#she wasn’t a character for people to love

[lukas-broken-bow]

this is bull. this is fucking bull. Basil, you are of stronger moral character than I, because I, for the life of me, could not come up with an argument that long and structured, purely because I am too overcome by fucking rage.

these CEOS profit off of peoples' suffering. I'm lucky enough to live somewhere where we have universal healthcare (and although the NHS has its own plethora of issues, it's a hell of a lot better than what you have over there) and I cannot imagine the hardship U.S. citizens go through on a daily basis with their healthcare system. and in a situation like OP's, it's even more horrific.

@onlyalittleperverse the phrase "rape got em", no matter what context it's in, makes me want to vomit. what the fuck. what the actual fuck. and followed by "I always assume you're an idiot, never attribute to malice what you can attribute to incompetence" are you thick? are you fucking thick? listen here you numpty. don't treat this like something you have to be constantly on alert for. yes, many people DO have to be constantly on alert for rape because so many people are rapists, but 1) people SHOULD NOT have to treat every situation like it's a situation where they could get raped, and 2) RAPE IS NOT CAUSED BY 'BEING AN IDIOT'. RAPE IS CAUSED BY RAPISTS. HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO REPEAT THIS TO GET IT THROUGH YOU PEOPLES' THICK SKULLS. rape is not caused by incompetence. rape is caused by horrible people (RAPISTS) and their lack of human decency, compassion, IN ADDITION to copious amounts of malice. don't treat it like it's anything else.

oh, and you don't give people the benefit of the fucking doubt?! what kind of reprehensible moron are you? what happened to innocent until proven guilty? what happened to seeing the best in our fellow human beings? they died with common decency and sense, I suppose.

Dominique Pelicot, the man who drugged his wife and let dozens of men come to their house and rape her while she slept, for decades, was found guilty and convicted today. was Gisèle Pelicot incompetent? was she stupid for trusting the man she fucking married not to commit a heinous crime on her body? no. Dominique Pelicot is a disgusting old man who deserves to rot in a prison cell for the rest of his life.

but back to the original point: if a person dedicates their life to making money off of peoples' suffering, for example, DENYING PEOPLES' CLAIMS TO HEALTHCARE INSURANCE, they do not deserve respect. they do not deserve protection. they deserve whatever is coming to them, and if you cannot see that, then you are a lowly piece of shit who is no better than they are. here's a great way not to get shot if you're a healthcare CEO: actually fucking DO YOUR JOB AND INSURE PEOPLE FOR THEIR HEALTH.

I think I'm going to finish this off by repeating what Basil said: "In the end, if this person deserved all of that because they weren’t prepared enough, or they went to a place where you should expect to find a predator (unlikely), than Brian Thomson deserved to be shot because he wasn’t wearing a bulletproof vest when he went out into the streets full of people who have been sentenced to horrible debt, or permanent maiming or have loved ones sentenced to gruesome deaths by easily preventable causes because HIS policies denied them the service they paid for. He should have expected to die doing things like that."

I hope the next time you look in the mirror, you take a long hard look at the person you are, and actually consider making a change. I know you won't, but I can hope.

do better.

and thanks, Basil, for letting me in on this. this is bullshit.

when i was a homeless 20-year-old i was rejected from multiple housing opportunities because i had 5k in medical debt from going to the ER after getting roofied and sexually assaulted (i was unconscious so calling 911 was not my decision) and UHC denied my insurance claim. so yeah, i'm actually deriving an enormous amount of pleasure from watching health insurance CEOs snivel and hide like the heartless cowards they are. may those who profit from our suffering live in fear of those they seek to deny.

[souliebird]

[[and then I met you || ch. 29]]

Series: Daredevil || Pairing: Matt Murdock x Fem!Reader || Rating: Explicit

Summary:

A one-night stand years ago gave you a daughter and you are now able to put a name to her father – Matthew Murdock. Everything is about to change again as you navigate trying to integrate your life with that of the handsome and charming blind lawyer’s and Matt realizes he needs to not only protect his new family from Hell's Kitchen, but from the world.

chapter masterlist

Words: 3.4k

ao3 link

Foggy never thought he would be babysitting Matthew Murdock’s kid.

As much as Foggy loves Matt - and it is a lot - he is the first to admit his best friend is more than a bit of a disaster. Matt is brilliant and kind and truly a good soul, but he is also a self-destructive idiot with more baggage than any airport in the nation. He always tries to do the right thing, but the right thing never seems to involve taking care of himself. And that doesn’t even include all the Daredevil bullshit.

If Matt had come to him a few months ago and told Foggy he wanted to be a father - to go out and have a kid at that exact moment - Foggy would have beat him over the head with the nearest solid object. Matt can barely run his own life - there was no way he could raise a child.

Matt was still working on even managing to have friends and a real life outside of his mask and his ability to balance it all had been on thin ice. Matt getting into a serious relationship had been a laughable idea and that relationship leading to a baby wasn’t even a thought. 

As far as Foggy had been concerned, as long as he was Daredevil, Matt was destined to be a bachelor. 

So, of course, God’s favorite punching bag was told he already is a father. 

The change in Matt isn’t what Foggy expected. He expected panic. He expected Matt to be in Church for eight hours a day praying for guidance while he had a crisis. He expected Matt to spiral.

He hadn’t expected him to take to being a father like a duck to water. He hadn’t expected it to completely rewrite his best friend’s DNA. 

It seemed like overnight the dumpster fire of a man he knew was replaced - born from those ashes was someone who Foggy almost didn’t recognize. 

It was a Matt who cares about himself. One who isn't being reckless. One who no longer hides things from Foggy and Karen, who lies about injuries and thinks he is a one-man army. 

In the office, if Matt isn’t working, he’s listening to self-help or parenting books. He talks to other people, and he actually makes an effort to not look like he’s getting abused. He’s focused in a way Foggy hasn’t seen since college and it makes Foggy so so happy. 

But it also terrifies him because he doesn’t know how long it will last. Is this a temporary change or has Matt finally learned he isn’t alone, and his actions affect others?

It is too early to tell and Foggy feels like a complete asshole for doubting his friend and waiting for the ball to drop, but he feels like he’s also being realistic. 

Matt has hurt him so much over their friendship - and Foggy has hurt him, too - and his sweet angel of a child doesn’t deserve to have that be a possibility for her. 

As far as Foggy can tell, Minnie inherited all the best parts of Matt - his smile, his charm, and his inherently good nature. He knows if Matt doesn’t manage to fuck it up - and Foggy prays he doesn’t - she is going to grow up to be a beautiful woman, heart and soul, with no reason to yell at God. 

He couldn’t ask for a better little girl to babysit. 

All she wants to do is watch Lady and the Tramp over and over and Foggy couldn’t be happier to oblige. It is easy to sit back and watch the movie - he hasn't seen it in a long time, and he forgot how charming all the characters are.

It is halfway through the third viewing of the movie when big brown eyes finally tear themselves away from the screen. Foggy watches curiously as Minnie slips off the couch and toddles over to her toy chest in the corner of the room. She methodically begins going through her things, lifting up each toy and giving it a good once over before setting it back down.

“What’cha doing, squirt?” he asks.

Minnie does not look back to him as she replies, her tone making him feel like it is the most obvious thing in the world, “I’m gonna make dinner.” 

Dinner was had before Foggy arrived for babysitting duty, so he guesses it is time for some make believe. He is very much used to this from watching over his nieces and he wonders what kind of play will be in store for him. 

The first toy she deems worthy to have a seat at the table is a Barbie and the second, almost immediately after, is a floppy looking bear that clearly has had another life before this one. The pair are transported to the coffee table and delicately sat down before Minnie whips her head around to look up at Foggy.

“They need says-or-eases,” she says seriously. He can barely get out a confused ‘okay’ before she’s scampering down the hallway to the bedroom. He decides to sit and wait to see what is going to happen. Moments later, the little girl is back in the living room with an armful of supplies. He can make out a lot of costume jewelry, and among the fake pearls and gems, a pair of fake glasses. 

It is all dumped in front of the table unceremoniously before she is off to collect something else. 

Foggy stays on the couch as markers and a variety of play food join the pile on the floor. He has no idea what could be going on in the mind of the toddler, but it is amusing that she is so determined in her task.

Finally, everything is gathered and Minnie plops down in front of her toys, mouth turned down as she focuses. She starts sorting through things, making multiple little piles, and Foggy can’t help but ask, “Do you need any help?”

“No, I’m a Big Girl,” she replies factually, not even bothering to look up. She’s completely locked in on whatever it is she is doing, and since she’s doing nothing deemed risky, Foggy lets his eyes go back to the movie. 

As Lady roams the streets of some unnamed city, Minnie dresses up her toys. Barbie gets draped in so many necklaces her torso is no longer visible, and the bear gets the glasses. She hums and haws over the positioning on his muzzle for a good minute before she takes them off and disappears from Foggy’s eyeline. Her feet pop up a second later and he determines she is laying tummy down on the ground.

He checks his phone as she plays - replying to messages from Marci and Karen and going through a few work emails. 

He is in the middle of checking his calendar when Minnie’s curls reappear in front of him and she is back to trying to balance the glasses on the bear’s face.

Except, now, the lens of the glasses have been colored over in red marker and Foggy knows exactly who the floppy bear is meant to be.

“Is that your Daddy?” he asks, not at all containing the glee in his voice. Karen is going to Love this. 

“Uh-huh,” the baby tells him as she finally manages to get the accessory to stay on. She grabs the doll next and holds it up to show it off. “This is Mommy.”

“That’s Mommy?” Foggy confirms. He quickly switches his phone over to his camera app to start taking a million and a half pictures.

“Uh-huh. They are on a date. Like Lady and Tramp,” she explains, “We gotta make them dinner.”

His heart absolutely soars and he knows this is one of those stories he is going to tell everyone - Matt’s precious little daughter pretending her toys are her parents on a date, while her real parents are out on their first date. It is some of the cutest shit he’s ever seen and he’s glad he’s the one who agreed to babysit. 

He pushes himself up into standing, so ready to get in on this make believe action, “Of course. What are we making them for dinner?”

They spend the next five minutes rearranging things - the play kitchen set is moved into the real kitchen and Foggy drapes a throw blanket between two chairs so the dining guests can’t see the food being prepared. Mommy Doll and Daddy Bear get a plastic Pooh Bear plate between them, and an LED candle is scrounged up to give the date the right ambience. 

Foggy gets designated as the Waiter - he even slicks his hair back and lets Minnie draw a pencil mustache under her nose and she, of course, is the Chef, as well as puppeteer of the toys. 

Once everything is set up - the make believe begins.

“Oh, ho, hon,” Foggy says in a horrible French accent as he kneels beside the coffee table, a pad of paper and a pen in hand. “What a lovely couple! You are looking so beautiful this evening, mademoiselle!” 

“Thank you!” Minnie chimes, altering her voice just a little to be higher as she takes hold of the doll to make it bounce as it ‘talks’. “You are beauty-fulls too!” She then grabs the bear with her other hand and shakes him just a bit, making him sound gruff as he chastises, “What about me?”

“You are as handsome as ever, sir,” is his cheesy reply. With too much flourish, he brings up his pen and positions it on his paper, “What drinks can I get started for you? Water? Juice? Wine? May I suggest a bit of hot cocoa?” He over emphasizes the last word, making the little girl start to giggle.

“We don’ts have cocoa! Only water and appy juice!”

Foggy dramatically throws his hand over his heart, “My apologies! The chef has let me know our options tonight are Water de Aqua and Appy Juice.”

“We want appy juice!” Daddy Bear tells him, and he makes sure to write the order in nice big letters.

“A wonderful selection, sir! We get it from the finest grocer, and it is chilled to perfection. Shall I get you started with some appetizers?”

Minnie squints over to him, tilting her head to the side and doing a wonderful impression of Matt as she asks, “What is an appy-tiger?”

“It is a snack you get before dinner, so you don’t get hungry while the Chef makes the food,” he explains in his normal voice. 

The toddler nods like she really understands what he means, then she turns her two toys to face each other. Mommy Doll is moved first, “Do you want an appy-tiger?” 

Daddy Bear’s head nods as Minnie grumbles out, “I want a cheese stick and ice-cream. Please, thank you.”

“Oh, that sounds good,” Mommy Doll replies. She is turned towards Foggy so hard her necklaces clatter together, “I want a cheese stick, too. Please, thank you.”

He writes down the request and promises, “That will be right out.” As he pushes himself up onto his feet, Minnie streaks past him to get to her kitchen before him. He purposefully takes his time, letting her get herself set up before he arrives. “Order up! We got two cheese sticks and an ice cream for the couple at table one.”

“Two cheese sticks and ice cream!” The little girl calls back excitedly. She moves to start digging through her plastic food, but then she freezes, and she gets a look on her face Foggy has seen so many times on Matt’s that he’s lost count.

She’s heard something. 

Before Foggy can ask what it is, the unmistakable sound of a fuse being blown fills the air and the power dies, leaving them in a deep darkness. A brief panic takes a hold of him - he’s been in far too many situations where this sort of thing means danger - but logic prevails, and he rushes over to the window to assess the damage. 

The neighboring buildings still have their lights on, so someone in the building must have overloaded something. It happens all the time in the heat of the summer and not a cause for him to go into fight or flight mode.

“Looks like it is just us,” he tells Minnie as he turns back to her. He can only just barely make out her outline - there is only one window in the room, and it faces an alley. There is next to no light filtering in and the only thing still going in the apartment is the weak LED candle.

He expects Minnie to be scared - after all the sudden lack of light is kind of terrifying - but she seems completely unaffected. 

“The tee-vee turned off,�� is what she replies with, sounding annoyed as can be. 

“Everything turned off,” Foggy counters. “We’ve got no electricity. We have to wait for it to come back on.”

He hears her huff as he makes his way back to the couch. He’s careful as he moves, not wanting to accidentally crush any of the playthings that have been spread around. 

“Do you still want to play Dinner Date?” He asks. It is pretty dark, but if they just stick with going between the couch and the fake-kitchen, he thinks things should be okay. 

“No, I wanna watch Lady and Tramp.” There is a slight whine in her voice that makes him think this might turn into tears and his heart breaks a little. He doesn’t want to be the one to deny her anything. 

“The power is out, squirt. The television isn’t going to work. We have to do something that doesn’t require power.” 

“Why?” He can hear the underlying Murdock Anger in her question, and he notes it is something he’ll have to tell Matt.

“Do you know how it usually makes this sort of noise?” Foggy asks before humming. He can sometimes hear electricity, so he knows she must know what he’s talking about. She confirms with a little ‘uh-huh’ and he continues on. “Well, that means it is getting power and can work. It’s not getting power right now, so it can’t work.”

He hopes the logic makes sense in her little brain. 

She doesn’t respond right away and that worries him. He plucks the little LED candle up from the coffee table and holds it up like a torch. It barely casts enough light for him to see his hand and does nothing to help him locate the curly haired toddler. 

He walks slowly over to the kitchen, hoping to find her pouting by her toys, but the area is empty. He did not hear the pitter patter of feet and groans at the thought of another ninja in his life. 

Of course, Matt’s child would be able to sneak around in the dark undetected. Why wouldn’t she?

“Minnie,” he calls out softly, hoping this doesn’t turn into a game of hide and seek. “Where are you?” 

He turns in place, trying to remember if he left his phone on the table or on the couch. The battery is in the forty percent zone, and he’d rather save it than use it as a light source. He’s pretty sure he was told there are flashlights under the sink, but he can’t remember if it was the kitchen or bathroom sink. 

He decides to try the kitchen sink first and blindly makes his way there. He admittedly doesn’t have the best vision anymore and his eyes are taking forever to adjust to the meager amount of light, so he has to move slowly.

“Will you read me Lady and Tramp?” a tiny voice suddenly asks from right beside his knee and Foggy totally doesn’t scream.

“You totally need a bell,” he tells the child before rubbing at his face with his candle free hand. “If you help me find a flashlight, I can read to you.”

The noise of annoyance Minnie makes is right from Matt’s playbook, “why do you needs a flashlight?”

He wonders if this is the first power outage she has experienced, but if that was so, he doubts he would have been told where the flashlights were. Though, Minnie’s mom is a bit paranoid and anxious, so it could have been a ‘just in case’ thing, but who really knows.

It is a question for later. Right now, he has an annoyed toddler ready to bite his ankles over Lady and the Tramp.

“It’s too dark for me to read,” he tries to explain, hoping she will accept the answer. 

She doesn’t.

Instead, he gets sassed.

“It’s not dark.”

“It is, too,” he counters. 

He can perfectly picture little hands-on hips as she doubts him, “Not-uh.”

He resists the urge to say ‘uh-huh’ and attempts to rationalize with her, “Mouse, I can barely see past my nose. It’s too dark for me to read to you without a flashlight. Can you help me find one?”

He can just see her curly head of hair looking up at him and he doesn’t need to see her face to feel her judgement. With the huff so haughty it could rival Marci, Minnie plops down to the ground and drops something that sounds like a picture book in front of her. 

His suspicions are proved right when he hears the soft fluttering of pages. 

“El…ay..dee..why. El..ay..La! La..dee…Lay..dee..Lady!” Her little voice is full of frustration as she tries to sound out the word Foggy knows she can’t really see and his heart pangs in sympathy.

“Minnie, don’t strain your eyes. Let’s just find a flashlight, it’s too dark to read.”

“I want Lady and Tramp!” The little Murdock barks at him, “I can reads it!” He hears what must be her finger hitting the page and he pictures her trying to trace the words. “La..La..lady. Lady. wuh…wuh..double-you ay ess. Wuh…Wuh-ah…Wuh-ah..”

“Was?” he tries to supply, feeling so guilty. He should just step away and find the flashlight before she really hurts her eyes, but he doesn’t want to leave her when she’s getting into a mood, even if it’s a few feet.

Apparently, helping is not what she wants, because he instantly gets her tiny wrath, “I can reads it myselfs!”

Foggy’s hands shoot up in front of him in the universal ‘my bad’ pose and he apologies, “I’m sorry. Let me get the light and we can read together.” He decides, if anything, he’ll just go grab his phone and waste the battery. Anything is better than upsetting Minnie the first time he properly babysits her. She’ll never want to stay with him again and he’s pretty sure Matt would easily bend to her will. 

“But I can sees it!” She practically yells it at him, her voice getting wet and wobbly. There is a hint of desperation in it that makes Foggy feel like an absolute villain for not believing her. “I can sees it and reads it by myself!”

He gives up on trying to convince her and pivots to go to get his phone. As he carefully steps around her to find his way back to the couch, she picks up her watery ‘reading’ again.

“La..Lady wuh-was a…Lady was a..el..el you..el you see kay…”

Foggy locates his phone on the coffee table and it wakes up as soon as he picks it up. The light hurts his eyes, and he has to look away so he isn’t blinded by it. 

Daddy Bear looks up at him from his interrupted coffee table date, beady little black eyes hidden behind red lenses and so suddenly, with enough force to cause him mental whiplash, Foggy feels like a complete idiot. 

He turns to shine his phone on Minnie, who is hunched over her book, trying her very best to sound out the words. 

“See..Kay…Luh…Luh..see..kay..why..Luh see kay why.”

She is trying to read the word ‘lucky ’he realizes. He knows kids can memorize stories, but there’s no way such a little baby can memorize how to spell all the words and pretend to read them out loud. 

But this isn’t just any normal little baby. 

This is Matt Murdock’s little baby. 

Matt Murdock - who has enhanced senses and passed them on. 

Matt Murdock - who is blind and wouldn’t know what it would be like to have enhanced eyesight. 

“Holy shit,” Foggy says to himself. “She’s got dark vision.”

--

a/n :

i'm sorry, this chapter fought me so much. Foggy refuses to cooperate with me :( this is nothing like i was planning and I kinda hate it

--

tags:

@two-unbeatable-beaters @kiwwia-wiwwia @1988-fiend @xblueriddlex @loves0phelia @ninacotte @lovelyygirl8 @littlenosoul @ednaaa-04  @astridstark13 @hashcakes

 @lovingkryptonitehideout @moongirlgodness @soocore @bluestuesday @midnightwonderlan

@starry-night-20 @rebeccapineapple @writtenbyred @cherrypie5 @capswife @silvercharacterchaos @resting-confused-face

@Specialagentjackbauer  @yarrystyleeza @ofmusesandsecrets @buckyssugarchick

@midnightreids @cloudroomblog @yeonalie @thychuvaluswife 

@petrovafire39 @ghostindeath @roxytheimmortal 

 @allllium @waywardcrow @thatkindofgurl @waywardxrhea 

@anehkael @akilatwt @lostinthefantasies @reluctanthalfwayoptimism @ethereal-blaze

 @nennia-2000 @seasonofthenerd @abucketofweird  @mattmurdockstateofmind @imagineswritersblog @hazelhavoc @smile-child-13 @allst4rsfall @hashcakes @kezibear @mapleaye @sammanna @gamingfeline @moon-glades @nightwitherspring @phoenix666stuff @dare-devil

@ladyoflynx @hobiebrowns-wife @sarcasm-n-insomnia @lillycore 

@dorothleah @mattmurdocksstarlight @mars-on-vinyl @mywellspringoflife @sleepdeprived-barelyalive @simmilarly @soupyspence @darkened-writer @akila-twt

@murc0ckmurc0ck @groovycass @sumo-b98 @just3rowsing @tongueofcat @zoom1374

@theclassicvinyldragon @aoi-targaryen @lunaticgurly @nikitawolfxo @shireentapestry @snakevyro @yondiii @echos-muses @honeybug-victoria @the-bisaster @ristare 

@mrs-bellingham @eugene-emt-roe @cometenthusiast @stevenknightmarc @yes-im-your-mom @hunnybelha @actorinfluence @capbrie @prowlingforfood @jupitervenusearthmars

@mayp11-blog @danzer8705 @thinking-at-dusk @remuslupinwifee @akila-twt  @nommingonfood @mattmurdocks6thscaleapartment @dil3mma @allllium 

[xomakara]

Love Like This

SUMMARY |  You recently moved into this very nice neighborhood with your dog, Goober. When Yeosang and his daughter introduce themselves to you, his daughter falls in love with Goober right away. As you spend more time with your neighbors, you realize that you have fallen in love.

PAIRINGS | Yeosang x Reader

RATING | Mature, NSFW, EXPLICIT, MDNI, 18+, Any Minors and Ageless Blogs will be blocked

GENRE |  smut, fluff, Dad!Yeosang, dogmom!Reader, non-idol au

CONTENT/WARNINGS | unprotected sex (wrap it up ya’ll!), oral sex (male giving/female receiving), fingering, slight dirty talk, praise kink, vaginal penetration, lovemaking

LENGTH | 6,629 words

TAGLIST |  ---

NETWORKS |  @illusionnet @cromernet @k-vanity @ksmutsociety @othersideoutlawsnetwork

AUTHOR’S NOTE | Back with another fic for the Dadteez series. As always, you'll see some recurring characters haha. This is much more on the sensual and lovemaking side of things but I hope you all enjoy it. Love you ❤️

The doorbell rang, and your heart skipped a beat. Who could it be? You weren’t expecting anyone, but the sound of tiny footsteps and muffled giggles outside made you pause. You glanced toward Goober, sprawled out on the living room floor, his massive frame taking up more space than he probably should. His head perked up at the noise, ears twitching as if sensing something was about to happen.

“Stay, boy,” you whispered, grabbing his leash just in case. He whined softly, tail thumping against the floor, clearly eager to investigate.

You opened the door cautiously, and there they were—your new neighbors. A man stood tall, with a warm smile that seemed to light up the porch, and a little girl clinging to his hand, her eyes wide with curiosity. The man introduced himself first, his voice calm and friendly. “Hi, I’m Yeosang, and this is my daughter, Yeonwoo. We’re your neighbors next door. Thought we’d stop by and say hello and welcome you to the neighborhood.”

Yeonwoo peeked out from behind her dad, her round cheeks puffing slightly as she smiled. Her gaze darted past you, locking onto something inside your house. You followed her line of sight and saw Goober, who had decided now was the perfect time to lumber over, his big paws making soft thuds on the wooden floor. His tail wagged slowly at first, then picked up speed as he approached the door.

Yeosang’s expression tightened for a split second, clearly wary of the giant Doberman. But Yeonwoo? She didn’t even hesitate. 

“Doggy!” she squealed, pulling free from her dad’s grip and darting forward, her little hands outstretched.

“Wait!” you called out, reaching for her instinctively. “He’s… uh, he’s friendly, but—”

But she wasn’t listening. She was already kneeling in front of Goober, her tiny fingers landing gently on his broad chest. The dog froze for a moment, his dark eyes blinking down at her curiously, then let out a soft huff as his tail starts wagging again, this time like a metronome gone wild. 

“Good doggy,” Yeonwoo cooed, patting his fur with all the confidence of someone who had never met a dog they didn’t love.

Goober, ever the people-pleaser, leaned into her touch, his tongue lolling out happily. You couldn’t help but laugh, relief flooding through you. Yeosang, however, looked equal parts amazed and horrified. 

“I’m so sorry,” he said quickly, stepping forward to scoop Yeonwoo up. “She doesn’t usually… well, she’s fearless around animals.”

“It’s fine,” you assured him, leaning down to scratch Goober behind the ears. “He’s a big softie at heart. Just looks intimidating.”

Yeosang hesitated, glancing between you and Goober, his brow furrowing slightly. “Yeah, well… he is intimidating. Most dogs his size wouldn’t take too kindly to someone running up to them like that.”

You straightened up, meeting his gaze. “You’re right. I should’ve been more careful.” 

Your tone was apologetic, but Yeosang’s attention seemed torn between you and his daughter, who was now trying to squirm her way back to Goober. “It’s okay. No harm done.”

“Daddy, let me down!” she protested, wriggling in his arms. “I wanna play with him!”

“Yeonwoo,” Yeosang said firmly, though his voice softened when he looked down at her. “We don’t just go running up to dogs we don’t know. It’s dangerous.”

Her bottom lip pouted out, and you felt a pang of sympathy. 

“Actually,” you said, reaching for Goober’s leash, “he loves kids. And since Yeonwoo’s not afraid of him, maybe we could give it a shot? Safely, of course.”

Yeosang’s eyes narrowed slightly, studying you. There was something in his expression—a mix of caution and interest like he was weighing the pros and cons of letting his guard down. Finally, he sighed, setting Yeonwoo on the ground but keeping a firm hold on her shoulder. “Fine. But if he so much as growls, we’re out of here.”

“Deal,” you nodded, giving him your best reassuring smile. Then, turning to Yeonwoo, you knelt down so you were at eye level with her. “Okay, sweetie, you can pet him, but only if your daddy says it’s okay, alright?”

She nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Okay!”

You guided Goober closer, making sure he stayed calm as Yeonwoo reached out again. This time, she kept her movements slow and deliberate, earning a gentle nudge from Goober as if to say ‘Finally, some manners’. Yeosang watched the interaction closely, his body tense but his expression softening as he realized how harmless it was.

“See?” you said, looking up at him. “He’s all bark and no bite.”

“Yeah, well, I think the bark alone could scare off half the neighborhood,” Yeosang chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. “I’ve never seen a dog this big except for my friend Jongho’s malamute. He has five energetic kids and you can’t say no to them when they ask for a dog.”

There was a pause, the kind that felt charged with unspoken words. You stood up, brushing off your jeans, and realized just how close you were standing to each other. His eyes met yours, and for a moment, neither of you spoke. The air between you felt thick, almost electric as if the universe itself was nudging you both closer together.

Was he feeling it too?

Yeonwoo’s voice broke the tension. “Can we keep him, Daddy? Please?”

“Not quite how it works, kiddo,” he laughed, ruffling her hair. “Goober belongs to…” He trailed off, glancing at you.

“Me,” you finished for him, offering your hand. “I’m Y/N.”

He took your hand, his grip firm and warm. “Nice to meet you.”

As you shook hands, you couldn’t help but notice how his fingers lingered against yours, just for a fraction longer than necessary. His gaze flicked up to meet yours again, and there it was—that same spark, that same pull.

“So,” he said, his voice low enough that Yeonwoo wouldn’t hear, “care to tell me why a woman living alone with a dog this size isn’t single-handedly terrifying the entire neighborhood?”

You bit back a grin, leaning in just enough so he could hear you. “Maybe because I’m not as scary as he is?”

His lips twitched, a hint of a smirk forming. “Maybe. Or maybe you’re just good at hiding it.”

There was something in his tone—something playful, something challenging. And before you could respond, Yeonwoo tugged on his sleeve. “Daddy, can we come back later and see Goober again? Pleeease?”

Yeosang glanced down at her, then back at you, that smirk still lingering. “Depends. Do you think your dog would mind some company tomorrow?”

You felt your heartbeat quicken, the question hanging in the air like an invitation. “I think Goober would love that.”

Yeosang nodded, his eyes holding yours for a moment longer than they should have. “Then we’ll see you tomorrow.”

As they walked away, Yeonwoo waving wildly, you couldn’t help but replay the interaction in your mind. There was something about Yeosang—his protectiveness, his humor, the way he seemed to balance authority with warmth. And then there was that look, the one that had passed between you, brief but unmistakable.

Goober nudged your hand, drawing you back to the present. You scratched his ear, smiling. “Looks like we’ve got company tomorrow, buddy.”

He barked once, as if in agreement, and you felt a thrill run through you. Something was stirring between you and Yeosang, something undeniable. And you couldn’t wait to see where it led.

What a great way to start a new life in a new neighborhood.

A few weeks later, the neighborhood buzzed with excitement. Hongjoong, the grill master, had announced a spontaneous barbecue, and the scent of sizzling sausages wafted through the air, mingling with laughter and chatter. You stood at the edge of your yard, Goober by your side, watching as neighbors gathered around the makeshift grill setup in the park across the street.

Yeosang and Yeonwoo were already there, their presence drawing attention. Yeonwoo was running around with Hongjoong’s kids, Hyejin and Hongki, their laughter echoing like music. Yeosang stood nearby, chatting with Hongjoong, his voice carrying easily over the park. His eyes met yours briefly, and you felt that familiar spark, a subtle warmth pooling in your chest.

“Hi Miss Y/N!” Haru, San’s son, called out, his shy smile breaking into a grin as he approached you. “Can Goober play with us?”

You glanced down at your massive Doberman, who wagged his tail eagerly. “I think he’d love that. Just keep an eye on him, okay? He might get a little too excited.”

He nodded vigorously, and before you could say more, he was leading Goober toward the cluster of kids. The children squealed in delight as Goober bounded over, his enthusiasm infectious. Even one of Jongho’s sons, Jongsoo, usually so quiet, couldn’t resist reaching out to pet him.

As you watched them play, Yeosang joined you, his presence grounding yet electric. 

“Looks like Goober’s the star of the show,” he remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

You smirked. “He’s got a knack for that. Kids seem to adore him.”

Yeosang’s gaze lingered on you, something unspoken passing between you. “You’re good with them,” he said quietly. “With him.”

Good with him. The words sent a shiver down your spine, knowing he wasn’t just referring to Goober. You turned to face him, your breath catching slightly at the intensity in his brown eyes. 

“Someone has to be,” you replied, your tone light but your heart pounding.

Before either of you could say more, a loud crash interrupted the moment. Everyone turned to see Goober standing near the drinks cooler, which now lay on its side, ice and cans spilling everywhere. 

Haru burst out laughing, pointing at the scene. “Goober did it!”

You groaned, rushing over to assess the damage. Goober looked up at you sheepishly, his tail wagging slowly as if hoping to charm his way out of trouble. 

“You big goof,” you muttered, ruffling his ears. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Guess we’ll have to team up to fix this,” he said, his voice low and teasing. Yeosang knelt beside you, his hands moving efficiently as he helped pick up the scattered cans. 

You glanced at him, caught off guard by the heat in his tone. “Teamwork, huh?”

“Always,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Especially when it involves cleaning up after a charmingly clumsy dog.”

You laughed, the sound bubbling up naturally. “Fine. But if Goober knocks anything else over, you’re helping me explain it to Hongjoong’s wife.”

He chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. “Deal.”

Together, you worked quickly, gathering the scattered drinks and refilling the cooler. The sun beat down on you, and you found yourself glancing at Yeosang often, admiring the way his muscles flexed as he moved. There was something about the way he carried himself—quiet strength tempered by a surprising tenderness. It was captivating, and you felt a pull toward him that was impossible to ignore.

When the last can was in place, Yeosang straightened, wiping his hands on his jeans. 

“All set,” he said, turning to you. His eyes held yours, the space between you suddenly charged with tension.

“Thanks,” you murmured, your voice softer than intended. He took a step closer, his proximity sending your pulse racing. 

“Anytime,” he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. Anytime. The word echoed in your mind, fueling the fire that had been smoldering since your first encounter.

Before you could respond, Yeonwoo came running up, tugging on Yeosang’s hand. “Daddy, can we go on the swings? Please?”

He smiled down at her, the transformation immediate and disarming. “Of course, sweetheart. Let’s go.”

As they walked away, Yeonwoo holding his hand and swinging it happily, you watched them, a smile tugging at your lips. Yeosang glanced back at you once, his expression unreadable, but the weight of his gaze lingered, heavy and undeniable.

Goober nudged your hand, drawing you back to the present. You scratched his ear, your thoughts still on Yeosang. “Looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us, buddy.”

He barked once, as if in agreement, and you felt a thrill run through you. Something was stirring between you and Yeosang, something undeniable. And you couldn’t wait to see where it led.

Later, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the neighborhood, you found yourself sitting by the grill, a plate of food in your hands. Yeosang sat beside you, the two of you sharing an easy conversation. The faint hum of music played in the background, and the sound of children laughing filled the air.

“You know,” Yeosang said, his voice soft, “I haven’t felt this... comfortable in a long time.”

You glanced at him, surprised by his candor. “Really?”

“It’s been just me and Yeonwoo for a while. It’s nice to feel like... part of something again. Thank you,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. He nodded, his gaze focused on the flickering flames of the grill. His eyes met yours, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. The air between you crackled with potential, with the promise of something more.

You smiled, a warmth spreading through you. “Anytime.”

As the night deepened, the atmosphere shifted subtly, growing more intimate. The other neighbors began to drift away, leaving you and Yeosang alone by the dying embers of the grill. Yeonwoo was asleep in her stroller, her tiny breaths steady and peaceful.

“This has been... nice,” he said, his voice low and rough. Yeosang leaned back, his arm brushing yours. 

“Yeah,” you agreed softly. You turned to him, your heart pounding. “It has.”

A few days later, as the sun dipped below the horizon and painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, you found yourself standing at the doorway of Yeosang’s house. He had invited you over for dinner and you agreed. Your heart was pounding, a mix of anticipation and curiosity swirling within you. The last time you’d been here, it had been casual, neighborly. Tonight felt different, charged with an undercurrent of something far more intimate.

Yeosang opened the door with a smile that made your knees weak. His eyes were warm, and inviting, and there was a playful glint in them that sent a shiver down your spine. 

“You came,” he said simply, stepping aside to let you in. His voice was low, almost husky, and it sent a thrill through you.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” you replied, trying to keep your tone light even as your stomach fluttered. “Where’s Yeonwoo?”

“She’s at a sleepover that Hongjoong and his wife is hosting,” Yeosang responded. “All the neighborhood kids went.”

You stepped inside, and the scent of something delicious—spices, garlic, rosemary—filled the air. It was comforting, homey, and yet there was an undeniable air of sophistication to it. Yeosang had outdone himself.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” he said, closing the door behind you. His hand brushed against yours briefly, sending a spark of electricity between you. “Just need to finish plating. Make yourself at home.”

He disappeared into the kitchen, and you took a moment to glance around. The living room was cozy, with soft lighting and a fire crackling in the fireplace. Pictures of Yeonwoo dotted the walls, capturing her in moments of pure joy—running through fields, blowing out birthday candles, clutching Goober in her tiny arms. They were snapshots of a life well-lived, filled with love and laughter. It made your chest ache in the best way.

“Here we go,” Yeosang said, emerging from the kitchen carrying two plates. He set them down on the coffee table in front of the couch, then gestured for you to sit. “I hope you like Italian. I figured it was a safe bet.”

You sat down, your gaze drawn to the plate in front of you. The pasta looked perfect, the sauce glistening, the herbs sprinkled just so. 

“It looks amazing,” you said, picking up your fork. “And yeah, Italian’s always a safe bet.”

Yeosang sat beside you, his thigh brushing against yours as he reached for his fork. “Good. I wasn’t sure if I should go fancy or keep it simple. But...well, I wanted tonight to be special.”

Your breath caught at the sincerity in his voice. There was something raw, unguarded, about the way he spoke. It made you want to lean closer, to press your lips to his and see if he tasted as good as the food smelled. Instead, you settled for taking a bite of the pasta. It was rich, flavorful, and utterly delicious. 

“Yeosang, this is incredible,” you said, genuinely impressed. “You’ve got skills.”

He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that made your pulse quicken. “Thanks. Cooking is kind of my therapy. When Yeonwoo was younger, I spent a lot of nights in the kitchen, figuring things out. Got pretty good at it.”

A pang of sympathy hit you. You couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for him, raising a child alone, and navigating the challenges of parenthood without a partner. But somehow, he’d done it. And now, here he was, sitting beside you, looking completely at ease. It was both admirable and incredibly attractive.

As you ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly. He told you stories about Yeonwoo’s antics, the time she’d convinced him to dress up as a pirate for her school play, the night she’d snuck into his room and climbed into bed with him because of a thunderstorm. You laughed, your heart swelling with affection for the little girl who’d already stolen your heart.

“She’s something else,” you said when he finished recounting the story of Yeonwoo convincing him to bake cupcakes for her class. “I can’t believe you went along with all that.”

He grinned, leaning back against the couch. “What can I say? She’s got me wrapped around her little finger. Always has.”

You studied his face as he spoke, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the faint stubble on his jaw catching the light. There was a vulnerability to him, a softness that he rarely let show. But tonight, he seemed more open, more willing to let his guard down. And you couldn’t help but feel like this was a turning point, a moment where everything could change.

When dinner was over, Yeosang cleared the plates and returned with two glasses of wine. He handed one to you, his fingers brushing against yours again. 

“To new beginnings,” he said, raising his glass.

You clink your glass against his, your eyes meeting his over the rim. 

“To new beginnings,” you echoed, your voice soft.

The atmosphere shifted subtly after that. The fire crackled in the hearth, the room bathed in golden light, and the tension between you grew thicker, and heavier. Yeosang leaned back against the couch, his arm resting casually along the backrest behind you. You could feel the heat of him, the subtle weight of his presence.

“So,” he said, his voice low, “tell me something I don’t know about you.”

“Something you don’t know?” you repeated, thinking. You shifted slightly, the movement bringing your body closer to his.  “Hmm. I guess most people don’t know that I used to take fencing classes when I was a kid.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Fencing? Really?”

You nodded, smiling. “Yeah. My dad thought it would be a good way to build discipline. Turned out I liked it. Even won a few competitions before I quit.”

He studied you, his expression thoughtful. “That explains why you walk like you’ve got a sword strapped to your side.”

“Excuse me?” you said, laughing. “I do not walk like that.”

“No?” he teased, his mouth curving into a sly grin. “Because you carry yourself like someone who knows how to handle herself.”

The compliment sent a warm flush through you, mingling with the wine and the firelight. You didn’t know what to say, so you stayed silent, letting the moment stretch between you. Yeosang’s gaze dropped to your lips, and suddenly the air was thick with unspoken words, unsaid promises.

Without thinking, you turned toward him, your body angled slightly, your knee brushing against his.

“Yeosang,” you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper.

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he stared at you. “Yeah?”

You leaned in, your heart pounding in your chest. 

“I think...” you started, then paused, unsure of how to finish the sentence. But before you could figure it out, he moved, closing the distance between you.

His lips met yours, soft at first, hesitant, as though testing the waters. But then you kissed him back, and the hesitation melted away. His hand cupped your cheek, his thumb tracing the curve of your jaw as his lips moved against yours. The kiss was slow and deliberate, each touch sending waves of desire crashing through you.

You slid your hand up his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath your palm. He groaned softly, deepening the kiss, his tongue sweeping against yours in a languid, intoxicating rhythm. The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of you, lost in the sensation of each other.

When you finally broke apart, both of you were breathing heavily, your chests rising and falling in sync. Yeosang pressed his forehead against yours, his eyes closed, his voice strained. 

“God, you’re incredible,” he muttered, his fingers tracing the curve of your neck. You felt dazed, the kiss lingering on your lips like a memory. 

“Yeosang,” you whispered, your voice trembling slightly. He pulled back, his dark eyes searching yours. 

“Do you trust me?” he asked, his voice low, intense.

You hesitated, caught off guard by the question. But then you nodded, a small smile playing on your lips. “Yeah. I do.”

With that, he stood, pulling you to your feet. “Then come with me.”

Yeosang’s grip on your hand was firm, yet gentle, as he led you through the dimly lit hallway of his home. The air between you was charged with an electric tension, every step drawing you closer to the unknown. His house felt different at this hour, quieter, more intimate, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath.

The faint glow of a lamp spilled into the hallway from his bedroom, casting soft shadows that danced across the floor. Every detail seemed intentional, from the neatly folded jacket resting on the chair to the book left open on the nightstand. It was a space that spoke of him, a man who carried himself with quiet strength but also harbored a tenderness that only those closest to him would ever see.

You couldn’t help but feel a shiver of anticipation run down your spine.

“This is me,” he said softly, his deep voice resonating in the stillness. His thumb brushed against the back of your hand in a subtle, reassuring gesture. Without waiting for your response, he pushed the door open wider and stepped inside, pulling you along with him.

The room enveloped you in warmth, the scent of cedar and smoke wrapping around you like a whispered promise. The bed, large and inviting, stood at the center, its crisp linens and plush comforter seeming to beckon you both. Yeosang closed the door behind you, the click of the latch echoing faintly in the quiet room.

For a moment, there was silence. The world outside ceased to exist. It was just the two of you, standing face to face, the space between you narrowing with each passing second.

He lifted his hand, his fingers brushing a strand of hair away from your face. His touch was feather-light, yet it sent a jolt of awareness through you.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his eyes tracing your features with an intensity that made your heartbeat quicken.

You swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his gaze. 

“So are you,” you replied, your voice barely above a whisper. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his lips. 

“I wasn’t sure how this would go,” he admitted, his voice low. “But being near you… it feels right.”

You nodded, unable to find the words to respond. The truth was, you felt it too. That inexplicable pull, the way he made you feel safe even as your pulse raced with excitement.

Without another word, he stepped closer, his body aligning with yours. The heat of him radiated against your skin, sending shivers cascading down your spine. His hands moved to your shoulders, sliding down your arms before gripping your wrists lightly. It was a tender hold, one that spoke of restraint and care.

“Let me take care of you,” he said, his voice husky now, laced with desire.

You nodded again, unable to resist the magnetic pull of his request.

With slow, deliberate movements, he began to undress you. First, his fingers found the button of your blouse, easing it free with practiced ease. The fabric parted, revealing the delicate lace of your bra beneath. He slid the blouse off your shoulders, letting it fall to the floor at your feet.

Next came the clasp of your jeans, his fingers fumbling slightly as the tension between you grew. Once undone, he slowly peeled them down your legs, leaving you in only your panties and bra.

You stood there, exposed and vulnerable under his intense gaze.

“You’re perfect,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Before you could respond, his hands returned to your body, this time skimming over your hips and settling on your waist. His touch was electrifying, sending waves of heat coursing through you.

“Yeosang,” you breathed, your voice trembling.

He didn’t answer, his focus entirely on the task at hand.

His hands moved to the straps of your bra, gently peeling them down your arms until they pooled at your elbows. With a deft motion, he unclasped the garment, letting it fall to the floor. Your heart pounded in your chest as he took a step back, his eyes raking over your naked form.

“You’re so beautiful,” he repeated, his voice barely audible.

Then, without warning, he leaned in, capturing your lips in a searing kiss. His tongue pressed against yours, igniting a fire that consumed you whole. You melted against him, your arms wrapping around his neck as his hands roamed over your back, pulling you flush against his hard, defined frame.

The world dissolved into sensation, every nerve ending alive and pulsating with need. His hands moved lower, cupping your ass and lifting you slightly as he deepened the kiss.

You moaned into his mouth, your head spinning with desire.

Suddenly, he pulled back, his breathing ragged. 

“Bed,” he growled, his voice commanding yet filled with urgency.

Without hesitation, he picked you up and laid you down on the plush comforter, his body following soon after. His lips found yours again, their kisses frantic now, desperate.

You reached down, fumbling with the button of his jeans. He caught your hand, pinning it above your head. 

“Not yet,” he whispered, his voice raw with need.

Instead, his mouth trailed down your neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin as his hands roamed over your body. You arched into his touch, your breath hitching as he nipped softly at the curve of your shoulder.

“Yeosang,” you gasped, your thighs trembling with longing.

He shifted his position, his knee nudging between your legs.

“Tell me what you want,” he demanded, his voice hoarse.

You hesitated, your mind reeling.

Before you could answer, he surged forward, his hardness pressing against your core through the thin fabric of your underwear.

Yeosang’s fingers traced the curve of your waist, his touch lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. His gaze dropped to your panties, the thin fabric barely concealing the heat building between your thighs. His breath hitched, and you could feel the tension in his body, a coil ready to snap.

“Let me see you,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. The words were soft, but they carried weight, pulling you deeper into the moment.

You nodded, your throat dry, and lifted your hips slightly as he slid his hand beneath the waistband of your underwear. The fabric caught on your skin for a brief second before it was gone, tossed aside without a thought. Yeosang’s eyes darkened as he took in the sight of you, unfiltered and exposed. His fingers brushed against your bare skin, featherlight at first, then more deliberate as he explored the contours of your body.

His breath was hot against your thigh as he leaned closer, his lips ghosting over your flesh. He inhaled deeply as if he could taste you in the air, and his fingers trailed lower, pausing just above the apex of your thighs. You shifted beneath him, your body arching instinctively toward his touch, and he responded with a slow, steady pressure that made your breath catch in your throat.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his voice thick with desire. The words seemed to echo in the quiet room, filling the space between you with a raw, pulsating energy.

He pushed your legs apart gently, his hands firm but careful, and settled between them. His fingers toyed with the sensitive skin there, teasing and testing, until you whimpered, lost in the sensation. He looked up at you then, his brown eyes intense, almost predatory, and you felt a shiver run down your spine.

“Do you like that?” he asked, his voice dripping with intent. His fingers pressed harder, circling rhythmically, and you couldn’t stop yourself from moaning softly.

“Yes,” you breathed, your voice barely audible. The word slipped out before you could think, a surrender to the overwhelming pleasure coursing through you.

Yeosang smirked, a hint of triumph softening his expression. 

“Good,” he said, his tone laced with satisfaction. He bent his head lower, his lips brushing against the inside of your thigh, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. The sensation sent a jolt of electricity through you, pooling low in your stomach.

His tongue flicked out then, tasting you for the first time, and you cried out, gripping the sheets beneath you. His name tumbled from your lips in a breathless plea, but he ignored it, too focused on his task. His tongue moved with precision, tracing patterns against your most intimate flesh, and every flick, every swipe, brought you closer to the edge.

You were shaking now, your body taut with need, and Yeosang knew exactly what you needed. He teased the bundle of nerves with his fingers while his tongue worked its magic, alternating between gentle licks and firmer strokes that sent waves of pleasure crashing over you. Your hips bucked involuntarily, chasing the sensation, and he gripped your thighs to hold you still.

“Yeosang…” you moaned, your voice breaking as the tension coiled tighter and tighter within you.

He glanced up at you, his eyes gleaming with intensity. 

“Almost there,” he promised, his voice rough with exertion. He returned his attention to you, his movements growing more urgent, and you felt the walls inside you tighten, preparing to give way.

The pleasure rose higher, cresting like a wave, and with a final, desperate cry, you shattered. Your body convulsed around his fingers, your muscles clenching uncontrollably as the orgasm swept through you. Yeosang didn’t stop, didn’t let up, riding the wave with you until the tremors subsided and you lay spent, gasping for air.

He pulled away slowly, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he watched you. His lips were swollen, stained with your arousal, and his dark hair fell messily across his forehead. You reached out, your fingers threading through the strands, and drew him down for a kiss. It was messy, passionate, and utterly consuming, a reflection of the explosive intimacy you had just shared.

When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against yours, his breath mingling with yours. He started to strip his clothes, throwing them haphazardly across the room.

“I want to make you feel that way again,” he murmured, his voice low and husky. “But not yet. I have something else in mind.”

You blinked up at him, unsure of what he meant, but before you could ask, he rolled onto his back, tugging you with him. You straddled his hips, your legs trembling slightly as you settled into place. Yeosang’s hands glided up your sides, cupping your breasts, and his thumbs brushed your nipples, sending sparks of sensation rippling outward.

“Tell me what you want,” he repeated, his voice commanding this time. “And this time, don’t hold back.”

You looked down at him, his dark eyes locked onto yours, and felt a surge of boldness. 

“I want you inside me,” you said, the words coming out stronger than you expected. “Now.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear,” he growled, flipping you onto your back once more. He positioned himself between your legs, his hardness pressing against you, and you gasped as he pushed into you with one smooth thrust.

The sensation was overwhelming, a perfect blend of fullness and heat that left you clinging to him for balance. Yeosang paused, giving you a moment to adjust, before pulling out and thrusting back in, his movements deliberate and controlled.

You wrapped your legs around his waist, urging him on, and he obliged, picking up the pace. His thrusts grew deeper, more forceful, each one rocking your body in tandem with his. Your breaths came in short, sharp bursts, merging with his groans as the sound of flesh meeting flesh filled the room.

“Yeosang,” you whispered, your voice broken and pleading. “Don’t stop. Please…”

He drove into you harder, his hands pinning your wrists above your head. “Never,” he growled, his teeth bared in a feral grin. “Not until you’ve had enough.”

Your body tightened around him, signaling the beginnings of another climax, and Yeosang sensed it, pushing you over the edge with brutal efficiency. You screamed his name as pleasure tore through you, your nails digging into his back as he followed shortly after, his release marking the end of your mutual frenzy.

For a moment, there was nothing but stillness, save for the sound of your labored breathing. Yeosang collapsed beside you, his chest heaving, and you turned to face him, your fingers tracing the curve of his jaw.

“Again?” he asked, his voice a teasing challenge.

You leaned in, capturing his lips with yours. “Only if you can keep up.”

The months that followed were a blur of passion, laughter, and quiet moments shared with Yeosang. Each night, you found yourself in his arms, the two of you tangled together in a mess of sheets and promises. But it wasn’t just about the heat between you—it was the way he looked at you, the way his touch made you feel seen and cherished. You loved him, and you wanted Yeonwoo to see that love reflected in both of your eyes.

It was a sunny afternoon when the three of you sat together on the porch. Yeonwoo was sprawled on the floor, her tiny hands happily petting Goober, who lay beside her with his tongue lolling out in pure bliss. Yeosang sat next to you, his arm draped casually around your shoulders as he watched his daughter play. The moment felt perfect like it had been crafted just for you.

“Yeonwoo,” Yeosang began, his voice calm but deliberate. His deep brown eyes shifted from his daughter to you, then back again. “We need to talk to you about something important.”

Yeonwoo paused mid-pet, her wide, innocent eyes lifting to meet her father’s. She blinked, waiting, her stuffed rabbit clutched tightly against her chest.

You took a deep breath, reaching out to squeeze Yeosang’s hand. 

“Sweetie,” you said gently, your voice soft but steady. “Your daddy and I… we love each other. We’ve talked about it, and we want to be a family. Together. Just the three of us.”

Yeonwoo’s eyes widened further, her tiny mouth forming an “O” of surprise. For a moment, she didn’t say anything, her gaze darting between you and her father before landing on Goober, who panted happily beside her. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, she scrambled to her feet and threw herself at Goober, hugging the dog tightly.

“That means you’ll stay with us forever, right?” she asked, her voice tinged with excitement. “You’ll be my new mommy? And Goober can be my pet?”

You glanced at Yeosang, your heart swelling at the sincerity in her question. He gave you a small, reassuring smile before nodding. “Yes, sweetheart. That’s exactly what it means.”

Yeonwoo squealed, burying her face in Goober’s fur. The dog, ever the gentle giant, let out a happy bark and wagged his tail furiously, clearly enjoying the attention. You laughed, your cheeks warm with emotion, and Yeosang pulled you closer, pressing a tender kiss to your temple.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his breath brushing against your hair. “For making this easy for her.”

You turned your head slightly, meeting his gaze. 

“She’s not the only one who’s happy about this,” you replied, your voice teasing but laced with genuine affection. “I think I’ve wanted this just as much as she has.”

Yeosang’s lips curved into a smug grin, his dark eyes glinting with mischief. 

“Oh, really?” he teased, his hand sliding down to rest on your thigh. “Want to prove it?”

Before you could answer, Yeonwoo chimed in, her little voice interrupting the moment. “Daddy, can we go to the park tomorrow? Please? It’s been ages since we played on the swings!”

Yeosang chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately. “Of course, princess. As long as your new mommy agrees.”

Your cheeks flushed at the title, but you nodded quickly, unable to suppress a smile. “I’d love to. We’ll make it a family outing.”

Yeonwoo clapped her hands, her laughter ringing out like music. “Yay! Goober can come too!”

“Goober would never forgive us if we left him behind,” you agreed, laughing along with her.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the yard, Yeosang stood up and offered you a hand. 

“Come on,” he said, his voice low and inviting. “Let’s take these two inside. They’re going to get cold out here.”

You accepted his hand, letting him pull you to your feet. Yeonwoo grabbed her stuffed rabbit and Goober’s leash, already plotting their evening routine. The four of you walked into the house, the warmth of the day lingering in the air around you.

Once inside, Yeosang led you toward the kitchen, his fingers intertwined with yours. 

“Have I told you how amazing you are?” he asked suddenly, his tone serious but his eyes sparkling with amusement.

You raised an eyebrow, leaning into him slightly. “Not recently, no. What brought this on?”

“Just thinking about how lucky I am,” he admitted, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’ve made me a better man. A better father. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m never letting you go.”

Your breath hitched, your heart skipping a beat at his words. 

“Yeosang…” you began, but he silenced you with a finger to your lips.

“Don’t say anything,” he instructed, his voice firm but gentle. “Just let me enjoy the moment.”

You nodded silently, your chest tight with emotion. Yeosang leaned down, capturing your lips in a slow, sweet kiss that sent a jolt of electricity through your body. When he pulled away, his gaze lingered on yours, hot and intense.

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you too,” you respond back, happy that you have a love like this.

[sapphiresaphics]

Okay but… this pervasive idea that “there were no consequences” is just as ridiculous as saying “I hate flawed characters who do bad things!” Because it’s not true… there absolutely were consequences for her actions.

A lot of the times when I see people say “it wasn’t resolved/there were no consequences” what they actually mean is “Caitlyn never apologized verbally” and they often gloss over all the times Caitlyn DOES do things to atone for her actions and make amends.

Like her line “you think I needed all the guards at the hexgate” isn’t just a line to start kinky jail sex, it’s her admitting to Vi that she gave up on her hatred of Jinx and let Vi choose her sister’s love. When she says “hating you, I’ve hated myself” she’s admitting to herself that she has been fueled and burned out by rage for so long and it’s caused her to do bad things. When she screams “I know!” She’s acknowledging that she did terrible things and that she regrets them.

People will see Caitlyn betray Ambessa and make jokes about how all it took was Vi saying “cupcake” to her, and ignore the past 3 episodes where she’s actively trying to subvert Ambessa’s ambitions and using her power and influence to mitigate the damage Ambessa is causing.

I feel like this is a halfway point to understanding her character and appreciating what the show was doing with her. Because yes, I agree, “i hate flawed characters who do bad things” is a bad take, but so is saying “it’s actually bad because nothing got resolved.” Setting aside the fact this is a tragedy and often times things DON’T get resolved nice and cleanly on purpose, m it still ignores the stuff Caitlyn does to try and make amends and resolve the conflicts she created.

And like… she actually loses an eye. She DOES get punished in the end. It’s not even subtextual…

I’m all for arcane s2 slander but in the midst of their thinkpieces I keep seeing ppl be like “and part of why this season sucked was bc Caitlyn was a mean evil bad guy >:( boo I hate when flawed characters do problematic things >:(”

The problem with Caitlyn’s arc wasn’t that she did bad things, it was the way it wasn’t resolved at all/had absolutely no payoff or consequences. If you genuinely think Caitlyn’s dictator era makes the show bad or ruined her character then you have just as little media literacy as the people who think everything was perfect just because their ship was canon

[urlocallemgrem]

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again- stop victimizing Narcissa Malfoy. The take that she was this wonderful person who was simply a victim of her circumstances is absolutely hot garbage. The same goes for Regulus as well.

No. She was an evil girl boss who wore her heritage and pure blood beliefs like a badge of honor. She was the matriarch of one of the wealthiest and most prominent wizarding families in the WORLD.

Lucius also wasn’t this “abusive” father that you all paint him out to be. He loved Draco dearly- and he spoiled him as such (even if some of his parenting methods were questionable). He was trying to keep his family alive while also being an asset to Voldemort. He took the hits for his family MULTIPLE times. I think a lot of you take the movie version of him at face value without actually looking at the context.

Narcissa quite literally threatened Harry when he taunted her about Lucius being in Azkaban. She also stood up for him to Bellatrix multiple times. The Malfoys were loyal to each other to a fault.

Bad people can still love each other!!! Let evil female characters be evil!!

[thoughts-nshit]

Lone Bunny

Summary: Reader bumps into a man on the street, he was a stranger to her, but she was not a stranger to him.

TW: Stalker!Konig, Oblivious!Reader, eventual smut, murder of a character, NSFW!!, MDNI, Very slowburn, reader is seen as chubby and a virgin, manipulation, loneliness,

Notes: 730 words, i am a first time writer so this could be shit, if this is recieved well ill work on making a prologue or stuff like that, lots of love xxxxx

Prologue

Part One: Scoped

Alone.

That’s all you were. All that you convinced yourself you were. It didn’t help that whenever you brought up your loneliness to family or friends, the response was always ‘Well you need to learn to love yourself until you can love someone else’. How infuriating, how could you love yourself unless someone set an example and showed you how?

You were so touch-starved that the thought of anyone touching you, showing affection, or pleasuring you made you sick to your stomach. You were repulsed by touch, and you'd shy away from a hug, a handshake, or a platonic cheek kiss. You would do anything to get out of situations like that, like an animal gnawing its leg out of a trap.

That’s why you were in the middle of uni, not in a house share, but a single flat, with barely any friends, and repulsed by the thought of touch, ‘just too complicated to love’ you told yourself as you hurried out your flat to your lecture, another failed human interaction with a tinder date, you wore comfy clothes, it wasn’t like anyone was going to look at you. Why would they?

You sipped your coffee as you darted in between the crowds of people, how you hated city life. The noise, the towering buildings, the rudeness, the publicity. All of it was too much for your soft little head. Until your soft little head collided with a very hard chest.

“Pass auf, wo du hin gehst, Hase,”

“Oh my god, I am so sorry, my head is just in the clouds…with class and all.” You rambled for about a minute trying to apologise but you kept running down a rabbit hole. Until he grabbed your shoulder gently. Now this man was massive, his hand was as big as your head, and he towered way over you, and for being 5ft9 that happened on a rare occasion. You blushed a bit at the contact, not receding.

“It doesn’t matter Hase, just watch where you're going, don’t want you getting trampled.” This deep voice behind a hood chuckles a bit as he soothes you before taking his hand off your shoulder and walking off, gone as quickly as he arrived.

You were flustered, your cheeks burning up, but you lied and told yourself it was the cold. It was odd you didn’t flinch when he touched you. You should I mean this was a 6ft10 man who felt like pure muscle when your head collided with his chest. No one had ever made you this flustered, especially not a man you just met, heat pooled between your legs. Surely you weren’t that needy that the first time a stranger gently touched your shoulder, you were soaked, I mean you didn’t even get a glimpse of his face, so you blamed it on your subtle voice kink.

You hurried to your lecture but couldn’t focus once you sat, your hand between your thighs, thick thighs squished together, trying to get any friction without being too obvious, you mentally scolded yourself. Sure, you masturbated, but never really finished, finding it too overstimulating to finish yourself off, your mind scrambling too much for you to continue circling your nub.

After what felt like torture the lecture finished, you managed to push the stranger to the back of your mind. But you were still very wet. You went home for lunch, and all social interaction, or lack of it, drained you, you collapsed on the couch as soon as you got home.

Awoken by your cat licking your hand for food, you got up and fed it until you went down to the lobby to collect post, you walked down the stairs and fumbled with your keys to find the one that opened your post-box, you stopped in your tracks when you saw a single lavender flower sticking out.

Your favourite flower, maybe it was a coincidence, you were subscribed to a lot of grandmaish magazines for hobbies, maybe it was like a gift, but you didn’t want to risk anything, you saw traffickers did stuff like this. You grabbed it with your sleeve and put it in a nearby bin before cautiously opening your postbox, shutting it, and rushing upstairs, locking your door behind you, hoping you were out of view, safe, but little bunny, you were right insight of a scope.

[matrioshka]

There’s a moment I really like early on in the series that I think ends up being a wonderful microcosm of the coming tension between these two characters: Vi is talking alone with Mylo about Powder, and Powder, hearing half the conversation, gets upset when she thinks Vi is speaking badly about her and runs away. 

I think when most people watch this episode they’re going to think ‘oh, it’s one of those scenes, I know what this is.’ But only a few minutes later Powder and Vi are talking and Powder hints at the fact that she overheard them talking, and Vi is like, okay I see what’s going on, and so she reassures her and reminds her she’s valued. And the scene ends with them both happy and content.

So, you’re like, oh I guess the problem is resolved. They talked it out! But because Arcane has stupid good writing you don’t realize what’s really going on - the problem wasn’t that Powder misheard Vi, it’s that Powder is insecure *and so* she misheard Vi and got upset. It’s this insecurity that ends up leading her to taking it really personally when Vi tells her she has to stay home and is the reason why she makes the monkey bomb. 

This encapsulates so much of the conflict they’ll have for the rest of the show - talking isn’t enough. It’s not a matter of mishearing things or mismatched information that needs to be cleared up, but rather Vi and Jinx’s fundamental understanding of each other and themselves. 

At the end of Season 1, Vi calls out to Jinx saying 'I know you're in there'! As though Jinx is, like, a mind virus puppetting Powder like a zombie and Vi just needs to reach her to knock her out of it. These two sisters desperately want to be in each other's lives, but that's not really something that can be cleared up with a conversation!

Ultimately, they have to become enemies in order to fully reset their expectations for what the other person is supposed to be before they can finally understand eachother. That's cool! I love that.

[geodraws04]

New AU Alert - Fallen Detectives AU

okay Chat I can’t contain myself anymore I GOTTA SHARE THE DESIGNS WITH THE WORLD.

So! Me and a few moots @elina-sakura and @draconicsparkle are working together on making an official fic for an AU called “Fallen Detectives!”

(SPOILERS DOWN BELOW!)

This AU takes place around the events of Chapter 4.

It essentially boils down to - “What if Yomi had kidnapped and essentially brainwashed the NDA into becoming peacekeepers?” And after their disappearance, it’s up to Kurumi to figure out what happened to them and eventually uncover the secrets behind Kanai Ward, the people in the city, and saving the NDA from Yomi’s grasp.

There are gonna be HUGE changes that will explain certain aspects of why you may see some characters designed here, but for the sake of keeping it a surprise, I won’t share them. :)

But one that I CAN share is this: Martina Electro will still be around!

While I do love the redemption arc we briefly saw at the end of Chapter 4, I just wished she wasn’t “killed offscreen in chapter 2 only PLOT TWIST SHES BACK!”

And idk. We love to see women’s wrongs here. So! She is still going to be present for this AU after chapter 2!

While we can all agree that Yomi is a sadistic evil shit, I really wished we had seen him and Martina be a lovey-evil couple and not have the “he backstabs her” thing because I feel like we rarely see evil power couples nowadays. Now Yomi is still an absolute asshole - of course - but, idk. I just wish we could’ve had a power couple thats absolutely evil and horrible together, yknow?

But that’ll be explored more in the AU once we get further into it.

I’m so pumped for this to be explored and share it with you guys.

AND HERES SOME MORE OF THE DESIGNS! Obv. Spoilers for the end of the game!

Also! If anyone ever does wanna make fanart for this AU when the story comes out use the tag #FallenDetectivesAU so I can see it!

also yes makoto has painted nails because I said so.

[eerie-august]

Theory time because I accidentally connected some dots (??) after reading E91 and I have no one to talk to about it —>

(No spoilers for fast pass, please if this theory is disproven in the next four episodes don’t spoil it)

Ever since episode 66 I have been wondering what exactly was the significance of Ashlyn’s dream, because the more you look at it the more obvious it becomes that it wasn’t a dream.

To sum up the episode:

After being drugged by Mr.Thomas, the next episode starts with Ashlyn being surrounded by her friends, most of which are playing video games. She falls asleep, and when she wakes up it’s dark and her friends are gone. She goes looking for them (acknowledging how strange the situation is) and finds them (including Logan) all inside a separate room. Before she can interact with them, a whisper catches her attention. She looks over to see a different Logan, one who is clearly hiding/peeking around a corner, warn her “that’s not us.” She looks back at her “friends,” all of which now have scary phantom faces. Then she wakes up in the lab in a panic and this “dream” is never mentioned again.

At first this comes off as a nightmare. Makes sense, Ashlyn was unconscious for a bit after a stressful event. Even the background of the chapter is grey and staticy, very indicative of a dream or flashback. However everything feels too linear, too real to be a dream. Ashlyn seems to be fully conscious, and a dream doesn’t explain why Logan specifically would be there to warn her about the phantom friends. I mean I love the guy but realistically if episode was completely irrelevant I fear he wouldn’t be in it.

Now I want to jump ahead to what Tyler and Aiden were talking about in E91. They both reveal they’ve been having dreams where a phantom version of themselves was trying to kill them.

Coincidence? I sure hope not because that would ruin the theory.

If Aiden and Tyler have been experiencing these dreams because they died, then why would Ash be experiencing something similar?

To explain this I propose a theory: there is a hidden, dreamlike world in between the real world and the phantom dimension, which contains the phantomified versions of real people. Here they aren’t quite human, but not completely phantoms either. This is where Tyler and Aiden are going, and this is where Ash and Logan have visited. Why tho?

Before I go into that, I want to highlight some things said early on in E66.

I think it’s safe to assume that the Logan who warns Ashlyn of her fake friends was the real Logan who was somehow in the dream with her.

And I suspect this wasn’t his first time in that realm, either. During their video game banter, Aiden complains of how good Logan is at the game. This doesn’t really matter, unless you take into account that fact that Logan supposedly hasn’t played before. The explanation? He has played it before.

Ashlyn does not realize her friends are phantoms, but Logan has (hence why he warns her from his hiding place). It appears that Logan has experienced this dream before, possibly so many times that he was able to master the “brand new” video game they were playing. It might work like a time loop, sending the kids though the same actions every time they visit.

Okay, so, if this is some third/subconscious dimension, then why are specifically Ashlyn and Logan the only ones experiencing this? I have a couple ideas:

1. It results after near-death or panic-inducing experience.

As far as we’re aware, Ashlyn only went to this “dimension” once, during the time she was being kidnapped. The drugs combined with her frantic fighting combined with her panic probably took a pretty big toll on her physical well being in addition to her mental. It makes sense that she might be in a weird headspace for a bit. As for Logan, I would like to point out that we are still missing crucial backstory details for his character. Maybe he experienced something when he was younger, or even at the start of the series that would cause him to go into panics resulting in dreaming about this “dimension.” Admittedly this theory has some problems.

- All of the kids have had many traumatizing experiences, why has Ashlyn only had this dream once?

- If Logan suffered from a traumatic event before being sucked into the rift in Savannah, why is he now experiencing this dream?

Theory 2: this dimension is where the kids go when they’re unconscious.

This one also has some major problems, but let me give the supporting evidence first. For starters, we’ve seen both Ash and Logan physically pass out within the Webtoon.

Logan went night-night as early as E22, which gives him plenty of time to experience this dreamworld before Ash got there. I also want to point out that both of these occurrences were from actually passing out, and not just sleeping. If this theory is to work then it must be from forced unconsciousness. However the plotholes for this theory are strong.

- We also saw Ben and Taylor knocked out in the same episode as Ashlyn, and it doesn’t appear that they had the same dream.

- If Logan has had this dream enough times to memorize hidden crawlspaces in a game, then he probably needs to spend a lot of time unconscious. That’s not good for his brain

Theory 3: the dream occurs depending on damage sustained from the phantom dimension.

This one doesn’t explain why Ashlyn has only had this dream once and specifically during E66, but it does solve a few issues regarding the other’s lack of this dream.

As far as I’m aware, Ashlyn and Logan have been directly injured by phantoms while the others haven’t. I’m pretty sure. (I also want to point out that when being tested in the lab for a connection, Logan was the one chosen to be nicked by the phantom, continuing the pattern that he’s been hurt by them while others haven’t)

Although not fatal, Logan sustained a pretty nasty scratch from a phantom in E22. It was so bad the scar existed in E32 and appeared in his shadow in E42. This implies it’s/he’s now heavily connected to the phantom dimension.

Ashlyn was also scratched way back in E10, then again in E73. Both were minor but left a scar and occurred during emotionally charged times. I don’t understand why a scratch occurring in E10 could result in a dimension hop in E66, but it could work in combination with the other theories. Maybe by being injured by phantoms, Ash and Logan were both “marked” and introduced to this in between-world. Then in times of great emotional or physical stress they come back to this dream because the fabric between dimensions is thinning.

This is about the extent of my thoughts but I do think I’m onto something. Let me know of any additions or contradictions to this theory

[loolilyumm]

I CARE SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR CAP 3 PLEASE MORE IF YOU WOULDNT MIND???

JUMPING UP AND DOWN IM SO GLAD YOU ASKED I WILL SO HAPPILY YAP ABOUT HIM

THIS IS AGENT THREE! Most of the people in the NSS call him “Three” or “Captain,” but his real name is Reese.

(SIDE NOTE- I really have to do proper character sheets for them. Please stay tuned for that!!)

He was 15 when he was hired by Cuttlefish and 17 during the events of octo expansion. Now he is a mature 20 year old inkling. So so mature.

He mains the E-liter and typically uses chargers or shooters.

Despite his “cool guy” persona, agent 8 brings out a different side of him… the loser baby side…!!! In Splatoon 2 When the two of them fell underground, Reese was actually the one to find 8, and he had to rescue her from sanitization chambers (you know, the octoling selection screen at the beginning of octo expansion?) but couldn’t save her in time to restore her memory. But she was (relatively) okay! And since then he’s been really protective of her. 8 was registered as a test subject and Reese had to stay behind and watch as she went through rigorous testing.

At that point Reese was really descending into a dark place after realizing that he wasn’t really the big hero he thought that he was. But 8 helped him through it and they formed a really close bond deep in the underground. (Cuttlefish was also there third wheeling. LOL) Reese started to feel flustered and shy around her. He’d never felt that way before, and definitely didn’t expect it. And it CONFUSED HIM!! He was like wtf? Why is this happening to meeee waahwaahhhhh ueueueuee

And then y’know……the rest is history! The blender incident happened and it was the scariest moment of his life. Reese was about to lose the only two people he had ever cared about. He has a tendency to throw himself recklessly into dangerous situations, so he just THREW himself at the blender and well. It worked! In my version, he never got knocked out, and he travelled upwards with 8 and cuttlefish until about the 4th phase. Then he and cuttlefish got separated from 8 and attacked by Tartar - that’s how he was brainwashed.

The battle between agent 3 and agent 8 was BRUTAL. Reese harbors extreme amounts of guilt for what went down - he blames himself a lot and thinks he should have been stronger. 8 got really hurt but she managed to save him and THEN save the whole world. #girlboss! Period.

The two of them are working through the events of octo expansion together! If you want me to yap about 8 too I will gladly do that. (Also maybe I should write a fanfic about it. I am cringe but I am free.)

Cut to 3 years into the future - During splatoon 3, Reese becomes captain of the NSS. He doesn’t think he deserves the title but is honored to accept it.

The new agent 3 that they recruited reminds Reese a lot of himself. Her name is Margot. She’s the quiet kid that he used to be. He sort of takes her under his wing and teaches her how to defend herself and her comrades. She is like a younger sister to him. They bicker and bond just like siblings. I LOVE THEM.

I actually haven’t really thought through what happens during the events of splatoon 3. I’m running with the idea that agent 4 and agent 8 go missing during the events of side order. (I know it’s all virtual but like I might add other things to it IDK IDK) I don’t really know yet. But Reese is a good captain and he can find them ☺️☺️

BUT YEA. AFTER ALL THT IS SAID AND DONE - they’re the NSS! And they are all besties.

Thank u for coming to my ted talk.

[ecargmura]

Dandadan Episode 12 Review + Final Thoughts - You're Ending It Like That?

The way this ended was absolutely FOUL! What do you mean I have to wait until July for season 2? Like you can’t just end it there and say “See you in about seven months!” What a way to get people hyped for the next cour yet so evil too.

Basically, the finale is about the aftermath of the Taro and Hana situation with the kids prostrating to Seiko to allow Hana to stay in the Ayase residence. That way, Taro can sneak out at night and visit his love. The way he does it is so hilarious because he just runs even when there are students in sight; the sight of him taking the train got me chuckling. He was able to make it back despite getting dissembled due to a truck that did not isekai him. It also turns out that the shining ‘ball’ on Taro wasn’t Okarun’s ball but a Christmas ornament. This part was hilarious but it’s cute to see how devoted Taro is to Hana. I’ve also noticed that these minor spirits like the Mantis Shrimp play some sort of role later on, so I get this feeling that the same might apply to Taro and/or Hana.

The episode then transitions to Okarun, Momo and Jiji going to Jiji’s house to see what the source of the curse is. Also, I’m convinced that Jiji’s energy is a mix of being an extrovert and also sleep deprivation because that guy cannot sleep properly and is probably trying to fight it off by being as silly as possible so no one would worry. Regardless, Jiji and Okarun actually do get along well as Jiji is open-minded and accepting. This makes Okarun feel more insecure because his love rival is a good guy and it would make it harder for him to win Momo’s affections. 

To be honest, I think their friendship and rivalry is adorable. Okarun doesn’t have male friends because of the constant bullying he got from other boys in school, so it would be nice if Jiji becomes his first friend. Momo is so nice for wanting them to get along hence why she left so the two can bond. I don’t remember the last time I saw two guys childishly fight over a girl they both like. Usually, male rivalries are full of silence, but it’s nice to see them express their mutual love for Momo and be petty about it too. Like I said before, it’s like a gender-bent version of two girls realizing they both like the same guy and fighting over it.

Before moving to the Ayase’s, Jiji used to live in a small town in the mountains. His father is a researcher who studies volcanoes and works at a nearby university before his hospitalization. Jiji’s energy makes so much sense given that mountainous areas are steep, so you have to be athletic or full of stamina to survive. Jiji has the energy and the stamina to climb three flight of stairs while Momo becomes exhausted and Okarun just dies. Though, the townspeople are creepy, especially the ones spying on the kids. The men are especially creepy with how they get into the same bath as Momo and are trying to assault her. *sigh* Momo has terrible luck when it comes to creeps…

But yeah, I do wonder what that weird foyer’s deal is…and that answer will have to wait until Summer. Did you know that in Western countries, fall is considered spooky season while Asian countries consider summer to be spooky season? Ghost stories are often exchanged or told in the summer, which makes absolute sense why Dandadan, a paranormal and supernatural show would return for the summer—it’s to fulfill the spooky vibes.

Final Thoughts

Dandadan was definitely the hit show for this season. Everyone keeps talking about it whether it be positively or negatively. I can see why it’s so popular. Not only is it a Jump title, but it has the ‘anime’ feel to it as it mixes action and zaniness in one. It’s not realistic and it doesn’t have to be—it’s just something fun to look at and enjoy.

I like the unique batch of characters this story has. What I like most is that they’re essentially gender reversed versions of the shounen character tropes. While Momo and Okarun share the role as co-protagonists, both are written in a way that they have traits that are normally reserved for characters of the opposite gender. Momo is blunt, abrasive and has a rude way of speaking, which is normally seen in male shounen MCs, but she also has a heart of gold and that is what attracts people to her. Okarun is a shrinking violet who Momo helps out one day and they become fast friends despite their differences in beliefs. Okarun would be the quintessential shy love interest who develops a crush on the MC and makes it their entire personality, but he does have a personality outside of Momo, which is a good thing, and his crush is used to help him grow and develop. Aira, Jiji and Seiko are unique too! However, I also like that they give personality to the supernatural creatures they encounter like Turbo Granny, Acrobatic Silky, etc. Usually, these sorts of villains would just be textbook evil for the heck of it or just throwaways, but the story does take time to let the readers know what sort of people they are underneath. Turbo Granny protects the souls of girls who died tragically in the tunnel; Acrobatic Silky was once a mom who had a daughter but failed to protect her; Mantis Shrimp was only a villain because he needed to help his son Chiquitita.

The voice acting is really good! Dandadan is one of those Jump titles that uses little new faces and more veterans. The only new face in the cast is Shion Wakayama, technically. Yet, she nails Momo so hard that it’s hard to believe that she started off voicing quiet, shy girls. Everyone else does a splendid job as to be expected of professionals. The English dub also does a spectacular job. I still can’t believe they got Kari Wahlgren and Barbara Goodson to return to anime dubbing. It’s amazing what a good production can do!

Though, I do like the animation and music the most when it comes to this anime. The animation is just so fluid and I really like how Science Saru takes time to give movement to each shot. I also like the music too! The piano score from Episode 7 really gets to me. Whoever did the music needs a raise, ASAP.

I guess a few gripes I have is that Dandadan is aggressively the most Japanese show I’ve seen this season. What I mean by that is that Dandadan does fall victim to the usual anime cliches at times, but it’s not an entirely bad thing. I just feel like some things in it are typical of animes like the unsightly scenes of the first and final episodes to action-packed scenes reminiscent of classic anime shows. People on social media do like to say that there are other cultural influences in Dandadan, but I disagree. Dandadan is very, VERY Japanese from the talk about supernatural powers to Japanese people’s views on aliens. I won’t get into too much detail as I am not Japanese myself, but it is one of those shows that could work in a Western setting, but it wouldn’t have the same flair.

Overall, Dandadan is a show I would recommend to people if they want something fun to watch without thinking too much into it. My brother is always telling me to read the manga as he says it’s better, so I might check out the manga if I get the chance. Let me know your thoughts on the finale and the anime as a whole!

[averagewriter-inthedark]

Don't Mess With The Doctor's Wife 💘 | Carlisle Cullen Snippet

Twilight Masterlist Part 1

Characters & Pairings: Carlisle Cullen x female!vampire!reader (romantic), Bella Swan x Edward Cullen, Edward Cullen x reader (platonic)

Content warnings: fluff, light angst, suggestive themes right at the end | female reader (she/her) | wc: 1.4k

Premise: Just some good ole fluff of a married vampire couple of a few dumbass teen immortals.

Note: So many people loved 'The Doctor's Wife' and asked if I could continue it! not sure if I'll make it long imagines but I definitely plan on making small snippets like this that is good ole fluff of the golden couple of the Cullens dealing with their chaotic teenage immortal children. Enjoy and thank you so much for the positive reception on my work!

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

“Honey….,” Carlisle leaned against the door of their bedroom, treading carefully on water he knew better than to cross. But their whole family dynamic was at stake and as the patriarch--and coven leader--he needed to fix it. 

Without any bloodshed.

Her glare, however, spoke against his hopes for peace. “Don’t honey me, Carlisle Cullen.” Clothes flung everywhere, the room in utter disarray contrary to its usually unkempt nature. “He is being ridiculous and you know it.” Tossing a pair of Manolo Blahnik pumps into the suitcase she gave him another look, “And yes, I know he can hear me.” Carlisle had opened his mouth, but closed it, his wife not having to the mind reader in the family to know what he was about to say. 

“You have every right to be upset. I’m not happy about the situation either, but we have to do what’s best for our family.”

Carlisle came over to where she was, beginning to pack his clothes into his own suitcase. Brushing away the stray hairs that fell from her hair scarf, Y/n’s eyes turned serious, “What happened was unfortunate--and it is a shame Bella got hurt. He’s been beating himself over it the entire weekend and I understand that, Carlisle. But what I don’t appreciate is him uprooting us and using you as the excuse.”

Following Bella’s birthday party gone wrong, Edward didn’t waste a second in making the executive decision to the family that they had to leave Forks. Saying they were a danger to Bella and to ensure her safety and no more harm comes to her as a result of his doing, they needed to remove themselves from the picture. And Edward’s genius move was to tell Bella it was because the staff at the hospital were starting to notice Carlisle’s lack of aging. 

“His concern is valid. We’ve been here four years now. It was bound to happen.”

“So you’re telling me you’ve heard people talk at the hospital?” She challenged.

“I don’t need to hear them say it aloud, Y/n,” he tells her with a knowing look. “Their stares are enough confirmation. I had one nurse ask me last week if I had a skincare routine.” His attempt at a joke doesn't work. She doesn’t so much as crack a smile, but he tries again. “Soon they’ll be asking what botox doctor I go to.”

Y/n knew Carlisle had a point. It always happened wherever they moved. They settled down, spent maybe five or six years until all the kids graduated from high school for the hundredth time, then did it all over again. If it wasn’t nosy hospital workers, it was teachers. If it wasn’t the bakery owner she frequented asking how she managed to look 27 after seven years, then it was the engineer she was collaborating with on a project. 

“It’s not fair,” she goes on, carefully folding her dress shirts, skirts, and pants. Not looking forward to having to pack up her art studio. All the supplies, artwork, and projects she was working on. “And I feel so awful for her,” her frown made his own appear, “You see the way she looks at him. It’s utter devotion, as though he was a sentient being sent from the heavens. And Edward,” her voice drops to a whisper, “he worships the ground she walks on. And this decision not only punishes her, it punishes him.”

The pair fall into a silence when the front door opens and slams shut. Edward’s lingering scent disapparating, causing Y/n to groan and place her head in her hands. The anger and not caring if her adoptive son heard her rant suddenly vanished. Replaced with shame. 

Carlisle sighs, setting down the pile of towels he folded to walk over to her. Gently grabbing her shoulders, he brings Y/n into a comforting embrace, letting his hands fall to her waist, allowing her to sink into his arms with a content hum. 

“Listen to me,” she closes her eyes, not wanting to meet his gaze where she’ll find judgement. “I sound ridiculous--and I’m being unfair to him and his feelings on the matter.”

“You care for him dearly,” Carlisle strokes her hair, “he understands that. And I think deep down he knows you’re right, but won’t admit to it because he believes he’s doing the right thing for Bella.” Carlisle leans back to look into her eyes, “Remember, he was turned at a young age--and has never experienced this type of love before. He’s learning all this for the first time.”

“I know,” she mumbles, deflated but understanding. They stayed in their embrace for a few minutes before separating to continue packing up. Edward returned later that night with brighter eyes, indicating he had fed to which resolved some of the tension between the two when they finally sat down to have the conversion they’d been dreading. Him apologizing for uprooting the family suddenly, and for the harm he was to cause Bella. And Y/n apologizing for the words she spoke before he left. They hugged it out, neither able to stay mad at the other, and Edward helped her pack the art room throughout the remainder of the night. 

The time away from Forks was odd but somewhat comforting. Carlisle and Y/n decided to spend their time on the island they owned just off the coast of Brazil. Rosalie and Emmett traveled to New York, Alice and Jasper in Mississippi and Edward in Rio de Janeiro. They spoke on the phone frequently, sent letters and postcards, or emailed. Edward would spend a night or two on the island to hunt, Y/n painted canvas after canvas, and Carlisle worked on a medical textbook he was in the process of writing.

“You hear that?” She asked one night when they were cuddling on the couch. A random movie playing on the TV.

“What?”

“It’s quiet,” she whispered, a grin spreading on her lips. “No kids. No animals. No workers. Absolute silence.” Carlisle mirrored her smile. 

“You’re right. We haven’t had complete silence in ages.”

“More like eighty years--give or take,” she snorted. 

When the shit hit the fan in Italy, Y/n nearly killed Edward herself. Not just for the danger he put himself in but for the whole family. Alice and Rosalie also met her wrath--Rosalie for not explaining clearly to Edward the vision, and Alice for dragging Bella to Italy. 

Yeah, none of them wanted the smoke. 

The sight of the three siblings sitting on the couch with their heads down and twiddling their thumbs while Y/n paced in front of them while shouting a motherly tangent had Emmett straining to hold back his laughter. Carlisle didn’t dare intervene. 

Back in Forks the family settled back into their routines. Carlisle in the hospital and Y/n working on projects. The kids in school and planning for the summer. 

Then shit hit the fan again.

This time in the form of a newborn vampire army created by the red-headed lover of the tracker they disposed of the year prior. Victoria. And she was out for revenge against Edward and Bella. 

Y/n was not the fighting type, but that didn’t mean she did not know how to throw down. She could get her hands dirty if she desired. Emmett and Jasper taught her the ropes, Edward taught her how to anticipate opponents moves. 

“C’mon old man!” she dodged Carlisle’s attack, giggling as she pivoted to kick lightly at his chest. “Don’t be getting sleepy on me now. That’s not like you.” Carlisle smirked, catching her off guard by grabbing her waist and flipping her onto the ground.

“I’d watch who you call old, sweetheart,” he mocked right as Jasper yelled, “Never turn your back on your enemy!” 

Let’s just say…they did more than spar that night once the sun went down. 

[rizzanon]

i really love how all the characters have understandable reasons for being distant with batsis!reader.

of course they hurt her and should’ve done more. but their reasons make sense.

Bruce struggles emotionally and socially due to his ptsd and autsim. so him not knowing how to truly be a father and entrusting someone he knows does, Alfred, is understandable. He should’ve been more active he should’ve tried harder. but i understand why he didn’t.

for Dick his is literally just the woes of time. as time goes on as life changes especially as you grow up and gain new and more responsibilities and relationships sometimes things slip through the cracks, important things important people. and while he could’ve tried harder to make time for her there’s only so much time and often not enough. while sad and hurtful it’s understandable after all it wasn’t even intentional it was just… life.

Jason… his is so reasonable. dying due to a life style only to come back from the dead and see your beloved sister has thrown herself into that same life style that beaten you down to death… of course he was angry of course he felt betrayed. not only was his sister putting herself in danger she was doing so in way that literally fucking killed him. a way he feared would kill her one day. him pulling away not wanting to watch it happen not being able to bear witness to her inevitable destruction.

that’s just a few but i love that you gave them actual reasons behind their actions/lack of and understandable ones along with their actions not being needlessly cruel yes they made mistakes they hurt her they could’ve and should’ve done better. but it’s not like they were intentionally trying to hurt her or be cruel because realistically they had no reason too it simply isn’t in any of their characters.

i also love how you write the bat!sis and how in Stephs background info it starts to show how her own insecurities play a part in her distance from others. because that’s often the case in reality negative self image and other mental health issues can and do cause you to ininvertly push people away even if you desperately want to be close to them. but i’ll leave that for another time… i’ve already wrote way to much.

wow. anon, i love you for giving a full on analysis on literally how i wrote about all the batfam members so far 😭🫶🫶 i literally couldn’t have said it any better.

i was thinking and planning so hard about each of the characters background because yeah, i didn’t want to make it so unrealistic and ooc because come on. i don’t think any of the batfam members will full on neglect a member of theirs… but for the sake of this plot LOL, i shall write them as such.🥲 it took me a while to figure out how i want the dynamics to be with each of the batfam so i hope it came out natural and in tune for each of the characters.

but thank you for this analysis omg (if you’re planning to do another one for the other members once i’ve written them more feel free! i’d love to read what you think <3)

[kezdispenser]

Breaking Character pt9/?

Summary: You are the new cast member of 'The Boys' and you play Butcher's cousin and Soldier Boy's new love interest 'Solene'. You're introduced to the cast by the director at a dinner and you're seated next to Karl and Jensen to "bond".

Pairing: Jensen x reader

Warnings: 18+ SMUT, fingering, fluff.

The energy at the bar was electric, a perfect mix of celebration and relief as the cast of The Boys gathered to unwind after wrapping another intense week of shooting. Drinks flowed freely, laughter echoed off the walls, and the playlist—curated by none other than Tomer—was a chaotic mix of nostalgic throwbacks and questionable dance tracks.

You walked in with Jensen, his hand resting firmly on the small of your back as he guided you through the throng of people. The warmth of his touch sent shivers down your spine, but you tried not to focus on it. Tonight wasn’t just a celebration of work; it was also the night you and Jensen planned to let the cast in on your relationship.

It had been his idea, though he’d taken his sweet time convincing you. “They’ll love it,” he’d said, his voice dripping with that irresistible Southern charm. “Besides, Karl already suspects it. Dude gives me side-eyes every time I stand next to you on set.”

You’d laughed at that, but now that the moment was here, nerves twisted in your stomach.

“Relax,” Jensen murmured into your ear, his lips brushing the shell just enough to make your heart race. “You look stunning, and they’re all too drunk to care.”

You shot him a playful glare, but he just grinned that stupidly perfect grin of his, the one that made it impossible to stay annoyed.

As you reached the group, Erin was the first to spot you. She waved you over enthusiastically, practically bouncing in her seat. “Finally! Took you two long enough!” she exclaimed, her eyes flitting between you and Jensen.

Tomer smirked, raising his glass. “Yeah, thought you two were skipping out on us. What, had better plans?”

Jensen chuckled, pulling out a chair for you before sitting down beside you, his arm casually draped over the back of your seat. “Nah, just wanted to make an entrance,” he teased, winking at you.

As the night wore on, the drinks kept coming, and the atmosphere grew looser. You found yourself sandwiched between Jensen and Erin, laughing so hard your sides ached as Karl recounted a particularly embarrassing moment from set.

“And then,” Karl said, barely able to keep a straight face, “this asshole”—he pointed at Jensen—“tried to ad-lib some line about a goat, and we all lost it. Took thirty minutes to reset the damn scene.”

Jensen raised his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, it was worth it. That goat line was gold.”

“You’re full of shit,” Karl shot back, shaking his head.

As the laughter died down, Jensen’s hand found yours under the table. He intertwined your fingers, giving them a gentle squeeze. It was a small gesture, but it sent a wave of warmth through you.

Eventually, the conversation turned to relationships—who was dating who, who was single, and who was too busy to care.

“What about you, Y/N?” Laz asked, leaning back in his chair with a knowing smirk. “You seeing anyone?”

You hesitated, glancing at Jensen, who was already grinning like an idiot.

“Actually,” Jensen said, his voice carrying just enough to grab everyone’s attention. “We’ve got some news.”

All eyes turned to you both, and you suddenly wished the ground would swallow you whole. But Jensen, ever the professional charmer, wrapped an arm around your shoulders and kissed the side of your head.

“We’re together,” he announced, his tone casual but confident.

The table erupted into cheers, applause, and a few playful jeers. Erin looked like she was about to combust from excitement.

“Finally!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “I knew it! I fucking knew it!”

Tomer raised his glass again. “To Jensen and Y/N!”

“To Y/N putting up with his bullshit,” Karl added, earning another round of laughter.

Jensen leaned close to you, his breath warm against your ear. “See? Told you they’d love it.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t stop the smile that spread across your face.

The rest of the night passed in a blur of drinks, laughter, and stolen moments with Jensen. He was glued to your side, his hand either holding yours, resting on your thigh, or casually wrapped around your waist. He didn’t care who saw; in fact, he seemed to revel in showing everyone how much he cared about you.

At one point, as you were grabbing another drink at the bar, he snuck up behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his chin on your shoulder.

“Having fun?” he asked, his voice soft and intimate despite the noise around you.

“Yeah,” you said, leaning into him. “You?”

“Best night I’ve had in a long time,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to your temple.

By the end of the night, most of the cast was either gone or too drunk to stand, but you and Jensen stayed, savoring the quiet moments as the bar emptied out.

“Wanna head home?” he asked, his hand brushing a stray hair from your face.

“Yeah,” you said, smiling up at him. “Let’s go.”

As you walked out together, his arm draped over your shoulders and yours around his waist, you couldn’t help but feel like everything was exactly as it should be.

The house was quiet when we got back, the kids sound asleep after the long day. Jensen closed the door behind us, dropping his keys on the table. He turned to me, his smile soft and warm, the kind of look that always made my stomach flip.

“You were amazing tonight,” he said, stepping closer and wrapping his arms around my waist. “I’m so damn proud to be yours.”

I smiled, leaning into his touch. “You weren’t so bad yourself, Mr. Ackles. Quite the life of the party.”

He chuckled, the low sound vibrating through me. “It’s easy to have fun when I’ve got you by my side.” His voice dropped, a little rougher. “And now, I get you all to myself.”

My breath hitched as he leaned in, brushing his lips against mine in a kiss that started slow but quickly deepened, his hands pulling me closer. My fingers tangled in his hair, and I felt his quiet groan against her mouth.

“Let’s go upstairs,” he murmured against my lips, his forehead resting against mine.

I nodded, and he took my hand, leading me to their bedroom. The room was dimly lit, moonlight streaming through the window, casting soft shadows. Jensen turned to me, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

“You’re everything to me, you know that?” His voice was low, but the weight of his words was unmistakable.

My chest tightened at his words, the sincerity in his eyes leaving me speechless. I cupped his cheek, my thumb brushing against his stubble. “You mean the world to me too, Jensen.”

We shared another kiss, this one slower, more meaningful, as if we were both savoring the moment. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine again, a smile playing on his lips.

“Stay here,” he whispered.

Before I could ask he came back, pulled his shirt off him and quite literally leaped at me as we both fell back on the bed. "You know... the last time we tried to do this, the kids started crying" he said as he pulled back and looked at me with a cheeky smile on his face. I realised we had never done this before and my heartbeat sped up. "Maybe we'll just have to be quiet" I said as I set my nerves aside, the drinks from earlier giving me a bit of confidence as I pulled his face down and kissed him.

He left a trail of kisses from my jaw to my chest and as he looked up at me, I smiled and nodded. He slowly pulled my strap off my shoulder and lifted me up a little to unzip my dress, as he did, his mouth never left my neck. He sucked hard on the nape of my neck leaving what I imagine will be a very prominent mark that even the makeup department can't fix.

I moaned as he bit down on my neck, I tugged on his hair which earned me a groan from him against my neck. He slowly trailed his fingers up my dress and tugged at my panties as he slipped a finger inside. My moan was soon covered with his huge hand as he pumped in and out of me, I was dripping with need as I hung on to his neck as he picked up the pace, my breath heavy against his ear, a few small gasps and moans coming out. I was trying my best to keep quiet.

My hands found their way to his bulge, which if we weren't doing what we were I would've thought he collected rocks for fun. My hand pressed firmly against his bulge as he moved away to look me in the eyes. "I want this. I NEED this" he said as he kissed me, while he pumped his fingers, adding two more to the mix which only drove me crazier. I unzipped his pants and he tried taking off my dress with his free hand.

He could feel me clench around hiss fingers "f-fuck! Jensen..." I whisper screamed as I felt myself getting close. "shhh" he whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek. I forgot everything in that moment, both my hands wrapped tightly around is neck as my hips bucked forward as I finished all over his fingers. "Good girl' he said as he took his fingers to his mouth and licked it clean. "Knees, now" He said as he stood up and helped me off the bed and out of my dress.

I got on my knees and looked up at him, I palmed his dick and let my hand roam free over the fabric of his jeans before he pulled them off, letting them pool at his feet. As he set it free, his dick sprung out and I audibly gasped at the size. I gave it a few pumps with my hand, using spit as lube. He threw his head back and groaned.

I licked the tip as I teased him, trying to fit even half of it in my mouth. His groans grew louder as I tried to fit his length in. His frustration grew and with one buck of his hips, he pushed the entire thing in. I gagged as my eyes filled with tears, I bobbed my head and kept teasing him by letting him out and just licking the tip. He grabbed a fistful of my hair and thrusted, my sweaty palms rested on his thighs to balance myself. As I felt him twitch, I quickly got up, earning a groan.

I quickly got on the bed and he slowly walked over and kissed me, "You taste good" he smiled and brushed his thumb over my lip. He positioned himself at my entrance and without a warning or giving me time to adjust, he thrusted and he thrusted hard.

"FUCK JENSEN" I yelled and he quickly covered my mouth, picking up his pace. His head thrown back and one hand grabbing my tit while the other pressed down on my abdomen. He smiled as he felt himself inside me. "So wet and so tight? And it's all for me?"

He was quite literally rocking my world so good that not a single word left my mouth other than a string of moans and curses. He pulled out, which made me look at him like he grew two more heads, but hey, more Jensen to look at. He switched positions as he lay down and put me on him. I made sure he was in me, I rode him but he stopped me. "Lift your hips baby" And I fucking obliged, because, well it's self explanatory.

He bucked his hips, pumping his hard cock in and out of me so rough and so fast. "Jensen..." I tried to say something but nothing came out and he looked at me knowingly. "Me too baby, me too" He said as he thrusted harder.

As we held on to each other, our movements slowed and I felt his warm ropes color my walls white as I came with him. A wave of pure emotion crashed over the both of us, leaving us trembling and gasping for air. "Fuck, I love you" I said as I lay down on his chest. "I love you too" he smiled as he kissed my head and held me against him.

The room was quiet, the kind of silence that feels like a warm blanket after a long day. My head rested on Jensen’s chest, and I could hear his heartbeat—a steady rhythm that calmed every part of me. His fingers combed lazily through my hair, and I felt like I could melt into him.

“You okay?” he asked softly, his voice low and soothing, like he was afraid to break the moment.

“Yeah,” I whispered, my cheek still pressed against his skin. “More than okay.”

Jensen shifted slightly, kissing the top of my head. “Stay right here. I’ll grab you some water.”

Before I could tell him not to bother, he was already out of bed, pulling on sweatpants and a T-shirt. I watched him disappear into the hall, his hair still a mess, and smiled to myself. Moments later, he was back with a glass of water in one hand and one of his flannels in the other.

“Here,” he said, holding out the glass as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Drink. And put this on—I don’t want you getting cold.”

I laughed softly as I took the glass, the warmth of his concern making my chest tighten in the best way. “You’re so damn sweet,” I said, slipping on the flannel after finishing the water. It smelled like him, all warm and comforting.

He smirked, sliding back under the covers and pulling me against him. “Yeah, yeah. Don’t tell anyone; you’ll ruin my reputation.”

I rested my hand on his chest, letting out a content sigh as he started tracing slow circles on my back. “Seriously, though. You spoil me.”

“Damn right I do,” he teased, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

I tilted my head up to look at him, and the way he was watching me made my breath catch. There was something so unguarded in his eyes, like I was the only thing that mattered in the entire world.

“You’re perfect, you know that?” he murmured, his voice so soft it was almost a whisper.

I couldn’t help the laugh that slipped out. “You’re biased.”

“Maybe,” he admitted with a lazy grin. “But it’s true.”

I curled into him, letting my hand settle on his chest again. His heartbeat was steady beneath my palm, and it made me feel... grounded, in a way I hadn’t in a long time.

“Thank you,” I said after a while, my voice quieter than I intended.

He tilted my chin up gently, his eyes searching mine. “For what?”

“For this. For being you. For making me feel safe.”

His face softened, and he leaned down to press a kiss to my forehead, lingering like he wanted me to feel every ounce of what he meant. “Always. I’ll always take care of you. That’s a promise.”

I closed my eyes and let myself sink into his warmth, my arms tightening around him. “I already love you, but you're gonna make me fall harder,” I whispered without thinking.

He chuckled softly, brushing his lips against my hair. “Good. That’s the plan.”

And just like that, I felt my chest ache with something so overwhelming, so terrifyingly good, I couldn’t even respond. Instead, I buried my face in his neck and let myself breathe him in, letting the world fade away as we lay there together. Safe. Home.

I woke up to the soft glow of sunlight streaming through the blinds, the warmth of it falling across the bed. For a second, I forgot where I was, but then I felt the weight of an arm draped across my waist, pulling me close.

Jensen.

A smile crept onto my lips as I turned my head, finding him still sound asleep. His hair was a mess, sticking out in every direction, and his face was relaxed in a way that made him look boyish, almost innocent. It was rare to see him like this, completely unguarded.

Careful not to wake him, I shifted slightly, propping myself up on one elbow to get a better look. His freckles were more pronounced in the morning light, and I traced one gently with my finger, smiling when he stirred but didn’t wake.

“Stop staring,” he mumbled groggily, his voice thick with sleep.

I couldn’t help but laugh softly. “I wasn’t staring. I was admiring.”

His eyes cracked open, the green of them hazy but warm as they met mine. “Mm, same thing.” He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Morning.”

“Morning,” I whispered, my smile widening.

He pulled me back down so I was lying against his chest, his arms wrapping around me like he wasn’t ready to let the morning pull us apart just yet. “How’d you sleep?”

“Better than I have in... a while,” I admitted, resting my chin on his chest so I could look at him.

He smirked, his thumb brushing absentmindedly along my back. “Good. You’ll get used to it—waking up like this, I mean.”

My stomach fluttered at the implication, and I bit my lip to keep from grinning like an idiot. “You sound awfully sure of yourself.”

“I am,” he said, his tone smug but playful. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Before I could respond, his stomach growled loudly, breaking the moment. We both burst out laughing, and I sat up, shaking my head. “Guess someone’s hungry.”

“Starving,” he said, throwing an arm over his face dramatically. “Feed me, woman.”

I rolled my eyes, already climbing out of bed. “Fine, but only because I’m hungry too.”

As I pulled on one of his oversized T-shirts and made my way to the kitchen, I couldn’t help but glance back at him. He was watching me, a soft smile on his face that made my heart skip.

The morning was a blur of chaos and laughter. Jensen and I spent the entire time wrangling the kids for breakfast, and somehow, it turned into an impromptu tea party. JJ had a tea set out, serving us tiny cups of pretend tea, while Zeppelin and Arrow decided to build an epic Lego city in the living room. It was like a whirlwind of tiny hands and big imaginations.

Jensen was a trooper, helping with the tea party and even getting on the floor with the kids to build Lego skyscrapers with them. The sight of him, sitting cross-legged and carefully stacking blocks, was enough to make me fall a little bit more for him.

"Can you make it taller, Daddy?" Arrow asked, his eyes wide with excitement.

"I think I can make it the tallest!" Jensen grinned, stacking even more blocks. "Watch this."

The kids cheered, completely absorbed in their play. A bit later, we ended up sitting on the couch, watching Finding Nemo for the hundredth time. I swear, if I had to hear "Just keep swimming" one more time, I was going to lose my mind, but seeing the kids' faces light up every time their favorite scenes played made it worth it.

Finally, it was time to get ready to drop the kids off at Danneel’s. The kids were reluctant, still clinging to me and giving me hugs. JJ was the first to break my heart.

"I don't wanna go, Y/N," she said, her small arms wrapping around me tightly.

"You have to, sweetie," I whispered, rubbing her back. "You have to spend time with your mommy. She misses you."

Zeppelin, who had been playing with his toy car, stopped and looked up at me. "But I wanna stay with you!" he said, frowning.

Arrow, who was normally all smiles, added, "Yeah, Y/N, please?"

Jensen, watching us from the doorway, raised an eyebrow but didn’t interfere. This was my moment, and I knew what had to be done.

“Listen,” I said gently, crouching down to their level. “You love your mommy, right? She wants to see you, and you guys can have some fun together. I'll be right here when you get back, I promise.”

The kids looked at each other, uncertain, but I could see their resolve starting to waver. Danneel, standing in the doorway, was watching the scene unfold, clearly annoyed by the kids' reluctance to leave.

“I’m not going anywhere without you, Y/N!” JJ said, her bottom lip trembling slightly.

"I know," I said, softly brushing her hair back from her face. "But you have to go to your mommy. I’ll be here when you get back. You’ll always have me, but you also need to see your mom, okay?"

The kids finally relented, but it was clear they weren’t happy about it. They reluctantly walked out the door, and as we followed them, Danneel greeted us with a tight smile.

“You’ve done enough,” she said, barely hiding the disdain in her tone. “They’re my kids, remember?”

I raised an eyebrow, keeping my cool. “I’m not taking them from you. I’m just making sure they’re okay.”

Her expression faltered for a second, and I could see the frustration in her eyes. It wasn’t easy to watch her try to control the situation, but I wasn’t going to let it affect me. Not today.

Jensen squeezed my hand as we left, the tension thick in the air. The kids were already starting to smile a little, reassured by the fact that I was going to be there when they came back. And that was all that mattered.

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

A/N: I hope u guys liked this. I'm sick and busy and sleepy but I can't leave u guys like that.

@justwhisperingfantasies @impala67rollingthroughtown @deansimpalababy @jackles010378 @winchester @barnes70stark @nancymcl @oceean @spnaquakindgdom @ladysparkles78 @sexyvixen7 @spxideyver @stoneyggirl2 @star-yawnznn @quietgirll75

Also there was someone who sent me a message about tagging them, if you could do it again, I'll add ur tag here.

[demigod-shenanigans]

Summary: “Where’s Jason?”

The moment the words left Leo’s mouth, Piper crumpled against him, sobbing uncontrollably.

Leo wrapped his arms around her, more impulse than conscious choice. His trembling fingers bunched up the fabric of her shirt.

“Piper, what the hell happened?” he asked. He looked around, and, seeing everyone’s grave expressions, he felt like he was eight years old again, sitting in the back of an ambulance, waiting for the paramedics to tell him that his mom was gone. He couldn’t breathe. “Tell me- tell me he’s not-”

He couldn’t get the words out. Couldn’t even begin to consider what it would mean if he’d failed to cheat the prophecy—if after everything they’d been through, he would never get to see Jason again. To his immense relief, Piper shook her head.

“He’s not- but Leo, it’s bad. Jason is really, really hurt, and we don’t have any stupid ambrosia left, and-” The rest of her sentence was swallowed by another bout of sobs. She was trembling like a leaf in Leo’s arms. “We’re not sure he’s going to make it.”

Written for @lost-trio-week Day 6: Reunion

Word Count: 6k

Rating: Teen and Up

TW for major character injury (Jason for the love of god please stop getting stabbed so much)

I did say I wanted to post two fics today, and I stuck to that, despite the fact that it’s currently absolutely unreasonable hours of the morning. I allowed myself exactly one heavy angst fic for the event, and it’s this one! Lots and lots and lots of hurt/comfort in this one. As with the other ones, some Valgrace that’s tied into a larger plot focused on the fact that all three of them care about each other so, so very much.

———

Leo could tell something was wrong the moment Festus touched down on the beach.

Everyone was looking at him, sure, but it was almost like they were looking through him. Not a single person managed to make eye contact.

Leo honestly wouldn't have minded this—direct eye contact felt really uncomfortable to him a lot of the time—but he’d learned over the years that when other people avoided eye-contact, it usually meant bad news.

For a moment, he was too caught up in his relief that Lester and Meg and Piper were fine to really let himself think about this, though.

He just went through the line of people and hugged everyone.

He paused in front of Piper—there was so much he needed to say to her, and he wasn’t sure she’d appreciate a hug before he’d properly apologized.

“Pipes, I-” he started, but then she looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes and everything stopped. Terror grasped his heart. “Where’s Jason?”

Leo hadn’t registered Jason’s absence as weird at first. He hadn’t known for sure Jason would be here. With everything going on in the demigod world, there could have been plenty of reasons he was busy elsewhere.

Please let it be that, he thought.

But the moment the words left his mouth, Piper crumpled against him, sobbing uncontrollably. 

Leo wrapped his arms around her, more impulse than conscious choice. His trembling fingers bunched up the fabric of her shirt.

“Piper, what the hell happened?” he asked. He looked around, and, seeing everyone’s grave expressions, he felt like he was eight years old again, sitting in the back of an ambulance, waiting for the paramedics to tell him that his mom was gone. He couldn’t breathe. “Tell me- tell me he’s not-”

He couldn’t get the words out. Couldn’t even begin to consider what it would mean if he’d failed to cheat the prophecy—if after everything they’d been through, he would never get to see Jason again.

To his immense relief, Piper shook her head.

“He’s not- but Leo, it’s bad. Jason is really, really hurt, and we don’t have any stupid ambrosia left, and-” The rest of her sentence was swallowed by another bout of sobs. She was trembling like a leaf in Leo’s arms. “We’re not sure he’s going to make it.”

“Pipes, hey, breathe,” Leo said gently, trying and failing to take his own advice on the matter. He couldn’t get a handle on his racing heart, but his arms around Piper felt a little steadier now. Hurt, even badly hurt, was a million times more manageable than dead. “Jason’s going to be okay. He’s way too stubborn to just die on us after everything we’ve been through.”

He said it with more confidence than he felt.

“It’s a miracle he’s even alive at all,” Lester said quietly. “But with the condition he’s in-”

“He’s going to be okay,” Leo repeated, because the alternative was unthinkable. Jason was going to be fine. They’d survived a lot of impossible shit together. He had to be okay.

Besides, Apollo— Lester —wasn’t the god of medicine right now. He wasn’t really the god of anything right now. That was sort of the point. 

What did he know, anyway?

“Where is he?” Leo asked, trying to ignore the anxious lump in his throat. “Can I see him?”

“Inside. Coach Hedge is with him,” Piper said immediately, slowly breaking the embrace. “Come on. Let’s go see Jason.”

~~~~

The former McLean mansion felt like a setting straight out of a horror movie. It was way too big, all the furniture was gone and the floorboards creaked as they walked inside. Piper’s hand was trembling in Leo’s as she led him down the hall to a room that smelled strangely of a mixture of disinfectant, mushrooms and gatorade.

Much like the other rooms, this one also didn’t have much furniture, with the exception of a lonely mattress. It was the most makeshift sick room Leo had ever seen. A bunch of supplies were loosely strewn about—some meds and bandages that had clearly been taken from a regular medical kit, along with what looked like sticks and moss and various other plants that he guessed were Hedge’s contribution.

Leo barely had the brain space to take in any of it. Instantly, his attention zeroed in on the mattress. 

Jason was pale as death. What Leo could see of his chest was wrapped in bandages. It rose and fell slowly, which was the only outward sign that Jason was alive at all.

Coach Hedge was sitting at his bedside and pressing a piece of cloth to his forehead.

“Still no change,” he said somberly. “The nature magic I used barely helped.”

“Thanks for trying,” Piper said quietly, squeezing Leo’s hand so tightly that it hurt. 

Leo had no room to complain. He was squeezing back just as hard.

“Yeah. I’m sure Jason appreciates it,” he agreed, trying not to think about the way Hedge’s attempt at sports medicine had looked and smelled when he’d tried to help with Piper’s broken ankle.

He knew the satyr meant well, and besides, Jason looked like he could use all the help he could get.

Hedge whirled around. 

“Valdez?” His eyes were wide with shock. “We thought you died!”

“Yeah.” Leo shrugged, eyes wandering back down to Jason’s too-still form. “I got better.” 

“I’d kick you across the room, but luckily for you, Mellie’s putting Chuck to bed right now,” Hedge said, his expression an attempt at fury that was dampened slightly by the fact that his eyes were misty. “He should be here for this. I need to set a good example,” he continued before Leo could attribute the first statement to the fact that he might not want to wake his sleeping child or something equally absurd.

“Good to see you, too,” Leo said, giving Hedge a weak smile. He dragged Piper along as he kneeled down by Jason’s side. 

“Hey. I’m back,” Piper said, gripping Jason’s hand. Her voice was quavering. “Leo’s here, too.”

Jason didn’t react. His eyes stayed firmly shut. 

Leo carefully reached out to touch his friend’s face. Jason’s skin felt cold and clammy, and it made Leo ill with terror.

But being so close to Jason meant he could at least hear his breaths.

Alive. Alive. Alive.

“We managed to free the Sibyl,” Piper continued, undeterred by the tears that had started to stream down her cheeks again. “She’s safe now. We couldn’t have managed it without your help.”

Jason’s unconscious form was unmoved.

“I’ve got some nectar left. It’s not much, but it’s probably better than nothing,” Leo said, rummaging through his bag for his flask. He cursed himself for not refilling it before he’d left Camp Jupiter. 

He hadn’t even considered asking if they could spare any. Not with the amount of people that were wounded. Not with another battle still looming on the horizon. Besides, he’d figured what he had would be enough, considering he’d be heading out of danger. 

Gods, he was such an idiot.

Piper’s face lit up just slightly when he produced the flask, despite the fact that it was nearly empty.

“We should wait until he’s a little more conscious, but yes, this will help.”

“What happened to him?” Leo asked, not sure he actually wanted to know the answer. 

“I-” Piper gulped, hard. He wasn’t sure what she saw, but her eyes had gone distant. He pulled her back into his chest.

“Sorry. You don’t have to talk about it if it’s too hard.” 

“I don’t know the details,” Hedge took over for her, “but he got a spear through his chest and a bunch of ocean in his lungs. Ocean generally isn’t great for children of Jupiter, even when it’s not in their lungs. He’s been out cold since yesterday.”

“I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t wake up.” Piper’s voice was awfully broken and quiet. 

Leo couldn’t stand it. He couldn’t stand any of this. Not the way she obviously blamed herself. Not his own fear. Not Jason’s pale face or his bandaged chest or how ragged his breaths sounded.

What Leo said next was reckless, and stupid, and also horribly insensitive. He couldn’t say he cared very much. He’d spent ages traveling, trying to get back to his friends. The only reason he’d made it through all these months of fighting monsters and camping out in the wilderness, which had been terribly reminiscent of the time he spent on the streets, was thinking about this—being back with Piper and Jason. Finally having a home to go back to where he’d be welcomed with open arms, mad as the inhabitants would probably be at him for disappearing for so long.

He didn’t have it in him to be sensitive or reasonable or smart when there was still a chance he’d have half that home ripped away from him.

“Oh, he’d better wake up. I’m never talking to him again if he doesn’t,” Leo said, crossing his arms. He was furious. At himself for leaving and at the world who kept ripping all of his loved ones away from him and especially at his stupid best friend and the fact that he always had to play the fucking hero. “You hear that, Jason? I swear on the Styx, if you die on us right now, I will spend our whole afterlife ignoring you. I mean it. I did not go through all that nonsense with the physician’s cure for you to croak the moment I get back here.”

He learned later that a broken Styx oath was half the reason they were in this mess. He had time to feel a little bad about what he’d said, then.

Right now, though, Jason’s fingers twitched in Piper’s trembling hands, and Leo couldn’t bring himself to regret a damn thing.

****

The sun had dipped below the horizon an hour ago. 

Piper was curled up in a sleeping bag, staring intently at Jason’s sick bed.

Her father was in one of the other rooms in an old sleeping bag of his own, probably fast asleep. He was trying his best to help—he had made her and Leo a truly disastrous meal in an attempt to make sure they ate—but it was clear he didn’t understand the situation. Piper wasn’t sure what the Mist was showing him, exactly, but it must have had a hell of a time trying to make sense of the fact that they’d chosen to treat their severely injured friend with homebrew medical supplies in the house they no longer owned instead of calling an ambulance. 

Hedge and Mellie had left for Aeithales a few hours ago, hoping to fetch some more demigod-grade medical supplies. She doubted they’d be back before tomorrow afternoon. 

It would have been more effective to just take Jason there— safer, too —but they couldn’t move him while he was in this state, so this was the best they could do. 

Piper had offered to come, hoping that doing something proactive might help her feel a little better about everything that had happened, but Mellie had put a hand on her shoulder and told her “your friend needs you. Both of you,” and that had been that.

Piper was exhausted, so she probably should have slept, but she didn’t. It had been three days since she’d last so much as napped for half an hour.

She couldn’t bring herself to sleep. Couldn’t bring herself to take her eyes off her injured friend. Guilt was gnawing at her, hollowing out her chest until there was nothing left. 

She was supposed to protect Jason like he’d always protected her, and she’d failed him, in the same way she always seemed to fail her loved ones.

She was fifteen and her absentee goddess mom had to save her father because Piper wasn’t strong enough. 

She was sixteen and Leo didn’t trust her with his plan or the real physician’s cure, and then he was gone, and she couldn’t do a damn thing. Couldn’t find him, no matter how desperately she tried. 

She was almost seventeen and Jason was comatose because her powers had failed her when she’d needed them the most. 

Her mother was the goddess of love, for crying out loud. Her love for her friends should have been her greatest strength. 

It wasn’t. Her love was a dagger that she only ever managed to point at her own chest. Piper loved herself bloody, and it was never enough.

Every time she closed her eyes, she was back on that damned yacht. She saw the determined expression on Jason’s face, then the spear through his chest. She saw Jason stumbling into the chasm where the yacht was breaking apart, dropping like a rock.

She knew she couldn’t change what had happened. 

She still tried to reach for him every time. And every time, her hands grasped empty air.

She kept having to remind herself that Tempest had slowed Jason’s fall and dragged him back out of the water, but it barely helped. Nothing really seemed to help, with the exception of watching the slow rise and fall of Jason’s chest. Any time she turned away from him, she was afraid she might have imagined it—that she might turn back and find his body utterly still.

“Pipes?” Leo asked, looking up from where he was sitting on the floor. “You good?”

Having Leo back by her side should have been comforting, but it felt much the same way Jason’s survival did—like a dream she would wake up from any moment now.

Piper was used to waiting. She had spent much of her early childhood waiting for a mother who had never come back. Later, she’d spent ages waiting for her father—to come home, to visit her at school, to remember she existed for more than a few days a year.

She was great at waiting for things that would never happen. She had no previous experience with waiting for things that did.

She’d stopped hoping Leo would come back a long time ago. Now that he had, she wasn’t sure how to handle it. She kept waiting for the other shoe to drop—for Leo to dissolve into Mist like the rest of her life had.

“Fine,” she lied, moving closer to where he was sitting. Leo wasn’t doing much better than her, sleep-wise, but unlike Piper, he’d at least found himself something useful to do. Currently, he was in the process of inspecting one of Aurum’s diamond eyes that had come loose. Piper looked down to where the two dog automatons were lying in sleep mode, heart clenching again. “How’s it looking? They’re gonna be okay, right? Reyna will probably kill me if any of the damage is permanent.”

Aurum and Argentum had gotten pretty banged up dragging Calligula off Jason. They’d retaliated, getting in a few nasty strikes that would have been satisfying to watch if Piper’s heart hadn’t been dropping to the bottom of the ocean at the same time. Now, the damage they’d taken was just another item on the ever-growing list of Piper’s failures.

She hated the thought of anything happening to the dogs. She’d seen the way Reyna interacted with them—the fond smiles and head scratches and the inadvisable treats she snuck them whenever she thought no one was looking. 

To say Reyna struggled to let herself be soft would be the understatement of the year. But it was obvious to anyone with eyes that she loved her dogs to death, and after everything that had happened to her, the last thing Piper wanted was for her to lose them, too.

“‘Course I can fix them. But you know Reyna wouldn’t have given you the whistle if she hadn’t wanted you to use it, right?” Leo asked, putting aside the diamond before reaching out to touch her arm. “One of the first things she did when I got to Camp Jupiter was ask about you, and not in a ‘I’m worried she’s gonna wreck my automatons’-way.”

“I just…” Piper balled her hands into fists, losing the fight against her tears. “All of this is my fault. If I had-”

“Beauty Queen, hey. Don’t be stupid,” Leo said gently, pulling her into his arms. “There’s lots of people you could blame. Calligula is a really obvious one. Or Lester and his dumbass oath. Or, you know, me. Never yourself, though. None of this was on you.”

Piper looked at him with a startled expression. “Why in the world should I blame you? You weren’t even there.”

Leo deflated against her chest. “Yeah. Exactly.”

“Leo…” 

“I thought I could cheat the stupid prophecy,” Leo sniffled, holding her tightly. It was like her crying had made his dam break, too. “But I couldn’t. And now Jason’s hurt, and I- I wasn’t there.He could have died because I wasn’t there.”

“I think you did cheat your prophecy,” Piper told him, squeezing him back just as tightly. “It’s not your fault we failed to cheat ours.”

“The gods really seem to have it out for us,” Leo said, huffing a half-laugh, half-sob against her shoulder. He felt warm, in the nice, soothing way he always had. “Why else would we get so many shitty death prophecies, huh?”

“Yeah. I think we should get a refund on this whole demigod experience. I want my money back.”

“Tell me about it.” Leo opened his mouth to say something else—likely to make another joke, no matter how hollow it rang—but then he froze. “Jason?”

Piper turned, feeling cold as ice at the realization that she’d taken her eyes off him for a moment. She was terrified of what she would find.

But Jason’s chest still rose and fell steadily. More than that—he was moving his head, blinking in obvious confusion.

Leo and Piper were by his side in an instant. 

“Hey buddy,” Leo said shakily. “How are you feeling?”

“Hurts,” Jason rasped, wincing when Piper touched his face.

“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry,” she told him, her lip wobbling. Jason’s eyes were glassy, and his skin felt way too warm. “Shit, I think he’s running a fever. Leo, we need-”

“On it,” Leo announced, already elbow-deep in his tool belt. 

With all the months they’d been separated, Piper had almost forgotten how naturally these things came to them. 

She remembered sitting at Jason’s bedside, re-bandaging the stab wound in his abdomen that refused to heal. Remembered Leo handing her bandages and disinfectant and holding Jason’s shoulders steady to make sure he didn’t move too much.

They’d done this before. They hadn’t needed words, then. They wouldn’t need them now.

For the first time in months, Piper actually felt like things might be okay.

****

Jason woke up tasting cocoa. He only knew three things for certain. One: from what he remembered, him waking up should not have been a thing. Two: everything hurt. Three: everyone was mad at him.

Things had been hazy and painful for a while. He could tell that people were speaking around him, but despite the fact that his aching head couldn’t seem to properly process the words, he could tell that the voices sounded upset. He was pretty sure that was his fault.

Everything was blurry and dark and a cold, wet thing was on his forehead and he couldn’t make sense of any of it.

“You’re gonna be okay,” someone said from the darkness, barely more than a blurry shape. Jason knew the voice, but he couldn’t remember how he knew it. He tried to make out the person’s features, but the harder he tried to focus, the more the image in front of his eyes swam. “What do you need?”

He registered he was trembling, mostly because it made his pain worse, but he couldn’t get his body to stop.

He wanted to ask for- Jason wasn’t actually sure what he was going to ask for. Something warm, probably. A blanket, maybe. Something to make the trembling stop.

But that wasn’t what came out of his mouth when he opened it.

“I wanna go home,” he said instead, feeling incredibly childish. “Please.”

There was a pause.

“You mean camp?” a different voice asked. It was just as familiar as the first, but something about it was strange, too. Jason hadn’t heard that voice in months. He didn’t know why, but hearing it kind of made him want to cry. “Dude, you got skewered less than a week ago. We’re not making a fucking cross-country trip right now.”

“No,” Jason said, feeling whiny and desperate. He didn’t care about camp right now. Camp hadn’t felt like home in forever. “I just want Piper and Leo.”

“Oh,” the second person said, voice quavering. Hands gripped his. Strangely, one of them felt several degrees warmer than the other. “Jeez, how out of it are you?”

For a moment, Jason struggled to process the question—which was probably an answer in and of itself. But then he remembered. 

Remembered that Leo had been gone for months and the only way he’d be seeing him again was making it to Elysium. Remembered the prophecy that had told him it had to be him or Piper. And he’d woken up, which meant it hadn’t been him, no matter how much he’d wanted it to be. 

If he was alive, that had to mean-

Jason wanted to cry. His lungs wouldn’t work right. The already blurry world grew even blurrier around him. 

“Jason? Jason, you’re okay. Breathe.” The hands squeezed his tighter. Fingers combed gently through his hair. The voice was so sweet that all thoughts vanished from his head until he could remember nothing except how to breathe, despite the horrible ache in his lungs.

“There you go. That’s better. No more stupid moves, alright, Superman?” the other blurry shape told him. “Piper and I are getting real sick of patching you up constantly.”

Finally, the voice slotted into its rightful place in Jason’s fever-addled brain, and now he felt like crying for a completely different reason. 

“Leo?” he asked weakly, then coughed a few times, which did really awful things to his aching chest.

“Gods, it’s been, what, six months? Did you already forget what I look like?” Leo asked, teasing and concerned and alive.

“No. You're just really blurry,” Jason told him, attempting to blink the spots out of his eyes without any success. Like he could ever forget what Leo looked like. Like he hadn’t spent the past months filling an entire sketchbook with portraits because he was terrified he’d forget the slightest detail. “My head hurts.”

“Of course it does.” Leo sighed. “Please tell me he didn’t get concussed again. At this rate, it’s a miracle he even remembers his own name.”

“Actually, I’m the one who ended up concussed this time. We decided we needed some variety,” the other voice said, and this time Jason knew it was Piper. She was okay. They’d both made it. 

“Yeah, I get it. Gotta switch things up occasionally,” Leo joked.

Jason was exhausted and everything hurt, but he didn’t care. Piper and Leo were right here with him, and nothing else mattered.

He was home.

~~~~

The next time Jason woke, someone had switched on the sun and his surroundings weren’t nearly as blurry.

“Morning, Sleeping Beauty. Feeling better?”

Leo was leaning over him. Jason could properly make out his features now that it wasn’t the middle of the night and he wasn’t quite as hazy with fever.

Leo had strange highlights in his hair, and it had grown a little longer since Jason had last seen him, but other than that, his best friend looked almost the same he had eight months ago. With a sting in his chest that was entirely unrelated to his injuries, Jason realized Leo also looked worn out in the same way he always had back on the Argo. His shoulders were slumped and he had deep rings under his eyes.

Jason couldn’t stop staring at him. Couldn’t process the fact that looking at Leo was a thing he got to do again.

Leo raised an eyebrow. 

“Are you checking me out?” he teased, smiling widely despite his obvious exhaustion.

The next thing Jason did was probably ill-advised, medically speaking, but he couldn’t stop himself. Wouldn’t have wanted to, even if he could have. He pushed himself up into a seated position and wrapped his whole body around Leo.

The pain came a moment later, bad enough to almost be blinding, but Jason didn’t care. As far as he was concerned, he was never letting Leo go again, no matter how badly it hurt.

“We thought you died,” he said breathlessly. The tears came unbidden. 

Jason had never really allowed himself to cry much. He hadn’t had time for it, and besides, it hadn’t felt like his place when he was supposed to be the brave, competent leader at all times. 

Crying in front of other people wasn’t a thing he could ever remember doing.

But he was past the point of caring about that right now, because his best friend was alive and breathing and so, so warm against his chest, and that was the only thing in the world that mattered.

“Dude, stop!” Leo said immediately, eyes wide with alarm. “You’ve got two broken ribs and a hole in the middle of your chest! You’re going to hurt yourself!”

“I don’t care,” Jason insisted, holding him tighter. “I thought I’d never get to hug you again.”

“I love you to death, okay?” Leo told him, sounding exasperated. He squeezed Jason just slightly, for barely half a second, before he expertly wiggled himself out of the embrace. “But it took me days to finally coax Piper into getting some rest. If she wakes up and you’re worse off than you were when she went to sleep, she’s going to kill me, and I doubt I can get her to nap for as much as half an hour again if that happens.”

He gestured vaguely to the other end of the mattress where Piper was curled up like a cat, snoring softly.

She was alive. All three of them were alive. 

Jason still couldn’t fully believe it.

“I’m not going to-” Jason started, wincing when he lowered himself back down onto the mattress. “Ow.”

“Told you so,” Leo commented, but he didn’t look very happy about it. “Take it easy and get better, okay? Then we can maybe renegotiate the hugging thing.”

“You suck,” Jason told him, but he couldn’t stop smiling. 

Leo was okay. They were all okay.

“Oh, I know.” Leo grinned. “I’m about to suck a lot worse, too. Hedge made more of that sports medicine stuff. Full disclosure, we’re not sure if it really does anything, but at worst, I figure making you take shitty meds will discourage you from getting stabbed a third time.”

“It’s not like I did it on purpose,” Jason grimaced, but he did drink obediently. 

Swallowing sucked. His throat hurt and his mouth felt parched and the strange liquid didn’t really help with either of those facts.

But, weirdly enough, he didn’t mind the taste too much.

“This actually isn’t that bad.”

Leo looked at him strangely, then turned towards where Piper was sleeping. 

“Pipes, are we sure he isn’t concussed?” She just continued to snore softly in response. “I’m gonna take that as a no.”

“Is Piper okay?” Jason asked, trying to sit up again to take a proper look at her. “She didn’t get hurt, did she?”

“Nuh-uh. None of that. You’re resting,” Leo protested, gently pressing his shoulder back down onto the mattress. “Piper’s not hurt. She’s just really tired. I think she’d be significantly more fine if her dumbass best friends would stop dying in front of her face, though.”

Jason winced. “I promised her I wouldn’t do anything stupid. But we were all going to die, and I just- I couldn’t lose anyone else.”

“Dude, Piper’s the one you have to apologize to, not me. I may not be happy about it, but I get it. I did the same damn thing, remember?”

Like Jason could ever forget. Like he hadn’t spent months dreaming of the burning sky. 

He reached out to grip Leo’s hand—warm and calloused and just enough to remind him that Leo was fine.

“Let’s just agree not to do that anymore, okay?” 

“Yeah, deal. I’ve died more than enough for one lifetime.” Leo grinned, but then his smile wavered. “So, you’re- uh- you’re probably wondering where the hell I disappeared to for so long.”

“Leo-” Jason started, trying to express just how little he cared in this current moment. That the only thing that mattered to him was that Leo was alive.

Leo went on talking like Jason hadn’t said anything.

“No, I get it. It’s a fair question. Also, you’re allowed to be mad at me. Everyone’s mad at me.” Leo rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. “I sort of went back for Calypso.”

“Oh.” 

Something clenched in Jason’s chest. He hoped it wasn’t showing on his face—Jason’s messy feelings were his problem, not Leo’s—but from the way Leo’s face fell, it was obvious he could tell something was up. 

“See? Told you you’d be upset with me.”

“I’m not upset with you. I just-” Jason sighed. “Are you two…?”

Leo looked confused, then utterly baffled in a way that immediately melted the ice in Jason’s chest. 

“I didn’t go back for her because I was in love with her. I knew this girl for like, a week, tops.” Leo laughed. “I went back for her because she’s been stuck on an island for three thousand years and that fucking sucks.”

 “Oh.” Now Jason just felt like an idiot. “So you’re not dating?”

“Nah. We’re not even very good at being friends, honestly. We argued almost the whole way back here. But she’s free now, and the Waystation seems to make her happy. She deserves that.” Leo shook his head. “Did you seriously think I ditched you guys to get a girlfriend? Wow, if that’s what everyone assumed it’s no wonder I got punched so much.”

Jason froze.

“What do you mean, you got punched?”

“Everyone at Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter was really mad at me for disappearing the way I did. People lined up to hit me. It was a whole thing.” Leo shrugged. The nonchalant way he said it made Jason feel nauseous. “So, yeah, if you think you’re feeling good enough to punch me, you and Piper still get a freebie. If you wanna yell at me instead, that’s cool, too. I’m not picky.”

Before Leo could say anything else, Jason had wrapped him in his arms again.

“Jason! Seriously, stop sitting up! This isn’t- if you make yourself worse-” Leo protested, but this time Jason didn’t let him go. He didn’t care that it hurt. He couldn’t just lie there and listen to Leo talk about himself like that.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Jason said, holding him tightly, feeling incredibly angry at the fact that he lived in a world where Leo needed that reassurance at all. “Nobody should hurt you just because they’re mad at you.”

“It wasn’t that bad,” Leo insisted, but he was trembling slightly against Jason’s chest. “Besides, I sort of deserved it.”

“No, you didn’t.” Jason spoke softly into his hair. “You really, really didn’t.”

Leo didn’t say anything else. He just let his head drop onto Jason’s shoulder and cried.

A moment later, the mattress moved and another pair of arms wrapped around both of them.

“Gods, I let myself sleep for three hours and suddenly you’re not resting and you’ve managed to make Leo cry. What in the world did you two get up to?” Piper complained groggily. 

Jason wasn’t surprised they’d woken her up—they hadn’t exactly been quiet even before Leo had broken down sobbing. 

There were so many things Jason probably should have said to Piper. 

Thank you for saving me, for one. And, sorry I got myself stabbed.

But he wasn’t sure how to say any of those things. Since the breakup, he’d barely known how to talk to her in general. Things had been so weird between them in the last few months, and he had no idea how to fix that.

He ignored everything he didn’t have words for, and instead chose to just say “Leo got punched.”

“What?” Piper blinked at him. “Did he annoy Hedge or something?”

“Not right now,” Jason explained, then relayed everything Leo had just told him to Piper.

Unlike Jason, who had been more concerned than anything, Piper just got angry.

“Names. I need names,” she demanded immediately. “Whose idea was this? I swear, when I’m done with them, they’ll wish-”

“Okay, calm down!” Leo let out a startled laugh. “Guys, I appreciate this, seriously, but can we just group hug for now and put the murder plotting off until later?”

“I guess,” Piper grumbled. “As long as we will do it later.”

Jason had a feeling the later in question would be applied to a variety of things beyond murder plans, but right now, he couldn’t bring himself to think about everything they’d still have to deal with. Not when things were finally starting to feel normal again.

~~~~

Jason had managed to tear his stitches. 

Leo and Piper would not stop chiding him about this for the following half an hour as Mellie patched him back up and redid his bandages, which she covered in truly ridiculous amounts of aloe vera for reasons Jason didn’t entirely understand. If nothing else, at least the sensation was soothing.

In the end, he was sentenced back to bed rest.

When he told his friends he didn’t really feel like sleeping because he’d already spent the last few days unconscious, Piper suggested they watch a movie, so that was what they did. Leo got a miniature projector out of his tool belt that painted a large rectangular image on the ceiling, and then the three of them just laid there together, watching the movie and sharing the snacks that also came out of Leo’s tool belt. The movie was about talking cars that were also large robots, which Jason was pretty sure would have gone entirely over his head even if he hadn’t still been slightly feverish and his aching chest hadn’t made it impossible to focus. He didn’t really care that he didn’t understand the movie, though. Leo had picked it, and therefore he’d already decided he was going to like it, even if he couldn’t follow the plot.

Leo spent the first thirty minutes of the movie quietly mouthing along the words, which was endearing beyond anything Jason had ever witnessed. Then, suddenly, he was fast asleep with his head on Jason’s shoulder, radiating a soothing warmth. 

Piper didn’t speak. For a brief moment, Jason thought she might try to start a conversation about everything that had happened, but then she closed her mouth again, maybe deciding to save it for when he wasn’t distracted by pain and she wasn’t exhausted.

Instead, she just reached out and took his hand, squeezing it hard.

Jason knew she would forgive him, then. 

Lying there sandwiched between his best friends, the pain in Jason’s chest ceased to matter. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so completely safe and content.

Home had meant a number of things to Jason over the years. As a small child, from what little he remembered, home had meant people arguing and only ever feeling safe in his sister’s arms. With Lupa, home had meant protection in exchange for him proving his worth. Growing up in New Rome, home had meant chores and responsibilities and others looking to him for guidance. 

Jason was still getting used to the fact that it could mean other people taking care of him, too. That it could mean just existing in other people’s spaces and being loved for it, even if you had nothing beyond your own love to give in return.

And the quiet, selfish part of him that grew steadily louder told him that, given him the choice, he would always choose this—that he would always choose them —for as long as he lived. 

———

Fic Notes:

-Hey, I had to do at least one angsty piece of Injury Hurt/Comfort fic for this event, right? I’ve got a brand to stick to.

-Fun fact about this fic: I originally came up with the concept in the context of a completely different, far sillier valgrace fic that I have yet to finish. Part of the reason I didn’t finish it at the time was that I wanted it to be silly but then I started coming up with the backstory and it got way too angsty, lmao. So maybe that’ll be easier now that the backstory is a fic of its own.

-The reason Reyna’s automatons are here is Jason’s whole comment about how the word at the end of the prophecy has to be “die” because “one of us will dog” makes no sense. It’s immensely silly and I’m pretty of proud of that one. I feel kind of bad that they just disappear halfway through the fic, but Jason didn’t know they were there at all, so he doesn’t notice. Please assume Leo finished fixing them up while Jason was conked out and they’re doing well and are off doing Tyrant’s Tomb stuff with Reyna currently.

-Also yes, I did specifically put the punch line thing in because the fact that it happened at all makes me angry. People lining up to punch a kid we know suffered abuse in foster care is not very funny to me, actually. I’ve seen several angsty posts about how “Jason didn’t even get to punch Leo for disappearing 3” and I felt the need to point out that a) Jason wouldn't have punched him and b) he’d be horrified Leo would even suggest it at all.

-I’ve got one, potentially two more fics I’d like to set in the same universe as this (one of them being the aforementioned silly Valgrace fic), but I’ve always got too many fic ideas at once, so we’ll see if and when I get around to actually writing those.

Thank you so much for reading!! As always, feedback is immensely appreciated.

[sdtopaz]

I need to get some stuff off my chest about Arcane as I believe some fans of the show have fogged up about some of the themes and characters and I at least want to give some nuance and my own opinion.

Disclaimer: Just because I’m criticising some of your favorite characters, doesn’t mean I hate or dislike them.

1.Loris has done some fucked up stuff, regardless of what you may say about the character, whether or not you love his character. I’ve seen some posts about how Loris walked away from being an enforcer when fascism started being implemented into Piltover around when martial law was put down against the nation of Zaun, though yes he did walk away and I do commend him for that, he did actively participate in Police brutality and the gassing of Zaun individuals. Police brutality is inherently fascist and he was within the system that actively produced as in my opinion the whole fascism theme of Arcane didn’t start with Ambessa instating Martial law, it started with Caitlyn discovering her mothers ventilation invention for the nation of Zaun to have clean air and weaponised it against them. I like Loris as a character and I wished we got some more backstory on him but regardless I feel like this should be stated.

2.Vi was also a participant in Police Brutality even if she uses the excuse of that it was just trying to get people of the streets so they could search for Jinx, she still was hurting the people of Zaun -her own people might I add- and that regardless it’s not a good thing, we don’t even know the full effects of the grey as it’s been noted to make people have difficulties with breathing and damages the eyes so for all we know some people might have permanent damage from this gas. Vi out of every group of people should’ve been with the Firelights as I believe that would've been the most healthiest place to recover as she’s definitely someone who needs rest.

3.I think out of every character that had the right idea about Zaun I think it’s Ekko and Sevika. Though I think Silco did care about the nation of Zaun but, that man was creating monsters and addicts out of the shimmer that he was managing whilst also working with Singe, Vander to me was a bit too passive and was trying to avoid violence at all cost even though we’ve seen throughout history that it doesn’t work and can cause even more problems. Ekko on the other hand is the most morally correct person, he built a utopia for families and recovering shimmer addicts with food, water, creativity and care. I think if anyone was going to create a nation of Zaun into a Utopia of independence, it would be Ekko. More on Sevika now, I think Sevika followed Vander and Silco because she aligned with their views at some point, but then their own personal beliefs got in the way of actually giving independence to Zaun. I also think that just because Sevika paralleled Vander doesn’t mean she regrets getting rid of him/killing him. On the other side I think she only stuck with Silco for that long is because though Silco was doing fucked up things, he at least had a lot of power over Zaun and therefore was the closest to gaining it’s independence. For Sevika, Zaun always comes first

-One thing I wanted to say as well because a friend mentioned it to me is that, Zaun under the leadership of Vander was a lot more controlled and felt more like a community, but the problem was that nothing changed under Vander’s leadership, on the other hand Silco had power and with him Zaun did change but, it wasn’t controlled and Silco was more of a Mafia boss than a leader and without him -with the damage he caused- the formation of mobs and gangs became more common. With Vander it was controlled and communal, but with a lack of change, Whilst Silco things did change but it’s more of they changed for the worse rather than the better and it was more unstable with it’s infighting.

4.I wished Ekko would’ve seen what Vi was doing when she became an enforcer because that would’ve been interesting to see.

5.I personally believe that the reason why Sevika started to care for Jinx more after Silco’s death is because. One Jinx has someone to care for that might push her to go for Zaun’s independence and betterment. Two that Jinx proved to her that she’s not just a force of chaos and destruction because she rebuilt Sevika’s arm even if it has her own flare to it. Three because technically (despite Jinx’s refusal) they both have to pick up the pieces of Zaun that Silco left behind. Four that Jinx is willing to go far enough for a specific goal, and that there’s some usefulness to that, but all Jinx needs is for that energy to be focused on Zaun.

6.I saw some people blaming Ekko (when he was a kid) for everything starting in the first place, even though in the alternative universe, Powder, Claggor, Milo and Vi were all sent on the exact same mission so it could’ve gone in any direction but yeah sure blame the kid.

7.I did not care about the black rose and felt it was awkwardly placed and I can’t explain why, but it just feels wrong. It wasn't as impactful as I'm guessing it's supposed to be.

8.Sevika should’ve been given more to do with Jinx and way more character development

9.I wish Caitlyn’s rise into dictatorship was handled better and was longer, it felt like a complete 180 to me when she made this plan all of a sudden even if it was because of Vi explaining that she was there in Viktor’s village to get Vander back.

10. The sex scene between Vi and Caitlyn should’ve been longer because that short snippet of it didn’t really feel that special and intimate to me(btw I’m acespec this is purely for story reasons).

11.A reminder that people like Caitlyn do exist, I have met people like Caitlyn who make a small step in progress to being more accepting of people but, if you don’t praise them or even call them out on some of their bullshit then they will just revert back to their dehumanising behaviour.

12.Though the relationship between Ekko and Powder gives a good amount of impact, the scenes between Jinx and Ekko that were cut I feel as though undermines the moments with Ekko and Powder and Timebomb as a ship but with the time they’ve given us I still think it’s great overall.

13. People thinking that Maddy was going to be a good person despite the fact that she didn't see vi as a person of Zaun because of her going against Silco and also that she easily accepted a clearly human rights violating law, I think didn’t watch the show closely enough. (Side note I changed this part because Maddy's not the child of the corrupt police captain as I've been told in the replies, but I still think there's enough to call out Maddy defenders)

I think that’s most of my ramblings and thoughts out in the open, one more thing I wanted to say is that I feel as though the autonomy and faults of the characters are being taken away from them when that shouldn't be the case and the idea of nuance and not seeing the grey has caused problems in real life.