#sorry not sorry It's nice to look at Tai lung

[bietrofastimoff23]

i prefer chameleon over kai, if only for the reason that she actively exploits the appearance of tai lung (as she should), while kai did not bother to show it to us for more than two seconds.

[slashingdisneypasta]

Kung Fu Panda Villains x Reader || Drabbles

Plot / Includes: The common theme is tea XD

General Kai x Immortal!Reader: After coming back to the living plain as a spirit warrior, Kai’s first stop is to find you, an immortal ex-lover. Will you be happy to see him, though??

Lord Shen x ChildhoodFriend!Reader: You make Shen some tea because he’s always so uptight, and you crave a nice moment with him ^^

Tai Lung x Reader: The first thing Tai Lung does after escaping prison is visit you, his girlfriend/boyfriend/romantic partner from before he was imprisoned- and you’ve been waiting for him ^^

Annnnd, this is my first attempt at writing any of these guys, so I’m sorry if they aren’t quite right!

Warnings: I guess Tai gets a little frisky with you? But not really XD He’s just happy to see you!! XD

General Kai:

… A spirit warrior. This man leaves you for war, starts stealing peoples chi, doesn’t come back for 5 hundred years- and when he finally does come back, he is something called a spirit warrior??

You are deeply unamused. And he knows it- how could he not? You are standing in your doorway looking up at him with a scowl on your lips. He better be intimidated.

“So… “Your voice is as cold as ice, eyes narrowing in distaste as he rubs the back of neck in nervousness at your reaction to him after all these years. Not because he is nervous, but because he has the good sense to look it. “how did it go??”

“Wh- uh… the war??”

“Yes.”

“Well, I um… Oogway banished me to the spirit realm… “

“I heard… “

“Oh, you know. So- uh- you know, that’s why I haven’t been around… not that I didn’t wanna see you, or forgot you or, or anything… “

“Uhuh… “

“Look, can I come in?” He suddenly snaps, dropping his large arms to his sides and moving in closer to you, letting go of the façade of nervousness. “I got other places to be.”

“Oh! You have other places to be??” Immediately Kai realises he has said the wrong thing, when you light up like this. “Great! Go there!”

Then you slam the door in his face. You think he was so close that it knocked his nose- you hope that it knocked his nose. You stay by the door just long enough to hear him grunt on the other side, before sweeping off further into your house to start forgetting he came at all. You spent over 500 years missing him, he can’t just come back one day and treat you like a stop along the way.

Also- what he did, what he is no doubt still trying to do, is unforgiveable. And you refuse to be party to it. No way.

When your door literally flies off the hinges behind you, slamming into the ground with a huge, loud THUD, you whip around with wide eyes and take in a deep breath- ready to yell at this bastard for knocking down your goddamn door-

But he strolls on in, breaking your door further when he steps on it, and holds a hoof up to your face- silencing you. “Y/N… Come on, lets just talk about this.” As you stay completely silent then, Kai takes the opportunity to soften a little bit, using those bovine eyes on you in that way he knows used to make you melt once upon a time. “I missed you.”

… damnit, it still has an effect on you. Not quite the same effect, you’re still holding together - you’re still pissed, - , but that little part of you that was there since you saw him today that desperately wants to accept him back- get a little bit louder.

Now, you can’t do that, you can’t just forgive him, but you can hear him out. On your terms, but… you can be okay with him being in your house… at least. You guess. So, straightening up, you brush his hoof out of your way with the back of your hand, relishing inwardly in the way his face drops at the motion, and head towards the kitchen.

“… fine. Fix that door and if you manage to do that before I finish the tea, you can have some. Deal?”

“I’m on it.”

Lord Shen:

“Shen? I made tea, and thought you might want a cup before you leave?”

“Tea?... I don’t need your tea- “

“Agree to disagree. Sit down.”

This made Lord Shen look at you as if you grew 3 heads and shat on the rug for a good long moment, but you don’t remove your gaze from his even though he’s scary, and after a few moments, he narrows his eyes at you and sits down on the other side of the mat. Success-

“Just a sip.” He tells you, in that hushed voice of his that can be goddamn terrifying depending on what you’ve done, as he picks up a cup in is wing. “I’ve never had tea from you, before… Wonder if it’ll be palatable.” He thinks out loud, half to himself and half to bother you, peering into the cup.

Oh, now- Rolling your eyes, you raise a cup to your own lips, feeling the warmth in your hands, and nod to him. Go on. “Well only one way to find out.” You’ve known Shen for a long time now, you grew up together, so his meanness doesn’t do quite the same thing to you as it does to others. Also, you’ve always been rather resilient, and a little naïve. No matter how hard someone may try to convince you, you cant truly believe that Shen is evil. Evil doesn’t really exist, and if it does then surely it has worse things to do then live inside Shen.

You feel like people calling him evil is just an easy way for them to compartmentalize, and you would rather know him. Which you do. That’s how you kept up eye contact with this insane bird-

“Right… “

As you take a sip yourself, and feel the warm liquid slide down your throat and fill your insides with lovely heat, you wait patiently for Shen to do the same. It takes him a moment, scowling at you as you drink your tea, before he lets out a dramatic sigh and tries it himself. “Alright, alright.” You watch his pretty face change, no longer does it look like he smelt something awful- it actually looks… surprised. Vaguely pleasantly surprised, as a matter of fact, as he looks back into the cup. “… hm.”

“Hmm?~ “

“Its… well, I’m not dead.”

“Did you really think it would kill you, Shen? That I would try to kill you?” You deadpan, but raise your brows expectantly when he raises his eyes to you.

… He pauses. “… well- “

“Shen!”

“You’re right, you wouldn’t have what it takes, would you? No… “ Smirking, Shen takes another sip of his tea. “Thank you, though. This tea is remarkably edible.”

… sighing, you roll your eyes look away as you take another sip yourself. “Thanks. You’re welcome.”

Shen steals your attention again, though, as he drains the last of his tea and holds out the cup to you, an oddly adorable - yet still crazy, - expression on his face. Soft, and almost pleading. “… Can I have some more, then?” His voice, of course, is still terrifying.

A slow grin spreads across your face. “… I thought you were on your way out?”

“Oh shut up, and pour me some tea.”

Tai Lung:

“Y/N!” A familiar voice yells, banging at your front door.

“Tai??” You ask, wide eyed and shocked as you pull the door open and see him standing there.

“Y/N.” He says again, unbelievable and desperate relief in his tone as he pulls you against his chest in the warmest hug you’ve ever experienced- well, since you last saw him. 20 years ago. He breathes in at your head, taking as much of your scent as he can. As he breathes out, he releases a growl, but it is not an unhappy one- its full of comfort. When he speaks, his voice pitters into a bit of whine, at the end. “It’s been too long… “

You just squeeze him closer to you, burying your face in his shoulder and closing your eyes. Its unbelievable to you that he’s here, with you again. How did he get out?? You don’t even care. You don’t even care if he should be out, or what he’s going to do now that he is, you just want to stay here tucked away in him, listening to his heartbeat and holding on to it.

After a few minutes, though, you begin to get nervous someone will see him and call someone- and he would be taken away again- so, sniffing, you pull back gently, and flash him a warm smile; nodding inside. “Do you- do you want some tea??”

Still holding onto your hands/the ends of your wings/paws/etc, his paws being so much larger than what you have, he keeps you close to his body and warmly grins. “I don’t want to let you go, little one.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Alright then.”

You lead him inside and he closes the door behind you both, and while you’re pouring the water into the kettle he wraps his arms around your body from behind and sets his head on top of yours, curling his tail around one of your legs as well. He purrs.

After you set the kettle over the fire Tai Lung sits himself down on one of your kitchen chairs - again, not letting go of your hand/wing/paw/etc at all for even a moment, - before urging you onto his lap where he wraps himself back around you again. “I’ve missed you… “He growls into your hair. “So much, little one… I thought about you, in there, you know… all about you… “

“Oh, I’m assuming you thought about other things, too… “You reply, rolling your eyes, though still very much happy he’s here. Other things, like the scroll… dragon warrior… Shifu… escape…

Chuckling against you, and brushing his tail against you, Tai nods. “Yes, but when I was thinking of you… “ He suddenly squeezes your waist in his paws, making you yelp. “You were the only thing, on my mind… “

“Hmm,” You just him, leaning your head on his chest.

After a few more moments of blessed enjoyment of each other’s company, each other’s touch and warmth, Tai speaks up again. This time, there is a hint of nervousness in his voice that causes you to lift off of his chest in order to watch his face; Concerned. “Were you… uh, I mean, have you… “ Sighing, he looks away for a moment and gathers himself. Then looks back, serious. “Is there anyone else?... “

The look on his face is saying that he wouldn’t blame you, if their were. You were without him for a long, long time. And he would prefer you be happy, with someone else… then depressed, and alone. It would hurt him… but he loves you.

It tells you that you made the right decision in waiting all this time.

With a small, sad smile, you shake your head at him. “I promised you- I would wait. I’m yours, Ta- Ah!“ He kisses you then like he cant help it, growling into your mouth.

When he pulls back, his paw on your jaw, theirs a pleased grin on his face- but unbelievably fond look in his yellow eyes. “… I’m yours too, Y/N.”

[softly-potter]

White rose in Bloom Event - Day 6

Day six for WRW🌹hope you like this one!

@whiterose-fans-blog

Prompt: First kiss

Word count: 610

Warning: none

-

Ruby presses the back of her knuckles to her mouth, trying to slow her breathing as she watches Weiss brush out her hair.

Their last night together before Weiss goes back to Atlas, and yet Ruby had still not felt the timing. She’d dreamed of kissing Weiss for years, and now that she had the chance, she’d frozen every time.

“I think I'm all packed.” Weiss says, pulling Ruby from her thoughts. Blinking, Ruby drops her hand from her mouth, nodding quickly.

“G-good, that's good.” She replies, and Weiss raises a brow.

“Ruby, come on, are you still nervous about moving back with Tai?” Weiss asks, puts a hand on her hip. “I’m sure he’ll let you be just as independent as you are now. Trust me, when it comes to the dad department, you’re winning.”

Ruby smiles and settles on her haunches in front of her own bag. She had been packed since earlier this morning, her comic books settled nicely on top of her clothing, but she nervously double checked it anyways.

“Nah, I know,” Ruby says with a grin. “He’s the best.”

Her heels clicking on the wood floor paneling, Weiss walks across their dorm and sits on Ruby's bed, crossing her legs at the knees. “Is something going on? You know you can tell me anything right?”

Ruby looks up at her from her crouched position and finds Weiss beaming.

“I know, I-” Ruby swallows, standing straight before sitting next to Weiss. “You just make me nervous.”

Weiss lets out a laugh that sounds like the twinkling of bells. “Me? No way.”

“Yes way,” Ruby giggles. Weiss places a hand on her shoulder, fingers chilly before leaning close and pressing a chaste kiss to Ruby's cheek.

It could be friendly.

It could mean nothing. But Ruby is about to lose Weiss for the summer and she can’t let it slip by.

As Weiss begins to pull back, Ruby moves forward and presses her closed mouth to Weiss’. Weiss freezes, her hand clutched to Ruby’s shoulder, until her lips soften and she kisses her back.

Heart hammering, Ruby drops her chin, her lungs expanding before looking up nervously. Weiss’ eyes are wide, and she presses her hand to her mouth.

“That-”

“I’m sorry-”

They speak at the same time, and Ruby swallows thickly, nervous energy in her veins until Weiss’ face cracks, and she lets out a small laugh.

“What’re you apologizing for?” Weiss muses, scooting forward. “I’ve been thinking about that all semester.”

“You-” Ruby splutters, her face hot. “You have?”

Weiss rolls her eyes and cups the side of Ruby’s face, her thumb skimming over her chin. “Mhm. Now come back here.”

Closing the distance, Weiss kisses Ruby softly, her mouth smooth as her tongue runs across the seam of the other girl's mouth. Ruby hums in weak surprise, grabbing Weiss' wrist as she turns her face, relishing in the feel of Weiss against her.

It's soft and faint, Weiss’ tongue massaging Ruby’s in slow tandem. She tastes like sweet cream, her mouth plush and when she moans, Ruby feels a pull in her abdomen.

After a few moments, Weiss pulls away, scarlet painted on her pale cheeks, and it takes Ruby a few moments to remember to breathe correctly. Beside her, Weiss’ scroll buzzes and she swears as she reaches for it, her eyes rolling once she’s read the message.

“It’s my sister, I gotta go,” Weiss hums, and she grabs Ruby's hand, giving it a squeeze. “But… I look forward to doing more of that when we come back. Okay?”

Ruby smiles, squeezing Weiss’ digits and wishing she never had to let go.

[theyanderespecialist]

Tai Lung's Kitten😻P1: Yandere Tai Lung X Darling OC (Kung Fu Panda) 

Tai Lung's Kitten P1: Yandere Tai Lung X Darling OC (Christmas Gift For Friend)

[Hello, My Sexy Muffins! I am here with a Gift for A friend and I hope you all enjoy it as well!]

(Disclaimer: Tai Lung is not Yandere In Canon! This is just for fun and not to be taken seriously at all! Simping for Fictional Characters and Shipping them is fine! Just do not be illegal or gross about it! You know who you are! You Dirty, Flaky, Biscuits! Yanderes are not ideal partners to have in real life! Also, remember to separate fiction from reality and headcanon from canon! Thank you!) 

(Tai Lung's Kitten) (Part 1: Kindness) (No One's POV)  Malinal fell flat on her back and groaned as she did. She had somehow been transported to China. She did not know how she got her, she had been at the Aztec Temples and now here she was in China. She got up and looked around. She was a bit away from a village and temple, but on the hill she is, she can see the temple. She would have to travel through the forest and that is what she did. She walked down the large hill she was on being careful. She then made her way through the forest and only came out with a few scrapes and bruises.  For Some reason, she could understand the language. She was confused and asked people what part of China she was in when someone tapped her back. She turns around to see an elderly turtle. 

"My Child, are you the woman from the Aztec temples, Malinal." He asks her and her eyes go wide.  "Yes, I am, why, how do you know that?" She asks him.  "Come with me, I have much to discuss with you." He says. "I am Master Oogway and I foresaw a terrible event, there is one way to stop it and I believe that is you."  "What do you mean?" She asks.  "I cannot tell you the details as it could change everything, but trust me, you are in good hands." He reassures her.  That is how she came to live In China. She did not understand what Master Oogway had planned, but she trusted the grand master, as he was very calm and wise, he also seemed to have faith that she would be able to do what he knew she could... It put her a bit at ease. 

 Master Oogway got her a job at a prison and he said it was to train her for her real challenge, whatever that was and she was in charge of a prisoner there. The prisoner is Tai Lung. She remembers the first day she met Tai Lung.  "Who are you." The Jaguar asks her.  "I am Malinal, I am here to bring you your meal and keep you company." She tells him and his eyes narrowed on her, he felt this strange feeling in his chest for it. He did not know if he liked it.  She gave him his meal and sat down setting her meal down across from him. Yes, she planned to eat with him. She prayed over her food and he stared her down. She then grabbed her chopsticks and began to eat her meal. He trusting her slowly began to eat his meal as well. This began to be a daily thing for them. The first thing she would do when there was bring him breakfast, then talk to him for two hours, followed by making lunch and bringing it to him another two hours of talking, cooking, and eating dinner with him.  She did in fact cook meals for him. As after three days, she told him she would make him something. Today though she made him a nice sweet, that was not too sweet. She was not the best baker at least that is what she thought. So she wanted to make this new recipe she found of Chinese mango pudding. She got very little sleep making it perfect. She hoped it would not be too sweet.  (Fun fact saying a desert is not too sweet in China and some other Countries in Asia is a huge compliment for the desert, unlike Americans they do not like overly sweet things as much!) 

She brought it with his breakfast and quickly made her way to his cell. There he was waiting, pacing. She was late and he was worried something happen to her.  "Sorry that I am-"  "Malinal! Are you okay!?" He demands to know having himself pressed to the bars and his tail swaying as if she was prey.  "Oh! I am fine!" She says with a smile. "I did not mean to worry you, I just wanted to make you a treat last night and had to make it perfect."  He was shocked and she pulled it out, holding it out to him with a bright smile. She worked hard on it and wanted to know if he liked it!  "Y-You made this for me." He asks, stunned.  she was not only making healthier and more tasty meals, but she also took the time to make him sweets. She bought the food and made it herself. He was touched.  "Yes! I hope you like it! I also hope it is not too sweet!" She tells him and he takes it slowly lifting a spoonful to his mouth.  It was so good and it brought him back to when he was small and his adoptive father would make this when they were in season. He was feeling very strange.  He looked at her and saw she was waiting expectingly.  "It is not too sweet, thank you." He tells her and she breaks out into a grin.  He felt his heart race and the tides had changed. Master Oogway had a new vision, this time, Mailina was in danger! The plan he saw before was gone, and she was at risk! 

[YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS another chapter done! This is just part 1 will have part 2 at the end of the first month for the start of the lunar new year!] 

[amazingdudesblog]

My basic review for kung fu panda 4 (some spoilers ahead)

Comedy was great, made me laugh many times. There are some points where it does kinda feel like older characters were flanderized, but it wasn’t too big of a problem. The furious five not being back is okay, but I hope they do play a prominent role in the possible next one. One issue was the pacing. There could have been some more slower scenes to let the audience rest I think. Some more emotional scenes would have been nice. There was a lot of missed opportunities in this. Shen and Kai do not talk at all for the duration they’re in the movie, which sucks tbh especially for shen. You mean to tell me they couldn’t have even one moment where Shen stops to tell Po he’s sorry for what he did to his people? Tai Lung’s arc in the movie was okay but I feel like they could have done more with him. The dynamic between Po and Zhen feels like it could have been done a bit better but maybe I just need to watch the movie again. Now onto chameleon. I get that they didn’t want to make her redeemable but there was some points about her that I feel they missed out on expanding. She tells Po she was casted aside by every kung fu master she ever met for her size. I feel like they could have done something by having Po tell her that she would have been gladly accepted and embraced by the Jade Palace (they accepted an insect ffs). Also with chameleon, I feel like they missed out on Zhen calling her out on what she’s doing. Something like “I can’t believe I ever looked up to you! I should have seen how terrible you were before, but I was blinded by the fact that you took me in! I saw you as family and did everything you asked for, only because I saw you as the one good thing that ever happened to me! But now I can see that there’s no goodness inside you at all!” I know, it’s mushy, but idk maybe it would have been a good line. All in all, fun movie, could have had more emphasis on the emotion.

[leafs-lover]

Part Thirty Four

Series Masterlist

A/N: And to think, my original outline had this as the end...

Warnings: Mentions of a sick kid and swearing, I think that's it...

Word Count: 5500

“Mommy,” Taylour sniffles when Tia stands up to prepare a tea. Tucked with a blanket to his chin and Geoffery tight to his chest, he hasn’t moved for almost an hour. His head leans against Tia’s thigh, he has dozed on and off all morning, had a few coughing fits, and basically spent every second with Tia, barely letting her leave for five seconds. She carried him around letting him rest on her shoulder while making coffee, and actually screamed when she went to the bathroom.

“I’ll be right back Tay,” Tia sweeps the curls from his forehead and lets the back of her hand fall against his clammy skin for another temperature check. Cooler than before, but still warm.

“Nooo,” his cries get louder, and he props himself up on his elbow to further fight her on it.

“Come here,” Auston offers. Lifting the blanket he sets the cup on the coffee table, and with the clattering of glass on wood she knows he didn’t use a coaster but doesn’t have the will to care.

“Nooo, mommy!” his eyes are completely glossed over with tears hovering on the surface. She can hear the mucus in his lungs as he takes a shaky breath, a heavy couch coursing through his tiny body.

“Alright,” she sighs, rubbing her hands down her face, trying to keep it all in. At this point her morning has been filled with tears, whining and whimpers, and she doesn’t want to provide a reason for more. Adjusting back into the couch, she shoots Auston a sympathetic smile. All he wants to help, and has tried to comfort Taylour multiple times, but when he all he wants is Tia.

He was thirsty, but Mommy had to get him juice. He wanted a popsicle, Mommy had to get it. He wants cuddles, they have to come from Mommy. He was cold and Mommy had to take him to get a sweater. Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, it’s all he’s heard all day. He understands that most kids prefer their mom when sick, and for two years Tia was the only parent around when he was sick, but it would be nice if Auston could look at him without it ending in tears.

After another couple episodes of the endless Paw Patrol marathon that has become their day, Auston glances at his watch. Letting his knees crack when he stands, he collects the half popsicle that Taylour let melt on top of Auston’s bagel and throws them both out. Opening the fridge, he pours some juice into a cup and finds the tiny bottle of medicine and brings it over to the couch.

“Hey Tay,” he sweeps the curls off his forehead and notes the redness in his eyes. “Time for your medicine.”

“No Daddy,” he quietly objects, rubbing his cheek against Tia’s thigh.

“Yes Taylour,” Auston sighs.

“It’s not time, I still have this many,” he holds up three fingers, bringing a gentle smirk to Auston’s lips.

“No,” Auston shakes his head. “You have this many,” he turns his hand into a 0 and holds it up for him to see.

“No,” Taylour rolls onto his back to look at Tia. “No medicine Mommy,” he pleads.

“Sorry Taylour,” her thumb soothes over his cheek, “you have to take your medicine.”

The confirmation coming from Tia, coupled with his exhaustion from being sick, leads to a trembling lower lip. With a few sniffles, tears begin to ripple down his cheeks “I don’t want it,” his sobs start to get heavier.

Pulling him up into her warm embrace, Taylour instantly curls in, letting his tears spill onto her shirt. “Medicine will make you better,” she tries to explain, shifting to let Auston sit on the couch beside them.

“Come on Taylour, you had some before and you liked it,” Auston tries to offer.

“No I di’in’t,” he tangles a sticky hand into Tia’s hair and lets out a heavy, dramatic sob.

Tia is almost at her wits end. She knows he needs this, and they have to get him to take it, but she barely slept last night. The adrenaline and guilt never let her heart settle or mind to turn off. And since Taylour decided to wake up and crawl out of bed, she hasn’t had a few minutes to herself - hasn’t even showered the bar off her.

“Taylour,” she sighs, letting Auston hear the defeat in her voice.

“Does your throat hurt?” Auston wipes away the tears the sit in the corner of his dark brown eyes. “Yeah?” he continues, following the slight nod of Taylour’s head, “What about your head?” He nods again. “Ears?” Another nod. “Well, this medicine will make all of that go away.”

Taylour whimpers and swallows down the lump in his throat, shaking his head ever so slightly against Tia. “Mommy,” his voice cracks as he cranes his head to look at her.

“Daddy is right,” she softly kisses his forehead. “Take your medicine, then we can watch whatever you want and have some Jello.”

“Blue?” he meekly whispers.

“Of course,” she smiles at him. “Blue is the best.”

“Kay,” he mumbles. Turning slightly towards Auston he barely opens his mouth for the medicine, and dramatically winces when the spoon touches his tastebuds. Forcing down a swallow, he eagerly accepts the cup of juice and Auston walks to the fridge and grabs him a Jello-cup.

“What do you want to watch?” Auston peels the lid off and hands it to him.

“Incredibles,” he mumbles softly, digging a spoon into the cup.

Taylour barely made it twenty minutes, and Tia fell asleep ten minutes later. With Taylour finally asleep, it meant Auston could finally get a break from cartoons, but he just doesn’t have the mental capacity to focus on something. He flipped the movie off and turned on The Office. He answered his moms seven texts messages and the ones from his sisters; everyone concerned about Taylour.

Two episodes played in their entirety and Auston couldn’t even tell you what episodes at this point when he hears a faint knock at the door. He assumes it’s Becks coming to check on Taylour, see if they need anything, and before he can even crawl out from the million blankets Tia has buried them under the knocking is heavier and louder. Sighing, he walks over and opens the door, and is almost left too stunned to speak.

“Um hi,” the man on the other side of the door speaks first. Wearing a dark sweater with the sleeves rolled up, the hood covers his dark hair and blocks the light from hitting his face, but Auston can see the heavy bags underneath his eyes. Holding a grocery bag full of soup, Gatorade, juice and freezies in one hand, a coffee in the other, he looks equally stunned to see Auston on the other side. “Is Tia here?”

“Uh,” Auston originally thought he was at the wrong door and shakes his head in disbelief. “She’s uh…she’s sleeping.”

“Oh,” he shuffles on his feet. “I brought some stuff,” he holds out the plain white plastic bag. “Can I leave it with you?”

“Um…sure…” Auston blinks a few times. “I’m sorry, who are you?”

“Thomas?” Tia pokes her head around Auston, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. When she awoke in a sleepy haze to the faint chatter of voices it took her a second to recognize it wasn’t the TV she was hearing. Her feet barely touched the floor once she heard Thomas’s voice and then Auston’s. “What are you doing here?”

“I brought Taylour some medicine and soup,” Thomas explains, motioning to the bag, bringing a smile to his face.

“We have medicine and soup,” Auston mutters bitterly, just loud enough to be heard.

“Auston,” Tia warns under her breath, glaring briefly at him. Letting her face soften, she turns towards Thomas, “thank you.”

The tension in the hall is thick, and she holds her breath as silence overcomes them. The seconds that pass are like hours, and it feels as if the walls begin to close in on them. With arms crossed over his puffed-out chest, Auston looks to Thomas, who looks to Tia, who shifts her gaze between them. When Auston finally catches the silent pleading in Tia’s eyes he is the first to cave. Grumbling incoherently, he snatches the bag and with heavy footsteps pads off towards the kitchen.

With Auston gone, Tia steps out into the hall and lets the door softly close behind her. “Thanks again,” she smiles at Thomas, but can’t help but notice the way his lips twitches and the smile falls from his face. “You really didn’t have to do this,” she emphasizes the really, dragging the syllables until the air in her lungs is gone.

“He’ll be better soon?” There is genuine concern in his question.

“Yeah, just a bad case of strep,” she gently nods. “A couple days with antibiotics and you won’t even know he was sick.”

“That’s good.” He quickly changes the subject. “He spend the night here? Auston?” Tia can almost see the displeasure dripping from his tongue.

“Yeah,” Tia replies dryly, knowing where the conversation is heading. “He’s Taylour’s dad.”

“Right –“

“Taylour was in the hospital,” she interrupts him and lets her head fall. “He’s going to be here after something like that.”

“Where uh, where did he sleep?” There is a hesitation in his voice, the answer threatening to burst the air around them.

“Seriously?” Tia scoffs – swallowing the bitterness on her tongue.

“You don’t have a spare bed.”

“We didn’t fuck,” her eyes narrow and she crosses her arms over her chest. “That is what you’re asking right?”

“I –“

“Look, my kid is sick, I can’t deal with whatever this is,” she motions between the two of them. “You either trust me or you don’t.”

“I do, but it’s a little shocking when your ex opens the door,” he tries to reason.

Tia can feel the fire inside getting hotter, the flame being fueled by her frustration. The audacity of him to come here start an argument over something so trivial. Did he actually expect Auston to go home after last night, and not give a second thought to his sick child? To leave her to care for Taylour when he is the sickest he’s ever been?

The weight of the unfolding situation makes her arms fall at her sides. Releasing a heavy exhale, she attempts to hold back the anger drenching her words, “Auston is Taylour’s dad. He will be around, a lot, if you aren’t comfortable with that then maybe we shouldn’t be together.” The door slammed on his face before he had a chance to talk, and he was left stunned, just as the man on the other side of the door is.

Auston was in the kitchen, pretending to be busy putting away the items Thomas brought, but it was clear he was trying to stay busy until she returned. The door closing slightly harder than anticipated sent a jolt up his spine, and he didn’t even need to look to see the frustration radiating off her.

“Who was that?” Auston mindlessly probes when Tia walks over to the fridge for a drink.

“Just a friend from school,” not entirely a lie. They went to school at the same time and have mutual friends, they just didn’t have any classes together or meet until after he graduated. “He was at Beck’s birthday last night, saw me leave upset.” There is a brief moment of silence before she continues, “I’m going to go shower.”

Auston can tell there is something she isn’t telling him, her entire demeanor shifted, and when she walked away, he could hear her muttering under her breath. He thought she would have an excessively long shower, the kind where she’d spend more time thinking and letting water hit her in the face and roll down her body, than actually showering. But less than ten minutes later she had her hair braided behind her head, glasses on her nose and one of Auston’s oversized sweaters engulfing her frame - another sweater he didn’t know had gone missing. But this isn’t one from Zurich, it’s from his closet in Scottsdale – something she must “borrowed” during her stay in May and forgotten to return – something he likely won’t see ever again.

Auston found himself back in her bed that night, closer than the night before – so close he could smell her moisturizer, feel her hair tickling his neck. The only difference was on the other side of her was Taylour, digging an elbow into her ribcage. And it was more of the same the following night. Auston didn’t know how the littlest one had the most space in the bed, and he had the least, but he also wasn’t going to complain.

Taylour slowly began to get better. He still whined and complained when Tia would leave the room, fought them every time his medicine was brought out and at times nothing seemed to make him happy, but they tried. Auston cancelled his upcoming trip to Arizona. Tia struggled to find two hours to jump on the computer for her class, and she didn’t go to her internship.

It was the longest stretch they had spent together since they dated, and Auston hated that he knew her so well, because that meant he could tell that whatever had upset her was still bothering her. And it wasn’t that she was upset and concerned about her son being sick, it was more. It was staring at her screen when a name popped up and if it was anyone other than Becks and Max she would huff and press the lock button. It was mumbling and muttering under her breath, constantly being bothered by something she wouldn’t talk about, and he knew better than to ask.

He thought it would be awkward, spending all that time in a small apartment, sharing a bed, sharing a bathroom, sharing basically everything. And at first it was, but by the third morning when Auston woke up holding Tia, all the tension had faded, and they both actually found themselves enjoying the others company.

There was a routine, one where Auston found himself chopping vegetables or doing the prep for dinner, while Tia cooked (because after he let Taylour’s soup boil over and create a mess on her glass cooktop, she refused to let him touch a spatula). He didn’t mind. After dinner he’d start on the dishes and Tia would come over and show him how he had once again incorrectly loaded the dishwasher. Once Taylour was asleep, they’d watch something on TV, both of them sprawled in opposite directions. She laughed and teased him when he jumped in the scary parts of the movie, and he pretended not to see when she teared up three separate times in Guardians of the Galaxy – even though he knew she would before it even started.

Waking up with Auston at her side, she felt safe and secure – an overwhelming feeling that everything would be okay. There was no flirting or romantic thoughts, and for the first time in a while –maybe ever, if she is being honest – she began to believe this was something her and Auston could manage. They could be exes, and only exes that not only raise a child together but are there for the other, no matter what. It felt so natural to have him around, she almost let it slip about her road trip to the bus stop by Kylie’s house, but at the last second, she bit her tongue and decided to not emotionally unload on him.

Auston felt comfortable being there, but also confused. A week ago, he was bitter and reluctant to spend more than five minutes with her, and now it felt easy to be there, and the thought of leaving and returning to his apartment saddened him in a way he couldn’t quite understand. He didn’t have an overwhelming urge to kiss her, or to hold her close while lying in bed, yet every morning she was in his arms, and he didn’t want her to leave. Luckily, as Taylour got better, he had more energy, which meant bouts of playing, colouring, childish giggles, all things that provided a distraction from everything going on in his mind.

“I don’t want my medicine,” Taylour brings his arms over his chest and lets out a tiny cough. “I’m all better.” He coughs again.

“You’re all better?” Auston laughs and turns to Tia in the kitchen who is cleaning up from breakfast. “Your doctor said to take medicine for ten days, it’s only been three.”

“I’m better daddy! I don’t need it,” he tries to sound firm, but releases another deep phlegmy cough.

“Oh, so you’re a doctor now?” Auston grins to Tia who is just watching from the kitchen. Kneeling down in front of Taylour, Auston measures the medicine out and waits for him to take it.

“I will be when I’m big.” Taylour tries to run away but Auston wraps his free arm around him and pins him to his chest, smirking as Taylour huffs in annoyance.

“Well, when you’re big I’ll listen to you because you’ll be a doctor, but for now you have to listen to your doctor. And he says take your medicine.”

“Daddy, NO!” He stomps his foot and turns his head away, crinkling his nose in the process.

“You can have a popsicle after,” Auston offers.

“Red one?” he slowly turns to face Auston, a glimmer of hope reaching his brown eyes. Walking to the freezer Tia opens the drawer and pulls out a red popsicle, peeling it from the wrapper she holds it out for him to see. “Fine,” Taylour huffs.

Barely opening his mouth Auston brings the spoon closer and puts it between his lips, on his tongue. Waiting until Taylour closes his mouth, Auston slowly pulls it out and places a kiss to his temple, “Go get your popsicle,” his arms loosen.

Taylour didn’t need to be told twice, he ran to Tia and scooped up the popsicle and scurried off to the couch to eat while watching Paw Patrol. “You’re getting good at that,” Tia discards the wrapper in the trash and closes the dishwasher.

“What? Bribing an almost three-year-old?” The edges of his lips begin to curl upward. “Not something I thought I’d be adding to my resume.”

“Auston Matthews, first overall draft pick and top goal scorer for the Toronto Maple Leafs, number one at bribing toddlers,” Tia jokes, making him chuckle slightly. “If you weren’t here, every dose of medicine would take an hour and be full of tears, mostly mine, but tears nonetheless.”

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Auston grins. Walking into the kitchen he leans against the counter. “You have to go to Celeste’s, right?”

“She said to take –“

“He isn’t really sick anymore,” which is why Auston is planning on returning to his apartment tomorrow. “He’ll be fine for a couple hours.

“Auston –“

“You have to get these hours done before school starts in September, right?”

The downfall of spending days with your ex who used to be your best friend, they talked about basically everything. He knows all about the internship and Brenda’s attempts to make her look incompetent. He knows that she doesn’t need to get the hours done by September, she just wants to get them done lighten her workload. He also knows that she is eager to take Celeste up on her option to stock some of Tia’s pieces in the store but worries that if she doesn’t get something done that offer could expire. And he knows that she is stressed because most of those pieces are either yet to be sewn or are in pieces having been torn to shreds.

“And isn’t today super important?” he adds in.

At least this time he is right. It’s Celeste’s final walk through with the items. Every year she brings in a couple local girls and they pair the clothes with shoes, accessories, they do their hair and makeup, and take a few photographs. And Genevieve hinted that a decision could be made regarding the Montreal trip any day. But Taylour is sick.

“I don’t –“

“Tia, he is fine.” Auston interrupts her. He eyes over to Taylour who is giggling and bouncing his stuffed Marshall on the couch while imitating the actions of cartoon Marshall on the TV. “And you have a phone, if anything changes, I will call you.”

Tia thought Taylour would fight her leaving, two days ago she could barely leave for the bathroom without him crying. So, when she walked out of her room, dressed and ready to go, a part of her was shocked Taylour wasn’t even phased. She walked over and placed the back of her hand on his forehead and told him she was going to work and expected the tears and trembling lower lip. Instead, she got the response she has never received when Taylour was sick, he hugged her.

“You’re going to stay here with Daddy, while Mommy goes to work.”

“Okay mommy,” his head nestles into the crook of her neck and shoulder.

“Bye Taylour,” she squeezes him tighter than normal.

“Bye mommy,” he says in her ear, Marshall and Geoffery smushed between their bodies.

When she let Taylour go and turned around Auston was in the kitchen, shaking his head with a grin on his face. He always knew Taylour was a momma’s boy, but he didn’t realize how much she loved him being one.

Walking into Celeste’s with an ice coffee in hand she falls into her desk – she didn’t realize the sheer strength it would take to not only get ready but also leave Taylour. Maybe a part of why she was the only person who could comfort him when he was sick, was because she made him that way. Tia sat silently in that room for what was probably ten minutes. A ring of condensation sits around the plastic cup on her desk, and she hadn’t even managed to turn on her tablet on, the stack of papers waiting in her peripheral becoming more and more daunting as time passed.

“Tia,” Genevieve breathes out a smile, “you’re here. Taylour must be doing better?”

“Yeah, he is still a little sick, but certainly doing better,” her head snaps up and she swivels towards the door to look at her.

“Oh, that’s good, we missed you around here, Celeste sure did.”

Walking back out of the room, Tia barely has a second to herself before Brenda walks in - wearing a white and navy horizontally striped oversized shirt and her Chanel parachute pants. Tia hates that she is competing for a spot at in Montreal with someone who not only doesn’t understand fit, but hasn’t grasped that horizontal stripes are terrible on every body type, only making you look wider. It was taught to her week one of school, but it’s also assumed to be common knowledge by fashion majors at that point.

“Morning,” she drops her purse onto her desk, a big smile pressed to her face.

“Hi,” Tia grumbles.

“Did you get my e-mail?” She falls into her seat but doesn’t pull her eyes off her phone, typing furiously on the screen. “The one about accessories. I sent it on Monday.”

“I was off the last few days, Taylour was si-“

“Can you take a look; we need it by noon.” She keeps up the perky façade as Tia grits her teeth. Unlocking her tablet and muttering a curse word under her breath Tia skims through the seventeen messages in her inbox, to find the one. The “can you go here and pick up these five belts and then here for these seven scarves and wraps. Things that Brenda could have found a few hours to do over herself instead of leaving Tia to scramble right before the walk through.

Tia shut off her tablet and threw her bag over her shoulder. The August air was warm and sticky, temperatures reaching unprecedented highs. The streets were crowded with people going to work or the beach, wanting to cool off from the heat. The last thing Tia wanted was people and crowds, and that’s exactly where she found herself.

Sweat was pooling behind her neck, clinging to her hairline as she weaved with four oversized shopping bags and her purse. She could feel beads rolling down the valley of her breasts, could taste saltiness on her upper lip, but she was almost back to the air conditioning where a cold drink would be waiting for her. Then her phone rang.

“Can you get Celeste a coffee?”

“Yeah.”

The word barely even hit her tongue before the call disconnected. Slinging the bags up higher, Tia turns and stalks back down the stairs to the subway towards Celeste’s favourite coffee shop. The line was long, and it was nearing 11 by the time she left, then had to restart the journey onto the subway, through the crowd of people and down the bust street, while juggling a million items.

Everything almost dropped the minute she opened the door, but she managed to get down the hall, past the mannequins and racks of clothes, the mess of fabric and to her desk. She set everything down when she heard Celeste’s voice getting louder with every click of her heels.

“I just can’t believe…Tia,” Celeste trails off, smiling wide when she sees her. “Genevieve said you were in today, but when you missed the walk through, we thought something happened with Taylour.”

“I thought it was at noon,” Tia’s entire face threatens to crumble as she tries to ignore the shameless smirk from the corner of the room.

“Carlos had to push it to 10:30,” Celeste explains sympathetically.

“I was getting the accessories you needed,” when confusion crosses her face and smugness hits Brenda’s, she continues. “The scarves, wraps…” trailing off, she reaches into a bag and pulls one out to show her.

“Oh, we don’t need those anymore.”

“Brenda said –“

“Oh, we must have gotten our wires crossed,” Brenda grins, but Tia sees right through it. “Sorry.”

“How was the walk through?” Tia accepts defeat and just sighs, blinking back some tears.

“A little crazy,” she laughs lightly. “But it went well. Shame you missed it.” Giving her forearm a gentle squeeze, Celeste turns and her heels echo as she descends down the hall.

“Thanks for the coffee,” Brenda sends her a fake and devious smile. Walking over she grabs a cup from the tray and scurries after Celeste. Tia’s heart drops into her feet and her stomach does a flip. She knew Brenda felt threatened by her presence, but didn’t think she had it in her to effortlessly wrench a knife into her.

**

“Mommy!” Taylour runs over to her and wraps his arms around her neck for a big hug the second the door opens.

“Hi baby,” she welcomes the embrace while removing her shoes. Slowly walking through the apartment, she falls into the couch. “How are you doing?” she runs her hand through his hair. His cheeks are still puffy, and nose is plugged, but overall, he seems in good spirits.

“Good, I watch Nemo,” he explains, pointing to the TV.

“Can I watch with you?” Tia brings him down to cradle him against her chest.

Auston tells her about their day, that he barely fought the medicine a few hours ago. He had two popsicles and was laughing and playing for a bit, but still had a decent nap in the afternoon. Tia nodded along, listening to every word but didn’t ask any questions, nor did she say anything. She just ran her hands through Taylor’s hair, occasionally kissed his forehead and silently watched the movie.

Auston could tell something was wrong - he actually saw it the moment she walked in the door. While she tried to keep her eyes soft, there's a hint of sadness lingering just below. If he didn’t know her so well, he might not have seen the fallen hope behind the barely standing façade. Unfortunately, he still knows her better than anyone else. He can see through the bandages and crumbling armour, right at the pain she is trying so hard to hide.

“T,” Auston gently touches her arm.

“Hm,” she rolls her head along the couch cushion to look at him.

“You okay?”

“Yeah,” she replies hollowly, eyes fighting the tears that hover beneath the surface.

“You sure? You can talk to me.”

Taking a moment, Tia lets out a deep breath before responding with, “Just a long day.”

Right Auston thinks to himself. It’s obvious she is lying in the way her breathing stuttered before she spoke, and how the words felt grey and had no weight behind them. There is something she is hiding behind, and just needs a push.

“Come on,” he nudges her, “if you’re going to lie at least try harder.”

“No lying,” Taylour turns to Auston. “Lying is bad Daddy.”

“You’re right, lying is bad” Auston smiles to Taylour and then smirks to Tia. “Can you do me a favour?” he directs his attention back to Taylour.

“Mhm,” he nods at him with a wide smile growing on his face.

“Can you tell Mommy that lying is bad, then ask her why she is sad.”

Tia just rolls her eyes and scoffs quietly. She hates that he is using their son against them, but what she hates more is that she can’t try and hide it. Because the second Taylour turned in her arms and she looked into his chocolate brown eyes, saw those sweet dimples, and swept her hand through his curly hair, she was done for.

“Don’t be sad Mommy,” his voice is soft as he stares directly at her.

“I just had a long day at work,” Tia hollowly smiles back at him, locking her fingers behind his back.

“Ask her why,” Auston prompts, his voice a loud whisper.

“Why Mommy?”

Letting out a soft laugh, she then sighs. “Brenda made a mistake, and Mommy did three hours of work she didn’t need to,” Tia explains, hoping it’s enough to silence Auston.

“Ask if anything else happened today,” Auston whispers again.

“Anything else make you sad?” Taylour repeats in a soft voice,

Tia hates how sympathetic he is being, that even though these are Auston’s questions, there is actually genuine concern in the way he asks them.

“Mommies boss decided to take Brenda on a work trip instead of me,” Tia’s voice cracks. “And mommy really wanted to go on the trip.”

Auston’s heart snaps for her, but she knows she can’t dwell on it. Celeste explained that Brenda was an actual employee where Tia was an intern whose time was coming to an end. None of her past interns had stuck around or returned after their hours were completed, and she if she is going to spend hundreds of dollars for the fees, meals and the hotel, it made more sense for it to be an actual employee, because that would benefit her company.

It made sense, and Tia knew all that going in, but she also knew this was the first year Celeste considered bringing someone in Brenda’s place, and she really felt she deserved it. And when she was going to make an argument for her case Celeste mentioned she needed someone there she could rely on, and earlier in the day when she was trying to maintain small talk with Carlos, she also had to scramble to step into Tia’s role because she wasn’t there, and she needed her to be.

She didn’t mention her being gone with Taylour’s illness, but a part of her wondered if that factored into the decision. Regardless, once Celeste mentioned the scavenger hunt around the city Brenda had sent her on, she was left almost speechless. She smiled, a half-smile but a smile, nonetheless, said she understood (even though she didn’t) and returned to her desk. She bit her tongue when Brenda walked in twenty minutes later with a large smile pressed to her face and attempted to block her out as she hummed excitedly only a few feet away. As soon as the clock ticked to 4:30 Tia grabbed her phone and slammed it in her bag and walked out the door.

“I go on a trip wif you Mommy,” Taylour offers.

“Oh, my sweet boy,” she pulls him in for a big hug, and those tears she had spent all afternoon fighting began to slowly fall. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too Mommy,” he responds.

Something unexpected came over Auston, and he found himself wrapping his arms around Tia and Taylour. It almost didn’t feel real, as if the entire thing was an out of body experience, but when Tia settled against his chest and Taylour giggled out they were squishing him, he realized it was real. And as overwhelming as that felt having his family in his arms, it was also equally devastating because Tia was heartbroken and there was nothing he could do to fix it.

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[wellthebardsdead]

One more emperors dragon because brain won’t shut up until I post the follow up to this! Time for some fan service baby!~Bambi

———

Tai Lung: *pouting as Wu Long dresses him for the banquet* do I really have to go?… it’s hot and these robes aren’t helping either….

Wu Long: You must! His highness is throwing this in your honour, it’s only a small gathering as to not overwhelm you but if word gets out that you refused to attend even such a small party the emperor will be subject for mockery by the lesser kingdoms. If those we have poor relations with catch wind of this they could try to gather an uprising again, we’ve barely recovered from our last war with the now fallen state of Qin.

Tai Lung: Fallen?…

Wu Long: if they had of won, do you think I’d be standing here with you?…

Tai Lung: I see… *sighs staring at himself in the mirror, barely recognising the man staring back, horns polished nicely almost resembling the antlers of a deer, hair shifting in colour by the candle light like iridescent fire, body taller and stronger and adorned with heavily embroidered flowy silk robes, and a tail slowly swishing and swaying out from under them. A man finally fitting of his name…* I… I’m just not used to any type of celebration involving me. My parents never cared much for me compared to my brothers…

Wu Long: Well I care. *gently brushes his hair back and ties it into a half up half down do like he’d done before, but replacing the hair pin with something much more ornate* And so does his highness the emperor, and her grace the empress.

Tai Lung: the empress will be there?

Wu Long: of course she will, the whole harem will be there.

Tai Lung: that… that makes me feel better. I’ll go then…

Wu Long: wonderful! If tonight goes well his highness is hoping you’ll be open to a much larger celebration, maybe even inviting officials from other states.

Tai Lung: Let’s… let’s just see how tonight goes first… *turns to leave only to immediately trip on his robes and tumble to the floor* SHIT-

Wu Long: TAI LUNG! *dives after him in an attempt to save him from the fall only to land on top of him, staring at him face to face in shock* Ah-

Tai Lung: Ah- *frozen staring back at Wu Longs reddening face feeling his own growing hotter by the second* I- um. M-maybe some thing more fitted would work for tonight instead?… I’m very clumsy.

Wu Long: *in a trance staring into the dragons golden eyes feeling his heart racing before snapping out of it hearing him speak* I- I’m sorry what?… Oh! Clothes yes… *sits up and looks back at the chest filled with fine clothing* there was one thing but…

Tai Lung: but?… *sits up*

Wu Long: it’s a little, revealing… I don’t know if it’ll be appropriate-

Tai Lung: *recalling the emperors behaviour in the courtyard, how the fierce ruler quickly yielded to him upon losing his temper over said behaviour* If I like it then it’s appropriate. If he has a problem with me wearing it than he should not have provided it for me. Show me.

Wu Long: *blushes and nervously shuffles over to the chest pulling out an outfit more suited for fighting or even dance* I-it’s very breathable, and it can fit easily around your tail and the scales around your shoulders and lower back.

Tai Lung: I’ll try it on first. Then we’ll go from there.

Wu Long: *nods nervously readying the garments* yes…

*A few hours later*

Emperor Tengfei: *seated at the head table next to Empress Xian, quietly staring at the hall of consorts and councillors, all of them chatting to one another and waiting for the guest of honour to arrive* …

Empress Xian: *gently squeezes his hand* You worry yourself too much dear husband.

Emperor Tengfei: how can I not worry?… If he doesn’t show up, by morning the entirety of the empire will know… perhaps my actions in the court yard today have truely angered him and he wishes to avoid me entirely.

Empress Xian: *smiles and strokes his hand with her thumb* That won’t happen dear, he’ll come.

Emperor Tengfei: *glances at her and smiles squeezing her hand back gently* I wish I could be as optimistic as you some day. *sighs and sips his wine*

Chief Steward Li Yu: *announcing over the noise of the banquet* The heavenly dragon has arrived!!

Tai Lung: *steps in dressed in a long sleeved crop top that barely covers his chest and a pair of harem like pants tied elegantly at his waist and ankles with a pair of simple slip shoes to tie it together* please forgive my late arrival.

Emperor Tengfei: *chokes on his wine*

Wu Long: *mentally writing his own obituary*

[excitedlysuffering]

❝𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝗼𝐟 𝐏𝗼𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭❞

➥Chapter Seven

The ‘get together’ was being held at a decent sized club-like venue, and the second Yūji opened the doors, you realized just how packed it was. It was nothing you couldn’t handle, but when you glanced at the boys, you noticed Hajime’s displeased expression.

“Get together my ass,” He grunted, rolling his eyes. Tooru laughed, not hesitating to slap him on the back, gaining himself a dirty look.

“Oh, lighten up Iwa-chan! You’re here with me!” You scoffed, walking in through the doors. “And what are we then? Chopped liver?” The setter just smiled at you in response.

“Kageyama! Look! It’s Oikawa-san!” His smile dropped instantly at Hinata’s exclamation and at Yūji’s laughter. The raven haired setter forced an awkward smile on his face, that was more scary than anything and bowed.

“W-welcome! We’re happy you’re here!” Tooru laughed, his hand on his chest. “Tobio-Chan! I’m sure you are~”

You rolled your eyes at the dramatic brunette and waved to the two underclassmen. “Happy birthday, Hinata! Thanks for inviting us!”

The four or you exchanged pleasantries, and the boys caught up, leaving your eyes to wander around the other party guests. There were many people you didn’t recognize, but your gaze landed on an impossibly tall ravenette.

One with unmistakable, rooster-like bedhead. You felt your breathe leave your lungs at the sight of Kuroo Tetsurō, the very person you’d been talking with. Someone you had, in no way, expected to run into.

Nervous, you tugged on Yūji’s sleeve. “Yū! Emergency! Look!” The blonde’s gaze followed your pointing finger, and he grinned deviously.

“That’s great! Go talk to him, why don’t you?” You recognized the look of mischief on his face and you felt your stomach drop.

“No! Please don’t do anything stupid!”

He did something stupid. Holding you by the wrist, he all but dragged you over to the middle of the dance floor.

“What are you planning?” You hissed, desperately trying to get away. “Aw, lighten up, doll! I won’t do anything too bad!” You snorted, not believing his words in the slightest.

“(Y/N), c’mon let’s dance!” It was probably impossible for him to exaggerate your name any more than he had. You cringed, knowing Kuroo probably heard it.

You didn’t want to avoid him, per say, it was more that you were nervous. You’d never met him in person and the two of you hadn’t even been texting that long and now you were standing not six feet away from him.

Eyes landed on you, and you shot Yūji a withering look at the same time he grinned down at you.

You rolled your eyes, looking away from him, only to meet wide, hazel eyes. Your own eyes widened as you stared into the very eyes of the person you were most nervous on meeting.

“(Y/L/N)?” You waved sheepishly. “Hi, Kuroo.” A silverette gasped loudly, bounding up to you and invading your personal space.

“Woah! You’re Kubro’s mystery girl!” You blinked, stunned into silence. Mystery girl...? “BO! Dude, shut up,” Kuroo sighed, pushing him away.

“Oooh, so he talks about her~?” Yūji asked, not at all helping the situation. You face palmed, desperate to get out of the situation.

A hand gripped your wrist and pulled you out of the club. Your head snapped up, surprised to see Kuroo dragging you away from your... chaotic friend groups.

“Sorry to drag you, but I had a feeling our friends were... well...”

“Going to run with it?” You finished with a laugh. Kuroo chuckled, nodding. “Something like that.” The two of you were now standing in front of the balcony doors, neither of you making a move towards the doors.

“Want to go outside?” You questioned quietly. Your inquiry was met with a lazy grin. “Why not? After you.”

He propped the door open, ushering you out into the humid, night air. The night was still, and despite your nervousness at being along with Kuroo, it put you at ease.

You stared up at the stars, watching as they seemed to dance across the sky before you. “Do you stargaze?” Kuroo’s question broke you out of your reverie, startling you.

“Yeah, I especially love taking night time walks. Do you?” He shook his head, his stare not leaving the sky.

“No, I haven’t, but maybe I will. It’s... nice out here. Well, that could always have something to do with the company, of course,” He stated casually.

Your head snapped to him. You took a second to process his words, before chuckling a little bit. “I could say the same to you. I’ve never really gone star gazing with anyone before.”

His wicked gaze landed on you, and you felt a shiver run down your spine. “How about we get out of here and do some real star gazing then?”

Ordinarily, you’d be a little more than hesitant to go off somewhere with a near stranger, but something about Kuroo was drawing you in.

“Where were you thinking?” His grin widened, matching yours. “C’mon, there’s a park not far from here!”

♩𝖬𝖺𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍♩

➥𝘖𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘠/𝘕 𝘩𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘰𝘺'𝘴 𝘫𝘰𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳.

❏𝖳𝖺𝗀𝗅𝗂𝗌𝗍 (𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗈𝗋 𝗌𝖾𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗇 𝖺𝗌𝗄 𝗍𝗈 𝖻𝖾 𝖺𝖽𝖽𝖾𝖽!)

@that-chick212 @stingyama @uchiha-cas @elysianseraph @melanindro @wherethehoesat @born-hyper @normalisthenewnorm @our-tall-slytherin-queen @sbaepsae @ln-37 @coffeeaddictedmay @xcangelcx @bakugouswh0r3 @sparklylandflaplawyer @hopelesshawks @callmekda @420-uwu @error-loading-sorry @reina-de-tay @arxkey @daisiesdecay @loser-keiji @a-moon-fairy @justasimpleweebgirl @browneyespinkhair @sirachano0dles @babyoomi @halesandy @sugawaras-simpsquad @celestair

❥Wow, it’s been a WHILE! Anyways, we’re finally about to be getting to the...good stuff👀

[theweirdoloveseggs]

Mars (p6)

Chapter Six

A/N: So from now on I am no longer putting what part it is since it’s confusing the hell out of me.

We marched on at the crack of dawn, my new mask covering my face. Tigress had given me a new piece of cloth since I seemed so tense about my face. I barely got any sleep last night trying to figure out what to do next. Tai Lung really gave up the Dragon Scroll, limitless power, all for me?

I mean don't get me wrong I am overjoyed that he changed his path and managed to chase away the darkness in him, I just wish I didn't have to die to do it.

Chi seemed to have a weird obsession with the snow leopard and stayed on his shoulder most of the time, or maybe he just somehow sensed that I was once close to him.

Po hadn't bothered me since the thorn incident, and the others were quiet as they concentrated on getting to Gongmen City, that was also another thing I had to think about.

What will I do in Gongmen City? They're there to destroy the weapon and overthrow this Shen guy too, but I told them I was just seeing family... What if we run into each other again?

I sighed for the (Ahem, twenty-seventh time in the book) third time today, I was lagging behind since my muscles were sore from the thorns last night. Tai Lung seemed to notice and lagged with me.

Meanwhile, the others pushed ahead. This fat panda was also the dragon warrior... The Dragon Warrior!

Chi just groomed himself on Tai Lung's shoulder. Abruptly, my knee suddenly locked up and I stumbled. The snow leopard quickly caught me and put me back to my feet.

"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly, I nodded "Yeah, my knee just suddenly gave out." I mumbled, straightening my posture. Feelings of awkwardness overwhelmed me and I could barely be beside him any longer without spilling the truth.

What if... He's happier without me?

Well, he did say I was someone dear to him... He's obviously been grieving, and I must be important to him if he gave up the scroll...

What if he's angry that I had been hiding all these years?

Would he ever forgive me?

I pulled away from Tai Lung at the thought, I just needed more information but why would Tai Lung share news with me? I'm just a stranger he met yesterday.

Suddenly an idea popped up in my head, Po... He did seem apologetic for the thorn incident from last night and I can guarantee that he would leak any information if I asked nicely.

"Are you sure you're alright? You seem zoned out." Tai Lung's voice snapped me back to reality. I nodded before speed-walking ahead so I could be side by side with Po. The panda noticed my arrival to his side and jumped slightly.

"Oh hey..." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously "Hey Po, " I forced my voice to stay calm even though I wanted to strangle him. "So I was just wondering if we could talk about someone," I whispered to him quietly, Po gave me a surprised look but nodded nonetheless.

"Yeah sure, who?" Po mumbled, I leaned in further. We were more ahead but I knew all too well that Tai Lung could hear very well.

"Tai Lung.." I whispered and Po immediately went wide-eyed and stared at me as if I was crazy. "HIM?" he gasped "Why?"

"I'm just curious about this Markerah person," I said smoothly, examining my claws

"Oh her... Yeah, they trained together, some would say-" Po looked behind him to see if the snow leopard was listening to our conversation "Would say they're even in love.." He whispered to me

Indeed, we were...

I frowned at the thought, did we make it THAT obvious? "How did she die?" I asked quietly "Oh, some say she killed herself after he was imprisoned while others say she simply slipped." Po stated

Okay, so there's some speculation about my death...

"How did he react about her death?" I whispered, "Oh, he didn't find out until he broke out of prison." Po said it so casually, meanwhile my eyes widened "Broke out?" I gasped

"Yeah, he came to the Valley of Peace to take the scroll by force and he got it but..." Po trailed off and began to fidget with his fingers again. "Well, it wasn't what he wanted and he felt sorry for Markerah." He then made sure to lean it before whispering "He visits her grave every night when he can."

I nodded, steadily concluding that it was more selfish of me to fake my death and never return. My death had affected Tai Lung as his imprisonment did to me. How did Shifu and Oogway respond? Were they sad?

"We're close to Gongmen City, only a few hours out," Tigress announced after talking to Mantis who was on her shoulder. She then turned to me "Mars, you might want to get away from us when we get there."

Oh right... They're destroying the weapon, the same thing I was going to do...

I contemplated confessing the truth but everyone started walking, Po walked ahead of me with the others. I slowly walked behind them, thinking about what to do since I guarantee we will run into each other later on in my mission.

"What's on your mind Mars?" Tai Lung's brought me out of my thought process, I looked up to see he had stopped and that's when I realized how far away I was from the others. They must've left me in the dust and Tai Lung noticed my lack of speed.

That's when I also saw Chi wasn't with the group or Tai Lung. That was my first question "Where's Chi?"

"He flew off into the distance an hour or two ago, I saw him just a few minutes ago." He stated, "But I have a feeling that wasn't what you were thinking." He crossed his arms, we continued walking but at a slow pace. I frowned as I thought about what to confess first, the fact I'm Markerah or that I lied about my true reason for being here.

"I... Have two things to tell you..." I mumbled nervously, my pace was even slower to the point I was just shuffling my feet across the dirt.

"One.. I'm not going to Gongmen to see family..." I mumbled underneath my breath, Tai Lung froze and turned around with wide eyes.

"I knew it!" He smiled arrogantly and proudly "I knew it!" He threw his hands in the air, I frowned.

Still his boastful and arrogant self.

I looked at him unimpressed and didn't bother to ask him how he figured. "So what are you really doing in Gongmen?" He asked suspiciously

"I was hired to destroy the weapon, same as you," I muttered, Tai Lung looked at me suspiciously. "Honest truth!" I glared right back at him just as he was at me.

"We should tell the others then." Tai Lung said, with a shrug of his shoulders. It showed the true strength and power in his chest and I nearly fell in love all over again. I turned my head away to hide my blush, which shouldn't be visible under my fur.

"And what was the second thing you needed to tell me?" Tai Lung pressed on, I froze as I tried to think about how to word how I was Markerah... "Uhm... I... Uh..." I stammered for the words

Before I could let out even another syllable, Chi let out a faraway screech that alerted me. We both perked up and immediately began to pick up our pace since the others were mere specks in the distance.

Our conversation forgotten...

Words: 1294

[tenmillionwhumperflies]

Cloudwalker Series Part 23

Alright, lil bit of fluff, lil bit of angst and a whoooollllleee lotta whump. It’s Avizon’s backstory time, peeps!

Warnings: Abusive woman, beatings, dislocations, blood, hand whump, guilt for hurting someone/ comparing to an abusive/evil character. 

Master-list Here

Approx WC: 2200

Taglist: @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi

When Avizon went downstairs he found Orrien teaching Ihuka how to peel potatoes. He couldn’t help but faintly smile, seeing Ihuka screwing up his face as he concentrated. “Before you say it, I couldn’t sleep so I gave up and started making dinner. Ihuka wanted to help,” Orrien supplied. “He’s doing a good job. We’ve been learning some words and he’s taken quite a shine to Mouse.”

Avizon looked at the metal dragon on Avizon’s ear, which was currently guarding a pea. Avizon smiled, but it wasn’t as forced as he expected it to be. “Horse called Fox and a dragon called Mouse. You’re a creative one, that’s for sure. So, what have we learned then, Ihuka?” “Tay-toe!” Ihuka beamed, showing him the potato he’d finished peeling. “Potato, yes, clever bird,” Avizon chuckled.

“Ummm… knife, pot, bowl,” he pointed to each item. “Fire… hot. d.dangerous?” “Yes, fires are hot and dangerous.” Orrien grinned and pointed to a pan. “And what’s in there?” “Dinner!” he beamed. Orrien and Avizon chuckled. “You’re making quite the chef out of young Ihuka.” Orrien chuckled and collected a bowl of stew for Ihuka. “And I found a way to get him to eat his v-e-g.” “Drowned in gravy and stock?” Avizon guessed. Orrien winked.

It was true, Ihuka would have to start to eat vegetables since he wasn’t getting the greens now he wasn’t in the wild. Avizon wanted to be able to keep him healthy and happy.

Orrien gave him the bowl. “Off with you now, go eat outside.”

“Eat… out...side...” he pointed to the window. “Yes, outside, clever bird.” Ihuka beamed and left. “He’s gone to sit on the step, bless his heart. He’s a good lad, really. It’s nice being able to teach him words.”

Avizon nodded. “I just hope I can undo the damage I’ve done...”

Orrien looked up at him and sighed. “I think you can, with time. He’s bouncing back, but I think he also knows you didn’t mean it. He can see your regret.” “I hope so… I also noticed something… A few days after Ihuka bit me, I began to change. Seeing Blue’s bite, get infected like that… I can’t help but wonder if Ihuka biting me… if it… changed me, helped tilt the scales.”

“Perhaps so.” “And to think that’s what I broke him for...” Avizon mumbled. “All my life I swore I’d never be anything like Halve, but I fear that is what I have become-” Orrien’s mood immediately darkened. “Do not say that name in this home. And you are nothing like that man, or his bitch of a daughter.” Avizon flinched at his sudden change. “I’m sorry. But I almost killed Ihuka, how am I that much better?” “Because you feel guilt. You feel regret. That is why.” Orrien gestured for him to sit and reluctantly, Avizon did so. Orrien sat opposite him.

Avizon sighed. “Is that enough to separate me from that monster?” “Yes. It is. Now please, you need to dismiss those thoughts. You are better than him. Ro loved you, you don’t get to compare yourself to that beast. Where is this coming from, Avizon?”

Avizon found the wooden table beneath him to be the better thing to look at. “I’ve had too much time to think about all the wrong I have done… Seeing how my birds react to me… I… Seeing Blue and Dyan, how they need each other… It has brought up memories. All I can see are the similarities between me and… him.” He looked down at his hand, at the small scar on the top of his hand that the princess had left behind from one of her attacks.

Avizon sighed. “I’m having a difficult day, I suppose.”

“What you went through was by no means easy. You pushed your body to its limit and then so much further. You were lost, yes, but you are also trying to find yourself again, to be better.” Orrien carefully put a hand on his hand. “Is there anything I can do?”

Avizon shook his head. “I think I’ll go for a ride. You should know, our guest, Tashka, is still in the barn, I believe. He has promised to not attack this place again.”

“Good… How is Blue anyway? Did he wake?” “He cracked open his eyes a little, but I left him with Dyan since Dyan was having a hard time too. He practically asked me to punish him and muzzle him but I refused… He thought I was going to take his other horn when he accidentally snarled at me.” Orrien frowned. “Poor bird… With Blue, we never got around to working past his fear of taking off his collar. But Dyan wasn’t threatened by its removal. Perhaps you could get him a weighed necklace, something he can feel, to reassure him on his more vulnerable days, when he feels like he is doing wrong? It is hard for them to adapt at times.”

Avizon nodded slowly. “I will speak to him when he’s calm and see what we can do. He looked about ready to fall asleep when I left him.” Orrien excused himself from the table. “I’d like to pop my head around the door and make sure everything is well. I was meaning to check on Blue anyway. What he went through…  I shouldn’t be long.” Orrien gestured to the pot. “You should eat.” Avizon nodded but he didn’t hear the words he said. He was lost in thought, staring at his scarred hand. He shuddered with the memories, but Orrien had already left. He didn’t need to see this, he didn’t like to have people see his struggling.

And so his mind wandered, and Avizon couldn’t reel it back in. All he could think about was his time at that cursed castle, the pain he’d endured, to all the events that had led him into darkness, and despair…

Several Years ago...

Avizon groaned as he made his way up the many stairs to get to the top of the tower to see Orrien and have his wounds checked over from the day before. Orrien had healed him well, but he needed to keep a close eye on it. Avizon had been unconscious after one of the princesses 'gifts' had left him too close to death. 

It had been a bad stab wound sent in a fit of rage because Avizon hadn't knelt fast enough with his still healing leg injury from several days prior. Nothing he could do was ever enough for that woman or her father. Every failure brought pain which brought more failure. It was a cycle he couldn't escape from but he was running out of blood to give.

He'd only just gotten to the top, panting for breath, when he came face to face with Princess Eriona. He bit back a whimper and bowed. "Your Highness." "Downstairs, now," she hissed. "You didn't make an appearance yesterday."

Because he was unconscious, but that wasn't an answer he could provide. "Yes, your Highness… my sincerest apologies."

With every day that passed the desire to kill that bitch grew, but he was too terrified to ever act upon such thoughts.

Despite struggling all the way up the stairs, he now had to go back down. He politely invited Eriona to go first, but she slapped the back of his head and shoved him towards the stairs. He struggled to keep his balance as he limped down faster than he wanted to. He blinked away tears and bit back a grimace as the spiking pain increased rapidly.

"Hurry up!"

Despite his pain, he did so, his limp growing worse. He was in so much pain but he just couldn't stop. It wasn’t an option, she was already clearly so mad.

"You had the audacity to get my father involved, getting me into trouble for lowering his 'security'. Like you could do anything! You're worthless, pathetic! And one day once father is dead you'll be mine to hurt as I wish!"

She kicked him in the back of the head before he could string together some sort of reply, sending him down half a dozen stairs before he could catch himself. His stomach flipped when he felt something give in his shoulder. He cried out in pain, holding onto it with a strangled sob. He could only guess it had dislocated. He struggled to get up again with three shaky limbs. He choked back a sob. He was sure he'd opened his stab wound too. He clamped his eyes shut.

"Please, mistress," he whimpered, daring to use the other name she liked him to use when they were alone. "I..."

"Get up!" she spat, grabbing him by the hair and yanking up.

Avizon struggled to his feet and had no choice but to keep walking. His body burned with the pain he was in. He cried out as he hobbled, keeping a hand against the wall for support.

"Cry all you want, coward, you will be punished."

Finally, he made it to the bottom of the stairs, snivelling, whimpering, and shaking. He just couldn't take this anymore. He just couldn't live the rest of his life like this. He yearned for the day he could be free from this, from the pain. Ro always told him he didn’t deserve this, but then why did he always suffer so?

Avizon gulped as she forced him on into a storage cupboard. He knew what to expect, and he could only try to defend himself from the beating he received from her. He tried to protect his shoulder and hold on as best he could as he could until her frustration died down. That was all he was to her, a punching bag, a means of gaining satisfaction from hurting others. He was nothing in her eyes. The king wouldn’t correct her either, he just made sure she didn’t kill him. He curled up in the corner and gradually fell down to the ground with each devastating blow to his already broken body.

He screamed when she got him to the ground and started to kick him in the ribs. He wheezed and curled up until finally, finally, she stopped, panting for breath. She reached up into her hair and Avizon braced in advance, turning his head away. There was a sudden pain in his hand and he cried out. Then there was a yanking sensation, and blood flowed freely. Stabbed with her hairpin. He tried to focus on breathing, to get gulps of air past his frozen lungs and broken ribs. He tried not to stare at his hand.

“Do not ignore me next time I call for you,” she glowered. He lay on the floor, battered, broken, and in so much pain he just simply could not move even if he wanted to. His eyes were dull and unseeing. He barely managed to choke out, “Yes, m.mistress...”

She left him alone, to lay on the floor in agony, out of sight of anyone in the castle. He closed his eyes and waited for unconsciousness, for someone to find him. He didn’t care which anymore. This was the life he had almost always lived, and there would be no escape from it…

He didn’t remember falling unconscious, but he woke to the feeling of warmth on his cheek, a hand, and not just anyone. “Open your eyes, my love, please open your eyes… Oh, by the realms… W.what the fuck has she done to you this time?...”

Avizon opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out, only a feeble sob. He forced his eyes open a crack, just enough to see his beautiful green eyes. “R.Ro...”

Ro hushed him gently and kissed his forehead. "I've got you. My father's on his way- stay awake, sweetheart, please stay awake."

Avizon didn't even try to sit up. He couldn't if he wanted to. He was battling with his heavy eyelids, the whispered promise of painlessness. Ro sat down beside him and pulled him into his lap with care. Avizon whimpered as his shoulder moved but he tried to stay quiet for Ro. He wanted the comfort. The pain was so heavy he couldn't breathe.

"Ro?" Orrien called. "In here. I.it's bad," Ro answered.

Avizon saw the tears in his eyes and reached up with a bloody hand to wipe his tears away but thought better of it. His hand was so covered that it would have marked his face. He didn't want to do that to him.

"'m okay," he mumbled instead, even if he felt like anything but.

The first thing Orrien did when he saw him was swear. “She’s getting out of control,” he hissed, kneeling down to assess the injuries. Avizon whimpered and tried to push his hand away from his now clearly bleeding wound. “N.no, master, p.please...”

Orrien gently put his hand on Avizon’s forehead, assessing his temperature. “I’m going to have to inform the king again-”

“No!” Avizon yelped, trying to sit up, but that drew a scream from him. Ro eased him back down as he panted heavily and sweat dripped from his body. “N.no...” “She punished you for it? Dash it all!” Orrien spat, but he quickly dismissed his anger. “Alright… let’s just get you upstairs so I can patch this up. Don’t worry, lad, I’ve got you… sleep.”

[theravencawsatmidnight]

On the Prowl... a Fathers Day Special

Kittens. Bagheera; The oldest and self proclaimed sibling protector. Kovu; the second oldest & the independant one . Kazu; the third oldest & the lazy one. Katsu; the fourth one & the one with the temper. Shinsou; a Panther beastman . Reader, a Human

You and Shinsou had traveled far away from the den and settled in a quiet open area with a nice river to its left. In the middle was a large cave that Shinsou had marked as his. Aizawa never found him and Shinsou was free to raise his kittens without worry or looking over his shoulder. The kittens were all three now and you couldn't be happier.

You were asleep in the sun with Shinsou behind you holding you close with his large purple paws, he nuzzled into your neck purring in his sleep waking you up. You saw your third oldest kitten Kazu all curled up in your arms sleeping. He was the most fuzzy out of everyone and it was a chore since he down right refused to have you brush him. ‘Its time consuming’ he says, ‘I gotta sit up for a long time mommy’ he tells you as if he can argue. All it takes is one eyebrow raise from his father and he sits pretty.

Pulling your lazy kitten close, you looked around for the rest . Katsu was by the river snarling at the passing fish with Baggy nearby watching , just in case Katsu fell in, again.

“Koooovuu..” you chirped low.

“Rr..”

You smiled rolling onto your back with Kazu on your chest. “Vuuu..”

“Rr..!” The top of Shinsous crazy hair moved and a little purple head appeared out of it looking sleepy.

“What are you doing up there?”

“Mama… im swheepin.” He rubbed his face on his father's hair yawning loud.

“What if your father rolls over, hm?”

“Then.. i.. fall on mama!” He flopped down and you caught him giggling and nuzzling his happy face. “Oh your so silly.” While you were nuzzling him you heard a splash and Shinsou opened an eye growling deep waking up Kazu. Kovu looked up at his father and so did Kazu. You looked towards the river and Katsu was dragging a huge fish over with Baggy following, he was soaked.

“Oh dear.” You sat up putting your kittens with their father and you pulled Baggy close. “What happened baby.”

“Katsu!!! Jumped in the river again!!!” He said crossing his arms . Katsu was also soaked but had the smuggest grin on his face. He dragged the fish over to his father and Shinsou yawned in his face .

“Ack!! Old man!! “ roared the angry kitten.

Shinsou sat up yawning again and pulled you between his legs squeezing you till he heard Baggy yelp.

“Dad!!” He fussed.

Shinsou pet his sons head. “Sorry Baggy.”

“Look what i GOT!!!!” Katsu was impatient.

“Yes yes. Next time wake me up Katsu. You can show me how you catch them.” He placed his heavy paw on Katsus head. The little kitten was over the moon at his fathers words.

••

“Mama…”

“Yes Kazu..”

The fire cracked and Shinsou turned the fish that was above it.

“So if i jump in the river . My fur will go down . And i wont be poofy”

You rolled your eyes smiling and Shinsou chuckled pulling you closer.

“Then I don't need the brushin, right?”

You looked up at Shinsou and he laid his tail on your head winking at you. You let Kazu go from your arms and he rolled to his feet. “Okay baby. You go do that.”

Kazu had never moved so fast in his life, he was in that river in a second.

Katsu had asked his father if he could turn the fish and Shinsou lifted him up to do just that. Kovu was tugging your grass dress and you sat him between your legs to pet him along with Baggy.

••

Kazu returned a few minutes later and you told him to sit by the fire so he does not get cold. He was very proud of himself, he outsmarted you yes he di-

Poof. Big time.

“Mama!!!!”

Shinsou laughed, grabbing him before he could run off and took Kovu from you and gave you the poof cat. You pet his head humming and Kazu had his poofy arms crossed looking very upset. Katsu gave everyone some fish and sat by Baggy to scarf his food down even though Baggy lectured him that he might get sick. Katsu slowed his eating and Baggy wagged his tail leaning on his brother. Kovu was in his father's lap eating and Kazu was being brushed . You leaned on Shinsou and he kissed your head.

“I love you.”

“And i you, Shinsou.”

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Permafrost. A Fathers Day Special

Kittens; Tai Lung; the oldest kitten. Lou; the second oldest. Twins. Todoroki; white Leopard/snow. Reader;Human

Todoroki and you had found a quiet little cave up north, far away from Aizawa and the rest of the pack. He was not really worried , he was sure Chizome told Bakugou why he had left though. It had been 5 years since he left, and if that lion wasn't here by now then he must of found someone to give him kittens, or hes killing them before they carry to term…He often thought about Shinsou, he did not disagree with his decision he made back then to leave anymore , understood actually.

It was a little hard for you to adjust to this life but you finally had what you wanted most. You could live out your fantasy instead of reading it in a book. Todoroki was a little odd during the pregnancy, he had only ever seen Shinsous mate carry to full term before so when you started to show he was excited but nervous.

You had two little snow leopard twins.Both boys and both equally furry. Oh you loved them to pieces, the oldest was Tai Lung and he was very quiet and cautious like his father. Lou , the second twin was full of energy and always making his father bite his claws like a nervous parent watching their kid do something risky.

You were already awake and brushing Tai Lungs long tail. Lou was running around his father's legs trying to get him to wrestle with him. Todoroki looked to you and nodded in approval . Todoroki picks his son up running around with a smile on his kittens face.

“Mommy?”

You look down. “Yes baby?”

“Tell me a story again.”

You stopped brushing and pulled your cuddly son close smiling. “Of course Tai Lung.”

••

Todoroki was on all fours growling at his son and Lou was doing the same doing his very best to intimidate his father. He pounced biting Todorokis ear and Todoroki rolled over yowling in fake pain . Lou climed onto his fathers side roaring in accomplishment untill Todoroki grabbed him and pinned his gently under a arm.

“Dont think you've won so quick Lou. Remember to focus and read your opponent.”

“Aaugh !! Okay okay!!” He kicked his legs and Todoroki let him up , licking his face. Lou was upset and whenever his father pinned him he did what he did best.

“Mama!!!!!” He yelled running to you.

••

Tai Lung was all curled up in your lap with a big smile on his face and huge eyes staring up at you. You pet him lovingly while you told him a story about fairies and dragons, his little tail swished all around .

Lou’s screaming made you look up to see your kitten running to you and Todoroki giving you a ‘it wasint me’ face.

He jumped on his brother and Tai Lung hissed and then Lou hissed and then they started fighting…

“Hey.. guys cmon.. Todoroki!”

They rolled all around till Todoroki picked them up by the scruff of their necks looking at them both , growling low. Tai Lung immediately submitted to his father, ears down and eyes big. Lou crossed his arms looking away.

“No fighting. Apologize for jumping on your brother Lou”

“..sorry..”

Todoroki sat down with you giving you back Tai Lung and set Lou on his lap petting him till he calmed down. You pet and kissed both kittens and everyone was happy again. Todoroki pulled you close and you snuggled in with both your kittens in your arms.

“I love you so much.” Todoroki whispered in your ear. You looked up kissing him.

“I love you too, Todoroki”

••

@iron-underoos @mauvette268 @geld-sama @squeaky-ducky @sinclairsamess

[alistair-blackwood]

MoMM Update! - What to heck?

Hello, everyone! Unfortunately, Chapter 2 is still under works– the hiatus we mentioned back in our first update post has arrived and MoMM has to take a bit of a backseat for now. I was definitely overzealous in flinging around posting dates the way I did, and I apologize for that; I’d hate to have inflicted any unnecessary disappointment. I promise to practice more reservation in the future!

In the meantime, I’ve decided to go ahead and post the first half of the chapter under this cut– 6k words, 17 pages, I got it all right here for ya. [pats top of post]

Enjoy!

THE MONSTER OF MAGNUS MANOR

CHAPTER 2

THE ESTATE

(Chapter 1 here!)

Martin’s dreams were murky things, cut to the clop of fading hoofbeats and a pair of frightened eyes– eyes that kept locking with his own as the world faded in and out. At some point they’d manifested fully into a man– he was saying something, a string of urgent, unintelligible words that blistered the air around them.

“–tay with me, don’t– no, no, no, no–”

Martin’s vision greyed out before he could make out the rest.

When he resurfaced,  he was lying in a … a bed? Was … this the castle infirmary–? No, he didn’t think even Lord Barclay’s mattress was this comfortable. And the rock slab cots lining the servants’ infirmary didn’t have four poster canopies, either …

Strange dream. Everything wobbled, and grew dark again.

And then he was blinking awake. The bed and its canopy were still there, as lavish as they’d been in his dream. 

“Are you awake properly, this time?”

The unfamiliar voice had Martin lurching upright. Pain zinged through his skull; he groaned, pressing a hand to one eye.

“I don’t know,” he breathed. “I-I guess so?”

The man sitting beside him let out a slow breath, some of the stiffness unwinding from his posture. “You’ve had a few false starts,” he explained. “Understandable, given your head injury.”

Head injury. The events from earlier came rushing back to him– Martin’s vision was still swimming, but he recognised this man, or the colour of his eyes, at least. They were the same shade of brown as the mysterious figure from the fog. He’d since pulled back the hood of his cloak, revealing dark skin marred with pockmarks on one side of his fine-boned face. His hair had been tied up in a silvering bird’s nest of a bun, and a few thin strands had fallen to brush the shoulders of a richly embroidered vest.

Martin tallied it all up: posh manner, fine clothes, the thin, borderline regal cut of his face. Despite the incongruity of his scars and disheveled hair, the facts pointed to one thing– this had to be the lord of that mysterious estate.

A mysterious estate he was now inside, with an injury that had stars dancing before his eyes. “How–” Martin started, then paused to steady his breathing. “How long was I out?”

“Not long.” The man pulled an ornate pocket watch from his vest pocket, squinting. “It’s about five o’clock.”

“In the afternoon?”

“Does it look like five o’clock in the morning to you?” the man demanded, gesturing to the window. He was right; a weak orange sunset had begun staining the sky, casting dark shadows from the treeline over the estate’s grounds.

“No.” The word had been torn from Martin’s mouth with a burst of horror. He scrambled for the sheets, startling a noise from his host.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing?”

Martin wasn’t listening; the image of Lord Barclay’s cold eyes as he told him, in unequivocal terms, that he was sacked had sent a low, buzzing static through his ears. “I’m sorry, thank you for taking me in, but I need t– I need to–” He had to get back– for his mum, if nothing else. Oh, God, if he lost this job now …

“What you need is to lie back down.” Martin’s bare foot had scarcely touched the floor before the man rose to his feet, thrusting a hand against his chest. “Didn’t you hear what I said? You’ve been concussed.”

Martin was unceremoniously shoved back down. He could’ve fought back– the stranger’s wrists were stick-thin where they stuck out past the sleeves of his tunic, and Martin wasn’t exactly small– but the sudden motion sent a wave of dizziness crashing over him, and Martin couldn’t summon the strength for it.

“Let me make one thing perfectly clear,” the man said, eyes fierce. “In your current state, you’ll collapse before you ever make it out of this forest. Is that what you want?”

The words hung in the air between them. Martin swallowed, shaking his head.

“Then lie down.”

Cowed, Martin sank back into the mattress. Once it was clear he wasn’t struggling, the man relaxed, withdrawing his hand from Martin’s chest.

“Thank you,” he said, sitting back down. Then his shoulders sagged. “I … apologise. I’m sure you have somewhere important to be, and you’ve been hurt as a direct result of my actions. Please believe me when I say this was not my intention.”

A heavy note of guilt rang through his voice, and Martin’s chest panged with instinctive sympathy. “I-it’s fine. It was just an accident.”

If anything, the grim set of his host’s mouth worsened. “I should also warn you– your horse ran off. I tried looking for her after bringing you here, but she doesn’t appear to be in the area.”

Oh God, Phillipa. “… she’s resourceful,” Martin said, but it was much weaker this time. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s found her way back home already.“ 

The stranger kept his gaze trained on his hands. “ … I– yes, of course. I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.” Abruptly, he stood once more. “I assume you’re hungry? Now that you’re awake, I can bring you something to eat.”

Martin jumped. “Oh, uh.” It would have been a full day since he’d last eaten, by now. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep anything down. Based on the strange intensity in the man’s eyes, though, only one correct answer existed. “Y-yes, I– um, thank you. Actually some– some tea would be nice?”

A single, sharp nod was his only response; the man turned on his heel, making a beeline for the door. 

Martin held out a hand before he could stop himself. “Wait– wait.”

The man turned, arching one brow, and heat washed over Martin’s face. He hadn’t actually had anything important to say, but they hadn’t even exchanged names.

“Sorry, I just … wanted to thank you. For– for taking me in.” He cleared his throat. “My name is Martin, by the way. Martin Blackwood.”

“A … pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Blackwood.”

Martin flushed. "Oh– just Martin is fine. Um … c-can I ask for your name?” 

Silence stretched taffy-thin between them as his host studied him, expression unreadable. Martin’s breath stilled in his lungs– was he being measured up? Found wanting somehow? He’d only asked for a name–

“Jon.”

Martin stiffened, but with a snap of his cloak, the man vanished, closing the door behind him.

Jon.

Martin wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but it hadn’t been that. Jon. It was so … common. Approachable, for such an unapproachable man. Perhaps it was a family name.

Musings about Jon’s name could only distract him for so long, however, with his worst case scenario waiting for him back in the real world. Barclay would make him beg if he wanted to continue working in the castle, especially after last night’s disaster. 

Martin dropped his head in his hands. He was as good as sacked.

Distraction. He needed a good distraction. Anything to take his mind off agonising– not like he could fix anything confined to a bed by a stranger.

Lifting his head, he took a moment to peer around the room. It was bigger than the servants’ dormitory he shared with the others back at Barclay’s castle. To his right was an old, carved wardrobe; the desk and chair beside it had been made out of smooth mahogany. Paintings, their colours dulled by time, were hanging lopsided on some of the walls– a stark contrast to the faded wallpaper beneath them. Settled over it all was a fine layer of dust; only the chair, and the bed Martin was lying in, had been cleared of it.

Obvious disuse aside, even Lord Barclay’s accommodations weren’t this opulent. An unexpected twinge of guilt shot through Martin’s chest, as if he was doing something wrong. Stealing comfort that didn’t belong to him.

By the time Jon came back, the sunset had shifted from orange to a slow-burning red that dappled the sky. Tucked in the crook of his elbow was an unidentifiable bolt of cloth, and in his hands, a dinner tray. A silver dinner tray. “I apologise for the simplicity of the meal,” Jon said. “It’s … been some time since I’ve had the opportunity to cook.”

Had … was Jon implying that he, the lord of this house, had cooked for Martin? Martin swallowed, tearing his gaze from Jon back to the tray. Why wouldn’t the kitchen staff be making his meals?

Jon didn’t hand him the tray so much as he slid it into Martin’s lap; on it was a bowl of boiled vegetables, and next to that, a steaming cup of tea. Simple, yes, but Martin was grateful nonetheless.

“Thank you, really,” said Martin, entirely too genuine. Under the attentive eyes of his host, he shovelled a spoonful of turnip and carrot into his mouth, and started to chew. He stopped.

Jon leaned forward, poised. “How i– er, that is, I hope it’s to your satisfaction.”

Martin steeled himself and kept chewing, scrambling for a neutral expression. While the outside of the vegetables were soggy, their insides crunched against his molars, sending shudders down his spine. Underboiled, his mind supplied helpfully.

It was, perhaps, one of the worst meals he’d eaten in his life.

“It’s great,” he lied, smiling past the curdling in his stomach. Jon had made this himself, and Martin was going to die before he willingly insulted a lord to his face.

Jon released a quiet breath. “That’s … good.” He unwound the cloth draped over his forearm; it was a nightshirt and cap, made of fabric that could’ve been water for how it piled onto the sheets. “These are for you to wear to bed. You can find something to change into tomorrow in the wardrobe. Please inform me if there are any that don’t fit.” He winced. “And you’ll have to excuse me if you find anything that’s been chewed through. It’s impossible, keeping the moths out this time of year.”

“Tha– thank you?”

“You, ah,” Jon hesitated, before clearing his throat. “Seeing you’re here because of me, you’re welcome to stay until you’ve made a full recovery.” His voice grew guarded. “My only stipulation is that you remain in your rooms at night.”

Martin paused.

It wasn’t that unusual of a request– Martin was a stranger, of course Jon didn’t want him wandering about at night. No, what snagged Martin’s attention was the faint, nervous hitch of his shoulders as he said it.

“O-of course.” Martin’s throat bobbed. “Is it– can I ask why?”

Jon’s eyes narrowed. "I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

Oh, hell. “Sorry, sorry, you’re right. I-it’s just, I don’t know …” kind of strange? But the impatient twist of Jon’s mouth stopped him cold.

The silence dragged, then Jon crossed his arms. “I have a dog.”

“A … dog?”

“Yes. Big, vicious thing. He … patrols the manor at night– and he’s not partial to strangers.”

Oh. Well, that … that made sense, didn’t it? Still odd, though– Barclay had a whole team of hunting dogs, and none of them were allowed to wander the grounds without supervision. They weren’t pets, and they certainly weren’t guards. It appeared this one was, though.

“What’s his name?” Martin asked, before he could think better of it.

“What?”

“The dog.” Martin held up his hands in apology. “Sorry, it’s just, I love dogs. My neighbors had one when I was a kid. Ol’ Frankie.”

Jon’s eyes narrowed even further. “John.”

 “… John.”

“Yes.”

“John … the dog?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“You named the dog after yourself?”

The look Jon shot him was equal parts baffled and incredulous, as if he were ludicrous for asking. “I came into possession of the dog after it received its name. And, besides, it’s John, spelled with an H.”

“I … see.” Martin didn’t see. “Obviously.” It had not been obvious.

Jon glowered, daring him to continue, then reached into his pocket. “One last thing. I noticed … well, here.” With an oddly stiff motion, he held out a small glass jar of salve. “For your hands. It would be irresponsible of me, as your host, to let them ulcerate unchecked.”

Startled, Martin glanced down at his hands– they were still covered in blisters from scrubbing last night’s mountain of dishes. He’d forgotten about them in all the chaos.

“Th-thanks,” he said, accepting the jar.

Clearing his throat, Jon stepped back. “I’ll let you finish your meal. You can expect me tomorrow morning with breakfast.” One hand on the door, he hesitated, then added in a soft undertone, “Get some rest.”

Jon was gone before Martin could answer. He was alone once again.

Unscrewing the lid of the jar, Martin gave the ointment an experimental sniff– honey and almonds. He scooped out a dollop and rubbed it into the damaged skin of his hands, sighing as it cooled the sting of his blisters. Astonishing, that Jon had noticed at all– Martin was so used to it, he would have left them to rot on his own.

He finished his dinner, half out of pragmaticism, half because he didn’t want to risk insulting his host. At least the tea was good.

Tray set aside, Martin began unbuttoning his dress shirt. What an unusual sight he must have made, passed out on the ground in formal wear. The clothes Jon had provided were silky against his skin, marred only by the must of disuse– still a luxury for a person with Martin’s background.

It wasn’t enough to distract him from the cold knot of trepidation that twisted inside his stomach. But Jon had been right; even if he had known the way, he would never make it back in his current state, especially without Phillipa. 

At the very least, things couldn’t get much worse. There was solace in that. 

Martin settled back against the pillows. With so many thoughts racing through his head, sleep should’ve been impossible– but the moment he closed his eyes, the rest of the world slipped away.

-

“Here you are!” Martin’s eyes flew open as Charles dropped the tray into his arms. Its contents had been obscured by a covering; Martin couldn’t make heads or tails of what was inside, but whatever it was, it was heavy enough that he buckled under its weight. 

Charles winked. “Better you than me, right?”

“R-right.”

“Well, go on then. He’s hungry!”

Pulse pounding in his ears, Martin scurried into the dark hallway. None of the candles had been lit, but he knew the way by heart. His arm shook under the weight of the tray– carrying it with both hands would’ve been easier, but that wasn’t proper. And Lord Barclay was so particular about being proper …

The grand door leading into the dining hall drew closer, and a coil of apprehension burrowed into Martin’s gut. An unusual smell had started emitting from the platter– sweet and gamey, meat mixed with sugar glaze. His feet moved, relentless, and with every step, that sinking pit of dread at the core of him grew heavier.

He opened the door. The dining hall was empty, save for where Barclay sat at the head of the table. A single lit candle shone down on the dozens of empty plates surrounding him. Barclay wiped his mouth with a pristine napkin, and waved Martin forward.

Martin’s hands were trembling. He placed the tray on the table in front of Barclay, in between the scattered, stained plates. At his Lord’s signal, he removed the covering with as much flourish as he could.

It was empty.

The hairs on the back of Martin’s neck stood on end. Run, his instincts screamed. Get away, now! 

Barclay looked up at him, green eyes glittering dangerously. “Well?”

Martin started– at some point he’d been lowered into a chair. In ginger increments, he leaned over until his head was resting against the cool metal plate, each shuddering breath fogging its silver coating. Barclay reached for his utensils; Martin squeezed his eyes shut, praying that, for once, Barclay wouldn’t start with–

“Eyes open.”

Swallowing, Martin obediently pried them back open. The fork hovered out-of-focus, brushing his eyelashes. 

Somewhere beyond Barclay’s hall, a voice brushed against the edges of his hearing. 

“–Hello?”

The fork plunged down–

-

Martin jolted awake, his hair drenched in sweat. Sunlight was pouring in through the window, illuminating swathes of dust motes floating through each beam. It must have been around mid-morning. Reflexive panic welled in the back of his throat (late, oh God, he was so incredibly late) before the events of yesterday came back to him. The panic slipped away, dulled with leaden resignation.

Sleeping in was nice, at least; when was the last time he’d been this indulgent? Giving in to the mattress’ siren’s call was tempting– he could have slept longer, waited until Jon came to wake him up. But while the dreams’ contents had slipped away faster than he could recall, their weight sat heavy on the back of his tongue. He wasn’t particularly interested in returning.

Taking a chance, he tossed aside his blanket and slid onto his feet. His heart lifted– had he recovered enough to make it back to the castle?

The world spun on its axis, and Martin caught himself against the wooden bed poster before he collapsed. 

Ah. As if he could be so lucky.

With one hand against the wall for support, Martin shuffled his way over to the wardrobe. The hinges creaked as he opened it– Lord, everything here needed a good cleaning. He’d have been tanned for letting a room fall into this much disrepair on Griffiths’ watch. Hopefully, the clothes would be in better–

Martin’s mind blanked. The clothes were indeed in better shape, but the options inside were … far more expensive than he was used to wearing. Was Jon not worried about Martin ruining them? Although they must’ve belonged to someone else– these were all too big for Jon. Whoever they belonged to, Martin prayed they wouldn’t mind him wearing their clothes.

He selected the plainest tunic and trousers he could find among the ornate, embroidered lot. None of them had moth holes, at least; Jon would be happy to hear that.

Speaking of his mysterious host …

As soon as he was confident he could walk without falling over, Martin opened the door to the hallway, glancing out into the hall. No dog; that was a good sign. Jon had mentioned bringing breakfast– the smartest idea was for Martin to wait inside his room, but his curiosity was burning. What did the estate of such an eccentric lord look like, anyway?

Surely he could risk a quick look around before Jon arrived.

Martin closed the door behind him with a gentle click, eyes roving over the hallway.

It appeared that the estate of a lord like Jon looked incredibly dusty.

Martin dragged an experimental finger over the surface of a nearby windowpane; it came back smeared with grime. Griffiths would’ve died on the spot– what on earth was Jon’s staff doing? Taking advantage of Jon’s generosity and shirking their responsibilities?

He picked a direction at random and began to walk, keeping one eye peeled for someone who could point him in a useful direction. This section of the manor appeared to have been functionally abandoned, though; perhaps Jon had wanted to ensure Martin’s privacy, although that seemed like an unnecessary effort.

By the time he reached what must have been the grand staircase of a foyer, he still hadn’t encountered another living being. Martin faltered, eyes grazing over the crusted windows, before dipping to linger on an old, broken gramophone at the bottom floor.

Where was everybody?

He continued trailing through the manor, more apprehensive now. Each step brought with it the sense he was a misplaced ghost; alone and drifting, untethered from reality. The layout of the hallways had a labyrinthian element to their design– a wise man would have turned back at risk of becoming lost, but … 

It was as if someone had wrapped a string around his joints, tugging his feet forward. Martin couldn’t have turned back even if he’d wanted to.

His footsteps echoed through the empty corridors, crescendoing until they threatened to drive knives into his eardrums. No other noise penetrated the corridors; even the milky light filtering through the manor’s windows couldn’t reach him. The outside world had been choked off, as effectively as it had in the fog.

Panic swelled inside his lungs. Was there really nobody here? In a desperate bid, Martin threw open the first door to his left, hoping someone, anyone, would be on the other side.

Instead, he found the library. 

Stumbling backwards, his jaw went slack.

Martin had only seen two libraries in his life: the small, tattered bookshelf in the back of his mother’s church, and Lord Barclay’s personal collection– although the servants couldn’t make any selections for themselves. An entire room full of books, Martin had assumed it was among the largest collections of its kind.

He’d been wrong.

What stood before of him now were two stories worth of wall-to-wall bookshelves, brimming with texts and tomes in exquisite leather bindings. The scent of old parchment tickled Martin’s nose, sending him back to that dusty corner of the church, escaping through tattered parables and hymns.

Entranced, Martin stepped into the enormous room, leaving the door hanging open behind him. Giddy compulsion had him plucking out the first book he laid eyes on. A cookbook; although the language inside was unfamiliar, every page had been filled with mouthwatering illustrations. He selected another book at random: this time, a book of astronomy. And after that, a love story. Martin fought the urge to laugh, breathless. Just how many different books did Jon have?

Tucking all three in the crook of his arm, he continued down the aisle, reverent fingers brushing over each spine as he passed. A vast majority of them had been left untouched; preserved, perhaps, to maintain the appearance of esteem. That was the only reason Barclay ever added to his works. But occasionally, he’d come across a book with frayed pages, its spine threadbare.

Not mishandled, though. None of the pages had been dogeared, or the bindings broken. No, these carried the air of a book well-loved, read so many times over the years they’d been worn down to the glue. Martin took those with him as well, adding them to the growing collection in his arms.

When the first throbs of a sharp ache began pulsing at the back of his head, Martin ignored it. He couldn’t just leave, not with so much begging for his attention. When would he ever come across an opportunity to browse through a collection like this again? No, he had to make the most of it, while he still could.

But as Martin reached the far corner of the library, he slowed. A door was tucked away here, in a corner where no sunlight reached. It was nondescript, out of place in its simplicity– and yet, something about it drew Martin closer. Cool air seeped from between the door’s cracks, beckoning his curiosity.

His fingers grazed the brass handle–

“Don’t touch that.”

Martin yelped, books crashing to the ground.

Jon was standing at the end of the aisle with eyes like chips of ice. Heat bloomed across Martin’s face. This hadn’t been how he’d planned to encounter his host again: caught like a child sneaking sweets from the pantry.

“Sorry,” he stammered, scrambling to scoop up the fallen books. God, he’d dropped them. “I-I wasn’t– I didn’t mean to–”

“How many times do I have to say the word concussed before it sinks in?” With a sigh, Jon bent over to pick up the remaining books, depositing them on a random bookshelf before swiping the rest from Martin’s hands. Martin flinched, and the lines around Jon’s mouth deepened. "You’re in no condition to be wandering, let alone nosing around into places you shouldn’t.”

“I– I wasn’t trying to, to snoop or anything–”

“Really.” Jon shot a cool, pointed glance at the door. The flush crawled down to Martin’s neck, prickling in time with his erratic pulse. 

“Sorry,” he said again, lamely. “I really didn’t mean to– I-I was just … curious.”

“Curious. Of course.” With a sigh, Jon dropped the remaining books into another untidy stack, clapping dust off his hands. “I’ll show you back to your rooms– breakfast is waiting for you.”

Jon shouldered his way back out of the aisle, leaving Martin no choice but to follow. He was too embarrassed to protest even if he wanted to, but– his eyes lingered on the stack of books as they passed, mournful. It would have been nice to read at least one.

Jon urged him back into bed as soon as they reached Martin’s rooms, then turned to the breakfast tray he’d left on the desk. Martin fought down the growing dread at what Jon could have possibly prepared for this morning– but when Jon placed the tray on the bed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Bread, butter, and a bowl of chestnuts. Absolutely no risk of anything overboiled here. And the bread was fresh, too– delicate wisps of steam rose to curl in the dusty air. Had Jon made this himself as well? It had come out better than the first meal, that was certain.

“Thank you,” Martin mumbled, picking up the bread knife to smear butter over a slice. 

Jon’s frosty expression didn’t change. "Why in the world did– I can’t imagine what possessed you to roam around this morning. Do you have any idea what I experienced when I found you gone?”

A spasm of guilt tangled in Martin’s gut. “S-sorry. I just … wanted to look around, a little.”

“There’s nothing worth looking at. This place may as well be a mausoleum.” 

Martin’s head whipped up. "You can’t mean that.”

A wry silence.

“Seriously? But your– your library is amazing! I’ve honestly never seen anything like it.”

“Th– the library?” Some of the severity in Jon’s expression vanished; he blinked, opening and closing his mouth. “ … Oh. Well, thank you, I suppose. But I’m, ah … I’m not the owner of that collection.” A shy, almost pleased note crept into his voice. “I did help retrieve a few of the rarer tomes, however. ” 

Slice of bread halfway to his mouth, Martin paused. “You … but I thought …?” 

One arched brow crept toward Jon’s hairline. “You thought … ?” 

“I’m sorry, but– aren’t you the lord of this place?” 

“No.”

Martin took a moment to process this sudden collapse of his mental image for Jon. “But then who … why are you …?”

For someone so young, Jon had far too much stress lining his face. “It’s … complicated. You could say I inherited this place from its previous owner.” 

“Your father?”

“No,” Jon said, blanching. Then, without warning, he pitched forward. “I’ve been wondering if you’ll entertain a question from me.” 

Martin jolted, taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation. “Y-yes?” 

Jon smoothed a hand over one of his cuffs. “You were dressed too nicely to be working in someplace like a smithy. But your hands … I assume you’re a labourer of some kind?” 

“Oh.” Flustered, Martin set down the piece of bread. Why would Jon want to know a mundane thing like that? “I’m, um, I’m a server in Lord Barclay’s estate, actually.” 

“Barclay?”  

“Yes, Lord Barclay. Lord Frederick Barclay?” Jon was still frowning. “Your Lord. Your Lord, if you live in this region.”

“You really expect me to know the name of every noble that goes parading themselves around these parts like an arsehole?”

“I-I … suppose not?” Martin didn’t understand how Jon couldn’t know, though. What about his taxes? “H-how about you?” 

“Pardon?” 

“Well, you said the library wasn’t yours, right? And … you said you’re not the lord of the estate, yeah?” 

“In a legal sense, no.” 

Well that was an interesting answer, but Martin was learning not to ask for elaboration. “So, what do you … do?” 

Jon scowled. “I don’t see why it matters.”

“S-sorry.” 

“You apologise a great deal, you’re aware of this?”

“S–” Martin bit it back just in time, and Jon blew out a haggard, long-suffering sigh. 

“But I suppose it’s only a fair trade. If you really must know, I was – am, I suppose – the Head Archivist of this estate.”

Martin’s brows flew up– Head Archivist? That had to be rather prestigious. Did Barclay have a similar role anywhere present in his staff? The only thing Martin could think of that compared was … “So, like a librarian?”

“Not like a librarian.” But Jon’s mouth twitched. “I suppose there is some overlap. It was more than just filing books and keeping things tidy, though. We were also researchers.”

Martin perked up. “We?”

“… Yes. I … I did have a team working alongside me, previously. We researched unusual encounters, on behalf of our patron.”

“What kind of unusual encounters?” Fascinated, Martin leaned forward. “You mean like, like love affairs?”

“Nothing as salacious as that.” A slight smile broke out across his lips. “Although there– there was one time … ”

He stilled, trailing off. The fragile warmth that had been growing behind his eyes shuttered.

“Although … ?” Martin prompted after a beat.

Jon’s expression could’ve been carved from stone. He said nothing, shoulders hunched under some unseen burden.

A suspicion had been brewing in the back of Martin’s mind since his crawl through the manor’s hallways, and now, with Jon coiled tense as a spring in front of him, it came roaring back full force. Well, if there was ever a time for inquiries … “Can I ask you something?”

Jon huffed, and Martin winced. 

“Right. Um. I guess I just wanted to ask–” oh, how to phrase it …? “–is … is there anyone else … here?” 

Jon’s eyes lowered to rest on his hands. “No,” he said. “It’s just me. And now you, I suppose.”

And all at once, the pieces fell into place. Jon’s cooking, his nonchalance about the borrowed clothes, the dust that had settled in a thick carpet over everything Martin, or Jon himself, hadn’t touched. For the second time today Martin was left staring, dumbfounded. “… I don’t understand.”

“What’s there to understand?”

“This place is gigantic. Don’t you …” Martin glanced down at his lap, thumbing a loose thread in the duvet. “There’s really no one here?”

It was the wrong thing to say. Jon’s eyes flashed. “I don’t need your pity. Why else would I be here if I didn’t prefer it this way?”

Martin opened his mouth, but Jon stood before he could reply, stormclouds thundering in his eyes. “This has been more than enough excitement for one day– I’ll let you get some rest.”

He’d already made it to the door when Martin regained control of his voice. “Thank you for the ointment.”

Jon stopped, one hand frozen on the door’s handle. “Pardon?”

“The hand cream. It, uh, it helped. Thank you for noticing. And … and I’m sorry for … everything, I guess.”

Jon stared at him for a long moment, then lifted his chin. “Glad I could be of some service.”

The door clicked shut behind him, and Martin counted his footsteps until even their echoes faded down the hall entirely. 

It was probably for the best that he followed Jon’s instructions and got some rest. He had the gnawing sense that he was wearing out his welcome, fast.

He’d already nestled back into the mattress when a flash outside his window made him shoot back up.

Snow. Fluttering snowflakes were dancing on an invisible wind just beyond the glass. Martin rubbed his eyes– once, twice– but they were still there.

A trick of the light– it had to be. Some … half-asleep hallucination. He still had a ways to go before he was recovered, after all. Imagine– snow, at this time of year.

Putting it out of his mind, Martin pulled the duvet over him, and, with very little effort, drifted away again.

-

“–Hello?”

Martin stumbled to a halt, dinner tray in hand. What the hell was he doing? He didn’t have time to stop– there was still so much of the hallway left to go. But …

There. A door had appeared in the hall. Or had it always been there? For the life of him he couldn’t remember. Why couldn’t he remember …?

“You’re going to be late,” Charles said, somewhere off in the distance.

Late. Yes: Barclay’s dinner. He … he needed to leave. He was going to get everybody in trouble–

“–go.”

There it was again. Martin’s legs were stone; unable to move to the door, unable to move down the hallway. They had said go, right? He had to deliver Barclay’s dinner. But …

“You’re going to be late,” Mum said. Her eyes were hazy, unclear. What a wretched son he was; couldn’t even recall the colour of his own mother’s eyes …

“I’m sorry,” he said, but even he couldn’t tell who it was for.

-

Martin woke with aching arms and gummed eyes. Sunbeams were once again pouring in through his window, and this time, the accompanying disorientation faded faster.

Was it already morning? He must’ve slept right through dinner– this bloody mattress made it too easy.

And for once he was actually hungry. Properly hungry, too, without the accompanying nausea or weakness he’d grown accustomed to during his morning routine at the castle.

Today the silver tray was waiting for him on the desk– Jon had already come through this morning, likely an effort to keep him from waking, or wandering off again.

It was only as Martin was reaching for the tray that he noticed the books. Three of them, stacked on top of each other. Next to them were several pieces of folded parchment.

Martin, the letter started, with graceful, cursive handwriting, and something in Martin’s chest swooped low.

Here are some collections from the library, should you find yourself in need of entertainment. I had some difficulty choosing a recommendation, but I feel that these three have fairly universal appeal. Please take your injury into consideration, but I trust you to do what feels right for yourself.

Kinsey’s Survival on the Front Lines, especially, I find quite compelling. It’s a collection of memoirs from Kinsey’s time in war, and while a few have criticised his writing style as a bit dry, I find the contrast between his straightforwardness against the reality of war is how he’s able to make his point so clearly …

Martin read slowly, eyebrows climbing higher and higher with each word. 

The letter was five pages total, front and back. All detailing Jon’s reasoning for the selections he’d made, from their historical relevance, to his opinion on their style of prose. Was there anything in Martin’s life that he could talk about for so long? That he was so passionate about? Maybe his poetry, mediocre as it was, but not with half as much eloquence.

Buried in the text, tucked between hesitant, tentative platitudes, were Jon’s personal reasons for enjoying each book, such as I would often find myself returning to this text during my apprenticeship, and Some might consider Williamson’s humour a bit crude, but I still found it enjoyable.

Martin lingered longest on these, drinking in each tidbit with the avidity of a book-starved scholar.

The letter concluded with,

By now I’ve realised I needn’t have gone on for so long, but I’ve already spent two hours writing this, and it seems a wasted effort if I just tossed it, so … there you are. If you made it this far, anyway. Admirable, if you have.

If the choice between the three books still proves to be too much, I would suggest Sutherland’s Mythos of the Ages as a start. It’s simple, but, as I’ve mentioned, the illustrative work is astounding, and although it’s rather sentimental, I find the tales of some comfort to me. 

Jon

Martin traced the elegant swoop of the J, heart ballooning in his chest until he might burst.

Oh.

–

If you would like to be notified of MoMM news and chapter updates, please message me your user name and I will tag you in future posts. Otherwise, check out the MoMM tag on my page in order to stay up to date.

 @itspandaatsume123​ @thesmallestzita​

[razorblade180]

Rosebud prep 13

Today was a momentous occasion. A morning where the heat didn’t suffocate Menagerie, nor did the sea breeze give chills to the civilization. No, everything was just right. Jaune and Ruby had frequented the beautiful island multiple times for several months now since the start of their “second honeymoon.” Jaune was positive that they should’ve called it a world tour since no regular honeymoon lasts months, and it was filled with too much danger to call it a vacation. Not that he minds the danger in the slightest. Their love bloomed on the battlefield in the first place. Though it was nice to have a break from it; even if this journey had gotten him back in fighting shape.

Jaune sat on the sand watching the sunrise; the waves coming up a few inches short of his outstretched left leg while the right one remained bent. Practically chest level. His arms propped his body up from behind and to his right stood Ruby who was also enjoying the sunshine. However, it was clear by the expression in her face that her mind was elsewhere. Jaune didn’t need to think hard about why.

Jaune:Any day now.

Ruby:Yep. With the way Yang looks, one good scare could put her into labor.

Jaune:This places loves festivals. I’m sure I could find a firecracker to speed things along.

Ruby:She’d kill you.

Jaune:I can outrun a pregnant woman.

Ruby:Pffft heheheh, that shouldn’t be funny.

Jaune:There’s that giggle I love so much. Been a minute since I heard you laugh. Worried?

Ruby:Aren’t you?

Jaune:Not as much as Blake or Yang might be. I’m trying to remain calm. A bunch of worried people are only going to make things more tense, and child birth is tense enough as it is.

Ruby:Don’t have to tell me. But still, what….what if something unexpected happens?

Jaune:Cinder?

Ruby:Anyone. Blake has her fair share of enemies, so does Yang, and suppose it is Cinder. We’ve come up with all these contingency plans but who knows just how strong she’s gotten? This island-

Jaune:Has been heavily monitoring every ship that comes in and out of this place since Yang got pregnant. You personally have canvas the entire place at least twice. Working with the cops, Blake’s parents, even the medical staff; you’ve been extremely thorough.

Ruby:Okay but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. Medical complications, they almost happened to me so they might happen to Yang. She might go into shock or there could be something wrong with the baby no one expected.

Jaune:The doctor has said she’s perfect healthy and so is the baby.

Ruby:But-

Her counter argument was cut off by Jaune standing up and cupping her face gently. He looked at her with a twinge of concern but also with confidence clearly in his eyes as well. Ruby couldn’t help but feel her face get a little warm.

Jaune:Remember when I use to be a bundle of nerves?

Ruby:You still are but continue.

Jaune:You and everyone else constantly had to remind me to take a breath and tell me I could handle things. Ruby, you got this; everything is under control that can be controlled.

Ruby:....And for things that can’t be?

Jaune:Trust in life, trust in love.

Trust, was it that simple? Was that what was missing? Ruby closed her eyes and began taking slow, deep breaths. The sound of the waves gently falling onto the shore and back to the sea filled her eardrums. ‘When did he become the believer, the one to hold onto fa-’ suddenly things started to click just a little bit more. The possible reason for her eyes being so dim and the ability to truly find her stride in everything she did. ‘When...did I lose faith in hoping for the best? Miracles, I still believe in those. Right?’

Ruby opened her eyes. She was calmer now but also more perplexed by her own thoughts.

Jaune:Uh oh, didn’t work?

Ruby:It did but….Jaune do you believe in miracles? Or just having good faith in everything still?

Jaune:I mean, yeah. It’s been rough but I’d like to believe I still do. There’s actually more good in the world than there’s ever been for awhile now. Why, you don’t?

Ruby:That’s the thing, I-

“Ruby!!! Jaune!!!” The two looked over to see Weiss running over to them with her arms in the air. Before they could meet her half way she had already ran all the way to them at a speed that even Ruby found staggering. Weiss hunched over slightly winded and red faced. Sprinting in heels on the sand was not the best move.

Weiss:There huff you two huff are…

Ruby:Woah Weiss, hehe where’s the fire?

Weiss:Your sister…..

Ruby:I-I’m sorry what?

Weiss:She’s in labor!

Ruby:WHAT!!!!?

xxxx

“AAAAAGGGHH!”

Bellowing screams of shear pain thundered out of Yang’s lungs. She been like this for at least twenty minutes. Blake stood by her side with an odd mixture of joy and anxiety. The crushing grip of Yang’s hand squeezing with more force every time she was told to push. Blake grabbed the side of the hospital bed until her knuckles were white; suppressing the urge to scream from her own pain. ‘At this rate, I’ll need medical attention myself’’

“You’re doing great sweetie!” Blake said as she smiled through the pain.

Yang wasn’t easily fooled. “I know I’m hurting you. Blake, just let go.”

“No way! I’m never leaving you. Her other hand came up and grabbed the other side of Yang’s. They both give each other a nod before the doctor tells Yang to give another push; unleashing yet another powerful scream that could be heard by everyone guarding the hall. That includes her friends and family. Ruby especially, she can’t help but flinch every time.

“AAAAAHHHHHGGGGHHH!!!”

Ruby:Ugh. Sort of glad that’s not me this time. And yet…..

“AAAAAAHHHGGG!”

Ruby:I don’t like being on this side either.

Ren:You sure you don’t wanna be in there with her?

Nora:I bet Yang would love all the emotional support she can grip. Also another thing to squeeze.

Ruby:Blake is more than enough for that; guarding takes priority. Also that metal arm shouldn’t be squeezing anything but the bed frame.

Nora:Pretty sure that broke minutes ago. Besides, I have a feeling no one uninvited is showing up.

She had a good point. The hallway and entrances leading to it had guards posted that were ordered to report in to Kali without fail. Jaune was outside the front entrance with Ghira, Weiss and Neptune were on the roof, and Sun covered the other entrances with his clones and Ilia. Not to mention Tai was a phone call away, ready to jump through a portal with Qrow and Raven for surprise reinforcements. Only a crazy person would dare attempt to stir trouble. Everyone had a cutthroat mentality right now that was impressive and horrifying at the same time; the mark of an experienced huntsman for sure.

Ruby chewed on the bottom of her lip. Of course she wanted to support Yang, but no way was she going to be caught off guard. Not again….

Ruby:You might be right, but I can’t take chances. A kid's future can be at stake.

Nora:.....

Nora:Speaking of kids and futures, what’s that looking like for you? One year of searching and almost another getting back on your feet. I know that’s basically no time at all but you cannot tell me helping Yang with her’s isn’t making you think about it? For better or for worse.

Ren:Nora-

Ruby:It’s fine. She’s not entirely wrong. I have been thinking about it more and more. These past nine months especially. I’m...going to be honest with you two, my choice to stand out here isn’t completely selfless. That baby, I don’t know how I’ll react when I see it. When Yang and Blake ask me if I want to hold it.

She stares at her hands silently before rubbing her eyes; chuckling a little through restrained whimpering. “Selfish, right?”

……..

Nora:Do you wanna know a secret? I’ve actually been thinking a bit about all this. Ren as well. Can’t say much about his motivation but when it comes down to it, I’m being a bit selfish too.

Ruby looked up at Nora to see the girl looking down at her own feet. Nora takes a slow breath before looking into Ruby’s eyes.

Ruby:What?

Nora:We weren’t there for you. I wasn’t there for you. Maybe things could’ve been different if-

Ruby:Stop….

Nora:....

Ruby:That rabbit hole way of thinking only gets worse. Don’t put blame on yourself when you haven’t done anything wrong.

Ren:Yeah but we haven’t done anything right either. We’ve done nothing at all Ruby. That’s the problem. I feel just as guilty as she does. You’re our friend, our family. Jaune is our leader and both of you didn’t deserve what happened to you. So we found a way to help when the time comes.

Nora:Our orphanage has brought some unique problems to our doorsteps considering we don’t age out our kids or find parents put into “interesting” situations.

Ruby:Interesting?

Nora:Teens that got a bit too close despite our rules and soon to be parents that lost their towns. Ren is a bit squeamish about those sort of things but it’s gotten to the point he’s ordered plenty of medical supplies for those situations and made special rooms for them. While I have been put in the uncomfortable situation of playing doctor; in the literal sense. I’ve delivered several children and one of the parents actually was in the medical field.

Ruby:*eyes widened* Ar-Are you saying…?

Nora:When you decide to try again we’ll be around for the whole process if you’d like.

Ren:All of it. Delivery included. No immediate birth certificate, fancy hospital, or unneeded people around. Just the people who are closest in a place not so easy to find.

Nora:Completely under the radar to help prevent danger.

Ruby:....You’d do all that for me?

The two looked at Ruby confused before looking at each other and back at her again.

Ren:Of course….

Nora:We love you silly.

Ruby:G-Guys….I don’t know what to s-

“Everyone…” said Blake unexpectedly from down the hall. The three of them turned to see her on the phone; most likely calling the others. She looked exhausted and one of her hands was bright red and purple. No doubt that it had been from Yang and from the looks of it, at least fractured. Yet despite all that, Blake was smiling. Then it hit Ruby, the yelling had stopped at last.

The three looked almost hypnotized as they were hoping Blake’s next words were they have been waiting to hear. She didn’t disappoint.

“Come meet our son.”

Nora took Ruby and Ren’s hand then ran towards the entrance. Just as she approached it, Nora let go of Ruby and stood to the side with Ren.

Nora:Well?

Ruby:Well what?

Ren:I mean it’s only fair you walk in first.

Blake:He’s right you know? I can tell Yang is dying to show you.

Ruby:Could you all at least…follow a few seconds behind me?

Nora:Duh, you think I’m not antsy to meet the little guy?

Nora flashed a smile that warmed Ruby’s heart. She’s always been a bit motherly for sure, but running the orphanage has strengthened those maternal instincts; she became a mother right under everyone’s nose and Ren, an amazing father for sure. Where did the time go?

Ruby finally gave a nod and opened the door. Today was a momentous occasion. The morning, perfect. The sun, absolutely radiant. Yet none of them compared to this one single moment. Room was warm and quiet, except for the rhythmic sound of medical machinery at work. Ruby stood motionless and without breathing the instant her eyes locked onto the bed in the center of the room.

Yang sat upright completely mesmerized by the tiny life that was swaddled in her arms. Her skin was a bit pale; a thin sheen of sweat on her face made it look like she was glowing. Yang’s long and full hair also was weighed down and fell flat from exhaustion, and yet it looked beautiful as strands ran across her face. It even seemed to glow faintly itself. Yang ran her pointer finger gently around what Ruby assumed to be the baby’s face.

Her presence finally became noticed when Ruby let out slightly “wow” that snapped Yang out of the trance. Their eyes met and Ruby saw nothing but joy and a boundless fiery passion in them. “Hey baby sis. Come meet your nephew Kovu. Yang gave her the most inviting smile that Ruby had ever seen.

She approached slowly. As if she was trying to sneak up on Zwei or Weiss. Inch by inch Ruby got closer until she stood beside Yang. The blonde tilted her arms to Ruby so she could get a better look at him. It was love at first sight. His was rosy and his eyes were closed. Messy short black covered his head with the roots being blonde. That alone was enough to melt anyone’s heart but then there was his tiny cat ears that still managed to look too big for him. Despite having black hair, Kovu’s ears were blonde.

“Calico?” Ruby wondered out loud. Yang shook her head at the question however. “No, looks a bit like one though. Personally I thought about Tortoiseshell cats but the little kiddo is just a panther with beautiful color coordination.

Without thinking, Ruby reached out and gently poked his button nose. Kovu’s face scrunched up and a tiny coo was let out. His opens and Ruby was hit with the sight of majestic mixture between gold and amber. Yang was right about color coordination. Kovu had hit the genetic jackpot; he was such a handsome baby. The boy was going to have to keep the girls off of him with a stick when he’s older.

Ruby pulled down the blanket he was bundled up in a little and his right hand wiggled out. Ruby went to gently hold the little guys hand when he unexpectedly reached for it. His hand grasping her finger with all the might he could muster. It was so innocent, simple even. Yet...it sent Ruby crumbling down.

Yang:R-Ruby? Your eyes.

Ruby:Huh?

Yang:You’re crying.

Ruby ran her hand across her face and sure enough she felt warm tears smear across her face. How long has this been happening. They weren’t stopping either. She backed away from the both of. “Excuse me.” Yang completely understood why but she couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

As she opened the door, Ruby had forgotten that Blake called everyone to come and see Kovu. Including Jaune. He was in the middle of healing Blake’s hand when Ruby caught his attention; shocked to see her walking out in tears. She hated it. She didn’t want people to see her like this and burst into roses towards the outside. Immediately he looked at everyone who had a “Go” expression on their face. He got the message and bolted.

Luck for him, Ruby didn’t go far. Just outside to the steps in front of the door. No doubt because she still prioritized the safety of the hospital above anything else at the moment. She heard the familiar footsteps but did not turn around.

Jaune:Ruby, please talk to-

Ruby:He’s perfect. Their kid is perfect in every way. A little bit of Blake, a smidge of Yang; truly perfect. And innocent. All he did was grab my finger yet I could feel like I was making a connection that would last a lifetime. I haven’t felt like that since……

Jaune:Dustin…?

Ruby:I said we’d take it slow. That there’s no no need to rush. Picking up the pieces of our lives would come first and it’s been amazing to simply be with you again. But I think …I know there’s a hole in my heart. One that desperately wants to get back what I lost. Especially after seeing the way Yang and Blake looked today.

She turned around to face Jaune. Her entire body was silhouetted by the sun but he could clearly see the tears that glimmered from the light; and the silver eyes that finally found a way to crack through some of the darkness that clouded them.

Ruby:I want to be a mom. To hold a child and make that same promise to them. I know it’s selfish b-

Jaune:Ruby, I’ve been wanting another chance at fatherhood for months now.

Ruby:What?

Jaune:Is that surprising? Having kids with you was my dream in the first place. I never brought it up though because I didn’t want to be the reason you got hurt again or put pressure on the topic. Being with you was enough for me too.

He got closer and took both of her hands into his. Interlocking their fingers and pressing his forehead against hers.

Jaune:We take each step together when ready, right? Don’t hold your feelings back against me. If you’re ready to take that leap of faith again then you have me right beside you.

Ruby:We should have a serious talk about sparing each other’s feelings. We’re going to give each other unnecessary anxiety otherwise.

Jaune:Hehe, that’s not good.

Ruby:Being calm for nine months sounds like an impossible task.

Jaune:Don’t worry, you’ll have tons of sweatpants to get you through it.

Ruby:Oh gods I forgot about those things. I can feel my figure fading away.

Jaune:Having second thoughts?

Ruby:No way.

Ruby stands on her toes and gives Jaune a warm kiss. Finally his hands separate from Ruby’s so he can wipe her tears away. The two walk back inside to let the others know they’re okay and celebrate the birth of the newest addition to the team. There would be plenty of time to be affectionate later.

For the rest of their vacation time, sleeping wasn’t really on the schedule. Just a fire inside of them that burned like never before. Until…

xxxx

Jaune:.....Well?

Ruby:*holding a pregnancy test* Maybe this time. At this rate I might as well invest stock in these th-

“+”

Ruby:*blushing* Hehehe, well then, I guess now comes the tough part.

Jaune:*rubs her stomach* Together...

Ruby:*smile* Together...

Part 12

[linssikeittomies]

I Won’t Be Your Donkeyskin - A Banana Fish WIP

So about a 100 years ago I was talking with my friend @freakyfeline about fairytale AUs and we were laughing about how Yue Lung would be just the bitchiest princess. I originally imagined a Donkeyskin story with a Banana Fish spin, but it ended up being a Donkeyskin-inspired Canon Divergence - Yue Lung runs from his family and ends up hiding with Sing’s family, disguised as a girl. This is the only finished scene I ever wrote for it, and I quite like it.

--

Yue Lung thought back to the cashier’s words. Everyone’s heard by now. The prettiest hair I’ve ever seen. Boys will be fighting over you in a few years. He toyed with a strand, deep in irritated thought. Staying this close to the clan’s area of influence was a lot riskier than he liked, but it was the best he could manage for now. Biting his lip, he cursed that he hadn’t known how important identification documents were in the outside world. Who would’ve thought he couldn’t be a real person without some piece of paper?

Fussing with a strand of hair, he tried to weigh his options – ideally he would find a place on the other side of the country, even abroad. Canada, at least, but preferably Asia, maybe Mongolia – not Hong Kong, where the Lees were a considerable presence. But he had no money, and he could only get so far walking. And it was still cold enough to freeze to death in the night without even getting out of New York City first. Stealing would solve a part of that problem, but where could he find enough money? Pickpocketing might net him some loose change and maybe a few phones he’d need to sell for cheap, saving up that way would take too much time, and he was likely he’d get caught sooner rather than later anyway, since he had zero practice. The house was a no-go as well, Mrs. Sun didn’t keep a lot of money in the house, partly because they didn’t have much to save to begin with, and Yue Lung wasn’t rotten enough to steal from his saviors anyway. Maybe if they were filthy rich, and their finances wouldn’t be affected by a few thousand dollars going missing, but it still wouldn’t leave a good taste in his mouth.There was always the option of finding work, but who would hire a 11-year-old, who apparently didn’t exist because he had no ID? He could hardly ask Mrs. Sun money for helping around the house. He didn’t know how to do anything, except grow plants. He could have maybe sold medicinal herbs and such, had he a place to grow them and the knowledge how to use them – his education hadn’t yet included much but the most basic poisons. He also had a lot to learn about acupuncture, too. What else was there? If he couldn’t steal, and he couldn’t work, what else was left? Twisting and twirling the strand, twitching his foot, gnawing his teeth, there had to be something he could do! Just anything to run, or keep hiding, think! Think! Considering how much Mrs. Sun was gossiping about her newest “daughter” it was safe to assume Yue Lung’s brothers would soon hear about this mysterious girl who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, running from an abusive family, who just so happened to bear the name of the former patriarch’s deceased concubine! Fuck, what a fucking idiot a person can be! Using his mom’s name! Yue Lung might not have been able to do anything about Mrs. Sun’s benign airheadedness but he should’ve known better than be self-sabotaging dumbass! Okay, okay, what’s done is done, what he needed now was damage control. So, to keep running Yue Lung needed money, and he couldn’t get it yet. Which left hiding. Mrs. Sun was his saftest bet for now, and however talkative she might have been, Yue Lung was dependent on her goodwill and criticizing her would hardly endear Yue Lung to her. It had to be accepted that Dai Yu would be a known face around town, though it would be nice if it would attract less attention. Wasn’t there something he could do about that? He couldn’t change his face, apart from scarring it, and that would only make him more noticeable. It would take several years before he could grow a moustache or a beard, and with his genes it was likely to be a bust anyway. Unless he wanted to make a beard toupee out of his hair, and what would look more natural on a preteen than a hairbeard? One that was tangled to death from nervous fiddling. The strand around his fingers was getting knotted to the point of needing scissors to be solved. Wasn’t there anything Yue Lung could do to stay hidden? The strand twirled, frayed and split. ...The hair had to go. It was too noticeable. Having it shorter wouldn’t stop anyone from recognizing him, but it would cut the number of looks thrown his way. That was the key – stay low, stay humble, stay dull. Under any circumstances, do not attract unnecessary attention. Have average looks, have average manners, have average intelligence, be an all-around average girl and soon enough no one would care if you live or die! Blend in well enough and you might as well not exist. Mrs. Sun trimmed her own and her children’s hair, Yue Lung had seen the hair scissors in the bathroom. They were kept in a sleeve that looked homemade, and at least a decade old. One could only hope the scissors themselves were newer than that, or at least kept sharp – no such luck. Most things in the household were long past their glory days, full of holes or chips and dull as a cloudy day or a newborn’s teeth. The unsteady shhhk of the dull scissors trying to cut through a thin strand and Yue Lung’s frustrated grunts must have been what eventually caught Mrs. Sun’s curiosity. “Heavens! Dear girl, what on Earth are you doing?” Yue Lung thought the answer should have been clear as day, but he answered anyway. Mrs. Sun shook her head in disbelief and affectionate frustration. But, since the damage had been done, she demanded to even out the cut. “Aiya girl, you should have to come me in the first place!” she nagged as she snipped. “I would have cut it. I don’t understand why you would want to, your hair is so beautiful, Dai Yu.” Feeling that Mrs. Sun wouldn’t quit until Yue Lung gave some excuse to his haircut, he decided to play on a bit of admiration. He had found that often a transparent flattery would fall flat and have the opposite effect desired, and it was better to be less direct about the approach. It tended to work best with a bashful admission. “I wanted it to be like yours”, he mumbled quietly, affecting an embarrassed tone. It worked exactly how he had wished it to – Mrs. Sun cooed at him, calling him a silly girl but leaving it at that. Once she was content with Yue Lung’s new haircut, she called her sons to take a look. Yue Lung twirled around, supposedly pleased and proud. Yen Tai just said it looked fine and left like the moody teenager he was, but Soo Ling stayed quiet and thoughtful. Yue Lung thought he might have caught the longing look he had thrown at the long strands abandoned on the floor. He was weirdly silent for a few seconds, before saying “Dai Yu looks nicer with short hair.” Some kind of dam broke inside Yue Lung. He looked at the arm-long strands strewn about, curling around each other in embraces soon to be broken to clean up the remains of a burial. Dignity shed, thrown aside to further the selfish ends of another. A once treasured possession turned to trash. “How could you say that?” said Yue Lung, throat constricting, and his voice wasn’t any easier to mask than the tears falling to the floor. With a sharp inhale he tried to mask as anger, fully in vain, he broke down with a sorry mewl. “Aiya, it’s okay, it’s okay! It really looks nice on you!” Mrs. Sun tried to comfort. “Dai Yu, it’s alright. You look so pretty with your new hair! It makes you look so much softer!” Soo Ling ran to the kitchen and came back a little while later with a few almond cookies in hand. He offered them to Yue Lung, while Mrs. Sun still petted his back and muttered Aiya, poor girl, and I knew you would regret it. “Dai Yu, don’t cry. It’s just hair.” Just hair? Of course a boy would think it was just hair. He jerked at the look Yue Lung threw at him, like it had physically stung him. The Dai Yu he knew was distant and stiff, even cold, but always reserved, so he wasn’t prepared for the concentrated vitriol pouring out of the girl. He hesitated little before wisely fleeing from the girl. All this was hidden from Mrs. Sun, who unknowingly dried the tears of a beast and privately chided her son for being so rude to a crying girl. “Dai Yu, why don’t we gather up this hair and braid it. You can keep it safe until your hair grows back.” Silently, exhausted, Yue Lung nodded slowly. “I’ll do it myself. I’m sure you had something else to do before I disturbed you.” “Oh, it’s no trouble. Go find some pretty ribbon in the –“ “Please let me do it alone.” Mrs. Sun finally understood he needed a moment alone and left to find the ribbon herself. Yue Lung quietly, slowly, gathered the strands together. His neck itched. The short hairs from the last clean-ups had stuck to the skin. The ends of the dead tail of hair were uneven. It was an ugly thing, gathered up from the floor, not bundled together before being cut off. A dead keepsake, a far cry from the real thing, and the pain of it was more pressing than the dear memory. He would give it a proper burial. This one thing would escape the legacy of Lee Hong Lung and gain back some of its dignity in death.

--

I couldn’t find Sing’s mother’s name, so I decided to call her Sun Ci-Hui. Also I’m currently watching a k-drama called Rookie Historian Goo Hae-Ryung, and the prince is one of my favorite characters ever because he’s so sweet and innocent, and right after finishing an episode I go write calculating bitches like Yue Lung and Ivan:D What can I say, I like variety.

[poemsforpersephone]

The third and final book rec list for fans of The Last Sun!

The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen has really cool empathy powers which, although not the two way bond Brand and Rune share, does remind me of the emotion reading aspect in TLS. The m/m relationship in it is also super sweet. 

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee. This one I’m recommending because the protagonist is a snarky asshole just like Rune, and the writing style is so well done. It’s m/m and genuinely such a fun and quirky book. Also the cover art is gorgeous!

Silver in the wood by Emily Tesh. This is an LGBT novella where a wild man called Tobias lives in a place called “Greenhollow,” , where, and I quote, “Old secrets better left buried are dug up, and Tobias is forced to reckon with his troubled past—both the green magic of the woods, and the dark things that rest in its heart.” So im recommending this one simply because of the involvement of secrets and troubled pasts haha. 

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. The front cover of this one gives me The Hanged Man vibes like, all the way to the bone, which is initially what prompted me to rec it on this list. But also: “Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.” Idk about the dirty magazines but the rest of it scREAMS Rune. and the main character is a lesbian!!! yay!! 

The Black Veins by Ashia Monet. “In a world where magic thrives in secret city corners, a group of magicians embark on a road trip—and it’s the "no-love-interest", found family adventure you’ve been searching for.” It’s like someone looked into my heart and picked out my deepest desire and then wrote it and gave it life. This book is super diverse and super awesome. 

The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is a f/f take on Dracula basically. I’m recommending it because the main character and her sister go through a traumatic event similar to the loss of the sun court, when men come and burn their home to the ground along with their people and they’re captured and taken as slaves. It’s about family, friendship and survival, and it’s beautiful. 

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco. An LGBT book where climate change deniers are the villains? ... you have my atttention. 

Prosper’s Demon by K.J. Parker. This is about a morally questionable exorcist!  It’s a satirical, interesting take on the topic of possession with a kick ass cover. 

The Wishing Heart by J.C Welker. An LGBT fantasy novel where our protag, Rebel, finds a jinni’s vessel and is thus thrust into a whole new world of trying to keep said jinni from everyone else and find a way to free her! The world building is awesome and so are the characters.

Tarnished are the Stars by Rosiee Thor. “A secret beats inside Anna Thatcher's chest: an illegal clockwork heart. Anna works cog by cog -- donning the moniker Technician -- to supply black market medical technology to the sick and injured, against the Commissioner's tyrannical laws.” i have the hardbook version of this and the cover??? is so?? beautiful.

The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum. TALKING OF PRETTY COVERS. “Ryann Bird dreams of traveling across the stars. But a career in space isn’t an option for a girl who lives in a trailer park on the wrong side of town. So Ryann becomes her circumstances and settles for acting out and skipping school to hang out with her delinquent friends.”

Predatory by Brooklyn Ray. WERELEOPARDS FRIENDS!!!! god damn wereleopards im?? so happy. m/m 

The Lost Coast by Amy Rose Capetta. FOUND FAMILY QUEER WITCHES. need i say more. 

Portraits of a Faerie Queen by Tay LaRoi. The fey run amok in this one! f/f with a gorgeous front cover.

Unbroken by Brooklyn Ray. step 1: rent haunted house. step 2: fall in love with witch-turned-demon who inhabits it. step 3: profit???

The High King’s Golden Tongue by Megan Derr. This one is lovely! Nice world building with an emphasis on languages and kingdoms, and a lovely m/m romance that builds from kind-of-enemies-but-not-really to lovers. the audiobook of this is great. 

Salt Magic, Skin Magic by Lee Welch. SORRY YOUR BOOK IS SET WHERE? MY HOMELAND? MY COUNTRY MY COUNTY MY HEART? we never get any attention imma go cry in the corner. its a historical fantasy m/m romance in YORKSHIRE gosh im here for it. And let me tell you... this is one fantastic book. I really, really enjoyed it.

Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner. fantasy, m/m, lotsa swords!

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst. f/f fantasy with a princess who has fire magic in a kingdom where magic is forbidden! 

Freedom’s Fate by Jennie Taylor. SPAAAAAAACE i love books in space.

Pegasi and Prefects by Eleanor Beresford. “Charley's final year at Fernleigh Manor is complicated by a runaway pegasus, unwanted Games Captainship, a dangerous new rival and, most of all, falling head over heels in love with another girl. What is a reluctant Senior Prefect to do?” catch me while i swoon.

The Necromancers Dance by SJ Himes. m/m vampire/necromancer romance, urban magic and fantasy, very fun and smooth read, a little bit insta love but not totally. 

The Star Host by F.T. Lukens. “Ren grew up listening to his mother tell stories about the Star Hosts – a mythical group of people possessed by the power of the stars.” a m/m fantasy book set to a sci fi fantasy background.

Empty Vessels by Nicholas Williams. “Lucas Mahler babysits clones all day, but he's trapped under the legacy of his body-builder father and his genius girlfriend. When Lucas tries to rise above, he's murdered. Waking up in the body of a clone, Lucas embarks on a mystery full of blood, old friends and lost loves.” idk the whole clone thing in this just always reminds me of lord tower making all the different fake versions of people he knows lmao. 

BOOKS NOT YET OUT

So, the thing is. 2020 is very close friends, and some awesome books are even closer. These below are books I’ve not read yet, since they’re not out and I am a poor ARCless girl, but they’re books you definitely want to keep an eye on.

Witches of Ash and Ruin by E. Latimer. Bisexual OCD protagonist who is a witch D: its everything i could want. 

Wild Sky by Zaya Feli. LGBT fantasy with dragons! It sounds so, so fun.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust. “A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse...”

The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulos. “The Raven Boys meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, about an openly gay high school senior in small-town Georgia.” m/m fantasy which looks super sweet.

Cemetery Boys by Auden Thomas. “Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can’t get rid of him.” THIS SOUNDS SO COOL oh my god. Yes PLEASE. 

When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey. “A sly, witchy dark comedy about four teens whose magic goes wildly awry.” Magic, darkness, comedy, what’s not to love for fans of the tarot sequence??

The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune. I absolutely love T.J.  Klune’s writing so I can’t wait to get my hands on this. m/m superheros!! friends!!! get excited!! I think anyone who likes how witty K.D. is will enjoy this writing style. 

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. YES ANOTHER ONE this looks so good too we are BLESSED. “A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.”

Fragile Remedy by Maria Ingrande Mora. “Sixteen-year-old Nate is a GEM—Genetically Engineered Medi-tissue created by the scientists of Gathos City as a cure for the elite from the fatal lung rot ravaging the population. As a child, he was smuggled out of the laboratory where he was held captive and into the Withers—a quarantined, lawless region.” The idea of the Withers kind of reminds me of the westlands.

The Fell of Dark by Caleb Roehrig. UHM im always here for lgbt vampires in young adult fantasy fiction. The author says that “this book is gay and filled with monsters” which also fits the last sun so i figured it belongs on the list lmao. 

Ruinsong by Julia Ember. “In a world where magic is sung, a powerful mage named Cadence is forced to use her power to torture her country’s disgraced nobility at her ruthless queen’s bidding.”

[trying-write-fanfics]

OverhaulXReader part 41 (E)

So this a different path/decision written for the long ass Overhaul story. Basically this part takes place after part 40, but the E and the O in the titles stand for different paths. I hope that’s not too confusing.

Y/n had forgotten to set her alarms. Though she didn’t sleep much the night before, she had the morning. When she did wake up, she felt like shit. It was hard to peel herself out of bed because she wanted to go back and sleep. Kai really did a number on her last night, so much build up to only get ruined by more fighting. 

 Marriage? Now? What was she thinking? Sure her life was pretty set in the career department, but Overhaul didn’t want her around his men for his own reasons. He didn’t think she could defend herself, BUT HE WAS RIGHT! Marrying someone he has to worry about would probably be too much for him.

 When she entered the bakery she was expecting to get scolded, but everyone had hounded her for a completely different reason.

“Don’t clock in just yet!”

“I can’t believe it!”

“A pro hero wants you to visit the hospital!”

 They all wanted to know how she was close with a pro-hero. Y/n couldn’t believe how the events were getting weirder. First she had an over the top romantic date with her boyfriend which ended in life threatening disaster, and now a pro-hero summoned her. She knew exactly who it was, but she didn’t think her friendship with Tai was that deep. Then again it’s been a couple years and she does give him free food. 

“Is it dire?” She asked.

“Of course it is!” Her employees pushed her. 

 It hit her that only the staff at the old restaurant knew about her being in a relationship. Ever since she had the bakery she never really mentioned Overhaul, no one really asked. They all just thought it was a little cool that pro-hero Fatgum would stop by. 

“Alright, don’t burn the place down.” She yawned.

“Oversleep? Is that why you’re late?”

“Yeah I ran into some villain activity last night.”

“They should use you as a radar to find villains!” 

She wanted to call Overhaul, but resisted the urge. He told her last night he had an early morning. He was working and couldn’t be bothered with little worries. Oh to be engaged. To show it off to her co-workers and then say they’re having a small wedding. How she’d rub it in her mother’s face for trying to set her up with that gross doctor. It would be a true fairytale ending. Would she go traditional or western for the dress? Overhaul would probably want to go traditional, but she wanted a big puffy skirt and call herself a full cake. Telling her he loves her in front of everyone they know. Oh such naughty thoughts. But he didn't propose, so it would be best to store such thoughts.

 At the hospital,  the nurses directed Y/n to Fatgum. There were two younger people in the room with him. Suneater who she recognized despite the bandages, and an even younger body in a full cast. Both the boys were asleep. She didn’t even recognize Tai. He was in a hospital gown, awake. He had a bandage on his face and head. 

 “I might be in the wrong room.”  She said.

“Did someone else call you?” Oh it was his voice.

“I’ve never seen you without a mask before.” She tried covering up. “Sorry sorry.”

“It’s fine, Red Riot over there didn’t even know it was me and I was with him during the whole transformation.” He told her 

“You have a whole party in here. What happened?”

“I can’t give you too many details, but we did complete a raid.”

Fatgum had a plan. Considering Y/n was still in the city, and willing to visit him, she doesn’t know what happened to the Shie Hassakai yet. Despite her lack of knowledge that didn’t make him feel easy. It seemed the league and the Shie Hassakai were not on good terms when they worked together. She may have been used without knowing it, but she wasn’t safe yet. He wanted her here so that no one would attack her. Her fate was unsure. 

“Did you need anything from me? Meals?” She asked him 

 “Nothing like that, I thought maybe I could turn the tables.” He tried joking. 

“Too bad I’m not a hero.” She told him. “I’d have to change my whole wardrobe if I was.” 

“Thank you for coming, Y/n. You’re a good friend.” He was worried this visit was going to be too short.

Tai was learning a lot from her movements. She didn’t see flustered or worried about Overhaul. She couldn’t have known. If she did there would be no reason how she could act so calmly. She’d be overwhelmed if she found out her boyfriend's place was raided. What if they were never a couple and Tai only put a bunch of information that seemed connected wasn’t? Sure they did go to the same elementary, and maybe she came back home just to be close with her family or the place she grew up at. Maybe her and Overhaul got a drink once or they were friendly at her restaurant which made that guy assume they were more than something and choked her. Overhaul was just probably being nice. Sure her grandpa was connected to the old head, but her parents seemed to have distanced themselves as much as possible, which probably distanced Y/n. They might know each other and that is all. Overhaul could have used someone else's regeneration quirk despite Y/n being the closed guess. There were so many things they still didn’t know. 

“Well you did the same for me. At least you have your interns with you.” She told him. “I bet you were a great leader.”

“I feel like a lot of the good today was already in their hearts.” He told Y/n.

 Y/n stayed a bit longer but confessed she had to get back to work. Fatgum tried to sway her, but his words fell on deaf ears. She promised she’d bring him a meal tomorrow and for his interns, but for now she had to manage the bakery.

 The Wicked Sparrow’s bakery was hopping with customers and her employees were bustling. They asked her the connection she had with pro hero Fatgum over and over and just drooled over the story of being personally saved. They all had at least seen him in person a couple times since he was a customer who wasn’t so easily disguised. They asked if he was her boyfriend, but she told the truth and said “no”. 

 It felt wrong, the whole day did. Overhaul was going to propose, she knew it in her heart! He mentioned it at a wedding for crying out loud! Now her friend was injured and her employees gushed over her closeness to a hero. They came a dime a dozen! 

 When the work day was done, Y/n dragged herself to the subway to get home. She hadn’t heard from Overhaul all day, but that wasn’t new. She just missed him. Especially now. She wishes she could tell both Overhaul and Fatgum to get different jobs, less dangerous. It would be easier said than done. These jobs were what they dreamed of since they were young, being there head of the yakuza and a pro-hero. 

Y/n unlocked her apartment door and found her place to be a mess. The couch was flipped, wine glasses were broke, there were papers everywhere. She hesitated but slowly stepped in the house. She knew it was best to call the police before walking in, but she might have had stuff to hide. She turned into the bathroom to find the sink running. She shut it off and pulled the shower curtain to see if anyone was hiding. No one. Behind her she heard a click, and her eyes widened. Danger again. Something that happened so many times and yet the feeling never adapted well. Her eyes looked in the mirror to find a man with a gas mask on behind her pointing a gun at the back of her head. 

“If you wanna live, come with me.” 

“O-okay.” She shook. 

“Wait.” He said as Y/n turned to face the man. 

He took her phone out of her pocket and smashed it against the sink. That was her only hope! There would have to be some sort of GPS on it, she gave Overhaul her “find my friends”. And now she’s gonna die!

Y/n followed him to the car. He instructed her to get in the back seat as he drove. The locks on the car had child locks to prevent the escape. 

“This won’t be so bad I promise.” The man said

Oh god she was going to get...she couldn’t even think it. Her lungs tightened. 

“You don’t trust me?”

“I’m gonna end up on the news, being a dismembered body aren’t I?” She asked, shaking. 

“No, not that.” He told her.

 The man’s demeanor was different in the apartment than in the car. In the apartment he was intimidating, wanting to kill her, y’all, looking over her, broke her phone. Now he was more casual and relaxed. Trying to make it seem this wasn’t the worst thing to happen. If she stayed with Fatgum maybe this wouldn’t happen even though this guy was hiding in her place. It was inevitable wasn’t it? He was probably crazy, he was pulling this. 

“I actually don’t know how you’re gonna take any of it, to be quite honest.” He told her. 

“Why do you care? Are you a stalker?” Why is he pretending to care how she takes this! He kidnapped her. “If you’re gonna kill me why didn’t you just do it back there?”

“Well I’m not a stalker...okay maybe sorta, I was interested in who you are.” He told her.

“Oh my god!” She fiddled with the door handle that didn’t do anything to unlock. 

“Hey, hey calm down! I’m not gonna hurt you unless you make me!”

“I just might make you, I’m not as submissive as you think!” She growled, kicking his seat.

“Hey hey! I’m taking you somewhere! Can’t you see I’m driving!”

“If I’m gonna die, I’ll take us both down!” She yelled. 

 Noticing she wasn’t wearing her seat belt the man took a sharp fast turn which caused her to slam her face in the windows. She groaned as she held her cheek.

“Dick.” She told him. 

“You made me!” He yelled.

“Yeah, I made you kidnap me!”

“I’m doing something nice for someone.”

“Oh my god! Did my mom put you up to this! What is it this time! That I didn’t come crawling back to her and that now it’s real that I wasn’t coming back!”

Under the mask the man felt the pressure of the situation rising. She was just throwing wild cards at him and he didn’t know how to respond, but also keep the favor concealed. 

“What? She did, didn’t she?”

“No. Right now the less you know the better.”

“That’s so unfair! How long is it gonna take for us to get to wherever you’re driving?” 

“A while. I was hoping we can talk to keep the drive less boring, but it seems to only be stressful. I’ll turn on the radio.” He said.

Ariana Grande’s Break Free came on. It was the chorus. 

“Looks like the radio is trying to tell me something.” Y/n said.

“We’re obviously not listening to that.” Told her.

He dialed the radio and the next station was playing Sweet Escape by Gwen Steffani. He could see Y/n raising an eyebrow at him. Sweating, he put on the news, and it was about a woman escaping from her abuser and setting them on fire. 

“NEVER MIND!” The man yelled turning off the radio. 

The car ride was long, but Y/n was feeling like she could put her guard down just a little bit. It was gonna be a long car ride that didn’t seem like it was going to end. While the man couldn’t do anything but drive, she could at least relax her muscles. She wondered what Overhaul was doing. She didn’t know if he knew she was missing her not. He might be too embarrassed to face her just yet after last night. He shouldn’t though, though he despises so many heros, he was her hero last night. But it’s still a high possibility. She also didn’t message him at all today! The day slipped away from her! That could add to the distance. If he did find out she was missing, he would probably lose it. It would start with a call to ask about last night, he can surprise her. Sure they are immature sometimes, but Overhaul did overcome a lot to be with Y/n, she knew that. There would be no pick up. When he gets a free moment he would break in and see her place was a mess. Though she was the messier one, she wasn’t that messy. But what hints or clues would he have to be able to track her down. She was a goner. 

“Hey, I have a favor to ask, stalker.”

“I can’t let you out.”

“If I’m gonna die, I wanna at least let someone know how much I love them. You can read the letter if you want if you’re worried if I’m gonna snitch you out. We can mail it from a random address too. I just can’t forgive myself if I left things like I did.”

“Did you two break up?” The man asked.

“First of all rude, yes I’m in a relationship, and no we didn’t fight last night.” Her knife like tone was back up. “I just want him to know my feelings haven’t changed, even if it’s hard to tell sometimes.”

“Well I’m not gonna kill you.”

“So who is?”

“I meant the purpose of this trip isn’t gonna get you killed.” The man said.

“I don’t trust like that.” She told him.

“I’ll think about it, but we’re almost there anyway.”

She sighed. Y/n’s eyes looked through the tinted window to see they were on the coast. Her eyes went to the other window finding they were in a less populated area. There was grass and trees, the waves crashed on the sand. The sun was going down. Y/n didn’t even know what to think at such a location. Who did she know would want her at a beach? It wasn’t a nice beach, a little dumpy with litter and seaweed. The car pulled into the rundown town. There were no huge big store names. Some even were planting flowers in their windows. They drove out of the downtown area and then drove into some secluded private property. There was a lot of land, a lot of lush greenery too, covering the house from the street view. They parked in front of the small cabin. 

 “Whatever you do, try not to scream.” The man told her. 

Y/n gulped as she was reaching for the front door.