#so in addition to helping my patients I’m comforting them

[trickphotography2]

*

[billythesimp]

*BASHES DOWN DOOR* I HEARD RQ WERE OPEN

Okay here me out, Lycaon with a rabbit or cat (you decide) thiren that tried to argue with him at any chance they get. But that's because they don't know how else to act around him because of their HUGE crush on him. Basically you're typical tsundere.

That's about it, BACK INTO MY CORNER. NO PRESSURE TO DO THIS AND TAKE YOUR TIME BESTIE

-AJ🐺

Well, Well, Well~ [insert evil laughter here]

If it isn't my fellow proxy, AJ. Thank you for leaving me a request, I do appreciate the support so I put my whole Badussy into this request.

Smooches, see you soon!

Cat And Dog Fights

⋘ 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑎…

Before I started detailing this request, I did a funny 10 pull on the standard banner. I now have C1 Von, so I dedicate this post for the good luck of those who want Von Lycaon to come home. Bless Bless, Wolf ass.

Lycaon x Cat-Thiren-gn!reader

𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑖𝑡…⋙

tw: Little OOc, mention of Rina's cooking /j

✦ Lycaon likes to think himself a patient man- or werewolf. He can handle Corwin’s self deprecation. He can handle Ellen’s overwhelming bored and teen rebellious phase. Rina’s cooking and antics, I’m pretty sure he puts up with, though barely. However, with this new addition to their team, he acknowledges the huge- HUGE elephant in the room. This cat thirens disobedience and clear dislike towards him, their boss. And while it’s fine when it’s outside the job, they work efficiently and swiftly when on their jobs, though they always seek to peeve him off at times, a cunning glare in their eyes when they look back at him, how they run forwards to finish his own enemies as to show off. It’s their defiance that creates problems as he can’t help but think they are trying to prove that their are better. 

✦ And usually he won’t complain, after all he hired them for their potential and knows what he’s getting into, but lately they’ve been chipping away at his patients, their coy antics getting under his fur, having to restrain a low growl when they purposely interrupt him or act out of line in front of guest or their masters. The reason Rina can only giggle behind her palm while staring at the two of them stare each other down, another one of their pity arguments being the center of attention. Creative backhanded compliments shared between the two as Corwin tries to calm the two, Ellen holding the girl back in amusement.

✦ Honestly, Lycaon can’t help but be slightly disappointed, he sees his employees as family, so to see one with a clear disdain for him makes him pout in private, seeming gloomy as his tail thumps and ears pinned back. Rina has to comfort him, all the while encouraging him to cheer up. Offering him a meal which he refuses, stating he wasn’t hungry. Though Rina can only ask that he give it his best try to be the bigger person and treat them kindly, for they don’t know what they could be going through.

✦ That being said, Rina is hiding more then she’s leading on, one second in Lycaon’s office to comfort him and then another in a private sitting quarters with said Cat thiren, brushing their hair and scratching behind their ears while listening to their childish rant- more like them denying their feelings. 

▿

While sitting before Rina’s small puppets, they paw and rack the little phantoms on their heads, watching them evade their attacks before being pulled back towards Rina’s lap. Having to sit still was difficult enough, but Rina promised to comb their hair and get it nice and pleasant for their next trip. “Ah, you need to take better care of yours. Lycaon will scold you if your headpiece isn’t perfectly centered- or in one piece in general.” She giggled before properly setting the cutest fabric on their head and giving their ears a little scratch.

“Eh, who cares what he thinks. He can just fix it himself if it bothers him so much.” With a hiss, their tail thumps besides them before they use it as a distraction from their overwhelming thoughts on said werewolf. “Oh, I think you do actually care about his thoughts on you.”

“Ehehe- Yeah you do!”

“Sir Lycaon, did you see that! Hehehe”

“Oh Sir Lycaon, see how great I am!”

“Great! Great!”

“H-HEY SHUT IT!” The cat hisses at the teasing from the little boos, Drusilla and Anastella spinning around before returning to Rina’s figure, avoiding the nasty glare said cat was giving them. “Now, now kitty. No more fighting- you already do enough of that with Von,” Smiling before moving them to sit upright, the figure before her slumping again and leaving her to adjusting them again til they stay, “Though, you know if it’s attention and praise you want, maybe fighting less with the boss would actually get you the results you want.”

“Pffm, as if.” They only pout to themselves, muttering quietly as Rina takes out a needle and starts stichting up their uniform where little tears and rips had formed. Whether from their battles or their tendies to claw at the fabric when they don’t know what to do with their hands. “Even if I wanted it, I don’t even know what I would say…”

“Oh, and what makes you think that kitty? Von would be more than delighted to compliment your achievements, after all he looks highly of you. You’re an amazing servant here, he couldn’t be more proud of your growth. He told me himself.” While she gushed her Boss’s supposed claims, the thiren’s tail swayed quicker then before, the adorable pout on their face turned into that of an embarrassed frown, afraid to speak out of fear of word vomiting. “Oh Kitty, promise you’ll try to be nicer to Lycaon. As much as I adore your little cat-dog fights, I would like it if you both got along much more.” 

They yelp as Rina ‘accidently’ poked them with the needle, ears flatten as they only mumble out a silent promise. Blushing as they think of how they could try to be nicer, distracted at how Lycaon would react to their change in demeanor, tail returning to playfully bat Rina’s hand while lost in deep thought.

▿

✦ After this conversation, Lycaon finally notices the little changes in their Cat’s behavior. Offering a hand in his tasks, though they still have their little backhanded comments, they are obedient nonetheless. He could tell that they seem to be warming up to him again, not running away from him as much and willing to calm down and listen instead of enlightening another fight between wolf and cat. Really, He’s glad they have improved since then, also making an effort to respect his fellow thiren and help them however he can. 

✦ He sees how much they enjoy the headpats and scratches the girls give them, how they have a subtle purr from the affection and praise they give them. So after a mission complete, satisfied with their work today, he gives them a little head pat and congratulates them on the great. While at first they don’t respond at first, tired from the day's events, they suddenly perk up and jolt away, rambling an indescribable comment and turning tail to run off into their safe house. He can only tilt his head, tail wagging as he couldn’t help but enjoy just how soft their hair is.

[gracemain919]

The Priest (oc) and “Mother” (oc): short story:

(The Fungus Universe)

Tw: Yandere, Polyamory, sex in bed.

(two people x you(fem))

Let Me Serve You

It’s really comfortable. A soft and warm bed with a welcomed addition of cool air conditioning making you just want to snuggle closer to your blanket. So smooth and delicate as you traced your fingers over the fabric that covered your chest.

You would move, probably wrap yourself up in the corner of the bed if it weren't for the two bodies on your sides. On your left, you had a very snuggly woman who rested her face in the crook of your neck(as if she wasn't taller than you), and on your right, you had an older man who rested his arm below you joining the both of you together. A perfect combination, a way for the both of them to share you equally without causing any problems, and very comfortable.

It was a nice rest but the idea of having to be sent off to another Leader really annoyed you. In the morning you would probably have to be with another one… you weren't thrilled about that in the least. Time just went by so fast, you barely did the things you wanted to do. Maybe you could do at last one more thing before you had to leave…

“Pss,” you whispered slowly nudging Henry’s torso with your elbow. “Wake up…”

“Hmm?”. He didn't even open his eyes but his curiosity was loud and clear. Not like he had a choice other than being curious.

“I’m about to leave,” you muttered trying your best to not disturb Rose’s sleep, “I thought I could do one last thing before I left”.

“Like what?” he asked slowly opening one of his eyes. “It’s too late for our usual activities…”. A smirk clearly showed on his face overriding his past statements.

“I-” You felt your throat get dry as the words slipped your vocabulary. You felt ashamed as if you were taking advantage of them just by thinking of such things. These people they… They had jobs and lives, yet the fungus made them throw everything away. Of course, you never wanted to be there in the first place but now were you really so innocent-?

A yawn could be heard beside you as Rose squeezed your shoulder. “Oh come on dear, our lord obviously wants one more bite before leaving,” she commented ruining your train of thought. Yeah, she definitely stole the words right from your mouth.

“Is that right dear?” she asked looking towards you with such loving eyes that could make your heart melt. Warm hands rubbed soothing circles into your shoulder as you were slowly lifted to a sitting position by the firm arm underneath you.

Why were they always so compliant? Almost all of them were in some form compliant. You just wished one of them would just go up to your face and remind you that you aren't all that. Living in such conditions will fuck up your brain for sure.

“Right?”. You slowly looked back at them as Henry repeated Rose’s question. They both were waiting for you… they both wanted you. Fine, you could face reality another day.

You nodded and just like magic Rose pulled you closer to her with a smile. “Oh I've been waiting all week dear,” she groaned, “waiting for you to relieve the ache in my body”. You felt her rub her hips against yours in pure need that you didn't even know that she had. Gosh, why were you blushing? “Why do you make us wait for so long?”

You really didn't know why. You just wanted to hold on to whatever dignity you had before this whole site went to shit. But you were only human to such pleas and begs. Along with their glare as Henry focused more on letting Rose do the talking as he waited patiently seemingly less eager than her, but his grip on your back said otherwise.

The woman’s hold on your side loosened as her hands started to work on your shirt while the other tugged at your pants. Laying limp like a doll waiting to be played with wasn't great. Maybe you should help them out?

With a shaky hand, you tried to touch or at least pull one of Rose’s garments but she quickly grabbed your hand holding it in a firm grip that could resemble a loving gesture. A very tight and firm gesture as she shook her head. “I can do it myself,” she said her smile never wavering.

Ok, geez. Your fault for trying to not be useless in bed.

It didn't take long for you to be left bare, along with the other two. Rose had left your side to discard her clothes walking to the mirror so she could see herself, she traced along her body trying to show you her every nook and cranny while Henry didn't care for putting on a show. In the few minutes he took, the other took double. She didn't have lingerie, but the way her body looked you sure as heck would think her bra and panties were in some form luxurious. She showed off her chest and torso making the bra seem like a wrapper hiding away candy. God, you weren't surprised Henry would marry her…

The bed creaked as they both joined you once more, and before you knew it you were pulled to be on the older man’s chest. He was sat up straight, forcing you to also be in the same position which was comfortable only thanks to the sheer strength he had to keep you upright without breaking a sweat.

He was warm very warm, his breaths were the quick and his grip was tight. No matter how casual he may try and act, sometimes you think he is just as desperate as Rose. Especially with his arousal evident, tracing over your stomach, as he pressed you close to him; sort of a hug.

Soon you felt the weight of the bed shift behind you and soon a pair of hands held your torso. Rose occupied the space between your neck while the hand she held on your torso dipped between your legs. Her hands were cold, really cold but the temperature soon dialed down as she flicked between your nub as if she knew your body in and out.

It was a bit humiliating being caged by two souls and being fingered by one of them. Especially since the both of them were so quiet, the only thing that could resemble noise in that room could be the sound of Rose’s ministrations with your privates. Not to mention the low moans your traitorous mouth kept releasing with you each soft and gentle rub.

Henry had long ago discarded his hands from the equation letting Rose bind you both together by her own body pressing against yours only leaving a small air pocket for her hand motions. “Is this pleasing you?” she asked between kisses on your neck. If it weren't for your wet cunt or flushed face you would have believed her question as factual. Rose was an uncertain woman sometimes.

“Aw. She is more than pleased. Right?” Henry cooed more like a parent questioning a child. His hands found themselves on your idle hips but you barely registered such touch as Rose kept ‘entertaining’ you. Only till he maneuvered your leg around his thighs did you realize what he was planning.

Opening your eyes you were quickly shushed as the other woman held most of your weight lifting you a bit, with the help of Henry.

“Uh, you know that you don't need to move me like a ragdoll? I can do it on my own-”

“Come on dear. What person would let their lord move an inch? Just enjoy it. Close your eyes… just relax” he whispered before slowly pushing into you. You did feel a bit of a brute entering but after being toyed with for a while you were prepared enough to take it. Take the nice full feeling as you closed your eyes letting your back rest against Rose as she cooed about how good you were being.

As you grew accustomed to his size he started pushing in a bit deeper before starting a nice slow rhythm that made your already warm insides hotter. God, it felt nice… and maybe he agreed too as his grip on your hips tightened. His once calm eyes turned a bit too wide for your comfort. His relaxed smile started to break as he pulled you closer forcing Rose to follow his movements quickly. Still caged but now more huddled than ever, he nibbled at your neck whispering sweet nothings into your ear. Sweet nothings that would literally disgust him if you ever repeated them to him in the morning.

“Please, my lord… let me please you. Fuck. I just went to serve you…” he practically pleaded.

Maybe you were taking advantage of them, but was that really so bad when they were so eager?

[felinefractious]

hi! love your blog, i love getting to see all these cool cat colors i didnt even know were a thing LOL like i didn’t know there was such a thing as lilac or cinnamon but theyre so pretty.

ive been looking into getting a ragdoll in the future, the ones i have met have been the sweetest cats and they’re so pretty.

ive been doing research into possible health concerns they can have, and all im really seeing is the same things your typical random little guy could have when improperly cared for and things like that. kidney disease while on a bad diet, issues with hairballs when not brushed and groomed properly due to being long haired, etc. ive seen a few places say that they’re more prone to respiratory issues and heart disease, but the latter also seems to be something that breeders work to make sure their cats are safe from? at least in my research.

i guess im basically just wondering if you know anything else that can affect ragdolls specifically, or if there’s anything horribly unethical that’s totally swept under the rug or hidden about them! additional things to research and places to look would be appreciated, i never know where to research stuff like this reliably and you seem to know where to find some good info and stuff on cat breeds :)

thank you in advance for any help you can give, i hope have a good day!!

I’m glad you enjoy the blog and are learning about some new colors!

Ragdolls are definitely cool cats and they’re a pretty health breed, one of the major things to be mindful of is that this assessment only applies to well-bred individuals from good breeders.

Common breeds mean a lot of breeders which, unfortunately, also means a lot of scammers and bad breeders.

And the Ragdoll is a very common breed so there are a lot of not so good breeders out there… and the temperament and health of these backyard bred cats is a gamble, one that can end in heartbreak.

Now with that warning out of the way the big thing to worry about with the breed is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Fortunately the mutation responsible for this condition in the breed has been identified and can be tested for. Staying on top of heart health is an absolute must for a good breeder, this means regular echocardiogram’s as well as DNA testing.

The other big ones are Polycystic Kidney Disease and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, both of which can be tested for. These are common inherited disorders in the purebred population, you’ll have a hard time finding a breed which neither of these have been documented in.

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI is a storage disease that has been documented in the Ragdoll breed but it can be tested for and I’m not sure how common it is in current breeding populations.

A breeder shouldn’t cut corners when it comes to health testing, there are several commercially available tests which look for a wide variety of inherited disorders. Optimal Selection is becoming increasingly widely used, although personally I would feel most comfortable with testing submitted through somewhere like UC Davis.

But HCM is the big big one because heart disease is a silent killer. With the other conditions clinical symptoms will be apparent but a cat with HCM could appear normal and you wouldn’t know without testing. And remember - not all cardiac cases will have a heart murmur, either!

The other thing to keep in mind with Ragdolls is they seem to be more prone to developing Feline Infectious Peritonitis. This one is a little more complicated.

FIP occurs due to mutations in the feline coronavirus, which is a common viral infection in cats. Until recently FIP was considered nearly 100% fatal but thanks to Dr. Niels Pederson we now have a promising cure. One of our patients was actually one of the original study cats and has been doing well all this time, she’s amazing to work with - like a piece of living history!

One of the big problems with the treatment is the legality of it… for a long time it was only available through the black market and could easily run you thousands of dollars. Treatment is gradually becoming available through legal venues but it depends on where you live.

Anyways, the point is that we don’t know exactly why these mutations occur in some cats and not others but there’s strong evidence that there’s a genetic component - it’s common for related cats to develop FIP, we’ve seen this multiple times with littermates. We also know that it occurs at a higher incidence in some breeds than others…

And presumably your kitten wouldn’t have been exposed to feline coronavirus at the cattery but it’s not unlikely that they would be exposed at some point in their life given they don’t reside in a bubble… and if or when this happens what are the chances it’ll become the dreaded FIP?

So mitigating this risk when purchasing from a breeder can be a little more complicated… it’s not something I think should turn you off of the breed but it is something to keep in mind - and if you look into a breeder that seems good but has a lot of reviews or reports of their graduate kittens and cats developing FIP? Probably best to keep looking.

I think that’s a pretty good summary on the breed’s health but people are always welcome to chime in!

[deluxewhump]

Do you have any advice for first time cat parent? (Human parent of cat, not cat parent)

Congrats on getting a kitty!!!!!

If you are getting an adult cat I would say just be really, really patient with letting them acclimate! I know it can take weeks and weeks for them to feel comfortable. If you are getting a kitten (we got all 3 of ours as kittens) they usually take way less time to acclimate and feel comfortable in the new space, maybe just a couple days depending on how big your house is and if you have other animals that need to be introduced safely to a new kitten.

Just some things that come to mind:

-let them come out of the cat carrier on their own time

-make sure their litter is accessible, not too high for a kitten to get in, if you are getting a kitten, and that they know where and what it is by setting them in it a few times. Kittens amaze me with how smart they are and how quickly they are house trained compared to puppies. I’m going to brag about my three and say they’ve never had an accident more than a few days after coming home with us.

-notice where they like to nap and put a soft blanket there or a cat bed nearby and they might be more prone to use it

-don’t let them eat strings, they try to eat entire lengths of string

- glass or stainless steel water bowls are better than plastic because they don’t trap as much bacteria between washes which can affect their health. cats love fresh water instinctively so change it often even if it’s not empty. They usually prefer their water to be a ways away from their food.

-wash their food bowls often for this same reason.

- you will probably buy toys your cat won’t play with. Mine love these little plastic springs that bounce really easily. And hair ties.

- if your cat chews/ claws things it shouldn’t like my youngest does you can get an all natural citrus oil spray called cat repellant and spray the piece of furniture/Christmas tree/ Venetian blinds and they won’t chew it for a while because it smells of citrus.

- they love to get up high. I have a floor to ceiling post with little hammocks that stick out at intervals and they love it. A normal cat tree achieves this too if you are able to get one!

-my eldest cat was determined to destroy our television so I put a really big piece of packing tape sticky-side up on the entertainment center so that every time he got up there the tape stuck to his paws and he finally.stopped.jumping.up.there. This one felt a little mean but it was really becoming an issue and I was afraid the tv was going to topple onto him one day so it was for his own good.

- make sure you keep track of your cats immunizations, and remember kittens need 3 rounds of shots fairly early on. If you adopt a kitten from someone and not an organization, make sure you ask if they’ve been dewormed and had their first distemper shots so you can tell your vet. Many rental agencies require proof of rabies vaccination for you to bring your pets. Spaying and neutering has benefits even if you only have one cat and they stay inside. That will become available around 6 months of age. If it’s too expensive, shop around for clinics and places that will do it less expensively because they usually exist.

-flea and heartworm medicine. Keep track of when you treated them last because it’s super easy to forget. Some are monthly, some are every other month.

- I was advised to keep my cats on kitten food until they were one year old. It is higher calorie and often has more nutrients as they’re still growing. I was also advised to keep my boy cat on wet food as well as dry, because males can dehydrate easier due to their urethras being more prone to it or something and it can make them sick. The wet food helps hydration. I have one cat that will not eat wet food 🤷‍♀️

- for 6-9 dollars you can get a water additive that helps prevent gingivitis and other mouth issues. Their vet put me on to this so I don’t worry that it’s unsafe.

-if your cat has the zoomies all night and you can’t let them sleep in your room with you because you get no sleep don’t feel bad. You’ve got to sleep. I’d love mine to sleep with us but the minute ten pm hits they become evil.

-two of my cats are SO mouthy. I love it, they talk at me all day, sometimes for a reason, sometimes just to chat. This isn’t advice just a comment lol.

- I have two cats (out of three) that love belly rubs/scratches, and this might be a coincidence or it might be that we successfully conditioned them to like it when they were kittens. Most of them famously hate it or only tolerate it for three seconds. So if you get a kitten pet their belly often and see how it goes lol. It’s worth a shot.

-while still immensely easier than puppies, kittens are wild!

-personality wise they are all different, for the most part they’re just going to be who they are, and you will love them for it.

-no matter what you name them you’re probably going to end up calling them by three weird nicknames that have little to do with the original name

Enjoy your new kitty!!!! They are perfect little creatures that domesticated themselves for their own convenience which sounds about right. 💕 shameless plug of my cats

[be-the-glenn-to-my-maggie]

Your daily dose of Nocorro angst, good eats:

I'm not putting in @spicymiilk 's ideas in case he uses them, but dear god I would pay real money for my accidentally mated au to be written thank u.

-Part of me thinks there should be a fucking medieval au type thing where Neteyam is the next prince to take over the kingdom passed down via Neytiri's line. I just love the idea of Spider as a fucking Theon Greyjoy type son of the enemy raised by the family, and that’s why Neytiri doesn’t trust him or some shit it’s so juicy. Can't you all see it now it's so good, the star crossed horror of it all.

-The additional Neytiri/Neteyam parallel that comes out in nocorro. They both have forbidden alien romances, and yet Neytiri wouldn't respect or understand Neteyam's without a lot of work. THE SYMBOLIC T R A G E D Y. We could have a moment of Mo'at being like, "Get it together, I accepted your freak. I even like him better than you now sometimes."

-I am currently deeply obsessed with the bonds Na'vi form with their mates. Every author has played with bonds differently, but I feel like a lot of fics have mentioned this concept of being able to feel each others emotions. The fact that the bond is like, more raw and important in the beginning. So Spider and Neteyam keeping their relationship hidden, being separate and secret would be like almost painful. I am so so invested in that idea I want to know More. Like they Have to be near each other, like touch and shit is essential for a healthy bond at first and they’re just like fucking it up. I want to explore Na'vi bond concepts so bad, with some lovely hurt comfort of nocorro being forced apart at the worst time.

-I even like the concept of them being in a healthy, normal relationship, right? They are newly bonded, and everyone loved and supported them from the beginning or what not. They wanted to get mated before the train raid just in case, and then Spider gets fucking taken lol. Tragedy, they AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE APART, the drama of it all.

-I made that soulmate au post where I did all the different types of soulmate aus I could think of and with the one where they can feel and take each others pain I WENT STRAIGHT TO NOCORRO RIGHT AWAY. There’s something so funny and horrifying about spider getting taken and Jake being like “alright go learn an entire new culture” and Neteyam's like on the ground half dead like “but dad I feel like I’m being brain tortured”.

-Neteyam would be so fucking angsty and reckless at Awa'atlu in this au. He feels all of Spider's pain, so he's terrified and scared BUT ALSO CRANKY. He’s saying slightly rude things to his parents and he’s beating the shit out of Ao’nung before Lo’ak can even try. Man is testy. And he's shit at learning to breathe, he is not feeling calm or patient.

-The soulmate au where you can take the others wounds, imagine Spider taking the bullet wound even after they have a (spider inflicted cause he gets hurt more often) pact to not take each others wounds and pain. Horrifying. I have been wondering about the logistics tho, because Spider's body is proportionally different than Neteyam's, would the wound appear somewhere else on his body that would help him possibly survive? I can't decide.

-Oh my god also a version where they hadn't realized yet they were soulmates. Neteyam's all of a sudden devastated and horrified that he's alive at the cost of his soulmate, one he never got to meet, only to look over and notice Spider keeling over. TRAGEDY. pLS I need comfort fics too.

-There’s enough torture porn in this fandom I’m waiting for my Spider romcom. I want to be surprised by how right things start going for my boy, it's never surprising when all the things go bad all the time for him. I want that fucking fast food nocorro au I got so into. I want my soulmate au but they notice from the beginning so they accept him and raise him or something.

-Speaking of a little modern nocorro romcom (still with plenty of angst tho) I’m telling you I’m right Neteyam is P E A K I can fix him. He clocks Spider and is like “now there’s a boy I can fix (sexual).” His sexuality is will my dick cure him? Yes.

-Spider like, coughs once and Neteyam's like that sickly little loser of a man is Mine now, wow. Wow I am going to Save him and it'll be so satisfying. The man has a savior complex you can't convince me otherwise. That meme like "if I had a lame ass boyfriend I would hype him up so hard," that's Neteyam.

-I've always thought that Neteyam and Spider's problems and fights would always be over Neteyam trying to fix all of Spider's problems. Like Spider is just venting about his dad and Neteyam is like "so I'm on the phone with CPS and we're filing a report" and Spider's like "oh my fucking god I just wanted you to listen??" And Neteyam's like but babe I can fix it.

-Neteyam's GROWTH is him like learning to grit his teeth and literally sit on his hands as he forces himself to let Spider have his own problem instead of Babygirl-ifying him. He's literally Too Pure Too Good For This World in the most annoying way possible, he thinks everything can be fixed but maybe Spider's just gotta be broke, we can't superglue this one back together.

-Then Spider's like what if he won't like me if I'm not broken anyway? And it's a whole other complex and a whole other set of issues.

I hope you've enjoyed this word vomit of terrible angst, I need help and I need fluff.

[starswhisperwritershear]

First Chapter Up!

Basically, I was inspired by @tatumsdrawing mechanic au and I started this project mainly cause I found a severe lack of fics with stuff I wanted to read and decided to contribute.

Of All The Stories In The Stars, Ours Has Yet To Be Told (7031 words) by StarsWhisper Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Danny Phantom Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Dash Baxter/Danny Fenton Characters: Danny Fenton, Dash Baxter, Sam Manson, Tucker Foley, Paulina Sanchez, Kwan (Danny Phantom) Additional Tags: Aged-Up Character(s), on the way to college, mentions of child abuse, Mentions of homophobia, Redemption Arcs, Bisexual Danny Fenton, everyone becoming good friends, learning how to live, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Second Chances, lots of classical literature references, lots of astrology references, more tags coming when i think of them Summary: It's the end of senior year and Dash and Danny are having the worst time of their lives. Dash's father finds out he's queer and tries to kill him. That lands him in prison with divorce papers. Dash goes to therapy to cope and learn how to change his behaviors while taking some time off from school. He now needs to learn how to navigate the world and figure himself out. Danny fears he'll never figure out what he wants for his future beyond being the hero of Amity Park forever and he's running out of time to figure it out as he watches everyone he knows move on without him. Plus there are always the people hunting him down that he has to worry about on top of that.

~

“Do you blame yourself?”

Dash eyed his therapist for a moment before dropping his gaze to the floor. She was sitting comfortably on her big fluffy chair, legs crossed and clipboard in hand; Dash wondered how she was able to be at such ease all the time while the people she talked with were always so visibly on edge. The couch he sat on always felt too wide and isolating for just one person. It didn’t have enough stuffing and the wood always dug into his skin and made his bones sore.

“What?”

“Well, it is quite common for children in these situations to assume the blame for-”

“I’m not a child. I’m almost nineteen.”

She hummed, scribbling something in her notebook. Dash hated when she did that. He knew it was helpful, but it made him feel small. He didn’t like feeling small. She stared at him, waiting for him to continue the conversation. He hated when she did that too.

Dash snorted. “Blame myself for what? My dad trying to kill me? The disappointment in my mom’s eyes when she looks at me? That half the school hates me because of how I’ve treated them? You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“The divorce,” she answered, uncrossing and recrossing her legs, “but it sounds like there are other things on your mind. Would you like to talk about those?”

“No.” Dash sighed, shifting and failing once again to get comfortable. “I just… I feel so…” Angry? Sad? Guilty? Relieved? Scared? “...ashamed.”

“And why do you feel that way?”

“I don’t know.”

She waited patiently in silence. He shrunk in on himself, head tucking into his shoulders like a turtle.

“I just should have known better.”

“What should you have known?”

Dash huffed. “I don’t know, everything! That I was treating my mom like garbage; that I was acting just like my father even though I hated him; and that if I stayed on that path I would end up alone and angry and awful just like him. I just should have known better…” He let his words trail off, threading his fingers together and squeezing, hoping his therapist wouldn’t notice them shake.

“Dash, no one can be expected to know everything right away, or else every baby born would be Albert Einstein. We have to give ourselves the grace to learn. Shame is a powerful tool; it tells us what we feel the need to improve on. If we feel shame over our actions, we then know where to start to correct our course.”

Dash sighed and leaned back into the couch. “Then I have a lot to learn.”

“What have you learned so far?”

“That I suck.”

“Let’s try again with more constructive language. What have you learned so far?”

He took a deep breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. It was okay to cry, he just didn’t want to. “I need to start actively making decisions in my life to change. That I can’t keep going the way I’ve been going and expect to end up happy.”

“What does change look like to you?”

“I don’t know.”

She quirked her eyebrow, remaining silent.

“I actually don’t know. I mean, it’s not like I can convince my friends to stop bullying people.”

“You stopped, right?”

“Well, yeah. I did, but every time I tried to tell them why, they just laughed at me. How am I supposed to get them to change?”

“Let’s try focusing on the things that you can control. You may not be able to control other people, but you can control your environment. Does that make sense?”

“Yeah, but that’s really hard to do. I mean, a quarterback with no friends during his senior year isn’t exactly a fun time.”

“I understand. Maybe you could try taking it in baby steps. For your homework today, I’d like you to write out at least a five-step plan for the change you want to see in your life.”

Dash took a deep breath, resetting his lungs. “Okay.”

“Is there anything else, you’d like to talk about, we’re almost out of time.”

“No,” then, “thank you.”

“Of course, it’s what you pay me for.”

Dash stepped outside, letting the door to the building slam shut behind him. No one ever talked about just how physically exhausting therapy could be. He wanted nothing more than to curl up with Pookie on his comfortable couch with some snacks and mindless T.V. But, he’d promised his mom he’d pick up groceries on his way back. He turned down the main road and began his long trek to the store.

“Shame is a powerful tool,” He grumbled under his breath. “It sucks.” He kicked a rock down the road. Maybe step one of his plan would be to finally convince himself to go back to school tomorrow. He kicked the rock again. Or maybe he could get away with graduating from home.

“Duck!”

Dash threw himself to the ground; growing up in Amity Park you learn not to hesitate. If someone says duck, you duck, no questions asked. A bird ghost smashed into the brick wall behind him; ghost feathers showering around him. He scrambled over to the alleyway, ducking behind the trashcans. Once he was safe, he peeked his head out to see the bird ghost stand up and shake its head. Phantom rushed past him, landing a kick straight to its chest.

He pulled his ghost-catching thermos out of apparently thin air and pointed it at the ghost. It screeched at him as it got caught in the blue whirlwind and clawed at the edges of the device; ultimately losing as Phantom capped it. He turned toward Dash. “Sorry, are you o-”

A bright, sickly green light shot through the air, clipping Phantom’s arm, glowing ectoplasm splattered across the ground. He screamed and dropped to the ground, cradling the injury with his other hand.

Dash leaned around the corner, straining to see what could have happened. The Fentons were standing there, Mr. Fenton holding a gun pointed right at Phantom.

“Ha-ha! Did you see that, Maddie! I got him on the first try!”

“Great job, honey. But go easy on the Fenton Venom; we want him alive or we’ll be limited in the experiments we can do.”

Dash frantically waved in Phantom’s direction; he was struggling to pull himself off the floor and was flickering like he was trying to disappear but couldn’t. They made eye contact- Phantom’s wide and panicked- and Dash pointed to the alley behind him, hoping against everything that the hero would understand what he meant. Then he full sprinted out of the alley and collided with Mrs. Fenton, knocking her into her husband and successfully grabbing their attention.

“Mrs. Fenton!” He screamed once they had all regained their balance. “Thank god you’re here. I saw a ghost!”

“You saw a ghost!” Mr. Fenton whipped around, gun in hand completely forgotten.

“It was huge! Like the size of a car! And it had like these, these, giant fangs and I couldn’t-”

“Dash, calm down.” Mrs. Fenton chirped. “Where did you see this ghost?”

Danny waited until he knew for sure his parents were distracted by Dash before making a B-line for the alley, trying not to let any of his blood fall onto the ground and give him away. He tucked himself behind the trashcan, desperate to keep all of him out of sight. The smell of burning flesh permeated the air. He moved his hand to check on his injury.

There was a fairly decent-sized chunk taken out of his arm and the area around it was bubbling and falling away, dissolving before it could actually fall off. It burned like hell. His hand was tingling from where he’d touched the injury.

“Figures they’d make a poison at some point,” He hissed, blinking his eyes to keep the tears at bay, he needed to be able to see right now. He tried turning invisible again, but this time he didn’t even flicker. “Fuck, what is this?”

“Oh, man that looks bad.”

Danny whipped his head around to see Dash staring at him. Panic swelled in his chest.

“Don’t worry, they’re gone, chasing a ghost that’s not even there.”

Danny sighed, resting his head on the building behind him. “Thank you.” When Dash didn’t immediately leave he added, “I’ll be okay in a moment, when I can get my powers back.” He left the ‘please go away’ to be implied.

“Right,” Dash nodded, swinging his backpack around and digging through it. “You wouldn’t happen to have like a ghost doctor or something would you?”

“No,” Danny bit back the scream of pain crawling up his throat. God, it felt like he was being torn apart molecule by molecule. It didn’t matter how many times he did this torture thing, it never got any easier to handle the pain. “Ow!”

“Right, okay,” Dash pulled a first aid kit out of his bag and then tossed the bag to the side of the alley, before dropping to his knees next to him. “Okay, I’ve got this.”

Danny leaned away from him. “What have you got?”

“Don’t worry, my mom’s a nurse and she’s taught me a lot of first aid. We need to wash that poison off before it does some real damage.” Dash looked around for a container of some kind and had to settle with one of the trash can lids. He put it next to Danny and started rummaging through his kit.

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing? What if you make it worse?”

Dash inhaled sharply, like he was practicing extreme amounts of patience. “Look, you’ve saved my ass, like a lot, now let me save yours. Plus, it’s not like you have a lot of options right now, right?”

Danny wanted to argue, but Dash was right. Short of crawling across town to either Sam or Tucker’s house without his parents catching him or his arm falling off, he didn’t have any other options. He was still hesitant about it; at least he was until the poison hit a major nerve and his entire arm blazed with pain. “Shit!” He yelped, a few tears trickling down his cheeks. “Okay, fine. But fuck up my arm and I’m haunting you for eternity.”

“Deal.” Dash uncapped a bottle of distilled water and gently grabbed Danny’s arm, moving it over the lid and rotating it so the poison wouldn’t run over more of his skin. “Okay, this is probably going to sting. Just try not to move.” He tipped the bottle.

The water hit his skin and it did in fact sting. Danny inhaled sharply through gritted teeth and yanked his arm away. The water splashed off his arm and hit his leg, burning less than the direct poison, but still burning. “Shit!”

“I said sit still!” Dash whisper-yelled, quickly rinsing off his leg. “Sorry,” Dash frowned, “I’m sorry. Just, please try not to move. We don’t know what this stuff is and we definitely don’t want it getting anywhere else.”

Danny dug his nails into his palm, a few more tears falling from his eyes. He took deep breaths, trying to ignore the sting of the water. He flinched when the water hit the deepest part of his wound. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m sorry, I yelled. I didn’t mean to.” Dash threw the empty bottle of water away and grabbed a second one. “Hang in there, I need to make sure I got all of it out before we bandage it. Did it get anywhere else?”

Danny held his hand out to him. Dash grabbed his hand as gently as possible. His hand got off easier, looking more like road rash than poison. It didn’t sting as much when he poured the water over it. “Sorry.”Dash apologized anyway.

Danny chuckled.

“What’s so funny.”

“Nothing, I just don’t think I’ve ever heard you apologize this much. Are you sure I haven’t died again?”

Dash’s face turned red with shame. He capped the water bottle and turned to grab the antibiotic ointment. Figures Phantom would know about his past, he’s been around a long time and he was pretty sure ghosts saw things that others might not.“Thanks for noticing. My therapist says I’ve been making exceptional progress lately.”

Phantom burst out laughing, tears flowing freely now. His shoulders shook with the strength of his laughter, causing his hair to fall into his face. Is laugh was big and boisterous and deep. A soft pink glow illuminated his cheeks. He placed his free hand on his forehead, desperately trying to reign it in. His eyes were scrunched shut and his lashes were wet with tears.

It was ethereal.

Dash shook his head; focus!

“Sorry,” Phantom finally choked out, still gasping on the remnants of laughter, “sorry. I’m not laughing at you. Therapy is so cool. I promise I’m not laughing at that. It’s just-” another giggle- “I’m asking you about your vocabulary while I bleed out in an alleyway. What a crazy Tuesday, huh?”

“I’m just glad you’re not crying anymore.” Dash hyper-focused on putting the antibiotic ointment on the burns on Phantom’s hand and wrapping it with gauze.

“I wasn’t crying.”

“It’s okay to cry.”

“I know it’s okay, I just wasn’t.”

“Okay.” Dash chuckled, moving over to bandage his arm.

“Really, I wasn’t.”

“I bet this is handy, huh?” Dash changed the subject, pointing to his arm where the flesh was slowly, but surely stitching itself back together.

“What is?” Phantom turned to look where he was pointing.

“Your ghost healing stuff. Now that the poison is gone it looks like you’re doing fine.”

“Oh, yeah. I guess it is.”

Dash finished securing the bandages in place. “Not that I don’t- that everyone doesn’t appreciate it, but why do you do it? The hero stuff I mean. Surely a ghost would have better things to do in the afterlife?”

Phantom gingerly moved his arm around, testing its movement. He grinned at Dash. “Well, yeah, but who else is going to do it?”

“The Fentons and the Guys in White don’t seem too keen on retiring anytime soon.”

Phantom frowned, his brows furrowing. “Uh, yeah, and while they can be helpful, they’re not always the most reliable or efficient ghost hunters. Plus, they don’t know half the things I know about ghosts.”

“Right, that makes sense, I guess.” Dash began picking up the first aid stuff. “Has anyone ever said thank you?”

Phantom startled, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Um, no. Surprisingly, you’d be the first.”

A shout echoed in the distance. “Let’s circle back around, Jack. Maybe we missed an alleyway.” It was Mrs. Fenton and she was close by.

“If you can, you’d better,” Dash said to Phantom, who- when he turned around- was already gone, “go.”

He hurried to collect the pieces of his first aid kit and packed it up. His heart was beating so fast. Who would have thought he’d be the one to help his- the town’s hero out? And that he was really pretty when he laughed?

Dash reached for his backpack and stuffed everything in, before dumping the mixture of water and viscera into the trashcan and fixing the lid back in place. He sprinted out of the alley and down the road before the Fentons could find him and ask what he was still doing there.

He stopped to catch his breath and calm his racing heart. He had (in a less than technical sense) held Phantom’s hand today. Paulina was going to be so jealous. That was if she even wanted to talk to him. He didn’t really know what his friends would think about him now.

He sighed, that was a tomorrow problem. Right now his problem was getting to the store before they closed. And getting new supplies for his first aid kit.

Dash walked toward his old table as slowly as he could. Step one of his plan was just to see how everyone reacted. He’d go wherever he needed to from there, whether that be going friendless for the last month of high school or explaining to everyone why he wanted to stop being mean to people and hoping they’d agree.

Dash’s heart fell when he saw his usual spot next to Kwan was taken. In fact, the whole table was full. Paulina and Star were laughing at something one of the football players had said. Kwan was the first one to notice him.

“Oh, Hi, Dash!” He waved.

Dash waved back. “Uh, hi, Kwan.” Dash looked between them and instantly knew he had lost the battle.

Star kicked Kwan under the table. “Uh-hem.”

Kwan retracted his hand.

Paulina wouldn’t look at him. She looked sad, torn.

“Sorry, Dash,” Star murmured, “but one of the club rules is you have to be in a certain tax bracket to sit at the table.”

“My mom’s not poor.” Dash weakly defended.

“It’s the rules,” Star fiddled with her fork, “you know that.”

Dash inhaled. “Alright, whatever.”

“Dash, just so you know,” Kwan said before Dash could leave, “it’s not because you’re gay.”

“Thanks, Kwan.”

“We’re not homophobic.”

“Thanks, Kwan.”

“It is just because you’re poor.”

“Thanks, Kwan.”

“We’ll need your hall pass punch card back,” Paulina spoke softly, still not meeting his eyes.

“Fine, I’ll bring it by after school. I really thought you guys were better than this by now.” He turned and left. He glanced around the cafeteria and then headed for the door outside. Not a lot of people used the ones out there anymore because of all the ghost attacks. He’d be able to do some homework at least.

Dash sighed. A part of him still really wanted to tell Paulina about yesterday. And he’d had plans with Kwan to go see the new Nightmerica movie later this month that he’d been really excited for. Guess that was out of the question now.

As predicted, there were only a few freshmen at one of the tables. Dash sat at the one furthest from them. This was alright; a change of environment, just like his therapist had said, just on an expedited schedule. He sighed and pulled out his book for English class. Might as well get started on that homework.

Danny watched as Dash sat down. He hesitated all of about five seconds before he started walking over. A tug on his shirt stopped him.

“You’re joking, right?” Sam snorted, letting go of his shirt.

“What?” Danny shrugged, his best convincing smile plastered on his face. “Look at how sad he is.”

“He looks pathetic.” Tucker chided.

“And it’s what he deserves, to be sad and lonely.” Valerie glared in Dash’s direction.

“Oh come on, guys! He’s not that bad. When’s the last time he even bothered us?”

“So, what he patches you up and bats his big jock eyelashes at you one time and you’re stuck to him like a freshman with a crush?”Tuckertaunted.

“What!? It’s not like that! He’s just trying really hard to change and I think we should give him a chance.”

“Yeah, 'cause he totally gave all of us a chance.” Valerie sneered.

“Look, let’s just go talk to him and if he’s an ass about it, we can leave and you can all say, I told you so.”

“And if he’s not an ass we can invite him over for a sleepover and braid each other’s hair?” Sam giggled, excitedly flapping her hands.

“Yeah! Hey!” Danny frowned. “Come on, Sam. Can’t you be nice for once in your life?” Danny rolled his eyes and walked over to Dash’s table, not caring if the others followed him or not. They did, of course.

He sat his tray down, confidently he hoped. Dash startled, looking up from his book.

“Mind if we sit here?”

Dash hesitated, blinking. He rubbed his eyes, looked around the group like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, and blinked again. “Uh, sure, I guess.”

Danny threw a grin behind him at Sam and Valerie and sat down in front of Dash. The others sighed and sat down on his side of the table. Dash was staring.

After a moment, Danny casually- oh so casually- pointed at the book in Dash’s hands. “That for Lancer’s advanced class?”

“Uh, yeah; the concurrent enrollment one. I didn’t really want to deal with it in college.” Dash closed the book and dropped it on the bench next to him, cheeks turning a little pink. He fumbled with his hands like he didn’t know what to do with them now.

“Hey, me too. I’m in the morning section though.” Danny punctured the side of his milk carton with a straw, wincing at the pressure it put on his arm. The wound wasn’t a giant hole anymore, but it still had a little more internal healing to do before his nerves would be back to normal. “Don’t tell Lancer this, but I didn’t really like The Scarlet Letter .”

“Wait, you didn’t?” Sam scolded, leaning around Tucker to make sure Danny visibly saw her disappointment. “Why?”

“I don’t know,” Danny shrugged, glancing at Dash who was still staring at him like he’d grown a second head. “I just didn’t like the vibes.”

“I figured if anyone would understand the vibes of having a giant painted letter on their chest, it would be you,” Valerie smirked at him, picking distastefully at her mashed potatoes.

“It’s probably cause he didn’t finish it.” Tucker, oh-so-helpfully interjected as he tapped away at his PDA.

“You didn’t even finish it!?” Sam huffed, flinging her fork down, failing to startle Dash out of whatever staring contest he was having with Danny’s nose.

“No, I got bored.” Danny gazed back at Dash. Had he even blinked? “What did you think Dash?”

Dash didn’t react to the sound of his name. He was completely zoned out, a confused and panicked expression stuck on his face. His nose was scrunched up in thought.

“Dash?”

Dash finally blinked, jerking upright and hitting his hands on the table. He flinched, blood rushing to his face. “Uh, what?”

Sam rolled her eyes.

Danny chuckled. “ The Scarlet Letter , what do you think about it?”

“Oh,” Dash dropped eye contact, “I just barely started it.” He shoved some food in his mouth, remembering that it was there.

“Dude,” Danny laughed, “the test is in like two days.”

“Uh, dude , the test is tomorrow.” Tucker corrected, turning his PDA to show Danny the schedule.

“Shit, it’s tomorrow?” Valerie groaned. “I’ve got to finish those last two chapters fast.”

“You’ll tell me how it ends, right?” Danny batted his eyelashes at her.

“As if, Fenton. Do your own homework.” Valerie playfully shoved his shoulder.

“Ow!”

“Oops, sorry. I forgot.” She shoved his side instead.

“I’m sorry.” Dash blurted. His eyes were fixed intensely on the table this time and Danny thought he saw him shaking just the tiniest bit. “I’m really sorry that I bullied you guys for so long. I was told that I was better than certain people and I had a lot of anger from… everything happening at home and I never stopped to think about what I was doing and that’s not really an excuse, but you guys didn’t deserve that and I’m really sorry.” He took a deep breath, relaxing slightly now that he had gotten everything out.

Danny smiled at him. “Thank you, Dash. I appreciate that.”

Tucker couldn’t help the grin that crossed his face. He had to admit, an apology certainly felt nice. “Yeah, man. That was surprisingly mature.”

“I guess taking a few weeks off has really changed you, huh?” Sam sneered. Danny kicked her under the table. “It is nice to hear you say it though.”

Everyone turned to Valerie who was staring off to the side. Dash held his breath. She turned to him, her gaze softening.

“I suppose it’s been long enough and considering you just got a taste of your own medicine, I’m willing to give you another chance. Just make sure you don’t squander it, yeah?”

Dash released his breath, eternally grateful for Valerie’s good nature. “Thank you, guys. And again, I’m really sorry.”

“Keep saying it and I’m going to vomit.” Sam teased.

A silence fell over their table, everyone trying to release tension by eating their food. Danny wasn’t really sure what he should bring up after something like that and there wasn’t really anything he knew about Dash that Danny Fenton could ask him about. He wracked his brain, hoping to pull something out of thin air.

“So,” Tucker beat him to it, “Danny’s bisexual.”

“Tucker!” Everyone but Dash- who reeled back like he’d just been called a slur- yelled at him.

“What?! I just wanted him to know we’re not homophobic.”

“So, you just decide to out Danny?” Valerie scolded.

“Not cool dude.” Sam punched him in the arm.

“Ow! Sorry, you know how I am with uncomfortable silence.”

Dash was staring at him again.

“Tucker,” Danny sighed, “I am amazed you are capable of keeping any secret.”

“Are you really?” Dash whispered like he wasn’t sure he was allowed to ask such things out loud.

“Uh, yeah, I am.” Danny drew back, hunching in on himself. “Does that bother you?”

“No. Why would it bother me ?”

Danny just shrugged.

Dash cleared his throat. “Have you, uh, have you told your parents yet?”

Danny sighed, making Dash tense like he’d overstepped. “Yeah, I have.”

Dash glanced at him, making eye contact with him for the first time in a moment. “Can I ask how they reacted?”

Danny frowned. “Well, they didn’t try to kill me or beat me up if that’s what you’re asking. But, they didn’t leap for joy either. They kind of just-”

“That’s nice, Danny,” Tucker interrupted, clearly mocking his mother, “but have you seen the Fenton blaster anywhere? I swear I just had it.”

“Hey, that’s great, Danny! Now you can pick two of your chores to do today!” Sam bellowed, doing a really good impression of how his dad laughed.

“Oh.” Dash glanced down at his half-eaten lunch.

“Yeah, not the best reaction, but better than what you got, I guess.” Danny gave him a small, pitying smile.

“Basically everybody knows what happened then?” Dash picked at the table, getting a few slivers in the process.

“Yup, pretty much.” Sam drawled.

“You know how news travels through the A-listers and their parents.” Valerie scoffed. “Everyone had pretty much known what had gone down and why by Monday.”

“Awesome.” Dash sighed.

The lunch bell rang, saving everyone from the depressing turn the conversation had taken. Tucker quickly devoured the last few bites of his burger as everyone but Dash, who was taking his time to pack up his stuff, stood and headed for the door.

“I’m gonna invite him to study with us,” Danny stated.

“He’s good with History, so I’m okay with it,” Valerie shouldered the door open and sped walked down the hall. She had a class at the complete opposite end of the building so she had no time to waste.

“I still think you’re making a mistake Danny. Not a lot of people have what it takes to change.” Sam chided, throwing her lunch wrappers into the recycling bin.

“Come on, Sam.” Danny sighed. “When are you going to start trusting my decisions?”

“I trust you. It’s him I don’t trust.”

“Okay, then trust me when I say I trust him. He apologized. Isn’t that proof of something at least?”

Sam rolled her eyes. “Fine, but I’ll keep my I-told-you-so ready.”

“Good enough. Tucker?”

“I am currently making a betting chart, I’ll let you know what I decide based on how the bets are going.” He didn’t even bother to look up from his PDA.

“Okay, I’ll catch up to you guys.” Danny waved and waited for Dash while the other two walked inside.

Dash took longer than necessary to pack his bag. He needed a moment to decompress. Lunch had been a lot of big emotions all at once and he really just wanted a nap. He kept his book out, maybe he’d be able to get through some of it during his next class.

Dash watched as Danny leaned against the door, flinching when his shoulder hit it wrong. He rubbed his arm, wincing and taking a step away from it.

“Did you hurt your shoulder or something?” Dash asked as he opened the door, waiting for Danny to slip inside first.

“Oh, uh, I, um, sprained it while helping my parents in their lab. No big deal.” Danny trailed after him like Dash had hoped he wouldn’t. He didn’t know how much more awkward conversation he could take right now.

“Hey, I wanted to ask you if you’d like to join our study group after school today?” Danny somehow kept perfect pace with him, not even once bumping into anyone. It was like he didn’t exist in the same place as the crowd. Meanwhile, Dash kept bumping shoulders with people walking entirely too slow.

“I haven’t even really started the book.” They arrived at Dash’s locker. He opened it, hoping it would save him from this.

Danny leaned on his good shoulder against the locker next to his, clearly having no intention of leaving until he got his answer. “And I haven’t even finished it. Besides, we study for all our classes and Valerie says you’re really good at History. Plus, we can always just listen to the others discuss it and hope that’s enough to get us at least a C+.”

“Is that how you pass all your classes? Cheating off your friends?” He didn’t really know how to talk to Danny now that their dynamic had changed so rapidly. He was still reeling from the fact that Danny chose to sit next to him at lunch and talk casually about an assignment like nothing had ever happened between them.

Danny gasped. “How dare you, it’s not cheating. It’s studying. I’ll have you know I’m not a cheater.”

His eyes were so blue, like they had an internal light glowing behind them. And he had gotten taller over the years, much taller. He was at the very least as tall as Dash if not a few inches taller. He looked a lot less like the twig from freshman year and more like someone who could dominate professional basketball. Well, if professional basketball players dressed like an angsty theater kid. His hair had grown longer in the back and he’d dyed the underside white, creating a (fashionable) mullet situation. He’d started wearing black t-shirts and red flannels; chains dangled from the side of his jeans; he’d pierced his ears and Dash could have sworn he’d seen him wearing fingerless gloves on a few occasions. The only part of his outfit that was the same, were the red sneakers he wore.

“So?”

Dash blinked. That was the third time today he’d been caught staring. Come on, Baxter, focus! “So?”

“So, are you coming?”

“Why are you suddenly so keen to hang out with me? Usually, people tend to avoid the guy that was a piece of shit to them.” He reached for his math book, shoving it in his bag.

A lazy grin crawled its way onto Danny’s face. “Eh, you’re just not as big and scary as you think you are.” He fucking winked at him. Jesus Christ. “Besides, I may not have thrown you in a locker or chased you down the hallway or hung you from a flag pole, but I have played my fair share of nasty pranks on you in the past. And you’ve just apologized so we’re on even ground here.”

“Wait, what pranks?”

Danny spoke over him, “So are you coming or what?”

Dash gazed heavily into his locker. Danny was staring and it made him nervous. He weighed his options; he could either go home and take a much needed nap, tiptoe around his mother at dinner, and then hide in his room all night, or he could go study and maybe catch up on all the assignments he’d missed and had put off doing. “What subject are you good at?”

“Physics.”

“You’re good at physics but not math?”

“I choose not to question it.”

Dash made sure to sigh as dramatically as possible. “Fine, I’ll come.”

“Awesome!” Danny cheered, peeling himself away from the locker and walking backward to his class. “See you after school!” He turned and booked it down the hallway, almost disappearing into the crowd.

Dash sighed again, this time for his own benefit. He closed his locker and leaned his forehead against it. So much for his nap. At least he could tell his therapist he’d started making changes before he’d even finished writing out his five steps. She’d be proud.

Much later that night, Dash pushed open his front door, dropped his bag on the floor, and braced for impact. Pookie came running around the corner, yapping away, and slammed into his ankles. Dash knelt down, vigorously petting his dog.

“Hey, boy! Who’s a good boy? Who’s a sweet little guy? You are! You are!”

Pookie barked lovingly at him, shaking every molecule in his body from sheer excitement. He licked at his hands.

“Gross, Pookie. You’re gonna get a stomach ache from school germs.”

“Dash? You home, sweetie?” His mom called from the kitchen.

He drew in a deep breath, his body tensing from the anxiety rushing through his veins. His mom hadn’t really talked about what happened beyond making sure Dash knew she loved him no matter what. She’s been avoiding the subject. “Yeah!” He slowly made his way to the kitchen, Pookie following dutifully behind.

His mom was standing over the stove, spoon in hand as she stirred something that smelled amazing. She looked tired. She probably just barely got home from work.

“You’re home pretty late, did something happen?” She asked reaching for the spice cabinet.

Dash walked over and reached for the salt, handing it to her. She always put it back just a shelf too high. He peeked into the pan; stir-fry, his favorite. He avoided her eyes, he didn’t want to see the disappointment he knew he’d find there. “No, I was just at a study group trying to catch up on some homework.”

“With Kwan and Paulina?” She asked slowly, like he would fall apart if she made one wrong misstep.

He washed his hands in the sink. “No, actually, Danny Fenton invited me to join his group.”

She stirred the pot in front of her, falling silent for a moment. “That’s certainly a change.”

Dash felt like he was swimming in ice water. “Yeah, I, um, well, I apologized to him for giving him such a hard time and he sat with me at lunch.” Dash figured she didn’t need to know the exact order of events. “Kwan and Paulina don’t want anything to do with me.”

She frowned. “Oh, sweetie. I’m sorry. It’s not because…” She trailed off. She hadn’t said the word yet. Dash hated that she wouldn’t say it.

“No. At least they said it wasn’t; just that I’m apparently too poor for them now. Club rules.”

She pulled some plates down from the cabinets. “That’s probably just their parents spewing venom in their ears.”

“It’s the same thing we did to Valerie freshman year. I kind of knew it was coming, I just hoped things had changed.” Dash grabbed the filtered water from the fridge, pouring them both a glass.

“Thank you.” She plated the food and walked over to the table, Dash following her. “I’m sorry your friends turned out to not be so friendly.”

“It’s okay.” They sat down, eating in silence for a moment. Dash hated the silence the most.

His mom glanced up at him. “So, you apologized to the Fenton boy?”

Dash sat up straight, taking a deep breath before answering. “Yeah. I did.”

“How’d it go? I mean, obviously, you guys hung out, so pretty well?” She added even more salt to her plate.

“It was hard. And scary. But I think it went pretty well. Some of the others were there too, including Valerie. I think they were more hesitant to forgive me and I can’t blame them. But, I think it worked out okay. At the very least they were glad to have my help with History.” He picked a piece of meat off his plate to feed to Pookie, who was lying down by his feet like a good boy.

“I’m really proud of you, Dash.” His mom was looking at him, a smile on her face. He hadn’t seen her smile since the incident. He felt the shame covering him again.

“Don’t say that mom.”

“Why not? I’m very proud of the man you’re becoming.”

He set his fork down, focusing on controlling his breathing, he did not want to start crying in front of his mom again. “Cause I don’t deserve it. I was awful to you and to Fenton and the other kids at school. I haven’t even begun to make up for it, so how can you say you’re proud of me?” Too late, the tears were already halfway down his cheeks. He heard his mom stand up, but he was more focused on rubbing the tears away. Pookie was trying his best to comfort him by rubbing against his leg.

She gently held his face. “Dash, look at me son, please look at me.”

He did.

She was crying too.

“You have nothing to apologize to me for.”

“I said so many awful things to you and I destroyed our family.” He was full-on sobbing now.

“I’m sorry.” She choked out. “I’m so sorry I didn’t see what was going on sooner. You did not destroy our family. Your father destroyed this family. He destroyed this family when he taught my son to see others as less than. He destroyed this family when he taught both me and my son that we were unworthy of love. He destroyed this family when he started hitting my son. And he destroyed this family when he was ready to kill my son over who he loved. You didn’t deserve any of the things he did to you and I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you. It’s my fault, Dash, not yours.”

She pulled him into a tight hug, her tears spilling onto his shoulders. Dash hugged her back and for the first time in a long time, allowed himself to fall apart. He sobbed and cried and yelled and held her tight like his mother’s touch alone would keep every bad thing away from him. When he had calmed a little, just enough to hear her, she spoke again.

“Of course, I’m proud of you. Despite everything you’ve been through, you chose to get help and you chose to still be you. That’s so hard to do and you did it anyway. When I look at you I see someone who wanted something better for himself and went for it; I see someone who is becoming who he wants to be, not who he was taught to be; I see someone who apologized to the people they’d hurt even though it was incredibly hard to do; I see my son. And I am so very proud of my son. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel any other way.”

Dash sniffled, holding on because he wasn’t ready to let go yet. “I thought you were disappointed in me.”

“Disappointed? Never.” She sniffled too. “I was just sad. Sad that my son was sad. And sad that I married someone so evil. But, I love you. And I’m sorry I don’t say it enough.”

Dash finally pulled away, wiping his tears away. “I love you too.”

She gave him a watery smile. She sniffed, inhaled a deep breath, and stood up. “Look at us.” She chuckled. “We’re a mess and our food is probably cold. I’m sorry, I know it’s your favorite.”

Dash leaned down and picked Pookie up. The dog had been going crazy at the two emotionally unstable humans in his house. “I think we’ve said enough ‘I’m sorry’s’ for the night.”

“Ugh, you’re right. Let’s just order some takeout and we can watch The Bachelorette  or something and you can tell me which guys you think are the hottest.”

“Mom!” Dash was mortified.

“What? We haven’t talked about this yet.” She had the restaurant page and phone in hand, already typing in the number for the pizza place down the street. “I need to make sure you have better taste in men than I do. What pizza toppings do you want?”

Dash found himself laughing. It was nice to have his house feel like home again. He helped his mom clean the kitchen and get the couch blankets out of the closet for their impromptu movie night. Just as they were getting ready to hit play, his phone beeped with a text message.

Unknown Number: I stole ur # from, Val. :P Walk with us 2 school tmrw?

Unknown Number: It’s Danny.

Dash smiled down at his phone. What a dork. Dash saved the number in his phone, heart nearly caving in. It’d been all of one day and suddenly his entire life was different. He’d have to remember to thank Danny for being so forgiving.

“Who is it?” His mom asked.

“Uh, it’s Danny. He wants to walk to school together.” He twiddled his thumbs, not sure how to respond to the text.

His mom smirked at him. “Wow, that must have been some apology.”

Dash wanted to crawl under a rock and never come back out.

“Does he know you drive to school?”

“Probably not. I’ll just walk with him and tell him tomorrow.”

“Okay, whatever you say. Hit play, mister.”

Dash hit play on the TV. and typed a quick reply on his phone.

Dash: See you tomorrow

Nerd: Meet @ my place?

Dash: I’ll be there.

Nerd: See u tmrw :D

[sapphicsnzs]

my wlw ocs<3

Hey!! I’ve been working on making wlw ocs for a while and I’m ready to introduce them to you! Meet Libby and Maisey!!

Feel free to ask any questions or send asks about them. The first fic I wrote is after they get together, but I have ideas to explore them as they get together. 

Info: Maisey and Libby met as sophomores in college. They go to the same college and met working at the same coffee shop. They worked the Tuesday/Thursday opening shifts together every week. After the first few shifts Libby started showing off her talent for making drinks, which Maisey in desperate need of caffeine fell hard for. They went out for a bit before making it official. 

Libby (She/they): Environmental science student who is also minoring in painting. One day she wants to work in environmental activism, but for now she's learning. She works at the coffee shop called, The Coffee Bean, which is how the two met and fell in love. They will typically be wearing some sort of second-hand clothing (that's usually covered in paint or mud) with their hair braided. She’s very relaxed, easy-going, but also is very social. They live with two roommates who are their best friends (Clara and Harper). Libby likes to take things a little slower. She appreciates having time to relax and take care of herself. She loves a good bath or a day resting, and hopefully she'll be able to get Maisey to join her. Her love language is acts of service so she loves taking care of her Maisey in any way whether it's making her favorite meal or doing tasks so she can relax when she gets home. Libby loves gardening, hiking, or doing anything outside, although she has the worst allergies. Maisey always jokes that she loves the earth but the earth doesn’t love her back. In addition she is an avid user of handkerchiefs because she is very environmentally friendly, however, she knows Maisey exclusively uses tissues so she has no problem buying them for her. Although she's more easy-going she puts her foot down when it comes to Maisey taking breaks. 

Maisey (She/her): Pre-med student who overworks herself constantly. She doesn't really know what field she wants to go into, but she loves science and helping people. She works at the coffee shop and volunteers at her local hospital. Despite being insanely busy, she always looks put together. Her friends always joke that they have no idea how she always looks so put together. She is typically seen wearing colorful fashionable clothing with her hair expertly styled. She has also perfected her skincare and everyday makeup routine. Maisey is very social and outgoing with classmates, friends, and patients. She's a bit of an oversharer, but that is how she humanizes herself to her peers and the people that love her. Maisey wants to be a perfectionist, but often falls short, however, she is very loved and the people around her always support her no matter what. Maisey lives with one roommate who she used to be close with but isn’t really anymore. She also has a small orange cat named Peaches (although her and Libby love calling her Princess Peach). As a pre-med student she is a natural caretaker, so the second Libby feels unwell she absolutely dotes on her. Maisey’s love language is physical touch, so whenever Libby is unwell she is all over her despite the risk of contagion. Additionally, she is a walking pharmacy and has anything her friends or Libby could possibly need, although she rarely uses it for herself. Maisey tends to catch any bug that she comes in contact with, which is a lot working at the hospital. A lot of the time she is able to work through her illnesses, but Libby is always there to remind her to take care of herself too. She is slightly allergic to cats, but loves them so much that she suffers through it. 

I'm really excited!!! They're so precious and I hope you like them!!! I’m hoping to have their first fic up in the next few days. Once I get more comfortable with writing for them I’ll probably open up requests but in the meantime feel free to send asks about them. I’ll tag all my fics under my fics and my ocs and their names. I’m super excited thank you<3

[tailoroffates]

Safety Signals For The Anxious, And Why They Help.

Hey-hi! I am TailorOfFates and I’m back again to chat about yet another aspect of anxiety! Safety Signals… Many people have asked me about the face mask I wear. No, it’s not to protect me from covid, it’s filled with holes you sillies. Though, this question actually brings us to the topic of todays rant. See, the previously ignorant version of me used to call them safety items, but after doing my research and checking around I’ve learned that they’re actually called “Safety Signals.” This can be anything from playing a favored song or playlist, a comforting item, or even just a friendly face.

Safety signals are things that help us to feel comfortable while we are outside of our comfort zone, making it easier to cope with unfamiliar or even chaotic environments. This was officially named when researchers of both Weill Cornell Medicine and Yale University conducted a test where they taught a group of people (and mice) to associate safety with colored shapes and simple tones. They then exposed the group to a threatening object and of course, the people undergoing the test had the expected response, they got anxious, however, when shown the same threatening item with the addition of the associated safety signals the threat perceived by the group was significantly reduced.

Now, as I mentioned earlier “safety signals” can be produced by anything that brings the person in question comfort. Fun fact, you ever notice how children have issues outgrowing safety blankets and favored toys? Well, that’s because they are technically safety signals and they allow them to face new experiences with a calmer mindset. You hear that? Anxious people are basically just big children. Please be patient with us, we’re trying! So I’m going to assign those of you who are anxious a little homework. I know, I know, homework sucks, but I bet you it’ll help! The assignment is to study yourself so you can learn what your safety signals are, and once you figure them out, test them in areas that usually induce anxiety. Remember to take your baby steps. Try not to overstimulate yourself and day by day you may be able to use these safety signals to reduce your overall anxiety. They work pretty well for me. I personally have 6 safety signals. My vape, my phone & headphones (this includes the music I listen to and I consider it all as one item), my housecoat or a similar style of comfortable and soft coat, my water bottle, and my backpack (which I usually use to store things I think I might need when traveling away from my home). These items serve to help me feel more comfortable when I exit my comfort zone and by discovering your own safety signals you may be able to ease your anxieties in your own way.

That’s all I have for you today, but for those of you who have your own safety signals, I’d love to hear about them and how they help you. Stay safe out there, and remember, anxiety isn’t something you need to struggle through alone, so let’s do our best to help each other turn anxiety attacks into anxiety hacks! Bye-bye <3

[multiwreckedmess]

No Reason Part Four (Final)

Synopsis - You needed an easy going person with no strings attached and San knew just the man. Now memories of Mingi haunt your daily life despite your best efforts to forget him. There’s no reason to mourn something that never existed, right?

Pairing - Mingi x fem!Reader (I try to limit pronoun usage but AFAB is what I know best)

CW -  Smut. Angst (a substantial amount in this part). An additional TW under the cut.

Words - 3k~ (in this part)

This is sort of an angsty multi part smutty thing I started writing this past spring and I am oddly attached to it. I’ll post the other parts later as I clean them up. it’s been across like 2 computers and 2 word processors so sorry for any of the formatting/grammar fallout from that. As a reminder this is a work of FICTION by clicking to read under the cut you acknowledge that you are mature enough to understand that this does not represent Mingi or any member of Ateez in any way. If you have difficulty with this concept please do not continue forward or interact with my work!

This is a multi part series please check out my masterlist for other posts!

TW: Crying, feeling dumping, y/n is very self flagellating, LONG perhaps too detailed cleanup/aftercare but ya’ll it’s so important. Author gets a little handwave-y fiction magic but you all know that the real world works different. ~ ~

Truly you don’t know how long the two of you have been standing nearly nose to nose in silence. Mingi patiently waiting for your answer.  Or excuse. Or anything really. Some small part of you wonders if you just don’t say anything he’ll move on. Another part of you holds onto the idea that staying silent will help you ‘win’ the argument, even though there is no argument to be won. 

“Did I hurt you?’ Mingi asks again, his normally bassy voice tuned to a high whisper, backing off slightly. Tears well up. Furrowing your brows, you bite your lower lip trying to contain them. “Can you not-- you didn’t do anything. Really you didn’t do anything. It’s not you it’s-” “That’s so fucking cliche and you know it. We’re both adults. I can take it. I can try to understand. Give me the opportunity to understand. If you ever cared about me at all-” “I did. That’s the problem.” “You cared about me and that’s a problem? Is there some part of me that’s so unlovable to you? Is it so unbelievable that someone like you would like me?” Still swaying from side to side in your apartment, Mingi looks at the ceiling. You duck the other way, eyes cast to the floor. Suddenly Mingi laughs, “This is so fucked.”

Chest tight with anger, something deep inside snaps. “This is why I wrote a note. This is why I didn’t tell anyone what happened. You think it’s been fun changing my entire routine to avoid you? You think I did this because I just wanted to have a fun time? Of course it’s fucked. I loved you Mingi. I loved you so much that it hurt. It physically hurt and I just didn’t want it to hurt anymore okay? So no, you didn’t do anything to me. I did it to myself. It’s my fault. It’s my fault that I’m just not a chill person, I’ll never be a chill person. I have never ever even once in my life been a chill person. I’m sorry that this was supposed to just be a one time thing and I forced myself into your life. I tried to leave quietly but here you are in my apartment demanding answers of me so here are your fucking answers.” Silence. Adrenaline still pumping your stomach is tight. You feel like you might throw up. All color has drained from Mingi’s face, mouth open as though you’d punched him in the stomach. “So yeah. It’s fucked. You’re fucked. I’m fucked. I’m sorry.”

***

“Besides, I need pjs.” Mingi pouts and wraps himself completely around you as you struggle to leave the comfort of his bed. “You don’t like my t-shirts?” “They aren’t mine. I want mine.” “What’s mine is yours,” he tries to pull you into facing him but you resist so he has to kiss your cheek instead of his intended target. “What about that woman at the bar,” you snip so quickly Mingi doesn’t even try to dodge it. “Share her?” He’s silent for a second, neither of you moves. Even your breathing slows to a stop waiting for what happens next. “So you are jealous.” His tone is unreadable. “I knew it.” Stiflingly tangled up in the blanket and his limbs somehow Mingi squeezes you closer. You huff and wiggle back towards him, letting the small lingering words disappear like smoke into the air. Nose pressed to the back of your neck his breath is warm as he hums, pressing his lips to you occasionally. A bold move to soothe an upset person. It works on you. The words “I’m sorry” were often too hollow, each peck he leaves is a wordless apology. “I’m supposed to be angry with you! This isn’t fair!” You wriggle in his grasp turning to face him. You lunge in to tickle him and loosen his hold. Trying to suppress a giggle he tenses instead, laughing as he retaliates. It’s a fierce grapple battle between the two of you. Mingi could easily humble you by sheer height, his long limbs granting him a natural advantage, but he’s careful. He’s not the big dog who grew up believing he was still a puppy. He’s the big dog who knows that sometimes the other person needs to win to learn. Smiling and giggling and out of breath, you emerge the seeming victor, having managed to wrestle yourself on top of him and pin his arms to the pillows. “Do not FUCK with me Song!” You joke, looking down at him fit snugly between your thighs. “Oh no, you got me! Oh I’m trapped! Oh help!” He cranes upwards to kiss your nose. In one graceful move he twists his forearms from your grasp. He flips the two of you equally as deftly, your legs still clinging to him as your back lands on the bed. “You’re too cute, you know? That’s why i can’t let you go.”

***

After the explosion of feelings and words you had expected Mingi would turn around and head for the door. He’d gotten what he wanted. He’d wrenched the words from you. He’d found that sore spot in your soul that just needed the smallest of prods to explode into the painful oozing wound it had always been. Years of stuff it down, carefully binding it off to save yourself undone by one man. 

Lower lip trembling you barely manage your last request. “Please leave.” You gulp, holding your breath to hold your tears. It’s your last shred of strength, he would not get your tears. You’d promised yourself no man would ever get your tears again. “You know I can’t leave you like this,” his voice is sweet and warm like a blanket tucking itself protectively over your shoulders. 

You stare at the wood grain of the floorboards, willing yourself to maintain your stoic disposition. If you just keep your eyes busy, your mind busy, you can’t think and you won’t feel.

Water. Running water. The soft click of your kettle returning to its cradle and small lever being pressed. The hiss of heat hitting the cool water inside of it. “Min-” your lip quakes again, totally unable to say his name. “What are you doing?” You ask without looking, trying to sound as cold and detached from the answer as possible. “Tea.” You bite the inside of your lower lip and hum in acknowledgement.

He sighs, a deep earth shattering gut-wrenching sigh. “I won’t - I can’t leave you like this. I never asked you to be that. I never asked you to be anything. I don’t even know where you got that idea that I wanted that to begin with. You think I was totally relaxed about you? I planned every time we met at a bar or nightclub or wherever. I asked San every time if you were coming. Do you know how stupid I sounded? How clingy I sounded? And you didn’t even tell anyone about me? I assumed-I was so stupid. I assumed you knew. I assumed you knew how I felt about you. I assumed you knew I’d rearrange my entire life for you if you’d just asked me. I wanted you to just ask me.” The water in the kettle roils, steam pouring from the mouth.

“I can’t.”

“You still can.”

The kettle beeps. Once. Twice. Three times.

It’s ignored.

Mingi’s hand is large. Not large in comparison to him, it fits him. His hand is large in comparison to yours. Red and warm from being clenched he offers one to you with an outstretched palm facing upwards. A universal gesture of peace. An offer to take it. He’s giving you permission to take it. If you want to-if you will have him. A chill runs down your spine. You can’t hold it anymore. You know your next breath you won’t be able to. Your diaphragm kicks as you exhale as you lose the fight and tears run freely down your cheeks. The colors of the floorboards and Mingi’s black coat swirl together swimming behind your eyes. You sob, full body gut-wrenching sobs. Sobbing in a way that you’ll know you won’t be able to stand for much longer. Mingi catches you in his arms, burying your face in his sweater. He braces you as you give yourself into his embrace, letting your tears soak into him, slowly and rhythmically stroking your spine. “I hurt- so much,” you manage between sobs, muffled by his chest.

He gently shushes you, “I know.” “I hurt you so much.” “I know,” he repeats, continuing to pet your back. “It’s been months.” He kisses the top of your head, “we have years.”

“I’m not even wearing a bra,” you wail. “I know,” he chuckles, a small explosion of breath escaping through his nose. Tentatively you wrap your arms around his waist. He’s less squishy than you remember but the chunky knit of the sweater makes up for it. It feels so good to hold him. Your heart seizes and you hold him tighter more forcefully burying your face into his chest. Having calmed down slightly your face burns with embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. I love you.” Mingi chuckles again, “can you just say it? Without the caveat?” “I love you.”

“I love you too.” The thud his coat makes as it hits your floor is impressively loud and deep. It’s almost not fast enough for your hands as they sneak under the hem of his sweater to help him pull it over his head. Mingi looks you over, in your disheveled state he makes you feel like you’re wearing the sexiest pair of lingerie ever. 

“Say it again.” “I love you.” He scoops you up, like the first night, your legs naturally wrapping around his waist. “Again.” “I love you.”

You see it again, the stars in his eyes, the gentle part of his lips. He’s holding his whole world in his eyes and you are his whole world. “I love you. I need you. I want you. Please.” “Yes. Please. Yes. I-” The time for words is over, your lips meeting in a frenzied kiss. Every kiss feels like life giving air entering your lungs for the first time. Hot and heavy his hands roam under your ratty shirt, just to touch your skin, to memorize the curve of your spine. You don’t even notice that the two of you have passed your couch and into the corner of your apartment that they’d sold to you as a bedroom until Mingi tosses you like a ragdoll into the center of your mattress. It only takes a single tug to rid you of your sweatpants, “no underwear?” Mingi raises an eyebrow. “It’s my apartment, my rules,” you sass back at him. His belt buckle clinks loosely, “our rules. It’s our rules now.” Mingi leaves your side briefly backtracking out of the french doors that quarden off your bedroom. He grinning as he turns, brandishing a wand in his hand. “Same model?” “Same model.” You roll your eyes He kisses you, “you missed me.”

“You’re such a fuck-” your sentence cuts off as he presses the vibrating head to your clit. In another person's hands the tool takes on new excitement, the thrill of the unknown tickles in the base of your spine. Heat spreading from your belly you rock yourself grinding down on the toy, chasing your imminent release. “But I missed you,” you whine, hand wandering toward his thigh. “Oh now you admit it, now that you want to cum…” he teases, suddenly removing the toy, denying you your peak as you groan. “Do you want a cond-” He can’t even finish the sentence before you reply, “no, please, Mingi, I need you. I need to feel you. Need you now.” Locking eyes, the power of your demand lands squarely in his chest. Wasting no time he climbs between your knees, eyebrow raised, lightly questioning. 

“I usually-” “Just fucking-just fuck me.” Mingi kisses the tip of your nose as he positions himself at your entrance. The stretch as he breaches your core is painful, your nose wrinkling, brows knitted in concentration. A small pained squeak catches in your throat. “Babe. Breathe.” You hadn’t even noticed you were holding your breath. Releasing with a sigh you reconcentrate, your fingers finding your clit to massage the hurt away with pleasure. “That’s it, there you go-” he encourages sweetly, pulling back before burying his face in the crook of your neck and filling you to the hilt. Your hands fly to his shoulders, fingertips digging in and arms pulling him into your body. The two of you sit there in silence for a moment, gasping and panting, sweat slicking the limited space between you. “You’re just so fucking tight for me,” he marvels, chest heaving against you. Rubbing the bridge of his nose against the side of your neck he nuzzles you, “can I-please-please let me mark you.” “Mark me,” you reply breathlessly. “It’s fine. I want them.” Immediately he bites down on your shoulder leaving you squealing and writhing, cunt clasping around his member. The mark lands at the column of your neck, his lips sucking harshly at the delicate skin. It’s feral and messy, his ministrations sure to leave purple conspicuous bruises for the next few days. The mix of pain and pleasure as you ride him from below, grinding your clit into his pelvis as he ravages your neck and chest, overwhelms every bit of sense left in your body. You cant your hip forward to accept more of him inside you, sweat dripping down the backs of your thighs. When he lets you go it's only to place the vibrator at your clit once more, watching your stomach contract with every clench of your walls around him. “Please, please cum, please Mingi, please.” You mewl. Orgasms quickly overload you, unable to count the spaces between the highs any longer. “Don’t worry love,” he leans over, sandwiching the wand between you, “I’ll give you everything.” Forehead pressed to you, nearly folding you in half, his hips smack into you. The sound of skin on skin echos in your apartment, hopefully drowning out your wailing. Finally your mind has permission to let go, float away into oblivion as your lover fills you completely. Warm and wet and sticky and overstimulated and exhausted both of you collapse. Mingi tugs the still whirring implement from between the two of you. Your nerves buzzing in total bliss, still shaking under him. Arms wrapping up and around his shoulders you hug him to you once more, cock still pulsing and filling your aching pussy. A soft curse escapes with every twitch passed from him into you. “Idonwannamove,” you slur, curling up around him. “Juswannasleep.” Panting he kisses you, “you should use the bathroom.” “I know-” you elongate the word into a whine. Mingi tries to slide off you but you fall sideways with him, clinging like a koala to him, drifting in and out of consciousness. It isn’t until his dick falls from you with a soft plop that you take the impending threat of dripping cum seriously and waddle off to the bathroom, followed closely by Mingi. “I can clean you,” he offers. “You seemed to like that before-” he stops sheepishly mid-sentence. You stare at him on the other side of the door frame as you flex your pelvic floor. “It’s fine. I got it.” “No I mean…I want to. I want to help you. I liked it, before, I mean, that one time-” he trails off again before stepping onto the tile floor. Your miniscule bathroom is immediately claustrophobic with his added presence. Mingi has to basically climb into the tub to turn on the faucets, drawing the plastic curtain around him as he does so. “At least shower with me?” He sounds hopeful. It’s that hopeful tone that wins you over, twanging your heartstring with a perfect harmonic vibration. “My shower isn't really made for two.” You check between your thighs, fields swirling at the bottom of the porcelain bowl. “It's really weird…the shower head is actually-” you hear the thunk of the toggle between the tub faucet and overhead shower a half a second too late. The curtain rustles dramatically as Mingi’s torso hits it, jolting back in surprise. “Yeah so the shower head is actually in the center of the tub. I was going to warn you but-” you giggle, “I guess I don’t have to now.” Mingi’s damp head pokes out from the curtains, “okay so you have to now.” Long fingers securing themselves around your wrist. “I was going to anyway.” Carefully you join him, shoulders shrugging upwards as the water hits you. Half of you is warm, the other half suddenly violently freezing. Your eyes close instinctively against the droplets ricocheting off of you, the wall, the curtain, and Mingi. You whine and pout, this is the part of the shower process you hate most. The transitionary period between fully wet and fully dry where your body tenses and freezes in place unable to decide which direction it naturally wants to go, into the water or away from it. Standing there half in half out of the water with your eyes screwed shut you feel him, arms wrapping around you and guiding you into his chest. “Let’s warm you up, okay?” His voice rumbles through your back. Carefully the two of you perform a dance, legs tangling and various parts brushing by each other, so that your face is in his chest and your back is to the steady jet of the showerhead. Mingi’s height allows him to dodge the majority of the back spray as the water hits you. Warm washcloth in hand he lathers your body in large circles, the grapefruit scent of the soap filling the room. Each repeated circle hypnotizes you, lulling you into a passive sleepy state, head relaxing on his chest. With every pass you become mushier, rocking into the arc of his scrubbing. Cheeks damp you don’t know if its tears or water drops but it doesn’t matter to him, he raises your chin and kisses them all the same.

“There’s no reason for you to have to do everything alone. I’ll always be right here.”

[mamamittens]

Woven Between Stacks +18

This ask is part of the Spooktober 2024 Event, for context! And it's the sequel to "Heart Made of Straw", where her old, vague design is used, so it may not totally make sense with this one.

Mine, to be specific, so I suppose it's not shocking that my first smut for my OC would be so terribly long...

Summary: It's been a blissful year of sweet romance with Thatch for Nikia. But as the season of harvest comes to a close, she finds the tension between them rising. A thirst for more increasing with every day she feigns ignorance with mild embarrassment. Worried that the next step will see everything fall apart in light of her true self but, despite her fears, hoping for more. It all comes to a head in an old barn, her hesitation peeled away with careful, loving hands.

And, shockingly, the addition of a someone who had been patiently waiting for her to be ready for a new hurdle.

(Thatch/(Scarecrow/Doll)!Nikia(OC)/Izou)

Warnings: Is this monster fucking, she is a doll-scarecrow hybrid? Threesome, mild objectification kink that's also a praise kink? (they call her doll a lot in a sort of diminutive way, like 'baby girl' but she is literally part doll so?), overstimulation, oral, grinding, unprotected sex, dacryphilia, creampie, cumplay/eating, and implied past relationship between Thatch and Izou. Oh, and needlessly excessive world building.

Word Count: 8,741

It had been a busy year, even with additional help, but harvesting season was in swing once again before Nikia knew it.

Not even her new, startlingly fresh relationship changed that. Though her boss was suspiciously open to the idea of her ‘expanding her duties’ to include visits with his son. To deliver special stock or otherwise check up on him. It was very apparent what his end goal was with that, but even with the obvious support, they had taken things quite slow. Both because of how genuinely busy Thatch was with his regular job and her own… emotional hangups.

She didn’t regret anything! Don’t get her wrong—but it was still very overwhelming how affectionate Thatch was. He was so comfortable being overtly smitten that it flustered her to no end, which he found amusing and cute. Better than frustration, but not by much. She was trying though!

It was just… so hard when Thatch leaned in with that soft look in his eyes and sly smile. Like he was sneaking a treat when he kissed her that only he knew about. The intent to savor clear as his touch lingered. He was never put off about her inhuman features, merely delighted at the new discoveries she allowed. So far, he was most surprised to discover it was just her hair that was straw like. The dark blue and teal underside clumping into thick strands with a few silvery white. Unusual for a scarecrow, in fact, and not dyed as he originally suspected.

Point being, she did, in fact, have insides. Specifically, she had a soft tongue—though he commented that it felt more akin to silk. She took his word for it, never having thought too much about her own tongue like that. He’s already seen her hands, the delicate, segmented doll joints a clear give away if he actually knew anything about scarecrows—which he didn’t. In all fairness, she usually wore gloves just like her coworkers, so he probably assumed that it was the same for them as well.

“I mean, reallyolder scarecrows might be straw inside and out, but… I’m not a totally ‘pure’ scarecrow to begin with.” Nikia admitted sometime after Christmas where a deviously placed mistletoe led Thatch—who was quite drunk—to passionately kiss her. With tongue. And no warning. At the time he was more excited about the kiss than the particulars, but he was confused after the fact. “Did you… kiss me expecting to shove your tongue into bundles of straw?”

“Well… I wasn’t… not expecting that? I mean, I knew you could eat and talk so I figured it was pretty close to my mouth… situation?” Thatch admitted sheepishly. “I’m not usually at your height when you talk and you get so shy when I stare anyway, so I never had the chance to… casually investigate.”

Nikia could remember giving him a dry look and sticking out her tongue. The pointed tip almost reaching past her chin as she flicked it like a lizard or snake just long enough to see his eyes grow wide. A soft, muted pink color and decidedly wet. She barely resisted the urge to blow a raspberry at him before sucking it back in. Concerned he would have decided to touch it or something, he seemed so shocked and curious.

He'd also asked about her choker, where she had to explain it was common for scarecrows to wear a tight ‘closure’ of some kind around their neck to keep the ‘frill’ down. The frill being the edge of their head ‘sack’ of course, though it’s rare for a scarecrow to be in any real danger of losing it without the closure. At most, it could be lifted to about the underside of the jaw before being firmly fastened to their body—her’s went about halfway up her neck. Still, to keep the frill in good condition and to not get caught on something, a ‘closure’ was preferred.

She just happened to prefer a cute red, leather choker with a bow on the back. It was about the only ‘pretty’ thing she wore regularly and was durable enough to warrant it on a farm.

He looked like he was going to ask about the inside but she quickly shut that down.

Absolutely not.

Way too weird and uncomfortable.

Still, aside from some amusing revelations, they had been going pretty steady until this point. Her accommodations were maintained even during ‘off-season’ so he had ample justification to visit his family and spend time with her. The most they’d done was kisses, but as of late Thatch’s hands had gotten… bolder. Gently curious, perhaps. And Nikia hadn’t pushed back against any of it seriously. Though she did draw the line while she was working.

Which, because of the time of year, was all the time now.

Their casual dates usually ending in her nodding off beside him. Which he openly admitted to enjoying, but the underlying tension between them was growing by the day.

“Hey, sweetie, how about we go on a picnic today?” Thatch asked, ambling up to her with a soft smile and a basket already prepared. Nikia heaves up a wheelbarrow with seed sacked neatly in it sheepishly.

“Sorry, hun, there’s still a few barns of extra seed to sort out before the first freeze.” Nikia apologized with a blush, noticing that he’d chosen to wear a nice, soft yellow button down today. He definitely didn’t have it on earlier, but seemed to have changed after breakfast to match the ribbon holding back her hair.

Thatch smiled understandingly, but his eyes lingered on her somewhat disheveled state.

She’d opted to forgo the usual flannel shirt today, wearing only an old tank top under her overalls. The strap falling off her shoulder despite her best efforts. No amount of tightening could give the denim something to hold onto with her smooth, porcelain skin and slender frame. At this point, she was just too focused on finishing organizing seed stores to worry about it. Some of the other scarecrows sealing them up against pests after inspection, which took a little more elbow grease than she could readily give, so she worked on transport with a few other helpers. Her glasses barely hanging onto her nose, nearly slipping free every time she pushed them back up. But she knew what Thatch was looking at, anyway.

Most scarecrows had very thickly textured skin, like sacks, with hay growing out for hair. Their limbs quite durable but not terribly flexible, usually. Joints made from wood deep beneath their ‘skin’ and reinforced by braided faux-muscle, stitch lines marking where the two flex points meet. Straw and more… human details merging into one. Super old, ‘cursed’ scarecrows, of course, are made almost entirely of straw with cloth heads and clothes to keep it all in. But those are pretty rare these days, a majority of scarecrows are just… born more obviously alive. In part due to mixed relationships, which wasn’t terribly surprising given Nikia’s own heritage.

Nikia, however, had socket joints. Which he was definitely looking at right now.

Her skin more akin to porcelain textured like soft cotton or silk rather than utilitarian sacks, which was easy to see but didn’t mean anything to most people. Melting into near total porcelain joints and sections in places that was usually tucked under clothing. Perhaps he had felt those before but thought it was just her clothes or seams. Her cheeks and the bridge of her nose was quite smooth, as an example, compared to the soft cloth feel of her chest. She was more flexible than most, but definitely more fragile because of it. Her heritage leaning heavily into ‘doll’ territory but still too much scarecrow for most. Her hair a mix of wild leafy-straw, curling and falling in waves chaotically rather than straight hair-like fibers the dolls in fashion magazines maintained or even bristly as per scarecrow folk’s usual style.

Life on Newgate’s farm was simple, hard working, and most importantly—bereft of people who gave a shit she was half doll rather than all scarecrow. With the added benefit that no one treated her poorly for appearing to be a scarecrow either, which was even more rare.

People got weird about non-human, semi-object sentient races.

Sheepish she hadn’t really… told him yet, Nikia pushed the wheelbarrow onward. Stopped as he set the basket down on top of her load and stepped close. Hands lingering on her waist as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her shoulder next to the joint, tenderly pushing up the strap of her overall that had fallen.

“Let me join you.” He breathed out, sending chills down her spine as he took over the wheelbarrow, allowing her to slip out of his way. Sending her a sly wink as he effortlessly pushed it onward at her direction like a show off.

Once they made it out of the hot sun into the relatively cooler barn to hand off the goods, the others cheered.

“Aye! Thatch, fancy seeing you here~!” One laughed, Burns she thought, waggling his heavily stitched eyebrows and grinning. Sending her an amused look as she flushed, removing Thatch’s basket before it could get swept away.

“That’d be the last of it, yeah?” someone asked distractedly from within the stacks.

“Think so!” Burns laughed, watching Thatch perk up. “For this barn at least. Still need to look over the others for damage. Make sure there aren’t any repairs needed before the first freeze—it’ll be a right bitch removing planks after the cold sets in! Forget about painting!”

“Ah, I’ll start on the end near the pasture, then! Tell Oxy if I find anything, right?” Nikia sighed, stroking her hand across Thatch’s shoulders as he pouted. She got a round of affirmatives and muffled jeers as Thatch followed her out.

He nearly skipped ahead with a wide grin.

“Soooo… the barns’ clean, isn’t it?” Thatch asked, noticing that she had picked the farthest one away.

“Nope. Wanted to work my way back homeward. All goes well, it’ll be an early day! Maybe… always something needing to be done around here!” She laughed, looking away from him. “Maybe they’ll want to check the fence if the boys haven’t gotten to it. Heard we’ve had a problem with wolves or something hungry rooting around somewhere out back!” she murmured, picking up her pace as the barn came in sight.

For the most part, Newgate kept all his barns fairly close. Both the ones intended to store things and the ones meant to house the animals he did decide to keep. This one was just the furthest and happened to be the oldest. Apparently, the house used to be further away from the road but convenience drove him to have it moved several hundred yards. Effectively abandoning the barn it had once accompanied.

So it was as old as it looked, with only one set of large doors in and out, faded red paint staining the exterior. The walls thin a bit in places and the loft littered with old hay that would need to be swept out or risk rotting the wood over winter and spring. It wasn’t used much anymore, but it did well enough to house farming equipment and spare bales when needed.

Her boots tread noisily over the dry earth where wheat stalks used to reach high into the sky as she approached the barn.

It was a little eerie, the door left unlocked with only the chain hanging loose around the handles. Rusted metal clanking noisily in the wind until she carefully unwound them and pulled the heavy doors open for a proper inspection. They rattled open with as much grace as she expected, requiring Thatch to wordlessly follow her lead on the other side with considerably less struggle. She noted that the hinges needed tending to, at the very least, but they worked fine otherwise.

The inside was large and mostly barren. Old, forgotten bales of rotting hay and popped tires piled against the far wall. Nothing too serious, but would need removal before something started living in it that didn’t take intrusion lightly. Dusty light filtering in from cracks in the walls and the ceiling above. The wind whistling through in soft bursts.

Nikia carefully walked the perimeter, taking out a pen to poke the wood for termite damage. Taking out flags to stick in the spots that crumbled beneath her firm jab for later inspection. Thatch following her, basket in hand, as though waiting for her to say something.

She didn’t mean to ignore him.

But the look of want on his face when they were alone was… a lot. Torn between a curiosity to reciprocate and fear it would lead to disaster if she did stopping her. She elected for the easy path of pretending she had no idea he wanted anything at all. Poorly, probably, judging by the way he sighed and placed down the basket near the ladder. Despite not actively looking at him, she could feel his presence grow closer.

She panicked.

Sensing the clear desire emanating off his frame, she pivoted from the stack of tires blocking the only wall she had yet to inspect and moved around him to climb into the loft.

Not the… best choice if she wanted to avoid him, honestly, but it was her best ‘innocent’ option beside outside.

And… if she was being honest, she didn’t want Thatch to keep his hands to himself. Not really. She was just so nervous.

He was so sweet and gentle and caring and—

The thought that she’d fuck up somehow haunted her.

She didn’t even manage one rung before Thatch crowded her against the ladder. One hand over hers and the other at her hip as he nuzzled her bare throat just above the leather choker. Skimming his lips against her skin like he was drinking her in. Peppering her with kisses.

“…You’re such a beautiful mystery, Nikia. I just want to take my time and unwrap you.” Thatch sighed, trailing his hand down her arm and gently turning her around. He had that intense look in his eyes again. Cupping her face as he leaned in close, her body falling against the ladder in flustered steps. “Let me see that cute face when I do.” Thatch growled with a sly smile, kissing her senseless.

Her hands bracing against his hot chest as he pinned her against the ladder. Wood groaning loudly as he palmed her ass and began to lift up her thigh. Her moan spilling free as he pulled back, scowling at the aged structure she leaned against like it offended him.

She yelped as he ducked a little to grab her ass with both hands and lift her against his chest. Stumbling back and spinning on his heel to slam her against the support beam of the wall. One of her boots falling free as she gasped, clinging to his shoulders. Her complaint cut off with a moan as he ground his waist into hers.

“T-Thaaaaahn~!” She froze, hands slapping over her mouth, startled at the soft sound she made and blushing furiously.

Thatch looked ready to eat her whole, hands squeezing her ass as he slowly grinned.

“Oh, that was so fucking cute… do it again, angel cake.” Thatch purred, digging in his heels and adjusting so she was pinned by his hips. Freeing his hands to pull hers away from her face. Letting her clutch his hands against the wall as he slowly rocked into her. Darkly pleased at every soft gasp she let slip, clit ground against the harsh line of her jeans and his obvious erection. “W-While we’re here, being honest, you can tell me why you’ve been avoiding this. Avoiding me. Is it just nerves, baby? If you want me to stop—just say the words and I will.” He swore, noting the tears pricking her eyes as she shuddered against him.

“Ah! A-Ahhh~! Th-Thatch! Mmmm~ I-I… don’t—” Thatch began to slow down, concern edged in his features suddenly and she had to shake her head, hips bucking into him. “D-Don’t want you to stop I-I just… I’m… it’s already weird that I…” she let her head fall onto his shoulder.

She felt him press a kiss to her head as he kept the slow, steady rhythm.

“Is it because you work for my old man or because you’re a scarecrow?” Thatch asked softly, ducking his head to kiss her face. “I don’t care about either one, baby. I just care about you.”

“N-Not even a scarecrow. Not really, Thatch. You noticed, didn’t you?” Nikia moaned, just distracted enough by the increasing pleasure to finally speak. “’M weird. Even more weird than a just a scarecrow. G-Got doll bits—it really wigs people o-out!” she whined as he nipped at her throat, driving her to tilt her head up.

“Do they hurt you, baby? Has anything I’ve done hurt?” He asked seriously, pausing a moment to let her breathe. Thumbs stroking the skin of her hands. She shook her head.

“No. I’m pretty flexible. Maybe don’t drop me—can’t take a fall like most scarecrows can, but there’s nothing too different that you haven’t already seen.” Nikia reassured him. He smiled, kissing her softly in thanks.

“Is ‘doll’ an insult for you or…?” he inquired against her lips. She smiled.

“No. No one would think to call me that—I look too… raggedy to be a ‘proper doll’. Too stiff to be a cloth doll. Too soft for a scarecrow. Always too something everywhere but here.” She admitted, relaxing against him as he kept giving her that wanting expression. It hadn’t flickered or changed once, his hands never jerked away.

In fact, he felt as though he was pressed closer.

He smiled, kissing her pointed nose, accidentally pushing up her glasses before pressing a few more kisses across her cheek. Making his way to her pointed ear.

“Then I suppose you won’t mind if I call you my… ‘perfect little doll’?” he asked softly, her heart squeezing at the way his tongue rolled out the diminutive nickname like it was a lewd compliment.

And frankly, it kind of was.

In the right place, implying she could be put on a shelf to be admired was a heady compliment. Borderline an insult in the wrong one, though.

“N-No… don’t let anyone else hear you say that though. Outside of… this, it sounds like you’re saying I’m only useful on a shelf.” Nikia sighed, moaning as he flexed against her, grinding her clit again.

“Ah. Like ‘slut’ or ‘baby girl’, then?” she laughed, nodding her head. “Can’t have that, can we, pretty little doll? No~ you’re meant to be handled with love and care. I’ll never mean it as an insult—but I would always take an excuse to look at you, pretty doll~” Thatch chuckled, resuming his old pace. True to his word, his eyes never left her face as she struggled to not moan with every pass over her clothed pussy. The stiff layers making meaningful contact difficult but providing unrelenting pressure anyway.

He rewarded every little noise she let slip free with a kiss until she was driven breathless and his tongue had little excuse not to crowd her lips. Her heart thundering in her chest pressed against his, breasts spilling out of her tank top with every heaving breath. Teasing her nipples against the rim of her overalls and his soft shirt. Heat pressing in around them as he mumbled soft praise between every lap at her tongue.

“ah~ah! Mm-ahhn~! Th-Thaaaa-tch~!” her glasses were fogged up, completely blocking her vision as she began to fall apart in his rough embrace.

“I know you’re not fucking her against the wall, Thatch.” Izou’s sharp voice cut in like a knife, making them both freeze in shock.

Instantly, Nikia was absolutely fucking mortified.

“I-Izou! I-I’m so sorry—” Nikia struggled to peek over Thatch’s shoulder to where she heard Izou’s voice, glasses still too foggy to see properly.

“Oh, you have nothing to apologize for, sweetheart. In fact, I’m thrilled you’re enjoying yourself. But at minimum, Thatch should be doing this in a bed. Not a barn.” Izou hissed. “She is not a heifer, Thatch. Treat her as such and I’ll kill you myself.”

Thatch, somewhat trying to cover her disheveled state, was still quite sheepish as he turned his head to address Izou.

“A-Ah, well… I didn’t intend to start anything here but…”

“You couldn’t help yourself.” Izou sighed. “I can’t blame you, she’s ridiculously cute as it is, let alone when you’ve got her looking like that. If her crush wasn’t so obvious, I would have tried my luck years ago.”

Nikia froze, still frazzled from the ruined orgasm as she struggled to piece together the obvious implications.

“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised about that. But I am surprised you haven’t made a move since then.” Thatch laughed, relaxing a little to let her stand on her own two feet with an absentminded kiss.

“When she can barely handle holding your hand in public, Thatch? Really?” Izou scoffed. “She’d run into the woods, never to be seen again, if I suggested we give a threesome a try.”

Incapable of denying that, she chose to focus on other things.

“Wait, you…?” she asked softly, her glasses finally clearing up enough to see Izou a few feet away. Comfortable jeans and a pale blue, silk button down shirt left half open, hair braided back out of his face. He looked like he had been working on something nearby and happened to meander over. His expression… achingly familiar to Thatch’s. He smiled sardonically.

“Yeah. You’d be surprised how many people had a crush on you when you first got here. It died down for the most part, but some… hopefuls still clung to it. Until Thatch swooped in, of course.”

“…Not you?” Nikia asked in confusion.

Izou grinned.

“We’ve fooled around together before. Adding the two of you together hardly dampened the attraction.” Izou laughed. “I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable or get in the way of you both figuring yourselves out. He’s never been so serious with someone before. Seemed a shame to disturb that when you clearly weren’t ready for the suggestion.”

“That serious for you too, then? You would have at least talked to me first if it was just a passing thing.” Thatch called out coyly. His confidence apparently not unwarranted as it was followed by Izou casually shrugging his shoulders. Thatch looked at her with a soft, encouraging smile. “How does that make you feel, doll? Do I need to tell him to fuck off or…?”

Nikia looked between them, more than a little flustered.

She trusted Thatch enough to believe him. To believe that he was both open to Izou’s words and also ready to firmly support her boundaries. For all that he flustered her and gave her butterflies at times, he never once let her down. Open and interested and patient.

What she said, goes, as far as he was concerned.

As for Izou?

Well, he was undeniably attractive, even without the makeup he enjoyed wearing for even daily chores. Sharp witted and clever. She never felt in danger with him around, always certain he’d have her back if it came down to it. Izou made her feel safe. He was incredibly lovely to her in a way few had ever been.

Together?

Together?

It felt impossible. But clearly it wasn’t.

If it had to be anyone though?

She’d want it to be them.

“… you’re not… put off by my…?” Nikia asked softly, stammering a little as she struggled to put it into words.

Izou smiled, shaking his head.

“Knew from day one. Unlike this oaf, I’ve done more than work in kitchens. Used to work on photoshoots in makeup and wardrobe, as well as some modeling work myself. Know several folks that would die for the chanceto dress you up, honey.” Izou grinned with a wink. “Not why I love you, of course. Known plenty of dolls that were fucking brats. You’re too sweet for your own good, honestly. Which is why, even if you want me to leave and pretend this never happened, he’s not fucking you against the barn wall.”

Nikia’s whole world spun as her face flushed at the confession and crude threat.

“Where would you suggest then?” Thatch asked in curiosity tinged with mild annoyance at the reminder they’d been interrupted.

“The loft, of course. Ace set up a bed there ages ago for when he had a sleeping spell coming up but didn’t want his ass eaten up in the sun.” Izou scoffed. Nikia looked up the ladder in surprise.

It made sense, she supposed. She’d seen the young man fall asleep just about anywhere, but waking up to a dozen insect bites was a pain in the ass he never stopped complaining about when it happened.

“Well, that does sound much better… what do you think, doll? Shall we take this to the loft?” Thatch asked meaningfully, tipping his head to Izou in question.

Still dizzy from Izou’s words, she looked at him a tad helplessly.

“I want you to ask. I… I don’t want to ruin our friendship if you don’t mean it or regret it—” her words died in her throat as he confidently strode towards her like he had been waiting for her to say that. Thatch stepped aside with an indulgent smile, Izou quickly taking up all her attention.

His makeup today was light. The only thing noticeable was eyeliner and tinted lipstick, a much more ‘natural’ look than the usual, bold red he preferred. Perhaps in case his chores got too intense. Less work to fix it all before dinner. His dark eyes warm as he reached for her hands. Grasping them firmly, thumbs rubbing her knuckles and the slight seam of her hidden joints.

“Can I kiss you, darling?” he asked softly.

She glanced at Thatch reflexively and found him eagerly awaiting her answer. Gaze soft and accepting with a hint of open hunger. But her eyes were quick to return to Izou, who waited patiently for her answer.

“Yes.” She breathed out, chin tipping up to meet his gentle kiss. Lips melting together as her eyes fluttered shut with his soft groan. Hands releasing hers to cup her face, tongue licking at the seam of her lips that she gladly let fall open. Her hands gripped the silk sleeves of his shirt as she whined. That familiar fire returning with a vengeance.

When they broke off it was slow and lingering, her head hazy as their lips stuck together from his lipstick. She swallowed hard, still tasting fresh fruit he likely snacked on earlier. Oranges, from taste of it.

“…Fuck that was hot.” Thatch broke the silence with an awed, breathless groan. Like he was the one Izou had kissed senseless.

Izou gave him a dry look.

“Grab the basket, Thatch. We’ll follow her up.” Izou ordered firmly, kissing her again for just a moment before grabbing her abandoned boot and closing the door with the boot outside. “That oughta make sure we’re not disturbed.”

Nikia snorted, grimacing as dirt and straw finally registered through her bared sock. Sometimes she’d come across similar sights. At first, she was super confused. She remembers asking her mentor at the time about it, wondering why a single boot was outside a door like that.

The old scarecrow sputtered with laughter and asked if she looked in. She remembers shaking her head with her nose wrinkling.

“Nah, heard some spooky ass noises. Thought it was a cat in labor—I don’t know what to do with a cat giving birth, Marcus!” Needless to say, he laughed even harder at that before explaining it was a polite way of warning others not to come in unless they want an eyeful. “…ah. Like a sock on a doorknob?”

“Aye, like a sock, girlie. Old man Newgate don’t mind us fooling around as long as work gets done.”

Gentle hands pushed her along to the ladder and she startled a little.

“Ack! S-Sorry, ‘zo. Got lost in thought.” She muttered sheepishly, looking back at him. He smiled at her indulgently with an understanding nod.

“Second thoughts?” he asked. She paused on the ladder before shaking her head.

“Nah. J-Just… never really figured it would be in a barn, you know?” she laughed a little, moving along quickly. Her socked foot clicking slightly against the wood. It was closer to porcelain than the rest of her body and, as a consequence, prone to clinking and the cold.

Izou paused under her with a puzzled look on his face.

“It? You don’t mean…?” she cleared the top and gave him a pleading look over her shoulder.

“Don’t say it!” She whined without thinking, blushing furiously, her stomach in knots. “Hard enough ta keep standin’ ‘ere wi’out ya sayin’ it out loud!”

Nikia turned from Izou resolutely before her accent became unrecognizable and looked around.

As she had suspected, it had a few stray bales of hay they never got around to using. Tucked between a few stacks was a cozy little bed made from old, quilted blankets and a few pillows. For someone capable of sleeping anywhere, Ace definitely liked being comfortable if he had the time to spare. It was big enough for her to roll around in without slamming into the hay walls shielding it from the sun-drenched window or the ladder’s immediate vantage point.

A secret sleeping place then.

She heard a whispered argument below but couldn’t completely make out the words. It was resolved quickly though and Thatch’s head poked up into the loft, hoisting the basket above his head with care.

He paused, looking at her with a soft smile.

A little nervous, she gave a wobbly smile and glanced around. Unsure what he was looking at exactly. Looking around the abandoned loft, she decided it had to be her, but his expression was… new.

Relaxed.

Open.

“Hey, doll…” Thatch sighed, finally lifting himself up properly and striding towards her. Pulling her close by her hips as he stared down at her, leaning in close until his lips grazed hers. “You still want to do this here?” he asked.

It was a little funny how often they were both asking—like they were just as nervous as she was.

“As long as its you.” Nikia reaffirmed softly, glancing between the two of them as Izou joined. She pulled the bow out of her hair and let the thick strands fall, Thatch’s hand instantly diving into the mass. Threading his fingers through the frizzy curls and waves to cradle her scalp. Finally pulling her into the kiss his lips had been promising for what felt like an eternity. His boots thudding against the wood beneath them as he stepped closer, slowly driving her back against the hay barrier.

She heard shuffling behind her, Izou huffing as he shifted things around. Any question she had dismissed with an absentminded kiss as Thatch worked to distract her. And succeeded with gusto, his tongue wiping away her thoughts as he swept along her lips slowly.

A whine slipped free as she was suddenly moved, lips parting wetly as Thatch chuckled. Tapping the bridge of her glasses with his fingertip.

“Keep ‘em on, doll?” she shook her head, removing them herself and placing them on top of the haybale before she was guided to lay down on the tidied bed. Jolting in shock as she leaned against Izou’s bare chest. His silk shirt already removed, leaving only a tank top and his unbuttoned jeans, belt nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he had also put his things on top of the hay. “You have the best ideas, Izou. C’mere, doll, let’s get you more comfortable, huh?” he asked, swiftly abandoning his button up, boots, and belt. He took the extra step of shucking off his pants as well, leaving him in only a tank top and boxers.

He plucked the ribbon from her wrist and willingly disturbed his pompadour. Hassling the amber strands until he could pull them all back and tie them out of the way. His hair now in a loose ponytail off his neck. His hands and face free of any possible disturbances, he reached for her lone boot with a cheeky grin. Removing it delicately and tossing it aside.

Izou took the moment she was distracted to glide down the straps of her overalls, slipping her arms free so Thatch could grasp the belt loops and pull.

Slowly, as her heart raced, he dragged her main protection off of her body. Revealing, inch by inch, what was usually hidden in her work clothes. Tank wrinkled over her wide hips, just barely covering the flexible socket joints and soft belly. Izou’s lips pressing along her exposed shoulders as he teased the thin straps of her tank top. Nipping as her thick thighs were revealed, then her knees, and calves. Mindful of the frill, choosing to blow across it before kissing higher up her neck so he could chuckle at her slight shudder.

Until the only thing protecting her modesty was an old tank top and worn panties. Socks barely hanging onto her ankles as they both just… looked.

Her legs were more doll than scarecrow, holding shaped curves and joints rather than tailored cloth and straw. Still, her skin had a certain fabric-like texture and give that no doll would normally have.

Normally, she hated people seeing her. At all, really, but especially anything but her face.

Uncanny.

Unnerving.

A haunted doll but not.

Fucking spooky—

“Beautiful.” Izou breathed out, his words curling into her ear with such unbridled desire she shuddered, pushing aside her hair to make room for his voyeuristic intent. Her legs reflexively coming together only for Thatch’s broad hands to boldly cup her thighs and gently part them for his hips. Letting his palms skim along the back of her thighs to support her knees, his lips pressing into the joint shamelessly. Fingertips toying with the unique softness, deceptively giving after the initial, firm contact.

“Fuck, maybe we should put you on a shelf, doll. Perfect height to kiss your pretty legs whenever we want.” Thatch mused playfully, slowly extending her right leg up, watching carefully how she handled the motions. Until her leg was straight up and beginning to bend in the wrong direction, where he then paused to push her knee towards her shoulder, half keeping an eye on her passive expression. His own growing more heated until Izou could—and did—kiss her calf. His chuckle blowing hot across her skin before Thatch gently placed her leg back onto the floor. “None of that hurt, did it?”

Nikia snorted.

“Doll joints. Arguably too flexible. Easy to overextend though, so try not to break them. It’s… really not pretty getting them fixed.” She replied confidently, at first, and then a little nervous.

“Never in a million years, baby.” Thatch promised, settling on his front and sliding her thighs over his shoulders. His breath hot in the intimate space between them, seeping into her panties as he kissed along the pale skin with a curious hum.

“Soft, isn’t she?” Izou mused against her throat, licking at the seam of her choker.

“Soft as a rose, Izou. Makes me wonder if I have to look out for thorns.” Thatch chuckled, curling his hands to cup her ass, holding her in place as he pressed his lips against her clothed pussy.

Her breath hitched in her throat as she felt his tongue seep into the cotton, parting her with a firm lick.

“No thorns here. Just a pretty little doll for us to play with.” Izou chuckled, sinking his teeth into her throat teasingly. Soaking her skin with wet heat as Thatch laughed as well. His mirth vibrating straight to her clit along his tongue. She cried out softly as he kept driving his tongue against the cotton barrier, lapping at her quivering entrance and clit in turns, sucking it to make her squirm.

The sight of Thatch between her thighs, hair pulled back with her own ribbon as he greedily teased her pussy made her moan. Her hands twitching as she reached back to clutch at Izou, afraid if she touched Thatch he’d stop, or perhaps worse—go deeper.

Izou laughed at her predicament, kissing her damp skin and fondling along her heaving ribs. Slowly pulling down the fabric until her bra spilled free. Thatch glanced up, eyes hot as he slipped his tongue along the side of her panties as though warning her.

“Th-Thaaatch~!” Nikia begged, though not sure for what exactly.

“Can I kiss you, doll?” he asked with a sly grin pressed into her soaked panties. She nodded, face burning. Izou reached behind her bra and unclipped it, tossing it away eagerly. Distracted as she was with Izou’s preoccupation with her freed breasts, she didn’t notice Izou using one hand to reach down and pull aside her panties, freeing Thatch to dive into her pussy like a man starved. She gasped, arching her back and moaning as Thatch’s hot tongue slipped into every intimate fold.

“He’s such a good kisser, isn’t he?” Izou teased, his hands now taking full advantage to lift her heavy breasts. Flicking over the stiff nipples as he explored the unusually soft part of her body. The only other place so freely soft was her hips and pussy—which was very noticed and appreciated by the sounds they both made as they toyed with her.

Nikia choked, sputtering somewhere between a cry for mercy and the desire for more as Thatch slipped in a thick finger, teasing apart her walls.

“H-He is! He is~! Ah-Ahhhnn~ Thatch—Oooooh, Thatch, please!” Nikia begged, turning to Izou as she struggled to breathe, tears in her eyes like she expected him to fix her distress. If she was thinking clearly, she would have known he wasn’t about to do a damn thing to help her do anything but squirm. Izou was flushed with desire as he smiled indulgently, kissing her lazily. Ignoring her cries as he toyed with her breasts and Thatch slowly fucked her open with another thick finger. The loft filled with wet, slick sounds and moans of appreciation.

Thatch groaned, pulling away as a third finger gently burned in her opening.

“Must be candy between these thighs, you taste so damn sweet. Could do this all day—maybe I will sometime in the future. Lay you out on my sheets and drink you in.” Thatch panted, his hand pausing. “Oh, but that’s later—keep looking that good and we’ll be here all night.” His fingers curled against her tight walls and she froze, sparks lighting within her as he played her cunt just right.

Izou’s tongue curled against her own, crowding her mouth as he muffled her whining. Palms hot against her breasts as he pinned her in place for every growing wave of pleasure.

It was only as she began to crest, Thatch’s hand firm on her ass as he kept a steady pace against her walls, that Izou pulled away from her lips. Thatch hitting the spot that made her whole body twitch with eerie precision. Driving soft, muffled moans from her lungs until she seized, gasping for breath as her legs trembled. Crying openly to Izou who only seemed to mockingly soothe her.

“There we go, let it happen, honey. We’ve got you~” Izou cooed, Thatch joining in with soft words against her soaked pussy.

“Perfect little doll, like a wet, velvet dream~” Thatch praised, lapping at her folds and clit until she began to wind down. “Does our pretty little doll want more, or are you done playing, baby cakes?” he asked gently with a pleased grin at her state.

Nikia couldn’t think clearly, mind still a million miles away as her lips answered anyway.

“Wanna play more.” She whined softly, still weak all over. They chuckled, kissing her skin wherever they could reach. Thatch’s fingers rolling against her walls softly as he sucked her clit.

“You going to give her what she wants or should I?” Izou asked sarcastically, pinching her nipples as she weakly moaned.

“Maybe you should. It’s such a pretty view already.” Thatch agreed amicably, pulling away his hand with a wet sound to tear off her panties. “Long as she faces this way, I can keep kissing that pretty pussy as I like.”

“Well, doll, wanna give him a show?” Izou asked.

“S-Show?” Nikia asked hazily, shaking her head, “W-What’s there to see?” she muttered. Izou clicked his tongue.

“We’ll show you how good you look fucked out later, doll. Right now I want you to make a mess of my cock.” Izou huffed, lifting her up to adjust his jeans down his hips, Thatch assisting in removing them.

“Let me settle her on you, babe.” Thatch offered, sweeping up her knees as she pitched backwards onto Izou. She tried to watch but found her breasts in the way, settling on rolling her head back as the hot tip of Izou’s cock nuzzled her dripping pussy. Teasing between the folds, slowly slipping as Thatch used her body to take Izou’s tip. His length driving into her in gentle thrusts.

Louder than her own soft, plaintive cries, Izou groaned into her skin. Trying to stay still as he breached her.

“I-Izou~ Izou, please, I-I w-w-aaaahhhn~” she slurred, squirming against Thatch’s firm grasp. Panting as she tried to keep her breathing steady with little success. A second pair of hands settled on her ass with a heavy grip.

“Yeah, doll? What do you want? Speak up, little doll. How do you want us to play with you?” Izou panted, biting her neck teasingly.

“H-Harder! Please, harder!” she begged.

Thatch laughed, leaning forward to kiss her cheek.

“No can do, pretty thing. Sweet dolls like you get fucked softly. Don’t want to break you, now do we?” he asked with a coy smile as she finally sank to the hilt of Izou’s cock. “We get to play longer that way, little doll~” he slowly released her thighs to Izou’s grasp as he adjusted, driving his cock deeper while he moved to his knees. Arms lifting up to lock her thighs open, forearms pressing her breasts up.

“We’ll wear you out in no time, doll.” Izou warned softly before bouncing her on his thighs in small, slow motions. Letting her feel every inch of his cock as it pulled out and slipped back in. She moaned in frustration, the sound hitching as Thatch’s hot breath wafted over her exposed cunt. Tongue swiping up her clit and dragging to where her folds split open around Izou’s cock. “There we go~ any complaints now, pretty little doll~?” Izou teased as she shook, swiftly overwhelmed with their greedy passion. He groaned, Thatch’s tongue slipping past her pussy for a moment before returning eagerly.

“Ah!Ah!A-Ahhhh~! I-Iz-zoooouu~! Thatch! N-No fair! H-Hot! O-Oooooh~!” Nikia whined, shaking her head as she came too fast, Thatch laughing as he licked up her cream.

“Wanted it harder when you can barely handle it soft~ What a silly little doll~” Thatch cooed. “Imagine if we did bully your little pussy, baby doll? You’d be crying so hard about it by now—good thing we know how to play nice, don’t we Izou?” he asked softly, taking a moment to kiss her hot belly.

“So nice~” Izou purred, kissing her shoulder with soft pants from the effort of maintaining his steady pace.

“No—yer both m-mmmm-ean~!” Nikia protested hoarsely, sobbing as her body burned with the rise of another orgasm.

Through blurry vision and overstimulated tears, she watched Thatch rise up and nuzzle her hair with a pitying laugh. Pausing to press against her pinned body fully, giving Izou a deep, wet kiss. Letting her hear them both groan harshly, tongues twisting noisily with hot, moist breaths practically pouring into her ear. She felt Izou’s body twitch, slamming his throbbing cock in short bursts before he could control himself. Thatch’s cock burning hot and grinding into her splayed out folds, rubbing her clit as they got lost in each other.

If Izou’s cock wasn’t so deep inside her—if Thatch’s hands didn’t tease her squished breasts—she’d think they’d forgotten she was there.

But she was and they knew it.

Relished it.

Both clearly aroused by her so helpless for them in a way that would feel horribly objectifying if it wasn’t so passionate and out of deep love.

If she was an object for them, it was one of utter devotion and desire. Fucking her in whatever way they could because they couldn’t stand holding back another second.

“You’re just not used to playing with us, doll.” Thatch finally huffed, stroking her slick skin as she tried and failed to hold back her whines. Kissing her deeply this time, his tongue tasting unusually sweet as Izou groaned into her ear. “Just enjoy the ride, pretty little doll~ we’ve got you.” And then he sank back down, licking at her heaving breasts and nipping the stiff peaks. Content with sucking the soft skin as he rubbed her clit in slow circles.

“We’ve got you.”

And that was exactly the problem.

“P-Perfect little doll to play with~ so soft and sweet on my cock, can’t believe it took so long for us to love you like this.” Izou breathed out, hilting harshly and pausing, panting as he sucked a deep mark onto her neck once again. His cock throbbing inside as she whined, struggling to squirm in their embrace. “Not done playing yet, doll.” His voice curled darkly in warning, resuming his soft, relentless pace.

Thatch remained affixed to her body, seemingly drunk and spoiled for choice between her dripping, filled cunt and her bouncing breasts propped onto Izou’s firm arms. She would have assumed he was unaffected if it wasn’t for his vocal appreciation of the display they presented and the soft, wet thuds lower down. The source clear when he grunted after a particularly loud moan of hers, and hot cum splashed across her body. Thatch shamelessly rubbing his cum into her wet folds and sore breasts like it was a massage.

Izou only seemed to speed up once she was limp and panting for air, finally unable to take her clenching down on him over and over again. Fingers locking behind her neck and forcing her to hazily watch her breasts bounce, Thatch’s unmistakable head of hair between her thighs. She could feel Izou’s balls slapping against her puffy cunt from the force of his desperate thrusts. Her body hot and worn thin by the time Izou’s cock jerked and spilled inside her. Drops spraying free to join the mess on his thighs. Thatch moaning as he sucked her throbbing clit through the last, violent wave.

The complaint that she breathed out was thin and barely a ghost of a sound as Izou pulled out. Laying her down with a rain of kisses and praise along her heated skin. Lifting her thigh for a moment.

“Oh, what a cute mess your pussy is, doll~ almost wish I had the energy to play with it some more.” Izou sighed, brushing his hand along her swollen cunt. She twitched against his gentle touch, mixed arousal seeping out in a thick slide. She gasped as his slender fingers pushed the spilled cum back into her. Taking a moment to smear against her overstimulated walls with his eyes fixed on her pussy. After a moment he pulled out, watching the lewd string pull free with him, sticking and dripping down his hand until he lapped it up. “Oh, you do taste sweet, I can barely taste myself it’s so strong. I see why you wanted to keep eating her cute pussy, babe. Always did have a sweet tooth.”

Thatch grabbed Izou’s hand and noisily lapped up the rest as Nikia watched with wide, mortified eyes. Body clenching at the dark look in his eyes, hazy as it was without her glasses, when he finished and glanced down at her. Looking like he was a hairsbreadth from diving back into her messy, overwhelmed pussy.

“…I kind of thought you’d finish sooner than that.” Thatch finally murmured into the air with only a little bit of accusation as he kissed Izou deeply. Izou made an embarrassed sound after a long moment, distracted as he was by Thatch’s tongue. “I was watching and managed to squeeze one out. Would have came without any touch if I tried, she looked so cute fucked out on you—can’t imagine how hot she felt.”

“Alright, fine. I didn’t think she’d want this again so I… wanted to make the most of it. Or convince her it was worth a shot.” The other man responded breathlessly.

Nikia whined, shifting onto her back after a long moment. Only just regaining feeling in her pussy that wasn’t electric tingles. She squinted into the soft light to where she assumed Izou was.

“Wouldn’ ‘ave let you if ah ‘idn’t wan’ you.” She told his hazy figure, weakly holding out her arm and clearing her throat as he took her hand in his. “H-Hmm, might w-wait a bit before I-I do that again, though.” She mused.

Izou kissed her knuckles apologetically.

“Next time I’ll be actually nice” he breathed out and her whine was instant and loud.

Thatch let out a bark of laughter, flopping down beside her to pull her in close. He was just a little too hot for her preference but it felt nice being held anyway. Thick hair tickling her sweaty skin in a way that made her nose wrinkle.

He peppered kisses along her face.

“Yer turn?” she asked softly and he paused.

“I mean, if you’re up for it… but I liked the show regardless.” He kissed her brow with a soft smile. With some effort, she hooked her knee over his hip, Izou settling in behind her. Pointedly supporting her attempt to actively participate despite her exhaustion.

“C-Careful? And not… so long this time. Too tired for that again.” Nikia admitted, looking up at him with a somewhat pleading smile.

“Course, baby doll~” He agreed easily, reaching down between their thighs to adjust himself. His cock slipping between her folds, gathering slick until he was certain of himself. His hand stroking and kneading her soft ass to brace her for him. She almost complained about how long he was taking, but the steady, encroaching thickness shifted her voice into a soft moan. “F-Fuck, how’d you do it, babe? She’s so soft and tight—a-ahh! W-Wish I could hold back and love you for hours, our perfect little doll~” His pace faster than what Izou tormented her with, thick cock throbbing against her overstimulated walls, clearly already on the edge. Izou’s hand slipping around her waist to circle her clit, trying to ease her into an orgasm alongside Thatch.

Thatch kissed her softly, tongue lingering against hers with sensual motions. Savoring her soft moans with his own, deep groans. Their lips barely parting for air as she let him consume the last of herself. The both of them gasping as he finally spilled into her aching pussy, cumming together hard.

He lingered, grinding into her weak body with fevered kisses along her cheeks.

She fell asleep like that for some time, surrounded and filled by the both of them. Neither flinching at her unusual features—her strange, inhuman body.

She was woken up a little while later and given water to drink and a light snack of homemade jam and crackers.

“We let them know we’re camping out here. You can go back to sleep, baby.” Thatch promised.

She was already half gone though, certain she was safe with them. The crisp autumn air struggling to invade the cozy bubble of body heat and hay around her. She kissed one of them somewhere in thanks, eyes closed and drifting off. Receiving her own kiss in return, a gentle peck on the lips.

She was exhausted and worn out. And yet, somehow, impossibly loved.

[harbingerberry]

☆ Weekly Reading 9/30 - 10/6 ☆

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Disclaimer:

Take only what resonates, leave behind what doesn't. This is a collective reading, it is meant to apply to a lot of people. If it's not resonating, it's okay, you can look for other readers. <33

✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩

⋆.˚ ⋆.˚

⋆.˚

I’m seeing here how you were on a roll as you move forward from the heartbreak and hurt you have experienced. They are also showing me here how you are finally out of your head, out of your comfort zone. You might also be hanging out with your friends and your conversation with them has been eye- awakening to say the least!

This week, you will find yourself enjoying the journey more as you work on your career or an opportunity you have received regarding your career or source of income. I see you being in the moment, not rushing at all and has this very patient energy. You’ll be enjoying your time, appreciating the small things you always had but fail to notice. You will be slowing down this week and will be smelling the flowers.

Everybody seems to think I'm lazy I don't mind, I think they're crazy Runnin' everywhere at such a speed 'Til they find there's no need (there's no need) Keepin' an eye on the world going by my window Takin' my time

Channeled song: I’m Only Sleeping by The Beatles

You will also be entertaining thoughts on love, especially your love for your career. What career path makes your heart beat with passion? This is a dream or a vision you have been holding on for quite some time now and this week, you will have a chance to reunite with this dream of yours and you will be holding on to it this time. They showed me here how you must’ve been holding yourself back from this dream of yours. This week is the time for you to reunite with this dream! And by doing so, you will be put back to balance— to your usual self, to your natural state and in our zen.

Lastly, for people who have a love interest, they will finally make a move on you. This person has been in hiding for quite some time, either they have been literally hiding from you (no connections, no messages) or they have been in their head for quite some time now. They are now going to approach you and connect with you because they have finally let go of their vices. Vices come in many forms, they can be substances or toxic behaviors. They have now realized how they want to settle or have a long term relationship that is built on stable ground and they can see themselves having it with you. 

To describe who this person is that is coming towards you, they are someone who is quite private about themselves (I'm seeing someone who has a private account). But despite them being private, they are well known in their own circle. Them coming forward might also catch you off guard as they seem to come out of nowhere. There will be no signs that they are coming towards you. They might also come forward with an offer of work/collaboration (can be a disguise or can be very genuine, please don’t overthink this). *Additional information to this, this person might have appeared in your dream. A peaceful dream, not a nightmare. This person did not appear in your dreams as a nightmare.

I need you like a desert needs rain I would rather like to die Darling I when I do not see you So spread your wings and fly Can't you hear my love buzz? Can't you hear my love buzz?

Channeled song: Love Buzz by Shocking Blue

How to tread this week:

There will be an opportunity that will present itself to you this week through your career and this will help you to let go of the heartbreak and hurt you have experienced from the past. They are pertaining to the hurt you experienced regarding your confidence in your work/career. You might have lost a little bit of your confidence, for some a lot of it— due to an opportunity that instead to have boosted you or you could have showcased your talent or workmanship, it made you feel like a failure. A workmate, a boss, or a client might have not cooperated well and the result of your collaboration or work made you feel like you have failed or did not perform well.

Take this opportunity and work on restoring back good and fresh energy back in that area of your life, like restoring back your confidence. In that way you can provide yourself some self-love and also attract those energies back in your life. 

I can sense how there are a few of you who wallow in the hurt. For you to be able to (easily) attract better energies in your life, you are asked to embody them first. Try your best to be more optimistic this week.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔

How have you guys been? Last week, I saw how the eclipse energy is affecting everyone (including myself). Heck, just awhile ago I saw how our neighbour broke up with their partner and made a scene at 7 in the morning. The partner, now ex, was bringing a guy over to their place and what’s worse is that the said guy is a friend of our neighbour! A kumpare, is what the neighbour called him. It is very on brand as this is the last Eclipse in Libra, as the nodes are now changing. Under the sign of Libra, one of them are relationships, platonic or romance. The south node in Libra is teaching us to stand up for ourselves and to not rely on relationships for validation, to not seek your worth from it especially if the said relationship has gone toxic.

Anyway, I hope you all are taking good care of yourselves, taking things slow and staying present.

Jance ♡

[ao3feed-kiribaku]

Inevitable

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/CqkBYJ6 by sunaseyelinerrr “I’m fucking fine.” He was in fact not fucking fine. There were scrapes all over his body, a horrible bruise on his ribs and supporting bandages on his ankle and shoulder. Eijirou gently grabbed his hand to ground him. It did the exact opposite. Somehow his mind blanked out and his pain vanished.   “Dynamight! Please help!” The woman was frantic, body stuck in between fallen rubble.   Katsuki gave her the most reassuring look he could, albeit he wasn’t very good, but he tried. “I’ve got you." Situations like this were difficult. He had to be careful or the woman might rip in half.   Before Katsuki could even react, the woman’s hand slipped out from his with a blood curdling scream.   Without thinking, Katsuki yanked his hand out of Eijirou’s, harsh ringing through his ears, eyes glued shut. He could only imagine the look of hurt and confusion gracing Eijirou’s face. “What’s wrong?” Katsuki didn’t want to open his mouth, afraid of how he would sound, but he had to. He couldn’t hold off his surge of emotions about to rush through him. “Fucking—get out. I can do this myself.” “What?” “Out.” Words: 6151, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: 僕のヒーローアカデミア | Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia (Anime & Manga) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Bakugou Katsuki, Kirishima Eijirou, Kaminari Denki, Sero Hanta, Ashido Mina, Midoriya Izuku Relationships: Bakugou Katsuki/Kirishima Eijirou Additional Tags: Bakugou Katsuki Swears A Lot, Bakugou Katsuki is Bad at Feelings, Kirishima Eijirou is a Ray of Sunshine, Kirishima Eijirou Needs a Hug, Bakugou Katsuki Faces Consequences, he fixes them, he makes stupid decisions, Kirishima Eijirou is Good at Feelings, and so patient, but he’s going through it tbh, Angst with a Happy Ending, Light Angst, Hurt/Comfort, i love them read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/CqkBYJ6

[youngerfrankenstein]

Sooooooooo I may have been watching Hannibal again. And making notes. (Okay I only started actually making notes around Entrée.)

Episodes 1-3

Definitely the episodes I’m most familiar with. Think I’ve seen them the most.

They struck gold getting Hugh Dancy for that role quite frankly

GOD Hannibal comforting the mother of the girl HE MURDERED

Just HOW much Hannibal’s interactions with Abigail are like, carefully affectionate blackmail

In all honesty I’m still not sure whether I think he ever grew to care for her. Perhaps but, in the same way as a prize pig. It’s still a pig

And part of me wonders how much of Abigail was actually left when he killed her. How much was consumed by two men who claimed to love her

Abigail in general is a fascinating tragedy to me

Will is, I think, a person who both desperately wants to and is terrified of being a father

Oeuf

This episode is actually so fucking good

Something about how one of the first things Abigail does in Hannibal’s house is break a teacup

Jack in his Morpheus getup lol

The obvious parallels this episode are Hannibal pulling a very similar thing with Abigail as “Wendy” is with the boys and I think it’s well done

Also “found” family as horror :)

No Will! Don’t let the dogs become comfortable with him!!! Also the frame-up begins

Coquilles

Man the Jack and Bella storyline is heartbreaking. And really well done

The scene where the lady is talking about how her husband was pulling away and he’s figuring it all out…

The bit of lighting that makes it look like Will has a halo chef’s kiss

Due to the weird “preternatural or not?” tendency of the show… I wonder if the angel maker did become an angel. If he was really there to help/warn Will

“I can give you the majesty of your becoming” vibrates

Note to self: Look more into Scapegoat practice

But really there probably is something to be said for Will semi-literally taking on the sins of humanity to save lives

Also note to self: Read “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell” because I think Blake’s weird musings may have inspired more of the whole franchise than the obvious

Entrée

Abel Gideon :) He’s an addition to the cast I really enjoy

“Don’t worry I won’t leave you here” Making promises you can’t keep Jack?

I actually kinda love Chilton. He fucking sucks

I should watch/read Silence of the Lambs again…

Even if the case here is based off the pre-canon Red Dragon one

The series has so much love for and so many references to the source material while adding and tweaking so much and I appreciate it to hell and back

God he’s so fucking despicable… just to see what happens…

Sorbet

Did not need to see a glottis up close

AUNT VIVIAN!!! :D (Well, Ellen Greene)

Franklin is supposed to be like, reminiscent of the guy who’s head gets found in a jar in SotL right? I remember that being my takeaway when I first watched the show and I still think that. Even if the book is far less fresh in my mind

First Bedelia appearance

The fact it’s confirmed later he was putting human organs in the beer. What the fuck

Alanna makes me sad… in a lot of ways another example of Hannibal corrupting everything he touches

“And I sincerely hope he does” The wild thing is I think that may be the truth. Yeah he’ll kill Will if he figures it out but he does want to watch Will do just that

Oh Jack… yes. You will kill him

Hannibal’s “grocery shopping” montage will never not be funny

As will “ugh, stop, you’re just my patient” vs. the epic mope when Will doesn’t show up

Will starting to put the pieces together but his brain is too on fire to make them fit

Cannibal puns <3

[cephalog0d]

Batfic - "Picking Up Pieces" (Whumptober Day 8)

Rating: Teen and Up Category: Gen Characters/Relationships: Stephanie Brown & Dick Grayson, Stephanie Brown & Bruce Wayne, other Batfam mentioned Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Reverse Robins, Hurt/Comfort, Blood, Hospitals, Cuddling & Snuggling Words: 4,036

Summary:

“Bruce!” Steph called as she approached, weaving between people. His head snapped towards her, and the stark relief in his expression almost stopped her in her tracks. That was just...wrong. Bruce wasn’t supposed to be relieved to see her. He was supposed to be annoyed or resignedly amused, not looking at her like a life raft in the ocean. Midnight visits to the ER as a civilian were not exactly what Stephanie Brown thought she was signing up for when she joined the Bat team, but that doesn't mean she's not going to be the best backup she can be. Whumptober No. 8: “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier.” Overcrowded ER | Outnumbered | “It’s all for nothing.”

((Ages: Steph - 18, Dick - 9))

Hospitals in Gotham were always a bit of a mess, but add in a weekend evening and an attack of the “costumed bullshit” variety and it became an absolute nightmare. Steph would honestly rather be out in her own costume helping with clean up, but Bruce needed backup here before he went full Batman in the middle of the ER, and Steph was the best option.

That didn’t mean it was fun walking into the kicked ant hill that was Gotham General’s emergency room. She shifted the duffle bag slung over her shoulder to try and keep it close and out of the way as she wove through the packed waiting room trying to spot Bruce. The ambulance would have beaten both of them, but Tim’s projected ETA for them had been similar. Steph spun in a full circle, gaze skipping past shocked and bloodied patients waiting to be seen and extremely harried people in scrubs moving around at something just shy of a run without spotting any familiar faces.

Crap. If he had beaten her and was already back in the hospital proper that was going to be a whole headache, and with Tim busy coordinating clean-up she didn’t really have a good way to find out.

She was just debating if she could successfully persuade one of the staff to actually tell her (if she could even catch someone who wasn’t doing something much more important) when the door opened loudly behind her and she spun to see Bruce all but storming into the waiting room.

He looked, frankly, like shit. Not that Steph blamed him. The lead she had been running down had turned out to be a dead end, so she hadn’t actually seen how bad things were, but she’d threatened to superglue all of Tim’s computer ports shut if he muted her comms and cut her out of the loop so she had heard everything from when Damian and Cass had found the boys onward, and just from that…

Well, there was a reason she’d been willing to leave the clean up to everyone else and haul ass down to the hospital.

“Bruce!” she called as she approached, weaving between people. His head snapped towards her, and the stark relief in his expression almost stopped her in her tracks. That was just...wrong. Bruce wasn’t supposed to be relieved to see her. He was supposed to be annoyed or resignedly amused, not looking at her like a life raft in the ocean.

“Stephanie-” he started, but she cut him off.

“Duke is with Damian and Cass is helping Tim, I’m here for backup and I’ll handle updates so don’t worry about that part,” she rattled off quickly. Bruce looked a little stunned, but nodded. “Where-”

“Mr. Wayne?” someone interrupted, polite but extremely urgent. One of the hospital staff.

“Yes,” Bruce said sharply, attention snapping to her. “My son-”

“Jason has already been admitted and the doctors would like to speak with you as soon as possible,” she said in the same carefully balanced tone, gesturing Bruce forward. Steph swallowed hard and consciously regulated her breathing. Being at the front of the line for the ER was never good. As close as she was standing, Steph could hear the way Bruce’s breath hitched a little as he went even more tense than he already had been, hands clenching into fists at his side.

“What about Dick?” Steph prompted since Bruce was clearly distracted trying to control himself. (And wasn’t that a hell of a thing. Batman was distracted. It definitely did not help with the world-shattering feeling of things, but Steph was here to be backup, so she needed to stay calm and stay focused for him.)

(Cont. on AO3)

[vintage-brass-tc]

Dump About Yesterday’s Concert <3

They both looked so dashing in their formal attire, Mr. U’s smooth velvet vest hugging his waist comfortably and pairing so nicely with his pale blue, tighter-than-usual jeans, and Mr. M’s dark gray suit bringing out his professionalism and dark stubble and eyes. Their outfits made both of them look charmingly distinguished and handsome, making me swoon upon my first laying my gaze upon them. ❤️

Immense gushing below…. you have been warned!!!

All bands were required to stay for every performance. I performed third and fourth in a program presenting five bands.

In the crowd, when I was sat, Mr. U walked down the aisle between seats, stopping at the chair just in front of me, his long, thin baton in one folded hand, which then supported the weight of his body as it leaned onto the back of the chair. He spoke in a silent tone, just above a whisper as he regarded a certain section, scanning his eyes across the two rows until his gaze landed on me… and lingered. It was a simple stare, almost gentle and soothing, until he shook himself out of it and realized what he was saying didn’t apply to me, asking himself why the section didn’t just sit together.

Following that tiny slip-up, he looked at the right people this time and gave them all specific instructions, then told them not to crack their notes. He then made a quip about what would happen if they did crack, letting his quiet voice strain as he gave them an empty threat, giving his baton a quick glance before turning it around in his hand to thrust it just shy of his chest in an impaling fashion.

When I giggled at his gesture, looking up at his endearing, comedic, toothy smile, my lips tugging towards my ears in my own smile, wide and happy, he backed away from his seat, satisfied with all of the happy reactions he got. In the next moment, his eyes landed on me. It lasted a second at most, but it felt like an hour, his gaze so… nurturing. His toothy smile was so relaxed, so beautiful. I maintained his eye contact, deeply hoping my admiration and love for him and his simple humor was communicated, then, still smiling, his gaze shifted to the wall. He moved further towards the back. By the end of the performance, before Mr. U’s band— I hadn’t noticed— he was standing right behind my shoulder for… God knows how long. <3

Now, when Mr. U’s band was setting up onstage, Mr. M had walked down the aisle, his gaze setting on me and staying there until he stopped at the row in front of me, just as Mr. U did. He smiled at me as he made a joking statement to the row, and then he went to sit behind me.

When was our turn to set up, and we went onstage, Mr. M’s smile illuminated the stage much brighter than the spotlight in my eyes, its gracious, lighthearted, patient nature, paired with those big, dark, soft eyes of his boring their way into my heart. When the time came for us to perform, always made sure to look my way whenever we really made music, and his smile… oh my gosh, his smile was so, so beautiful.

When he were finished, too, he walked past me a couple of times, and I couldn’t help but grin… because every time, in the corner of my eye, I could see him looking at me in my black dress and smiling such a genuine smile. I’d meet his eye with a similar smile every time, but, again— and I know I’m repeating myself— his smile was so adoring, so tender, so gentle and kind. He didn’t wait to compliment me after I complimented him on a job well done. :)

Now, it was time for me to perform with the jazz ensemble, and the whole time, Mr. U just kept looking at me, and he ensured that I was ready before every performance, letting his gaze grill me for an additional second or two every time I had told him that, yes, I was ready to start playing our next piece. I felt so composed, so in control of myself, and I had one of my best reps yet in that performance. It felt really great, and I’m really excited to see what Mr. U says about it on Monday.

All in all, they looked gorgeous, and we shared some beautiful looks and moments. I’m so happy. ❤️