#probably 6

[binbogummy]

Humans are —

Chapter 4

Any and all previously set chapter limits have officially been thrown out the window. Will be writing for this one until I'm satisfied~

Some tags: Female-reader | Platonic x reader | Fluff | Sickfic | Post-Seaon 1, Pre-Season 2

Words: 3k+

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | * |

~

By the time lunch rolled around, the rain outside was still falling at a light drizzle, continuing to tap faintly against the bookshop’s windows. Inside, the warm glow of the shop’s lighting reflected on the polished wooden surfaces, casting a serene atmosphere over the quiet afternoon.

Aziraphale had, of course, taken it upon himself to prepare lunch. He’d insisted you stay cozy in the guest room until it was ready, but you’d managed to convince him to let you join him downstairs.

Still wrapped in one of his heavier knitted blankets, you sat at a small, round table in one of the bookshop’s cozier nooks.

"I've prepared just the thing for such a dreary afternoon," Aziraphale announced proudly as he placed two small, steaming bowls on your respective sides of the table, along with a plate of five or so neatly stacked and golden brown 'cheese toasties' between you.

You smiled brightly at the sight. Tomato soup and grilled cheese, a classic. The soup was garnished with a bit of cream and basil and the gooey centers of the sandwiches were just visible from where they'd been cut in half, diagonally of course.

"And for dessert-" he gestured to a small tray off to the side, "Some lemon drizzle cake~"

You couldn't deny that this was beyond delightful and drummed your feet happily against the floor as he set everything out. "Ahh! It looks awesome!" You cheered and Aziraphale seemed to preen at the praise, sitting across from you and smoothing a napkin over his lap. His delight in orchestrating moments like this was infectious, and after this morning, you were doing your best to honor his request and allow yourself to enjoy it all wholeheartedly.

"Please, enjoy~" He prompted and you happily complied, snagging one of the sandwich halves from the tray and dipping the corner into the soup before taking a bite.

It was just as nostalgic as you'd hoped, but the basily flavor of the 'bisque', as he had eventually referred to it, was a nice extra touch and your happy little shimmy returned with a satisfied hum as you dipped again.

You still weren't the most talkative thanks to the mild discomfort in your head and chest, but Aziraphale filled the silence eagerly, chittering about the littlest of occurrence on Wickber Street over the last few weeks, or whatever he'd read in the daily paper this morning. And knowing the cause now, never once did your silence bother him. Instead, he seemingly pulled just as much engagement from your enthusiastic nods and agreeing hums.

Aziraphale carefully dabbed at the corner of his mouth with a napkin, setting it aside before continuing.

"Oh! You know that little bakery down the street? The one with the blue shutters?"

You hummed in acknowledgment, tucking into your second grilled cheese.

"That's where I got this little morsel this morning," He nodded to the small, rectangular cake on the table, "and apparently they've just won an award from the Shopkeepers and Street Traders Association for their éclairs! Best in Soho, apparently. Though between you and me," he leaned in conspiratorially, "I'm not entirely sure how they managed it. They tend to use a bit too much chocolate icing, don't you think?"

You swallowed your mouthful and gave a small nod, adding a soft hum of agreement to his critique.

"Exactly!" he exclaimed, delighted by your silent validation. "Now, I do think their fruit tarts are rather divine, but the éclairs? A touch overrated, if you ask me."

You lifted a hand, tilting it back and forth as if to say, 'They’re alright'.

"Ah, precisely!" Aziraphale said, grinning broadly. "Not terrible, of course, but of out of everything they have to offer they certainly wouldn't have been my first choice for an award."

"Love a good fruit tart," you agreed raspily.

He nodded solemnly, then gestured toward your bowl. "How’s your soup? Quite to your liking?"

"Mmhm!" You nodded happily, prepared to give your thanks again when suddenly-

"Well, looky here~"

You'd been the only one startled in that moment, while Aziraphale was already prepared with a gentle scolding.

"Crowley, I'm most certain I had asked you to start using the door."

"Did you? Must have forgotten. Used it last night though, didn't I?" The demon shrugged with casual indifference, stopping a few yards away from your table, his hands in his pockets as he scrutinized your little lunch date. "Hope I'm not interrupting, Aziraphale. I guess you finally decided to open that bed and breakfast after all?"

"We're having lunch actually. You'll do well to note the time of day. " Aziraphale corrected and you had to bite your lip to stop a laugh.

"Anyway," Crowley continued, shaking his head in your direction, "I was in the neighborhood again, thought I might stop by to check on our little patient."

It was then you noticed him looking you up and down and you were forced to swallow your pride then and there.

You were still in the nightgown, now donning a pair of soft, knee-high stockings Aziraphale had given you this morning to come downstairs in.

They happened to match terribly well, and you were also terribly comfy. But you also knew that Crowley knew that Aziraphale was the only person capable of wearing you down and getting you into such soft attire. And the demon was surely eating up the fact that you'd actually let him.

This morning however, you'd decided to own it. And when Crowley's smirk widened at the sight of you bundled up and eating lunch in bedclothes in the middle of the day, you looked right at him and took a proud bite of your grilled cheese as if to say, 'Yeah? What about it?" Which, of course, only made him snicker.

"Surprised to see you up and about. Thought the angel'd have you locked down in bed all day." Crowley drawled, his voice dripping with amusement.

You rolled your eyes and were about to cut in with how silly that was, when Aziraphale beat you to it with a rather different response.

"Oh, absolutely," Aziraphale interjected, his tone kind but firm. "She'll be back upstairs safe and sound right after lunch. Rest is the best medicine, after all." You turned to the angel in mild surprise, but he continued. "Quite considerate of you to be worried for her, though, Crowley." Aziraphale mused, before nodding to you graciously. "As you can see , I've everything under control, and with a bit of time we're sure to see her safely on the mend!" The angel announced proudly and Crowley's eyes shifted to you.

Deciding to brush your apparent early bed-time under the rug, you just laughed and rolled your eyes, "Yes, thank you, Aziraphale.

Crowley let out a little hum and Aziraphale perked up with a thought, gesturing toward the empty chair at your table. "Do join us, Crowley. There’s plenty of soup left, and I’d be happy to fetch you a bowl."

"Soup, eh?" Crowley slid into the chair with an air of exaggerated indifference, his long legs stretching out beneath the table. "Suppose I could be convinced."

"Oh, it's quite good," Aziraphale seemed to look at you for reassurance and you quickly nodded, making a point to clean the remaining soup from the inside of your bowl with your last bit of sandwich before popping it in your mouth.

"S'awsome!" You mumbled though your mouthful.

The angel grinned proudly once again, "Oh, yes~ I've had plenty of time to learn to cook as of late with— well, you know!" He seemed to rush past the last part of his sentence with a dismissive wave to Crowley, but you didn't give it much thought. "I'll fetch you some now!" Aziraphale rose immediately, bustling off to the kitchen with a speed that suggested he was thrilled to have another guest to feed.

Crowley waited until Aziraphale was well out of earshot, his gaze trailing lazily after the angel as he disappeared into the kitchen. Then, with a sharp tilt of his head in your direction, he cocked a brow when he noticed the way you'd also been staring in the direction Aziraphale had disappeared with a barely visible frown.

"Something on your mind, love? Not enjoying the royal treatment?"

"Huh?" You turned to him in questioning surprise before being cut off with a cough. "Oh, no no, nothing like that." You assured him. "Aziraphale has been really sweet,"

"But~" Crowley, prompted leaning forward as he sensed the unsaid addition to your words.

You laughed half-heartedly, distractedly taking a slice of the lemon cake for yourself. "He's been perfectly sweet, but–"

Before you could finish, Aziraphale reappeared, carrying a fresh bowl of soup and a smaller plate with an extra grilled cheese. "Here we are!" he announced cheerfully, setting the food down in front of Crowley with the waiter's precision. "Freshly prepared, just for you."

Crowley regarded the food with a critical eye, then gave a slow nod of approval.

"Isn't it always lovely to have company for a meal? The more the merrier, I say!", Aziraphale beamed as he took his seat again, slicing himself a small piece of the cake as well.

When lunchtime eventually came to an end, Aziraphale began clearing the table, picking up plates and insisting you stay seated despite your attempts to help. The angel's enthusiasm for hosting left little room for anyone else to pitch in, and when you sat up with your bowl and the intention to follow him with it to the sink, it was instead taken from you with the gentle order to stay seated.

"No no, you're still recovering, my dear, and I won't have you overexerting yourself." He stated, stacking the bowls, plates and silverware together with ease to take them all to the sink in a single trip.

Crowley let out a low chuckle, swirling the last bit of soup in his bowl before downing it like a shot and handing it to Aziraphale as he bustled off. "If the angel wants to do it himself, let him do it himself, I say."

Aziraphale disappeared into the kitchen with his arms full of dishes but seemed to reappear in the same breath, drying his hands on a tea towel and smiling warmly at you and Crowley.

"Well, my dear, I believe that's quite enough excitement for the time being. Time to get you back upstairs."

"Awww, already?"

Crowley snickered, reclining lazily in his chair and resting one ankle on his opposite knee. "Better just let him tuck you in again and save yourself the effort."

Aziraphale gave Crowley a reproachful glance before turning his gentle but firm attention back to you. "I must insist. Rest is paramount. A little lunch and pleasant conversation are all well and good, but you've only just started your recovery. We mustn't overdo it."

You blinked at him, "Overdo it? Really?" You deadpanned and then grinned as Aziraphale practically swept you up from behind with a huff, coaxing you out of your chair and toward the staircase. "Okay okay, I'm going!" You laughed

"Good girl, now up you go!" He urged you up kindly when you reached the base of the stairs. "I've some soup left on the stove to put away but I'll be up in just a moment to see you settled."

You nodded humorously. Truth be told, being sick did have a special way of sapping your strength, so going back to bed, even at 2pm in the afternoon, wouldn't be the worst thing the world right now.

Aziraphale waited by the bottom of the stairs until you'd ascended all the way, giving a satisfied nod once you'd disappeared from sight before hurrying to finish his clean up.

He passed Crowley on the way, slowing down as the demon leaned back to give him a toothy grin.

"Don't, Crowley, I know that look. You've been smiling like that since you arrived," Aziraphale scolded as he pushed in the chairs at the table. His tone was clipped but familiar, the kind of reprimand he reserved for the kind of attitude he was entirely too used to. "If you've nothing of value to contribute, kindly keep your cynical way of thinking to yourself."

"Oh, sure, sure," Crowley nodded and leaned back, balancing precariously on the back legs of his chair. "Wouldn't dream of interfering. Just thought you might be enjoying this a bit too much, is all." The demon drawled teasingly.

Aziraphale froze mid-step, a faint flush creeping up his neck as he turned his back to the other man and continued to the kitchen. "I'm afraid I've not the faintest idea as to what you're referring to," he replied haughtily, but Crowley stood with a stretch to follow.

"Oh, come on now. Don't play coy. I know you, Angel. You've got that little twinkle in your eye, that spring in your step. Positively glowing with purpose this afternoon, aren't we?"

Aziraphale sniffed offendedly as he removed a still steaming pot from the stove, but feigned indifference at the demon's words. "There's nothing wrong with taking care of those we care about, Crowley. If you ever tried it yourself you might also find it quite... rewarding."

"Mmhmm, course," Crowley nodded with mock agreement, leaning against the kitchen doorway "Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it? Having someone to look after. Something to do~"

The angel rolled his eyes but didn't grace the demon's teasing with further response, just pulling a clean ladle from a drawer and finding a small container in one of his cupboards.

"Don't get me wrong, though, Angel. I think it's sweet. Really. You've cooked up quite the roundabout way to take pleasure in another's suffering. Bit cheeky, don't you think~?"

That was it. Aziraphale turned sharply to the demon, ladle still in hand and his expression halfway between scandalized and defensive as his glare cut through the kitchen. "Crowley! That is a terrible thing to say," he scolded indignantly, though his ears burned crimson. "Her being unwell is hardly something to find satisfaction in and my intentions are only to see her back to proper form as soon as possible."

Before Crowley could respond, Aziraphale gently threw down his ladle and closed the distance between them, aggressively shooing him out the door. "Out. Go on, shoo. If you've come here just to needle me you can show yourself out. Some of us have responsibilities to attend to. Ones you've clearly no hope in understanding."

Crowley held up his hands in mock surrender, still grinning as he was backed toward the doorway

"Teasing! You know I'm only teasing! We're both bored as can be after all."

Aziraphale huffed and stepped away, rolling his eyes again with an exasperated sigh, "Really, what's gotten into you lately? Keep your wild assumptions to yourself, and if you're so bored and must stick around, then make yourself useful. Go... I don't know, fetch her something she likes? Bring her spirits up a bit?"

Crowley chuckled softly, sauntering back to his chair with the smug satisfaction of someone who felt that they'd proved their point. "Oh, I'll stick around, Angel. But useful? That's asking a bit much, don't you think?"

The angel shook his head to himself and returned to the kitchen, finally giving the leftover soup a pensive stir before beginning to ladle it into a container.

Once everything had been tidied up and properly stored away, he joined you upstairs.

After climbing the steps and making his way to the guest room, he paused at the door.

His hand hovered above the knob as Crowley's teasing echoed faintly in his mind. The nerve of some demons, really, he thought, his lips pressing into a thin line before he shook himself free of his sour mood and replaced his frown with a small smile as he gently opened the door to step inside.

The room was just as neatly arranged as he'd left it earlier that morning, with the bed still perfectly made. But there you were, perched on the edge, your knees slightly drawn up and the blanket he'd insisted you carry with you draped loosely over your shoulders. Your focus was distant, your eyes fixed lazily on the rug, but the sound of the door caught your attention, and your expression shifted into a warm smile as you looked up at him.

"My dear, you should be lying down," Aziraphale remarked immediately as he crossed the room with soft but purposeful steps.

You laughed a little, You looked tired.

You laughed softly, your expression humorous but not defiant. "I'm sorry," you apologized, your voice light and tired. "You made it up so nice. It didn't feel right to mess it up." Your explained glancing down at neatly arranged pillows and the perfectly smooth quilt.

Aziraphale let out a little huff and shook his head as the smallest bit of irritation leftover from his interaction with Crowley managed to slip through. "Poppycock," he declared firmly, earning a quiet giggle from you as his hands moved to gently lift the blanket from your shoulders and fold it over his arm. "You mustn't feel shy about getting comfortable. This is your space for now, and you're to make full use of it."

He gestured for you to sit up so he could undo his careful work and with quick, precise

movements, he flung the knit blanket over the top, folded the quilt down, and arranged everything just so. When he was seemingly satisfied, he stepped back and gestured to the now-inviting bed with an encouraging but no-nonsense smile. "There we are, now, in you go!"

You giggled again and complied, sliding into bed. You didn't have so much as a chance to pull the blankets up yourself before he got to work doing it for you. "Thanks, Azi." You mumbled sweetly through a cough as your head fell slowly into the pillow.

Laying down almost immediately began to ease the weak ache in your head and neck.

"Think nothing of it, my dear, think nothing of it." He insisted, fussing with the edges of the blankets until they were perfectly aligned. Then, his hand moved to your forehead, the cool touch startling but comforting as he checked your temperature.

After a moment he frowned faintly, adjusting the pressure of his hand a few times as if trying to double-check his findings. "Still a bit feverish," he murmured, his brows knitting with concern.

Your lips parted to apologize instinctively, but before you could speak, he continued. "But that's to be expected. Fevers don't disappear in a matter of hours, after all. You'll just need a bit more time in bed."

His tone lightened halfway through, as if sensing your guilt and working to nip it in the bud. He stepped back, clasping his hands together. "No need to fret, my dear. I'll fetch you some fever reducers and an ice pack. They'll be sure to help." His smile brightened. "I'll be back posthaste!"

And back posthaste he was, pouring you a glass of cold water and handing you two little, blue oblong pills to take. Sitting up a bit to do so, you graciously accepted, finishing off the rest of the glass afterwards as well and earning a bit of praise from the angel as he eased you back down.

"Very good, you'll need plenty of fluids. Staying hydrated is an essential part to any recovery. And most certainly to breaking a fever " He instructed idly, placing the ice pack securely on your forehead

You nodded slowly and with half lidded eyes, the pack slipping slightly with the weary movement.

Lying down only emphasized how heavy a fever could make your entire body feel. The soothing coolness of the ice pack, paired with the comforting weight and warmth of the blankets anchoring you to the mattress made the idea of rest impossible to argue with; if not entirely welcome.

Aziraphale fussed over you for a few more moments, ensuring the ice pack was perfectly positioned and the blankets were tucked just so. "There now, my dear. All settled for a good nap. I'll be in to check on you shortly and will be up to wake you when dinner is ready, but I'd like you to get as much rest as you can until then."

You made a faint, drowsy sound of acknowledgment and the angel smiled down at you.

He lingered for a moment longer, expression fond and protective as he watched your eyes fall shut and your breathing grow slow and steady; a sure sign you had fully surrendered to rest. Only then did he bend down slightly, murmuring something so softly that the words were completely lost to you in your already half-asleep haze.

And then, with a quiet exhale, he straightened and stepped away, careful not to disturb the soft stillness in the air as he exited the room with a gentle click of the door; already busying himself by recounting in his mind the small list of things he'd need for dinner.

[vulpine-spectacle]

GOTRS UPDATE

The chapter won't be posted until tomorrow. I had hoped to get the chapter posted today, but I'm 100 pages in, and I still need to write a crucial section from a certain character's POV at the end. There's no way I can realistically get the section written and then read the chapter for revisions tonight. Ya gorl has to sleep.

I have work tomorrow.

Maybe.

Who knows.

It's supposed to be 7 degrees so my work might cancel.

If it does, I'll get the chapter poster early in the day, otherwise you'll get it tomorrow night.

[kedreeva]

There's some dude (derogatory) on FB who is PISSED people are pricing their farm fresh eggs at $2 and $3 a dozen instead of $4+, saying it's "disrespectful" and "undignified" and "I'm trying to feed my kids" like Sir, you are on a Facebook group page bitching about your neighbors egg prices because your pet chickens aren't earning you a living wage and you think it's your neighbors' fault, you do not have a leg to stand on here wrt dignity.

Also half the answers are like "I give them to friends and family free" or "I donate them to food banks" or "I'm making them affordable to folks who might not otherwise be able to get them now that they're so expensive in the store" and "if you think you're going to turn a profit keeping backyard chickens you have been wildly misled" and so on, and so forth, and I'm so living for it.

and I can tell you right now, he did NOT like my answer of "if you're trying to feed your kids, I hear eggs are edible."

[wormtime123]

(like two weeks late) quangle 4! this just turned into the cody compilation sorry

[sfordaisy]

More marine donquixote bros

[hotdogmchiggin]

Company Mandated Fancy Fits on the Tulpar 😏

Also had to include the REAL star of the show (and a bonus)

Based off of this and this. Thank you very much joetastic for being inspirational 👍

The REAL reason this is late

[paracosmicka]

have doodle lol

functionally, i am alive, emotionally?? idk about that work has me crying almost everyday now chat idk if i can do this anymore

[lui-the-cute-snek]

He still has some adjusting to do :)

[fexrox]

tears are worth their weight in gold

(happy new year!!!)

[egophiliac]

was this anyone else's first thought, or

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

wanted to share this

There was a short segment where we get to hear Skully J. Graves (like, with the in-game live-2D model) monologue about Halloween. After saying good evening, he opens by… GiIVING YOU a KISS????? He literally announces it: “I greet you with a kiss” or (more directly) “I give a kiss to this good/wonderful encounter”.

The Japanese transcription for the line is 「この良き出会いにキスを。」 and キス is kisu/kiss… LIKE. I know he most likely means just a brief platonic kiss to say hello (similar to the European style where your lips don’t really touch the other person and it’s more like pantomiming a kiss on each cheek)… Or maybe he means a metaphorical kiss, not a literal one??? BUT STILL THAT’S SO BOLD TO START WITH, ESPECIALLY WITH A STRANGER (<- my inner Rollo Flamme comin’ out)

Edit: Now that the event is actually out, we can confirm that he does, in fact, LITERALLY kiss you (on the back of the hand) 😭

[archerdepartures116]

This is such a stupid idea 😭

Previous posts for context:

<parts 1-4

Luo Binghe's good ol days on Baizhan

Btw do you guys want more frequent updates or wait longer for more mass posts cause I'm trying to abandon my twitter and I don't think I can reach ppl who are interested in this dumb au on bluesky

[sev-ille]

I may be pointing out something completely obvious, but Round 7 takes place immediately after Round 6?

Like immediately after.

Hyuna is still there, bleeding. Like it's so unlikely that Mizi and Hyuna have just been roaming for days. Like after round 6, it's been maybe a few hours at most?

My thoughts are a mess rn but damn that sucks for Till if that's true (not that it doesn't suck if it's not).

Ivan dies in front of him, then he has a change of outfit and immediately has to move onto the next Round. No wonder he looks so fatigued, like he's about to pass out at any moment.

Did he even get to eat or drink anything? I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't, but still.

[froggydraws]

y'all send my girl marinette your thoughts and prayers 😔🙏

[raycatzdraws]

Wolfie and Four friendship appreciation doodles! They're shared secrets besties! I hope Four's distrust of the shadow crystal doesn't drive anything between them. Wild found his way into this compilation with a force. It seems I can't draw Wolfie and not include him too!

[ihavesomejays]

on first loves yunqing lol they are silly that's it that's the prompt anyways i think this is like the first thing i've posted here that has an actual background which is kind of insane. i think you can tell i don't draw backgrounds very often. anyways yunqing is so ponytail puller annoying each other even though they've realized they like each other core and it's satisfying my peepaw heart

bg only/closeups under keep reading