#that we don't get more somft moments

[al-n-cartoons]

I made the very ill-advised decision to try and find some wholesome fanart of Ben and Gwen being affectionate because, y'know, they're cousins with a near sibling relationship.

It will always torment me that Ben never gets to be physically affectionate unless (1) it's an intense moment or (2) it's with a romantic partner.

This moment's cute as all getout but in context??

(But the forehead kiss is amazing. I decree that he's a forehead kisser now. Get on it, artists.)

Hug. Your. Cousin. Hug her I say!

[arttrampbelle]

Ok now for some actual good shang tsung food for y'all.

*cracks knuckles*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shang tsung bathing hcs x reader.

Here is some bathing hcs. Aka. What they do in a bath,showers,cleaning themselves,relaxing,grooming and preening themselves type of hcs.

Cw:nsfw,fluff,maybe some angst?

*NOTE: THIS IS CARY HIROYUKI TAGAWA SHANG TSUNG SPECIFICALLY. MK11/MK1995 SHANG TSUNG. So no damn faker mk12 shang tsung allowed*

Hcs below cut cuz of nsfw content.

Reader is gn ( i try to make these gn if i can)

🐍💚🐍💚🐍💚🐍💚🐍💚🐍💚🐍💚🐍💚🐍

Shang tsung bathing hcs:

Shang tsung prefers showers if he is just needing to clean up. Because one,it's healthier and easier for him. And two he just likes to take quick warm showers most of the time. However it doesn't mean anything. He sometimes with do either or hot,warm,cold. But he prefers warm

Shang tsung will do baths if he's trying to relax or soak or take his time. Especially if he's with you.

He loves the feel of the warm water next to you. He finds it peaceful.

He definitely does the works tho. Bubbles,oils,salts,soaks,etc.

And after a bath he also definitely either body oils up or body butters himself.

He loves smelling good. And loves you smelling good too.

If you need privacy and don't wish to bathe with him. He will respect that too

As for himself if he needs privacy he will tell you right away beforehand.

Shang tsung will drink wine and bathe. He prefers dark reds buuuut occasionally he'll have a white dry wine or even a sweet wine. Especially if you are with him. But shang already loves the sweetness you bring in your company. The wine just doesn't do justice on that. ;3

He will also eat fruit in the bath. Like this man is the definition of luxurious and living deliciously.

As for grooming habits. He likes to keep himself well trimmed and groomed. He shaved almost completely. But if he wants to leave a bit of hair. He'll leave a lil treasure trail if anything. His balls are smooth tho. A nice trimmed beard too.

Shang has and will fuck in the bath. If you want a quickie it's in the shower. But if you want him to play,take his time,and enjoy every inch of you? He'll fuck you in his private bathing quarters. (Yes his bathroom is modernish. He's not a damn heathen ok you weirdos. Lol. Maybe a bit looking like a 70s/80s/90s Chinese gothic dad vibe but hey. It's modern enough).

He feels this is one of the few times he can let his walls down. You'll get to see a very very somft shang tsung. If The sorcerer trusts you that much. You are lucky af.

He loves to bath you. He doesn't mind receiving in return. In fact he loves being pampered (spoiled lil shit he is. But we love him) but he prefers to actually pamper you more! Besides he loves washing your hair or massaging your scalp. Washing your beautiful body. Taking care with every single touch.

He will even dry you off. Never lifting a single finger. Wrapping a robe or a large towel around you. Picking you up bridal style. Carries you to your shared bed. May or may not finish loving on you there. Depending on your moods.

But either way. Shang loves bathing time with you. It's a very simple but sweet moment.

Shang's sweet side. Is his best side. And you're the lucky one to ever get to see it 💖

Hopefully you guys like these. Sorry if its short and not as organized as i usually try to do it. But it's on the fly while i have the spoons to write.

But i hope this gives you some good food.

💖

[misscammiedawn]

Charmed! 2023 Recap - (Day 2: Thursday)

Part 1 link

Part 2 (you're here)

Part 3 link

Part 4 link

Part 5 link

As before this is an edited version of my personal therapy journal tailored for public posting. All scene names and stories included are done with permission. - This entry was half written at the con and edited for internet so there will be times where the tensing refers to events in the future and in the past. Apologies for that confusion

I slept from 1:45am-7:30am, my heart raced as the narrative of a scary dream pulled me to wakefulness.

Not the kind of heart racing I was hoping for to begin my day, alas. But the timing was *perfect*. Daja had just at that moment sent a message that she was starting her route. She was less than 5 hours away.

“Come to me.” I softly commanded, extending my presence far across the distance.

My heart ached, my lips could feel the air where they desired her lips.

“I am here, waiting for you. Come to me, my dear.”

And so the countdown begun.

I took a few moments to hug my plushie familiar who goes where I goes and come down from a dream which should not have terrified as much as it did. My boyfriend, Copper, and I were to share a coffee before he went down to the museums.

I had a coffee date! It was time to change!

Charmed! Outfit 1: Sunrise's dress.

Perfect for being plugged into brainwashing devices and reunions with long distance loves ~<3

While I did that my COVID test pinged negative. I grabbed a snapshot.

I maneuvered to add my gender dysphoria protection, my “chicken cutlets” but a somft voice in my head scolded me for the effort. “This is me.” It insisted.

We're going in to the con on our own esteem then? No augmentations? Good to know.

I went to grab my badge and got the 4th one. Nath, one of my metamours, was 2 spaces ahead of me so got a brief hug. Nath is a good friend, though I tend to be shy around my metamours. A little bit of that old programming from a life before keeps insisting that any love I take from a partner is taken away from their other partners and I should feel guilty about that.

Life doesn't work that way. Love doesn't work that way. But the thought persists. That's mine to deal with. I try not to burden other people with my baggage until they ask for it.

There was not enough time to do a full reunion though as Copper and I had our coffee date–

PERSONALLY CATERED BY A PANDA!

A playful and bouncy panda billing itself as "Panda Express" which is both adorable and charming.

It was so lovely! Drip coffee with a smooth flavor that lingers pleasantly!

Happy chats and calm comfort!

There was talk of plans and recounting of the prior night’s fun, including the plane ride. Hair coloring. Hopes and fantasies and the relief of feeling Seen.

I had long awaited my moment to meet with Panda and the Triad that it belonged to. I am overjoyed that it didn't disappoint.

But it had plans, Copper had a trip and there was a convention to begin!

Everyone scattered and I thought about diving into the con--- but perhaps first some weekend prep!

I was too excited to get started and went straight to outfit and mild make-up without a super grooming session. Checked my phone for the temporary GPS of Daja's car. A countdown I could follow for her arrival. She's not here. Not even close. Not yet! I couldn't begin all the fun stuff we had prepared and negotiated. The plane scene was only the start.

I couldn't do the fun stuff, but I could do a ton of ironing to save time for when I was able to enjoy things a bit more!

While I ironed I had a big conversation with my Counterpart Puppet and Sleepyhead. I got emotional about my inconsistencies and volatile personality. Started crying for no gosh darn reason for I am a silly Kitty x.x;

Sad to say this would be the first of a ton of times my emotions caught me off-guard this weekend x.x;

Don't worry, I'm editing the meltdowns out for the public facing recaps! Y'all know where my BPD tag is <3

With ironing done there seemed to be less than an hour until the promised arrival. A morning well spent and a heart full of cheer, I moved on to greet Daja!

The original plan was to do the dommey “come to me!” moment but my heart was too explode with joy so I just glomped. Daja woke up early for me! “You’re the only Sunrise worth waking up for!”

I am squishy melty squee! So so happy!

It was a short-lived reunion as her trance card had other names on the list above mine, but she was sure to show me all the ways I would later be doomed. Mind melting VR headsets and hypnotic orange chocolate. As well as a surprise tool which we may need later.

-

The afternoon was fairly lowkey. I found some familiar faces in Turq and Mazirian in the common area and took some time to discuss simple things like anime and wrestling. I was introduced to some of the more flavorful acts and some of the feats of incredible strength such as picking talent up by their ankles and hammer throwing them like Miss Trunchbull. Made me think about the fact that people picking me up is one of those horseshoe things. Right on the border between ABSOLUTELY NOT red and ...please....? green...

Only one person is allowed to pick me up. I am Excalipurr.

Turq and I have a decent enough relationship as metamours. I share the same shyness with him that I work hard to conquer with Nath and Puppet. It's a shame because Turq and I have a *lot* in common. We can talk about anime/manga and focus on the classics. We enjoy wrestling, Transformers, video games and we both are quite fond of a certain lass.

Maz is someone I have had very limited contact with. We flirt online openly, which is fairly rare for me, but he is firmly in the circle of people I have marked as Trusted. He's vouched for by my Goddess, my girlfriend and is partners with one of the fleeting few connections I had with the hypnosis community in the 2000s. He's fantastic with hairplay and---

--if I may be a little self-obsessed in my self-obsessed journal? ...he makes me feel attractive. His compliments on my hair, the genuine flirting... it makes my gender dysphoria go away. I present myself as an attractive woman a lot, especially in these spaces. I don't know how he does it, but he makes my mind forget that it's something I'm presenting as. It's just something that I am.

It was nice to just enjoy some gentle social energy and try to get added to the trance card of a lovely friend who worked with me briefly at Beguiled. I also finally got to meet Glitter-Spiral who is a very important human that I have evaded meeting for 3 years worth of events.

Glitter-Spiral has not let up on complaining to Daja about the fact that I have been RIGHT THERE for all this time and we keep missing one another. It was nice to finally meet her the energy that she exudes is so bright and forceful. Sassy and flooded with color. I could see instantly why she was scheduled to teach bratting.

As I enjoyed breaking street-date and hugging GS, Turq looked at his phone and audibly responded to the message “She’s sitting right next to me and I can ask for you.” Apparently Daja asked her spouse, Turq, if she could use the room to spend some time with me.

So I rushed upstairs and we worked a little on a couple things.

Firstly, practice for the Presence class. We ran some drills on the Big Moment we had discussed as an endcap to the hypnotist side of the demonstration. Something flashy and showy that I just needed practice with and we discussed blocking for the showy end of the hypnotee segment.

I had run many of these drills over and over with Sleepy but the script was not sticking to my mind and my nerves kept me from embodying my Top Space. I kept telling myself "we'll just read the script and do it live." "Trust that performance will give you the push you need." - another case of that dysfunction where my brain cannot accurately or coherently visualize the future and so lets all that hard work and practice disintegrate.

That used to be a big issue for me when I was a coder, but that's a story for another time.

The reason I mention it is because after running those drills with Daja, I finally felt prepared. I finally think I can teach a class!

Second on the agenda was working on an amnesia suggestion which will come up later and lastly installing a kiss summon trigger– because kiss summon triggers are my thing.

Daja returned the favor by plugging me into a 20 minute custom VR session to add in a few suggestions and gently scrub perception of them away.

During the session Daja installed two suggestions, both of which I shall lose memory of the moment I finish typing, the first is that when I nuzzle her I will drop deeply into trance and the second is a return of the summoning trigger from Beguiled.

(Future Cammie edit!: I now have full memory of this. As part of my therapy I journal daily and this was written on the day. I will make notes in the text when I am typing from after the convention)

There was a point where she heavily reminded me of Goddess’ control and that no hypnosis at all would work without my collar. I was told I reached for my collar and held it as I drank in that suggestion.

The aftercare for the scene progressed and triggers were tested and promptly forgotten once more.

-

From here on I type from after the convention. My memories of the above session remain with me both while working on the journal, for Daja ensured I could always journal reality, no matter what my mind perceived in a hypnotic compulsion (especially if I allowed myself to forget again afterwards) - but more crucially those memories will go with me back to Minnesota.

My hope is that by typing these words they may not fade as far too many tend to.

After the wonderful scene had been completed and sweet Cammie was puddlified and programmed, we agreed that it was a good time for food. My room contained myself, Sleepyhead and Puppet. Daja's room was her and Turq. We agreed that the two rooms should be a bubble for both COVID safety and meal sharing when appropriate.

The original plan was to connect Daja and Cammie rooms so we could just Kramer in to one another’s space all weekend. I feel that may have been a benefit to all had it have happened.

Alas. We had to walk a *whole flight of stairs!* Unacceptable.

Dinner for the night was a local Italian restaurant’s pizza. For Puppet a pasta dish (which required Daja and I to run over to Oikos Prime (remote) and grab cutlery, while saying hello to my Goddess Lady Ru’etha as well as other Oikos household members Jukebox and Copper… as well as sweet Timbit, the most adorable floof in the world) Sleepy got a 14” and for Turq, Daja and I we split a 16”. Sleepyhead had AGDQ on and insisted on showing Turq the AIRBOAT run, a modded Portal run that used Half-Life 2 objects on spawn to proceed through the testing facility instead of the normal portal guns.

The meal was well enjoyed and ended with Turq heading off to mingle and Daja had some more time put aside for scenes with other partners.

I decided that if I were going to get into a headspace less puddlified and a little more casual for the night then perhaps I would need to stop wearing my Sunrise dress, which was typically used for subby bliss scenes, such as the mind melting machine.

But my Dawn outfits were booked out for later in the weekend… so I made a quick change based on my proposed Travel Day outfit:

Charmed Outfit 2: Cozy Camden Winter-wear

For after brains have had time to be melted and one wants to drink coffee and see some familiar faces for no reason beyond socializing.

Socializing, as intended, was not as simple as I had assumed it would be for the majority of the time. In fact I felt quite overwhelmed. I am told that Pre-Pandemic Con Lifestyle involved a lot of group lunches and comfortable hangouts which were more accessible to making connections and melting shy exteriors. As it stood, I had a number of people do the “hey, it’s Cammie!” Moment and I never really worked out how to capitalize on it.

My own fault, really. Shyness is a crippling affectation and I cannot always be a forceful personality capable of running movie theatres or mingling on command.

But all too soon, Daja let me know that her personal jewelry commission from one of our lovely vending friends (whose I will edit in a name for if I get permission) was finished.

The commission was a blue bottle. A blue bottle because of a conversation the two of us had from when the vendors were showing off their wares. 

As I typed on the final day of our last meet-up:

We did clean up. She packed away the summoning trigger and any other things which may have been picked up. I put away the blue fire, which I hadn’t intended to become a trigger, but Daja’s eager and clever brain picked up on it without hesitation. It was placed inside a glass bottle, waiting to be revealed again.

Blue Fire. The gift of perfect obedience. A trigger I had worked with in our last meeting, based on a story from the Tammy Pierce books Daja and I each love. A finger to the forehead. A magical blue fire. Then the enchanted individual would awaken having completed a single command. Whether it be as simple as climb down a tower or something unthinkable.

We had placed the magical blue fire which could melt her mind away inside a blue bottle, a reference in itself to Ocarina of Time.

We had agreed to unbottle the fire and return it on the night of the Soiree and use it to get Daja all nice and dressed up for the event while I offered her “my heart”, knowing she would return it in time. Theoretically it could be used in mingle with another scene we had that weekend, though.

Daja wanted to break street date and get to enjoy the blue flame for the entire weekend. I told her I was willing to go ahead and do that for her, but only if she was certain she wanted it.

Now, Miss Dawn is a Fae. This has been true since the days she was simply an expression of gender euphoria in tabletop scenes and LARP. She was not going to accept a simple “I’m sure” as a method of consent.

“Please, Miss Dawn. Uncork the bottle.”

You must say it of your own volition three times. Uncoerced and unbound by a fractionated mind. Say it three times and I shall uncork the bottle and unleash the spell which effortlessly bewitches your mind and engulfs you in the flame of Pure Obedience. Knowing that once that spell takes hold and melts your mind away there will not be a single thing you will not do for me when I command you under its enchantment.

“Please, Miss Dawn. Uncork the bottle.”

I lowered myself and took her arm and kissed her fiercely. Looked her in the eyes and held her gaze. I reminded her that she would act without any memory of her actions, that she would be giving me complete control of her and doing so without a long thought was simply unwise.

“Please, Miss Dawn. Uncork the bottle.”

Utilizing a previously installed trigger I commanded her to kiss me and enjoyed the moment. My fingers laced around the bottle. If she were to ask me one more time then I would be bound by my Fae Contract to comply and control her.

Was this really? Truly? Deeply desired?

“Please, Miss Dawn…”

I gave her hair a tug and looked her in the eyes.

“Please uncork the bottle.”

As you wish, my love.

What else could a Fae say when bound by a contract? I followed the pre-negotiated scene, which had some lovely amnesia laden suggestions hidden within. Because I am a tricky Fae and if the airplane ride and the MMM scene had not already proven, Daja and I studied for this test and had written a dissertation on how to make these scenes work.

I am also editorializing a little bit because I have a broken brain that doesn’t remember things and imagines things between the gaps.

“Hand me the bottle, my dear.”

And it was at this point, Daja learned that her arms were hanging loose at her side. She couldn’t reach up. She couldn’t unclasp it. If she couldn’t unclasp it she couldn’t hand it to me. If she couldn’t hand it to me, she couldn’t receive my gift of Perfect Obedience.

Daja noted her inability and I teased the chain. “I need you to offer it to me, my dear.”, my honey sweet voice taunting with my knowledge that she simply could not obey.

“Please, Miss Dawn. Please.”

Energy flowed between the pair of us and the Perfect Obedience trigger was tested. A finger to the forehead and Daja’s mind was set ablaze by blue fire. Her eyelids rolled up so beautifully and she would do *anything* I asked.

I am particularly proud of the two times I was able to show it off for an audience.

With the Obedience trigger installed and some more fun had, it was time to prepare for the morning. We were to go to Nath’s class, Daja and Tenn’s and then mine.

In order to go to mine we needed to have me ready to spend the night. So I masked up and rushed back to my room to perform the Walk Of Shame. Which I find lovely and amusing, given Nothing Was Going To Happen. But I got my pyjamas and tomorrow’s outfit and transported them to Daja’s room so I could Spend The Night. <3

I was still a lil’ bit overwhelmed and frazzled and made some silly mistakes like forgetting(?) my Precious. Precious is supposed to go with me and I forgot her!

It’s okay though. Miss had Faithful, Precious’ twin, and let me hug him while I slept…

And curled up with Miss and Faithful… I did sleep.

Part 3 link

[accio-victuuri]

cpn: an unexpected candy overload. 🍭🍬

there is no rest for this fandom. all of this is cpn. covers the new video we got and other things. 🌼 have a great week to everyone!

I honestly just wanna scream and I have very little coherent thoughts. I did not expect linhai to release anything, much less the behind the scenes. if he would, maybe a cover of wuji? but not this. the footage we’ve been waiting for. and it’s so short. i’m not complaining tho. this makes me so happy! 3.28.2019 was a really special day. Imagine being there, not knowing what a big hit CQL and this song would be. wow. history in the making. I don’t if it’s just me but there is a chance that Linhai asked their permission before releasing this today. I know this footage is owned by linhai, but I think it’s logical to think that he asked the boys if he can share. Since they were both in it. It makes me somft.

here is the link to the video. If you have weibo, please view and like it over there. 🎥 english sub here.

I don’t even need to CPN that video, it is what it is. they look so good together! and GG having no shoes! 😂😂😂

WYB: I’m wearing shoes, but you don't, yeah!

XZ : Yes! I'm not wearing shoes...shit!

There is a part I really wanted to see cause they are standing right next to each other but the camera was blocked. it’s okay, linhai might have left it like that for a reason. 👀

and this clowning moment right here. Hahahahaha! Yibo please! It’s just a photo. 🤣🤣🤣 Bobo’s ears are red in the close ups too. Lol. and their hands being so close. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Also the way they look at each other. please. i hate it here. if they interact again in the future, none of us will survive. 💀

I’m so glad I am in this fandom and I will stay for as long as I can. There are times that I ask myself “why” and this is a reminder of that. We love them as individuals and all the more together. Even if we don’t see them on cam anymore. Our time will come, in the meantime, we just gotta stay strong and enjoy all the content they bring us.

Now I wanna talk about the flower GG is holding in this photo which looks suspiciously like Web’s daisy star necklace. If you need a refresher, I talked about that before here. but you may ask me, so what? what’s the big deal? The thing is, the timeline FITS.

If we are going by the date 8/25/2020 as the recording day of this presscon, then it’s close to the timeline of when this necklace was photographed. I’m saying this date because it was when that interview was released but it could be earlier than that. I’m seeing some BXGs saying it was recorded 8/4/2020. As for when the daisy star was seen with Web, that would be 8/17/2020 - 8/19/2020. Those days and sometime later, BXGs were talking about it non stop cause it’s something new. Little did we know, GG was filming this presscon and decided to use that flower in this photoshoot. Don’t even get me started with how dramatic this pose is. A candy made in 2020 that we only get to enjoy now. It’s still very sweet. 🍬

Plus XZS posted this at 19:00. What a coincidence cause we are celebrating 3 years of Wuji recording today which was in 2019. Not to mention XZS has been posting by the hour today 19, 20, 21 and 22. From 2019-2022. Understood xiao laoshi. Even the captions has words like “spring breeze” ( which has a bjyx cpn attached to it ) and “galaxy” ( some bxgs are thinking about the lyrics of nian and connecting that to this word. )

Moving on to the green iphone which I personally thought had no basis at all. but i was wrong. The more outrageous a candy is, the more real it is. The famous CPN back then was Web bought a cellphone for GG.

We had clues before but for GG to show it off like this, today of all days. maaaaannnnnn. coincidence is tired. So let me explain.

9/23/2019, he was photographed with the iphone 11 pro max midnight green iphone. later the same day when he was at work, he was holding a different one. a gray one and you can see in his pocket that there is another phone. then you have GG that changed his phone from iphone to iphone 11 pro max in a span of one day. bitch. i hope yibo spoils me like this too. 🤣 It’s so cute that he gave the green one to GG, which is not xiao laoshi’s color but his.

This one is so cute. Same energy. Showing off their babies. 🤍 ( there is one where Web is showing a picture of his moto, and it’s the same proud papa moment. )

I’m not done. XZS released a behind the scenes today and the first part of it is GG singing this 👇🏼 It’s called I AM FINE by Stefanie Sun.

and in true xiao zhan fashion, it’s bittersweet. 🥲 doesn’t matter what drama happened in the past xiao laoshi, it’s so much better now. and it will only get better. 🙏🏼

I was not there by your side when you were lonely

Don't look at me and say you loved me don't be too hurt

I'm not sad, this is nothing

I just don't know why these tears are falling

Just let me go, let me start to enjoy freedom

Memories abound, your shadow will envelope my life

I am not a coward, you know this better than anyone

Even though I'm alone, this will be my final tolerance

+++ GG saying he wants a puppy but it’s hard to take care of compared to a cat. I really hope he gets his puppy. That shiba inu. 🤍 One day, they will have that. 🏠

That is all. I’m sure I forgot some details cause as I said, I’m not really coherent enough to look at this and remain calm. This is about as calm as I can get. I did not expect any of it. Wow. What a good 3 year celebration and I feel like they are celebrating with us too. 🎉🎂

source.

[rosescries]

I sure hope we get some more time with Red or Edge in TSM.. despite what had happened, of course.. idk why my heart is so somft for them..💕🥰 the last few chapters make me want to hug Red sooo bad..

Here’s an idea: Skeleton’s reactions to a hug from MC? Lust and Mob too, if you want!

to the first part...... Hmmm. Maybe. :)

As for the reactions:

Honestly, most just freeze in shock.

Sans and Stretch are incredibly awkward about it, not really knowing what to do or if they're supposed to hug her back. They weren't expecting a hug from her! But after a few seconds, they'll hesitantly hug back. Almost melt from the warmth and comfort it provides.

Red, Edge, and Black just... freeze. They have no idea what to do and aren't really comprehending what's happening. The last thing they'd expect from Mc is a hug. Their thought process is kind of just: "Why is she hugging me? What is happening???? Is there a threat around? Did something scare her and I was just the closest skeleton to her??? What??? What??????" They're short circuiting, please give them a moment to reboot.

Blue just freezes for a minute, needing a second to process what's happening. Then he'll immediately hug back and just take in everything that hug gives him. It's been a while since he last hugged someone! He forgot how much he enjoys the feeling, how nice it is. He really appreciates it and the fact that Mc is willing to get that close to him!

Guns and Ace are somewhat used to Mc's affectionate nature, but not really used to it. They don't get hugs often and that safe, warm feel they get from it is really foreign to them. It actually... puts them on edge? In a way that makes them tense like they're expecting an attack. It's not.. unpleasant, they'd say. Just always unexpected, not something they're going to go out after at least.

Lilac, Charmed, G, and Aster are all used to the hugs as well, and enjoy them. Lilac and Charmed are more likely to make a sexual joke during that'll get Mc laughing, but they do just generally enjoy the close proximity. They know she's not looking for anything other than a friendly hug and they really like. G's just really laidback and enjoys the closeness of the action, and that she's comfortable enough to even give him one.

Aster is more likely to get one in the case of Mc deciding no, he's not going back down to his lab tonight. He's going to stay up here with the rest of them and relax. Thanks. This happens more than you think it would and yes, Aster is annoyed but he deals with it. And secretly enjoys it.

Mutt, Grey, Lunar, and Papyrus is already well accustomed to her hugs, but they both still love and melt right into them. They both love the warmth and safety the hugs give them, along with just the feeling of love. Grey and Lunar particularly like how they're able to scoop her up too, considering how small she is compared to them.

[herotome]

I'm so confused by that last ask lmao. Why would anyone want to buy spray and hurt someone who did nothing wrong to them/wasn't making them feel uncomfortable in any way??? Instead, how would the RO's react to a very soft and bubbly MC, that bakes them stuff and compliments them and is just,, a very somft person??? And when in a relationship stage, treats them with so much tenderness and love that it should be illegal. Have a wonderful rest of your day/night, author!

Agh, well, I don't want to make it a purely black/white situation; because if somebody knocked on my door well after sundown, I would certainly be uncomfortable.

While I can confirm that Warden had good intentions, those are the bricks with which hell is paved, yes? He DOES commit a social faux-pas. It is a BAD IDEA to knock on strangers' doors in the night! It would be perfectly understandable if the MC feels any range of discomfort or skepticism; even threatened or alarmed.

I remember this one time a perfectly nice young man approached me in the parking lot; I was about to get into my car, and I was so taken off-guard and terrified that I flattened myself against the car door the entire time, eyes darting. He didn't mean me any harm (good intentions), but the faux-pas of approaching me right outside my car was too great - I could not humanly have felt comfortable in that situation.

... I didn't hit him or spray him though, since he made no move to touch me. 😂 Iirc he wanted my help because his car died. I think sometimes people are too quick to be enact cruelty on men, because they assume all men have bad intentions, or that men are strong, they can take the abuse. But I also understand how people - particularly (but not limited to) women - are so often put into awful, deeply stressful situations of "I need to hurt them first, before they hurt me."

I want to acknowledge pretty privilege as a factor as well - while I wrote Warden as a Nice Fella, I also made conscious design decisions to make him generically attractive: even proportions, nice smile, neat hair, clean clothes. Would we be as understanding of Warden if he was fatter, uglier, more disheveled? Would we be as open to follow-up with him, follow him onto the path he sets for us? I'd wager not. (And then ah, viola, the MC never leaves her apartment and the game falls apart. Hahaha.)

Errr. So, ah. Those are my thoughts. No real conclusions, no hard and fast rules - I just want to encourage this blog/game to be a space where we exercise nuance whenever possible.

Anyway! Thank you for the lovely sentiment anon, here's the answer to your ask:

Warden: Disbelieving, really not used to such tenderness from anybody. Sort of wonders if MC is trying to trick him? It takes him some time to warm up to it and understand MC's angle. Blushes particularly hard when complimented.

Griffin: Fully participates in exchanging sweetness, for the most part tit-for-tat. Griffin might have gloomy or whiny phases and will take some alone time, but will very often seek MC out for comfort and very long, vulnerable hugs.

Mia: Flustered to the core, often tries to outdo MC in sweetness - Mia is a deeply reciprocal person, always returning favors, so it would drive her a little batty to be matched. She's used to being a giver, she'd have trouble quietly receiving.

Dart: Skeptical, distrusting, surely this is an elaborate act?? The pies must be poisoned. You'll catch him staring REALLY hard at MC, searching for flaws and slip-ups that would help him understand. There is a point, though, where Dart will begin to view MC as "family" - and then the distrust switch totally flips into undying trust and protective loyalty.

Jade: Wants to protect MC from the first moment she sets eyes on her, would kill for this MC.

[docheros]

Egoshipmas day 29: fireworks

Pairing: Shawn/Jacques (inkycanvas)

"— Robbie, it's official: I lost the fucking rings — Shawn exclaimed, biting his thumb harder."

Word counting: 768

A/N: somft, and problems happened yesterday so i'm only posting this today 🤪 today's prompt i'll post later!

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— Robbie, it's official: I lost the fucking rings — Shawn exclaimed, biting his thumb harder.

After six whole months of planning, researching, referrals, and a few payments here and there, it was finally time for Shawn to ask Jacques in marriage.

He'd bought the store's prettiest rings, made of silver because Jacques preferred silver to gold, and with purple accents because they were the painter's favorite color; and he'd spent the day before getting ready and rehearsing for the perfect proposal.

But on the chosen day, December 29, something unexpected happened: the rings disappeared.

The toymaker spent the day rummaging through the house, looking for the damn rings, but so far he hadn't found anything, not one of them. The thought of having to put off the order made him nervous, embarrassed, distressed, and Robbie tried to help him as much as he could.

— Dude, your thumb will become raw — the zombie commented, putting down his Fluttershy doll — Just…ask him? I think he will understand.

— But Robbie, Robbie! — he spoke louder (Jacques would have heard if it weren't for the fireworks), digging his nails into his palm and wiggling his wrists close to his face — I! I've been rehearsing this proposal all week! This cannot go wrong!

— Dude…

— Hey Shawn, come here! — Shawn heard Jacques's voice over the noise, looking at Robbie in panic.

— Fluttershy and I will take care of the food, don't worry.

He headed out into the backyard, finding his boyfriend with a cup of tea in his hand, a shawl over his shoulders and watching the sky lit up.

— Looks like the neighbors started the fireworks earlier this year.

— Yeah… — He stopped beside him, looking up and then at Jacques.

The painter was beginning to show signs of middle age coming on: some of his red strands slowly turned gray, the expression marks on his forehead appeared because of all the times he frowned, his hands dried more often… and his black eyes had the same shine as a young person, his walk had the same lightness as a dancer's, and there were also expression marks in the corners of his mouth, as he always had a smile on his face.

Jacques was like wine; the older the better.

He was beautiful, breathtaking. That moment could be perfect.

He looked at the fireworks and the painter, calming himself with his smile. No, that moment was perfect…

…With or without a ring. 

— Jacq… Can I ask you something important?

— Of course, Shawn.

— I hope you understand — he giggled nervously, debating whether or not to recite the speech he'd written and repeated so often — ah Jacq, I'm going to need your affection, your love! More than ever!

— Darling, what are you talking about?

— Jacques! My Jacques! I know we weren't planning this so soon, but… — he knelt down in front of him, placing his hat on his chest and holding his hand — will you marry me?

— What? — he yelled, nearly dropping the cup — Shawn!...? I!… I… you… Oh my goodness — He looked away, chuckling. He looked at him again — you're crazy! Of course I will!

He grinned wide, standing up and pulling him into a hug, shaking them both.

— Shawn! My cup will fall out!

— Jacq! Jacq, Jacq, Jacq, Jacq! — He kissed his cheek — I love you! Love love love love!...

— Oh Jesus — he smiled, brushing hair from the Italian's forehead — you're really happy, hm? I love you, ma chérie.

— And I love you more — He cupped his face, giving him a kiss — Jacq, my Jacq.

— You know, I kind of liked this nickname — he giggled — you spent the week planning this, didn't you? Ask at the time of the fireworks…

— Oh, actually, I…

— SHAWN! SHAWN!

— Uh, Robbie's calling you — The painter pointed at the zombie, leaning against the window and waving one of his arms.

— YES?

— I FOUND! IT WAS INSIDE MY DOLL BOX!

— Inside your…ah! — He laughed — I forgot I asked him to keep it there so we wouldn't lose it!

— Keep what?

— The rings! The rings I bought to ask you to marry me! — He took his hand, pulling him into the house — let me show them! It's silver because you prefer silver to gold, and it has purple details…

"Oh my god, my fiance is a romantic and won't even admit it."

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i love them.... a lot <3

tagging: @the-pastel-kitsune @dapperstein @unpredictably-ghostly @glass-trash-bab

[emerald-amidst-gold]

if I'm not too late maybe "putting a blanket on them" from the casual affections prompt list? :3

*sings* It's not too late, it's never too late~! *clears throat* As you can see, it's never too late to prompt me! I find my motivation to write is bolstered when prompted, or ideas that I've been struggling with tend to come out more easily!

So! We want some SOMFT this day? Oh, I can most certainly oblige! >:3

Cue an utterly exhausted Fane, an incredibly soft Solas, and a dash of angst! *chef's kiss* Bon appetit!

--

Fane was tired. Exhausted, even. Solas could see it from where he was situated at his desk, having glanced up from a material of research he had been pondering when the aforementioned person had walked through the adjacent door with no more than a gravelly, 'Hey'. It wasn't an unusual greeting, Fane rarely made a grand entrance with his voice, but it was the tone, tight and defeated, that switched Solas' mind from curious to concerned. He straightened his posture, head tilting as his dragon only seemed to...stare through and not in like usual.

Yes, Fane was exhausted--horribly so.

"Hello, vhenan," Solas greeted in the tone he typically used, quiet, but tender. and with a small smile. When Fane still only continued to stare with a dimness in flecks of gold and no responding smile of his own, he frowned a bit, "...Fane?"

Fane finally seemed to reconnect at that, blinking before sucking in a deep breath and letting it out in a heavy, heavy fashion. That only made Solas more worried, as did the deep set circles marring ivory skin and muting brilliant eyes to where emerald looked like moss. Dark circles were also not unusual for his dragon to bear, nightmares lurked around every corner, waking or not, but the ones Solas saw now were horrid. Fane utterly looked as if he were about to fall to the ground at any moment.

He watched the other man lift a gloved hand and rub vigorously at lax cheeks, tiredness banishing the elasticity of youth with ease.

"Sorry," Fane muttered out an apology, though it was somewhat muffled by his hand. It didn't take much for Solas to hear it, however. And he had been right in assuming that it was not the tone he was accustomed to; there was not even an inherent growl in its depth. "I zoned out for a minute..."

Solas bit into his cheek slightly, thinking on his next words before he found them. It was best to simply breach this topic and lay it to rest.

Just as it was best to lay a dragon to rest. Fane needed to sleep, and Solas would see that he did, whether it be a struggle or not.

He let out a quiet sigh, "Vhenan, how much sleep did you manage to get last night?"

He knew Fane's routine by now, had been helping to fix its unhealthier parts in fact, but some habits were hard to break when the Fade offered no more respite than reality. Most nights, Solas would wake to an empty bed or when his dragon was just coming back from a walk, a heavy-lidded eyes seeking sand filled with guilt or self-loathing as they found his.

Fane's eyes took on that glassy, far-away look again before his head jolted, a sleepy snort sounding before that same gloved hand from before scrubbed and scrubbed. Solas had to restrain himself from letting out a 'tsk'. It wasn't Fane's fault for this occurrence, not entirely, and it would be wrong of him to place blame. He knew his dragon tried to sleep, tried to rest, but again, some habits were etched in stone from scars and memories. Even so, it hurt to see this battle. A battle Fane constantly attempted to fight on his own.

Fane stifled a yawn with the back of his rubbing hand before he mumbled around it, "...Half an hour? Twenty minutes, maybe? I don't fucking know.."

Solas' eyes went wide, "Twenty min--?! Fane!", he practically snapped, but Fane only responded with a shrug and a tired sniffle, seeming too tired to even put up a defense.

He couldn't stop the 'tsk' this time as he skirted around the desk and made his way over to the wall of muscle and duality literally beginning to sway from sheer exhaustion. This would not continue today. Fane would rest and he would rest now.

"Lie down," Solas commanded, trying to keep the edge out of his voice as he motioned to the couch a few feet away. He stood before Fane now, peering up into deep set eyes and frowned when he received only a minor grimace and slow aversion of pupils, "Ma'isenatha, please. I do not wish to see you collapse from exhaustion. A few minutes of rest is all I ask."

Fane's grimace turned into a scowl, "...I have a meeting in the war room in thirty minutes," he said before letting out a growl, its usual vibrato weak, however, "...since Cullen decided that the dragon 'savagely' attacking Crestwood needs to be dealt with within the next month."

Solas blinked before he felt his brow furrow. The dragon in Crestwood? They had driven it away no more than two months ago, last he remembered...

"That was the dragon you managed to communicate with, was it not?", he inquired, watching as Fane's face hardened like stone, dark eyes darkening further. "I thought you had persuaded her to seek asylum in the mountains?"

"I did, and that's where she was. Your agents in the Inquisition have been keeping me updated on her," Fane explained, voice pitching down lower and lower as his eyelids drooped and drooped. There was an ember in depths of emerald however, a spark of fiery gold as venomous words came out in a hiss, "...And they told me she left her den not even two weeks ago."

Solas blinked, "She left?", he asked with air of incredulity.

Fane nodded, tired face grim, "...Yeah," he muttered, appearing even more exhausted than before.

"Do you know why?"

A pause and then a heavy sigh, "...I do."

"The reason, then?" Solas inquired, absently taking a step closer to Fane's slouched form. He could tell his dragon's exhaustion was not purely physical, but mental; Fane was worried and angry, but seemingly not towards his kin. After all, there were a number of reasons as to why a dragon would leave its den, he knew. Improper climate, lack of food, external threats moving inwards, or...!

Solas' eyes widened, immediately reaching up and cupping Fane's face. The other responded instantaneously, leaning forward, closing dark eyes from view, and biting into a pale bottom lip. Yes, this was not just physical exhaustion...

"She is nesting?" Solas whispered out brokenly, stroking dark circles in an attempt to soothe the troubled being before him. He should have known this was more than merely Fane refusing to sleep due to his nightmares...

Fane nodded a bit, "She's seeking food, bedding, maybe even a more comfortable den to lay," he whispered back before sucking in a shuddering breath, "And--And that disgusting creature, that 'Commander', wants to...to...to..."

Solas tightened his hold on Fane's face, spurring heavy eyelids to slowly open. Their eyes connected and he kept his face firm, unrelenting. This path troubled him as well, but rage would do no good towards a better solution.

"They do not know the truth, Fane. It is up to us to intervene, silently, with it. She will not be killed as long as you are at the helm," Solas vowed, pulling Fane's face closer and resting their foreheads together lightly, staring directly into pained, tired eyes, "I promise you. What happened centuries ago will not happen again."

As those words passed, silence pervaded it. Fane's eyes were trained on his own, still, dark, but searching. Solas knew the look in them, the need. His dragon was seeking the truth of his words in the color of his eyes, and within minutes, Fane seemed to find it, some gold lighting up in emerald depths and expression melting with relief, even if exhaustion was set into every sharp angel, every contour.

"You're right. It won't," Fane said darkly, agreeing with his vow with utter conviction.

Such determination, such will had Solas leaning up and laying a chaste kiss against flat lips, actually smiling a bit when that line twitched and sleepy eyes softened with purest love. No matter the trials thrust their way, they would always find a way to stay true. At least, that was what Solas hoped.

Just as he hoped Fane would listen to reason and sleep. Salvation required one's full abilities, and for such abilities to be available, one's mind needed to be sharper than any sword.

"Now," Solas murmured as he pulled back, giving Fane's face a loving stroke with both of his thumbs, "--you need to rest, vhenan."

Fane blinked at him before his face turned downwards. Solas stifled a sigh. This would take a bit more work, wouldn't it?

"But, I have a--"

Solas shook his head, cutting Fane off deftly, "A war meeting. I am aware," he said before taking a step back, but laced the fingers of one of his hands with Fane's. "However, I doubt you wish to walk into the room looking like death, or losing your temper when the Commander attempts to rally you against your kin." He paused, raising an eyebrow, "Or am I mistaken?"

It was a push, he knew. However, he had pledged to guide Fane to rest and he was nothing if not steadfast in his promises.

...Domestic or otherwise. The Commander was a good man, a man that had seen the best and worst of many things, but even the best intentions could prove detrimental. Another dragon would not be killed, would not be erased from the world. He would be having a chat with the man once Fane's mind was safely nestled in the Fade.

Fane stared at him, mouth gaping a bit before letting out a defeated sigh and shaking his head. Solas knew the battle was his with that and he gingerly gave the hand he was holding a tug.

"Come," he beckoned gently and was relieved when Fane followed him towards the couch without a fight, without a word, "An hour or two of rest. No more unless you wish it to be. I can take care of matters until then."

The fact that Fane had relinquished control so easily, following slowly but steadily and practically flopping down into the cushions with no more than heavy sigh and the shutting of his eyes, made Solas a tad worried, but he knew it was only because of just how exhausted Fane was. There was only so much a tenacious mind could bear before it accepted defeat.

A snowy head rolled back and to the side, lodging itself comfortably between two cushions. Solas could only smile as he recovered a blanket from the other end of the couch, keeping an eye on his drifting dragon from his peripheral. He knew Fane wouldn't change his mind now, but it was always good to be cautious. Dragons could be endearingly unpredictable.

"See? Not such a terrible idea to rest, is it?" Solas teased, unfolding the blanket and fluttering it out only to guide it to rest over Fane's form.

His dragon only let out a snort, steadily becoming too tired to formulate words, and barely reacting to the blanket, shifting a bit to get more comfortable and letting his head lull back further. The sight made Solas chuckle as he carefully tucked bits of fabric neatly around, making sure not to make the wrap too tight. Fane would end up getting increasingly too warm otherwise. When that was finished, he stood up straight and could only smile fondly as he saw that Fane was utterly dead to the world, breathing deeply and face bearing no crease or frown. Dragon could also be plain endearing, evidently.

Solas leaned in once more, hovering over Fane's body and steadying himself with a hand against the arm of the couch.

"Rest, ma'isenatha," Solas murmured as he lay a gentle kiss against the crown of Fane's head, nuzzling the silky strands that adorned it soon after, "You will not be disturbed. I promise you..."

And he was a man who took his promises, his convictions, seriously. He would make a thousand of them, even if it were foolish, if only to allow his heart, his dragon a chance to rest. Both in the Fade and the waking world.

For nothing was stronger than a promised kept.

--

And there we have it! It ran away from me a bit and wasn't expecting it this scene to go as it did, but I'm happy with it! This is why I enjoy doing prompts! I envision the same scenarios going a thousand different ways! X'D

Thank you so much, friend! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it! <3

[kung-fu-headcanons]

Heyy do you have any Headconons with li Shan x pregnant panda mom? (Btw I love your blog & I appreciate that you didn't give it up even though you don't really care for kfp anymore) 💝💝

Yes I indeed do have those headcanons

And also thank youuu I wish this went big when I was still interested in Kung Fu Panda tho 😂 but oh well haha my past KFP-obsessed self would be so happy to see that this blog has had a huge success!

Li Shan freaks out when he finds out he's gonna become a father 🤣 he's like AAAAAAHHHH OH MY GOODNESS TRJDKNDKSJSNS

Extra fluffly and wholesome moments between the two 😌✨ and extra somftness

Shan gets super overprotective of Jin ("YOU BETTER NOT HURT MY WIFE OR MY UNBORN CHILD YOU F/CKER") which in turn brings out some aggressiveness but it's fine he has it handled and under control

He kinda overworks himself a bit so Jin doesn't have to do anything cuz he's worried that she'll be tired and stuff and it might be bad for the baby-

This is when he learns how to actually cook he can cook basic meals but in order to ensure that his wife is very healthy (as well as his unborn child) he can't just cook like idk ramen or something everyday

He helps her with everything and also other stuff you need to do during pregnancy like exercise

We don't even know the gender of this child and Li Shan is already thinking about names and baby management this dude is putting a lot of unnecessary work on himself bruh

He is four parallel universes ahead of us

Hes always theorizing about what could happen "what do you think our kid will be like?? Will our kid take more from you or me? Do you think we're gonna be good parents??"

The village send them gifts and all sorts of nice things since they're a really tight community so like everyone knows each other really well and it's like one giant family

[lvllns]

it don't matter to me (wherever we are is where i wanna be) [2/3]

the wayhaven chronicles. felix hauville x kincaid anderson (nb detective). teen and up rating for language. established relationship, mostly fluff with some angst. 2300+ words. (3700+ words total.) — i can be your lucky penny, you can be my four-leaf clover, chapter 2 of 3.

notes: horses! felix! kincaid! somft!

[ao3 link]

—

The walk to the barn doesn’t take nearly as long as Felix expects, it’s not as far from the house as it looks.

Kincaid chatters the whole way, mindless nonsense about the ranch mostly. Felix learns that they breed beef cattle in addition to horses, and some cows specifically for roping. He didn’t think there were specific cows for roping and when he says as much, Kincaid obliges him by explaining the importance of docile cows for rodeo. But apparently, they need to be hazed and seasoned too? They have to get used to horses and people milling about.

Really, maybe the walk doesn’t take as long as he thinks because Kincaid refuses to stop talking.

(Felix is so grateful for him. For the way he seems intent on filling the quiet with whatever he can.)

(He keeps squeezing Kincaid’s hand, grinning when the taller man pauses for a second mid-sentence to look at him with a smile.)

“Anyway, that’s—” Kincaid is cut off with a soft noise. Felix is jerked to a stop as Kincaid freezes in place, eyes going wide as saucers.

“Babe?”

Kincaid shivers. Breaks out of whatever weird trance he’s in and says, “I think that’s Leo.” He whistles. “Mare?”

Another sound, louder this time. A whinny, if Felix remembers right.

And then a red head pokes over a nearby stall door, fuzzy ears straining forward. Her face is mostly grey, but a big white star in the middle of her forehead is still clearly visible.

Felix starts toward her. Ends up dragging Kincaid along because he seems shocked to see her. They get close enough to touch and she immediately, without hesitation, whacks Kincaid in the chest with her entire head. He grunts at the impact but just leans down to touch his forehead to hers.

“You seem surprised to see her,” Felix says quietly, not wanting to break the moment.

Kincaid exhales heavily. Doesn’t lift his face as he starts scratching her neck. “She’s thirty-one years old. It’s just...a lot, to see her again.”

Ah.

That’s it.

Felix slips an arm around Kincaid’s waist. Leans into his side and kisses his shoulder before resting his head against his bicep.

“Anyway,” Kincaid says as he clears his throat. His eyes are shiny with tears and Felix reaches up to wipe a few from his cheeks. Leo has clearly had enough because she whacks Kincaid with her head again, ears flicking back and forth. He rolls his eyes. “Felix, Leo. Leo, Felix.”

Despite all the new white hairs, she looks almost the same as she does in the pictures scattered around Kincaid’s apartment. Where she’s shiny as a copper penny with saddles, buckles, and ribbons around her. Where she’s belly deep in a river, Kincaid sitting on her without any tack. An entire life story between the two of them laid out in photographs on apartment walls, and now Felix is able to meet her.

She extends her nose, nostrils flaring as she sniffs Felix. He chuckles. Reaches out and pets her muzzle.

“Oh, she’s soft!” Felix steps closer, hand moving to scratch at her forehead. She presses into his touch with a quiet snuffle, upper lip wiggling. He can feel Kincaid’s thumb moving over the back of his neck, something repetitive and soothing. “I like her.”

Kincaid laughs. “Good, ‘m glad.” Leo, apparently tired of being pet, snorts and then turns back to the hay in the corner. Kincaid leans on the stall door, elbows crossed. “Real glad you got to meet ‘er.”

Felix slips a hand into Kincaid’s back pocket. “Me too.” He bumps his hip against Kincaid. Grins up at him when he looks over.

“Come on, let’s go put our bag upstairs,” Kincaid says, voice gone soft. He reaches out. Takes Felix’s hand in his and kisses his knuckles. His palm. His wrist. Right over his pulse where it thunders against his skin. “Someone’ll come lookin’ for us soon I’m sure.”

He nods. Tugs and pulls until Kincaid leans down and kisses him, smiling into it. One becomes two and then three before Felix pulls away. He can hear footsteps, the crunch of gravel underneath boots, and he tells Kincaid as much. They slip into a room full of various pieces of tack, saddles and bridles hanging neatly along the walls, and then he’s being led up a set of stairs. The door at the top swings open and—

“Holy shit,” Felix mutters, eyes wide. Kincaid snorts, head tilting to the side. “It’s as big as your place.”

“Were you expectin’ a closet?” He tosses the bag down on a dining chair.

Felix looks around and shrugs. “Nothing like this, that’s for sure.”

It’s huge. Bright. Modern even. It’s an actual apartment above the barn and not some tiny room with a cot. The windows are open, fresh air and sunlight streaming in, and he takes another deep breath.

Somewhere below, a horse whinnies. Kincaid hums and takes Felix’s hand again, lacing their fingers together. “Ready to meet everyone else?”

“Hell yeah.”

Kincaid grins, dimples visible, and they head down back into the barn. They’re barely out of the tack room when: “There he is!”

An older man, hair and beard gone mostly grey, is standing in the middle of the aisleway, a grin on his face. Kincaid’s face breaks as he smiles wide, so wide, and Felix half expects him to rush off alone but he keeps Felix close to his side.

“Good to see you, kid,” the man says. He shifts, leans his shoulder against the wall. “Been a bit.”

Kincaid snorts. “Month or so, yeah.” He finally drops Felix’s hand so he can all but swallow the other man in a hug. It’s brief, a few pats on the back, and then Kincaid is back at his side, hand finding his once more. “Jason, this is Felix. Felix, Jason.”

Jason nods. Holds out his hand and Felix isn’t the tiniest bit surprised to find it rough and calloused, when he takes it. “Glad to finally meet you. Kincaid never stops talkin’ ‘bout you.”

“Oh?” He turns, brow arched, and finds Kincaid looking straight ahead, cheeks pink. “Good things, I hope.”

“Never a bad word.” Another smile but it’s...something. Knowing, Felix thinks. Like Jason is seeing things Kincaid and Felix are too close to each other to notice. It makes his heart trip in his chest. “Anyway, everyone else is grabbin’ horses, and we’ve got some steers that need seasoning. You wanna bulldog, kid?”

And oh, the way Kincaid lights up. Every bit of him flares like a firework. Still, he squeezes Felix’s hand and shakes his head. “I’m happy watchin’, don’t wanna leave Felix by himself.”

Felix blinks. “Oh no, nope.” Kincaid startles. Looks at him with wide eyes, confused. “We drove all the way out here, you have all those pictures hanging up, I want to see you in action.”

It’s delightful the way his partner goes bright red from the tips of his ears down his neck. Felix knows from experience he’s a full body blusher. Knows that his chest is red with it, freckles vanishing beneath the flood of color.

“You sure?” Kincaid shuffles his feet. “I really don’t want you to feel left out or—”

“God you two,” Jason mutters as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “You wanna ride, Felix?”

“What?” Now it’s his turn to be confused. “Like...a horse?”

Jason snorts. Rolls his eyes to stare at the ceiling for a moment before he meets Felix’s eyes. “Yeah, we have broke horses here. If you want to, we can get one tacked up for you.”

“Yes!” Felix smiles wide, grip tightening where he’s still holding Kincaid’s hand. “Please!” He rocks on the balls of his feet.

“That’s settled then.” Jason turns to Kincaid. Squeezes his shoulder briefly before letting go. “Sailor is two stalls down from Leo, grab him for Felix. You get French Fry.”

Felix is so stuck on a horse being named French Fry that he misses the last part of the conversation. Kincaid tugs on his hand and they head down the barn aisle until they reach a stall with a big grey horse in it. It’s quick work, a soft cluck and the creaking of metal as the stall is unlocked, and then Felix is holding a rope in his hands with Sailor on the other end.

Kincaid gets them both situated near the tack room, Felix’s ride for the day standing quietly with one hind leg cocked, eyes half-closed, as he brushes him. He watches as Kincaid mutters to himself. Picks up different bits of tack before setting it back down. There’s a pile growing outside near where the horses are tied up. Boots, blanket things to go under the saddle, really confusing tangles of leather that Felix thinks goes on the horse’s face.

It’s a lot of stuff he doesn’t quite understand yet, pieces of Kincaid’s life that remind Felix he’s new here. A recent development. Part of him is yelling that he’s an interloper, he shouldn’t be here and he’s only making it more difficult for Kincaid.

He shakes his head. Grits his teeth and chases that train of thought far, far away, as he focuses on listening to Kincaid’s explanation of each piece of equipment. Kincaid’s own horse is alert, ears pricked forward and eyes tracking the taller man. He’s also a gleaming gold with bright white hair, a big white stripe down his face, and white on all four of his legs.

They talk about everything and nothing as Kincaid gets both horses tacked up. Felix wolf whistles when he throws the saddles up onto the horses, and is rewarded with one flying right off the opposite side of Sailor, hitting the dirt with a thud. By the end of it, Kincaid’s face is pink, his eyes blown, and Felix knows he’s been staring at his arms for too long. There’s a thread of tension, something wavering just a little, and it almost snaps except someone yells Kincaid’s name and the moment is gone.

Felix is walking around the arena on a big grey horse, and he feels...he feels like he belongs here. That part of him insisting that he should be back in Wayhaven is silent now. Kincaid is at his side, helping Felix adjust his position so his feet aren’t sticking way out in front of him, and he’s grateful for the boots Kincaid had bought him a few months ago. Jason had smiled at him. Another younger man, Jordan, had waved. Someone else had given him a thumbs up, and he’s trying to keep names straight with faces but he can’t help getting distracted by the warm feeling at how quickly he’s been accepted into this family.

He reaches down to pat Sailor’s neck before he turns his head to look (up, it’s still up) at Kincaid. “Shouldn’t you go, I don’t know, run around a little bit?”

Kincaid snorts. “Yeah, I gotta warm ‘im up, but I just want to make sure you’re okay first.”

Felix flaps a hand at him. “I’m fine. Sailor’s no unicorn, but he likes me so I don’t think I’ll get kicked off.”

“You need me, just holler,” Kincaid says.

It takes another nod, another promise to tell him if he needs anything at all, before Kincaid speeds up and leaves Felix to himself. It’s nice, really, being able to slowly meander around and observe. He’s always enjoyed that. Watching. He’s Unit Bravo’s infiltration expert for a reason after all. There’s a flow to everything here. Horses moving around each other, cattle banging around in the pens and gates. People shouting back and forth, good-natured ribbing. It reminds him of Unit Bravo. Of the way they’ve all come together over the last few years.

He’s watching Kincaid lope around, smiling and laughing, and Felix is so lost in him that he doesn’t even realize Jason is riding next to him until the older man clears his throat. Felix jolts, careful not to yank the reins, and flashes the man a sheepish smile.

“He’s a good person,” Jason says with a nod toward Kincaid.

Felix can’t stop his eyes from drifting back to his partner. “He is. He’s something really special.”

“I don’t know what he’s all told you about his childhood, but he...had a time of it.”

“He’s told me a bit. Not all of it, I don’t think, but...enough.”

Jason hums. “He used to drive out here every chance he could after we moved the family here.” Felix blinks. It’s hours to get here. Hours. “Yeah, I know what you’re thinkin’, and yeah. Hell, he’d show up on Friday evening and wouldn’t leave until late Sunday night. Then he left for college and he still drove out here once a week, at least.” Jason turns in his saddle to look Felix in the eyes. “He’s a part of this family, a big part, and he’s never brought anyone here. Ever.”

Felix swallows as he pulls Sailor to a halt. “I…”

“This ain’t me tryin’ to scare you, son, this is me tellin’ you that you’re part of this family now too.” Jason eases his horse to a stop, a gentle smile on his face. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kid this happy.”

Well.

He doesn’t know what to do with this. Felix looks down at his hands. Finds them shaking, just a little bit. He curls his fingers around the reins and nods. “Thank you.”

A hand claps down on his shoulder. Squeezes and stays put as Jason says, “‘Course.” He grins, wide and toothy. “Now, come on. They’re gonna start throwin’ steers and you need a front row seat for this.”

Felix smiles up at him. Squeezes his legs until Sailor dutifully follows after the other horse. He watches Kincaid haul himself up onto his horse from the ground, eyes watching his shoulders and back, before he blinks and settles in to watch.

When Kincaid winks at him from the chute, cheeks a little pink and heart racing beneath his ribs, something settles in Felix’s chest, and he feels at peace.