#practiced leg anatomy so hope it shows a tiny bit

[antsyandpantsy]

random stuff from today

[evolutionsvoid]

Flegor [flee-gohr] Alias: Fleaman, Bug-Saw, Jitters Date Discovered: April 5th, 1955 Place of Origin: United States   Notable Stomping Grounds: United States, Mexico, Canada   Height: 80 feet Length: 80 feet Biology: Flegor is a flea that has been turned into a kaiju through exposure to Yamaneon. The circumstances of his transformation aren't fully known, though some suggest he may have been aboard a lab rat that was used in Yamaneon experiments and wound up being collateral damage. Though this tiny parasite has been turned giant, he still carries many of the traits of his kind. The powerful limbs that give fleas such an incredible jump have been boosted by his transformation, allowing him to launch his massive bulk with ease. A tough exoskeleton allows him to take a hefty amount of punishment from attackers, and from any time he doesn't stick the landing. The combs and bristles that once adorned his body have hardened and sharpened, forming nasty spikes. These aren't the only pointy parts of him, as sections of his exoskeleton have formed razor sharp blades. All these sharpened bits can serve as weapons and defense on their own, but an unique part of his anatomy allows him to utilize them in different ways. With flexible segments of his specially arranged exoskeleton and the help of his internal setup, Flegor is capable of expanding and contracting his body laterally. When cornered, he can swell his body to give himself a bigger profile, as well as cause his spiked hairs to radiate outwards for a spiny defense. In times of escape, he can instead compress himself into a thinner form, allowing him to squeeze through tight spots and make him a smaller target to hit. This compression can be combined with his sharp blades and powerful jump to turn him into a living saw, spinning through the air to slice through any obstacle in his path. This change is not a permanent one, as he is using his muscles to cause this shift. Eventually these muscles grow strained and tired, so he must relax his body and return to his normal size. Flegor also possesses a sharpened proboscis, though he no longer uses it for feeding but as a desperate weapon in close quarters. It has been noted that one of Flegor's eyes is quite larger than the other. It is currently believed it was an abnormality Flegor had before he was transformed.     Flegor's kaiju powers include: - Super strength - An enhanced healing factor - Immunity to radiation - Lateral compression/expansion Personality: While many kaiju can be described as "frightening," Flegor is seen more as a "frightened" creature. He is extremely nervous, always checking his surroundings and never sitting still. He tends to twitch and fidget about, with this behavior becoming more prevalent as his stress grows. His panicked behaviors are increased when he is faced with open spaces and areas with no cover. He is terrified of such exposed places, so much so that some have claimed he is kenophobic. When forced into such an area, be it from fleeing a fight or trying to reach a better habitat, he becomes paranoid and terrified of the idea of being caught in this unescapable place. He is very jumpy and constantly looking around for threats, all while trying to leave this horrible place as fast as possible. While open spaces cause him stress, he finds solace in areas that are cluttered and full. Forests and cities are sanctuaries to him, as he feels most calm whilst hiding amongst the tall buildings or trees (though he may stick out a little). His frantic nature tones down when he is in these areas, allowing him to show a more curious side. In this sanctuary, he will move about and inspect his environment on a regular basis, either curious of his surroundings or ensuring that everything is as it should be. By contracting his body, he can squeeze through the trees and streets without causing too much damage, but that doesn't account for the things trampled underfoot or if another kaiju is pursuing him. Unfortunately, Flegor's habitats do not last forever, as larger kaiju may scare him from his forest home, and humans aren't too fond of a giant flea zipping through their neighborhood. Eventually he will be pushed out, and the terrified kaiju will be forced to find a new haven. When it comes to other kaiju, Flegor often wants nothing to do with them. Such creatures are big, loud and territorial, which are not appealing traits for this nervous flea. When one of these massive beasts make an appearance, Flegor is quick to vacate the premises. He will even run from more peaceful kaiju if he encounters them in an exposed area, as he is too scared to take any chances. His avoidance of other kaiju means that Flegor rarely takes part in battle. He prefers to launch himself away from a threat, or scurry away as fast as possible. Only when he is cornered or trapped will he fight back, but this just for the chance to escape. In these cases, he will use his jumping legs to fire himself at an opponent and tear at them with his razor-tipped body. If he can't go around, he will go through. In tight spaces where he can't jump, he will go for the "puffed up and pointy" method, hoping to discourage attack with his spiny hairs. If the foe is tripped up from this trick, it may create an opening for him to flee. While Flegor has no desire to cause destruction or death, his panicked escapes can still cause quite a bit of damage. His thin body can help him slip through the skyline, but the enraged opponent barreling after him is rarely so careful. His mighty leaps tend to shake and shatter the ground he shoots off from, which also happens to the places he comes crashing down on.   Though terrified by practically any threat, there are some kaiju out there that Flegor seems to trust. Flegor appears to have an affinity for kaiju who possess thick coats, especially mammalian beasts. Hairy kaiju are not seen as a threat but as a companion or protector. When Flegor encounters a furred beast, he will follow them around and stick close by. He does not need to be acknowledged or accepted, as long as the other kaiju does not attack him, he will be happy to hang around. When following one of these kaiju, Flegor will lose some of his nervousness, finding comfort in something familiar to his past life. While these hangouts may last for a while, they are not forever. Eventually this kaiju may travel somewhere that Flegor does not want to go, or they may grow tired of this skittering shadow and chase him off. These separations sadden him, but he does not appear to hold a grudge. He certainly remembers each of these "companions" and he will try to accompany them again if he meets back up with them, regardless if they were the ones who drove him away. An interesting note about this behavior is that these are the only times Flegor has been seen actively participating in a fight. If he is following a trusted kaiju and they are attacked, Flegor will actually try to help in the fight. No one is really sure if the presence of a companion gives Flegor courage to battle or if he is trying to protect his "friend." He will try his best to fend off this foe, though if a battle goes south he may scurry away, either in shame or fear. With him only fighting when another kaiju is beside him and his smaller size, people often joke that Flegor is some kind of sidekick or crazed assistant. This behavior has caused people to wonder if it is possible to permanently partner Flegor up with a hairy and welcoming kaiju, one who would not chase him away or travel where he is uncomfortable. If the humans can find one that is peaceful and relatively stationary, then perhaps Flegor can at last find a safe and happy home.       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This nervous little fellow is for @tyrantisterror ‘s A.T.O.M Create A Kaiju Contest 3-D! I participated in the last contest and had an absolute blast with it, so I was eager to join in on the fun this year! Fleas are such neat critters with some weird bodies, so I tried to use some of that for this little guy. I also found the idea of a tiny parasite turning into a giant an interesting one, as this setting has them sustained off of natural energy over actual food. With no need to eat, and no bigger beasts to latch onto, a parasite like Flegor would pretty much be lost in this new world. It was a neat thought, which led to this poor fella. Hopefully he finds a good home or friend!     For anyone interested, here is the link to the contest! tyrantisterror.tumblr.com/post…

[midnightsnyx]

Consequences - Matthew Tkachuk: part 8

summary: you absolutely hate Matthew Tkachuk so it’s just your luck when you wind up pregnant with his child.

here is it! the last part! please let me know if its too corny lol. epilogue will be posted either this week or next.

couples notes: 1. i don’t know anything about childbirth aside from what google taught me so i apologize for any wrong info! 2. i’m sorry this story was pretty short lol ya girl is doing the best i can😅 3. i wanna throw a couple quick thanks now and then the rest when i post the epilogue. 

first of all i wanna send a thank you to @hannahmb​ who let me bounce ideas off her, gave me feedback, listened to me complain about not knowing where to go with the chapters and also, helped name baby tkachuk! so thank you hannah! you rock 🖤

i wanna thank @notanotherhockeyblog95​ for also listening to me whine about not knowing what to write 😂 also, for giving me loads of encouragement and letting me throw ideas at her! you’re the best!!🖤

anyways here’s part 8! i hope you guys like it and thanks again for reading<3

word count: 2.3k

warnings: none

Part 8

41 weeks

“Matty. Wake up.” You whisper, shaking his shoulder in attempt to wake him. He doesn’t budge so you pull the blankets off him in hopes that it might work but again, he doesn’t move. It’s quite disappointing considering you’re now five days past your due date and if you were in labor, he won’t wake. Luckily, Chantal is sleeping just down the hall. After many conversations, you and Matthew agreed that it was probably a good idea to have her stay with the two of you in case you were to go in labor while Matt was playing a game. Yes, you had friends around but it comforted you much more having Chantal here because she’s went through this before.

With one last look at Matt, you roll out of bed and waddle like a duck, because that’s what you looked like according to Matt and Brady, to the kitchen. You were trying to wake Matt up because you felt like a snack but you didn’t feel like getting out of bed.

You’re digging through the freezer for some ice-cream you’re sure Brady had bought when he last visited when you feel the first cramp. It’s a little uncomfortable but you’ve been having some braxton hicks contractions on and off over the past few weeks, some feeling real enough that you went to the hospital only to be sent home which was very embarrassing even though Chantal told you it happens all the time. It wasn’t exactly the fact that you got sent home that you felt embarrassed about, but that Matthew left practice because he thought you were in labor. You just thanked your lucky stars that it wasn’t while he was in the middle of a game because it would’ve been ten times worse.

So you brush it off, cheering silently when you find the tub of chocolate ice-cream, idly wondering if it’s weird to eat it in bed at three o’clock in the morning. You decide it’s not, walking back to the bedroom and crawling in bed. You sit up against the headboard and grab the PS4 controller so you can put Netflix on since you know you won’t be falling asleep any time soon.

Matt rolls over and throws and arm over your legs and nuzzling his face in your side halfway through an episode of Grey’s Anatomy. It’s gives your belly a weird feeling again, not pain this time but something else. Something a little unsettling because you haven’t felt this particular feeling in quite some time.

You’re pretty sure you’re in love with Matt which makes you equally frightened as it does happy. You’ve realized that your hatred for him stemmed from that one night when he did something to make you angry when your breakup with your ex was so fresh and you were emotionally vulnerable.

Just like Johnny had told Matt good things about you, he’s mentioned things about Matt to you, obviously in hopes that the two of you would hit it off. It gave you a little hope that despite what you had heard from some of the girls, he wasn’t that bad of a guy which you know is true now.

Your only problem now is that you have no idea how strong his feelings are for you. Part of you is afraid that what he does feel is only from seeing you carrying his child. You know what he told you at the baby shower, that he liked you since you met but you still can’t shake the feeling that maybe what he feels for you might just be temporary.

That one day he’s going to wake up and decide that he doesn’t want you the way he does now and it breaks your heart thinking about it.

“You’re crying.” Matt mumbles and you look down to see him now wide awake. “What’s wrong?”

You didn’t realize that you were crying and you can’t wait for the day when everything doesn’t make you cry like a baby.

“I’m fine.” You say, swiping the tears away. “It’s the show.” This is a lie because you haven’t been paying attention to the show for about five minutes.

He looks at the TV and then looks back at you with an eyebrow raised. “It’s a sex scene. Something you been wanting to tell me?”

He has a tiny smirk on his face and it’s temping, it really is, but you shake your head and try to come up with some other excuse.

“My ice-cream melted.”

“Do you want more?” He frowns, sitting up and it drives you insane sometimes, how willing he is to do anything for you at any given time.

“No, I just -” you sigh, putting the tub on the night table. “I’m tired.”

You know it’s a lie and so does he but he doesn’t push like he normally would. You let him tug you down so you’re laying on your side and he’s wrapped around you, hand resting on your belly and face tucked in your neck.

“What about Jasper?” He whispers and you smile.

“I like it.” You tell him and he nods.

“We’ll put it on the list.”

. . .

It’s later that evening and you’ve been having what you’re telling yourself are braxton hicks contractions all day. You refuse to go back to the hospital already because you know you’ll just get sent home again. Besides, Matty has a game tonight and you’re determined to go because it’s the last game of the season. The Flames won’t make the playoff’s this year and you know Matt is upset about it but he said that what’s more important is that he’ll be here for when and after the baby is born.

His words made you fall in love with him a little more.

You and Chantal arrived at the arena early enough that you can go down to see Matt while she finds your seats. You text him when you’re outside the locker doors and he looks happy when he walks out to see you. You can see the hint of disappointment that tonight is the last game until next season but he smiles at you anyway.

“How’s Jasper?” He asks, resting a hand on your stomach.

“I don’t remember agreeing to that name.” You tease and he shrugs.

“Jasper Tkachuk. Has a nice ring to it.” He says, giving you a soft smile. He looks like he wants to say something else but somebody yells his name and you know he has to go.

He smiles apologetically. “I’ll come find you after the game.”

You nod, letting him kiss you before heading back to the locker room. You find your way to Chantal in the stands, trying to ignore the way the braxton hicks contractions won’t go away. There’s a small part of you that knows you shouldn’t be brushing them off but now really isn’t the time for you to go into labor.

You can’t hide the winces from Chantal though because halfway through the first period, she frowns.

“How long have you been having them?”

You wince when another one washes through you. It’s much closer to the last one.

“Since this morning?”

“Y/N.” She scolds gently but firmly.

“It’s his last game! I don’t want to miss it.”

“Honey, you’re in labor.”

When those words leave Chantal’s mouth, it feels like somebody smacked you because it’s suddenly so real.

“C’mon. Let’s get to the hospital.” She says, helping you out of your seat.

“Matt-”

“We’ll get a message to him.” she assures you. “he won’t miss it.”

. . .

As you watch the game from your hospital bed, Chantal paces around the room on her phone trying to talk to someone who can get a message to Matt.

Your water broke shortly after you and Chantal arrived at the hospital and you know how quickly things can progress so you’re terrified that he won’t make it in time. You know that it’s something that the two of you had talked about early on, in the case that he was on a road trip and wouldn’t be here but knowing that he is here but you can’t get a hold of him, is hard.

“I know it’s an unusual situation.” Chantal snaps. “Figure it out.”

When she ends the call, she sighs and presses a hand to her forehead. You know how stressed she is about the situation but when she turns to you, there’s a gentle smile on her face.

“He’ll be here.”

You admire her attempt at trying to reassure you but you know that you need to get yourself in a good mindset to be okay if he’s not here.

“Did you call Becca?” You ask, hoping for at least some good news.

“Yes, she’s on her way.”

A little bit of good news. Finally.

You start to ask if she’s called anyone else but a nurse comes in the room to check you. When she tells you it shouldn’t be much longer, your heart sinks, realizing that Matt’s probably not going to make it here in time.

“I just got word that Matthew Tkachuk will be out for the rest of the game.” you hear Elliotte Friedman say and your head snaps up. You forgot that the TV was still on and it’s now intermission. “I didn’t see him get injured during the game, Chris. Did you?”

“No, and he didn’t take any major penalties. Maybe we missed something.”

Your heart leaps when you realize that he’s probably left the game because someone got the message through to him and you’re proven right when your phone buzzes and his name appears on the screen.

“Matty.”

“Hey, baby.” he says in a rushed voice. “I’m on my way to the hospital, okay?”

“Yeah?” You sniffle, knowing you’re going to cry.

“Yeah.” He promises. “Fifteen minutes, okay?”

He stays on the phone with you until he reaches the hospital and even until he reaches your room.

He takes Chantal’s place on the chair next to your bed as soon as he walks in.

“Ready?” He asks, taking one of your hands in his and pressing his lips to it.

“Not really.” You joke, trying to lighten the mood because you’re scared out of your mind. Your entire life is about to change but when you look at Matt sitting next to you, eyes kind and warm and with the smile on his face, you know you can do just about anything with him by your side.

. . .

“I guess we need to pick a name now, huh?” Matt whispers, cradling the baby in his arms. He was natural from the moment he held him and it was like your heart exploded. If you thought you loved Matt before, you know that you love him now.

“What about Henry?” You ask, watching him walk around, bouncing the baby gently.

His mouth turns up in a tiny smile. “I love it.” Then he looks up at you and tilts his head a little as if he’s coming to a realization.

“What?”

He shrugs, looking back down at Henry before walking over and sitting on the bed next to you. He lets you take the baby out of his arms so you can nurse him.

“I just realized something.”

“And what’s that?” You ask, raising an eyebrow when he smiles.

“I love you.” He says easily and when your eyes start watering, he just laughs gently. “I love you so much it’s crazy.”

“Really?” You ask and he nods.

“Really.” He grins and you can’t help but laugh when he pulls his phone out of his pocket and waves it in the air.

“Now, shall we make this Instagram official?” He asks and you roll your eyes fondly.

“You’re such a dork.”

“But you love me.” He says and you smile, pulling him close enough so that you can kiss him.

“I really do.”

[starrswife]

What Goes On - Ringo x Reader

Friends from childhood, an unlikely pair of Liverpudlians face the challenges of growing up.

-

Thank you @moodysunflowergirl for beta-reading this chapter and being so kind to me.  

I hope you all enjoy this series!     

-

Word Count - 2.1k

Warnings - none

Chapter Summary - November, 1957, Y/n decides to concentrate on schoolwork, but a bored and restless Richard has other plans. 

-

“Doncha half to get back to work soon?” Y/n attempted to ask, mouth full.

Everyday since Richard had dropped out of school, he bought her a pastry from the local bakery and walked her home during his lunch break. At first, the baked good had served as reparations for what Y/n said was, quote, “Abandoning me all alone in hell,” but the tradition continued to stick.

“Nah, my boss let me off early,” he walked backwards to face her, “What do ya’ wanna do? My whole day’s cleared.”

Chewing her last bite, she brushed off her hands of any crumbs. Rich gestured for her to take back the schoolbag she forced him to carry, despite knowing she would just shake her head and make him hold it for the entire walk.

“I’ve got to study, I’m sorry.”

“Again? But you’ve been at it the entire week,” he complained.

“College is a lot more difficult than our old school, Rich. But I’ll go over to yours, if you’d like. Maybe… say, tutor you a bit?”

He rolled his eyes and turned back to face the right way.

“Don’t waste your energy trying.”

She huffed, “Fine, be illiterate your entire life.”

“I’m not illiterate.”

“You can hardly spell.”

“Well, I can read.”

“Oh, lovely, at seventeen years old, you’ve got at least half of it down.”

“Lay off you prick.”

Richard made a move to shove Y/n, but she dodged it, taking off down the sidewalk.

Accepting the stupidly immature challenge, he wasted no time chasing after her.

They maneuvered through pram-pushers who gave them a friendly nod, and business men who scowled at the very sight of their smiling faces.

The icy air felt like blades against her skin as she ran, but with Richie gaining on her, she only sped up the pace. Like usual Liverpool weather, the sky kept at a gloomy grey, and the cobble walkways were darker in color, dampened by the previous night’s rain.

Y/n hopped over the puddles, not wanting to get her oxfords dirty, but Richie couldn’t bring himself to care, charging straight through them.

Reaching their turn and not wanting to give up, Y/n sprinted across the road, Rich following close behind. They screamed out of both fear and amusement when cars honked at them, or shouted, expressing their vexation.

“No!” Y/n yelled, glancing backwards. She tried to speed up, but it was too late. Richard grabbed her arm and pulled her back, wrapping his arms around her shoulders to keep her from escaping. They struggled to catch their breath, each puff coming out as white clouds, that faded into the air. It proved difficult to do so, while simultaneously in a fit of laughter.

“Let me go!”

“Surrender!”

“Never!” Y/n wriggled around in his grip, but to no avail.

“I won’t until you admit what a loser you are.”

Rich laughed, a high pitched and boyish sound that always evoked a smile from Y/n, even while she was mumbling about how much of an arse he was.

Eventually tiring out, she went limp, fully defeated.

“You give up? Say it.”

“I give up.”

“And what?”

“You win, and I’m a loser! Now get off of me.”

He obliged with a grin of triumph then stepped away, and immediately, the winter air chilled her spine as if a blanket had been ripped off of her.

Was it odd to want the warmth back? To want him to pull her closer?

She walked a bit farther away from him, deciding it was odd.

They fell into comfortable silence, enjoying their peaceful stroll as they usually did when not bantering. As the town led further into Richie’s neighborhood, the houses became more and more decrepit, tiny lots with peeling paint and splintered door frames. Abundant rubble, sad reminders of the war, had become playgrounds for imaginative schoolboys. They had grown used to these surroundings, and now, reaching 10 Admiral Grove, the dirt coated bricks and rusty letterbox had become a warm, familiar welcome.

They hung up their coats and headed up the creaky, narrow stairs to his room.

Rich slung her bag onto the bed and sighed in relief. The amount of textbooks she had to haul around made him glad he’d dropped out.

Y/n sat at the foot of the bed, grabbing her bag and pulling out a few of them.

“Mind if I practice a bit?” Richie asked, already walking towards his drums. His stepdad, Harry, had recently bought him his very own set, and he had become a menace, constantly playing, even into late hours of the night.

She groaned. She loved his drumming, really, but it wasn’t the best background noise for calculus homework. Still, she nodded for him to go ahead.

An hour passed, and Richie was now lying on the floor, twirling his drumsticks. One slipped and smacked him on the face, and he glanced up at Y/n to make sure she didn’t see that. Luckily, she was laying on his bed, fully absorbed in her history notes.

Another hour gone. Richie put on a record and cranked up the volume. Y/n made him turn it down. He resorted to making tea.

Sixty minutes later. His half-drunk tea had gotten cold and now sat solitary on his table. He was laying beside Y/n, flipping through her books and giggling about the human anatomy photos.

By six in the evening, Richard had grown fidgety and impatient.

“Y/n.”

No reply.

“Y/n.”

Nothing.

“Fine. I’ll just take a nap.”

He laid back and sprawled his limbs about the bed, making a point to bother her. With his leg over her back and an arm balanced on her head, she finally snapped at him in irritation.

“What do you want?”

He stared directly at her for a moment, then shut his eyes and pretended to snore.

Y/n pushed him off of her and grabbed a pillow to try to suffocate him.

“Someone help!”

He dramatically writhed around before going limp like a corpse.

Slowly, she lifted the pillow up, peering behind it to see his face, eyes shut with his tongue hanging out of the corner of his mouth.

He snatched the pillow from her and pushed her over with it.

She screamed, stifling her laughs and curling into a ball as Rich whacked her with it, her schoolwork spilling off the bed.

“I hate you,” she stated as he flopped backwards, both out of breath.

“Aww,” he cooed mockingly. She threw the pillow at him and got up to retrieve the things from the floor. “Seriously?”

“Seriously, what?”

“It’s been hours, Y/n. It’s Friday night. Let’s go do something.”

“I look horrible, I don’t want to go out.”

“No you don’t, you always look nice. Can we go, please, please, please, plea-“

“Ok, fine! Let me get ready, will you?”

Like a puppy, Richie sat on the edge of the bed, watching Y/n intently as she stood in front of the mirror, trying her best to brush her wind-tousled hair with his comb. She readjusted her black headband, making sure her bangs were out to frame her face. Once finished, she grabbed a tube of rosy lipstick from her bag, and dotted just a bit on before rubbing her lips together to blend it.

It had to look natural.

Her mother had once told her she looked like a hooker for wearing full coverage makeup, and for some strange reason, she felt uncomfortable doing anything remotely feminine around her father. Even when they weren’t near, the need to appease them stuck.

She turned around, “How do I look?”

“Like a square,” he teased.

Y/n glared, and he was quick to reword his statement.

“A pretty square!”

/

The gusty, evening air was as cold as ever, and the two of them stuffed their hands in their pockets, trying to somehow shrink themselves into the warmth of their coats.

“What did you do at work today?” Y/n asked, shivering.

“Uhm, we really just fooled around. Roy, Eddie, and me.”

“Ah, I gotta see the Eddie Miles band in action one day.” “Actually, we renamed ourselves Eddie Clayton and the Clayton Squares. We might pick up some gigs soon, I don’t know, hopefully.”

“Oh, that’d be fab. I’ll be there for every one of your shows,” she looked up to meet his eye, “I promise.”

Richie smiled. It was small, but sincere and warm. He held her gaze just a bit longer, admiring how she looked under the yellow glow of the lampposts. The tip of her nose was pink from the cold, and the way she looked all bundled up was so... so... adorable.

He cleared his throat and turned away from her. “Thanks.”

They got on the bus to Garston, and as it was Y/n’s turn to pay the driver, she caught up to Rich when she was finished.

Even if the bus was completely vacant, the two ran up to sit on the second floor, racing to get there before it started driving again. It was just another one of their antics.

Finally arriving at Wilson Hall, the two took off their coats and followed the crowd to the dance floor. On stage was a group of rough-looking boys, playing as loud as they could with their makeshift instruments. The audience nearly matched the volume, laughing and hollering as they spun about.

“Well, c’mon then,” Richie grinned, reaching out to grab her hands.

She giggled bashfully as he twirled her, and after a bit, loosened up until the both of them were twisting wildly as if their life depended on it. Richard’s slicked back curls bobbed as he stepped, and Y/n’s circle skirt swayed proudly with her hips.

It was crowded, hot, and stuffy, but while dancing, no one seemed to care. It was electrifying, freeing, and for once they were able to forget about their hardships and stresses.

The song came to an end and the crowd gave an applause, eagerly awaiting for the next band to come on.

“I’m going for a coke, d’you want anything?”

Y/n shook her head, “I’m okay, I’ll wait here.”

Rich nodded and squeezed his way through to the bar.

She stood alone, fiddling with her fingers as the next band started and the couples began to dance.

The music now was more jazz than rock or skiffle, and everyone was paired up, swinging each other around and leaving Y/n to stick out like a sore thumb.

Looking over the room, she thought about how much better the other girls looked than her. Their dresses were sleeveless, their faces glowing with expertly done makeup, and their hair somehow curled perfectly at the ends.

She tugged off her cardigan. Would that help? It didn’t show any skin -her button down blouse preventing it- but at least it took a layer off. She glanced down at herself. Were her boobs not big enough? Nah, they were an all-right size for her age, but maybe just a little bigger would be-

“You alright, miss?”

She gasped, snapping her eyes up from her chest.

There, towering over her, was a man with Elvis-esque hair, a fitted leather jacket, and a smirk tugging at his lips. He looked older, perhaps in his early twenties, and he… just wow.

Y/n was taken aback.

“I-I’m alright.”

“How come a pretty girl like you doesn’t have a partner?”

“Oh, uh, thank you. I’m actually waiting for someone to get back, he just,” Y/n awkwardly gestured behind her, lost for words.

“Mind if I keep you company until then?”

He offered his hand to dance, and with a hesitant nod, she accepted.

/

The trip home was almost silent.

Y/n vaguely addressed why she was gone the whole night, and Richard said it was okay.

After a bit of a search, he’d realized she was with another guy and went off to dance with the other birds too. However, he didn’t know how things had… escalated with her and the man.

He asked if she would step out with him. He was mysterious and suave, and it was exhilarating. How could she say no? But when the nameless man pressed her against the brick alley, hands caressing her hips and waist, a sudden tsunami of uncertainty and panic crashed against her. He was nearing her lips, but the once sensual closeness had become suffocating- she couldn’t do this!

“Y/n, love?”

She blinked out of it.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been staring at the wall.”

Spewing the words before she could think them through, Y/n deadpanned, “Teach me how to kiss.”

[vintagedolan]

mixtape: the b-sides

welcome to mixtape, the b-sides! these are little blurbs/bonus content related to mixtape, which you can read here. these little snippets are just for fun, and you don’t have to read them to follow the story! but, if you want to see all of them in one place, check them out here

track: wildfire by ben rector

Author’s Note: this is gray and indy’s first morning in jersey :’) andddd it’s dedicated to the wonderful mar, aka @sunshineforgray because her sweet words actually broke me out of my writers block hope you enjoy!!

Indiana hadn’t slept in many beds with many boys. It wasn’t that she was opposed to it - the opportunity just hadn’t really risen. She was usually ‘married to her books’ as her dad always said, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have a few high school flings that fizzled out. But not before she managed to sneak them into her house at least once for some nerve-ridden nights under the sheets.

But damn if she didn’t know that she was ruined for any boy that dared come after Grayson Bailey Dolan as soon as she woke up. It took her a minute to orient to where she was as she looked around - unfamiliar walls, a tan dresser, a shirt. Grayson’s. She was in Jersey.

It clicked then, and she remembered the night before, coming inside from their sweet moment on the swing to a quiet house, her shower, climbing into bed with him. 

They’d made it under the covers at some point and fallen asleep - her hoodie had ridden up around her chest, Grayson’s warm arm wrapped around her entirely, holding it in place. His hand was tucked under her ribs to hold her against him, which made it difficult, but not impossible to twist around to face him.

He grumbled at her movements, brows knitting together as he shifted, arm tightening against her back and pinning her to him. She brought her hands to his chest, tracing her fingertips over his warm skin. There were a few spots, little white flecks across his skin that seemed to be fading away. She found a few scars in her search, little tribulations to moments passed. Her favorite discovery was the slightly coarse, short regrowth of his chest hair - had he shaved it? She wondered why, but only for a moment, because then he was really moving, his other arm coming up to stretch out as he buried his face in his elbow. 

His eyes were puffy when he finally opened them, and he blinked hard a few times - she could practically see the wheels turning in his head as the night before came back to him. And then he was smiling his sleepy smile, the one that only had the energy to lift the corners of his lips up a tiny bit and squint his eyes shut. She wiggled up, only managing to get where she wanted to be when he caught on and flexed his arm, pulling her up onto his chest as he rolled onto his back. She licked her dry lips before she pressed them against his, soft and welcoming as the song of the birds that were starting to rouse outside. 

“Good morning,” he hummed, chest rumbling a bit with the bass of it. “What time is it?”

She reached for his arm, turning his wrist and reading his watch. 

“8:34,” she mumbled, relaxing down against him, cheek on his chest as he breathed.

“So we’re both early risers. Good to know. Couple goals.” 

She scoffed against him, but it was for show. It was nice to have a subtle confirmation that she hadn’t dreamed up everything from the evening before. They basked in the silence for a moment and Indy found herself tracing letters again, feather light touch over his ribs. I-N-D-Y. And then D-E-E. 

“Dee.”

“Hmm?”

“That’s what you wrote, right? D-E-E.”

She nodded against him with a smile.

“Write something, I’ll try to guess,” she said. She went to roll her sleeve up, but he had other plans. His hand moved to her back, up under her hoodie to land on soft skin. She focused in on the feeling, tried to visualize what he was drawing.

W-A-R-M.

“I’m warm huh? That’s a first. It’s only cause you’re a space heater though.”

“Your turn.”

She wrote a bit faster against his chest.

C-O-F-F

“Hey, take it easy, I’m dyslexic. Gotta give me a chance,” he frowned, making her press a kiss to his shoulder quickly to muffle her laugh. She started over, slower this time. 

C-O-F-F-E-E.

“That can be arranged,” Grayson smiled. “You need it now? Or can we stay in bed a little longer.” 

“I could probably be persuaded,” she mused, scrunching her nose at him before both his arms snaked around her shoulders, trapping her there. He craned his neck forward to kiss her a few times before he thought of a better option, rolling her over so she was underneath him. She was pretty sure it was the best view that anyone could ever have - her shirtless boyfriend above her, chain hanging down, chilly against her neck when he leaned down and peppered kisses across her face. She eventually caught his lips and convinced him to stay there for a moment, long enough for her to get her hand into his hair, making him hum against her.

“We’re having sleepovers every night. No exceptions,” he breathed.

“My bed’s comfier,” she giggled, chasing after his lips as his hands roamed, so big that she felt like they could wrap around her.

Indy didn’t know how long they stayed like that, but eventually she was on her side facing him and his hand traced down to her hip. His eyes shone hazel in the light that peeked in through the window, showing off flecks of gold and green. 

“What do you have on the agenda today?”

“Gotta study for my medical terminology quiz, read for bio, and study for my anatomy exam. And then Bekah later.”

“Shit. So I need to get you back to your place then.”

Her knee jerk reaction was to say yes, but there was a disappointed understanding in his voice that had her resolve wavering. Sure, she’d have to grind to get it all done but…

“I can stay for breakfast. If you’re cooking.” 

“Really?” His eyes lit up, a wide smile stretching across his face.

“Depends on what you’re making.”

“I’ll make whatever you want, as long as it’s vegan.” 

“I’m not much of a breakfast person actually, so I’m down for anything.”

He mocked offense, bringing his hand to his chest dramatically.

“Oh you will be after my vegan french toast.”

“That a promise?”

“Fuck yeah it is,” he laughed, burying his face in her neck one last time before he rolled off, standing up and stretching out. She knew she was staring, but she didn’t care. The way his muscles moved under his skin was mesmerizing - she could have watched it for another hour, but he reached out for her hand and coaxed her out of bed. She headed down the hallway behind him, down the stairs and into the kitchen. 

There was a morning chill over the house that she tried to fight off by sticking close to Grayson until he started to move around the kitchen, gathering a bowl, a pan, bread, some vegan egg replacement from the fridge. 

“Is that oat milk?” It caught her eye in the fridge door. 

“Yeah, that’s the good shit.”

“You want coffee?”

He nodded, smiling as she snuck behind him and grabbed the bottle from the fridge.

Indy had always imagined this - an early morning with a boy, the whole throwing-flour-at-each other and over the top flirting trope sticking in her head from cheesy pinterest pictures and unrealistic movies. Still, she wanted it. But that morning, it wasn’t like the pictures, or the movies. She went around the corner and made the lattes, spending extra time on Grayson’s to make sure it was perfect. And he put a little extra cinnamon on her french toast, made sure it was prepped just the right way.

And somehow, it was better. 

Probably because when she came around the corner with the mugs and climbed up onto the counter, Grayson took his spare hand and rested it on her thigh, rubbing soft circles with his thumb. The conversation moved easily after that, only broken up by pauses for sips of coffee and toast transfers. 

Gray suggested breakfast on the porch, but not until he’d found an old blanket in the chest in the living room for Indy to put over her shorts-clad legs. They ended up sharing it, throwing it over their laps as they sat shoulder to shoulder on the bench with their plates balanced carefully. Grayson watched her take her first bite, a prideful smile spreading across his face when she groaned.

“Holy shit that’s good. Is that your recipe?”

He nodded, ignoring the nagging thought in his head that Ethan had definitely been a part of that development.

“Told you so.” He nudged her shoulder.

Grayson finished his toast before Indy had even moved on to her second piece, but he didn’t mind. He just sat there with her, leaned against her, laughed quietly to himself when she wiggled a bit as she ate - he’d heard that girls did that, but he’d never actually seen it. 

Eventually the plates were moved to the side and the mugs emptied, and they found themselves in each other’s arms again, watching the rest of the woods wake up.

“Do you like being out here? In Jersey?”

She nodded against his shoulder. “It’s a good break, from the city.” 

“Good, cause I like having you out here. It’ll be even better when I have my own place instead of being at mom’s,” he mused. Indy perked up at that with a frown.

“I like your mom.” 

“I know, it’s nothing against her. I just like having you all to myself.” 

Her cheeks were warm again.

“Well, you have me all to yourself right now,” she teased, quirking an eyebrow at him. He gave her a devious grin, hand moving down her thigh so he could pull her over practically into his lap. 

“I could get used to that.”

[bangtanstrawberrycheesecake]

S.Experiments (M)

➾ pairing: min yoongi x oc

➾ genre: step sibling, smut

➾ word count: 3k

➾ summary: It started from innocent curiousity. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.” 

CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER 2 | CHAPTER 3

chapter one:

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

Soo Jin’s eyes were hopeful as she sat on Yoongi’s 75” x 36” inch single bed, fingers clasped on her cotton shorts. She gleamed with the curiosity of a sixteen years old girl and while she had a cheeky excited look on her face, Yoongi were exactly the opposite. 

He had boredom plastered all over his face as he lay sprawled on his bed, hair still damp from shower. It was a little over 5 pm, he just went back from basketball practice, showered and his sister, correction, step sister, is already bugging him in his room. 

If Soo Jin hadn’t known him well, she would have mistaken Yoongi’s cold look as a sign of annoyance but she knew him well enough to know that he wasn’t a tiny bit annoyed at her. They were the best of friends, always has been even before their parents decided to get married to each other 5 years ago.

“Come on we’re best friends.” Soo Jin cooed, shaking Yoongi’s sides softly to urge the sixteen years old boy to speak up. “Yeah but that’s just weird as fuck.” Yoongi finally spoke, rolling his eyes when he sees her giving him her puppy eyes. 

“Oh, come on it’s not like I’ve never seen it anyway. I see it all the time when I accidentally went inside the bathroom while you were showering. You always have the habit of not locking the door.” Soo Jin had her arms crossed by now, she wasn’t one to easily give up. She always gets what she wants and this time won’t be any different.

“Exactly? So why do you still want to see it. Just google it or something. Weirdo.” Yoongi replied coolly, although deep down his heart was beating 100 miles per hours. Can you blame him though? Soo Jin just said she wanted to see his dick. What the hell is he supposed to say. 

“I want to see how it looks close up. Look it’s normal okay? Kids do this all the time where they pretend to be doctors and inspect each other’s bodies or something. Everybody has played that once in their life with their siblings, I’m just the unlucky one who was born as a single child. So now you have to play this with me because you’re “technically” my brother.” Soo Jin said in a matter of fact tone and Yoongi wondered what makes her so interested of this today. Were her female friends talking about dicks or something today at school and now she’s so intrigued to see one?

Soo Jin could sense Yoongi’s curiosity so she decided to just tell him the truth. “Okay so today Eun Ji told me she and her boyfriend did it and his ‘thingy’ were really hard and long and I know guys and girls has different looking thing but I’ve never seen a real one clearly before and I want to see it.”

Yoongi finds the situation hilarious. 

This girl can’t even say dick out loud but is so yearning to see his? He almost let out a big laugh but decided to hold it in and it came out as a snicker instead. Soo Jin’s cheeks heats up and embarrassment filled her.

“Are you laughing at me?” Soo Jin mumbled, the tough act she builds were starting to tumble down and she push the laughing boy’s shoulder with her small palm. Yoongi won’t stop laughing, and Soo Jin grew even more humiliated than she was before.

“Look if you won’t show me I’ll ask somebody else. I know Namjoon wouldn’t mind.” That was all it takes for Yoongi to stop laughing and cut her off. “Don’t you dare.” Yoongi knew his friend had a soft spot for Soo Jin. Hell, she didn’t even need to tell Namjoon she was going to show hers and the boy would still whip out his dick in a second. 

Yoongi didn’t know why but the thought pisses him off. All he knows is that he’d rather show his dick to Soo Jin if that means she won’t ask some other hormonal boys to do that for her. God knows what they’ll do to her in the heat of the moment. 

At least Yoongi knows he won’t do anything dumb like the other boys would and it’ll be purely anatomy lesson at this point. Let’s say this is a way to protect his precious best friend/step sister from getting into dumb situations with other boys like Namjoon.

“Alright fin-.” Yoongi grumbled and he didn’t even get the chance to finish his sentence when Soo Jin suddenly squeal and scream “yayyyyy” out loud. She’s already pulling down her shorts down before Yoongi can even change his mind. Yoongi choked when he saw a flash of her white cotton panties and his head automatically look away. 

What the hell has he got himself to? 

He felt a nudge on the basketball shorts he usually wore at home because it’s comfy af and before he knew it they were down to his knees. “Geez slowdown, will you?” Yoongi felt his cheeks heats up as he sat against the headboard with nothing but his blue boxers. 

He was looking at the side, specifically on his LeBron James poster he pasted on his walls because he can feel himself growing hard and the last thing he want is looking like he was getting excited for this. 

So Yoongi close his eyes and thought of all the boner killing thought he can think off in his mind and somehow it works and his dick turn flaccid. “Come on don’t be a chicken.” Soo Jin whine, tugging on his boxers and that sorts of trigger Yoongi’s man ego and he finally tug his pants down, exposing everything he have hidden underneath.

Yoongi still can’t turn his head and he’s still looking at his wall now, but he’s staring at his Notorious B.I.G album poster instead of the LeBron James one. 

Even without looking he can feel Soo Jin’s stare on his dick and he heard her soft Oooooooo of awe. 

The heat crept back to his cheeks because first, this was the first time anyone or a girl has ever seen his dick and second, well anyone in his situation would feel at least slightly embarrassed.

“Are you done looking?” Yoongi mutter and before he can get a reply he felt a soft poke on his dick. 

A moan slipped out of his lips and he immediately whipped his head in shock. 

He didn’t expect that. 

“Yah! Who told you you can touch?” His eyes met her awestruck ones and Soo Jin let out a giggle. He wasn’t mad but he was definitely caught off guard. He wasn’t expecting her to touch it at all. 

“Why is it so flaccid? Oooo it grew hard.” Soo Jin gasp as she saw Yoongi’s soft dick turn bigger and harder after she gave it a little poke.

“It’s because you touch it, stupid. It’s a natural reaction.” Yoongi retorted sharply because hell no, he wasn’t going to show that he was affected by this whole absurd situation. Soo Jin was still staring at his now semi hard dick in astonishment.

 Even though she has seen it before when she accidentally walks in on him showering, it was only for a brief second and the glass door usually obstruct the clear view anyway. But now that she can get a super clear view of his dick, she can only gape in amazement. 

His shaft was long and pink, and his balls were pink too, a contrast to Yoongi’s pale skin and the tip was bulbous like a mushroom head. Yoongi obviously didn’t shave so he had a small amount of hair around the base of his dick and around his balls. Yoongi’s dick definitely isn’t small. It complimented his figure nicely.

Soo Jin lift her eyebrow as she notices that Yoongi were looking at the sides again. He still has his blue Nike t-shirt on but he’s naked from down below. Soo Jin thought it’s not fair that he was the only one naked. She had been too busy admiring his dick to the point she forgot to strip herself too. So, she stood up from the bed and began pulling down her white cotton panties. 

“What are you doing?” Yoongi could hear a rustling sound from the side before he felt a dip on his bed again. He felt Soo Jin tug his head to look at her and Yoongi literally screamed “what the fuck!” when he saw her sitting with her legs wide open in front of him in nothing but her T-shirt. 

“You didn’t have to strip too!” Yoongi was sure his face was as red as a ripe tomato because he can see her hairless slit and it was the first time he saw one other than from the porn he watches. He didn’t even remember the deal was “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours”

“Shut up don’t act like you’re not as curious about this as I do.” Soo Jin roll her eyes. Yoongi had been her best friend for the longest time and she know he never had any action with a girl so this was his first time seeing a pussy in real life too. 

Yoongi felt all the blood rushes down south below as he stares at Soo Jin sprawled out in front of him with her legs parted. It was like his eyes were magnetized and he can’t seem to look away. Yup, he’s definitely rock hard by now.

“Isn’t it funny how our privates are so different?” Soo Jin rambled as she looks downward to her own pussy before using both of her hands to part open her slit, giving Yoongi a clear view of her tiny hole and clit. Yoongi’s mouth gaped open, it was his turn to look at her in amazement.

“So, this is my clit, this is my labia, this is my pee hole and this is the hole where you have sex in and where babies come out from.” Soo Jin was pointing to different parts of her genitals as if giving Yoongi a biology lesson on female genitalia and Yoongi swore this situation is absurd as fuck and he have always known his best friend is a weirdo but not to this extent. 

But Hell, they’re already come this far and as a hormonal teenager Yoongi would be lying if he said he’s not as intrigued as her and honestly, he’s just as curious as she was.

“Okay so how the fuck can a baby come out of that tiny ass hole?” Yoongi commented, leaning in to inspect closer. Soo Jin’s eyes widen when Yoongi lean close enough to be point she could feel the air coming out of his nose when he breathes out on her slit. She felt the temperature on her body going up and she wonder if this was what it means to be turn on. Was she getting turn on at the sight of Yoongi so close to her pussy?

Soo Jin was oblivious that Yoongi was feeling the exact same way. Damn he could feel his tip leaking with precum when he caught a whiff of the scent radiating from Soo Jin’s pussy. It was a foreign smell and unlike any other scent Yoongi has ever smelled in his life before. Soo Jin was the one looking away now, her cheeks warm and pink. 

She had her legs parted and her back was almost touching the bed except her arms were propping her body up. It was a tiring position and Yoongi must have notice it too because he’s pulling her up and urging her to lay on his pillow instead. Once she lay back down, it was Yoongi who was spreading her legs back open so he can go back to seeing her pretty pussy. 

He was way too excited for someone who was so against this in the first place and Yoongi can only assure himself that this was purely anatomy lesson and there’s nothing weird about this at all. 

“Do you wax?” Yoongi suddenly ask when he notice how hairless she was below and Soo Jin gave him a brief nod. Yoongi swore Soo Jin has a really pretty pussy and he have seen enough pussy in porn to know how a good pussy looks like.

Dirty thoughts flash past Yoongi’s mind and Yoongi had to literally take a deep breath and remind himself that this was his step sister sprawled out below him. “This is just anatomy lesson Yoongi. Anatomy lesson.” Yoongi chant in his head while he closes his eyes.

“Dinner is ready!”

They both heard their mom shouting from downstairs and they look at each other with wide eyes before Soo Jin yeeted out of his bed to put on her panties and shorts back on. “You go down first I can’t go down like this.” Yoongi whisper as he points to his raging hard on. Soo Jin nod shyly before she dashes out of his room and running downstairs to greet her mom, acting as if nothing had happened at all. 

Upstairs, Yoongi were spraying his boner with cold water in an attempt to turn it soft. He doesn’t have time to jerk off so cold water is always the best choice. It wasn’t the best feeling to have your hard on sprayed with cold water but he had no other option.

[anon-luv]

I’ll Never Be Her *(FINALE)*

Pairing: Jimin X Reader

Genre: Angst/ Romance

Summary: You loved him with all your heart, but he could only give you half of his.

Jimin was the love of your life, your night in shining armor when she wasn’t around.

She was his ex girlfriend,  his first love, actually she was his many firsts and she kept coming back.

He had warned you she was his weakness, but you didn’t listen, because to you having him even if it was only partially was better than not having him at all.

At least for now.

Rated M: Sexual Scenes and Languages that might not be appropriate for all ages.

Word Count: 5.2K+

Author’s Note:  Hey loves. Sorry for taking so long writing this chapter. I wanted it to feel realistic and not too overwhelming since the whole story was quite an emotional bomb. There is an epilogue coming out which will have a few surprises and let you peek in into Jimin’s and (Y/N)’s life 2 years down the road.  You can choose to stop here or go ahead and wait for the epilogue, it is up to you loves. It will be a short epilogue drabble so it may be up by next weekend. Thank you all for sticking through this!! I know we all divided into Teams for the boys and we all cried and debated over y/n’s life together. I hope you enjoyed this story and I am hoping you will enjoy my future ones. I have so many things going out of hiatus that will continue to be written and some new projects I am working on. My upcoming works so far include(for those curious souls): 

Goodnight Moon (BadGirlGoodBoyAU Jungkook OneShot)

Countdown To Us  Chpt 2 (SoulmateAU) TaexReader, YoongiXReader

Aphrodesia Chpt 1 (Jungkook StripperAU)Untitled (Jin BestFriendAU One Shot)

New (SEQUEL to Borrowed) Yoongi X Reader

I want to thank all my readers and mutuals for their support.

Specially @b-angst-tan who has been a lovely editor/ beta love her!!

I also want to thank @msserenityli for helping me choose the twins names lol. That took me forever and a day.

It took me forever to get the courage to post this, so I really hope you enjoy. Show me some love. I really enjoy reading your comments, messages, and tags when you reblog. LOVE YALL!

You were more than sure there was a knife piercing through your lower abdomen as you yelled obscenities up in the air for the world to hear.

Magical. That was what the birthing coach had repeated countless times as Jimin held your hand as you practiced breathing techniques in that vomit-green mat.

LIES! They had all been lies. The feelings, the breathing techniques, and the way Jimin had held your hand while whispering sweet nothings in your ear.

“I FUCKING HATE THAT MOTHER FUCKING SON OF A BITCH AND HIS FREAKING SPERM. CURSE HIM TO HELL!!!!” you yelled as Jin’s car came to a complete stop in front of the hospital driveway.

“I think you need to relax and breathe, remember like Ms.Hope made you do in those classes you took,” Jin said with a grimace as he jumped out of the car to help you out.

You glared at him through the window as he rushed his way into the building only to come out running with a wheelchair in tow, “You mean the ones you forced me to take??”

“Hey, I didn’t tie you down and take you against your will, I just signed you up and paid without asking you first” Jin opened the door carefully helping you up and placing you on the chair. A nurse came out after him to escort both of you into the lobby where a few other ladies grimaced your way as they patted their stomach while they panted almost in a synchronized fashion.

“We just need some information sweetie, think your partner here can take care of that while we wheel you to the back to start our assessment??” the older looking nurse asked as she took over the wheelchair.

“We are not together together, but sure. Don’t worry about it (Y/n), I got this.” Jin replied as another wave of contractions hit you full force.

“Ahhh ….okay...okay” you shouted as you were rolled into a light blue hallway, Jin no longer by your side.

You took deep even breaths trying to relax your tensed up muscles. Your birthing plan had not included a solo labor, but unless Jimin had some sort of superhero intuition you would have to adapt and conquer the situation.

“Okay hun, let’s get you in a gown before anything. How far apart are your contractions??” she asked as she assisted you on your swollen tomato red looking feet.

“Umm…. I would have to say between. Every 6 to 8 minutes and about 30 seconds each… I think-” you replied slightly stuttering as the weight of the situation started falling upon your shoulders, you were about to become a mom. Your eyes widened with a mixture of excitement and fear.

The nurse smiled softly in your direction, “Don’t worry about it. You got this, you are a strong one I can tell” she said winking your way.

You nodded at her silently as she started making her way out of the room.

“Go ahead and rest. The doctor should be in at any second” she said closing the door behind her.

You made yourself right at home laying on the strange and slightly hard medical bed. The monitors in the room were scattered around the place making the place feel a tiny bit intimidating. The 40 inch TV on the wall seemed oddly comforting and homey and you would be more than delighted if you could only figure out how to turn it on without falling on your face as a weird plan started flowing through your mind of standing on a chair and jump to reach the power button. The plus and minus button on the white control on your bed seemed to be the solution as you examined it closely, scared it would send one of the monitors into a frenzy you clicked it cautiously as if the slow touch would lessen the trigger of whatever was about to happen.

“I hope to the heavens this doesn't set off an alarm” you whispered to yourself as you made your mind up to click the plus sign. As soon as you pressed the red button the bed vibrated and roared to life as your feet rose up in a surprisingly high speed tilting your feet up towards the air whilst your hospital gown scooted upwards leaving all your lady bits uncovered.

With your luck, it shouldn’t have come to your surprise to hear the door slam open right on time to witness your a la nude display, a deep low chuckle flowed through the air, “I see you are anxious to get them treasures out huh??”

“Oh shit, I mean I am sorry for cussing … I just… sorry Doctor Kim” you stammered out trying to cover your blushing cheeks with your hands.

“Don’t worry about it, darling. I heard you cussing down the hall, as long as those bad words are not thrown my way we are all peachy in here, now let’s get them feet back in place huh??” he replied with a chuckle as he pressed a button on the side of the bed leveling you out back in place and raising the headrest a tiny bit making everything more comfortable.

You eyed the handsome doctor from top to bottom taking in the contrast of his serious demeanor versus his kind words. As if he knew he was carefully examined he threw a rectangular smile your way quickly lifting up the tension in the room.

“These beds can be tricky, and quite amusing if you are in the right mood.” He said as he slipped on some gloves, “Now let’s take a look and see how far along you are. Open your legs slightly for me… this might feel slightly uncomfortable. Do you blush quite this often on a daily basis??”

Your blush depend as you managed to shake your head no as you felt a cold sensation making you jump slightly in place.

The door opened once again at that exact moment, Jimin’s head poking in looking flushed and slightly out of breath, “Sorry am I late??? I came here as fast as I could manage with the after-school traffic” he said as his eyes wandered around the room taking in the dull colors on the walls and weird medical jargon scribbled across random anatomy posters, then landing straight on the sight of Doctor Kim with his hand right up your gown.

Jimin coughed awkwardly, trying to remind himself he was in a professional setting and that he had to get his mind out of an endless pit of the gutter it had landed on as his instinctive self-had placed almost automatically as he came to the realization of how handsome Dr.Kim truly was.

“Actually, you are right on time to assist on labor pains. She is dilated at a 6 and currently on active labor" Dr. Kim explained as he stood up taking both of his gloves off as he walked towards Jimin, “Now it is expected of the father to assist the mother of his children through this enchanting life changing yet painful journey through comfort during these times, but if you give her any trouble I will personally kick your ass out of here, and it will no longer be Doctor Kim in the room, but Kim Taehyung just an FYI buddy” Dr. Kim stated as he gave him an innocent broad rectangular smile his way and a wink your way.

“Epidural??” Dr. Kim asked as if the previous conversation hadn't happened a few seconds ago.

You nodded, “I think I am going to….Ahhh,” you said being cut off by another rush of contractions.

“Got it… the anesthesiologist will be right in” Dr. Kim stated as he walked out of the room leaving you alone with a disheveled looking Jimin.

You frowned his way trying to ignore his presence yet failing. You were clearly mad and frustrated at him and he knew it.

“(Y/N), I am sorry… I  had to go” Jimin began to explain as he approached your bedside. His voice barely above a whisper and trembling at the end. You knew he was on the verge of tears, but at this point, you could care any less as another yelp came from your lips from the stabbing sensation on the back of your spine. You breathed in deeply trying to ease the painful sensation that had traveled upwards making your whole body squirm uncomfortably.

“You … didn’t have to go Jimin. No one was holding a gun to your head. You went because you wanted to, you needed to be there for Stephany, even if it meant leaving me behind AGAIN” you said as the pain that flowed through your eyes switched to rage as you eyed him from head to toes.

“No no, that is not at all what it is. It has never been Stephany (Y/n). I went to say goodbye. Yoongi called me, and he told me he was planning to propose a change of scenery to Steph and I knew I had to say goodbye, not to Stephany so much as I had to go say bye to Nataly. That little girl is like a niece to me and she reminds me so much of the bright and cheerful Stephany I had once called my best friend. She has so much light in her and I… that little girl is like a piece of Stephany I thought had been lost and I am so scared that she will get hurt just like her mama did. I have been there for her just as much as I have been there for her mom, and I know the whole situation Stephany is putting Yoongi and Nataly through is completely unfair to the both of them. I should have been there for you… I am sorry” Jimin replied as he buried his face in his hands, “I am so sorry, and I know that won’t change a thing but-”

“AHH!” you screamed as your uterus roared to life once again making every other issue in the world seem minute to the immense pain now bursting through you.

Jimin ran towards you grabbing a hold of your hand immediately, “Breath (Y/N), Breath…”

“Easy for you to say you son of a bi...AH!!!!” you replied earning you a grimace from Jimin’s whose hand looked redder than a tomato as you held on to it as your life depended on it.

Sweat was now dripping down your forehead as Jimin ran his fingers through your hair and counted breaths easing you out of the contraction.

“That felt like it was a lot longer than the last one,” you said as you adjusted yourself. The previous discussion left behind as the reality came once again crashing full force in your face, “Jimin… I am scared” you admitted in a quiet sob as he scooted himself into the bed beside to you.

“It is okay to be scared love. If you weren’t I would be scared. Our lives are about to change in a manner of hours...maybe even minutes. You and I have not had the greatest of relationships in the world, and I took you for granted for so long… I can’t even fathom to ever forgive myself, but I can tell you right now that I am going cherish every single second of the day beside our little angels tenfold. You are my family (y/n), and if you can give me another chance to prove it to you...I would give my world up for you. I know today was not the greatest of examples, and once again I shouldn’t have been scared to let you know what was going on. You are more than just my girlfriend, you are my partner in crime and I should treat you as such. I LOVE YOU! I will love you always and forever...even if you choose not to be with me anymore” Jimin said as tears slowly traveled down his reddened cheeks.

You took a deep breath swallowing the words he had spilled as a sweet hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night. The tension that had been sown into your aching muscles relaxing almost into nothingness, but before you could utter a word another contraction pushed through the surface once again throwing you into fits of rage.

“JIIIMIIIIN!!!!” you yelled painfully as he bravely took both your hand in his.

“Breathe (y/n). Close your eyes and imagine little hands and feet, and the smell of baby shampoo, the pain is worth it …. The pain will be less and less” Jimin tried to soothingly whisper in your ear.

“BULLSHIIT!!! This pain will not goo AHHHWAY!” you said almost ripping his hands off as you grasped onto them tighter, the pain increased to a level it hadn’t before knocking your breath out of the continuous rhythm it had settled into before making you slightly dizzy and nauseated.

Doctor Kim came in with a smile on his face, “Well won’t you look at that monitor, we are definitely close, and the anesthesiologist is barely on his way! Let me check you once again because your contractions have definitely increased in duration… If you excuse me”

Jimin nodded looking at the doctor wide-eyed as he assessed you once again as the cold sensation of the gloved made you wiggle with the alien sensation.

“Well...we can’t wait much longer you are at a 9 now. That was quick…” Doctor Kim said talking more to himself than anyone else in the room.

The door opened as Jin walked in looking at the floor lost in thought, “I swear they have way too much paperwork….. Like how many times did I have to print your name?? Don’t they have those sticker name labels or something??” he complained as he plopped himself on the nearby couch finally looking up to inspect his surroundings. Jin smiled at the doctor and then looked at Jimin with relief clearly radiating off him.

“You made it!!” Jin screamed enthusiastically. I frowned his way as I put two and two together, but right before I could question him….

“AHH!!!! MOTHERFUCKING SHIT!! THIS HAS GOT TO STOP HURTING SO MUCH!! WHERE IS THE FREAKING EPIDURAL COMING BRIGHT AND SHINY DOCTOR!!!??? WIPE THAT SMILE OFF YOUR FACE!!!” you screamed not really paying attention to anything you were saying, “NEVERMIND NEVERMIND DONT DONT STOP SMILING!!! IT IS PRETTY!!!! YOU ARE PRETTY! FUCK JIN YOU CALLED JIMIN AFTER WE FUCKING KISSED!!!”

“You kissed??” Jimin asked completely shocked sending a death glare towards Jin.

“I smell drama” Doctor Kim said winking at both their ways.

“She was confused Jimin… she could only think of the worst possible scenario at that point, and I mean it wasn’t even that long of a kiss cause her water broke….and wait doctor shouldn’t you be doing something?? You wink too much” Jin said defending himself as your screams only got louder.

“You do wink too much...Look I don’t care about the kiss. All I know is that I am glad you were there when I wasn’t. Jin you deserve…” Jimin said to Jin almost completely blurring your loud pants only to be cut off when you screamed once again.

“JIMIN MAKE IT AHHH!” you said as the pain started to subside once again.

“Okay, well the epidural won’t do much at this point. We are going to go ahead and prep her for delivery. Are you ready to start pushing??” Dr. Kim asked as he started to make his way out the door.

“I don’t…” you stuttered.

“PERFECT! What about you Daddy??” Dr. Kim said genuinely smiling at Jimin for once.

Jimin looked your way as his face brightened as fresh tears traveled down his cheeks, “More than ever”

Jin grimaced as he stood up from the couch, “This is my queue to walk out of here before my face hits the floor. I fainted when they showed us the birthing video in class, I can only imagine what a live one will do… I will go wait at the waiting room with Nat and Yoongi”

You turned towards Jimin questioningly, “Wait… why is Yoongi here?? Is Steph okay??”

Jimin placed a finger on your lips, “Shhhh…. I will explain later. Steph is no longer my problem. This is a moment for you and me only. Everyone else is a speck of dirt in this infinity galaxy that is us, now are you ready?”

“More than ever” you replied as Jimin kissed your forehead. For a second a smile adorned your face...For a second until another contraction made its way.

2 pairs of eyes, 40 baby toes, 2 pairs of chubby little feet, a full set of hair, one head a little on the bald side with very light thin hair, and 2 cries that sent your world into a spiral of happiness.

Roilan was born at 20:17 with a full cry that rattled throughout the hallway, a future opera singer was what Dr. Kim said as soon as he burst into baby cries.

Leilani was born at 20:25 a lot more stubborn to let the world know she had made an appearance. It took a bit of coaxing to get her to cry, but as soon as Doctor Kim assured her health seemed to be at 100%  she was back asleep almost automatically.

There was something incredibly magical of watching Jimin cradle both babies as he sang soft sweet lullabies as their little hands wrapped around his fingers.

“They are beautiful” Jimin whispered to himself as tears threaten to spill down my face.

“To be honest they look like little old people, a little swollen and wrinkly but nonetheless beautiful” a deep voice called out from the door, “It happens with all newborns, so don’t worry in about a few hours the swelling goes down and they look a hella lot cuter”

“Yoongi??” you asked out loud confused as he entered the door with a very excited Nataly in his arms. As soon as he placed her down on the floor she came running towards you with an excited and curious glint in her eyes.

“Aunty (Y/N), did you already have your parasites??” she asked clapping her hands in delight.

You raised your eyebrows confused, “What Natty??”

“Yeah, my dad was talking about how babies eat out of the mommies like parasites” she explained nodding her head in full understanding.

“Well … umm... That is strangely correct, but it doesn’t sound too nice to call them parasites, but we can call them Leilani and Roiland.” you replied as you patted the unruly golden hair on her head.

“Leili and Roy!!” she scram now running towards Jimin who quickly smiled her way as she kissed both heads and started talking to babies as if they could understand her perfectly, both pairs of eyes trying to focus on her for now blurry figure as they tried to suck on their hands.

You turned to look at a smiling Yoongi, “Parasites??” you questioned him with an eyebrow raised.

“You tell me how I was supposed to explain it to a little girl. She asked why every 4 words… Anyway, congratulations love!” he said engulfing you in a hug which you returned automatically.

You looked behind him expecting to see Stephany walking in at any second. Yoongi’s eyes traveled to your line of sight, “No, she is not here, and she won’t be around for a while”

“But you and Nataly?” you asked concern written along the creases in your forehead.

Yoongi just shook his head, “Steph thought it would be best to let us go, at least until she is better, but at this point… I am not sure if she is coming back”

You nodded now understand as to why Jimin had run away from your side earlier today. You turned to look at Jimin and Natalie as they simultaneously sang ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ to the once again sleeping twins.

“I am sorry Yoongi I wish…” you replied only to be cut off by his hand interlacing with yours.

“No. There is nothing any of us could’ve done to help her. We tried. We all did. Jimin sacrificed so much and at the end of the day, she always fell back to old habits. I had a lot of people tell me she had to hit rock bottom to actually try and help herself out of this, and maybe she finally did. All I need is that little girl by my side to keep me going. She deserves a whole lot more than I have been able to give her in her short life, and I am going to make sure I fulfill my duty as her father and best friend. My focus will be on her. She needs me, and if Stephanie ever decides to come back... Well, that would be nice, but I am done waiting” Yoongi said confidently, “Now I am sorry to interrupt your moment, but Nataly and I just came by to say goodnight. It is late and time for her bedtime. Jin wanted us to wait a little longer, but Nataly wanted to see the babies before she fell asleep.”

Nataly kissed Jimin and the twins goodnight and then jumped on the bed to kiss your forehead and engulf you in a hug with her tiny little arms, “Love you, Auntie”

“Love you too princess. Be good with your Dad” you replied as you watched her jump into Yoongi’s arms as a gummy smile appeared on his face.

She smiled back at you, “Always”

Jin came in an hour later with 2 giant bears. One pink with a giant tutu, and one blue with a baseball bat. He tiptoed into the room afraid to wake up the twins as they both slept on their baby hospital beds.

“You know Jin you can just walk normally in here,” you said to encourage him to walk quickly to your bedside. Jimin had fallen asleep in the recliner as if he had been the one who had just given birth and pushed out two little humans through his privates. Soft snores spilled from Jimin’s plump lips as Jin peeked in to see the twins.

“They are so cute and tiny” Jin squeaked out in a quiet yet excited tone.

“Yep yep. I make cute babies..what can I say” you replied winking his way.

Jin placed the bears on the side table and then sat on the edge of your bed, “Winking might just be contagious, you are not allowed to hang out with that doctor anymore (y/n). I am glad everything went okay.” his eyes traveled to a sleeping Jimin, “and I am glad you are happy”

You nodded as you reached over to take his hand, “I am… and I am sorry.”

“Wait, what are you sorry for??” Jin asked quietly tilting his head to the side making his manly features look like those of a lost puppy.

You sighed scared to speak the words out loud, as if by not saying them everyone can go about like it had never happened, “The kiss” you stuttered, “I am sorry it took me so long to realize how you felt, and I am really sorry…”

“You don’t have to say it” Jin cut you off looking towards Jimin, “I know…”

“But you don’t. If things between Jimin and I weren’t so complicated. If I had the strength to just let go….it would be you” you said as silent tears traveled down your cheek.

Jin scooted his way closer to you and grasped your face with his hands delicately as if you were made out of this world’s finest crystals, “(Y/N), that is the thing… I am not what you want. You and I are best friends no matter what, through thick and thin. Maybe I should’ve told you how I truly felt, but I knew that with what was going on between you and Jimin it would be taking advantage of the situation and I didn’t want that. I wanted you. I want you.”

You shook your head, “Jin you deserve so much more than me. You need to be someone's number one, just like you told me so many times. You are gold Jin”

“You are gold” Jin replied instantly, “I think I need to go ahead and go home for the night. I will go by your apartment and make sure the doors are locked”

“Thank you Jin,” you said unsure of what you should really say.

Jin nodded and turned to face the door walking almost reluctantly out the door.

“Wait, Jin!” you yelled unconsciously.

Jin turned to face you puzzled at your sudden outburst.

You slowly sat up from the bed and wiggled up on your feet slowly marching up to him, not quite sure about what you were doing at this point.

As you stood right in front of him you tippy-toed and laced your arms around his neck and rested your head on his chest, “I love you Jin. I love you so so so much, and I wish I could be in love with you too, but I am in love with Jimin and it would be highly unfair to you.”  You separated yourself from his chest and peered up into his eyes, “Best Friends??”

Jin leaned in and placed a soft kiss in your forehead, “Best Friends until a Zombie Apocalypse falls upon us and I get bitten, then I can make no promises I will want to eat your brains… of course if it makes you feel any better I would choose your brains over any others”

“You are so weird” you chuckled as you let him go.

The soft cries of Leilani shook you both back to reality, “I am thinking she might be hungry, she has only woken up to eat so far”

“Time to go then,” Jin said waving a small bye as he stepped away.

As soon as Jin was out of sight you heard some movement from the corner of the room “She is more than likely hungry”  Jimin’s voice surprised you as you scooped her tiny body up in your arms.

“I think so too. She is a sleepy head” you sat on the bed and latched her onto your breast which she quickly took as her little hand went into a tight fist.

Jimin walked towards Roilan who was still quietly sleeping, “I still can’t seem to believe they are already here”

“Yeah me either,” you said smiling.

“(Y/N), I heard what happened with Jin, and I am sorry for everything I put you through, but is it true?? Are you still in love with me”

You nodded right away, “I have no doubt I am, but to be honest I am not sure what I want to do right now. I need to focus on the babies and every time I let you in we fall back into the same routine. We can give this another go, but we would have to start from the beginning once again you just have to give me some time to adjust to everything.”

“You can have all the time you want” Jimin replied as a bright smile appeared on his face, “This is like the best day ever”

“Calm down there. When I mean from the beginning I mean literally dates and all” you replied, “Nothing too serious or dramatic until I feel comfortable”

Jimin nodded, “I will take anything I can get, but will it be too much to ask for a kiss??”

A deep voice broke through the room catching you and Jimin by surprise, “Did you not hear the lady?? She said to CHILL! Anyway congratulations on your bundles of joy, how are you feeling??” a civilian dressed Doctor Kim Taehyung asked as he approached you with a small gift bag, “This is for your minions and this is for you” he replied handing you 4 large sunflowers that shined as bright as him. A small card rested upon the petals which you quickly opened curiously. A blue inked phone number was scribbled across with a smiley face.

“That is my personal number in case you ever need anything… and now that you are dating… casually...” Taehyung replied winking playfully your way.

You chuckled at his joking demeanor while Jimin’s sudden change of mood was written all over his frowning face.

“Anyway I have to go sleep, the bed is calling to me. Goodnight!” Doctor Kim said walking away without giving Jimin another glance.

“Goodnight Doctor Kim” you replied earning you a cheeky smile from the clearly amused doctor.

“You can call me Tae,” he said as he skipped his way out the door.

“I don’t like him,” Jimin said sitting next to you in the bed.

You rolled your eyes at his pout and then leaned in quickly to kiss him catching by surprise.

“But I like you...scratch that I love you. I am so in love with you” Jimin rambled on and on until you once again leaned in to capture his plump pink lips. You knew you had told Jimin you wanted to take things slow and at your own pace, but you had a feeling that wouldn’t last too long with all these boundaries you were trying to set between the both of you. You were so head over heels in love with him, and you could finally confidently say he felt the same.  At that very moment, everything felt perfect, and then not only one cry but two cries erupted loudly through the room forcing both of you to separate from the passion filled kiss.

“Welcome to parenthood” Jimin whispered happily.

“That smile won’t be there for long, especially at 3 in the morning Jimin” you replied as you traded babies now latching Roilan on, “Leilani requires a burping session and then diaper change”

“Yes Ma’am” he replied in an over exaggerated deep voice as he saluted.

Hey loves. Sorry for taking so long writing this chapter. I wanted it to feel realistic and not too overwhelming since the whole story was quite an emotional bomb. There is an epilogue coming out which will have a few surprises and let you peek in into Jimin’s and (Y/N)’s life 2 years down the road. Some stuff will not be pink and fluffy, and there is like I said a little twist in the story which to be honest I am still debating myself about. You can choose to stop here or go ahead and wait for the epilogue, it is up to you loves. It will be a short epilogue drabble so it may be up by next weekend.

Thank you all for sticking through this!! I know we all divided into Teams for the boys and we all cried and debated over y/n life together. I hope you enjoyed this story and I am hoping you will enjoy my future ones. I have so many things going out of hiatus and will continue to be written.

My upcoming works(for those curious souls):

Goodnight Moon (BadGirlGoodBoyAU Jungkook OneShot)

Countdown To Us  Chpt 2 (SoulmateAU) TaexReader , YoongiXReader

Aphrodesia Chpt 1 (Jungkook StripperAU)

Untitled (Jin BestFriendAU One Shot)

[spookysnicket]

ANON: hi! I was wondering if I could have a matchup pretty please? I’m female, 5’8” (like 80% legs it’s stupid) I have v short choppy brown hair and green eyes. As hobbies I enjoy doing sfx makeup, painting, and making little things out of clay! (ex: little dolls, animals, teacups). I’m currently studying to become a nurse and I’m lowkey obsessed with all things gore oops. I speak English (of course), German, and sign ASL! I can come off as a bit mean at first but I’m just feisty and sarcastic oopsies

---

(You’re so sweet, of course love! I had a hard time choosing between a few of the characters, but I hope you enjoy the silly apple man! Matchup under the cut as always!)

I match you with Leslie Vernon

🍎 Les loves to make you a part of everything he enjoys doing, and sometimes, things he doesn’t. He’ll take you out for jogs so you get your fix of that dreaded cardio- and definitely also not so he can see how nice your legs look when you run beside him

🍎 He’s always been super captivated by your eyes. Les is that one guy to have an absolutely absurd amount of facts on real peculiar subjects- his go to compliments are usually about the color of your eyes and how rare it is to have them

🍎 Do Leslie’s special under-mask boxer face paint for him! It’s a good way to show you support him- wishing Les luck with the party pooping and telling him you love him while you slather on the finishing touches. Les always enjoys how it feels, it’s very relaxing and helps him calm down and get in a good mindset before heading out

🍎 You should touch up his mask with your painting skills! As much as he likes the experienced worn look, Les would rather look fresh while he’s in the early days of his career

🍎 Les thinks your clay hobby is really unique and cute. He asks you to make tiny characters and figurines of people that he’s able to move around maps, which he uses to plan with. He likes to act out his schemes with them and slide them around like chess pieces

🍎 A bit strange but hear me out- make little clay homes and logs to put in Church and Zoey’s tank. It’s pretty barren and not all too enriching for the poor turtles, and Les would be so flattered that you care about them that much! One day, you may even come home to see he’d gotten them a larger set up to put more little clay bits and bobs into

🍎 Given Leslie’s profession, you becoming a nurse is terribly ironic. It is helpful though, since you’re always there to patch him up after one his victims get a lucky shot in

🍎 He’s always happy to be your practice dummy too! Good luck getting him to not laugh as you check his pulse though, he’s one ticklish, giggly bastard

🍎 Don’t ever worry about going to the library for any books for studying. Leslie’s collection is as helpful for a nurse in training as any aspiring slasher

🍎 Since you like gore, Leslie would be happy to show you his tricks on how to properly dispatch someone. He’d point out how he hits vital points and explain any important details that may help you understand anatomy and bodily function- really anything he thinks might be useful for nurse stuff

🍎 Leslie seems like the air headed type, but surprises everyone when out of the blue he starts fluently speaking a different language. I bet he speaks something like French or Mandarin, and would offer to give you a couple phrases if you teach him some German!

🍎 Leslie would be really down for learning ASL. It makes him feel all tactical and smart

🍎 God does this man love your personality. It’s constantly a witty two person comedy between you both. Your gutsy (haha) and spirited nature makes you beautifully confident to him- and also makes you fortunately gifted with keeping up with Les’s usual hyperactivity

[let-it-raines]

Second in Command (Ep - Part 4)

Summary: Life as the “spare to the heir” isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be when you’re the supposed screw-up of the family, but people don’t know what really happens behind closed doors.

Rating: Mature

A/N: Just wanted to say that you guys are continuously kind people, and I appreciate every read, like, kudos, ask, comment, and reblog on this ridiculously long story! :D

Found on AO3: Beginning | Current

Tumblr Chapters: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |

Epilogue Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 

Tag List: @nikkiemms @resident-of-storybrooke @kmomof4 @wellhellotragic  @ekr032-blog-blog @bmbbcs4evr @onceuponaprincessworld @jennjenn615 @a-faekindagirl @mayquita @captainsjedi @captswanis4vr @teamhook @skyewardolicitycloisdelena91 @branlovesouat @dreadpirateemma @alys07 @andiirivera

Indy walks ahead of him, her leash tugging him along, while Emma walks beside him, their steps matching up as their feet move over the pavement in the gardens. The dullness of the winter plants, brown and gray trees barren of leaves, are fading away and blooming into lush greens and vibrant colors. It’s still cold outside, temperatures dipping low, so he and Emma are bundled up as they take their early morning walk, something they’ve taken up together in the past few weeks.

He finds it relaxing with the simplicity of it all, and he knows that Emma feels the same. It’s a way for them both to get some exercise on days when the gym in their home goes unused as well as a way to give Indy more space to run. She’s calmed as she’s gotten a bit older, but she’s still rambunctious and would likely need acres and acres of land to roam and be completely happy with her running space. Maybe they should travel up to Norfolk and go to their country home so she has a larger backyard and he and Emma have more privacy to go out and about outside of their home without the interference of photographers and reporters aching for a picture of Emma’s stomach.

The last two months of their lives have been, quite frankly, some of the most hectic of his life. Finding out Emma is pregnant was honestly one of the best moments of his life, even if how she phrased it was a little cheeky after such an awful scare. God, when she fell on that stage, he felt his heart drop to his stomach. He’d never been more terrified of anything in his entire life. Something was wrong with his wife, his best friend, and he didn’t know what it was. She was conscious the entire time, but she just wasn’t right. And the two hours between her fall and her telling him that they were having a child, well, he felt as if they’d never end.

Now he knows he was being a bit dramatic, but hindsight is always twenty-twenty instead of the blurry, faded vision that comes when you’re in the moment. Emma and the baby are just fine, growing like a weed really. She’s got the smallest of stomachs, something she woke him up and showed him just a few days ago. She was so excited, her eyes lighting up and practically sparkling under the bathroom’s lights, and sure enough, there was the slightest curve to her stomach, more physical proof that they’re having a child, not that he really needed anymore. But it was something special, and he was just as thrilled to get to see the changes in her stomach.  

And in her breasts, but that doesn’t seem to be a very fatherly thing to think. He thinks it, though, and he really appreciates the growth and how her libido has come back in full force in the past few days. That’s simply something he won’t be sharing with the child one day, but he hopes she (he’s absolutely convinced they’re having a little girl even if he can’t seem to come up with the reason why) can see how enamored he is with her mother. If not, he’s failed them both.

“Hey, babe?”

“Yeah?” he questions, reaching his hand out and twining their fingers together while they continue to walk together, nearing Liam and Abigail’s apartment.

“I think we should go on a babymoon.”

“What the bloody hell is a babymoon? I’m pretty sure that’s not a phase of the moon they taught us in primary school.”

She laughs before taking a step closer to release his hand and tuck her arm around the crook of his elbow while resting her head on his shoulder. He knows she’s being affectionate, but he also knows that she’s not willing to admit that her hands are cold because he suggested she wear gloves before they went out and she didn’t. She’s stubborn as hell, his love.

“I mean, it’s just, like, a vacation before the baby is born. The name is a ridiculous thing. I know it’s super trendy and all, but maybe we could get away for a week or a weekend before I’m not allowed to fly anymore. I think something different might be good for us. Something warm.”

“So before you’re heavily pregnant? When can you not fly? Six or seven months?”

“Yep, I was thinking next month or May. Maybe June if we don’t travel too far away.”

“Well next month is busy.” He runs through the plans he knows they have, trying to remember everything off the top of his head while attempting to get Indy to move away from the rose bushes. “We had to push back the Kidding a Goal two-year event already to May, and Liam’s fortieth birthday party is happening. I’ve also got the trip to Poland. Those are just the big things, I think. We’d also have to work around our engagements, but the middle of May would probably work.”

“We could do it for our anniversary. Just earlier.” “True,” he agrees, continuing to run through his calendar in his head while tugging at Indy’s leash again, the dog finally deciding to move on with her explorations. “Why don’t we work on it when we get home this afternoon?”

“Sounds good to me,” she sighs, nuzzling her head into his shoulder before laughing at Indy attempting to chase a bird that’s flittering between bushes

The three of them return back to their apartment twenty minutes later, Indy’s tired legs and the cool air winning out, in order to shower and get ready to drive to Hounslow for their St. Patrick’s Day activities. Emma’s stylists work on her hair and makeup while he gets ready, dressing in his Irish Guard uniform as he did for their wedding. He catches Emma looking at him in the mirror, and he throws her a wink, smiling while bobby pins are attached to her hair to keep her hat in place over her blonde curls.

This is one of his favorite events and though it’s technically Emma’s responsibility, he always joins her for this particular engagement. It’s likely because he gets to pal around and drink a Guinness with members of the Guard afterward, but he enjoys it all around. It’s relaxed and informal, despite the military aspect of it, and those are always his favorite things to do. State dinners and other diplomatic events are not usually enjoyable, but he understands he’s there for the country and his father, not himself. He can help better Britain even if he’s really there to smile and shake hands while telling a cheeky joke that would get him in loads of trouble if his father ever caught wind of it.

(He’s still eternally thankful Brennan has no idea about the joke he once made while slightly intoxicated about the size of his father’s ego having a negative effect on other parts of his anatomy. It’s not the 1600s, he has a good relationship with his dad, and he feels like he still might get beheaded for that one.)

Thomas drives them to Hounslow, and they get out of the car to go and greet the crowds outside, shaking hands and accepting gifts. Over the years he’s grown accustomed to accepting flowers and letters, the occasional handmade jar of jam after he was once pictured as a child with raspberry jam all over his face, but lately it’s been all baby gifts all of the time. They have quite the collection of baby shoes, which he doesn’t understand because infants don’t need them, but they are damn cute. And tiny, so tiny. How can a human’s feet be so small?

He’s obviously well prepared to be a father if he can’t get past the size of infant shoes.

Sure enough, he’s handed several booties and outfits, the colors ranging as everyone tries to guess if they’re having a boy or girl and bugging him as if he’s going to share the private news with everyone. He and Emma don’t even know yet. She’s not far along enough, though he has a sneaking (see: strong) suspicion they’re having a girl. Emma thinks they’re having a boy, and he’s choosing to think that he knows better.

He very rarely does.

“Thank you,” he tells everyone, handing some of the gifts, including a miniature version of his uniform, to their aides, “this is so sweet of you all. Emma and I give you all of our love.”

He finds Emma near the end of the line, sliding his hand around her waist and pulling her closer while she fumbles with a few gifts too, stuffed bears and clothes along with a few flowers that are already causing some of her allergies to kick in.

“You ready to go inside, my love?”

“Yep,” he whispers in her ear as a camera flashes behind him, “we’ve got some Shamrock to hand out and beers to drink. Well, at least I get to do the second part.”

“Shut up,” Emma playfully whines, waving to people as they walk by, “you’re being rude reminding me of that.”

“Well, I do so enjoy pushing your buttons. Maybe I’ll let you kiss me later so you can taste the alcohol.”

“Yeah, I don’t think you should be counting yourself at getting lucky today, no matter how many four leaf clovers you find.” She kisses his jaw before pinching his cheek, and he barks out a laugh while they walk inside to get situated for the parade and the rest of their duties.

He wakes to kisses up and down his arm, soft lips and softer skin pressing into him as the haze of sleep fades away and the darkness of their bedroom comes into view. He can barely see a thing, his eyes still adjusting to the lack of light, but he can feel the heat of Emma’s body pressing into his back and sending pinpricks of pleasure throughout his body.

“W – what time is it, love?”

“A little past two.”

She kisses the back of his neck, right at his hairline, and the pressure of her breasts and her stomach pressing against him while her foot is running up and down his calves is already too much when he hasn’t been awake for more than a minute.

“Emma, love,” he grumbles when she starts inching down his back, her tongue tracing his spine, “you’ve got to give a man a moment.”

She stops then, rolling off of him and onto her back, the mattress slightly bouncing under her weight, and he groans at the lack of heat between them now. He didn’t mean for her to stop completely, but she’s obviously taken it that way. So he scoots over and kisses up her shoulder and her neck, fast flickers of his lips until he’s slanting them over hers and hovering above her.

“Hey, why’d you stop?”

“You told me to give you a moment, figured you weren’t quite ready or in the mood or something.”

She shrugs, her mused hair moving up and down as her eyes blink and her lips tick up on one side. His hand finds her face, caressing her cheek, and he smiles softly when she smiles back up at him.

“First of all,” he begins, pressing a kiss against each of her eyelids, “I am nearly always in the mood to be with my knock-out of a wife, so don’t get it in that head of yours that I’m not.” He moves to kiss behind her ear then, gently nibbling on the lobe. “Secondly, all I needed was a moment. It’s been awhile since I’ve been woken up in the middle of the night when you’ve already kept me up late.”

She laughs under her breath, the smallest, sweetest sound, before twisting her head and kissing him, slow and sweet so that he feels it in every inch of his body.

“Yeah, well, you can blame your kid for that.”

“Yes, I’ll tell her right as she’s born that she’s made mummy and daddy’s sex life slow down before she’s even born. I’m sure she’ll totally get that.”

“First of all, we still don’t know, and you are being super stubborn with the girl thing. And second of all, since we’re making points, our sex life is fine. We literally had sex three hours ago.”

“I said she’s slowing it down, not ruining it.”

“Semantics.”

“Romantic.”

“What?” She laughs, her eyes crinkling up on the sides as her smile stretches across her face. “That’s in no way romantic.”

“Oi, I think it is. Don’t you think sex is romantic?”

“I mean, obviously.” She rolls her eyes before rolling onto her side and pulling the comforter up over her. “But not in this context no. What I was doing before we got into this discussion was romantic sex.”

“That wasn’t sex.”

“It was the preface to sex, which is sometimes the best part. I was doing naughty things to you.”

“Did you just use the word naughty instead of dirty? Darling, you are officially British. Next thing you know you’re going to speaking with an accent.”

“I have an accent,” she protests, scrunching up her nose. “It’s just not the same as everyone over here, which I think makes me unique in all of the best ways.”

He rolls back over on his stomach and hooks his arm over Emma so that she can rest her chin on his forearm while he rests his on his pillow next to her head. “So do you think the babe will sound more like you or me?”

“You.” “Why?” “Because they’re going to grow up around people who sound like you. That’s what influences the accents, not necessarily just the parents. Think about it. I have an American dad and a British mom, and I have an American accent because that’s where I grew up.”

“True,” he hums, moving his hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. “Does that bother you at all?”

“Nah, not at all. It’s like the opposite of how it was in my house growing up. It’s kind of weird when you think about how similar it is.” She tilts her head and smirks at him. “Plus, your accent is damn sexy.”

“Really now?” he purrs, inching closer to her before crawling over her and propping himself up on his forearms and knees, making sure not to press his weight down on her stomach. “You think I’m sexy?”

“I think your accent is sexy,” she corrects, her lips ticking up on one side while her hands frame his cheeks, cool fingertips inching up into her hair and tugging him down so that he can feel the heat of her breath brushing over her lips. “Would you like to get back to where I was trying to go earlier or can I cross off doing naughty things to you?”

“Whatever the first thing was, most definitely.”

He wakes later that morning while Emma slumbers on her side of the bed, hair tangled and falling down her bare back from where the comforter shifted in her sleep. He quietly gets out of bed, attempting not to wake her or Indy who must have wandered into the room while they were sleeping, and makes his way into the bathroom, turning the water in the shower on to get ready for today.

He should have woken an hour ago, but the bed was too comfortable and his body too tired, so he rushes through his morning routine, using Emma’s blow dryer to fix his hair instead of letting it dry naturally. He slips into a suit, putting on a pair of his ever-growing collection of cufflinks, before spritzing on his cologne and grabbing his already packed suitcase out of the closet, letting the wheels trail along the hardwood until he’s back in the bedroom.

Stepping over to the bed, he scratches behind Indy’s ears, the dog opening one eye to look at him before cuddling back into bed as he sits down next to Emma.

“Love,” he whispers, pushing her hair off of her forehead until her eyes flutter open, the green hazy and sleep-ridden, “I’ve got to go.”

“Already?”

“Yeah,” he sighs, leaning down and kissing her forehead, “my flight is in two hours, and Mum likes to travel early.”

Emma yawns before sitting up, pulling the comforter over her and looking every bit like the girl he met nearly eight years ago with her crazy hair and pillow creased face and complete lack of care if she looks put together or not. “Okay,” she sighs, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and pulling him into a hug, “but you two be safe. Call me when you land, when you come home, if anything interesting happens, if anything boring happens.”

“I know the long-distance drill, sweetheart.” He brushes his lips against hers then, feeling the softness that comes with Emma. “But it’s only two days. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Ugh, I know. Two days doesn’t give me nearly enough time to have my affair.”

“You’re a cheeky little minx, so I’m sure you could figure it out.”

“Damn right.” She kisses him again. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He reaches down and touches her stomach, her skin warm beneath his touch. “And you, little love.” Indy barks then, walking up the bed until she’s breathing in his face. “And you, Indy girl, even if you’re not supposed to be in this bed.”

He and his mother fly to Poland that morning for a dinner the British ambassador is hosting in honor of Liam and his birthday in a few weeks time. They were given short notice on the event, and since Liam couldn’t attend, Killian and Allison agreed to attend, knowing it would be no trouble for them. The morning flies by as all of these official visits do, in a flurry of handshakes and small talk, everyone attempting to fill his head with as much information as they can. It’s been awhile since he’s done an event with his mum, something he used to do when he was younger, but they fall into a natural rhythm. His mum is an expert at things like this, using her quick wit and kind smile to make everyone comfortable, and if there’s ever been anyone he’s tried to emulate, it would be her.

“Oh, this is gorgeous,” Allison compliments as they walk into the dining hall, her hand wrapped around his elbow. “We should decorate one of the rooms at home more like this. It’s more modern.”

“Well then we’d have to get rid of the ancient furniture that no one is allowed to sit on.”

She chuckles next to him as he pulls her chair out for her and waits for her to sit down before taking his own seat next to her. “You and your brother get cheekier the older you get, I swear. I’m pretty sure it’s supposed to be the other way around.”

“Well, you can’t take away our video game privileges now, mum.”

The dinner is indeed wonderful and full of Polish dishes and traditions celebrating Liam. He takes a video to send to his brother, making sure to capture the cake he knows Liam would be stuffing into his face and flipping the camera around to show the smirk on his face that he got to eat it.

Should have shown up to his own pre-birthday event.

Later that night he and his mum are driven back to their hotel, and while they have separate suites, she joins him for a cup of tea, settling down into the living room with the television playing the local news. His phone buzzes just as a segment on their visit begins, and he’s thankful for the excuse to mute the sound.

“Hey, beautiful,” he greets Emma, his lips stretching into a smile as he props his feet up on the coffee table, his socks practically falling off next to his glass, “did you miss me today?”

“Obviously. However could I survive twelve hours without you?”

Her voice is dripping with disdain, and he chuckles to himself as he imagines the roll of her eyes and the absolute disinterest she has when he’s being cocky. “You could at least act a little sad.”

“I can cry if you want me to, if that would make you feel better and boost your already inflated ego.”

“So you’re just as cheeky as you were this morning then. What’d you do today, love?”

“Absolutely nothing,” she sighs, the happiness seeping through the phone speaker. “I got dressed in pajamas, took Indy out, and then we settled down in the darkness of the bedroom and watched Gilmore Girls just to relive all of that nostalgia.”

“Ah, yes, I’m sure Indy has a lot of nostalgia about Stars Hollow.”

“Of course she does,” Emma laughs, and he can hear the theme song playing in the background. “Ruby came over for a few hours with food from the restaurant. I may save some leftovers for you.”

“Yeah, I already know that won’t be happening.”

“Hey, I don’t eat that much! I haven’t even gained any more than regular pregnancy weight.”

“Love, you and the Gilmore Girls all have amazing metabolisms. I’ve gained more pregnancy weight than you simply because our walks aren’t quite the same as our runs.”

“I can still run, you know? Dr. Hudson said so as long as it’s just a jog and not too much.”

“I know. We’ll have to do that when I get home. Mum and I ate a lot of cake tonight.”

Emma hums, sighing into the phone. “I’m jealous. Tell Allison I said hi when you see her in the morning.” “She’s sitting with me in the room right now actually, so if you were going to talk bad about her, now probably wouldn’t be the time.”

“Damn. That’s obviously what I was about to do.”

He and Emma chat for a few more minutes, but he knows he has to let her go so as not to be rude to his mother. She’s been fiddling with her phone and watching the muted television, so he’s sure she’s regretting coming over only to be usurped by a phone call.

“Hey, darling, I’ve got to let you go, okay?”

“Okay, is everything alright?”

“Everything is perfect. I’ve just been boring Mum making her listen to our conversation. I love you. I hope you, Indy, and little love have a good time binging the rest of Gilmore Girls and eating all of my food.” “We will,” she promises. “I love you, too. Bye, babe.”

He hangs up the phone, smiling at the picture of he and Emma that pops up afterward, before shutting it down and placing it on the arm of his chair. He looks up at his mother then who is softly smiling at him as if she really was listening to his conversation.

“What?” he laughs, feeling the slightest bit uncomfortable.

“Nothing,” she smiles, pulling her legs up underneath her and curling into the chair, “I was just thinking about how happy you are.”

His lips twitch, and he swallows the small lump of emotion in his throat. “Well, I am happy, Mum. I’m nearly always happy.”

“I know, I know,” she waves him away, tucking her long hair behind her ears, “but you’ve just been through so much and sometimes I look at you and wonder how I got so lucky that you’re my baby. And now you’re having a baby, and I’m emotional about it all of the time.”

“Mum,” he softly laughs, getting up from his seat to cross the room and crouch down in front of her, taking her hands in his, “what’s going on? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m simply a crazy old woman.”

“Well, we all know that’s not true,” he promises, guessing that it’s not the time to be making jokes. “You’re bloody brilliant and completely and totally young.”

“Thank you, Killian. It was just that I was watching how natural you are with Emma, how good you’ll both be as parents. And I guess sometimes I feel so much regret over not getting to see you both together for all of those years. You were so cheated.”

“Hey,” he soothes, running his thumb over her knuckles and ignoring the ache in his thighs from the squat, “it’s all okay. I know that a lot of it was bloody awful, but if I’m honest, I liked having those years with Emma. We got to fall in love in peace, and as wonderful as it would be for you to have gotten to know her sooner, we can’t change that. So let’s be happy, yeah?”

“I know, darling. I’m sorry, but being a mum and a grandmother, all you want is for your kids to be happy. And you feel a bit accomplished when you realize they are. You’ll understand that soon enough.”

“Well, once we get over the terror and get used to having a person’s entire life depend on us, yeah, sure, I’ll focus on the happiness.”

His mum releases his hand to stroke his forehead, pushing the hair back. “You two are going to be wonderful, and your baby is going to be the most beautiful little thing.” “Can you say that again for me to send to Liam and Abigail? I’d like to have it on record for bragging rights for the rest of eternity.”

His mother winks at him, smiling before leaning back in her chair and asking him what movie he wants to watch. It’s been a long time since he simply spent time with his mum with no one else, so he savors it, laughing with her and talking about anything she wants until she decides to go to bed in her room next door.

The following day is full of engagements, but the two of them manage to slip away to dinner and sightseeing that evening, covering themselves in the cool early April weather and hiding away from anyone who may recognize them so they can have a normal night. Overseas visits, even with all of their setbacks and frustrations, are some of his favorite things to do if only because he can sometimes slip away and be himself in a place where fewer people know him.

Of course, he managed to slip around London for a few years as well, but he’s decided that was some kind of bloody miracle.

Early Wednesday morning they board their flight and make their way home, the four-hour plane ride seemingly stretching on for double the time until they touch down on land again and he and his mother separate into their different vehicles to make their ways back to Kensington and Buckingham, respectively.

Walking in the front door, he knows Emma won’t be home as she’s at the opening of a youth theater, so he takes the opportunity to let Indy in from their garden, indulging her in her excitement over him being home, her tail wagging so furiously she could create a windstorm. After she’s calmed, he settles down into the living room and pulls up his laptop, answering emails and organizing his schedule all while watching the shows he missed.

Multi-tasking in the best way possible, really.

It’s hours later when he hears the front door open before closing and clicking into place as heels click on their hardwood floor, the sounds getting louder the nearer she gets.

“Hi,” Emma sighs when she walks into the living room, immediately walking toward him and straddling his lap, her knees on either side of his thighs, while she presses a lingering kiss to his jaw and scrapes her fingers through his hair, “I’m so, so, so glad you’re home.”

“Hmm, me too,” he smiles before slanting his lips over hers once, twice, three times. “As much fun as I had with my mother honoring my brother, I quite prefer your company. And I was promised leftovers.”

Emma laughs against his lips as the heat of her breath washes over him and he settles into contentment. “Babe, I hate to break it to you, but those did not last.”

“Well, I guess you’ll have to figure out a different way to welcome me home.”

She smirks before burying her face in his neck, her words spoken against his skin. “A foot rub would be fantastic, thanks. Those heels are a killer.”

Without his permission, not that it has ever been that way before, the first few weeks of April pass in the blink of an eye. He wants his life to slow down, for moments to pass like waves crashing into the shore, continuous and only quickly during a storm, but that’s simply not how things work.

Of course, there are times when he’d like life to speed up the slightest bit, and right now is one of those times.

He’s been sitting on the bed thumbing through his phone for twenty-seven minutes now, half of it spent reading an article about hair loss genes being passed down simply because that’s what was at the top of the page, but he’s gotten a bit bored. There’s also the fact that they’re going to be late for Emma’s doctor’s appointment if she doesn’t hurry up. She always takes longer than him to get ready, but it’s never like this, especially when they’re just hopping over to the doctor’s office and then coming back home to get ready for Liam’s birthday party tonight.

Sighing, he rolls over on the bed until he’s standing, pulling his jeans up so that they rest on his hips, and walks into the bathroom to find it empty of Emma but with clothes strewn across the floor. He tentatively steps over them, keeping himself from picking them up and throwing them in the basket, and makes his way into the closet where Emma is stretched out on the floor with her arms over her face and her jeans on but unbuttoned and unzipped.

Bloody hell, it’s a mess in here.

“Hey,” he tentatively begins, kicking at her bare feet with the tip of his boot so that she uncovers one of her eyes, “what’s happening here?”

“My jeans don’t fit. Not a single pair of them except for the ones that have yellow paint on the ass because mom decided she wanted to have a sunny yellow living room.”

“And this is surprising to you because?”

“Because last week my jeans fit, and this week they don’t. That is some kind of fucked up thing.”

“I believe that’s called pregnancy.”

Her eyes slant and every bit of joy that was remaining on her face disappears while she stares up at him like she’s five seconds away from murdering him. “I will stab you with the first earring I find if you don’t wipe that smug smirk off your face.”

He chuckles under his breath, knowing that she’ll likely do it, before squatting down and lying on the floor next to her, emulating her position. The hardwood hurts his back, but he imagines they won’t be here for long. If they are, he’ll just have to suck it up until this all important jeans situation is resolved.

“So your jeans won’t fit, love?”

“Nope. And I don’t really think I’ve gotten that much bigger. I still just kind of look like I ate too big of a meal when I’m wearing clothes. I don’t know why this is bothering me so much. Obviously, I can just do the hairband trick until I buy new jeans, but I love wearing the damn things. They make me feel normal.”

“What? Wearing heels and a dress that perfectly matches your coat with a hat that was specifically dyed to match that coat and dress doesn’t make you feel normal? I never would have guessed.”

She snorts beside him while her hand finds his, and she wraps her fingers around his palm before pulling it up and brushing a kiss against his skin. “Surprisingly, no, that does not make me feel normal. That makes me feel like a barbie doll.”

“You’re not a barbie doll, love.”

She sighs next to him, but it’s really more of a huff. She’s frustrated, that much he knows, and a part of him is pretty sure that it’s not only because her jeans don’t fit. So he squeezes her hand, silently encouraging her to share her thoughts as he so often does with a touch or a glance.

“That’s just how I feel sometimes, you know? And I know that’s not how it is with you and me. But to the world it’s like I’m this girl who plays dress up and is a wife and an expectant mother and nothing else, which is fine if that’s what you want. And babe, I love that. I love being married to you and having a baby with you who I am so in love with it’s basically an obsession, but if I have to answer one more question about if I think you’re going to change a diaper or wake up in the middle of the night if the baby’s crying, which is literally what a parent does, while you stand next to me and answer a question about global relations, I’m going to lose my damn mind.”

“I know,” he mumbles, the weight and unfairness of her words settling into him. “I’m sorry that you’re so frustrated, and I’m sorry that some people are stuck in an old-timey world view.” He releases her hand and twists on the ground, propping his head up in his hand while looking Emma in the eye. “Why don’t you take up a patronage or two dealing with women’s rights or something similar? I know everyone was on the fence of that because they thought it was too political, but fuck that, Emma. If that’s something you want to do, you sure as hell should do it. It’s not political. It’s human, and you would be an incredible ambassador. You should do things that make you happy.”

Her eyes light up, lips twitching into a smile. “Yeah?”

“Absolutely. The fact that we don’t have any specifically for that is bullocks when we support nearly everything. You could help so many people, and I think you’d be a bloody rockstar at it.”

“I know I would.”

“That’s the spirit,” he encourages, leaning over and brushing a kiss against her lips, letting it go a little further than either of them should when they have to be somewhere soon. “But right now we’ve got to go see if I’m going to win our bet because we’ll finally see that our little love is a girl.”

“You keep thinking that. Also, there was no bet, and if there was, I never lose.”

“Oh shit, that’s cold,” Emma gasps as Dr. Hudson applies gel to her bared stomach, her bump only sticking up the slightest bit while she wears her jeans buttoned together with a hairband, the determined lass. “I don’t think I’m ever going to get used to that.”

“Most people never do,” Dr. Hudson assures them. “So all of your tests look good, everything in normal levels. Are we having any dizzy spells?”

“No,” Emma answers, her eyes focused on the screen that’ll show the baby in a few seconds, “I haven’t. And my diet and eating times are so regularly scheduled and planned thanks to the obsessed man next to me, so I’ve been feeling really good.”

Her hand finds his so much like earlier, and he clasps it between both of his hands before leaning down to kiss her forehead. “She’s been doing well, not a lot of symptoms.”

“Well, she’s in that wonderful sweet spot of the pregnancy. It usually only gets worse from here.”

“That’s not very encouraging.”

Dr. Hudson laughs before focusing all of her attention back on the ultrasound, the baby’s heartbeat suddenly sounding throughout the room. God, the first time he heard it, the rhythmic beat so much calmer than his own, he nearly cried. Okay, so he might have cried, a few tears slipping from his eyes. Emma didn’t even cry until later when she came home with the picture and fell apart saying she couldn’t see the baby and felt like Rachel from Friends.

But he’s grown accustomed to the sound of their child’s heartbeat now, and as the picture pops up on the screen, she’s as clear as can be.

“So we’re looking really healthy, heartbeat is good, growth is good. And you’re eighteen weeks now, so while sometimes I can’t tell, I can tell you the gender today, if that’s what you want?”

He looks down at Emma to find her already looking up at him, a smile gracing her lips as she nods in confirmation. “We want to know.”

“Alright,” Dr. Hudson smiles, looking at the monitor one last time, “you two are the lucky parents to a boy.”

A boy.

He’s going to have a son.

Holy shit, Emma’s never going to let him live this down, but he doesn’t care at this point. They’re having a boy.

“I told you so,” Emma chuckles, looking up at him with tears in her eyes. “I am never letting you live this one down.”

“I know.” He dips his head down to brush his lips against hers, squeezing her hand as tightly as possible as this begins to sink in even more. “Maybe I’ll get the next one right.”

“One human coming into the world out of my vagina at a time please.”

“You have such a way with words.”

“Just being honest,” she laughs, the sound as beautiful as the heartbeat still playing on the monitor. “I love you.”

“I love you too. And the little lad.”

“Yeah, and the little lad.”

He and Emma walk across the gardens to Liam and Abigail’s apartment, Emma’s heels clicking against the cobblestone. He already knows that she’ll be wearing his shoes on the short walk home, but she’d insisted she wear the heels for the portrait they’re taking to commemorate Liam’s fortieth birthday. It’s apparently a major milestone in life, deserving of an official portrait, and as much as he loves his brother, he thinks Liam’s a tad bit over the top.

But he and Liam differ in a lot of ways, Liam’s penchant for large celebrations and dinners with several courses while in evening wear one of those things. They were both raised this way, to expect and want dinners and parties like this, and maybe once upon a time had he never met Emma, that’s how he would celebrate all of his birthdays.

His wife, God bless her, is a fan of the simple things in life. She likes eating takeout on the couch with her feet tucked under her legs which are likely clothed in leggings that have a hole on the inside of her thigh. She enjoys sitting around watching television in the darkness of their bedroom for hours on end, sometimes an entire day (or two), and if she could, she’d probably spend the rest of her time in the garden throwing a ball for Indy to chase. For his birthday, all they did was a small dinner with friends and family, and it was perfect. He couldn’t have asked for anything more.

But he doesn’t mind the party Liam and Abigail are having. Everyone can enjoy what they want, and this day isn’t about him. It’s about his brother.

He and Emma step up to their front door, the towering black wood with moss looming above them, and he’s just about to knock on the door when Emma stops him with a hand on his forearm.

“What?” he laughs, turning to face her, their height difference almost gone with her heels.

“You have to be careful with how you talk about the baby. We’re keeping the sex a secret, remember?”

“Darling, I think they know we had sex. That’s not a secret.”

Her face scrunches up, and he leans down to brush a kiss against her lips before leaving a trail of kisses across her face, making her laugh under her breath.

“You’re going to make dad jokes. I already know.”

“I’ve been preparing for it with my humor for my entire life.” He grins, kissing her again simply because he can. “But I promise I’ll be on my best behavior, and I won’t mention our joyful news. As far as anyone in there knows, we know nothing.”

“That’s right Jon Snow.”

“Hey,” he chuckles, wrapping his arm around her waist and tugging her into his side before knocking on the door and ringing the doorbell, “he lived in the series, so that’s totally not an insult.”

The door opens before Emma can say anything else, Liam appearing on the other side of the door in his suit. “Hey guys,” he greets, a bright smile on his face as he takes a step back, “why don’t you come on in?”

“So nice of you to invite us into your home when we were supposed to be here,” he snarks, knowing it’ll rile Liam.

“Well, I was going to say I’m glad to see you, but I’m apparently only glad to see Emma. Hello, love,” he smiles before leaning into kiss Emma on the cheek and wrap her in a hug. “How are you today?”

“Good, great really. Happy birthday, old man.”

Liam barks out a laugh before releasing Emma, clapping her on the shoulder and throwing her a wink. “Has Killian been calling me older brother, emphasis on the older, all day?”

“Surprisingly not, but that’s just because he calls you an old wanker all of the time anyways.”

“No bit of that surprises me.”

Liam embraces him then, wrapping his arms around Killian’s shoulders as Killian does the same. “Happy birthday, olderbrother. What’d you buy for your midlife crisis?”

“Saving the sportscar for the fiftieth birthday. I’m not old yet, thank you very much.”

“You two are ridiculous,” Emma laughs, walking past the both of them and down the hall where he spies Alexander and Elizabeth running between the archways.

“Are we?” Liam questions, patting him in the back before following Emma. “I don’t think anyone has ever described us that way.”

“There’s a first for everything.”

The two of them find everyone in the dining room, roaming throughout the table and the bar that’s set up through the next room. Emma’s animatedly chatting with Abigail, her hands moving all over the place while Lizzie tugs at her dress until Emma picks her up and rests her on her hip. There’s several of Liam’s old military friends as well as a few of he and Abigail’s friends who he recognizes from events over the years. Their home is packed, chatter filling his ears while he goes around greeting everyone before stopping at the bar and ordering a glass of rum.

“Hey, aren’t you supposed to be in solidarity with your wife?”

He turns to the side and smiles down at Abigail, kissing her temple after he finishes his sip. “Hello, darling. Did Emma send you over here to tell me that?”

“No, but I remember being pregnant and my husband’s lips tasting like whiskey after a party.”

He chuckles under his breath, finding Emma talking to his parents before turning back to look at Abigail. “The only problem with that statement is that Liam drinks whiskey instead of rum. Bloody awful drink. And I’ve cut back on the coffee and tea in solidarity, thank you very much.”

“Oh well look at you Mr. Big Shot,” she jokes, squeezing his bicep. “You’re just so kind.”

“Someone is awfully sassy today, love. Is it because you’ve realized you’re married to an old man and are compensating?”

“Exactly. I’m trying to cope with his ancient age.” “That’s what I thought. I’m going to go kiss Emma so she tastes the rum since I’m just that evil.”

Abigail snorts next to him, and he leaves her with a smile before making his way to Emma and kissing her before she gets a chance to say anything. He lets his tongue flicker out so she can taste the rum, his own little private joke, but he doesn’t think she minds from the way she hums into it. His parents probably mind from the way they cough next to him, but they can wait.

“Hi,” Emma whispers when he pulls back, “did you forget we’ve got company, tiger?”

“No. I just didn’t bloody care.”

His parents laugh behind him, and he turns to greet them then, hugging his parents and asking them how they’re doing before they get called off to chat. Liam really should have held this dinner somewhere other than his home for how many people are in here, and Emma asks him to go sit in the other room, quiet surrounding them until Alex runs in and practically jumps on Emma’s stomach with all the force of his bony limbs.

“Mummy told me that you have a baby in your belly, Emmy.”

“Well, your Mummy is a smart lady because I do have a baby in my belly.”

“Wow,” Alex gasps, his eyes lighting up as he puts his hands on Emma’s stomach before looking up at her and speaking in the cutest little voice with his broken words that are constantly getting better. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“We don’t know yet,” Emma lies, and Killian chuckles next to her, rubbing up and down her back. “That’s going to be a surprise.”

Alex huffs and crosses his arms, obviously cross at them for not letting him know if his cousin is going to be a boy or a girl. It’s likely a good thing he wasn’t old enough to understand this all when Abigail was pregnant with Lizzie because he would have been up in arms about all of the surprises and secrets. “What’s its name?”

“We don’t know that either, buddy,” he answers to try to take some of Alex’s blame off of Emma. 

“I think you should name it Fish.”

Emma snickers next to him, biting her bottom lip to try to contain it. It’s then that he gets an idea, sticking out his stomach as far as he can and making himself look bloated. “What about me, buddy? Does Uncle Killian look like he’s having a baby?”

“Uncle Killian looks like a silly goose,” Abigail coos as she steps in the room, squatting down next to Alex, “and you look like someone who needs to go to sleep.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You have to. It’s bedtime.”

Alex’s bottom lip starts quivering while his eyes begin to water, the meltdown imminent. Within seconds Abigail has him on her hip walking out of the ballroom and meeting Liam and Elizabeth by the doorway, the two of them walking away to put their kids to bed like some kind of well-oiled machine.

“You know, Abigail isn’t even my mother, and if she told me it was time to go to bed, I’d listen.”

Emma giggles beside him, leaning back into the couch and into him before resting her head on his shoulder. He kisses her hair while he rubs her back, knowing she’s likely tired when they’ll still be here for awhile, but it’s only a short walk home if she asks for it.

“You are a very smart man because you listen to all of the women in your life.”

“Damn right. Even Lizzie. She’s two, but she’s the boss.”

“Who’s the boss?” Brennan asks them, settling down on the couch across the coffee table from them. “Because the answer better be your mother or Emma. If not, you are lying, son.”

“Lizzie,” Emma answers for him, patting his stomach before her hand rests on his thigh, squeezing a little too high as if she’s trying to rouse him. “Lizzie is the boss.”

“Damn right,” Brennan laughs, echoing Killian’s words from a moment ago even if he didn’t hear them. “I’ve never seen a kid with such spunk.”

“Oi, I had that kind of spunk, dad. Still do.”

“Yeah, but you’re old now. I don’t remember these things.”

“Your firstborn is forty! I’m still barely in my thirties! How can you call me old? You’re the oldest person at this party.”

“And the most handsome,” Allison adds in, sitting down next to Brennan and brushing a kiss against his cheek. His parents were never affectionate before, and as happy as he is with everyone’s changes, his fifteen-year-old self is cringing watching them be that way. But it’s only in the best way, his family having felt like a family for two years now, and no part of him would trade things to go back to how they were.

Eventually dinner is served and everyone sits down at the large table, silverware clicking against plates and the laughter and chatter in the home only increasing the more people drink (except for he and Emma of course because he does abstain in solidarity sometimes). There’s several stories about Liam told, some he’d never heard before, and his stomach hurts from laughter. God, his brother was such a crack up, something he never really knew, and he wishes they’d gotten along all of those years.

But they didn’t. There was too much of an age discrepancy, too much of a difference in wants out of life, and most of all, too much hostility. He loves his brother, something that took him a long time to admit, but Liam’s not perfect. He can still be a bloody git and they still argue over some things, but he’s changed. And while there are still flashes of the day he came to this very home to confront his brother, to try to work things through only to be rejected and told that Liam’s only trying to do better for his children, he’s come to terms with it. They can’t change the past. They can’t take things away or add words left unsaid, but forgiveness even when the other person doesn’t deserve it is a powerful thing.

Or so he’s been learning over the past few years.

This is infinitely better than any life he could have lived away from his parents and his brother. And he’d have given it all up for Emma. There’s no doubt about it, and he still fully believes that. She’s worth it all. But this is better.

“Hey,” Emma whispers, rubbing between his shoulder blades before her hand finds the hair at the tape of his neck, causing shivers to run down his spine, “what are you thinking about? You’ve zoned out.”

He hums, closing his eyes before leaning over and kissing her temple, the vanilla of her shampoo invading him. “I was thinking about you.”

“Cheesy.” “Absolutely. But also the truth. I just…all of these stories about Liam, they make me realize how glad I am that we went through all of that to fix it and came out better on the other side because now I have stories to tell about him like that.” “I thought you were thinking about me.”

“Well, that came after thinking about my brother.” “That’s kind of gross.”

“Yeah, well, I was thinking about how I’m glad we’re here, but I’d still give it all up for you. And for the little love, my love.” “Well,” Emma smiles, tangling their fingers together under the table, “the good thing is that you don’t have to. We’re all a big, messy, wonderful package that you get for the rest of your life whether you like it or not.”

[raendown]

Inspired by this wonderful, amazing piece of art gifted to me by @inconveniencedneutrons​. Saw the image and immediately started to write. ;)

Pairing: MadaraTobirama Word count: 3625 Summary: Madara wins a contest and receives a prize, complete with delightful wrappings.

Follow the link or read it under the cut!

Madara made it three steps in the house before coming to a halt as the door swung shut behind him and dropping his forehead against the closest wall, eyes falling closed and what little air was left in his lungs draining out in one great rush. What a day. One of those days when he very seriously contemplated the murder of his own best friend, motive to be noted as ‘overwhelming stupidity which can no longer be borne’.

He wasn’t entirely sure where Hashirama had gotten the idea for a tournament between willing members from the different clans. There had been some sort of drivel about promoting a healthier attitude towards competition between the clans as well as something about a safer outlet for the energy they were all used to putting in to fighting over territory and clan pride – but Madara knew better than to believe all that. Everything instinct in his body was convinced that Hashirama had conceived of this plan mainly as a way to draw Tobirama out on to the practice fields once more with two purposes: firstly in the hopes that his brother would show up in that ridiculous crop top again and secondly so that he might have all the amusement of seeing Madara’s reaction this time since he had missed it initially.

All his plans turned out to be for naught, however, as Tobirama failed to even show his face all day. The tournament had been even larger than Madara feared it would be and despite not taking part in most of the preliminary fights, he was still exhausted to have gone through the sheer amount of exercise that he had. By the final rounds it had been more a test of endurance than skill but he was still proud to have come out the victor.

First place always felt good, there was no denying that.

The only thing dimming his enjoyment of the day, the thing which stopped him from floating in to his home with head up high on the wings of success, was the lack of Tobirama’s presence. As much as he would never admit to it, he’d been rather looking forward to showing off a bit while Tobirama looked on. The man hadn’t exactly been subtle about his recent hints that the two of them might have a chance to become the two of them. An opportunity to display his skills had seemed like the perfect chance to flirt back a little – which was decidedly hard to do if the person he wished to impress chose not to be there.

Perhaps taking out his frustration for the matter on his opponents that day hadn’t been the most sportsmanlike action. It certainly hadn’t done much other than exhaust him even more than would have been strictly necessary. But Madara couldn’t bring himself to regret the way he had conducted himself. Maybe being this tired would help him get to sleep quicker than usual and if he was lucky he could skip right to the steamy dreams of a certain someone which had been plaguing his nights of late.

Straightening up with a slight groan, Madara set his sights on the end of the hallway and forced his heavy feet to pick themselves up, heading towards the bedroom where a nice soft bed awaited to catch his tired form. Dinner never even occurred to him. All he wanted was to change out of his sweaty training clothes and cover himself with the new fur blanket Izuna had given him as a gift. He was certain that it was mostly meant to be a gag gift, the intention being to tease him about his ever-growing crush on Tobirama, but the joke was on Izuna because Madara adored that blanket more than words could say. It was warm, comfortable, and alright yes it did in fact feel as though he were drifting off to sleep with his face burrowed in the furry ruff strapped to the collar of Tobirama’s armor.

With his thoughts taken up mostly by innocent things like sleep Madara was completely broadsided to open his bedroom door and discover a sight which could in no way be described as innocent.

“I’m sure you’ll forgive my absence today,” Tobirama drawled from where he had spread himself out on top of the fur blanket. “I thought it might cause a little upset if I were to be so obvious about who I was…rooting for in the tournament.”

“Hnnggg!?” In the back of his mind Madara was glad that he hadn’t been holding anything as he surely would have dropped it at the sight before him. Tobirama bent one leg and lifted an arm to drape his wrist over the knee, fingers clasped around the handle of a small uchihwa fan patterned in the colors of the Uchiha clan.

“Do you like my new shirt? I had it specially made just for the occasion. The rest of the outfit is a traditional uniform worn by certain athletes in one of the lands to the west. They’re meant to be motivational, as I understand it.”

Madara had to admit, he certainly would have been motivated if Tobirama had been cheering for him on the sidelines wearing that; maybe not motivated to fight but definitely motivated to do something.

If it had only been the shirt his mouth would have immediately run dry just the same. Still emblazoned with the same two words that his first had been, this crop top was even shorter and it was done in the same red and white as the rest of his outfit. His shoulders were bare but his arms were covered by sleeves that reached from wrist to halfway up his bicep and appeared to serve no functional purpose. His feet were clad in white stockings which ended in red lace around mid-thigh. Madara would have called that the most risqué part of the ensemble if not for the extremely tiny skirt of soft looking pleats which had been deliberately arranged in such a manner that it only just barely some interesting bits of anatomy.

Swallowing, clearing his throat, and humming three times as he searched for words, Madara still found that he had nothing more in his head at the moment than a few visual scenarios which all included red and white fabric.

“I do hope you’ve got the point, Uchiha, otherwise we’re both wasting a lot of time sitting here looking stupid.”

“You do not look stupid,” Madara breathed, his eyes tracing the white pleats and the flashes of red peeking out from between them.

“Oh? How do I look then?”

Even though his words were anything but innocent, Tobirama still managed to sound genuinely curious as though he hadn’t the faintest idea what he was doing to the man who was all but devouring him with heated gazes. Madara breathed harshly through his nose and dared to take a single step forward, fingers twitching with the desire to touch all that pale skin currently on display. All for him. Just for him.

“You look delicious,” he said in a voice as raw as his honestly. A flash of surprise crossed Tobirama’s face before his lips tilted up in a smirk.

“Would you like a taste?”

No second invitation was needed. Wondering if hadn’t fallen asleep in the hallway and already started dreaming, Madara nearly launched himself at the bed. All signs of exhaustion fell away as he landed one knee in the thick fur between Tobirama’s legs, slammed one hand down beside Tobirama’s smug little face, and used the other to wind in to his hair and pull him up for as fiery of a kiss as he could manage. Judging by the deep groan he earned in response, Madara thought he’d manage the kiss just fine.

Unable to stop himself after so long of looking but not being allowed to touch, Madara pressed the full weight of his body down on top of Tobirama to enjoy the way they molded together. Fingers gripped bracingly at his hips for a moment before slipping underneath his loose shirt and it took a bit before he gathered the strength to pull away so that it could be torn off over his head. Then he was leaning back down for another kiss and with his chest bare he could feel so much more of the man squirming underneath him.

“Shall I assume you won today, then?” Tobirama asked between kisses, breathless in such a beautiful way.

“Won? Oh, the tournament.” Madara dropped his head to suck at the tendons of Tobirama’s neck. “Don’t be insulting; of course I did.”

“Then I think you’ve earned a reward. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Gods yes!”

With a wicked smile Tobirama rolled his hips. “Then go on and take it,” he rumbled.

Madara shuddered as he released Tobirama’s hair, using that hand to reach down and slide his hand up the outside of Tobirama’s leg, delighting in the transition from silky stocking to warm skin. He didn’t bother to slow or stop as his fingers slid underneath the material of the pleated skirt – and then a helpless whimper escaped him when he discovered that Tobirama was wearing nothing underneath.

“Filthy little boy toy,” he whispered. Tobirama gasped as he bit down on the neck he was still enthusiastically marking.

“And yours for the playing with.”

Another shiver wracked him. Madara only just barely held in the words, but he very much hoped that this new toy was also his for the keeping. Emotions could come later, however; right now his cock was running the show more than his heart and it seemed the situation was much the same for Tobirama.

With just one flick the skirt was out of the way and he was able to wrap his hand around Tobirama’s length, teasing him with light strokes and gentle swipes of his thumb across the tip. His partner writhed under the touch and swore at him, demanding more, but Madara ignored him. A rush of power had already gone to his head as he watched Tobirama falling apart under his touch so easily and there was no way he would be ending this so quickly. If he was allowed to play then he was going to play.

It was actually quite a compliment to his own skills in bed, at least in Madara’s opinion, that he was able to reach over to the night stand and rummage around for a half forgotten bottle of lube without Tobirama even seeming to notice. Tobirama seemed entirely caught up with the attention he was receiving, both hands twisting in the fur blanket while his hips worked to try and press himself deeper in to the fist stroking him. He actually growled when Madara took his hand away, then quieted again immediately when he saw the lube.

Rather than make any snarky comments he only reached up for a pillow to tuck underneath his hips and spread his legs a little wider for Madara to settle the rest of his body in between them. With the skirt flipped up the way it was and nothing else of his already skimpy clothing having been removed, Tobirama looked like a wet dream, especially with the way his chest was heaving as he struggled for breath and a red flush of pleasure had stained his cheeks as well as the tiny bit of chest visible over the collar of his tiny shirt. If he had been delicious before then there were simply no words for him now. Madara wasn’t certain he was going to recover from this but it was a doom he would march to willingly any day of any week.

Of course, eagerness did not mean that he had to rush things. Half the fun of sex was in enjoying his partner’s reactions and he was very interested to know how Tobirama would react to further teasing, Could he get the man to beg? Just the thought of sweet words of pleading falling from between those lips had his cock twitching where it was still confined in his clothes.

As it turned out, Tobirama had no time for teasing today. Rather than beg prettily, he gave Madara perhaps ten seconds of circling his hole with light stokes before he lifted his head to glare tightly and demand in a hoarse voice that Madara get on with it before he took things in to his own hands. While that would definitely have been a sight that he would have liked to see, Madara forced the image to the back of his mind and gave what had been asked of him before he could ruin this one chance.

The first finger slid in easily enough, followed by a second, and by the time he had three fingers scissoring inside the man Tobirama was writhing and bucking as though he could hardly contain his own reactions. Watching him was breathtaking; enough so that Madara very nearly forgot his own pleasure and almost brought Tobirama over the edge with nothing but his fingers.

When Tobirama began to frantically gesture towards the clothes he was still wearing, Madara felt a wave of heat go through him for how badly the other wanted him. He was gentle as he pulled his fingers away but wasted no time in reaching down to tear open his trousers and push them down almost violently. The material nearly ripped but he couldn’t have cared less. All that mattered right then was getting naked and getting naked fast. Tobirama, on the other hand, was perfect the way he was in his little outfit.

Grabbing the lube and spreading a bit extra on himself – hips stuttering at the first touch since all this excitement started – Madara then tossed it carelessly off the bed and shuffled his knees forward so he could line himself up with the stretched hole eagerly awaiting him. Tobirama’s head tossed back as he pressed in, exposing the graceful line of his neck and freely displaying the red marks Madara had left there. The sight of him gave Madara a possessive little thrill, knowing that it was him who had left his mark behind, him that was giving Tobirama pleasure, him that had Tobirama so open and comfortable enough to let go the way he was doing. Clenching his teeth against the sheer need running rampant in his veins, Madara worked himself slowly inside the willing body underneath him.

Once he was fully seated he didn’t even pause for a second. He pulled his hips back before slamming them forward again, enjoying the startled cry Tobirama gave and the way his entire body clenched. Then Madara began to fuck in earnest, holding Tobirama’s bucking hips in place with both hands while snapping his own again and again until he almost felt his eyes begin to cross with the pleasure.

If he were in his right mind he might have made some kind of snarky comment about how tight Tobirama’s ass was but instead that same tightness was too distracting for him to even think of forming words. Ultimately it was his undoing.

Both of them were letting out small frantic noises as he straightened himself to stand up on his knees and used the leverage of the position to pound in to Tobirama as hard as he dared, aiming for that sweet spot and making both of them gasp when he finally found it. His new vantage point had him holding Tobirama’s thighs, long legs tossed over his shoulders, and almost pulling himself in with each thrust.

Spread out underneath him, he noticed Tobirama was starting to look a little desperate.

“Touch yourself,” he growled. “Make yourself come for me. Let me see you dirty that pretty skirt of yours.”

He’d never seen a hand move so fast, which was saying something considering Tobirama was rather well known for his speed. But nothing he had seen before compared to the flash of white he witnessed as Tobirama reached for his own cock where it was bouncing just beneath red and white pleats with every thrust. A moan escaped him as he fisted himself tightly and tried to stroke in time with the rocking of their bodies.

Almost immediately his pale thighs began to quake and Madara knew that it wouldn’t be long before both of them came crashing down. He concentrated on maintaining the pace and keeping the right angle, wanting more than anything to fuck Tobirama straight through his orgasm. Of all the fantasies he’d ever had, his favorite was the idea of watching Tobirama paint himself with cum and fucking in to his pliant body until he’d completely spent himself.

Getting to see that fantasy become a reality was almost more than Madara’s sanity could take. He watched Tobirama’s breathing rush faster and faster until he was gasping for every breath, one hand holding his tiny skirt up out of the way while the other worked frantically over his cock. When Tobirama came his back bowed and his hole clenched almost impossibly tight. His hand stilled and his jaw clenched with a feral sound as he spilled himself over his own fingers, painting his abdomen in to the most obscene picture of edible perfection Madara had ever seen.

Only a moment later Madara was coming as well, emptying himself in to Tobirama while his entire body shook under the pressure of such an intense orgasm. He barely noticed a garbled collection of vowels clawing their way up his throat, too focused on the way Tobirama twitched and shuddered with every movement, obviously overwhelmed with sensation.

When if felt as though he had nothing left to give, Madara collapsed forward and only barely managed to catch himself on his hands so as not to crush Tobirama. It took him several heartbeats to find the strength to open his eyes and when he did he was rendered breathless by the image he found.

Arms lifted to curl around his head, Tobirama was stretched out in such a way to perfectly show off not only his body and the outfit he had put on just for Madara but also the amazingly debauched after effects of their activities. His hair was mussed and his stomach was dripping with his own cum, some having even landed on the crop top. Madara was momentarily distracted by the urge to lick him clean. Then he shook his head and leaned down to take that smirking mouth in a kiss much softer than the one they had started off with.

Part of him hoped the kiss conveyed all the emotions he was keeping hidden inside. Another part of him hoped those emotions stayed hidden.

“I certainly wasn’t expecting that when I came home,” he murmured lowly.

Tobirama quirked an eyebrow and drawled, “Surprise.”

“Oh are we right back to being a priss then? Because I’m very tired and if you’re not going to be nice to me after that then I might just fall asleep on top of you.” Madara glared mockingly, unable to hide the fact that he was still grinning dopily. He was also unable to hide the thrill which ran through him when Tobirama smiled back and the expression was edged with something positively wicked.

“Too tired for another round?”

“Well, not if it’s on offer.” He couldn’t resist one more soft kiss. “But you get to be on top this time. I did all the work the first time so now it’s your turn.”

Before answering him Tobirama rolled them both over with no warning, somehow managing not to separate them. Madara found himself on his back with Tobirama across his hips, softened cock still trapped within the tight hot body above him. All in all, he’d been in worse positions in his life. He was definitely a fan of the way Tobirama’s smile turned suddenly gentle while he lifted one hand to stroke down the line of Madara’s jaw.

“You like the outfit, I see,” he observed.

“I do.”

“Do you like anything else?” He tilted his head to one side like a curious bird and Madara felt the last bit of tension in his body slip away; he knew an offer when he heard one.

“Everything,” he said. “I like everything.”

“Well enough to keep it?”

Madara huffed and tugged on the edges of the other’s skirt. “You’ve already dressed yourself in my clan colors. Just you watch me try to keep them there. Don’t start what you can’t finish, as they say.”

Lifting his head up only to drop it back down in the other direction, Tobirama let his smile sit for a moment more before he snorted and tossed his hair. Then he deliberately ground his hips down and sent frissions of excitement sparking up both of their spines. Apparently that was all the time he was willing to spare for mushy emotional things, even if they’d really only beaten around the bush without speaking about anything straight out.

Which, if he was being honest, was usually the way Madara preferred things anyway. Confident now that they both wanted the same things, he wasn’t upset in the least when all softness fell away in favor of raising the heat back up immediately. He pulled Tobirama down for a kiss and within moments they were clawing at each other as frantically as they had before.

As he finally – finally ­– got around to removing some of Tobirama’s clothing, Madara decided that the stupid tournament today had at least brought him one good thing. He would have to send Hashirama a gift basket or something.

Without telling him why of course. He wanted to live to enjoy his prize, after all.

[edendaphne]

So Ummnm Recently I started drawing everyday and uhmm I've been following your tumblr for long time. Nearly a year i think. And I noticed how amazing your body drawing looks. As much as I try to practice I fail 98/100 times.Either Legs end up too short or too long or chest is too wide/small, breasts are too long or too short.Also with Male body. I never can get torso and legs to look good.Either torso looks good and legs suck or legs are good and torso is bad. Any tips? ^_^;; Sorry to bother

It’s no bother!  Correct anatomy is an ongoing learning experience for me too!  Just the other day I accidentally gave Chat Noir orangutan arms before we noticed that they might be too long, lol.  XD

Here’s one quick guide about proportions (I don’t have time to make an in-depth tutorial, but there are already TONS of really great guides/tutorials out there on anatomy and proportions, how long body parts are, how wide they are, and so forth):  (Keep in mind that female heads are just a teeeeensy tiny bit smaller than males’, about 2 cm smaller in circumference)

You just have to keep drawing every day and challenging yourself, look at tutorials, follow along with them, collect drawing references, and don’t give up.

Progress is ALWAYS slow and it IS discouraging, but if you stick to it then instead of only succeeding 2/100 times, eventually you’ll get to 3/100, 4/100, 13/100, 51/100, and so on.  You won’t see it at first, it might take months or years before you notice it.

Take a look at my progress over the past year.

I started drawing again last spring (2016) after several years of being on a drawing hiatus, so I was pretty rusty and I didn’t really have a consistent style.  I’ve been drawing every day ever since it became fun for me again, and I believe it shows.

Anyway, just keep doing what you’re doing and make sure you keep your drawings so you can see how far you’ve come after a year or two!

I hope that helps! 

Edit:  I forgot to mention, I have nore tutorials under my “Art Tips” tag on my Tumblr that you can look through”

[ikkydikky]

Here it comes! Time for an end of the year “Here’s what I drew this year” list. Mainly just to archive my art now for future’s sake and tell myself my thought process and how I felt about it now.

I’m skipping over sketches and going straight to stuff that was finished and polished and I’ll explain each image as we go. Buckle up boys its going to be a long one. 

We’re going to go to the first image I did this year and explain how things went from there!

Drawing #1, Scrubbed off Katia Managan 

March 3rd 2017

Art is actually kind of hard when you don’t know what form, line consistency, anatomy, or any of those things are! In fact I only know about two of them right now! And how to put into practice one of them! This image shows what its really like to start out with base-nothing. The idea is cute! And I’ll probably redo it later on when I am probably a years worth better. It marks however the first thing I really posted online. To me, that makes it special.

Drawing #2, Sigrid, but smug.

September 9th, 2017

BIG gap between the two! And not a lot of improvement, or maybe a lot of improvement? Who knows. I think this image was the first thing I did digitally that I put up for other people to see, and it was exciting! There’s absolutely no construction to this. Prior to this image being done I was basically drawing people’s heads and circles. Like, pages upon pages of circle grinding to actually know how to draw a circle digitally.

The main reason why there was such a gap between March and September was due to me graduating high school. I basically didn’t feel like drawing at all when I already had the work load of school ontop of me. But the art starts coming a lot faster now. Yes you can see there was a huge prequel influence. 

Drawing #3, Blushin Bob

September 29th, 2017

Art is something that you can really do a lot of, but you can easily get burnt out on. Animal crossing is actually one of my favorite games out there, and to try to pay tribute I drew this. Not uh, not exactly my favorite. 

This image has me trying basically 3 new things I’ve never done before. Shading, clothes, fur tufts, and bodies. Yeah. Not exactly my best job at any of those. The shadows are, very inconsistent and its clear I didn’t really know how to do it properly. The fur is atrocious with it looking like spiked tumors, and the shirt rides up way too high like hes wearing a shirt thats way too short! Also he might be a bit too skinny. 

This is kind of an image that broke me. At the time I was trying to fix every error when I just couldn’t, from the arm in the first attempt being god awful, to how the shading and shirt looks. I genuinely think this is the worst image in my library, and I knew it at the time since I drew nothing for all of October. You know. The month that’s meant to be the most inspiring artistically?

Drawing #4, Gondola The Peaceful Giant

November 12th, 2017

This was actually just a shitty paint up I did of a sketch practicing perspective. It was mainly for a draw thread on 8chan’s /v/ and probably my only work I’ve posted to an image board. I think generally doing art for anonymous people is a bit thankless. Its great for practicing but it really gives back no validation.

Keep in your memory these clouds, I’ll be talking about those later. 

Drawing #5, Bunny, The space mechanic.

November 12th, 2017

This character was a mistake, not the drawing but the character! This is my first actual tabletop character and boy I flubbed it. But this is art retrospective. Not roleplay retrospective. Anyway. A portrait done with a new pen style that I don’t think worked out too well. It comes off a bit too rough and gritty. But it makes for unique coloring when it comes to painting. I’ll actually have some more to say about that in a bit too! This also marks the point where I really got into drawing again. See. The table top group I’m in rewards you for drawing pictures of your characters, no matter how shitty it is, as long as you do your best, you get a reward in game. Its actually a really, really neat system!

Drawing #6, Oh dear god why.

November 16th, 2017

This is going to be a reoccurring character, so. Lets get to talking about it here. This character was as far as I know, a joke character made by a friend that got turned into a full blown character for a campaign, she is nonsensical, random, actually crazy, and worst of all, vibrantly colored. She is the Deviant Art Sparkledog as a character. Which funny enough, is her character name. This was my first attempt at really going ‘sexy’ and ‘nude’. And actually I think Sparkledog is a perfect candidate for it because its already cringy and god awful to look at! So it hides my bad attempts at a sexy lady behind an already cringy character. Thanks friend.

Anyway to talk about the art its self. It was done with no ref or pose. And I think it kind of shows. Everything’s proportionate to a degree but something about the perspective of the whole thing feels... off. Of course the background is just slapped together with glue but I mean on the character. She’s laying on the ground but not in a way that I think is possible or comfortable.

This also goes as my second attempt at fur, it’s, better. But definitely not good. Ontop of that this is probably my first attempt at an actual muzzle! Pic below related.

Muzzles are really hard to do. For some reason. If you ever read Loomis’ Fun with a Pencil it becomes slightly easier, but it also kind of isn’t. A month later and I still struggle with them, A lot of my joke sketches I often forgo any sort of attempt at drawing a muzzle and go for round head shapes, this works out if the character’s species is a prey type, as the eyes for herbivores are often on the side of the head, while for predators, its facing dead ahead. On another note, apparently I can just *do legs* with almost ease. I’ll touch on this more in a bit.

Drawing #7, A background for the end.

December 2nd, 2017

Tabletop is a wonderful thing, art groups are also an amazing experience to ever be apart of. The group I’ve been with has been an amazing experience for me artistically as I’ve learned to grow so much more. This is an image I did as soon as I woke up on my birthday. Friend A. did the character sketch. Friend b. did the coloring of the characters, and I got to practice something that I’ve wanted to do for ages.

Environmental art.

Ontop of character art and such, one thing that always draws my attention is environment art. Its something you can always get lost in. Your eyes can search to every corner imagining what it would be like to be there. Genuinely amazing works of art is often environment art. 

Its also time we talk about the clouds. I hope you remembered them from the gondola picture. See. Clouds are all about layers, and layers, and layers. Especially when done in a thunder storm. They’re something I might recommend painting if you ever want to start out! I do however think the clouds in the gondola image work a lot better. But I think that might be from the several things I did to trick myself to think they look better.

 And that’s all there really is to say on this image. Which is a problem. I learned a bit more about perspective and how floors work when under character’s feet... and how to do lightning kind of. But there isn’t much else. If I were to do this more I’d probably add another cliff to the background. A mountain, a landscape just beyond the fog, because it seems unfinished as it stands. 

Drawing #8, Oh dear god why, Revengeance.

December 5th? 2017

Probably the only unfinished image that gets posted! So lets talk about it. I think fur is my least favorite detail to make ever.Yet it also is my favorite when its done. The tail also might not be the best but its league’s better than my first attempt! But lets talk about the main thing about this image.

PAWS.

I don’t have a thing for paws, or feet, that’s not my kink. I think footjobs are sort of appealing sure but I don’t care much for it. so this was my first attempt at paws, and I think I did damn well. However, digitigrade legs are something I still have an issue with, and I am working towards fixing that. I don’t think furry characters look great when their legs are humans, but with paws. As well I think legs are the easiest part of the body to draw in some ways, that might just be me.

The face also is a bit of a mistake? Its better than its.. original incarnation...

[NOT EVEN THE DEAD KNOW PEACE FROM THIS EVIL]

Animal faces with human features is the proper way to do things, but human faces with animal features is... Hell incarnate.

Also that ass took me like 30 tries to get right god damn. 

Drawing #9, The last hoot for today.

December 18th, 2017

The last one for today. Some point after Christmas I’ll post probably another three drawings. But this is the final one. Lets talk about a few things about myself.

Art style is all about inspiration. You pick up inspiration from everywhere. Specifically from art styles you really, genuinely enjoy. You might have noticed the art style at first was I Wanna Be The Kazerad and then to something completely different from Kazerad but not distinct from anyone else. This is the process I think to finding your own art style. Emulation.

You might also noticed I ditched aliased (pixely) lines in favor of smooth lines, this was because I was having a tiny issue with drawing at large scale. For some reason I always liked zooming in real close on my 2000x2000 canvas and drawing tiny little things. The bunny picture is a really good example of this. He only took up the tiny corner of my much, much larger canvas. Speaking of his part of this post, lets get into color.

There’s been 3 ways I colored things, the first was plain flats, second was with a sort of homemade crayon brush (Ala Bunny and Gondola), and third was a unique way in how I did the eyes of this image. Looking at them closer you can see theres, actually a lot of rich detail in them!

This was a pretty easy thing to do and it has such amazing results that, I want to do a full image using it just to try it. For how I did it, I use krita, and how it handles gigantic brushes is like most art programs, by automatically raising the spacing between each ‘use’ (for a lack of a better term.)

Here’s what the blue part looks like with a white background behind it and the layer count to make this beside it. (Only one of them visible.)

It also kind of hits close to to another artist I’ve been following pretty closely as of lately. (And more recently on tumblr.)

You might not have heard of @jamdrawers , and you should definitely check them out if you haven’t. They are someone who, in my eyes, has such a wonderful art style. Other artists that do a style with pixelly, aliased lines don’t even come close in my opinion. I bring jam up here because of a few things, the art style he presents has thoroughly inspired me to pick back up trying to draw in aliased lines again, and because going forward I’ll continue looking to him for inspiration. Also if you read this jam tell winrarphile I said thanks for getting me into your art. 

Now, when it comes to the owl its self. I regret not adding a thicker outline to all of her character, and instead kept it to just the head shape, as well I do think she comes out a bit bland. Of course color wise its to keep in theme with the rest of the table top groups color theme. But outline wise? Definitely needs work. I tried a ‘hair style’ for her but that didn’t really work out either. So I kept it to the three feathers at the top of the head. I also think I spent more time on this image than I did any other, to quote myself “I’ll finish this owl up in about an hour or two”, which quickly lead to 8 days instead, just through procrastination.

Don’t do something in art if you really don’t want to do it. You can easily, easily get fatigued and burnt out with out delay, but among this procrastination came other sketches that, I don’t think I’ll post here, but helped me learn hands somewhat. So there is that.

Thus ends this posts governing topic. If you read this whole thing, good job. If you didn’t and skimmed to the end. That’s fine too! I understand I got a bit wordy but, I genuinely wanted to lay out my thoughts about all this.

In conclusion, I think the rate at which I’m getting better is decent, Mistakes are being ironed out each new drawing I take on. Each study and figure drawing adds onto the many experiences I’ll use for later in my artistic career, and I think the rate at which I’m drawing is far too slow for my own tastes, as such its a goal for the upcoming year to get a lot faster with finishing each drawing so I can quickly move onto the next. Thank you for reading this.

Have a noid chewin’ some pizza as a reward for coming down to the end.

[laurasfox-originals]

When The Right One Comes Along - Ch. 1 excerpt (Spark & Stone Side Story, Patreon Exclusive) by Laura S. Fox

This is an excerpt from the first chapter of the side story I wrote for Spark & Stone, featuring Michael and Jess. 

Chapter One - Just A Mistake

Michael watched amused as his best friend scurried away with the young man he hoped to seduce. Aidan Spark was sweeter than candy, and Michael was genuinely surprised by Heath’s choice. It smelled like romance in the air, even though Heath would be quick to deny it, as always.

People who knew both of them often asked how come they weren’t together, that close they were. Not at the moment, as each of them was carefully building a reputation in their respective fields, but they were still best friends and would be forever. The right answer to anyone wondering about them was quite simple: where Michael was a compulsive romantic, Heath was a compulsive conqueror and one-night-stander. Therefore, no relationship of the kind could exist between them.

The part about being irremediably in love with the idea of being in love was still valid, but Michael seemed to lose faith in it with each passing day. Good guys seemed hard to find. He was a tiny bit jealous of Heath’s finding. But Aidan Spark was clearly smitten with the fitness guru, even though he seemed in denial over it.

Michael was about to decide who he should ask to dance only for the sake of being the charming host he always was when one of the bouncers walked over to him and informed him that someone looking to get hired as a dancer was interested in talking to him.

That was an odd time for an interview, but Michael ran a nightclub, and the idea of evaluating a new talent sounded like a good break from his usual Saturday routine. Should he have been in a relationship, he would have had a totally different arrangement, but relationships didn’t tend to stick in his case. As much as he desired to be involved with someone, things never appeared to work out for him.

“Send him to the room with the dancing pole,” Michael instructed the bouncer and headed in that direction, as well.

He had managed to educate all the personnel, including the people guarding the door, to have an eye for hot people. At least, the guy he would meet in the dancing pole room would be a looker. And Michael would just let him down gently in case he sucked as a dancer. There were always other openings, like waiter positions.

He had taken his drink with him and sat comfortably in the only armchair in the room. Michael liked lavish interiors, but for the purpose, this room had been left only sparsely appointed.

He caressed the glass rim, musing in expectation. Why had he always been so obsessed about relationships? Time and time again, he had sent plenty of hot guys packing for being too superficial, too interested in having fun only, or way into considering that being gay automatically meant that open relationships were the norm.

Someone knocked politely on the door and waited.

“Come in,” Michael said and stared curiously at the door.

A man walked in, and Michael took in his graceful walk. He didn’t notice, for a moment, the elegant slender body, or the man’s handsome face. His trained eye was quickly drawn to the square shoulders, the sinuous movement of the hips, the somewhat lazy way of putting one foot in front of the other.

If the newcomer wanted a job as a cage dancer, Michael was pretty sure he would get it. That was the way only someone with experience in dancing could have walked. But a test was in order anyway.

“Good evening, Mr. Rivers,” the stranger said in a warm, sexy voice. “I apologize for this impromptu visit and my rather inopportune request. I realize that you would be normally busy doing something else right now.”

Michael watched the visitor with growing interest, as he stepped into the light. His curly brown hair was cut right under his ears, but it managed to look fashionably haphazard and attractive. His face was what some people would have called a classic beauty, with a straight nose and full lips. Michael could not help noticing the bedroom eyes. They seemed green, and Michael would have liked to see them from up close.

“Please, there’s no harm done. You’re not breaking any rule. These are my office hours, so to speak. May I please know your name?”

“Jess Rotham,” the other replied.

“Nice to meet you, Jess.”

“Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Rivers.”

“Please call me Michael. Now, could you tell me something about your experience as a dancer?”

“I have been practicing ballet for the last twenty years,” Jess said, without self-importance. “Since I was four.”

Michael quirked an eyebrow. “This place is hardly a venue where such talents would be put to good use.”

“I need the job,” Jess said concisely, even a bit abrupt. “Please,” he added.

Now, Michael felt intrigued. He leaned into his seat and watched Jess closely. His body was a classic sculpture, like his face. In other words, a complete knockout, a bit too muscular to be considered a twink, but without the bulk that would have put him in another category. His physical beauty was unique and Michael, with his trained eye, could tell that Jess would be a hit if he chose to dance there.

Provided that he had the moves, too. Michael wasn’t willing to cut this good-looking man any slack. There were other professions where he could excel even if he had the poise of a monkey. Which Michael doubted, but needed to see if for no other purpose than to enjoy what promised to be an outstanding performance.

“Well, the pole is there. Let me just put some music.”

Michael fiddled with his phone, and after a brief deliberation, he chose something a bit wild. Such a sinewy body should have enough fever in it. Michael wanted a show.

The jungle rhythm broke the silence, and Jess seemed a bit startled at first.

“Honey, you’ll need to dance to impress me,” Michael said and smiled. “I see you have the looks, now show me the moves, too. Ah, and I think you’re a bit overdressed. You won’t be able to grab that pole if you keep your pants on.”

Jess seemed affronted, but only for a moment. Michael wasn’t crass; he was just doing his job. After all, Jess wanted to be a dancer in a nightclub. If he wasn’t comfortable with dancing almost naked in front of a single person, how could he perform in a room full of people?

Without a word, Jess began unbuttoning his pants. His moves were a tiny bit defiant, as he pushed his pants down and then proceeded to take off his shirt, too. Michael shifted a little in his chair.

Dressed in nothing but a pair of tight white underwear that allowed anyone interested to observe quite a nice bulge, Jess stepped close to the pole and grabbed it with one hand.

His arms were perfect, Michael thought. That was just a trick to keep himself from staring too much at Jess’s equally perfect butt. He wasn’t there to ogle a stranger, but to decide whether he was a good dancer or not. Sex appeal was part of the deal, but Michael was against making this interview appear as something sleazy.

Nonetheless, while Jess engaged in some pretty dangerous and acrobatic moves, Michael found it more and more difficult to stop looking mainly at his round and shapely ass.

That wasn’t like him. Maybe he should start dating again. As a general rule, Michael was against hooking up. The idea of meeting someone just for sex was a big turn off for him. It made everything appear too base, too primitive. He preferred to know the people he intended to sleep with, before getting between the sheets with them.

On the other hand, his body could not give a damn about his principles. Jess circled the pole with his muscular legs and arched his back until his head almost touched the floor, presenting the perfect form of his abs and pecs while looking at Michael upside down.

Michael was a bit pissed at his own cock right now. That specific part of his anatomy screamed at him to hire Jess. His brain was conspicuously silent.

Well, he was a businessman, after all. If Jess was capable of giving him a boner so quickly, that meant he would be a fascinating addition to the dancing crew.

The music stopped, and Michael picked his phone only so that he could chill a little before starting to talk to Jess.

“So? What did you think?” Jess asked as soon as he got down.

Michael didn’t look at him. “Please dress up. Then we’ll go to my office for some preliminary formalities.”

“Oh, that’s great.”

Michael could swear Jess was relieved and surprised at the same time. Could it be that someone like him didn’t know what a great dancer he was? He doubted that. Jess hadn’t come across as someone who faked modesty.

Or maybe the blood from his head was in his cock, and he couldn’t judge things correctly. But, in the end, Jess was there to work as a cage dancer, which basically meant to give guys boners and pleasant dreams. Regardless of how he danced, he was clearly meant for that.

Jess followed him without a word. Michael invited him to his office, and soon, they were both alone. Somehow, Michael felt overly conscious of being in the same room with Jess. It was like suddenly, the atmosphere was intimate. What was he thinking? Hot people did that to anyone. It was just slightly uncomfortable.

He pulled a standard contract from one of the drawers and handed it to Jess to sign it. Jess took it and wrote his name at the bottom of the page without reading the document.

“Aren’t you interested in what the paper says?” Michael asked.

“You have a reputation for being an honest employer,” Jess replied.

“I see. Damn, I wish I had you sign that you’d offer me your firstborn,” Michael joked.

Jess didn’t seem eager to cozy up to his new boss by laughing at his bad jokes. Instead, he seemed intense. His eyes were dark green, as Michael could tell now and they appeared a tad tired.

“Would you like to start tonight?” Michael asked.

“Do I get an outfit?” Jess asked.

“Outfit? Your underwear is perfect.”

Jess seemed a bit taken aback. “Will I have to dance in my underwear?”

Michael frowned. “That’s the idea of a cage dancer. Good as naked, capable of sending good vibes ... I’d say you have it all.”

Jess opened his mouth and then pursed his lips. “I thought I would be somewhere, on the sideline. Not inside a cage.”

“With your moves? No way,” Michael said with a small snort. “What seems to be the problem? You just danced in front of me in nothing but your underwear.”

“That was to get the job,” Jess said. “I wouldn’t do something so overtly sexual in front of an audience.”

Michael could feel a headache coming up. “You just auditioned for being a dancer at a nightclub where there are striptease and cage dancing on the menu. You got what it takes. A gorgeous body, sexy moves, and even a handsome face. You have the whole package, and you’re telling me what? That you don’t want the job?”

“I do,” Jess said, somewhat defensively. “But I thought it would be something classier than dancing in nothing but underwear.”

Michael sighed. “It’s all right. If you don’t want the job, after all --”

“No, I need it.”

Michael pondered as he looked at Jess. The intense look in his eyes was still there. If he had his head on his shoulders, he would send this guy away. What was with all the fuss?

“Jess,” he tried to speak in an appeasing manner, “you are uncomfortable with being naked around people. Just drop it. And there are many other jobs you can try. Also, if you’re a ballet dancer --”

“Danseur. That’s the correct term,” Jess interrupted him, but he didn’t seem arrogant. Just concerned, like something was bothering him and making him anxious.

“Fine, danseur. If you’re that, go work somewhere that’s more fitting.”

“I could bring some class to your establishment,” Jess said.

Michael felt a bit insulted now. He never got into a fight with anyone, but this handsome danseur was starting to get on his nerves. “I don’t consider that’s something I need here.”

“I’d say you do,” Jess replied and bore his beautiful eyes into his.

“Are you always this confrontational?” Michael asked, with a deeper sigh this time around.

“I’m not confrontational. I’m just coming up with a new idea.”

“Did I say that I need new ideas?” Michael said, now his irritation growing into full-blown annoyance.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t,” Jess pointed out.

“Do you always get people to do things your way just because you’re hot?” Michael asked.

To his surprise, Jess appeared to blush at that, but not due to embarrassment. He seemed angered.

Now that was something. What did he have to be furious about?

“All right. I don’t think things will work out,” Michael said and stood up.

“No, please. Why don’t you just give it a chance? What’s for you to lose?”

Michael couldn’t quite believe his ears. “Why do you want this job, Jess? You’re not cut for it.”

“I don’t want to be in the spotlight,” Jess said. “I only want to be one of the entertainers. I can do lap dances and whatnot --”

“Lap dances?” Michael realized a bit too late that he was shouting.

“I need the money,” Jess said quietly.

“And you plan to do lap dances? I have a mind to throw you out this very moment, mister!”

“Why? You don’t think I can?”

Michael ground his teeth. He should have known that normal people, exotic dancers or not, didn’t just knock on doors at midnight on a Saturday night, to get hired out of the blue. He had a mind to tell Jess that his club wasn’t that kind of club and that dancers never did lap dances or anything similar.

“Sit here, and I’ll give you a lap dance,” Jess said, and pointed at the chair he had stood on until earlier.”

“No, thanks,” Michael said dryly.

“Why? Are you afraid that I might prove you wrong?” Jess said, this time with defiance.

All right. This little shit was getting on his nerves. It wasn’t like Michael to let people get to him this way, but right now he was itching to take this guy down a notch or two. Ballet for twenty years? For what? Lap dances? Jess had to be out of his mind.

With brusque moves, Michael grabbed the chair and sat on it, crossing his arms. “So?” he challenged the other. “Get to work.”

“Music?”

“I think you can do without. Gentlemen asking for lap dances are more interested in a visual performance.”

And also, not accepted in his nightclub.

Jess shrugged as if that wasn’t important anyway. He approached Michael and suddenly straddled his chair without touching him at all. Michael wanted to tell him that he should be naked for that kind of dance, but since he was allowing, against his better judgment, this guy to make a fool of himself, he needed to keep his mouth shut.

Michael inhaled as Jess moved lasciviously, along his body like a snake, but again, without making contact. That wasn’t such a good idea; Jess’s clean sweat from the earlier exertion smelled heavenly.

Seriously, as Heath would have put it, he needed to get laid.

What the hell was he thinking, anyway? He was in his office, with a current employee - whether he liked it or not - and getting a lap dance. Anyone walking in on him would have said that he totally lost his mind.

Jess continued to move, undulating his body as if there was no bone left in it, looked Michael in the eyes and bit his bottom lip, the gleam in his eyes a promise and provocation.

“Okay. I think you proved your point,” Michael said in a strange voice.

“Are you sure? I don’t think you’re convinced.”

Jess laughed as he moved closer. Michael risked a look to the side, only to see Jess moving that lovely ass like a professional twerker. A sudden itch to smack that ass made him move his eyes away.

“No. I mean it. It’s more than enough,” Michael said again.

“Are you chicken?” Jess laughed again.

“That’s it,” Michael said through his teeth.

He grabbed a handful of curly hair, making Jess gasp in shock. The second time he did that was because Michael used his other hand to slap his ass hard.

Oh, shit, Michael thought as he realized what he had just done. Jess was looking at him with those intense eyes.

So the guy was trouble, after all. Michael dropped his arms and tried to get up, but Jess took him by surprise. He lowered himself in Michael’s lap, so hard that Michael felt his boner crushed under the weight.

Not that he minded. The pressure was amazing, taking the edge off. It was then his turn to gasp as Jess closed his lips over his mouth.

End of excerpt

You can read the entire story on my Patreon.

[aldreaoakley]

Kissed by the Baddest Trainer! [KBTBB Pokemon!AU]

(Based off a lot of @maidofstars’ and @catchthespade’s posts. I did tweak one idea of Spade’s however. I turned Shuichi from an Ace Trainer to a Pokémon Connoisseur. The Connoisseur mostly because out of all the bidders... he’s still wearing a suit. Even out of a work function. There is an instance when he wasn’t but I’m not going to mention. Mega spoiler for those who haven’t played his story. Major thing before I forget. DON’T FORGET TO CITE WHERE YOU GET YOUR RESOURCES! I’m like Ota in that respect.)

PROLOGUE

"Eisuke! Come here," Akira's voice echoes. Eisuke runs in from where he trains with his Pokémon into his room. There stands Akira with his suitcase from his time in England open to reveal... "How did you get in there," he cried out in shock. His Meowth looks at the Vulpix sitting atop his clothes. "Vul," it smiles at him and bounces out to rub against his leg affectionately. "I have no idea how it got into my bag Akira," Eisuke sighs. "You know that you can't have more than the six you have now," the man reminds him. The young boy didn't need to look behind him as he can hear his Piplup and Snivy at his doorway. It was obvious that they and Meowth weren't expecting another addition to his current team. ~*~ Soryu sits with his Cubchoo and Ralts in his room in silence. The way his grandfather talks about how Team KōriRyu were to now, he can feel a heavy weight on his head. But right now he's really lonely save for the company of his Pokémon. He is here to be the next leader of Team KōriRyu. He isn't ready for this. He's only a kid... Gentle nudges makes him focus on his Dratini and Shelgon in their attempt to comfort him. His Cubchoo snuggles close and Ralts hugs him from behind. "Thanks guys," he smiles and hugs them back. ~*~ Ota brushes his Eevee as a break from practicing for coordinator contests. The little Pokémon makes happy sounds as the brush glides over her fur. A splash catch their attention and Ota goes to look at his Feebas in its wide tank of water. "Okay but I can't brush your scales," Ota laughs while putting some Pokémon food for it. As the Feebas gobbles up the food, Ota starts working on brushing his Furfrou's fur. ~*~ Baba laughs while playing tug-of-war with Zorua, with Ducklett as referee. He sends the small fox-like Pokémon tumbling before it tackles him playfully. "Zorua," he laughs under the sudden barrage of nuzzles and licks. There is nothing more that he likes than the simple moments playing with his Pokémon. ~*~ Mamoru throws another poffin  to Munchlax after school before setting his bag down, tired. He doesn't understand why it's super hard to get into the police academy to become a detective but grades are important in admissions. But Munchlax hasn't been helping much other than reminding when meals are. Midterms are coming up and he's doing nothing but crunch time studying. Mamoru didn't realize how late it was until he feels his chair being pulled backwards. He turns to see not just his Munchlax but also his Growlithe and Vigoroth looking at him. "Okay. Let's get some supper," he laughs and leads them to the dining room. ~*~ Luke reads a medical textbook with Cubone nearby looking at the pictures as his eyes dart across the page. "Happiny," a scolding tone reaches ears and he peers up to see the Playhouse Pokémon ticked expression. "What," he whines. "It's dinner," he hears Iris and he peeks over Happiny to see his younger sister, her Riolu and Gothita next to her and doll in arms. "And mum wants you to rest. You've been reading that anatomy book since after breakfast." Luke turns to see the clock and his shock matches his Cubone's. It really is time for dinner. The six of them dart down the stairs, with Riolu helping Happiny. ~*~ Shuichi lays on his bed, tired. His goal of becoming an A class Pokémon Connoisseur is harder than he thinks. Especially when he wants to travel to offer his services better. He hears a series of tiny feet. He didn't need to look to see that Hikaru is near. His Maractus makes a confused noise as he turns his head. "What is it Hikaru? I can't battle with you right now," he sighs wearily. Normally Shuichi is ready to battle with Hikaru after his regular schooling and connoisseur lessons, but today's was really hard not just on him but also Maractus. ~*~ Hikaru peeps up at Shuichi from his spot with Froakie, atop his head, near the bed. He doesn't understand why his friend is so tired. He would be ready to battle his Froakie versus Maractus with the latter's Abra as referee. "When will you be ready to," he asks back. "You promise that you'd help me with my dream to be the Pokémon Champion." He claps his hands together and makes the cutest puppy eyes he can manage to persuade him. Shuichi sighs then buries his face into his pillow. "After a nap... my teacher wasn't easy on me today," Hikaru hears his friend reply. Excited for later, Hikaru and Froakie both jump out the room. ~*~ ___ hands her mother another damp tablecloth as a Pidgeoto glides in to help. A few more join with some Starly and Butterfree. ___ laughs as one of the Butterfree nuzzles her. "___, you can play with the Butterfree after you finish chores," her mother reminds. "Okay~ Hey~ That tickles," ___ smiles as the Butterfree's antennas touches her cheeks. A calm "Azura" gets the Butterfree to stop. The two turn to see a mother Azuramaril with a few Azural at her feet. With a nod from ___'s mother, the Azural go with ___ inside the house to clean the floors while Azuramaril stays with ___'s mother to finish hanging laundry. As ___ gets the rags, a Minccino pops its head in. Laughing, ___ gestures for it to join and it does. Cleaning the house has never been more fun. ~Ten Years Later~ Eisuke sits at his desk with a sigh. Lately all has been all over the news outside of how Ichinomiya Corporation's success and wares is the increase in Pokémon poaching and hunting. He just can't believe that people would have such terrible morals as to kill and sell innocent Pokémon. Not that his morals aren't shaky but he does have to admit that he has no sense of shame at all. A knock rattles his door and his Persian looks up from where it naps on a silk and memory foam pillow. "Soryu how many times does your Beartic have to come close to pounding my door down," he sighs while Serperior opens with a switch. "He knows he can talk with Persian while we do business," comes the cool reply. "How's Team KōriRyu? I hope some of the resources I've lent are at least useful," he asks his childhood friend after he shuts the door. "Helps but it's not enough when it comes to Pokémon Hunter F and their team," Soryu sighs while flopping onto a chair. "So far there is nothing that we can do about their group." "Don't say that too soon," comes a voice and both men roll their eyes. "Baba," Soryu growls and reaches for his gun. "Whoa! Put it down," the Pokémon thief whines. "I might know a thing or two about Pokémon Hunter F." Before they can dive further into the topic, Baba's Zoruark pushes the remote looking like the person who shows up on the screen, switching from the report that shows a grumpy Mamoru. Ota finishes a stunning performance with his Sylveon and Milotic accompanying his angelic smile. "He's helping too but we can't let the police in on what we are doing," Eisuke announces in a serious tone. " ~*~ ___ walks out of Professor Foster's lab with her old friend Minccino on her head. ___ has high dreams of being the best Pokémon trainer there is but what happened in the lab was beyond what she can comprehend. Professor Foster says that he'll let Minccino as her starter Pokémon instead of the many starters in his lab. She also recalls that he warns her to be careful with the remaining five Pokéballs on her lanyard. Readjusting her bag carrying her new Pokédex, ___ takes another step forward in her journey. ~*~ Hikaru smiles as he watches Shuichi gauge the compatibility between a young contest competitor and her male Pidove. His childhood friend has gone beyond the level of A-class Connoisseur to S-class Connoisseur. He knows Shuichi could have open his own shop but with how kind his friend is coupled with his sternness, it makes him perfect for being able to see what will be able to not just strengthen a Pokémon but also the bond between the Pokémon and whomever the human who is with them. "I can already tell that there is potential between you two," Shuichi starts with a warm voice that soon gains some caution, "but should you start doubting the other, the partnership won't be good and success short. Build your trust daily not through training but also through your actions." "Thank you so much Mr. Connoisseur," the little girl beams after faltering a bit. "Don't you think you are too soft," he asks his friend as the girl runs off. Shuichi looks back at him with a small shake of his head. "You and Greninja have gotten far despite all the mistakes I've done," he gets reminded. "Pokémon and trainer or Pokémon and Pokémon all have their own traits that make them compatible or repel naturally." Hikaru can't disagree with him on that. Shuichi may have messed up here and there when they were kids on their Pokémon compatibility but he was a natural when it got to himself and Greninja. He follows every suggestion and disregard few despite not wanting help. Because of that- "And shouldn't you be defending your title right now," he gets pressed by Shuichi. "I haven't met anyone who can challenge me yet," Hikaru pouts. "And we do need some exercise. Right Greninja?" "Greninja," the Pokémon agrees. "Okay but be careful," Shuichi warns as he starts walking away. "Don't worry! I'll be fine," Hikaru counters while waving goodbye with Greninja to Shuichi and Maractus. ~*~ Mamoru flops onto his Arcanine after letting him, Snorlax, Slaking, Lowbrow, Hippowdon and Jumpluff out of their Pokéballs. His private meeting with Eisuke was irritating as usual. With the leader of Team KōriRyu and Lupin himself in the room, things were complicated as he is assigned to both of them. Eisuke's orders of making sure that no Officer Jenny or other police are aware of what is going on was really hard to pay attention to. Especially when Ota's Lopunny was making heart eyes at his Jumpluff, forcing both men to recall them back before things got more irritating. "Honestly... that li'l brat," Mamoru grumbles before clocking out on Arcanine. ~*~ "Iris, I'm back," Luke calls out to his sister. Luke sees his sister walking in with her Mismagius and Chimecho drifting near her, Lucario, and Gothitelle along with- "Now where did you find that Cleffa," Luke sighs at the little Star Pokémon in Iris' arms with her doll. "During a meteor shower while you were gone," Iris shrugs back. "What's that with you?" "Ah," Luke chuckles while beckoning for the Pokémon to come forward. "This is Rotom, a shape changing Pokémon who love pranks... mostly I do not find it funny when you become a table." Luke glares at table!Rotom before tapping it lightly. The action makes Rotom change back into its natural form. "And keep an eye on it," Luke warns in a tired voice. "It does possess electronic items or appliances." "Okay," Iris nods as Rotom starts getting all buddy-buddy with the other floating Pokémon. "Chancey Chancey," calls out Chancey. "I'll be there... later Iris," Luke smiles. "Bye Luke! Thanks for Rotom," she smiles back. ~*~ Ota sets his pencil down and walks over to the paint buckets. "Furfrou this will be your fifth bath today and your fur won't look as pretty," Ota sighs while surveying his paint covered Pokémon. "Smurgle is different. Now come on..." With Milotic's and Sylveon's help, Ota manages to get Furfrou clear of any paint. The Smurgle works with Lopunny and Delcatty in getting the paint cans upright, lids on. Ota sees this through the corner of his eye as he applies a special beauty oil to Furfrou. He honestly needs to ask Eisuke if he can make more Pokébeauty products, despite the fact that Ichinomiya Corporation mostly focuses on apparel and outdoor gear for trainers. ~*~ Shuichi shamelessly strips to his boxers once inside his apartment alerting his at-home Pokémon to his and Maractus arrival. Shuichi sighs as he sits on his bed after putting his clothes away. True he does record what he knows about Pokémon and various trainer persona as his brain can hold so much but- "I need to figure out how to help Hikaru's Dodrio to work with him... that recent evolution clearly changed its personality," he grumbles. "That Pokémon isn't as obedient as it once was." He recalls that the main reason Hikaru came to see him was mostly about his Dodrio. He knows Hikaru gets along fine with Roserade, Scrafty, Luxray, Sableye and Greninja, even after three of them evolved to their final forms. Dodrio however... it stopped listening to Hikaru. There had to be something in his notebooks. Enlisting all his Pokémon, Shuichi starts looking for anything that can better the bond.

Author’s Note: Okay I’ll admit I’ve used more the anime than the games because it was the anime that got me into the Pokemon fandom at a young age. I currently have an Eevee plushie and PillowPet, a few Pikachu things, and a puzzle that still has a few missing pieces...

I will be doing further research for Ota’s role as a Coordinator since the anime doesn’t do the same sorting as the games. I’m not going to stick with Ace Trainer since I’ve not been into the games as much as the anime. I’ve seen more clips on YouTube involving Cilian than anything related to Ace Trainers...

Most of my materials are from this post from Spade and all her AU tags that also involve @maidofstars.

[technicolorheart9801]

All It Does Is Take: Chapter 2

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 |  Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

Ritsu had been oddly subdued thus far, gazing at the complicated transmutation circle with a furrowed brow.

“Do you see something wrong with it?” Mob asked. “I’ve triple checked all of my calculations, but I could have missed something.”Ritsu stayed silent for a moment, seeming to hesitate, before saying, “N-no. I was… just wondering about her soul. What do we have to offer that could possibly be equivalent?” 

To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. And on that day, they lost more than their fair share. Now the Kageyama Brothers are on a mission. A mission that might cost them everything they have left.

This is a pretty short chapter, but it dives into Ritsu’s point of view a little bit. Next chaper is a Reigen chapter, so look forward to that!

Ritsu couldn’t remember much of their father. He had left when they were really young, though Nii-san said that he was a good father while he was there. Nii-san always was too forgiving. All Ritsu could remember of the man was the back of his broad shoulders as he walked out of their lives. And someone that turned their back on family was not someone Ritsu would ever consider a father.

But his mother never lost hope that her husband would come back to them, and Nii-san never lost hope that his father would care enough to return once he learned that their mother was sick. So they wrote to all the addresses that were on the return stamp of letters their father had sent them, explaining that his wife was sick (dying) and his kids needed him and he should come home right away. But he never showed. And when he realized that the man didn’t even care enough to come to his wife’s funeral, Ritsu decided that he didn’t have a father and he would never turn away when his family needed him.

Then, after their mother had wasted away waiting for the man that never came, Ritsu only had his brother. And when his brother said that their was a way to bring her back - to cheat death and commit a taboo among alchemists, human transmutation - Ritsu agreed. Because his family needed him.

It wasn’t until Ritsu was there, right in front of the transmutation circle that could bring their mother back, that he admitted to himself that something didn’t feel right.

“Do you see something wrong with it? I’ve triple checked all of my calculations, but I could have missed something.” It seemed Nii-san had noticed his troubled look. Ritsu must appear really nervous if his well-meaning-but-slightly-oblivious older brother had noticed something was up with him.

And while Ritsu was not one to ignore gut feelings, he had also spent years with Nii-san checking over every calculation and theorem, and he trusted his own and his brother’s skills enough to do this transmutation right. He had nothing to be afraid of. This would work.

“N-no,” Ritsu hoped Nii-san hadn’t noticed the stutter. “No. Your alchemy is as amazing as ever. I was… just wondering about her soul. What do we have to offer that could possibly be equivalent?”

Shigeo seemed satisfied with his answer, his slightly worried look transforming into something more excited. Ritsu almost wished his brother would push the issue.

“Oh, right.” It seemed Nii-san had almost forgotten about the soul. Well, that was okay, because reminding his brother of the little things that might have slipped his mind while he worried about the big picture was practically Ritsu’s job. “Well, since we got our blood from her’s, I figured a few drops would be enough. A fair trade.”

Ritsu’s brother pulled out a small knife and cut his finger with it. Ritsu couldn’t help but flinch at how readily Shigeo hurt himself for what he thought was a worthy cause. It might have been a small thing now, but Ritsu would have to keep an eye on that. It might manifest into something bigger - and more harmful - later.

But even though Nii-san was perfectly fine hurting himself, he seemed extremely uncomfortable with the fact that Ritsu had to do the same. Ritsu was just as willing to sacrifice as his older brother, so he reassured Shigeo with, “It’s okay, Nii-san. It’s only a papercut. We get those all the time.”

Ritsu forced a smile, and Nii-san smiled back, and Ritsu couldn’t help being slightly disappointed at the fact that his brother didn’t notice anything wrong.

Then, once the time actually came to place his hands on the circle and perform the transmutation, something made him hesitate again. Something wasn’t right. Maybe… maybe he should tell Nii-san. Nii-san always listened to what Ritsu - or anyone else - had to say, it was something Ritsu admired most about him. Ritsu could tell him and they could take a few days to make sure… But no, he was with his older brother, the most talented alchemist he had ever met, and they were doing this for their mother. This would work. It would work now or never.

So Ritsu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and pushed the feeling of wrongness to the very back of his mind. Because this would work.

But then there was alchemy sparking through the air and the bad feeling increased tenfold just before Nii-san started screaming from where he was crouched down beside him. Ritsu only had time to be worried about his brother for a moment before he started feeling a pain like he had never felt before and he lifted his hand only to see that it wasn’t there. It was already completely dissolved by the same things that were beginning to drag him towards… something.

He was screaming for his brother, reaching out for him, because he couldn’t feel anything anymore, and the image of Nii-san reaching out for him was slowly eaten away before their was nothing but white left.

And that image of his brother was the last thing Ritsu remembered before waking up. Well, if Ritsu could even call it “waking up”, because, for him, abruptly awakening from sleep was usually accompanied by a dazed feeling for a few seconds, followed by a slow accounting of all of your senses, like how soft what he was lying on was or the smell of what his mother was making for breakfast. But Ritsu was completely alert the moment he was able to “see” again, the feeling more like "turning on" than “waking up”, which should have worried Ritsu more than it did. But it didn’t, because at that moment, all he could think about was the fact that he could only use a total of two senses - sight and hearing - and that the other three that were supposed to be there were mysteriously absent. He couldn’t feel the surface beneath him, he couldn’t smell the alchemy in the air, he couldn’t - maybe didn’t have to? - breathe. There was just… nothing.

Ritsu was stricken with a complete, mind-numbing panic of the likes he had never experienced before. The fear was oddly comforting, because at least he could still feel emotions, which was something. At least he knew he was still human in that aspect. But even that only lasted for a second before he heard a voice right in front of him whisper out, “Ritsu?”

The panic wasn’t entirely replaced, but it was pushed aside slightly in favor of an overwhelming concern (and fear) for his brother that felt like an undertow he could drown in. Because Nii-san was crying and holding onto his shoulder where his arm was supposed to be and this was not good because Ritsu had read enough books on human anatomy to know that an 11 year old boy was not supposed to be losing that much blood.

“Nii-san! What… what happened to you… and me? What is this?” Ritsu forced his arms to reach out to his older brother, who he realized was missing a leg too, and… Ritsu took a little too long to realize that those metal gauntlets outstretched towards his (little) big brother were his own arms. Ritsu’s brain helpfully supplied that he was probably in shock, but Ritsu wasn’t the one bleeding too much (way too much), so he put his brain on the more helpful task of figuring out where he could take his brother to get him taken care of.

“I’m sorry… there wasn’t much time… I used my arm as material in a transmutation… but all I could manage was attaching your soul to the suit of armor in the corner…” Ritsu remembered the armor, almost 7 feet tall and always looming over their shoulders as they studied. They had jokingly called it their mother’s spy, because it always seemed to be watching and judging them, like she would. Wait-

“What… about mom?” After seeing what his brother had sacrificed, Ritsu thought the transmutation must have worked. And that meant mom was back and would know what to do. She always did.

“No… you shouldn’t look… what we made… it wasn’t human…”

And the monstrosity in the middle of the transmutation circle was definitely not human. It was ugly and grotesque, with a single arm outstretched like a scraggly tree branch and bones and blood on the outside that should have been inside. Ritsu took a moment to feel a crippling sense of guilt for the fact that they had made such an abomination. But it was also obviously dead, and Ritsu decided that his big brother was the priority right now over getting answers on why their alchemy didn’t work.

But as Ritsu got up to move his brother - he wouldn’t last a long trip, so the neighbors might be their only hope - and saw (not felt, he wouldn’t feel again for a long time) that Nii-san’s body could now fit in his own huge, new hands, and all that he could think to himself was he’s so small.

Then, as Ritsu looked around the basement one last time - the haze that his shock had cast over his mind receding slightly - all the pieces of the puzzle suddenly came together with the force of tectonic plates colliding, collapsing Ritsu’s world, because he realized - with his tiny big brother bleeding out in his unfeeling arms, the horrible thing that they had created dead in front of him, and the gap in his memories where something important should be - that in keeping his mouth shut, he had made a huge mistake.

[showingthroughtome]

spit fire - chapter fourteen

i was good on my own, that’s the way it was

“Nope. We’re all good.” She turns around and throws her plate away in the trash can that’s right there. Standing up, she picks up her sweet tea and book bag.

“We’re clearly not.” He watches as she prepares to leave, not moving himself at all. “You’ve been ignoring me.”

“No, I haven’t.” She shakes her head and laughs, disregarding what he is saying completely. She knows she is keeping up a good front, though, and that’s all that matters to her at the moment. She shrugs again, uncaring. “We’re casual, right? Well, I’ve been causally doing other things. I haven’t even had time to read all the messages you’ve sent.”

read on 1dff - or below - story page

Monday rolls around, as it always does, with early mornings and boring lectures. The weekend was uneventful. Noa stayed in her dorm for most of it, binge watching three seasons of That 70s Show. Harry was still distant with occasional texts and shitty excuses about finishing up his project. He said he was going to spend the whole weekend in the library with his partners. Noa offered to join him, maybe bring him lunch just so he would have a good meal, but he told her he wouldn’t want her to waste her weekend in the library. Noa knew it was just him being pissed about Shawn still and she accepted it. She’d let him be mad this weekend but when Monday rolls around, he’ll have to talk to her for real.

So she sits in her seat 15 minutes before class is supposed to begin. Her notes are open and one ear bud is in her ear - Bryson Tiller singing all the kinds of words any basic bitch like herself would love to hear. And for some odd reason, she feels tightness in her chest, almost like anxiety. Almost like she’s nervous to be there or to see Harry. But that can’t be right, because as she watched Eric and Donna break up and then make up it hit her how bad she wanted to just make up with her guy.

With a shake of her hands and roll of her neck, she tries to get the feeling to leave her, to let her be. That only happens, though, when she sees Harry walk in with his signature disarray of curls, looking particularly tired and bundled up in a heavy coat.

“Hey!” Noa greets and watches him delayer piece by piece - he dressed as if it were the last day of the year rather than the second week of November. “How’d your project go?”

“We finished.” He attempts a genuine smile and slides into his desk. He, unlike Noa, doesn’t bring anything to class, just hoping to magically remember all the lecture material. Though, the way he barely looks at Noa makes her think he brought that same stale attitude he got on Thursday.

It’s been 4 days, she’s over it.

“Okay, Harry. I don’t know what to say.” She turns all the way towards him, sitting sideways in her chair and ready to talk, ready to get this over with.

He finally glances his eyes in her direction and with one up and down, he wonders, “What are you talking about?”

“Shawn. Our date. The stupid phone call I shouldn’t have answered.” She throws up her hands, because she really doesn’t know what else to say that she hadn’t already said on Friday… Well, there are a few things - a few inner feeling things - but she’d rather not while in their sports management class with a room full of strangers who can easily hear. Instead of going into all of that, she goes with the bare minimum of what she’s willing to say at the moment. “But I promise you that he doesn’t mean anything to me.” Shaking her head, she can’t even believe Harry could still be so jealous. “Not like you do, okay?”

Admitting that, Noa feels a little bit lighter, and Harry must to because he almost loosens up, quirking a brow in shock. “Like me?”

“Don’t.” She can’t help smile when she sees his lips start to upturn, as if he is actually the Harry who can stand her not the one who’s been acting weird all weekend.  “I’m not going to say anything incriminating on my part.”

“Too late.” Harry can’t seem to help it either, his face splits in two. Now, they’re both just staring at each other with totally dopey expressions until something deters Harry and he lets his fall slightly.

Noa disregards it as a function of them being in public, of trying to not seem like a complete idiot. Which she’s nearly given up on completely.

“I could kill you.” She threatens at his words and kicks a foot for his leg, hardly even shaking his calf when they collide. “It’d be easy. Just lure you in with my cheerleading uniform and a pipe.”

“You think it so easy, don’t you?”

“Oh, I know it, babe.” She leans forward, and in front of anyone who is looking to the back of the class, she pops a kiss on his lips. It’s so sudden and short that he couldn’t have responded if he tried, yet he still looks satisfied it happened. “But, this weekend when I was left all alone,” Noa changes the subject and makes sure to emphasize the part where Harry didn’t come around. “I was thinking about a second date.”

Harry looks away again, to his hands sitting on the table. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. There is this vegan place that just opened up and I heard it’s crazy good so I think that’s my safest bet to really getting into this thing. Will you try it with me?”

Harry nods, then thinks aloud, “When?”

Noa had already thought about this and has the perfect answer. “Um, Thursday? Since we have a game on Wednesday and Friday.” Harry nods again at that, and maybe that’s why he’s acting a little weird - the week ahead of him holds not one but two basketball games. “You nervous for those?” She tilts her head.

“We should kill.” He says confidently but not as playfully as the last time he mouthed off about the team. “Thursday sounds good to me, though.”

“Perfect.” She readjusts herself so she’s facing the professor who just entered the room, and then, as he begins with the lecture, Noa whispers, “No phones this time.”

Harry chuckles and agrees, “No phones.”

—

Anatomy is the bane of Noa’s existence. Honestly, she’d rather take any other class in the world than the one focused on every part of the human body. There was so much going on and truth be told, her brain wasn’t made to carry all of the information. For other people it might have been a walk in the park to memorize all the bone names and muscle tissues and functions and blah blah blah. Not for her.

And to have an anatomy lab on Monday? Well that just isn’t fair.

Noa sits at a lab table with her group of four, none of which she has managed to make friends with, and stares at the bones laid out in front of them. They’re meant to correctly label all of them and assemble them in the correct order before they can leave, and while Noa flips through her manual frantically trying to figure it out, the other three just kind of watch her.

“This has to be the femur.” She holds up the largest bone on the table, knowing for a fact that she is right. “And so this is probably the tibia.” She points to another large bone lying in front of one of her group members.

There is silence across the board so she nods and jots down her assumption on the answer sheet. The three other members follow suit and then begin flipping through their manuals too - maybe to show some effort or maybe so the instructor doesn’t walk by and call them out for not doing anything.

The amount of talking they don’t do only allows for all the other groups to be heard that much easier. And that probably would’ve been a plus if Nina hadn’t been in the class and sat at the table right behind Noa.

For awhile, she isn’t so bad when she is actually trying to do the assignment - helping Noa with the deciphering of bones - but then her and one of her group members get off track and start gossiping. It begins simple and easy - Janae O’Hara got a nose job, Lynn Oswald got caught with cocaine in her dorm room.

It next moves to the harder stuff, the stuff Noa has to take a seat for and pretend like her world didn’t just crack a little bit more than it already was. She blinks her eyes a couple dozen times to clear the haze she immediately felt fall over her at the sound of Harry’s name and the context in which it is being used.

“So you hooked up with him?” Noa zones in completely at the question Nina’s lab partner poses, thinking maybe she was mistaken.

“Not exactly. We just made out over the weekend in the library.” Nina says proudly, loudly, obviously knowing Noa is just a couple feet away. “It was amazing though. Harry is so cool, so sweet.”

Noa has to be hearing wrong. Nina has to be talking about someone else. Noa has to calm down - has to pretend like her vision isn’t blurring and her head isn’t spinning.

“I thought he was with…” The lab partner doesn’t finish her sentence, thinking she’s being so sneaky.

“Apparently not.” Noa can hear Nina’s hair flip but doesn’t turn around even though she desperately wants to question the validity. With all her might, she keeps facing away and bores holes through the patella bone with her eyes.

Nina has to have gotten things wrong. She has to have kissed some other British basketball player in the library this weekend. Or she’s lying. That’s a very real possibility. A very real, tiny, unlikely possibility.

Noa scribbles down some bullshit answers to her worksheet, trying her hardest to ignore every sound around her and the erratic beating of her heart. She hands in her paper and rushes out of the classroom.

—

She runs straight to her dorm room and locks herself in, disregarding the 3:30 cheer practice she has to be at for the comfort of her bed.

—

At 4:05 there is a knock to her door. She makes no move to do anything about it except perhaps pull her comforter even tighter around her.

—

It’s 6:22 when she wakes up from her nap and rolls around to find her phone. She has 7 missed calls from Farrah, 2 from Molly, and a single text from Harry which reads:

Hey ! No cheer practice today? You guys are lucky!

She throws her phone off of her bed and faces the wall.

—

“Noa!” Molly’s voice rouses Noa from her unpleasant napping with the assistance from a nudge to the shoulder. “Noa, are you okay?”

“What time is it?” Noa’s voice croaks as she tries to sort out the disoriented feeling caused by so much sleeping.

“10 something.” Farrah answers from behind Molly. “We haven’t heard from you all day and you missed practice. We were worried.”

Noa sits up for the first time in 8 hours, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “Sorry. I was just so tired. I completely crashed.”

“What’s up?” Molly takes a seat beside her with a concerned expression - something Molly rarely shows.

“Nothing. I - I don’t know what happened. I came back for a nap and knocked out.”

“Oh okay.” Farrah nods. “Some of the girls are pissed.”

“Fuck them.” Noa falls back so she can be supported by the wall, not willing to give up any energy. “I just had a moment, okay?”

Neither girls buy her lie but Noa has no desire to tell the truth behind her shutting herself in and they can see it.

“Here’s your phone.” Molly lifts up the black iPhone. “It was on the floor by the door.”

“Weird.” Noa shrugs.

“Okay, I guess we will leave you to your sleep then.” Farrah seems weary - definitely aware something is up by the distance Noa is giving them - but plays along for the moment. “Rest up.” She instructs on her way to the door.

Molly follows with only one side eye. “Bye, girl.”

“Bye.” Noa offers up a sad attempt at a wave.

—

She doesn’t actually unlock her phone until 2am that night. Without any use for it, it seemed unnecessary to do before. Now, the only reason she does it is because the Harry (4) that pops up every time she check the time annoys the hell out of her.

7:12 Noa?

7:23 You okay?

8:57 Call me when you get this

10:34 I really hope you’re good. See you tomorrow? xxx

Her eyes roll so hard it hurts.

—

But she wakes up the next morning and is so embarrassed that she spent nearly the whole of yesterday in bed because she heard about Harry kissing some other girl. Sure it was Nina, but still, Noa Cherry doesn’t spend days in bed because of boys.

Instead, she decks herself out - she does her hair in loose beachy waves, highlights her skin until she’s glowing like never before, and wears the tightest jeans she owns. One look in the mirror and she wonders how she ever let herself sleep for so long.

Listening to Nicki Minaj as she goes to each class of the day, she is invincible if not slightly numb. And as she gets lunch by herself in the middle of campus, Future plays on an endless loop - one dude who would surely caress her better than any athlete.

Her veggie wrap is nearly gone when the chair pulls out in front of her.

“Hey.” Harry sits down, smiling, picking a fry off her plate and throwing it in his mouth. “Haven’t heard from you since yesterday. What’s up?”

Noa normally wouldn’t care to share her food with him since it is a rare occasion that she finishes an entire plate but today, the action rubs her the wrong way. She moves the plate closer to her, hopefully giving him a hint, and shrugs. “Nothing. Just busy.”

“Really?”

“I didn’t think you’d notice.” She doesn’t make eye contact with him, simply continues to eat and keep her voice calm to the best of her ability. Passive aggressive isn’t really her thing - or at least, she never thought it truly was. Now though, she can’t manage to vocalize how pissed she is. She can only say things that will lead him to that conclusion on his own.

“What? Why would you think such a dumb thing?” Noa can hear the smile in his voice - a smile that he hasn’t sincerely given since Shawn called on their date. Which she figures is pretty fucking ironic.

She looks up from her plate, sees that smile, and can’t stop the words coming from her lips.

“Oh, I don’t know. I thought you might be spending time with Nina.” She says as a matter of fact with a brush of her hair over her shoulder, and then closely watches Harry’s face for a reaction. He shocks still for a second, which is answer enough for her. But then, he drops his head and rubs the back of his neck. “So it is true?” Noa nods, ignoring the shudder she feels buzzing under her skin.

“Noa.” He breathes her name on an exhale, causing her stomach to twist even tighter.

Noa isn’t having it. She is really fine with it, she decides in that moment, or she can pretend to be while in front of him. They never claimed to be anything more, never claimed to be exclusive. Now that she has it confirmed, she can move on from it.

“Nah, Harry. It’s chill.” She swears the words like she means them with every fiber of her being - maybe sounding a bit cold, a bit sharp but not really giving a fuck. Harry finally moves his eyes up to find hers and something like regret is already filling them.

“Noa, I -”

“Nope. We’re all good.” She turns around and throws her plate away in the trash can that’s right there. Standing up, she picks up her sweet tea and book bag.

“We’re clearly not.” He watches as she prepares to leave, not moving himself at all. “You’ve been ignoring me.”

“No, I haven’t.” She shakes her head and laughs, disregarding what he is saying completely. She knows she is keeping up a good front, though, and that’s all that matters to her at the moment. She shrugs again, uncaring. “We’re casual, right? Well, I’ve been causally doing other things. I haven’t even had time to read all the messages you’ve sent.”

“It was only five.” He mumbles under his breath. Noa doesn’t know how pointing out that fact could help him - not that she cares.

“Cool.” Noa is cold again, yet she doesn’t walk away from him.

Harry just stares at her, gives her body a once over, then, like he really means it, he says quietly. “Noa, I’m so sorry.”

“Why are you even apologizing, Harry? I’ve heard Nina is easy. You could probably get her in bed in no time. Don’t be sorry for that.” Noa doesn’t like the words she is saying - she kind of feels like she is shaming Nina for having her own fun while in college even though Nina is one of her least favorite people. Noa has always thought that girls who shame other girls have a special place in hell. And the thought of Harry burying himself in Nina is even worse. It literally gives her mouth a disgusting taste.

Though, she can’t let Harry know that. She’ll feel like an idiot if she manages to do something now that shows him how much she has fallen for him. So she stays cold, heartless, bitchy and unfeeling.

“Noa, don’t be like this.” He gets to his feet and reaches for her, coming up empty handed as Noa takes a few steps back. Maybe he wasn’t falling for her act by the pity pouring out of his eyes. “I didn’t mean to kiss her. We -”

“Oh, so you just fell onto her mouth?” Rolling her eyes and huffing, she interrupts him.

He shook his head. “It just happened. But it didn’t mean anything, I swear.”

“You know, I actually have class. I’ll see you later.” She points her fingers towards the door and avoids the hand he extends in an attempt to catch her stepping around him.

“Grape, come on.” He calls after her but she is already out of the door, not looking back or sparing another thought of the Nina-kissing-basketball player for at least a whole hour.

—

When Noa finds herself in bed later that night - at an appropriate time - her brain starts going, her heart really starts sinking. It’s like that feeling when she was in that tiny fight with Harry but multiplied by ten. Her eyes are trying to focus on all the darkness around her, though, it’s impossible. And her ears are picking up every breath Bethlyn is making in her sleep. Her lungs can’t get even and her brain won’t stop going - won’t stop picturing Harry and Nina wrapped up in each other in the library, the one that Noa always goes to with him.

She picks up her phone in desperate need of someone she hasn’t needed for a long time, someone she doesn’t know if she ever truly needed - her mom.

The line rings and rings and rings. Finally, after so long, Noa has to hang up and accept the fact her mom is probably too high to answer. She doesn’t even know what’d she would say to her mom anyway, and she doesn’t know what her mom would say that could possibly stop her rampant thoughts, but Noa just feels this instinctual need to need her.

She calls again and nothing, so Noa goes to the people she probably should’ve went to in the first place.

Right as her knuckles hit the wooden door, she feels a certain kind of welling up in her eyes - one she hasn’t felt for a guy in her life. Ever.

Farrah happens to answer the door this time. With one look over, she pulls Noa by the arm into their dorm and places her in her bed, not saying a word as Noa slowly explains what happened, letting very few full tears slip from her eyes.