#send me a tip if you like seeing me on your dash and you want me to post more 😘

[rosicheeks]

✨🥀✨

[ctrlchar]

Could you do jake’s reaction to you getting nipple piercing please? x (can be whatever you want <3)

jakexgf getting nipples pierced

a/n:thank you for the request! I decided to add a little smut at the end as well 🤭

jake had been out and about with his friends leaving you in the house to your own devices. that being said an idea popped up into your head.

you’d always wanted to get your nipples pierced,knowing how good jake looked with his. that being said you text jake asking him when he’ll be home to which he replied

jakey<3:i should be getting back within the next hour or so what’s up?

you:oh nothing just wondering😊

jakey<3:right….🤨

jakey<3:i’ll see u when i get home babe

after your exchange you go into your closet finding a tight fitting shirt that shows your nipples poking through the thin fabric.

you change into some of jake’s sweatpants before you get into your car and drive to the nearest piercing shop.

you drive about five minutes until you reach your destination. you get out the car grabbing your purse before entering the shop

you walked up the the piercer at the front desk telling her you wanted to get both of your nipples pierced.

after you had paid you laid down on the table as she stuck the needle through your perky nipple and then through the other.

the pain wasn’t as bad as you had expected,the piercer then put on a silver barbell before getting up and walking towards the front desk where you paid and tipped her.

you grabbed your belongings before heading out to your car to show jake your freshly pierced nipples

hoping he wasn’t around his friends,you sent him a photo of you in your almost skin tight shirt,two barbells seen through the material

you could almost hear the shock through the screen as jake texts you back in an instant

you: *one attachment*

jakey<3:are you shitting me rn

jakey<3:did a guy do it?

jakey<3:i’ll beat his ass

jakey<3:send me another one

you:no baby it was a girl

you: same one i’ve went to for all my piercings

you:and give me one minute i’ll send you another

you laugh at his reaction through the screen,his attitude going from pissed to wanting you to send him another photo

you pull out of the parking lot and into an empty one. you carefully pull up your shirt,trying to not irritate the fresh piercing

you take a photo of your bare breasts and send them to jake

seconds later your phone buzzes and it shows jake calling you.

you quickly pick up the phone and put him on speaker before setting the phone down on the dash

you can hear other cars in the background therefore assuming he’s already in his car headed back home

“i’m so hard right now” he says making you giggle at his bluntness

“are you headed home?” you question as you fix your shirt back over your tits. judging by the acceleration of the gas you tell him “that’s not you’re car is it? you sound like one of those assholes who rev their engine up all the time ” you joke eliciting a chuckle from jake

“what can i say babe,it’s not my fault your tits look that good over the phone,can’t even imagine now good they’ll look in person” he says his hand on the wheel the other attempting to fix the tent in his jeans by adjusting his pants

you pull out the empty driveway deciding to head home yourself so you don’t make jake wait too long “yeah well remember you cant touch them yet we have to wait for them to heal” to which he groans “i know i know, I get it…i can still fuck em’ though right?” he pleas as he turns onto his street

“hmm” you say pretending to think as you drive “i’ll consider it”

jake lets out a fake sigh before informing you he’s almost home,with you doing the same. you tell him bye and that you’ll see him in a minute.

you pull into the driveway,your car right behind his. you park the car grabbing your stuff before heading into the house to be greeted by jake sitting on the couch the large erection still in his pants despite him trying to hide it

he shoots up from the couch,begging you like a child “lemme see lemme see” he begs staring at the metal through the fabric

“geez jake nice to see you too” you say lifting up your shirt “yeah yeah yeah” he mumbles completely enthralled with your breasts. he begins to grope them avoiding your nipple not wanting to cause you any discomfort

“fuck” he mumbles under his breath “these are gonna be the hardest couple months of my life”

“can i fuck em’ please” he begs his voice needier then before.

“fine” you say “can we at least get to the bed first?” to which he nods eagerly,grabbing your hand and guiding you to your bedroom.

he laid you on the bed as he quickly made use of his hands by taking off his jeans,leaving him in his shirt and boxers. he got onto your lap before taking his hard cock out of his boxers.

you held your tits closer together as he slid right in between them. you made sure you could see the piercing in between your fingers. which was evident to jake as he kept alternating his eyes from the piercing to you back to the piercing

“your so hot mama” he moans out as he fucks in between your tits. he places on of his hands on the back of your head for support as he continues his movements

you see the tip of his cock disappearing between them with each thrust of his hips,especially now,his thrusts getting sloppier as he feels close

“gonna cum” he groans out as he begins to slightly grip your hair eliciting a soft moan from you. you could practically feel his cock twitching from between your tits

and just like that he came,all over your chest right above your tits,some of it going in between them as he fucked himself through his orgasm which was the absolute hottest thing to him.

he then pulled himself up and back into his boxers. he gathered up some of his cum onto his finger before putting it up to your mouth to which you open. you begin to lick a stripe up his fingers,slowly sucking on them in the process.

he slides off your sweatpants,which were actually his, and with his free hand he takes his other out of your mouth and slowly slides it into you

“gonna make you feel good now okay baby?”

[coulsonlives]

PSA: CAT MEDICAL BILL SCAM

Please signal boost this if possible to inform your followers about these scams.

Earlier today, I got a message from the account nicole-loves-king, where they asked me to signal boost a post because their cat needed medical help. Here's the ask:

(And you can see the post in question here)

I looked at this post and was immediately put off because they were asking for people to send things through 'friends and family', which if you aren't aware, is a very insecure way to send someone funds using paypal, because you don't have the protections you would get if you used 'goods and services'. So scammers can make off w your money really easily.

I looked at their blog and scrolled down to the end, and I realized their blog was made today! And, all their posts (there weren't many posts to begin with lol) were of trending topics. I noted puss in boots, and welcome to nightvale among others. This is probably how they found me, because I reblogged some of that stuff recently.

Here's the time stamp from their oldest post (notice it says the time, not the date, which means the post was from today):

In their ask, they also tell you to answer privately. Hm, that seems sus. Why would someone not want you to publish a request for help?

So I have a policy where I don't signal boost posts from brand new blogs because, yknow, they could be scams. I posted this, and the scam account blocked me. They also blocked my friend when they replied to their ask and said their blog looked suspicious. I did some more digging, and I found a comment from someone that confirmed my suspicions:

This is in fact a scam!

@nicstonka is almost identical to the above account (nicole-loves-king). Look at the avatar, the pictures, and the paypal address, both accounts even have 'nic' (as in 'nicole') in the name. The only thing that is extremely different is the name of the cat! Yet both blogs also have the name of the cat in their url ('king' and 'tonka'). That should also be a red flag, because usually someone isn't gonna have the name of their pet in their url, only a few posts, and a signal boost for that exact (fake) pet.

Here's a side by side:

Looks at those paypal accounts: nbrunelle519, and nbrunelle391. Nope definitely not a scam /s

And the cat pictures side by side:

Tumblr's "scam" tag is actually full of these reports now, which you can see here. Or if there's nothing there anymore, click here and here for images.

And links to some older PSAs about other cat scams: 1 2 3

So if you see any blogs like this, where all they have is trending posts, it seems like they've copied and pasted an ask to you, or if they're asking you to send things via friends and family, vet them so so so carefully, because chances are you're walking into a scam. Don't just repost things without carefully checking! If you aren't in a position to check carefully, better safe than sorry: don't repost it! Don't let these scams spread.

Pro tip: If a blog is dash only, so you can't view their archive to see when their first post was made, and you're on desktop, you can just open the blog in its dashboard view, then click 'end' on your keyboard over and over until all their posts are loaded. Usually if it's a spam blog, you'll only need to click 'end' 5-6 times, sometimes a bit more, since they only post just enough times to give the appearance they're active, then there's absolutely nothing after that.

If you want more proof someone is a scammer, you can look at the currency they use their post (or the currency shown in the vet bill), then hover over the paypal link and inspect the part of the url that says 'country.x=AA'. The 'AA' is the abbreviation for the country your money is going to! If that country doesn't match the country of the currency shown in the post, it's a scam! Example: someone's post says '$' for USD/CAD dollars, but the country in their paypal link is 'PH', which stands for Philippines, where they use Philippine pesos, not dollars!

Also keep in mind that these are not bots! There is a real person behind these accounts. They have replied to people who wanted to confirm they were real, but their intentions are still to scam you, they just know it looks better if they reply.

Stay safe!!

Edit:

Updating this post to announce the scammer's made more blogs, and they're probably gonna keep doing it! Here's the list so far. This isn't up to date btw, go to @scamarchive and check their pinned post for the most recent detected blogs

turncoatrune, starlightdisc, xxmy, wxnt, eeyore-pg, coatedpeanbean, starrypanelstars, panelstars, scyllostyle, the-nonbinary-witch, aash-aash, leechness, ash-aahs, commandobutch, lovely-pages, pagefive-to-six, reconnecteed, five-and-fourty, stepsapphic, farmer-butch0, health-pages, turnersapphic, lxve, march-pls-be-good, emberful, imse7en, kassidymaygemz, kassidymaydream, dreamingkassidy, kasdream, live-march, confusedskulll, march-lives, criticaltuesday, quicksilvah, wrldy, quicksilveey, the-stucked-pan, flurrbum, o345, nxce, thls, hokkairi, sykdykee, furrtasticbu, bumfurry, supsense, wickdart, the90sbest

Keep in mind you may not receive an ask like the above ones. You may get something simpler like this, instead:

Most of these are cats, but there's been dogs and even people too.

If you wanna get even more info on all these accounts, there's an archive of this scammer's pinned posts and asks here, so you can see at a glance how similar they all are. You can also see a comprehensive list of scammer red flags specifically for tumblr here!

And lastly, you can report the scams using 'report something else' > 'unlawful uses or content' > 'phishing'

[milkzoro]

3D ★

portgas d ace -> ‘i wanna see it. in motion. in 3d.’

warnings: sexting, ft call, masturbation

☆彡

ace loved the curves of you, every angle he drooled over. his perfect princess was displayed everywhere.

he had you posted anywhere he could. his wallet, lock screen, on his cars dash, naughty pictures of you were always on exhibit. you were his girl after all, why wouldn’t he want to show you off whenever he got the chance?

these little memories were also there to remind him of you while you were away, he dreaded all those times.

he couldn’t even sleep some night because of your absence,, he wished you were here.

once those feelings registered, he couldn’t help it. fuck, was he so horny. he whined at the pressure growing in his lower abdomen, tightness filling his boxers.

he toyed with himself with the imagination of you but it wasn’t nearly enough. he craved you. he needed to hear you, talk him through it.

“pick up. pick up. — *click* ahhh y/n, babyy~” his voice rang lowly on the line, his sound alone sending flutters towards your core. “hi bae i miss you ♡.”

“fuckk, i miss you too.” his voice was heavy. by the sounds of him you knew he was torturing himself, slowing tracing along his leaky tip before deciding to call you up. “can you answer facetime?”

~

“you look so beautiful mama. let me see all of ya~” a blush crept on your face before extending your arms above to show all your body in frame.

you played into it, you began to feel that same heat rise in your tummy. you angled the camera a bit lower, showing your soft breasts. caressing them tenderly as you lowered your top even more. “like what you see baby?”

“mhmmm show me your cunt, i know you’re wet baby~ can see it in your pretty face.” his words played with your mind, you thighs squeezing around nothing trying to get some friction. he was right, you were so wet.

you had your camera propped up on a pillow, perfectly positioned to show you sitting upright with your legs parted for him. your fingers danced along the hem of your lacy panties. a sigh escaped your lips, you missed him so much.

“fuck princess— you gonna touch your self for me? let me help you, wish i was there for you angel, suck your pussy jus how you like it.” his words drew on. only making you more and more impatient. “take ‘em off y/n, let me see baby.”

you did as he said and stripped them off, teasing your man with your fingers covering most of your pretty cunt.

you heard muffled sounds on the line, his phone was positioned low, showing his toned stomach and his thick neck. he was laying on his back as he played with his dick.

“p-put em in for me— needa hear you babe.”

your fingers slipped between your folds collecting the juices from your arousal, they swirled between the entrance of your hole and your sensitive nub.

“ace—“ you purred for him, pretending your fingers were his own. he groaned with you. seeing your pretty face contract at the feeling of your own fingers, it everything to him.

“when you get home baby— g-gonna treat you so good, fuck- ma- you’re so pretty-”

you couldn’t help but reach your free hand up to squeeze your breasts, the feeling heating up the entirety of your body, you missed his warmth so badly.

your cunt was so achy, you needed something. hearing aces moans and whines on the other line made you squirm. his sweet nothings made the heartbeat in your core pound harder.

“haah— such a pretty girl mama, go ahead, ride your fingers.” instantly your fingers pushed into your plush walls, breathy moans flooding your empty room. “ace— miss you s-so much ahhh~♡”

ace adored you in this state, leaning forward for him, grinding pathetically on your hand, fuckk how he wished he was there. his phone eventually fell out of his hand, lazily placed on his blanket, he was barely in frame anymore.

your dirty pleads drove him crazy, he missed your pretty lips. he wanted to suck on them as he filled your weeping hole. he choked the base of his cock and stroked his shaft. he hasn’t touched himself in days, sticky precum was spilling everywhere, he was filled with so much fucking cum.

his motions grew faster as he pleaded your name. “fuck baby needya here~”

“ace haah- fuck! baby move your camera, wanna see you cum.” the little corner of your boyfriends face wasn’t enough. the way his cock twitched after he came made your tummy do flips. he fixed the position of his camera to show you all of him, he was a panting mess. sticky and disgusting, you loved it.

you rolled against your fingers as the tips pushed against your g spot, your moans consuming you. pumping in an out stretching yourself in all the right ways. “mmm baby i’m so c-close.” your legs trembled as your orgasm sparked within your cunt. aces filthy words edging you on, “fuck baby, just like that. you can do it haah- cmon~ for me?” his chest rose and fell with each pump of his fist. as he was close to his own, he talked you through your high. “cum- cum for me princess, get your clit baby.”

following his orders, you removed your fingers and rubbed circles against your nub swiftly. “aceee mmuuhhh ah~ gonna cum baby!”

your hole tightened round nothing as the wave in your stomach flooded your core, you rubbed faster.

ace was moaning loud on the line. his cock was so so sensitive, pretty veins decorated the sides. he grabbed his phone and flipped the camera to give you a better view. his moans were loud coming through your speakers, they were so sexy. he bit his bottom lip as he choked his throbbing cock.

“fuck y/n!- gunna cum! babyyyyy haaah-ha”.

his moans send vibrations to your cunt, pulsing with each breathy pant. you quickly put your fingers back in your sopping hole, pumping quickly. hearing him call out your name had you gushing around your trembling fingers.

you saw ropes of cum spill from your boyfriend pretty dick, pooling in the crevasses of his abs.

“such a pretty girl ma~ made a mess of me.” he giggled on the line as he flipped the camera back to his freckled face. seeing his reddened cheeks made you fall in love all over again. you giggled with him.

you hurried to clean up your hands and grab your phone. “my handsome boy~ i miss you ♡.”

“i miss you too princess. i love you.”

xxx

i would like ace as a bf please.

[theshitpostcalligrapher]

Pinned FAQ

How do I request a card?

You can request up to 3 cards for free during openaskbox events! During those, the /ask inbox opens up for a few hours, during which I try to write as many as I can live on twitch and post them on tumblr.

After the event is over and I close that inbox, there are still a BUNCH of leftover requests. This is how I fill the daily content queue, I use those up til it's empty again and then run another openaskbox.

On Sundays at 3pm EST I write all 28 cards due to go up for the week from that pool of leftover asks live on twitch and then queue them to go up after stream

What if I don't wanna wait?

If you'd like to throw a bit of cash around instead of waiting, you can buy via the etsy listing or you can tune in to those^ Saturday livestreams, there's a variety of ways to donate to get cards written for you on the spot

How do I buy the card I've requested?

The etsy listing is available here! Please remember to include in the notes of the purchase which card(s) you want to buy. If you'd like me to bundle together all the cards you've requested over a period of a few years, dm me here on the blog and I can quote you on a cheaper bundle price

Why did you answer all those asks, it messed up my dash?

Sorry about that! So to keep all of that ^ organized, at the end of the month, I answer about 112-140 leftover asks in order to record them to a proper "to-write document"

It helps me keep organized, it allows me to easily search for spelling issues, and it gets a few eyeballs on the request in case someone tries to slip an obscure slur into their request that I'm not cool with writing (it has happened)

Lots of the regulars are used to this dash nonsense, but there are folks who want to avoid it entirely. If you're on mobile I'd just recommend unfollowing for a while, but if you're on desktop, you can blacklist the tag "added to notepad" and go to xkit to tick the "fully hide blocked tags" option so it clears up your dash

Wait I thought requests were closed, why can I still send things?

That's because requests use /ask, but /submit is always open because it's for YOUR calligraphy, pet photos, fanart of man... etc. Requests are NOT open when it's not openaskbox day but feel free to send me cool shit YOU made anytime

Wait you have a twitch, do you do anything other than calligraphy?

I try! my schedule at work (restaurant) varies week to week so I try my best to stream whenever I've got free time to, nothing's really planned out though

What are your regular writing tools and paper?

I mainly just use speedball nibs, specifically the c-series (c-0 through c-4) because they're angled flat nibs that let me do most blackletter hands I write. I have a supply of leonardt thin tips for detailing and illustrating

As for paper, the cards you see on the daily are on plain index cue cards I buy from staples. When commissioned/doing larger pieces, I work with a variety of paper, including a 32 lb xerox paper that has juuuust a perfect amount of lamination that avoids ink feathering, black paper that I bought a hundred sheets of in 2019 and I no longer remember the label, and a BOATLOAD of southworth's ivory parchment paper at both 32 and 64 lb weights.

[bewilderedbunny]

Hold it (Eddie x Reader watersports smut)

Cw: 18+ only! minors dni. Piss kink (please do not read this if that bothers you) holding your pee, overstimulation, fem!sub!reader, dom!Eddie, just a hint of mean!Eddie, marijuana use, unprotected piv, creampie (please use protection irl) fingering and clitoral stimulation, dacryphilia, mentions of both parties peeing on each other, reader does end up pissing ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ All in all, a wholesome Christmas time.

It started with a giggly, weed-induced question. You and Eddie were entwined on his couch, sharing a joint and talking about nothing in particular when you felt the familiar feeling of needing to pee sneak up on you.

"Do you ever hold your pee just because it feels good?" You asked the question before realizing how strange it sounded.

Eddie's eyes went wide as you tried to backtrack.

"You don't have to answer that, I'm-"

"No, I haven't. Do you ever do that, sweetheart?"

"Uh yeah? Sometimes. Is that weird?" Your mouth feels dry as you worry you've scared him off.

"Yes, it is weird. I like it. Please, tell me more."

The two of you talked about it for a bit. Eddie's cock grows hard as you explain that the extra pressure of having to pee sometimes felt good, almost sexual.

"Want to see if you can hold it while we fuck?"

"What? What if I can't?"

"I believe in you. And, if you can't keep it in, no biggie. What's a few more stains on my mattress?"

His lax attitude settles some of your nerves. You stand up and grab his hand before leading him to his bedroom. As you undress each other, the full feeling in your bladder increases, and your nerves creep back. Eddie senses your unease and breaks apart from you to dash to the bathroom. You watch his cute little pale butt as he leaves. When he returns, he's holding an old, tattered towel. He lays it on his bed and displays the towel for you with open arms.

"Only the finest for you, my love."

You roll your eyes, but the extra coverage of the towel does help settle your nerves. You lay down on the towel, then Eddie climbs on top of you, slotting himself between your legs. He kisses you greedily, licking into your mouth and sucking on your bottom lip. His hand reaches down and ghosts over your clit, causing you to mewl and buck your hips.

"Shit, you're so sensitive right now."

He adds a little more pressure and circles your clit. You're already getting dizzy and you've only just started. He sits back on his heels and lets out a chuckle.

"Oh, baby. This is going to be fun."

Your eyes widen. With his judgment-free gentlemen facade, you've forgotten Eddie can be a little mean.

He dips his middle finger into your hole and revels at how wet you already are. He adds another finger and curls them up. The muscles in your legs clench as he massages your sweet spot. You give yourself a leg cramp when he starts rubbing your clit with his thumb. With how sensitive you are, you figured you'd be cumming in seconds, but you don't. The pressure just sits and festers there while you squirm.

He ignores his painfully hard cock and places his free hand on your lower belly as he fucks you with his fingers. You puff and pant at the extra force on your bladder.

You whine out, "Please, please fuck me, Eddie. I need it."

He wishes he had the self-restraint to tease you all night, but he can't help giving you what you want. He grabs his cock and runs it up and down your folds before slapping your clit with his tip, causing you to sob and shudder. Every slap sends shocks through your body. He savors your reaction for a moment before lining up at your entrance. You claw at the sheets as he enters you, inch by inch. Once his cock is all the way in, he buries his face into your neck and settles on top of you. The added force of his body weight along with his cock inside you is overwhelming. He drags out his first thrust, nearly pulling out completely before slamming back in. You cry out and writhe beneath him. You feel his lips smile against your skin. He grinds his hips into yours, pressing you deep into the mattress. Your bladder is practically screaming at you.

You whine out, "Need you to hurry up, Eddie. I'm not going to last much longer."

He groans against your neck and says, "You better hold it. If you let go, I'm not stopping. I'll fuck the piss right into your cunt."

You clench and choke on a breath at his words. He continues,

"Is that what you want? Filling you with my cum isn't enough? Greedy girl needs to be filled with piss too?"

You're unbearably close to cumming while your stomach twists in discomfort. Mercifully, he picks up his pace. He fucks you fast and haphazardly.

Suddenly the hypersensitivity you had been feeling dulls out. You feel numb and achy for a moment. You begin to wonder what happened, then your orgasm overtakes you. Waves of pleasure wash over you and your legs turn into jelly as you come undone, still desperately trying not to piss.

"There you go, honey. Keep cumming but don't let go yet, 'kay?" Eddie grunts.

You whine and try to clench your trembling thighs together but Eddie's torso is in the way.

Your eyes roll back as your climax continues tearing through you. The frustration and pleasure you're feeling culminate in tears rolling down your cheeks. Eddie pulls back and smiles at your wrecked appearance.

"Fuck, you're just wet all over, huh? My leaky little lady."

Your breaths are shaky and labored as aftershocks of your orgasm ripple through you. Eddie presses into you deeper and whispers, "Let go." in your ear

You gasp and finally unleash the pressure that's been building. The relief that comes with finally being able to let go feels like another orgasm itself. You can feel your heartbeat vibrate through your entire body.

"Jesus Christ, you're so f-fucking sloppy." The clench of your cunt and the warmth of your urine has Eddie reaching his own orgasm. He curses as his cum paints your walls.

Your belly aches in emptiness as you both catch your breath.

"We should go shower." You sigh.

Eddie nods and replies, "Definitely. But, first, I think I heard someone mention something about me pissing inside of you?"

[ghouljams]

https://www.tiktok.com/@kickupsomedust/video/7374145884403223854?_t=8n2jGA6urd5&_r=1

goose? but i feel like it could fit someone else too just can’t put my finger on it

No that's absolutely Goose coded. I have in fact written fic just for you because of it, so here's Goose being possessive and mildly insane.

You open the trailer door in nothing but a tank top and a pair of panties, still brushing your teeth. You raise a brow looking at the woman with her hand still raised to knock on the door. She smiles sweetly. Phoney fucking bologna. You lean to the side and spit your toothpaste onto the grass, ignoring the face she makes. You get a good view of her nice white boots before you straighten up.

"Can I help you?" You ask because she doesn't seem intent on talking.

"I'm lookin' for Simon Riley?" She coos in a voice that says she's trying to be polite but really sees you as an obstacle more than a person.

"Ain't he comin' off a roping round?" You give your teeth another quick brush just because you don't wanna stand around holding something and because you figure it'll make her realize you're not interested in helping whatever little scheme she's cooked up.

"He offered to help me with my tack," Sounds innocent enough, not exactly your husband's MO though, "he said I could meet him at his camper." Ah. "Didn't mention you." Uh huh. You nod. This is sounding more like him, send the pushy problem to you to deal with.

You tug your toothbrush from your mouth and spit again before smiling at the girl. "Well ain't that sweet of him, bless his heart I'm always tellin' that man he's gotta start being nicer to people." You gesture with your toothbrush, flipping off the men that wander by a little too slowly. It's not your fault this bitch wouldn't stop hammering on your door long enough to let you pull a pair of jeans on.

"Right," the girl pulls the word suspiciously through her lips.

"My brother sure can pick 'em," you see the tension in her shoulders loosen a little, "wait here baby, I'll put some pants on and we can go lookin' for 'im."

You think you know why Simon sent this chick your way. She won't shut the fuck up. You're doing fine keeping up, but you're sure his head was spinning. As it is you're fielding questions about your husband and attempting to give awful but honest answers. When she asks if he's got any neurosis you almost lose it. You cover by telling her he's a veteran and that seems to handle most of her questions from there. It's too bad the woman went after your husband, you might have liked her if she wasn't an attempted homewrecker.

Though that thought is quickly dashed against the rocks when you spot Simon and she goes running over to him. It's then that you get a good look at the rhinestones covering her back pockets. Fucking saddle scratchers, of course she needs help with her tack it's probably torn to shreds. Simon looks straight past her to you, his face going white --well, whiter-- when he sees you smile. He's quick to side step the woman and stalk over to you.

"What're you smiling about?" He asks, his voice rough, you wonder if he had a rough ride for his practice round. You desperately want to ask if he knows the dummies they bring out don't move, that he doesn't have to work so hard roping the suckers. Instead and tip your head to make sure he knows you're looking at him and grin.

"Thinkin' about how sad and sorry you'd be without me."

Simon hums, leaning down to kiss you. The soft press of his lips is made all the sweeter for the gasp that escapes your unwelcome guest. You keep your hands at your side, really drive home that your man wants to kiss you the way his big hands cup your face to keep you in place as his tongue swipes against the seam of your lips. It's really too bad Simon likes putting on a show. You'd stand here and kiss him all day if you could, but you have a fan to deal with. You turn your head on the next kiss so Simon's lips land on your cheek, it doesn't stop him. His lips trail over your cheek, against your jaw, you have to push at him when his stubble scratches at your neck. Too ticklish early in the morning for his nonsense.

His wannabe bunny is paler than a ghost watching you press your hands against Simon's broad chest. She scowls at you, and you stick your tongue out in response.

"You could've told me he was taken," She spits at you, "you're not funny." So weird, you think you're hilarious. Simon let you go to give the girl a confused look. She glares at him as well before turning to leave.

"Oh wait, you got somethin' on your jeans," You tell her, she twists and you step closer, "looks like you sat in something."

You grab the top of one of her pockets and jerk hard, ripping the damn thing from the seat of her pants. She shrieks and Simon's quick enough to make sure she doesn't catch you with that weak ass swing.

"You bitch!" She yells at you. You blow her a little kiss with her stupid bedazzled pocket.

[saetoshis]

the toxic ex! muzan on the dash today is just 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

like the thought of him ruining any chances of you moving on and even if you did (which is highly unlikely cause let’s be real dick too bomb) him just ruining that too

just him catching the slightest inkling you may have a date and him showing up at your apartment before to fuck you senseless. then when the poor person you were going to see calls to see where you are he makes you pick up the phone while balls deep inside you😮‍💨

-🐙

OT KY GOD THE WAY I HAVE SO MANY TOXIC EX MUZAN THIRSTS IN MY INBOX RN XRYINF😃IDEK WHAT TO SAY HELO IM LITETJAJY?:?;$3 IM GIGGLING ACTUALY FIGFLING N SMILINF AHFHWHF:??();

[‹ MATURE CONTENT WARNINGS ›]

fem!reader, toxic ex!muzan, manipulation, degradation, [kinda] jealous sex, voyeurism (?) [your date calls you and listens to muzan fucking you], possessiveness, some dumbification, mention of creampie

it’s like muzan knows you like the back of his hand.

he’s held onto his spare key to your apartment for times like this, just so he can coincidentally show up right before you have a date. your adorable little gasp of surprise and hesitant response is warranted, of course, and all he wants to do is fuck you until that look of shock turns into one of sheer ecstasy.

“shh,” muzan puts his finger to your lips, slipping whatever outfit you had prepared for your date off of your keening body. his rasped tone shudders on your neck, “do you really think some random scumbag could possibly make you feel better than i do? mm, i don’t think so. only i know how to touch your body, fuck you just how you like it…”

you don’t even fully process his lips moving on yours, the sensual feeling lighting up every tip of your nerves as the familiar scent of his dark cologne fills your nose. it doesn’t take long until you find yourself splayed on your sheets beneath his brawny frame, thighs pushed open with his cock pressing into your cunt.

“feels good, doesn’t it? being touched like this by me again…” muzan’s words pervade through your mind like poison, and all you can do is chant out ‘yes’s as you whimper against his lips. each rut of his cock sends shivers up your spine, the filthy sound of unrelenting brash smacks making your head hazy. “that’s it… there you go, feel it all for me. you know i’m the only one for you…”

muzan can’t stand the idea of another man having and taking what’s his - and now he realizes he has to absolutely ruin you again and again until he’s the only person you can ever think of.

the more that his anger simmers in his chest, the rougher his wet thrusts get as his fingers dig into your skin hard enough to leave marks. his hand reaching up to grasp your neck, his lips parting to leave splotches of crimson on your skin - every filthy word and unforgiving stroke is completely possessed with obsessive jealousy.

“tell me who’s making you feel good right now, hm?” muzan mutters out between a pearled sneer, eyes sharp and biting as they admire your drooling, pitifully fucked-out state. his ruts burgeon in speed at your cute little whimpers of his name, and he knows he’s about to fuck you until that’s the only thing you can remember.

but when your phone vibrates on the mattress with another man’s name splayed on the screen, he has nothing but filthy ideas to take advantage of this opportunity.

“answer it. unless you want me to,” muzan leers out the words in a panted rasp, watching your shaky fingers press the ‘accept’ button before bringing it to your ear.

"h-hey," you murmur into the microphone, teeth catching your bottom lip as muzan's cock presses so far into your cunt that you swear it's touching your stomach. all you can hear is filthy smacks and your date complaining and whining about how you haven't shown up yet.

"put it on speaker," muzan sneers as his fingers dig into the plush flesh of your thighs, cock twitching with every time your walls tighten around him. he knows your body well enough to know that you're right on the verge, and the slick suddenly burgeoning around his shaft is enough of a clue.

a snapping tone of 'where the hell are you? why are you blowing me off?' resounds through the speaker, and you’re sure he can hear wet slaps with the bed squeaking in tandem through his end of the call. ‘wait- hold on, what’s that sound?’

muzan’s thumb shifts to rub harsh circles into your clit, the buzzing sensation sending you reeling into ecstasy as you cum practically on command. you’re shaking and whimpering, walls tightening around him as cock-drunken babbles of his name spill from your mouth.

“that’s the sound of your date cumming all over me… isn’t that right, pretty thing?“ muzan smirks devilishly at your chanted slews of ‘yes, yes!’ it only takes a few seconds until the man on the phone hangs up the call in a blind rage, and muzan’s back to focusing on making you absolutely addicted to him all over again.

“you can give me a few more of those, can’t you?” muzan mutters against your lips, breathing in your gasped whines and incomprehensible begs as he ruts into your now-sensitive cunt. “i’m not done until you show me how pretty a little slut like you looks with a pussy stuffed full of my cum…”

“i’m not done until i hear you say you’re mine again.”

2022 MUZANS.

tagging: @cherrykamado @aveegrex @divilyn

[shady-tavern]

A Hero’s Return

Continuation of this little short story. No particular warnings, but let me know if I should tag something.

***

'Ready when you are.'

It felt as though the message was burning a hole into your pocket as you stared at your hero costume. Freshly laundered, repaired perfectly after your fight with that telekinetic villain and just as practical and flashy as before. It shouldn’t be scary.

Your hands weren’t trembling when you put it on, but it was a near thing. It helped to know that Silver was waiting on the other side, not a floating terror ready and willing to kill. If you failed, no civilians would get hurt or killed. You would not die knowing you had been utterly useless, or wake up miraculously to find hundreds of people dead because you hadn’t been strong enough.

You had grown stronger, you knew you had. Enough so, in fact, that the hero association had recently bumped you up to Class B. Which was a little frightening, you had never played in the upper leagues before and while you knew you were part of the bottom crowd of Class B, it was still very different to your comfortable, quiet little Class C.

You took a few deep breaths after buckling the last of your gear in place and you stared at the mirror, realizing that the costume didn’t fit like it used to. You had gained muscle and a bit of weight and…it didn’t look right anymore. The colors seemed too bright, the little fluttery accents you had once added to the design on a whim too useless.

You took another deep breath and turned away from the mirror. Now was not the time to get into an existential crisis over your costume. You could always order a new one from the association later. You grabbed your phone, staring at the most recent message for a long moment, your heart pounding nervously.

'Ready when you are.'

You could hear Silver’s voice in your mind as you read those words, could see his reassuring smile, the kindness in his mercury eyes that didn’t quite manage to hide patient anticipation. He was looking forward to this, you knew. He had been there every step of the way, as you had dragged yourself out of the hole your failure and terror had shoved you into.

You didn’t feel ready to be a hero again, but you had decided that it didn’t matter. You would never feel ready. You could run those obstacle courses and simulations Silver built a hundred thousand times and not feel ready.

'Ready' you typed back and hit send before you could stop yourself. 

The hero association already knew you would return to active duty today. The substitute hero had left the city last night, looking relieved. His stay here had been exceptionally boring, since Silver had refused to challenge him in any way. Aside from bugging him a bit for fun, but his pranks were always harmless.

You flexed your hands and for a moment you felt all the scar tissue pull tight, stitched up wounds and surgery scars and broken bones that had taken months to heal. You weren’t ready, but you were sick and tired of sitting around at home.

You were sick and tired of being scared, of worrying. Of thinking about the next Class A villain that could show up with murder on their mind. You wanted to be a hero, still, even now. You wanted to protect people and help them where you could. You straightened your shoulders and walked forward, projecting a confidence you did not feel.

It was showtime.

*.*.*.*

You watched civilians cackle in delight as they were pelted with marshmallow butts the size of half your palm. Silver was bouncing a bit on his toes at your side, grinning so wide it must’ve hurt his cheeks.

"Well?" he said with a grin. "Aren’t you going to try and stop me? Oh no, darling, dashing hero!" He pretended to fall into a faint, hand theatrically pressed against his forehead. 

He tipped over with thoughtless trust, knowing you’d be there to catch him. And you did, hands pressed against his signature leather jacket as he draped himself over your arms with exaggerated drama. He continued, "Whatever shall I do, my evil soul quivers!"

You couldn’t help but laugh, tension you hadn’t been aware of sliding off your shoulders like water off a duck’s back. When you caught your breath again, looking down, Silver had the softest smile on his face, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He looked far too sweet for someone proclaiming he had an evil soul.

He straightened from his pretend fainting after a moment and tugged his jacket properly back into place.

"Good first day back?" he asked quietly, barely audible over the huffing and puffing noise of his Ass Kicker 50, it’s wheel of used but thoroughly cleaned and disinfected boots merrily pelting butts into the growing crowd.

"Yeah," you answered just as quietly. "Glad to see me again?"

"Of course, darling." His soft smile got a mischievous edge as it grew into a smirk. "But you must be losing your edge, you haven’t even disabled my baby yet."

You couldn’t help but smirk back, tapping a piece of plating. "Dead switch is beneath this thing, isn’t it?"

He looked startled, then cursed and grumbled, actually looking like he had no idea if he was frustrated or delighted and instead settled on a weird mix of both. "I was hiding it so well! How the fuck did you know?"

You gave him a small shrug. "It’s the only place that works and from the way the thing’s set up and built, it had to be in this area to avoid messing with the machinery. And it’s the only plating that’s not bolted down. Pressure opens it, right?"

You pressed down experimentally on one side and the plate popped open easily enough, swinging aside to reveal the big red button. Because of course it was a big red button. That was so very Silver.

When you looked up, his mercury eyes were bright and intense and that elated-frustrated look was still on his face. "And you once asked me why I fight you," he said, his quiet voice carrying a particular tone that you couldn’t quite place. It made you feel faintly flustered, though.

You fiddled with the plate for a moment, before closing it again. "Yeah, well, I’m just glad I’m not boring."

Silver drew up to his full height, actually looking affronted. "Boring? How dare you?"

The smile tugging at your face felt far too earnest and touched by half, but it seemed to soothe his insulted affront.

"I’ll have a conversation with whoever put that thought into your head," he said, pointing a finger at you. "And if it was you yourself, we are going to have a long talk."

Hearing a round of loud, delighted noise from the side, both of you looked over to see a group of goth teens cackling as they pocked little holes between the cheeks of their marshmallows butts.

"Ah, I knew I had forgotten something," Silver muttered and you dissolved into helpless laughter, ending up leaning against his shoulder and gasping for air.

By the time you calmed down, you were out of breath, your belly aching in the best of ways and you reached up to wipe some moisture away. Silver looked very content and happy, standing there and watching the machine pelt away, people jumping to catch the butts wrapped in paper to keep things sanitary. So they could be picked up and still eaten if they fell to the floor.

He was always so thoughtful, you thought, still leaning against him and not moving away. You had no idea what he got out of being a villain - well, aside from tax fraud, a bunch of other illegal activities and some very, very strange substances you were not going to touch, ever - but you were happy to see him happy. He deserved it.

"They needed that too," Silver said in this moment, nodding at the crowd. "This city hasn’t quite been the same since that villain attacked. They’re relieved to have you back and seeing us fight harmlessly should put more demons to rest."

You hadn’t even thought about that, too caught up in your own trauma as you had been. You looked back at the people and you saw that he was right. There was a visceral relief on many faces, a giddiness that was born half out of the silliness of the situation and half out of a release of fear-filled tension.

They had been even more helpless than you had been. Civilians with no combat abilities and absolutely no chance to survive the Class A villain. All they had been able to do was run while they had to watch you bleed and break and still stand up again and again.

Oh. 

A quiet realization struck you down to your core. You had wondered why people had been polite but not overly warm with the substitute hero. He had sent you regular updates on villain activity and how his patrols had gone, even if it had taken you a while before you had gotten the guts to read it all instead of only the summary. 

He had mentioned that people didn’t seem all that curious about him and he had sulked about that a bit.

All this time you had thought that you had failed them, these people who grinned and waved when they saw you. Who didn’t hesitate to call you away from the street and ask for help or offer you sweets or lunch when you had been patrolling for hours. People who let you hold their babies or hugged you when you brought their lost pets back.

But they hadn’t seen a failure that day months ago. They had seen you, standing between them and certain death and refusing to give up, no matter what. All because you wanted to protect them with all you had.

"Hey, what’s wrong?" Silver’s worried voice cut into your thoughts and when you glanced at him, his brows were furrowed. "Why are you crying? Do you need me to switch off my baby and back up?"

"I’m fine," you croaked weakly, though you totally were tearing up. "I’m just glad to be back, don’t read too much into it."

Silver’s face softened with a quiet bit of relief and he hummed in understanding. "I’m glad, too, by the way," he said after a moment. "To have you back that is. I may have been a wee bit lonely."

You raised an eyebrow, glad that no tears had spilled over. "You saw me almost every day."

"But not like this," Silver said. "Don’t get me wrong, I love watching you destroy the machines of the obstacle course or absolutely ace the simulations, but I missed going up against you like this."

You rubbed the back of your neck, straightening from your slouch against him. "You always say things like that with a straight face." You both admired him for it and felt envious. Sometimes you wished you could just simply say what was on your mind as well.

Silver smiled, a little lopsided and crooked. "Life’s short, so who cares what others think," he said. "All I care about is living every day the best I can."

You knew what he meant by that. He had told you a bit more about his fight against Terra after modifying some more simulations for you. You had even seen a glimpse of the patchwork of scars that fight had left on him, many of them surgery scars. He had barely survived his debut as a villain. His ever first fight and it had been against Terra.

"You know, I wanted to make the butts bigger," he said before you could say anything, smoothly but obviously changing the topic. "But there was only so much I could fit into Ass Kicker 50 and that just wouldn’t do."

"Are you going to run out of butts soon?" you wondered.

Silver hummed thoughtfully. "I guess there is a minute of pelting left at most."

The two of you waited until the machine stuttered and began to slow, the wheel of boots no longer finding marshmallows to kick into the crowd. Silver gestured grandly for you to go ahead and you pressed the dead switch with a small smile.

"Well then." He clapped his hands together. "I guess I should say hello to my favorite warden. He is ever so happy to see me every time."

You couldn’t help but snort, then you hesitated. "You know, you could just…go."

Silver actually looked a little insulted. "Don’t ruin my date with prison, my dear." He beckoned you closer with a finger, presenting his hands. "I want to see if I can walk out the front door dressed like a futuristic clown."

You blinked, in the middle of pulling out your cuffs. "What would that look like?"

He smirked as you reached out towards him. "I guess you’ll have to find out." He leaned in as your hands closed the cuffs around his wrists, warm skin pressed to warm skin and cold metal between. "I’ll make sure to make the news for you."

"Alright," you said, bemused and curious in equal measure. You noticed how warm he was, this close to you, your hands covering his. His breath smelled faintly of peppermint. "Come on, there are two new officers on the roaster who are eager to prove you can’t slip past them."

His face lit up. "Oooh, fun." He chuckled, low and menacing and for once sounding like the villain he was. "I do love ruining their day. Shattered dreams taste ever so delicious."

You rolled your eyes fondly, waving the waiting police over. They hurriedly hid the marshmallow butts they were snacking on and bustled over, trying to look important and menacing. Even if Silver was a very polite and very wonderful villain, he was still wanted for a number of crimes and the state really wanted to prosecute him.

"Be gentle with Ass Kicker 50," you told the clean-up crew who came in to tow the machine away to a storage facility. "She’s done good service."

When you looked back over to Silver, you caught the warm, unbearably fond smile as he watched you on his way to the police car. He cast you a wink as he got in, mouthing, 'Clown'. You playfully wrinkled your nose at him and saw more than heard him laugh as the door was closed.

"Um." A soft, hesitant voice made you look over and you immediately recognized the girl who had approached you. The teenager who had nearly died at your side months ago. "I’m very happy you’re back and that you made a full recovery." She thrust out a small gift. "Thank you, for saving my life."

"And mine." One of her friends bustled over, holding a little wrapped gift as well. "If not for you, I wouldn’t have made it."

You felt speechless, accepting the gifts hesitantly and that seemed to open the floodgates. You were swiftly surrounded by people thanking you and expressing their concern and relief in equal measure. Your arms soon overflowed with gifts, flowers from the elderly, drawn pictures from children and baked cookies from grateful parents. It nearly made you cry.

You did cry a little when you got home, sniffling as you sat in a pile of gifts, reading letters and smiling at the graceless but enthusiastic scribbles of a five year old. Suzie was curled up in your lap, fast asleep as a small bundle of warmth.

You taped all the pictures to one wall and pinned the letters to an old, large pinboard you had gotten a few years ago. You put the food away and the flowers into a vase and scattered the rest of the gifts across your flat in a smattering of decorations.

It had mattered. Ever single moment you had felt helpless and terrified had mattered. You hadn’t been a footnote on some document, lamenting a too early death. Because of you, so many futures still existed, those bright, burning lives not snuffed out by a cruel hand.

You would continue growing stronger for them all, you vowed to yourself. Even if you needed Silver to end the fight and save you again, you would be there. Standing between evil and everyone else as many times as it took.

For the first time in months, you felt like a hero again, too.

You dozed off with the news channel on and jerked awake sometime in the early morning hours just in time to blearily watch a repeated clip of Silver, dressed as a sparkly, futuristic clown, moonwalk dancing out of prison. There it was, his famous, Class A skill of getting out of trouble in the most ridiculous ways.

You were chuckling softly to yourself, reaching out to fish your phone from your coffee table. You already had a message waiting for you.

'Watch me, darling.'

You were still half asleep when you answered, a golden feeling like honey on warm bread filling your chest, 'Always.'

You hesitated, then tapped out one more message, 'If you have any more inventions, I’m ready.'

He answered immediately. 'Oh, darling.' It read and you could hear the glee in his voice in your mind, could imagine the way he brightened. 'I was hoping you’d say that.'

You loved this ridiculous, wonderful man so much, you thought, still bleary and half asleep. Your heart felt so full with good things it felt as though it was spilling over to the point where you had to squeeze a pillow, hiding a wide grin against it.

[lillyphoenix]

How the Web Was Woven: Chapter 8

A/N: Another installment in the time travel/soulmate AU with Elvis and a fem!reader. This is a short kind of bridge chapter, so it's less exciting, but still good, I think. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this one!

Need to catch up? Here's my Masterlist.

Special shoutout to @ccab and @elvisfatass for being my writers room and helping me when I get stuck! Love you, besties!

Warnings: 18+ minors DNI, kissing, cussing, p in v penetrative sex, unprotected sex, creampie, also mentions of infertility and body insecurity

Word count: ~1.8k

What the hell has happened to you in the 4 years since he's seen you?

******

The portal closes behind him and he kneels down in front of you.

"Y/n, I'm here, honey." You lift your face up to look at him and then crawl into his lap. He holds you without question right there on the floor. You try to pull yourself together, but you just can't and he rocks you gently in the meantime. Finally, you collect yourself enough to sit up and look at him.

"You wanna tell me about it?" He asks quietly, tipping your chin a little.

"My husband left me." He nods and tries to swallow the anger that is building inside him.

"He just left?"

"I thought we were happy. We were- it doesn't matter. He's gone. With a girl from work." He looks away from you and his jaw clenches. Part of him wishes he'd brought a firearm through the portal.

"Son of a bitch." He tries to take a deep breath and calm himself down. Even though you've been apart for 4 years, seeing you hurt like this fills him with unmitigated rage.

"I'm sorry I pulled you from your life. I just needed someone-"

"Honey, don't apologize. I want to be here for you." He rearranges himself on the floor to try to be more comfortable as he holds you.

"We should go to my hotel. We'll make a portal and send you home."

"There's no rush, honey. I can stay as long as you need me." He means it. But he's also reluctant to jump into bed with you. His body is different than the last time you were together, softer, and he's not sure how you'll feel about it.

"Okay. Thank you." You breathe a deep sigh of relief. You're really not in the mood for sex anyway. Not after everything you've been through lately.

You stand together and start to make your way to your car. When you get there, you unlock the doors and walk to the passenger side.

"Do you mind driving?"

"Not at all. If I can figure out how to work this thing." He slides into the drivers seat and looks around. You've gotten yet another new car and this one has a few more features.

"It starts the same way as the old one." You point to the push button start. That's when he sees the screen in the dash.

"Is that a television?!" A small laugh escapes your lips.

"No! But it will tell you how to get back to the hotel." You type in the address while he puts on his seatbelt.

"Wow." He looks at the screen in amazement. You forgot how cute he is when he's fascinated by something new.

"I missed you." He tears his eyes away from the screen and looks at you softly.

"I missed you too."

******

You get back to the hotel and get on the elevator. On the way up, you lean your head against his arm. Neither of you is sure how much you can or should touch each other. After the last time you were together, your relationship has changed. There's still affection there, that's for sure, but is it love? More specifically, is it the kind of love you had before that drove you both crazy with passion and bound you together across half a century?

He's just about to put his arm around you when the elevator opens and you lift your head off of him.

He marvels at the card key as you open the door and walk into the room. Then, his heart drops a little when he realizes you've gotten a room with two beds. You didn't know if he would want to sleep with you, considering he isn't exactly available. Making a portal to send him home is one thing. Sleeping wrapped around each other is something else entirely.

"Two beds?" He looks at you curiously.

"Yeah. You know. Just in case you don't want to... well... yeah."

"Oh. Okay." He notices that you've also got some clothes laid out for him on the bed. He silently hopes that they're big enough.

"You wanna get comfortable and order some food?" You grab the remote and turn the tv on, finding a movie for you to watch.

"Sure." He goes to change into the pajamas you've laid out and you turn away to give him some privacy. For some reason that cuts into him like a knife. What happened to the intimacy that you shared all those years ago?

He crawls into the bed you seem to have designated as his and you take your pajamas to the bathroom to get ready for bed. Once you're finished, you sit on the other bed, order food, and then settle in to wait.

He watches you carefully, wondering if there's more to the story than what you've told him. Something is different about you. Still, he's not sure he's in a position to ask any questions.

You close your eyes and swallow the lump in your throat, trying not to cry again. All you want is to crawl into the bed with him and snuggle into his body, but he doesn't seem to be interested in anything like that.

Your food comes and you both eat while you catch up on what he's been doing. He tells you about the movie he's currently filming, Spinout, and you pretend like you haven't seen it a hundred times.

"What've you been doing?" He asks. You think about the big thing in your life right now, but you're not sure you're ready to talk to him about it yet. Instead, you tell him about going to law school and getting your job at the practice.

After you finish eating, you settle in to sleep, facing each other with the gap between the beds separating you.

"Well, goodnight." You say, hoping he doesn't notice that your voice is thick with emotion.

"Goodnight, honey." He's dying to get in bed behind you and wrap himself around you, but he doesn't. You seem to need your space now. He turns the light off and you both lay there wide awake.

******

It's still dark when Elvis wakes up to the sound of you crying. You're obviously trying to sob quietly, so he wonders if he should just pretend he doesn't hear you. But the longer he lays there, he can't stand to think that you're in pain and he's doing nothing. He silently slips out of his bed and walks over to yours. He stands there for a second, wrestling internally with himself. Finally, he whispers, "Fuck it." And crawls in bed with you. He pulls you close to him and wraps his arms around you.

"Elvis, what-?"

"Do you want me to go back to my bed?" You take in the smell and feel of him. It's so familiar and comforting and it's exactly what you need.

"No." He lets you cry into his chest until you seem to run out of tears while he strokes your hair and hums quietly.

"Honey, are you gonna tell me the rest of the story?" He pulls back a little and cups your face in his hand. You nod slowly.

"We were trying for a baby. And it wasn't working. The doctors don't know why, but apparently I'm the problem. So he left. He said she could give him something I couldn't." Again, he's overwhelmed with wishing he'd brought a gun through the portal with him. He searches for the right thing to say, but he can't come up with much.

"Honey, I'm so sorry." He pulls you close to him again and kisses the top of your head. Then, he kisses your forehead. And then down to your cheek where your tears are still wet. He backs away and looks into your eyes trying to read how you're feeling. He decides to risk it and leans in, pressing his lips to yours gently. Your heart jumps in a way that it hasn't since you left him the last time. It's a sweet kiss, just lips pressed together and nothing more. But there's something in it that has you both trembling when he backs up and presses his forehead to yours.

"Y/n, I-"

"Kiss me again."

"Okay." He crashes his lips into yours again and you wrap your arms around him and press your body against his. He parts your lips with his tongue and you let yours slide into his mouth. His hips roll into you and you feel his erection against your thigh.

But when you move your hand to touch him he pulls away from you. He's nervous to let you touch him because he feels like you won't want him if you take his clothes off.

"Do you not-? I'm sorry. I'll stop." You pull away and try to move away from him. He grabs you and holds you, tucking a piece of your hair behind your ear. He looks down nervously.

"No I just... I don't look like I did last time you saw me."

"What do you mean?"

"I've... gained some weight..."

"Elvis." You put your hands on his cheeks. "You are just as sexy to me now as you've always been." He looks up at you with a hopeful look on his face.

"You mean that?"

You run your hand down his chest to the top of his pants. "I want you, but only if it's what you want."

"God, honey, yes. I want you more than anything."

That's all it takes for both of you to tear at each other's pajamas until you're pressed together naked like no time has passed at all. He rolls over on top of you and lines himself up with your entrance. You both tremble with anticipation. It's been so long since you were together. He begins to push into you slowly, pulling back to thrust every now and then until he fills you fully. He grunts and lays his head on your shoulder.

"Goddamn, I missed you." He moans again and begins to pick up a steady pace. You whimper and kiss his neck.

"I missed you too." You wrap your legs around his waist as he fucks into you rhythmically. He kisses your shoulder and your neck, up to your chin and mouth. All the while, he's sliding in and out of you, moving closer to the inevitable end. You feel your orgasm building between your legs as he moves against you. His length is perfect to hit just the right spot and you cry out in pleasure as your orgasm washes over your whole body from your head to your toes. Several seconds later, he slams into you one last time, shuddering and filling you with his warmth.

You lay there together for a while breathing heavily with his head on your chest. Then you hear him almost whisper.

"I still love you." You feel the tears gather in your eyes and look at the ceiling to keep them from falling.

"I love you too, Elvis." You hear the portal pop up, but neither of you moves a muscle. Instead, you lay together intertwined so that you can't tell where he ends and you begin.

******

Until next time...

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Taglist:

@ccab @elvisfatass @elvisalltheway101 @aliypop @18lkpeters @dkayfixates @rosepresley68 @your-nanas-house @deniseinmn @joshuntildawn13 @lookingforrainbows @60svintage @littlehoneyposts @epthedream69 @that-hotdog @eddiesgirlforever @helen06dreamer @returntopresley

[emmyrosee]

inspired by my mom and dad, so everyone say thank you to Mr and Mrs Emmy

——-

“What have you two gotten into?”

Your sudden voice behind the couch makes your four year old perk up excitedly, only to then fall into a fit of giggles as Katsuki clutches his chest out of the slight startle of you behind him. You snicker as well, adorning the glare he sends you with a kiss to the corner of his eye.

“Don’t scare me like that,” he snarls. “‘M old. One scare too many, next thing you know, I’m dead.”

“You’re literally not even that old,” you snort, leaning over the back of the couch to nudge your head against his. “Besides, you think I’m really gonna let you die that easy? Tell death do us part, butthead.”

Your child laughs again, using her free hand to point at the still pouting Katsuki, “daddy’s a butthead! Daddy’s a butthead!”

“I’ll show you butthead if you two don’t watch your mouths,” he grumbles, but he doesn’t fool either of you with the quiver of his lip in amusement, trying to hide the action with a lick of his teeth. He tips his head back to lean against the back of the couch, “we found your wedding dress in the basement earlier, short stack just wanted to see pictures from it.”

“I didn’t know you kept everything in a box,” you hum, running your fingers through his hair. He closes his eyes happily at the feeling before he sighs out “you think Deku would let me keep anything out of place from our relationship? That nerd’s been been tryna shack us together since UA. Like hell he’s gonna let that hard work go to waste with any disorganization.”

You laugh once again, and this time, he grins and leans up to kiss the sound from your lips, only pulling away with a soft “love you.”

“Mommy!” Her voice calls, interrupting you both. “‘Dis one wiff your name!”

“My name?” You ask confused. You wonder if it’s a wedding invitation, but when your eyes catch on the lined notebook paper, you tip your head in confusion.

Katsuki, who seemed to instantly know what she got into, jumped to his feet and wasted no time in trying to grab her.

“Give me that!” Katsuki demands, making a reach for the paper. She squeals and dashes behind your legs for protection, and you chuckle fondly. “Mommy can’t always protect you, you little snot!”

“Uh-huh she can!” She laughs back.

“Katsuki,” you scold playfully. “She’s four! Be nice.”

“I’ll be nice when she stops being the bane of my existence!”

Tiny cackles bubble from behind your legs, and with your own laugh, you make a motion for the paper in her hand. Once it’s gently in your fingertips, Katsuki makes another wild grasp for it, which you pull out of his reach with ease.

He locks his crimson eyes with his kid, “tickle monsters gonna get you later,” he warns, pointing his finger authoritatively, making her squeal and run to the other room. Katsuki sighs dramatically and scrubs his face with calloused hands. “Definitely your little spawn.”

“Oh I don’t think so,” you snort, “that sassiness? Straight from your bloodline.” You move the paper to your gaze to read it, and from your peripheral, you see Katsuki slump back in his chair and pout.

Hey, my love, the letter begins. A queasiness settles in your stomach, wondering if you suddenly understood why he was so nervous in the first place.

“You’re the ‘My love,’ dumbass,” katsuki growls, as if he sees your new hesitation. “Keep reading, you’ll get there.”

So, you do.

I can’t stop thinking about our video call last night. Shit, you looked so good. The weird looks I got at the restaurant definitely were worth it when I got to see you all dressed up again. Looked like you got the pearls I’d sent over. I think they were real pearls, that’s what the sales woman said. To be honest, couldn’t know the difference if I tried, but you don’t need to know that.

You giggle. He smiles in his seat at the sound.

How have you been? Like, with handling this? I know you smack that silly-ass smile on your face, like I can’t read through you like a damned book. Idiot. We’ve been together for three years, you still think I don’t know your cues?

“What are my cues, then?” You try, the smirk on your face falling to surprise as he answers.

“You fiddle with your jewelry, hook hair behind your ear, your pick your cuticles, you wring your hands, you try to feel for your pulse point, you scratch your neck-“ each point makes him raise a finger to keep track.

“Good god, I got it, shut up.”

I miss you too, you know. Miss your cold ass feet trying to shove down the back of my sweats at night, miss your weird eating habits, miss you crying at those commercials with animals in it, I just miss life with you. Fuckin greater good my ass, distance makes the heart grow fonder bullshit, I just want you with me. I’m doing this for our future, that’s the only reason why I’m still putting us through this shit.

I miss you baby. And I’ll be home soon.

- Boo Bear

“Ew,” you sob, laughing despite yourself and using the back of your hand to dry your tears. “You’re so gross, I hate you.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever,” he scoffs, rising back to his feet to wrap his arms around you, comforting eyes dancing over your face. “Pardon me for being a big softie and shit.”

“I can’t believe you used to write me love letters,” you gasp out, clutching the old paper to your chest. “That’s so… unlike you.”

He lets out a soft ‘tch’ and squeezes your waist, “I mean… back when I was like… younger, sure. I didn’t want you to forget about me ‘s all. Crazy about you then, crazy about you still. ”

“I’m so in love with you,” you mewl, rising on your tiptoes to be captured into another kiss, intense and hungry and filled with complete love and loyalty and-

“Ewwww!!”

You pull back with loud cackles as your four year old stands planted in the doorway, face scrunched up as she watched her parents affection. His fingers curl on your waist, and he flashes his daughter a mischievous, faux-annoyed look, “you need to learn to mind your business, you brat!”

This time, you let Katsuki terrorize your four-year old, chasing her down the hall with her screams and his fake monster roars echoing through them. You shake your head and kneel down at the box, desperate to find more of the lined paper that spoke beautiful words that Katsuki seldom lets you hear.

You only grin wider when you find a full folder of them.

You’d have to thank Izuku for his organization skills later.

[tarotwithlove]

pick a card ⋆ who's divinely protecting you?

reminder that this is a general reading and messages found here may not apply to everyone. take what resonates, leave what doesn't, and don't force anything if it does not fit.

BOOK A READING WITH ME · TWITTER · YOUTUBE · PATREON · TIPS ♡ tips and feedback are highly appreciated!

GROUP ONE

cards pulled ⋆ two of wands, the hermit, the star, justice, wheel of fortune. 

songs ⋆ tell me by ryyzn. go by epik high. hold the girl by rina sawayama. sweet lawd – skit by cordae.

my dear group one ♡ you may feel as if your blessings are not coming in as fast as other people’s blessings. that despite everything, despite how many signs you see, your biggest prayers just never seem to be getting answered. it makes you feel as if the divine must not be listening to you; that they must not care enough about you to look after you, or that they’re playing a cruel joke on you to play with your emotions. to keep your hopes up just to dash them the very next moment. 

but this is not true. divine timing and human timing are completely different, and what may feel like forever to you is but a passing second to the divine. what may feel like cruelty to you is but the divine wanting to assure you that you are being heard—and, dear, you are being heard. you are being listened to intently. at the end of the day, the figures by whom you are divinely protected have you have your best interests at heart.

and of these figures, two in particular strongly come through. one, we have a water spirit, water goddess, or goddess who is strongly associated with water. if you worship venus/aphrodite or yemaya and often find yourself wondering if they are really with you, this is your confirmation that they are. 

other than them, you are also divinely protected by an “older” girl or woman – i put older in quotes because while they may have been older than you at the time of their passing, for some, if not many, of you, you are now older than or at the age they were when they passed away. this is a family member for some (aunt, mother, sister), while for others this is a friend. this person passed away in the last 90s / early 2000s – for some in a motor accident, or by drowning, or due to labour complications, though that may not be true for all in this group. however this person passed, when they lived, they loved you, cared about you, and wanted to protect you. something that they have continued to do from the other side. 

in both cases, there is such a strong message coming through for this group that large bodies of water are your answer for building a strong relationship with your spirit team. if you can, try doing water rituals at lakes and/or in the sea—even if it’s just visiting the beach to say a prayer, send your love and thanks and make a small offering. 

GROUP TWO

cards pulled ⋆ five of pentacles, queen of wands, eight of wands, the emperor, judgement (rx). 

songs ⋆ light signal by ambré. stupid for you by waterparks. goodbye by the boyz.

my dear group two ♡ divine protection is tricky business. often people think that just by the fact of being alive they are divinely protected, when that is often not the case. you may have once had a strong spiritual team behind you, but in not paying them the attention they need and deserve much of your team has moved on to help and guide others. 

some in this group may not even be that versed in dealing with the spirit world and, in not knowing where to start, have not started at all. or, in not knowing how to continue, thought that it was enough to say an offering once, make an offering once, or offer thanks once. and while that may have been okay for your spirit team for a little while—especially as they understood your inexperience, lack of knowledge, or just plain lack of time to tend to them—they have started to see that they will get better treatment elsewhere. 

it may take you aback and make you feel as if you have been abandoned but, dear, you have to remember that all things with the divine are (for lack of a better word) transactional. you cannot expect to receive blessings, guidance, and protection from the divine without giving something in return. without so much as a thank you. it is important that we show our love and gratitude to the divine for all that they do for us, especially if we want them to continue to be a part of our lives and shower us in all the ways they have done before.

as i get ready to move on to the next group, i feel like adding on that for some in this group it may only be one deity or divine spirit that urges you to continue working with them. some deities and divine energies that come through: anubis, osiris, archangel raphael, odin, and apollo. so if you have stopped working with any of these divine energies (or another strong masculine deity), likely and simply because you felt the relationship drew to its natural end, you are being pushed to start working with them again. you may be asking yourself what they can do for you in the current phase of your life. trust that they wouldn’t be calling out to you for no reason, and that the blessings they can bring into your life at this moment is more than you can even count.

GROUP THREE

cards pulled ⋆ king of swords, justice, page of swords, the high priestess, the hermit. 

songs ⋆ do re mi fa sol by park bom. tangerine love (favourite) by nct dream. déjá-boo by jonghyun. ain’t nobody by chaka khan. 

my dear group three ♡ as i was pulling your cards, those “my guardian angel watching me make a decision” memes kept coming to mind. so much so, i had to giggle when do re mi fa sol by park bom came through for you, because of the line, “you give me a chronic headache, baby,” in particular.

to say you may not make the best decisions when it comes to love may be a bit of an understatement—a sentiment that your spirit team likely shares. every time your spirit team thinks that of course *now* you will choose the right person—you’ve prayed to them, you’ve received their messages and decoded their symbols and had your aha! moment—so how could you not choose the right person ?? … you end up choosing wrong. or going against their every piece of advice and doing whatever you want without regard. and while i highlighted that this is about love in particular, it is not only confined to love and the decisions you make where love is concerned.

with this group more than any other, i feel as if you are divinely protected by deities and divine energies most associated with love and music. the gods and goddesses eros, aphrodite, oshun, bes, and hathor in particular. a harp-playing deity is also significant. in particular, aphrodite (once again) and canola / cana cludhmor. one or more of these deities are watching over you as well as are bringing love and beauty into your life as much as is possible. 

this is something which rings especially true for those of you who have recently experienced a great loss or tragedy. in the aftermath of this loss or tragedy this deity, or these deities, have not only taken pity on you but have been moved by your strength and resilience. they want to bring as much love and beauty into your life, and may keep trying to do so even at times when you are not open to receiving. 

for those in this group who have lost a romantic partner, this energy of love is the strongest. you may feel as if this person never left you, and you would be right. your person is looking down on you with so much love. they are doing everything in their power to make sure you are safe and protected—most of all, to make sure you are happy. you may be holding onto this person, not yet to move on from them either because of your own pain or out of respect for their memory and the love you once shared. and while this is valid and commendable, they want nothing more for you than to be loved and adored in the ways they know you deserve to be. 

GROUP FOUR

cards pulled ⋆ the devil, the high priestess, six of pentacles, the emperor, ten of swords. 

songs ⋆ cop car by mistake. not nice by megan thee stallion. don’t believe the hype by polo g. 

my dear group four ♡ you are someone who has spent so much of your life appeasing others. you have bowed your head and held your tongue and done what others ask and expect of you, never what you wish to do for yourself. when you do choose to do something for yourself, it comes with a sense of shame, guilt, or anxiety. 

you are so nice, dear, everyone thinks that you’re the nicest person they’ve ever met. everyone knows that if they call you for help you’ll be there, even if it’s last minute; even if it’s to your detriment. and you’re sick of it, aren’t you? as i type this, all i think of is, “aren’t you tired of being nice, don’t you want to go feral?”; all i can feel is a fire behind my eyes and a deep, deep rage boiling in the pit of my stomach. 

as sick as you are of being nice, you have no idea how to not be so anymore. you don’t know how to set boundaries and assert them; to be who you are after so long of being who everyone else wants you to be. it is so fitting that the deity—or deities in some of your cases—is either a war god or a god that inspires anger, ferocity, and fearlessness in their followers. that this is a deity who sees such emotions not as negative, but as healing, righteous and needed. the deities that are most coming through are morrigan, kali, sekhmet, shiva, and ares. and of course, as my eye keeps being drawn to the devil card, we cannot ignore the call of satan, lucifer, and other such devil counterparts—and while i am a proponent of worshipping the deities mentioned above, i would recommend being weary of communicating with and worshipping figures such as satan and lucifer, in particular. 

the deities watching over you want to bring a light into your life. they have seen you at your worst. they have seen you at the points in your life where you were taken the most advantage of. and they are as sick of it as you are, wanting, now, to mould you into someone strong enough to achieve the blessings that they already see are in your future. you may have once been a people pleaser, in fact, you likely still are, and rather than pulling you off your leash the deities watching over you want you to make the choice to do so for yourself. 

they want you to be straightforward. they want you to bare your teeth and take what’s yours. they want you to be ruthless. yes, dear, be kind. be personable. be a good person. but they want you to look at yourself and really ask if the only way you can be all these things is if you are nice. so nice that people walk all over you. so nice that you miss out on every opportunity as it comes to you. you are afraid of living for yourself and of shattering the perceptions that everyone else has of you, when you shouldn’t be.

this is how the divine is protecting you—by pushing you to live for YOU. the more you live for yourself without shame, the more the divine energies watching over you will feel vindicated, and the harder they will work for you. 

[dragongirltongue]

New Pinned post <3

Hi there, the name is Zelda, or one of like, 20 other names that may or may not be listed somewhere around here. If you know a name I go by that isn't findable here don't use it. <3

I'm bigender which is made up of girl and fem6oy, as such I use she/her and sometimes he/him pronouns when I'm feeling fem6oy enough <3

I'm in my 30s, not getting more specific than that until I decide it's not true enough to change it, don't try to find my exact age as I don't like sharing that information publicly, I don't even update it on my birthday <3

I'm a polyamorous bisexual voraphile freak and if you're over 18 you're welcome to talk to me about how much of a freak I am. I love to flirt and encourage it. Also happy to share my Other Blog with anyone interested, again as long as you're of age. <3

I'm a film graduate and currently working on doing something with that experience as well as working on a superhero comic and a 2D zelda style game. Feel free to bug me about any of those I love to discuss writing and media and want to encourage media literacy. <3

I'm also an ex-jehovahs witness and as a result I'm hugely into the holiday season in a very against my old god kinda way. Also big into sinning <3

Also I'm like, a dragon in probably an otherkin/thetadelta kinda way, like, it's core to who I am and how I understand myself so yeah. Despite this my fursona is a fox, the dragon in my icon is literally me <3

I also draw sometimes and when I do it'll be posted to @dragongirldrawings but always reblogged here too.

Also I'm a member of a plural system, feel free to check out the rest of the system over here @haven-sys <3

Further on the identity weirdness I'm an imaginary friend for the person who used to inhabit this body, they've been gone for like, over 20 years so it's not really relevant but I have started embracing my nature as a fictional creation, it's comforting.

Btw, if one of my posts containing my typing quirk ends up on your dash I take no responsibility for it. I use it in posts that are for me only and if they happen to resonate with others that's their choice to reblog.

I had intended to set tipping up on my blog for a while but adhd caused me to never get around to it sooo, homebrew tip button on my original posts. Feel free and outright encouraged to steal this idea <3

So yeah that's me, hiii I love you all <3

this post is specifically a6out tum6lr user Zelda dragongirltongue

DNI list under the read more.

lmao imagine if I actually made one of those finally, that's how you'd know I've been replaced with an evil clone or something.

That being said if you're looking at my blog to send me an ask or dm about what someone gets off to please understand unless they're actively hurting someone I rly don't care. I have a lot of ignored and blocked anons about this.

This goes double if the person you're trying to alert me to is trans femme, we don't play that game here, especially given that I know I've been targetted for things as simple as engaging in vore the wrong way for some people or whatever.

Like, I just want to make it clear I rly don't give a fuck what another adult does in the bedroom, I rly don't care if the bedroom happens to include their blog and I rly don't care if they like to flirt about it with other adults on this website.

Also if your pinned post is a callout for anyone about anything it's likely to set off my paranoia around you, which is to say I will not be able to trust you if this is the case even if it's for someone who's actually a danger to a community, like, actively.

Like, this ain't a moral stance or anything, it's a mental health thing. I see that you want to make your first point of contact into a crosshair on someone else I'm gonna be scared you're gonna aim at me next even if it's completely reasonable that you'd never find anything objectionable with me. It scares me and I'm gonna spend every interaction walking on egg shells around you cos what if you're digging for dirt, like, I got no way of knowing.

Anyway as the opening joke implies I don't see any worth in having a list of things to not interact with me over cos the lived experience on this planet is so full of nuance and I've formed deem friendships with people who'd probably have avoided me if I had a DNI and they cared about it.

I think DNIs are dumb but this feels like a space to talk about some general limits on what I'm gonna put up with on this website. I'm just here for a good time with other freaks, anything else is optional. If you want to drag me into your discourse at this point then I guess this is whre I ask you to Do Not Interact. To anyone else, I love yall <3

If you've been directed here after sending an ask my way please apologize for wasting my time [here]

tl;dr DNIs are dumb but don't drag me into your personal grievances with others.

this post is still specifically a6out tum6lr user Zelda dragongirltongue [tip]

[crusty-chronicles]

The Moon and Sun (Big Sib reader x Gon/Killua)

Ch 17: Countdown part 2

Synopsis: Welcome back ladies and gentlemen. Shall we continue where we left off?

--------------------------------

You stood in the center of a clearing, waiting for the slightest hint of movement. All of your five senses tuned in to your environment. The smallest change of even the direction of the wind would be enough to tip you off.

A boost off of the grass.

You blocked a punch with your right arm. The small assassin stared with wide eyes. A curse of ‘Damn’ leaving him before you gripped him by the shirt and flung him in the other direction. He didn't have a chance to orient himself properly. His back colliding with a tree, effectively snapping it in half from how hard you threw him.

“Fast, but still not fast enough!” You called out.

You redirected your attention at a disturbance in the debris. From the dust kicked up came the boy in green. He made a dash forward, preparing to strike you. In what must've been the last second, he changed his attack. He jumped back on his hands and kicked as hard as he could towards your stomach.

“You won't get very far with cheap tricks.” You scolded before grabbing his ankle. 

He tried to use his other leg to swing, but you stopped it easily. Using the new leverage, you spun in a circle to gain momentum before sending him flying upwards.

He gave a cry of surprise that quickly became annoyance. You were just tossing them around like footballs. Effortlessly.

From behind you Killua rebounded. Instead of attacking, he used his Echo Rhythm in the hopes it would disorient you. Doing laps around you as fast as he could. Yet somehow your eyes managed to linger on the real him.

If there's no opening, make one! Right????

There was a shout from above that startled you. Less than a fraction of a second you'd looked away. But it was enough. He lunged forward.

In the split second you glanced up, you saw Gon punch upward. A shockwave sending him straight for you. He used his physical strength to propel himself down. 

They were coming in from both sides. There was no way you'd be able to avoid them both. Just when they were about to touch you, you vanished. Both of them looking at the blank space with surprise that quickly turned into panic. They were about to collide with each other. Killua twisted his body to the left. Gon to the right. Blows barely skirting around the other.

They recovered from the confusion and stood back to back. Waiting anxiously for any sign of you. A shadow from the corner of their eye. But it was too late. A sharp pain resonating on the sides of their skulls. 

You had slammed their heads together. You gave a slight wince seeing them fall over and cradle the spot that hurt. A beeping from your pocket signaled that today's session was over.

“Alright. Five minutes is up.” 

They gave sounds of protests as they sat up.

“We almost had you that time!” Gon exclaimed. He saw you this time. His reaction time was just slow.

“Yeah, let's go again! I didn't even have time to break a sweat!” Killua agreed.

Pure determination in their eyes. They were getting better, but another round would probably drain them. They'd be out of commission for a week.

“You two know the rules. One match a day. Then it's sensory training. Then it's meditation.”

“We know, we know. It's hearing today right?” Killua complained.

“Sulk all you want but it's a helpful skill. I picked up on your first attack because of it.” You responded.

He stuck his tongue out at you.

“Okay Dumbo. And did you really have to throw me that hard?”

Truthfully, you didn't mean to use that much force. It was a knee jerk response-and a very light one at that.

“You think that's hard? I could've sent you at least 35 meters easy. Hell, I almost sent Gon into orbit.”

“Yeah but he didn't get tossed through a tree.”

“I'd rather be tossed through a tree than stuck all the way up there,” Gon argued.

“Let's test it out then!”

“You're on! I'm gonna send you flying!”

“You wish!”

You tried to hide a smile as they bickered. It was two weeks ago when you first started their training.

You took baby steps with the boys. Starting off with something they were familiar with: speed training. The plan was to build up their physical strength before moving onto aura. Well, Killua would be improving his nen. Gon would just have to adapt once Knuckle’s APR expired.

It took them five days to master speed training. Both of them being quick enough to dodge every pebble you flicked their way. It improved their stamina drastically. Actual speed, not so much. If you just had the time, you would've been able to teach them properly. Right now you were skipping a few steps. But if you knew anything about these boys, it was that they were quick learners.

You were combining lessons three and four of your clan's methods. Sensory training was meant to enhance sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste. The five senses. Everyday, one sense would be taken away. The other four would be used to figure out the scenario. It makes the individual more perceptive to their surroundings. A slight change could be picked out easily. Today the boys’ hearing would be taken away.

Combat training was meant to gain experience. There were two stages to this lesson: physical strength and nen strength. However, no matter which stage the student was in, they had to challenge someone undoubtedly stronger than them and fight them full force. Just until they became the same level as their teacher, or close enough to them. The boys were currently on the first stage.

Usually to advance, they would actually have to land one direct hit on you. But since you were pressed for time, you had to alter the condition.

“If you can get me to use my nen within five minutes, we'll move onto the next level.” You informed.

“What's the next level?” Gon asked.

“Actually fighting with your abilities against mine. Gon, you should be able to keep up. If anything, you'll probably end up getting stronger than me.” you explained.

It really was a blessing in disguise Knuckle took away his nen. His physical strength would increase leagues than what it was. If he could keep up with you at your best, for sure he'd beat you if nen was involved. 

“Really!?!” He beamed up at you with excitement.

“No fair.” Killua pouted.

“It's nothing personal. We need to stick to your strengths,” you reassured the small assassin.

“You're more calculated in fights. You like to analyze your enemy's moves. You know when you're outclassed and tend to flee if it's more favorable. Despite your upbringing, nen combat is what you excel at. It's easier for you to control and predict. 

“Gon's the opposite. Physical combat comes easier to him. His impulsive movements make for great offense. He charges right in, leading to the best surprise attacks. More or less, in a fight you'd be even. You'd probably outclass me in speed depending on how you applied your ability.”

“Faster and stronger than you? In just a month?” Killua questioned.

“In less than a year if we had the time. In a month, you might come close to overtaking me. In your respective categories that is. To fully max out on the categories you're weakest, it would take another six months.”

“What about seeing auras? Would either of us become as good as you at that?” Gon asked.

“You could probably do it now. That's baby stuff.”

“Hey!” The duo said in unison. Both equally as offended.

“Right, my bad. I mean it'll be easy. It's one of the first things I was taught…Then again, my eyes are pretty special. Who knows?”

Yup. 

The boys still had quite a way to go. 

—--------------------

Nights had become the hardest part of your routine. Everytime you closed your eyes you'd see him. You'd see her. If it was a particularly rough night, you'd see them. You haven't had this problem since Greed Island. The sleepless nights plagued by the worst your mind could come up with.

You used to stay up for days on end. Hoping when you finally closed your eyes, they'd stay shut. But you didn't exactly have the luxury of exhausting yourself right now. You couldn't afford to waste your energy. You had to be in top condition when the time came to face the ants. 

The boys were experiencing a similar problem. Whether it was the stress of the situation or the pressure to get stronger, they were unable to sleep through the night. Often they'd wander into your room (where you sat on your bed, already awake thanks to tonight’s terror) and sit right next to you. It quickly became a habit.

Wait for the sun to come up, train, then take a nap out of pure exhaustion. The night would drag on while you waited for the next day to arrive. It wasn't healthy. However, tensions were too high to do anything else.

You had an idea though, of how to fix the problem.

“You've both earned a break,” you announced.

Both boys eyed you suspiciously.

“A break? Like right now?” Killua questioned.

You gave a nod.

“I don't think we can risk taking a break. We have to keep training. We need to get stronger.” Gon persisted. 

You understood where he was coming from. But the harder he pushed himself, the less focused he'd be. It was only a matter of time before mental fatigue kicked in. 

“You are getting stronger, but if you focus all your time training, you'll be exhausted when it's time to fight.” you explained.

“I know you want to keep going, but rest is important. You need to be in top shape both mentally and physically.”

The duo sat in quiet for a moment. Weighing the pros and cons of your offer. They looked to each other and nodded.

“Okay. What did you have in mind?”

—----------------------

The sand was warm under your feet. 

You don't think you've ever been to the beach before. It was…nice. The air was saltier than you were expecting. And despite the sun beating down on you, it felt decently cool. There were more people than you were expecting, but you supposed you could tune them out.

You used to envy normal kids when you were little. Childhoods filled with amusement parks, aquariums, beaches, carnivals. An oblivious innocence to everything around them. You used to yearn for a piece of that normalcy. But the clan always came first.

Now you were actually here. 

And there was nobody to stop you from enjoying it. 

“Alright. Go, uh, go beach.” You ushered the boys forward.

“Go beach? You're like an alien who's never been to earth.” Killua teased.

“Hey!”

It wasn't your fault you didn't know what to do. Something something sand? Swimming? You'd figure it out. What mattered was that you were here to relax.

“Come on. Let's go before they figure out how to ‘beach.’” Gon laughed out, quickly pulling Killua away.

“Rats!!! You're both little rats!” You shouted after them.

They made a break for the water. Loading up the squirt guns they brought and splashing each other. You donned a pair of sunglasses and sat back. As long as they didn't drown each other. The little goblins. Maybe you could finally take a decent nap while they fooled around.

From where you sat, they actually looked like kids. They looked their age. It made you smile seeing how carefree they were. The stress of training long forgotten. And when Killua put Gon in a headlock for spraying his face, you had to stifle a laugh. You could sense nothing but content from the both of them.

You wished it could've been like this all the time. Maybe it would if things turned out okay.

“Kids are such a handful.”

You jumped at the sound of a voice next to you. It's what you get for letting your guard down, you supposed. You looked up and saw a woman in her thirties if you had to guess. She stared towards the ocean fondly. 

A mother.

It wouldn't hurt to engage in conversation. You were here to relax after all.

“No kidding,” you responded.

You held back a grimace seeing Gon break free from Killua and body slam him into the water. 

“Are those your boys?” The woman questioned.

You hesitated to answer. Technically, they weren't. Not by blood, at least. But did you consider them yours? Without a doubt they were one of your own.

“Yeah, those are mine.”

“Really? They don't look like you. Adopted?”

“Kind of. I'm a temporary caretaker.” And before she could ask what you meant by that, you quickly changed the subject.

“Which one's yours?”

She pointed slightly to the left. 

“The little girl with the sunhat.”

Sure enough, there was a kid hanging into a dolphin floaty. Laughing along with another small girl. They looked peaceful, unlike your two demons who were currently wrestling. The contrast was almost enough to make you laugh.

“I heard that girls were easier. Is that true?” You asked.

The woman gave a small hum in thought.

“I personally don't think there's a difference. I mean, we raise them and love them the same,” she started.

“They're both stressful as babies and toddlers. They both end up becoming moody teenagers. Sometimes they get upset because they don't understand the decisions you make. Sometimes they don't even know what they're feeling and lash out…Boy or girl, parenting isn't easy. It's full of struggles no matter what.”

You don't know why, but her words made you feel relieved. Maybe a part of you was worried you were doing something wrong. That you weren't fit to take care of the boys. Maybe it was nice to hear your emotions were valid and normal. 

“That's good to know.” You said after a while.

The woman smiled kindly at you. Heat rising to your cheeks at the small gesture.

“Enjoy all the precious moments while they're little. They'll be grown up before you know it.”

You were completely unaware the boys had stopped their roughhousing. Glancing towards you to give you a wave before they noticed you were already with someone.

A woman who was way too close for comfort.

Gon sent a small glare her way. He didn't like the way that woman was so friendly with you. He certainly didn't like the way she was touching your arm. Why were you letting her? He'd never known you to be social. So willing to engage in conversation with a stranger. What could the two of you possibly be talking about?

“Gon?”

He snapped from his thoughts at the call of his name. He looked towards Killua who seemed equally as uncomfortable.

“I don't like this. She's being way too touchy,” he responded.

And you were being way too reciprocal.

“Right? I mean I don't mind if Y/n makes a friend, but that's not friendly. She's too close. She's practically leaning on them,” Killua agreed.

Normally they weren't so protective of you. But something had changed. Seeing their friend being used as a chimera weapon had done it. A combination of not wanting to get involved with more people and defending his honor.

You weren't supposed to be with her. You were supposed to be with Kite.

The question now was: how were they gonna get your attention?

—--------------------------

You'd heard the frantic splashing of water first. Followed by your name. You stopped mid conversation and used your eyes to scan around. Yet before you could fully analyze what was going on, there was another cry of your name.

“Y/n! Help! Gon's drowning!”

You were in front of the duo in an instant. Using nen on your feet to stay above the water’s surface. Without wasting a second, you plunged your arm into the water and lifted Gon up. You expected him to be sputtering out water. Gasping for air. Struggling to breathe. Instead he stared back at you in bewilderment. Then excitement.

“You can walk on water!?!?”

It took you a second to process what was happening. Looking back and forth between him and Killua. The latter staring at you with equal shock.

No panic from either of them.

They duped you.

You promptly dropped Gon back into the water. Crouching down right after and grabbing the both of them by their cheek.

“How dare you! What possible reason could you have for scaring me?!?! You shouldn't play around like that!!!”

They both mumbled out a ‘sorry big sib.’

“Sorry’s not good enough! Explain yourselves!”

It was Killua who broke first this time.

“Why were you letting that lady flirt with you?!? I thought you were a boy kisser.”

All your frustration vanished. You were left baffled and flustered instead. The term ‘boy kisser’ completely catching you off guard. You were getting too old for this.

“Shut up! You're a boy kisser. You like boys.”

It wasn't something you'd said out of seriousness. Just a way to get the boys to leave you alone. Yet the moment the words left your mouth, Killua's face went red.

“Nuh uh!” He waggled a finger in your face, trying to play his reaction off. He shouldn't have said anything because he knew that you knew. You could see him, even if you weren't trying.

The deceit in his aura.

Oh.

Oh.

You didn't really know how to handle this. If you should even address it. Yet, you were already talking before your mind could catch up.

“Aw, sweetie. It's okay if you like boys.”

You realized you were digging your own grave as a choked sound left him. He looked between you and the boy in green, trying to gauge his reaction. 

“Or girls! That works to! Or both! Both is an option too. Maybe neither?” you cringed with each word that left your mouth.

You were making things worse judging by how the small assassin hid behind his hands. There was gratitude in there, but it was mostly drowned out by embarrassment. Before you could open your mouth again, Gon spoke up.

“I don't think it matters. Like who you like, that doesn't change anything between us.” He flashed Killua a reassuring grin.

Atta boy.

“Oh look sand! We should go over there.” you quickly changed the subject. More for Killua's sake than yours.

The duo waded towards the shore with you walking next to them. It was quiet for a bit. And then-

“So are you a girl kisser?”

“I was not flirting with that woman!”

—--------------------------

Now this was what you were picturing when you offered to go to the beach. Sandcastles. Except much less chaotic. Did you know the sand had to be wet before building? No, no you did not. Did you think the structure would crumble if you poured a bucket of water over it? Also no. 

Why was this so hard?

You let out a noise of frustration, attracting the attention of the boy in green. He offered to help you out, and because you had absolutely no idea what you were doing, you accepted. His strategy was similar to yours, except he actually wet the sand before building with it. 

You did your best to sculpt the sand in a point. Hoping to give it that castle feel. Not even a second later the top collapsed in. You slapped a hand to your forehead.

“Yup. I'm cursed,” you muttered. Prompting a laugh from the boy next to you.

At least he was having fun.

You looked over to your right. There was a kid no older than five putting sand in a bucket. Only to dump it back out in a perfect castle shape. Then they'd used a little metal tool to make windows. 

“That kid's cheating!” You pointed out. 

Gon followed your line of sight. He tried to hide his amusement at what had you so upset.

“Right. I forgot they made tools for the sand. Maybe next time. But hey, ours isn't too bad.”

You redirected your attention to what looked like a mound of dirt with indents. Despite being a complete failure, a part of you swelled with pride. You made that. And there would be time to improve later anyways.

“What is that? A mud hut?” Killua teased.

You were about to give a rebuttal, but it died in your throat seeing what was behind him. An actual castle with so much detail, it left you speechless. Even the little bricks were etched into the sand. And was that a moat!?!? The kid had talent, you'd give him that.

“How the heck did you do that?” You gestured to the castle behind him.

He beamed up at you before manipulating his hand to be razor sharp.

“I used my nails. Pretty cool, right?”

Pretty cool? It was spectacular. You didn't even think most adults could make something that detailed.

“Anyways, what went wrong with yours? Did you two even try?” He joked.

You feigned a glare at his words.

“Not all of us can change our hands at will. And you know what? You're not invited to the mud hut. Isn't that right munchkin?”

“Yup. In fact, we're raging war against your castle.” Gon played along, lifting up his water gun and aiming it towards the detailed structure.

Killua quickly stood in front of his castle. Using his body to shield it from any potential harm.

“You better not! It took me ten minutes to make!”

Okay, bragger much.

“Can't we just have a truce or something?” He tried to sway.

You pretended to give it some thought.

“50 percent of all your gold imports and we have a deal.”

“50 percent? My people will starve!”

Gon gave a warning shot, slightly missing the castle.

“Okay! Okay! We have a deal!”

You gave a small nod, telling Gon to stand down. The two of you watched as Killua started to build a little bridge. It took him no time at all to connect the structures, standing up right after and dusting himself off.

“There. We're allies.”

The difference between the two castles was almost enough to make you laugh. The mud hut standing strong against the palace. You were about to open your mouth to say something, but you quickly shut it seeing Gon light up at something in the distance.

“You two wait right here! I'll be right back!” He called out before running off.

He came back carrying something big over his head. Something that had…flippers????

“Is that a fricken turtle!?!? Put him back right now!” You scolded once you saw what it was.

He placed it down in front of you and Killua, holding it back by its shell. 

“Are you scared?” He teased.

“It's a turtle why would I be-”

The turtle lunged its neck forward. Jaws open in an attempt to bite you.

“He just snapped at me!”

Gon leaned down to stare it in the eye.

“No! Bad turtle!”

Said creature hung its head down low. As if ashamed. Hunters and their damned animals. Of course it would play nice with him. Then again, you never were good with animals.

“Don't reprimand him! Just set him free!” you ordered.

“He probably senses your hostility. Maybe if you were nice to him he wouldn't wanna bite you.” Killua observed, though there was a mischievous glint in his eye that let you know he was messing with you.

“Senses my butt. That thing is just out for blood.” You huffed out. 

Gon lifted up the turtle one more, holding it up right as he started talking.

“This guy is a leather back. And you see it's tail? Super short, right? Well that means it's actually a girl. She probably came to lay her eggs on shore.” 

This was the most excited you've seen him in weeks. He was in his complete element when it came to nature. Most likely due to his upbringing. You supposed you could deal with this animal hating you, as long as he was happy. 

“Let's put her down and see where she goes.” Killua suggested.

Gon set the turtle down and let it go. She shuffled back next to him for a second, surveying the beach for any threats. Then little by little she made her way forward. It took her about ten minutes to reach the spot she wanted. Using her back flippers to dig a sizeable hole in the sand. She stilled when she was done, presumably laying her eggs. Finally, she kicked the sand back in place and made her way back to the ocean.

But not before throwing a hiss your way as she passed you.

The boys stared in awe. You, not so much. 

“I think we just witnessed a birth. Is that like, legally binding?” Killua asked.

You bonked the back of his head.

“Gremlin. Alright, let's give the little lady her space.” You ushered the boys away from her nest.

A few hours later, you found yourself being buried in the sand. A form of retaliation after you forbid the boys from going back in the water, not yet over the drowning prank they pulled. Plus, they'd gotten bored finding shells and giving them to you. All of which were currently in your pocket. You prayed they didn't crack under the pressure. 

Your poor sunglasses were tossed to the side. By now your legs were completely covered. They wanted to move onto your torso. Pestering you to lay down so they could continue piling sand on.

“Just lay back.” Killua pushed you back lightly.

“No. You're gonna toss sand in my eyes. Those are my money makers.” You argued.

“We won't. I'll cover your eyes with my hand if that'll make you feel better,” Gon offered.

You were on the cusp of giving in before a beeping filled the air. All at once, the smiles left the boys’ faces. It was time. Somehow it’d slipped their minds. They'd gotten so caught up spending time with you that they forgot. 

It was as if the life had been sucked out of them. Reality once again crashing down. It was nice to just be kids for a moment. To have a simple life. But they had a responsibility to fulfill. You had a responsibility. 

They avoided your gaze as you got ready to leave. Truly, they tried to talk you out of it the first week. They didn't like you going over there and coming back injured. And they certainly never hid the way they felt about it. But you were nothing if not true to your word. And they knew that.

“I'm sorry. I'll be home soon okay. If you want-” you started but were quickly cut off.

“We'll be fine. Don't worry about us.” Killua dismissed.

“Go do what you have to do.” Gon added.

You sent them an apologetic look before you left.

—-------------------

You stood in front of the metal door anxiously. It felt reminiscent of your first time seeing it. You didn't know why you were so nervous. You've been coming here everyday to see him. Maybe a part of you was scared something changed. For better or for worse.

You unlocked the door and pushed it open. With bated breath, you took a step forward. You could feel the agony and malice return. A sickly feeling you became familiar with. It meant nothing had changed. Your routine would continue on to the next day. 

You approached ‘Kite' slowly. Right before you entered his attack radius, you sat down. You promised the boys you wouldn't let him hit you anymore. Not since he'd broken your arm. 

“I'd say having my leg broken was worse than my arm. Couldn't run for shit,” you said aloud.

You figured if he couldn't kick your ass everyday, the least you could do was stay and talk. You didn't want to leave him by himself. Even if he couldn't hear or sense you. You had no clue if you were helping him by doing this. If subconsciously he was listening. 

You hoped he was.

That you were a useful distraction to the torment he was currently going through.

“We went to the beach today,” you started.

“The little ghouls pretended they were drowning because they thought some lady was flirting with me. Why that bothered them, I couldn't tell you. It pissed me off though. I made sure they weren't allowed near the water again.”

By now ‘Kite' was at the edge of his radius. Standing in front of you with jerky movements. Try as you might, your nen couldn't suppress the movement. 

“We made sandcastles though. Or at least, Killua made one. The kid's crazy talented. He made little windows and everything. Me and Gon? Not so much. It looked like something a toddler would do. And you know what? I was very proud of it. Never messed around with sand before. It was nice. I also met a turtle today. She was super mean though. I mean I can't blame her. She just wanted to lay her eggs.

“I got gifted some nice shells. I think I'm gonna keep them in a box for safe keeping. Maybe turn a few of them into a necklace. We'll see when this is all over.”

You stared up at him looming over you. Strangely, you weren't threatened. It was almost comforting.

“They looked…so sad when I had to go. I think they genuinely forgot about it. About everything. That's supposed to be good, right? Why doesn't it feel that way? Why did it feel like I made things worse?”

You wrapped your arms around your knees and rested your head on them. 

“I don't know what I'm doing with them. I don't know what I'm doing with myself. It always looked so easy when I was growing up. The adults making all the decisions. Like they had everything figured out. Maybe they did. Maybe I'm what's wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.”

You let out a drained sigh. Looking up from your arms and searching for his eyes.

“Every decision I make feels like the wrong one. Some days I just want to give up. Run away like I always do. But I can't…I don't want to. I want to be strong. I want to be enough. But right now, I don't know what to do. I haven't for quite some time. I just don't want the boys to end up like me.”

You didn't want to push them too far.

You sat there for a moment. Letting the silence be your comfort. You'd usually ask how his day was, even if you knew he wouldn't respond. Yet you couldn't find it in you to keep talking. You'd sit here until time ran out. Then do your best to put yourself back together before you went home. 

You got in a crouching position. A shuffling sound making you go on full alert. You directed your attention towards the noise, focusing your eyes on the dark corner.

An aura. An empathetic aura.

“Who's there?” You called out.

A rookie mistake. If you sensed something, go on the offense. Take the element of surprise. Had you been so off your game that you forgot one of your most basic principles?

“No need to get so defensive. It's just me.” From the shadows emerged Morel.

Was he wiping away a tear?

“What are you doing here?” You asked. You were standing up by now, your back to Kite.

Never turn your back on an enemy. 

You didn't perceive Kite as an enemy, Morel noted. Confidence in your own abilities perhaps? Or was it something else entirely? Something soft judging by the tone you used talking to him.

“It's my turn to watch Kite. Usually Knuckle and Shoot know when you're coming to give you your space. I thought you'd be another hour.” He answered.

He could see the tension leave your shoulders. You were protective over Kite. No. You were protective of the vulnerability you shared with him. His eyes only. Like that smile you gave him.

Knuckle and Shoot were scared of you?

You were more bark than bite. He couldn't sense any hostility from you despite your guarded exterior. That didn't mean you would back down if push came to shove. 

“You were watching me,” you said after a while. 

It didn't sit right with you that he could've revealed himself at any time and chose not to. Yet you couldn't sense any ill intent from him. So why just stand there until you were finished?

“I didn't mean to. You just looked like you needed to let that out. Call it a hunch.”

Hunters and their damned instincts. A part of you upset that he wasn't wrong.

“You two are lovers?” He gestured between you and Kite.

Immediately your face flushed. You tried to sputter your way through a response. Glaring when you heard him start laughing.

“Guess not then. You just seemed to care a lot about him.”

The atmosphere had lightened. Your defensiveness being chipped away the longer you talked. A gut feeling telling you to let down your guard completely. But you weren't ready for that quite yet. Your trust had to be earned.

“We're friends. Plain and simple,” you finally got out. Only for your face to burn impossibly hotter with his next choice of words.

“But you have feelings for him?”

The heat spread to the tips of your ears. 

“Why is everybody interested in my love life?” You mumbled before answering. Why were you answering?

“Yes, I like him. And maybe he feels the same way, or felt the same way. Doesn't really change anything currently, does it?”

You looked up at him, watching as he tried to stifle laughter. The same way you did when the boys would get into petty arguments.

“Dickhead! Don't laugh at me!”

You realized then that you were closer to him. Since when had you moved forward?

“Okay, okay. How about a simpler question? Do the boys get along with him?” 

It took you a second to answer. Trying to collect your thoughts after they'd been scattered.

“Are you kidding me? Gon absolutely adores him. The happiest I've seen him is when he's talking with Kite. They really bonded over Gon's father. Personally, I think the guy's a dick, but hey, it's something…It's sweet in a way, how much he looks up to him.” You stopped talking when you realized you were rambling.

You briefly glanced over at Morel. He was looking at you expectantly. Waiting for you to continue on. Not at all bothered that you strayed from the topic.

It was oddly reassuring.

“Killua didn't really like him at first. I guess he wanted Kite to earn his approval. Usually if Gon trusts someone, Killua will as well. Not this time though. He did eventually come around. I think seeing Kite help me out so much put him at ease. But my God, the teasing from both of them. Literal torture. I wanted to pass away and have my spirit evaporate.”

You covered your face with your hands once more. Doing your absolute best not to relive those moments and block out the embarrassment. Completely missing the way Morel's features had softened.

If it hadn't been clear before, it sure as hell was now. The three of you were close. Inseparable even, judging by how things played out the last time they were here.

“You really love those boys, don't you?” He asked, though he already knew the answer.

You uncovered your face with your hands. Your expression was more serious this time. More somber. 

“... They're my family. I'd do just about anything for them.” 

You were very different than the person he first perceived you to be. You were strong, despite running away from a fight. It made sense in context now given your response. You'd protect those boys at any costs. Even if it meant leaving someone behind.

Even if it meant losing your life.

You also had more guts than most pro hunters. Cussing out the chairman, and then scolding a group of hunters for the situation the boys were in. Then there was the fact you scared the crap out of his students. One look was all it took. You were a fiery one for sure.

Most importantly, you'd made a promise and stuck to it. You were here everyday. You would spend about an hour here with Kite. Although you stopped letting him hit you, you still found a way to be near him. He had no doubt you'd eventually find a way to fix him. 

“To be honest, I thought you were a coward when I first saw you,” Morel admitted.

“A broken body barely alive after fleeing from a battle. Not even trying to fight before you already made up your decision. It goes against everything hunters stand for. But…”

He paused and flashed what looked like an amused smile.

“Those boys are deathly protective of you. Killua chewed me out for calling you a loser. He valued defending your honor more than protecting his pride. If looks could kill, he'd have vaporized me and Knov on the spot.”

He was hoping to get a positive reaction out of you from that. But you only looked down and clenched your fists tightly. Yet it wasn't anger that radiated off you. It was guilt.

“You weren't wrong about me. I am a coward. I ran away because I was scared. I was…”

You didn't know how much you wanted to reveal. If you should reveal anything at all. You looked up to gauge his reaction. It was the same patient expression from before. Waiting, but not wanting to push for information you weren't ready to give. 

“Go on, little one. What happened next?”

It felt like you were small again. Admitting to something you were ashamed of. Like you were talking to Father before your revelation about your clan. 

You felt safe.

“I was reminded of my past. I needed to get out of there. I really think I would've left Gon and Killua behind if they weren't right in front of me.”

You were shaking when you finished. Trembling with guilt. So strong and yet so utterly weak. 

“You're just a kid.” Morel said at last. 

You sent him a small glare with no real malice behind it. If anything you were frustrated with constantly being looked down by these people.

“Don't talk down to me, old man. I'm a helluva lot younger than you, but that doesn't make me a kid.” 

A ‘guess not’ leaving him as you leaned against the wall before ultimately deciding to sit down again. You didn't know when you got this close to the other side of the room. When your feet started moving you forward. It wasn't good to have your body in action while your mind was elsewhere. 

Surprisingly, Morel sat down next to you. He glanced at Kite, then back to you. As if weighing the pros and cons of something. If he should ask you the question burning in his mind.

“Why do you keep coming back here?”

And there it was. Your body tensed up. You didn't know how to respond. 

“Are you hoping something changes with Kite? Or is it something else?” He continued interrogating.

You were frozen. Your very being shutting down. You wanted to get up and leave. Yet you were unable to move from your spot on the floor.

“Are you punishing yourself for running away?”

He hit the nail right on the head. He knew he did judging by the way your eyes had widened. He couldn't help but pity you. You'd been broken down over the years. It was obvious with your way of thinking. That you had to make amends for the smallest of mistakes. 

“Shouldn't I?” you asked. Your voice was small, as if you truly couldn't fathom a world where it wasn't your fault.

“I'm responsible for this. Shouldn't I deserve to suffer for it? Shouldn't I deserve the worst for causing this?” You gestured towards Kite.

This glimpse of your true thoughts, of how far you'd been conditioned to spiral, it was upsetting. Beating yourself up when you were already down. All of it had to come from somewhere. From grief.

“You won't last long with that kind of attitude. Sometimes things go wrong that are out of our control,” he scolded. He gave a small sigh before continuing to speak.

“It's funny, you know?”

“What?” you forced yourself to say.

“You sound just like that Chimera ant we met. His name is Colt. He blames himself for his human sister's death. For the queen’s death. Now he's got a little one to take care of, and you know what he said?”

You shook your head no.

“He promised he wouldn't make the same mistakes with her. That he would protect her at all costs. Now who does that sound like?”

You could feel your eyes start to burn. There was no way. No way you could ever relate to one of those things. After all the pain and suffering they've inflicted. And yet you did. Eerily so. 

“You lost someone too, didn't you? It's why you're hard on yourself. You haven't forgiven yourself for what happened.”

The coincidence was almost enough to kill you. One tear. Then two. Then three. Then multiple at the same time.

Kari.

Your Kari who was ripped from you far too soon. Whose face you were starting to forget with age. Who had been the light of your life. 

“...I lost my little sister. I could've saved her. I could've saved her, but I ran away. I was too scared. I'm a disgrace. I'm worth less than nothing.” You buried your face in your knees in an attempt to hide yourself.

You didn't want anyone's sympathy. You refused to let anyone see you cry if you could help it. 

“Really? Those boys seem to think you're worth more than gold. They'd rather die with you than live without you. Why do you think they wanted you to use your nen on them?” Morel countered.

“Because they're stupid,” you sniffled out.

He had to stop his eyes from rolling at your comment. 

“You don't get it. If you told them to jump, they'd ask how high. If you decided right now not to go through with the extermination mission, they'd walk out with you.”

You could probably murder someone in cold blood right in front of them, and they'd find a way to excuse it. Their trust in you was unwavering. It was clear they held you to the highest standard.

Yet you still couldn't see that. Believing the worst in yourself because it was how you were brought up. The trauma inflicted on you from such a young age. You had to come to terms with it eventually. You had to accept it was never your fault.

“I know who you are” he admitted.

You'd stiffened up once more.

“The things you went through when you were a kid. Don't let their teachings warp your perception on life. You are deserving of love. And you have it. That clan's been backwards for years.”

You lifted your head up. If you weren't so vulnerable in the moment, you would have snapped. Instead you'd looked scared.

“How much do you know?” you hesitantly asked.

“We had to do our research when putting together the extermination team. You weren't hard to find with the name Netero gave. They've still got your missing photo up on the hunter website. The reward is still there too.”

You would never be free, would you? Forever tethered to the ghost of your past.

“They're still looking for me. They never gave up.” It was said more to yourself than Morel. 

They were lying in wait somewhere. Or perhaps they really did forget. A part of you was grateful for the information. A heads up to be more careful. You weren't out of it yet. When this was over, you'd get rid of your nen entirely. Rid of the risk.

“The boys don't know, do they?” Morel questioned.

“No. And I plan to keep it that way.”

“You should tell them before someone else does. They're bound to find out through other means. And I doubt they'd think any lesser of you.” He tried to convince.

“... I'll think about it.”

You were reminded of Netero and how he greeted you so casually in front of them. Using a name you'd long discarded. It was only a matter of time before something else came out.

“Be easy on yourself. If it helps, I know someone who does counseling for hunters. You weren't kidding about the stuff some of us experience. I can put you in contact with them if you ever want to talk about something. The boys too. I think it'll be good for them after this is over.”

You wondered what he got in return for helping you? Was it just because, or was there something he was after? People rarely did favors without expecting something back. The only person you met who did was Kite.

“Why are you being so nice to me, old man?” 

He smiled at you as he pulled out a cigar from his pocket.

“We're all on the same team here. Besides, it can't be easy taking care of two kids. I'd say you're doing a pretty good job, though.”

He lit the cigar and took a puff, blowing out perfect smoke rings. He extended his arm out, offering it to you.

“Do you smoke?” he asked.

“No, but I could give it a try.”

You reached for the cigar, and just as your fingers grazed it, he pulled it away.

“I forgot. You've still got the boys back home. They'll get sick with the fumes.”

You internally thanked him for his hindsight. With Gon's heightened sense of smell, he'd get lightheaded in minutes. And you doubted either of the boys would appreciate it if they knew you smoked. They'd probably scold you too.

“Yeah…You're probably right.”

—---------------------

You got home later than you expected. You supposed it was inevitable you'd lose track of time. You just need a moment to process things. To cope with the decision you made. 

You mulled over it again and again. Trying to convince yourself out of it, to no avail. You looked for every possible excuse, but you could find no good reason. 

You stood in front of the small home. Unlocking the door and finally stepping inside. You could hear the two boys conversing quietly in the kitchen. You hoped you hadn't ruined their day by leaving.

“I'm back!” You announced as you approached them.

They turned at the sound of your voice. A few take-out boxes littered the table. One going completely untouched. Good. They remembered to eat.

“We saved you some. It's from that one place you said you wanted to try, remember?” Gon offered.

Truthfully, it was a way for both of them to make amends for earlier. They hadn't meant to show their disappointment. It was just hard not to when the three of you were finally spending real time together. They knew how important this was to you. The last thing either one of them wanted was stop you from going.

But every time you did, it took a toll on you. Today more than others, it seemed. You looked miserable. The circles under your eyes had darkened impossibly worse. There was an undeniable heaviness in your expression that wasn't there before you left. 

Did something happen with Kite?

“How was he?” Gon asked.

The same thing he asked every time you came back. A part of him hoping something changed for the better. That there was an improvement. But this time was different. He wanted to know what went wrong for you to be so despondent.

“He was…the same.” You said slowly. Resting your head on your hand. 

“You're not hungry?” Killua observed.

You hadn't made a move to grab your food. You always ate when you came back. Even just a little bite. Something was wrong.

“I’m just thinking.” You responded. 

“About?” He prodded.

You let out a drained sigh. Looking between both boys before deciding to just rip the band aid off. If you didn't tell them, they'd eventually find out some other way. You wanted them to hear everything from you. 

“Can I talk to you two about something serious?” you asked.

Serious usually meant bad. And judging by the way the color drained from the boys' faces, they certainly thought so. You were quick to explain that wasn't the case.

“It's about me. I think I'm finally ready to tell you everything. My life before.”

Morel was right, and you were tired of denying them reasons for your actions. Tired of leaving their questions unanswered.

“Are you sure? You don't have to force yourself.” Gon assured.

You had come this far. No going back now.

“I'm sure. The question is, will you both be able to handle the truth?”

Handle knowing and not being able to act. Their reactions to Kite offered some much needed insight. Seeing the aftermath of what happened caused a rageful vengeance in one of them. What would hearing about what happened to you spark?

“After all we've been through, you think-!” Killua went to argue, but you stopped him with a raise of your hand.

You didn't mean for it to come off like you thought they were weak. 

“I know you two are strong. I mean, promise you won't do anything rash. I don't want you getting mad or angry. Or try to hold anyone responsible. Nobody can change what happened.”

They sat in silence for a moment. You were willing to trust them with this. To finally open up under the condition that they would control themselves. It was difficult not to be alarmed with your words. What exactly did you go through?

They didn't dare speak. Fearing if they said one wrong thing, they'd never get another chance to hear you out. Instead they both opted for giving you a small nod. 

So you finally began to explain everything. How you came from a respected clan of hunters. One that was primitive for the most part. Exceptions being made only for the most valued members.

You talked about what your role was. How you were trained since infancy to be the best of the best. To be strong. To be utterly devoted to your clan. You explained that you were a prodigy. The best tracker among your peers. Your eyes more precise than Father's. You were chosen as one of three potential candidates to become the head. 

You told them about your best friend. How he was right with you in terms of trajectory. How the two of you hated each other at first. How you were able to get past your differences when it mattered. Forming a rivalry rather than a feud. 

You talked about the old man who used to give you sweets. How he made you work for them by quizzing you on trivia from his time growing up. You talked about his daughter who used to sing the kids songs. Who might've been the closest thing you ever had to a mother. Carrying around her tunes to this day.

And finally, you talked about Father Reik.

The punishments you were given for failing. For lying. The isolation. The darkness. The starvation. The hitting. The people who blindly revered him. 

All the death and suffering your clan caused. How you tried to stop it, but couldn't. The way lives were taken without a care because ‘it’s nothing personal.’ The moment you realized you didn't want any part of it anymore.

How you made a plan to flee.

How they all turned on you. 

How your little sister was murdered right in front of you.

How you hid all these years in fear of the same thing happening to you. Why you kept running away. Why you refused to fight.

To prevent the same fate from befalling them.

“I used to hold a grudge. But now I'm just glad to be away from them.” You admitted.

You could sense that your words were unsatisfactory. A feeling of disbelief washing over both boys. You forced yourself to elaborate further.

“I…I don't hate them. Despite everything they've done to me, I don't hate them. They took me in. They fed me, gave me a home. They made me strong. Strong enough to protect the ones I love.”

“They abused you.” Gon said.

He had been clenching his fist tightly. Trying his best not to let his anger get the best of him. But he just couldn't accept you’d forgiven them. That you were still making excuses for them. After everything they did to you. 

He couldn't fathom being grateful to them. Why? It didn't make sense. Could they still have a grasp on you? Or were you truly done with it all?

“Yeah. Yeah they did.” You agreed.

“I don't want to excuse their actions, but it's not something that's black and white. My people were brought up to be the best of the best. To endure the worst hardships and persevere. From generation to generation. The outside makes you weak. You start thinking instead of focusing on what's best for the clan. It's a backwards sort of thinking that takes years and years to unlearn.”

Why were you giving them your sympathy? They didn't deserve it. 

“It takes so much energy to hold a grudge. I should hate them. I should hate him. I should want them all to suffer.”

Yes you should! You should be angry! You should denounce their actions entirely! You should-

“But I don't. That doesn't mean I forgive them. Just being far away from them is enough.” 

Your words were soft. The tone immediately snapping him out of his harsh thoughts. He promised he wouldn't get mad. That he wouldn't try to hold anybody responsible. He promised to be passive and listen. Yet here he was, getting worked up on your behalf. 

You just wanted peace. To be left alone. Considering everything that happened, it was the bare minimum you were asking for. And if that's what you truly wanted, then somehow he'd manage to let it go. 

“You're little sister, what was she like?” Killua questioned, diverting the subject to something lighter.

Something he'd been curious about for the longest time. The name you always mumbled in your sleep before reaching out. The girl who you completely shut down at the mention of.

Kari.

He wondered if she was anything like Alluka. If the way he treated her was anything like the bond you shared with your sister. Was he doing as good a job as you?

“She meant the world to me.”

You used your nen to conjure two small figures. One was taller than the other. They picked the smaller one up on their back.

“There are things I remember about her. Things I could never forget. Her hair was always a mess of unruly curls.”

The smaller figure sprouted curly hair. Jumping off of the taller one and proceeding to run in place. The taller one joined them, throwing its head back in what looked like laughter.

A silhouette very reminiscent of you.

“I tried brushing it out once, but the comb snapped in half. She said she was tired of her hair not doing what everybody else's was. After the third comb, I convinced her she didn't need to look like anybody else. That I loved her the way she was a thousand times over any approval from our peers.”

That sounded like you. Encouraging and soft when you wanted to be. Good to know that hadn't changed over time. But maybe a small part of the boys ached that they hadn't been the only ones on the receiving end of your affection. 

The two figures sat down. Little fingers folding into signs Killua could not read. 

“Her eyes were a light brown. So light, they were almost gold.”

The color of honey.

“But little by little, her face is starting to get blurry. And I know that one day I'll forget completely. The last thing I have of hers is our promise. What remains of her aura.”

Your promise not to fight. And you were willing to break it for them.

“We had a list of goals we wanted to do once we left the clan. Get a dog. Get a house. And ride a Ferris wheel. Stupid, but hey, we were five and seven. To us that meant a life well lived. I only lasted this long because I wanted to live for the both of us.”

You really loved her, didn't you?

A dejected feeling settled in both boys. Would either of them ever hold a candle to your sister? It looked like she took up your whole heart, leaving minimal space for anyone else. She drove you forward. Did they hold you back? Did you regret crossing paths with them and having the life you dreamed of on hold? Did you-

“But now I have you two. I have purpose. And I'd do anything to keep you safe. Even if it means you hate me for it.”

No. You loved them just as much as you had loved her. 

How selfish to be insecure over someone you cared for deeply. How shameful.

Things had been out in context now. Especially your tendency to flake when things got rough. And for the small assassin, he couldn't help but feel like he was the worst. He didn't know. You just wanted to protect the both of them and he'd snapped at you. He said awful things to you. Things that he didn't know tied back to something so terrible. 

And you'd forgiven him anyway.

“I'm sor-” he tried to apologize but was cut off.

“Please don't apologize to me. I don't want any sympathy. I'm not telling you all this so you can feel bad for me. I'm telling you because I trust you. You've never hidden anything from me, so I figured it was time for me to do the same.” You explained.

There was really nothing either of the boys could add to that. You'd told them about your upbringing. Now you wanted to focus on the future. A future they promised you'd get to fulfill your goals in. Where you'd be safe to live out the life you wanted to. So instead they said-

“Thank you for trusting us.”

—-----------------------

Fun Fact #16: Y/n’s new ability is called Playtime, in which they summon two marionettes. Each composed of a full half of their nen, leaving them completely exposed to outside attacks when both are summoned. Either can be used for defense or offense. When in offense mode, the marionette attacks its opponent relentlessly despite its small stature. Being able to avoid most critical hits and move with agility. When in defense mode, the marionette is used to block oncoming attacks by switching places with Y/n. The move is called Substitution. If Y/n is able to use Substitution consecutively three times, the marionette is able to steal the opponent’s ability for one hour. They will only disappear for three reasons. Y/n unsummons them. Y/n dies. Or Y/n passes out.

Tags: @fandomhoe101 @justxiao @bekataylorgriggs @zellwa @rainbowpr1sm @shun-nie

if you'd like to be tagged please let me know

MASTERLIST

--------------------------------------

An: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

It's here, after two months. We've almost reached the end game now. Fun fact- "You can't die, I won't let you” will come back to haunt us in future chapters  😃. I just love foreshadowing don't you? Also, our fun fact of the day is a mousekatool that will come in handy later. I just don't think I'll find the space to do explain it during our next two chapters, but we'll see. 

HAPPY PRIDE MONTH ✨🌈💕

And Happy Father's Day 👔👔👔 (because let's face it, y'all are the dadiest of daddies 🤤)

[the-himawari]

A3! Usui Masumi - Translation [SR] A Body That Captures Your Gaze (2/2)

*Please read disclaimer on blog; default name set as Izumi

---

Muku: As for what you can use as reference… first off is this!

Masumi: …Shoujo manga?

Muku: Yep. You wanted to learn how to be alluring, right? I referenced the hero’s poses on the covers and frontispieces for this series…

*flips page*

Muku: Like… this one, for example. I think he looks seductive when he places his hand on his neck and stares at the heroine in front of him.

Masumi: I didn't know manga could be used not only as a reference for love, but also for these kinds of poses.

Muku: That’s right. It’s amazing, isn’t it! Ah, but it’s shoujo manga, so the heroine is shown a lot. Not everything can be used as reference…

Masumi: That’s fine. I’ll do those with Director next time.

Muku: If you’d ever like to recreate the poses, please let me know! I’ll take the pictures for you!

Masumi: Sure, I’ll ask you to be my photographer.

Muku: No problem! Ah, that’s right. I have something else that'll be helpful, so please wait a moment.

Masumi: ? Okay.

*Muku leaves*

Masumi: …

*flips page*

Masumi: I’d like to do this manga’s pose with Director.

*Muku comes back*

Muku: Thank you for waiting. I brought what I think will help.

Masumi: Is this a magazine?

Muku: That's right. I borrowed this magazine from Yuki-kun and Taichi-kun. I read it when I was doing my previous bromide photoshoot.

*flips page*

Muku: I thought this model’s pose and this actor’s gaze were charming.

Masumi: …I see what you mean. I guess these photos are alluring. They’re like your bromide that Director was complimenting earlier.

Muku: There’s more pictures of the same model on the other pages too… Ah, I know. If you’re up for it, why don’t you try taking some practise shots? You might be able to find the perfect pose that way.

Masumi: Sure. I’ll give it a try.

-pause-

*click*

Muku: …Can you tilt your face a bit more?

Masumi: Like this?

Muku: Exactly! You sure look dashing, Masumi-kun.

Masumi: … (The pose on this page has his bangs pushed back…)

Muku: Ah, Masumi-kun! Please keep that pose and throw a flirty glance. I think it’ll look more alluring that way.

Masumi: …A flirty glance? Is this right?

Muku: !

*click*

Muku: You nailed it! It’s super seductive. You look really cool!

*click*

Masumi: …

Muku: …Can you expose your stomach a bit more?

Masumi: Sure… this much?

Muku: Perfect… may I make some adjustments?

Masumi: Go ahead. …Is it alright to cover them that much? The picture’s supposed to show off my abs and all.

Muku: You put so much work into your muscles, so I don’t think you should hide them completely. But I also don’t think it feels like Masumi-kun to reveal too much!

Masumi: …I see.

Muku: Ah, I’m so sorry! It’s not like I’m the magazine’s photographer or anything. I was just blabbing on my own…

Masumi: You don’t need to apologize. I prefer if you speak your mind. I’ll remember what you told me.

Muku: Masumi-kun…

Masumi: Muku, give me more tips.

Muku: Sure thing!

-pause-

*click*

Muku: …Is this enough?

Masumi: You helped a lot. Send all the pictures you just took to me.

Muku: You got it! I can’t wait to see your magazine.

Masumi: (…I’ll show all of these pictures to her later.)

-pause-

Izumi: I don’t think I need to go shopping for anything today. That means…

Masumi: I found you.

Izumi: Ah, Masumi-kun. Were you looking for me?

Masumi: Yeah. I asked Muku to take pictures of me in different poses for the upcoming magazine photoshoot.

Izumi: Oh, really?

Masumi: Yeah. How do these look?

Izumi: Wow, these photos are incredible!

Option 1: “You sure look mature.”

Izumi: You sure look mature. The brushed back bangs look great, but your sidelong glance looks especially nice.

Masumi: You really think so?

Izumi: Yeah. My heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

Masumi: I’ll definitely do the same thing in the actual photoshoot then.

Izumi: Sounds good. But make sure to stay flexible and follow the staff’s instructions, alright?

Option 2: “The small glimpse of your abs works well.”

Izumi: The small glimpse of your abs works well. The way you’re not actually showing everything feels very you.

Masumi: Muku said that too. It’s more like me if I don’t show too much.

Izumi: I agree. I don’t know how much you’re going to be asked to show in the actual shoot… But I think this much works well.

Masumi: I got it. I won’t expose any more than this no matter what they say.

Izumi: Eh!? Please stay flexible and follow the staff’s instructions, alright!

Masumi: I will… if you say so.

Izumi: Perfect, I’m counting on you. Great, I'm relieved. I’m sure the real shoot will go just fine.

Masumi: Leave it to me. I’ll do my best on the day of so you’ll compliment me even more.

-pause-

Masumi: Here, Muku… As thanks for yesterday.

Muku: Yesterday? Ah, about the poses!? You don’t have to thank me…!

Masumi: I wanted to. Director complimented me after I showed her the pictures you took for me.

Muku: Oh, really!? That’s great to hear! In that case, I’ll happily accept this.

Masumi: …Go ahead.

Muku: Oh gosh, it’s the chocolates I like! I’m so happy. Thank you very much!

Masumi: It’s nothing. You’re the one who helped me out. Thanks, Muku.

---

previous |

[isaut]

𝒆𝒗'𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒃𝒚𝒆— diluc x f!reader. 560. drabble.

speakeasy owner!diluc and singer!reader. he has a crush.

The lights are hot. The stainless steel of the microphone is hot beneath your hand. There’s dashes of red lipstick upon the reflective metal that you don’t bother wiping away. Sweat perspiration against your brow, and you bask in the washes of applause that come with the end of your set– With the end of the night. 

You run a gloved hand over your chest, the softness of your decolletage that’s pressed up and the diamonds that rest upon it. Another round of applause alights amongst the crowd. Like a cat in sunlight, you could bask under the spotlight and the adoration for hours. 

Alas, you don’t have hours. 

“I’m afraid that’s all folks,” You respond to their cheers. Pausing, momentarily, to take a sip of the water that had been set aside for you in a scotch glass. Back to your spotlight. “Don’t want to overstay our welcome.” 

Your gaze flashes over to the bar, where the same man who hired you for the night stands behind the bar. 

“Why don’t we give it up one more time for the band?” You suggest, and are rewarded with cheers galore. “And another time for the handsome young man behind the bar who’s responsible for gettin’ me up here.” 

You send a not-unnoticed wink towards the man in question. The crowd heralds Diluc with their appreciation. You take another well-deserved sip of water during the time. 

“Maybe,” You croon, “If we tip well enough he’ll let me sing you home. With the promise you’ll come see me next week.” 

Glancing back at the band, you give them a grin. “We’ll let the band pick. Somethin’ for the nighttime, somethin’ like a goodbye.” 

Your pianist gives a few dips of notes. You smile warmly at him, then turn back. “See you next week,” You say, before the lyrics leave your lips in time with the notes. The crowd filters, as do the words to the song, and soon it’s only gentle piano filling the dim warmth of the speakeasy. 

Standing against the counter in the emptiness, only you and Diluc remain. You’ve pulled your jacket on, covering the luxury of your gown. He stands with the till open, counting out bills to give you. 

“You were really good tonight,” Diluc says, glancing up with the bills in hands. He carefully places them in your hand. “The crowd loves you.” 

“I love the crowd,” You reply, counting the bills before placing them in your purse. “Same time next week?” 

“Please,” Diluc says, the plea slipping from his lips. 

You smile, “I would be honored.” 

Diluc nods. “You have a ride home?” 

“I just live down the street,” You reply. 

Diluc’s jaw clenches for just a mere moment before he relaxes. “Still set on walking home by yourself?” 

“What’s the alternative?” You inquire, tilting your head to the side. 

“I have two legs and can walk down a street just as well as you can,” Diluc says, the till shutting with a clink. “That is, if you’ll let me.” 

You sigh, making a show of your thoughts while you rest your chin on your hand. “Alright, Mr. Diluc. Walk me home. It’s nothin’ big, is it?” 

Diluc shakes his head, despite the way his heart hammers. He rounds the corner of the bar, pulling on his own jacket as he does so. He even offers his arm to you. After all. It’s nothin’ big.