my town I found a good stash of athelas. Then I felt it, the painful cries of souls, screaming and howling begging to be released accompanying those cries is the sense of foul begins, begins that should be killed to free the tortuous soul from their bodies.

Allowing my horse to roam freely around the area I followed the sense, it did not take long before I came across a clearing near a cave. Outside that cave is littered with a stench, a disgusting orc stench most people by now would’ve gaged but I’m too high on anger to care. Summon my polearm with the star of Fëanor still shining brightly like the day it was made, I marched into the disgusting cave.

The howling and begging got worse, I could hear it echo from the deepest part of the cave. As orcs entered my sight, I saw red. Lifting my polearm high in the air I brought it down with the strength to split the cave apart, right after that orc charged at me left, right and centre. Whipping my polearm left to right I threw them against the wall and stabbed through them, twisting my arm I killed the orcs behind me, bringing my arm forward I killed the ones in front of me. The orcs didn’t stand a chance as my acts were too fast, faster than the day when I was fighting the heavenly officials, faster than the day I fought Melkor head-on saving Fingolfin.

It didn’t take long before all the orcs in the cave were wiped out. I took off my hat, exposing my face, my chest heaved as I started looking around the cave for any other signs of life that weren’t an orc.

Finally, at the corner of the cave, I found it, the only sign of life, an elf, elf maiden who has golden hair that reminded me of Findaráto, throwing my polearm aside I crouched down. Taking the outer layer of my hanfu off I put it around her shoulders, pushing her hair out of her face I looked down at her.

“You’ll be alright dear, I’ll take you to Rivendell,” I said so gently and carefully lifted her up in my arms, one arm under her knees and one behind her back. She fell onto my chest her breathing finally calmed down and I walked out of the cave, seeing my destruction, mutilated orc bodies indiscriminately scattered the cave, like seeds that had been spilt out of a bag.

Once I’m out of the cave my horse came galloping out of the trees.

“Hey girl, look after me for a bit ok” I said to my horse voice still light not wanting to startle the poor Elleth. Very gently I put her onto my horse, who very kindly didn’t move that much as I walked back to the cave picking up my polearm it disapparated in my hand. I kept walking through the cave carefully carrying out every single elf body I could find, bringing them to the main cave. Lining them up, side by side neatly, I pulled out a yellow piece of paper and made a cut on my finger as I wrote with my blood once done, I put it in the middle of the pile and left the cave.

By the time I walked out, the cave shone with a gold shine. What Celebrían could see is a figure with hair darker than night, and a dress? A very long outfit with sleeves just as long walking out of the cave that seems to be glowing, are they a Maiar? They must be in order to have that speed and accuracy. Then she fainted.

I managed to catch the Elleth just as she nearly slipped off my horse, jumping onto it we began riding in the direction of Rivendell. With the Elleth against my chest, I whispered for my mare to go faster, although the Elleth didn’t sustain any severe injuries I don’t know if her mind could take it if I arrived any later. Not happy that the fastest time we could reach Rivendell was around midnight, I caved in, pulled out another black hat with a veil over it put it on and teleported us to right outside of Rivendell.

“I AM IN NEED OF A HEALER” I yelled as I entered the valley, coming off my horse I gently carried the Elleth off as a hoard of elves surrounded me. “I am in need of a healer,” I said again not happy that I was surrounded.

“My lady” shouted a voice above the staircase, a young Ellon called me out. I walked up to him, “Please my lady follow me, and I will take you to the healing wings” I nodded as I followed him.

Once I was there with the Ellon I placed the Elleth on the bed. “Do you hav-” and the door swung open in strutted… Elrond?

The two of us looked at each other, and he spoke “Lindir please leave the room” The young Ellon left the room, and I took my hat off.

“What an unexpected place to meet you, Elrond” I looked down at the Elleth “Check her first, I found her trapped in an orc-infested cave, she didn’t sustain any severe injuries, but I haven’t checked her full body yet.”

Elrond looked down at the Elleth in such heartbreaking eyes, as he began his checkup.

.

.

.

“I have to thank you, ammë, for saving her” Elrond has finished checking up on the Elleth, or should I call her Celebrían.

“No need for thank you, she is lucky I happened to stumble upon that cave or else the worst might happen to her.” Both of us are seated next to Celebrían, watching her pale face finally having some colour returned to it. Pulling a box out of my sleeve I gave it to Elrond, “Here is a box of incense, one that can keep away bed memories and dreams and help people to sleep”

Elrond hasn’t changed much, other than a few streaks of white hair due to stress.

“How long have I been away?” I asked curiously

“For about the entire second age.”

I blinked, shocked but also not so shocked “So, what happened during this age I missed?” Elrond went through most things, Saroun rising again, many wars happened, Celebrimbor’s death and Saroun’s betrayal of Celebrimbor and other matters.

But I stayed on the death of Celebrimbor, oh the sweet child Tyelpë. “He died?” I confirmed with Elrond.

“Oh, poor sweet Tyelpë, I remember meeting him the first time, I could scoop him up in my arms and he would always look so fascinated at the jewels I wore because there were ones he had not seen.” My voice so solemn, “I remember during the first age after I resurrected Fëanor, the three (Fëanor, Curufin and Tyelpë) would spend hours going through my jewellery box asking me all the questions about the jewellery that was in there.”

I closed my eyes and leaned back into my chair. “My poor boy, he didn’t deserve that.” I sniffled and got up, turning away from him “Sorry Elrond, I’m gonna need some time to accept that” Putting my hat back on I walked out of the room slipping right past a set of twins and a golden hair elf.

It was the afternoon by the time I got out of the main house in Rivendell, Lindir was nice enough to lead me to the private gardens of Elrond. I was almost a complete replica of my back garden in my mansion during the first age in the sunken land of Beleriand. The pond filled with waterlilies and pavilions surrounded that garden giving it ultimate serenity. Seating on the railing at one of the pavilions near the pond I took my hat off, the sunset gave the garden a feeling of warmth, but I am still hanging upon the death of Tyelpë. Pulling out a gold hairpin with a spider lily on the end made with gold and reddest of rubies I caressed it, the first gift Tyelpë gave to me as a thank you for allowing him to study my other jewels.

The rubies glimmered under the sun, as I grabbed a section of my hair and pinned it up with the hairpin.  

“Come out” I called to the 3 not so good sneaking elves.

Three black hair elves stepped forward, very neatly next to me in the pavilion. “Has your father not taught you that it is unacceptable to spy on a woman?” I scolded the three.

“We were just curious about who you are and how you rescued ammë” said the one in the middle, all are looking down embarrassed that they were caught.

“Your Elrond’s children”

“Yes”

“Not only is he married but he had kids as well!”

“Yeah” one of them meek. I stood up and studied the three, very intensely like I was going to burn a hole through their face.

“Oh, my you are.” I said I touched the twin's face “You two look just like Elrond and Elros when they were younger.” And turned to the only daughter to the right “and you look just like her.” Dark hair almost as if it's sparkling and grey eyes, oh god she looks so similar to Lúthien.

“Wait would that make me your haruni?”

ˎˊ˗⋆｡°✩📄ˎˊ˗⋆｡°✩📄ˎˊ˗⋆｡°✩📄ˎˊ˗⋆｡°✩📄ˎˊ˗⋆｡°✩📄ˎˊ˗⋆｡°✩📄ˎˊ˗⋆｡ˎ

and a cliffhanger ( ‘• ω • `) done on purpose.

Hope yall enjoyed this cause I definitely had a whale of a time writing it, here are some reference photos for Hong Chen's house, hanfu, hairpin, garden and the pavilion. (there are image descriptions, do read them, pls)

The first three are Hong Chen hanfu's all have a sorta outer jacket for her to take off and wrapped around Celebrían

The final 4 are what Elrond's personal garden looks like

[goth-mami-writer]

JJK one-shot below⬇️⬇️

Soooo. I don't usually post the body of my fics here, but this is one I worked on for a babe of mine. @short-honey-badger

Toji × OC (FemOC is his neighbor) "Dirty Dishes"

Mera used the key under his mat to sneak into his apartment that afternoon after she trotted up their conjoined steps. His Doordash order had been sitting since she'd ran down to the main office to grab her mail. He probably got hung up on the phone again in the car and she knew that he hated cold rice.

She let herself into his apartment, moving aside the empty boxes of takeout by the door that were now stacked into a tower where his trash can was overflowing. Toji was great at what he did, putting bounties on sorcerers and hunting them down, so it made sense that he never had time to clean. But her nose crinkled in disgust every time she was in here. 

On her own accord or not. 

She moved the take out boxes to the side and set the lukewarm rice bowl in the microwave only to find another bowl of cereal that clearly had been sitting for days due to the chunky cornflakes liquefied to the bottom. 

“Are you fucking-? Why is a bowl of cereal-” Mera spat before the smell hit her dead on as it wafted from the microwave, “Oh my GOD!!!” 

She moved the bowl of cereal and didn't care if he came back to find her in his apartment or not, this was no way to live. 

She and Toji would sometimes chat in hallways as they passed each other on the way home. He was always somewhat…civil. He did grunt and roll his eyes a lot but it was something she found friendly. But there wasn't anything else that she could call a close relationship. Besides one incident where she was locked out of her apartment in which Toji spent the entire night with a hairpin and a lockpick to help her back inside. The entire time, she balled herself up by the doorstep, hating her day already without this shit happening but Toji found sympathy and picked the lock before it looked like she might start crying. 

Everything after that night seemed to be somewhat unsaid and unspoken though Mera seemed not to mind. However, Toji picked up on it right away. There were glances and feelings shared between them, though he'd never be the first to admit it. 

She began washing some of his dirty dishes in the sink as she heated up his order of fried rice and then began clearing the trash away from his door. After she began tidying his small breakfast table so he'd at least have a space to eat his rice, she didn't notice the door opening. Toji's face sneered in defense as he crept inside, not knowing who had snuck into his apartment. He didn't think the door was broken into so he wondered who the hell knew about his key. 

He held his short spear over his head, entering the kitchen ready to strike down what he thought to be a very crafty yet unlucky intruder until he saw Mera standing nonchalant at his table. 

“Jesus!” He said after losing a breath, huffing out in relief, “Courtesy text would be nice, dickface! Coulda killed your ass!” 

“Courtesy text?” She scoffed turning around, wondering if he'd even say thank you for all the work that was indeed a courtesy, “Fucker, I've found you on my couch eating my leftovers!” 

“You offered them to me!” 

“Yeah! Like 12 hours before and you left me on read!” 

He rolled his eyes with his nose crimped in defeat before he asked if she ate his Doordash and she presented the now warm take out bowl, explaining that it was just left on his doorstep to get cold and he tossed down the short spear onto the counter top before nearly scooting her aside to begin digging in. 

He placed a hefty spoonful of fried rice in his mouth before asking,

“So ugh…what are you doing?” 

He watched as she began gathering her small cinch bag that she'd brought in, and she asked, not quite understanding what he meant, 

“Ugh… leaving?” 

“Nah- I mean-” Toji said amid a mouthful as he leaned over the counter with his elbows planted on the granite as they spoke, 

“Like what are you doing coming in here and being all nice and shit. Ya ain't my old lady?” 

“Well, I mean- you helped me get my door unlocked. I figured… why not help you out a little?” 

Toji found a curious look on his face that slowly grew into a grin that was painted maliciously across his lips. His scarred mouth curved up, snickering under his breath as he stood straight up to further the point he was about to make. 

Mera narrowed her eyes to his changed demeanor, one that seemed ready for a challenge. He leaned himself infront of the counter where she stood waiting for him to explain the shitty grin he was holding and he said lowly with a rumble in his throat, 

“Helping me out a little…would've been throwing my food in the door or setting it on the counter then dipping. You came in and did this whole song and dance in my nasty ass kitchen. So I'm just wondering….why?” 

Mera face blushed and Toji noticed with an entertained smirk beginning to grow as he knew the answer already just by the demure look on her face now, 

“What are you sweetenin me up for, Mer?”  

“I.. am..not.” Mera grumbled with her mouth tight, trying not to let him see the truth even as it slowly became written across her telling expression. 

“You're not?” Toji teased, now only an inch from her face, peering down to her from his immense height. 

“No-” 

“So-” Toji said after a swipe of his tongue across his bottom lip almost daringly, “If I kissed you on your smart-ass mouth, It’d just be another stupid Tuesday, huh?” 

Meras's heart pounded in her chest with a rhythm she swore the tenants three floors down could hear if they listened. Toji smiled widely with a deviousness, knowing she'd never admit it to his face. But hell, he didn't need a word after a little flustered blush like that. He reached in the front pocket of his sweat pants and presented something swinging in his grip. 

“Went down to the main office, by the way.” He said as he revealed a keyring with two new metal keys jingling from a metal loop, 

“Got you some extra keys so your forgetful ass doesn't get locked out at midnight again.” 

Her face changed away from the flattered redness into complete shock. She never assumed that he'd be the one to actually help her besides that favor of unlocking her door but he actually thought of her this way and it was endearing. Her smile grew a little more sweet instead of frazzled and she reached forward for the keys, 

“Thank you, I appreci-” 

Toji's hand closed around the keys, stopping her mid sentence from retrieving them and she moved her eyes to his. He evilly smiled again but this time with hidden intention. He remained completely silent as his arm moved up, holding the keys just out of her reach and stepped that one inch closer to put them chest to chest now.  

“Come on-” He purred daringly with a wink, “I know ya ain't that damn short.” 

Mera lost a breath, knowing exactly what he was trying to do and she moved, becoming fearless for a moment to match his cocky, teasing attitude that lit her aflame. She stood on her tippy toes, becoming only a breath away from his lips as her fingers reached upward but suddenly as she met his gaze, those keys were the least of her worries. 

Toji felt his smile trembling now with pride and as if he dared her with a glint of his dark gaze, Mera closed her own eyes as they met at the lips. Toji kissed her deeply, holding his free hand to her waist to pull her in with a tender roughness by the small belt loop on her hip. 

Mera eased back down to her resting height away from propping up on her toes and Toji ducked his head down to keep them joined in a kiss that seemed to be climbing. As he tasted her lips, becoming a little caught up in the way she lapped against his mouth bravely now, he tossed the house keys to the tile to free both his hands. 

He placed Mera onto the counter, still wrapped warmly in a deep, sensual kiss and she locked her ankles behind his waist. After a tender bite to her lip, both of them breathed heavily as they shared a glance, knowing they wanted more of each other. 

Toji kissed her again, moving with more intention as he cupped her jaw in his calloused hands that were rough against her skin. His tongue flicked across her lips, tempting her to give him more and softly she moaned beneath her breath and Toji grinned widely to hear her enjoy it.

They parted with heavy, chugging breaths heaving away from their mouths. Toji swallowed in a gulp, feeling the need to fix his waistband after a kiss like that, and he did so slyly. Mera fanned her red face with her hand only for a moment as she gained a breath, stepping down from being sat atop his kitchen island. He reached into the floor, properly handing over her keys, and he asked after clearing his throat, knowing she probably wanted to be nonchalant about what just happened, 

“What ugh- what are you doing later on?” 

“Like-? Tonight?” Mera asked just to be clear, and Toji remarked smartly in a scoff, 

“Yeah, dipstick. I don't mean next week?” 

She rolled her eyes, trying not to let herself laugh at his replies too much knowing it'd just feed into his ego. Her work needed her to cover a shift that night but she'd be home around the normal time. Toji nodded putting his hands into the pocket of his sweatshirt with a shrug, 

“I was askin’ cause…I dunno..I'm not doing anything later and yanno..if you-” 

He stopped mid sentence knowing that his face was warming up with every word further, not to mention he was stuttering. Mera giggled and closed the gap between them to say, hoping he wouldn't mind her finishing his thinking, 

“I don't care if we hang out. But..why don't you come up to my place? Not that I don't love yanno, week old ramen and a mountain of beer cans-” 

“I didn't exactly invite you in here, asshole. So cut me a fucking break.” He mentioned watching Mera start for the door after checking her watch with a chuckle. 

“Hey-” Toji said, hoping to stop her before she left. 

Mera turned, waiting for him to speak with her hand holding the doorknob. Toji gave a short glance to the floor, knowing these words were gonna roll off his tongue like lava but they needed to be said. He shifted his weight uncomfortably and said in a grumble, 

“Thank you…for..coming in here. Cleaning and shit.” 

Mera nodded with a low snicker, knowing that was probably the best she was going to get in terms of a sincere thank-you and she opened his door, mentioning with a wink of her own before leaving, 

‘Don't mention it. Just…thank me later I guess.” 

“Easy there.” Toji said with a wide smile, loving that she was getting a little more spunk. 

She closed the door, knowing she needed to hurry and get ready for her shift at work, but her face was still brightly lit. She would've expected the kiss before the ‘Thank You.’ In a way, she hoped maybe his apartment would stay on the messier side. It seemed to give her a good excuse to sneak in for more time alone with him. But the real thing that was giving her butterflies was thinking of what was going to happen later that night. 

[s-creations]

Excavation - Chapter 2

Now that everything's calmed down slightly, Daisy explains why she's there. Mainly looking for the heroes' help in solving a problem that's coming from deep in one of her Kingdom's temples.

The group divides into two parts: One to solve the temple issue while the other tries to convince the Desert King to join forces against Bowser.

To everyone's surprise, it doesn't quite go according to plan.

Fandom: Super Mario & Releated Fandoms Rating: Teen and UP Audiences Relationship: Mario & Luigi & Wario & Waluigi Additional Tags: Pretty Much Everyone's Here, Named OCs - Freeform, world building, lore building, sometimes in the most painful way, Treasure Hunting, another mural to worry about, Mentions of Blood, we have a lot of people opening up in this one, cursing, heavy cursing, like I haven't used this heavy of cursing for this story for quite a while.

Special shout-out to @cantankerouscanuck for dropping a lot of DK lore and world building on me. Much appreciated!

Now, who's ready for some Waluigi angst! It is time. XD

The group traveling to the crumbling temple was larger than Mario had expected. It hadn’t just been him, Wario, Daisy, and Polterpup. There was a large entourage of bi-pedal mice, carrying supplies ranging from blankets and tents to cooking supplies to no doubt create the feast Wario was expecting. All distributed between three covered carriages that moved away from the large castle. All sitting in silence as they traveled along the golden sand. 

Once arrived, Daisy set about making sure everything was set up. Shouting orders on what needs to go where with far rougher authority compared to Peach. 

Mario and Wario, with Polterpup trotting behind, pulled away from the group to get a good look at the front entrance. Or, what remained of it. The once no doubt grand entrance was now blocked by a large pile of rubble. There was a small opening near the top. Large enough for the mice beings to fit through. For them, there would have to be some shifting, but they could get it to work. 

Wario looked over when Mario let out a slow sigh, “You doing okay over there?”

“Yeah,” Mario answered quickly, “Yeah, it’s just… Underground has some unpleasant memories.” 

“Fair. But you have a good handle on your Firebrand now. I doubt we’ll have an issue. I doubt you’ll have an issue.”

“Yeah…”

Wario frowned softly, but wasn’t able to push the issue as Daisy joined them.

“So, you two ready?” the desert princess asked. 

“Yes.” Mario answered quickly.

“I have a few more questions, if that’s okay.” Wario asked.

To which Daisy nods and replies with, “Go ahead.”

“What are we expected to see in there?”

“From what we can tell, the disturbance is coming from deep within the temple. And I mean deep . We never had any tunnels or pathways that went that far down before. Now, it’s become sort of a mining operation. Just trying to get out as much ground out and setting up a railing system to travel down quickly.”

“Has anyone in this kingdom mined before?” Mario asked. 

“Ah, no… But they did their best?” Daisy offered weakly.

Wario, however, didn’t look that impressed. “No wonder this has become such a nightmare for you. There are probably more death traps than anything else in that place.”

“You’re still going to help though, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, just wanted to know what we’re going to see inside there.” Wario shuffled the bag further onto his shoulder as he faced the entrance again. “Alright Mini-Me, let’s get in there and get this fixed.”

Mario gave a small, hopefully reassuring, smile to Daisy before following Wario. The desert princess watched on as the brothers shifted a few more rocks around, expanded the entrance, and climbed in. Polterpup only phased through once the other two made their way in. Daisy let out a tight breath when they disappeared. 

“Good luck you two…”

The entrance to the cavern was a weird feeling of cold mixed with damp, Mario unable to place how that feeling was being created. Current area they were walking through was a long hallway with compressed stone walls holding carved images and words. Some areas cracked and crumbling away. Mario’s fire seemed to cast deeper shadows over it all. Polterpup led the way, allowing their body to illuminate more on what Wario’s held light and Mario’s fire couldn’t.  

All peering around in silence as they made their way further in. The hallway eventually opened up into a large, domed room. What was normally a place for congregation and prayer had been sloppily converted into a mining operation, as Daisy warned. The altar seemed to be the only place that had been left alone, with dozens of carved holes seeming to appear at random. All disappearing into the ground so far that Mario wasn’t able to see the ending. Each holding their own set of railings that followed along the carved paths. 

“Wow, this is shitty work.” Wario commented as he gently tapped on the railing. Eyes traveling to each of the laid tracks that disappeared into the darkened areas. 

“How bad?” Mario looked back. 

“Eh, bad, not terrible? I mean, we’ll survive if that’s what you’re asking. We’ll just need to make sure we don’t hit these or else we’re going to have a rocky time… I was just expecting a path down, not this. This is way more dangerous than I previously thought.” 

“How many rails do you think they have laid down?”

“No idea. A lot, from what I’m seeing here. But if they’re being really desperate, who knows how many they’ve actually laid down. Between these quakes and this quick job, I don’t know how stable this place really is.” 

Both looked away hearing something squeak. Watching as Polterpup pushed a car forward. Pausing when they just reached the opening, sitting down to look back at the other two. Panting happily. With a shared nod, Mario and Wario joined at the cart. The fire wielder picked up the spectral pup before climbing in. Sitting near the front to allow Wario room to jump into after he pushed them forward. 

Tossing the bag and a few more tools in, Wario let out a grunt as he pushed everything forward. Leaping in at the last second, settling down as the cart tilted downwards. 

They followed along a carved out tunnel, flickering lights lining the walls. All of them flashing by, eventually smearing by as the cart picked up speed. Mario and Wario bending down into the cart as the wind rushed past them. Holding onto their respected hats to keep them from flying away.

The tunnel, far too soon, fell away, the tracks now seeming to hover open a large pit. Both risked leaning over to see if they could find the bottom. Only for everything to disappear into the darkness. If the depth of the pit wasn’t enough of a worry, they'd received their answer with how many tracks had been laid down. 

It was clear it wasn’t just the temple entrance that had the tracks. It seemed any direction that could reach this area was utilized. From every direction the tracks appear, twisting and turning together as they all descend into the depths. Even tracks that went the same direction the group was traveling along didn’t seem to be limited to where they’d come from. 

“There really was no rhyme or reason to any of this!” Wario called out in disbelief as he looked around. “They just went crazy with this.”

“I’d hate to ask, was this temple in operation before this?” Mario asked.

“I really hope not.”

“Guess we can’t focus on that for now. We’ll just have to ride this until we reach the ending. …Do we have any ideas on how we’re going to stop this thing?”

“How about we put a pin in that when we reach that problem.” Wario frowned. There was a sinking sensation in their stomachs as the cart started to dip down further. The tracks seemed to press closer together as they went along.

“They really had no idea what they were looking for,” Mario said, worriedly. “We’re not going to have that issue…are we?”

Wario gave an assured shake of his head. “No way, we have better tools for the job. Trust me, this coaster of craziness we’ll be the worse of our-”

Both tensed when Polterpup let out a low, warning growl. Focusing on the other entrances, teeth bared and their hackles raised. 

“Polterpup?” Mario carefully rested a hand on the spectral pup. “What’s wrong? What do you-”

“Avast, ye landlubbers!”

The call echoed through the carved cavern that was followed by a number of other cries and cheers. As attention was turned behind them, the duo found at least twenty if not more other carts following after them. Traveling along rails that had not been from the temple entrance. Each cart filled with two or three bi-pedal lizard being. Mario mentally commented they looked like crocodiles. Yellow eyes narrowed on Wario and Mario’s cart, mouths filled with rows of sharp teeth were pulled back into a wide smile. Waving either guns or swords in hands. Bags of Bob-ombs just barely peeking out. 

The clart closest to the duo was only carrying one creature, but was by far the largest out of them all. Body showed a number of scars that stood out against the leather tan skin. Eyes of vivid green seeming to shine out from the heavy shadow casted by the pirate hat he was wearing.

“What the-”

“Are you fucking kidding me!” Wario’s cry of disbelief drowned out Mario’s question. The other looked furious at the yellow lizard that was drawing closer. “What the hell are you doing here!?”

“If it isn’t me ol’ treasure huntin’ partner!” the lizard replied with a laugh. “Did ye really think ye’d never see Kaptain Skurvy again?”

“It was a desperate plea to Grambi, to be honest.”

“Ah, ye wound me.”

“Wait, you know him?” Mario asked. 

Wario replied back with an annoyed growl. “Unfortunately.”

“Now, now, don’t ye be sour,” Skurvy called out, almost alongside their cart. “Ye seem to be doin’ well. Even got yerself a new, wee little partner. A weird lookin’ one, ta be honest.”

Mario pouted at that. “A little rude.”

He didn’t fight back when Wario pulled him away. The older brother pulled out a familiar hammer, with a foot on the edge of the cart as he pointed it at the lizard. “What are you doing here Skurvy.”

“That be Kaptain Skurvy to ye, traitor.” Was growled out.

“Like hell I would call you that. Now what do you want!”

“Do ye think ye little dessert princess is the only one interested by whatever be lying in this sinkin’ ship? We just be on a job. Ain’t that right boys?” Skurvy waved a hand back to the rest of his crew, who replied back with a happy cheer.

“What the hell does your crazy king want with this kingdom?” Wario’s furry turned to genuine worry, causing Mario to panic further. 

Skurvy’s jovial attitude suddenly switched off at the question. “Bold of ye to assume who we’d be workin’ for.”

“What else am I supposed to say? That’s who you were working for before-”

“Enough of this!” The scaly captain pulls his own sword free. Pointing it into the air before drawing it down directly to Wario. “I ain’t here to be takin’ trips down memory lane. I’ll offer the two-”

Polterpup barked.

“Pardon, the three of ye one chance to walk away quietly. Or else my crew will have to deal with ye personally. What do ye say? Peaceful partin’?”

Wario let out a laugh before swinging his hammer back. “When have you known me to back down, you salty dog?”

“So be it. Knock them off!” 

Wario and Mario faulted when the rails suddenly rocked, the motion quickly followed by an explosion. Both turning back to find their path back crumbling away into the darkness. Those closest to the brothers preparing another Bob-ombs to be thrown over. One waiting to light while the other waited to hand an unlit one. 

Mario was up on the ledge without a second thought. A deep red fireball in hand that was launched to the cart he could reach. Aiming specifically for the pile of the unlit explosives. There was a momentary cry of panic. First directed at the fireball being tossed their way then to the lit Bob-ombs. Said lizards jumping out from the cart before it exploded. 

“Ye didn’t tell me ye new partner came with party tricks!” Skurvy called out, glaring at the larger brother. “What else ye hidin’ from me?”

“Shove off you!” Wario called back. Pulling Mario back into the cart to allow himself room for a full swing. The head of the hammer launches a lit Bob-omb back to its sender. Another cart going down. 

Letting out a growl, Skurvy leaned over the edge of his car. Foot over the lip while his sword was lowered to his hip. Clearly intended to jump into the brother’s cart. Only to be stopped when a spectral pup seemingly popped out of nowhere. Skurvy letting out a cry of surprise as he attempted to swat Polterpup away. 

“Ye annoyin’ pest!”’

“Polterpup!” Mario called out in worry. 

The cart dangerously shifted once more, but no explosion followed this time. Instead, parts of the rails started to fall away. Not just from the brother’s line, as all rails started to crumble. Those in the carts only able to watch in horror as their companions started to fall into the awaiting darkness.

“What’s going on?” Mario frantically asked. 

“The problem I said would happen if we damaged these railings!” Wario answered. “These structures were never sound and they’re not holding up to these attacks, we’re all going down!”

The stunned realization was pushed aside as their rails falling away started to catch up. Wario pulled Mario close and compressed them both into the cart as best he could. Their cart soon started to free fall down. The other was only able to watch as Polterpup looked on with worry. Skurvy’s cart followed along soon enough. The rest of the crew either cried out in worry as their captain fell away or screaming as they also headed towards the depths. 

_____________________________

In one of the many provided guest rooms, Toadsworth, Peach and Waluigi were resting on a long, plush sofa. Peach sat up while the lanky brother flopped out until he took up most of the space. The princess sitting between Waluigi and her caretaker. With Toadsworth looking unhappy with how close he was to Waluigi. Even with Peach acting as a barrier. 

All watched as Luigi nervously paced the length of the room, mumbling to himself as he stared at the ground. The younger twin eventually stopped in front of the other three. Clapping his hands together before properly facing them. 

“So…what’s the plan of attack?” Luigi asked with a nervous smile.

“You were the one who pulled us in here. I thought you were the mastermind.” Waluigi answered. 

“I was also hoping for some help.”

“Monazite will need to be the first person we talk to,” Peach started. “She’s very caring and would certainly understand our mission. She may already be on our side. But it’ll be good to know where she truly lies on all of this.”

Waluigi shifted to sit up a little more. “But, she’s also not our main concern here.”

“Toadsworth, what’s your insight as to why Olivine pulled away so long ago?” Luigi asked Peach.

The elder Toad shook his  head. “It’s the simple story of King Olivine believing that King Matsutake was not using his power and time wisely. While I understand Olivine’s position, considering Bowser’s threat was growing faster than we expected, Queen Dahlia was growing ill during the same time. Our King was more worried and focused on his wife. Olivine did not take this well and claimed that Matsutake was focusing on the wrong thing. Leaving to be out of the ‘damage zone’, if I’m recalling the words correctly. Anything further than that, we’ll need to talk to Daisy, if you wish to skirt around approaching Olivine for a few hours more.”

“Oh, I very much doubt that,” Waluigi huffed. “Daddy dearest clearly hasn’t been upfront with what’s been going on.”

Luigi sighed weaky, “Then how do we break down the wall when we don’t have the appropriate tools to do so?”

“Get more people to help out.”

The group couldn’t help but jump when the bedroom door was knocked upon. Peach calling out  ‘Come in’, with said door opening and Dew poking her head in.

“Pardon for the interruption,” Dew spoke softly. “But Queen Monazite is asking for an audience.”

Peach stood, offering a smile. “Of course. We were actually about to ask your queen for the same. Would you be kind enough to-”

“A-Apologies princess. But the queen has specifically asked for Waluigi to join her. Alone.”

The atmosphere in the room shifted to a weird feeling. Luigi sharply turned, eyes wide, as he looked bewildered at the lanky brother. Toadsworth’s eyes narrowed on Waluigi while Peach’s face turned to an overly worried expression. All clearly confused by this request. 

Even Waluigi’s eyes widened hearing his name, breaking away from his bored demeanor. Blinking a few times as it all settled into his brain before slowly standing. “Ah…are you sure you didn’t mishear? I mean, she could have mumbled something at the beginning before saying Luigi’s name. You know, one of the heroes of the Mushroom Kingdom?”

Dew gently shook her head. “No, she asked for you. No mumbling occurred.”

“...Okay, well…” Waluigi straightened his cup. “I guess, lead the way.”

“Waluigi-” Luigi faltered when the other raised his hand. 

“It’s fine, I’ll be fine. Lead the way, Dew.”

Without a look back, Waluigi left the guest room, following the bi-pedal mouse. Led away from those areas marked for guests and the citizens who asked for an audience, towards the rooms saved for the royals. Grand bedrooms, ballrooms, and dining areas, Waluigi did his best to not grumble under his breath. A bubble of bitterness expanded in his chest seeing how yet another portion of the 1% lived. 

As they turned the corner to a more private area of the castle, the plain walls changed to bursts of colors. Nothing but swirls of hues that calmed Waluigi’s silent grips to the building. 

“Beautiful, aren’t they?” Dew beamned. 

“Do they mean anything?”

The mouse shook her head, “Not that we’re aware of, especially out here anyway. The rooms that line these halls do hold murals, but we’re only able to guess what it all means. Those stories have been lost to the ages, unfortunately.”

Dew stopped before another archway. Turning to Waluigi and offering a bow. “Queen Monazite awaits you inside.”

“Yeah, thanks.” Waluigi replied back quietly. Side stepping around the mouse to walk in.

It was a small tea room. Big enough to hold two rather comfortable looking chairs with a small table situated between them. Which held a tray with tea and some interesting and tasty looking treats. Monazite stood from the chair she’d claimed to greet Waluigi, who was standing in the archway.

The lanky brother offered a short nod with a quiet, “Your highness.”

“Hello, Waluigi, I’m so glad you could join me. Would you care for a seat?”

“Suppose I will…” Waluigi walked further into the room. A flash of vibrancy appeared from the corner of his eye. Looking back to find the entire wall filled with a mosaic mural. 

What stood out first were seven yellow sprites that look like small sons. All placed around the archway and starting the wall being divided by the same number. Each section depicted a different area that Waluigi had never seen before. Framing all of it, decorating the edge of the wall, were tendrils of shadows that were encroaching in on the scenes. Uncomfortably familiar sparks of green appeared on occasion that mixed in with the shadows. 

Waluigi’s brows furrowed in worry.

“An interesting little piece, isn’t it?” Monazite casually commented as she joined him.

“Kind of creepy…and a little on the head with its depictions.” Waluigi reached out to run his hand over the sprite floating in the desert portion of said mural. “This is the Desert Kingdom. I’m pretty sure that’s the Sarasaland castle in the background.”

“That appears to be true.”

The brother looked over, “So, what does it mean?”

Monazite let out a small sigh, “We’re unsure. We can pull some information from what we can see. It’s an understanding that our kingdom holds one of these yellow sprites. But we’re unsure where it is, what it does, or where else these sprites are located. Even the tendrils of shadows are a mystery to us.”

“Joy…” Waluigi grumbled. Making a mental note of how there was another mural for them to worry over. 

He twitched nervously when a hand was placed on his shoulder. Monazite offered a warm smile as she gently pulled Waluigi away.

“Why don’t we put this away for a moment. I asked for you to join me so that we could have a polite but private discussion.”

“Oh, right, sure…” Waluigi tentatively sat down in the unclaimed chair while Monazite sat down in her previously claimed seat. 

The queen took a few minutes to pour a cup of tea for each of them. Filled with a deep red liquid, leaving a little bit of room left over for one. Said cup was handed over to Waluigi. With Monazite gesturing over the container of milk, honey, and sugar. 

“I wasn’t sure how you preferred your drink.”

“Thank, um, this is fine.” Lifting the cup up tentatively from the saucer, Waluigi took a small sip. Eyes widening in pleasant surprise of the taste that washed over his tongue. A look he quickly formed back into a neutral one when he realized Monazite was watching him.

“It’s good.”

“That’s wonderful to hear. Have as much as you want, I can always make more. No issues there.”

Waluigi raised a brow at that, “You…make it?”

“Of course, it’s a family recipe. A long standing tradition to share with new guests.”

The brother let out a low hum as he took another sip.

“You don’t seem to believe me.” The queen laughed softly. 

“I just didn’t think that those of royalties would stoop so low as to dirty their hands.” Waluigi bit his tongue when the words slipped out of his mouth. Focusing on his cup as he tried to sink into the chair. 

Monazite slowly nodded as she nursed her own cup. “That is understandable. After all, the rich do love to flaunt their possessions without much work on their end, don’t they?”

There was another round of laughter from Monazite while Waluigi could only chuckle weakly. Gently dabbing a finger to the corner of her eye, the queen continued. “But truly wealthy people know better than to rely on gold and jewels to be fulfilled. That feeling only arrives when you work for your worth in an honorable way. Getting your hands dirty just means you’ve created physical proof of what you’ve built.” 

Waluigi nodded slowly. “Yeah…sure. Um, not to cut to the chase suddenly. But why did you request a meeting with me?”

“Well, I was hoping to have a private conversation with the person who broke my daughter’s heart.”

Hot tea through the nose was not a fun feeling.

Waluigi took the offered cloth thankfully as he tried to clear his throat by coughing out the remaining liquid. Quickly wiping the sprayed tea away from his face, covering his mouth with the same cloth. Allowing himself a moment to take a few deep breaths. Only lowering his hands when he’d controlled his breathing once more.

“...I don’t know what you could be referring to…”

“Mmm, clearly.” Monazite said easily as she took her own sip.

Waluigi nervously pulled at the napkin, the silence stretching on until he blurted out, “How did you know?”

“You think I’m unaware of what goes on in my daughter’s life?”

“If you're so observant, why didn’t you know where she went before?”

“I had a hunch as to where she went.”

“And what do you mean ‘broke her heart’?”

“Well, with the way she screamed in rage after you both broke up, I assumed you two had been dating. I’m also assuming that you broke it off. Otherwise, Daisy would not have been that upset. A little bitter, sure, but not breaking things in her room upset. And would you believe me if I told you she was even further hurt upon hearing that you suddenly just disappeared in the middle of the night.” 

“Trust me, she’s made me very aware of that.” Waluigi mumbleed weakly. Rubbing his arm where a large bruise was still forming. 

“So, what caused such a shift in your life?”

“What?” He looked up in surprise. He’d been expecting harsh words, not a ‘soul-searching’ question.

Monazite placed her cup down to focus on Waluigi. “I will not sit here and say I understand your motives or what you were going through at the time to cause such a change. But to come to such a rash decision overnight. Leave everything behind without a word to anyone where you were going and why…” 

“You were clearly holding onto something that just…broke that evening. I’m also sure that you’ve never shared your reasoning as to why, close connections make it hard to be honest. Meaning you’ve been stewing on your own over all of this.”

“And what, you’re going to help me make all of this better?” Waluigi snapped. 

The previous nerves were falling away, quickly being replaced with anger. The sudden change caused a rush that got Waluigi to stand up as his face burned. The queen made no move to defend or worry over this reaction. Staying still as her hands rested gently in her lap with a neutral look on her face. Remaining as such as Waluigi continued. 

“You have the comfort of judging me while sitting in your ivory tower. I’m sorry I hurt Daisy, I am. But maybe I wasn’t as emotionally stable to deal with all of that. Maybe I was embarrassed to think over how I was supposed to keep a princess interested in me. Maybe I woke up late that night in a cold sweat realizing how I had done nothing with my life and that was killing me.”

“Maybe I’m pissed that I was poor and associated with being a troublemaker because our father was a fucking liar. That I had hoped and prayed that I would be able to stand above that as I grew older but was never given the chance. How Wario and I just wanted to fucking help so we could be seen in a better light. Only for that resulting in people not trusting us. And we were sick and tired of being belittled. Maybe that’s why we started to act out, why not! Why not play the role everyone just expected us to be!”

“But no, let’s just chalk it up to how we were raised! That has to be the problem, right? Being told grandeur lies that our father told, making us think that he was someone to look up to. All of that just amounts to him just leaving and having our mom die by a broken heart. Maybe that’s just something that runs in the family, yeah? Hurting people and just leaving without a word. At least I came back!” 

“Is it bad that I wanted to go someplace where no one knew who I was? It is fucking wrong that I wanted to try to make a name for myself that didn’t involve people glancing my way with raised brows and whispers? I wanted to make a new start, I wanted to be more than just my family name, I wanted to be more than my father. But I guess that’s just too much to ask for, isn’t it!”

Waluigi’s fast pacing stilled as he turned to glare Monazite down. Who still hadn’t moved, watching it all with calmed features.

“You know what, fuck you, let’s just turn this script around. What don’t we judge your character, yeah? For someone trying to ‘care’ about her daughter, you sure have been missing a lot from anything involving Daisy. Or even anything about your fucking kingdom! Never seen you once until I got here. Always saw the king. Stuck up king who crawls away when his feelings get a little bruised. Why don’t you go pick him apart, huh? You married him, why don’t you deal with that baggage to make him realize that maybe ignoring a friend wasn’t the best idea while his wife was dying.” 

“Why don’t you use your fucking title of ‘queen’ to actually do something!”

Breathing heavily, Waluigi felt his shoulders and ears slowly drop and it dawned on him what he’d just said. Flinching away when Monazite finally moved, the queen now stood up from her chair. The anger felt only a few seconds before now cooling into actual fear. Waluigi mentally berating himself for cursing and flinging accusations at the queen . This was not going to the plan they had. Then again, Peach or Luigi were supposed to have this talk. How were they supposed to recover the damage Waluigi had just made?

The frantic thoughts were silenced when arms were gently wrapped around him. Tencing, his own arms stuck straight at his sides as he felt slim fingers gently stroke through his hair that they could reach. 

“My people are quite literally part of the desert,” Monazite spoke softly. “My form and self only remain when I’m able to connect with the very sand that I came from. Leaving the desert could cause my demise. This is why I’ve never left my home. I do wish I could travel, but I’m fearful that it’s not possible.”

“As for my silence, my words are spoken by my husband. I’m here to offer him support and my view on situations. Do you think I’ve not berated him for how he easily left his friend’s side? Especially at such a horrible time. I know my husband hurts himself for the actions he’d done during that time. He hides his shame by staying here. Tucking himself away so no one can see him. Until he can remove himself from his indignity, Olivine will suffer in silence. Nothing I say will change that.” 

“...It’s just stupid fucking egos, yeah?” Waluigi mumbled weakly, slowly melting into the hold, his throat becoming tight. 

“I suppose so… But I do hope you lot will put my husband in his place. Grambi knows he needs someone besides myself to show him what this world is heading towards…” Monazite gently pulled Waluigi back. Tilting his chin up so they could look at each other properly. The queen silently noted, with wide eyes that held such exhaustion and ears drooped down, how young Waluigi looked at this moment. 

Not a bitter adult, but now a lost child.

“It’s unfair how the children have to suffer the mistakes of their parents. Such a weight should not be placed on their shoulders…but who else could tell adults how stupid they truly are.”

Waluigi let out a weak huff, doing his best to keep himself collected. Unhappy that his vision became blurring, deep breathing returned as he tried to look away. Jaw clenched as a final attempt to hold it all in fell away as a hand gently cupped his cheek. 

“Other’s actions have such a way to harm without knowing, don’t they?”

The only reply was a choked sob that Waluigi attempted to cover it up, a hand reaching up to rub under his nose. More than happy to sink back into the motherly warmth that he’d not felt in years. His own arms reached up to wrap around the queen and he buried into her dress. Monazite hummed softly as she placed a hand on the back of the other’s head, her other arm wrapping around Waluigi tightly.

Toadsworth stood just outside of the archway in the chilled hallway. Brow furrowed in thoughts and worry. Eventually turning away and back down the hall towards the guest bedrooms. 

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 186. brb x oc

a/n: <3. is all i can say. thank you. (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!! they make my nights they really do<3)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

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-

“Did you just get here?’ she’s still holding him, he smells like his cologne and of woods, like cedar and pine, he smelled like home.

“I did,I wanted to surprise you.” he smiles, holding Nicole up before placing her on his shoulders, holding her little hands to keep her balanced as they walk towards the kitchen, “But I was the one surprised. Since someone was already walking!” he shakes his shoulders so Nicole laughs, happily moving along with him.

Beatrice, now calmed down from her shock, just smiles from the sink where her glass was, “I honestly–she did it on her own??’

“Yeah, she was walking alone when I saw her.”

Beatrice’s mouth parts open in surprise, “Nikki!” she squeals, clapping her hands together, “Honey you are walking! You are walking sweetie! That’s amazing!” Nicole just gurgles happily, bouncing a bit on Rooster’s shoulders before her father pulled her away, “I had no idea, she was moving a bit but, walking? Maybe she knew you were coming and wanted to be prepared for you.”

“Yeah.” he smiles, holding Nicole against his chest, “You aren’t upset at me because I didn’t tell you, are you?”

“No!Of course not!” she waves her hand dismissively, laughing softly before finishing what was left in her glass, “I love whenever you surprise me,I’m just happy you are home,” both of them see Eleanor carrying his duffle bag away from the door, trotting happily as if that weighed nothing…which for her, probably didn’t, “...Why are you home so soon? Not that I’m complaining, but I thought you still had five months left.”

“Well,” he drawls the L with a little smirk, “I think we cut the mission in half because of what happened.”

He does explain to Beatrice about the base, about the area they were in but doesn’t go in too much detail because she didn’t need to know that…however he does tell her about Raptor and Jaws, about what they did and how he and McAllister helped them even if they didn’t want to, “...I was really pissed Bea.” he mutters, rubbing Nicole’s tiny hand between his thumb and forefinger, “They were so irresponsible, what they did was so…fucked.”

Beatrice licks her lips, the joy in her eyes dissipating for a second as she looks at her husband, eyebrows low and mouth going downwards, “...I’m just happy you are okay.” she whispers, rubbing her neck, “I…I know you didn’t want to worry me, but I’m so happy you told me about it, I’m happy you didn’t keep that inside you.”

“I just worry.”

“I know,” she reassures him, “I know you do…but I could see how tense that mission made you,even when you spoke to me,I knew something was wrong…I just knew you’d share with me whenever you felt ready.” he smiled sweetly back at her, still rubbing Nicole’s hand and leaning against the wall, one leg crossed over the other, “I’m glad you aren’t holding it in anymore.”

“I’m trying,it’s kinda hard.” he shrugs, ‘But I’m doing my best.” he does look at her then, really look and he sees all the details he adored. The freckles, the pink of her cheeks that matched the pink on her lips, the way her green eyes twinkled whenever she spoke…and the bits of paint sticking to her overalls and hair, “Were you busy painting?”

“Well,kind of.” she shrugged herself, sitting on the kitchen chair - he was faster and pulled it for her, earning a soft laugh from his wife followed by a ‘you are so sweet’ - to support her head on her hand, “I’ve been trying a bit but, I can’t stay there for too long, they are getting bigger,” she points to her stomach, “And since it’s two of them, it…can be hard to work around.I was actually gonna ask Leo or Mike to help me out.”

Rooster hummed, pursing his lips briefly and then licking them, “I could finish for you since I got home.” she makes a face, one that only earns an eyebrow raise from him, “What?”

“I really want you to enjoy your leave.” she muttered, “And, you know, painting a room could be a lot of work…” he drops his eyes, pointedly to her stomach and she stutters, “Well!I-I mean,I,um…”

Rooster chuckles softly, his eyes filled with adoration as he reaches out to take Beatrice's hand in his own since he was still holding Nicole. "Gorgeous, I want to spend my leave with you and the kids. And if that means helping out with the room, then I couldn't think of a better way to spend my time."

Beatrice's cheeks turn a shade of pink as she looks down at their entwined hands. "You really don't have to, Roos. I don't want you to feel obligated."

"Obligation? Baby," he says, his voice gentle "Gorgeous, love of my life,” and he slowly pulls her closer towards him, “Most beautiful woman in this whole universe…I want to be a part of this journey, every step of the way. And if that means getting some paint on my hands, then so be it. I was with Nikki’s."

“Aa!”

“I don’t see why I wouldn’t be for the twins.”

Beatrice's eyes shimmer with tears as she gazes at her husband. "You're incredible, you know that?"

Rooster smiles, his thumb gently caressing her hand. "I'm just doing what I can to make you happy. To make us happy." he whispers, “And you are the incredible one.”

“Don’t start.”

“Cause I always finish it.”

They sit there, in the quiet of their kitchen, their hands joined and their hearts connected, laughing softly. The sounds of laughter and giggles fill the air as Nicole bounces on Rooster's arm, Beatrice missed this so much. She holds her head up with a closed fist against her cheek, rubbing his knuckles with her thumb softly as she sighs, “...okay. I think it’ll be fine, but not today. You just got here.”

“True,I’m exhausted and I–” he makes a face, groaning quietly, “I need to talk to Cyclone,I completely forgot about it.”

“Oh?”

“He has my report but he wants to know more, Evelyn’s dad is…like that.” he makes a face, his brain trying to think what would be a good time to go…well he just got home, he could spend a few minutes with his family before going back to talk to Cyclone.

Right?

Rooster contemplates for a moment, his gaze shifting between Beatrice and Nicole. He knows that talking to Cyclone and providing a detailed report about the mission is important, but at the same time, he wants to savor this precious time with his family. It was still early after all.

Beatrice notices the conflict in his expression and gently squeezes his hand. "You need to talk to Cyclone, I understand," she says softly. "But you just got home, surely he can wait for a bit…I can always call Ev and she can work something up.”

Rooster's eyes soften as he looks at Beatrice, laughing softly. "You're right, but you don’t have to call Evelyn." he replies, a smile forming on his lips. " I'll talk to Cyclone later. Right now, I want to be with you and my girls."

Beatrice's smile widens, and she leans in to press a tender kiss against Rooster's forehead. "That's all I want," she whispers. “But um!Anyway, are you hungry?”

Rooster chuckles and nods. "Starving, actually. The airplane food didn't quite cut it."

Beatrice stands up from the chair and gestures towards the fridge. "Well, then let's whip up something delicious for you. I'm sure you have some cravings after being away for so long." she walks up to it and purses her lips, “Any requests?”

Rooster grins and follows her into the kitchen, still holding Nicole in his arms. "I'll eat anything you make, Bea. Your cooking is always amazing. But I’d appreciate something that can be heated by the microwave since you can’t stay in front of the oven for too long."

He points that out and Beatrice smiles, “Leftovers it is then, we have,” she opens a container,”Some chicken aaaanddd…some stir fried rice.”she smiles up at him as he thinks about it.

“Rice and chicken, please.”

“Oke doke!I’ll heat it up for you.”

Rooster watches Beatrice as she puts everything in a microwave safe bowl, but he did notice her adding a few extra herbs just because he liked so much.He can't help but feel a surge of pride and admiration for the incredible woman standing beside him.

"I've missed this," Rooster says, his voice filled with warmth, one of his hands holding his head up. "The sounds of the kitchen, the aroma of your cooking, and just being together like this."

Beatrice smiles, her eyes sparkling with affection as she looks over her shoulder towards him. "I've missed it too, Roos. It feels good to have you back home." and she looks back at the task at hand, timing the microwave and sighing before walking back to the table, “It’ll be done in a few minutes.”

“Sounds good.” he grins, dropping his gaze down her body longingly “You look good.”

She laughs while staring at her paint stained overalls and her hands, shaking her head, “Well,I do look colorful.”

Rooster chuckles, his eyes shining with amusement. "Colorful suits you, Bea. Besides, it's the smile on your face that truly lights up the room."

Beatrice blushes, feeling the warmth spread across her cheeks, scoffing softly. "You always know just what to say," she murmurs, unable to hide her affection, covering her cheeks with her hands, “You make me blush too much.”

“Favorite hobby of mine.” he winks, “Missed doing it in real life.”

As they wait for the microwave to be done, Rooster asks, "So, what else have I missed while I was away? Any exciting developments?"

“Not really? The babies are okay.” she says with a shrug, “And Nikki is well…walking now, oh!But in a few weeks me and the girls are going out. Shells suggested it, since we are ‘too pregnant’ to do anything else.” she smiles sweetly, looking at her hand, “I think she just…don’t want to admit she feels too left out. You know?”

“What are you guys doing? Nothing dangerous,right?’ his wife only shrugs apologetically and giving him a small guilty smile, ‘...you don’t know what it is.”

“No,but she assured me it’s nothing dangerous like paragliding or anything.” she did giggle at her own joke but her husband looked horrified, “Roos, I’m not serious.”

“I know, but still.” he pursed his lips as he adjusted Nicole on his lap, nuzzling her hair, “What do you think it is? And…well, will that take you away from me for too long?” Bea’s cheeks redden as she tilts her head at him, “Because,and I’m just sayin’...we do have a date to go to…and…” he draws a circle with the tip of his index finger against the table’s surface, “And we have…some catching up to do.”

Beatrice’s eyes flick nervously towards Nicole, her cheeks getting even redder, “...y-yeah.” she clears her throat gently, “But um, we will do that.I have…thought about it a lot.” he quirks his brow in question, still smirking, “A-Anyway!” the microwave finished heating everything up, ‘It’s ready!’

-

After having eaten he finally went up to meet with Cyclone. He walked past Jaws and a blur that ran past him was indeed Raptor, he was sure she was crying…without a doubt,Cyclone had a talk with them too.

Honestly he was just glad they had a reality check before he arrived, he only gave Jaws a nasty look and then walked to Cyclone’s office, knocking on the door with his knuckles.

“Come in.”

Rooster opens the door and steps into Cyclone's office. The room is brightly lit because of the large windows, with a desk cluttered with papers and a large world map hanging on the wall. Cyclone sits behind his desk, a stern expression on his face.

"Rooster," Cyclone says, his voice gruff and quiet, he nods to the chair in front of his desk. "Take a seat."

Rooster nods and settles on the chair, he folds his hands in his lap, waiting for Cyclone to speak.

"I've read your initial report," Cyclone begins, his gaze fixed on Rooster. "But I want to hear more details. What happened out there? What led to the decision to cut the mission short?"

Rooster takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to recount the events. He goes into detail about the dangerous situation they encountered, the reckless actions of Raptor and Jaws, and how he and McAllister stepped in to help rectify the situation.

"It was a mess, sir," Rooster admits, his voice tinged with frustration. "Their actions not only jeopardized the mission, but put everyone's lives at risk. We had to act quickly to prevent a disaster."

Cyclone listens intently, his expression unreadable. When Rooster finishes speaking, there is a moment of silence as Cyclone processes the information."You did the right thing," Cyclone finally says, his voice firm. "You and McAllister took charge in a difficult situation and made the necessary decisions. Your actions saved lives, Rooster."

Rooster's shoulders relax slightly at Cyclone's words. He had been wrestling with doubts and guilt over the mission, and hearing Cyclone's validation eases some of that burden.

"But," Cyclone continues, his tone stern once again, "I need your help with something."

“Sir?”

“Their punishment.”

Rooster's eyebrows furrow in confusion. He hadn't expected Cyclone to bring up the topic of punishment for Raptor and Jaws. He knew their actions were reckless and had serious consequences, but he shouldn’t be surprised that was brought up.

Especially considering everything.

“How can I help sir?”

Cyclone leans back in his chair, his gaze fixed on Rooster. "You led this mission, Rooster," he splays his hands as he raises his brows, moving his chair from left to right slowly,”And, your report was very detailed…we both know the type of thing they did needs to be thought of thoroughly.”

Rooster nods, understanding the gravity of the situation. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "I understand, sir. “ he licks his lips,”I’ll try my best.”

Cyclone leans forward, his expression serious. "I've been considering various options for their punishment, but I value your input as their team leader. You have firsthand knowledge of the incident and a deeper understanding of the dynamics within the team."

Rooster takes a deep breath, realizing the weight of the responsibility that has been placed on his shoulders. He knows that the decisions made regarding Raptor and Jaws' punishment will have a lasting impact on the team's trust and cohesion.

"I believe in accountability, sir," Rooster says firmly, meeting Cyclone's gaze. "Their actions endangered lives, and it's crucial that they face the consequences of their behavior. However,and I… I had some time to think about that. We should give them an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and demonstrate genuine remorse."

Cyclone listens attentively, his expression thoughtful. "A chance is what I hear you saying.” he says, his voice measured. "Am I correct?”

“Yes,sir.”

“And why,Bradshaw, would that work?” he interlocks his fingers in front of his mouth, “Tell me.”

Rooster takes a moment to gather his thoughts, carefully considering Cyclone's question.He tries to come up with a concise and clear answer before opening his mouth "Well, sir," Rooster begins, his voice steady, "I believe that punishment alone may not necessarily lead to lasting change. By giving them a chance for rehabilitation, we create an opportunity for them to learn from their mistakes and develop a deeper understanding of the consequences of their actions."

“And?”

He continues, his words thoughtful and measured, "Through rehabilitation, we can foster a sense of personal growth and responsibility. It allows them to reflect on their actions, acknowledge the impact it had on the mission and their teammates, and take steps towards making amends. By offering this chance, we demonstrate that we believe in their capacity for change and growth."

The vice admiral’s blue eyes shoot through him for a second, “And if they don’t learn?”

Rooster takes a deep breath, meeting Cyclone's gaze. "If they don't learn, sir, then we address it accordingly. If they fail to demonstrate genuine remorse, if they continue to exhibit reckless behavior or disregard for the mission and their teammates, then more severe measures may need to be taken."

“Such as?”

“Reassignment, additional training, or even temporary suspension from active duty” he answers without missing a beat, “They knew what they were getting into.”

He expected the vice admiral to continue his line of questioning, but he didn’t. In fact, he did something Rooster has only seen a few times: he smiled. He smiled almost proudly, almost as if he knew what Rooster was going to say.

Cyclone leans back in his chair, his smile lingering on his face. "You've shown exceptional judgment, Rooster," he says, his voice filled with a mixture of admiration and satisfaction. "Your commitment to accountability and growth within the team is commendable."

Rooster's confusion slowly transforms into a sense of relief. He hadn't expected such a positive response, especially given the seriousness of the situation. His shoulders relax slightly as he takes in Cyclone's words.

"Thank you,sir."

“However,” Cyclone begins, his smile fading slightly.  "I want you to keep a close eye on Raptor and Jaws moving forward. Monitor their progress closely and ensure they are actively working towards their rehabilitation and growth. Don’t be their baby sitter, but don’t look away either…if they stay."

Rooster nods, understanding the importance of closely observing their behavior and progress. "Yes, sir. I will do that."

Cyclone leans forward, his gaze intense. "Their actions had serious consequences, and it is vital that they understand the gravity of their mistakes. We cannot afford any relapses or further disregard for the safety of the team. We both know how this works."

“Yes,sir,absolutely.”

Cyclone's gaze lingers on Rooster for a moment before he leans back in his chair, a subtle nod indicating his satisfaction with Rooster's response. "Good.Keep me updated on their progress.."

Rooster straightens his posture, nodding at him. "Thank you, sir. I will stay vigilant and maintain open communication."

Cyclone's smile returns, this time accompanied by a sense of reassurance. "Dismissed, Rooster. Enjoy your leave."

Rooster offers a respectful nod before turning to leave Cyclone's office. But he stops by the door, “Sir,” Cyclone looks up from his work to meet Rooster’s slowly turning head, “...may I suggest something? It’s about recruit McAllister.”

Cyclone raises an eyebrow, intrigued by Rooster's request, setting his pen down. "Of course, Rooster. What do you have in mind?"

Rooster takes a deep breath, carefully choosing his words. "Recruit McAllister has proven himself to be a valuable asset during this mission," he begins, his voice confident. "His skills, dedication, and ability to adapt were evident."

Cyclone leans back in his chair, considering Rooster's suggestion. "I've reviewed his file, and he does show promise," he acknowledges. "But I'm curious, what specifically are you proposing?"

"I suggest considering an acceleration of McAllister's training," Rooster suggests, his tone earnest. "Given his performance and potential, I believe he could benefit from additional specialized training and opportunities for growth. It would not only further develop his skills but also allow him to contribute more effectively to the team."

Cyclone strokes his chin thoughtfully, weighing the proposal. "Accelerating his training is a bold move," he remarks, giving Rooster an ‘are you sure’ glance without saying it outloud. “He is fairly new.”

“He is really good sir…in fact, the whole Stalker Squad was good. The recruits did amazing,I’m sure you received detailed reports from the other pilots.”

Cyclone nods, brows furrowing as he looks to the side where a pile of papers sat. "Yes, I have received positive reports about the Stalker Squad's performance. However, it is important to maintain a balance between recognizing potential and ensuring thorough training."

Rooster's determination is unwavering as he responds, "I understand the need for balance, sir. But McAllister has demonstrated exceptional skills.With the right guidance and additional training, I believe he can make significant contributions to the team.”

Cyclone leans forward, his gaze intent. "You believe he is ready for the challenges that come with that?"

"Yes, sir."

Cyclone considers Rooster's words, his expression thoughtful. After a brief pause, he finally speaks, "Very well, Rooster. I will take your recommendation into serious consideration. I will review McAllister's performance and consult with the training department. If I am convinced of his readiness, we will proceed with an accelerated training plan."

Rooster's face brightens with gratitude and anticipation. "Thank you, sir. I believe this decision will not only benefit McAllister but also strengthen the other recruits as well."

Cyclone offers a nod in response. " I will inform you of my decision once I have reviewed all the necessary information."

Rooster stands straight, his gratitude evident,saluting the vice-admiral "Thank you, sir.”

Cyclone offers a small smile. "Dismissed, Rooster. Enjoy your leave and keep up the excellent work."

Rooster offers a final nod of respect before leaving Cyclone's office. He is filled with a sense of satisfaction and purpose, his body feels lighter and he felt…good. He felt good. It wasn’t as bad as he thought it’d be, he was happy they could offer them one chance and one chance only.

He saw the two pilots hanging close by, distraught and clearly upset by everything, but he didn’t stop to acknowledge them. While he believed in a balance of punishment and understanding, it didn’t mean he wasn’t furious by their antics.

Which he still was.

As he walks out of the base, he meets Beatrice’s eyes as she waits for him outside the Bronco,holding Nicole in her arms. He blinks confusedly at her and chuckles, “I thought you’d stay inside since it’s so windy.”

“Oh,Nikki was getting restless.” and the little girl wriggles a bit as she says that, “Now that she walks I don’t think she wants to stay still anymore.” Beatrice meets his whiskey colored eyes with her own green ones, giving him a smile, “How was it?”

“Fine, better than I hoped.” he says, pulling the keys out of his pocket, twirling it on his finger before grabbing it mid air, “It was what I thought though, he wanted to know more about the mess.” 

“Are they going to be in trouble?”

Rooster inhaled while arching his brows, “Yes, but…it won’t be so bad,I hope. It’s now out of my control,gorgeous. I said my piece,Cyclone will think about it and then we’ll see how it goes. I won’t see them for a while I think.” he opens the back door so Bea could place Nikki back on her seat, the baby still wriggling and trying to move around, “We’ll see once I get back.”

“Well.I mean…they are young.”

“That doesn’t really exclude anything,gorgeous.” he says as he leans against the roof, shielding Beatrice from the sun with his body, his nape was warming up uncomfortably but he wasn’t moving until she was done, “They had a job. They know the job,” he shrugs once she lifts her head, “Gut feeling is one thing. Acting stupid is another.”

“I guess.” she tucks a few strands behind her ear, chewing her lower lip, “Well! Enough of that, ready for your leave?”

“Gorgeous,” he smirks, kissing her lips, “You said the magic words, of course I am.”

[guess-my-next-obsession]

Ivy & Stone, Chapter Nine: Lady Maribel’s Wedding

pairing: victorian au!javi gutierrez x f!oc (Florence Bell)

rating: E (18+ ONLY, love triangle angst, javi being bad for once, noncon-exhibitionism, unprotected piv, florence being a young fool in love)

wc: 3.7k

an: y’all aren’t ready for the dramaaaaaa in this one. don’t kill me pls i had to give javi a flaw 😭

series masterlist

Two months had passed since the night of Benjamin and Maribel’s engagement dinner, the bleak January rain and frost turning into a soft March drizzle, the flowers blooming in the countryside as Florence and Javi’s carriage trotted along the dirt road.

Javier sat in front of her, his eyes focused on his sketchbook as he busied himself with a portrait for the bride and bridegroom. Florence watched him rather closely, intent on taking him in while she was free of the distractions she knew waited for her at home.

To say things had gone back to their previous state would’ve been a lie. Javi struggled with loving his bride-to-be, or more accurately, with trusting her. It broke her to see him fight such a war internally, all because she chose to follow her body’s urges and allow herself to give in to her heart’s deepest desire.

She wished she could say she’d forgotten about Frankie, that she didn’t still yearn for him, but it wasn’t true. In fact, not a day passed without his image crossing her mind. She wondered how he was faring, how all of this weighed on his soul. At least she had a partner to bear it with, a person to love her in the spaces in between. Frankie was all alone, with nothing and no one to confide in besides his journal and the garden he tended to. She longed to apologize to him, to ask his forgiveness for treating him as nothing more than an affair when he couldn’t have been further from it. But she knew him far too well to think that he would accept that apology as anything more than an insult to their love. Besides, Javi had laid his terms out clearly and plainly—she wasn’t to see or speak to Frankie, unless of course she was choosing him.

She wasn’t sure she was ready for such a commitment. To lose Javi would not only mean losing a fiancé, it would mean losing her dearest friend and closest confidant. She couldn’t bear such a thought.

“How is it coming, my love?” Florence asked, pulling Javi’s eyes away from his work. He gave her that bright, boyish smile that soothed every ache in her chest and moved to sit beside her, showing her the half-completed sketch. “Oh, it’s lovely, Javi! Mari is going to adore it.”

“Thank you,” he replied, blushing as he tucked the sketchbook away. He grabbed both of her gloved hands and ran his fingers over her knuckles, his eyes locked on hers and lips parted to speak. “I…wanted to ask how you’re feeling…being back here.”

Florence sucked in a sharp breath and dropped her eyes to her lap where their hands remained clasped together. “I’m feeling…okay.”

“That wasn’t very believable,” he chuckled. “Please, I want your honesty.”

“Well,” she began with a sigh. “Honestly…I’m nervous. Very nervous. Not only because of…” She couldn’t manage the courage to say Frankie’s name but Javi understood her regardless. “But also to see my mother after everything. I worry she’s going to fawn over you every second, and I hate that. You’re not some prize for her to parade about to all her friends at court. You’re going to be my husband—you’re my prize.”

“Mi amor—” He grinned, reaching to tuck one of her chocolate ringlets behind her ear. “I assure you, I will be glued to your side the entirety of the week. Your mother will have to pry me from you to parade me about.”

Florence chuckled and nodded, attempting to calm her worries.

“And then,” he continued. “We will be off to Majorca to be wed. Then we’ll spend the next year traveling the world together, just me and you.”

“The whole world?” she chuckled, her finger tracing the curve of his bottom lip. Javi grabbed the hand that was lifted to his face and pressed a kiss onto her wrist.

“Anywhere you want to go, Florecita,” he hummed, his eyes batting shut as he breathed in her perfume. “I want to see everything in the world with you, my muse. I want to do everything in the world with you.”

“Let’s go to Paris after we’re married,” she grinned, now filled with excitement from the romantic scenes her lover had painted for her. “I want to see where you lived, what you did, what inspired you.”

“The countryside only,” he said, his face turning grave. “That’s the only part I want to revisit. Everything else—I don’t want it near you.”

“Can’t I decide that for myself?” Florence asked, her brows lacing together, that sickly sweet excitement simmering into something closer to irritation. “You got the chance to decide for yourself what you got to see and do. Why can’t I?”

“Because you’re my bride and I want better for you—“

“Because I’m your bride?” she scoffed and pulled her hand from his. “I am supposed to be your lover. Your confidant. Your equal.”

“You are—“

“No,” she shook her head and gestured at him. “We’re not even wed yet and you’re determining what parts of the world you’ll allow me to see!”

“There’s nothing for you in those parts of the world, Florecita. All I am trying to do is keep you safe—“

“Javi, you got to live a full life simply because you have a cock,” she said, turning to him with a stern, unimpressed look. “I want a full life. I want a full life beside you. But I do not want a life sheltered from the storms you decide I cannot weather. Do you understand me on this?”

“I do,” he sighed, reaching for your chin. “I love when you’re stern with me.”

“Do you?” she smirked.

“I love when you’re anyway with me,” he smiled. “But there’s something about you telling me off that sparks something inside me.”

“That’s good to know,” she grinned and kissed him.

“Frankie!” Leo called, running across the slowly thawing garden with a wide grin on his face. “Frankie, Florence is on her way!”

Frankie sighed to himself as he raked up all the soggy dead leaves from the winter season.

“Yes, I know,” he replied, dejected.

“You aren’t happy?” the child asked, tilting his head at his friend.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that, Leo,” he said, pausing his work to look at the boy. “Of course I’m happy, but—”

“Lord Javier,” he interjected, earning a nod. “I do not mind Javier. Of course, I’d prefer it if you were marrying Flo, but my mother has told me that’s not possible. Why isn’t it possible?”

“I’m just not as wealthy as they’d like,” he replied, shrugging. “And truth be told, I do not mind Javier either. He seems to be a good man.”

“But he’s not you.”

“Perhaps that’s a good thing.” Picking up his work again, he moved further down the shrub he was manicuring and began taking a new pile. “The last time they were here together they seemed happy. She seemed…happy.”

His mind flipped back to the night in his cabin, the night she’d given herself back to him while her intended was back in London. He hadn’t gotten the image of her asleep in his arms out of his mind since then—a cruel, but welcome torment.

“I overheard my father talking about your departure,” Leo started again, watching as Frankie raked the leaves.

“Yes,” he nodded.

“How long will you be gone? And why does it have to be so far away?”

Frankie sighed again, trying to tame his frustration over the subject as he looked to the little boy.

“I will be gone as long as I’m told,” he said. “And the further away I am, the less chance your sister will have of seeing me.”

“Why can’t the two of you be allowed to see each other? Surely she’s allowed to have a friend, even in marriage.”

Frankie chuckled and shook his head.

“There is no universe, no reality that exists in which your sister and I can ever be friends. Your parents know this well.”

Leo frowned and looked down at the grass. “My parents must not see the bond between the two of you. I don’t know how they could be so cruel.”

“They’re not,” Frankie assured, reaching to pat Leo on the shoulder. “They’re only looking out for Florence’s best interest. I do not fault them for that.”

“Leo!” Lady Elizabeth called from the house. “Come inside for your bath!”

“Yes, mum!” he called back before turning to Frankie. “For what it’s worth, you will always be family to me, Mr. Frankie.”

Frankie couldn’t help but smile at that, watching the young boy as he ran off to his mother who was shooting daggers towards her gardener. Frankie looked away quickly, knowing his delicate position in this family well.

He wouldn’t have said yes to Lord Thomas’s proposition for him to move to America if Florence was still here, ready to run away with him and start a new life, away from all of this high society nonsense. But she wasn’t. She was still promised to someone else, and last he overheard, a date had been officially set. So, with nothing left to lose, he agreed to the terms. He’d leave England and Florence and move to New York to have a new life, one better than most who come from a similar background. He’d have his own home, his own land, and a job working for Florence’s uncle, James.

He had to remind himself every hour that this was a good deal, but he couldn’t help but still feel like he lost.

“Mari!” Florence chirped as she stepped out of the carriage with Javi’s hand steadying her, the sight of her soon-to-be sister in law distracting her from the looming thought of Frankie just a few miles away.

“Flo,” Maribel hummed as she hugged Florence close. “How was the ride?”

“It was lovely,” she replied, turning to look at Javi as he stood beside her. “I had good company.”

“She had great company,” he corrected with a smirk and a teasing bump of his shoulder against hers.

“Where’s Benjamin?” Florence asked.

“He’s at your family’s home,” she replied. “They should be arriving anytime. Your entire staff is already here working on the dinner.”

“The entire staff?” Florence asks, anxiety thick in her voice at the thought of coming face to face with Frankie after everything.

“I think so.”

Florence doesn’t fail to notice the way Javi’s smile is wiped away when she looks at him, his eyes locked on his shoes, his jaw clenched.

“Well,” Florence exhales and forces a smile on her face as she looks back to Maribel. “Shall we head inside?”

“Yes, you both must be so tired after riding all afternoon. Let me show you to your rooms—“ She smiled as she led the two of them up the steps to the palace, turning back to give them a smirk. “Tio insisted on separate bedrooms, primo.”

“Por supuesto,” Javi sighed, heavily ladened with the thought of interacting with his father again. Florence sensed the worry and slid her hand into his, only for him to pull his hand away and tuck it into his pocket.

Florence could feel her concern growing into irritation at the way he closed himself off from her, especially when she had yet to do anything wrong. All it took was the potential of her even thinking of Frankie for him to give her the cold shoulder. She wondered if it would be like this forever, Javi’s insecurity leaving her unable to have even the simple luxury of her own thoughts.

She hoped not.

“Aren’t you coming?” Anna asked Frankie as he stood at the carriage, helping the family as they headed out for the evening ceremony and reception.

“No,” he said simply. “I was told to remain here to look over the estate.”

“Nonsense,” Anna said, an appalled look on her face as she looked to her mother and father. “Allow Frankie to come.”

“No,” Lady Elizabeth replied, shocked at her daughter’s order.

“Well, I am not going, then,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Anna, get in the carriage,” Lord Thomas ordered, his voice demanding obedience in a way that his wife’s couldn’t. Anna sighed, knowing she had no choice but to follow the order. She turned to Frankie and frowned.

“I will bring you back some dessert,” she promised, delighting at the faint smile that grew on his face. “Perhaps they’ll have lemon tarts. I know they’re your favorite.”

“How did you know that?” he asked, but Lady Elizabeth’s bark for her daughter to get in the carriage left the question unanswered. With another smile, the seventeen year old climbed inside the carriage, Frankie closing the door behind her.

He watched as the family rode off, leaving him alone on the property for the first time in his life. There were no servants to keep him company, no tasks to complete. He was ordered into solitude, and he couldn’t have hated it more.

The ceremony was a lovely, candlelit scene. It was clear that Benjamin and Maribel were as in love as it got, but the row between Javi and Florence dampened the romance of it all for the couple who hadn’t spoken since they arrived.

Once the ceremony had concluded, Javi turned to Florence, admiring the way she sparkled in her gown and makeup, and felt unable to continue this silent treatment he’d been giving her since he saw her eyes light up with hope over the thought of Frankie being here, even when he knew fully well that the Bell men had purposely arranged for Frankie to remain at the estate.

“To the garden, then?” Florence asked in an exhale, her eyes meeting his for the first time all afternoon. He smiled and shook his head, the desire to get her all alone and claim her as his for the first time outweighing the desire to stay at the party. “No?”

“No,” he smirked as he combed a stray ringlet out of her face. “Do you trust me, Florecita?”

She tilted her head at him and let out a chuckle. “What are you planning? An apology?”

“I’m sorry,” he said, reaching to hold her hands. “I was jealous. And insecure. But, I know you love me. I know you wouldn’t hurt me again. I know that.”

“Good, because it’s the truth.” She lifted her hand to rest on his cheek, loving the way he leaned into it.

“I‘ve been thinking about the fact that you and I have yet to…give ourselves completely to one another,” he said, nerves causing his voice to waver. “I wanted to wait—to do it right, but…I can’t wait any longer. I want you, my love. I want you right now.”

“There’s too many people here,” she blushed.

“I know a place where we can be alone,” he smirked.

“My family home?” she asked, giggling at the mischief of it all. “Are you sure we won’t be caught?”

Javi knew he was crossing a moral line by lying to her and assuring her that no one was there to find them, knowing fully well that Frankie would be on the grounds, but he couldn’t stop himself. He wanted Frankie to walk in. He wanted him to see that she was no longer his. He wanted to claim her in front of the only person that mattered.

“No,” he said. “There’s no one there.”

Florence bit her lip, thrilled by the plan, and nodded. “Then let’s hurry.”

The estate was quiet as Frankie sat in the greenhouse tinkering with a broken rake that was in desperate need of fixing. It wasn’t until he heard the crunch of wheels on gravel that he lifted his head up from his work, his brows furrowed in confusion. Lord Thomas made it clear that the family would be staying over at the Gutierrez palace tonight, so who could possibly be arriving?

Setting his tools down, he wiped his hands on a spare cloth before walking through the dark garden to the front of the home to get a glimpse of the carriage, noticing that it wasn’t one that belonged to the family as far as he could recall. His eyes caught a glimpse of candlelight in the window as the mysterious guest ascended the staircase to the second story, causing his heart to race as he sought out a weapon he could use to defend himself if someone was attempting a burglary. Running into his tool shed, he found an ax that he desperately hoped would only have to serve as a means for intimidation and carried it with him as he entered through the back door.

Florence and Javi were all giggles and hands as they clumsily made their way to her bedroom, Javi nearly dropping the candlestick he was carrying a few times when Florence got too handsy.

“My love,” she hummed as they stood in the middle of her childhood room, grabbing the candlestick from his hands and setting it on her nightstand before returning her hands to his face. “I want you so badly.”

“You can have me, Florecita,” he whispered, pulling her into his body to kiss her harder than he’d ever kissed her before. She moaned into his mouth at the promise and reached to unbutton his vest and dress shirt while he skillfully undid her corset without ever breaking the kiss. Florence grinned as she moved away from him to let her dress and skirts fall to the floor, leaving her in only her undergarments. Javi nearly broke at the sight, his pants tenting with the evidence of her arousal as he watched her step out of her thin slip, exposing herself to him completely now.

“So beautiful,” he whispered, reaching a hand up to cup her breast, his thumb stroking over the stiffened peak before he was hurrying to take his pants off. “I promise, mi amor, I will eat you like you’re my last meal after we’re done, but I need you now.”

“I need you too,” she replied as she watched his pants drop to unveil his cock to her for the first time ever. “You’re so big,” she hummed.

“Get on the bed,” he ordered, his eyes dark with hunger as he watched her obey. When she positioned herself on all fours for him, he smirked. “That’s how you want it, mi vida?”

“Mmhm,” she nodded, looking back at him with a smile that made him feel weak in the knees and dizzy in the head. Javi could barely contain his excitement as he lined himself up behind her, pumping his cock as he swiped it up and down her wetness until she was begging for him. “Javi, please.”

“Louder,” he ordered, hoping that if his plan was succeeding, there would already be someone right outside the door.

“Javi, please! I need you,” she was whining now, desperate for a taste of the forbidden fruit she adored so much.

“Tell me you love me,” he said, clenching his jaw. “Tell me I’m the only one.”

“You’re the only one. I love you more than anything,” she cried, wiggling her ass at him. Javi smiled and bit his lip as he pressed inside of her slick heat, the couple moaning in unison at the tight fit. “You feel so good!”

A loud clank in the doorway made Florence gasp and freeze, the sight of Frankie standing there watching them, listening to the words only Javi was meant to hear making her heart break. Frankie held a tear in his eye as he looked at her only once before turning and rushing down the hall.

Javi was surprised to feel Florence pushing him off of her before scrambling to find her slip dress and shoes to chase after Frankie rather than stay here with him.

“Florence—“

“No!” she shouted, pointing a finger at him. “You knew. You knew he’d be here, you knew he’d come looking. You knew.”

“I just wanted to—“

“To what? To claim me? Javi,” she sighed and shook her head. “I may love you but I do not like you at all sometimes.”

“Florecita—“ His heart was breaking all because of his own jealousy and he hated himself for it. “Please…don’t chase him. Don’t…choose him.”

Florence stood there, looking more confused than she’d ever been before as she battled a war of her heart and mind. She desperately wanted to chase after Frankie, to hold him, to apologize to him, to…run away with him. But would he even let her? Could he even look at her?

“It is going to take a very long time for me to forgive you for this, you do know that?” she asked, seemingly deciding against chasing after her former lover. Javier nodded. “You ruined our first night together over jealousy. Every time we’re together like this, I am going to think of this moment. Of how you betrayed me and exposed me. Do you know that?”

“I’m so…so sorry,” he said, climbing out of bed to kneel at her feet. “I told you I wasn’t always good. Not the good that you see in me, at least. This was just another thing that I regret, achingly. I beg you for your forgiveness, but I know it will take much more than a few pitiful words to earn it. Please…let me earn it.”

Florence stared down at the man she considered a best friend, seeing the truth of his regret in his eyes. Though she still felt sick with fury and resentment, she found herself nodding, unable to stop herself from loving him like her mind told her she should.

“But we will not be getting married next month,” she said simply. “I need time to forgive you before I commit my life to you.”

“Yes, my love. Anything you ask,” he said.

“And we will go to Paris. We will visit every place you’ve been, we will meet every friend you have. And then, perhaps I’ll get to meet the real you. The hidden you I’ve met tonight.”

Javier seemed to panic at the thought of his worlds colliding, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t going to marry a man she didn’t know completely and entirely.

“Okay,” he finally managed.

“Okay.” And however messy and complicated, they decided to carry on, with neither of them changing a single bit.

•

•

•

•

•

[sigyns-drafts]

【☀Lazy Sunday chase🐍🌾】

Adopted!Oc with Loki's family

➩ Heldril had been taken into Loki's family, thanks to Sigyn finding the young girl wandering alone during winter ''exploring''. After being accepted with open arms, Heldril quickly adjusted into her new life and chaotic famliy!

Matching their strange natures and behavior, like she had always belonged there. Compared to most days the famliy spent outside, on this sunny day it seemed like Loki was in a playful mood, enough to be planning on something for them to do today!

➩ Reader type: None!

⚠: Family fluff, romantic fluff, flirting between parents, siblings teasing each other!

A/N: This was orignally a story that i posted on my main blog, as a gift for my online daugther @heldril oc, Heldril! I thought i would repost it here to bring back good old memories, i adore you so much kiddo!! ♡

Loki and his family were spending a lazy Sunday afternoon together, lounging in the grass outside of Asgards walls. It was a rare occasion and one with unusual peace and relaxation for the trickster god, who always found himself up to no good.

Sigyn was lying on a picnic blanket, her eyes closed as she was soaking up the warm sunlight with a relaxed smile. Loki shifts his gaze at her and couldn’t help but smile to himself.

“Sol really does help your freckles show, darling~” The god said softly, admiring his wife happily.

The amount of joy he got from just staring at her was unbelievable.

“Oh is that so, have you been staring again~?” Sigyn chuckled, smirking at him.

She could tell he had been staring at her and loved teasing him for it.

Loki let out a laugh as he felt his cheeks turn red, he should have known he would be caught sooner or later!

It wasn’t often Sigyn’s freckles were ever visible on her face. For some reason, they would only appear in bright sunlight over time, but so would the slight sun burns she so easily got. It was a shame!

In the distance Sleipnir, Fenrir, and Vali could be heard playing tag. They were always nearby and so very loud too!

It almost disturbed Hel as she was reading a book to Heldril and Narfi, both siblings sitting patiently listening. Meanwhile Jormungandr bathed in a lake near by.

Suddenly, Loki jumped up from his seat and announced, “I have an idea! Let’s play a game everyone!”

Hel could be heard sighing intentionally loudly, “Oh father, and what could that possibly be?”

“Probably something stupid, I bet” Narfi expressed, not seeming so enthusiastic as Hel.

“Oh I love games!” Sleipnir neighs, trotting over to the rest of his famliy, his brothers right behind him trying to keep up!

“Sleipnir youre always so eager for a new challenge or game aren’t you? Just like fenrir.” Jormungandr teases, turning into his more humanoid form to join in more easily on the family game.

“Oh shut it jormi! At least we have a sense of wanting to achieve things around here, lazy bum” Fenrir barks at his snake brother. Much to Jormungandr’s entertainment.

“Gosh you’re so easy to make tense brother~!” Jormungandr spoke one last time before Loki stares at the two.

Obviously telling them with his expression that it was time to stop.

“It’s a new game i just invented at the spot,” said Loki with a mischievous grin.

“I’ll hide somewhere in the woods, and you all have to come find me. But here’s the twist - I can turn into any animal I want, and you have to chase me down.”

The children and Sigyn all looked at each other excitedly at the prospect of the game, but Narfi, as always seemed a little hesitant.

“I don’t know about this..” said Narfi.

“What if something goes wrong?”

Loki just laughed. “Relax, kid. It’s just a harmless game. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Yeah brother! Listen to dad, If something goes wrong I’ll protect you!” Heldril spoke proudly, always ready to protect her younger siblings from harms way.

“Well i- I was thinking more about pa-” Before Narfi could voice any further of his concerns, Vali jumps on top of him out of excitement.

Causing the boy to fall on his back, “oof!”

“Oops- Let’s start!!” He grind happily waving his hands around, still on top of Narfi.

“Okay, everyone close your eyes and count to ten,” Loki instructed, as he snuck off into the woods to find a hiding spot.

With that the game began. Loki shifting into different animals along the way to get a head start. The children and Sigyn counted and waited before they started chasing after him, laughing and shouting.

The gods and creatures around the woods probably wondering what was going on.

The family split up. Everyone comping the woods, looking behind trees and under bushes, but Loki was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, they heard a rustling in the bushes, and Fenrir let out a growl.

“I think I smell him!” he exclaimed, as he took off in the direction of the sound.

Heldril and Narfi who had grouped up with fenrir followed him, running as fast as they could through the woods.

Eventually Heldril stops as she saw Narfi gasping for air.

“Oh crap! Nari you alright buddy?” Heldril asks slightly concerned at her brothers well being. Narfi nodded just trying to catch his breath back.

“F-Fenrir..is getting away we need to-”

“Get on my back brother!”

“Wha-?!”

Just like that Heldril picks Narfi up and runs her quickest to catch up with Fenrir again. Narfi was for sure taken by surprise but at least they’d make it!

Back together again, Heldril let’s Narfi down and pants heavily, soon enough they caught glimpses of Loki in various animal forms - a bird, a rabbit, even a snake - it felt quite impossible to catch up to him.

Finally, after what felt like hours of chasing Loki through the woods, they all managed to corner him in a small clearing.

Loki gave up and in his snake form, he carefully starts slithering up to Sigyn and around her arm she had offered him.

“You got me,” Loki said with a sigh, sad they couldn’t keep on playing forever.

Sigyn couldn’t help but smirk as she clearly had something clever to say. As she held her husband up.

“A snake huh, suits you at the very moment sly one~” she spoke, teasing him excitedly.

Loki just hisses at her with his snake tounge as he transformed back into his human form and ends up in his wifes arms.

“Oh shush!” He blushed rolling his eyes jokingly.

The children couldn’t help but all collaps onto the ground, panting and laughing. Sigyn puts Loki down but continues to hold him close.

“That was truly an amazing adventure!” Heldril said, her eyes shining with excitement.

“Absolutely! Can’t wait to get back into the waters..” said Jormungandr, grinning from ear to ear.

“Oh brother, such a selfish soul..” Hel shook her head in a joking manner, making fun of Jormungandr’s behavior.

“Am not! I’m literally cooking out here and have for a long time now. I might shed my snake skin and throw it at you if you don't watch it Hel!”

Jormungandr tries to defend himself, joking back. Waving his hand on himself to try to cool down.

“But seriously guys, good job! Next time, I’ll be even trickier to catch.” Loki jokes, picking up Vali who was exhausted to his limits. Tounge out and everything pretending to be dead.

Sigyn finds his behavior silly and chuckles, but gets to the point of what she was going to say. “Now, who’s ready for some lunch?”

“You bet I am!” Fenrir barks, his tail wagging excitedly.

“Make that two, don’t let the greedy wolf eat everything me and Sigyn brought.” Hel spoke, calmly hiding away her smirk.

“Hey! What was that for?!” Fenrir raised an eyebrow and looked offended.

“Make it three! I’d die for some juicy apples right now.” Sleipnir happily joins in.

So with that the family went out of the woods and back to their picnic blanket. The rest of the afternoon was filled with food and joy, as Loki and his family enjoyed each other’s company and the simple pleasure of being together.

[luna-andra]

The Shadows Return | Simon 'Ghost' Riley x OC Retired AU | Chapter 3: Smooth Operator

Summary:

Lieutenant Simon ‘Ghost’ Riley retired from the forces; Task Force 141 was decommissioned once they completed their last mission. Take down Shepherd. Everyone on the team stayed in touch, as well as the other comrades they met along the way. Los Vaqueros. KorTac. And many others. Shadow Company - what remained of it - slipped under the shadows and scattered themselves into the wind. Riley made the decision not to return back to Manchester. He was only less than 30 minutes away on the outskirts in Disley. Soap had put in a good word for Ghost with a local mechanic shop, and having nothing else but military experience and some basic mechanic skills he accepted it.

It was a quiet life, at least that’s what he thought. He started recognizing signs that he was being followed, watched. Maybe it was just the PTSD making him believe it. Until it got so much worse when he became acquainted with his neighbor miles down the old dirt path road, he realized that he would never be free from his past life.

CONTENT WARNING: Violence, eventual smut, MDNI (18+), slow burn, fluff, mentions of mental health

Next chapter

Sunday morning arrived with a thick, foggy veil looming over the grass. Andra took a moment to look outside her bedroom window from her bed, mustering the will to get up after her alarm clock blared in her ears. Sammy stretched across the duvet, shaking off the same sleepiness from the night before. Andra finally crawled out of bed, dragging her feet into her en suite bathroom, flipping the lights on begrudgingly. She was on autopilot, going through her morning routine of hair, teeth, skincare. Her work outfit was laid out on her black, velvet lounge chair tucked in one of the corner's of her room. Trusty plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a tank top beneath in case the heat came to play and a pair of faded jeans. Her boots always waited for her by the front door. She could smell the coffee brewing downstairs in the kitchen, the machine always pre-scheduled for market mornings. Her reflection in the vanity mirror caught her attention, and she took a quick look, contemplating if some blush or mascara would be too much. She did it anyway, keeping the makeup light. It made her smile at her bright reflection.

The stairs creaked beneath her socked feet as she put a little hustle in her step, along with Sammy's own trot in front of her. She had messaged Ghost the time to show up, asking to be a little early so she could hook up the trailer to his truck the night before. When she checked for messages, there was no response. There was still a fair amount of time before he was supposed to arrive, giving her grace to be ready to go by the time he arrived. Her coffee made a satisfying pour into her travel tumbler, greeting her with caffeinated promises of energy. Creamer, sugar, lid. Good to go.

Andra caught herself humming a tune that's been stuck in her mind, the melody of an upbeat song from a new artist she discovered. When was the last time she actually hummed, or did anything bubbly and perky in the morning? It was a good feeling, like the morning of your vacation, or for some the first day of school. She tried to convince herself that it wasn't because she was looking forward to spending the morning with Ghost.

Sammy danced around Andra's feet, and they made their way to the front door so she could be let out to do her business and burn off the morning zoomies. The front door needed a little shove with the way it stuck to the threshold, and groaned as it swung open. The morning air was moist from the fog, its presence ghosted against her exposed arms. It reminded her of the humid Autumn mornings back in Texas, humid so thick it felt like you were getting licked by a cow. Dew drops glittered across the petals of the daylilies growing in her flowerbeds. They expanded down in front of the house, and continued a little ways off the walkway leading to the gravel patches where her truck is normally parked. 

The clucking of her chickens swept her away from admiring the view she loved waking up to everyday, and she stepped down from the porch to start tending to the chickens. During morning chores, Andra heard the familiar sound of tires crunching over the gravel in the road. The glow of headlights intensified, coming closer into view, and a truck was making its turn into her driveway. She finished spreading chicken feed on the ground and collected the basket of eggs, closing the pen behind her.

The engine of the truck purred as it came to a halt, and she saw Johnny exiting the driver's side, his head poking up from above the door and greeted her with a supermodel smile. "Mornin'!"

"Good morning," Andra called back, noticing the empty passenger seat inside the cabin. She shoved down her disappointment and smiled back. "Is it just you today?"

"Yep, I'm gonna be yer farm hand for today." He hung off the foot rail of the truck. "Where do you need me to park?"

Andra pointed to the barn that sat further in the back. "Follow this path, go ahead and reverse into the barn. I'll open the doors.

Johnny gave her a "Yes ma'am!" and ducked back into the truck, switching gears and following her instructions. The truck rolled slowly behind Andra as she jogged towards the barn. Johnny maneuvered the wheel, throwing the gear in reverse and waited until he could see in the rear view mirror that the doors were open. He cut the engine, shutting the door behind him and followed Andra into the barn. The trailer was as close to the rear of the truck so they could hook it up with ease.

The two of them worked diligently as she communicated on what needed to be taken with them. "Is there a missus I'm gonna have to thank later for letting you help?"

"Nope," Johnny answered as he finished hooking up the trailer, climbing on top of it to get started on loading up the crates. "Too busy to give a woman my time.”

"That's what all the pretty ones say," she teases. Andra passed him crate after crate and he gently loaded them up, fitting onto the trailer like tetris pieces.

Johnny raised an eyebrow as he leaned down for another, one arm resting on his bent knee. "That was almost a compliment." He accepted another crate before retorting. "Were you escaping some crazy ex when you left the US? Or were you fleeing because of some crime you committed?"

Her laughter was laced with sarcasm. "I wish my reason for leaving was that interesting." Or more mundane than the truth…

"So if I run a background check on ye, it won't come back with a criminal record?" Johnny smirked. "I have friends in the CIA to check on that."

Andra rolled her eyes, failing to hold back a grin. "I can see why you're single now, Johnny. Idle threats of stalking will definitely send a woman running."

Once everything was fit snug, they threw a tarp over it all to avoid anything flying off the trailer. Last was the canopy, table, chairs, her signs and a cooler for some beverages and snacks for them to have. Andra made a quick pit stop inside the house to store the collected eggs in the fridge.

When she opened the door, Sammy perked her head up when she noticed Johnny approaching the entrance, her tail tucked in close, serious and on alert. Andra noticed her behavior and gave Sammy a pet on the head. "No, behave baby. Johnny is a friend."

He wasn't taking any chances befriending the miniature mammoth. "I'll wait out in the truck," Johnny kept his eyes on Sammy as he gently closed the door.

After locking up the house, coffee in hand, she approached his truck. "Don’t feel bad, she's like that with every man she sees. If you give her a treat, you'll win her over. We're all set."

Johnny took his work gloves off simultaneously with Andra. "Let's get going then." Andra had noticed it the last time, but it was more obvious that Johnny's truck was the twin to Ghost's. The same make and model, color, possibly the same year. Albeit, a tad bit more messy, but it was all tossed to the backseat to make room for her. Music played in the background at a comfortable volume. "You go through this every Sunday by yourself?" Johnny turned and grinned, shoving her shoulder with a playful fist. "You got muscles packing heat beneath that shirt."

Andra laughed sheepishly, taking her first sip of coffee. It was sitting at the perfect lukewarm temp, pulling a satisfied sigh from her. The thought of Ghost sitting out on today's excursion made her face fall. "Did I do something to make him upset?"

Johnny knew exactly what she was referring to, his response almost sounded rehearsed. "He doesn't do well when it comes to people looking at him the wrong way too often, you know because of his mask? He figured that if he was giving death stares to every customer that side-eyed him, you would have a hard time making profit." A playful grin returned to his face. "Is that why you wore makeup? Upset about the effort you made?"

Her face turned a furious shade of pink. "I always do my makeup," she lied.

A soft snort came from him.

She couldn't stop herself from prying more information from him. It felt a little wrong to try and learn about who Ghost was and is today, but it certainly wasn't gonna come easy from the man himself. "Has he always been like this? Ever since you two met?"

Johnny hesitated, trying to choose his words carefully. "Aye. A man of few words when I had been assigned to my first mission, with him. I never thought there was a way to get through to his defenses, but there was a pivotal shift on a different mission. He stuck around, waited for me to meet up with him, and…" he stopped. "The long of it is, when you have earned his trust and loyalty, he's there for you.

"He may not have said it out loud, but he did want to be here today. He gets in his head a lot and self-sabotages anything good for him. If you have it in you, keep reaching out to him. 'Should've seen the way his eyes lit up when he saw you inside the bookstore-"

"What?" her neck snapped to his direction, her eyes wide with a hundred questions. "He saw me at the bookstore?"

"We were having lunch across the street, mere coincidence," Johnny explained.

After the initial surprise subsided, she tried to imagine his brown eyes in any other expression than cold and distant, emotionally absent. Eyes that soften to the sight of a kindling flame, disarming all of his defenses to accept the warmth it offers. Eyes that creases when a smile crosses his face, or squints in uncontrollable laughter from a comical moment amongst friends. Eyes that devour and claim, a dark storm that made her stomach coil deep below-

She found her way back to the inside of Johnny's truck, her hands fisted the metal tumbler in her hands. "You didn’t have to be here," she started after thick silence had loomed over them. "But I'm extremely grateful."

Johnny nodded. "Wasn't gonna leave you stranded with no help." He decided to swerve from the topic. "So, is it true what they say about Texan women?"

"What, that they're crazy?"

The rest of the drive was depleted of anymore talk about Ghost, but he was there in the forefront of her thoughts. Johnny was easier to talk to, he continuously made crude and inappropriate jokes, the banter reminding her of her brother back home. They were always laughing themselves to belly aches. Johnny was like a golden retriever where Ghost was the illusive black cat.

"My call sign was Soap," he responded to her previous inquiry.

"What kind of call sign is that?"

Johnny shoved her playfully. "You probably would have picked something lame like 'Knives' or picked the low hangin' fruit and gone by Tex."

Andra scoffed. "You're probably right."

Their laughter subsided as they pulled into the oversized parking lot where the market was getting ready for the day. "Why didn't you join the military? For someone that came from a family that was all about it, I'm surprised you didn't."

"Disqualified." Andra said, unwilling to elaborate on what that entailed.

Johnny just nodded.

The two constructed the booth just in time for the traffic of customers and in no time they got to work. Andra had Johnny take care of the bagging up for a while, explaining how to package certain produce with care. There wasn't much to learn about the trade, but he listened to her talking to customers when they would ask questions like if they were grown pesticide-free and other stuff along those lines.

Some neighboring vendors visited to drop off fresh baked bread, meat and fish in exchange for her produce. He found himself genuinely interested and fascinated with how everyone gravitated to her bubbly energy.

After a while there were several customers approaching the stall to get a better look at the Scotsman, women huddled together and giggling amongst themselves. Andra came up with the idea of letting him take over the "counter" to bring in the attention of the ladies that ogled him. Mostly older, aging women. He was aware of her angle, and played it to their advantage smoothly. Giving them dazzling smiles, winking at their flirtatious compliments and purposely flexing his muscles when he would move around to lift crates or while he handed paper bags to them.

"Where have you been hiding, good looking?" Janice, a regular, beamed at Johnny.

He chuckled, acting coy as he looked down before returning his glance to her. "Waited just for you to get here, ma'am."

She fanned her face dramatically. "You remind me of my late husband when he was shipped off back in World War 2." Janice went on, and Johnny listened to her keenly.

Compliments like those made Andra's chest tighten, feeling the swell of emotions catch in her throat. It brought her back to a memory of when she was in high school. She participated in Junior ROTC, and had visited her grandma in a Class B Army cadet uniform. She wanted her to see her at least once, her uniform dry cleaned, the creases sharp and crisp. Her ribbons stacked on her chest. The look of her grandma's eyes going wide, and her asking "are you being shipped out?" would be something that would never leave her. No, Abuela, I'm not joining the army yet. I still have two more years in high school. She passed away before her graduation.

"Take care, sweetie. I'll see you next week, and your eye candy, too."

"You too, Mrs. Winston!" Andra waved goodbye, shaking her head at her comment about Johnny.

He turned towards Andra now that they had a moment to sit down for a break. "She's a live wire, that one."

Andra held up a water bottle and a can of soda to Johnny, he accepted the water. "She didn't like me at all when I first got here. I'm sure it was because I'm American." They paused in the midst of their talk, taking gulps of cool, refreshing water. "I love how she talked about Mr. Winston with you. Do you get that a lot from older women? Them comparing you to their husbands?"

"Aye, hear it quite often. I'm starting to think they might be lying, there's more ugly sods in the service than pretty ones."

Andra choked on her water and swatted his arm. "Behave, Soap ." she said it in a mocking tone, trying to sound like him when he said it.

The time flew by as they finished up for the day. Johnny finished packing up the stall equipment, letting Andra sit in the cabin as she flitted through the lock box of today's income. Johnny slid into the driver's seat and Andra passed an envelope that held a share of the profit. "What's this?" he asked, confused.

"Your cut for today," she explained.

He shook his head and put it back in her lap without skipping a beat. "I'm not accepting that, I was just your pretty poster boy."

She scoffed, slightly offended. "Johnny, shut up and listen. You helped me a lot today. I sold out for the first time and it was really because of you." She pulled out a few bills from the envelope. "At least take this for the gas money."

His eyes burned into her as he took the money one last time. "Don't pay me ever again. This is your livelihood, I'm not impeding on that. Now if you had me take my shirt off… then you would have had to pay extra." Johnny waggled his eyebrows at her, his shit-eating grin stretching across his face.

"Okay, you're done." Andra faced the passenger window, looking away from Johnny's abs when he started lifting his shirt facetiously.

----

The notification ping couldn't be heard over Ghost's protective ear gear, but he could feel the vibration of his phone in his pocket as he lay stomach down on the dirt ground, staring down the scope on his rifle at the targets he had set up. He took in a deep breath, in complete control of the air circulating in his lungs, then released as he took the shot. The ceramic target exploded on impact, his aim true as it always was. He racked another round in the chamber, resting the butt of the rifle into the dirt in front of him.

Ghost shoved a hand into his pocket, retrieving his phone to take a look at who or what was trying to catch his attention. It was a motion sensor notification, the one placed beneath the mailbox discreetly. The playback feed from the camera showed him a frame of Soap's truck, driving in the direction towards Andra's farm. He put his phone away, grabbed his rifle and stood from his prone stance. He was a little ways out from the house, but by the time he gets there, Soap should be gone. 

Target practice was the therapy session he looked forward to. The therapy session he failed to mention to Soap that he mentioned to him the other day. It eased his mind, put him in a headspace of silence. Peace. Not a single thought except for how much wind resistance he had to put into consideration to hit his targets. Soap sometimes would join him, and friendly competition was always warranted between the two. Competition that Ghost would win most times.

He trudged up the makeshift alcove of the personal shooting range, tearing the headset from his ears. Crunching gravel beneath his boots was a sound that brought him comfort, along with the sound of the wildlife coming back to the vicinity once they deemed it safe from the loud boom of gunshots. So many missions, so many tours sounded just like this, when he was out on the field. Sometimes walking through thickets of trees, patrolling with Soap and others in his unit. Other times in the deserts of the middle east, sun beating down on his hooded head. It was those days that had him resenting himself for wearing the mask, suffering through the head while his hair stuck to the back of his neck like a sopping mop.

The backside of the house came into view after several minutes of reeling through some of the more tame memories Ghost carried. He slung the rifle over his shoulder, freeing his hands to file through his keyring to unlock the back door. The home greeted him with silence. It never bothered him before, rather it was something he preferred. But then the ringing in his ear made its presence, starting out quiet, becoming gradually louder. Ghost took three large strides to the cabinet in the kitchen, grabbing his anxiety medication shakily. The bottle gave him trouble, the ringing growing louder. It finally popped open, and he tossed a pill back, pushing down the discomfort of the dry swallow. The breathing exercises he was forced to learn came through, helping him find grounding to push through this.

He couldn't stand being in his own home for another minute. I have to get the fuck out of his house. Ghost lifted the rifle case and placed it on the dining room table, flipping it open. The bullet hopped out of the chamber as he disarmed the weapon, clinking against the ceramic floor tiles. He reached down for it, then resumed removing the magazine and unscrewing the scope. Once it was properly stored, out of sight in a disclosed location, he stormed to the front door, grabbing his keys and locking the house up tight.

Ghost packed himself into the truck, rolling a window down as he twisted the key into the ignition. The engine purred as he sat there for a moment, taking one last deep breath to collect himself while the medication metabolized in his system. Where am I going? The question simmered as he pulled up to the end of his driveway, sitting at the fork of the main road. If he turned left, it would take him out to town, and there's no place he truly fancies to visit. Or the other way, the beaten path that would lead to her house.

His hands gripped the wheel, the leather creaked beneath his fingers. The more he thought about it, the greater the chance he would chicken out. Ghost cut the wheel, taking a sharp right turn. Sighing heavily as he made his way down the dead end, driving the quick five minutes to Andra.

----

After Johnny left, Andra retreated to her room to change into something cooler and more relaxed. The pants stuck to her skin as if she jumped into a swimming pool fully clothed. She stumbled back onto her bed as she peeled them off, huffing as they finally accepted defeat and switched out for a pair of cotton shorts. The loud rapping of a knock on the downstairs floor alerted Sammy, making her go wild barking and howling.

Andra scurried downstairs, shushing her riled up companion and ordered her to go lay down. She peeped through the window, seeing Ghost stand there patiently, his eyes darting around observing his surroundings. Andra unlatched the locks, opening the groaning door. "Hey, look who decided to come out."

Ghost's eyes took in her presence, immediately returning back to her face when he realized how far down he looked. "I came over to return your basket." He held it up, holding it out for her to take.

She accepted the wicker basket from his hands and placed it down on the entrance table beside her. "We missed you today, at the market." Andra's voice came out small, thinly knotted with concern.

"We?" Ghost snorted a chuckle. It took Andra by surprise, but she held back from giving it away in her expression. "I think Johnny liked spending the morning with you, all to himself.

"Yeah, he liked getting on my nerves the whole time," Andra jokes. She could detect the deflection in his words, and she was trying to de-escalate it. "Would you like to come in?"

Ghost peered over her shoulder, looking for the whereabouts of her canine companion. "Your dog sounded pretty upset about an unexpected guest."

"Here," she reached into a container sitting on the table beside the door, handing Ghost a dog treat. "She'll automatically love you if you offer her food." Her whistle cut the air like a blade, beckoning Sammy.

The German Shepherd came running, halting as Ghost's figure appeared in her view. Her pause was brief, and she trotted happily and lifted herself up onto her hind legs, pawing at him with excitement as she licked his hands. Ghost laughed, petting her and rubbing behind her ears. "Hey there."

Andra couldn’t conceal the surprise as her jaw dropped. She didn't know what made her more happy, the fact that Sammy immediately liked Ghost, or the fact that Ghost was so loving and affectionate to a dog he just met. Sammy was smiling wide, rubbing her scent all over him as he rubbed her down.

"That's a first," Andra beamed at the two of them. "Sammy's really skittish around men.”

"Oh really?" Ghost looked back up to Andra, restraining himself from loving on Sammy any more.

"You wanna come in?" Andra cocked her head, beckoning him to come step inside, away from the unforgiving sun.

Ghost ducked his head beneath the low doorway, taking in her choice in décor. Her furniture was matching, part of a cohesive set, unlike the mismatched pieces like his. The walls were adorned with dark, gothic pieces, all framing around a dark, classing painting . Her taste in art was a stark contrast to what he saw on the outside of her. It was a little jarring. "Interesting art," Ghost commented.

"Henry Fuseli's 'The Nightmare'," she stated. "Obviously, not authentic. But one of my favorites."

His eyes focused on the work of art, and her eyes darted to his eyes, trying to uncover what thoughts circulated in his mysterious mind. "Who else am I gonna find hanging on your walls? Francisco Goya?"

Her eyes nearly twinkled with awe. "You know classic art?"

Ghost chucked. "Not much." His eyes found twin coffin-shaped bookshelves, one black and the other pink. He trekked closer to have a look at her book collection, recalling the book she was reading previously. It was there, tucked in between its siblings. "You read a lot."

His observation made her feel shy. "I read when I can. My books were the one thing I wanted to take with me from the states." Her eyes went wide when he slid a certain smutty book from the shelf, his fingers flicking through the color-coded annotation tabs and flipped open to one. "That's uh.."

He shut it, his own eyes going big as he returned it back to its place. "Got it." Ghost turned away to look for something else to turn his attention to, rubbing the back of his neck.

Andra laughed a little harder than she should, and Ghost turned to her smiling face. As if the embarrassment hadn't made him uneasy two seconds ago. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh." her laughter died down, the smile still stuck on her face.

"I'm not sorry. I'll read the whole damn thing if that's what it takes to hear you laugh again."

Oh. The heat rushed to her face, and her stomach did a flip. There it was, the intensity in his rich, espresso eyes. It made her smile fade, the depth of his stare too great for her to turn away from. "You gotta read it out loud, though." You did not just say that out loud.

She noticed how his mask rustled, concealing his grin. He shook his head and turned away, peering out the window that showed him the view of the chicken enclosure. "So I noticed something about your pen." 

Andra allowed this change of subject, she felt like if he teased her back she would burst into flames. "What about it? You wanna go meet my chickens?"

"Well," he deflected the offer. "It's got a weak spot, it probably won't hold for much longer.

Her expression turned confused, almost sour. "Where do you see that?" She headed outside to investigate, and he followed in tow behind her.

Ghost pointed out how the fencing poked out. "The post is weak, if they get smart, they can take it out and roam free."

Andra crossed her arms over her chest defensively. Did he just come over to criticize her personal handiwork? She was a little flustered about someone pointing out what she did all on her own. "I made it myself, it's held just fine this whole time."

"And you did a good job." Ghost looked down at her, comprehending that his advice might have come off as mansplaining. "It's well-crafted, you should be proud of doing it all on your own. I just figured, I can help you fix it before they get loose…"

Her eyes softened, and it all clicked in place for her. He was looking for ways to spend more time with her. The "weak spot" in the pen really wasn't that big of a deal, she's known it for months now and has kept an eye on it in case it got worse. Ghost felt guilty for not showing up this morning, and he's trying to make up for it. She recalled what Johnny said earlier in the day.

He may not have said it out loud, but he wanted to be here with you today.

And yet again, he wasn't saying it out loud how he wanted to see her. Just in different words, and it melted the defensiveness that she erected way too quickly.

"Yes."

Ghost turned to her again, abandoning his inspection of the enclosure with questioning eyes.

"When you have time, I would appreciate it if you helped me fix it." Her cheeks warmed again, but she couldn't find it in herself to turn away from his soft gaze. She didn't want to miss out on how he looked at her, how the tenderness made her heart thrash against her ribcage. Because she didn't know the next time she would see him look at her like that.

special thanks to everyone who has engaged with my fic! This has become a dear project to me, something that I'm determined to complete, I am looking forward to writing so much more <3