#she hates when MY dog barks but its like my dog stops after a second but yeah she also jump scares us

[hiruimiko]

think my mom telling our tenants upstairs that their dog's incessant barking is annoying her and also the other neighbors got them annoyed 😭

[thefailedabortioon]

|| Carlos de Vil & a crush • X F!Reader

warnings: n/a

authors note: it isnt mentioned who your parent is its up to you for that! mb if its messy i havent written an x reader in like an eon LMAO.

summary: carlos de vil tries to deal with a crush and has his first interaction since first seeing her. (alternate title: jay is an amazing wingman.)

word count: roughly 900 words

A red ball bounced off the wall of Carlos’ and Jay’s shared dorm. Dude chased after it, tongue sticking out as he panted. When Carlos received the ball back, it’d been completely soaked in dog slobber, earning a disgusted groan from him.

“Ugh, Dude.”

“What? I don’t have hands for paws!” The Brussels Griffon retorted.

Carlos rolled his eyes and turned over to Jay, who’d recently set up a little punching bag for training. It’s all he ever came to the room to do besides sleeping.

“What am I gonna do, man? Do you think she even likes me?” Carlos had recently taken a sudden interest in a girl that’d passed by him in the Great Hall… flowing dark hair, elegant clothes (she actually managed to make the uniform look good), and her face. God, her face. Carlos could stare at her for days. She’s seriously all he’d been thinking about.

“Chillax, she probably doesn’t even know your name.” Jay realized what he’d said and stopped hitting the punching bag for a second to look at his woeful friend, “Or… she does! And she’s curious about you too!” He tried to keep his spirits high and uplifting, surprising behavior for the guy if Carlos was being honest.

“I’m doomed.”

“Just talk to her, you coward!” Dude yipped, beady black eyes piercing into Carlos’ own. “You need to get to know her name first before you start thinking way ahead, you know?!”

Jay cut in, “Wait, you don’t even know her name?!” He cackled, running his both hands through his hair in amusement.

“Shut up! Oh my, God!” Carlos threw a pillow towards Jay, hiding his face behind his hands.

“It’s pathetic. Really!” Dude barked out, making biscuits on the pillow Carlos threw at Jay.

Carlos turned to his side, facing the wall. He hugged himself tightly, crossing his arms over his chest for comfort. He brought his knees down, letting his legs hang from the foot of the bed.

It didn’t take a while for Jay to finally take pity on him. He sat beside Carlos on his bed, muscular arms resting behind his back. “Sounds to me you really… like her.” If it wasn’t any more obvious. Jay snickered to himself. “What if I lend you a hand?”

At that, Carlos immediately shot up. “What?! What’re you going to do?! Talk to her?!”

“No, you idiot! You’re talking to her.” Jay said with a smug smile. Carlos wasn’t too fond of the idea, what if he messed up? What if the wrong words slipped out? Everything and anything could go wrong!

“No. No! I can’t! She’ll hate me!”

“Carlos.” Jay pulled Carlos to face him, hands gripping his shoulders, his eyes dug deep into Carlos’ own, staring back intensely at two circles of brown. “Man. The hell. Up.”

The other let out an exasperated groan, pulling away from Jay’s grip to let himself fall back flat on the bed.

It shouldn’t have been that hard, right? Jay had already given Carlos a set of questions he can start off with, scribbled messily on the palm of his hand. So the conversation can go smoothly from there.

He turned to look at Jay who hid in a potted plant not too far behind, an earpiece tucked under his long hair. Carlos also wore an earpiece, a lot more visible than Jay’s but it shouldn’t matter.

Jay gave Carlos an assuring thumbs up signal as he ducked down in the leaves.

Carlos took a deep breath, raising a fist to knock against a dorm room, when suddenly it swung open violently, revealing you. The De Vil boy had nothing to say, words getting stuck in his throat.

You both continued to stare at each other before you finally broke the awkward silence. “Uh, can I… help you?” You asked tentatively, fixing your hair at the sight of a visitor.

“Ah- Y-Yes! Uhh…” Carlos swallowed a large lump in his throat, eyes darting back and forth towards a large potted plant and the girl that stood before him. Her. “I’ve… I’m sure I’ve seen you around before, I never c-caught your name though.” He finally spoke, peaking not-so-discretely at his palm.

You gave him your name uncertainly, “And you are…”

“C—“

You cut him off abruptly with a snap of your fingers, “Carlos De Vil! Yeah, I’ve heard of you.”

Carlos winced, “What have you heard about me exactly?”

“Oh, uh…” You hesitated in answering, fidgeting with your fingers, “Not much. You play Tourney right? You’re on the team?” Carlos lit up at the mention of the sport.

“Yeah, yeah! I play! Do- Do you?”

“Um, they don’t allow girls on the team.” You smiled sheepishly and god, did Carlos almost faint on the spot.

“Right…”

“Is that it?”

Carlos paused, dusting his clothes off and straightening up. “Yeah- That’s- That’s all.”

You tilted your head to the side in curiosity, as if waiting for Carlos to say more, but you shrugged and closed the door behind you, excusing yourself. “It was nice talking to you. Bye.”

You shot him a grin, and you could swear his cheeks started turning pink. A giggle only left your lips as you walked past the boy and a mysterious potted plant that suspiciously had a familiar beanie thrown over it. But you paid no mind and strolled away. Cute.

requests are open!!

[marshmallowprotection]

Can you please write a one shot on vet yoosung having to deal with a patient like this guy

"Dr. Kim, you should be warned, the patient today was listed as a bite warning."

"I'm sure we can handle him. He might just be anxious at the vet. It's no problem! I'll take it at his pace so he doesn't feel crowded. I'd hate to feel cornered when I don't feel good and I can't communicate why that is, too! Is it the mastiff from last time? He wasn't as bad as they'd claimed, you know! He just needed some belly rubs before he turned to butter."

"Dr. Kim, I'm starting to wonder if you're afraid of any animal at all!"

Yoosung chuckled. "No, no. Of course not. I don't have anything to be afraid of! Animals can sense your anxiety, you know. That's one of the first things I learned before I even got far into my studies. If you're as calm as you can be, they'll feel better about trusting you. It isn't clear cut and perfect, but it does make a difference in my experience."

"You might be surprised with this guy."

"C'mon, how bad can he be?"

The nurse nodded and went to wet the patient from the waiting room. It wasn't long before she turned with a crate that was filled with the howling and growling of a dog. Yoosung noticed that the nurse was wary, trembling as she went to the unlock the crate and free the beast from his cage, but he offered her his hands.

She took that offer in an instant and took a step back so he could do it.

A fraction of a second later, a Chihuahua burst out of the crate and began to bark at him in incredulous speed. He didn’t seem happy to be at the vet, that was for sure, but the rate at which his body was shaking was bound to make anyone assume he was filled with rage the likes of which no human had ever seen. 

Yoosung knew what most people assumed when they saw a yapping Chihuahua. They expected to see a dog that wouldn't stop trembling or howling in disgust. Frankly, a quick Noogle search would tell them that the reason why their dog was responding the way it was because they were overstimulated, overwhelmed, or cold.

They weren't filled with anger nine times out of ten.

He knew these animals weren't filled with rage, and it was sad that most people were afraid of them for that reason. He had to imagine that it would be frustrating to be a small dog, constantly poked and prodded as if you were nothing more than a toy, and anyone would angry after being treated that away—even if you didn't want to be. 

The Chihuahua yipped at him but Yoosung was patient. He took a seat in front of the dog and kept his hands to himself, seeing how long it might take his patient to get the barks out of his system with the space to do what he needed to do. He knew that wouldn't be all the comfort the dog needed to feel better, but it was a start, and he wasn't the type to rush an appointment if it wasn't an emergency to start with!

"Hey there," his voice was gentle as the dog continued to shake and tremble. "We've got plenty of time to figure out what's wrong, little guy. I won't poke and prod you until you establish your comfort level. I don't like going to the doctor, either, but the least I can do is make the trip less cold."

The growls continued. 

This wasn't his first rodeo with an animal that wasn't comfortable. But, this was assuredly the first time he interacted with a tiny dog that clearly hadn't had its boundaries respected. He knew what that felt like... and it wasn't fun to have his buttons pressed until he felt cornered!

Undeterred, Yoosung continued, "I would give you treats to help you feel a little more comfortable, but for us to run the test today, you can't have anything to eat. But, I promise if you let me take care of the scan, I'll give you something fresh to eat. Your owner said we could do anything to make sure it was comfortable for you if we could and I bet a plate of chicken will do the trick, huh, little guy?"

Quietly, he offered his hand to the Chihuahua. Most people would have expected the dog to bite them on impact, but he didn't let any fear show on his face. "Don't worry, I won't grab you without asking first."

He was somebody who took care of animals for a living, and he knew that showing fear over a bite or a scratch wasn't worth it. He could take it, and he would rather take it if it meant they trusted him fully instead of feeling like nobody listened to them. It took a moment, but the dog sniffed his hands, and the growling suddenly subsided with it. 

A smile appeared on Yoosung face as he let the dog nuzzle its face against his hand. "There we go, that's much better, huh? Let's get you taken care of so you can go home and eat to your hearts content all night long, hm?"

"Dr. Kim... how did you do that...?"

"Simple! I let them decide that I'm trustworthy on their own before I go poking around. They're just like you or me, you know? That's what I told you before. Patience helps."

[ink-flavored]

P&J: Hate the Sin, Not the Sinner

I just realized I've never posted a full excerpt of Pride & Justice here before. Clearly this is a mistake that must be corrected. warnings: generic patriarchy and misogyny P&J Taglist: @elegant-paper-collection @auroblaze @zonnemaagd you can also read this on my neocities site!

Like wandering in a dream, Pride paced the little dirt path that wound around the grassy field. Humans went about their little human tasks, the human spawn shrieked and ran around the brightly colored plastic castle. They didn’t notice him, their eyes clouding with a convenient fog of forgetfulness when they tried. Pride swung his tail side to side while he aimlessly walked, painting a curious arc. He hadn’t been to Earth since… how long had it been?

A human man stomped down the footpath toward him. A deep scowl marred his face, leash clutched in a tight fist, attached to a bouncing straw-colored dog that couldn’t have been happier. The closer he got, a tingling sensation on the tip of Pride’s tongue grew. Appearing out of nowhere, a tart flavor washed through his mouth, puckeringly sour and saccharine sweet all at once. Pride grinned through the overwhelming taste, relishing a feeling long unfelt. The taste of the sin of pride, and a soul that needed a bit of a nudge down the stairs.

Pride stopped walking. The human approached, marching along with his dog, oblivious to the demon lying in wait. The closer he got, the stronger the sharp taste of his uncommitted sin. As if he wasn’t there at all, the man stalked right past Pride, not even sparing him a glance. Pivoting on his heel, Pride followed until they were step-in-step, until the smoke curling off his horns tickled the human’s nose. No reaction to that either. Pride forgot how fun it was to be able to hide in plain sight.

“Alright, buddy,” he said, giving the man a friendly clap on the shoulder. “What’s going on?”

For a split second, the man looked bewildered to be addressed. Pride pushed out with his tendrils of influence, latching onto the potential to sin that radiated from his soul. The confusion evaporated as his eyes flashed a crimson red, matching the glow of Pride’s and the flickering flames of Hell.

“Trouble in paradise,” the human grumbled, talking to him as if he were an old friend. “Can’t get two seconds into the weekend before my wife starts bombarding me with a list of chores to do.” The dog trotting at his heels whined, tugging on its leash. He made a harsh noise and pulled it back.

“She wants you to do chores?” Pride repeated. “After everything you do for the family already?”

“That’s what I said! I work all goddamn week to provide for my goddamn family—the least a guy can do is get a break every once in a while.”

“It’s awful that she can’t see everything you do for her. For your kids.”

“The kids—that’s another thing. She said I need to be spending more time with the kids, but how am I supposed to do that when she’s giving me all this extra work? I’m in the office enough as it is. For the family.”

“Isn’t that enough? You’re putting a roof over their heads, aren’t you?” 

“Not sure who’d be paying the bills without me, I’ll tell you that.”

“Exactly. And she’s not grateful? She wants you to do more work?” Pride clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “You’re not getting the appreciation you deserve, my friend.”

The dog barked, low and aggressive, tugging back on the leash again. “Hey!” the man barked back. “No, Butterscotch, sit.”

Butterscotch did not sit, stopping in its tracks and growling. Pride jumped in front of the human, putting space between himself and the animal that was too smart for its own good.

“You want to know what I think?” he asked, and the man faced him with rapt attention. “I think you should tell her everything you’re thinking. You’re the reason they have it so good. You don’t deserve to be treated with all this disrespect.”

“You know what I think?” the man asked in kind, digging his phone out of his pocket. “I think I will.”

And oh what a sweet thing it was for a sin to be realized and acted upon, to see a soul condemn itself in real time. Pride grinned ear to ear.

“And hey,” he said, leaning in to make one last suggestion, “just between us?”

The man paused, watching him intently. His dog barked and tugged.

Pride put a hand to the side of his mouth and pretended to whisper. “She’s kind of a bitch.”

Butterscotch tore free of its leash and lunged for him. Pride jumped off the path into the grass and snapped the cord of his power short. The red glow vanished.

Phone pressed to his ear, the man stopped seeing him, eyes clouding once again. The dog continued to bark up a storm, but aimlessly, unable to find the target it once despised. It wheeled all around searching, until the human jogged over, empty collar and leash dangling from his fist.

“Come here, Butterscotch,” he scolded. Butterscotch dashed to his feet, whining and hopping on its back legs. The man wrestled the collar back on, phone pinched between his ear and shoulder. “Yeah—I’m still here, honey, the dog got loose. ”

Pride slipped away, a new spring in his step. It had been so long since he flexed his muscles up here, face-to-face with potential sinners. All he had to do was convince them their worst instincts were good ideas, and suddenly there was nothing even God could do to stop them. It wasn’t even that hard. He forgot how much fun it was to urge them into their egos, to be the whisper in their minds, and disappear without a trace. As far as they knew, he never existed.

The plastic castle squatted in the distance, crawling with humans and their offspring. Teeming with potential, if Pride had to guess, for sins of all kinds. And as the root of all sin himself, how could he possibly refuse?

[ipsen]

Blank Canvas 12

Read on AO3. IT'S OUT also bumped up the rating to explicit just to not have to deal with the hassle. cw: sexual content, implied sexual assault Summary: Fireworks. Word Count: 8097 Chapter 11 Chapter 13 Master Post

Kaneki stood in front of the door to his and Takatsuki’s room, trying to psych himself up. If it didn’t work out, he could always sleep in Ayato’s room. So he should just go in there and say it.

Sen Takatsuki, you are the most amazing person I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. 

Not bad, but not clear.

Sen Takatsuki, you are the reason I started posting my art in the first place; I wouldn’t be here without you.

Scrap that one. Also still vague.

Sen Takatsuki, I love you.

Explicit. Straight to the point. Wholly unambiguous. Easy. Right?

His hand stopped short of turning the doorknob.

He couldn’t do this. No, he shouldn’t do this. Yes, ‘get it over with so you can move on’, but wasn’t the mystery part of the appeal? It wasn’t like things were going to change drastically if he said it. Shiono didn’t know what he was talking about; Sen Takatsuki was not head over heels for Ken Kaneki, because Ken Kaneki was a— was a burden.

There, he said it. He was a burden, and he had no value and all the people around him were just a bunch of idiots pretending like he wasn’t. What did he have to offer? Nothing, that’s what. He had nothing. He was nothing. He hadn’t grown a bit from that skinny, scrawny boy who no longer begged for seconds.

And yet.

He stared at his hands, at all the years of washed out graphite and spray paint and watercolors and so, so, so many ideas. This pose, that pose, the lighting of that place, the atmosphere of this sector, idea after idea after idea— all channeled through his fingertips as Haise Sasaki.

Haise was the one who would be on the cover. Haise was the one Takatsuki chose. And Haise was…

Kaneki took a deep breath. He could do this.

He twisted the doorknob and entered.

Takatsuki was leaning against a pillow on the headboard and reading using the lamplight on the dresser. She’d changed out of her day clothes and wore a fluffy white bathrobe in its place. Her lion’s mane of hair was wrapped up in a towel. A quick shower? It was plausible, given the day’s activities. He imagined her, completely stripped down, the water pouring out and streaking down her face and body and how envious he was and he was going to stop imagining it now.

She was mid-page turn when he came in, and when she looked up, she smiled widely. Dangerously. “Not a fan of fireworks either?”

He returned the gesture sheepishly. “Not really, no,” he admitted. “I feel bad for the pets. Growing up, Hide had a dog that always barked and whined whenever they went off in the neighborhood.”

Maru was a scared shiba dog that always hated fireworks festivals. An absolute sweetheart at every other part of the year, but the moment there was a loud explosion, he was set off into a flurry of high pitched cries that tore Kaneki’s heart into pieces. His aunt had always hated him for that.

“Poor thing,” Takatsuki said in contrast. “Their hearing’s a lot better than ours, so I bet their ear drums are shot by then.”

“Mhm…” Kaneki leaned on the doorway, arms folded to try and look… aloof? Cool? But then he stopped, feeling stupid, and closed the door behind him. “Uh, how— how about you? Why don’t you like fireworks?”

“A long time ago, after a night of fireworks nearby, I had the privilege of witnessing a pile of bloody feathers scattered on the sidewalk.” She shrugged. “Didn’t find the body, but it was still pretty nasty.”

His expression softened. “I’m sorry.”

“For what? You didn’t do anything.”

“N-No, but… It’s sad hearing about that.” He played with the sleeve of his shirt. “You shouldn’t have had to see that.”

“Then I suppose a thank you is in order.” Takatsuki studied him briefly, then patted the space next to her. “Stay a bit?”

Gladly, he didn’t say out loud. He crossed the room and sat on his side of the bed. He didn’t want to make any assumptions. Wait, actually— “I-I should shower!” he said, shooting back up. “I don’t— Um, I sweated a lot today!”

There was a pause. She wet her lips. “Yeah, that’s true.” Her voice was smaller than usual.

He tried to ignore that as he got some fresh clothes. Okay, once he was done, he’d confess. Just blurt it out.

Kaneki shut the bathroom door and twisted the shower handle.

Or maybe he should lead up into it? ‘I have something to tell you’ was a good way of starting. She’d listen to that. Oh, but then she’d be looking at him! That would mess him up. Okay, what else, what else…

He scrubbed his hair with shampoo.

Pass her a note? It wasn’t very confrontational, and he could maybe… No, that was ridiculous!

Conditioner and water swirled around the drain.

Think, think! What would Hide or Touka do? Well, Hide might just grab Takatsuki’s hands and confess— far bolder than anything Kaneki was willing to try. So no.

The shower turned off, and he spotted a second fluffy white robe.

As for Touka, she might have a gift ready or a hug, as well as a hard statement that made her feelings obvious. Kaneki had nothing of value to give. Also no.

He felt the fluffy material between his fingers, and set his clothes aside in favor of the robe. He did put on his underwear, at least; an accident was always possible.

Okay, how about this: he would open the door, like so, and then—

He saw Takatsuki undo the towel restricting her hair. The locks spilled down her back and over her shoulders, still wild, but a bit more weighted. Like how leaves bent when dew slid down their midrib. She took off her glasses and rubbed them with her sleeve; some water had apparently got on them. After she put them back on, she fluffed out her hair again and went back to reading.

Kaneki’s jaw hung open, all half-baked plans evacuating the premises. “Wow…”

She glanced at him. “What was that?”

“Nothing!” he replied a little too quickly. “Nothing…”

He made his way around the bed and sat on the edge, same as before.

She raised a brow. “I don’t bite, Haise.”

“I know, but—“ Kaneki’s gaze flicked around the room. “I just, well—”

“At least get under the covers.” She smirked. “Or is a futon just that much better?”

“A-Ah… I just didn’t want to, um…” He rubbed his chin lightly. “I wanted to give you your space…”

“In a king size bed?” She looked at him. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

“N-No, not at all! I think you’re very smart—” way smarter than me— “I just… I, uh—”

Takatsuki laughed, cutting him off. “I was joking. If you don’t want to explain yourself, I can’t force you. But still, the invitation stands.”

He hesitated, but climbed under the covers from the opposite half, still trying to stay as close to the edge as possible.

Don’t push her away, okay?

… With some effort, Kaneki scooted a bit closer to the middle. She seemed to derive some amusement from his little struggle, chuckling as she turned a page. He rubbed his neck, embarrassed, then saw what she was reading: her copy of The Metamorphosis. Wait—

“It was near your beloved futon for some reason.” She smirked. “I wonder why.”

He tittered. “S-Sorry…”

She swatted away his concerns. “What did I say about unnecessary apologies?”

“Don’t do them…”

“Exactly. Besides, I’m curious to hear your thoughts now; you’ve read this before, haven’t you?”

He nodded slowly. “You know me so well.”

“I would hope I do.” She closed the book and set it aside. “So? Anything new?”

Kaneki, grateful for the familiar territory of literary analysis, thought for a moment. “Well… It was a little strange.”

“How so?”

“I didn’t feel the same way I did when I first read it.” He scratched his head. “I guess… Growing up, I used to feel a sort of kinship with Gregor. The way he wants to continue to please his family, even when his new form prevents him from doing so, how his good intentions make everything worse…” He stopped, realizing what he was implying. “I-I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be dumping this on—”

“It’s okay; keep going.” Takatsuki leaned forward on her knees, her eyes glinting with some of the lamplight.

“But it’s not exactly—”

“Haise.” She stopped him. “I don’t mind.”

“Well, I—” He laughed. “I-It’s a little embarrassing to say now…”

She cracked a smile. “We could make a guessing game out of it. I guess, and you tell me yes or no.”

“Haha! N-No, no, I… I can do it.” He wanted her to know too. He wanted her to see. He cleared his throat, and continued. “I… think I’ve mentioned how I was raised by my mother, then some relatives after she died?”

A nod.

“I was… never really treated well. By either of them.” He rubbed his arms subconsciously, nursing bruises that had long since healed. “Whether it was being left alone for hours, or being berated for trying my best at anything— I was shunned for no reason except the fact that I was me. I… I was an inconvenience.”

Her expression was soft, like velvet, watching him tremble under the weight of admission.

“That was why I gravitated toward Gregor’s actions; I saw hope for myself in his vermin form, because at least one of his actions was beneficial to his family. Because then… maybe I could be useful too.”

“Haise…” Takatsuki whispered, reaching out for him.

He held up his hand to stop her. “I, um, don’t think that anymore, by the way.”

“Still.” She moved past the gesture and touched his shoulder. “May I?”

Kaneki looked at her hand, then nodded.

She came closer, and he met her halfway. Her hand glided across his back, and he reciprocated. He quietly rested his head on hers, arms across backs and hands on shoulders, as they stared out at nothing together.

“When I read the story again last night, I didn’t feel the same way,” he continued. “I wasn’t as comforted by Gregor’s family smiling and laughing after he died. I couldn’t— I couldn’t believe how they just left him like that, instead of actually helping him.

Takatsuki’s eyes shone as they focused sideways on him.

“The real tragedy of Gregor is that he never realizes he’s actually been alone the whole time, even when he dies. And I guess…” his gaze flicked over and met hers, “I’ve recently realized I’m not alone.”

She didn’t hold the connection. “I-Is that so…?”

“Y-Yeah…” He faced forward too, clearing his throat again. “Yeah— Oh! How about you? Anything… Anything new?”

A chuckle. “Fair is fair, I suppose.” She traced a path on the book cover with her free hand, watching her invisible handiwork. “To me, The Metamorphosis is a warning.”

Kaneki hummed. The cautionary tale approach— one of many fascinating ways to interpret tragedy.

“Like you said, Gregor’s function in the family is his job. Without it, he and his family would have no income, and they could no longer live in their house. He continues to slave away at said job because he doesn’t want to let down his family.

“However, as it becomes more and more apparent that he won’t be transforming back, his family begins to resent him, and in the end, when he dies, they are apparently much happier for it. The whole ordeal doesn’t even seem to affect them once it’s over. Like a bad dream: wake up, sigh in relief, and it’s over.

“So the question becomes: did they love him at all? Or did they love him because it was convenient?”

Kaneki looked up toward the ceiling. The Asaoka family hadn’t loved him— he’d made peace with that for a while now. But those first few months with them had been a sense of desperately needed normalcy, where he was treated like a person and he could take his mind off his mother for a bit.

However, once his test scores began rolling in, and his aunt saw they were twice as high as Yuichi’s, that normalcy fell apart. He was no longer a part of her family; he was his mother’s shadow, come to haunt her from the grave.

“Gregor and his family make the same mistake of equating ‘love’ with ‘contribution’. Love can certainly cause contribution, but contribution doesn’t connotate love. Like squares and rectangles.” Takatsuki sighed. “Love is a choice. We choose who we love based on who they are, not because of what they can do. And it’s our choices that define us in turn.”

“Our choices define us…” Kaneki repeated softly, then realized something. “Is that why you call me Haise?”

She smiled slightly. “Mhm.” She shifted away from him, and he felt a little cold. “Ken Kaneki is a fun name, I suppose; the character for ‘cut’ or ‘study’, and the same characters as Kanagi, Dazai’s hometown. But it isn’t something you chose; it was chosen for you. Birthdays, birth names, biology— none of it is actually ours. It’s someone else’s will forced upon us.”

He blinked. He’d never thought of it that way. Then again, he had never thought about it at all. His name had always been his name, albeit one given to him by someone that spent more time at her office than with him.

“‘Blood is thicker than water.’ I hate that phrase, and everything it stands for,” Takatsuki continued, scowling. “Why should I care for the circumstances of my creation? Why are those more important than the choices I make because of them? In spite of them? It’s ridiculous, and it bogs down anyone who subscribes to it.

“We never asked to be born. Never asked to live. So why should we respect the people who make us?” She scoffed. “It’s fucking psychotic to think I should favor someone who didn’t actually do anything for me.”

Kaneki looked at her, somewhere in between stunned and fascinated. “So, then, when you wrote The Black Goat’s Egg, the ending was a warning. The double suicide between the mother and son wasn’t supposed to be some tragically beautiful declaration of how one was the only person to love the other, but a cautionary tale on choosing blood on the basis of blood and not deeds.”

“Exactly.” She smiled. “Exactly, Haise. Societal expectations are just so… constricting.”

Expectations… What a heavy word. It was what people wanted from you, what you wanted from yourself. It was the impossibly high image strangers had of you, the bitterness of anonymity… It was made to seem like everything.

Kaneki had always played to others’ expectations, had always danced to someone else’s tune. Even the positive things were born of wanting to please others. From escaping the Asaokas with Hide’s help, to Touka dragging him to learn judo and work at Anteiku, to Rize’s alluring gaze and fateful approach— all reactive circumstances, none of them really of his own making.

Except one.

He hadn’t met Takatsuki yet, so she could not request him to start expressing himself through art, through stories— like how she expressed herself through words. It was one of the few decisions he could truly call his own. In drawing, he could truly feel… free. Free to be himself. Free to express himself.

“Yes,” he breathed. “Yes, they are.”

He always felt like he was pretending, even around Hide or Touka, and he felt horrible for it. For once, he’d just like to be himself, and only his art could truly express that.

Yet, when he put it out there, people still misinterpreted him. Still defined him as something he wasn’t. Though he was glad they had their own interpretations, some beyond his wildest dreams, he still didn’t feel seen. Though maybe that was too presumptuous; the world was so large, and he was just one person living in it.

But Takatsuki had found his art. Called him skilled. Thought him good enough to handle her words properly. Saw him. Him, who saw her in return.

“Um, Takatsuki…” he said.

“Yes, Haise?” Her tone was as tender as a wound.

Kaneki dropped his arm back to his side, feeling colder for it. “I’ve… been keeping something from you.”

Her brow furrowed. “Okay…”

He took a deep breath, then fetched the folder with Noroi’s files in it. He pursed his lips, his grip on the folder just as tight. “I… In Cochlea, when I was alone with Donato, he told me something about you, and I…” He passed the folder over, ashamed. “I haven’t opened this one, but— but I know about the 8th ward. About… About Noroi Takatsuki. And Kasuka Mado.”

She took it, her expression suddenly blank as she looked inside. Noroi’s profile was on top. “So you knew,” she said, all warmth gone. “All this time, you knew?”

“I-I did. And I’m sorry.” He moved so that he was sitting on the edge of the bed and, more importantly, had his back to her. “I shouldn’t have gone behind your back like that; I shouldn’t have let Donato sway me like that, especially after you warned me. I just…”

He trailed off. Just what? What came out of him finding out about this? What purpose had he served by breaking state law to obtain these files? He just…

“I just…” Kaneki’s hand curled into a fist over where his heart was. “I wanted to know more about you.”

He didn’t need to turn around to know Takatsuki’s eyes were watching him. The silence was as heavy as concrete, so thick he might break under the weight. Did she hate him now? Was he going to get fired? Would she report him? It would be so easy for her to; it wasn’t like he could fight back. Her word against his was not a contest, but an everyday slaughter. He had been doomed the moment he opened his mouth.

But no such thing happened. “How’d you do it?” came her first question.

“I got a copy of Donato’s file myself before we examined it together,” he confessed. She deserved to know. “Hide and I went through it and found out about the 8th ward.”

“Hide?” Her brow furrowed. “Your manager?”

Why did he say that? “W-Well, he’s actually just my best friend, not really my manager, but he’s the one who got the file for me. A-And I… He’s always been the investigative type. I wouldn’t have known where to start…”

A hum. Good or bad, Kaneki didn’t know.

“H-He can keep a secret!” he added hastily. “He’ll take it to the grave, I promise! Please don’t hurt him!”

“I won’t.” He heard her close the folder and slide it back over.

Kaneki heard her fling the blanket off and walk until she was standing in front of him. He elected to continue staring at the floor instead of up at her face.

“Why did you stay?”

An easy question to answer— in his head. He reached for his chin. “I-I was—”

Takatsuki grabbed his wrist and threw it away. “Don’t fucking lie. Why did you stay? You could have reported me easily; lots of people in the business would jump at the opportunity to see me fall. The execs might have even been on your side if you played your cards right. If you succeeded, you could’ve even piggybacked off my failure and replaced me, working independently like you want. So why not?”

Now he was confused. “Why would I do any of that?”

That sounded more like cheating than anything. Using public perception of someone else’s failure to bolster his own image? That was just building on a brittle foundation. He would walk on eggshells for the rest of his life. Plus, it didn’t feel right taking advantage of Takatsuki like that.

“Why would—?!” It was apparently the last thing she expected. “Why wouldn’t you?!” She stepped back and gestured to herself. “I’m a murderer, don’t you see?! I killed my Papa because I couldn’t run away like a good girl! I killed Kasuka Mado because I couldn’t dream of a world where I just walked away from the body!! What do you mean you would do nothing?! Why would you waste your time on— on me?!”

It was then that Kaneki realized it, like the final piece of a puzzle falling into place:

They were the same.

People who thought they were burdens, no matter how much they achieved. No matter how much support they were given, no matter how many perfect test scores they got, it was never enough. There were always more expectations, and the highest ones were from themselves. Because they were burdens, alone in their suffering.

So this was how it felt being on the other side. How wretched.

Takatsuki’s hands hung at her side, balled up into fists. She looked like she wanted to say something, but didn’t. Her mouth twisted shut and betrayed her, keeping it back.

Kaneki swallowed, then reached out for one of her hands with both of his. Before he touched it, he looked up at her. “May I?”

Her expression loosened ever so slightly, and she nodded.

He took it gently, guiding her closer. “The Takatsuki I know wouldn’t kill someone without a good reason,” he said, cupping her fist. “Her anger is like a welding torch. It burns hot, but thin— focused— so as to not burn things that it shouldn’t.”

He undid her thumb, then her index finger.

“She’s smart beyond my wildest dreams, and she has a huge appetite. Some days, I wonder what it’d be like to cook for such a gluttonous customer.”

Her middle and ring fingers.

“I wanted to work alone because I wanted to be someone she can see as an equal. Someone who knew as much as she did, and could help her like she deserved. I wanted to be a shoulder she could lean on, so that when she stumbled, she wouldn’t fall.”

Her pinky. Kaneki slid his hand into her exposed palm, feeling its warm and calloused texture.

“I wanted to be enough. More than enough, so that she would need me, so that she could be the best that she can be. So that I—”

He was suddenly pushed on his back, and he gasped. Before he could sit up, Takatsuki was on top of him, straddling him. Her hair slipped over her shoulder in mounds and strands, framing the edges of his vision so that he only saw her. Freckles like the stars, eyes like the moon. He felt the tingle of tears slipping down his cheeks, but they weren’t his.

“Stop it,” she whispered. “Just… stop. You’ve… You’ve been enough. You’re incredible. Wonderful. You don’t need to work alone to be my equal. You don’t— I don’t need more. I just…”

She gripped either side of his bathrobe collar, trembling slightly, and he was helpless to do anything. Or maybe, just maybe, she was trembling for him, sharing his burden— their burden.

“I just… I just want you by my side.” It seemed to take all of her strength to admit it. “Okay?”

“Takatsuki…” he breathed, unable to see or think of anyone else.

“Call me Sen.”

He shuddered. “S… Sen.”

Her smile was watery, and it was real. “Haise.”

It was enough.

Some stories liked to talk about how sweet or delicious lips could taste. Perhaps it was something in lip balm or lipstick, something from the latest meal, or maybe it was just a delirious product of the mind that the tongue concocted against its buds. Sen— Sen— had none of those things, but the pressure, the excitement, that Kaneki— Haise— felt when she pushed back was more than enough.

He wasn’t sure if he had leaned up or she had bent down, or if they had met somewhere in the middle, but all that mattered was that it happened. He had wanted this for so long, and now that it was finally happening, he couldn’t get enough.

It was clear neither of them were very experienced; their heads were tilted at awkward angles and their teeth clacked together enough times to make them laugh between breaths. Haise had forgotten this sensation, this special type of closeness. One of her hands cupped his cheek, stroking it with her thumb, while the other pressed on the bedside and supported her weight.

He wrapped an arm around her waist, encouraging her to push harder against him, feel closer. She happily obliged, leaning on his chest until he was lying down and she was on top, navigating his lips and sighs with her own.

She sunk down until her chest was pressed flush against his, albeit through the fluff of their robes. It crossed his mind to tug on her belt, implicitly ask if she wanted to go further, but his hands went higher and embraced her instead.

Sen had other plans. She pulled back slightly to put one hand on his stomach, gently running it up and down the shape of his chest. He shivered at the pressure, hungrily kissing her all the while. Did it feel good? It should. He should. He knew he should, but something was wrong.

Sen’s tongue pried open his mouth and slid in, and it was like shattering a dam. Kaneki gasped.

(The slimy tentacle probed his mouth, and it slapped away any attempt to reciprocate. It filled him when he yielded, blocked his airways without a care, and he tried to suppress the urge to gag while she took her pleasure.)

The memory of someone heavier on top of him flashed through his mind like the sun across his vision. The softness of the bed was suddenly sucking him in, threatening to swallow him whole, and he panicked. Tight chest, shriveled lungs, and horror. He ripped away in an instant, pushed Sen away, and suddenly found himself on his feet.

(He couldn’t say anything. He shouldn’t say anything. With the way she bit him, punished him, for pushing back, he knew that much. She took and took and took until he was empty, because that was how it should be.)

Kaneki clutched his chest, focusing on a spot in the corner as he heaved for breaths he didn’t need. He… He’d forgotten about that. About those.

(She would tell him she could just eat him up. And she had. Multiple times. Over and over and over, like microwaved leftovers pretending to be fresh, until he was charred from the constant reheating. And he let her. He let her because that was what a lover was supposed to do.)

He felt sick. So, so sick. It must’ve been something he ate, he tried to tell himself, even as his head swam in violet streams polluted with his own blood.

(A beautiful red smile, corners curled upward with venom, said his name. His birth name. And like a harpy’s voice to a sailor’s ear, he succumbed, a fly to a carnivorous plant.)

He stumbled to the sink and held onto the edge for life. He brought one hand to his face and shivered. Why now? After all this time, he thought he was done. He had overcome that, with everyone’s help, hadn’t he? Touka, Hide, Enji, Kaya, and— and—

Sen. He’d pushed Sen off. Was she okay? He let go of his lifeline and looked back. She had landed safely on the bed, fortunately, a little shocked, but otherwise unharmed.

“I-I’m— I’m sorry,” he sputtered. “Are you okay?”

She took her time sitting up on the bedside, and then faced him with a small smirk. “I’m that bad at it, huh?”

He blinked, not expecting the joke. “N-No, actually, I, uh—”

“There are worse ways to be told.” She shrugged nonchalantly, then stood up to stretch.

Kaneki chuckled nervously, his hands on either side of the sink as he breathed. He stared a hole into the porcelain to gain some sense of normalcy. It wasn’t violet, it was steel. Steel was gray, colorless, a monochromatic metal. It couldn’t move except by external influence. It was not a person who pulled on your shirt like puppet strings, luring you into its trap before leaving you and making you question if it was your fault.

He suddenly felt Sen behind him, and her arms hovered around his waist. “May I?”

He took a deep breath, and raised his arms to give her more space. She embraced him and pressed herself against his back: another, warmer thing to ground him. He had always known her to be smaller than him, but when he felt the crown of her head nestle between his shoulder blades, he realized it all over again.

A beat. She snuggled into the fur of his robe with a sigh. “Do you know Kishou Arima, Haise?”

It rang a bell. An accomplished, maybe even famous, officer in the Washuu Task Force. Known for the swift apprehension of high-profile criminals such as the Skull Masks, an old gang in the 13th ward, as well as the Lantern, a high school serial killer, all while still in his youth.

Kaneki’s silence must have answered for him, because Sen continued. “I met him shortly after Dear Kafka was published. It was at my first book signing, and he made an impression.”

He felt her grip on him tighten as dusty memories reared their heads, like a knife’s edge just before it broke skin.

“Back then, I trusted Shiono about as far as I could throw him, so despite his warnings, I gave Arima my card and we met for lunch. I thought he was intelligent and interested in the same things as me. We even had similar familial situations— at least, I thought we did. We started meeting up more and more, and I thought I’d finally met someone who understood me. Someone surrounded by people, and yet all alone in the world.”

Kaneki remembered feeling the same about Rize. She had apparently (and proudly) fled her family situation, and was staying with someone while she figured out the next step. Despite that, her favorite of Takatsuki’s works, before The Black Goat’s Egg released, was The Dropped Box, which lamented the loss of parents and family. She, like him, wore a mask, and he wanted to share his true face with her, who should have understood.

“Despite both being victims of similar systems, Arima refused to compromise his duty within it to try and change it. He refused to sacrifice his precious nepo-baby privilege for what I wanted most from him. He liked the taste of leather that much. Coward.”

Kaneki… remembered feeling the same about Rize. With each thing he learned more about her, she became more impossibly distant, like a bird leaving its nest and migrating for the season. Her responses became curt, her actions biting, and a tired tension filled every conversation. Yet when they were alone, in her bedroom, she’d—

“And then one day, he just… left. Vanished completely from my life. I had to find out for myself that he transferred to a different branch without telling me. No text. No call. Nothing. I was his toy, and he, like a spoiled child, had gotten bored of me.”

Kaneki remembered sitting on the couch, static blocking all thoughts except for the fact that Rize had disappeared on him. Had she skipped town and not told him? Was she dead? Did she just hate him that much? All questions he would never get the answer to, because of a blocked number. And so, all the pain of being thrown away again turned inward. 

“Do you know how old he was?”

Kaneki feared the answer.

“Twenty-two. I was dating a pedophile in the Washuu Task Force.” Sen’s smirk sounded as bitter as gall and vinegar. “For a company that likes to ‘uphold the law’ or whatever, their members sure like to break it.”

It seemed the more he learned about the Washuu, the worse they became. Could anyone in that company be trusted with the power they had if they allowed rapists and pedophiles into their ranks? Obviously not, but if not them, then who? Or would there have to be a complete overhaul of the rules?

Too many questions with far too many conflicting answers, so for tonight, in this place away from all expectation and society, he put them aside and focused on what was right in front of him.

Ka— Haise turned away from the sink and faced Sen. “Why are you telling me this?”

She tilted her head with a smile. “Because you’re the same. I won’t pretend to know exactly how, but you’re afraid of being vulnerable again— it’s in your eyes. And when you’re vulnerable, you get hurt, but it’s only by being vulnerable that you can be loved.” She hesitated, but reached up and brushed both of his cheeks with her fingertips.

They came back wet. Seeing this, he wiped his own eyes, sniffling. “Sor—” he began, but stopped himself. “Th-Thank you…”

“Get some rest, okay?” She patted his arm. “You must be tired.”

“I-I…”

She drifted back to the bed, placing her glasses on the drawer and tucking herself in. When she switched the lamp off, the lights outside in the resort bled slightly through the curtains. In the hint of light, Haise saw that she wasn’t really sleeping; she was staring at him with half-lidded eyes. Now that he knew the nature behind all her gazes, he felt a little embarrassed, though ultimately flattered.

His ego crept out of its hiding spot, a little hesitant after being beaten back so frequently. But after Haise climbed under the covers and saw Sen’s winning smile across from him, directed at him, the hero of humility was put on vacation. The beast was allowed to feed, if only for a night.

“G-Good night, Sen,” he said with a small smile.

“Good night, Haise,” she said. “See you in the morning.”

He closed his eyes, trying to get comfortable, but something struck him before he could fall into slumber. A thought so foul and embarrassing, he wouldn’t dare utter it— under most circumstances. But perhaps his ego had gorged itself on too much and was now filling his head with terrible ideas. Or perhaps he had the feeling that, if he didn’t ask now, he’d lose his nerve and things would go back to the way they were: just coworkers.

Coworkers that knew the taste of each other’s lips, but still.

Either way, he turned over, and fortunately, there Sen was, grinning at the sight of him. “Hey,” she said.

“H-Hey…” He glanced sideways into the mattress.

“Can’t sleep?”

“N-Not exactly, but…” He hesitated. “If, um… If it weren’t— I mean, that is to say— If I hadn’t— How far would you have wanted to go?”

There was a long pause as she took a deep breath. “Promise not to laugh?”

“I-I can’t promise something I know nothing about.”

She rolled her eyes, but wordlessly turned over to the dresser and opened the drawer. She fished about inside, then picked something out and slid it between them. Haise felt it for a bit. It was a small thing wrapped in square… plastic? Rubbing it between his finger and thumb, there was a thin circular object within—

Oh.

It was a condom.

He was thankful for the cover of darkness. “Ah.” He coughed. “I, uh—”

“It’s Miza’s,” Sen hastily explained. “She, and I quote, ‘didn’t need them anymore.’”

Right. Of course. That made sense.

“Did you know she wants more kids after the twins? Psychotic behavior, if you ask me, but that’s why I—” She stopped herself, grabbed the condom, and put it back. “Never mind.”

What? Never mind what? The question tugged on his uvula, whining and complaining to be pushed past his tongue. But he held it back— for both their sakes.

“O-Okay,” he said instead, very dumbly too. “So you— with me?”

She covered her face with her hands and groaned. “Yes. With you.” Her voice was adoringly strained, even if she sounded a little irritated.

He rolled onto his back, facing the ceiling. Huh. Sen Takatsuki wanted him. She had a condom and everything. Okay, great. Now the question was: did he do something about it? Should he say something? Probably not, right? Especially after what just happened. Yet, the idea of sleeping with her was… enticing the more he thought about it. And the more he thought about it, the less he could think about anything else.

“So…” he spoke slowly, controlling himself (he was an adult, not a dog), “would you like to? Er, I mean…”

She shifted slightly. “You mean tonight?”

Was that… eagerness he detected? “I-If you want to. I just—”

“Yes,” she interrupted, flinging the drawer back open, then stopped. “If— If that’s what you want, though. I don’t want to make you just because of—”

“I-I want to!” he blurted out. “I-I-I really do, really! I just don’t— I don’t want to hurt you again.”

She giggled. “I’m made of meat, not glass, Haise.” She sat up. “But if that’s what you’re afraid of, then why don’t you be on top?”

He blinked. “Huh?”

“If you’re the one on top, you won’t be as afraid, right?” she said, grinning. “You had a claustrophobic response when I climbed onto you, so if we give you space to move around, it should be more okay.”

“B-But what if—”

Sen put a finger to his lips, shushing him. When she was sure he’d stopped talking, she lowered it. “You worry too much,” she said.

Haise wet his lips, relishing the ghost of her touch against his tongue. Just then, an important thought occurred. “W-Wait… Are you, you know… clean?”

She looked sideways, face flushing. “Actually, I’ve— never done this before. I’ve fooled around a bit, but that was a long time ago, and sex was never…”

He blinked. “O-Oh. Then, um…”

“How about you? Have you ever—”

He bit his lip. “T-Technically, I have, but I— It wasn’t so much I did it as much as I was…” He trailed off, pushing away those memories.

“Oh…” She frowned, hearing the implication.

He waved his hand. “I-I’m clean, though. I’m clean.”

She bit her lip, then held out her arms. “Come here.”

He obliged, and they wrapped their arms around each other in a full embrace. “Thank you,” he said.

She pulled back slightly, and pressed her lips against his.

This time was better. They knew more, and with knowledge came greed. He wanted this, he knew now, and as Sen’s hands felt his body through his robe, he knew it felt good.

She flicked her tongue across his teeth, asking for permission, and he gave it freely this time. They tasted each other, begging for more as she dragged him on top of her.

He tugged on her bottom lip slightly, silently asking for her to do the same. When he let go, she tugged back three times as hard, wrestling a groan out of his throat. She understood. She always did.

She let go with a pop sound. “Touch me,” she whispered.

“Wh-Where—” he stammered, but she shut him up with a quick kiss.

“Anywhere.”

Okay. Okay, okay… He softly rested a palm on her breast and pushed tentatively upward. 

“Harder.”

He obliged, but only by a bit, still unsure of what she meant.

“Harder.” She was annoyed now. She grabbed his wrist and demonstrated, shocking him. “I’m not fragile.”

Alright. He repeated the forceful motion, and she gasped slightly. One of her legs wrapped around his waist, bringing him closer. He did it again, this time with the other breast. She hummed into his lips. Music.

Her hands tugged on his belt, asking the implicit question. He made an approving noise and she got to work. He broke their kiss and lunged at the crook of her neck, and she let out a pleased hum. He liked the sound, and wanted more. Oh, but he shouldn’t—

“Go on,” she gasped. “It’s okay.”

“But the others—”

“I don’t give a shit about the others.” She pressed him against her thorax. “Don’t think about anything else.”

Haise would have protested further, but Sen and the haze of lust overpowered it. He sucked on her skin and rolled the flesh between his teeth. He marked a trail from her thorax to her jawline, and she undid his belt to expose his chest.

His muscles tensed at her touch as she explored them, and he arched his back to give easier access. She pulled his robe off his shoulders, helping him out of it and throwing it away, leaving him only in his boxers. She licked her lips.

“Wow…” she uttered. “From a distance, I thought you looked good, but this is— Wow.”

So she was ogling him at the beach. His ego got another sorely needed meal. “Thank you…”

His gaze darted down to her belt, and he stopped short of grabbing it. “Your turn?”

She hesitated. “Well, I…”

“Okay.” He moved in to kiss her again, but she placed her fingers on his chin, stopping him short.

Her breath teased him as she spoke. “No, it’s okay, I’m just— nervous.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I want to.” Sen’s palm curled into a fist against his chin. “I’m… just nervous.”

“… We’ll go slow.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

Haise sat up to undress her, and she watched him work with bated breath. He slowly pushed the robe apart, exposing her bare chest and panties. She sat up as well so he could slip it off her shoulders, and there was a splash of freckles on either one.

Then, she lifted her arms out, and he saw them.

Scars.

Faded ones, yes, but scars.

Ugly, straight lines upon her wrists and forearms that discolored the skin, interrupted its smoothness with gentle humps like mountains and valleys. The areas were both too dark and too light for the rest of her, giving them an almost artificial aspect. Judging by how clean they were, how even they were, they were intentional.

He discarded her robe, still staring. So that was why she covered up all the time. All the long sleeves in the summer heat, the wetsuit— she was hiding these.

A different person would have asked about them. Maybe even tried to touch them. They would ignore the events around the marred skin, the anguish that broke it in the first place, and the berating from the self that accompanied the aftermath. They would try to disarm a bomb with a needle, hold a conversation that had happened a thousand times before with a thousand different people, and it would explode in their face. All to ask: ‘What happened?’

Haise did no such thing. He reached for her face, brushing aside stinging cheeks, choking tongues, and rusty knives, and said the one thing on his mind: “You’re beautiful.”

Sen frowned. “Haise—”

“You are.” He held her firm. “You are beautiful, Sen.”

She hesitated, but smiled slightly, rubbing her arm. “Thank you.”

He leaned forward, and her eyes fluttered shut as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. With an arm around her small waist, he let her down gently onto the bed.

He kissed her again, harder this time. Then again. And again. With each one, he felt her smile widen.

She eagerly reciprocated, taking from him just as he took from her. Such was life. Such was living, and they would live until they couldn’t live anymore. Though… maybe that wasn’t quite correct; something couldn’t be taken if it was given freely.

One of Sen’s forearms ran up his back, and the light texture of her scars sent a shudder down his spine. She liked it, and repeated the motion, drinking his moans and then streaking red lines down his back.

He pinched her nipples and rolled them between his fingers. He continually applied more force until she arched her back, and took one of them into his mouth. When he tried a similar technique with his teeth, she threw her head back into the pillow.

It was a little intoxicating watching Sen turn to putty in his hands. Oftentimes, he was at her mercy, like when she took him to yet another restaurant he’d never heard of. Having the roles reversed, where Haise was the one in control and she was the one squirming, well— he didn’t hate it.

But then her hand dragged itself up the tent in his boxers, and he nearly crumbled on the spot. She smirked, caressing him from beneath him before wrapping her hand around his length and giving a few experimental tugs.

“Good?” she asked.

He nodded feverishly, not trusting his own voice. The hand massaging her breast trailed down her taut stomach, and he looked up at her before going further. “May I?”

She kissed him in approval. His fingers slipped beneath the fabric of her panties, massaging her entrance. Before she could even utter the word, his finger entered her. When they curled, she moaned.

They sought out their pleasure as they felt each other, foreheads pressed together and breath clouding their vision. He added another finger, rubbing circles around her and pumping in and out at a steady pace. Her hands dove into his underwear, feeling the real thing, and the raw contact filled him up until all he could think about was Sen, Sen, Sen.

Her hands eventually found the waistband of his boxers and tugged on them. “Ready?” she whispered.

Haise removed his soaked fingers slowly, and she suppressed a moan as they left her. “Ready.”

He sat on the bedside as he slid his boxers off. Sen looked away at first, but changed her mind. Once the condom was on and he turned back to her, he saw her ogling the area between his legs and blushed.

“I-I, um…” He chuckled, climbing over her again.

“Mhm.” She understood as always.

“If it’s too much, let me know and I’ll stop.”

She nodded, spreading her legs. “Ready.”

He took a breath, lined himself up and, slowly, pressed himself against her entrance, stretching her out.

She gasped and clenched her teeth. “Fuck…!”

He stopped immediately. “Are you—?”

She glared at him. “Keep going.”

He did so, retracting and pushing in tandem with her breathing. It wasn’t exactly comfortable for him, either; the wall he was effectively breaking pushed against him instead of squeezing around him. But once he was fully inside, the discomfort passed and gave way to a wonderful heat.

There was a pause. Both of them took a shaky breath, staring at each other. Sen leaned up and kissed him, and he bent down to meet her. They pressed their chests flush together, breathing each other’s breath and savoring the feeling. Everything earlier was just sitting next to a fire compared to this. This was the fire itself, a roaring furnace, burning hot and cauterizing any wounds.

“Are… Are you okay?” Haise panted between kisses. He peppered a few across her jaw and left some new marks on her neck.

Sen sighed. “Yeah… Yeah, I’m okay…” She brought him up from her neck and kissed him fiercely. “Just—” she swirled her tongue around his— “new feeling… Pressure… But good.”

“I’ll… I’ll go slow…” Even as he said it, the tightness was enough to make him consider otherwise.

“N-No… No…” She wrapped her legs around his waist, guiding him deeper.

He nodded. “Okay.”

He still started slow, acclimating to her walls clenching around him, then picked up his pace before she could protest. The pressure now surrounded him, and he was free to really move.

Each slap of his hips against her came with an overwhelming jolt of pleasure. It was different from before. Sen was different, so wonderfully different. She wanted him. He wanted her. They were wanted. They were not toys, but people, fleshy and emotional and real.

She hung onto him for dear life, one arm around his neck while the other clutched his back. Whenever her mouth wasn’t kissing or sucking his neck or swearing, it was praising him and saying his name. His chosen name.

“Haise—”

His thrusts became more erratic.

“Haise…!”

His mind went blank.

“Haise…”

[ashrillvenheim]

Awakening Past Chapter 3

QUICK NOTE: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT IS SUPPORTING MY ART AND CREATIONS, THANK!!!!!!

pairing: Ashley Graham x Leon S Kennedy.

Content: (+18) romance, angst, gore, erotic/suggestive themes at some point , slow burn, violence, action.

If you're a MINOR or feel unconfortable with any of this genres, please DON'T keep reading, thank you.

Word count: to much to count (minimum of 2k-3k) :3

About: Saddler is dead, and with him the threat that was hanging over the two survivors of the island. Leon and Ashley return home with the intention of getting their lives back on track, but it’s not going to be that easy. Two years have passed since they returned from that hell and it seems that everything is back to its place, but it seems that Spain was only the beginning.

A transition from RE4 Leon to ID Leon.

WORK LIST

MASTERLIST

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CHAPTER 3

The mist came from between her lips, reddened by the cold. She walked calmly with her hands in her pockets. She looked up from the ground and whistled into the distance. A few seconds passed before two figures emerged from the bushes. One of them ran up to the figure approaching his owner and jumped on her.

“Hi Pepper! Did you miss me?”

The dog with the white spot on his face barked, as if smiling at the dark-haired woman with beautiful brown eyes. His owner smiled and lifted her golden gaze to the newcomer.

“How was your week, Maria?”

The agent turned to her protégé.

“Pretty good, although they had me running errands at the Boston base, but nothing out of the ordinary, how about you?”

“Busy, as usual.”

“You’ve got this, you are about to finish at last.” smiled the agent encouraging her.

Ashley nodded looking up at the sky that was beginning to clear.

“Yes," she paused, "two and a half years now.”Her eyes were lost in the distance and Maria watched her in silence for a few seconds.

“Is something wrong?”

 Ashley denied.

“I was just thinking that when I met you I was unable to leave my apartment without having an anxiety attack.”

Maria became concerned when she heard Ashley's tone.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you remember.”  She apologized.

But Ashley shook her head and gave a nostalgic smile.

“I'm fine, Maria. Being aware of it helps me stay focused on my goals.” she laughed, trying to defuse the tension. “Besides, I have these two to help me through the bad times.”

Mary watched her for a few long seconds and then let out a chuckle.

“You've changed a lot Ashley, James and I would never have thought you would recover so soon.”

A subtle smile tugged at her lips.

“I'm still on it.”

“Yeah, but we already lost the bet with Dana.”

Ashley arched her eyebrows in surprise.

“What bet? With Dana?”

“When I proposed you to train with her I meant it as a joke, I never thought you'd come to Boston, so James and I bet.”

Maria laughed when she saw the young girl's uncertain expression.

“I can't believe it, and what did you bet, if I may ask?”

“That after your first training with Dana you wouldn't come back.”

Ashley laughed at those memories.

“I have to admit I almost did, but since I started climbing I see things in a different perspective, maybe it helped.”

Maria sighed with a grunt.

“I still hate you for not warning me that day.”

Ashley shrugged her shoulders innocently.

“I told you I was coming to train on the mountain.”

“When a person tells you they're going to train on the mountain, the last thing you expect is to find them hanging like a monkey.”

Ashley burst out laughing remembering Maria's face.

“It was hilarious.”

“You almost gave me a heart attack.”

***

She should have given them up for adoption. 

At what point did she thought she was capable of taking care of two puppies?

She couldn't even take care of herself, for God's sake.

And of course the dogs were growing up. She'd had them at home and to tell the truth they had been a respite from her dark monotony. Their whining and barking had stopped her from shutting herself in so much, although she was still recovering from her adventure to the vet.

Anxiety attack, panicked outburst and near loss of consciousness.

Yes, it was definitely a splendid first outdoors experience after almost 2 months without going outside. 

And now she was beginning to regret not leaving them there.

Why?

10 seconds.

It had taken them 10 freaking seconds to disappear.

“Pepper!!! Mint!!!!!” she called out to them with her blood boiling. She had asked her escorts to take her to the outskirts of the city. She wanted the puppies to have their first experience with nature. 

Ah, and Katherine's words, “get your ass out of the house."

Her throat ached from screaming and her lungs burned from gasping for breath.

Where were they?

“GUYS!!!”

She looked around desperately, watching as her guards searched the other side. Her eyes watered and she surveyed her surroundings paranoid. The breeze blew causing her to shiver. 

Take a breath, she told herself clutching the stone in her pocket. 

She had lost them. She was sure, they were just puppies, they had no training. What if they came across some wild animal?

Horrible images flashed through her head.

Bodies drenched scarlet. 

Entrails strewn on the ground.

The smell of ammonia.

Her eyes snapped open.

Ammonia?

She turned her head in that direction and sniffed the breeze. Her body moved on impulse and before she knew it she was chasing that scent as if her life depended on it. Her legs burned from her lack of exercise, but she still kept going.

She sniffed again and skidded suddenly, falling to the ground with a grunt. She cursed under her breath and stood up to follow the trail. She passed through bushes and brambles, feeling hes skin tearing in small cuts.

Her mind flashed back a few moments to past memories, to her long escapes through those narrow caves infested with bugs and thorns.

Mud up to her knees and the taste of blood on her tongue.

Cold sweat trickling down the back of her neck....

She heard whimpers.

Her mind came out of that dark pit and focused on the sound. The smell of ammonia intensified. She scrambled between two logs and managed to crawl through small trees.

Panting, she came to a clearing that ended in a ravine.

Her blood froze as she heard desperate barking and ran to look down the precipice.

The air left her lungs and violent shivers ran down her back like whiplash.

The puppies had fallen to a ledge, but one of them had leaned out too far over the edge and now his brother was desperately grabbing him, keeping him from falling over.

Ashley put her hands to her head and her breathing became violent.

What could she do, should she go back and call for help?

No, they wouldn't hold on.

They'd be dead by then.

Think, think, THINK, THINK.

A shriek drilled her ears and with adrenaline pounding through her body she dropped to her knees.

She rested her belly on the edge and her legs dangled over the void.

Her inner voice was screaming, tearing at her insides, exclaiming not to go down, to get to safety, that it wasn't worth taking that kind of risk for the sake of some dogs.

Nor was it worth sending a single man to hell for her.

And he did.

The wall was vertical, if she made a false step she was pap for scavengers.

Breathe deep, very deep.

Breathe out, empty your lungs.

She took a step, putting her foot in a gap, reached down and her hand grabbed a ledge. Her muscles tensed against the dead weight.

She took a breath.

Another step.

She exhaled.

The other hand.

Filled her lungs.

Next step.

She emptied her chest.

Her rampant heartbeat pounded her chest violently, but she managed to get it to calm to a rhythm that allowed her to think.

Her body burned, her fingers ached, and she felt her skin hug with the friction of the rock.

But if she let go she was finished.

Two lives depended on her overcoming.

She wanted to cry.

She wanted to scream.

To go home.

Get under the covers...

And sleep.

And not wake up.

A stone gave way at her feet and she let out a muffled shriek.

"Focus, don't stop" a voice compelled her in her mind.

She swallowed saliva and with her heart in a fist continued to descend, controlling her breathing until she stepped on solid ground.

She glanced to the side to make sure of her support and launched herself with a yell towards the puppies. He grabbed them by the scruff in mid-air, just in time.

The little ones squealed and Ashley lifted them up to close them against her. They whimpered and barked in fear, cowering and clinging against Ashley's chest.

Tears filled the young woman's eyes and she hugged them desperately.

She almost lost them.

She had only had them for a couple of months, but she felt like they were a part of her life.

“DON'T EVER DO THIS TO ME AGAIN, YOU HEAR ME?!!!”  she screamed at them, grabbing them in desperation. The cubs whimpered and dug their snouts against their mother's neck, as if begging her forgiveness.

The three trembled for several minutes, oblivious to the thick clouds that were beginning to form on the horizon. 

An intense musty smell reached her and she lifted her amber orbs to tense.

It was going to rain.

She looked over the edge of the ledge and saw the river. If it rained, that little canyon would fill with water before they could save them. 

Her heart pumped blood and she looked up at the rock wall. She looked at her fingers with the fingertips raw from abrasion and took a breath.

It was her and only her. Her mind and her body.

She looked down at the little ones.

And they depended on her.

She loosened her hoodie from her waist and secured the dogs against her chest in a makeshift pouch.

She still had to fight.

For them.

And for herself.

***

They reached the end of the walk chatting quietly and feeling the sun's rays begin to warm up more strongly.

“I still have final exams to prepare for.”Ashley sighed wearily.

“How are you doing?”

“Fin-”

A thud sounded like a clap of thunder and Ashley turned around with muscles tensed like wires. She turned violently towards the sound with fists clenched and adrenaline coursing through her body.

“Watch out for the bars!”  a worker exclaimed. Maria watched as they lifted the metal beams that had collided with each other and then turned to Ashley, seeing her with bristling hair and dilated pupils.

“Are you all right?” she put her hand on the blonde's shoulder.

Those golden eyes turned to the woman's brown ones, for a second, a millisecond, distorting her face.

Ashley took a breath and came back to herself.

“Sorry, I haven't slept well the last few days.” she paused, calling her dogs and quickly sniffing her surroundings. “But nothing I can't make up for with a good nap.”

She gave her a broad smile, one that she had managed to perfect over time. Maria seemed convinced by the gesture, after all, she had to learn quickly to hide her shadows so that others would not see them.

“Let's go home, Narsson asked me for a couple of reports on two pieces we found on our last expedition.”

“I think you told me about it, where did you go?”

“Australia.” a twinkle flashed in the young woman's golden eyes. “It was an adventure, we had some setbacks but I learned a lot from the Aborigines who helped us, they taught me some of their songs.”

Maria laughed walking down the stairs of the park.

“Are you guys still uploading to your blog?”

Ashley smiled.

“I'm not as active as I'd like to be, but John, Sergio and Casey don't mind. They know I have a lot of work to do, but they're always willing to compose.”

“I've heard many versions of folk and modern songs that you made and you have a beautiful voice.”

The young woman smiled and shook her head.

“I do it because it's my happy corner.  When I sing I relax and I can let my feelings out. It's what helps me let off steam and get back to my activities.”

“I see.” Maria understood and added, remembering something. “By the way, Dana told me they want to check you out.”

Ashley raised an eyebrow, did they want to give her a medical check at the DSO? 

“After almost two and a half years? What do they need at this point?

“Dr. Petrov himself has requested a consult for you because of the incident.”

Her golden eyes suddenly went static.

“No one is supposed to know that, Maria, not even my father.”

“I know, that's why Dana asked me directly.”

Ashley stared at her bodyguard, this time seriously. The agent was surprised at the young woman's intense stare. They looked at each other in silence until the blonde parted her lips.

“Does he have a specific date?”

“The end of next week.”

Ashley pinned her eyes to the floor, lost in her memories, so engrossed did she seem that Maria had to rest her hand on her shoulder. Her golden orbs returned to earth.

“It's okay.” She paused to look at her dogs. “I think it's time to go home and take a bath.”

Mint and Pepper looked at her and with a synchronicity that startled them the two shook like doormats splashing the women.

“I just got it out of the dry cleaners!!!!!” Maria shouted with a sob.

Ashley laughed and ran away.

“I warned you! Come on if we get home soon we can get the stains out!

***

She slid her fingers through the silky hair of the dogs, sitting obediently in the wide tub. Ashley had changed into the worn denim dungarees she wore in the workshop.

“I've told you to stay out of puddles, haven’t I?”

Mint, his black face smeared with mud, barked, sowing his teeth. Ashley laughed, sponging his nose with warm water. She continued to groom them calmly, enjoying the company of the giant puppies. A gentle breeze blew in through the bathroom window and Ashley's hands came to a screeching halt.

That smell... it couldn't be. She sniffed the air and felt it intensify.

Katherine? It was the same scent as the doctor's but it had a different tinge to it…

A sweeter tone...

He heard the door of the portal open.

That scent... she hadn't smelled it in months.

She stepped out of the bathroom with her heart in her throat, letting the smell clear and she had no more doubts.

She pushed open the entrance and grabbed the newcomer before she had even raised her hand to touch the door. She clutched her in her arms and lifted her into the air.

“Emily!” she exclaimed with a smile.

The brown-haired, caramel-eyed girl was the spitting image of her mother.

“ Ashi! you stink like a wet dog, put me down!

Ashley laughed out loud and spun around on her heels a couple of times before setting her down.

���Someday I'll get by surprise.”

“Good luck, I noticed you from the street.”

Emily threw her arms up in the air.

“I just need you to catch a cold and that's it.”

Ashley put her hand to her chest, theatrically concerned.

“You wouldn't do that to your friend, would you?”

“Yes, if a surprise depends on it.”

“Are you still holding a grudge about my birthday last year?”

Emily's face darkened, looking at her seriously.

“You blew the whole scavenger hunt we did.”

“It wasn't my fault the wind went in that direction.”

Emily arched her eyebrows.

“You would have found it even without the wind.”

Ashley smiled mischievously.

“Totally and absolutely.”

The brunette punched her shoulder then looked down at her knuckles.

“Holy cow, I forgot how hard you were.”

Ashley laughed, pulling out her theatrical bicep.

“The beatings I get from Dana and the climbing make sure to keep it that way.”

Emily watched her laugh and her caramel eyes slid to the bracelet on her friend's arm where an aquamarine stone glittered.

“Even after more than two years you're still wearing it.”

Ashley looked at her for a moment and then realized what she meant. Her golden eyes turned to the bracelet and she ran her fingertips over the stone.

“Always.” Her gaze was lost in the memories for a few moments, smiling a sweet smile and then jokingly added. “Besides, I've had a little problem.” She subtly lowered the ornament to reveal the white line in contrast to her brown skin.

Emily laughed but still asked.

“How are you doing? has there been any news since then?” she measured her words cautiously.

“No, the only news is that Dr. Petrov wants to see me.”

The brunette's gaze softened.

“And him?”

Ashley denied, worrying her friend, but she flashed a big smile that surprised her.

“I know he's fine and that's enough.”

Her companion stared at her, analyzing her words, her gestures and her gaze, just like when she first met her.

“Are you going to give me a complete inspection to know if I'm telling you the truth?”

Emily looked at her questioningly.

“Are you?”

Ashley fixed her eyes on her with a sweet lopsided smile gracing her lips.

“I'm fine, better than I had expected. Now I can say we're even.”

Emily looked her up and down, a habit that went with her profession as she had learned from her mother, Katherine.

“Are you sure? When you came back it didn't seem that way.”

And she was right. Ashley was aware of that, her memories made sure to keep it in the back of her mind.

She thought she was fine until she found out she wasn't. And what she saw that day... What she heard...

Time. She just needed time to clarify her goals, emotions and concerns.

“So, aside from your clear love for me, what brings you here?  weren't you with your Master's?”

“Yes, I got an internship at a clinic in Springfield.”

Ashley's eyes widened immeasurably.

“We can see each other more often!”

The two women enthusiastically took each other's hands.

“Plus I think Casey, Sergio and John want to come next month.”

Ashley nodded for her to follow her into the bathroom as they continued to talk.

“They told me that they were planning a trip but didn't know when.”

Emily nodded and turned to see the two furballs in the tub.

“Oh my goodness they’ve grown so much!”

The brunette ran over to the dogs who were eagerly awaiting attention. Ashley laughed out loud as she decided to share her shampoo with Emily. They finished bathing them between the two of them, then sat down for coffee and chatted about their latest adventures. Ashley told her how she was doing with her college work and the latest trips with Professor Narsson. She had a lot to catch up on.

She still remembered the first time she saw her professor, at a seminar she taught at Boston University.

***

Ashley was having a hard time, still getting used to physically attending classes.

She was changing classrooms when a terribly familiar smell came to her.

A familiarity she was still trying to forget.

Dirt and bones.

So...why did she stop at the entrance to the classroom? why did she raise her hand to push the door?

Her eyes blinked, trying to get used to the darkness of the room, where all attention was on the dais in the back, illuminating a tall woman with curly brown hair and greenish eyes, presenting a series of fossilized objects.

Ashley's hands shook for a moment, remembering the relics of the plaga, trapped in rocks for eternity.

She swallowed saliva, ready to turn around and go back the way she had come.

“The earth hides mysteries we still don't know about. Creatures we never thought could exist, or so they thought before they found the first dinosaurs.”

Ashley paused with her hand around the doorknob.

Yes, the plagas were something out of nightmares.

That should never have existed.

“Don't you want to know what was here before we came along?”

No.

“Aren't you curious to unravel the riddles of those who came before us?”

Not if they turned out to be mind-controlling parasites.

She tightened her grip on the knob.

“Don't you think they could contribute something to our era?”

Definitely not.

She turned her wrist.

“Don't you think it's our responsibility to recognize potential threats that could endanger the people we care about?”

Her hand stopped dead in its tracks.

Could they still harm them?

Ashley turned to the woman at the back of the amphitheater. How did they know there wouldn't be more specimens of the parasites waiting dormant somewhere? 

They told her they were going to deploy a BSAA recon group to the old village grounds to make sure nothing was left there, but...what about what they didn't see?

She saw the mines, how did they know there were no more galleries? more monsters? more parasites?

“I will be giving a few more talks this week. You have the schedule on the board outside the classroom if you are interested.”

The projector was turned off and the classroom lights came back on. Ashley walked out first to stand to the side. She clutched the notebooks to her chest, watching as a large group of students exited. Her gaze was glued to the floor as she started walking in the opposite direction. Her mind wandering in memories she no longer knew if she should forget or not.

She turned the corner and stopped next to a column. She hadn't wanted to think about it, but... there could still be unknown things in those mines, couldn't there?

Her heart raced violently and he had to take a deep breath to calm her nerves.

The BSAA would take care of it, she didn't think they would let other people discover that place. But a voice, in the back of her mind, whispered shyly, as if warning her of something.

A jumble of smells came to her, making her aware of the capabilities she now possessed.

Her abnormal sense of smell, her newly acquired strength and her sudden late growth.

Something changed in her because of the plaga and that something could be of interest to anyone who knew of the existence of that village.

The existence of the fossil mines.

Maybe that woman was right.

Maybe they were still rocks that could pose a danger.

Maybe...

Or maybe not...

She slid her finger over the schedules on the board.

It looked like there would be another talk tomorrow.

***

The brunette petted the dogs and got up from the couch. 

“Well, I've got to get going, I've got work to catch up on tomorrow.”

Ashley walked her to the entrance.

“I'm glad I talked to you, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to meeting you all.”

Emily smiled broadly.

“Since you came to Amherst we haven't been able to see each other that often.”

“Yes, the truth is that it was an unexpected change of plans.”

“And so unexpected, in two weeks you changed grades, found an apartment and moved out.”

They both laughed softly, remembering the moment they met in Boston and the time they spent together.

Katherine asked Ashley to meet Emily when she still didn't want to leave home. She was reluctant to do so at first, but she turned out to be a very helpful person. She brought so many positive things to her that they soon became very good friends. Wanting to go into the same profession as her mother, she became her casual supervisor. Then she met the rest of the group soon after, when she started going to college.

“If you have any problems, call me.”

The concern in Emily's voice brought Ashley back from her memories and she smiled at her.

“Don't worry, I will.”

Emily's deep caramel eyes looked at her intensely and then she gave her a warm goodbye.

Ashley waved to her from the window and watched her ride away on the bus. Her golden eyes watched the road where some of the children from her building crossed to the other side. A soft breath brushed her fingertips. Pepper looked up at her with his big white spot around his eyes and Ashley smiled at him.

“Well, I'm going to study for a bit, you've taken up all my time with the bath.”

Pepper made a show of barking but rolled over and picked up his stuffed animal. Ashley smiled and sat at the table across the room, opening her notes. She missed seeing her group, having moved colleges following Narsson, she hadn't been able to see them.

She sighed, reading her notes and turning on the music player. She soon went into absolute concentration, only stopping if she caught a whiff of anything out of the ordinary.

She did little else for the rest of the afternoon. Maria stopped by her apartment to make sure everything was okay and as always before the agent arrived, Ashley's door was already open and she was waiting for her.

They kept telling her that she and James were practically useless in the face of surprise attacks. They had tried to catch her by surprise on several occasions but she had always been waiting for them, as if she could smell their intentions. 

She glanced up at the oven clock and sighed as she saw that it was already dinnertime. The dogs were sitting in the middle of the living room, pulling a smile from Ashley, who got up to go about her daily routine. 

Walk the dogs, eat breakfast, go to class, come back, eat, walk the dogs, study and have dinner.

Sleep and repeat.

She didn't want to say she didn't like her life, the monotony had helped put her thoughts and feelings in order, but that didn't stop her from having times when she couldn't get to sleep or was constantly alert, as if her body was receiving some stimulus.

Only when she traveled with Professor Narsson did she feel these impulses subside. Being in a different country, a place to study and learn from made her senses always alert. It tested her skills and how good it felt when she accomplished her goals with her bare hands.

But she had to get used to it by force. She sighed heavily.

Even if she had talked to Emily, her father and people close to her about some of her experiences, she knew they could never fully understand her. A small part of her still dragged all that around like a chain around her ankle. Over time it had become lighter, yes, much lighter, but she still saw in the eyes of the people around her the pity.

And she didn't like it. She didn't like being looked at as if she were a fragile doll.

And so she decided to smile and slowly move on.

A shiver ran down her back and she looked up at the open window. She stared at the street between the curtains and her golden orbs carefully investigated the trees in the park across the street. She watched the dark silhouettes for several seconds before returning to her chores.

A tingle ran down her back, along her scar. There were days when her body tingled more than usual, as if she sensed something that shouldn't be there. As if she was being watched.

There were cameras in her house, how could she not feel watched?

But she couldn't help thinking about that feeling.

It was probably her body reacting to the final stretch of the career, nothing more.

[boogie-woogie-boogie]

We had to let my dog if 13 years go yesterday, her name was Sheila and she was a perpetual old lady her whole life

She didn't like any of us besides my mom when we first got her, but for some reason we didn't want any other dog. We were on a wait-list to adopt her and were lucky enough for her to work out, but she hated kids and men. Her original name was Shayla, but we changed it to Sheila which wasn't much better. Id get in trouble as a kid for telling older women named Sheila that my dog has that name too.

Once me and my siblings got older, she started to tolerate us a lot more. She was never affectionate but she would always sit with my brother on the couch, or wait for me to go outside with her, especially after our other dog passed away. She wasn't really the same towards other dogs after mochi passed, I think Sheila liked her a lot more than she let on.

Both of my dogs deaths were drawn out and tragic, and I still wish there was something we could've done for either of them. For Sheila, it was cancer, and her being at 15 year old we realized it would be better for her to hope the lump would go away on its own than to expose her to all of the hardships of treatment. I still don't know if that was the right choice.

It's hard to watch a dog suffer. You can't explain to them what's happening, you can't tell them they don't deserve this. She stopped being able to eat or run or even really bark, she stopped being standoffish at all. I wish she had let us give her affection before all of this started, she deserved more.

It's hard to have the power to kill an animal. I couldn't bring myself to go to the vet with my parents. She didn't understand what was happening. It's not like with people where you can tell them and where they can have input. But the vets gave her a chocolate doughnut just for her. She didn't have the stomach for a second one.

It's hard seeing where she's missing now. It's very similar to when a family member dies, except with a lot more hair everywhere as a constant reminder. All of her things and her favorite spots are still here, like she isn't actually gone.

It's like a very physical grief. I just feel exhausted.

I guess I wanted to put all this out there where no one I know irl will see. There's been so much hardship for my family lately, just when things seem like they're getting better something else happens. It's hard not to feel constant anxiety about someone I know randomly dying because I can't even say it's not a realistic fear. It's like clockwork, I just need shit to slow down for one or two years. My family is so small I can't keep doing this. My mom doesn't deserve this, it's her birthday. I'm not strong enough to help alleviate any of these burdens for her, and even if I was she wouldn't let me. All I can do is make sure my siblings are okay.

When you can see death coming, it's easier to manage. It's worse at least for me when it's sudden. Makes me scared of phone calls from family members, I always expect the worst. So I'm very grateful for being able to intentionally spend her final few hours with her, even if everything that lead up to this point got harder to watch every day. I just wish she could've had a peaceful death.

Anyways I know no one will read this and I guess I kind of hope it stays that way. She was just a dog and I don't want anyone to think I'm being overdramatic.

I still keep thinking of holding her to my chest and carrying her up the stairs to see my mom when she couldn't climb them anymore. I wish I'd told her I loved her more.

[kiribaku-fics-whatever]

Quirk Accident 2

favorite things by KBstories

“Because that’s the thing: Kirishima loves Bakugou, is pretty sure he’s in love with him, big red hearts and butterflies and all. And he was pretty sure that Bakugou doesn’t return those feelings, would’ve sworn it on his favorite signed Crimson Riot poster not even twenty-four hours ago.

But.

Kirishima has learned a lot of things about Bakugou since then.”

Kirishima gets hit by a mind-reading quirk. Bakugou gets involved, in more ways than one.

it started with a hoodie by shinsousshin

Finally, it dawns on him. The bushy mass of fur is attached to him. He has a tail. He has a fucking tail! This time he really does scream.

---

Bakugou gets hit with a quirk and it has some unintended side effects.

you are a call to motion by theyaremycrocs

Ashido frowns at him, at his red face and clammy hands. “Guys, I think she killed him. Wait, do you guys know those dramas about quirks that make you tell the truth? Because if that’s what this is-”

“Oh, hell no,” Katsuki says. “I’m shutting that down before it even starts- that isn’t what this is, Pinky-”

“How does Kiri look today?”

“Beautiful,” Katsuki lets slip without missing a beat, and then clasps a hand over his mouth, because, and he cannot stress this enough, what?

or; katsuki bakugo gets hit with a truth quirk, his friends are assholes, and he has the world's biggest crush on kirishima eijirou.

Day 12: Quirk Shenanigans a.k.a. So Much It Hurts by CurlyStar09

Bakugou is hit by a quirk that leaves him in excruciating pain. No one knows how to make it stop until Kirishima shows up to check on his friends.

Bad Timing by dragontrappedinhumanskin

Katsuki's not a very patient person, so he kind of hates it when Kirishima gets turned into a dog right after he'd said he had something important to tell him. Emphasize on 'kind of'.

--

“This is so weird,” Kaminari said.

Katsuki huffed, finally giving in and digging his fingers through Kirishima’s thick fur, and Kirishima’s tail wagged and he pushed into the touch with a small bark.

Petting Aggression by Cazuki

When Bakugou is struck by a quirk that combines him with a cat, Kirishima is assigned to assist him. What ensues can only be described as adorable and awkward.

Love Potion No. 9 by I_dont_know_man

"It's alright bro, I get it. Not everybody can handle all this pure manliness." Kirishima flexed a hardened bicep facetiously, grinning like the idiot he most certainly was.

...

And Bakugou - Bakugou blushed.

For the mere second time in 17 years of life, no less, and he was pretty sure that blushing over accidentally calling All Might ‘dad’ that one time didn’t count. Bakugou was an aloof, detached, analytical sort of person. Bakugou didn’t fucking blush, alright?

Just what in the ever-loving fuck was going on here?!

In which Bakugou finds himself victim of a love spell, Kirishima tries his Best, and the entirety of Class 1A waits for the other shoe to drop.

I Love You, I Love You, I Love You by starry_stan

Getting hit by a quirk that heightens the victim's last emotion to its breaking point sounds scary enough on its own. Pair that with Bakugou Katsuki, and you get Kirishima wishing he wasn't so deeply in love with the hot-headed blonde.

A dumb fic about Bakugou being an over-protective husbando, Kirishima practically combusting from embarrassment and Kaminari laughing so hard he nearly ruptures a lung.

catch you when you fall by pixiegold

--

“I accidentally used my quirk on him, he’s gonna be super honest for like three hours now, and I haven’t worked out how to stop it early yet! I’m so useless, I’m sorry!” She blurts out, and Kirishima blinks at her for a second, before looking at Bakugou. The boy stood next to her rolls his eyes and starts walking over to the nearest teacher like he’s done this a hundred times before.

"Three hours?" Kirishima mutters.

--

slow it down (go easy on me) by newamsterdam

It’s at that moment that Bakugou realizes something is very, very wrong. He glances down at himself and sees scars he’s never had before along his arms, little nicks and scratches he’d never have been oblivious to. When he reaches up, his limbs feel longer, and as he staggers to his feet he stands several centimeters taller than he had, last thing he knew. He glances at the mirror, catches sight of his reflection, and screams.

One of the doors on the opposite side of the room bursts open, steam spilling out into the bedroom. A man crosses the room in quick strides, looking around for some enemy he can’t yet see.

No, not just a man. Kirishima.

When a confrontation with a villain throws Bakugou through time, he's forced to face a future he never imagined, and maybe something he can't leave behind

[somnambulants]

yelena requests you say? can i throw in my hand and ask for something with yelena telling you she loves you for the first time? 👉🏼👈🏼😌 thank you in advance!

open up those blinds

Word count: 1.3K Warnings: BW spoilers

Yelena knows she isn’t good with love. It doesn’t come easy to her. Not anymore. There was a time in her life that she remembers the words I love you had fallen from her lips quicker and with more ease than breathing.

It’s very distant. Very far away in her mind, like she was a whole different person and she kind of was.

But she remembers.

To be fair, she’d also been six and thought she’d been saying those words to her mother, her father, her sister. Her family. None of it had been real. Not even her love and especially not theirs.

Except Natasha. Her sister. But Natasha, her sister, was --

Either way, Yelena now can’t recall a time since where she’d told someone she loved them.

Not genuinely anyway.

In the years since escaping the red room, she’s had multiple relationships – multiple flings, she would call them actually and all of them had ended more disastrously than the last.

She’d been slapped by a lover scorned a lot more times than she’d admit but it was what is was in her mind. Life went on.

She doesn’t do love. Love is for children, as far as she’s concerned. She doesn’t need love. She has Fanny and all she really needs is her dog. And to her own slight wariness still; she will pick up Alexei and Melina’s calls when they do reach out.

But that’s it. She doesn’t need anyone else.

She’s not a total recluse though, she likes people — the normal ones — most of the time and she knows she’s charming. She can have anyone she wants. She just doesn’t care enough to keep them.

Not until she meets you.

That’s when it all changes.

It’s such a clichéd way to meet; like one of the rom-coms she secretly enjoys but would never tell anyone she enjoys.

She’s walking Fanny one day and all of a sudden, her dog – the Houdini of dogs – escapes out of her collar and lead and is running off down the street like something’s chasing her.

“Fanny, come,” she calls out after her, exasperated. It’s futile. Fanny keeps running, too fast for her to catch up so she has to jog after her, still calling out as her dog disappears entirely from sight.

She growls under her breath while she follows. “You ungrateful dog,” she mutters to herself. “Never giving you treats again. Or belly rubs. Or letting you sleep in my bed. See how you like it.”

As soon as she turns the corner, she finds Fanny, no longer running. And then you, the reason she is no longer running.

You’re on your knees on the ground as Fanny stands over you, paws on your shoulders, licking your face as you laugh and pat her on the head gently.

“Fanny,” she barks again to no avail. She might as well be invisible for all the attention she’s getting from her dog.

“Nice dog,” you call out to her, as Fanny gives you another lick on the check.

Still on the ground, you have to look up at her as you say it. You’re covered in mud and dirt, clothes dishevelled and covered with Fanny’s pawprints, and before she knows it, Yelena’s falling, falling, falling.

“Thanks,” is all she says, at a loss for words. Something that never happens to her. Normally she’d be saying something quippy and borderline obnoxious by now, while she flirted with you shamelessly.

You grin and hold out your hand to her. “Y/N.”

--

The first time you tell her you love her, she stares at you, wide-eyed and silent for long enough that your face starts to fall before you force a smile that probably wouldn’t even convince Fanny, who is sitting in the corner, paws over her eyes like she can’t bear to watch the train wreck in front of her.

Yelena wishes she could do the same.

“It’s okay,” you tell her, expression taut as you try to smooth away the hurt she can see plainly. You turn away as you say it but Yelena doesn’t miss the way your lip trembles; the way this is clearly not okay. “It’s okay. I’m going to go have a uh, shower, okay?”

You don’t come out of the bathroom for hours. Yelena sits on your shared bed and silently cries to herself, wondering what the hell is wrong with her.

She loves you. She loves you so much. She knows she does.

She just can’t say it.

That night, in bed, Yelena stares at the ceiling still thinking, or more aptly agonising about it while you flick through your emails beside her.

You’d returned from the bathroom eventually, your eyes red and not quite meeting her own but you still had given her a kiss on the cheek that she felt in no way deserving off.

You haven’t broached the topic again – haven’t so much as gone near it and things between you have just settled uneasily. Like it’s an elephant in the room neither of you can bear to address.

Fanny is curled up by Yelena’s side, nose pressed against her thigh. She’s looking up at her with her big doleful puppy eyes, as if she can sense Yelena’s despondency. Every so often, she’ll lean in to lick her on the arm.

Eventually, you’re the one that gives in and breaks the awkward tension between you both.

“You’re quiet, tonight,” you say, finger hovering over the keyboard as you scroll. She can hear the anxiety in your voice and hates that she put it there. “Everything okay?”

It’s clearly not. You both know that but it’s your way of giving her an out; a way to put this behind you and pretend it never happened if she says ‘yes’. It makes her love you — and hurts a little — all the more that you’d do that for her if she wanted you to.

Yelena doesn’t answer you for a long second, chewing on her nails as she continues to mull over what she can do to fix this.

She doesn’t know how to do this; no one prepared her for this. For you.

The silence stretches on long enough that she starts to panic. It pretty much bursts out of her. “I do. Love you, you know that?” she blurts out, stumbling over the words. It’s definitely not what she was planning on saying but now she’s talking she can’t stop. “So much. I’m just not… good… I’m not good at love. I don’t want to ruin this.”

Her heart feels like it’s going to beat out of its chest as you pause, your eyes no longer flicking across the screen, just staring at it blankly now. She wonders briefly if she’s having a heart attack. It feels like it.

She watches your brows furrow a little as you digest her words. Trained from a young age, Yelena is an expert at deciphering body language; and even more so with you so she knows by the look on your face that you’re trying to figure out what to say.

She doesn’t have to wait long.

Gently, you close your laptop and turn to her, shifting so you can pull her into your arms. Yelena doesn’t think she’s breathed out this entire time and so air comes out of her in a rush as she eagerly leans into you.

“I think you’re pretty great at love, actually,” you tell her quietly after a long stretch of silence, your voice careful but still completely sincere. She can feel your lips pressed against her temple as you speak. “And I love that about you. You don’t have to say it if you’re not ready yet.”

She can tell you’re being honest. There’s no inflection in your tone that indicates untruthfulness. And even if she wasn’t trained to spot lies, you were not a particularly proficient liar even on your best days.

In response to your words, she finds that she can’t speak and instead just twists around so she can kiss you.

It’s less co-ordinated than usual but she kisses you fiercely, hoping you can feel how much she loves you as she does.

The way you smile against her lips tells her you do.

[heresathreebee]

The One Where She Got A Dog

Yelena Belova X Reader

Summary: how Yelena became a dog mom Masterlist Part 2

Tags: E | 1.8k words | scary movie, winter, secret pasts, sapphic

AN: Black Widow movie really got me in my feelings about those characters, Yelena in particular. I havent watched The Thing in almost a year please look the other way if movie events are out of order.

Pretty Russian girls are not usually your type, but fuck if you weren't absolutely obsessed with this one. You laughed when she told you she was from Ohio.  She laughed when you said you were too. 

Aquavit and your grandma's biscuit recipe brought her into your cabin on the edge of the world where she admitted to you she had never seen John Carpenter's The Thing before. You turned it on just as the snow storm set in and wrapped up in your thickest blankets with her. You're trying not to get your hopes too high but she's not shy about asking you to scoot closer. 

"Skäl," you cheer just as the ominous opening credits end and they find the mysterious ship in the frozen wasteland of antarctica. 

"Have you ever been?," Yelena asked. 

You grimace at the strong taste of aquavit. It's like vodka but with caraway for 'flavor'. You look at her from the side and poor yourself a second shot. "Been…?" 

"There." She points at the screen. 

"I have actually," you admit in a way you hope is flat and uninteresting, "have you?" 

Yelena shook her head. It's possible she might think you're being sarcastic (you cross your fingers under the blanket and hope she does). She's smiling at you, thinking something (but still watching the screen with interest). 

She drops the subject until you have to pause the movie to pee. You unwrap yourself from the cocoon of blankets and as you stand she asks you another question. 

"What were you doing there? in Antarctica, I mean." 

You sigh and pretend to brush something off of your pants. "Science trip with my parents. Shitty vacation for me I'd rather be in the Bahamas." 

You resist the urge to look at her. After taking care of business, you come back just in time to put the biscuits in the oven. You hear Yelena lean into the kitchen archway as the floors creak immensely here. 

"No timer?," she asked. 

"No timer," you confirm. "I use the timer of my heart." 

Yelena scoffs. "Please don't burn them, I'm curious about these… what are they– pastries?" 

"Something like that." 

The two of you went back to the movie just as the gang on screen is trying to decipher who is human and who is not. You feel like something between you has changed and sadly not for the better. 

But she can't know. 

"I hate this part," you say, making absolutely no move to avert your gaze. 

Yelena is startled when the doctor's arms become trapped in the bear trap belly mouth of the "man" on the table. She quickly covers her eyes and giggles manically, slapping your chest for the vague and unhelpful warning. You realize she's not as close to you as before…

There's 20 minutes left of this movie and you haven't seen a single thing on screen. Yelena stopped asking you questions when you stopped being coherent with your answers. All you can think about is telling her. 

But you can't tell her. She would never understand. You barely understand and it's about you. 

"I lied." Your heart beats in your throat as you see her face you but you can't look at her directly for fear of losing your nerve. "About the science expedition? That's not why I was in Antarctica…" 

Yelena seems to wait for you to continue but… 

"Eh, no offense but, " you gesture with your hand, "I don't really know you like that." 

Yelena gave your reply a single nod. "I suppose that's fair." 

You can't help but fidget in your seat. "Idliketo" 

"What was that?" 

You cleared your throat. "I said… I said I'd like to. Know you like that, I mean…" 

Yelena gives you a smile. "I would like to know you like that, too." 

The movie ends, the biscuits are not burnt but buttery soft and golden brown, and the blizzard outside has subsided some. It's still going but at least it's not buffering the doors and windows like before. 

"How can you watch that film in a place like this?" Yelena cannot get enough of those biscuits, stuffing them in her mouth 2 at a time. "Does it make you paranoid?" 

"Yes it does," you say, putting your coat on, "I think that's what makes it so much scarier–  looking outside and being scared every person you come across ain't who they say they are. Sometimes its not a bad thing though... I think it is rather… poetic, too." 

Yelena's eyebrows furrow. "Where are you going?" 

You put on your boots and hope the duct tape stays on the hole you covered earlier. "Dogs are out in the shed. It's heated and they have food, but not for days and I'd rather have 'em in the house where I can take care of them." 

As you finished your sentence you reached for the door,  but stopped when you noticed Yelena getting dressed too. She gives you a nod as soon as her hood comes up, and you give this brave thing an appreciative once over. 

The snow that nearly all melted before is up to your knees now. Fresh, white, and fluffy. It muffles sound like the world's sidelong turning. The odd snowflake wafts lazily from the sky, but for the most part it's died down. You teach back and take Yelena's gloved hand to keep from staying too far apart. 

"You know I always wanted a dog," she said. She could have said it in a whisper from 100 yards away and you still would have heard her–  that is how eerily quiet it is. 

Yelena squeezes your hand and you squeeze back. She's probably remembering the movie. You try to distract her by saying, "Oh yeah? You can have one of mine then." 

Yelena laughs, then stops. "You serious?" 

"As a heart attack." You finally reach the door to the shed and unlatch the door. A chorus of barks begin and you charge forward to nudge them back to give Yelena space to come in as well. "I do some breeding up here–  just a side job. They're usually working dogs but they can be pets too." 

Buck licks your face from chin to forehead and you push him back. "Down, boy! Show some respect!" 

Yelena has two of the mongrels circling her, sniffing all her clothes and demanding to be pet. "That's Burt, Barney, and Bella. Buck's my stud, but these heathens are going to a farm. They've got sheep to watch." 

Yelena chuckles as her hands get covered in slobber. "I love them." 

They're almost grown, three quarters the height of their father. Buck didn't even look in Yelena's direction because he knows you give him treats. You take your scarf off as the heat of the shed threatens to smother you and search your pockets for jerky.  

"She's in there with the new puppies." You point to a darkened closet. "Don't get too close now, she's still a little protective." 

Yelena creeps closer. You see her look at you from the corner of her eye. Probably terrified by the morphing dog scene from the movie. You give her an encouraging smile and tell her where to find the light. It's a pull cord and it bathes the room in a warm golden yellow light. 

Yelena's heavy, controlled breathing turns into a coo. Mama dog is laying on her side watching the newcomer closely. There's a pup asleep in the nest of her legs, another chewing on the hay that litters the ground, and the last one is biting their mother's ear. Yelena looks back at you with an adorable pout on her lip. 

"So cute…" 

You chuckle and put your arm around her. Buck knows to steer clear of mama dog and slinks off. You make your guest walk closer with you to show mama she's got your confidence. 

"Yelena, this is Beyonce." Mama dog's ears perk at the sound of her name. "Beyonce, this is Yelena. Be nice." 

You reach down and scoop up the hay eating puppy at your feet. "This one's always hungry." 

You put the pup in her arms and scoop up the biter. "This one likes to play. All the time. Got more energy than the blue Energizer bunny actually." 

The pup in question is literally trying to wriggle out of your hands in its eagerness to climb you and eat your hair. 

"And that one sleeps a lot?" Yelena nodded her head at the last pup. 

"Pretty much." You put the writhing excited puppy down before it hurts itself and look up into the rafters. "And then there's the climber…" 

You both turn your heads when you hear a tiny bark. A cute little face stares down at you from the rafters and there's a feather stuck to its nose. You shake your head knowing this pup got it from ripping up pillows in another part of the dog house. 

"Better go get her," you said, not moving an inch to do so.  

Yelena sees your challenge and rises to it. As if trained to do exactly so, she assesses the wooden interior for foot and hand holds. You can see the wheels turning in her head as she calculates what will and won't support her weight. In the sweep of a single moment, she rises from the door and swings herself into the rafters using a build up a momentum to propel her fast in an upperward direction. She completes the climb and balances with ease, reaching out to collect the happy wagging miscreant from her mountain top, tucks her in her jacket and climbs a different way down. 

You stare at her. "Were you raised by trapeze artists?" 

Yelena laughs. "I thought everybody was." 

The pup is safe and happy and eager to explore its new friend. Yelena lets her lick, sniff, and scratch at her skin, her clothes, her hair. The pup catches Yelena with a tiny lick right on the tip of her nose and Yelena looks back at you with adoring eyes. 

You smile. "Got a name for her already don't you?" 

"Yes," Yelena whines, "no, are you sure about this? I should probably tell you I've never had a dog before…" 

"I can tell your good people," you reply. "And smart as a whip. You'll adapt, just call me if you ever need anything." 

~

Three weeks later you get a phone call from an unknown number. It's Yelena giving you an address and making you swear never to tell anybody about it. You don't have any friends so it's an easy secret to keep. 

You drive a few miles south and stumble upon a stationary trailer in the middle of nowhere, nothing but clearings and trees and sky. Actually very similar to your own home. 

The door opens and Yelena greets you with a beer and the pup under her arm, already almost a foot bigger than she was before. 

"Her name is Fanny." You both laugh yourselves hoarse and pile into the trailer to puppy proof the place. 

[jimlingss]

Happy Holidays! Can you write a Jimin hybrid Au? I love you and your fics!

Every day, we stray closer to being a furry.

↳ Floof’s Tail

3k || 80% Fluff, 20% Angst || Park Jimin || Hybrid!AU

You’re beaming with excitement.

The first time you saw her through the glass window, you thought she was just a visitor. You were so happy when she wanted to play with you and only you. And you were even more ecstatic when she came a second time days later. You spent time together for hours on end, just like many of the other humans that came around to keep you and the other hybrids company.

But unlike them, she adopted you.

You still can’t believe you now have a home, something to call yours, and an owner that you love so much.

Soyeon stops in the hall and her hand lifts to pet you, gesture affectionate and eyes loving. You lean into her touch, and she smiles before withdrawing away much to your disappointment. 

“This is it, Y/N.”

Her arms motion theatrically to the door, and then she pulls out her keys with a grin. “This is my home and it’s going to be your home from now on too.”

Your tail is practically wagging and you look at the gray door, loving what’s inside already without needing to see it. You don’t remember much of the street name or the apartment building, but you know that it’s the seventh floor, that it seems super nice from the outside, and they’ll probably be big windows looking out at the city. Not to mention from the drive here, there’s also a park close by! 

You can’t wait.

The door opens.

Soyeon brings in your small bag along with the other stuff she bought for you at the store, and then she turns around to beckon you to come in, smiling softly. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet, Y/N.”

This is a dream. It’s all you’ve ever wanted and wished for. An owner. A home. A place to call your own. But you should’ve known, nothing is what it seems.

The moment you step inside, you’re hit with a thick scent. It slams into you, choking your lungs and overwhelming your senses. Warm and earthy, like vanilla and the trees at the park after a rainy day in Spring. You don’t know why you didn’t notice before. It always lingered on Soyeon, a scent underneath her laundry fabric softener and sweet perfume. Maybe you had unconsciously ignored it because you wanted so desperately to be hers.

But of course, someone as perfect as Soyeon would have another dog.

Before you can dart out the door, she calls for him. “Jimin!”

He comes barreling out of the hall with a big smile and his tail wagging.

Only, he stops short a meter away with his eyes pin-pointed on you. His grin instantly falls, ears drooping. His brows furrow as if to ask ‘what the hell is this’. 

Soyeon smiles. “Y/N, this is Jimin.”

Jimin is a dog hybrid just like you. You can tell by the triangle ears on the top of his head that’s a slightly darker shade than the blonde hair that falls over his forehead. His face is round, cheeks full and his lips are pouty. But his brown eyes are mean. They’re half-lidded and glaring at you.

“Jimin, this is our new puppy, Y/N.”

“Leave!” he suddenly barks at you, growling at the back of his throat. You yelp, ears pressed flat on your head and you jump to cower behind Soyeon who’s bigger and taller than you are.

“Jimin,” Soyeon scolds in a low tone.

But he isn’t dissuaded and steps closer to you with one large stride.

Your back hits the door, fear making your eyes grow round. He’s much larger than you are and his scent is thicker too. Jimin’s nose twitches, but before he can get to you, Soyeon blocks his way.

More sternly than before she commands, “Jimin, stop.”

Soyeon takes your hand, turns around and shushes you. “It’s okay, it’s okay, don’t worry,” she coos and then shifts to the other hybrid. “Stay right there, Jimin.”

He glares as Soyeon leads you away, down the hall into a room. But he doesn’t move.

“This is my room and the place that’ll be yours too.” She shuts the door and realizes your distressed expression. “Everything will be okay,” Soyeon tries to reassure and comes to brush a hand through your hair. Then she looks over to the small bag she had dragged with her and lights up. “Oh, here’s your kitty cat.”

It’s a tattered stuffed toy you’ve had since you were born in the shelter, but the moment she passes it to you, you hug it and find comfort. Your heart begins to slow back to its normal pace and Soyeon smiles, seeing that you’ve eased.

“Get yourself settled, okay? I’ll be a second. I just have to talk to Jimin.”

“Okay.”

Her room is large with plenty of space. There’s a massive bed bigger than you’ve ever seen and a TV opposite of it. By the other wall, there’s a bookshelf, vanity, and desk with a computer. There’s a walk-in closet, dresser and another door to a bathroom too. It’s everything anyone could ever need in one room.

You marvel at your surroundings before staring out the enormous glass window.

But your ears perk. Outside the room, there’s muffled voices.

You shuffle your feet over the door and you pick up what’s being said.

“—your friend and heat partner.”

“I don’t need a friend or a heat partner!”

“Jimin. This….this isn’t the way to act.” 

There’s a long sigh and you hear steps coming down the hall. You step back and Soyeon opens the door before shutting it. She looks at you with your eyes on the ground, tail drooping and your ears pressed to your head again.

“It’s okay,” she suddenly says in a higher-pitched voice. You head lifts to her and she smiles, petting you softly behind the ear. “Jimin’s really sweet and kind, I promise. You just have to get used to each other.”

You nod. 

Soyeon asks, “Do you want snacks?”

Your eyes widen and your head bobs more enthusiastically. 

...

Soyeon does a good job of distracting you. She pets you, plays with you, shows you her room and the connected bathroom. The TV has you especially captured for a while, but you’re broken out of your trance when you hear knocking on the door. Followed by scratching. 

And then there’s Jimin’s whine.

Soyeon looks at you and says. “I’ll be right back.”

She slips away and you’re left by yourself again.

Deep down, you know you shouldn’t get too comfortable. This isn’t your home.

…

“Yes. I tried to introduce them, but it isn’t going as well as I thought it would.”

Soyeon’s voice is quiet, barely above a murmur. Yet it’s enough to stir you from your sleep and your eyes flutter a few times before you see her outline standing in the corner. She’s facing the wall with her phone pressed to her ear. You don’t know what time it is but it’s still dark outside.

“My other dog, he’s a guard dog, but he’s more possessive than I thought—….okay…..okay. Oh, alright. Yeah.”

She stops talking and you shut your eyes again, pretending you didn’t hear.

When Soyeon turns around, she doesn’t see the tears pricking at the corner of your eyes.

The sheets, the pillow, the blanket, it all smells like Jimin. Even if you’re stowed away in this room for the rest of your life and kept separate, the walls have already been plunged with his scent.

...

You don’t realize you’ve drifted back to sleep until you wake up with the sunshine on your face.

And your heart feels full when you see Soyeon right there with you. You’ve never been taken care of so closely by someone before, never been solely doted on, never had someone call you in such a soft voice and look at you that lovingly. And she chose you. But you don’t let yourself become too happy. Not when there was someone else on the other end of the apartment.

Still, you very much like it when Soyeon smiles and sweetly chimes, “Rise and shine.”

You rub your eyes, voice still sleepy, “Morning.” 

As you sit up from your spot on the bed, your nose twitches. Your pupils instantly dart to a wool sweater draped at the back of the desk chair. It smells strong. Stronger than the rest of the room. 

Soyeon follows your line of sight. “Oh. I thought you looked cold in that dress. I ordered you new clothes, but they’ll arrive later tonight. Do you want to wear that for the time being?”

“M-Maybe later.”

She nods. “Are you hungry?”

You nod enthusiastically and the corner of her lips quirk. 

As she leaves to get you food, you stare at the sweater. It looks softer than the blankets and much warmer too. Before you can think twice, you approach slowly, feet cold on the floorboards.

You hesitantly sink your hand into the plush fabric of the sweater. 

It doesn’t bite you. No one yells.

You pick it up and bring it to your nose, inhaling deeply. It actually smells….good. Comforting.

Soyeon grins when she returns with a tray of food, noticing the sweater slipped on top of your dress.

Halfway through your meal, she looks at your stuffed cat and boops its black nose. “Hey, Y/N. Would you mind if Jimin took a look at this? I think he’d really like it.”

You shift uncomfortably. “I don’t know.”

“I have other toys for you, like the sheep.” She plops down the white stuffie next to you that looks like a huge cotton ball. You picked it out yourself, but still… “I’ll only borrow this one for a few hours.”

It takes a second, then you’re nodding. “Okay then.”

Soyeon’s hand lifts to gently ruffle your hair. “Thank you.”

…

After breakfast, you watch TV as Soyeon cleans up and probably attends to Jimin on the other side of the wall. But no later is she returning to play with you. The two of you end up reading a story as you cuddle up to her. She shows you how to play a game on her laptop too. But then all of it is interrupted when the phone rings.

Your ears perk and you flinch from the loud sound.

Soyeon picks it up and stands in the corner of the room. “Hello?” There’s silence and then she’s sighing. “What do you mean, Taehyung? I put the file on your desk before I left.” A long pause has you worried. “It should be somewhere in our email correspondence. Figure it out.”

“No. I can’t come in! I’m on personal leave for the next two weeks, remember?” Her voice moves up a pitch and you wince. Soyeon’s clearly upset and you hate it. “Ugh. I hate you. I swear to god, Kim.”

She hangs up.

“Is something wrong?” you ask.

“I have to go into work, but I’ll be back in an hour.” She’s frantically rushing around, entering her closet and emerging with a blouse, pants and a coat. Still, she finds the time to come over to you and she presses a kiss on top of your forehead. “I’ll be quick, I promise.”

“It’s okay. I can wait.” You muster a smile, trying to make her feel better. After all, she’s done her best to comfort you. Now you want to do the same to her.

“It’ll just take a jiffy. Be back before you know it.” Soyeon steps towards the door. “Don’t leave the room, okay, Y/N?”

You nod.

Soyeon leaves a few moments later. You hear footsteps in the hall, muffled voices and then the larger door shutting. Instantly, you become drowned in silence without the television or the laptop or Soyeon’s comforting voice and soothing hands petting you. You’re abandoned.

On the other side of the wall is someone who hates you and wishes you were gone.

The truth that’s been blaring in your head becomes noisier than ever: this isn’t your home.

Maybe what she said was just an excuse. Maybe the phone call was an act and maybe Soyeon hates you too. Maybe you’re more problematic than she expected, and she’ll return you to the shelter tomorrow or even today. You wouldn’t blame her if she did. Soyeon probably wanted someone to get along with Jimin and you’re too much of a handful for her.

You don’t realize you’re crying until it’s gotten so loud that it’s deafening to your own ears. But you can’t help the wails choking out of your sobbing chest or the tears streaming down your face. You lay curled up in the bed, ears pressed to your head as you clutch your toy to your chest.

Through your clouded vision, you don’t notice the bedroom door opening. Not until you hear—

“You know she’s not leaving forever, right?”

Instantly, you jolt and scramble back on the bed. Until your back hits the headboard, pillows bent underneath you. 

Jimin looks at you, eyeing the way you’re wearing his sweater, and he swallows hard. “She’s supposed to leave five to six hours a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. But she always comes back.”

You whimper and he frowns. 

“Stop making those noises.”

“I can’t help it,” you hiccup and rub your eyes. “W-Will she make me go back?”

“What?”

“The shelter. Will she leave me if we don’t get along?”

Jimin shifts his weight from one foot to another, expression almost uncomfortable. But he says, “Soyeon’s not that kind of owner.”

You hiccup and snivel, unable to make the lump in your throat go away. “I...I just want a home.”

You almost start to cry again, but then Jimin extends his arm. You see him holding your kitty cat. “I think this is yours,” he says and you nod, teary-eyed. He points to your body. “That’s my sweater. You’re not supposed to touch it.”

You look down, not sure if you should take it off. But you’re too scared to move.

At once, the concern vanishes. Jimin takes a step towards you and your spine and ears straighten on reflex. Then he takes another. You whimper and his brows furrow again. “Stop it. I won’t bite you.”

He places the kitty cat on the edge of the bed and in a moment where your courage has swelled, you lurch forward to grab it. Immediately, you withdraw and hold it to your chest.

You frown when you realize how much it smells like him.

You’re too busy paying attention to your toy to see the bed dip. To see Jimin crawling closer to you. Not until he’s facing you, practically nose to nose. Your back hits the headboard once more and your breath hitches. But instead of being barked at or bitten, Jimin leans in. You feel a tickle as his nose sniffs at your neck.

You release your breath, unable to hold it any longer and when you inhale, you smell him.

Jimin’s scent is warm and earthy, like vanilla and trees at the park after a rainy day in Spring. When you’re not scared, it actually smells really nice. Even if you don’t want to admit it.

Jimin sniffs at your neck incessantly with his nose and then at your hair. You whine, slumping downwards, and he practically hovers over you, caging your frame in with his arms, smelling down your body. 

The tip of his nose travels from the valley of your breasts down your tummy. He pauses at the apex of your thighs, right where your underwear is and you shut your legs together.

You’re vulnerable beneath him and you’re not sure clutching the two toys to your chest will do much good in protecting you if he decides to attack. But when Jimin’s done, he looks at you and simply says, “You smell like flowers.”

“Is that bad?”

He pauses. “No. But I like it when things smell like me.”

You gasp when he suddenly leans in, brushing his cheek against yours, nuzzling into you. It tickles and you can’t help but giggle. Jimin’s ears perk at the bubbly sound and his tail starts to wag. The toys roll off your chest, and they’re left beside you when you let go. You wiggle and shift away from him, yet he pounces after you with a smile on his face.

You laugh, managing to dodge his arms and slip off the bed.

But Jimin’s much too fast and swift for your liking. He corners you by the closet with an enormous grin on his face, half-moon eyes lit up in mischief. Before you can dart to the left, he snatches your waist and follows after you as you collapse on the soft carpet. 

Jimin brushes his cheek against yours, the weight of his body pressed to yours with a knee placed between your parted thighs. You’re never going to completely smell like him, not when you have your own scent, so you’re not sure why he’s trying so hard. But you don’t mind.

You take the chance to smell him too, nose twitching at his neck. A hum leaves the back of your throat as you allow yourself to become immersed in the comforting scent.

...

 When Soyeon comes home an hour later, she’s surprised that Jimin isn’t already waiting at the door or doesn’t come barreling out to greet her. It’s much too quiet. She doesn’t have a good feeling.

Blood drains from her face when she walks down the hall and she sees the bedroom door wide open. The woman rushes inside, nearly tripping her feet, mouth falling open.

Yet the words die in her throat and a smile lifts onto her features when she sees Jimin cuddling you. The pair of you are fast asleep.

[yandere-sins]

Remember that Beast!Reader fic with the yandere prince? I loved that one! Can I please request ‘Tears’ from your prompt list for this please?

I was thinking that maybe a few years pass by while the reader is still stuck in beast form, but during that time the person appointed as an alternative caretaker for the reader (obviously the prince can’t be around ALL the time if he has to maintain his kingdom and keep up his image) slowly starts forming a friendly relationship and with even something as small as a forehead kiss to the beast, it is enough to break the curse. But the two don’t get enough time to celebrate before the prince barges in👀

I’m uncomfortable with nsfw and anything too sexual but I enjoy the creepiness and horror that follows a yandere character so I hope you can write it like that please😭🥺 Oh! And please let there be some hope that the reader will either be saved or she saves herself. Even better if the reader decides that she wants to save herself and the boy who broke her curse🤩

Thank you! So sorry if I’m requesting a lot😭🙏

Oh, my sweet little anons, when was the last time I gave you a happy end, huh? But thanks for requesting a continuation, I am glad you all enjoyed it so much ^-^ What a good idea you had there!

Tears - “Sweetie, don’t cry.. they didn’t love you as much as I did.. I’ll help you over the heart break.” 

»»———————— ♡ ————————««

Panting, you urged your legs forward, always one step further than you made at a time. The chilly night air burnt in your lungs, and your bare feet were icy and wet from the forest ground, but neither you nor the person holding your hand so gently in his thought about stopping. Only wrapped in a big rag, you should have been cold, but when he squeezed your hand encouragingly, you believed you could manage it all.

It hadn’t been too long since you started your way on foot down the hill the old castle sat upon. Sooner or later, the prince would find out you escaped, and surely, they would also notice your Beloved having fled the scene. There had been no reason for him to stay. Losing you was enough to get sentenced to death, his lifeless body thrown into a bog rather than buried. So why wouldn’t he leave with you? There certainly was no reason for him to stay in the wretched service of the king. 

But sooner or later, they would come for you, that much was sure.

So, you two had to hurry, but even so, you couldn’t keep from smiling, especially when he looked back over his shoulder, his warm, green eyes shining without any regrets. You two had known each other far too little, but he never once hesitated to show you his affection for you, even when you still were the hideous atrocity that you had turned into to escape the prince for the first time.

Perhaps, everything that happened was fate. Even if it had been harsh and awful, it happened so that you two could meet and start a better life together somewhere new. Even if you wished now that you two could have met under different circumstances, now, you didn’t regret your life from before anymore. Now, you could simply look ahead to the future that waited for you.

Or so you thought; you should have known better.

The soaring of arrows pierced through the silence of the night. One hit the bark of the tree before you, fire spreading from its alcohol-soaked peak. Your eye widened, as did you’re companions, and you soon found yourself ducking as another one flew over your heads.

You couldn’t spare a second to look back over your shoulder as you two urged onwards, picking up the pace. Your legs were tired and shaking, but you knew that you had to go faster and faster, or else you or he would get hit. It were moments like these in which you wished you were still a beast. One which could run faster than any arrow. One that could fight and protect what was important to you. But that was no longer, true love’s kiss having sealed that specific fate already.

It was too late when you realized that the arrows so far had not been to stop you two from getting away. Instead, as they began to light up tree after tree, you realized they were there to banish the secrecy of the forest and make the dark disappear. At the same time, they made you two run into the directions your followers wanted you to go. If you looked back now, you knew who you’d see, no robbers smart enough to roam the forest around the prince’s castle, so there really was no reason for any other armed party to hunt you down.

And yet, you did, too afraid that if you didn’t, things would go way worse. 

The moment you looked over your shoulder, another arrow flew past you, grazing your cheek. You knew where it would hit way before your companion cried out in pain, his hand letting go of yours as a reflex. He sank to his knee for a moment, cursing under his breath as you hurried to his side, seeing the arrow lodged in his shoulder. “Oh god,” you stammered as you sank next to him, hands hovering over the wound. “W-We can fix it, I’m sure, we just have to--!”

“There’s no time!” he interrupted you firmly as if he hadn’t just been shot with an arrow. Without wasting even another second, he got up again, grabbed you by the wrist, and moved forward. You caught a glimpse at his face, determination brimming from his features, but pearls of sweat collected at his forehead. He was clearly in pain, showing it in the way he held his own shoulder with his free hand, but he hadn’t given up yet. He would move on until you two were safe, and though you sympathized with his pain, you were so thankful he didn’t give up yet.

You two ran as fast as you could, but soon you couldn’t ignore the sound of armor behind you anymore, hooves trotting closer while torches lit up the forest more and more. It was almost spooky that no words were muttered, and you expected someone to call orders every now and then, but you had seen the clothes of your followers briefly; you knew who they were. The prince’s guards, clad in the finest silver and trained to the point of being nothing more than human dogs. They ceased speaking if not absolutely necessary, their eyes were soulless, and their hearts without a hint of benevolence. Them being after you could only mean one thing.

The prince wanted you back.

Another arrow getting stuck in the tree you just passed. You knew everything they did wasn’t fun but coldly calculated tactics. They wouldn’t hurt you. They couldn’t. Your cheek bleeding would probably cause one of them to get degraded to a chair for three months at least, so they really couldn’t afford to hurt you more seriously. But they did know who they could hurt you with. Someone whose pain would hurt you more than your own.

The next arrow missed completely, lost in the leaves on the ground. You two were running out of all the adrenaline you had, slowly and surely having exhaustion catch up to you. No! Please no! You begged the entities above that this wouldn’t be the end! There was so much more to live for, so much to see and experience! You wanted to be with your former caretaker, the only one who ever took you and your feelings seriously enough. You two could build a house and keep far away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, farming and taking care of livestock until the end of time. So please! Don’t let this be the end of it!

However, against your expectations, the one to collapse first was him. This time, the arrows didn’t miss, one hitting him in the lower back, one scarily close to his spine. Teardrops pearled from your cheeks as you fell into to mud with him, your hands scrapping along the roots and stones of the ground as you crawled back to where he laid, softly whimpering. Reaching for an arrow, you wanted to pull it out in desperation, but he began to cry out in pain before you could even start pulling.

“LEAVE!” he screamed. “LEAVE AND RUN!”

You couldn’t hold back the sobs hearing these words. “Please...” his hand reached for yours as he tried his best to look up to you. “Go, find a safe place to hide! Leave for another country and never come back!”

“No...” you sobbed, bringing one hand covered in mud and blood to your face. “I don’t want to leave you...”

“They are after you, not me,” he tried to reassure you, but you knew better. The sounds of their heavy footsteps drew closer and closer, and finding him, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill this ‘traitor’. If you went, then he’d die. But if you stayed and got caught, he’d die as well. No choice you could make would end happily for the both of you. “Please, go. I want you to-- ARGH!” Interrupted by his own scream, you began to panic, calling his name and shaking his arm, only to look up as a shadow was cast over you.

“[Name],” the prince sighed, relief showing in his face. He had this small, exhausted smile on his lips, happiness in his features as he looked at you. However, the moment he looked down at your companion, his face began to contort into a hateful grimace, his leg lifting once more to give your Beloved’s back a not-so-gentle kick. “No! Stop!” you cried, latching onto his leg as the kicks came down, your partner’s screams echoing through the forest.

“Don’t worry, I will get rid of the scoundrel who kidnapped you. I will save you! Just like I always do!”

“No! You’re hurting him! Stop it! Please... Please stop!”

Never had you imagined that you’d ever find yourself so low again that you’d beg the prince for something. Before, it had been for your life, but now, it was for the life of the only person that really mattered to you. “Oh, Sweetheart,” the prince cooed, his fingers finding their way under your chin, pulling your face up to meet his eyes. “Don’t cry... he didn’t love you as much as I do. I’ll help you over the heartbreak once we’re done here.”

The prince let go roughly as he pulled his sword from his sheath as you fell to the ground next to your partner. For a moment, time seemed to stop as you stood up in a matter of seconds. Panicked, you decided to throw yourself in front of the sword instead, but a hand grabbed yours before you could. Looking down at your Beloved, smiling warmly and encouraging as he muttered the final words you’d hear from him.

“Go.”

It was like he set you free, even if your definition of free originally included him. “Eh, Darling?!” you heard as you took off in a second spurt of adrenaline, the prince screaming your name after you. But your mind completely shut off the moment you passed the last lit-up arrow, sinking back into the darkness. Everything was blurry, your vision stained with your tears that wouldn’t go away no matter how much you rubbed your eyes with your dirty hands.

Your feet must have started bleeding as you kept running faster and faster, but you gave them no mind, not even feeling the pain. All you felt was the wound in your throbbing heart, something that the prince couldn’t heal no matter how much he believed he could. You wanted to understand your former caretaker’s action, telling you to go rather than defend him. If you had been in his place, surely, you had done the same. But it was as if you were the one who got betrayed by yourself by running away. By giving up on something hopeless, you felt like you were betraying everything you had ever stand for. How pathetic you were, running, trying to get the better future you had hoped to build with him.

Next thing you knew, you stumbled as the ground gave away to a slope before you, your body tumbling down the wet leaves and sturdy roots, your skim getting scratched by the branches of bushes all around you. It was pure luck that your fingers closed around one big tree root the moment they did; otherwise, you surely would have fallen from the cliff that opened up beneath you, instead of just hanging on to it now.

Only now your ears regained their function, the rushing of waves sounding far too deep and far too rough beneath you as to simply be a river. Had you run all the way to the shore? Was it the big sea beneath you? Either it had been closer than you thought, or you did develop some superhuman abilities after changing into a beast.

Groaning, you tried to pull yourself back over the edge, the slightly forward-leaning stone not being any help in rescuing yourself. Even more so, you had to realize the light of torches drawing closer and closer by the second, while you still struggled to escape the death by falling into the unruly water from a great height.

“[Name]!” you heard the screech of your name, genuine worry resounding from it. The prince’s face was the last thing you wanted to see, especially as he looked so damn horrified at the sight of you barely holding on to the cliff. “Don’t move! I’ll pull you up!” he called as he slit down the slope as best as he could without falling himself until he reached you. It was strange. You should have been happy that you wouldn’t be dying. That someone would save you from this horrific fate.

But all you felt was pure despair.

If he pulled you up, then that would be it. He’d take you back, lock you up again and do as he pleased with you. Who knew if you’d ever get a chance on escaping again, especially if he made an example out of your previous companion about what would happen if anyone ever helped you. You’d have nothing left but to live your life as a mere plaything, captured by the prince that was so beloved by everyone, and you didn’t want to think about all the things he’d do to you now that you were human again.

His hands reached out, and you noticed them faintly in your vision. Your decision fell only seconds before he could grab you by the arms. It was too dark to see, too dark to even speculate how deep it was, but you decided it was better than becoming an empty shell of a person if you stayed with the prince.

No matter what would await you in the depths down below, it couldn’t be worse than being a subject to his twisted, self-righteous love, you decide. Letting go was easier than you thought, making you realize your body must understand this situation very well even if it might cost it its life. The face of the prince as you slipped from his grasp was a priceless last sight to see before you closed your eyes, awaiting the inevitable.

Until your back hit the water, engulfing you wholly like the hungry, desperate maw of an animal. Deeper and deeper until it was everywhere, and only then you opened your eyes again for one last glimpse of the blurred light above.

[bonny-kookoo]

Strong Girl 🔞☁️❤️🎀

🍧 Pairing: Jeon Jungkook x Reader

🍧 Genre: Good Girl AU!, slice of Life AU, non-Idol AU, smut

🍧 Warnings: DD/LG themes, so much love it's gross istg, a home accident if that makes you uncomfortable but we aint having a full on world's end dw, hero! Reader, no other way to put it, Koo is so proud, so so proud, showers her in kisses yes please, nsfw themes because it's me what did yall think this was gonna be, finger sucking (forgive me lord for I have sinned-), reader being cute, injuries (mentioned and described), praise kink, oral (oral f. rec.), size kink, strength kink, manhandling, subspace, Dom! Jungkook, Sub!Reader, protected sex because you won’t ever catch me slip HAH!

🍧 Summary: Jungkook is not just your boyfriend- he's your absolute hero, your knight in shining armor, your protector and personal simpBodyguard when he needs to. But sometimes, even little girls can be heroes. And they always get rewarded, in the end.

This is part of the Good Girl Universe! (But can be enjoyed on its own)

Good Girl || Sweet Girl || Smart Girl || Brave Girl || Pretty Girl || Charming Girl || Enticing Girl || Bad Girl || Tempting Girl  || Strong Girl

Taglist: @sweetenedcooky @ggukkieland @btsismybias22 @darkgvk @daddypkj @flowerprincess24 @crazylittlemay @zeharilisharaban @teresaisla @tangledsparkles @dammit-jjk

The first time you said it, it made his heart beat faster.

It was on your way home from grocery shopping, a small bag in your hand as Jungkook held your hand, walking silently. You and him had been slowly but surely become a couple like the one's you always dreamt of being when you were younger- the one that fought sometimes, yes, but would ultimately be together at the end of the day, doing simple tasks such as what you did just now. Jungkook somehow made even boring things such as buying mere groceries interesting, not just by making fun of other customer's outfits, but also by explaining things you didn't know. He loved that he somehow made your eyes light up in wonder whenever he told you about a certain dish he could try out with a vegetable you've never tasted before. Or that awkward moment you said you hated brocolli, just so he could correct you and explain to you that no, you've eaten it a lot actually- he was just really good at making food taste how you liked it. He felt proud when you told him, with magic in your eyes, that he was incredible.

Because when you said it, he really felt like he was.

It all happened so suddenly, you didn't even notice yourself slip out of fear and shock- and even Jungkook didn't notice at first. A stray dog had walked up to you, but, contrary to all those cheesy movies where you'd pet it and it would be on its way quick after, it turned out to be not a stray at all; because the man that owned the big dog was desperately trying to catch up to it, leash in his hand- collar still attached to the hook.

Jungkook had never reacted so quickly in his life before, as he pushed you behind him, sucessfully shielding you from the violently barking saint bernard in front of him. You held onto his jacket in complete terror, mind filling with nothing but the loud barks as you were sure this was a nightmare. Don't get it wrong, you loved dogs- but this one wasn't so sweet.

"I'm so sorry!" The man yelled, slipping the collar back around his dog's neck, making it a bit tighter to make sure his pet was secure this time. "He just slipped out, are you two okay?" He said, and Jungkooks voice spoke out, calm, but firm in its tone.

"We're good, but please make sure to boy a harness or something, sir." He said, and the man apologized again, hurrying on his way while the dog still pulled violently and untamed at the leash.

"Baby? He's gone, you can let go now." Jungkook says with the hint of a smile in his voice, one that quickly vanished however once he feels you sniffling against the fabric of his jacket, as your head shook in denial. "Sweetheart I can't check up on you if you hide like this." He explains calmly, glad that your apartment building was already in sight. He knew that you had probably slipped, and he was unsure how to deal with that in public; it wasn't like he was ashamed of it, but he knew that others would judge you quick and easy, and he didn't want to push you into such a bad situation. "Can Kookie check up on you, baby? You're worrying me." He says, and at that, you slowly let go of the fabric, as he turns around. His heart clenches at the sight, tear stained cheeks and nose all red already. He quats down in front of you for a second as he rubs your arms comfortingly. "There we go, everything's fine, yeah?" You nodded after a moment, but refused to speak. "That was scary, wasn't it?" He asked, and you nodded, still quiet. "Let's go home, okay? We can continue that puzzle we've started yesterday, alright? And Miri is waiting, too!" He said, and at that, you nodded more excitedly, even though you still seemed timid.

But you still held his hand tightly, only letting go once you were in the safety of your own home- calling him your hero with a quiet voice he almost didn't catch.

Jungkook really enjoyed both sides of you.

Just like he did now, searching for the right puzzle pieces to place, silently watching your innocent, concentrated face. In a way, it was healing for him; since he never truly had a good childhood himself, this was somehow like a chance to enjoy all of these things he missed with you- a fact that made all of these experiences even more special to him. "Baby, I don't think that fits there." He chuckled, correcting your placement of a piece that didn't fit the edges of the picture it was trying to build. You huffed, before yawning, eyes glossing over with sleep. "Hm, this one is hard, isn't it?" He asked, running his hand over your head before pushing some hair behind your ear. "I think my baby needs to recharge her batteries, hm?" He asked, but you shook your head after a moment, making him raise his brow in question. "Oh really? Miri, what do you think?" He asked, the dog immediately skipping over, excited to be given attention so suddenly. She immediately went to sniff your face, making you giggle. "See! I knew she'd agree with me!" He said, and you laughed full on when the dog went to lick your cheek. "Alright then, Miri, off!" He called out, the dog immediately stopping her actions at the sound of his voice. Jungkook had been unsure on how to train a puppy at first, but overall, he'd done a pretty good job at keeping her fierce temper under control.

Even throughout her violent phase of chewing on pretty much every fucking thing.

So after making sure you were comfortable on the couch, he simply sat down at the puzzle laid out on the living room floor to continue silently. However, shuffling could be heard as he look towards the couch, where you'd previously been laid down on; your tired form talking towards him with eyes barely open. He chuckled when you simply flopped down close to him on the floor with your blanket, head on his thigh as you sighed in comfort. It was second nature to him almost, the way his hand immediately found your head, gently stroking your hair as you drifted off.

Days like this were nice, he decided.

Typically when you came home, Jungkook would greet you at least with a call. Today however, you heard nothing; something that immediately set something off inside you.

Searching for him wasn't a long process- after unleashing Miri into the apartment, you went straight into the bedroom where he's usually be if he's not feeling too well. And sure enough, there he was- weirdly pale and visibly uncomfortable, even in his sleep. Squatting down in front of the bed, you gently felt his forehead, just to simply detect that he was slightly sweating, but had no fever whatsoever. "Koo?" You asked, and he stirred a little, opening his eyes, a little red looking.

"You're home? I didn't even hear you." He said, before he ran a hand over his face. "Sorry, I think I'm coming down with something." He explained, and you nodded, simply telling him to lay back down and take it easy. You made a mental note to maybe cook something light since he never really had much of an appetite when he was sick.

"Is it just me or is it cold in here?" You asked, brows furrowed as you noticed how chilly it was inside the apartment, despite the heater being set pretty high. Jungkook simply groaned, too tired to move much as he asked you to please close the curtains. You followed his request, worried figure dissapearing out of the bedroom.

However, something didn't sit well with you.

Maybe it was a simple gut feeling, but when the night slowly crept over the town, and you were slowly growing mildly dizzy yourself, you decided to make sure that your suspicions were correct, slowly walking towards the heater in the living room. It was chilly, but the heater was set to full power. And somehow, after looking at Miri whining in her bed, aimlessly pacing around, it seemed to click inside your head.

Jungkook had been home all day since last evening.

The apartment was cold, the heater's on.

Miri was already looking just as bad- and your own headache told you that this was exactly what you thought it was.

You instantly shot up from the couch, knocking your knee into the edge of the table which made you fall- the edge of the table ripping at your skin on your arm, painfully scratching it open. But it was as if you didn't feel it. Ripping the bedroom door open clumsily, you immediately opened the window, turning the heater off, before you went to wake Jungkook- or at least, try. "Kookie! Jungkook, wake up, come on!" You begged, shaking his shoulder as he slowly somehow came to his senses. He wasn't really awake- but he wasnt unconscous either. "Fuck.." You whispered under your breath, grabbing his phone and calling an ambulance- the dispatcher telling you to try and get him outside or to a place with fresh air.

But this was Jeon-I-love-working-out-Jungkook.

There was no way you could carry him all those stairs.

So you ran out the door, uncaring to close it, and knocked at your neighbours door- a familiar face looking at you with surprise. "Y/N?" He asked, visibly stunned to see you; teary eyed, with a bleeding arm, and clearly distressed.

"Namjoon, I think we have a gas leak in our apartment.. Jung-Jungkookie- they said I should get him outside but he's too heavy-" You pressed out, last words a little unclear as you finally broke. Namjoon simply went inside to grab his shoes and keys, before he closed the door, running towards your apartment, where he instantly grabbed Jungkooks arms, trying to somehow get him on his back.

"Jesus christ how much does he fucking weigh-" He swore under his breath, until he got a somewhat secure hold on the younger boy, walking out the door while you grabbed the dog, running after the two with the puppy in your arms.

Outside, the ambulance had just arrived, immediately attending to the both of you.

Seems like you owe Namjoon twice now.

Jungkook woke up with stinging smells and bright lights around him, some birds chirping outside the opened window. His arm felt heavy, fingers tingling slightly, and as his eyes adjusted to his new surroundings, he saw the cause of it.

You, with a bandaged arm, sleeping with your hands grasping his in your slumber.

He gently moved his arm, waking you, as you sleepily looked up at him, eyes suddenly widening as they glistened- a tell-tale sign that you were going to cry. "Thank god!" You said, head burying itself into his chest as he chuckled, a little confused on what was actually happening.

"What happened?" He said, partially also referring to your arm clad in white cloth, his inked hand gently touching it.

"We had a gas leak in our apartment." You explained, sniffling. "At first I thought you were just not feeling well, but then I started to feel unwell too, and Miri.." You went on, his hand running over your head to soothe you a little, noticing how you were getting wound up again. "And then I- I checked online and thought better be safe but you were sleeping, and you looked so bad so I called an ambulance and they said I should get you outside and I really tried-" You explained, and even though it hurt him to see your tears, he couldn't help but chuckle at that in amusement.

"Baby, you tried to carry me?" He asked, and you nodded. "My strong girl!" He teased, full on laughing when you playfully hit his arm to make him stop, a small smile on your lips. "But I highly doubt you got me even out of bed baby." He said, and a familiar voice chimed in from the door of his hospital room.

"No, but she was smart enough to get someone who could." Namjoon explained, casual clothes telling you that he wasn't there for work purpose. "I'm seriously questioning your body though. How the hell do you look like a yoga instructor but weigh as much as a professional wrestler?" Namjoon teased, making Jungkook groan in annoyance.

"Oh my god, now I owe him twice!" He said, playfully exagerating his reaction to the fact that Namjoon had helped them for the second time by now. "Please someone lay me back in my bed, I wanna die!" He said, and you hit his chest.

"No!" You said. "You're ready to leave me and Miri like that?" You said, playfully pouting as you turned away from him.

"Oh baby no, I take it back- nooo, look at me!" He whined out, making grabby hands for your just-out-of-reach sweater you wore, Namjoon laughing as he watched the scene unfold.

A couple of days later, Jungkook and you were sitting in your home again- with the pipes fixed, and plans of moving into a different apartment. For some reason, you didn't truly trust the apartment anymore- but maybe that would settle after a while.

"Hm.." Jungkook mumbled, looking at you as if checking for something, until he moved from his place on the couch, sitting up from his previously laying position. Without many words, he moved you onto his lap, his back resting against the couch, as he held you in place on his thighs. "You know everything's fixed right?" He asked, and you nodded- but he knew you simply answered to reassure him, not yourself. "Baby, I promise we can think about moving if you're really not comfortable- but let's settle down first, yeah?" He said, and you sighed.

"I know its stupid-" You began, but he quickly placed his pointer and ring finger to your lips, effectively shutting you up. You already knew that he'd argue that you weren't stupid, and you knew that- sometimes phrases like these just slipped out. So you playfully snapped after his fingers, making him shoot you a dark glance; a glint in his eyes that told you clearly that he was definitely up to play with you.

"Hm, did they never tell you to not bite the hand that feeds you?" He said, voice deep as he suddenly, and without warning, pulled you closer by your thighs, the abrupt movement forcing you to brace yourself against his chest with your hands, face inches away from his. "Or the hand that gets you off, in our case." He added, making you blush from his words.

You should be used to this by now, but somehow, as weird as it sounded, being together with Jungkook was never the same as the time before. He always found ways to make things different- either by taking it slow, or by introducing you to kinks and fantasies you never even knew were a thing. He loved excitement, loved to try out new things, even if sometimes they would turn out to be something he or you didn't enjoy. Somehow, he always managed to steer things around even if that happened however, turning an awkward situation into a sweet memory in the blink of an eye.

He groaned out lowly when you took his hand again, never breaking eye contact with him while you slowly guided his hand towards your lips- Jungkook instantly taking the hint, as he pushed his first two fingers between your lips, pushing down your tongue;

oh what a sight to see.

Both of his hands wandered towards your neck, never putting pressure- simply touching, holding you, and enjoying just how sweet you were being just for him. He loved these moments with you, these reminders that no matter how useless he felt whenever something didn't go his way, for you, he was always a hero. A knight in shining armor, your Master-

He could feel his pants getting uncomfortable at the thought of those words tumbling from your lips.

He'd probably introduce you to that someday else, because in that moment, he was way too impatient to think clear enough. He'd probably miss important clues that were sometimes so small that he himself wondered how he saw them- because you were dangerously submissive to him. He knew that if he asked, you'd do anything.

Even if you didn't like it.

"Hm.. I wonder if my baby can ride me this time?" He hummed, and you nodded, making him grin as he searched behind him for his hidden condoms in the couch- something you found quite funny at first, but by now you've gotten used to it. "Fuck." He groaned, noticing that there was no contraceptive hidden like it usually was.

"Thats a bad word, kookie." You playfully said, teasing him as he grabbed your behind quite roughly, raising his brow as his jaw clenched.

"Oh I'll make you scream out some bad words." He said, before standing up, throwing you over his shoulder in a manner that seemed to practiced to be simply winged out of nowhere. After all, this wasn't just a one time thing- he loved showing off his strength over you, and you loved it just as much in return.

Your body hitting the matress, Jungkook immediately grabbed your thighs again, pulling you to the edge of the bed where he already kneeled- placing your legs over his shoulders after almost rushing to get your clothes off. There was no gentle touching, no foreplay, he simply dived right in, pitch black eyes darkly watching you as you squirmed, back arching off the mattress every now and then in pleasure once he added the first two fingers into the game he was playing. "No smart words now, hm?" He hummed from his spot between your legs, amusement clear on his face at the sight of your trembling body. "But I'm not gonna let you suffer tonight, baby." He said, licking his lips before crawling over your body, hand reaching for the bedside table where he knew he had condoms stored in. "Take it as-" He said, while shedding his clothes before wrapping his length in the clear protection. "As a reward." He said. "For being my personal guardian angel." He said sweetly, before leaning down to connect his lips with yours. What was an innocent gesture at first, turned heated quite quick however; you would've never guessed, but Jungkook was a pretty messy kisser- open mouthed and tongue running over your lips, all while he guided his length inside you.

One thing Jungkook loved, was just how utterly small you looked underneath him. Not just that- but the way he could feel his own dick move inside you underneath his inked hand placed on your lower belly made him growl deeply as he rolled his hips in a forward motion, eyes fixed on the view he had of your cunt swallowing him as if it was nothing.

You were his.

For a long time, he didn't quite get the hype about saying that your partner belonged to you. For him, that was stupid- you couldn't 'own' a person, so why say that? But nowadays, he finally understood that no, this wasn't about ownership. It was about being able to simply have situations like these; moments of pure emotions and nothing else, with a person so devoted to yourself that you felt as if your entire life had their name.

He was yours.

Because even if he took on a more dominant role in the relationship, and a leading force in the bedroom, you had him in your hands at the end of the day. He was so utterly in love with you it sometimes hurt him to even think about it; the way you looked at him with so much adoration made him melt, the way you touched him with so much care made him feel so loved. He'd glady give his life to you if he had to choose between you and him.

"So sweet, just look at you." He mused, out of breath as he smiled, leaning over you again before kneading your soft breasts with his hands, kissing the delicate skin sweetly as he picked up his pace. "All mine, aren't you?" He said, and you nodded, mewling out something he didn't quite catch- but that was okay. "Gonna fuck you stupid, pretty girl-" He huffed out, biting the skin on your shoulder as he grew more and more sloppy. "Come on baby, cream on my cock," He grunted out, making you squirm- and open your mouth in a silent scream as Jungkooks hand found its way between your bodies, viciously moving his fingers over your most sensitive spot. The quick movement and the pressure of his length inside you finally made you come undone, hands desperately reaching for his arms as if that could save you. The orgasm you experienced made your vision bright, and unbeknownst to you, Jungkook came quickly after, panting to catch his breath, before he discarded the condom.

It took a moment for you to come back around, but when you did, the first thing you noticed was, that you were practically laying across his chest- his hand gently running up and down your arm, kisses being place on the top of your head as he bathed you in praise. "You're so sweet.." He hummed, before he noticed your eyes on him. "Welcome back princess." He grinned cockily, before placing a kiss ontop of your nose. "Come on baby, lets get you washed up and into bed, yeah?" He said, and you simply nodded.

Too tired to talk, and too comfortable in his arms to really move on your own. But that was fine.

He loved carrying you around anyways.

"You know.." Jungkook said, while you were both at the table, eating dinner. "I know I said I was uncomfortable with you calling me daddy, and I still stand by that." He said, and you nodded, unsure where he was going.

"I mean, yeah, you've said that but what does that have to do with-"

Suddenly, he leaned forwards after finishing his plate, eyes sparkling mischieviously. "I wouldn't mind hearing you call me 'Master' though." He hummed out.

And you choked on your fries.

[atsukashii]

Hi is it ok if I request y/n x kuroo & she/her & ☀️ & pink please?

smooth like butter, like a criminal undercover gon' pop like trouble breaking into your heart like that

✘ hey google: how do you tell if a guy is flirting with you?

✘ GENRE: fluff

✘ WARNINGS: aged up characters, bookshop au

✘ WORD COUNT: 1.9k

“I’d like to take you to the movies, but they don’t let you bring in your own snacks.”

Closing your work locker, you raise an eyebrow at the familiar six foot, raven haired guy, who smirks down at you as if he just won first prize. In cringe worthy pick up lines? Yeah he can take that medal.

“Are you calling me a snack?” You ask, adjusting the strap of your bag.

“Will you go out with me if I say yes?” Kuroo asks again, wagging his eyebrows at you teasingly, and you immediately know he’s messing with you.

“Not a chance.” Offering him a scathing glare, you spin on your heels and slip out the front door of the shop. When you’d first gotten the job at the small bookshop near your house, you'd have been ecstatic. Although you’d been less ecstatic about your new colleague who you’d never met before in your life, but had been slipping you cheesy and corny pick up lines every day for months.

You didn’t even know that there were that many ways to flirt with someone, but alas, Kuroo proved you wrong every shift. At first, you’d been a flustered bumbling mess trying to come up with a response, but as you caught on to how his hazel eyes glinted with untamed mischief, you’d decided that Kuroo wasn’t your favourite person.

That wasn’t to say that you by any means hated the guy, there was no way you could when he was literally one of the nicest people you’d ever come across in your life. He held doors open for you, and would volunteer to carry the new boxes of stock out back because they were heavy - although you had an inkling that was partly to show off. In the end, Kuroo is sweet, kind, and hilarious. But he thinks that hitting on you every day, and asking you out as a joke is also hilarious.

And it’s hilariously pissing you off.

Because somewhere down along the way, between the angel references and calling you a ‘cute-cumber’ you’d found yourself smiling at the lines. You found yourself anticipating getting to work shifts with him, just to see him and for the chance to witness the familiar rogue smile and the pure giddiness that emits from his very being.

But to him, it was a joke. And that left more than a bad taste in your mouth.

Adjusting your bag once more, you try to slide the store door closed behind you to keep the aircon inside - a stark contrast to the summer heat bearing down on you. Before it can close completely, a hand rolls the glass door to a stop and you find yourself once again looking up into hazel eyes.

“Not finished?” You snipe back, having reached your quota of fake flirting for the day. Kuroo doesn’t flinch at your tone, or maybe he just chooses not to notice judging by the smile that graces his face. Maybe, just maybe you could eventually get over him. It’s not going to go anywhere, if it was going to, he wouldn’t have waited literal months to make a move. So maybe, you can let him go.

“Oh I have plenty more for you princess, but I just thought you might want this first.” In his hand is a copy of the book you’d been reading behind the counter of your shifts. Blinking twice, you realise it’s got similar dog eared pages and a crinkled spine from continuous use - that's your book. Instinctively you peer into your bag on your shoulder, and alas, it's empty. With an empty mind, you take the item from Kuroo’s outstretched hand, and offer him a quick thanks as you try to swallow the emotion in your throat.

“You’re most welcome. Walk home safe, I'll see you tomorrow princess.” Kuroo responds with a rogue wink that has you flushing from head to toe. His knowing grin proves that was the response he was looking for, so you quickly shove the book in your back and practically run from your work - swearing that you can feel his gaze on you the whole way home.

Yeah, there’s no chance you’re going to get over him.

This is cemented on your next night shift. You stand behind the counter, your eyes glancing up from the book you’re reading to the group of teenage girls giggling amongst the young adult isle. Really, it should be an actual law for people to be as quiet in bookstores as they are in libraries.

The door opens once more, and you begin to groan internally at the thought of even more rowdy teenagers coming in, but instead Kuroo slinks through the door in all his six foot two glory. Dressed in his work shirt, some black jeans and his usual sneakers, he looks good and the bastard knows it from the raised eyebrows he shoots you when he catches you looking. You don’t reply, but instead turn back to your book, ignoring him and the gaggling teenagers who suddenly shut up as he walks past them to go to the back room. You can’t blame them as their eyes stay glued to his every movement. Kuroo walks like he was meant to carry the world on his shoulders, but instead spins it like a basketball on one finger. As if the most difficult things for him are effortless. Like a god amongst men. Okay, let's not go that far. If he ever heard that, his ego would asphyxiate everyone from here to the south pole.

“Do you like my shirt?” Kuroo’s question has you turning around before you can stop yourself, but you’re all levels of confused as he holds the hem of his shirt in pinched fingers away from his body. His shirt? It’s his work shirt…

“Uh it’s your work shirt…” You manage to mumble out, brows still furrowed, completely baffled.

“Yeah but its made of a different material.” He points out, moving closer to you, only looking up from his shirt and to you when he’s standing only a few feet away. “Boyfriend material.” His grin is actually blinding, so you’re not sure if you’re squinting from that, or from the way you scrunch up your nose in distaste at his line.

“I hate you.” You grumble, turning away and looking down at your book once more, letting your hair fall over your cheeks to hide the flush splashed brightly across them.

“Hate me? Why must you hurt me so princess?” Kuroo jokes, and you find yourself getting more and more disappointed as he grows quiet and begins to start on his own work for the shift. It’s not until you both notice the gaggling girls practically drooling on the floor at him that you decide you need to take your break.

Closing your book loud enough to startle the group of girls and the guy flicking aimlessly through a volleyball magazine at your side. “I’m going for my ten.” You offer in explanation as you try to move out back. You don’t get to even make it past the counter before there's a warm hand wrapping around your own. Kuroo’s hand completely engulfs yours in the best ways and you can’t help but gape at it as it pulls your walk to a stop.

“Are you alright?” He asks, drawing your eyes reluctantly from your entwined hands to his face, and once you spot genuine concern there, you hesitate with your response. How do you say that no, you’re not okay because would you be if the person that you liked jokingly asked you out on a daily basis for months on repeat? But never meant it?

“Yeah, I'm fine.” Kuroo doesn’t let go just yet, but instead scratches the back of his neck with his other hand nervously.

“You know, if I'm honestly bothering you, please tell me. I don’t ever want to make you uncomfortable y/n,” He offers, shame and hurt flashing brightly in his eyes - and it shocks you stupid for a few seconds. It takes you an added moment that he’s talking about his teasing. Wait, he thinks he’s bothering me? Is he?

“Kuroo, if it was bothering me I would have told you alright?” You say softly, your gaze drifting back to your hand. “I mean sure sometimes it can be a bit much but that's mainly because I'm an idiot.” Not expecting those words, Kuroo’s nerves bleed into a confused frown that has you wanting to reach up and thumb away the line between his pinched brows.

“An idiot? Princess, if what I'm saying is bothering you-”

“It’s not what you’re saying that’s bothering me, it’s the joking.” The second the words leave your mouth, you wish you could reach out, grab them, and shove them back down your throat, because the way Kuroo drops your hand as if it burnt him hurts more than you thought it would.

“Joking?” His tone is utterly perplexed, and this time, you’re the one looking back at him with confusion. A loud laugh barks from his chest and you immediately feel embarrassed for absolutely nothing. Kuroo is laughing so hard and obnoxiously that tears actually crest the corner of his eyes, and at this rate you’re ready to just walk out the door if it means you don’t have to deal with this embarrassment for another second.

“You mean to tell me, that all this time you thought I was joking?” Kuroo gets out between laughs, and you feel your stomach drop at his words. What does he mean did you think he was joking? Was he not?

Your silence is answer enough because he runs a hand through his thick dark hair and leans back on the counter behind him.

“Jesus Christ Y/n!”

“You would laugh at me after you said them!” You defend, pointing an accusing finger in his way. How could you not think he was joking when he’d laugh at you, his whole being the very embodiment of mischief when he would say his lines.

“Because your face would go red and you’d tell me I was an idiot under your breath, because it was cute!” Kuroo rebuts right back, trying once more not to laugh, and you can’t help but groan. You cannot believe that this entire time, he was actually trying to ask you out on a date. Well, you can’t fault his perseverance and tenacity.

“Kuroo,” you grumble, bridging your fingers and pressing them to your forehead in thought, just trying to calm your raging heart at the fact that this is happening.

“Y/n,” he grins right back, and you can feel him closing in on your position before you can even see him. But once you open your eyes again, letting your hands fall from your face, Kuroo’s stunning features are right up close and more beautiful than you’d thought.

“Does this mean that you’ll go out with me when I ask this time?” You really do try for your pride's sake to not flush at his words, but heat still crawls up your neck and Kuroo’s growing smile tells you that your mental attempt to stop it isn’t working.

“Yes, I will.” You say, letting the smile tug at the corners of your mouth.

“Good, I'll remember that for my new line tomorrow.”

✘ A/N: more fluffy kurro for ya day, y'all i am l i v i n g for this man rn

©️ 2021 all rights reserved to atsukashii, do not change, edit, translate, or repost any works on any platform.

[startanewdream]

the visit

Written for @blackinnonweek though I totally forgot to post it in time.

Here's a little angst Marlene Lives AU, just in case:

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

The sound of the children’s laughter greets her as soon as she disapparates in an empty alley two blocks from her house.

Marlene turns automatically, standing in the shadows a few seconds longer than she should, just watching the children in the nearby playground. They are playing, enjoying the end of the afternoon; today their attention is directed to three or four dogs that are playing chase with them.

As she looks, the biggest dog there, a black thin mutt dog turns to look at her, crooking its head to the side as if it can see there in the shadow of the alley, despite the fact that it’s protected by magic.

Dogs can sense magic, an old voice whispers into her head, and she remembers being eighteen and hopeful and in love, laying on the grass on a Muggle park—he always favoured Muggle places—, watching people walking with their dogs. He was smirking, guarding a secret he had never shared. Dogs are special.

She shakes her head, turning around and leaving the alley towards the backstreet. It’s a short walk to her house, less than two minutes, but still Marlene counts at least two sets of eyes over her. She is tempted to joke that she wouldn’t have survived the war if she couldn’t tell when she is being followed, but she stays quiet. They are just doing their job, pointless as it is.

It’s not like he will come to her, not when… not when he has ignored her for twelve years.

She wonders vaguely if this surveillance is why Remus accepted the job at Hogwarts. If he is tired of being followed as well.

But Marlene can’t know because they haven’t talked for years.

She hasn’t talked with most of the Order for years.

The darkness of the house greets her. She turns on the lights, moves to the kitchen to prepare her welcome-home tea, and sorts through the correspondence that arrived while she was out. Nothing important, and a part of her wonders if her mail is being watched as well; she doubts that prisoners on the run would send an owl, but still the idea of aurors searching through her Witch Weekly magazine is kind of fun...

The water has boiled. She pours the water over the leaves, looking outside; there is the sound of barks coming from the street, but she can’t see the dogs there. Maybe they are chasing after the hidden aurors…

A sound of footsteps alert her. It’s very soft, enough that someone else might not have listened but, again, Marlene survived a war. She realizes belatedly that she left her wand in the table behind her, so she does the next best thing. She grabs a knife from the sink, turning and throwing it in the direction of the kitchen door before she can even blink.

The knife vanishes in the living room, hitting nothing.

When she turns back, Sirius Black is sitting by the table.

And he looks… terrible, just like the photos in the Daily Prophet that she tried to avoid despite the fact they were everywhere. There is nothing of the man she once loved in the ghost that currently haunts her kitchen, except—

His grey eyes—pale and with dark circles under, gaunt and so scared—shine as he looks at her. A longing that shouldn’t be familiar and yet it is, as true as it was years ago, flourishes on her chest and she wants to hold on to him, to make this right somehow, to wake up from that strange dream…

But she is awake. And Sirius is dangerous, that’s the only truth she has ever received.

Marlene eyes her wand on the table. It’s closer to him, but he looks so thin that maybe she is faster? But then again, he was sharp enough to break out…

“Tea?” he asks, voice raspy and unused. “You always hated it.”

Marlene blinks. “Things change.”

“Oh, I know,” he whispers, his eyes moving over her face, taking in every detail. “I see.”

What does he see, Marlene wonders. Sometimes she looks in the mirror and she doesn’t think she aged a day. Other times she asks who is the woman staring back at her.

“You look beautiful,” Sirius adds and somehow this makes her laugh. It’s probably the insane kind of laugh that she learned from him ages ago, but Sirius only looks confused. “What’s wrong?”

“The most wanted criminal in the country just broke into my house to compliment me,” she says, drying the tears from her eyes. The mirth is gone. “You shouldn’t be here.”

He pauses. “Why?”

“There are two or three aurors watching me every step. They will probably be here anytime—”

“They don’t know I’m here,” he answers confidently. “And they won’t.”

“I could tell them,” Marlene says, narrowing her eyes.

“You could have warned them minutes ago.”

She could and they both know it. “I should,” she whispers, and suddenly she is twenty-one again, confused and lost after her family is gone and life as she knew broken, her best friend killed and Sirius…

“I missed you,” he says, standing up now, his fingers trembling even as he doesn’t move closer.

Fury and bitterness flood her. “No, you didn’t.”

“I—”

“I went to visit you. Twice, because I wasn’t stupid enough in the first time. And you refused to see me. You refused me.”

“I… What was there for you to see? I couldn’t have another good memory for them to suck—”

“It wasn’t about you,” she hisses, hating herself for keeping her voice down so it doesn’t attract any attention. “I just wanted answers!”

“I am innocent,” he says, sounding only broken. “I would have sworn it and… you wouldn’t believe it.”

“Then why—”

“I’d never betray James. You know that.”

It’s all Marlene has ever thought in the past twelve years. “All I know is that James is dead and so is Lily and Peter and—”

“No, it’s not like this, Peter…” He closes his fist, enraged and suddenly menacing. “He is alive and I’ll find him.”

“So you can kill him for real this time?”

“Yes,” he admits, not ashamed, and Marlene remembers it took a lot for Sirius to feel bashful about anything. “We changed the secret keeper. He betrayed them, Lene, not me.”

Lene. No one has called that like that in twelve years.

“Azkaban did make you crazy,” she whispers, shaking her head. “Crazier, actually. Pretending you—”

“Look at me and say you never questioned it. Say that you believe I really did all those things.”

“I…”

Marlene remembers waking up the first day of November and looking at the newspaper and not understanding anything. She remembers facing the dreadful journey to Azkaban only to be turned away.

The prisoner didn’t authorize any visit.

Did you tell him who it was? (Did you tell him it was Lene?)

Yes. He doesn’t want to see you.

“You’d have told me,” she says. One of those mornings or nights, when we laid in bed, catching our breaths, body still sore after we made love, you’d have told me. I held no secrets for you.

He looks sorrowful. “There is so much I never told you,” he admits, a note of guilt in his voice. “I am sorry, Lene.”

She closes her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose, and she hears soft footsteps. Her heart pumps in her chest but the touch she waits never comes; when she opens her eyes, the backdoor is open and there is no one with her.

She runs to her backyard, but other than a few dogs running in the street, Marlene doesn’t see anyone else.

Her wand waits for her on the table; he could have picked it, he could have done something, but all Sirius did was… look for her. I missed you.

She breathes slowly, remembering their meeting even as she tries to forget it, lock it away somewhere no one can take it from her. Then she grabs her coat and leaves the house, running quickly.

It’s no surprise that one of the aurors catches up with her; it’s the young woman with pink hair that came before to question her, and she looks almost apologetic to interrupt Marlene.

“Wotcher,” she says, winking. “Where are you going?”

“Back to the Ministry,” Marlene says, not stopping to answer; she is close to the alley now and those dogs seemed to be following them as well. “I want to check some old archives.”

“Oh.” The woman presses her lips for a moment. “You know I’ll need to report this later. Which files?”

“The one about Peter Pettigrew’s death,” Marlene replies, turning in the spot. The last thing she hears before she vanishes is a dog howling though there is no moon.

[deathlordcorpseking]

Yeehawgust 20: Fields of Gold

Rex hates rats. So, when he sniffs one out one day, you can imagine the trouble the Courier has trying to get him to leave the poor thing alone. 686 words, warning for cursing (Cass is in this fic).

It was a fact that Rex hated hats. This remained consistent no matter who wore them: whether it be Lily, who had always been gentle and kind, Cass, who cursed Rex out whenever he hid a present in her shoes, or Boone, who watched sadly whenever Rex refused to interact with him.

Another fact was that Rex hated rats.

"Bullshit," Cass muttered, sulking as she drank from her bottle. Arcade was sewing together the part that had been torn by Rex, who, annoyingly, was enjoying bellyrubs from Veronica, as if he deserved to be celebrated for tearing her hat. "Cats are the ones that hate rats."

"So I shouldn't be worried about Rex running after a molerat?"

"No. Read it in a book."

"You read?" Raul asked, and Cass shot him a glare. "Dios mio, mija, that stare. I meant about cats."

"Yeah, well, not all of us were able to be around when the demons were around." She grumbled, "Well, apparently there are still some left."

Frowning, Ashton asked, "What's a cat?"

"Like… small, furry deathclaws that stand on four legs."

"Oh… sounds scary."

"Yeah. And I'd bet they're not nearly as bad as that damned demon dog you picked up." Ashton frowned at Rex. He didn't look like a demon, or whatever those things Cass was talking about were.

"He's not that bad," Veronica interrupted. "If you took off your hat every once in a while…"

"Fuck that."

Regardless, though, the second Ashton hit the road again, thinking to go around the numerous places of outer Vegas, things had seemed off. Rex had repeatedly tried to go off trail, only coming back whenever she called out a loud, 'Rex, come on!' Even when he returned, he continued to sniff the air suspiciously.

Ashton had expected that to be it, but when there was a rustling from just off the road beside a Banana Yucca plant, Rex had sprinted off, and a tiny molerat baby squealed, darting away from the plant, taking the banana with. With Rex hot on its tail, Ashton shrieked.

Rex was not deterred. Worried about what might happen if the baby molerat led him back to what would probably be an extensive family of bigger molerats, Ashton sprinted after him (no easy feat). ED-E beeped sadly, but flew behind her. Ashton had severely underestimated the metallic legs of Rex and his overall endurance, though, because he'd only stopped when the molerat had stopped. They sprinted through the many fields of crops, tearing down much of it in their path. Ashton shouted apologies to each farmer, who stared in either confusion or anger. Eventually, the molerat had to stop, trying to hide in a cluster of crops.

Rex growled, approaching slowly, until Ashton, heaving, fell on the floor beside him. She wrapped an arm around him, even as he continued to growl and bark, pleading all about how, 'Rex, they're just a little baby, you can't kill a baby!', and how 'It's just this one rat, okay? Just one', and 'Think about their family! This isn't like you!' Rex didn't seem to listen.

"Lady, you alright?" A man asked, cautiously approaching.

"Huh?" The eloquent question came out as a breathy sigh.

"Is Pinky bothering you?"

"...Pinky?"

"Pinky the molerat." He continued. "My daughter named her."

"Pinky the molerat!" Ashton called mournfully. "Oh, what a beautiful molerat she is, too…" She trailed off, sniffling. "See, Rex? Molerats have feelings, too. Molerats have feelings, too!"

The man stared, confused. ED-E caught up, giving an explanation, but he didn't at all understand, given the fact that ED-E could only beep and shake in the air. Comfortingly, ED-E dropped down to nudge at Rex's metal back. The man slowly picked up Pinky and retreated as Ashton continued pleading with the dog.

"-and she has a family! Rex, the King would be so disappointed if he knew you were trying to tear apart families like this." Rex whimpered. "It's okay, I know you just don't like rats, but you need to try, okay? Think of the children! The children!"

Apologetically, Rex licked at her cheek.