#so they decided to sent me home as I was clearly and obviously not doing well | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

daizedndconfused · 25 days ago

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thievin’

a/n- idk why im up right now but yay first post of 2025 who’s hyped?? ik i’ve been like mia for a bit but i blame my ps5 for that. also back in school!! awesome (can you tell im crying) lmaooo anyway this is defo gonna be like a mini series so get ready okay lots of love everyone hope you keep up your resolutions if you do em<33

characters- cole brookstone x thief fem!reader

type- eh fluff kinda/enemies to lovers type beat you’ll see

warnings- very mild suggestive comments (not proofread)

synopsis- you’re a thief living in the most run down part of ninjago. you’re doing everything you can to make ends meet, but sometimes you gotta bite the bullet and take a gamble. in order to make a little extra cash you’re sent on a mission to steal a very priceless artifact—the most high risk heist you’ve ever been on. you encounter a certain ninja during your outing and you just can’t help yourself to a little bit of fun upon meeting him. will he let you go? will you succeed in recovering the artifact? or will it be your head on the line instead?

word count- 3.1k

Being poor was okay. Obviously, it wasn’t the ideal spot to be in, and sure you’d prefer to have money and not have to worry about whether or not you would be able to feed yourself tomorrow but you can’t have it all, can you?

Everybody thought Ninjago was the most gorgeous city–clearly they’ve never visited your side of town. You personally didn’t think it was an awful place to live, but it definitely isn't what people would expect out of the great ninjago city.

Nevertheless, it was home. Well, home since your parents died and you were left to fend for yourself. Technically, your mother died during childbirth, or shortly after. You didn’t really like to ask your father about it. It seemed insensitive.

The loss of your father was more recently caused by an unsuspected illness you didn’t have the funds to get treated. You lost him seven years ago, and you miss both of them immensely, even if you never knew your mother–she still held a place in your heart, and your blood.

Plus, it wasn’t as if you were completely alone. The loss of your parents and your home only hindered your spirit for a few months. But eventually, you had to grow up. You had only yourself now, and you needed to start getting your shit together.

That’s how you found yourself living in a narrow alley with nothing but a few blankets to separate yourself from the hard concrete, and a tarp above your head held up by hopes and dreams in case it rained. Courtesy of a girl you’d met three years ago–Henley.

You did what you had to to survive, the both of you did, but your version of ‘work’ was a tad more illegal than Henley’s. While your friend chose to work at some manufacturing factory that paid maybe ten cents an hour, you quickly developed the skill of ‘soft hands.’

Just a little something you picked up in the few years before befriending Henley. Plus, living where you did at the time, it was customary for your father to teach you martial arts, and teach he did. He often pushed you to your limits, making sure your senses were always on high alert.

Though now you supposed you were grateful for it. It made it easy to navigate the crowded streets of Uri–the poorer side of Ninjago that most people decided to ignore.

The early morning sun beat down on you, somehow finding its way around the tarp above your head.

Groaning you rolled over, hoping to block out the rays and catch a few more hours of sleep.

“Morning,” Henley yawned from beside you.

You mumbled incoherently back at her.

“I’ve gotta get going, work starts soon,” Henley told you. You heard her scooting closer towards you.

“Why d’you work at that shithole?” You grumbled, still not fully awake. “They barely pay you, Henley.”

You could practically see the expression on her freckled face. She was most likely staring down at you with a torn and somewhat somber expression.

“It’s the only place that would hire me,” she muttered. “You know that.”

Squeezing your eyes tight you then sat up, stretching out your back. Upon opening your eyes you came to find out your assumption was correct.

“Yeah,” you nod. “Which is bullshit by the way. Any web company would be lucky to have you.”

Henley shrugged a shoulder. “Well, beggars can’t be choosers.”

“Then it’s a good thing we haven’t stooped that low,” you reassured her. You left the unspoken yet out of the sentence.

Henley smiled, brushing back her mane of curly red hair. “Okay, now I really need to go. Please, be safe today, and try not to get caught. I really don’t know if I can stomach breaking you out of jail again.”

“In my defense,” you said as she stood to leave. “There may have been some alcohol behind the reason that asshole caught up to me.”

Henley fixed you with a look that said, Good luck, before she looked up and down the already busy streets and made her way to the factory.

You gave yourself a few more minutes before heading out onto the streets. As usual, Uri was already busy at like eight a.m on a weekday. Stall owners were yelling at anyone passing by as if the volume would persuade people to stop and buy a useless trinket they didn’t need.

Still rubbing the sleep from your eyes, you wove through people, fluid like a leaf in the wind. It was almost too easy to nick people’s wallets this way. In Uri it was almost impossible to walk anywhere without brushing shoulders with someone. Lucky for you, the jacket you wore held many pockets to store your ‘finds’ on the street.

After palming a few wallets on your way to possibly the best looking building in this part of town, you opened them up to find nothing much. Out of all the wallets you lifted, you got a whopping thirty dollars.

See that was the issue with living in a poor neighborhood–everyone you stole from was also poor. Not a great match unfortunately.

Sighing, you made your way towards the tallest building in Uri. It also just happened to be where you’d pick up a way to make some extra cash on the days that were really slow. Just from waking up this morning you knew today would be one of them.

The only issue is, the jobs you’re given are risky, and so you try not to do them as often.

The guards posted outside of the doors let you through without any issues. At this point you’d been coming here sporadically for about five and a half years. You were the best and most reliable thief Malina had.

A few doors, some hallways, and an elevator later, you stood in front of the woman herself.

Malina stared at you with a victorious glint in her eyes, her head resting on her intertwined fingers. “And here I thought you broke up with me.”

“Ah, you know me,” you shrugged, shoving your hands into the pockets of your jacket. “Always comin’ back.”

“Now that I can always rely on.” Malina leaned back in her big leather chair, one long leg crossed over the other.

Malina was the only successful business owner in this Uri. Shockingly, she got most of her wealth from illegal schemes and black market dealings. Which is why she needed you.

Malian didn’t waste any time in throwing down a file on top of her spotless desk.

“It’s all in there,” she waved a gloved hand, her diamond bracelet twinkling in the light of her office.

You reached for the file and flipped it open to survey its contents. Your eyes widened as you continued further and further down the papers clipped together. This job was impossible.

Usually, nothing is impossible for you. However, in the past Malina only ever had you stealing jewels from old guys on their deathbed, or artwork from museums, and sometimes some random priceless artifact guarded in an equally random warehouse.

Apparently this time she really wanted to put you to the test.

“This is a joke,” you said, flipping the file shut.

“How so?” Malina asked, dark brows furrowed in innocence.

“Look, you give me work, and I’ve always appreciated that,” you told her honestly. “But stealing from the Royal Family is my one way ticket to a lifetime in prison.”

Malina pouted at you. “And here I thought my star employee never got caught.”

You scoffed out a laugh, tongue in your cheek as you looked up to the heavens for patience.

When she didn’t back down you finally spoke. “What else you got for me?”

“Unfortunately,” Malina said, though her tone didn’t suggest she found it anywhere near unfortunate, “that’s it.”

“Bullshit,” you challenged.

Malina raised her hands. “I’m serious! Work’s been booming lately.”

Crossing your arms, you rolled your eyes. The two of you stood unspeaking, staring at each other as you weighed your options.

On the plus side, if you did this job successfully, you and Henley might be able to afford an actual apartment. A shitty one, but it was better than the alley. Plus, you might also be able to afford the first few months of rent before you get a real job and force Henley to quit hers at the factory.

Closing your eyes you reluctantly agreed. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Malina’s grin widened into an eerie expression, her pearly white teeth shone almost as bright as the diamonds around her wrist. “I knew you would. Clothes are in their usual place.”

You nodded and spun on your heel, hightailing it out of Malina’s office. Thankfully, ever since you all but pledged your loyalty to her, she’d provide you with some living essentials occasionally. Things like showers, a hairbrush, basic needs like that.

But when she sent you out on a mission, she made sure you were set up for success, and the rest was on you. Opening the wooden wardrobe at the end of the hall, you were greeted with the familiar sight of the dark clothing you typically wore on outings such as these.

You picked the uniform off the hanger and quickly found the nearest room to change in. Even though you wouldn’t be leaving until nightfall, you still would rather put it on now as it helped you even in Uri. With the hood and mask covering the bottom half of your face, the only thing you could really make out was your hair and eyes.

You spent most of the day on the roof tops, going over the blueprints of the palace Malina provided for you, along with the guard rotations. Pacing along the edge of an old rundown building, you slowly came up with a plan. Though, the object you had been assigned to steal was a bit odd. You expected jewels, or even the crown, but instead you were sent after a golden hourglass, with equally golden sand inside.

You didn’t know the properties or importance of the object, but to be honest, you didn’t really care. You just wanted to get the job done and over with so you could return home and finally place a roof over your head after seven years of sleeping under the open sky.

As soon as the sun set beyond the city, you set out. Of course, you left Henley a note explaining you might not be back tonight–and that you might not be back at all–but you assured her not to worry.

It took a while to get to the good part of town, but a few subway trains later, you finally made it. And what a difference it was.

Instead of yelling and aggressive haggling, there was light chatter, laughter, and the buzz of technology reverberating around you. Not to mention the colors. Almost every sign in Ninjago was neon, and sometimes you couldn’t help but get a little sidetracked looking at all the beautiful things you’d never get to experience yourself.

Eventually, you found yourself by the palace. Fishing out the timetable of the guard rotations, you determined that the east side of the castle would be the most unprotected in about two minutes–meaning you had to be quick.

Quick you were. You managed to get to the east side and scale the wall in a minute and thirty. Tiptoeing around the outer wall, you made sure to keep your eyes on the guards below. So far, none of them noticed you.

Finally, you landed on the tiled roof. By memorization, the hourglass would be located in a mostly open room on the top floor. Carefully maneuvering around the roof, making sure to not make too much noise, you managed to unlock the window and pull it open.

Thankfully, it didn’t make much noise. Letting out an internal sigh of relief, you quickly tied a rope on one of the support pillars of the palace and threw it over the side of the window. Directly below the window was an obnoxiously large potted plant that would do well to hide you from view.

You briefly wondered if you’d be able to climb back up with rope one handed, but instead you figured you could bring a cord to secure the hourglass onto your belt loop.

As usual, you landed on the red wood floors without a sound. As much as you wished to stick around and admire the impressive castle you’d only ever seen in newspapers, you had a job to do.

Heart hammering, you peeked around the plant to find two guards–both with their back towards you.

It feels almost too easy, you thought as you crept towards the hourglass displayed on a pedestal.

Once you got close enough, you took a few moments to inspect the pedestal. There was a very possible chance of the hourglass being placed upon a weighted pressure plate that would set off the emergency alarms if removed, but after looking at it, the stone surface looked entirely even. There most likely wasn’t any extra security around this artifact, but in the off chance there was, you’d have to be ready to run.

Calming your mind, you swiped it quickly, preferring to take it and bolt in case the alarms went off.

You got three strides in before your luck ran out. All around you alarms had started blaring, alerting every guard on the premises. However, by that point you had already tied the glass around your waist and were ascending the rope.

You could vaguely make out the alarmed voices of the guards chasing after you, and as soon as you heaved yourself onto the roof, you sliced the rope with the knife in your boot. Two thuds and pained grunts were all you heard before you bolted.

Guards were climbing up at every point, but what they had in size and brute strength, you had in speed and agility. Being quick on your feet was like second nature–and you really should send a letter to the Royal Family to invest in some guards. These ones weren’t all that good at their job.

You hoped over them in groups, and it felt like you knew the palace layout better than they did. You knew exactly where to step and when to step, that by the time you landed on the other side of the walls, you knew you had one.

You grinned and laughed triumphantly as you jumped across the rooftops. The guards got further and further away and you blame the adrenaline in your veins for what happened next.

Suddenly, something tangled itself around your ankles, sending you tumbling to the concrete of an apartment complex.

“Son of a–” you winced, cradling the wrist you had landed on at an awkward angle.

Sitting up quickly, you reached for the rope wrapped around your ankles when a boot beat you to it.

“I don’t think that belongs to you,” the stranger spoke.

Looking up slowly, you mentally cursed yourself at the figure standing above you.

The Earth Ninja.

Why the hell were they at the palace? Why did they care about some petty robbery, wasn’t there some maniac trying to destroy the world that they should be busy with at the moment?

“What? The outfit? It doesn’t–borrowed from a friend.” You leaned back on your palms, looking up at the Earth Ninja’s strikingly gorgeous face.

He wasn’t wearing his mask tonight, leaving all his features on display–brown eyes that you guessed were a gorgeous shade of hazel in the light, shaggy but well kept hair as dark as the sky above, and a build that could rival the strength of an ox.

Cocking your head, you pushed your hood back and mask down, letting him see your roaming eyes and approving smirk.

“I need that.” He pointed to the golden hourglass at your hip. Apparently he didn’t find your jokes very funny.

“No, I need it,” you countered. “How else am I supposed to keep track of the time? I don’t have a watch.”

You shoved your hands up, rotating your wrists spastically to emphasize your point.

The Earth Ninja leaned down, but you didn’t back down. “Just hand over the glass, and I’ll tell them you dropped it trying to flee.”

You too leaned towards him, the both of you so close your noses were almost touching. In the ninja’s favor, his expression didn’t falter.

“I told you, I need it.”

“And I gave you an ultimatum,” the ninja returned, his eyes hardening. “Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be.”

“Aw, but where’s the fun in that?” You smirked with a wink.

You saw his facade crack slightly as he twitched back every so slightly. That was all the hesitation you needed.

As the two of you went back and forth, you had been discreetly severing the rope binding your legs, and you quickly wrapped them around his waist, flipping him over onto his back. The Earth Ninja landed with a harsh exhale. You leaped off of him quickly before he could counter your surprise attack.

He was a ninja, and you knew there was no way you’d be able to beat him at hand to hand combat, but you could avoid him. Your thought was proven when he was back on his feet and into a fighting stance a split second after you created distance between you and him.

The Earth Ninja raised a curious brow at you over his raised fists. “Who are you?”

“Funny I was about to ask the same thing,” you laughed. “But, I think I’ve got something that could help me out with that–Cole L. Brookstone–what’s the L for? Oh well, six-foot five inches, black hair, two hundred and ten pounds–” you broke off looking him up and down. “Well you certainly don’t look over two hundred.”

Cole’s eyes widened as he lunged for you, and the wallet in your hand. You jumped back from him easily and continued to read off his driver's license.

“Hazel eyes, nineteen years old–oh cute we’re the same age–”

“Give it back!” He demanded, reaching for you again, only for you to slide under his legs and appear behind him.

“Born on October 25th–” another attempt to grab you had you using the rope previously used on you against him, binding his wrists, and legs making him fall on his ass.

You then hopped onto the roof of the entrance hallway of the building, and sat on the edge, legs swinging in front of you.

You continued to flip through his wallet, “Restaurant receipt–you know you don’t have to keep those. Lifetime subway pass, oh you lucky bastard. Gift card you’ve probably had for three years, credit card–very shiny, one fifty in cash and–” you paused upon seeing the last item in his standard leather wallet.

Sliding your eyes down to the boy your age, you raised a brow at him, almost laughing at his red face you could see even in the dark.

“Why do you have a condom in your wallet?” You giggled.

Cole momentarily stopped struggling against the rope and had the decency to look away, embarrassed.

“Emergencies,” he grumbled, glaring up at you.

“Ah, right,” you sucked air through your teeth before tossing it back down on his lap.

Flexing his arms, he snapped the ropes like they were ribbons and did the same with the ones binding his legs.

“So, it seems we're at an impasse,” you sighed.

“No,” he stood, “we’re not.”

“Au contraire, you’ll never catch me. You had your shot, and you blew it.” You pointed at him accusingly. “I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that I’m very slippery. And I assure you–you chase, and I’ll run, and I can keep running for a damn long time.”

It would become a game of cat and mouse you knew would go on forever.

“Surely you don’t expect me to just let you walk away with a priceless artifact from the Royal Family.” Cole crossed his arms.

“Exactly–impasse.”

The stubborn boy shook his head, black waves flopping. “No, I–”

Before he could finish his sentence, the dart was already buried into his arm.

Cole startled, looking down at the tiny metal needle sticking out of his right bicep. He gave you an unimpressed look before reaching with his other hand to pluck it from his body. However, his hand was halfway there when it went limp by his side.

Cole’s brown eyes went wide as his legs too started to wobble, and shortly after the rest of his body gave away.

He once again landed on the ground with a dull thud.

Smiling slightly you gracefully jumped down from your perch and made your way over to him to retrieve your dart.

“What the hell is that?” He asked through gritted teeth.

“Just a numbing sedative,” you responded, pocketing it. “Don’t worry it’ll wear off in like an hour.”

“An hour? Hell no, help me up.”

“Hmm, tempting,” you deadpanned, but you did prop his back up against the wall of the roof in a sitting position.

Cole glared at you, and you smirked back.

“I enjoyed our little game of cat and mouse my friend,” you patted his cheek before standing to full height. “But I’m afraid I must be going. Places to be, money to be made–you know how it is.”

“Hey! Wait!” Cole called to your retreating back.

But you didn’t. Instead you leapt down to the adjacent roof and all but skipped back to Uri, happy that you weren’t caught, but you weren’t entirely mad about meeting the Earth Ninja either. Secretly, you hoped he'd track you down–where round two of your game would take place.

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am-i-the-asshole-official · 11 months ago

Note

Am I the asshole for cutting off a mutual for threatening suicide?

I know it sounds bad, but please bear with me.

I stumbled across somebody on Tumblr who shared the same obscure interests as me, and we became mutuals pretty quickly. We hardly interacted outside of liking each other's posts sometimes, which seems to be par for the course for Tumblr mutuals. I had a Discord server with my partners and me in it and we decided to invite them to it in an attempt to be closer friends.

Things were okay for a while, but I noticed a few red flags right off the bat. They'd had a bad experience with their last group of friends and vented about it a lot - that in and of itself is fine, but it got to a point where it was all they would talk about. The vent channel in the server was completely occupied by them, and neither me nor my partners felt comfortable venting there ourselves. Alongside this venting about their old friends, they would continuously insinuate we would be just like them, and would leave them just like their old friends did. Again, I don't have a problem with people asking for reassurance, but this was CONSTANT. When I say it was all they would talk about, I mean it. That kind of mistrust in their supposed friends was mentally draining and made me feel like they didn't value our friendship.

And now we get to the threatening suicide part. This person was very clearly mentally ill, needed help, and lived in an unsupportive home. I had all the sympathy in the world for them, and still hope they manage to get out of it. However, if we did not respond to the constant venting in our Discord server, they would go on Twitter and Tumblr and talk about how everyone was ignoring them, and they were going to kill themselves. Several times. This happened a few times before I approached them and asked them kindly not to vague post about me, as I have "trauma" (put in quotes because the vague posting was not the root cause of it) surrounding people pretending to be my friend and shit-talking me in vague posts. They apologized, and agreed to try and cut down on doing it.

But it didn't stop. A week would pass, and they would go right back to it. Their suicide threats were made near daily, and while I don't mind talking someone down from suicide, being expected to do it every single day was taking a massive toll on my mental health.

Eventually, my partners and I decided we weren't cut out to be friends with this person. A message was sent to the Discord server, explaining we made a collective decision that we were not a good match, and that we'd be deleting the server. Cue the final breakdown - as soon as they saw the message, they started to freak out, threatening to kill themselves, begging not to leave them, saying they'd be alone without us, etc. The server was deleted and they moved to my partner's DMs, still threatening suicide and generally being nasty.

After blocking them on socmed, things were quiet for a while. Occasionally, they will send me or my partners asks telling them they're going to kill themselves and how they just want to "make things right" between us. Obviously these threats are empty. The last one they sent me was on Roblox of all things because I'd blocked them everywhere else.

So, am I the asshole? Should I have continued to stay in this friendship and tried harder to make it work?

What are these acronyms?

#aita #am i the asshole #suicide cw

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tammyu-2 · 1 month ago

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Hey

please make a hsc for Tmnt 2012 (Mikey, Leo, Raph, Donnie) turtles find out her lover's big secret (e.g. that she's a former foot clan soldier.....you name it) how the turtles react to the reader's lies...will they forgive her...will they hold a grudge

Thanks🧡💜❤️💙

EEK! My first ask I'm so fricken scared ;-;

But that sounds doable :P

I'm so sorry if it's bad I'm learning as I go

2012 TMNT find out their lovers dark secret!

no usage of gender, angst in the beginning crashes out after that, this was kinda a challenging pronto to do, cringe, first time write! Not proofread-

Hear we go

LEO

When Leo started dating you, he immediately put trust in you. Literally, He would never think you could do any wrong. You're his angel and his light. His home.

So that being said, I believe that he is the type to ignore red flags. Like not clearly, obviously right in his face flags. It's more like something that should be taken as suspicious, but he brushes it off way too easily.

You would think man had learned his lesson from Karai

You worked for shredder. You weren't exactly his right hand, but he knew you never failed at your jobs, so he only sent you on hefty ones. He gave you a simple task. Get in with the turtles, find any Intel, and try your best to pause any progress they had to beating the foot clan so they could always be one step ahead but not too much that it blows your cover.

So when you met Leo on the rooftops staring off into the distance you knew it was your chance.

Fast forward and you two are an item. Your spying on them and your doing pretty good and distracting and delaying them.... A little too good....

Let's get one thing straight. Splinter is onto you the second you invited yourself to the lair. However he waited till his judgement was proven true. Don't get me wrong. There's a small part in his brain that is fond when you aren't doing your dirty work and bonding with the turtles. But there was still something off about it all to him.

Leo trust you with his heart with red tinted glasses, Splinter is sus and the turtles don't mind you (except Donnie and Raph are usually on thin ice when you just so happened to be at most of their fights just by "bumping into them") BLAH BLAH LETS GET TO THE GOOD BIT.

You had decided to take a role call with shredder in the sewer base. The turtles were off on a mission and shredder had gone out to walk around the sewers for whatever reason. You thought you were safe but you were wrong. The turtles had the normal argument about Leo's leadership which ended in Leo leaving the mission early to mop around in his room. He knew you were there and hoped you would ease his mind. The rest of the turtles went off with Raph leading.

You talked on the device you were given for your job to shredder. You ended it feeling super triumph that you got approval from shredder even if it was very hard to tell. You grinned before turning around the door that lead out Leo's room only to be stunned.

Leo had been standing there (shell)shocked and your face fell immediately. It was a quiet beat before you jumped to defend whatever he may have heard.

"Damn spam callers huh? They.. they don't know when to quit!"

You said feeling yourself crumble as your heart ached at the complete and utter lose for words Leo looked.

"Your working for shredder..?"

He said with such a hurt tone that you wanted to start balling tears right this second.

"Listen-"

"I trusted you.. I cared for you and the whole time you were working with shredder! What the hell!-"

He cut you off, and you could already feel the disbelief turn into anger. You missed him off. You used to think you did this job cause you wanted, but deep down, you knew you cared for him. If you could just have just been on his side, you would. But you can't.

"You don't understand Leo I had to.."

You said trying to reason with him but the pure burst of confusing emotions that were all bursting in made it hard for him to believe there was any civil acts that were going to come from this.

"Save it. I can't believe i trusted you."

"Leo-"

"Get out before Splinter comes back. I hope our paths never cross."

He said harshly. But between that exterior you could see in his eyes that you have severally hurt him and you wish you could take it all back and help him. Comfort him. Anything! But what's done is done.

"Please bab-"

"Out. Now."

You said nothing else as he averted his gaze. You struck a nerve. A heavy one. You were fighting with yourself. One side is telling you to drop everything and make it up to him. Leave shredder and help him. Your other side is hating hot pathetic you were being. Begging for your enemy? When did you actually start caring for him, and why has it interfered with your work. That said of you felt disappointed by your childish acts of getting too close.

You said nothing after. You left the lair, and Leo broke the second you left. Sitting on his bed with his head in his hands. How could he have been so stupid? He knew letting you walk away wasn't a good idea, but deep down, he still cared for you even though he knew he shouldn't. Why was life so cruel. God, he missed your touch already....

After that, you hadn't returned to the clan nor had you contacted them. You threw away the only thing you had to communicate with them. You hated yourself for doing such an idiotic thing. From then on, you followed the turtles. Secretly hiding in the shadows watching them fight. And when you eeaves drop, you hear about how Leo is constantly teased on how he still misses you after literally being in cahoots with the enemy. You always look like he wants to jump off the nearest bridge at any mention of you and is making your chest swell.

[Holy Frick that was so much writing. I just started spitting out words like I was Niki Minaj :0 anyway remember to charge your battery and drink smth]

DONNIE

You were a heavy materialist and you studied biology like it was your native language. You love the study of creatures and how their mechanisms worked. So just imagine the shock you got when you met a mutated talking turtle! Holy shit!

Now unlike Leo, Donnie may be love sick but he is smart. Any suspicious behavior will not go unnoticed by him. So he will ask you when he can for any suspicious acts you may have. However we are forgetting the fact that he is love sick. So anytime it seems like he is catching onto you, just butter him up, flirtatiously hold his hand or even a simple kiss on the cheek that startles him will make him immediately forget what he was thinking.

Now. Why the hell are you sus and what are you hiding from Donnie boy? .... you wanna capture him and offer him up to the American government to do testing on his fascinating mutated form and to involve yourself with the mysteries of his creature like appearance using high technology the government has caved in their confidential labs!..... what's that look for? Wouldn't you wanna try dissecting a living organism to look at its each individual cells that build together mixed with chemicals to make a tiny turtle into a humanoid mutant capable of learning the highest for of fighting?

For those who are lost, you wanna sell him and his brothers to the government to let them help you do tests on them.

Your plan was full proof. Get close, mingle, trap, sell, test. So that being said, you could have gotten away with it, but... your sleep schedule screwed you over. You were in Donnie's lab with the confidential files and papers you had planning your trap and explaining your plan. You, however, forgot to drink coffee and fell asleep in your chair. So when you had your princess nap Donnie read through the files.

Let's just say you woke to a not so happy Donnie. You smiled and groaned a good morning. You stretched as your eyes long on the desk next to you. With you documents wide open. Suddenly you didn't need a cup of coffee to wake up cause you were WIDE awake.

"Wanna explain?"

You couldn't explain anything without seeming like a flat liar.

"You weren't supposed to see this.."

"OH really? Cause it looks like you wanna sell me off to the higher-ups to do unsolicited lab tests on us."

He said sassing you. You were caught. You had nothing to say. Your brain looking for different solutions to this....

"These aren't mine. Do you honestly believe I would ever do something bad to you?"

YEAH, CAUSE GASLIGHTING IS TOTALLY GONNA WORK Y/N! God, why are you so smart and so stupid 😒

"Really? Because if I'm reading right these have your signature on them. And folder has your full name on it."

YOUR SCREWED. YOUR DEAD HA BYE GURL!

"I-"

"Honestly I don't blame you if I had a discovery I'd wanna study it's entire living organism. But you had the audacity to come into our house, lead me on and expect to just ship up off?"

"I know it seems bad, I don't really mean bad intent!"

"No, your intent was perfectly fine. You knew what you were doing, and yet you still did it for months, may I say! Did you really have such low morality to say you love me but go and backstab me like this?"

Right so your traped. And thinking of a way out. The turtles are all sprawled on the floor of the living room. Master Splinter is in his quarters and you had a ticked off Donnie in front of you. If you timed it right you could make a break for it and escape. Then contact the government and they could do your dirty work for you. You chose to keep Donnie and the government keeps his brothers and you live happily every after with you and your turtle boyfriend that will be locked up in a test tube.

Donnie was still talking, but your brain didn't want to hear anymore of his disappointed tone and stern but hurt face. So at the right moment.. you bolted for the open lab door, not even bothering to look back. You hop over the couch and make a break for it out the sewers and into the new York City night. You stopped once you knew you were safe. It's safe to say you would be avoiding them for now....

After that, you had decided not to rat them out. And as miserable and sad it sounds, you went back to Donnie. He surprisedly forgave you after a few weeks. However, he will never forget. He will sass you about it all the time, and you still feel dread whenever it's brought up. Splinter threatens you to never pull a stunt like that again.

[This one is more goofier than expected]

RAPH

Sorry if I'm a little bad a raph.

SO THIS IS GONNA BE CRAZY. my mind works in mysterious ways.

You and raph were an odd pair. But you complimented each other nicely. He was still the tough asshole he was. He wasn't suddenly a softy when you came by. But he was alone more patient and understanding when it came to you. But this man will catch you out on your bluff immediately. He doesn't care how close you guys are if you're sus he WILL say it to your face. Luckily, that has never happened. You made sure it hasn't.

What's your secret with raphy? Well.. in a battle, he lost one of his weapons and couldn't find it, so he thought it's fine and he'd get another one from Splinter. So in battle, that sword thingy went flying, and it flew you and hit your newly bough puppy.. YES HE KILLED YOUR DOGGY JUST AS YOU BOUGHT HIM [this sounds so fucking stupid I'm sorry I'm tired it's 3am..]

So you vowed to take back his life by kidnapping his pet spike. You got close to him, and he plan was full proof. You spent your time and dedication to finding who killed your dog, getting close to them, and earning trust. So one day, all the turtles were our doing who knows what. You reached into spiked tank and scooped him up. You slowly walked to the door and of liar only to be met with a raph.

Silence passed for a solid few moments. Have I mentioned that you still weren't allowed to do anything but feed spike. And you were especially told that you weren't allowed to even take him out of the tank.

"What do you think your doing?"

He was confused and simply just didn't understand what bullshittery you were doing. He registers from your shocked face, spike in your hands, and you almost on your way out the door.

"Are you kidnapping Spike?"

You didn't know what to do, but you knew that from his tense expression that he would beat the shit out of you. Especially since you should've waited longer for him to trust you more.

"Okay, listen. You know what I'm doing. I know that I'm doing. Can we just fight it out cause I'm not leaving this liar empty handed."

"Wow, a person after my own heart. Or should I say my own pet?"

You got into your fighting stances and literally tossed Spike around like a basketball as he just seemed chill about being passed like a beach ball. It was a on going battle, and it ended with you without spike and out the house. But this won't be the last of you.

[THAT WAS SO SHIT IM SO SORRY IM GONNA REDO THAT LATER I APOLOGIZE.]

MICKEY

You were a skater and had recently moved into the city. You find a nice empty skate park at night and meet Mickey. You guys bond and stuff, and you two match each other's enemy it's adorable and cute. Not you see hickey is adorable but has no awareness. If you are sketchy, then he will just shrug it off or not even notice. He is the one turtle you don't need to persuade in any way to make sure he doesn't catch on. Of course, if it's bluntant, then he will recognize it, duh.

What the hell is your problem? You wanna make it big as an influencer but find it hard to get a Kickstart to having skatetok notice you. But like woah dude.. imagine like a video of a mutant turtle doing kickflips. That would definitely make you blow up. But you need to be able to be close with him to get good camera angles and he can't know that your recording him! Heavens no.

Now somewhere in the mix you end up dating and it's not crossed your mind that this plan for stardom wasn't full proof. You started hanging out with Mickey more and talking to him. You guys became inseparable. You kept telling yourself it was for your fame but you know damn as hell that it's because he's growing on you.

Now other than forgetting your main purpose in this plan you realize that capturing an experienced skater that moves fast, and doesn't know your recording them is harder than it looks.

However after trying and getting distracted you finally caught the perfect video. Now. How did Mickey find out? Simple. You left your phone out. He was nosey and went to your gallery and found the video. He also looked through your notes and found your double sided plan. Not cool man

He shows you the phone like what's this about?? You brush it off and tell him the truth. He asks if the video would actually reach millions if you post it. You say yes and suddenly he feels less betrayed. You guys post the video it get 5 likes and 10 views. You guys take it down after a day.

After that, he still brings it up every so often to diss you on your failed achievement, but in general, you guys are fine.

THAT WAS HORRIBLE WE STARTED OFF STRONG THEN WE WENT BALLING TO THE GROUND

Anyway I'll make up for it I promise

~Tammy<3

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soxcietyy · 1 year ago

Text

Suspicions

Yuta x reader

Pt2

˚₊‧꒰𓆩 ♱ 𓆪꒱ ‧₊˚ : Your husband has always kept a low profile of himself. Not saying much about anything, especially his profession.

The day that you met him was the day when you thought you met the one. He was kind, sweet and very caring towards you. He was the type of man that any female would swoon over. That was you until you stumbled upon something interesting. You remember that one day you snuck into his office, you were looking for a letter from your mom that she said she sent you days ago. Not being able to find it in the mail box or in the house you decided to look in his office. His desk was a hugemess full of papers and books. While searching your eyes landed upon a tan folder. You slowly open it up to make sure your husband didn’t accidentally slip it in there. This was the worst mistake you could if done, or could it have been a wake up call.

Inside you could see a list of names with pictures next to them. They seemed to be pictures of people out in public going by there daily life’s. Some names were crossed out but you couldn’t figure out why. You found it odd that he had such papers until you flipped the page to see a picture of a tree with coordinates written next to them. You raise your brow and flip back to the first page.

You suddenly identify a face from the missing people adds that came up on television. Slowly turning the page you realize something. All the pieces came together slowly making you drop the papers. You stood there frozen in disbelief. This had to be a stupid misunderstanding of yours. But if that was the case why did your husband never talk to you about work? About how all his income was made? Why was this missing persons name next to the picture of the place where the news reported his body. Before you could think more into it you hear a familiar voice.

"Darling im home, and I come bearing gifts." He said loudly.

Your breath hitches as you quickly put everything back and run to the door. But before you could open it you see him swinging the door open.

"May I ask what you’re doing in my office?" He says looking down at you. You didn’t know if you should have been shocked on how fast he got here or how he found you.

You scan his face trying to identify if he was mad or not. You already knew he had forbidden you from entering his work place. Obviously he was going to be furious seeing you couldn’t obey simple commands.

"I was about to look for a letter that my mom should have sent me. Usually you get the mail and take it to your office. So I thought it would be here." You say maintaining eye contact with him.

He slowly leans down inspecting you before his hand reaches for your chin. "Next time ask me darling," he says as he plants a kiss on you.

Days after you couldn’t help but think of you were crazy for thinking your husband was a murderer. It was hard to tell seeing how Normal he acted. How loving he was towards you and the way he showered you with affection. No psycho would do something like that.

Though tonight might of sealed the deal for you. You sat next to your husband in the dining table. Both of you ate dinner like always but you suddenly lost your appetite. Yuta had came home late and requested to eat dinner the second he arrived. Clearly he was in a rush due to his messy clothes and the red blood stains on his cheek. Obviously he hadn’t had time to look at himself yet.

If that wasn’t enough he also arrived with a gun peaking out of his coat, a swollen arm and dirt on his white dress shirt.

"Is something wrong? You’re hardly touching your food." He asks concerned.

You shake your head afore taking a bite of your food. Finding it imposible for swallowing because of the lump in your throat. You see how Yuta tries to read you but fails. He wasn’t an idiot so he knew something was wrong he just didn’t know what.

If he found out that you discovered his secret what would happen? Would he make you be quiet? Or would you end up like the people on the list?

"You seem quite distracted recently. Is it because you spend a lot of time at home alone? If so I think I have quite an easy fix for that." He says as he stands up and approaches you. It takes him two long strides until he’s behind your chair. Wrapping his arm around you and resting his head on your shoulder.

"Maybe it’s time I give you a little one so you can keep yourself occupied no?" He whispers into your ear.

Only an idiot would agree to that in this situation. Having a kid with a murdere? Actually wanting to make a family with someone that could kill you? Having to pretend nothing is wrong for the rest of your life? and that you were an idiot. You turn around to look at him and nod at him quickly. Maybe he was right, thats what you needed right now. He hasn’t harmed you and he probably never would. He was madly in love with you and treated you like a queen. He bought you anything you wished and whatever you said goes. It was something you didn’t want to lose.

You plant a kiss on his lips and then licked your thumb to wipe the blood off his cheek.

He looked at you socked for a second before you said,

"You had food on your face sweetie. Now about that kid-"

#yuta okkotsu #jjk second years #jjk movie #yuta okkotsu x reader #yuta okkotsu x you #jjk x y/n #jjk 0 movie #jujutsu kaisen #yuta okkotsu x y/n #yuta okkotsu smut #yuuta x reader #okkotsu yuuta x reader #okkotsu yuuta #jjk yuuta

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themissinghand · 2 years ago

Text

Genshin Impact: The Overworked God [1]

Part 2

Summary: In which one of the lore writers who help write the world of Genshin Impact was suddenly thrusted in the very world they created. He doesn't know how this happened and the way home seemed like a pipe dream.

Well, testing characters is one thing, but playing God?

Oh boy.

Note: SAGAU if you squint but not really. Mainly fluff and healing mainly between a tired worker and the oldest Archon.

Male OC!

Warning: Genshin themes with mentions of war, and death. And OC needs some rest.

"Good morning, your Grace."

"5 more minutes..?"

"You are the Creator."

It took approximately one hard pinch to the elbow and 55 seconds later that Kai decided (albeit begrudgingly) that this was his reality.

Always negotiate the terms and pay for any job.

Payment is obviously going back home, but also monetary compensation, enough to retire early as a billionaire. And maybe a nice villa. Or bed.

Until Kai goes home, he might as well get an easier life here.

Which clearly did not go as intended.

"I will not be the babysitter for any Archon." Kai already has countries to run, royal families to manage, and human relationships are ever so complicated. He doesn't have the time nor desire to babysit gods for goodness sake.

And besides, the 7 Archons comes so much later in time!

He's a game writer, not a politician or babysitter! It's only because he played kingdom simulation games before and read too many fictional works that he could figure things out.

Celestia is supposed to be his assistant since he's the Creator, but isn't he working too hard!? At this point, he's gonna retire early!

"But your Grace, you cannot manage the world yourself. Archons can help manage them for you!"

Yes, Celestia gave up in speaking in elegant and ambiguous ways after their first negotiation session.

Kai thought about it for a bit before agreeing, anything that spelled less work for him, he'll take it!

"But, I'm not going to be a babysitter!"

Archon war?

Stop making me do more work!

What happened? It was peaceful for such a long time!

Was it because there were too many gods or powerful creatures? Damn Celestia, you're supposed to keep it under control!

Kai has a migraine everyday, so this wasn't surprising, but did the gods have to fight each other, just so only 7 left?!

Celestia!

"It must be done your Grace! Isn't this what you and your team wrote?"

"Well I changed my mind."

"Your Grace! If you go out there now, they will use you and your powers!"

"But I can't watch people die just because some stupid god or creature that wants power!"

Celestia remained silent at his outburst.

"Tempus. It's too late, it had already begun."

"Celestia!"

"Everything is your will after all. You wrote the story, didn't you?"

It was then did Kai realize that Celestia didn't follow him, but rather the words and designs set by his team in the real world.

Celestia is like an AI robot, one that only acts in accordance to the wishes of it's Creator.

But isn't he the Creator right now?! Does this mean he needs more power to be recognized, or overthrow the set system?

Kai stomped out in fury and for the first time, not as Kai, but the God of Time and Creation.

Tempus.

Tempus never thought he would play God, but here he is, relying on his godly powers to save what's left of his creation.

"Tempus."

Kai sent his final message to his country's royal family before turning to greet the rude guest.

"Morax." One of the 7 victors of war, a newly appointed Archon, entered without announcing anything beforehand and immediately strides towards Kai.

When Morax stops in front of him, there's an awkward silence between them, and Kai knows this man is waiting for something.

"No." But Kai declines. He's got why too much things to deal with and he's not going to do something he's done too many times.

"Guizhong is dead." Kai frowns, ah, of course.

"Please." Morax pleads, and Kai is put at odds when seeing the Lord of Geo so weak, so desperate.

"Morax. You know I cannot."

"Kai." He almost hisses, and Kai could care less.

"I'll do anything to bring everyone back."

"They will die no matter what."

Because I wrote it.

"Shut up!" Kai does not flinch when the God of Contracts claws at him. He simply stares into those golden eyes of fury and desperation.

"Turn back time! Do it!" The entire world quakes at his call, and Tempus is stuck.

Stuck between pity and reality.

"If I do, what will you do? What can you do?" Tempus responds, tired of this entire show. He groans when he felt strong claws around his neck.

"I'll save Guizhong! I'll stop the Archon war!"

"You'll only suffer and regret." Like him.

"I will not." The resolve in his voice is undeniable.

"If only you had been there with me then Guizhong-"

"Will die. If not by the war, then by her people."

"What?" Morax freezes, and Kai could hear the bitter realization hit him.

"If not by her people, then by fate. If not by fate, then by Celestia, by YOU! You of all people know even Gods die, Morax. It's a war." Kai is sick of it.

Tempus tried everything, but he is a powerless, useless god against his own pen in his home world.

Morax inhales, then exhales.

"Do it. Turn back time."

Tempus sighs, a distant memory of a determined, hard-working, and adorable adepti resurfaced in his mind.

He remembers laughing and writing Zhongli's character-

"One chance." Then the Lord of Geo lets go and bows.

"Thank you." Tempus puts a hand on Morax's bloodied shoulder and closes his eyes.

This conversation turns into one of the past.

The Archon war occurs, and Tempus watches Morax fail.

If he prevents one red flag, another arises.

Everything repeats, like a never-ending cycle of torture.

"Morax."

"Tempus." The God of Time stops behind his sitting figure in front of Guizhong and many of his colleagues' graves.

Tempus puts a glazed lily on each of the graves and offers his own condolences.

"Morax. It's over now. Return."

"And where would I return?" Tempus holds out his hand.

"Then, come with me."

Morax accepted and followed.

For some reason, Morax holds onto his hand like his lifeline, and Tempus allows him.

Just like that, the two Gods made their way to Temporium, a land where time moves differently than in the rest of the world.

Temporium is a wonderful nation.

Old as time, this country is the first nation Tempus raised from the ground. It is also the country that he chose to call "home".

The royal family is the one that manages the country and Tempus is merely a guide and protector, helping them navigate the dangers of the past and the future.

His protective shield around this land slows down or speeds up time within the shield, creating a safe haven that is immune to any outside influences.

Kai wants to make this country similar to his real home.

Before he was thrown into this madness.

Tempus leads Morax into a transparent dome known as a green house and stops.

"Morax. Time is limited. So cherish it."

Surrounded by flowers and greenery, there stood a woman with a gentle smile.

"Morax?"

Tempus watches them reunite and thinks that losing sleep is worth it.

Looking up into the skies, Tempus thinks that since he was able to change fate, just slightly, it means Tempus is stronger, but not enough.

Celestia is wavering.

But he's too late.

Too many died, and too many suffered due to his hand. He can't just turn back time, for he will also revert to the past "him".

Nevertheless, Tempus swore to change the plot, and maybe, just maybe, end this never-ending madness.

Seeing as to how Morax and Guizhong are fine, Tempus disappears and reappears under a cherry blossom tree.

There was another person he saved, a sister and leader to many. There, two sisters cried in each other’s arms like no tomorrow.

Tempus watches solemnly, and repeats the same disappearing and reappearing, many times.

Tempus shouldn't be at this tea party.

"Morax. Let's rebuild Liyue."

"Guizhong. They betrayed you." Morax clearly looks like he was withholding his rage.

"I know." Guizhong acknowledges, but isn't afraid.

"But even so, I understand their reasons. To protect their land from an unwanted war."

Her kindness knows no bounds. Truly, no one deserves her.

"Thus Morax, this time, we will rebuild Liyue with the adepti, and we will stand together. As always."

"Guizhong. I...cannot afford to lose you again." She smiles wistfully, and then looks at Tempus.

"I too am afraid of disappearing, and without Tempus, perhaps I would have perished. It was he who saved me and led me to his realm to heal. For that, thank you."

Morax too bows in gratitude.

"I apologize that I cannot save everyone."

"That would be too much to ask from you, Tempus. For you are not an omnipotent, omniscient or omnipresent God."

For the first time, Tempus feels slightly relieved at someone's words.

"I'm sure you did your best and already changed so many people’s lives."

Huh. A soft smile blooms on his face and the two seemed surprised.

Truly, no one deserves her.

Eventually they leave, and Tempus, sends them off peacefully, wishing them the best.

Then, Liyue is built once again.

This time, they build the foundation and protect the city together.

But again, even the gods cannot go against time.

When Guizhong dies, she dies as she scatters her wisdom all over Liyue, to her people, to her country and to her loved ones.

This time, she dies without regrets.

This time, she dies because Celestia told her it was time.

There was no forewarning, but it looked like she knew.

She spent the last of her time with Morax and Tempus before she fades and flutters away like dust.

Again, Morax receives a stone dumbbell, challenging him to unlock.

But this time, there was one thing that changed.

"Morax, I hope you can befriend Tempus. He's the oldest of all gods, the one who has drifted the longest among all. Yet, he is perhaps the one that is the loneliest and wisest, or perhaps that is why he acts the way he acts." She says after she gives him her dumbbell.

"If I have one regret, it would be that I have never gained his trust."

"Guizhong, that's impossible-"

"Morax, he has never shown us more than courtesy and kindness. Maybe I am greedy, but I want to become a friend to all." She smiles.

"That is why, I hope you can be his friend in place of I."

"Of course. By your gift, I pledge to fulfill your will." Morax holds her hand as she disintegrates.

"Thank you Morax. I hope only happiness and prosperity follow you."

Like dust, they slip through his fingers and disappear.

Like all of his comrades, friends, and loved ones.

And Tempus could only watch from the distance like a powerless God he is.

"The loneliest and wisest huh..."

He could only laugh bitterly.

"Tempus."

"Morax." The god replies with a low hum, "What brings you here?"

"I want to give you my gratitude."

"No need." Tempus does not turn to greet him, but simply continues to write. Morax watches him write with a mysterious utensil, a pen.

Tempus truly is worthy of being called a genius amongst geniuses.

A god who built a country, and protected his realm despite the Archon War, and survived. No wonder he is heavily respected and worshiped by his people.

"Teach me."

The god stops.

"What are you talking about?"

"Teach me how to build Liyue."

"It's already built."

"How to govern as a God." Without Guizhong and his friends, Morax is incapable of running a country. His hands were made to fight and seal monsters, not to care for people.

"You do not need to govern a country. Barbatos-"

"He's a fool." Morax heard a muffled laugh.

"But his country is still functioning quite well isn't it?" Tempus turns around, his azure eyes meets his golden ones.

"Tempus."

"What will I get in return? God of Contracts?" Tempus smiles before he stands.

"What do you need?"

"Trade." Morax blinks.

"Free trade amongst civilians. No taxes or barriers." Morax doesn't quite understand his terms, but he's willing to learn.

"I accept."

"You don't even know what I said didn't you?" Tempus crosses his arms and shook his head.

"I believe you are a fair person and one who will teach me what I need to know.”

“Just like old times isn’t it?”

This was Morax's first contract, and certainly won't be the last.

Time passes quickly, and soon, Morax and Barbatos become the two of the original seven left.

Despite this, Tempus does his job as both a Creator and babysitter job well.

He ensures Gods fulfill their duty and if they need help, they can seek him out. If Tempus ever saw something worth his time (which is like...every time), he too would interfere, gaining the Archons' favour.

He realized the power of the butterfly effect. From saving Gods such as Guizhong and Makoto, even with what little power he had during the Archon War to extend their life, it played an immense part in changing the Archons themselves.

Again, too much work, and too little time.

Even if he slows down time, he could never get enough sleep.

It's also blatantly obviously the Archons are treating him too well, but he originally thought it made sense with all the effort he put in to change the plot.

But their affectionate gestures increased after they found of he was the Creator.

Tempus really shouldn't have told Morax this a while back and allowed him to tell the other Archons. Luckily, he prevented them from telling anyone else under the pretense that it was his order.

Even so, Kai finally feels a little more at ease. He could finally get some sleep.

Could he really complain about the children (Archons) when they gave him the most premium material to sleep on?

Or hear a private concert from a certain bard?

Or try out the best food in the jungles?

Or let him sleep under the giant cherry blossoms whenever he wants?

Or take him out to a hot springs in Liyue?

"Kai. How are you feeling?" Zhongli asks from behind him, who is washing his long, long hair.

"Good...Thanks...Zhongli."

Kai can finally relax a bit and it’s well deserved. Taking care of kids is hard. Much less 7 at once.

At least they’re paying him back with interest.

Zhongli couldn't help but smile proudly when the sleepless God fell asleep in his domain.

He'd be sure to brag about this at their next Archon meeting.

Not knowing it would be their last.

#manga #genshin impact #genshin fanfic #genshin fluff #genshin #genshin imagines #genshin x reader #genshin sagau #zhongli #genshin morax #genshin impact morax #morax #rex lapis #genshin x oc #genshin x male reader #zhongli x oc #zhongli x reader

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thatlotuscookie · 3 months ago

Note

hi, how are you going? i was wondering if you could write something for dabi x reader who is civilian (she's not a hero and she's not a villain) but she's not quirkless either (she has a healing quirk, but she can heal only bleeding wounds). and one day dabi gets hurt on his mission and he passes out or something and reader finds him and obviously recognizes him and debates if she should take a villain to her house but decided to treat his wounds and take care of him. and she does, and the next morning dabi wakes up in a warm, cozy room and he feels like home for the first time in forever (i feel like even though villains have those hideouts they're still kinda homeless) he feels like he doesn't want to ever leave this place. and he keeps coming back every time he's hurt, and he falls in love with reader and he wants to spend every possible night with her in her house❤️🥺so cute. could you make it a longer one please

✧･ﾟ: a/n : love thiss. thank you for the request anon and thank you for the wait. i hope you enjoy this one

✧ Title: ✧ A Home for the Wounded ✧ ✧ Characters: Dabi x Fem!Reader ✧ Genre: Romance, Drama, Slight Angst, ✧ Rating: T ✧ Summary: You’re just a regular civilian with a healing quirk that can only heal bleeding wounds. One day, you find Dabi unconscious after a mission gone wrong. ✧ Content Warnings/Tags: Depictions of injury, Discussions of mental health, Dabi x Reader, Healing Quirk, Vulnerability, Slow Burn, Emotional Growth, Domestic Fluff, Comfort ✧ WC: 3120 words // 17k chars

The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the small town as you prepared dinner in your cozy kitchen. The rich aroma of herbs and spices filled the air, wrapping you in a comforting embrace. You were used to taking care of others, tending to the wounded with your healing quirk. It was a gift that made you feel somewhat out of place—neither a hero nor a villain, just a civilian with a knack for mending broken bodies.

As you chopped vegetables, you hummed softly, lost in the rhythm of preparing dinner. It was a peaceful evening, and the world outside seemed far away. You took a moment to enjoy the solitude, reflecting on your day spent tending to a few minor injuries from a local sports event.

However, the tranquility was shattered by a loud crash echoing from the alley outside your home. A jolt of adrenaline surged through you as your heart raced. Curiosity piqued, you set down your knife and approached the window, peering out into the dimming light. What you saw sent a wave of panic through you.

Dabi, the notorious villain you had only heard about in hushed whispers, lay sprawled out in the alley, barely conscious. His torn clothes and the deep gash on his side were stark against the cold ground. Blood pooled around him like a dark omen, and the sight made your stomach churn.

Fighting against your instincts, you took a deep breath. “He needs help,” you whispered to yourself, glancing back at your safe home. You couldn’t just let him bleed out. Despite the risks, you rushed outside, heart pounding in your chest.

As you approached, a mix of fear and determination filled you. Dabi looked up, confusion and pain flashing in his eyes. “What are you doing here?” he slurred, trying to push himself up but failing.

“Just stay still,” you replied, kneeling beside him. “I’m going to help you.”

He smirked weakly, though it looked more like a grimace. “You really think you can help a villain?”

You focused on assessing the wound, feeling a sense of urgency wash over you. “I have a healing quirk. It’ll stop the bleeding, but you need to get to a hospital.”

He shook his head, his expression turning serious. “No hospitals. Just… do what you can.”

With a determined nod, you helped him sit up, positioning yourself behind him to support his weight. “Alright, but you need to trust me. I’m going to carry you back to my place.”

He snorted, clearly skeptical. “Yeah, right. And how do you plan to do that?”

“I’m stronger than I look,” you said, mustering your confidence. It took every ounce of strength, but you managed to help him back to your house. As you crossed the threshold, a rush of anxiety coursed through you. What were you doing, bringing a villain into your home? But the thought of leaving him out there, bleeding and vulnerable, made it impossible to turn back.

Once inside, you guided him to your small living room, where a plush couch awaited. Dabi flopped onto it, letting out a pained groan as you hurried to gather your supplies. Your hands shook slightly as you prepared antiseptic and gauze, your mind racing with what could go wrong.

“Just… get it over with,” he muttered, closing his eyes.

You could see the tension in his shoulders, and it made your heart ache. As you applied antiseptic to the wound, trying to be gentle, he winced. “Sorry,” you murmured, focusing on the task at hand.

After cleaning the wound, you concentrated your healing quirk on the gash, feeling the warmth of your energy seep into him. It was a strange sensation, being so close to someone you’d only ever heard of in hushed whispers. As the blood began to clot and the wound started to close, you couldn’t help but steal glances at him. The scars on his body told stories of battles fought and hardships endured.

When you finally finished, Dabi opened his eyes, blinking slowly. “That… actually helped,” he said, surprise evident in his voice.

You smiled softly, feeling a sense of relief wash over you. “Good. Just try to rest now. You’ll need your strength.”

He propped himself up on the couch, looking around your cozy living room. “You really brought me here, huh?”

“Someone had to help you,” you replied, grabbing a blanket from the back of the couch and tossing it over him. “Besides, I couldn’t just leave you out there.”

His gaze softened as he watched you, a mixture of gratitude and something deeper flickering in his eyes. “You’re different,” he mused, almost to himself. “Most people would’ve just run the other way.”

“I’m not most people,” you said lightly, sitting down in a chair across from him. “Besides, everyone deserves help, even you.”

Dabi snorted, an amused glint in his eyes. “That’s a dangerous mindset to have.”

You shrugged, feeling your cheeks flush at the intensity of his gaze. “Maybe. But it’s how I was raised. People can surprise you.”

A comfortable silence fell between you, the only sound the soft rustle of the blanket as he shifted. Dabi looked more relaxed now, the tension in his body easing.

Eventually, he spoke up again, his voice quieter. “You have a nice place. Feels… cozy.”

You smiled, warmth flooding your chest at his compliment. “Thanks. It’s not much, but I like it.”

He met your gaze, a serious look in his eyes. “I’ve never really had a home, you know? Just hideouts and places to lay low.”

Your heart ached at his confession, realizing how lonely he must feel despite being surrounded by others in the League. “You can stay here as long as you need to,” you offered without thinking.

“Really?” Dabi’s voice was low, disbelief flickering across his features.

“Of course. I mean, I can’t have you bleeding out on my couch. It’s just… common sense.” You laughed lightly, trying to ease the tension, but there was a hint of truth to your words. You found yourself wanting him around.

He regarded you for a moment, and you could see the conflict in his eyes. “You don’t get it. I’m not… I’m not a good person.”

“Neither am I,” you replied with a small smile. “But we can try to be better together, right?”

Dabi chuckled, the sound deep and low. “You really are something else, huh?”

You shrugged again, feeling a rush of warmth at his words. “You’re not so bad yourself, you know.”

He settled back against the couch, a soft smile forming on his lips. “Guess I’ll be crashing here more often then.”

Your heart skipped a beat, excitement coursing through you at the thought. You spent the night talking, sharing stories and laughing, and as the hours passed, Dabi’s presence filled the room with a warmth that felt strangely comforting. You found yourself entranced by the way he spoke, the way his eyes sparkled when he shared a piece of himself with you.

When morning came, you woke to the soft rays of sunlight streaming through your window. You glanced over to see Dabi still asleep on the couch, his features peaceful and serene, a stark contrast to the chaos he usually embodied. You couldn’t help but smile at the sight—he looked almost vulnerable in that moment, a man stripped of his villainous façade.

After preparing breakfast, you set a plate beside him, gently nudging him awake. Dabi blinked awake, disoriented for a moment until his gaze landed on the food. “What’s this?”

“Breakfast,” you said cheerfully. “Thought you might be hungry.”

He sat up slowly, the blanket slipping off his shoulders. You noticed the way he hesitated before reaching for the food, almost as if he were unsure he deserved it.

“Eat up,” you encouraged, handing him a fork.

As he took a bite, his eyes widened in surprise. “This is… actually good.”

You laughed, enjoying the look of disbelief on his face. “Of course it is. I’m not that bad of a cook!”

Dabi smirked, his demeanor lightening as he took another bite. “Guess I underestimated you.”

A comfortable silence fell between you again, the warmth of the food and the cozy atmosphere wrapping around you like a blanket.

“Thanks for not kicking me out last night,” Dabi said suddenly, his voice quieter than before. “You didn’t have to take me in.”

You shrugged, a soft smile on your lips. “I wanted to help. And honestly, I’m glad you’re here.”

His gaze flickered to you, and you could feel the intensity of his stare. “You’re something else, you know that? Most people wouldn’t want a villain in their home.”

“Maybe they just don’t see the person beneath the villain,” you replied, feeling brave. “Everyone has their reasons for being who they are.”

He fell silent, and for a moment, you wondered what thoughts were swirling through his mind. Then, he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, his expression serious. “You’re not afraid of me?”

“Should I be?” you teased lightly, trying to ease the tension. But deep down, you felt a twinge of vulnerability in his question.

“Maybe,” he replied, his smirk returning. “But I’m glad you’re not.”

The two of you spent the rest of the day talking, laughing, and sharing stories about your lives. The more you learned about him, the more you realized how complex he truly was—a man shaped by pain, longing for acceptance and a place to call home.

As night fell, you found yourself sitting on the couch together, the soft glow of the lamp illuminating the room. Dabi was leaning against the armrest, his eyes slightly unfocused as he glanced at you, lost in thought.

“What’s on your mind?” you asked, curiosity bubbling up inside you.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke. “You’re the first person who’s ever made me feel… normal.”

Your heart swelled at his words. “Normal can be overrated. It’s nice to be a little different.”

Dabi chuckled softly, and you couldn’t help but smile back at him. The connection between you deepened, and you knew that despite the darkness of his past, there was a light that could shine through.

In the weeks that followed, Dabi became a regular fixture in your life. He would appear at your doorstep, sometimes with small gifts—a book he thought you’d like or a random trinket he found interesting. And every time he entered your home, it felt like an adventure waiting to unfold.

You shared meals, movie nights, and late-night conversations that stretched into the early hours. Slowly, the barriers between you began to dissolve, and you both found solace in each other’s company. You learned to see the man beneath the scars and shadows, and Dabi learned that not everyone would judge him for his past.

One night, as you curled up together on the couch, Dabi looked at you with an intensity that made your heart race. “You’ve changed me,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

You turned to face him, searching his gaze for the truth in his words. “I just helped you see who you really are. You’re not just a villain, Dabi.”

He smiled softly, and you could see a glimmer of hope in his eyes. “Maybe I don’t have to be.”

As you leaned in closer, feeling the warmth radiating from him, you knew that this connection was something special. It was more than just helping a wounded villain; it was about two souls finding their way to each other amidst the chaos of the world.

In that moment, you realized that together, you could create a space that felt like home—a place where both of you could heal, grow, and perhaps even find love.

As the weeks turned into months, your bond deepened. Dabi started to reveal more about his past, the struggles he faced, and the choices he made. And each time, you listened without judgment, offering comfort and understanding. In return, he shared laughter, jokes, and even moments of vulnerability that he had never shown anyone before.

It was during one particularly quiet evening that you both found yourselves lying on the couch, watching the stars twinkle outside your window. The weight of unspoken words hung in the air, and you turned to him, your heart racing.

“Dabi,” you began hesitantly, “do you ever think about what it would be like to… start over?”

He turned his head to look at you, his expression thoughtful. “Every day. But it’s hard to imagine what that would look like for me.”

“What if it didn’t have to be so hard?” you proposed gently. “What if you could find a new path, one that didn’t involve the League or the darkness that surrounds you?”

He studied you for a long moment, and you could see the flicker of hope in his eyes. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It’s not easy,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “But I believe it’s possible. And I want to help you find that path.”

He leaned closer, his heart pounding in his chest. “You really mean that?”

You nodded, determination filling you. “I do. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

As the tension between you thickened, Dabi hesitated before reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “You’re… something else, you know that?”

“I just want to see you happy,” you replied softly, your heart racing at the closeness.

In that moment, something shifted between you. Dabi leaned in, his lips brushing against yours in a tentative kiss. It was soft at first, both of you surprised by the sudden rush of emotions that surged between you. But as the kiss deepened, you melted against him, your heart soaring.

When you finally pulled back, both breathless and wide-eyed, Dabi’s gaze locked onto yours. “I didn’t expect that.”

“Neither did I,” you admitted, your cheeks flushing. “But I’m glad it happened.”

He smirked, the familiar mischief returning to his expression. “Guess I’ll have to keep surprising you then.”

From that day on, your relationship evolved into something beautiful. You spent your days exploring the world together, finding joy in the little things. Dabi would teach you about the city’s hidden corners, and you would introduce him to your favorite hobbies—cooking, painting, and even gardening. With each passing moment, the walls he had built around his heart began to crumble.

You watched as he blossomed, the light of hope flickering brighter in his eyes. He started to smile more, laugh freely, and even open up about his dreams. It was a remarkable transformation, and you couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride for the progress he was making.

But with every step forward, there were also challenges. Dabi would sometimes pull away, haunted by his past, and the weight of his choices would threaten to drown him. During those moments, you would remind him of the strength he held within, encouraging him to keep pushing forward.

One evening, as you sat together on the porch, the sunset casting a golden hue over the landscape, Dabi turned to you with a serious expression. “What if I mess this up? What if I can’t be the person you see in me?”

You reached out, intertwining your fingers with his. “You’re not perfect, and neither am I. But we’ll face whatever comes our way together. You don’t have to do this alone.”

He let out a shaky breath, the weight of uncertainty lifting slightly. “You really believe that, don’t you?”

“Absolutely,” you replied, squeezing his hand. “You’ve already come so far. I have faith in you.”

In that moment, Dabi leaned in, pressing his forehead against yours. “I don’t deserve you.”

“That’s not true,” you whispered, your heart swelling with affection. “You deserve all the happiness in the world. And I want to help you find it.”

As he pulled back, his gaze softened, and a genuine smile broke across his face. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

You laughed lightly, feeling the warmth of his words wash over you. “I’m just being honest.”

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Your bond only grew stronger, and each day spent together felt like an adventure waiting to unfold. Dabi began to find solace in your presence, and the shadows that once loomed over him started to fade away.

One night, as you sat on the couch together, a movie playing in the background, Dabi looked at you with a thoughtful expression. “You’ve changed my life.”

You turned to him, surprise flickering in your eyes. “I didn’t do that much.”

“Yes, you did,” he insisted, his tone serious. “You showed me that I can be more than just a villain. You’ve given me hope.”

Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes, overwhelmed by his words. “I just wanted you to see the person I see.”

Dabi reached out, brushing his thumb over your cheek. “And I want to be that person for you. I’m done running from my past.”

Your heart soared at his confession, a sense of relief washing over you. “I believe in you.”

As the weeks passed, you began to make plans for a future together—one where Dabi could start fresh, free from the constraints of his past. You dreamt of traveling, exploring new places, and creating memories that would last a lifetime.

One evening, as you prepared dinner together, Dabi watched you chop vegetables with an amused expression. “I can’t believe you actually enjoy cooking,” he teased, leaning against the counter.

You shot him a playful glare, a smile tugging at your lips. “What’s wrong with cooking? It’s therapeutic!”

He shrugged, feigning innocence. “Just never thought I’d meet a villain who loves to cook.”

You chuckled, the lightness of the moment easing any lingering tension. “Well, you know what they say—everyone has layers.”

“Just like an onion,” he quipped, mimicking the way you chopped.

As laughter filled the kitchen, the bond between you grew stronger, solidifying the trust and affection that had blossomed over the months. You felt like a team, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

That night, as you both settled into bed, Dabi wrapped his arms around you, holding you close. You could feel the warmth radiating from him, a comforting presence that made you feel safe.

“Thanks for everything,” he whispered, his breath tickling your ear.

“Always,” you replied, snuggling deeper into his embrace.

In that moment, you knew that no matter what lay ahead, you would face it together—two souls intertwined, ready to carve out a new path filled with hope, love, and the promise of a brighter future.

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emsdevs · 6 days ago

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Livvy's Tea Party (Dad!Seth pt 2)

a/n: I LOVED WRITING THIS!! I hope y'all like it as much as I do!! It's not my normal kind of thing, but I think y'all will still enjoy it (I hope)!!

masterlist

It felt like just yesterday you and Seth were bringing Olivia home from the hospital, but somehow, she turned five about two months ago. The older she gets, the more you see Seth in her personality. Livvy is Seth made over, his little mini-me. When he’s home, she won’t let him out of her sight. Genuinely, the two of them are two peas in a pod, the best of friends. The offseason was just now starting, so Livvy has been soaking up all the time she now gets to spend with her favorite person. It felt like they had already done everything under the sun. Today, you and Seth were hoping to sleep in or get a little alone time together before Livvy woke up, since she was so tired after yesterday’s activities, she was asleep before she and Seth even got home.

Seth was up with the sun, wasting no time in wrapping his arms around your still sleeping frame and beginning to pepper little kisses along the back of your neck. It wasn’t long before your eyes were fluttering open, and you were leaning into Seth’s hold. That’s when he stepped up his game a little bit, slowly starting to move his hands around and letting the kisses linger a longer. Before long, he was turning you to lay on your back and hovering over you, moving his kisses to your lips. Your hands found his hair almost out of habit, and he moved his right hand to rest on your cheek.

“You know our five-year-old is in the room across the hall, right?” you breathe out in between kisses.

“Just means you gotta be quiet, pretty girl. I gotta give both my girls the attention they deserve,” before his hand could move any lower than your cheek, the two of you heard the handle on your door jiggling. Seth sighs, trying not to be too frustrated with his baby girl for interrupting his plans, and he settles in beside you. Right as you both get adjusted, Livvy finally gets the door figured out and swings it open, sprinting into your bedroom and pouncing on the bed, heading straight for Seth.

“Daddy! Daddy! You gotta get up!” she’s basically yelling in his face, and you have to stifle a laugh.

“Oh, yeah? We got something to do or somethin’?”

“I got the whole day planned!” “Oh, you do? Well, I guess I better get up and get ready then.”

“Yes! C’mon!” she drags out the word, clearly impatient and ready for Seth to get a move on. He does as she says, telling her to go get ready for the day while he and you do the same. After she’s out of the room, he moves to shut the door and turns to give you a look that says he’s going to finish what he started.

“Oh, no, no, no. Your daughter is waiting for you. We’re not doing that right now,” you giggled as you spoke, knowing he was about to start pouting.

“What? No, c’mon, babe, we have time,” he’s dragging out the words and giving you his best puppy-dog eyes, but you’re relentless. You shake your head, rolling your eyes and laughing under your breath as you get up to get your day started.

A few hours later, you had just finished tidying up the house when you decided to go check on Seth and Livvy. You could hear the giggles in her playroom from all the way in the living room. They got louder as you approached the playroom, phone at the ready to document any cute moment you might walk into. When you finally open the door, you’re met with possibly the cutest thing you’ve ever seen. Livvy and Seth were having a tea party, and they had gone all out. Livvy had obviously done Seth’s makeup, and the bright pink blush on his cheeks, matched with the bright blue eyeshadow and true red lipstick, almost sent you over the edge. The two of them were wearing matching pink tutus as well, and Livvy wore a tiara with pink gems while Seth sported one with purple gems. They were gathered around the small table in Olivia’s playroom, Seth having to stretch out his legs because the table was too small for him. You quickly snapped a picture, and it didn’t take long after that for your daughter to notice you.

“Mommy! Come join us!” Livvy is running over to you, grabbing your hand and dragging you toward the table. She grabs a neon pink boa for you to wear, along with some fake jewelry made with “emeralds.”

“Here, Mommy!” she hands you a teacup and you look toward Seth, only then noticing he had been holding one as well. “Would you like some tea?”

“I would love some tea. Thank you so much,” you’re all too happy to play along with her.

“Daddy, can you give Mommy some sugar?” Seth gets a devilish look on his face.

“Why, yes I can,” he leans over and smacks a kiss on your cheek. Livvy wastes no time screaming and running over to separate the two of you.

“No, Daddy!” she giggles, “Sugar in her tea!” “Oh! My bad, sweetheart,” he pretends to give you a couple of sugar cubes in your “tea” before settling back into his chair, a huge smile on his face.

That’s how the rest of your day is spent, and you begin to think you want to spend every day just like that. Catering to your daughter’s every wish with the love of your life in one sounded like the perfect life. When you first met Seth, you never could have imagined this would be your life, especially so soon, but you wouldn’t change it for the world. Your heart is completely full looking at your fiance interacting with your daughter. You hadn’t shared the news yet, but you knew the newest edition to the family would only make this better. As you absent-mindedly rested a hand on your stomach, you couldn’t help but imagine how this exact scene might play out just a few years, or months, from now.

taglist: @heartsforjh @alexxavicry @dancerbailey3

join the taglist

#em's writing #seth jarvis #seth jarvis x reader #sj24 #nhl #nhl x reader #carolina hurricanes #canes hockey

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pulisicsgirl · 6 months ago

Note

You and him being together but declan, Lauren, benny and his girl dont like you

You work in a hospital

Let's say one day Mason had his family and friends over and starts to not feel good, and to have a big ache in his tummy zone

He tries to let it pass, but it gets worse, so they take him to the hospital you work into

He leave his phone to declan/benny and asks them to call or text you to let you know he is there and come to see him once your shift is over

They never text you obviously

Let's say one/two hours pass and they found out it might be his appendix, but they need to do more tests cause it's not raptured yet

One nurse who is taking care of him and knows you are together Goes to his room for a check-up and asks him if he has asked someone to call you and he tells her told his friends to do it, and she is like oh that's weird, her shift finished 30 minutes ago she should be there by now

So she's like let me check where she is

Thankfully, you stopped to talk to a colleague, and she finds you in the changing rooms, and she tells you about Mason

So you run to him, and he asks you if you received a message from his friends or something so you immediately check your phone and see no-one had texted you

Casually his family and friends work in, and he immediately asks benny/Dec if they texted and they can be like oh yeah we did with our phones she didn't answer so Mason is like we'll I think you should go now, she is here I don't need you there

Thankfully it wasn't his appendix rupturing so you are sent back home a few hours later

nurse!y/n, my specialty 🤭🤭

his friends have tended to be a bit suspicious of you, not because they particularly have anything against you, but they’re just so protective of Mason and they’re afraid you might be with him for the wrong reasons. so when they decide that Mason needs to go to the hospital and he says to call you, they’re thinking it’s not really their biggest priority at the moment, and just push it to the back of their mind and never really come back to it

as soon as your coworker finds you in the break room, your heart would just sink when she told you Mason was there, immediately assuming the worst. maybe she hadn’t gotten the details on why he’d come in, so as she’s leading you to his room, you’re wracking your brain for what could’ve been wrong, thinking he had just been planning to hang out at home with some friends that night, and you were going to come over after your shift

as soon as you make it to his room, you’re immediately rushing to his side. by then, they had already given him some meds to help with the pain, so he’s already feeling a bit better, and he can’t help but admire you in your scrubs, your hair a bit disheveled after a long shift, while you’re fussing over him

and of course you’d be all “what’s wrong? are you okay? has the doctor seen you yet? why didn’t you call me?” asking a million questions at once, and Mason’s all “no, someone should’ve called you, i told one of them to,” gesturing to Benny and Dec sitting off to the side, but when you check your phone, there’s nothing

Mason is beside himself, immediately laying into them because he knows why they hadn’t called and telling them that he would be well taken care of with you there and they could just go. he even rolls onto his side, facing away from them, huffing as he does so because he’s hurt that his friends clearly don’t think very highly of you and he’s feeling a bit exposed and vulnerable, lying in the hospital bed with everyone fussing over him. you’re a bit taken aback by his behavior

you come out a few minutes later to find them in the waiting room after talking with Mason to get caught up, and they both look ashamed as you speak to them. you had suspected for a while that Mason’s close friends weren’t your biggest fans, but you were determined to put in the work to get to know them better and prove to them that you really care for their friend.

you wind up exchanging numbers with them, promising to keep them updated on Mason’s condition as you found out more, and they’re so relieved at the end of the night when you let them know that the two of you would be heading home as it was nothing serious.

the both decide that perhaps they were too harsh in their treatment of you, after seeing the way you looked after Mase and how attentively you updated them during a stressful time for everyone involved, and they vow do better and get to know you instead of judging you from afar

#mason mount #h concepts

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diazsdimples · 1 year ago

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Fuck It Friday!

Tagged by @smilingbuckley for FIF and @rainbow-nerdss @cal-daisies-and-briars @hippolotamus @wildlife4life @disasterbuckdiaz @wikiangela and @daffi-990 for various others during the week (count this as your Fuck it Friday tag lads).

I took a quick break from writing anything cause I decided it was a great time for a menty b BUT @hippolotamus sent me a photo of a dude in a leather kilt and pointed out how hot Buck would look in it and how he'd be able to pick up Eddie and fuck him against a tree and thus, Kilt Sex Fic was born. Please enjoy the first of hopefully not too many snippets (I aim to have it done either tonight or tomorrow lol)

When Eddie had suggested that he and Buck attend a Scottish festival he’d seen advertised, he hadn’t really expected Buck to take him up on the offer, much less turn up at home two days later with two kilts and a shit eating grin. In Eddie’s mind, they would wander down to the local park where it was being held, he’d sit back and watch as Buck tries to toss logs and fling axes and turn to Eddie with bright eyes and a wide grin that would say “Didya see that? Did I do good?” and Eddie would slowly fall in love with him all over again. However, all that goes out the door completely when Buck dumps the kilts on table in front of him, nearly knocking over Eddie’s coffee cup, and gestures to them proudly. “What the hell are these?” Eddie asks with a quirked eyebrow, poking suspiciously at the tartan with his forefinger. Buck flops himself into the chair beside Eddie and steals a sip from his coffee cup. “Kilts!” he says with a grin and he drags one off the table and holds it up to show Eddie. It’s long, and dark, and made out of what looks suspiciously like faux leather, and almost certainly purchased from a sex shop. “I thought we could wear them to the festival tomorrow!” If Buck had a tail, it would be wagging so hard right now. The kilt beneath the leathery black one isn’t much better. Sure, this one is a bit less obviously leathery, going for a softer, less shiny look, but that doesn’t distract from the thick, studded belt that wraps around the waist. It’s also much, much shorter, probably coming to halfway up their thigh, Eddie reckons. He’s half expecting it to come with a chastity belt. Eddie pinches his nose, trying his best not to laugh because Buck is clearly thrilled with himself, and lets out a long breath. “Buck, sweetheart, I love you so much and I’m delighted that you like these but there is no way I can wear either of these out in public.” The grin immediately falls off Buck’s face and his lips turn down in an admittedly adorable pout. “Why not?” he asks, sounding genuinely confused, “Is it because they’re not proper tartans? There’s no Clan Buckley so I couldn’t use one for my family and I don’t even know what my Mom’s maiden name is, and Diaz isn’t super Scottish so I didn’t look for one of those either, but what’s wrong with these? They look cool!” The fact that they, admittedly, do look cool is not what Eddie’s taking issue with. It’s more the fact that he’s going to have to walk around, in public, with a semi the whole time if Buck goes anywhere in a leather kilt. He’s doomed, done for, absolutely fucked. And, to make matters worse, Buck stands up from the table and grabs the bigger of the two and deftly wraps it around his waist, doing up the two sets of buckles with quick fingers before he whips his shirt over his head and stands with his arms out from his side, grinning like the Cheshire Cat, and Eddie’s mouth goes dry. Yeah, there is no way he can survive Buck walking around like this. The kilt hugs his hips low and tight, exposing just enough of that perfect v for Eddie’s imagination to run wild as he follows Buck’s happy trail from his bellybutton to where it disappears below the leather. Buck’s intentionally flexing his abs, preening under Eddie’s obvious attention, and looks just like a Greek God. Scottish God? Either way, he looks like fucking dream and Eddie can feel his cock thickening as he drinks in every detail of Buck’s image. Eddie leans back in his chair, his breath hissing out of him like a deflating tyre, and he gestures to the bulge that’s steadily growing in his pants. “That’s why not.”

No pressure tagging @theotherbuckley @housewifebuck @callmenewbie @thewolvesof1998 @theplaceyoustillrememberdreaming @steadfastsaturnsrings @fortheloveofbuddie @watchyourbuck @loserdiaz @spotsandsocks @fruitandbubbles @eddie---diaz @nmcggg @bucksbackwardcap @buckbuckgoose @fionaswhvre

#can't guarantee that this will be depraved but it'll be sex!#in kilts #buddie #eddie diaz #911 buddie #evan buckley #911 abc #911verse #911 fanfic #eddie x buck #evan buck buckely #911 #buddie smut

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kmomof4 · 5 months ago

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To Sir Graham, With Love Ch. 3

An early posting for ch3!!! Hubs and I are heading out of town for the weekend to celebrated our anniversary, and I didn't want Marta to have to wait until we got back for an update!! Thank you so much for reading and sharing! I hope you enjoy and I'd love to know what you think!

Thank you again to @jrob64 and @whimsicallyenchantedrose for beta and sounding board duties, and also to @motherkatereloyshipper for the GORGEOUS banner!!!

And finally, happy birthday again, @snowbellewells!!! I hope you enjoy this chapter!!!

Summary: After a year long secret correspondence, twenty-eight year old spinster Ruby Jones decides to accept Sir Graham Humbert's offer of a visit to see if they might suit for marriage. Unfortunately, he failed to mention that he was the father of twins, and they are not thrilled with Ruby's appearance.

Rating: M (for smut in later chs and mentions of physical abuse)

Words: Approx 8800 of 68k

Tags: Red Hunter Fic, Birthday Fic, Inspired by Eloise Bridgerton's Story, Smut

On ao3 From Beginning / Current Ch

On Tumblr Prologue Ch1 Ch2

Tagging the usuals. Please let me know if you'd like to be added or removed.

@jrob64 @winterbaby89 @hollyethecurious @the-darkdragonfly @jennjenn615

@donteattheappleshook @undercaffinatednightmare @pirateherokillian @cocohook38 @qualitycoffeethings

@booksteaandtoomuchtv @superchocovian @motherkatereloyshipper @snowbellewells @pirateprincessofpizza

@djlbg @lfh1226-linda @xarandomdreamx @tiganasummertree @bluewildcatfanatic

@anmylica @laianely @resident-of-storybrooke @exhaustedpirate @gingerchangeling

@caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @stahlop @darkshadow7 @fleurdepetite

@captainswan-kellie @soniccat @beckettj @teamhook @whimsicallyenchantedrose

@thisonesatellite @jonesfandomfanatic @elfiola @zaharadessert @ilovemesomekillianjones

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Under the cut, unless Tumblr ate it.

… implore you, Mother, you MUST punish Belle. It is NOT FAIR that I am the only one sent to bed without pudding. And for a week! A week is far too long. Especially since it was all mostly Belle’s idea.

– from Ruby Jones to her mother, left upon Alice Jones’s night table during Ruby’s tenth year

~*~*~

… have never been so bored in my entire life. David, you must come home. It is interminably boring without you, and I don’t think I can bear such boredom another moment. Please do return, for I have clearly begun to repeat myself, and nothing could be more of a bore.

– from Ruby Jones to her older brother, David, during her fifth season as a debutante, sent (but never received) while David was traveling in Denmark.

~*~*~*~*~*~

How could so much change in a single day? Ruby thought. Not long after arriving - just this morning, Ruby realized with a start - she’d been convinced that she’d made a dreadful mistake, but now, as they strolled through Romney Hall, ostensibly to view the portraits in the gallery, but which she knew was actually just prolonging their time together, she was almost convinced that he would make a fine husband after all.

He was obviously quite handsome. He was tall and lean with a chiseled face that reminded her of some of the works of art she’d seen in the British Museum. His blue eyes were piercing and his boyish curls simply begged for her fingers to run through them. But besides that, he’d been quite a pleasant dinner companion, though not as loquacious as she was used to. He’d accepted, and even admired, her fish-in-the-bed treatment of Ava, proving he had an innate sense of fairness, which to her was quite essential in a potential husband, and for whatever reason, he’d handled Ava’s understandable tantrum with aplomb, which after the confrontation this morning when she’d arrived, was a bit surprising.

They stood now in the hall, his large hand gently holding her elbow, and she was quite simply enveloped in his presence. It was thrilling and terrifying in equal measure, but gratifying as well. She’d taken a gamble on her future and she appeared to have won. Nothing would have been worse than coming back to London, her tail between her legs, and explaining to her family what she’d done.

Ruby hated to be wrong.

She hated even more to admit that she was wrong.

Especially to herself.

But in this case, she didn’t appear to be wrong.

Perhaps this could work. He wasn’t a complete stranger, after all. They had been corresponding for over a year.

“My grandfather,” Graham said, gesturing vaguely at a large portrait she could hardly see in the low light.

Ruby nodded. “Is that your father?” she asked, nodding at the portrait on the right.

That was all it took for Graham to tense up - his shoulders and the corners of his lips tightening, the lines on his forehead becoming more pronounced as he nodded sharply.

“And where are you?” she asked, quickly realizing Graham had no wish to talk about his father.

“Over here,” he replied, leading them some distance away from where they stood. They came to a stop before a medium sized portrait of two boys - the older a young teen, the younger a couple of years behind.

“What happened to him?” Graham was obviously the younger and wouldn’t have inherited Romney Hall and the Baronet if his brother still lived.

“Waterloo.” No other explanation was needed.

Ruby nodded and turned to him. He stood staring at the portrait, profound sadness in his eyes that Ruby couldn’t help responding to.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, laying a hand on his arm.

A small sigh escaped his lips, but his gaze didn’t waver. “No one was sorrier than I,” he whispered.

“What was his name?”

“George.”

“You must have been quite young,” she observed, thinking back to 1815 and doing the math.

“Twenty-one,” he replied.

It was odd, Ruby reflected. At twenty-one she was expected to be married and running her own household. But now, nearing thirty, she thought it was awfully young and green to be thrust into responsibilities he never expected to have.

“My father died two weeks later.”

Ruby gasped in dismay. To lose a brother and a father so closely together must have been terribly difficult for Graham to endure.

“Here’s a portrait of Jacinda with the children,” he said, motioning to the other side of the room. It had been many, many years since she’d seen her cousin, but she still recognized her, the darker skin tone, the dark eyes with a sadness in them that was utterly foreign to Ruby then and heartbreaking to see now. With a much younger Nicholas by her side and Ava sitting on her lap, Ruby would have hoped that her eyes would reflect the joy of having two beautiful children, but no, her eyes still held the same emptiness and sadness that had so baffled her when they were children together.

“She was lovely,” Ruby said quietly. “The children must miss her.”

Graham nodded. “They’ve missed her for a long time.”

Ruby thought that was a rather odd way of phrasing it. “I know how they feel. I was very young when my father died.”

“I didn’t realize,” he said, turning to her.

“It’s not something I talk about all that much,” she replied with a half shrug. “It was a long time ago.”

“Did it take you very long to get over it?”

Ruby considered her words before answering, quite aware that the question wasn’t simply referring to her. “I’m not sure it’s something you ever fully get over,” she said, “completely, anyway. There will always be moments that you wish they could have been there to see and experience with you. But if you’re asking if I still think of my father every day, the answer is no, I don’t.”

Graham didn’t look away and Ruby finally turned to face him. They were still a respectable distance apart, but the darkness of the room and the intimacy of the conversation had a chill running down her spine. The blue of his eyes was spellbinding, and Ruby could almost feel his gaze as a physical touch on the apple of her cheek, along her jaw, and down the long line of her neck.

“Ruby?” His voice was a whisper, and it broke the spell she was under. She took a small step back and searched for something, anything, to say in response.

“My brothers!” The words burst out of her mouth. “Especially Liam. He’s the oldest. It affected him much more than it did me. They were very close. And my mother, as well. They loved each other very much.”

“How did she react to his passing?”

“She cried a lot in the beginning,” Ruby said softly. “I’m quite sure we weren’t meant to hear. It was always late at night after she supposed we were all asleep. She missed him desperately, and it couldn’t have been easy with seven children.”

“Seven?” Graham asked. “I thought there were eight of you.”

“Tilly wasn’t yet born,” she informed him. “Mother must have been about eight months along.”

Good God, she thought she heard him breathe. Good God, indeed. She had no idea how her mother had managed.

“He was stung by a bee,” she continued. “Can you imagine?” A small sigh escaped her lips as she looked around the room. It always left her a little melancholy to speak about her father, but now, talking about him to a virtual stranger in a room filled with portraits of dead people, she wanted to leave. Immediately.

“May I see your greenhouse?” she asked abruptly, turning back to face him.

“Now?” he asked, his voice filled with surprise.

Well, she shouldn’t have been surprised; it was dark outside, after all. “In the morning then, when we’ll be able to see.”

A bemused yet indulgent smile was on his lips. “We can go now,” he said. “The moon is full and we’ll take a lantern.”

She returned his smile. “If you’re sure you don’t mind, I’d like that very much.”

He held out his elbow to her, and she took it, allowing him to lead her out into the night.

“It’s so warm!” she exclaimed some minutes later as he shut the door of the greenhouse behind them.

“It’s usually warmer than this,” he said. “The glass traps the heat from the sun to warm the air, allowing plants native to much warmer climes to grow and thrive, and aside from today, it’s been rather overcast lately.”

Graham often toiled in his greenhouse at night when he couldn’t sleep. Even during the day, he rarely had anyone with him, preferring to work alone, but now he found that he was seeing the greenhouse through Ruby’s eyes, and it was mesmerizing. The moonlight fell on the leaves and fronds of the plants he knew and loved so well, creating an otherworldly hush that was almost indescribable. During the day, the greenhouse wasn’t that different from almost any wooded place in England, but under the light of the moon, it was enchanting and mysterious, as if he moved his head quickly enough, he might catch a glimpse of a fairy, leaving a trail of magic in her wake.

“What is this?” she asked, looking at a row of pots on his workbench.

His smile was ridiculously wide, exceptionally pleased that she seemed truly curious about his work. Most people feigned interest and looked for a quick escape.

“It’s an experiment I’m working on with peas,” he informed her.

“The kind we eat?”

He nodded. “I’ve been trying to develop a strain that will grow fatter in the pod.”

“Really!” she exclaimed, her eyebrows rising in surprise. “I had no idea that could be done.”

He shrugged. “I have no idea if it can be done, either. I’ve been trying for a year.”

“With no success? How very frustrating!”

“I’ve had some success,” he admitted. “Just not as much as I’d like.”

“I tried to grow roses one year,” she said. “They all died.”

“Roses are not easy to cultivate.”

She raised a skeptical eyebrow at him. “You have a lot of roses.”

“I also have a gardener,” he informed her amusedly.

“A botanist with a gardener?”

He shrugged. “It’s no different than a dressmaker with a seamstress.”

She considered that for a moment before nodding decisively and turning away from him, heading deeper into the greenhouse and scolding him for not keeping up with her with the lantern.

“You’re a bit bossy, this evening,” he said, an amused smile on his lips.

She smirked back at him. “I prefer the term ‘managing.’”

“A managing type of female, huh?”

“I’m surprised you didn’t deduce as much from my letters.” She tossed the words over her shoulder to him flirtatiously and he responded in kind.

“Why do you think I invited you?” He continued to follow her until she came to an abrupt stop and turned to him.

“You want someone to manage your life?” she asked, a bit breathlessly, he thought. He wanted someone to manage his children, but he didn’t think now was a good time to bring them up. Not when she was looking at him like that. Like she wanted…

Like she wanted to be kissed.

“May I kiss you?” he whispered. He would have stopped if she’d shown any hesitation, but her gorgeous green eyes were lit by the moon and there was nothing but wonder and acceptance and desire in them. “May I?” he asked again.

She nodded, a tiny, but sure thing. He lowered his head and simply brushed his lips against hers, the way one should kiss a woman one thought about marrying. But then her arms stole around him and her fingers brushed his neck, and he was lost.

He wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer, closer, closer, until her body fully lined up with his. His tongue touched the seam of her lips and she opened, allowing him full access to explore all the hidden depths of her mouth, and he took full advantage, drawing soft mewling sounds from her that he swallowed with more kisses.

But it wasn’t enough.

He wanted to feel her. All of her. His hands ran up and down her back, until one boldly reached the curve of her bottom. He pressed her against him, not caring that she’d be able to clearly feel his desire for her. It had been so long, so damned long, and she was so soft and responsive in his arms, hesitantly at first, but then answering his passion with her own. She gasped, her head falling back and Graham took the invitation to pepper her jaw and the long line of her neck with his ardor.

He’d begun working his way down, over her collarbone toward the neckline of the gown she wore when she pulled away from him.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out, her hands flying to where he’d last kissed her.

“I’m not,” he said matter-of-factly.

Her eyes widened at his bluntness. But he’d never been particularly good with words and it was probably better that she learned this now.

“It… it was a figure of speech,” she stammered.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I said I was sorry,” she repeated, shrugging one shoulder, her eyes wide and guileless, confusing him further. “It was a figure of speech. I’m not really.”

She sounded rather flustered to his ears, and he couldn’t help the surge of male pride that he’d brought her to this state.

“It’s something one might say to fill the silence,” she continued.

Graham was beginning to realize that Ruby didn’t like silence. He kissed her again. “You know, silence is sometimes a good thing.”

Her mouth dropped open slightly in surprise. “Are you saying I talk too much?”

He shrugged, the corner of his lips lifted in a smirk, having much too much fun teasing her.

“I’ll have you know, I have been much quieter here than I normally am,” she informed him haughtily.

He wrapped his arms around her again and smiled. “We need a bit of noise around here.”

~*~*~

Ruby woke the next morning feeling wonderful. As if she was still wrapped up in a dream. A dream of a completely unexpected kiss.

A dream of enjoying a completely unexpected kiss far more than she thought she would.

Her stomach reminded her of the lateness of the hour and she decided to make her way down to the breakfast room. She had no idea if Sir Graham would be there or not. Was he the kind of man who rose with the sun? Or did he prefer to lay abed until noon? It seemed rather odd that she didn’t know something like this about a man she was seriously contemplating marrying.

And if he was there - waiting for her to join him to break their fast together - what would she say to him? What did one say to a man who’d licked one’s neck as if it were a delectable frozen treat? It was quite beyond scandalous.

What if she got there and could barely get out a good morning? He’d surely find that very amusing after his teasing her last night. It nearly made her laugh out loud. Ruby Jones - who could carry on a conversation about anything and nothing, and frequently did - not knowing what she was going to say to Sir Graham Humbert when next she saw him.

Of course, he had kissed her, and that changed everything.

Once dressed, she crossed the room, ready to leave, making sure her door was still tightly shut. She didn’t think the twins would try the same trick twice, but she wasn’t willing to place a large amount of trust in the thought. Honestly, after using a fish, she expected they were devising a more slimy or smelly retribution.

Humming softly to herself, she emerged into the hallway and headed toward the stairs. She was in a good mood since the sun had been peeking out from behind the clouds, making the day seem filled with promise…

“OH!”

The cry ripped out of her as she plunged forward, her foot caught back behind her, wrapped in something strung between two pieces of furniture. She had no chance to try and maintain her balance. She’d been walking quickly, as she was wont to do, and never saw the string reaching across the hall until it was too late. She didn’t even have the time to break her fall with her hands.

Tears burned her eyes. Her chin - dear God, her chin - her chin felt like it was on fire. She’d just been able to turn her head to the side before she landed, but the side of her face had taken the brunt of the fall, and Ruby couldn’t keep the incoherent whimpers of severe pain inside. She waited for the pain to fade, like it did when one stubbed one’s toe. The pain would take your breath away for a moment, but then would fade until it was nothing more than a dull ache. But the pain was not fading at all. Her chin, the side of her face, her elbow, hip, and knee were such a cacophony of agony, that she could do nothing more than lie there until she could draw breath without wanting to scream in anguish.

She felt as if she’d been beaten.

“Ruby!”

Graham. She couldn’t even look up, still trying to control her breathing and not willing to move from her curled up position.

“Ruby, my God!” he cried, taking the last few steps in one giant stride until he reached her side. “What happened?”

“I fell.” She tried not to whimper, she truly did, but it came out anyway.

His actions full of tenderness, he pulled her hand away from her face. The words that fell from his lips once he got a good look at it were not words Ruby was accustomed to hearing.

“You need a piece of meat on that,” he said grimly.

“Is it very bruised?”

He nodded. “You may have a blackened eye as well; it’s too soon to tell.” She tried to smile, but it was just too painful to manage. “Does it hurt very badly?” he asked softly.

She nodded, a single tear finally falling down her cheek. It reminded her of a time when she was very small and fell out of a tree. She’d sprained her ankle quite badly, but hadn’t cried until she got home to her mother.

Graham touched her cheek gingerly, but pulled away with a scowl on his face when she winced. “What happened?” he asked again.

And of course she knew exactly what had happened. The twins had strung a piece of string across the hallway for her to trip over. But one look at Graham’s face and she almost considered holding her tongue. She didn’t think they meant to cause quite so much harm.

But she didn’t need to say a single word. He’d obviously already seen the piece of string, and without taking his eyes off of hers, he’d twisted it around his pointer finger until it snapped in two. He didn’t seem aware of it - his strength, nor the strength of his anger.

“Sir Graham,” she whispered, but it was clear he didn’t hear her.

“Nicholas! Ava!” he bellowed.

“I’m sure they didn’t mean to injure me,” Ruby tried, quite sure that any punishment coming from their father while he was in this state would be far more painful for them than what she’d mete out.

“I don’t care what they meant!” he snapped. “Look how close to the stairs you were! What if you’d fallen down them?”

The thought hadn’t occurred to her, and now that she really looked, she had fallen dangerously close to them.

“They must answer for this.” His voice was low, and shaking with rage.

“I’ll be fine,” she assured him. And she would. In a few days. The agony was finally starting to fade, but she still cried out softly when Graham picked her up in his arms.

“You’re going straight to bed,” he bit out. She offered no disagreement.

A maid arrived, a dismayed gasp escaping her when she saw Ruby’s bruised face. “Get me something for this,” Graham ordered. “A piece of meat, anything.” She nodded and quickly disappeared.

“Does anything else hurt?” he asked, as he laid her on top of the coverlet.

“My elbow. Hip. And knee,” she admitted.

“Do you think anything is broken?”

“Oh, no!” she assured him quickly, shaking her head as well. “I’m sure…”

“I’ll need to check anyway,” he interrupted her, cradling her arm in his hands as he gently examined it.

“Sir Graham!” she protested.

“My children nearly killed you,” he growled, but with no real heat in it. “I think we can dispose of the Sir.” He finished his examination and moved to the door of her bedchamber, his stride powerful and full of purpose. “Get me the twins immediately,” he barked to some servant who must have been hovering in the hall. She couldn’t imagine they hadn’t heard his earlier summons, but she also didn’t blame them for attempting to delay judgment day at the hands of their father.

“Graham, please,” she tried again. “Leave them to me. I was the injured party…”

“They are my children and I will punish them,” Graham said grimly. “God knows, it’s long overdue. They hurt you and that is unacceptable.” He leaned back against the wall next to her bed and raised his eyes to the ceiling. “If I had…” He stopped and tried again. “If I hadn’t…” He blew out a frustrated breath and that was when Ruby knew.

The rage in his voice, the shaking in his hands and body, wasn't directed at the twins. Not entirely anyway.

He didn’t blame them.

He blamed himself.

Some minutes later - as the twins were ushered into the room by their nursemaid, half dragged and half pushed no doubt, if the heaviness of their gait was any indication - Graham maintained his position next to Ruby’s bed, deathly afraid that if he came any closer to his progeny, he’d beat them within an inch of their lives.

And when he was done, he wouldn’t regret his actions.

So he simply crossed his arms and glared at the children, letting them squirm under his clear anger and condemnation, while he tried to figure out what the hell to say to them.

Finally, Nicolas spoke, his voice trembling. “Father?”

Graham took a deep breath, and still not moving from his position, said the only thing he could think of. The only thing that bore mentioning at the present moment.

“Do you see Miss Jones?”

They both nodded, though they didn’t lift their gazes to where she lay on the bed.

“Look at her!” he barked.

They both jumped slightly, and then raised their eyes to actually look at her. From where he stood, he could see sorrow and, he hoped, remorse in their countenances, which helped him rein in his fury.

“Sir?” a servant asked from the door.

He acknowledged her with a nod and took the piece of meat she’d brought for Ruby’s eye.

“Hungry?” he snapped at the children. When they didn’t answer, he continued. “Good, because we won’t be able to eat this now, will we?” He gently placed it over her eye and then covered it with a cloth so she wouldn’t dirty her fingers as she held it in place. Once he was done, he rose and stood in front of the children.

“Look at me,” he said, his voice still low and furious. They met his eyes and the fear he saw there made him sick, but he didn’t know how else to act. Or what else to do. They had to learn that they couldn’t continue behaving like this. They had to learn to show respect to adults.

“We didn’t mean to hurt her,” Ava whispered.

“Oh, really?” he asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow. “You didn’t think she might possibly be hurt when she tripped over the string? Hmmm? Or perhaps you correctly thought that the string wouldn’t actually hurt her, but it didn’t occur to you that she might be injured when she actually fell?”

They said nothing. Graham glanced back at Ruby, who’d removed the meat from her eye and was gingerly touching her cheek. The bruising was getting worse by the minute.

“You will come with me,” he said, directing his words to the twins, and jerking his head in the direction of the door. He turned to them when he reached it to see they hadn’t taken a single step to follow him. “Now!” he barked. They finally moved and Graham prayed that he’d be able to control himself.

Once they were gone, Ruby tried not to listen, but she couldn’t stop herself from straining her ears. She didn’t know where he was taking them, but one thing was perfectly clear. They were going to be punished.

And while she agreed that it was necessary, what they’d done was inexcusable, she found herself anxious on their behalf. It reminded her of when Nicholas asked if she was going to hit them after he’d pushed her the day before. As if he’d been hit before. Surely Sir Graham didn’t… No, it was impossible. It was one thing to administer a spanking at a time like this, it was another thing entirely to habitually strike children.

She couldn’t possibly be that poor a judge of character. She’d spent time with the man. Allowed him to kiss her. Even kissed him back. She would have been able to sense if there was an inner streak of cruelty within him that would cause him to beat his children.

Shortly thereafter, Nicholas and then Ava entered her bedchamber again, their father bringing up the rear for the sole purpose, she was sure, of making sure their steps exceeded that of a tortoise. They were somber faced and red-eyed, and Graham looked just as grim as they did.

They shuffled over to Ruby’s bed and she turned to face them.

“We’re sorry, Miss Jones,” they mumbled in unison.

“Louder,” Graham said sharply.

“We’re sorry, Miss Jones,” they obeyed quickly.

Ruby nodded and tried to give them a small smile.

“It won’t happen again,” Ava added.

“I’m certainly glad to hear that,” Ruby replied. Graham cleared his throat, loudly.

“Father says we have to make it up to you,” Nicholas said.

“Oh…” Ruby wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that.

“Do you like sweets?” Ava asked, in an apparent burst of inspiration.

“Uh, yes, I do,” Ruby replied. “Doesn’t everyone?”

“I have a bag of lemon drops,” Ava informed her. “I’ve been saving them for months. You can have them.”

Ruby sighed internally. There was something quite wrong here in the lives of these children. She had enough nieces and nephews to know, and her own upbringing as well to reference, what happy children looked like. And these children before her were anything but happy. She felt her heart clench in her chest in compassion for them.

“That’s alright, Ava,” she said softly. “You may keep your lemon drops.”

“But Father says we have to give you something,” she said, casting a fearful glance at Graham.

Ruby was about to say it wasn’t necessary, but then she realized it was. Not only because Graham had obviously insisted upon it, and she wasn’t about to undermine his authority in front of them, but because they also needed to understand what it meant to make amends.

“Very well,” she conceded, “You may give me an afternoon.”

“An afternoon?” they parroted.

“Yes,” she said. “Once I’m feeling better, you may both give me an afternoon. After all, there is much here at Romney Hall that I know nothing about and I’m sure you two know every nook and cranny of the house and gardens. You may take me on a tour. Provided of course,” and here she looked at them as sternly as she could manage with a large steak still covering her eye, “you both promise there will be no pranks.”

Ava nodded vigorously and quickly. “No, no pranks,” she promised.

“Nicholas,” Graham growled.

“There will be no pranks that afternoon,” he mumbled. Graham grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. “Ever,” he shouted. “There will be no pranks ever! We’ll leave Miss Jones completely alone!”

“Well, not completely, I hope,” she said, shooting a glance at Graham until he released Nicholas’ collar, “since you do owe me an afternoon.”

Ava smiled softly, but Nicholas’ scowl remained firmly in place.

“You may return to the nursery, now,” Graham informed the children, and they scurried away as fast as their feet could carry them.

Ruby and Graham remained silent for nearly a full minute after the twins left them alone. Ruby felt quite drained and wasn’t sure what to say. Graham turned back toward her and swallowed hard.

“How are you?” he asked. His voice was still rather gruff, but given the entire episode, she didn’t really blame him.

“If I’m not permitted to remove the steak soon, I think I might be physically ill,” she said, honestly.

He picked up the platter it’d arrived on and Ruby placed the meat upon it, grimacing at the squelching sound it made. “I’d like to wash my face, please.”

Graham nodded. “Let me first examine your eye. Look up,” he directed, probing gently around the socket when she obeyed.

“Do you have much experience with this sort of thing?” she asked.

“A bit,” he replied. “Look right.”

“A bit?”

“I boxed at university.”

“Were you good?”

“Look left,” he said, turning her head to the side. “Good enough.”

“What does that mean?”

“Close your eye.”

“What does that mean?” she asked again.

“You’re not closing your eye.”

She closed both eyes, though with a scowl on her face. “What does it mean!?” she repeated for the third time. And though she couldn’t see his face, the smile came through in his tone when he spoke.

“Has anyone ever told you that you are exceedingly stubborn?” he asked.

“Oh, all the time,” she replied. “It’s my only flaw.”

“The only one, eh?” And now she could imagine his raised eyebrow.

“The only one worth commenting on.” She opened her eyes. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“I’ve quite forgotten what it was. Now close your eye again, I wasn’t finished.” Ruby scowled when she caught the teasing glint in his eyes, but obeyed. “Good enough,” he continued once her eyes were shut, “means that I never had to fight. Not if I didn’t want to.”

“But you weren’t the champion,” she speculated.

“You may open your eyes now,” he said gently. She blinked a few times in surprise when she saw how close he still was. “I wasn’t the champion.”

“Why not?”

He shrugged his shoulders indifferently. “I didn’t care about it enough.”

“How does it look?”

“Your eye?”

She nodded.

“There’s nothing to be done to stop the bruising.”

“I didn’t think I hit my eye,” she said, pressing her fingers gently around the socket. “When I fell. I thought I hit my cheek.”

“Hitting your cheek, the blood will spread to the eye area. I can see from your face that you fell right here,” he said. His fingers oh so gently touched her cheekbone, exactly where she landed, but his touch was so light, there was no pain.

Ruby groaned. “I’m going to look a fright for weeks.”

“Maybe not weeks,” he tried to reassure her.

She sent him an extremely dubious look, one that should have told him she knew what she was talking about. “I have brothers. I’ve seen blackened eyes. Killian had one that didn’t completely fade for two months.”

“Really?” Graham chuckled. “What happened to him?”

“Our older brother,” she informed him drily.

Graham nodded, his lips pressed together in amusement. “Say no more. I had a brother myself.”

“Beastly creatures,” she said, but her affection for them was clear from her tone.

“Your black eye probably won’t take that long to diminish,” he said, helping her from bed and over to the washbasin.

“But it might,” she said as she washed the smell from her face.

Graham nodded in agreement. “We need to get you a chaperone.”

Ruby stopped abruptly. “I’d quite forgotten.”

“I hadn’t.”

“It’s all my fault, of course,” she said, patting herself dry. “You had written in your invitation that you’d provide a chaperone, but in my haste to leave London, it didn’t occur to me that you’d need time to make the arrangements.”

Graham watched her closely and wondered if she realized just how much she’d revealed to him about her reasons for coming. It was hard to imagine someone as open, honest, and loquacious as the woman before him having secrets, but he did have to admit she’d been rather quiet about her exact reasons for coming to Gloucestershire.

She’d said she was looking for a husband. But he was starting to wonder if perhaps it had as much to do with what she was leaving behind in London as what she was looking for here.

And then the words in my haste…

What could have caused her to leave in such a hurry?

“I sent a letter to my great-aunt yesterday morning after your arrival,” he informed her, “but she’s not the sort to leave home at the drop of a hat. She’ll need to pack and do whatever it is you ladies need to do when preparing for a journey.” He waved his hand vaguely around, and Ruby tried her best not to laugh. “I don’t expect her before Thursday. At the earliest.”

“Well, it’s only a few days, and it’s not like we’re completely alone,” she asserted. “You do have a house full of servants.”

“That may be,” he agreed, “but your reputation could be seriously compromised if this visit of yours were to get out among society.”

Ruby blew out a long breath, her shoulders slumping slightly. “Well, there’s not much I can do about it now,” she said. Then motioning to her eye, she continued. “And if I were to return now, this will have more people talking than the fact that I left to begin with.”

He nodded, acceding to her point, though his mind started shooting off in other directions entirely. Was there a reason she was so unconcerned about her reputation? He may have spent little time in society, but it’d been his experience that properly bred young ladies, no matter their age, were always concerned about their reputations.

Was it possible that Ruby’s reputation had been in tatters before she’d even arrived on his doorstep?

And more to the point, did he care?

He honestly wasn’t sure. He knew what he wanted - no, needed - in a wife, and it had very little to do with purity and chastity and all those things that society deemed important for young ladies.

He was looking for someone who could step in and manage his life and care for his children. He was quite pleased that Ruby not only appeared to be able to fill the role admirably, but that she was rather beautiful and he most undoubtedly felt a great deal of desire for her. Even if she’d been as ugly as a crone, he’d still have been willing to marry her if she could be a good mother to his children.

But if that were all true, then why did he feel no small amount of annoyance that Ruby might have had a lover?

She settled herself against the pillows, looked longingly out the window, and sighed. “Oh, look, the sun is shining again.”

“Would you like to sit in the garden?” he asked. “You haven’t eaten yet; I can have breakfast brought out to you.”

“I’d like to walk in the garden,” she groused, “but I suppose I should try to rest today.”

“More than just today,” he murmured.

“I’ll never be able to manage it,” she said.

“You could take a book with you,” he suggested. It didn’t surprise him at all when she said she couldn’t sit still. Even injured, she was fidgety on the bed, and he couldn’t suppress a small smile.

“Will you not join me?” she asked.

“Ah…” he stammered. “I have work to do in the greenhouse today.” Her eyes reflected her disappointment, and as much as he would have loved to spend time with her in the garden, he needed to get away. Away from his swirling thoughts, conflicted feelings, and most of all the desire to crawl out of his skin over having to spank the children. He needed his hands in the dirt where the most complicated thought he’d encounter was about plants, something he did know something about.

Every fortnight, it seemed, they did something that warranted punishment. He hated having to do it. To the depths of his being. But what else was he supposed to do when they behaved this badly? He could justify to himself brushing aside small things, but when they’d glued their last governess’ hair to the pillow while she slept, how on earth was he supposed to brush that aside? Or when they’d gotten into his greenhouse and broken an entire shelf of terra cotta pots? They’d claimed it was an accident, but Graham knew better, and from their countenances, they didn’t even truly think he’d believe them.

So he punished them the only way he knew how, if he punished them at all - though, to this point, he’d only used his hand. More often than not, he was so overwhelmed at the memories of his father’s brand of discipline and horrified at the way his hand itched to swat them on their behinds that he’d simply stumble away, a trembling and sweating mess.

He knew he was too lenient with them. They weren’t getting any better, after all. He knew he needed to be more stern with them, but the memory of what he’d almost done after the episode with their governess was enough to make him want to retch. He’d been so furious, so blindingly angry, that before he even realized it, he’d gone out to the stable and grabbed a whip. That was all it took for him to realize what he’d done and make him drop it in horror. Graham had fled to his greenhouse, shaking with disgust and hating himself for what he’d almost done.

But not only that. Hating himself for what he couldn’t do.

Make his children better people.

He didn’t know how to be a father to them. Maybe he just wasn’t suited to the task. Perhaps there were men out there who just naturally knew how to teach, how to mold children, but Graham certainly wasn’t one of them. Perhaps one needed a good father in order to be one. But if that was the case, Graham had been doomed from birth.

And now, here he was, pinning all his hopes on Miss Ruby Jones. Perhaps he wouldn’t feel so guilty about being a miserable father to them if he could provide them with a good mother.

But nothing was ever as simple as one might want and Miss Ruby Jones was proof positive of that. He’d never expected to want her. And when he came up the stairs and found her on the floor, his first thought hadn’t been anger at his children, it had been terror for her. For her wellbeing. As well as, if he was being brutally honest, terror that they might have convinced her to leave.

With the glue incident, his first emotion had been rage. With Ruby, he spared barely a thought to the twins until he’d assured himself of her well being. He hadn’t wanted to care about her, and now that he did, he didn’t know what to do with himself. So while a morning in the garden with her sounded lovely, he had to get away for a while. He had to try and bring his chaotic thoughts and feelings into some semblance of order. And if that made him a coward, then so be it.

~*~*~

Ruby spent the entire day in the garden on what she was sure was the most comfortable chaise lounge she’d ever had the pleasure to sit. It must have come from Italy, because in her experience, neither England nor France knew how to make comfortable furniture. Not that she normally spent much time pondering furniture makers, but being left alone in the gardens did provide her with an abundance of time and blessed little else to ponder.

Well, perhaps beside the fact that Sir Graham Humbert had to be the most ill-mannered beast on the planet, leaving her alone after his two little monsters - whom he hadn’t even disclosed the existence of in his correspondence - left her with a blackened eye.

It was a perfect day. The sun was shining, the sky was the deepest shade of blue, a light breeze was blowing, and Ruby had not a thing to occupy her thoughts.

She had never been so bored in her entire life.

It just wasn’t in her nature to sit still and watch the clouds roll by. She would be much happier doing something - walking through the gardens, or at the very least having someone to talk to, rather than just sitting here like a bump on a log. If she had company, then perhaps the clouds would be more interesting. They could discuss the shapes they saw in them.

But no, he’d left her quite on her own. She could see him out there in his greenhouse from where she sat, but while she’d really like nothing better than to join him - his plants must be more interesting than clouds - she refused to seek him out. Not after the way he’d departed so abruptly earlier. She’d thought they were getting along rather well, but then he’d suddenly grown distant and irritable and made up a terrible excuse about having to work in the greenhouse. He’d all but run away from her.

Odious man.

She picked up the book she’d chosen from the library and held it in front of her face, determined to actually read it this time. Of course, that was what she said the previous four times she’d picked up the book.

Blast it all.

The Botany of Ferns? What exactly had she been thinking when she pulled it off the shelf? Well, the clear answer to that question was, she hadn’t been. Ruby rolled her eyes at herself. She should have at least looked for a novel to read. The library was quite extensive and she was sure she could have found something more enjoyable than this thing. And what was worse, if, for some reason, Sir Graham came back and found her reading it, he’d think she was wanting to learn more about him and his interests.

This was ridiculous. She slammed the book closed and back down on the side table. She got up and took a few steps to test the tenderness of her hip, a satisfied and rather smug smile lifting her lips when she realized her hip was causing her no more than mild discomfort. She walked all the way to a large rosebush some ways ahead and bent over to see if they had a scent yet. The buds were still closed, but there was always the chance…

“What the devil are you doing?”

Ruby just managed to avoid falling into the bush in surprise. “Sir Graham!” she exclaimed. “I was just…”

“You were supposed to be sitting down,” he interrupted.

“I was sitting down.”

“You were supposed to stay sitting down.”

The truth would make a superb explanation, she decided quickly.

“I was bored.”

“Did you not get a book to read from the library, like I invited you to do?”

She speared him with a glance and Graham could feel a flush rising on his skin.

“You said that you could have breakfast sent out to me,” she began, her temper rising along with her words, “and suggested that I could enjoy a book in the garden, which I wrongly assumed meant that you’d have something I’d enjoy reading included on the tray.”

Blast, he had said that, hadn’t he? He’d been in such a hurry to get away, he’d quite forgotten. The flush reached his face.

“Allow me to apologize and correct that oversight, then,” he replied in a remarkable display of humility. Ruby wasn’t used to men ever admitting to a mistake, however unintended. “But you should remain seated.”

Ruby patted her hip. “I am truly perfectly fine. It hardly hurts at all.”

His expression was still irritable, but even with filthy hands and face, there was something very striking about him. Elemental, almost. Ruby’s mouth dropped open as a shiver of awareness worked its way over her.

“I can’t work if I’m worrying about you,” he groused.

“Then don’t work.” The solution seemed perfectly logical to her.

“I’m in the middle of something.”

“Then I’ll accompany you,” she said lightly, brushing by him on her way to the greenhouse. Really, how did he expect them to see if they would suit if they didn’t spend any time together?

“Miss Jones,” he bit out, “you cannot…”

“Couldn’t you use the help?” she asked, turning back toward him.

“No.”

“Sir Graham,” she snapped, deciding on a different tact. “Are you the same man you were last night?”

“I beg your pardon?” The expression on his face suggested that he thought she’d lost her mind.

“The man I spent the evening with last night,” she began, only just restraining herself from crossing her arms in her annoyance. “The one with whom I shared a very pleasant meal, then toured the house and greenhouse. The man who actually spoke to me, and seemed to enjoy my company.”

He shook his head at her words, bringing himself out of his haze of confusion. “I do enjoy your company,” he replied, utterly befuddled at her seemingly random tirade.

“Then why,” she asked, “have I been sitting alone in the garden for the last three hours?”

“It hasn’t been three hours.”

“It doesn’t matter how long…”

“It’s been forty-five minutes,” he interrupted.

That silenced her for just a moment. She stood there staring at him, her lips pressed together in a straight line, before opening them to speak again.

“Well…” She lost her words after that and Graham decided he’d better say something to save her from any more embarrassment her countenance told him she was swimming in.

“Miss Jones.” He tried not to snap, truly he did, but was extremely doubtful he’d succeeded. “As you might imagine, the incident with the children this morning has left me in rather a foul mood, and I sought to spare you my company, such as it is.”

“I see,” she said, rather meekly in his opinion.

“Good,” he bit out.

But then she straightened up and looked him directly in the eye, lifting her chin just slightly. “In that case, I’ll just leave you to your work.” Then she had the audacity to wave him off as if he were nothing more than a buzzing fly, disturbing the peacefulness of the garden.

“And what will you be doing?” he asked.

“I will go for a walk,” she informed him, haughtily.

“You will not go for a walk,” he growled.

Almost, Ruby thought, as if he cared about her.

“Sir Graham,” she began, “I assure you, I am perfectly fine. I shall remain out of your way, which is all that really matters, is it not?” A vein in his temple began to pulse, and Ruby found entirely too much pleasure in the fact. She turned on her heel and began to walk to another area of the garden.

“Stop this instant!” Graham exclaimed. “You may not go for a walk!”

Ruby stopped and turned to him, about to ask if he intended to tie her down to stop her, but shut her mouth just as quickly when it occurred to her that he might heartily approve the suggestion.

“Sir Graham,” she said, “I fail to see… OH!” she exclaimed when he scooped her up in his arms, mumbling something about stubborn and foolish women, marched over to the chaise, and dropped her unceremoniously upon it.

“Stay there,” he ordered.

She sputtered indignantly, almost at a loss of what to say after his unbelievable display of arrogance. “You can’t just…”

“Good God, woman! You would try the patience of a saint!”

She glared at him.

He huffed in frustration. “What would it take to keep you from moving from this spot?”

She lifted her chin at him before answering. “I can’t think of a single thing,” she said honestly.

“Fine,” he said. “Hike all over the countryside, if it pleases you. Swim to France.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “From Gloucestershire?”

“If anyone could figure out a way to do it, it would be you, Miss Jones. Good day.” Then he turned on his heel and left her exactly where she’d started from.

~*~*~

Graham sat at supper that evening utterly dejected and lonely. One would have thought that eating alone was commonplace for him after all the years married to Jacinda, but in the last day and a half, he’d become used to Ruby’s presence and now, he missed her. If he wasn’t already painfully aware of how badly he’d handled the day's situations, her short missive informing him she intended to take supper in her room this evening made it abundantly clear. Considering the fact she’d been complaining about the lack of his company earlier, her refusal to join him was a stark insult, indeed, and one that the servants were obviously aware of. Graham sighed. He hated being the subject of the servants' gossip.

He made his way through all the courses, hoping she might change her mind and come down. It was certainly doubtful, given her stubborn streak, but he could always hope. When it became abundantly clear it was a futile hope, he considered going up to her. But that would have been extremely inappropriate, even out here in the country. Besides the fact that seeking her out after his behavior this morning was tantamount to eating crow.

Which wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world, considering he’d already decided he was willing to beg her to stay and be a mother to his children, if necessary. But wanting to woo a woman didn’t mean that he knew how to do it.

George had always been the one to charm and woo the ladies. He always knew what to say and how to act. He wouldn’t have cared about being the subject of the servants’ gossip. Graham had always been the quieter one, the studious one, the awkward one when compared to his older brother. Much less suited to being a father and lord of the manor. He’d always planned on leaving Romney Hall and never looking back, at least while his father was alive. George was to have married and had half a dozen perfect children and Graham would have been the somewhat strange but still fun uncle, working on his experiments at Cambridge.

But all of that changed on a battlefield in Belgium. England may have won the war, but it was blessed little comfort when his father dragged him home, determined to mold him into a suitable heir. Determined to mold him into George, who’d been his favorite.

And then he’d died. Right there in front of Graham. In the middle of a screaming, raging fit, his heart had given out on him.

And Graham had become Sir Graham, with all the rights and responsibilities of a baronet. Rights and responsibilities he’d never, ever wanted.

He loved his children more than life itself, so he guessed he could say it’d turned out alright in the end, but he still felt like he was failing. Romney Hall was doing well. As a result of the agricultural techniques he’d introduced in the fields of the estate, they were turning a profit for the first time since… Well, he wasn’t sure exactly. They’d certainly never turned a profit in the years his father was lord of the estate.

But the fields weren’t nearly as important as the children. They were flesh and blood and would someday grow up, and with how badly behaved they were now, he was terrified of what the future would hold for them if something wasn’t done soon. Which was why he was so desperate for Ruby to stay and marry him.

He couldn’t continue to fail his children the way he had been since they were born really, but especially since Jacinda died. He had no idea how to handle them.

Except the night before, with the fish incident. For the first time, he’d handled Ava exactly right. Ruby’s presence had calmed him in a way that he never would have believed, if he hadn’t experienced it himself.

That was why he couldn’t seek her out this evening. So he couldn’t muck it up any more than he already had.

~*~*~

Thank you for reading and sharing! I'd love to know what you think!

#to sir graham with love #krystal writes #birthday fic for marta #art by motherkatereloyshipper #red hunter fic

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