#please note I’m still more likely to lean on canon shipping however | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

connan-l · 2 years ago

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a hundred year’s worth of happiness

Fandom: Higurashi: When They Cry

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Relationship: Furude Rika & Club Game Members, Furude Rika & Houjou Satoko, Furude Rika & Maebara Keiichi, Furude Rika & Akasaka Miyuki, Furude Rika & Takano Miyo

Summary: Rika comes back home, a hundred and twenty years weighting on her shoulders.

Content Warnings: So there’s nothing much to warn for really, but there are still some mentions of alcohol/alcoholism, depression and trauma, as well as a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it reference to past self-harm/cutting.

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Link on Archive of Our Own

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Notes: Happy 20th year anniversary, Higurashi!

So that future fic was meant to be published this summer to celebrate the anniversary, but I obviously got very late so you only get it now, but I think it’s still valid if I’m able to publish this before the end of 2022 :) (What do you mean it’s not 2022 anymore nope I’m not listening hahaha—)

So, a few clarifications: I originally didn’t want to confirm or mention any ships here because I wanted it to be primarily focused on the platonic relationships. However, I then decided I wanted to include child characters — that’d only makes sense given they’re all in their thirties by now, and that becoming a parent is one of the most obvious biggest change of adulthood — so as a result, well, there are still some pretty big hints about who’s dating who here, even if I tried to stay as vague and gen as possible, so you can still make your own assumptions. Those child characters are also kind of based on the ones from the Higurashi Reiwa manga, but as you’ll notice quickly the two who are present are still very different from the ones depicted in canon, because they’re more interesting that way to me.

Also, Natsumi makes a cameo in this, even if I absolutely admit that she serves zero purpose in that fic lol. She’s just here cause I think she’s really the representative of the Higurashi side-arcs and because she’s cute so yeah.

Anyway, this takes place post-Matsuribayashi (and… post-Saikoroshi too, I suppose). I didn’t really take Gou/Sotsu/Meguri into consideration while writing this so it’s not referenced at all, but you’re welcome to interpret it happened as well if you want to!

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That's because

I’m going to become much, much more happy from now on.

I’m not going to compromise with just this.

We are going to take back all of our happiness that we lost.

For me, that is about a hundred year’s worth.

For you, a thousand year’s worth.

-Frederica Bernkastel

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Early summer of the 15th year of the Heisei era

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She felt like someone was apologizing continuously.

A repeating, pitiful noise resonating in her ears — an ominous familiarity making her heart ache with nostalgia.

This was like an obtuse, unwelcome breeze from the past, a repeated sorry she should’ve stopped hearing years and years ago.

It still pop up in her head, however, from time to time; when she is not careful enough, when her mind drift away in her dreams or thoughts.

A feeling of overwhelming sadness and loneliness crushed her, then; as it always did whenever she heard that same soft, sweet voice that had accompanied her since birth and even before then.

Her name was on the tip of her lips, and she would’ve spoken it if it had not been for a sudden shake that brusquely brought her back to reality.

When she opened her eyes, the first thing that welcomed her was the coldness of the window her head was leaned against.

“—five minutes. We will be arriving at Okinomiya Station. Please, makes sure to not forget any—”

She blinked a few times — chasing away the wetness that had pooled and clung to her eyelashes — then heard the faint sound of something rolling and falling on the ground. Looking down, she realized it was a pen; the one she’d been holding before she fell asleep, using it to write down in what was a small notebook. Her travel poem book, the one she brought along everywhere.

She gracefully put back some blue locks behind her ear — now short, barely sweeping her nape and shoulders, since that day she decided to cut it off twenty years ago — and scooped the pen back. When she straightened up, the white page of the notebook in front of her seemed to be burying straight into her eyes. She’d been trying to find the inspiration for what to note in there for a long time, but nothing seemed to come up. Her mind was completely dry.

She sighed, then closed off the book before putting it back into her handbag.

She didn’t have the time to write anymore, anyway.

Soon, she’d be back home — back to Hinamizawa.

By the time the train came to a stop, the nostalgic, apologetic voice in her head had entirely disappeared.

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As she stepped outside the train on the platform, she instantly put down her big luggage next to her, readjusted her pretty, big hat on her head, and stretched her arms. She felt like her whole body was cramped, as if she’d just run a marathon. Well, she did spent five hours in a train, but even so, that was something she should be used to by now. Another sigh escaped her, which was then met by a giggle from her left.

“Wow, that was a pretty big sigh. Rough trip, big sis Rika?”

Rika turned her head in surprise, and a few meters away was standing a young woman in casual slacks and blouse; short brown hair, mid-twenties, round face. The same charming smile as her father, and the same gentle amethyst eyes as her mother. When she caught her gaze, the woman waved at her, and Rika returned her smile.

“Hello, Miyuki.”

“Hi! Is that all of your luggages?”

“It is,” Rika confirmed, then stepped forward and hugged Miyuki tightly.

It had been more than a year now since she’d last seen her in person; almost two, even. Of course, they called each other from time to time, and Rika made sure to send her postal cards from wherever she was at the time, but it certainly wasn’t the same thing. She’d considered Miyuki like a little sister since that infamous Watanagashi twenty years ago and they used to meet pretty regularly until Rika went to high school, so sometimes the distance was hard to bear.

Once she let the younger woman go, her gaze wandered around, searching for further silhouettes besides Miyuki. “Um…”

“Oh, I’m sorry to tell you but I’m alone. Big sis Satoko and the others wanted to come, but they’re pretty busy with the festival preps, and Dad suddenly got a call from work which he couldn’t ignore, so…”

Rika could see Miyuki roll her eyes at that, which communicated perfectly what she thought about her father’s attitude when it came to prioritizing his work over anything else. Something she’d inherited from Yukie, no doubt. Rika smiled wryly.

“It’s okay. I’m glad to see Akasaka is still up there saving the world.”

“Oh, that he is! Mom can’t wait for him to retire. Which, unfortunately for her, he probably never will. I’m sure even beyond the grave he’ll find a way to get his job done, somehow.”

Rika laughed, and Miyuki quickly joined her as she took her luggage and they started to leave the train station. It had been quite a few years now since Akasaka had left his job as a policeman and instead started a career as a politician in Tokyo, where he thought he could do the most good. It seemed that this job was taking even more of his time than the former one, however, so Rika could not tell if it was much of an improvement for his family.

Miyuki’s car was still the same as Rika remembered; a small blue Jeep that had been a combined present from her father, Ooishi and a few others friends for when she graduated college four years ago. Truthfully, Rika thought it was kind of an ugly one and genuinely thought they could’ve done better, but Miyuki was really attached to it and she didn’t think she’d be willing to change it unless she had no other choice.

They climbed in and started chatting contentedly, quickly catching up with each other; Rika told her all about her last travel in the Netherlands, while Miyuki told her the last news at her job — and because they were both working in the same sector as journalists, they always had a lot to share (though Miyuki kept complaining about how annoying one of the guys there was— what was his name again? Ryuunosuke Arakawa or something?), before Miyuki finally kept on about how life was going with her boyfriend back in Tokyo. They’d been dating for two years now and it seemed quite serious as they’d just moved in together a few months ago, although Rika had only met him twice so she didn’t have much opinion on him. He’d gotten Akasaka’s approval though, so she supposed he must be decent guy at least.

When the conversation deviated towards the village and the festival preparations, Rika could already see the familiar landscape change as well as hear the gravel noise under the car’s wheels that marked the end of Okinomiya’s vicinity and the start of the mountains’ road.

“—and god, I also got to see little Kihiro for the first time!” Miyuki exclaimed. “Can’t believe how adorable she is.”

Rika grinned at her. “Right. You hadn’t met her yet, huh?”

“You know I haven’t been able to come last winter… But big sis Rena let me babysit her for a whole day and night last week when we first came! I’d never seen a baby so calm until now.”

Rika chuckled, but she nodded in agreement nonetheless. Of course, according to the parents, it wasn’t always the case, but when she’d come back to Hinamizawa last year for the birth, she’d definitely thought there was not a single soul who would argue on the point that Kihiro was an extremely quiet and well-behaved newborn. Rika hated babies and small children — not even Shion and Satoshi’s daughter had been an exception — but this one she actually could tolerate. Mostly.

Rena’s daughter was now already six months old. Baby Kihiro actually ended up being born later than the due date, almost two weeks later (which had worried everyone, especially Rika who hadn’t meant to stay so long), and Rika had never seen Keiichi in such a stressful state before, but in the end the child had come into this world without any complications. The poor man had probably cried a lot more than he had in his entire life the moment he held the tiny, blotchy girl in his arms.

Rika was surprised to find herself in a hurry to see that baby again, curious to how much she must’ve changed since then. Of course Rena would send pictures pretty frequently, but it wasn’t the same thing.

She was in a hurry to see everyone again.

“That’s right, how long do you intend to stay this time?” Miyuki asked, glancing at her from the corner of her eyes while holding the wheel tightly. She knew the road almost by heart by now, but she’d always been a very diligent driver, as you might expect from the daughter of an ex-policeman.

“Not long,” Rika admitted with some sadness. “Just long enough to be able to do the traditional dance, as usual. Oh and I’ll stay for Satoko’s birthday as well, of course.”

Miyuki hummed pensively, nodding briefly without leaving her gaze from the path ahead.

“You never stay long around Watanagashi’s period, huh. Sometimes it almost feel like you’re running away.”

She’d said it in a joking manner, but Rika’s shoulders tensed up instinctively, as if it was an accusation.

It was true. There was some periods where she would stay one or two months at the village, more rarely maybe even three or four, but never in June.

During the summer, she’d just assured herself to not miss Watanagashi, but stayed for only a week or two at most before quickly taking off again.

She wasn’t running away. It was just a habit she’d taken. There was no deeper meaning to this, really.

As she tried to pry those thoughts away from her mind, the scenery caught her gaze again, and she looked through the window.

Her childhood village was starting to draw itself far away, slowly coming into shapes in front of her eyes.

Her beloved hometown, the one that had been her prison for a hundred years.

They were still not there yet. They’ll have to be riding the car in the mountains for a while again.

And as they went through the deep forest…

She’d finally arrived here at their home, Hinamizawa.

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To Rika’s surprise, Miyuki parked her car right in front of the school’s grounds.

This was unusual. Ever since the past two decades, the Akasaka family had always housed in the Furude main residence, the one Rika had left ever since her parents died. This had been at Rika’s insistence, of course, disliking the idea of them sleeping at a hotel; and ever since it had basically became like the Akasakas’ secondary home. They didn’t live in the village, but Akasaka himself loved Hinamizawa and visited as often as he could with his family, even when Rika wasn’t here.

Rika loved this. She hadn’t been able to set foot inside her old house ever since her parents’ passing, but now it felt like the Akasakas had given it a new life, and she’d even taken pleasure in visiting it again whenever they were here.

So, usually, Miyuki would’ve parked her car around the house or the temple, certainly not at the school.

The young woman probably guessed her question, as she smirked at her while her eyes sparkled mischievously, and Rika frowned. Whenever Miyuki would do that ever since she was a child, it usually meant she was about to prank her. Thankfully it didn’t seem it was the case right now.

“Apparently Watanagashi is going to be particularly crowded this year,” Miyuki explained instead, her voice sounding amused. “So we decided to park our cars away from the temple to not hinder the place. Also… there are some people who wanted to see you here.”

Rika arched an eyebrow, but she didn’t get to ask anything as Miyuki then quickly unplugged her belt and jumped out of the car. Rika shook her head, sighed briefly and then imitated her.

Outside, she set her two heels on the ground, herbs gently brushing the naked skin not covered by her sandals, as if Hinamizawa’s earth was welcoming her back — but she didn’t get the time to feel nostalgic about the familiar scenery of her former school that suddenly she heard a gasp from behind her, and felt something grabbing her.

A pair of sturdy but soft arms had wrapped around her, hugging her tightly with so much love and strength that it felt almost suffocating.

“Rika! Rika, it’s you, you’re back! Hauu, you’re even cuter than last time! Even cuter! I wanna take you home!”

Her attacker was talking very quickly and excitedly, so much that anyone less familiar with her would’ve struggled to make out her words, but Rika knew her so well that she’d guessed what she would say before the sounds even left her lips.

She mildly fought to get out of the grasp, knowing prefectly that of course no one could ever get out of Rena Ryuuguu’s embrace unless she wanted it.

“Big sis Rena, I think you’re going to kill her if you keep doing this,” Miyuki, her saviour, finally intervened, and this seemed to snap Rena back to reality, as her grip ultimately released.

Rika let out a sigh, before trying to rearrange her hair, hat and dress back as it used to be.

“I’m sorry, Rika! But you’re just so kyute, I can’t help it…”

There was something a little offensive at being called ‘cute’ at the age of thirty-one years old — Rika could accept ‘beautiful’ and ‘pretty’ and ‘elegant,’ but ‘cute’ just seemed to bring her back to her eleven-years-old self, and she’d spent way too many years stuck as a child for that already, thank you very much — so she couldn’t help but puff her cheeks in a pout at this (which, she was sure, didn’t help her case on not wanting to not be called that, but that was stronger than her). However, she was just too happy to be able to see Rena again that she certainly didn’t feel like pointing any of that out.

“I’m glad to see you again, Rena,” she said, beaming at her. “You look good.”

At this, Rena’s eyes shined, and she giggled. “I do? I feel pretty tired, personally. Can’t be helped with a baby at home, I suppose.”

Upon looking closer, she did look tired. Her skin looked a little pale, her orange hair, that now fell on her shoulder, were slightly dishevelled, and some brief dark circles could be seen under her big blue eyes. But her entire being seemed to shine so much that it seemed very minimal compared to this.

“You do,” Rika said. “You look beautiful.”

And because it had been six whole months since she’d last seen her friend, she reached for her again, putting her chin on her shoulder, letting the citrus scent of her hair tickles her nostrils and wrapping her hands around her back.

Rena’s warmth was always a constant; it had been then, it was now, and Rika had no doubt that it would be in the future as well.

“Hey, hey, hey— what’d I just say, huh?! No running! No running when you’re still on school grounds!”

A shrill, masculine voice pierced the school yard; and instantly after children’s screams and laughters resonated throughout the place. Kids ranging from six to twelve years old in appearances rushed out from the building and started peppering the surrounding; some Rika recognized, like Mrs. Harada’s granddaugther or Tomita’s son or Takashima’s nephews; other were some new faces, that she guessed probably belonged to residents who recently moved in that she hadn’t gotten to meet yet.

A while ago, Hinamizawa had faced some depopulation issues, but thanks to the combined effort of the three families, Keiichi’s connections, and of course of all the villagers, they’d managed to bring in new residents even as younger generations were generally more interested in the city. It didn’t mean they were still not facing some problems about it, but at least as of now the population was stable, and with every Watanagashi seemed to grow even bigger and bigger.

“Hey! What did I just say?! You brats really only listen what you want!” The voice started again, and then the silhouette of a man surfaced out the school building, trying to calm down the group of excited children around.

Some of them stopped and looked at him apologetically, but most were perfectly fine completely ignoring him and the poor guy couldn’t rein them in as he wanted because his arms were actually full — tucked against his neck and resting on his right arm was the tiny body of a months-old baby, whose only distinguishing feature from afar was a tuft of auburn hair.

“S-Sorry, Mr. Maebara…”

“It’s not me! Suzu’s the one who screamed!”

“I didn’t, I didn’t! It was—”

“Ah! Look over there! It’s Lady Rika!”

One little girl that Rika recognized as the daughter of the village’s main grocery shopkeeper pointed a finger in her direction, and as soon as she did everyone’s looks turned towards her. By reflex, Rika smiled back, feeling instantly in her element; years of being Hinamizawa’s little queen had used her to this, and some of the kids squealed in response. Each started gasping at her presence and whispering excitedly — ‘You’re right! It’s Lady Rika!’ ‘Mom said she’d come back only in a few days!’ ‘Do you think she’d gave me a blessing if I asked her?’ — however, their enthusiasm at her presence was nothing when it came to Keiichi’s, whose face instantly beamed like the sun as soon as he saw her.

As if the children around him had completely vanished, he rushed towards Rika as fast as he could. She barely had the time to register what was happening that she heard Rena gasp and Miyuki let out a ‘oh boy’ before Keiichi’s face was right here, clearly ready to jump on her while the baby in his arms was throwing panicked and confused looks left and right.

“Keiichi!” Rena hissed like an angry cat, her voice vacillating between concerned and offended. “Kihiro! Be careful with Kihiro!”

“Wha— ahh, ah, right!”

As soon as he realized what he had done, Keiichi adjusted his grip on the child while the poor thing looked to be about to burst in tears. Rena grumbled something frustratedly, and Rika could see she was trying her best to not actively strangle him right here and now.

“C’mon— it’s fine, Rena! I wasn’t gonna let her fall, I’m not that irresponsible!”

“Then maybe don’t make it look like that next time!”

“I just wasn’t expecting to— y’know,” he turned his gaze to Rika, “—I thought you’d come later?”

Rika smiled again. “Guess my train was early, and so was Miyuki.”

“Ooh. Cool.” For a moment Keiichi appeared pensive, and then his usual, smug homey grin split his face. “Hug?”

He opened his free left arm, still making sure to tightly hold Kihiro with the other under Rena’s threatening gaze, and then Rika chuckled and instantly fell into his arms, letting herself melt in his embrace. He hugged her a little too roughly, like he always did, but it was in a manner that felt safe and warm and she would never have it any other way, trying to return it with almost as much strength.

When she stepped away, she noticed two wide, big purple eyes blinked back at hers from Keiichi’s arms. The child’s round face was looking at her questionably, as if asking who was this stranger trying to take her father away from her.

“C’mon, Kihiro,” Rena said gently. “It’s big sis Rika. You’ve met her six months ago, remember?”

“‘Course she wouldn’t remember, her lil’ head’s still too small for that,” Keiichi replied playfully while tapping the top of the baby’s skull, as if making a point.

And he wasn’t wrong, Rika supposed. She hadn’t even spent a lot of time with the newborn back in December, and left four days after the birth, so that only made sense. She took a step forward and leaned towards the little girl.

“Hello. I’m big sis Rika. Nice to meet you again, Kihiro.”

The small thing seemed to analyse her words slowly, and then let out some little chirping noise. Keiichi grinned again, then extended his arms with the child in them towards Rika. Her smile dropped from her face immediately and she frowned.

“No,” she said, firmly.

“C’mon, look at her,” the man argued, pressing the little baby almost to her face. “Isn’t she absolutely so kyute? She’s your niece too, Aunt Rika, so you get to hold her once in a while!”

“You know that I hate— Ah, Keiichi!”

Her friend didn’t let her finish her sentence that he pushed his daughter into her arms, and Rika struggled to quickly grab the girl awkwardly — she hated holding babies, but she wasn’t an absolutely monster who’d let her fall on the ground either. (Even if it was tempting and that Keiichi would totally deserve it if she did.)

“Damn it, I swear—” She started, but then she caught Rena’s disapproving gaze at her use of language and quickly bit her tongue, giving up and trying to hold the tiny child as best as she could. They hadn’t done this to her since Shion’s daughter had been a baby years ago.

“You need to be more careful with the head, Rika,” Rena then said gently as she fixed Rika’s hold on her daughter. “See, just like that! Haauu, you two are so kyute like that! Miyuki, Miyuki, do you have your phone? Take a photo!”

“Oh… right, right, just a minute!”

“Wh— No, don’t! Hey! Ugh…”

Rika sighed as Miyuki whipped out her phone and Keiichi and Rena laughed with their whole chests. Kihiro, meanwhile, appeared a little upset at leaving her dad’s side, but ultimately quickly made herself comfortable on Rika’s chest. Damn all of them.

She’d always found babies and young children annoying. They were too noisy, too energetic, didn’t make sense; Rika never knew how to interact properly with them and honestly preferred avoiding them as much as possible. She could make exceptions for her nieces, sure , but it generally extended to smiling at them and giving them presents sometimes ; she’d never be caught alive willingly playing with them or hugging them. Unfortunately, it seemed the rest of the club members had not taken the memo and instead were having a lot of fun at her expense by often putting her into situations where she got stuck with the kids.

“That’s cool you got here early, but sadly I still have some stuff I need to wrap up at the school,” Keiichi said after his laughters calmed down. “Ms. Chie’s really counting on me for this. And afterwards I still have work to do at the temple for the festival preps.”

“I only came here with Kihiro to bring him some stuff,” Rena explained. “I was going to go at the temple afterwards to help out. Mii and Shii are still there talking about this year’s Watanagashi’s organization.”

“I bet they are. I’m surprised you were able to not go, Keiichi. Trying to skip some of your mayor duties, hmm?”

Rika smirked at him teasingly, and Keiichi winced.

“C’mon, gimme a break! Mion was already mad at me for not coming, but I’m a teacher too, so I can’t be everywhere at all times!”

She laughed, while Keiichi grumpily murmured under his breath about how hard it was to be so popular.

“What about you, Rika? Wanna come with me? Wanna come?” Rena then questioned.

Rika readjusted the baby in her arms, then shook her head.

“I need to drop off my luggages at home first… Is anyone there currently?”

“I know Big sis Satoko had to go there at some point, so she should be here by now already,” Miyuki replied.

Satoko’s name instinctively put a smile on Rika’s face. It was close to noon, so she imagined she must be cooking by now.

It had been a long time since she’d last tasted Satoko’s cooking.

“Then I’ll go home now. I’ll probably come at the temple to see Mii and Shii after that.”

“It’d be great!” Rena exclaimed, clapping her hands. “Oh, right! Rika, we’d planned to all go eat dinner at the Maebaras’ place tonight! To celebrate being all together again.”

“…That sounds nice. But won’t it bother Aiko and Ichirou?”

“Nope! Mom told me they’ll go out to eat at a restaurant in Okinomiya, so we have the house all to ourselves,” Keiichi added, then grinned at everyone as if to confirm all of them were in, at which he was greeted by an enthusiastic nod.

“Maebara! Are you there?” A woman’s voice resonated from inside the school. “I need you right now!”

“Ah… Coming right away, Ms. Chie!” Keiichi yelled back. “Sorry guys, duty’s callin’. See ya later, yeah?”

Rika acquiesced, and she was she was about to add something when a woman suddenly got out of the school’s building. She seemed to stop in surprise at seeing their little group, before quickly snapping back to reality and rejoining them.

“My, Miss Furude! That’s nice to see you.”

“Her train got here earlier than planned!” Rena explained helpfully.

“Oh, I see…”

Chie then smiled with fondness at Rika; that kind of expression that she only reserved to her old students. Rumiko Chie had practically not changed at all; she barely had a wrinkle, her short blue hair was still the exact same, and even her clothes kept being very similar to what she’d always worn. It was like she was frozen in time, and the only big difference in her status was that since Kaieda had retired she’d became the new director of the school, although unlike him she still teaches some classes here and there. And, according to Keiichi who now worked under her, she was a surprisingly strict boss.

Although Rika was never able to get used to it. To her, Ms. Chie would always be Ms. Chie, Hinamizawa’s primary school teacher.

“I’m very sorry to bother you when you’re with your friends, Maebara, but—”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it, Ms. Chie. Work’s work.” Keiichi leaned towards Rika, ruffled her hair and then kissed his daughter on the head, before finally starting to leave along with Chie all while waving at them. “Bye, bye, guys! Be good!”

“…We should go too,” Rika then added once the two of them disappeared inside the school. “Miyuki?”

“Ah… well, actually, I have to go with big sis Rena. I promised that I’d help for the preparations too, so…”

“…I see. How dutiful for someone who’s not even a villager,” Rika said teasingly, but trustfully by this point the Akasakas had pretty much became secondary Hinamizawans. Then she looked down at the baby girl who was still resting on her shoulder. “Looks like I have to give you back to your mother. I’ll see you later as well.”

“If she doesn’t fall asleep before then,” Rena added as she reached out to gather her daughter back in her arms.

Rika chuckled, then booped Kihiro’s little nose.

The child scrunched her face, and fine , maybe, just maybe she could agree she was cute. Just a little bit.

______________________________________________________________

It felt almost like the herbs were getting thicker and longer.

That was her first sensation as she was getting closer to her house; the little shack right next to the Furude family’s main residence.

That seemed odd even to her ears, because surely there was no reason for the herbs to get thicker over time — longer was a possibility though, but she knew usually the Kimiyoshis made a point to take care of it and cut them off so that it never get too out of control.

Although, to be honest, none of them truly adventured too far away from the main residence like over here — that place had always been her and Satoko’s sanctuary, and probably always would be.

Nostalgia overwhelmed her as she kept walking, her big luggage trailing behind her, and for a moment, if she closed her eyes, she could even feel like a little girl again; wearing her dark suspender and pleated skirt uniform, long blue hair flying behind her back and her best friend’s hand grasped tightly in hers on their way to school.

The road had never changed since then, but it still felt incredibly different at the same time, which gave the place some sort of extreme uncanny feeling that started to eat away at her.

She shook away the thought as she finally reached the shack’s entrance, and reached out to the door — which was open.

“Satoko? Are you there?”

As soon as she set foot inside, a sweet flavour tickled her nose; something simple, like a mix of salmon and rice and soy sauce, but that was delicate and warm and cosy; a flavour that would always feel like home and like Satoko, and Rika smiled, because that was it.

She was finally home; her real home.

“Satoko! I’m back!” She exclaimed as she dropped off her luggage in a corner of the room and headed towards the kitchen.

As she’d expected, a soft humming greeted her before any person; and there, amidst the frizzing of the pan and the smell of the food, she saw a woman’s silhouette, blond hair, and a back wearing a green blouse and jeans.

Manifestly, she hadn’t heard her.

A mischievous grin stretched Rika’s lips; and all while being as quiet as a cat, she slowly stepped towards her friend. She stopped right behind Satoko, the other woman continuing to hum without a care in the world, and with a precise hit that spoke of years of experience, Rika reached out and pinched each of her childhood friend’s flanks.

A high-pitched shriek resonated throughout their small kitchen, followed by a spoon clattering on the ground with a thud, and then glaring, angry magenta eyes pierced her, full of anger.

“R-Rika!” Satoko hissed, her voice still trapped between fury and shock.

Rika simply smiled back at her innocently.

“Mii! Hello, Satoko. Nice to see you! It smells absolutely de-li-cious!”

She leaned towards the frizzing pan to check out and smell its content as Satoko appeared to do everything in her power to try not to murder her with her own two hands right on the spot.

“Do you realize I could’ve burned myself?! Or completely fail my dish?!”

“Sheesh, of course you wouldn’t have! You’re too skilled of a cook for that now.”

“Being skilled doesn’t matter when someone mess with you on purpos— Hey! Stop! Don’t put your fingers in there, and don’t eat this before it’s time!”

Rika laughed heartily, then swiftly avoided Satoko’s hand trying to grab her as she started to lick the cream she’d just scooped up from the bowl on the table off of her finger. Before her friend got to scold her for her childish and bad manners, she jumped at her, wrapping her arms around her neck tightly.

Citrus, salmon, oil swept her nostrils, and a small, strong heart beat against her own; all of them grounding and all of them belonging to Satoko only.

“C’mon, don’t be mad,” she whispered warmly in her ear. “You know I just cannot resist your charms, you’re simply way too cute!”

And then she kissed her cheek, and jumped away before the other woman got the time to say anything. She didn’t need to see her face to know how red it must be, as it always was whenever Rika did something like that, and satisfied with herself, she simply hopped away towards the living room. She heard Satoko grumbles something like ‘you’re unbelievable’ behind her back, but the fondness in her voice was unmistakable and it made Rika’s smile widen. She stopped curiously when she reached the table however, noticing that it was already all set up; three porcelain plates, chopsticks and glasses resting properly aligned on the wooden surface.

“Oh? Were you expecting guests?”

“Nii-nii and Saki should come eat here any minutes now,” came Satoko’s explanation as she entered the room, her hands full of side dishes. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you to eat with us.”

“My train was early,” Rika replied as she sat a the table. “But it’s okay, don’t worry. Although…”

She lifted her head as Satoko took place in front of her and threw her a confusing gaze.

“I am a little sad to not have Satoko aaall to myself when we haven’t seen each other for so long, mii!”

As expected, Satoko instantly flushed red and threw a towel in retaliation, which only managed to makes Rika laughs loudly. “D-Don’t be ridiculous, Rika!”

I’m not, Rika almost argued. She’d been joking, sure, but there was in fact a genuine part of her who was a little disappointed to not get a moment with Satoko alone. She couldn’t exactly admit it out loud without ending up being the one being teased about it, though.

Satoko sighed, shook her head exasperatedly, then finally let a real, adorable smile brighten her face.

She was so pretty, looking at her that way. Rika had truly missed her.

“Well, I am glad to see you again despite this. How are you? How was your trip?”

“Boring. You know I can’t manage to focus on anything during travels by train, not even reading. I did try to write a little, but…”

Her voice trailed, and she looked away. She could feel more than see Satoko’s eyes narrow at her, filling with suspicion.

“But?”

“Nothing. It’s not important,” Rika waved away, and before Satoko could argue or press her any further, she added: “What about you, then? Everything’s okay at work?”

Satoko clearly seemed to hesitate, but finally decided to go Rika’s way and nodded. “Like usual. Things have been a bit busy since I’ve started helping that transport engineering project with Keiichi and Mion, though. You know? The one I’ve told you about?”

Rika hummed in agreement, but admittedly she still didn’t know much about this ‘project’ of them. She’d only heard the vague outline; something about wanting to improve the transportation in the region, specifically around the more isolated villages, and thanks to Keiichi with his newfound work in the community’s politics and Satoko’s mechanical engineering degree, both of them had enthusiastically started to help out. Satoko’s specialization was mechatronics, but she was surprisingly very skilled and knowledgeable in vehicle and structural engineering (and had even just starting studying computer engineering as well), so it felt only natural that she’d be the most competent person around to take part in this plan even alongside her main freelance job.

Maybe Rika stayed quiet for a little too long, because then Satoko started to give her that look again; the one she had whenever she got worried about her and suspected she was hiding something and tried to extirpate it from her head — which was stupid, because Rika was not hiding anything from her currently.

It’d been two decades now since Rika had made actual efforts not to hide important things or any problems from Satoko and the rest of the club, and, most of the time, she was pretty successful at it.

Most of the time.

“Rika—”

“Sooo, what have you cooked for lunch? I haven’t eaten your cooking for a while, so I’m really looking forward to it!”

“I haven’t cooked anything for you!” Satoko replied curtly, and the glint in her gaze told Rika she hadn’t missed the way she’d abruptly changed the topic. “As I said, I wasn’t expecting you this early. Be grateful if there’s even enough to fill your plate at all.”

“How mean,” Rika whimpered in a false-hurt voice. “Ah, by the way, I’ve learnt a new recipe that I absolutely need to teach you.”

“Oh?”

“Something from my new Dutch friend I told you about — you know, Annika?”

“The boat girl,” Satoko recognized before nodding.

“The very one. Well, she showed me this dish with potatoes and salmon and cream — it’s absolutely delicious! I’m sure you’ll love it, I have to—”

“Aunt Rika?!”

Rika startled in surprise, and turning her head she finally caught sight of a little girl with blonde pigtails, of a lighter colour than Satoko’s, staring at her with shocked, clear green eyes. The shock faded away quickly, though, and then morphed into a glare as she crossed her arms in a way that probably was meant to come across as annoyed, but because of how small she was it only looked cute. Rena would be disappointed to know she missed this.

“Why’s Aunt Rika here?” The child whined in an irritated tone, and Rika had to repeat to herself She’s barely six, don’t get mad, you’re the adult here in her mind before replying.

“Just as cute as her ever, Saki. And don’t call me ‘aunt,’ it’s ‘big sis’ or nothing.”

“I thought Aunt Rika wouldn’t come until later!”

“Sakiko,” Satoko said firmly. “That’s enough. You don’t talk to adults with that tone and you know it. That’s rude.”

Rika sighed, looking at her friend getting into Mom Mode and scolding her niece as if she was her own; which instantly worked, as the girl was never able to argue back when Satoko was the one reprimanding her.

Sakiko was a good kid, but she could have a bit of a bad character at times and for some reason tended to be a bit prickly towards Rika. Maybe because she loved Satoko like a second mother and didn’t like when she didn’t have her full attention. Which was also probably the reason behind her acerb mood at the moment.

Well, Satoko was mine first, so I won’t apologize to borrow her now, Rika almost said pettily before reminding herself that picking a fight with a kid who hadn’t even started 1rst grade was, in fact, a bit ridiculous.

“Saki!” A gentle but firm masculine voice suddenly came from behind her. “Come on, Saki. What did I told you about running away ahead of me like that without warning?”

“You were too slow, Daddy!” The girl immediately argued as her father finally came into view, dishevelled blond hair falling into his face and tired eyes of the same colour as his sister’s scanning the room.

He didn’t look as exhausted as Rena, but it still seemed close. Though Rika couldn’t tell if it was because of his energetic daughter or because it had been a busy morning at the café that he and Shion owned in Okinomiya.

“Ah… Hello, Rika,” the man said when he realized her presence, which took him way too much time, and he smiled at her. “It’s nice to see you. You’re early, aren’t you?”

Rika nodded, smiling back but too lazy to have to explain yet again why she was here at least too hours before what had been planned. “I would have missed Satoko’s cooking for nothing in the world! Nipah!”

“You keep missing it ‘cause you’re always away,” Sakiko replied, and Satoko seemed to be about to scold her again when Rika simply grinned and crossed her arms.

“Harsh words for a kid who don’t seem to have grown up at all in six months.”

Sakiko flushed red. “I’ve grown up! I’m five… uhh… six…”

“34.5’’,” her Satoshi helped, patting Rika’s head as a sign of greeting just like he did so often since they were kids while sitting at the table next to his sister.

“Well in any case, that’s what I said; you haven’t grown up in the slightest. Actually, haven’t you shrunk?”

Sakiko’s face crumpled at her remark. Ever since she’d learned she was smaller than most kids her age it had became a sour spot for her, and Rika couldn’t help but laugh (and, alright, maybe she wasn’t very good at being the mature one, but who would blame her?). Until she felt a small fist colliding with her stomach.

“Hey, Saki!” Satoshi instantly exclaimed, distraught. “You can’t hit people!”

“Aunt Rika was being mean!”

“It’s fine, it was barely a hit at all,” Rika intervened. “You should hit harder, kid, or you’ll go nowhere in life.”

“Right, let her be, Nii-nii. Rika deserved that one.”

“See?” Sakiko exclaimed proudly. “Mama Satoko agrees with me!”

“You two, please don’t encourage her…”

Sakiko pulled her tongue out at Rika, then immediately ran off towards Satoko, sitting on her lap and hiding her head into her chest like a small animal, which only made Rika grin. Satoko smiled in turn and kissed the top of Sakiko’s head while rubbing circles into her back tenderly.

Somehow, it reminded Rika of how Satoko used to run off and hide behind her big brother’s back whenever she felt upset as a child — or behind her, for that matter, after Satoshi disappeared. Satoko and Sakiko had very different personalities, and the latter generally tended to take after Shion’s fierce character, but they suddenly felt very similar, looking at it this way. Except for the fact Satoko would have cried her eyes out like the crybaby she used to be, while Sakiko was only glaring at Rika like she was about to jump on her and claw her eyes out. It was cute.

“So where is your mommy, Saki?” Rika ended up asking, without being able to prevent her voice taking on a teasing edge.

“Not tellin’!” The child mumbled, her face still pressed into her aunt’s chest, and Satoshi rolled his eyes.

“She was still arguing with Mion and Akane, last I checked,” he replied instead, which only made Rika laugh again.

“Guess some things never change,” she let out before thinking her words, but then it made her pause.

Because that wasn’t really true.

Even the things that seemed like they hadn’t ‘changed’ were still widely disparate from how they used to be.

Everything was different now; every day trickled forward mercilessly, bearing no similarity the to the precedent — and with them, bringing a new wrinkle to each inch of Rika’s skin.

Everything kept on evolving ever since that day twenty years ago where Rika broke free of her endless cursed summer of death, and with it came along a desperately hopeful and dreadful feeling that overwhelmed her each time the sun rose up.

______________________________________________________________

It was pretty incredible how much the festival preparations were already bustling so early on.

Back when Rika was a child, or even only ten years ago, they would just only be starting to prepare for it at this time; but now most of the booths were already set up and people were running left and right, arguing back and forth. Watanagashi had come to be a huge deal nowadays, especially with the village beginning to become such an attractive tourist place, and it made her feel a bit dizzy.

Sometimes, she missed when Hinamizawa wasn’t as busy and popular. When it was just her and her handful of friends playing around amidst the paddy fields and the forest’s trees without bumping into anyone, even less so into strangers who only came here to appreciate the landscape.

“Ooh, Lady Rika! You’re back!”

As she entered the temple’s grounds, she was stopped in her walk by at least the tenth person since she’d came here, and this time it was by a man she hadn’t seen since almost a year. Satoko, Satoshi and Sakiko all stopped as well, nodding as a sign of greeting to the man — Kiichirou Kimiyoshi’s first son, Hiromune.

It would be nine years now since the old Kimiyoshi had unfortunately passed away, and although Keiichi had been the new mayor for quite some years, the Kimiyoshis still held a lot of influence in the region so he had preserved a pretty important place within the village’s hierarchy.

Although, truthfully, most people considered that the village’s old hierarchy had completely died along with Hinamizawa’s empress, Oryou, who despite her bad health had clung to life until six years ago. Irie had said it had practically been a miracle she stayed with them so long all while being mostly lucid.

Rika could still remember the funerals pretty vividly, as it had been the first she’d been to one where she actually felt like crying.

She had complicated feelings for the old woman because of all the harm she’d done to the Houjous, but she still had been a part of her life since her birth and had been like a grandmother to her.

She still hadn’t cried, though.

“It’s so nice to have you back! You’re as beautiful as ever,” the man continued, and Rika smiled back at him gratefully.

“Thank you. That’s good to see you too, Hiromune. Are the rest of the family well?”

“Of course!” He laughed. “Kisaku’s just starting his own business, and my niece Kazuho just graduated college. Things are looking pretty well for them.”

“Are Shion and Mion here?” Satoshi asked, smiled softly as the rest of the Houjous stood behind him, Sakiko’s arms firmly wrapped around Satoko’s neck while she held her.

Hiromune nodded, then pointed at the temple as he explained “they were still arguing in there,” and Satoshi thanked him.

Sometimes, an old form of wariness wormed its way into Rika’s guts when she watched the older villagers like Hiromune interact with the Houjous. The discrimination their family had suffered were non-existent at present, especially since their generation were now well into adulthood, but Rika had never let go of her grudges easily and it was hard to forget how those people had treated children like Satoko and Satoshi.

She didn’t think she was the only one either, because for as much as the Houjou siblings had good relationships with most everyone in the village now, she could still sometimes discern Satoko’s shoulders tense in expectation or see Satoshi’s features stretch with anxiety by instinct.

She’d caught little Sakiko glares at the elders for no reason from times to times, too. No one had ever said a word at the little girl about what had happened or about Oyashiro’s curse, but it seemed she could just feel there was an ugly history hidden behind.

A hand suddenly gripped her shoulder, and when she looked up Satoko smiled at her, as if she’d just read her thoughts and tried to reassures her. Which was silly, because there was nothing to reassure Rika from — and usually, it was her job to do so.

Her feelings eased up as soon as Hiromune turned away, and the four of them finally headed towards the temple. A dozen of people were inside, for what had probably been a meeting at first but now looked to be more of an intense verbal fight between the two most iconic twins of the entire region.

“I told you this would not work! See — you never listen to me, Sis, and now look what happened!”

“You can’t know without trying! And we still don’t have all the results—”

“What more do you need?! For the festival to be a complete failure with all of our stocks being insufficient?!”

As the two sisters were hurling insults at each other, both standing on each side of the long table, Rika noticed Akane sat in the background with the most exhausted expression she’d ever seen, while she heard a ‘oh dear’ escape Satoko from behind her.

The only one completely unbothered by the situation seemed to be Sakiko, who sneaked away from her aunt’s arms and ran right into the middle of the fight.

“Mommy!” She exclaimed, and instantly, almost in a comical way, both Shion and Mion snapped out of the argument and looked down towards the tiny child who trotted over and jumped into her mother’s arms without any warnings, almost making her fall over.

“Whoa! Hey there, Saki— Hey!”

As Shion struggled to reception her daughter, both Akane and Mion seemed to notice the rest of the group, and particularly Rika; upon Mion’s face brightened, all tension disappearing right away as if it had never existed.

“Hey, lookit who’s here! The biggest star of the village finally makes her entrance!” She said before immediately closing the distance and wrapping her arms around Rika.

While Rika never refused her friends’ physical affection, she had to admit the most annoying part of coming back to Hinamizawa after awhile was all the embraces she had to go through each times; but of course she couldn’t actually complain about this without coming across as a jerk, so she simply hugged back her oldest friend quietly.

“I’m glad to see you back,” Akane declared, and it seemed there was an implicit ‘Thank you for saving us from this’ hidden somewhere in her words.

Rika nodded in a sympathetic way, and then suddenly it really hit her just how tired and old Akane looked.

The Demon Princess of Shishibone was usually known of her implacable force of character, but here only a couple of hours of meeting and a fight between her daughters seemed to have tired her to the bone. Of course, Rika was well-aware that Akane was now almost in her sixties, but it still was an odd thing to wrap her mind around, and an odd feeling twisted her stomach.

“Ohh, so you’re finally here!” Rika heard another voice from behind her, and Rena then showed up along with Miyuki who was holding Kihiro in her arms.

“Rena! You’ve been here since a while? Where’s Kei?! I told him I wanted him to be here!” Mion instantly fulminated, a frown back on her face.

Rena smiled at her in an apologetic way, clapping her hands together.

“Sorry, Mii! He got very busy at school— but he said he’ll do his best to wrap up everything as quickly as he could.”

Mion groaned. “How comes he always does this?! He’s the mayor ! He can’t just go around skipping meetings about his village!”

“Don’t be mad, Mii,” Rika said nonchalantly. “Keiichi always does his best by the village even when he skips meetings.”

“I know that, but that still doesn’t make this okay.”

“That’s also rich to hear this from you, Rika,” Shion added as she rejoined the group, daughter in arms. “You’re always skipping meetings to run around the world, and you’re one of the heads of the three families.”

Rika smiled smugly. “Hinamizawa doesn’t need the three families anymore. It functions perfectly well without them.”

That was something she genuinely believed in, too. After Miyo Takano’s defeat, all of them had worked hard together with the villagers to make Hinamizawa a more open, modern place, and that had included getting rid of some of its outdated heritage like the village’s hierarchy and the three families. At some point as an adult, Mion had revoked her rights as the head of the Sonozakis and put into place a way that didn’t make the village as dependant on that system anymore, ultimately leading her to take back her uncle’s job as the owner of Okinomiya’s toys shop.

So of course, all of this was perfect for Rika as she now had very little responsibility towards the village as a Furude, but Hinamizawa slowly detaching itself from too old traditional staples that had stopped being relevant long ago was great for everyone in the end. Now even someone who was originally an outsider like Keiichi could take important decisions within the community, newcomers and tourists alike came more and more every year, and the village kept developing and evolving in positive manners.

A couple years ago, Rika had even started to accept teaching young girls about the traditional dance of Watanagashi as well as the customs of the Oyashiro priestesses; so that maybe one of them would succeed her eventually, even though up until now it had only been something reserved to the Furude women.

She was sure that Oyashiro — that Hanyuu was proud.

“Still sounds like an excuse to skip out to me,” Shion added, arching an eyebrow, and Rika grinned at her.

“Always a critic. I’m glad to see you missed me too, Shii.”

“Now, now, let’s not fight any more for tonight guys, shall we?” Satoko intervened, clapping her hands in an authoritative manner.

“Right! We still have a lot of work to help out with the festival prep,” Rena agreed. “And now that you’re here, Rika, you’ll help out too, right?”

“Uh… well, that is to said—”

“Of course she’ll help out,” Mion said, grinning viciously as she put both of her hands on Rika’s shoulders. “She can’t escape this. You don’t even have any training for the dance planned today.”

Rika sighed. “That’s mean. Even though I only just arrived after a long trip in train…”

“Pssh. You’ve had plenty time to recuperate, Rika! Stop being lazy! You’re setting up a bad example for the kids.”

Rika groaned, knowing that if even Satoko was getting on her case she truly wouldn’t be able to escape this, which made a few club members giggles.

It was still only the start of the afternoon, the sun peeking out in the sky warmly, but Rika knew it would be a long one.

______________________________________________________________

“Are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“Yes, I’m sure. It’s very nice of you, but we actually have things planned already tonight. Plus, I think it’d be better to leave you all together, right? Even Mr. and Mrs. Maebara left you the house specifically for that.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

Rika couldn’t continue as Miyuki opened the door of the main Furude residence, and they stepped inside together. Just like every time she would came here, a big wave of nostalgia overwhelmed her and she took a deep breath.

The house was still the same as when she was a child. The walls, the rooms, some of the furniture. She could still remember pretty vividly the way she used to run around in the corridor, how she would cook with her mom in the kitchen or pester her dad on the porch to let her drink his wine.

It felt like an eternity ago, and at the same time, so close in time; a family life lost and meddled within thousands of thousands of different loops and memories.

When she entered the living room, however, instead of her parents sitting at the table was the Akasaka couple — Mamoru was just about to fill Yukie’s glass with water as their daughter enthusiastically waved at them.

“Hey! Dad, Mom, big sis Rika’s finally here!”

Both of them lifted their heads towards the newcomers, and as everyone before them, their faces brightened upon recognizing Rika. In Akasaka’s case, however, something warmer, softer stretched his features; a gentle smile and a fondness unique to him coloured his eyes as he fixed his eyes to her.

“Rika,” he greeted, his voice as deep and smooth as usual when he spoke to her. “You look good.”

It was a much simpler welcome compared to all those that she’d received up until now, but it somehow managed to make her heart fill with warmth a lot more than any of the others. Without even thinking about it, she headed in his direction, wrapped her arms around him and melted into his embrace. His strong arms enveloped her body and strongly hugged her in return, kissing the top of her head as she buried her face into his shoulder.

Her friends’ arms had always been home, but she had never felt as safe as when she was in Akasaka and Hanyuu’s embrace; as if nothing in the world could touch her as long as they were here, protecting her from everything.

An odd feeling of grief tightened her throat a little as she was briefly reminded of her own father’s hugs; and it made her feel odd, that even after all these years, she was still able to get that familiar ache in her chest.

She used to think she had become completely desensitized to those kinds of emotions after her decades of decay within the loops.

Maybe those past years of normal life had managed to get her back some of her humanity.

With some reluctance, she finally let go of Akasaka and pulled away, smiling back at him.

“We’re so glad to finally see you again,” Yukie then said with her innate motherly tone.

“For once, I didn’t even had to wait!” Miyuki added cheerfully as she took place at the table.

“Come on, Miyuki, don’t be rude. And you could at least make the effort to serve some tea to the guest.”

“Technically, we’re the guests, as this is her house,” her daughter pointed out. “Also, I’ve spent the entire afternoon running around. She’ll survive.”

Rika gently elbowed her in the sides, frowning, but Miyuki only chuckled and her mother sighed in fond exasperation.

“I was just proposing to Miyuki that you should come over to eat dinner with us at Keiichi’s house. But I guess it might be better for some of you to not come, after all, huh,” Rika said, side-eyeing Miyuki.

“Oh, right. I’ve heard from Rena about this,” Akasaka replied. “Sadly, we already have plans tonight. Ooishi is meant to come over to eat with us.”

“Oh? First I hear about this. I didn’t even know he was in town.”

“He is. It’s been twenty years since the curse’s case has been resolved, so he thought he’d like to come as… a way to commemorate this, I suppose.”

Yukie sighed. “Honestly, I kept telling him it would be best for him to stay in Sapporo. He’s not young anymore, and moving around like that is not good for his health.”

“Don’t worry, Yukie. He wouldn’t have come if this truly was too much for him,” her husband responded levelly.

“True!” Miyuki interjected. “Uncle Kura is as tenacious as a cockroach, no way a little trip’s gonna beat him.”

Ooishi had moved to Sapporo with his mother shortly after they’d solved the case about Oyashiro’s curse. Having received closure regarding his old friend’s death, there was nothing that tied him to the village anymore so he had finally decided to retire. Rika rarely got the occasion to see him afterwards, and most of the news she heard were thanks to Akasaka, but apparently it seemed he was living a peaceful, fulfilling life. She had thought that after everything that had happened he would’ve rather cut all ties with Hinamizawa, but sometimes every few years he dropped by at the village, and according to Akasaka he always asked about ‘the kids’ here whenever they talked to each other. Even though Rika and the others hadn’t been ‘kids’ in a long time.

Still, just like Akane, he had gotten quite old now as well. Even for how much of a ‘cockroach’ he was, it wouldn’t be surprising if in a handful of years he were to leave them.

Just like Kiichirou and Oryou had.

Just like Akane eventually would in a couple of decades, too.

In the corner of her eyes, Rika caught sight of an altar with her parents’ photo resting on top of it. It was something Yukie had made for her years ago when she had told her once that she’d never done this for them, and ever since she would always keep it well-maintened every time she’d came.

Her mother and father’s eyes from the frozen picture seemed scathingly burning all of a sudden, and Rika felt heavy, like the weight of the world and of the past twenty years had just fell upon her shoulders.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she almost felt like she was starting to suffocate— until a large, warm hand settled on her arm, and she lifted her eyes to meet Akasaka’s concerned eyes.

“Is everything all right?” He asked gently, and Rika smiled, not wanting to worry him.

And she was all right. Really.

She was home, with her family, for the first time in months; Watanagashi was just around the corner; everyone was well and alive and were leading fulfilling, promising lives filled with hope.

There was nothing bad about any of this. This was good — great, even.

Everyone has a right to pursue a happy life.

The difficult part is to be given that right—

“I’m okay,” Rika said, attempting to widen her smile.

Hoping it felt more genuine that she felt.

Akasaka didn’t seem to believe her entirely, just like Miyuki and Yukie probably, but she didn’t feel like looking at them right now so she wouldn’t.

“I’m glad to be there with you,” she then added, and it was true. It was. “I missed you.”

Akasaka smiled. “I missed you too. I…” He seemed to hesitate. “I’m sure you know that by now, but, I’m always here for you if you need it. Even if it’s just to talk. You’re like a daughter to me, so please don’t hesitate to come to me for help. To us,” he added pointedly, looking at his wife and daughter, whom Rika could see nodding right away at his words.

She smiled, stared at Miyuki, then Yukie, then finally the man who had became her second father in the last twenty, twenty-five, one hundred twenty-five last years.

“I know.”

______________________________________________________________

The Maebara house, or Maebara Mansion as most everyone in the village still called it, had known a few different works throughout the years — Ichirou had made some big new layouts in his workshop, Aiko had redecorated the kitchen and living room at least twice — but even so the feeling of cosiness and warmness that Rika had always associated with it persisted, and she loved coming back to it almost as much as to her and Satoko’s place.

“And here it is! Rena Ryuuguu’s Special Katsudon! The most unique and tasty that you’ll ever eat in the entirety of Japan! There is no one who can cook deep-fried pork cutlet, eggs or vegetables the way Miss Ryuuguu does!”

All while finishing his speech very theatrically, Keiichi disposed the plates on the table as everyone were awed at the dish’s presentation and mouth-watering odour that filled the room. Only Rena appeared flustered about the over-the-top praises and threw him a reprimanding look.

“K-Keiichi, I told you to stop doing things like that! It’s not anything special… I wanted to actually cook something more complicated, but…”

“Gah, don’t be silly, Rena!” Mion interrupted. “Kei’s right, absolutely no one can cook like you, even your simplest dishes are delicious! Not even Grandma rivalled you.”

“That’s very true,” Satoshi added. “Stop putting you down.”

“Being modest is not cute at all anymore,” his sister agreed, and poor Rena could only melt in her seat, completely red and defeated.

“So, as I was saying!” Keiichi resumed. “This is Rena Ryuuguu’s Special Katsudon, cooked with love by delicate fingers and accompanied with tonkatsu sauce—”

“Who cares!” The youngest of the table, Sakiko, suddenly cut off her uncle with a grumpy face. “I’m hungry! Let’s eat!”

Truthfully, the poor girl had been waiting more than an hour before they actually started digging into the dinner, so Rika couldn’t blame her eagerness. At least Kihiro had gotten baby privilege, eating early on and then now sleeping peacefully in her room; but Sakiko and her five years of age had to wait at the table like the adults.

“Saki!” Satoko exclaimed, using her best Angry Mom Voice. “Don’t interrupt your uncle like that. Apologize.”

“It’s fine, Satoko,” Shion intervened. “It’s just Kei, and Saki’s right; we should start eating instead of monologuing!”

“N-Nee-nee! You can’t say that, you need to set the example for her—”

“Geez! It’s a party tonight, no need to be so serious!” Shion grabbed Satoko’s cheek and pulled on it, while Satoshi simply shook his head, but he looked more amused than anything.

“No, no, you’re very right, young lady,” Keiichi added finally, winking at Sakiko, whose bad mood seemed to be wiped out instantly and giggled at the man’s antics. “It’s a lot ruder to simply stare at all this marvellous food and not touch it!”

“Well spoken, Soldier Maebara!” Mion exclaimed in turn, raising from her seat and clicking her chopsticks on her glass. “All Club Members! No one are allowed to even leave one crumb of Rena Ryuuguu’s Special Katsudon! Am I being clear?!”

A thundering ‘Yeaaah!’ resonated throughout the Maebara Mansion’s living room, and the club’s game president smiled smugly.

“All right! In that case, let’s dig in in one… two… three!”

“Fight, on!” Rika added.

And everyone did as they were told; although Sakiko actually started eating before Mion finished the countdown, ignoring Satoko’s reprobating look.

Of course, Rena’s katsudon was absolutely delicious. Everyone devoured all of it, as well as the sweets that had came from the neighbourhood’s ladies, and by the time Sakiko started to get grumpy because of the fatigue and her father had to bring her to bed Mion had already brought out a Jenga game to begin their first proper club game tournament in a long time.

This was the same type of intense challenge Rika was used to — has been used to for decades and decades — and she smiled and laughed and teased as much as the others, played at heart’s content, enjoyed every single minute of the adrenaline the rush of the club’s events always procured.

It was as it always was, as it always should be — similar, but still never the same as what she’d been used to in her century-trapped loop.

But then, in a way, it also felt… a bit off.

And Rika started to get that odd feeling of disconnection she felt, from times to times, when the world kept on turning but she alone seemed stuck in a small bubble of time separated from the rest.

Just like when she used to be held captive in a hundred years chessboard game while everyone around her was blissfully unaware.

The world kept turning, her loved ones kept laughing, but only she was detached, floating around, untethered.

As Rena, Shion and Mion were starting the final round, Rika discretely rose from her seat.

With all the grace of a feline and a glass of wine in hand, she went outside the house and closed the door behind her. The summer night was cold, a frail breeze brushing her face and hair, and she took a long breath.

It felt nice, like a way to ground her back in the present. She raised her eyes towards the sky, then took a sip of wine. It was one element to their club activities that had gotten naturally added after all of them turned twenty-one — alcohol. Of course some of them, most notably Satoko and Rena, had not been fond of the concept and actively discouraged the idea to use it in games, but it was still something that ended up being put in to spice things up, especially when it came to late-night games like now.

Although of course, whenever it came to alcohol games, no one could ever beat Rika to it.

It had become a little more awkward to talk about why that was — and Satoko always got angry at her whenever she drunk too much, as her maybe-alcoholism had been a point of contention between them for a while.

She was probably right, too; but Rika didn’t think she could ever stop drinking, as it had become one of her last means of true comfort.

Or it should be, at least, but it seemed tonight, even wine was pretty ineffective to ease her feelings of anxiety and dissociation.

It was in those types of moments she really missed Hanyuu.

She’d be annoying, no doubt, but at least she’d here, with her, like she always used to be — and at least she would talk to her, and whisper to her, and sing to her, like when she used to be a child. At least she’d be—

“Thought I’d seen someone get out earlier… so it was you.”

The voice almost made her jump; she swirled around, and Keiichi was here, standing next to her, grinning — but not in his usual way, more softer.

“Yo, Rika. What’s up?”

“Nothing much. I was just taking some fresh air.”

“Some fresh air, huh?”

Keiichi eyed her glass suspiciously as she said so. Satoko hadn’t been the only one of her friends to have some misgivings regarding her drinking habits — Rena, especially, had taken her aside on the topic more than once — but surprisingly, Keiichi had also been one of the most disapproving on the topic.

She groaned. “I haven’t drunk that much. It’s only my… fifth glass… Probably?”

“Rika…”

“It’s not a lot for me, I swear. And either way, that’s none of your business. I’m not driving tonight anyway, so.”

Keiichi sighed, and it was too dark to see if he was rolling his eyes but she was pretty sure he did.

“Okay, okay. I’m not here to fight with you. Satoko won’t be happy about this, though.”

“What Satoko doesn’t know can’t hurt her,” she replied, finishing the glass.

“What, you’re lying to her now?”

“I’m not… Keiichi, are you here for something or do you just want to lecture me?”

“No, I was just… Sorry, that wasn’t my intention.”

He sighed, then crouched down. Rika stared at him for a moment, then finally let herself sat on the ground next to him. Her head fell on his shoulder casually.

“Rika, is everything good?”

“Hmm hm.”

“Cause you, like, don’t look all that good. I mean, you’re good, but… I dunno. You seem a big spacey? Did something happen in one of your trips, before you came back?”

“No,” she said honestly. “Nothing happened. Or rather… yeah, things happened. Some bad, some good, but that has nothing to do with this… It’s just…”

She felt Keiichi tilt his head slightly, a few brown strands falling in her eyes. She could sense his concern from here; but he didn’t rush her, just waited for her to speak on her own.

It was something Keiichi had learned and became good at as he got older; how to listen, how to be patient. He matured, grown into such a good, reliable man. She was proud of him.

Rika wasn’t sure she could say the same of her.

“I don’t feel bad,” she finally said. “I don’t. I’m glad to be here. I’m glad to be back home, in Hinamizawa, to see all of you; I really missed you…”

“I know you did.”

“But… It’s not the same.”

Keiichi seemed to consider her words for a moment.

“It’s not,” he repeated, and Rika wasn’t certain if it was a question or simply an agreement.

“It’s similar, but everything’s different. Everyone’s different. Hinamizawa has changed so much; is still changing so much.”

“And it’s bad?”

“No, that’s the thing. It’s good. But I just… Maybe.” She inhaled. Eyes rived on the stars, shining, blinding, hurting. “Maybe I just feel a little bit left behind.”

Far, far away, somewhere in the woods, or in the fields, cicadas were singing.

But even their chirping had stopped feeling familiar to Rika.

Keiichi suddenly moved a little, and she felt as if he was about to say something; but then the door opened, making both of them jump.

“Oh, so you were there!” Rena exclaimed happily. “Shii won! And god, she keeps grinning while thinking about the punishment, and—”

She stopped, blinked, looked at each of her friends. “Am I… interrupting?”

Rika and Keiichi exchanged a gaze, then shook their heads.

“Nah, we were just musing,” the man explained. “About… change, and stuff.”

“Change,” Rena repeated.

She eyed Keiichi, then her gaze landed on Rika; which instinctively, made the younger woman look away. As always, it was just impossible to sustain Rena’s piercing gaze when it felt like she could read anyone like a book.

“Change’s complicated,” she added, and somehow, despite how ridiculously simple her statement was, it felt strangely validating of Rika’s feelings. “It’s scary, but not unsurmountable. Not if we have guidance and people rely on.”

Keiichi laughed, full throat on, and nodded heartily. “Rena’s always got the best encouragement, even when she doesn’t know what we’re talking about!”

Rika smiled briefly, but then Keiichi turned towards Rika, and abruptly gripped her shoulder; firmly, reassuringly.

“Rika, you might feel that way, but you’re not left behind, y’know. We’ll… never really be able to get what you’ve been through, but we’ll always be here, as tightly knit as always, whenever you need it. And you just have to make a phone call, even if you’re on the other side of the planet, and we’ll come running for you right away. Always.” He turned towards Rena, something on his face seeming to ask her silently if he’d said the right words. “Right?”

“Right.”

And Rika felt like she probably should say something, thank them maybe, but her throat was all clogged up and she didn’t think she’d be able to pronounce a single word without her voice cracking; so instead she simply nodded, hoping the silent gratefulness showed enough on her face.

Her friends seemed to get it, as they exchanged a smile, but right as they were about to retreat back inside, words brusquely fell out from Rika’s mouth.

“I miss Hanyuu, too.”

She hadn’t actually planned to say this, and it even shocked herself to hear her own voice articulate this peculiar, intimate feeling. It wasn’t like it was a secret, to her or to anyone, but it still was something she generally kept to herself and everyone respected that. Keiichi and Rena looked at her in surprise, before their expression softened and instead his expression settled on awkward, at a loss for words, while hers was more neutral.

“Sorry,” Rika quickly added, and really, her throat shouldn’t feel as dry as this — she would not cry over this, not right now, she just wouldn’t— “I-I didn’t… I mean—”

“It’s okay,” Rena said. Both her face and her voice were very gentle, and she took a few steps before softly hugging Rika in her arms. “I miss her too.”

And because it was Rena, who was maybe the only other club member with a particular bond to Hinamizawa’s god, Rika believed her, and let herself feel supported, and loved, and understood.

“Heeyy! Kei, Rena, Rika!” Mion’s voice suddenly resounded from inside, making Rika pull away from Rena before their friend’s silhouette actually burst out outside.

She threw her arms around Rena and Keiichi’s shoulders, apparently too high and excited from the game’s liveliness to notice the mood.

“What’re ya guys doin’?! Trying to run away?”

“No way, I won’t allow it!” Shion’s voice added from behind. “I finally decided upon the punishment, and you’re not going to avoid it!”

Keiichi winced and Rena shuddered, but Rika only laughed — and when they finally all went back inside, she grabbed both of her friends’ hands, letting their warmth being the thing to ground her this time instead of some glass of wine.

______________________________________________________________

She tapped the tip of her pen on the paper.

Her notebook’s page was still blank. Not a trace of ink, of pencil, of gum marks tainted the white of the paper. Not a single hint of inspiration spiralled inside her empty mind. Frustrated, she took yet again the bottle of wine to her side, and emptied it in one gulp.

“Rika, that’s enough now. You’ve drink enough for the evening, don’t you think?”

Satoko headed to her side — Rika had barely sensed her presence, which was unusual — then took the bottle from her hand. Rika glared at her, but she knew if she started to argue it would end up in a fight, and she didn’t want to fight with Satoko right now; so she just let it go, closed her notebook and descended from the window sill on which she’d been perched since they’d come back from Keiichi’s house.

Surprisingly, they hadn’t left all that late. The Sonozaki twins — who were the two biggest drinkers of their group after Rika — had been too drunk to walk anywhere, so they decided to sleep at the Maebaras’; but all the others went home shortly after midnight, Satoko and Rika included. Well, Rika might not have been too drunk to go back to their place without problems, but now she certainly was, as she almost felt her head spinning just by standing.

“Come now, go to sleep, Rika,” Satoko said, kneeling next to their futon. “You have training for the dance tomorrow, don’t you? You need to be in good shape.”

She did. Even if admittedly, she really wasn’t looking forward to doing any of these things right now.

Rika looked through the window for a moment, staring at the full moon shining in the sky, then instinctively turned around to stare at their calendar; almost the same model they’d used for years — the one where out of the two of them who woke up first had the privilege to turn the page each new mornings. The one Rika had stared at longingly for so many, many identical days, endlessly repeating. It displayed today’s date — ‘Sunday, June 8, 2003’ — in a vivid red colour right now.

Rika shook her head, then finally let herself crawl under the blanket of the futon next to Satoko — burying herself under the sheets, as if hoping to disappear through them.

She heard a long-suffering sigh, then the body next to hers moved. Slowly, fingers gently touched hers, and when they weren’t met by rejection they entangled themselves with her own.

“Rika, what’s going on? I know you talked with Keiichi and Rena earlier. Won’t you talk to me too?”

“It’s stupid,” Rika whispered, voice muffled from under the sheets.

“Obviously it’s not, if it makes you act like a capricious child.”

Rika lifted her head, and was met with a pair of magenta jewels glimmering brilliantly under the moonlight.

Satoko’s eyes always shined so brightly, just like the rest of her.

“I’m not,” she mumbled childishly while glaring at her friend, which certainly didn’t help her case.

“Then speak to me. Come on, Rika. You should know that by now. Speak to me.” She paused. “Don’t hide things. At least not to me.”

She did know that, of course.

Talk. Don’t bottle things up. She’d learnt that lesson already, years and years back.

“…I can’t write.”

Satoko blinked at her, confusion written all over her face. “What?”

“I… you know, I write. Sometimes. A couple of sentences, here and there. Poems.”

Satoko nodded. She did know, since Rika had told her herself. She’d never shown anyone her very first notebooks, her very first poems — the ones she’d wrote all by herself, in the darkness, when she felt like everything was so hopeless she’d be better off to stay dead and never come back again.

She’d never shown anyone those poems, not even to Hanyuu.

They were hers, and only hers — painful secrets and ugly thoughts and wretched prayers that had to stay just between herself and the old, deranged witch Bernkastel.

It was her wishes and her despair and her hopes all channelled into flowery words and papers and she could never stand it for anyone to poise their hands on it, tearing apart her heart at its most vulnerable.

That’s why she’d burnt all of them after writing the last one once she made it past that summer twenty years ago.

But while she couldn’t show them, she had… spoken about them. To Satoko.

She’d let Satoko read some of her newer poems, the ones who weren’t as raw as those written in the loops.

“I write… about all sorts of things. My feelings. My travels. My experiences. The years going by…” She swallowed. “But those last few months, it seems I cannot write anything at all anymore.”

Satoko frowned. “Writer’s block?”

“I thought I’d be able to find more inspirations by finally coming back home, but instead…”

Instead, it was if it had been worse. Now even just looking at the paper made her stomach twist and let her mind wander into its worst thoughts.

“I told Keiichi,” she continued, voice soft, almost a whisper. “That I… that things changed. You know. They’re the same, but they’re different. And that’s a good thing, I do believe so, but it feels like I’m… I don’t know, like I’m the only one who doesn’t change. Like I’m the only one who’s… stuck. Like I…”

She stopped. She couldn’t look at Satoko in the eyes anymore, even though she could still feel the other woman’s gaze fixed on her, listening to her intensely.

“Like I’m still stuck in that loop.”

Rika didn’t need to explain what she meant by that, she knew Satoko knew.

The grip on her hand didn’t lessen, but she felt a thumb gently caress her skin, brushing over old cutting scars on her wrist.

“You’re scared of change.”

“No, that’s not… not really. It’s too… I don’t know. The years pass on, and back then— back then, when I was still stuck, I knew what to expect. I knew what would happen every single day, every single hour; everything was scripted, and I just knew. And it was all so unbearably… boring, but at least— at least I knew.” She sighed. “I don’t know anymore. Nothing’s scripted anymore. I can never tell what’s going to happen. And it’s good, but also… Not good. I guess.”

She let go of Satoko’s hand so that she could rub her face and her eyes, and suddenly she felt all of her one hundred thirty-one years weight on her, pulling her down, and she felt so tired.

“I told Keiichi I felt left behind, sort of. But like— that’s stupid. I’m glad to be here, I’m glad things are changing, and— god, it’s been twenty goddamn years, and I should be used to all this by now. I should be— I should be fine. I’m fine.”

Satoko kept silent for a moment, as Rika tried to regulate her breathing and not have some stupid panic attack or something because it would’ve been even more unbearably embarrassing.

Fuck, she wished Hanyuu was here so damn badly. At least with Hanyuu she never felt like an idiot when stuff like this happened.

“You’ve changed too, Rika.”

Rika removed her hands from her face, and turned to stare at Satoko oddly. But her friend wasn’t looking at her, she was looking at her hands under the blanket instead, frowning slightly.

“You’ve changed. You’re not stuck. You might not have realized it, but you did. You’ve grown up. You’ve matured. You speak, you share your burdens, you keep writing. And even when you feel bad, like right now, you keep speaking.” Satoko breathed in, then looked at Rika again. “You know, I really miss you, a whole damn lot. Almost every day, when you’re away travelling the world and whatnot, I wish you were still right here with me, by my side; but at the end of the day, I’m okay with it, because I know you’re out there doing what you love, and in the end you’ll always came back home, come back to me. And every time you do, you look even more beautiful and changed than the last time. And I’m— I’m proud of you, for that.”

Satoko smiles, and there’s something truly unique about this moment with the fact she’s able to say all of this without getting embarrassed.

“And you know, even if I can’t understand what you went through exactly, I can still relate to this. Feeling left behind. Feeling like… I don’t know, the world move too fast, and that one day Saki’s going to be a grown woman and I’ll be an old lady and it won’t makes sense.”

She reached out towards Rika, running her hand in her short blue hair, putting back some of her strands behind her ear in a tender movement.

“But as long as we— keep talking. About this. Then it’ll be all right, I think. It’ll makes sense. We’ll be okay.”

Rika stares at her, straight into her eyes, and Satoko smiles at her, and then she believes it.

Yes, they’ll be okay.

Hanyuu’s not here, and people die and grow up too fast and her village move on and the world keep turning and Rika still feel too disconnected from it all like she’ll never be truly able to fit in and adapt to normal life, but maybe it’ll be all right.

Maybe they’ll be okay.

As she held Satoko’s hand yet again, and close her eyes to fall asleep, her heart feel a little more at ease for the first time since she came back to Hinamizawa.

______________________________________________________________

Watanagashi’s colours and lightning felt so blinding this year.

Well, Rika didn’t know if it was actually any more or less than the other years, but at least it seemed to feel like that for sure. Maybe it was the effect of knowing it was the twentieth year since the end of the curse.

A week had passed since she’d first came, and as the last Sunday of June had finally arrived, the festival was now living at its fullest; villagers and tourists alike trotting both in casual clothes and kimono, children playing and running, music and screams and laughters roaring all around. Rika was watching all of this from afar in her shrine priestess garb while chewing on yakitori, making sure not to dirty the traditional robes. Although she had years of experience of this by now, so it was pretty easy; but this was the last souvenir of Oryou that she had — one she’d sew for her twentieth birthday when at the time she could barely get out of bed anymore — so she still wanted to be extremely careful with it.

She and the rest of the club had just started their big annual club activity — the Fight of the Seven Demons (with, maybe sometimes, Eight Demons because of Sakiko, but the girl usually got quickly tired of this and wanted to go home) — however, at some point there had been tensions between two booth owners and Keiichi, as the mayor, had to go intervene so that it doesn’t degenerate. And on the way back he’d been intercepted by his old pal, famous baseball player Yukikazu Kameda, and they’d been catching up ever since. She heard Satoko let out a sigh as she leaned onto her shoulder, a small horse plushie that Satoshi (well, technically Shion because Satoshi hadn’t been able to win it) had gotten for her at one of the booth as a present.

“Really can’t believe he actually left us for this guy,” she grumbled. “Soon it’ll be time for Rika’s performance and we won’t know who won the Seven Demons’ Fight!”

“Hauu, but look at them, they’re so kyute! I wanna take ‘em home!”

“Don’t worry, Satoko,” Mion added. “Even if we don’t make it in time before the performance, we can finish it after. We don’t have a curfew anymore, after all!”

Rika nodded and was about to add something, when another voice came from behind her.

“You might not have a curfew anymore, but some of you has kids you have to look after now, don’t you?”

Irie appeared in their vision field along with Satoshi and Shion, who had just left briefly to get Sakiko to quiet down as she’d started to throw a tantrum in the middle of the festivities. Rika didn’t know what they’d done, but manifestly she’d calmed down now, resting in her mother’s arms in utter silence.

“Oh, Manager!” Mion exclaimed. “We hadn't seen you all night, so we were wondering if something had happened.”

“There was some work to do at the clinic, but nothing urgent.”

Rika knew that if Irie said that had been nothing urgent then he probably meant it, but the sentence made her tense by instinct. Hinamizawa syndrome hadn’t been an issue in years, and now Irie Clinic was just a normal clinic; once in a while, Rika would still drop by and run some tests, as well as the ones who’d been heavily affected by the syndrome like Satoko and Satoshi, but so far there had not been any new problems and Hifumi Takano or his granddaughter’s researches had not been mentioned in a long time. And even if it was the case, Rika was certain that Irie would instantly come to her about it.

But she still tensed. Maybe it was a natural reaction when it came to the syndrome that had been too deeply embedded in her since she was a child, but she just couldn’t help it.

She didn’t know if Irie actually noticed it, but he still threw an odd sympathetic look at her, which she guessed was meant to be reassuring — and that was surprisingly effective these days. With his caramel hair a bit longer and tied in a low ponytail and his features older, he actually did now have the posture of a respected older doctor, although he was still prompt to throw around his silly jokes.

“We don’t have to worry about the kids, actually,” Rena said. “Aiko and Ichirou are the ones looking after Kihiro right now, and they’ll go home right after Rika’s dance. And Mii and Shii’s uncle Yoshirou said he’ll take care of Saki for the night if need to be.”

“Ohh, I see you’ve already taken care of everything then. What responsible adults you’ve all become.”

“Are you going to have fun at the festival now, then?” Satoko asked. “You work too much, Manager. It’s not good for your health now that your so old.”

“Oh dear, Satoko, you should careful to how you talk to your elders like that.”

Irie laughed heartily, before rubbing Satoko’s head roughly and attempting to pinch her sides in retaliation — although he didn’t look offended at all.

“I wanna play baseball again, Uncle Manager,” Sakiko interjected softly from Shion’s arms.

The girl was still too young to officially rejoins Irie’s baseball team, that had since then became mixed, but with the three most important adults in her life being pretty involved in the sport, she’d quickly got initiated as well — Satoko always boasted about how good she was at it already. Irie smiled at the child, then while checking the authorisation from Shion, he took her in his arms while grinning.

“Of course. I’ll make sure to organize a game just for you at school next month, Saki. What do you say?”

Sakiko’s eyes brightened. “Really?!”

“But in exchange you’ll have to listen to everything your parents says without arguing for a whole year.”

And then her face crumpled, and everyone laughed upon seeing her clearly weighting the pros and the cons in her head.

“Hey, sorry to make you all wait, I’m back now and I’m so fired up!” Keiichi suddenly jumped in from the crowd within their circle, showing off his biceps. “Are you ready to lose?!”

“We’re the ones who should be asking that!” Mion replied, elbowing him in the sides. “Who abandoned us to go hang out with your boyfriend, huh?! You traitor!”

“Ow! Hey, Mion! I already told you to stop it with the accusations, Kameda’s not—”

Mion caught his head in a playful headlock while Rena fussed over them, and after some time spent messing around their big fight finally started again. They jumped from booth to booth, both the games and food ones, as usual without interruption all while making as much noise as possible; something, it seemed, that not even their departure of their teenage years had changed, but also something everyone in Hinamizawa had become quite used to by now.

It was upon arriving at Tomita’s tofu booth that they ultimately decided on their final round, Okamura accepting to play the role of their arbiter; and after a frank debate between the two old best friends, they settled upon Rika being the official winner, with Keiichi arriving last. (Whether or not Okamura’s old crush from their childhood years played into this choice, like Shion accused, was up for debate — but Rika managed to play off all suspicions by reminding them of the fact that both Okamura and Tomita were now married to completely different women than her and Satoko.)

Everything felt so pleasantly familiar as Rika let herself laugh with the others that she’d almost completely forgot her stupid unease she’d had when she’d first arrived here a week ago.

But then, out of nowhere, she promptly heard the click of a camera behind her.

Her heart skipped a beat as a wave of nostalgia swallowed her, and she spun around. She was almost expecting to find in front of her the face of a brown-haired man with glasses and an awkward smile, a big yellow camera in his hands, but instead there was no one; it seemed the click had come from a family a few steps away.

She felt like she was starting to get paranoid now. Honestly, what had been that reaction?

“So?” Mion interject. “What punishment should Keiichi get?”

Rika snapped back to reality, and felt almost ashamed to admit she didn’t consider it. They hadn’t decided to plan it in advance, so the winner had to be the one to decide — but, while usually she’d have a lot of choices, right now she couldn’t think of anything. Keiichi was staring at her suspiciously, and she only smiled apologetically at him.

“I’ll come up with one after the performance,” she explained finally.

“What? You cannot do that, that’s boring,” Shion protested, but her sister only shrugged.

“That’ll do it, I guess— Oh?”

Mion’s eyes suddenly stopped with surprise right in front of her; and, as such, everyone in the club followed her gaze. They seemed to be fixated on the silhouette of a woman a few meters away — probably in her thirties, she had long green hair, darker than Mion’s, tied into a single braid and a lost look on her face as she looked right and left, as if searching for someone. Rika had no idea who this was, but Mion’s face brightened into a smile, so she seemed to be an acquaintance of her.

“Natsumi!” She finally exclaimed, and the woman turned around. When she noticed Mion waving at her, she smiled back and quickly trotted towards them.

“Mion,” she said, softly. “It’s… nice to see you.”

“You too! Glad you could make it. According to your mom, it wasn’t certain you would, huh?”

“Um,” Rena interrupted. “Mii?”

Mion blinked back at Rena, then finally realized that the rest of the group looked at her with confused faces. She scratched her head.

“Oh c’mon, you’ve met Natsumi already, didn’t you? She’s a distant relative from the Kimiyoshis. Used to live in Okinomiya back when we were kids, but she moved about a long time ago. She still dropped by here a few times before?”

“Ah!” Shion exclaimed. “Right, right, of course. My apologies, Kimiyoshi, my memories can be pretty bad.”

Natsumi, it seemed, didn’t seem offended in the slightest, and simply smiled.

“It’s all right. And I’m Natsumi Toudou now.”

“Oh that’s right! Don’t think I’ve ever met your husband before. Is he here?”

“He is,” she confirmed, and her face cleared with adoration right away. “Akira and I came here with some friends too. Although, it wouldn’t have been possible if not for Detective Ooishi.”

“Ooishi?” Keiichi repeated. “You know that old fart too?”

Natsumi appeared surprised by his vulgarity and stared at him with wide eyes, as Rena shushed him right away with a ‘Be more polite!’

“Natsumi is friend with a cop lady who’s an old buddy of Ooishi, apparently,” Mion explained for her. “Or, er, something like that, I think?”

“Detective Minai, yes. So, Mr. Ooishi is the one who guided us here…”

“How generous of him,” Mion snorted, not trying to disguise the thorns in her voice. Even after all this time, she still wasn’t fond of the man. “Always ready to help the ones in need, huh, that old guy.”

“Of course I am. What kind of person would I be to abandon a charming young lady in need like Mrs. Toudou?”

Each member of the group jumped and turned around; and sure enough, the said old fart was here — almost the same sleazy gaze and appearance he always had, too, even if the last few years had clearly taken a toll on him, and that he now had to use a cane to help him move around. Right behind him stood Akasaka, who seemed to be carefully observing his friend as though he was afraid of him tumbling down at some point — but he still managed to sparse a soft smile to Rika, who responded in kind.

“Oh, Detective!” Natsumi exclaimed. “I was wondering where you were…”

“Oh, worried for me, Mrs. Toudou? Nahaha, I’m flattered, but unfortunately I am not interested in married women; they’re too much troubles.”

“Wha—” The woman turned bright red. “Th-That’s not what— I mean—”

“He’s only messing with you, do not mind him,” Akasaka helped, throwing a glare at Ooishi who chuckled. “You should stop teasing her like that, or else I’m going to report it to Ms. Minai.”

“Ohh, scary, scary! You’re right, I apologize then.”

“We’ve just came across Mr. Toudou and two of your friends, I believe. They seemed to be looking for you, so I think you should go back to them.”

“O-Oh, right, I should do that! Thank you!”

Natsumi seemed to be about to run off, but right before then she stopped, and turned towards Mion again.

“We’ll stay here for a few days, but I just wanted to say… I’m really grateful to be able to be here for this festival right now. My grandmother loved Watanagashi and Hinamizawa very much, and she was right — this really is a beautiful place.”

Mion grinned, but it was Keiichi who answered for her this time, voice full of pride: “You’re right! Drop by anytime, Hinamizawa’s open to all!”

She smiled, and then allowed one glance at Rika this time.

“I’ll be sure to watch your performance as well. Thank you for welcoming me here.”

Rika nodded a little confusedly, and then with one last good bye to Mion, Natsumi finally ran off. She wasn’t sure why she’d taken the pain to specifically say this to Rika; but maybe her status as the priestess of Oyashiro tended to have this effect on people, even those who weren’t all that familiar with the region’s customs.

“Seems like you did a lot of good work this year again,” Ooishi mused, looking around pensively. “Last time I came it was… six years ago? And even then, there wasn’t as many tourists. You’ll easily beat Tokyo’s festivals if you keep on like this.”

“If that’s a challenge, Detective, then I’ll accept it!” Keiichi exclaimed, and Ooishi chuckled.

“I haven’t been a ‘detective’ in decades, so maybe it’ll be time for you kids to stop calling me that.”

“You’ll always be Detective to us,” Rena replied. “You’ll be one to me, at least.”

“Aw, would you see that. Always the one with the sweetest words, Ms. Ryuuguu. Right, speakin’ of, is your small enterprise going well in Okinomiya? Heard from Kuma that you’re doing quite some competition to the police; people prefer coming to you rather than the cops to solve problems and cases.”

Rena flushed a little, rolling one strand of orange hair around her finger. “That’s not true… I’m just doing some detective work here and there, but that’s not much.”

“And always as modest as ever, huh.”

It wasn’t as much modesty as it was the truth; technically speaking, Rena was only the editor and publisher of a small town independent magazine, but somehow one thing leading to another she’d also ended up doing quite some detective work at her lost hours. Some even called her a private detective here and there, even if that wasn’t how she marketed herself.

“Ah… by the way, aren’t Miyuki and Yukie with you?” Rika asked then, noticing only the presence of the two men around.

“They decided to make a round of the festival just the two of them,” Akasaka replied. “But don’t worry, they won’t miss your performance. Miyuki bought a specific camera for it, even.”

Rika smiled back at him. “I have no doubt about it.”

Behind him, Ooishi seemed to have fallen into an unusual silence; his wrinkled eyes surveying the area, the people having fun, with a melancholic look.

Rika wondered what must be going on in his mind at this moment, as he observed yet again the festival after not having seen it for years now.

She wondered if he felt like he was back twenty years before then, still investigating the curse, on the lookout for the slightest suspicious person or event.

She wondered if he thought back to his friend, the construction manager that had been killed and dismembered.

But she didn’t have to wonder what he was thinking when suddenly his face relaxed and he looked over them — their group of kids who were not kids anymore — because his gaze communicated his thoughts as clearly as the day.

Thank god that this year, no murder and disappearance will happen.

______________________________________________________________

When Rika descended from the stage at the end of her dance, she was struggling to breathe and her limbs were trembling.

It felt almost strange how exhausted she felt. Back when she was a child, she was never this tired after a performance or training, even when she had troubles to even just lift the hoe. She’d say that she was getting old, but she was only thirty-one, so she refused to admit this to herself.

Some villagers rushed to her side to help her out as well as two of the girls she was mentoring; newcomers of the village, one had who moved in four years ago and the other only last year. They were good at it, too, and seemed very fascinated by Oyashiro and Hinamizawa’s traditions, so Rika was glad to see there were genuine interest in these old customs from a new generation, even non-native.

After drinking some water, she decided she wanted to stay away from the crowd for a little while before she get back to her friends; to breath some fresh air and rest her body a little more, and so she ended up trotting all the way back to the ritual storehouse, which was the only place she knew she’d find time alone.

When she arrived there, she let out a sigh and sat on the rock that stood in front of the shed, contemplating the small, familiar building, with only company the muffled sounds of the cicadas escaping from the forest.

She used to spend so much time in there, alone with Oyashiro’s status, all those rusty torture implements and, occasionally, Hanyuu.

Everyone had always been horrified by such an ominous place, even her own parents despite being part of the Furude family, but it had never been the case for Rika.

To her, it had always been Hanyuu’s home before anything else, and even the bloody instruments scattered around had never been able to taint that sense of comfort she felt in it.

Her reminiscences were cut shorts when she heard a rustling sound from behind.

She jumped back; all of her muscles getting tense and her senses sharply vivid as her eyes narrowed and surveyed the surroundings. For a moment, she contemplated the idea of just running away, maybe screaming for help if needed — until a voice stopped her.

“Please, don’t leave. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to startle you, Rika Furude.”

The shadows in front of her started moving; and then a figure emerged. A woman — older than Rika, most likely, with long, fair hair, wearing skinny pants and high heels and a long hat. It should be completely impossible to tell her identity in the dark like that, not when Rika couldn’t even tell the colour of her hair, but somehow she still recognized her immediately.

She knew that voice, that way of talking, of moving. She wasn’t a person she was intimate with, but despite this she was pretty sure she’d be able to tell her apart anywhere.

“Takano?”

The name escaped her before she could really register what that person being there truly meant, and when she did, her blood froze in her veins and her breath got stuck in her throat.

“The one and only,” the woman said, and if there were any doubts about her identity before, that very specific cheeky and seducing tone she’d always employed confirmed it. “Although I just go by Miyoko now. It’s been a long time.”

Rika was simply so stunned that she couldn’t respond anything to this. How was she even supposed to react to that?

She hadn’t seen Miyo Takano ever since that infamous day where they defeated her and she left in Jirou Tomitake’s care. The man had come to them a few days afterwards, giving them a vague update about her situation being ‘stabilized’; that he was now ‘in charge of her’ and that they didn’t need to worry about her anymore. And then both of them had promptly disappeared from Rika’s life.

Even though Irie had said he had cut all ties with their organization, she always had some suspicions that the doctor might’ve still been sporadically in contact with Tomitake — but she had never asked, and he never told her, so it was more of an unspoken secret between them than something actually concrete.

And as far as Rika was concerned, it was perfectly fine by her to not know, too.

Miyo Takano was the person directly responsible for her hundred years of suffering.

She’d tortured her and her friends and forced her to experience so many horrific things that she still suffered nightmares from even now. She’d mercilessly massacred an entire village in countless other fragments. She’d killed both of Rika’s parents.

She was her murderer.

Rika had let her go twenty years ago, wasn’t interested in making her pay for that or taking revenge. As long as she could live her happy, peaceful life with her loved ones, the rest didn’t matter. But she certainly wasn’t interested in playing nice or having any contact with her, either.

Of course, she was aware that this Miyo Takano — or Miyoko — in front of her was technically not responsible for most of those things.

This fragment’s Miyo Takano had not killed or tortured her, she had not massacred the entirety of Hinamizawa. But that didn’t mean Rika was just fine with her, she’d always tended to be a pretty grudgeful person.

Oyashiro forgave that woman because she was a god, but her priestess was only human and had no intention to.

With all of this, an anger she’d thought asleep for decades suddenly resurfaced — and she felt lost, confused, and frustrated.

Why was this woman dared to show up here, right now, in front of her? Who did she think she was?

“I know what you must be thinking,” Takano started again. “‘What nerves does this old lady has to come to me after all that happened’, right?”

Somehow, the fact she seemed very aware of how surreal and out of place her impromptu visit was made it all the way worse, and Rika’s irritation completely overridden her shock.

“You’re fucking right I am,” she spat out. “How the hell did you think I’d react? Welcoming you with arms wide open? I let you go back then, but that doesn’t mean—”

“I know that,” Takano replied, voice firm, confident; just like she always used to speak back then. “I wasn’t expecting you to. I wasn’t—”

“Then what? What are you doing here, exactly? I swear, if you don’t answer quickly I’m going to yell and make sure to bring everyone here to kick your ass.”

She’d expect such a menace would take effect, but instead it seemed to completely shut down Takano. She got silent, and Rika thought she was staring at her; but it was hard to tell in the dark.

“She came because she wanted to see you.”

Another, masculine voice resonated from behind Takano. The woman didn’t startle at this, but she turned around a little jerkily, as if she’d known the other presence’s but hadn’t expected them to intervene.

“Wait, I told you—”

“You leave me no choice if you refuses to explains yourself to her properly, Miyoko.”

And then, right at the woman’s side, a man appeared in turn; and for a moment Rika felt herself going back in time — because the man she used to know as ‘Jirou Tomitake’ has almost not changed at all in those two decades. Of course, he did look a bit older; a few more wrinkles here and there, hair starting to turn grey (as much as she could see of them, anyway); and his camera and casual photographer clothes were nowhere to be seen. His soft, friendly smile, however, was just the same as Rika remembered.

“Hello, Rika. You’ve grown up to become quite a beautiful woman.” He sounded smoother than he used to be. More confident. Less awkward. Maybe it was an effect of old age, or maybe it was thanks to whatever must’ve happened to him and Takano after they left the village. Who knows.

“And you’ve become old,” Rika retorted, still on edge, angry. “What are you doing here? ‘Wanting to see me’ is not an answer. It honestly doesn’t makes sense. Why would you come all the way here after so many years just to ‘see’ me?”

She heard Takano sighing, and the couple exchanged a glance — are they still a couple? Hard to say like that. Tomitake seemed to throw at her an encouraging look, and Takano stepped forward, pulling some of her blonde strands behind her ears. Rika took a step back instinctively.

“I… Listen, I know you’re suspicious, and that makes sense,” she said. “You have every right to be—”

“You’ve tried to kill me and my friends and this entire village.” Rika took a shaky breath, then added, in a softer voice: “You’ve killed my parents.”

This is strange that even in this darkness, Rika was able to clearly see the flash of guilt and regret across the woman’s face. It somehow managed to anger her even further.

“Don’t tell me you’re here to apologize or some bullshit like that,” she snapped, her voice cold. “Because I won’t hear it. You don’t get to—”

“I won’t,” Takano stated, and Rika closed her mouth.

There was something in the way she just said it that made her freeze.

“I’m not… I didn’t come to apologize to you, or to anyone,” she continued. “Not because you don’t deserve it, or because I don’t feel sorry, but because— I’m aware any apologies I could make would only ring hollow. It would mean nothing to you and fix nothing. I know.”

Rika stayed quiet, because yes, she was absolutely right. Takano’s regrets or apologies would hold no meaning to hundred years of suffering, to her parents’ death. She had no need for it.

“It is… simply like what he said. I just… wanted to see you. See Hinamizawa, once more. I just—”

She swallowed, and then her gaze looked around, through the forest.

“It is pretty amazing, how everything stayed the same and changed so much at the same time. I spent so much time studying this village and analysing every bit of it… and yet, I feel like this is the first time I’ve really been able to see it. As it truly is.”

She sounded so contemplating, so… serene, that weirdly enough, despite the anger, Rika let her speak.

“I’ve heard… that Irie managed to canalize the syndrome. And that… you’ve emptied the ritual storehouse, too. Got rid of all the torture instruments.”

“…Yes. Some have been stored in a museum of a neighbouring city. Only Oyashiro’s status and the proper equipment we use for Watanagashi remains in there. We decided it was… time to leave this dark history of Hinamizawa in the past.”

It happened a few years after Rika ended the loops, when she’d just started college. It had created quite the fuss, especially amongst the elderly. Some had fought them on the topic, but in the end, it was decided this wasn’t something that should be kept hidden like that, and that it was harmful for the future of the village.

It didn’t mean they just wanted to erase Hinamizawa’s history, even the more bloody one — they only wanted to put this particularly page of their history in the past. Let bygones be bygones. Let this trauma of the past where it belongs to finally moves on properly.

“And I’ve… also heard that you’ve been travelling around the world.”

“Yes…”

Takano breathed in once again, and Tomitake reached out, putting a hand on her shoulder. Rika didn’t know if that gesture was meant to be one of comfort or something else.

“That’s good,” Takano finally concluded. “That’s… how it all should be.”

“…It is.”

Takano nodded, then once again stared at the ritual storehouse behind Rika. She didn’t know if it was the moon or Takano’s feelings, but something wistful seemed to shine in her eyes.

“She must be proud, too. That god.”

______________________________________________________________

In the end, she never really understood what Takano had wanted to do by coming here, but maybe it didn’t matter much.

It seemed important to her, but to Rika, it was only one slight incident in the big parcour that was her life. She hadn’t even tried to see if Takano and Tomitake had stayed around afterwards, of if they’d left immediately — but, somehow, she had the feeling that they wouldn’t be seeing each other anymore after that.

Whatever life this woman Miyoko had built for herself in the last decades, it was far away from here and her sins, and it was likely for the best.

Rika shook away her thoughts as she tried to discretely entangles herself from Satoko’s arms and get away from Keiichi’s foot.

After leaving Takano and Tomitake, she’d rejoined the group and they’d decided to yet again start another new game. Sakiko had fell asleep already and been left in the care of her uncle as planned, meanwhile their game had quickly devolved into an alcoholic one and, as most of them ended up completely drunk, they’d just decided to crash at Rika and Satoko’s place until the morning.

Their little home was a bit cramped with all seven of them sleeping in there, but at least none of them were guaranteed to get cold during the night — and it wasn’t the first time they’d done this anyway.

As Rika stepped outside the room, she couldn’t help but smile fondly while watching them all sleeping soundly; Satoshi, Shion and Satoko were all bundled up together, Rena was using Keiichi’s stomach as a pillow while being spooned from behind by Mion. She closed the door softly behind her, walking like a cat.

It felt oddly cold tonight, and she almost regretted not bringing a sweater with her. Even she didn’t turn back and kept walking determinedly in front of her, not disturbed in the least by the complete darkness surrounding her except for the moonlight.

Finally after about ten minutes, she arrived at her favourite place; the one overlooking the entirety of the village with the most beautiful view of the landscape. She could still remember being six years old and dragging Akasaka up here, prophetizing her own death to him.

Hanyuu had been the one to show her this place.

She leaned on the railing as a gust of wind made her blue hair and her pink nightgown flutter in the air. Her eyes narrowed, trying to figure out the scenery even amongst the darkness, spotting all the little lights in the middle of the night’s blackness that were still turned on.

Her home, her prison, her graveyard — Hinamizawa, Onigafuchi, the village of demons.

Takano’s words from earlier still echoed in her mind, each one filled with grief and melancholy.

“…Hello, Hanyuu. How have you been? Sorry I haven’t talked to you in a while.”

Except for the dead silence of the night and the cry of the cicadas, there was no answer — but Rika didn’t let this bother and continued to speak, her voice barely a whisper.

Even if there had been someone, they wouldn’t have been able to hear her unless they’d been right besides her.

“Things changed a lot since… you’ve been gone, but somehow, they also haven’t. It’s all very odd. I’ve seen all kinds of marvellous and incredible things all over the world, and all of us have grown up, and it feels like nothing will ever be the same and at the same time that nothing will change.”

She took a deep, shaky breath.

“…It’s a little confusing, sometimes. A little lonely and frightening. Sometimes… I wonder if you might’ve been right. About no trying harder to get past that summer. It was easier in a way, to be stuck in that loop and know everything that was going to happen in advance. I don’t have that chance anymore. But… that’s how it should be. And I’m strong, and I’m not all alone, so I’m doing fine, all things considered. So… in the end, I’m still certain I was right, Hanyuu. The future past that eternal summer of Shouwa 53… is wonderful. I’m glad to be there…”

She leaned onto the railing; her fingers tightening around the old, decrepit wood.

“But I miss you too, sometimes.” She looked up at the moon. “She’s right though, isn’t she? You have to be proud… Of us, of the village, of… me.”

There was still no reply, of course. Hanyuu hadn’t been there for her in years; she hadn’t heard he voice in decades.

But she felt like she was right in believing so; felt as if a little voice was nodding along with her.

She thought back to Akasaka and his family and their quiet support, she thought back to Rena and Keiichi’s encouragement, about the other club members’ strength, about Satoko’s love.

Oyashiro wasn’t here anymore, Hinamizawa was moving on from the past, and everything was evolving — but she would be fine. They would be fine.

This is what she’d always desired since she got murdered for the first time all those years ago at the age of eleven, and she would trade it for nothing in the world.

Her fingers were cold, but she slowly took out her notebook she’d hidden in her dress with a pen and opened it under the light of the moon, resplendent against the white paper.

The pages were still blank for now; she hadn’t been able to fill them up even in the whole week she’d been here.

But she felt a bit more inspired now. Maybe it was Watanagashi’s magic.

She couldn’t help but remember the last poem she’d penned right after breaking the curse, the words still ingrained in her head even though she’d burnt the whole thing immediately after.

For me, that is about a hundred year’s worth.

For you, a thousand year’s worth.

She still hadn’t earned back her hundred year’s worth of happiness, but she felt she was on the good path for it.

With a smile, she took her pen in hand and started writing.

14 notes · View notes

crumbledcastle28 · 4 years ago

Text

Chapter 16: An Understanding

Warnings: this one really isn’t bad, just a droid death and sappiness.

Author’s Note: Thank you to anyone who has supported this. We are almost there!

(If this is your gif please lmk!)

The sweet moment between the three of you was quickly ruined by a distant explosion, so the Mandalorian woman quickly rushed you all out after she quickly gave Mando a gift.

A Mandalorian jet-pack.

You had seen other Mandalorians use them in the past, and Mando seemed incredibly honored to have one, so if Mando was happy, you were happy.

The team followed the tunnel towards the smell of sulfur, trying your best to track the lava flats. You didn’t have much of choice. That was the only way out.

As you walked down the tunnels, you held the sleeping child in your arms, keeping him close to you. Mando walked next to you, stealing glances at you as you walked. You would glance back, but he would always face forward once more, trying to make it seem like he wasn’t starring. You would always smile at him when he would turn away, obviously embarrassed.

Who knew you could make a beskar covered warrior like that be embarrassed?

You felt at peace. At home. For once you actually had one. You didn’t even know how to describe the feeling. It’s like your anxious brain and beating heart finally subsided. Like your body relaxed, and you had nothing to fear. Sure, the team was still stuck in these tunnels and the exit would be swarming with stormtroopers, but you had backup. A team. A clan.

It felt like a new start.

Once you finally made it to the river’s edge, a boat was leaned up against the land. It had obviously seen better days and the droid inside hadn’t been used in a long time.

Great.

Mando and Karga tried pushing the boat, but that did no use, so Cara raised her rifle and shot the boat free from the hardened lava.

You smiled at her and chuckled, thinking about the fact she had outsmarted a Mandalorian and a well known Guild member. You were not surprised in the slightest.

You could’ve sworn she laughed back.

Everyone climbed into the boat, and by some miracle, the droid inside sputtered to life. It stood up, raising its paddle and dropping it into the orange liquid beside it. It then said some droid gibberish, which IG-11 presumed was a request.

“I believe he is asking where we would like to go,” IG said.

“Downriver. To the lava flats,” Karga said, and the droid set to paddling.

Mando was to your left, while Cara was at your right. The child had woken up once more, using his energy to chew on your thumb. Mando brought his hand up to his helmet, activating the thermal scanners.

“That’s it,” Karga yelled, pointing to the growing light coming from the end of the tunnel.

“We’re free!”

It had been a long time since you had heard something like that.

“No,” Mando said, squashing your elated mood.

“Stormtroopers. They’re flanking the mouth of the tunnel. They must know we are coming.”

“Stop the boat,” you said sternly to the ferry droid. The droid, however, gave no sign that he actually heard you.

“Hey,” Cara said firmly, walking up to the droid.

“She said stop the boat,” she said before shooting the droid’s head off.

You appreciated Cara’s act of defense for you, you really did, but it didn’t do any good. The boat kept moving.

There was no other way. You had to stand and fight.

You pulled your longspear from your back and tucked the child deeper into your arms. You had fought stormtroopers before, why would this time be any different?

“They will not be satisfied with anything less than the child,” IG said, and you turned your head to look back at him. Your confused expression accurately represented the feelings of the rest of the group as well.

“This is unacceptable. I will eliminate the enemy, and you will escape.”

“You don’t have that kind of firepower pal,” Mando said in reply.

“You wouldn’t even get to daylight.”

“That is not my objective,” said the droid. “I still have the security protocols from my manufacturer. If my designs are compromised, I must self-destruct.”

“What?” you asked the droid.

“I am not permitted to be captured. I must be destroyed.”

The droid looked at Mando and said, “Sadly, there is no scenario where the child is saved in which I survive.”

“No,” Mando said, moving closer to the droid.

“You’re not going anywhere. We need you.”

“Please tell me the child will be safe in your care,” the droid said, now looking at both you and Mando.

“But you will be destroyed-” you began to say.

“And you will live,” IG said. “I will have served my purpose.”

He looked to Mando and said, “There is nothing to be sad about.”

“I’m not…. sad,” Mando said, but you were no where near convinced. His voice was the only way for you to humanize him, and emotions were very easily traced on the voice. When you can’t see someone’s face, the voice is all they have. You had gotten good at that.

It seemed IG had gotten good at it too.

“Yes, you are. I’m a nurse droid. I have analyzed your voice,” IG said before coming to the child and brushing his hand along his forehead.

No matter how little Mando wanted to deny it, the droid was your saving grace.

The droid then stepped into the boiling lava, and started making its way down towards the exit.

You watched the droid with wide and curious eyes. You had never seen a droid be so… selfless. You had always seen droids as mindless robots who only acted out of survival, but this one gave its life for you.

You wished you could repay him somehow.

When the detonator on the droid finally exploded, the child in your arms lifted his ears and watched. Even though the droid had been there for a small time, he was still the reason you and the child were alive. It seemed like the kid was loosing a friend.

You could see the pain in his eyes, and you wished you could take it all away from him and put it into your own.

Once the boat finally drifted into the tunnel, you saw the bodies of the stormtroopers on either side of the bank.

Maybe this actually… worked?

But, like many… many… times before, the scream of a tie fighter ruined all chances of an easy departure.

“Moff Gideon!” Cara shouted before raising her blaster and shooting at the aircraft. Mando and Karga immediately joined her, while you used your longspear to shield you and the child from any blaster fire.

The ship’s canons rained fire on the group for a couple seconds before the ship went roaring completely over your heads.

“He missed,” Karga said in relief.

“He won’t next time,” Mando said. The ship was already starting to turn back around.

“He mentioned he knew you,” Mando said to you, referring to when he was trapped in the town not even an hour before this.

“Yeah….” you said.

“I’ve pissed him off,” you chuckled out, and Mando looked at you with a breathy laugh as well.

“Hey,” Karga said suddenly. “Let’s have the kid do the magic hand thing.”

Oh great, you thought to yourself.

“Come on baby! Do the magic hand thing,” Karga said to the kid while wiggling his fingers.

The child only giggled in your arms and waved back, and you let a light chuckle come out of your nose.

“I’m out of ideas,” Karga said.

“I’m not,” Mando said, turning around to get the jet-pack from the boat.

You watched him walk away with a slight smirk on your face. You believed in Mando more than anyone, and you prayed he had enough training to know how to use that thing.

You saw the tie fighter making its way back to you through the corner of your eye, but you continued to watch Mando. He attached the pack to his back and then locked eyes with you before shooting into the sky like a rocket.

You watched him with a beating heart as he flew right in front of the tie fighter, allowing it to go under his feet. He then hooked his grappling cable onto the wing and used the jet pack to propel himself onto the cockpit window.

Even though you were scared out of your mind, you still managed to smile at the sight above you.

Your Mandalorian was incredible.

Mando’s blaster did almost no damage to the cockpit door before Moff Gideon jerked the ship to the left. The ship was starting to spiral, and your awe quickly turned into worry.

Mando was holding on with everything he had.

He all of a sudden let go and went soaring through the air. The left side of the ship completely exploded, which sent the ship careening to the ground. It burst into smoke on impact.

Barely a second later, your Mandalorian landed before you in a slight crouch, before standing to his full height.

The smile on your face said it all.

He chuckled slightly at your shocked and happy expression before taking the child from you and holding him in his arms. You walked to stand beside him and stare up to his face, proud and joyful.

You got a Mandalorian.

Karga and Cara stood before you two with equally shocked expressions

“That was impressive Mando,” Karga said. “It looks like your Guild rates have just gone up.”

You grinned at Karga, enjoying his little tease.

“Any more stormtroopers?” Mando asked.

“I think we cleared the town,” Cara said with a laugh. “I’m thinking of staying around just to be sure.”

“You’re staying here?” Mando asked, equally confused as you were.

“Well, why not?” Karga asked. “Nevarro is a very fine planet, and now that the scum and villainy have been washed away, it’s very respectable again.”

“As a bounty hunter hive?” Mando asked, and you once again giggled at his bluntness.

“Some of my favorite people are bounty hunters,” Karga said with a bit of a chuckle.

“And perhaps”- he said while placing a hand on Cara’s shoulder- “this specimen of a soldier might consider joining our ranks.”

“And you, my friend”- he said while turning his attention back to Mando -“will be welcomed back into the Guild with open arms.”

Mando looked to the child in his arms, beaming up at him with utter adoration. He then looked to you at his side, and you gave him a smile that said I’m with you. With whatever you choose.

“I’m afraid I have more pressing mattors at hand,” he said, turning his head back to the child.

“Well you better keep watch of this one,” Karga said to Mando while gesturing to you.

“She could take your place at the Guild in a second,” he says, while snapping his fingers for emphasis.

“And she would do a damn good job,” he says, and you laugh in reply.

Mando gives a slight nod in agreement which only makes you laugh harder.

You can’t recall ever laughing this hard.

“Y/n,” Cara says, and you divert your attention back to her.

She is trying to look at you, but she just can’t meet your gaze.

“Listen… I… I’m really sorry. The Empire hurt me a lot and I just couldn’t…” she chokes out.

You could tell she was trying to apologize to you. For when your identity got revealed, for doubting your loyalty, or anything in between. She was obviously struggling, so you decided to help her along.

“Cara,” you said, and her eyes met yours.

“Your reaction was perfectly understandable. Truly. There is nothing to be sorry for,” you say, and a flash of relief skates over her eyes.

“I just saw how you were with Mando and the kid today and I…. I owed you an apology,” she said, and you smiled at her.

“Thank you, Cara. I’m glad we could come to an understanding,” you respond, and she smiles back at you. A genuine, relieved smile.

“As am I,” she says while leaning forward to caress the child’s ear.

“Take care of this little one,” Cara said to you and Mando. You gave her a respectful nod, acting as a promise that you would.

“Or maybe,” Karga added, “it will take care of you.”

You looked to Mando with a light smile, and you could tell he was grinning too.

The weight of guilt and shame had been lifted off of you. The people you cared for most forgave you. They looked at what you did right in the eyes, but looked past it, and saw you. You were sure it would take some time for them to completely trust you, but they were willing to try.

You couldn’t ask for anything more.

Tag list:

@leahkenobi @pinkninja200 @farfromjustordinary @440mxs-wife @bookloverfilmoholic @impala1967666

#din djarin #din djarin fluff #din djarin imagine #din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #mando #the mandalorian #the mandalorian fanfiction #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian x you

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koushirouizumi · 2 years ago

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{DigiAdvs+02}/{Index} IzzyIzumi / KoushirouIzumi’s Fanfics for Koushiro, Taichi, & Koushiro x Taichi {KouTai}/{+Etc. (+Friendships)&Ship[s]}

I know there’s been a lot of DigiAdvs fan-events going on lately. I usually can’t participate in most events for varying reasons including personal ones, but I’m glad to share my past works in the form of this index.

ALL were created out of Positivity and respect for this series.

[I'm trying to keep this out of less commonly-used tags; but I do use some of {these} for organizing on my blog!] (Please note ALL tags/etc on fic[s] before reading / Interacting)

Title: REPEAT?_ Rating: Mature (one fade-to-black scenario) {Taichi & Koushiro are heavily implied as having a sexual relationship} (The dynamic is more like Queer-platonic with Aro-spec & A-spec leaning) Head-canon{s}: Demi-romantic Pan-sexual Koushiro; (+ Queer, uses various labels) Pan-romantic Demi-sexual Taichi (+ Queer; uses Gay & various label) Ship{s}: KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} (Main Focus) A-spec!YamaSora {Yamato x Sora} is implied for a few very fleeting, brief moments {along with a single ambiguous timeline one-shot} + Queer!Jou x Bi & Queer!Mimi is implied super briefly in spinoff one-shot. + YamaSora{Jou}/Mi as a Poly-ship can be read into spin-offs too where wanted. + 02 Chosen having minimal appearances in spin-offs (no ships yet.) (Daisuke is timeline-wise still crushing hard on Hikari and bouncing around potential relationship dynamics w/others & O.C.s but it’s not referenced here.) Summary:

Taichi wasn't sure what he was expecting. …He just knew it wasn't… this…

(Please see inside for ALL Notes!)

Title: The Past World Rating: PG-13 (will not go higher) Notes: Implications about self-loathing (both Taichi & Koushiro) & Koushiro's previous self-depreciation {Novels-implied} in general Royalty!A.U.; however things may not be as they appear… “"Dark”"!Chosen Children A.U. appears in some parts (mainly in flash-back form, until…). Characters: Taichi, Koushiro, Adventure Chosen team, 02 Chosen Ship{s}: (Same as "Infalliable" listed below can be read in) + KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} focus. Ken+Miya has a scene where they're both present, but not completely in a relationship yet; as friendly. YamaSora is implied for a few very fleeting, brief moments + Ken x Daisuke is implied for a total of one (flash-back) A.U. scene, but will come to have a heavy presence in future sequels to this A.U. Summary:

"-- About that, you'd be better off asking your new advisor," "H-huh?-" When suddenly -- -- as if out of nowhere -- -- from a short distance -- a shy gaze peers up at him

… pure black eyes.

Title: Possession Rating: PG-13 / R (Violence implied) Notes: early Epilogue era / Taichi and Koushiro are adults, 30-35+ - can be conidered a spin-off timeline / part of REPEAT?_ - partly based on general head-canons, partly based on my old as heck Digi-O.C. fic and the head-canons I / Young me had for its own future / epilogue era - Leans more post-02, {not really Tri} canon compliant overall (thus many things happen differently between these two things - I hadn’t seen Tri yet before initially developing this “time-line”) - (still) very vaguely based on a few new ideas / Thoughts gained from Tri - KouTai + Government Corruption A.U.??? + Ambassador!Taichi (Koushiro hasn't quite reached the "Digital World" Researcher position Yet) {who is trying to fight against said Corruption, but...} Summary: "We’re… being targeted," "but not just by---"

"One, a certain one, among them" "had the power to open the gate" "–and immediately close it again"

Title: Dress Rating: G Character{s}: brief references (in thought) to Sora; Mimi; Izumi family + Yoshie Izumi (Yes, I know others like “Kae” for her. She’s “Yoshie” here because I liked that name and it’s what I used in my old fic-stuff because that’s how I knew Mrs. Izumi as for years. No, I’m not changing it. {Its also how I differentiate between canon and spin-off timelines with Izumis}) Ship{s}: KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} (Implied briefly at end in Thought) Notes: Discussion of Koushiro and Gender Identity. Summary:

Koushiro remembers only feeling perturbed by such “clothes”.

Title: Candles Rating: r18 Implied ? (Pre?-Fade-to-Black) or Mature / technically Work-safe Notes: some very personal Specific Headcanons are heavily implied technically part of REPEAT?_Verse, ( ficverse version here ); - it can be read as a standalone fic - it can be read as an AU and/or spinoff of the main REPEATVerse; - or as its own standalone AU/spinoff Verses: Post-Advs (can also be post-Tri/Kizuna); pre-Epilogue [+pre-’having’ Kids]; Taichi has graduated a while ago by now. Taichi has been involved with his Ambassador career for a while, but it’s still getting off the ground too. (And it’s . Stressful) +Taichi and Koushiro are heavily implied to be living together already here. Summary:

Taichi is having … a hard time.

Featured Head-canon: Jew!Taichi (+Koushiro in the process of converting/joining) Implied (A.K.A : Taichi is both mixed J.P.N and Jew)

Title: Ten Rating: PG-13 (Psuedo not-really-character-death implied) Character{s}: Koushiro Izumi & Daisuke Motomiya {Friendship} Ship{s} KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} heavily Implied Summary:

“…Can you turn around and— - it’s April 2004. (..Or is it April 2003? Spring 2003?) - at the end of Spring 2003, something else astonishing occurred: Daisuke’s sister Jun, the Inoue sisters, & Shuu Kido all became Chosen at once. - an incident, (occured, and then) —

“I’ll help, so we, you, can get out of here !!—”

“They {Won’t come}”

…TAICHI-SENPAI’s GOGGLES ( … Are probably absolutely unfitting for Koushiro Izumi, but…. ) Trigger warning for above (avoid looking for Spoiler): (Psuedo not-really-character-death implied)

Featured Head-canon: Jew!Taichi (+Koushiro in the process of converting/joining) Implied (A.K.A : Taichi is both mixed J.P.N and Jew)

Title: Dreams Rating: r-18 Implied ? (Pre?-Fade-to-Black) (Also S.F.W segments from younger days referenced) {It's a bit Ambiguous. You Might Get An Idea TM} Summary:

Sometimes, Koushiro dreams. (Of Brown hair, Brown eyes.)

This can serve as a prequel spinoff to my other Koushiro-centric series, "REPEAT?"_-verse or be read as a standalone.

Title: (Dirty) Computer Summary:

"Do you like computers?" Tentomon had asked Koushiro, once.

“You just like working with machines more ‘THAN PEOPLE’, don’t you?!” … But why does it MATTER if Koushiro – DID —

A character study and analysis on Koushiro Izumi's Canon personality, (with a touch of heavily implied headcanons), with brief references to Koushiro's notable relationships, Family, and those Interests. "It's OK for you to be obsessed with computers!" - Mr. Masami Izumi, Adventure Episode #38 (There are some light references to the novel's given backstory details for Koushiro, including Koushiro's mindset there.)

Title: Koushiro Izumi Is Touched By Death Rating: PG Notes: Implications about Death & Grief (for passed loved ones), + the mourning/grieving process in general Characters: Koushiro & Daisuke {Friendship} Ship{s}: (Implied) KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} can be read into the background, but is not actively discussed / mentioned Summary:

In which Koushiro Izumi Is Traumatized, Has Always BEEN Traumatized, And Daisuke Motomiya {NOTICES}.

Takes place shortly before "the summer of" a somewhere between 2003~2005. (02 takes place in April~December 2002, Tri takes place in 2005 June~December.) {Tri knowledge is not required to read, but may be helpful to understand continuity.}

Title: Infalliable Rating: PG Notes: Implications about self-loathing & Koushiro’s previous self-depreciation {Novels-implied} in general Characters: Koushiro & Daisuke Ship{s}: (Implied) KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} can be read into the background, but is not actively discussed / mentioned; Daisuke x (Girl)!O.C. (“Hikaru”); in background; (My O.C. does not appear much within the context of the fic, but the dialogue refers to an event they were involved in immediately previously, with a Koushiro-focus and Daisuke-relevant aftermath.) Daisuke x O.C. aren’t “together” yet; it is developing relationship. Ken x Daisuke x O.C. may be Implied in spin-off fic{s}; KenxMiya may be implied in semi-canon-compliant 'verses, with former Ken x Daisuke heavily implied / mutually requited-yet-unrequited (as Daisuke is pursuing a direct relationship with someone else for a while, and Ken does not pursue a relationship with Daisuke yet) / hinted. Poly-ships may be included in any future spin-off, but none are referenced in this specific one (yet). Summary:

Daisuke stares moodily ahead. Koushiro does the same, except Daisuke genuinely doesn’t know - cannot even tell - if Koushiro’s doing it “moodily” or not, because Koushiro’s blank staring is that unreadable. They sit, Daisuke next to Koushiro, for a few long, long moments. And then – Koushiro… opens his mouth – “I’m not infalliable.” Daisuke’s eyebrows furrow, even if he can’t look at Koushiro in this exact moment –

“Unshakeable? Indestructible–” Daisuke’s head hurts. “I admit there was a time when I thought, …” “NO!! That’s not true!!”

“When you asked me, 'What about YOU, Daisuke-kun’ – the one who gave me that push – that was you.”

A “missing scene” of Daisuke & Koushiro friendship from my other Adventures & 02 Chosen fic; “The Past World” You do not have to read that one to appreciate this “missing” moment, as its mainly friendship. There is a slight hint of Daisuke/Original (“Girl”) Character OC, but its more lightly implied; (Epilogue semi-canon compliant) There are also background relationships like Taichi/Koushiro, the slightest hint of background Ken/Daisuke, others hinted.

Trigger warning: for above (avoid looking for Spoiler):

Koushiro is heavily implied as once having considered suicide (pre-series). (No longer actively)

Title: Words Rating: PG Notes: Implications about self-loathing & Koushiro’s previous self-depreciation {Novels-implied} in general; with a focus on self-acceptance + Koushiro’s heavy use of formal speech and communication in the J.P.N version is referenced frequently. Tri is referenced / implied-as-AUs or for semi-canon compliancy (light spoilers for Kokuhaku; but not majorly referenced; just a quote) {plus a gif of a small moment involving Taichi + Koushiro} [also one more small conversation moment between Taichi and Meiko] (a scene from the first episode of the 2020 Reboot is referenced) - it can be read as a standalone fic - it can be read as an AU and/or spinoff of the main REPEATVerse; - or as its own standalone AU/spinoff (i.e. this can be read on its own) Characters/Groups: Taichi & Koushiro; Koushiro Izumi & Tentomon; Koushiro Izumi & Mimi Tachikawa; Koushiro & Izumis Ship{s}: KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} focus Summary:

– To be honest,

Taichi and Koushiro don’t need words.

( They have a lot more than Just )

( words )

Title: Hands Rating: r-18 Implied (Fade-to-Black) Notes: nothing major is shown but they are sharing a bed; - it can be read as a standalone fic - it can be read as an AU and/or spinoff of the main REPEATVerse; - remember when Taichi implied Yamato was “sharing a room” with “Sora”? (see near end of Pt 5 of the fic) ( this may be that instance, or it may be something completely different; it can be post-fic or anything applicable! ) [ it does fit in nicely with that implied instance, though ] Character{s}: Yamato, Sora, Mimi Ship{s}: Yamato x Sora x Mimi {YamaSoMi} as equal-on-all-sides Poly-ship (Yamato has lesser of attraction to women / anyone aside from Sora & Mimi) Summary:

she’s – also – facing – past him. Towards – Mimi hums, reaching and entangling her hand into Sora’s.

( Somehow , ) “ Hey, can we … ” but then, again – “ Can we ? ”

Title: Donor Rating: PG-13 (Discussion of Fertility-relevant topics) Character{s}: Koushiro; + Koushiro’s past not-quite-partner O.C. implied; Taichi is referenced; the lead-up to Koushiro’s Child (from Epilogue)’s eventual birth is heavily implied Ship{s}: KouTai {Koushiro x Taichi} heavily implied in background {Koushiro has a dynamic with an adult woman / G.N.C O.C. involved} (Koushiro believes Koushiro’s feelings for Taichi are unrequited until adulthood; but are they really? Not quite...) Notes: bit of angst-y introspection over-the-years style but otherwise a good end Summary:

Koushiro is twenty years old. Does he even want a family ? Koushiro is in his early twenties. His parents are once again celebrating their anniversary. He smiles at them yes I WANT A FAMILY

[If you are a heavily Koushiro-negative, Taichi-negative, Hikari-negative, Meiko-negative, DigiGirls-negative (including their family members), Adventure {Our War Game}, 02 {+movies}, Tri {+Digi-Stage-play}, Kizuna, “The Beginning” potential, 2020, Tamers, Frontier, Xros Wars + Hunters, Ghost Game, or Wonderswan games negative any-of-the-above stan{s} to the point you can’t even be polite interacting with fan-works and fans of these series; PLEASE DO NOT Interact on my works or blog, I MAY Hard-BLOCK YOU IF I NOTICE.]

[Note: Tags/replies that are Positive/respectful are O.K.!]

#koutai #koushiro x taichi #yamajourami #yamasomi #koushiro x oc #daisuke x oc #kendai #koushirouizumi index #kendaimiyakari #kendaimiyahika #kendaihika #daishiro friendship #taikoumi #izumi kae #adv chosen #advs chosen #wonderswan ryo #02 ryo #tamers ryo #implied ryuki #implied koumi #koushirou x oc #implied daihika #implied miyakeru #(02 to Tamers!Ryo briefly shows in 'Past World' in world-hopping Form)#(implied as Ryuki initially But I Am V. Very Flexible w Ruki ship Head-canons)#(in general I am incredibly flexible w poly-ship stuff and like to keep my things open to interpretations or include multiple spin off ideas #(Apologies I Wasn't Clear Enough Before Dumping Fic)#(Here's a very Handy Index of All The Past Stuff I've ALREADY Written since some of this I posted a while ago Most of It can Be relevant to)#(Still & Yes I Am ALWAYS Working off and on on my Fic-verses They Are Forever Ongoing Until ACTUALLY Completed One Day)

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manndo · 4 years ago

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i see you [din djarin x reader]

gif credit

pairing[s]: din djarin (the mandalorian) x gn!reader (no descriptors, no y/n)

warning[s]: slight angst, fluff, kissing, mentions of arousal (barley there & nothing really descriptive) and ridiculously canon divergent (see notes).

word count: 4.0k

prompt[s]: from this list, based off the prompt ‘overhearing they have feelings for you’

summary: you just wanted to tell the child a bedtime story, and apparently, you had something you needed to get off your chest. but you weren’t aware you had an audience besides the child.

author’s notes: alright, for the last day of 2020 (i’m still in 2020 over here, unfortunately), i’ve decided to take a leap of faith and post my first mandalorian fic! i started writing this before episode 13 of season 2, before we learned the child’s name and way before the separation (i am still recovering from the emotional strain of this ending). and obviously, i didn’t finish it until now -- almost two weeks after the last episode. so, as i mentioned in my warnings, this is canon divergent -- basically anything from episode 13 to 16 did not happen in this fic. so, this means that grogu is referred to as the child/the little one/the kid in this fic. in the future, i am hoping to write more canon friendly fics, but who knows?? the season finale was bittersweet and honestly?? i just want my dad/son duo back together. 😢but anyway! any and all mistakes are my own. please feel free to comment/like/reblog, whatever you see fit. enjoy! ❤️and goodbye 2020, hello 2021! 🍻

You were tinkering with a malfunctioning blaster down in the hull when you heard him. At first, the cry was soft, barely there — perhaps Mando had said or done something to irritated him while they sat in the cockpit together. However, after another few moments, the cries grew louder and longer. Carefully, you set the blaster aside, and wiped your hands on the cloth next to you before pushing yourself off from your seated position on Mando’s bunk. Within seconds, you were climbing the ladder and entering the cockpit to find Mando standing from his seat, holding the child away from him as the child wailed. Immediately, Mando lifted his head toward you.

“Aren’t you supposed to be watching him?” he asked, a hint of irritation in his modulated voice. You couldn’t see his eyes, but you could imagine the glare he was giving you.

You sighed heavily, shaking your head, and took two steps forward to grab the child from Mando’s outstretched arms. Unfortunately, the child did not stop his crying. You tucked him against you. “Technically, yes. That’s what you hired me for, but you know this little one has his ways of sneaking around,” you muttered, reaching out to grab the little one’s tiny hand. Even through his wailing, the little one’s finger immediately wrapped around your thumb. You hummed soothingly and began to gently bounce him, keeping your eyes trained on him. “And, it wasn’t like you were complaining ten minutes ago when he was being a perfect little angel,” you mumbled, rubbing your thumb gently over the little one’s finger and looked up to Mando. Mando snorted, but said nothing as he sat himself back down in the pilot’s chair, and turned himself away from you. You knew he didn’t need to be there — the Crest was in hyperdrive and most likely on autopilot — but, you found he preferred it to other parts of the ship. Then again, when you’re always on guard like him, well, it made sense to be in the cockpit.

“He’s probably just tired, Mando,” you said, glancing away from him and back to the child, who was, thank the Maker, not wailing anymore. However, he was still crying, still taking in big breaths and looking at you with wide, glassy eyes. “Just needs a little nap. Ain’t that right, little one?” The child gave you a sniffle, and hung his head. “Come on,” you said quietly, giving the child’s finger a little squeeze, “let’s get you tucked in.”

You turned on your heel, and carefully made your way down to the hull once more, all the while whispering comforting words to the child in hopes to quell his cries. It seemed to work — for the most part. He still seemed upset, even if he wasn’t really crying anymore. More like, sniffles and whines. But, he was still restless against you. Even if he was overtired, it was clear he wasn’t too keen on actually being put down because the moment you had set him into the makeshift, hanging bed that Mando had crafted for him, he tried to pull himself out. “Ah, ah, little one, don’t you even think about it,” you reprimanded him softly, pushing him gently back down into the swinging bed. He let a small whine in disagreement, but didn’t try moving again.

“Maybe I should tell you a story,” you said, your voice low, calm. He blinked at you, his eyes still looking a little watery, and gave you another small whine. You began to rock the bed. “You know, I don’t think I’ve really told you any stories since I came on this ship,” you said, reaching up and running a finger over his ear, from base to tip. He made a small coo of happiness, and you smiled. “Granted, it hasn’t been that long since your dad hired me, has it?” You’d only been traveling with them for six months, give or take. You still sometimes had to, metaphorically, pinch yourself that this was your life now — galavanting around the galaxy with a Mandalorian and his charge.

You felt a small push against your finger, which had been resting on the tip of the child’s ear, followed by a small whine. You let out a short chuckle, and moved your finger, running it over his ear again. He leaned into the touch. “You know, the first time I saw you and your dad, I didn’t know what to think. I’d never met a Mandalorian before, but I knew of them, knew the stories of them. Who hadn’t?” You moved your hand from running to over his ear, to the top of his head. He cooed softy, eyes fluttering closed. “But, what surprised me the most was you, little one. Not because I had never seen creature like you. No, that wasn’t it. It was because you were with him. A Mandalorian and a child,” you whispered, noticing that the little one’s eyes were only half open now. You gave the top of his head a small scratch, and his eyes closed completely. “Even if you are older than both of us,” you added, a small chuckle escaping your lips as his eyes opened again, a bit slower than last time.

“It’s funny,” you mumbled, keeping your eyes trained on him. You watched as he snuggled himself a little deeper into his bed. “I never would have thought that one minute, I’d be fixing a blaster your dad needed repaired, then the next being on his ship, taking care of you.” A brief pause. “You know, he saved me, little one?” You felt a lump form in your throat, and you swallowed it. “Life hadn’t been easy when you two came around. Sure, I had a roof over my head and enough credits to keep me fed. But, it had been a lonely life.”

You took a deep breath. “My parents had been gone for a few years, and I had no siblings to seek comfort in. I worked for a nasty man, who liked to belittle me every chance he got, even if I was a better technician than he was. I had a few acquaintances, a few people I’d chat with every once in a while, maybe grab a drink with them at a cantina, but I didn’t have any real friends,” you paused. “Well, I did. At one point. But, things happen.” A heavy, dejected sigh escaped your lips. “People change. Life changes.” Absentmindedly, you ran your finger down the child’s cheek. His eyes were now half-open, the child hell bent on staying awake. Stubborn, like his father for sure. “But, now I’m here. And, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” You pursed your lips in thought. “Well, it would be nice to have a larger, more comfortable bed. But, then I wouldn’t have you, and I wouldn’t have your dad.” The little one cooed quietly, and you chuckled pulling your finger from his cheek.

You became silent then, let yourself just watch the little one. He was settling nicely into his bed, looking more relaxed, his eyes staying closed. It should have only been a few more moments, and he’d be asleep. Just a few more moments and he’d be resting peacefully, and you could go back to working on that blaster. Just a few more minutes.

“I love him, you know,” you said, your voice barely a whisper. It was only when you heard the little one coo that you realized that you’d said that out loud. Your eyes widened as you took in the little one, his own eyes now open once more. He was looking at you, head titled slightly, big brown eyes focused on you. He blinked once, twice as if he was waiting for you to elaborate.

Fuck, you hadn’t planned to say that out loud. But you had — to the little one, no less. Sure, he couldn’t tell Mando what you’d said, so that was an advantage. But, Maker, what were you thinking?

You had only just admitted to yourself you were in love with the Mandalorian. You had spent weeks denying your feelings. After all, you hadn’t known each other long, there was no way you were actually in love with him. It had to be, you figured, because of your living situation — you two were in constant contact with each other, barely any room for privacy or time alone. He was the only person you could hold a full conversation with (not that you didn’t have conversations with the child, but it was very one-sided). So, maybe, it was just the situation. It had to be. But, as the days passed by, you realized that wasn’t the case. You had fallen for the Mandalorian. You were in love with him. You were in love with Mando.

A heavy sigh escaped your lips as you closed your eyes, and let your head fall into your hands. “You weren’t supposed to hear that, little one,” you said, the words slightly mumbled against your palms. “Nobody was supposed to hear that. And, especially not your dad — not that I don’t want him to know, I do. But, we haven’t been together long — in the sense of me being on the ship, you know — and I fear it will make him distant again. He was so distant when I first came aboard, but now.” You let out another heavy sigh, and move your hands away from your face to glance up at the little one. He has pulled himself up to look over the edge of his makeshift bed, his tired eyes looking down at you. There is a sad look up on his face, his large eyes searching yours. “I don’t know exactly how he feels, little one. But, I’ve seen his heart. You’ve seen his heart.” You paused and took a breath. “It’s in the little things. The way he sits with you when he flies. How he tries to teach you things — even if they backfire in his face,” you said, and a smile crossed your lips. The child gave a small tired little giggle. “Making this bed for you,” you said softly, reaching up and running your fingers over the material. “Making your little pouch. All those things, and more, show me his heart, show us his heart.” You leaned forward and pressed your forehead gently against the child’s. “He would do anything to keep you safe, little one. Anything. And that, makes him a good man.” The child let out a soft sound, and you pulled away from him, a soft smile on your lips.

There was a brief silence that settled between you. You let it hang in the air for a brief moment before speaking again. “Alright, come on, you need to go to sleep now. Apparently, trying to tell you a bedtime story is not the way I should go,” you said with a small chuckle. The child gave a small whine. “Don’t try and fight with me. We both know you’re tired. So come on, close those big, beautiful eyes,” you said, your voice dropping in volume. His eyes fluttered closed, and you reached out your fingers, letting it brush against his tiny hand. “There you go,” you muttered, continuing to brush his little hand with your finger in a soothing gesture. His eyes stayed closed, and his body seemed to relax into his bed. Another few moments, and his breathing had evened out, and you knew he was finally asleep. You let out a small sigh of relief. “Sleep well, little one,” you whispered, and with on final brush to his hand, you stood up from the bunk. You pressed the switch, shutting the bunks door with a small clink. You had barely turned away from the door when you heard a loud thunk, and found yourself coming face to face with Mando.

“Maker!” you yelped, practically jumping out of your skin, hand slapping against your chest. You could feel your heart pounding against your ribcage as you looked at Mando with wide eyes. “Mando,” you said, voice slightly out breath as you pressed your hand a little harder to your chest, physically and mentally willing your heart to slow down. “You can’t — fuck, you scared me. You’re lucky I closed the damn door before you did that. What if he’d woken up? I had a devil of a time getting him to sleep, you know,” you muttered, hand falling from your chest and back to your side.

“Did you now?” he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his tinny voice. You furrowed your brow, as he took another step closer to you, his beskar helmet only a few inches away from your face. He titled his helmet, and you could swear, if he didn’t have it on, there would be a smirk on his face. You felt a twinge of panic fill your face — had he, had he heard you? You mentally shook your head of that thought. You were being paranoid.

“I did,” you huffed as you turned away from him, taking a step toward where you had left the malfunctioning blaster.

“Maybe if you hadn’t talked so much,” he muttered, and you felt your entire body freeze, “he might have fallen asleep faster.”

It felt like you couldn’t breathe. Blood was rushing in your ears. Maker, he heard you. He heard you blabbing your feelings, you feelings for him, to the little one. The quick landing, the sarcasm you had heard— it all made sense. He had been there, above the two of you, listening, hearing every word you said. Your confession. You felt yourself begin to get warm with embarrassment, and you willed your body to move. You wanted to run, but where could you run? You were on a ship, in the middle of space — there was no where to go. Nowhere to hide.

You closed your eyes, and took a deep breathe before you slowly turned back to face Mando. You didn’t have to see his eyes to know he was staring at you, but Maker, did you wish you could see them. Wish you could see his face. Maybe then you could tell what he was thinking. Did he feel something too? Or, was he disgusted at the thought of you having feelings? Was he about to dismiss your feelings, maybe even drop you off at the next inhabited planet, leaving you there. Leaving you alone, again. No Mando, no kid. You swallowed that fear, those thoughts. “Listen, Mando, I—”

“Close your eyes.”

You blinked in confusion. “W—what?

“Do you trust me?”

You didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

“Then, close your eyes. And, promise me, you won’t open them.” You blinked, too stunned at his request to answer immediately. His gloved hand wrapped around your wrist, a barely there touched. “Promise me.” It should have been a demand, but it came out more as a desperate plea.

You looked down at the hand gently holding your wrist, then back at the beskar helmet in front of you. “Yea,” you breathed out, your voice barely above a whisper, “I promise. I promise,” you repeated. There was a moment of stillness where neither of you moved before you took a slow, deep breath and let your eyes fall closed.

You felt Mando let go of your wrist before you heard a clicking sound, followed by a soft hiss. It was followed by a loud clink of metal against the floor of the ship, near your feet, you thought. Then, there was a gloved hand on your cheek, the fabric rough against your skin. You felt the brush of his thumb over your cheek, and your breath hitched in your throat. “Mando, what are—”

The end of your question was gently swallowed by his lips.

Maker, you had not expected this. Immediately, you had wanted to open your eyes, because you weren’t sure this was real. Was he — was Mando really kissing you? But, he was kissing you. His soft lips were pressed against yours, not bruising, but not gentle either, and it didn’t take long before you felt his tongue swipe across the seam of your lips, seeking permission. You parted your lips with ease.

At the first slide of his tongue against yours, a small whimper escaped your lips, your hand darting out as you blindly grabbed at his shoulder. You fisted as much of the material of his undershirt in your hand while the other part pressed against the cool beskar, and tugged, pulling him flush against you. You felt, more than heard, him groan when your bodies met, his hand tightening ever so slightly on your jaw while his other arm wrapped around your middle, holding you against him. You could feel warmth spreading in your limbs, and an excitement you hadn’t felt in a long time filling your veins and culminating between your legs.

You would have kept kissing him, would have let yourself suffocate in his kisses, but a few seconds later, you felt him begin to pull away. Before his lips could leave yours completely, you pulled his bottom lip between your teeth, giving it a quick nip. And, fuck, the sound that came out of his mouth. You felt another spike of arousal course through you, and you almost, almost opened your eyes. But, you promised you wouldn’t, and you knew what it meant if you did. So, you forced yourself to keep them closed as you tried to regain control of yourself, your hand still clutching his shoulder.

There’s a moment where the two of you stand there, your breath mingling with one another as you both tried to calm your racing hearts. But, it is brief, and before you know it, the hand that was resting on your cheek falls, and the arm around your waist loosens and you feel him step away. Immediately, you want to pull him back to you, bring his lips back to yours. But, you don’t. You’re frozen once more — in fear, in shock, in elation, you’re not quite sure.

You took a shuddering breath. “Mando—”

“Din,” you hear him say, and it sounds pure, smooth. It’s then you realize the helmet is still off. You can’t help the butterflies that form in your stomach at the sound of his unmodulated voice. His voice. It sounds like liquid gold to your ears. But then ,you hear the sounds you heard before he kissed you, the click and hiss, of the helmet falling back into place.

You wait a beat before you let your eyes flutter open, and you come face to face with the beskar helmet once more.

“Din Djarin,” he repeated, and reached out, brushing one of his gloved fingers down your cheek, over your jaw, and stopping at the nape of your neck. “My name is Din Djarin.”

His finger began to draw an absentminded pattern across your shoulder. You could tell by the tilt of his head that his eyes were focused on that finger. That finger that kept moving as the moments ticked by, never stopping, never making any sense against your skin. For the first time since you’d met him, you could tell he was nervous.

You knew he didn’t tell his name to anyone. You had asked when you’d met him what his name was. He had told you to call him Mando. You had thought it odd, but did not think it was your place to push him (you had only just met him, after all). So, you called him Mando, as did everyone else you had come in contact with. But, four months later, you decided to finally push the subject. He told you that he had not used his birth name since he was a child, since he was sworn into the Creed. There were only a few who knew name, and only due to an extenuating circumstance, he had said, making it clear he did not tell anyone. Nobody should have known his name — and from what you could tell, he had no plans of telling any one in the future.

But, here he was, standing in front of you, telling you his name. Willingly giving you this piece of information about himself. You knew he couldn’t show you his face — not yet, not now — but he could give you this. He could give you this part of himself. If the kiss wasn’t enough for you to know that he felt something for you, this sealed the deal. It wasn’t an outright “I love you”, but to you, it was something more, something deeper than that. This was him trusting you, him giving you a part of himself. It filled your heart with joy.

“Din,” you whispered, letting the name roll of your tongue, and filling the space around you. His finger had stopped its’ random movements, and his head tilted up, and you were face to face with the all too familiar beskar helmet. You smiled softly and wondered if he was smiling behind it too. You reached out, and let your fingertips dance over the cool metal. “Din Djarin,” you said, letting yourself try out his full name.

It was beautiful. It was him.

“It suits you,” you said, resting your palm against the side of his helmet. “I love it.”

Din let out a small, breathy, modulated chuckle. “You do?”

You nodded. “I do, cause it’s you.” You leaned forward, pressing your forehead against the cool metal of his helmet, your eyes fall closed. “And, I love you, Din Djarin,” you whispered softly, a small smile tugging at your lips. You wished you could have seen his face, but instead, you heard an intake of breath before you felt a strong arm wrap around your waist, hand splayed over your hip. His gloved fingers pressed into your hip bone.

“You mean that?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

You hummed and nodded, letting your free hand fall onto his chest, right over his heart. You couldn’t feel his heart under the beskar chest plate, but you imagined it was beating rapidly, just like yours. “I do.” Perhaps, it was too early to say such things, to declare that you loved him. Most people might think you were crazy, and maybe you were, but that didn’t matter. You loved him — you loved Din.

“Even without,” he paused, and you heard him take a breath. You let your eyes fuller open, and you pulled back a hair, just enough to be able to take him in. He didn’t have to finish his sentence for you to know what he was talking about — even without seeing his face.

“Hey,” you said softly, making sure his he was paying attention to you. “I don’t need to see your face.”

You heard a small, disbelieving chuckle. “Don’t need to see my face, eh?”

“Nope,” you said, popping the ‘p’. You tilted your head in thought. “Well, I mean, do I want to see your face? Absolutely.” You moved your fingers across the cheek of his helmet, to the visor, letting it trace the T-shape. “I want to see the color of your eyes, your nose, your mouth. The wrinkles and lines on your face. All of it.” You let your finger come to rest at the bottom of his helmet, just on the rim. You ran your finger over the smooth metal. “But, I know what that means for you, and I’m willing to wait for that. Your face is your face, and I’m sure it is a handsome face.” Another small chuckle escaped Din’s lips. “But, I don’t need to see it to know what I feel in my heart, Din.”

“You don’t?” He sounded surprised,

You shook your head. “I don’t. Because, I’ve seen you, Din Djarin,” you said, your voice filled with conviction as you looked at him straight on, right where his eyes would be behind that beskar helmet. “I’ve seen you.”

#din djarin x reader #din djarin x you #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian x you #din djarin imagine #din djarin imagines #the mandalorian imagine #the mandalorian imagines #my writing

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falloutjay · 4 years ago

Note

Stan x anxious/compassionate reader (kind of has a little canon divergence)

After giving up on Wendy (around Season 12), Stan and us start dating, we were always worried about him (no we weren't dating him out of pity, we were just a very anxious person). Some people find of clingy, others find us adorable but We've never left his side:

Ex: We were by his side helping with whales (Whale W)

We were the only one who didn't leave him when he got depression (You're Getting Old/Ass Burgers)

Next to Heidi, we became social pariah because we didn't want to dump Stan (this even made Wendy guilty)

But him moving, really gets to us, the coronavirus makes it worse. We get worried about him, then we start getting worried about everyone else as everything falls apart (Kyle, Kenny, Eric, Butters, Tweek, Craig, Scott, etc.) And we pass out of stress. About waking up in the hospital, we find out, everyone was worried about us. And Stan is the most worried of all, he spends the whole day with us. We tal-no vent about all the happened to the both of us. By the end of it, we agree that whatever happens we'll do it together.

Guess whos back! :D

Well, while it's not my best work, in my humble opinion, I sure hope you enjoy and like it. Again sorry for the delay! ಥ_ಥ

And if it's not that clear, because I know I can write a little cryptic, there is a time skip. You can either have all the show events happen when they are children and have the time skip between Covid and the memories or between you getting together as kids and the memories. Choose however you like! ^^

_________________________________________

Stan x anxious!compassionate!Reader

Tiny eyes watched the scene unfold.

Normally, Wendy was the one to break up with Stan, but not this time around. Stan was actually telling Wendy that he had no interest in her anymore.

“What changed Stan?” Wendy asked, obviously confused.

“I think I like someone else… I don’t know yet…”

Wendy gave him a smile.

“I wish you all the luck Stan, say if you need anything!”

“I will.” And with that, Wendy took off to be with her friends, while Stan turned a corner and told Kyle and Kenny how it went.

Cartman was there too, but he only wanted to know if she cried, because “she would deserve it.”.

You closed your locker and felt your heartbeat like crazy. Ever since you changed school a few months ago, Stan captured your little ten-year-old mind.

He was kind and showed you around when you had no idea where to go. It was a little crush you developed, and you never felt as scared and excited as now, since that Stan had broken off with Wendy.

This newfound feeling almost made you dizzy but you quickly snapped back into reality when you heard your name.

“Y/N?” Stan asked and waited patiently for his answer next to you.

“Oh, sorry, I was thinking, what did you want?”

“Would you maybe like to hang out some time?”

Stan almost got a heart attack when you suddenly squealed but was happy when you managed to get a high-pitched “YES!” out.

“Okay, what are you betting Kenny? Some Pennies or a dead rat?” Cartman almost fell from his chair laughing about his shitty joke, while Kyle and Kenny rolled their eyes.

“Don’t you think it’s weird how clingy they are?” Kyle asked his blonde friend, while they kept watching you and Stan, who were seated at a separate table at lunch.

“Honestly, I think it’s pretty cute.” Kenny said with his muffled voice.

You held his arm and hugged him from the side, while he happy kept on eating his lunch.

Eric, who had now calmed down from his laugh attack eyed the couple critically. “I’m giving them a month max.”

He said lazily and looked around. “I say longer than a year.” Kenny said, throwing a crinkled five-dollar note on the table.

“You two are horrible.” Kyle shook his head before he threw 10 dollars on the table.

“Four months.”

Kenny was a happy man after a year, because despite everyone believing you two would eventually break up, you never did.

You were always by his side, no matter what.

His desire to desperately save whales with the help of a braindead ship crew?

You were always right by his in the interviews he gave.

His horrible depression that even drove Kyle away? No chance, you stood strong and helped him through the whole thing and even help reuniting the gang.

Even during the protest against Skanthunt42, you chose to sit this one out, despite you absolutely hating that the troll photoshopped a dick into your mother’s mouth.

At least you and Heidi got close due to you guys both becoming social outcasts. When Wendy heard this, she was impressed by your dedication and felt somewhat guilty for obviously not trying as much in her former relationship.

Everyone admired your patience and endurance. No matter what obstacle came, you managed to get through it.

“You don’t need to be sad, Y/N. I won't be that far away.” Stan said, holding your hand.

“B-But it's outside of town. You need ages by bike to get there and vice versa.” You said, holding back tears.

Randy walked past you and you desperately pleaded to him.

“Please Mister Marsh, please stay in town!” Randy put the box he carried into the car, before turning to you.

“Real sorry, dear Y/N. This town is…How do I put it… Absolute shit and I really want to get away.”

He patted you on the head and went back into the house to get more boxes.

“Told you, you cant talk to him.” Stan said and shrugged.

“But it’s unfair. We won’t see each other as much anymore.” Stan pressed a kiss onto your cheek, which made you blush intensely.

“Don’t. Worry. I will make time for you.”

With that in mind, you didn’t feel as sad, when the car with the Marsh Family in it left for their new home.

“I will make time for you, my ass.” You mumbled while you sat at a bench near Starks Pond. Letting out a deep sigh, you leaned back and just enjoyed the warmth of the setting sun.

Covid was one hell of a bitch and just had to have this big impact on everyone’s life. Stan and you now saw each other less and less.

It was just a horrible feeling that tainted your heart and made you worry a lot.

Maybe he was feeling just as bad as you are, maybe even more?

Maybe he just didn’t want to tell you how he felt?

Were you maybe a bad partner? Your mind began racing and your train of thoughts became unrailed.

So many bad thoughts manifested themselves and it made you almost gasp for air.

“I need to check on him.” You mumbled getting up from the park bench.

You began walking and you kind of hoped that maybe just the walking would get your mind in check, but sadly it didn’t. Involuntarily you had to think about all the other stuff that happened during this horrible time.

The precious Broship was more fragile than ever. You had become such good friends with Kenny, Kyle and Cartman over time that it hurt you a lot too.

You also saw Covid take a toll on your other friends, like Craig and his group, who now took Cartman into their gang after the split up.

However, that came to be…

The girls were also pretty divided, so hanging out with them meant picking sides which wasn’t your thing, you kinda just want them to get along again.

Everything felt like it was falling apart. Your parents had fights ever so often, all your friends had problems and your beloved boyfriend was stuck on that stupid farm.

God how you hated that stupid farm and Randy.

When he gave you one of those plushies that looked like him, you functioned it into a voodoo doll. But sadly, it didn’t seem to affect him, no matter how many needles you rammed into it.

Your heart felt heavy, and it seemed hard to breathe, but you brushed it aside.

You had already reached the busy streets of South Park and mingled between the newly vaccinated people.

Everywhere you looked, the people seemed happy.

Everyone was happy except you and the people around you… Maybe…You were the problem?

You shook your head. No, you didn’t allow those kinds of thoughts.

You much rather think about Stan. How you miss him and how amazing your dates were.

Oh, how much effort he put into all the small things… Well… At least he did.

Now that you thought about it when was your last date?

It feels like it had been ages. It has been ages. Everything had been ages. Going out with him, hanging out with your friends, your family not fighting… How long has this been the new normal? You can’t help but wonder.

Your heart clenched again. “Stop it, stupid heart.” You mumbled under your breath.

An exhausted sigh escaped your lips when you thought about how you maybe had to walk all the way up to the farm… It would take ages, but you really craved being held by the person you adored so much.

So, you continued walking down through the street when an elder lady stopped you.

“Excuse me, but you look rather sickly, are you alright?” Confused you raised an eyebrow. Did the vaccines make them delusional?

“No, I’m fine.” You answered, somewhat snippy, even when you didn’t know why you were so agitated.

“But you look rather pale, maybe you- I am fine.” You interrupted her and continued your path.

Were all people in this shitty town stupid or- The thought could not be completed, due to you suddenly losing consciousness.

When you woke up again, you immediately recognized one of the Hells Pass Hospital rooms, once your eyes had adjusted to the bright lights. Around the bed were your parents and more importantly Stan and his mother.

“Thank God, you’re awake again!” Your mother said when she went for a hug.

Confused you asked why you were here.

“Well, seemingly you were so stressed out, that your body basically shut down.”

Somewhat shocked you looked around. Was it really a surprise to hear that? Not really, but it still felt odd knowing that it happened.

“Well, I’m glad you’re fine, Y/N.” Misses Marsh commented and smiled warmly at you. She had always liked you and you felt the same. She was always nice to you and you felt like she was the only one with a brain in the family…

Feeling a sudden sensation of warmness on your hand, your eyes darted down to it. Stan held you hand while answering something your dad had asked him.

“Well, Sharon, you wanna accompany us to get some hot chocolate for us all?”

Your mother said with an odd wink, which made you and Stan roll your eyes.

The three adults left the room chatting happily. Stan looked at you with a stern expression, which kind of surprised you.

“I swear, whenever I think I couldn’t get more worried about you, your parents call me, to tell me that you’re in the hospital.”

“Worried? About me? I should be worried about you?” You laughed to which Stan shook his head.

“Listen, everyone has been super worried about you since you seemed so down and just exhausted. Like, Kyle already called me earlier to ask if you’re awake again. I don’t know why you worry about me; I am really fine babe. Promise.”

With that said, the door opened, and your parents came back inside.

“Y/N, the doctor said they would like you to stay the night, so they can check that you’re really alright.” Your father informed you and you were immediately annoyed.

Well, you had no choice but to oblige. Your parents left after an hour, wanting to get you some clothes and other things you’d need.

Sharon also bids her goodbye and so you and Stan were left.

And just like you wished, you got to cuddle with him. He held you close, and you vented to him, how worried you were about everything and everyone, while he told you just how worried all of your friends had been since you were acting so out of character.

“Even Cartman?”

“Yup, even when he would never admit it.” Stan laughed. He held your hand tight, and his content smile never left his face.

“I think we should talk more about feelings and being worried and all that. I know I’m not all that good at it, but I don’t ever wanna have to visit you in a hospital again.” Stan said, giving your hand a squeeze.

“That sounds good. But you gotta accept, I worry a lot, because I care a lot about you, okay?” You said sternly and Stan nodded. You two looked fondly at each other and just enjoyed the time you got.

“Together forever?” You asked and he whispered “Forever.”, before he pressed a sweet kiss onto your lips.

#south park x reader #stan x reader #stan marsh x reader

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gondowan · 4 years ago

Text

Communal Property

Pairings: Din Djarin x f!Reader, allusions to Paz Viszla x f!Reader, Boba Fett x f!Reader, other Mandalorians x f!Reader, big gangbang vibes here lads.

“I hear you Mandos like to share your women anyway.”

Tags/Warnings: NC-17. Explicit sexual content. Established relationship. Verbal humiliation. Dom/sub. Choking. Lots of finnnngerrring (vaginal/anal). Canon-typical violence (Din stabs a rando). Soup, but make it sexy. Daddy kink (ehe). Suggestions of a threesome, gangbang, public use, bondage, breeding, double penetration (if I missed anything please let me know), its fluffy at the end :D

Word Count: 4,709

Notes: <:3c please don’t read if you’re not comfortable with anything listed above lol. Seriously though.

---

It was getting late, and the only clientele left at the dingy cantina were either drunk and rowdy or on their way to out. Which was fine, it was rare for the two of you to have some time together and you relished every second you could get. Din had just bagged a large bounty for Karga, enough that he could be persuaded to take a short break. It had been far too long since the two of you could spend some time together without a bounty puck hanging over your head or fears of Imperials looking for the Child.

Besides, Sorgan was as quiet as it got, and with all the planet-hopping and close calls in the last few cycles, the two of you really hadn’t had any time to yourselves and you were getting a little...tense from the lack of release.

It wasn’t that Din ignored your needs, but rather you were both so caught up with everything that there was barely any time to sleep, let alone indulge in a long scene. There just weren’t enough hours in the day to both take care of the Crest, the Child, and yourselves while on the run. You could tell he too was tense from the lack of physical connection; from the moment you stepped planetside, he was constantly touching you, either guiding you with a hand on the small of your back or

Din was in a mood.

“What will it be?” the barkeep had asked when you both walked in.

Before you could open your mouth, Din replied “Some stew and cider for her please, nothing for me,” he said in a clipped tone, not bothering to look at you or even ask what you might want.

As the barkeep walked away, he turned his helmeted gaze towards you. “Any objections sweet girl?”

You felt your face get hot. “No,” you murmured.

He cocked his head to the side, waiting. He was in that kind of mood tonight. Out of the corner of your eye you could see the barkeep coming back to your table.

“No...daddy,” you mumbled, dropping your gaze away from him right as the barkeep put down your drinks.

“Let me know if you all need anything else!” she said cheerfully as she set your plate of food and drink in front of you, oblivious to what had just occurred.

“That’ll be all, thank you.” Din said, not even bothering to look at the barkeep. She must’ve thought you were mute or the two of you had an argument or something, the air between the two of you felt so charged. You hadn’t spoken a word since you two stepped in, and this armor-clad Mandalorian was basically bossing you around.

She walked away, and you reached for the soup.

“No.”

You blinked at him in confusion.

“I’m going to feed it to you,”.

If you weren’t embarrassed before, you were now. Although the two of you had conversations about taking your dynamic outside the bedroom, Din hadn’t tried anything outside the ship just yet. The two of you were constantly surrounded by others anyway (Cara, Mayfeld, Boba, etc), so there wasn’t much of a chance to be naughty in public.

Except now, you suppose. You should’ve known.

“Mando, we’re in public,” you hissed, looking around the cantina. It was crowded and loud, and you were in a corner booth, but there was still a nonzero chance that someone might glance over.

His vocoder crackled, “Just the first spoonful,” he said, dipping the spoon into the soup and raising it towards you. You knew better than to say no, not if you valued the ability to sit down comfortably tomorrow. If you were really uncomfortable, all you had to do was blurt out your safeword, and you knew he would stop.

You licked your lips, “Just the one.” You prop your forearms on the table and lean towards him, parting your lips, fervently hoping that no one would look towards your table. Din carefully tips the soup into your mouth, watching intently as you swallow.

“Good?”

You lick your lips, despite the (admittedly delicious) soup, your mouth feels dry, “Y-yeah,”.

“Finish it and we can leave,” to do what it is we really want to do, is the unspoken statement hanging in the air. He pushes the bowl towards you; you hastily grab the spoon, not even tasting it anymore. Din watches you eat, unmoving save for an impatient drum of his fingers on the table.

You relax a little, and ramble at Din about this-that-and-the-other to fill in the silence as you move onto polishing off your cider. Din says little in return but traces circles at your thigh, gloved fingers leaving a burning trial in its wake. Right as you are about to finish, a drunken man saunters over. You can smell the stench of alcohol rolling off of him. So much for a quiet night.

“What’s a pretty lady like you doing with a tin can like that?” the drunkard giggles, pointing at Din. “Come with me instead, I can show you a great time, and you can see my face!”.

You sigh, so much for a quiet night, “I’m not interested, thank you,” you say with a clipped smile, turning away, hoping to the maker that he’d leave.

Unfortunately this idiot can’t read the room, “Awww, don’t be like that, I can-”.

“She’s not interested.” Din said, voice flat, gaze still directed at you, not even bothering to give the drunkard the luxury of his full attention.

The man scowls, throwing up his hands. “Whatever, she’s probably all used up. I hear you Mandos like to share your women anyway.”

The air got deathly still. Before you can turn to stop him, Din’s vibroblade is sticking out of this man’s shoulder. He screams, sobering up instantly, as Din twists the blade.

In a flash, the barkeep shows up, blaster in hand, “OUT! All three of you!”, she yells, “Sa’al, I told you if you were going to get in trouble for this shit one day. Don’t let me catch any of you back here again.”

You throw down a fat wad of credits at the table, face apologetic as Din pulls his knife out of Sa’al’s shoulder, returning it to his boot. Sa’al collapses and scurries away in pain, clutching his shoulder. Din calmly stands up, takes your hand in his and leads you towards the exit. You mouth apologies at the barkeep before stepping out into the cool night air. Sorry, my partner is...touchy tonight have a good night so sorry I’m so sorry.

You shiver, not looking forward to the long walk back to the Crest. Surprisingly, Din turns you in the opposite direction, marching you towards the inn.

“Don’t want to wait,” he says. “Besides, it’s getting cold, and I know you don’t like that,” he drapes his cloak over your shoulders, and despite the reaction he had at the bar, your heart feels warm, and you lean into him.

---

The inn is quiet, and you were lucky to get a larger room at the end of the hall. A bath would be nice, the refresher aboard the Crest did its job, but five minute showers really didn’t leave any time for luxuriating. Maybe you could MacGyver some bubbles and really indulge with Din.

Din however, has other ideas. He all but shoves you into the room, closing the door behind him and quickly doing his usual checks for cameras and recording bugs. Old habits die hard. Once he’s satisfied, he sits at the edge of the bed. He pats at his lap, gesturing for you to sit. This had become a bit of a ritual for the two of you, he would often decompress by holding you as you sat there, either in the cockpit or the sleeping quarters. You amble over, planting a kiss on his helmet, and sit down.

Din doesn’t say anything at first, just lays his head on your shoulder. You reach in between his armor to rub at the tense muscles on his back, and for a few moments, it’s just the two of you and the sound of his breathing out of the vocoder.

“You didn’t have to go so hard on the poor man you know,” you murmur as you massage the back of his neck. Din doesn’t move, just continues to hold you on his lap, head on your shoulder as he scoffs.

“I’m getting soft. Before I met you, old me would’ve killed him,” the voice underneath the helmet is deadly. He releases his hold on your waist and takes off his helmet, immediately peppering kisses along your mouth. You knew he wasn’t lying, he had done worse--for less. “No one talks to my girl like that,”.

“It’s fine, you dealt with him. My honor remains intact, I swear.” you giggle as his lips reach a particularly sensitive spot behind your ear. Except the idea was enticing. Maybe you could bring it up another time, when Din wasn’t fresh out of nearly killing someone for saying that. The idea of being sandwiched between two Mandalorians was...tempting. You squeeze your thighs together, willing the thought away as you card your fingers through his hair. For someone who routinely kept it covered, it was so, so soft, and one of your favorite parts about him. Din still kept his helmet on more often than not, so you relished every chance you could get.

His mouth wanders to your collarbones, hand reaching into your shirt, fingers smoothing over your nipple.

“Although Din--ah,” your breath hitched as he rolled your nipple between his fingers, “What was that with the soup?”

“You didn’t like it?” his voice is muffled as he sucks a bruise onto your shoulder.

You loved it actually.

“Need to make sure babygirl has enough energy for Daddy,”. He continues to play with your nipple as you fuss around his lap.“Although...you averted your eyes earlier sweet girl,”.

You whimper, body tensing. Shit. That had one been one of the rules he had laid out for you at the very beginning. Eye contact whenever you were playing. Din loved it because it made you embarrassed to have to admit to your desires to his face and it put you in an almost automatic submissive mindset.

“Are you ashamed of being my baby girl?” he murmured, catching your chin with his hand, tilting your face to meet his. You knew it was a trick question, you could never be ashamed of the relationship the two of you shared. It had grown from just business to more, and despite the near-constant danger, you never wanted to be away from him, and you knew Din felt the same.

“Of course not,” you sigh. You could never be anything but happy to be his.

“Then why did you look away from me?” he asked, keeping your chin in a gentle grip, looking at you fondly, a smile of wicked pleasure gracing his handsome features. His voice was calm, and he maintained an innocent demeanor even as his other hand drifted away from your breast onto your thigh, squeezing gently.

“I was just caught off-guard, we were in public,”. You braced yourself for what you knew was coming-- punishment.

The other hand that had been trailing along your thigh paused, prompting you to freeze. “Well, it looks like you need to be taught a lesson. Always be ready for me, kitten.”

“I think five is good,” he releases your face, hands roaming to your bottom, groping as you let out a shuddering breath, “Remember to count them”.

You burrow your face into his shoulder, holding on tight. Din keeps his gloves on, knowing that you have a special fondness for being spanked while he was wearing them. The leather just adds that extra touch.

The first hit takes you by surprise, and you buck into him, feeling the sting of his hand.

“O-one.”

The second and third hit right next to the first, causing you to moan into his neck.

Din rubbed the growing warm spot on your asscheek, “You should be in a museum kitten, your body is a masterpiece,” he growled, “Almost makes me feel sorry to hurt you.”. He lifts his hand away and you close your eyes, bracing yourself.

“But not quite,”. The next hit has you whimpering.

“Four.” you manage between clenched teeth.

He murmurs, “Last one okay? You’re doing so well.” You steel yourself, knowing that this one will be the most painful. You loved it when he was cold and domineering, playing with your body, inflicting both pain and pleasure at his desire, extracting whatever he needed out of you.

Din’s hand comes down, hard. You cry out, shifting forward with the force, but are caught by his chestplate.

“Five!” you call out, relieved. “T-Thank you Daddy,”.

Din kisses your cheek, phrases of adoration and love filling your ear. He moves you off his thigh, pushing you onto the bed in one swift motion. You land with a soft ‘oof’, getting up on the back of your forearms to look at him.

Din hurriedly takes off the rest of his armor and looms over you on the bed, arousal rolling off his body in waves. His palm reaches down between your legs. “Babygirl...you’ve already made a mess.” Din pulls at the crotch of your panties, feeling the wetness that has seeped through. He yanks them off, making a big show out of sniffing them, all the while maintaining eye contact with you as you squirm under him.

“Is this all for me sweet girl?”. You nod feverishly and Din groans, as he inhales deeply again, your ruined panties pressed right against his nose, “It’s too good--I should just keep your pussy under lock and key.”

“Did the spanking get you all riled up?” he asks, the curve of his cock visible even through his pants, making your mouth water.

“Or…” his voice drops precipitously, “Were you thinking about being passed around?”

Damn, of course he’d know. Your eyes widen and you swallow, stomach twisting.

Din grins as he continues to let his hands caress your hip, “Was that it? Is that what you want? Passed around and used up by a bunch of Mandalorians?”

You whine, biting your lip, refusing to give him the pleasure of confirmation.

A sharp slap across your nipple brings you back to reality. “Answer me.”

You nod, lips parting, unable to answer as Din pushes a finger into your mouth and across your tongue. You lap at his finger, pleased at the subtle shiver that goes through him. He adds a second finger, reaching deep into your mouth, making you gag as you garble out an affirmation.

Din grins ferally. “You know I could call up Paz and Boba, let them take turns on you”. You shudder, the thought of sucking Boba’s cock while Paz worked your pussy was hot. You hadn’t done more than exchange a few conversations with the two of them, but you knew that Din would trust them with his life, they were his vod. Paz was the biggest one and you knew he wouldn’t take it easy on you. Boba, however, would be brutal, possibly even more so than Din.

“Although I don’t know babygirl, I’m not sure I can share your pussy-- maybe I’ll keep my cock in your pussy and the others can take turns on your ass and mouth, keep you airtight and so full. Would you like that baby? Be stuffed full of cock?” Din hums as he pulls his fingers out of your mouth. The image he’s painting in your mind is disgusting and oh so good, you imagine yourself straddling Din as his cock fills your pussy, holding on for dear life while Paz eases himself into your other tight hole and you choke around Boba’s length, utterly debauched.

Din pets your cheek, soft gesture contrasting sharply with the utter filth coming out of his mouth. His hand finally reaches down towards the apex of your thighs, knuckle grazing up and down your folds. “We better train your asshole then, don’t want Paz or Boba to hurt you,” your heart flutters, filthy images of you on your knees plugged up making your blood pound.

“That’s Daddy’s job after all.” he says absentmindedly, eyes laser focused on your pussy as he briefly dips his finger even lower, just barely skimming across your other hole.

“Look at you,” he says, admiring the way you shudder as he inserts his fingers into your pussy, you’re so turned on you can hear the squelch as he pushes in. “Knew you were a greedy slut since the first day I set eyes on you.”

You keen under his touch, mind flying high, pussy throbbing as you move your hips into his hand. “I’m your greedy slut Daddy,”

“Yeah you are, sweet girl.” Din says fondly. You wonder how it is that you’re already this close even though he’s barely started to finger you.

“Can I kiss you? Please?” you whimper, reaching for him. Din hums and puts a knee on the bed, leaning over, chest pressed against yours, pressing a kiss to the underside of your jaw. You pull him closer, needy for more of him as you wordlessly beg for more. He nips at your bottom lip and you open your mouth to let him in, never minding the mess of saliva.

“Never thought you were that much of a whore,” he hisses against your neck, teething grazing along the line of your skin as you tilt your head back to allow him better access. His fingers continue to work their magic on your slick folds, and you’re pretty sure you’ve made a mess on the bed already, and dear maker, he hadn’t even made you cum yet.

“Alternatively…”. Din stands up, mouth leaving yours and withdrawing his fingers as well. You whine at the loss of sensation. He nips at your breast before reaching down to pull his pants down. You swallow, chest heaving as you part your legs further for him. Din rubs the head of his cock on your clit,

“Spread yourself,” he orders with a sharp smack to your inner thigh. You scramble, reaching down to give him better access. Din lets out a moan at the sight of your dripping pussy and your debauched dreamy expression, fresh bruises adorning your neck and chest, all his doing. He loved the way you folded under his touch as if you were made for him, always so sweet and anticipatory of his needs. A beautiful complement to his twisted desires. The thought of it made his heart swell. He was never going to let you go.

Din makes an appreciative noise as you follow his command, lining himself up with your wet hole. You’re breathing so hard in anticipation that you feel light-headed, “Or...I could take you back to the Covert, let everyone else have a turn at you,”

Before you can fully register what he said, he pushes deep into you with one fluid motion of his hips. You squeeze down on him, grateful for the pressure and the way he fills you up every time like he was made for you.

“We could get your implant taken out, make you take all of our loads in your pussy. All of our cum mixing together.” You moan, head dropping back, shuddering as he continues to thrust, bottoming out, not giving you any time to breathe let alone think.

“Would you like that babygirl? Naked in the middle of the Covert for all to see?” you scramble to hold on to his arm, legs circling around his back. You squeeze around his length, getting close, but you don’t dare to cum without his permission.

“D-daddy…” is about all you can muster out, eyes looking at his face but unseeing as he continues. You pull at the arm he’s been using to brace himself against the bed, gesturing at him to put his hand around your neck. He obliges with a small laugh, the span of his palm encompassing your neck, lightly resting his hand there and not squeezing, yet.

“Close baby?”

You tremble, “Y-yes Daddy fuck, please may I--”

His hand returns to your clit and he presses down, taunting you, “You’re close already? If you cum, you acknowledge that you’re a filthy slut who needs Daddy to keep them in check. Is that what you are? A whore for Daddy?”. The hand on your throat squeezes just right and you can’t hold on any longer.

“Always Daddy f-fuck.” you cry out as you curse, feeling your release overtake you as Din fucks you through your orgasm.

“What do you say,” he snarls, ignoring your attempts to scramble away from the overstimulation of his cock and fingers.

You blink and take a deep breath, “Thank you for letting me cum Daddy.” You’re past the point of embarrassment at this point, he has you wrapped around his finger, all mental filters long gone.

You can see Din’s jaw clench before he pulls out quickly and you whimper at the loss of sensation. He flips you over and pulls your hips up. He huffs out as he pushes himself back in, chasing his own pleasure this time, nailing you to the bed and all you can do is continue to take it. Your mind swims as you let out a sob; you’re so deep in a trance that you barely register his finger at the edge of your asshole again. He pushes in slowly, first knuckle breaching the tight ring of muscles as you tense up around his thick finger.

“I knew you would love being the Covert slut; you always need so much to be satisfied,” he sneers, voice dropping even lower as he continues to mock you as his thick cock continues to work your hole and his finger fully breaches your asshole. “Maybe we won’t stop until we’re sure you get pregnant huh? You won’t ever know who the father will be since you won’t ever see their faces.”

You’re nonverbal at this point, your litany of ‘yes Daddy’ and ‘more please’ muffled by the pillow.

“I guess we’ll just have to hope it looks like me huh?”. You groan, too overcome to do anything but moan.

“Gonna give us warriors babygirl?”. Din snaps his hips particularly hard, you’ll be feeling the smack of his thighs against yours in the morning.

You can feel yourself getting closer, the combination of the obscene image he had planted in your mind coupled with the press of his cock at your back and the fullness of his finger in your asshole was getting to be too much. You grip the sheets in a vice grip, mind falling into the web Din painted, of you on your knees, collar tied to a post, all your holes dripping with cum while the other Mandalorians all take a turn at you. So filthy, and you love it. You know nothing would please Din more than your complete and utter submission, and if that involves the entire covert or Paz and Boba, so be it.

Din’s hand comes back up to your throat, and squeezes, playing with your breath right as his other hand inserts a second finger inside your asshole. You clutch at the hand wrapped around your neck, feeling your head swim, closing your eyes as you bounce up and down on his cock.

He growls, biting into the shell of your ear, “Aww baby are you drooling?” he smears your spit across your cheek with his thumb. “Look at you, you’ve only cum once, and all of this is already making you cockdumb. Might have to call Paz and Boba in after all.”

You could only mewl in affirmation, mind floating, body only anchored by the points of contact made by Din’s hand on your throat, his cock in your pussy, and his fingers in your ass. You feel so good being used like this.

“I love it when you’re like this babygirl, so helpless for Daddy,” Din growls in your ear. His eyes are hooded as he chases his own orgasm, the rhythm of his hips becoming more erratic.

“I-I--” your tears break free, running down your cheeks as you struggle to form coherent words.

Din is unaffected, unrelenting in his thrusts against your walls. “Tears aren’t your safeword babygirl. You can do better than that.”

You manage a moan, barely registering his words, cries reverberating around the room as he knocks the breath out of your lungs with each thrust. “Tell Daddy you love this.” he hisses.

“I-I fuck, oh, oh, iloveitdaddypleaseplease,” you struggle to find enough breath to answer him, mouth dry from all your panting, Din’s hand unrelenting across your throat.

“I know you do baby. Is it getting hard to breathe? It’s okay, Daddy’s got you,” his voice full of pride as he rails you, splitting you open, filling the room with nothing but the sound of his cock moving in and out, his hips slapping against your ass. “So good for Daddy fuck-- I’m gonna-- this pussy is too good--such a good girl for me.”

His words fill you with warmth, and you squeeze your pussy against him right as he pulls out. Din moans, his hand letting go of your throat, looking for more leverage as he gets closer to his own completion. “Make a mess all over me babygirl, it’s o-okay I got you,”. You wail and sob as he pushes you over the edge again. All you can hear is your garbled ‘thank you Daddy thank you’ as you thank him devotedly over and over again. All the tension drains out of you, leaving you boneless on the bed, only held up by the fingers still in your ass and his cock.

“S-shit. You made a mess all over me f-fuck, oh fuck.” Din groans as he finishes inside you, filling you with warm cum. He pulls his fingers out and collapses on top of you. Din places his head against yours, peppering kisses all over you as he pulls out, his cum oozing out of you. It’s quiet as you both catch your breath.

You open your eyes blearily, “Fuck.” is about all you can manage before giggling, the endorphins making you feel so good. You can feel Din smile as he lifts himself up, pushing you back on your back. He looks ethereal, hair sticking to his forehead, sweat dripping down his body as he gazes at you fondly. You reach up and caress his face and he leans into your touch.

“How do you feel?” he murmurs, warm brown eyes on yours, laying a kiss on the back of your hand; ever the gentleman when he wasn’t busy degrading you at your request.

You stretch languidly, a little sore, but no more than usual. “I feel great actually. And you?”

Din smiles softly as he caresses your face, “Never better,”. You love all these aspects of him, the bounty hunter, the Mandalorian, your lover. Nothing made you happier than getting to share these moments with him. The two of you lay there for what feels like eternity, happy, sated, no concerns, just kissing each other softly, coming down together. You feel your eyelids close.

His voice brings you back from the edge of sleep. “Sweet girl...we need to clean up,”.

You blink at him blearily, “Ah right...I made a mess,”.

“We made a mess,” he chuckles, pulling you up into his arms (how did he still have all that energy?) before depositing you in the tub and turning on the warm water. Right as the water covers your shoulders, he gets up.

“Where are you going? The water is niiiiice.” you say as you make a big show of sinking into the bath. “Although not as nice as your ass.”

He smirks, “I need to send a message to Paz and Boba. Got exciting news for them,” he says as he turns towards his discarded armor.

Your eyes widen. Wait what?

---

I regret nothing lmfao. This is 100% me procrastinating from the fact that I have six months to finish writing my dissertation nbd. The line “you should be in museums” and “pussy under lock and key” is from Megan thee Stallion’s Sex Talk and Dance respectively. As always, comments/reblogs/keysmashes are always appreciated and give me much serotonin :)

Might do a part two with actual Boba and Paz but there are only so many euphemisms for cock that I know of ahaha.

#din djarin x reader #the mandalorian x reader #paz viszla x reader #boba fett x reader #mono writes

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crystalirises · 4 years ago

Note

what are your thoughts on fundy not dating dream in character and instead dating dreamxd actually

Hello random anon! This is a very interesting question, and honestly I kinda wanna talk about it a lot. So, I apologize if it seems very rambly, I've never been good with explanations.

This is... long. So, I put my explanation below cause I don't want people to scroll through a lot of stuff because I can't stop myself from talking XD.

But short answer, I find the idea to be adorable but I have mixed feelings on it since I lean more on Fundywastaken. Either way, I still love the ship. So much that I am very sad that there are no actual fics of DreamXD reacting to the realization that... Fundy had no idea he was dating them, and instead nearly married Dream. Like where are the fics of XD realizing the mix-up. Please XDDD I want to read those so bad XD.

Note: This is my opinion. I am not invalidating anyone's opinion on either ship. This is just an opinion and people can have opinions.

Okay so when it comes to actual canon, I know that FwT - regardless of whether it's c!Dream or DreamXD - will never be canon or happen. I have no hope of it happening, so the scenario of Fundy actually dating DreamXD is extremely slim.

However, when it comes to like general shipping. Fundywastaken and FundXD for me are two separate ships, honestly. Cause when it comes to FwT, obviously it's about c!Dream, while FundXD is about DreamXD.

And see, I am a sucker for God AUs. I adore God AUs. Actually, if one were to look at some of my fwt fics, there's a kinda hint that Dream is not human and at the time it was because DreamXD wasn't a thing. So, because of my love for God AUs, I always made c!Dream as someone who isn't exactly human. Like, a god-like figure.

But when it comes to actual canon Dream, I am inclined to believe that he is a human with a god complex. I'm not sure about this one, but ya know. He seems like a regular dude with a god complex, and the whole Dream being not human just stems from fanon (aka me, I am fanon XDDD).

With the introduction of DreamXD, they're already a god. They are a god within canon. Now, obviously Fundy and XD have never interacted at all within canon so this ship already has a bit of a problem in that regard since... they have literally never met. But then again, the same can be said for FwT since technically, the wedding never happened within canon (but there's still that flower thing that happened and god knows what that was).

But that's what I like most about FundXD, the fact that XD is already a god and that satisfies my love for God AUs. But... therein comes the issue of... personality, I guess.

c!Dream and DreamXD have different personalities. c!Dream is... he is who he is. DreamXD is... probably a lot more chill??? Like they seem pretty chill (so long as you don't enter the end). DreamXD is also a simp and is very kind (maybe, they are a god, you should be wary of gods) while c!Dream is a bit of... a jerk (understatement lmao).

Also, as much as I love God AUs... I also love Forbidden Love AUs. The fun thing about FwT is the fact that it has forbidden love. Like I absolutely adore that dynamic.

With DreamXD, there is no... drama? (Which is good, ya know, people like fluff) Like, they're a god and it's not something that would usually opposed if people realized Fundy was dating XD. (Maybe this is just me cause I've only seen fluffy FundXD, and have not seen angst. And I love my angst, which is entirely my fault.)

So, when it comes to... the idea of who Fundy is actually dating within the canon storyline. I prefer Fundywastaken. Mostly cause it has more drama to it? Like there is good drama to it.

When it comes to FundXD dating within canon storyline, it's probably gonna be more fluffy? Cause I don't see that much drama (unless someone really doesn't want Fundy dating a god or uses Fundy to get to XD). I find it really adorable, and it's definitely got its own charm. I definitely prefer FundXD if I want Fundy to have a happy life with a good spouse/partner. Except well, I love my angst and FwT within canon has a lot of angst potential.

In the end, I find Fundy actually dating DreamXD within the canon storyline to be adorable and it's such a cute idea that DreamXD is just: "wait, you thought that mortal was me?" and Fundy is just "you??? took??? his??? form???". Of course, there is angst potential there, but I haven't seen a single angst thing about FundXD. Which honestly good for the people who make FundXD, they can be happy while I sit in my angst corner XDDD.

So yeah, Fundy dating XD? Adorable. I love it. But because of some other factors, such as my preference for angst and Forbidden Love, I would prefer FwT. Especially with the current canon storyline where there is a lot of potential angst.

But FundXD does give me my God AU, so thank you FundXD for that. And really sometimes you just want a god to simp over a very sad fox. Also FundXD plus their son Yogurt AUs? I love those so much. They're adorable af.

#fundy #dreamwastaken dsmp #fundywastaken #fundXD #ask #about the characters guys

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dadolorian · 4 years ago

Text

Seven Days of Valentines, (Diamonds and Daddies side story) Whiskey x F!Reader CH 4

A/N: Thanks to @talesfromtheguild for Beta reading and helping me with many ideas for this! This will be a weekly series leading up to Valentines Day

I try to keep Readers physical appearance as open as possible for this story, but please note in these chapters shes going to become more of a ‘character’, some specific interests of hers are going to come into play.

This is canon to the main Diamonds and Daddies story, but i am uploading as its own thing. You do not need to have read Diamonds and Daddies to read this, just know its a fic about Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels being a Sugar Daddy and the reader is a professional Sugar Baby.

Fandom: Kingsman the golden circle Ship: Jack ‘Whiskey’ Daniels x Cis F!reader Warning/tags: established relationship, P in V sex, fingering, Oral ( F receiving) , multiple orgasms, over stimulation, dirty talk, Daddy kink, DD/LG/BDSM style relationship, creampie, unprotected sex (wrap it up irl) checking of safe word, possessive language, aftercare, toys, squirting, pussy slap, nipple/clit pump, some mild fluff

Let me know if i forget anything

Word count: 6K +

My master list Seven days of Valentines masterlist AO3 LINK Buy me a Kofi

Summary: Whiskey whisks his Sugar baby away for a romantic Valentine’s getaway. Day four, jack gift Honey Bee a special gift.

Thursday 12th of February

As promised, you were left with a very sore and tender pussy.

You awoke in uncomfortable pleasure with Jack's face buried between your legs, devouring you as if he hadn’t had his fill of you less than eight hours earlier.

Lazily, you tried to push him away with your hand, in a feeble attempt to fall back to sleep, however thanks to your lingering sensitivity and the skill of his tongue he managed to coax you to orgasm despite your meager attempt to recede back into sleep.

You whimpered, grogginess clear in your high whines, as Jack lapped you up, savoring your taste before beginning to kiss his way up your body, pushing up his t-shirt you still wore to kiss at more of your soft skin. He gravitated towards your lips finally, lazily melding his mouth to yours. You tasted yourself on his tongue, alongside that taste you couldn’t describe as anything other than Jack. You moaned together, as if relieved to be connected once again finally.

Strong, familiar arms wrapped around you and lifted your hips to his, he hissed into your kiss as your soaked core rubbed up against his erection through his sweatpants.

“Is your sore pussy up to taking Daddy this morning?” he asked when you finally separated your lips from one another. His voice was raspy with sleep and need.

“If I'm not too sensitive for you to eat me out before I’ve even woken up, then I’m sure I can take your cock Daddy,” you cooed, giggling at the way his eyes darkened and the hungry look he gave you as he quickly hooked his sweats under his cock and balls.

“If you can still take me after last night, then clearly I didn't do a good enough job,” he teased before he pushed himself inside you with a satisfied groan.

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Even with Jack’s morning distraction he had the two of you out the door, before noon, dressed ready in warmer clothes than usual due to the reported snowfall.

He took you to Piazza Navona, it was beautiful, even with the overcast gray sky, thanks to the cold February air it was not as busy as you expected, giving you and Jack plenty of space to roam about the decadent square to observe the beauty of the architecture and fountains.

Snow covered the ground, which did not dampen your experience in the slightest. Jack promised to ‘make up for it’ in the future by taking you back in warmer months, but you silenced his worries with a kiss.

“I am thrilled we are here, even if it's cold, I don't need blue skies and sunshine to appreciate any of this Jack.”

He gave you a soft smile in return, feeling some of his worry lift.

“I still want to take you back here Sugar, one day.”

“I would love that, I just don't want you thinking I'm somehow disappointed because you took me here in late winter. I love it Jack, thank you.”

You shared a deep kiss in front of one of the fountains, as the only two people in the square.

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You were equally as excited when Jack took you to your next location for the day, and found it was just as empty as Piazza Navona. Trevi fountain was covered in snow, the blanket was growing steadily thicker as snow began to fall, Jack was grateful he had the foresight of an umbrella that day, opening it up and pulling you to his side as you both made your way over to the famed fountain.

“This is amazing, that we get to experience such a place, just the two of us” you whispered, leaning your head on his shoulder, huddling closer to him against the cold.

“It seems surreal Darlin,” he hummed beside you, kissing the crown of your head. “It’s like we’re the only two people in the world.”

You giggled. “Hmmm, and is this what we would do? If we were? Travel around, seeing the sights?”

“If it were just the two if us, I would want nothing more than just to explore the rest of the world with you, Honey Bee,” he smiled.

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

You flipped through photos you had taken that morning on your phone as you sat in the passenger seat, Jack beside you holding your free hand as the driver took you to wherever he had planned for your lunch.

You giggled at one particular photo, Jack was pulling a face into the camera as he would often do when in a playful mood.

“Send me them when you get a chance Darlin,” he said warmly beside you, smiling at your smile. You gave him a nod before swiping through more.

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

Lunch, as it turned out, was very similar to yesterday's lunch, as Jack had surprised you with another workshop. However, this time you were taking a pizza class.

Your stomach growled as you entered the warm Pizzeria, shrugging off the thick winter coats you wore and hanging them up. You were grateful for the change in temperature as you both cleaned off the snow clinging to the rest of your clothes before joining the small class.

You decided to spend the time this lesson enjoying the experience more than teasing Jack, who seemed just as agreeable to the notion as you stood side by side at your station, listening to your instructor.

You had a lot of fun, Jack kneaded the dough for you as you stood to the side, admiring his arms as he rolled up his sleeve and got to work. As the dough was stored away to rise, you cleaned your station together, sitting down to decide what toppings you each wanted.

Your pizza base was an uneven circle, Jack rolling it out once they were all deemed acceptable. You giggled at the lopsidedness of it, taking a quick photo of Jack’s pout as you giggled over your lumpy pizza base.

Together you made the sauce and spread it on your base, before you were finally allowed to decorate it with toppings. Before you could start, Jack made an equally uneven heart shape out of your shredded mozzarella, and with sauce bottle in hand, he managed to write a very messy “JD ❤️ HB”

You ‘awwed’ at the gesture, quickly snapping a picture of Jack next to his creation, smiling proudly.

“How very ‘cheesy’ of you,” you joked lamley, making Jack groan.

You finished putting the rest of your toppings on before you were finally allowed to deliver your pizza to the pizza oven. Jack was thrilled to get to use the large wooden pizza peel, and you made sure to take a video of Jack putting your pizza in the large oven to cook with help from the instructor.

While your lunch cooked you cleaned everything up, leaving your station as spotless as you found it. When the food was ready you and Jack sat at the tables, alongside other couples, chatting away happily as you all ate together, his arm around you lazily.

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

You were surprised when Jack led you back to the hotel much earlier than you expected, having just finished lunch and bundling back up in your coats to brave the increasing snow.

You weren't complaining though, as you entered the lobby just as the snow had started to become a blizzard, more than happy to escape the cold for the rest of the day.

You were taken back to your room, and perhaps a little disappointed as you entered the bedroom, finding no gifts laid out.

Jack took notice, chuckling and kissing your cheek.

“Later Honey, we’re only stopping by to get rid of our winter gear,” he said warmly, shedding his coat once more and changing into some comfortable lounging clothes. He encouraged you to do the same, so quickly you dressed into a large baggy sweater dress, warm leggings and soft ugg boots. He took your hand once you were ready, and just as quickly as you had arrived to your suite, you were swept away to some unknown part of the hotel.

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You were delighted when you passed through two large glass doors to what you could only describe as a mini spa resort.

The air was warm and misty, smelling vaguely of vanilla and pine, tiled floors made shoes click as they passed over it, the walls were gray, with a large mural walk behind the tall reception desk. The hotel's logo stood out on the mural of trees, and sitting underneath, behind the desk were two petite young women who greeted you with a smile.

“Mr Daniels?” one of them asked in a strong italian accent.

Jack smiled and nodded, pulling you with him as you were led down a short hallway to the side, and then into a changing room where robes and towels waited for you.

You both undressed in your cubicles, putting on the towels and plush white robes provided for you. Jack took your hand back once the two of you were ready for whatever treatment you were about to get.

As usual, Jack had spared no expense, and the two of you were treated to a full spa experience. Jack had even gone the extra mile to give you a full beauty treatment as an added bonus.

You were able to relax in the Sauna together, your head resting on Jack’s shoulder as the heat sweat away your stresses. That was followed up by your beauty treatment. Mani and pedi, facial, exfoliation, face mask, eye mask, you experienced the full works, all while Jack cooled off in an Ice bath.

You enjoyed your pedicure along with a small sample of fruits and sandwich , followed up with a delicious slice of decadent cake, and a glass of champagne.

And the entire spa experience was topped off with a couples massage.

Jack reached across the small gap between your tables whenever he could to hold your hand in his. Any tension you had in your body melted away thanks to the expert hands of your masseuse and the scented oils coating your skin.

Sighing, you closed your eyes, trying hard not to fall asleep due to your extremely relaxed state, waiting to enjoy the feeling as much as possible by not drifting off.

You giggled, along with your masseuses when Jack's steady snore revibriated along the tiled walls, his hand relaxing in your grip as he drifted off, completely and utterly relaxed.

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By the time your massage had ended you were feeling more loose and relaxed than you had ever felt in your life, you rolled your shoulders with a content sigh, loving how loose your muscles felt.

“Damn Darlin, I didn't even realize my back was hurting so much until the pain went away,” Jack sighed beside you, taking your hand as you made your way back to the changing room to shower off the oil still coated to your skin.

“You enjoy your beauty treatment?” he asked, taking your hand in his once you were dressed, inspecting your manicure and affectionately stroking your fingers with his.

“Yes,” you nodded smiling at him. “Thank you.”

He smiled back and kissed your forehead. “Not that you need a beauty treatment Darlin, you’re already stunning,” he said, making you blush.

Washed, dried, and dressed you made your way back to your suite together.

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As he had promised earlier, gifts were now laid out on the bed, you bounced over to them excitedly, making Jack chuckle at your eagerness. Three boxes, with no clothes set out that evening, which surprised and intrigued you. As expected, one of the boxes contained a lingerie set, red and lacy, but unlike the other set the had bought for you so far, they were not intended to be practical, usable underwear as well, as the cups of the ‘bra’ were not there, the lace would perfectly frame your breasts, leaving them exposed for Jacks viewing pleasure. The ‘panties’ were matching, crotchless, this set was purely to wrap you up nice and pretty leaving everything open to Jack so he would not have to remove a single piece from you to get what he wants.

He growled softly behind you, wrapping his arms around you to kiss at your neck. “Gonna look so good in that Darlin,” he said, voice deep with lust already at the thought of you wearing it.

“Open the others”

You placed the first box down back on the bed, reaching for the next closest box and lifting the lid. Instantly you felt yourself growing wet at the sight of its content.

“I hope after last night you won't be too sore to play with these tonight,” Jack’s teasing voice tickled your neck as you stared down at the toys in the box.

So far, in the short time you had been together you had experimented with toys only a handful of times, and so far, they had been simple bullets and vibes. Evidently tonight, Jack wanted to be a bit more, experimental.

One simple, silver bullet vibe, a finger vibe, a silicone egg attached to a silicone string you could only guess vibrated, and the largest dildo you had ever seen in person. Your heart was beating fast in anticipation, and you were sure Jack could feel it with his lips latched to your pulse point.

“Open the last one,” he rasped.

You almost dropped the box as you opened it, overwhelming anticipation making you shake as you stared down at a toy you had only ever dreamed about being used on you.

Nipple and clit pumps, you were certain Jack was planning on a night just as intense as the last night, and you were more than looking forward to it.

“Go, get changed, I’ll be waiting for you.”

You were quick to change in the ensuite, touching up your hair in the mirror and re-applying Jacks favorite mascara. When you came back out to the bedroom, dressed in the exposing red number, Jack was laid out on the bed, even more exposed than you, completely nude as he lay back with a cocky grin, slowly pumping his hardening cock.

You feigned feeling bashful, hiding half of your body behind the door frame and avoiding his eyes. He chuckled, becoming you over with his finger.

“No need to feel shy Darlin, you look good enough to eat,” he hummed, still stroking his cock slowly with one hand while the other was open to you in invitation. You padded over the soft carpet, still pretending to feel shy. As soon as you were in reach he pulled you to the bed, pushing you onto your back and bending over you to give you a kiss.

“I really could eat you up, you sexy little thing,” he teased, his fingers dancing across your skin to the lacy edges of your ‘bra’, the pads of his fingers brushing against your bare breasts as he played with the lace.

“These,” he said, squeezing your breasts, weighing them in his palm. “A meal fit for a king,” he continued, growling before dipping his head further to mouth at your breasts. He lavished attention to them, making sure to toy with the one not currently in his mouth with his hand, squeezing, kneading the flesh in his large calloused hands, and tweaking your nipple while he licked and suckled on the other one.

You moaned, already aroused just by looking at the toys he had selected for that night, but even further so now. You felt your arousal leak out of you, with no barrier to hold it thanks to the lack of material covering your centre.

Jack switched, making sure each of your breasts felt the attention of his mouth, you looked down at him, and found him staring back at you with intense, dark eyes, watching your every reaction, every gasp and moan.

“Fuck, I love your tits,” he moaned agaisnt your skin, placing a few soft kisses to your peaked nipples before pulling away. His hand stroking the flesh of your thigh as he sat up, erection proudly twitching against his stomach.

“Which of those toys caught your attention most, baby?” He asked, positioning you gently further back on the bed.

“T-the pumps,” you answered truthfully, rubbing your coated thighs together in anticipation as Jack got up off the bed to collect the boxes.

“Yeah? You want Daddy to torture your nipples and poor little clit?” he asked, setting the boxes beside you on the bed.

You nodded up at him eagerly.

“Daddy will do just that,” he promised, picking out the finger vibe from the box and sliding it over his index, switching it on so it buzzed lightly. “But I want to try them all out on you baby.”

His finger started at your nipples, trailing slowly down your body until he reached your clit, circling it gently so the vibrations barely tickled you. You whined, lifting your hips , trying to gain more pressure to your clit, but Jack slapped your thich in warning.

“You take what Daddy gives you,” he reminded you, torturing you further by rubbing his vibrating finger over your clit directly, so lightly you could only just feel the promise of the vibrations against your swollen bud.

“Daddy please,” you whined, pouting when he chuckled at you, not taking pity on you.

“Patience is a virtue sugar,” he teased, leaning over to rasp in your ear. “Daddy will will make you cum so hard so much it fucking hurts if you be good for me.”

You moaned, knowing full well Jack always kept his promises if you behaved for him.

“Imagine that big one inside you,” he continued, knowing full well his words could turn you on just as much as his touches. “I wanna see your sweet little peach of a pussy stretch around that, your hungry little hole taking that massive cock, fuck, I bet it would hurt to cum around that thing, your cunt stretched so much and tightening around that, fuck I could cum just imagining that.”

You moaned again, nodding your head and silently begging for just that, wanting to please him, wanting that painful pleasure.

Your eyes were closed, imagining his little fantasy, how good it would feel when he surprised you by pushing the vibe right onto your clit, making you yelp.

“We’re gonna start small, and make our way up,” he said, sitting back up to watch you writhe under the pleasure of the vibe. “It’s going to be another long night Baby girl.”

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Jack had successfully made you cum with the finger vibe without ever sliding anything inside you, and had slowly worked you open with the small silver vibe, pumping it in and out of you slowly, bringing you back to the edge of pleasure before abandoning it to the side. You whined in frustration as he took his sweet time picking the next toy, much to your annoyance. There were two toys left in that box and you knew he was going to end with the larger one. He was simply trying to rile you up.

Deciding you were being just a bit too bratty with your complaints, he gave your pussy a harsh slap.

“Patience Baby,” he warned with a growl. “That's your second warning!”

You bit your lip, trying to silence yourself as he pretended to decide which toy to use.

Eventually he picks up the silicone egg and returned to his previous position between your legs, laying on his stomach so he could watch up close.

He turned the egg on, feeling it buzz in his palm before slowly pushing it inside you, cooing gently about how good your pussy looked, framed by your panties as it stretched around the widest part of the egg. Shoving it inside you as deep as it could reach he watched with fascination how slick leaked from you with each powerful buzz.

“Remember, you can’t cum until Daddy says you can,” he laughed before licking up your arousal with a moan. You heard him whisper against your folds how you tasted so good.

You were focusing hard on not cumming until he said so, but that was made far more difficult when he took a hold of the silicone ‘string’ attached to the toy, slowly pulling it down your channel and stretching your hole again.

You keened, arching your back and trying so hard to wait for his permission. He repeated the action, pushing the vibrating egg deep inside you before slowly pulling it out, stopping when you stretched around the widest point. He watched entranced, growling hungrily every time your entrance stretched around it.

He kissed your clit, circling his tongue around it, drinking up your moans.

“Fuck baby, watching my sweet little cunt stretch like this, just makes me want to see what else I can fit in you,” he moaned, lapping up at your folds now. “Im gonna buy the biggest fucking toy I can find when we get home, we’re gonna find your limit one day.”

His lips latched onto your core, eating you out vigorously, and still playing with the toy with his hand, he was struggling to grip it securely with how much you were leaking.

He shoved the toy back inside, pushing up right against your g-spot as he began suckling your clit.

You shrieked, trying not to wriggle too much as you begged, helplessly, for permission.

“Daddy! Please! Please! Pleasepleaseplease!” You wailed. Looking down at him, between your legs, eyes watching you intently again, you saw him nod.

Permission.

You thanked him with a cry as you arched further off of the bed, pushing your hips up into his mouth as he drank down your release, tongue lapping at your hole beside the silicone still hanging out of you. You clenched down around the toy, shaking as your walls contracted around the vibrations.

“Daddy!” You whined, slowly rocking your hips into his face as you rode out your orgasm. As the waves of pleasure washed away, Jack ever so slowly pulled the toy out of you, kissing your clit in praise as he did so. You whimpered, sensitive as he kissed you there.

He cooed again as you stretched around the toy, watching as he pulled it out at a snails pace, enraptured at the sight.

“My pretty little pussy,” he praised, diving to lap up at you again once the toy popped out of you. You mewled, lazily trying to push him away, but he wouldn't be denied his sweet treat.

Jack tossed the toy to the side and crawled up your body, lifting your thighs around his waist. Teasingly, he rocked his hips so his cock, now leaking pre-cum onto your skin.

“Daddy wants to be inside his pretty little pussy,” he rasped. “I know you’re sensitive baby, oohhh but daddy wants to make you a creamy mess before you take that big one, I need you slick with both our cum before I stretch you out with that thing.”

He was rambling, but watched your expression carefully as he lined himself up with your hole, smearing his pre-cum around your folds, waiting for any kind of refusal before pushing his hips forward and filling you easily thanks to his attentions with the egg.

“Fuck, there we go,” he groaned when the flesh of your ass met his thighs. Bottoming out inside of you. You moaned loudly as he filled you up, feeling his tip meet your innermost wall. “I aint ever been in a pussy this good Baby.”

Having neglected his cock for so long, choosing to pleasure you ahead of himself, Jack didn’t bother wasting time building up a slow and steady pace. He pounded into you hard and fast as he always did when chasing his own release and slaps echoing in the room.

He crashed his lips on yours, noses bumping together as the taste of your cum flooded your mouth. The kiss was sloppy, and messy, but Jack desperately seemed to need his mouth on yours as his hips rammed yours. You could tell by his desperation he would not last long, he rarely did when he had aroused himself so much by pleasuring you.

Once, twice, three times he bucked into you hard before warm cum flooded your insides, he pulled your bottom lip into his mouth and bit hard, but not hard enough to draw blood, groaning loudly.

You didn’t complain about the fact that he had sought his own release as he lazily pulled out of you, pushing his seed back inside you with his thumb, knowing full well he intended to make you cum at least once more that night.

“Baby,” he sighed, licking his thumb clean of your combined releases. “What's your color? You still good to try take that big one?”

“Green Daddy,” you sighed, settling into the pillows comfortably, preparing yourself for the challenge.

“My perfect girl,” he said proudly, kissing your cheek and retrieving the toy.

You knew there were larger toys out there, but this would be the largest you had ever taken personally, it was bigger than Jack, who was already an impressive size himself. He placed the toy beside you on the bed before opening the bedside drawer for a bottle of lube.

“I know you’re wet Darlin, you’re always wet for me, your horny little cunt’s always up for more, isn’t she? But we still need to prep you” he said, coating his fingers in lube and putting two in you straight away. The artificial lube, mixed with both of your cum made obscene noises as Jack pumped his fingers and stretched you open.

“Daddy can get hard again on that noise alone Honey Bee,” he chuckled, laughing harder as your eyes widened as you glanced down at his spent, wet cock that was already twitching with interest.

You bit your lip and wiggled slightly, stopping when his eyes cut back to your face in warning.

“Are you going to take me again Daddy?” You asked as a third finger pushed inside you.

“Ohhh, you can bet on it Baby,” he moaned, watching your hole stretching around his fingers. When he managed to fit a fourth, large finger inside you, he stretched you wide open so he could stare into your hole, groaning at the sight.

“My perfect little cunt,” he whispered before spitting into your hole, giving you an obnoxiously cocky grin before pulling his fingers free and shoving them in your mouth to clean.

Obediently you lapped them up, cleaning your combined cum and lube off of his fingers while his free hand opened the bottle again. Once he deemed his fingers acceptably clean he pulled them out of the hot cavern of your mouth and picked up the toy, coating it generously in lube.

“You sweet little pussy’s gonna look so good taking this,” he growled, shoving your legs apart as wide as they could go and lining the tip of the toy up at your entrance. He was extremely careful, as he pushed it forward, watching your reaction carefully for any sign of discomfort. Even with the stretching and copious slick from the lube and cum it was a struggle to take, the stretch was burning and so far he had only pushed the tip in. Jack paused, waiting patiently for your face to relax as he slowly pulled the toy out, then back in, pushing just a little bit deeper each time, pausing, waiting for you to adjust each time you grimaced.

It took a lot of hard work, but with both your efforts the toy was eventually pushed as deep as it could go. You both moaned in unison once the toy could go no deeper. Jack laid down on his stomach, between your legs, staring longingly once again at the stretch of your pussy.

“Baby,” he cooed in adoration, running this finger around the toy where your hole stretched around it, making you whimper. “Look at that, fuck, just imagine how much we could get to fit in you with practice. Your sweet, tiny little pussy’s stretched so wide, Can’t wait to make you cum on that, bet it’s gonna hurt, make you cry, sweet thing.”

You were stretched so wide that the arousal you felt at his words could not escape, simply filling you up further, making you whine.

“Wait here, hold your legs open,” he ordered getting up off the bed, you noticed he was hard again already, having worked himself up watching you stretch around the new toy.

He picked up the last box.

Oh.

You had forgotten about that.

Jack gently picked up the pumps before returning to you, gently attaching the suction cups to each nipple and your clit. He loved how your breasts look, framed by the ‘bra’, pump attached to your nipples.

“Gonna make you cum so hard, it’ll hurt so good baby,” he rasped, voice deep and gravely with lust.

He squeezed the pump gently in one hand, watching how you would react with fierce intensity and hunger. The first pump was just enough to feel a slight suction, a mild sensation, but he continued to pump away slowly, watching the way your nipples began pulling up into the clear cups. He groaned at the sight, and once your nipples and clit started to feel the tight suction you whined loudly in both pain and pleasure, unintentionally squeezing around the large toy inside you still.

Without warning Jack repeatedly squeezed the pump hard and fast, startling you with the sudden, constant suction.

“Ahhhh! Daddy!” You yelped, struggling to keep still for him.

“You know your words,” he reminded you. “They’re there if you need them.”

You shook your head no, wanting that painful orgasm he promised you and was intent on giving you.

You were sobbing as he pumped away, clit and nipples red and raw as they were pulled up into the cups, there would be marks in the morning, no doubt about that.

It was painful, but incredibly arousing at the same time, they had never been this sensitive before, this abused and your head was swimming in the delirium of it.

Jack jerked himself off with his free hand above you, as you squirmed beneath him, the painful, burning stretch of the toy, and the constant and the arduous suction on your most sensitive parts were driving you insane.

To torment you further, Jack placed the pump down but did not release the suction, instead, grabbing onto one of the cups on your nipples and tugging at it. You cried, the pain agonising but it just made you anticipate your orgasm all the more.

Proud of the reaction he pulled from you, his hand moved to the suction cup on your clit, repeating the action. You shrieked, louder than you ever had before and Jack abandoned his cock to cover your mouth, as he repeatedly tugged at the cup, muffling your shrieks.

“Normally I love your noises Baby but we don't need people coming to investigate that now do we?” he teased. “Now I'm going to let go and you’re going to cum for me. You understand?”

You nodded into his hand.

“Good, you need to scream like that, do it into the pillow,” he said before pulling his hand from your mouth to grip the toy filling you up by the base and jackhammering it inside of you, still tugging at the pump on your clit.

It was instantaneous, and as painful as he had promised. Your hole was stretched as wide as it could possibly go right now and gripping hard on the toy that was stuffed inside you. Jack growled, watching with rapt fascination as your poor abused hole rhythmically clenched around the artificial cock.

You didn't shake as much as you thrashed, pulling the pillow to your face to scream your voice hoarse as tears escaped your eyes due to the pain you were drunk on.

Wet squelching, screams and Jack’s praises and curses filled the room as you came and cum gushed from you. Your body was both trying to milk the toy and push it out of you at the same time, and you realized the toy was being forced from you because you were squirting around it. Jack seemed unaware given how big the toy was, but he was preparing to enter you the second he pulled the toy from you, the hand previously tugging at your clit pump was stroking his cock while the hand still on the toy quickly pulled it out of you, coating him in the cum still squirting from you.

“Fuck Baby!” he shouted, surprised for just a moment before he growled and quickly shoved himself in your gaping pussy before you finished. Pounding into you at a brutal pace, unintentionally but happily massaging that spot making you squirt, drenching his front in even more cum before your body could take no more.

“Fuck I didn’t think this would be how I made you squirt the first time, but Im not complaining,” he groaned in your ear, ripping your pillow away from your face and pounding into you, holding your still thrashing body tightly to him, ignoring the pump still on you as his cock destroyed your hole. Over and over again.

His pace was brutal and you cried, from the intense pain and pleasure of your orgasm, from the suction still on your nipples and clit, from the overstimulation of him pounding into you before you had even finished, how tender and swollen your sex was that was continuing to be abused, and the words that dripped from his mouth.

“My fucking pussy, this is mine,” he growled, his voice sounding feral and animalistic. “No ones ever going to please you the way I do, fill you the way I do, every inch of you is mine!”

“Y-yours,” you eeped out, voice faint after screaming so loud.

That was all he needed to push him over the edge, shouting his release as he pulled you up into him and he pushed in as deep as he could go, ignoring how the pump dug into both of you, hitting your cervix, making you cry out as he came.You felt it leak out of you, your abused hole unable to hold it in as he pulled out. Pausing a moment to free you of the pump, making you hiss in pain and relief before Jack collapsed on top of you with a groan, resting his head between your breasts and wrapping his arms around you.

You weren't sure how long the two of you lay there, clinging to each other, hearts and breath slowing down and sweat cooling from your skin as you stroked his hair.

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Eventually, once he was no longer panting, Jack sat up, hair clinging to his sweaty forehead as he took survey of the mess on yourselves and the bed.

“You good baby?” he asked, the need for sleep clinging to his voice.

“Yeah,” you whispered. “That was…”

“Intense?” he supplied with a weak chuckle, getting up off of the bed. “Come on baby, let clean up and get you sorted.”

You whined in complaint, rolling to your side, back to him.

“I know you’re tired,” he cooed, gently picking you up and carrying you to the ensuite. “But you’ll regret waking up in a wet bed, covered in cum and sore as all hell.”

“Fine” you sighed, wrapping your arms around his neck, more than happy to let him do all the work, and you knew he was more than happy to do it.

He took extra care with you that night, cleaning you up, removing the lingerie from your body, soothing your sore abused nipples with ointment, changing the bedsheets and praising you as you snuggled to him every chance you got.

You were already asleep by the time he put you to bed and tucked you in beside him.

Taglist:

@thats-one-tender-foot @luminescentlily @nuttybeardetective @ishqinbbc @ben-is-a-hoe @calamity-queen @phoenixhalliwell @talesfromtheguild @the-arctic-violet @jeeperky @mando-amando

#jack daniels x reader #agent whiskey x reader #jack whiskey daniels x reader #my fic #Seven Days of Valentine's #DIamonds&Daddies #SugarDaddy!Whiskey #thots #smut

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