#that’s just how i like it ok T^T sniff

[elizakai]

i’m beginning to realize.

i have a lot of extremely tall people in my life, while i myself am short

my perception of “tall”, and height differences, is INCREDIBLE skewed, and i haven’t realized that till recently when i. draw characters and people are like GAHDAMN you drew him tall

like “what?” *looks again*

“huh”

[cindol]

can I req jjk men as girl dad’s? Specifically nanami, toji, choso, or sukuna! :))

the jjk men as girl dads .

cw + — fluff, mamaguro!reader, heian era sukuna,

wc : 1307 words .

NANAMI KENTO .

the most girl dad ever. He’s lucky enough to get you pregnant and have three triplet daughters pop out.

He’s taught himself with YouTube and you how to do all of his daughters hair when you’re not available. If one of his daughter’s has trouble getting her hair done due to being whiney or something else he tries being negotiable.

“I know you hate it honey, but if you get through this I promise we can go to the park after with fuschia and yuki how about that hm?”

She’s whiney, but nods with a bratty look on face.“promise?”

“I promise.”

Nanami let’s his girls play with his face however much they please as long as it makes them happy and distracted. The thing that makes them stop is when you come through the front door with a gasp at your three daughters putting pastel chalk on his face.

“Girls! What are you doing to your poor daddy’s face?” you drop your bag rushing over while the girls are giggling with chalk in their hands while nanami sighs and chuckles at your worry.

Eventually they run off when you give a stern look while you use a napkin to clean up his face.“You really have such a hard time telling the girls no, baby.”

he has a soft smile on his face while you tend to his chalked up cheeks.“they’re my girls darling, I have to let them.”

CHOSO KAMO .

a better father than kenjaku could ever dream of. He knows what it’s like to have a father who looks at you like a bug, something less worthy so he treats his daughter Saiko the best he can with all his soul regardless of gender.

When she’s having trouble making friends in kindergarten he cheers her up with snacks and a goodnight bedtime.

He understands how emotions can be confusing for her too and in her late teens he’s fine with the mood swings and emo phase.

You just scoff when you’re taking her laundry basket after she slams the door. You’re walking down the stairs just baffled at your daughter’s recent behavior.“I never know with that girl I swear! It’s like your daughter just is in a permanent mood swing.”

choso chuckles.“give her a break baby. I think I remember you being like that when we were young don’t you?”

you hum, thinking about that time in your life with the laundry basket of jeans and white t’s on your hip.“guess you’re right there cho’. I use to be in a big phase of split dye as my hair color and you definitely couldn’t get enough of those pigtails.” you teased him at the end there making him nervously chuckle.

“Kenjaku would’ve had to drag me by the pigtails to get me to stop wearing them everyday. So give her sometime hm honey?”

You huffed, nodding.“ok but talk to her. She shares basically the same traits as you, she’ll listen better.”

Once it comes to it he takes Saiko mall shopping and gets to the route of the problem, boy troubles with her boyfriend.

“Boys are idiots sweetheart, take it from me and even ask your mother. There’s much fish in the sea in that highschool of yours.”

saiko sniffles but nods, choso wasn’t always the best when it came to girl advice but he made her smile and laugh.“Guess you’re right… He sniffs glue anyway.”

“I'm glad I haven’t met this ex of yours honey.”

TOJI FUSHIGURO .

He was glad when he had a male carbon copy of him and even happier to find out you were pregnant again for a third time.

This time he’d make sure he wouldn’t fuck it up and be there for his baby girl all the time. Even before she came into this world he was painting her room and decorating with you.

“Half and half toji?”

“Never know if she likes pink and blue baby, you can’t assume.”

He’s a protective dad in public grocery stores. He doesn’t just brush off some woman trying to touch his daughter Rina in her stroller just because she’s cute. He abruptly turns the stroller with a stank face making you nervously laugh but apologize to the poor lady.

“Toji! You can’t just be so rude to that poor lady for wanting to say hi.”

“Ain’t letting some random just touch my daughter. You’re crazy if you even think I would babe.”

It’s hard for him to be trustworthy to babysitters also. Even if your judgment is good he still chooses shiu to babysit his youngest daughter.

“Thought you wouldn’t even show.” he says it nonchalantly while handing shiu the giggling toddler.

“I’ve babysit two of your runts, I’m sure I can handle a third.” he makes a hiss when he feels rina tugging at one strand of his hair.“even someone as rough as this little girl so enjoy your night before she starts crying out for her papa.”

Toji’s brave enough when confronting another mother about her child’s bullying behavior towards Rina. He tries the passive route, a small “please teach your kid to be nice okay? Other kids are in the playground with me.”

When that doesn’t work and he’s met with an aggressive tone he matches the same energy.

“Ah great, nice to know where the damn kid learned to throw sand at someone. Nice speaking to ya”

toji doesn’t play about his daughter, at all.

GOJO SATORU .

He didn’t voice to the world about his daughter since he wanted her protected from the jujutsu world but megumi and you know exactly how much excitement was inside him from news of your pregnancy.

He’s glad when she doesn’t have any jujutsu powers or the six eyes, just a pretty face, her natural hair color with some white streaks in her hair.

When she’s a toddler he loved bonding time with her. Any free day he has off he’ll spend it with various mall shopping activities of getting lollipops and annoying nanami when he runs into him.

Seeing Megumi and her together also makes him grin. Be it that megumi is just watching tv and she happens to be on his lap but it still gets him happy.

Megumi just sighs at his sensei’s weird behavior while clicking through channels.“Jeez, you’re strange.”

SUKUNA RYOMEN .

The news that you were pregnant with his seed was good news. He didn’t show his excitement but a toothy grin with a hum was enough to know he was happy at the news.

Sukuna has never been one to care for labels. Any woman or man is just a meal on his platter when it comes down to it and any seed of his is automatically good.

Sukuna didn’t show it outside but he cares deeply for his daughter reira. He’ll let her crawl on his two available hands while his others are crossed, bite on his arms, anything that pleases her.

His favorite thing to do when it came to you and reira was have a small family outing with uraume coming along as preparation. He always picked a secluded area in a forest, sitting on the pink and white cloth with you and reira while uraume prepared wine and sandwiches to be splayed out for the three of you.

Sukuna doesn’t allow any disrespectful words about his daughter. Any maiden or butler whining or complaining near him makes him whip them into shape.

“If you really find caring for my offspring to be such an inconvenience perhaps I should have you removed.” and they all knew what he meant when he said removed in the tone he did.

[fairyysoup]

it will come back

part 3

a.k.a. sever the blight (eddie’s version)

pairing(s): werewolf!eddie munson x fem!milkmaid!reader

summary: It's May Day, so naturally you'd have a hedonistic time. Except there's nothing natural about any of it.

cw: smut, consensual noncon is negotiated, primal play, literally i cannot stress how consensual it is, public sex (no one gets caught), knotting, biting, marking, possessiveness, reader is bitten by a werewolf, marriage proposal of sorts, dark themes, physical abuse, reader is a servant to an abusive master, misogyny, minor character death, blood, fairytale au, some kind of historical fantasy period, inspired by The Company of Wolves by Angela Carter

a/n: hiiiiiiii :) do I like this? no, but I've been working on it for half a year and if I don't publish it now I don't think I ever will, so pls enjoy it and if you don't shhhhh don't tell me ok love you bye

ALL MY WORKS ARE 18+ MINORS DNI

The bouquet of flowers on your doorstep is beautiful, and not lacking in symbolism. Purple lilacs, for the first emotions of love. Bluebells, for consistency and everlasting love. Red roses, for true love.

In the center is one singular, bright yellow marigold. You figure you know who left them.

You’re stunned by them when you first open the door. Your hairline, already covered by your flowers from last night, prickles with sweat. You had hoped for something, some kind of affection or gesture this year, as you do every year, but you hadn’t imagined it would actually… happen. You’d hoped a bit like a child hopes for rain on a clear day. It’s possible, but it would take a lot, in the grand scheme of things. 

You turn it over in your hands, your heartbeat thudding in your chest. You’re not sure what to think. You don’t know how Eddie would have known that this particular shack, in all of your Master’s sprawling estate, was yours. You don’t know what he means by this gesture. Is it an apology for turning you away last night? For embarrassing you? Is it a promise of some kind, that he intends to do something tonight? Is it a real declaration of love, or is it something else entirely? 

You sniff, getting a waft of fragrant lilac when you do, and turn to place it inside. There’s nothing to be done with it now, aside from finding a vase for it. You don’t know where Eddie lays his head at night. You don’t know where he is now, or where he’ll be later. You have to trust that he’ll find you. 

I’ll always come back to you. That’s what he said, before you walked away last night. You have to believe him, because otherwise you have nothing else.

“Just where do you think you’re going?” snaps a stern voice when you jauntily march out the door of your shack. Your Mistress stands with a sour look on her face, eyeing your day dress, free of an apron.

“To the town square, ma’am,” you tell her honestly, your head bowed. “For the… festival.” 

“Just because it’s May Day does not mean you are exempt from your daily chores,” your Mistress reminds you, shoving a pitchfork in your hand and ordering you to go bale the hay. 

You do as you’re told; you always do. You also know that you’ll probably be baling the hay until nightfall, when the festivities are sure to be picking up. 

It gives you time to think. You don’t know what you’d do if you ran into Eddie at the bonfire tonight. Or, maybe you do… you have some ideas about what you’d like to do, anyways. But you can’t speak for what he wants. 

He told you not to go near the woods, which he also said is where he lives. If he wanted to take you somewhere… wouldn’t it be to his own home? If so, has he already given you his answer, that he doesn’t want you in the way that you want him? It’s hard to believe, based on everything he’s done up to this point. 

Well after noon, and several hay bales later, you’re sure the maypole in the center of town has been decorated by now. You’re sure that the town square has been covered with flowers, and you’re sure that Victoria and Hyacinth and the rest of the maidens in the town have determined which eligible bachelor they want to celebrate with tonight. 

A flame of jealousy sparks in your gut. You hope that none of them have set their sights on Eddie. The mere thought of it is enough to make you see red. 

As the sun sets on the horizon, shining golden light in through the open doors of the barn, you’re sure that people have noticed your absence from the festivities. It’s common knowledge around town that your Master is crueler than most. Less lenient, more forceful. You’ve heard whispers behind your back, and you pay them no heed, usually. That the Master intends to take you for a wife after your Mistress dies, whenever that may be. That he keeps you close for his own twisted purposes. And, you suppose, there’s merit to those rumors.

You’re not unaware of the way the Master sets his eyes on you sometimes. He isn’t good at hiding it, you should say. Not that he really tries; on more than one occasion, you’ve incurred the Mistress’s wrath simply because the Master stared at your chest for a little too long. Yes, you could say that the Master is attracted to you, in some way. And, once, you might have counted yourself lucky.

If he wasn’t attracted to you, he could be crueler. And you could do worse than to catch the eye of a powerful, wealthy landowner. If he married you, you would be financially secure, and you would never have to seek a place to live. You would never worry about being labeled a whore or being thrown out on the street. At one point, you’d accepted that this was the best case scenario for you.

But something has changed your perspective, recently. Something that has dark eyes and a mischievous smile and rings on his fingers. Fingers that, you know, are very skilled.

And what if… What if you were to marry Eddie? As you had imagined in the field last night, your mind wanders to the idea of being Eddie’s wife. Tending to his house, you imagine, a stone cottage in the woods. To lie in bed with him on a rainy night, warm against his burning chest. Being able to gaze into those sparkling eyes as often as you like, being able to wake up to him. 

For the first time since you were a young girl, you really consider the possibility of being… happy. Your happiness. The idea of a happy future is something that has been such a foreign concept for so long, it almost makes you uncomfortable to dream about it. 

When you were little, you’d dream about being a beautiful princess in a tower, saved by a knight in shining armor, who also happened to be a prince. These dreams went away once your family sold you into indentured servitude; princesses don’t work. Princesses aren’t covered in shit and filth on festival days, baling hay in a cow pasture. Princesses would be dancing the maypole and crowned the may queen–

“And I crowned her my sweet queen of May.”

–Princesses would be showered with flowers and gifts–

Bluebells for consistency and everlasting love.

–Princesses are whisked away in the night from their troubles and marry princes. 

I am not a princess.

You throw your pitchfork down beside the last bale of hay. The sun has set, finally, and the moon is already high in the sky. The bonfires in the town square will be burning down. If Eddie was there, he’s sure to have found someone else by now. 

Your cheeks, dusted with dirt, feel crusty and filthy when you cry. You are no princess, despite the crown of flowers on your head. Eddie isn’t going to save you. And really, what would it say for your honor if he did? Can you not defend yourself? Are you so helpless that you need a strange man from the woods to save you from your life?

Marching out of the barn, you feel hungry, and tired, and you figure that you would probably be best suited to go to bed. But there will be food and drink at the festival, even if it’s late. There could still be time to meet someone, anyway.

“And where do you think you’re going?” It’s a deep and gruff voice that asks this time, and you’re about sick and tired of hearing that same question. But your irritation is easily replaced by dread, when you turn to find your Master standing by the entrance to the barn you just stormed out of.

“The bonfire,” you reply, with less heat than intended. “It’s May Day, and I’ve done my chores.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” your Master says. 

He’s not a tall man, but what he lacks in stature he makes up for in intimidation. He has cold blue eyes and a sneer that could freeze a King in his place. You know what it’s like when he’s on the other side of a cane, and you don’t relish the idea of a beating just because you wanted to go to a festival. When the Master steps up to you, he smells like liquor, so strong it stings your sinuses.

“You think I don’t know what you’ve been up to?” He growls at you, a nasty sounding thing in the back of his throat. You flinch. “That girl from the Werther’s house– Victoria, is it? She told me all about you and some… some boy in the woods. The one they call the Beast in town. Is that what you’re doing now? Dallying with any boy who comes around? Even ones from the woods?” 

Your cheeks burn hot, and you step back just as he steps forward, looming over you in his drunken state. “No, I… I don’t dally–” 

“Not from what she says,” he snaps back, and you briefly consider wringing Victoria by her stupid neck. And then you think, Hyacinth would have never betrayed me. “Running around in your night clothes, fooling around with some woodland freak. I ought to whip you where you stand.” 

Your heartbeat pounds in your ears as he backs you into a corner. The fence for the pig pen meets the edge of the barn where you end up, your back hitting the barn door and earning a loud creak from the hinges. 

Your Master reaches for you with a snarl. Instinctively you curl into a ball, your arms coming up to protect your face and neck. Your instincts don’t take into consideration that he doesn’t have a cane in his hand, and he’s too drunk to throw a good punch. You cry out when his hand clamps tightly around your wrist, and he yanks you toward the barn. 

“What are you doing?” is your undignified shriek when he throws you into the barn, and you fall into the pile of hay bales you just stacked.

“You’ll sleep with the cows tonight,” the Master growls, and spits a glob of phlegm at your feet. “It’s what you are.” 

“No, please–” you rush forward just as the barn doors slam shut in front of your face, locking you in darkness with the stench of manure and dirt. The cows are down at the other end of the barn; you hear them jostling unhappily in their restraints as you bang on the door with the flat of your hand. 

You finally let yourself cry. You’re filthy. Covered in sweat and grime, mud all over your skirt from working all day, the crown of flowers on your head wilting. You don’t know what you expected. You’re not Cinderella; you don’t have a fairy godmother, and you don’t have anyone coming to save you and let you go to the ball. This isn’t a fairytale. The stories you were told when you were a child were just that.

Even as you continue to bang on the door, you’re already starting to accept it. You won’t be getting out of here anytime soon. They’ll let you out of the barn in the morning, sure, but you’re not going to leave this farm, or your Master, or this life of servitude until you’re dead, or otherwise ripped from your mortal life. 

Then there’s a scuffling. On the other side of the door, you hear your Master shout once, shortly, before it’s muffled and frantic. Footfalls in the dirt. A growling, snarling. Yelping. And then something bangs on the barn door, making it jostle so hard you scream and jump back. 

Your Master, just on the other side of the door, like he’s been thrown against it, screams loudly. Something snarls, and then there’s a wet squelch, like the sound of something alive being torn open. A chicken being gutted. You stand away from the door, your eyes bulging in the darkness, your hands clamped over your mouth to quiet your frantic breathing. 

Something just killed your Master. The fact sinks like a stone in your stomach. He’s no longer shouting. There’s no movement, nothing to indicate that there’s anything alive on the other side of the door anymore. Only dead silence. 

And then another scuffle. A heavy thud, like something being thrown aside. And then something, or someone, is unlocking the door.

In the darkness, you panic. You back away quickly, your hands searching, feeling for anything that you can grab to defend yourself with. You find nothing, but collapse into the stack of hay bales just as the doors swing open, and you come face to face with your Master’s killer. 

“Eddie?” 

It’s him, all right. He stands with his arms outstretched to either side, holding the barn doors open with the light of the full moon shining in behind him. You don’t know how it’s happening, but his eyes reflect the moonlight with a bright red hue to compliment the red blood that’s all over him. 

It drips down his face, his neck, his chest. It’s on his hands. When he smiles at you, it’s in his teeth.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he says, and you feel like your heart could leap out of your chest with how hard it pounds in its cage. He tilts his head, seeing your tear streaked face, the way you cower against the bales of hay in your muddy dress. “Rough day?”

“You– you–” and your brain has stopped working. You know what you’re looking at; Eddie killed your Master. Eddie is covered in his blood. Eddie, Eddie, Eddie, is a killer, a murderer, looming over you with a smile that could scare ghosts back into their graves. 

“Yeah, me.” He takes a step forward. You scream and jump back, putting a bale of hay between you and the man covered in blood at the door. Eddie puts his hands up in defense. “I’m not going to hurt you, princess–”

“Stop calling me that.” You grab your pitchfork off the ground, and hold it up at him. “You killed my Master. I don’t even know how you did it– but do you know what that means?” You thrust the pitchfork at him. He jumps back. “Do you?”

Eddie blinks. “It means… you’re free?” 

“It means I get passed off to his next of kin,” you snarl at him. “Like a fucking cow. That’s all I am to them. I’m cattle. And the next person who gets me may decide to slaughter me. Do you understand?” You jab the pitchfork at him again, and he backs away into the moonlight. “Why would you do that to me?” 

“Because he hurt you!” Eddie retorts, flailing his outstretched hands, exasperated. “Because he locked you in a barn! I could– I could smell the rage on him. He wasn’t going to leave you here, he was going to do something worse. Just give it another drink, he would have been back out here. And I wasn’t going to let it happen. I couldn’t… I couldn’t watch it anymore.” He drops his arms with a sigh, and his hands smack loudly against his thighs. “You’ve helped me twice. Let me at least return the favor.” 

“I helped you once,” you snap.

Eddie shakes his head. “No, sweet pea. Twice. You just didn’t know it.” 

He raises his right hand, his bloody fist tight. He shakes his arm until his sleeve falls, and exposes the light pink scrap of fabric tied around it– the one you swore was yours. The one you swore you tied around the leg of the wolf you nursed last month. 

“You–” the pitchfork in your hand lowers. You think you’re halfway to crazy. Or, maybe you’re already there. “You’re the wolf.” 

Eddie nods. “I am.”

“You’re a… a wolf-man?” You’re shaking your head, but even so, the entire thing makes sense. It’s why you’ve been so suspicious, why something seemed so off about him. Why his smile is always so sharp. Why you always feel a little bit like a frightened animal around him, in spite of it all.

“I am,” Eddie repeats, and he turns to look over his shoulder.

You shake your head. “I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe in fairytales.”

“Doesn’t matter what you believe in, sweetheart.” He spits something out of his mouth, grimacing as he licks his teeth. “The moon will peak at midnight, and then I change. I need to be far away when that happens.” He looks at you, his eyes pleading. “Come with me.” 

As incredulous as you are, as slowly as you’re coming to terms with what’s been in front of you the whole time, you still drop your pitchfork to the ground. “Where?” 

“To the woods,” Eddie shrugs, his smile disarmingly sweet beneath all the blood. “Maybe I can be your new Master, hm?” 

“Fuck you, Munson.”

“That’s the name of the game.”

“You’re a goddamn demon. I shouldn’t have trusted you– I shouldn’t have talked to you.” 

Eddie crosses his arms. “Listen. I think God’s got a sick sense of humor; otherwise, I wouldn’t be what I am, and you’d be a lady in a castle far away from any of this. So why don’t we make the best of a bad situation, hm?”

You narrow your eyes at him. You can feel yourself doing something stupid even before you say it. “I’m… listening.”

“Great!” He claps his hands and launches into a spiel that leaves you wondering if he’d spent the entire time since last night concocting it. “I’m gonna turn into a rabid beast in, oh, I dunno, maybe two hours. Give or take. But if you want to stay in my home, safe, where wolf-me can’t work a latch, I’ll be back in the morning. And then we can get married and fuck and have lots of babies and be that old couple who lives in the woods. Or something. Really, I haven’t thought that far. Maybe just stay the night? Or forever. I’m not picky.”

You’re frowning when he turns to you with a half-crazed grin. “That’s the worst proposal I’ve ever heard.”

Eddie gestures to himself. “Not exactly a poet.”

“So, what are you, then?” You raise an eyebrow at him. “No riddles this time. Tell me, honestly. What are you?”

Eddie sighs. He tilts his head to the ceiling, kicks the ground with the heel of his boot, and then he says, “I’m a monster. I’m a man. I’m a woodworker and I’m a charlatan. I cheat, I lie. I turn into a wolf and I kill men because they’d do the same to me. I can’t help it, comes with the territory. I have a family of other wolves who look after me and I look after them, and you’ll meet them if you want. But…” He peers at you for a moment, and then averts his gaze, “But really, I’m yours. I’m in love with you. I have been since you helped me that time Thatch shot me, and I’ll be yours even if you run to town and turn me in, and I’ll be yours if they hunt me down and throw me on a pyre. That’s all I am, really.”

You can barely find it in you to breathe. You’re still shaky on your feet and you don’t think you’re quite in your right mind, but you find yourself thinking about the last night, about his hands and his lips on you, about how it was so easy for you to get lost in him. How you spent all night and all day thinking about him, wanting him, wishing for precisely this. 

Just not with the caveat of fur and four legs. 

“You’re looking at me funny,” he muses, his eyes flaring. His smile is wider than it should be. His teeth are more pointed than they should be. 

“I’m not looking at you any sort of way.”

He laughs. It runs clear down your spine and shudders through your limbs. You have to swallow past the dryness in your throat. 

“Always so proud– you know you don’t have to stand on ceremony anymore, right?” He tilts his head at you. “There’s no one around to judge you here, princess. Least of all me.”

 “I’m not standing on ceremony,” you press, but you feel like an indignant child the more you argue with him. “If I was, I wouldn’t be talking to you. I’d be trying to get out of here.”

“You want to leave?” Eddie asks, his voice clear and frank. He points over his shoulder. “Don’t let me stand in your way.”

He holds his hands out at his sides, palms up. His fingernails are long and sharp– like he’s slowly transforming into a monster, right in front of you. He stands aside, and there’s a clear path between you and the door. 

You could leave. You could run. You could find a place to run and hide, disappear by morning. 

But you don’t. You don’t want to leave. Not him. Not yet. 

His eyes are different now as they peer at you. They seem iridescent, glinting in the darkness. He sizes you up and down, and you feel more and more like prey. You… should be scared.

“Am I to take that as a no?” Eddie asks after a lengthy pause. 

You don’t exactly have anything to say in your defense. If he was wrong, you would already have tried to bolt. 

“Will you chase me?” You watch his eyebrows shoot up when you ask the question. You wet your lower lip with your tongue, an inch away from gnawing on it. “If I run, will you come after me?”

“Do you want me to chase you?” 

Your breath sticks in your throat. It would be so easy to just say yes. Yes, I want to be chased by you. I want to be pursued and I want you to make me yours in every way possible. But the words won’t come. They can’t come, as if it would soil you just to say them. It would be admitting defeat.

“I don’t want to be given a choice.” 

Eddie shakes his head, his frown of confusion deepening. “You always have a choice with me.”

“Eddie,” you say slowly, inclining your head. “I don’t. Want. A choice.” You stare at him heavily, willing him to gather your meaning without having to say it. I want you to force me.

You watch as the fire of recognition ignites in his eyes, and he opens his mouth with a noise of understanding. Ah. Yes. This is your choice. He smirks at you, then looks down at his foot as he digs his heel idly into the dirt. 

“I’ll count to three,” Eddie mutters without looking up at you. Still, you can see the ghost of a playful smile on his face. “One-”

You take off like a shot. You don’t have time to hear him continue counting. You’ll probably make it to the pasture before he catches up with you, unless he’s stronger than a normal man. If the bloodied carcass of your Master is anything to go by, though, you imagine that he is. 

You don’t make it to the pasture. You don’t even get close. You come to the doorstep of your pathetic little shed, your feet slamming the dirt, kicking up dust all the way, the air in your lungs burning with the labor of your breath, when your back is hit by something solid and unforgiving. Your legs are ripped out from beneath you, and you topple to the ground in front of your door with a thud.

“How fitting,” Eddie’s voice says in your ear, deep and husky, while his hand cups your chin, yanking your head up from the dirt. “Right where we met, isn’t it?”

He crowds you, half-laying on top of you, his weight pressing into your back and his hips meeting yours from behind. You gasp at the feeling of sharp claws pricking your cheeks where he holds your jaw in his hand, while the other creeps beneath your skirt and along your thigh.

“I never got to finish what I started last night,” Eddie purrs, his voice resonating in his chest. It’s enough to make you shiver, while goosebumps erupt on your skin. “I never like to leave a lady wanting.”

He scrapes his nails along your inner thigh, coaxing your legs apart. You jerk a little in his grip and whine when his claws dig in. Your face burns, your skin feeling like it’s on fire. It would be so easy for someone to find you here, flat on your stomach with a monster at your back. 

A whimper escapes your lips when his finger circles your clit, just like he did the night before. You shouldn’t want him, especially not like this, but it’s almost as if everything about Eddie begs you to go against your own nature. It began when you invited a wild animal into your home. It doesn’t seem like it will ever end. Nor will your want for him. 

“Eddie,” you sigh out shakily, and he shushes you while his finger plays through your wetness. He touches you like he knows exactly how to set you on edge. He’s cruel with his gentility, even while you want him to tear you apart. 

You arch against him, driving your ass back against his hips. You feel his cock press against you through the layers of fabric still separating you, and it makes you want to whine in frustration like a spoiled brat. It’s not enough to have him here, pinning you, touching you. You need him everywhere. You need him to consume you entirely. 

Gasping, you open your mouth to say something else– urge him or taunt him, you’re not sure which– but his hand clamps down over your mouth before you can manage it. 

“I told you to be quiet,” he growls, grinding his hips down into yours harder. “I’ve already been shot once, I don’t need it to happen again because you can’t keep it down.”

Eddie flips your skirts up over your hips, and your bare skin meets the cool air. There’s a moment of heavy anticipation, of Eddie’s harsh breathing against your ear, of the scrape of his trousers against your thighs. And then there’s the press of his cock against your entrance, and you tense. 

“Do you believe in me now?” Eddie whispers in your ear. His voice has taken on a ragged tone, like he can hardly contain the animal lingering beneath his surface. His fingers have just started to tremble against your cheeks– just enough to let you know that he, damn him, is holding himself back. 

Your eyelashes flutter. You have a mind to grind against him, to spur him on. “I have to, don’t I?”

He chuckles, and the sound raises goosebumps on your skin. Your heart pounds in your chest, and Eddie takes a long, slow inhale. “Your heart’s beating so fast, princess. Something on your mind?”

“Fuck you,” you seethe. 

“As you wish.”

He grabs your hips and pushes in deep. You cry out, digging your fingers into the dirt to steady yourself, scrabbling for a sense of stability. Eddie holds you close by the throat, pulling out and pushing back in with the same brutal force. 

The sounds coming from your mouth can’t be real, can’t be you. You aren’t proud of yourself, but you can’t stop while he’s being relentless, fucking into you hard and fast. 

Eddie groans low in your ear, his hand around your throat slipping down. His claws wrap around your neckline and he tears through the fabric, ripping the layers of clothing to expose your shoulder to him. You feel the whisper of his sharp teeth along your skin, tickling at your pulse point, and it’s all you can do not to cum right then. 

Your eyes roll, your back arching against him. “Eddie, I–”

“Don’t be afraid,” Eddie tells you. His words vibrate on your skin. “I won’t bite.”

You reach back, and your hand finds his hair, thick and curly between your fingers. “I want you to,” you pant, while your orgasm mounts, pleasure gathering between your legs with every move that he makes. You moan, your breath catching in your throat. “Please, Eddie–”

His nose pressed to your shoulder, Eddie shakes his head. You can’t see the way that his pupils dilate, his limbs shaking with the effort of holding back. 

Instead, his hand slips between your legs again, and when he circles your clit with his gentle touch and his sharp claw, you cum with a silent scream of relief. 

He keeps going, hard and fast as you ride out your orgasm. And finally, Eddie lets out an animalistic growl loud enough to shake the earth, and he spills inside you. 

Your legs threaten to buckle out from under you, but Eddie catches you at the last second just before you both slump to the damp ground. Gasping for breath and still coming down from your high, you barely have the energy to object when your clouded mind registers the swell of a knot keeping him inside you. 

Eddie wraps his arms around you and pulls you closer, until you fit against him like the missing piece of a puzzle. The full moon overhead douses the pastures with silver light. Far off in the tall grass, crickets sing. 

“You didn’t bite,” you croak, your voice sounding distant and hazy. He shifts, and it makes you squeak when it moves the knot inside you. 

“Didn’t want to do it to you if you didn’t mean it,” he murmurs. His breath is hot on the back of your neck, and you find yourself wishing that you could turn and look at him in the moonlight. 

“I meant it,” you tell him earnestly, running your hand along his arm. “I want… I want it. Make me yours, Eddie.”

He makes a weak noise in his throat, his arms tightening around you even further. “Don’t say that unless you want me forever.”

You laugh. It surprises you, but you can’t help it. “I don’t think I could let you go even if I wanted to, baby.”

He stills for a moment, like he’s trying to process what you’re telling him. “So… so you’ll come with me?”

You sigh, with a gentle smile curling at your lips. You consider the dreams you’ve had, of running away with him, of living with him, of having him whisk you away like a knight in shining armor. Even if he isn’t a knight, it is what you’ve been wishing for, isn’t it?

“Yes,” you tell him softly. “I’ll come with you. Just make me yours.”

When he pulls your hair away from your neck, Eddie’s touch is so tender that it could make you cry. His lips touch your skin, and your eyes flutter shut in anticipation of the sting of his teeth. 

“I’ll always be yours,” he tells you again, this time so quiet that it sounds like a prayer for you alone to hear. “Always.”

And when Eddie sinks his teeth in, the world goes black.

You wake with your head on a pillow of soft cotton and your back on a mattress filled with hay.

Wherever you are, there isn’t much light in the room. There’s an open window somewhere over your head; you hear birds outside. The forest sings in the morning. 

The cabin you’re in is much like your own, except it affords more room to move around. The floor has a decadent rug thrown across it, something that you wouldn’t expect a cabin like this to have in its inventory. It isn’t much bigger than your own shack. You old shack, now, you suppose. 

The more you look around, the more things seem… eclectic, to say the least. The bed is simple wood, but the blankets and linens are fine, like something an aristocrat would use. The ring dish on the window sill is an abalone seashell, shining iridescent purple and blue in the morning light to reflect the rubies and sapphires on the rings inside of it. The humble dining table is worn and covered in knicks and scratches, but the silverware is finer than any you’ve ever seen. 

When you finally pull yourself out of the bed and take a look around, you see Eddie’s burgundy blouse tossed across a rocking chair in the corner by the hearth. So, you conclude, this is Eddie’s domain. His home. The cabin in the woods you’d been dreaming of. 

And with a bit more snooping, you conclude something else. Eddie Munson is a goddamned thief. 

He has pocket watches engraved with names of nobility from all around the country. The platter on the table is monogrammed H.R. Cheshire. Eddie’s wardrobe has a large amount of men’s and women’s clothing piled in it, and all of it is fine silk, taffeta and lace– not something a simple woodworker living in the woods would be able to afford. 

You stumble to the door almost like you’re drunk, and when the door bangs open on its hinges, it’s Eddie who startles backwards in the bushes this time. He yelps, and you see just enough of him to catch him losing his balance and toppling ass-over-head over a log past the treeline. 

“For god’s sake, Eddie,” you chastise him. 

“Wasn’t expecting that,” he retorts, his head popping up over the top of the bush. He’s cleaned himself up, at least, so his face isn’t covered in blood anymore. He still looks so beautiful, though, and you still feel your heart skip a beat to look at him.

“You– you’ve stolen half of everything in here.” You gesture vaguely over your shoulder at the cabin. Your shoulder aches and stings when you move it, leading you to believe that everything that happened in the night was not a dream. It was real. 

Everything you’ve thought didn’t exist is real. 

Eddie is just a flicker of a shadow through the trees as he rounds one and steps into full view. “Had to make a living, somehow.” 

“And yet you walk around in the woods naked?”

He holds his hands out at his sides. “Um. Didn’t have time to get changed after I brought you here. It's kinda… it’s hard to hold it off when it happens.”

“When you turn into a wolf, you mean?”

“Yes.” 

You nod slowly, trying to only look at his face. It’s inordinately difficult. “Am I going to turn into a wolf?”

“Eventually.” Eddie tilts his head and looks at you warily. “Did you… not want it after all?”

“No, I–” you pause. It’s hard to put into words what you’re feeling, but you know it’s not regret. Your voice wobbles when you finally say, “I think it’ll just take some time to get used to it. Things have been the same for so long, and now…”

“Hey,” Eddie says, sounding almost the same as you had when he showed up the first time, crying at your door. He holds out his hand, his palm facing upward. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Okay? Let me help.”

You look at him through misty eyes, and you almost laugh at how blatantly your roles have reversed, now. You, standing at his door, crying. Him, trying to be of service to you. 

You give him a meager smile, placing your hand in his. “Can I stay?”

“Stay forever,” Eddie tells you, looking up at you with kind eyes. “But I can’t promise I’ll be polite for all of it.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m in love with you,” you admit, and watch as he absorbs your words slowly, almost as if he never imagined he’d hear you say it. 

And when he kisses you this time, you don’t even mind the sharpness of his teeth.

[ventingv]

Can I request a continuation for Neuvilette and Zhongli interacting with their eggs. When it's time for the eggs to hatch

Wish u have a great day

(⁠ ⁠╹⁠▽⁠╹⁠ ⁠)🍪♥️

(b^_^)b

Zhongli

When the time comes for the egg to hatch you can bet your savings that he’ll be there.

The egg hatching happens in noon when both you and Zhongli are having lunch in the bedroom and talking to one another (or you just listening to Zhongli soothing voice) when all of a sudden you hear a cracking noise.

The both of you look over to see a small crack in the egg which gives you a small panic attack thinking that the egg broke before hearing a small chirping noise from it.

Instantly Zhongli is kneeling down to the nest looking over the egg, a deep rumbling yet soothing sound coming from his throat.

The hatchling still in the egg would chirp loader as more cracks form on the egg.

Just as you came to join him a large crack would appear and a small head would poke out of the egg with their shell still on the top of the hatchlings head and still chirping.

You would probably want to help your child come out of the egg completely before Zhongli gently stops you and told you it’s fine as your child knows how to get out.

When the hatching finally comes out they are as long as your arm and are a similar color to Zhongli Dragon form with a small number differences in some places.

It’s when you see it raises the hatchling head and you see them sniffing the air you would see that their eyes are shut and ask Zhongli if the hatching is ok which he would tell you they are it’s just that geo dragon newborns eyes are born shut and are slightly deaf till they reach a certain age, till then the hatchling will be only able to sense through scent and touch.

He would then gently place his hand in front of the hatchling who would sniff him before climbing up his arm clumsily before he would gently take them and shift them into his arms there they could rest against his chest and feel the beating of his heart.

It would be a beautiful sight for you to see Zhongli as smiled gently at the hatchling.

“Welcome to the world, little one.”

Neuvillette

Unlike their birth the eggs hatching is easier this time due to Neuvillette refusal to leave you and the eggs unsupervised.

It’s during the night when you as leaning against his shoulder in the living room while he’s reading over a case when you look over to check on the eggs resting in a much better made nest then the makeshift one from when they were born that you notice it.

There was a small crack on one of the eggs.

You kept staring at it for a while before another crack popped up on the egg.

You would then start nudging Neuvillette while keeping an eye on the eggs till he looked over to you with confusion till you pointed at the eggs.

It was only then that he noticed that just like you one of the eggs were hatching.

It’s only when the both of you notice the others rocking side by side that realization that they were all hatching.

The both of you would be by the nest, The case paperwork tossed somewhere on the floor as the both of you focused on the hatching.

The first hatchling to hatch would poke their head out before getting scared at the sight of two large figures and instantly going back in the egg.

Neuvillette would be confused about what to do before letting instincts take over and start humming lightly in a inhuman way.

It would gently encourage the hatchling to come out of the egg as the realized the large figures were its parents and would come out before coming over with some wariness before gently being picked up by Neuvillette who gently hold them against his chest while still humming.

Looking over the hatching you would note that they were the size of your hand and were covered in fur instead of scales on its body which confused you but you decided to put it off for later as the other eggs hatch and the hatchlings wanted to get to the parent humming.

It’s later on when you talk with Neuvillette sitting on the couch with the hatchings resting on his chest that he tells you hydro dragon newborns are born with fur to keep themselves warm and that the fur is dense enough to prevent the hatchlings from following their hydro dragon parents under the water when they are out hunting. When the hatchlings grow older they will either lose the fur completely or having some of it still there but no longer dense enough to be unable to dive underwater.

After that one of the hatchlings would make a small noise which draws his attention to them and give a smile to them will eyes filled with love.

“Rest easy now, there’s nothing to fear while I’m here.”

[ennabear]

vampire!ellie

synopsis: you met ellie in your university’s ancient library, you were just trying to study and ellie couldn’t help but talk to you. it drove her crazy, the scent of your blood. usually, she didn’t even notice the scent on others. she was so used to it that it didn’t bother her anymore. but you were different, sweeter.

cw: kinda like a mix between tlou and twilight, mentions of witchcraft and hanging, vampire!abby being a ladykiller literally, papa vampire!joel, mama vampire!tess, newlyweds vampire!jesse and dina, dina’s transformation, lotsssss of backstory like i seriously couldn’t stop myself from yapping. not proofread sorry :((((((

a/n: i’m definitely gonna make a series out of this. sorry if this is wayyy too long but i have a special place in my heart for vamp!ellie and her sweet vampire family. ok that’s all ily thanks for reading.

wc: 2.2k

you shouldn’t be walking alone at night, really. campus was a sketchy place. a plethora of bad things could happen. you could get kidnapped, jumped, pickpocketed, or, hell, even bitten by a vampire.

the library had the same scent it always did. it smelled like dust and paper. in all honesty, you didn’t prefer it here. although it was beautiful, tall windows lined with stained glass, large bookshelves with every book you’d ever want, every word you could imagine and more, it was just so eerie. something bad was bound to happen here.

anyways, you settled down at the table in the corner. the one farthest away from anyone else. you’d rather be at home right now, studying in bed. it’s only because your roommate invited her stupid boyfriend over that you ended up here. it’s for the better anyway, though, because in bed you wouldn’t get anything done. you’d be too distracted.

you had your priorities written on your palm, the pen now smudged, making it barely readable. writing on your palm was easier, more convenient than a post-it note. but you wrote it down on paper anyways, incase you sweated more of it off before you finished. it wasn’t likely you would, though. the library was freezing, especially in the winter.

the clack of your fingers typing in your laptop password was the only thing to be heard. everyone else was dead silent. this was probably the only thing you liked about the library, everybody agreed on an unspoken rule, make the least amount of noise possible. you got started with completing your essay after shuffling your playlist, determined to finish by the end of the night.

that’s when she saw you.

or, smelled you? your scent was so strong, it hit ellie hard. her vision went dark and splotchy, and she had to grip onto the table for support. her pearly white hands making a dent in the table with how hard she was holding.

you had to be her next meal. she had to find some way to get you alone and suck your veins dry. it scared her, the thoughts she was having. her intentions weren’t to murder you, but she was starving now. you had unknowingly gotten her high on your scent.

she didn’t even know where you were. were you outside? down the hall? in the library? fuck, right next to her? her head was hurting now, really, really badly. but she needed you even worse.

picking up a random book, she used the most brainpower she could to sniff you out. then, she really saw you. headphones in your ears, your hands typing away at something that won’t even matter soon. soon, she’ll have your body in her arms, hopefully in the comfort of her own home. your neck dripping a puddle on the floor as she relentlessly drank from you, your skin growing cold and your lips turning purple.

her docs made silent footsteps across the floor as she walked toward you. this was something ellie learned to master, silence. especially when she went into hunting mode. nobody looked at her as she expertly dodged the creaks in the old wooden floor. nobody saw her coming. especially you. you never saw ellie williams coming.

“hey, is it okay if i sit here?”

“….sorry, what was that?” you scrambled to pause your music.

“can i sit here?”

“oh. yeah, sure. go ahead.”

you went back to typing, not continuing your music incase she wanted to talk. you really hoped she didn’t. you needed to finish your essay. and you weren’t much of a people person either.

“what are you writing?” she asked.

“just an essay, nothing interesting.”

“oh, cool.”

she started reading the book she picked up before sniffing you out. she didn’t bother to look at the title. or read any of the words either. really, she was just staring at it, her mind racing. she needed to come up with something interesting, something to make you like her.

while she stared at the words, you couldn’t help but stare at her. your fingers came to a complete stop as you admired this stranger across from you. she didn’t even introduce herself, how strange. her hair was a dark brown, her eyes black. her face was incredibly smooth. skin paler than ever, she looked as if she was a marble statue, like she belonged in a museum.

and she was reading twilight, of all books. although, you liked the book, it seemed ironic for her, like she was too mature for it. this beautiful stranger was sitting across from you, her eyebrows pulled together in frustration while she chewed on the inside of her cheek. she seemed furious at something, but at the same time, hard to read.

you were almost scared of her, but intrigued above all else.

“do you like that book?” you asked.

“twilight? yeah. it’s okay. i’ve read it a few times.”

“hmm. it’s a classic.”

“it’s not bad. but i’ve read a lot of books. this one doesn’t come close to the others.”

“so you read a lot? how come i’ve never seen you before?”

“i’m usually hiding. i don’t prefer to engage with others if i can help it.”

“yeah, that explains it.”

she got lucky. thank god, if there even is one, that she grabbed a book you knew about. that you started a conversation with her. she thought it was the most stupid book on earth. it was filth, pure mormon fanfiction. and it was completely wrong.

“why are you here so late? it’s almost midnight.” you asked.

“i could ask you the same question.” she responded.

“i have a lot of work i’ve been procrastinating on. if i could choose, i’d be at home. but my roommate’s boyfriend is there and i can’t stand being in the same building as them.”

“i don’t really know why i’m here. i just like to meet new people i guess.”

“i thought you didn’t like talking to people.”

“that’s different. you’re different.”

“how so? you don’t know who i am, and i don’t even know your name.”

she stared at you blankly. you had her trapped. she suddenly realized that maybe you were harder to get than she expected. maybe you wanted to play this game.

“i’m ellie. it’s short for elizabeth but i hate that name. it’s too common, i’m sick of hearing it.”

“elizabeth is beautiful.”

“thanks. you sound like my parents.”

lie. she didn’t know her parents anymore. they had abandoned her hundreds of years ago after suspecting she was a witch because she refused to get married to a man at only seventeen. after a few years, she was hung.

it wasn’t until her new father, joel, took up an investigation of what happened to poor elizabeth. he ended up traveling to their old village and finding her grave after tracing her obituary back to a newspaper published in 1579.

shed been dead for years. joel was the one who brought her back to life. he injected his venom into her long rotten arms and took her in for the seven years it took for her to come back fully. he saved her. he taught her how to walk, how to speak, how to hunt. joel miller was her new father.

joel used to be a police officer. in 1712, he ran into a poor woman, bleeding and begging for his help. claiming that her husband had turned to satan and was now possessed. the woman had been bitten, she eventually would turn into ellie’s mother, tess. joel got bitten too. all three of them spent the next years as newborns in that small cabin, feasting on whoever was unfortunate enough to wander by.

the woman’s husband didn’t survive. he was caught by a clan of christians and burned alive, leaving just joel and tess, who couldn’t help but fall in love. they adopted more kids before and after ellie too.

abigail was the first. she was living alone in the appalachian mountains, feasting on whoever wandered after sundown. leading poor girls, desperate for a good time, into her bed and then eating them whole. abigail often hung out at lesbian bars. the girls who went home with her never came back. a bartender joked with her about this once, the bartender didn’t come back, either.

joel heard about abigail through the only other coven that lived in washington. they said she was a monster, a relentless murderer trapped in a goddesses body. that she could hold the whole world on her shoulders but couldn’t refrain from eating innocent girls who were cheating on their husbands.

abby and ellie were never really good friends, but they tried. abby preferred to keep to herself. usually either reading or climbing a mountain with her bare hands. and she refused to find a long-term lover. ellie was almost the opposite. she preferred more modern things, like making music and fast cars. and she loved to flirt with girls.

jesse came after ellie. he was born more recently, in 1878. he was dying of a disease nobody knew about. they didn’t have the right knowledge or technology to save him, so they quarantined him in a hospital room until he died. he didn’t, though. joel saved his life. the hospital staff were horrified after seeing the blood stained floor, the splatters over the walls, and more importantly, the fact that jesse’s body was nowhere to be found.

jesse had a wife now, named dina. she met him in 1983 at a prestigious fashion school. jesse had already been to tons of colleges. neither of them aged. they never changed. they were all trapped. after studying medicine, law, physics, engineering, and marketing, he wanted a change.

that’s when he met dina. she was a beautiful woman, deep tan skin, dark eyes, long black hair and eyelashes. and she had such a knack for fashion. jesse was in love, it took him a long while before he came clean to dina about who he was. she was so in love with him too, she didn’t mind it, and she certainly wasn’t scared. dina was never scared of anything.

so they got married. and the night after their wedding, they flew to a private island joel owned for their “honeymoon”. aka, dina’s transformation. they were gone for almost three years. jesse kept a journal of everything that happened to her.

july 12, 1989. i did it. i held her so gently in my arms and sank my teeth into her neck. she was screaming, i know she was in pain, but she’ll never admit it. before she fell asleep, i drank a few of her tears and then closed her eyes. she’ll be twenty six for the rest of her life, until the earth stops spinning. i hope she can forgive me.

december 31, 1989. joel, i got your letter. she’s been doing okay. i can’t stop looking at her, her perfect curves and her deep brown hair. i think it was for the better that i took her dress off before we started, she designed it, it was so beautiful. i know she’d get upset about the red staining the expensive white satin. it’s still here, waiting for her. the year is about to end, we still have quite a few months until she awakes. i’m scared. not of her, of myself. am i a murderer? did i, a cold-blooded demon, destroy a perfect, innocent life? will she remember me?

august 27, 1990. it’s been over a year. nothing, but i know it’s coming. i’ve been holding her head on my lap, stroking her hair. i haven’t moved from this position in three months. she is so beautiful. i redressed her in the outfit she designed for this occasion, it suits her well. a part of me regrets this decision. i wish i could grow old with her, maybe have kids someday. sit on the porch while or grandchildren play in the yard. her eyes wrinkling with the smile she always flashes me. this will never happen. it’s just a dream.

november 16, 1990. she is awake. so much screaming. she’s in pain. won’t even look at me. she is thirsty. will bring her some bird blood to quench her thirst.

november 21, 1990. she only sits and stares at a wall, rocking back and forth. her eyes are white now. don’t know if she is okay. or if she will survive. her throat burns. if she goes, i go.

february, 1991. don’t know what day it is, she has calmed down. she didn’t remember anything at first. not me, not her name, nothing. she remembers now, though. hopefully we can come home this year. i still don’t know if i trust her enough around people. if she is caught, she’ll be burned. if she goes, i go.

may 18, 1991. traveled to a near by island. i taught her how to swim, she loves it. she’s so surprised that she can hold her breath infinitely. she is so beautiful, it’s like falling in love with her all over again. there were people at the island, it was a small village. they were kind, but we had to leave early. i don’t want to push her limits, but she did exceptionally well.

october 4, 1991. on our way home. starting this life forever with her. i hope she can forgive me.

[sixhours]

looking for the light

Rating: Everyone Series tags: The Last of Us, The Last of Us (HBO), Joel and Sarah, Sarah Miller, Joel Miller, baby Sarah, soft!Joel, Joel needs a hug, Joel is trying really hard OK, angst, angst with a happy ending, but mostly just angst, sorry Word count: ~750, it's a baby fic

Note: Y’all can blame @frannyzooey for this little bit of heartache.

You can also read on AO3.

~*~

She screams for what feels like hours.

“C’mon, baby girl,” he whispers, a note of desperation creeping in. He’s been through the checklist–formula, diaper, swaddle, rock–but she won’t settle. “Sweet girl, Sarah girl, it’s okay. You’re okay.”

We’re okay.

And she screams.

Her little face scrunched up, tears streaming down–those are new, he thinks dully–body arched taut as a bowstring.

Pace and rock and sway and prep the bottle only for her to spit it out, check the diaper, rub her back in slow, firm circles, pace and rock and sway and shush.

Screaming.

He turns 23 today. Or maybe it was yesterday. He doesn’t know what time it is, doesn't know how long she’s been like this.

“It’s alright, you’re alright. C’mon, baby girl. I got you.”

Screaming.

And then his hands are shaking too hard to hold her, his vision blurred with tears of his own.

He can’t do this.

He sets her in the crib, the one she hasn’t used since they brought her home, tiny limbs poking out of her car seat harness like a starfish, practically swallowed by the thing, so small.

Fleeing from the room. He doesn’t make it far. She is gravity and he is stuck in her orbit.

He slides down the wall in the hallway, curling in on himself, chest so tight he thinks he might pass out. When he finally sucks in a decent breath, it’s a barking, wheezing thing, and he wastes it on a sob.

Laureen walked out two weeks ago. No note, no call, just went back to her parents in Albany. The paperwork signing over her rights is sitting on the kitchen table, stained with coffee rings and sour milk.

Tommy’s bedroom is empty and he’s god knows where, probably drunk or fucking around with some girl. He’s 17, still a kid himself, another responsibility he isn’t ready for.

Joel bites down hard on his fist and wishes desperately for the mother they buried six months ago.

He can’t do this. He can’t. He can’t raise a baby and pay the bills and keep his brother out of trouble. He should…

No. No, he can’t do that. The nurse handed her to him in the hospital, all red-faced and slick, and she’d taken his heart when she wrapped her tiny hand around his thumb.

So that’s not an option.

But Christ, he’s drowning.

“Please.”

He doesn’t know who he’s talking to. Doesn’t know anything but the needling sound of her cries that he can no longer ignore.

He stands, swipes at his eyes, goes back into the room. Picks her up.

Pace and rock and sway and shush.

“Please, Sarah.”

Whispers swallowed by screams.

“Please, baby, tell me what you need. Please.”

Tears on his cheeks to match hers as he begs. He begs.

“Please, baby girl.”

And then he must bounce just right, or pat her just right, because she lets out the loudest, most magnificent burp Joel has ever heard. It shouldn’t be possible, such a big sound coming from such a tiny body. It rings in his ears and settles her quaking limbs, spit-up soaking the back of his shirt. He never has the burp cloth on the right side. It doesn’t matter.

Quiet.

“Was that it?” he sniffs, pathetic. “Was that all, sweet girl? Jus’ had a bubble, huh?”

Shuddery little hiccup against his chin.

“There she is,” he murmurs, cupping her tiny head in one palm, pressing a kiss to her sweaty forehead. “My girl, my Sarah girl.”

He collapses into the plush glider rocker, the one that cost a full month’s pay, the one Laureen insisted on. He hadn’t blinked, just wrote the check.

One foot on the floor, one on the ottoman, rocking. She settles on his chest, ear to his heart, already drowsy.

“We’re gonna be okay, you an’ me,” he whispers, nose pressed to her crown, tears still drying on his cheeks, willing himself to believe it. “We’re gonna be jus’ fine.”

~*~

Dawn.

She stirs, little snuffling noises, mouthing one tiny fist. 

He shifts her into the crook of his arm, sleep-crusted eyes blinking open to look at her, lets his thumb trace the velvet-soft curve of her cheek.

“Mornin’, baby girl.”

Dark brown eyes mirror his. The softest coo in answer.

And something new.

Tentative, hesitant at first, then blossoming.

“Yeah? You like that?”

Throat thick with love, shaky in-breath. Happy tears this time.

“Yeah,” he whispers, returning her first smile. “Yeah, we’re gonna be okay.”

[i-literally-cant-with-this]

A/N ::: You guys remember that thing I wrote the other day saying I didn't have an explanation for it? Well, I don't have one for this either. But I nearly cried when I wrote the last line. Deadass real tears. Almost.

C/W ::: Stupid sweet. Dad!Katsuki (27 yrs old, married to F.reader).

WC ::: Less than 530

Thinking about Katsuki hanging out in the living room with his baby after she had a bad dream.

It's 1:19 in the morning and he's awakened by the sound of his baby girl crying. You had begun to shuffle in your sleep at the sounds she was making, but he got up first, careful not to disturb you (like that would ever disturb you).

He quietly padded his way down the hallway to her dimly lit room and he peeked through the open crack in the door to see if she was ok before he walked in. She'd apparently heard someone coming to her because she stopped fussing just long enough for him to open the door the rest of the way and walk in to her.

His voice was calm, low and gravelly. But soft. A kind of softness that he reserves only for his little girl.

"Hey stinker, whats'a matter? Y'have a bad dream or somethin'? C'mere, ohhh yes, shh shh shh shh shh. Come on, up ya go. Wanna go for a walk with me, hah? Let's go. Jus' you 'n me. Let's hit the road, hah, Jack?" He picks her up without any effort at all. Her little 17 pound body is no match for the great Katsuki Bakugou. Though regardless - and because - of how small she is, he holds her closer than anything else in the whole world.

He holds her tightly with one arm and puts the other one on the handrail to make his way down the stairs, talking to her the whole way. "So, what'd ya dream 'bout? Yer mama runnin' outta milk?" She coos and smiles at him. He laughs, too, but he knows, realistically, there's no way in hell she could know what he's saying to her. But that won't stop him from telling everyone at the agency that his baby is a certified genius.

"Yeah, that'd be scary as hell. But really, when'r ya gonna start talkin', hah? I need someone normal to talk to sometimes. And," he senses you behind him and stops talking. Turning around, he sees you standing behind the couch, smiling, with your hand over your heart. "B'tween you 'n me? Your mama is a full-time passenger on the crazy train. She might even be the conductor one of these days." He winks at you and waves you off with his hand to go back bed. "I got 'er. 'L be up soon, ma."

You nod and hover for just a second to brush her soft little blonde hairs from her forehead. You kiss him on the cheek and walk back to bed.

He swipes the hair you brushed back to the way it was and gives her a long kiss on the crown on her head, sneaking a sniff of that baby smell. She smells like a combination of you and him: Vanilla and burnt honey.

"See what'm sayin'? Yer ma don't know how to do hair t' save her life. Tch. Bah! I love her anyway." The baby began to fuss a little again. "Hey! I didn't say I loved 'er more than you, baby boom.

@arlerts-angel @viburnt @darkstarlight82

[oh-no-its-bird]

Having more Uchiha Houhua thoughts:

Ok so I decided his mangekyou, if he ever gets it, looks a bit like the system buffering/loading icon— which absoloutley pisses him off

Its ability is a sort of mishmash of knowing things + some light time fuckery. The light time fuckery was probably its (read: Izumi's) original ability, but it was debuffed + mixed w knowing things as a result of the systems influence.

The "knowing things" bit basically means he gets character screens and summaries from the system (which he does NOT get before getting the mangekyou bc the system is stingy as fuck) but it also means he can see like. Past / present / future events (the "future" events being presented as 'system predicted' so they can't always be trusted) but also like. Being able to see what future or current events would have been in canon, if he hadn't been given Izumi's role

Then he can show these things to others via genjutsu, which makes for some killer genjutsu bc he can straight up send someone to relive their worst most traumatic moments and stand next to them eating popcorn like "woah bro this is totally fucked" as they experience The Horrors on loop

Super OP and ultimately fucking great for information gathering, which is kind of his main thing anyways. I think it fits, especially when the system !! Open to hearing criticism on it tho

And ofc I don't know fr if he's gonna get to unlock it yet, still undecided bc it'd also be pretty hard for him to care ab someone enough (other than probably Jun and eventually Itachi)

Could also be fun if he got to have an interesting dynamic w Inoichi bc of it, like w mind fuckery in mind. He's so useful in T&I, someone teach him some fun mind fuck jutsu's it'll be great

Otherwise uhh:

Also thinking. Yk how I mentioned his ideal endgame is that he'd love to be like, an assistant to the Hokage? Important job! Very little danger (compared to other jobs)! He'll take paperwork over putting his life on the line any day!

So like. When Tsunade comes to the village, Houhua is fucking foaming at the mouth. He wants to be her assistant so bad. He is ab to fist fighting other people in order to be there when she first arrives so he can try to worm his way into her office (and thus avoid being sent out to do shit while remaining important enough to be earning narrative points)

But then Tsunade arrives and she already has Shizune !!! FUCK.

Could be funnier if Shizune fucking senses Houhua's ambitions and also sniffs him out as a little rat man and immediatley assumes the worst. Gets to work on trying to kick his ass out on the curb. Office rivalry !!!

I have like. 2 options for that period where Naruto is off w Jiriyah trying to get Tsunade back, and idk where to take it tbh. Bc either Houhua can go to sound (with or without Sasuke), or he can stick around and do fun politics trying to throw cinder blocks at Danzo's head in the absence of a Hokage.

Houhua is gonna have to interact w Orochimaru eventually is the thing, there's just too much potential there to waste (teammates w Kabuto / literal immortal cultivator in his past life / snake vs rat jokes I need to make at least 10 of, etc.)

Hmmm. Choices, choices

[starsha-k-luna]

Took me about a month to draw, write, outline, & colour, but I finally finished it!

A Fan-Comic based off @baykitthings Dreamworks Trolls Phantom Thieves AU!

So basically about a month ago, I sent an Ask to @baykitthings for their Trolls AU asking about how Floyd adjusted to having to use a wheelchair after an Injury & how his brothers (BroZone) help to accommodate & assist Floyd during this.

When designing their clothes I just used the canon clothes, while giving them t-shirt because I wanted too, except Clay, I gave him a smart casual look along with a sweater vest.

And yes, I gave the BroZone brothers Tails, I’m apart of the Trolls Community who Headcanons they have Tails! I may change my Tail designs in the future.

Anyway, here’s what everyone is saying in the Comic:

Page 1:

💙Branch; “Are you Excited to finally be coming home Floyd?”

❤️Floyd; “I don’t know Branch, now I’m in a wheelchair everything is going to be a struggle now.”

💙Branch; “Floyd you shouldn’t worry, me and our brother’s are here to help you and adjust, you know we all love you and are here for you, right?

💜Bruce; “Look Bro’s, Branch is back with Floyd!

💚John Dory; “Alright Bro’s, Let’s do this!

Page 2:

💛Clay, 💚John Dory & 💜Bruce; “WELCOME HOME FLOYD!

❤️Floyd; “Thanks, It’s really good to see you all brother’s.”

💙Branch; “Actually Floyd, we have a surprise for you Floyd.”

Page 3:

💛Clay; “We’ve actually renovated to accommodate to your needs Floyd, such as an elevator (or a lift) and ramps for you to get around and adding wider doors, a disabled toilet and we’ve even given you a bigger bedroom on the ground floor.”

💚John Dory; “Yeah, Clay went all out with this, he and Bitty B did this!

💛Clay; “Woah, Johnny slow yourself, I’ve not just done this, nor Branch, it was a team effort! Especially Branch setting up the computer.”

💙Branch; “Yeah, I remembered you saying you got into computers, so I got you this set up with the latest software and everything.” (Featuring Chibi Branch)

Page 4:

❤️Floyd; “Sniff, sniff.”

💙Branch; “F…Floyd.”

💜Bruce; “Floyd are you alright? Did we do something wrong? Are you upset? You’re crying!”

💛Clay; “Oh no, did I do or say something to upset you?”

❤️Floyd; “No, I’m OK, I’m just so happy you guys did all this just for me, I’m touched💖.”

💚John Dory, 💙Branch, 💛Clay, 💜Bruce; (They are Crying right now)

❤️Floyd; “Thank you for everything, I love you all so much.”

💛Clay; “We love you too, Floyd.”

💚💜💛❤️💙The End!💚💜💛❤️💙

I’m extremely Proud with how this Fan-Comic turned out!

I hope you like the Fan-Comic @baykitthings

See you all next time👋

[echantedtoon]

A Lovers' Circle (Poly Haishira x Reader) Ch10 A Scarred Heart P3

(Warnings for mentioning of harassment from last chapter, and Sanemi roughing Jake up. 

I dunno anything about health classes really do I'm just making something up for Y/n's interactions with Giyuu so bare with me on that part....Also yes. Giyuu's next to be romanced.

Also important to note that I'm mostly basing how everyone falls for Y/n based on the old post I made here.

Taglist: @shadyd3ar @jcrml @tengensangel

@miniverse-zen @mysteri0uz @jjamsbangtan

@the-unknown-fandom @lavenderdropp

@mimisweetz. @purplesoulsapphire

@kksmush @denkpanda18 @whomisi

@lessthanimperfect

Remember if you want to be added to the taglist lemme know

Your day was officially ruined.

You weren't covered in mud, food, makeup, and rain this time but the memories and actions of Jake made you angry and shell shocked. All you could do was go outside and angry cry. But you weren't alone this time. Kanae was gently rubbing your back and seemed to be frazzled herself. Not that you blamed her. Gyomei had been informed about what happened by her. The usual gentle giant went from shocked to a rare angry you've never seen before.

At the moment said boyfriend was inside apologizing to the owner for what happened and paying for the food. It was Sanemi who was standing by you both acting like a bodyguard and giving worried looks to you both. 

"We're going to be alright," she assured you as you wiped your face. "Just take some deep breaths and try to calm yourself."

Eventually Gyomei did come out, lightly ducking his head to avoid hitting his head and immediately made his way over to you three. "Im sorry for taking so long. The owner was very understanding of the situation. Apparently he was not the first person who caused a fight at the bar." 

You continued to finish up wiping at your eyes face still red from crying and anger. Blinking before turning to toss the napkin in a nearby trashcan. This day was a disaster. It started out great but ended up being just a mess. You scowled at nothing but blinked when two large hands suddenly cupped your cheeks and tilted you up to the concerned look of Gyomei.

"Are you alright?"

You blinked before nodding. "Y-Yes. I'm ok. *sniff*" Although you did sigh and lean into the comforting touch of his hands.

"I'm sorry. I should've been there. This is the second time I wasn't there when he was around."

"I-It wasn't your fault."

"No. I should've been there. I have no excuses."

"Listen to her, Mei." A hand plopping onto his side had Gyomei turning towards Sanemi. "You were talking to your MOM. Sides you think a bastard like that cares about anyone else but himself? It's no one's dam fault but his and if he has at least one working braincell-" SMACK! He quickly smacked a fist into his palm. A strained smile on his face. "-he'll stay away. If not I have no problem knocking some more sense into 'em."

"I-I appreciate that."

"Tch. No one touches my girls and gets away with it."

... Gyomei turned his head with a brow raised to him. "'My girls'?"

"OUR girls!," Sanemi quickly corrected looking at him. "Kanae shouldn't have gone through that neither did your girlfriend! I'm not wrong!"

Gyomei raised a brow higher with a hum as Sanemi sweated under him. 

"Hey. The day's almost over so why don't we just settle down." Kanae quickly redirected the topic away from them. "My house isn't too far from here. Would you two like to come over and watch a movie? We can get pizza or something."

"T-That's really nice of you to offer, but I think I just want to go home." You politely declined to Kanae who understood. 

"Then I'll walk you home. I'm so sorry our night had to turn out like this."

"N-No. Sanemi's right. It's no one's fault but Jake's. Let's just get back." You took a few steps towards the way back home before stopping and suddenly turning back to Sanemi. "Oh I almost forgot. Sanemi."

"Hm?" Said man froze as two hands grabbed him by the face and a second later a smooch was pressed into his cheek very quickly.

You instantly let go giving him a grateful smile. "Thanks for saving me. I really appreciate it. I owe you one I swear. See you tomorrow at campus. Bye, Kanae. It was nice seeing you again too."

"Bye, Y/n. See you tomorrow, Mei!" Kanae waved at them both as Gyomei wrapped an arm protectively around your shoulders and began walking you home. When they were both down the street, she turned to her frozen boyfriend and giggled at his expression. "Are you ok, Honey? You seem to be blushing."

"I'M NOT BLUSHING!!" 

The walk home was only silent with you leaning again your boyfriend who still placed a protective hold on your shoulders and every so often still uttered  apologies but you told him it was alright. For now you just found comfort in the presence of your large boyfriend. By the time you both DID get home it was getting a little late.

"Do you want to stay for dinner? You really didn't get to finish lunch and I don't mind cooking ?"

"I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything for me after today..but we could order something if that works for you?"

"Sure. I was going to cook something for someone tomorrow anyways! Come on in and I'll put in a movie."

A pair of legs quickly walked through the crowds and pushed past people in his way. A loud giggling came from the toddler resting on his shoulders and clinging to his big brother's head. There was an urgency as he walked in order to get to the daycare before his classes started and he'd be late. He pushed on further and further into the crowds of people not caring if they gave him dirty looks. He just kept a firm grip on his giggling brother who giggled out and made full speed ahead towards the building in front of him. Making it as he threw the door open and meeting a familiar sight.

"Hi, Sanemi!," you greeted him as he walked up to the counter. "Good morning!"

"Hey. How are ya? Gotta go!," he quickly spoke out lifting his giggling brother off his shoulders, over his head, and into your awaiting arms as you placed him on your hip. He then slung the extra bag off his shoulders. "Here's his clothes and stuff. I gotta go."

"Oh. Before you go I did get you something." He paused briefly blinking as you reached under the counter and pulled out a small box about as big as a small coffee cake. "It's some more ohagi!" You smiled brightly at him. "I made you some as thanks for yesterday. I hope you like it."

Said scarred man opened his mouth-.. Before his face turned a bright pink and he snatched it from your hands sputtering. "Yeahthanksgottagobye-" He quickly threw out at you before swiftly leaving as you waved.

Hm. He seemed in a hurry. Must've been late for his classes. Speaking of which you'd better also get ready for your health class. You still had to turn in the paper from your last project and then take notes for today. But first you'd better drop off Koto with Gyomei and grab your things.

*********************************************

"Class, turn to page one hundred and thirty two. Today we'll be reviewing the lesson from last week you based your projects on before-"

The sounds of many pages turning in the large room as at least fifty students turned to the appropriate places in their textbooks. Others took out note books lined with lots of notes from previous lessons with room for future ones. Pencils and erasers at the ready for the task ahead of taking down important information. Highlighters in bright yellow ready to highlight any very important details hidden in the professor's speeches. Lights dim as the first slides showed in time with the words the professor spoke.

"Now this here is the example of a former student I showed you of. Your task was to pick a famous medical discovery or sickly disaster from history and write a report on how that discovery or disaster affects modern health experts and research today-"

The current slide showed up a picture of an old painting taken at the city's local museum. It's old pain chipping away but still held together enough to show the picture of a man in his late fifties in an old hospital uniform. The professor looked up at the slide before adjusting his glasses and looking back at the younger crowd. 

"Who here can tell me who this man was?" Murmurs and coughs were circulated around until one hand raised up in the very back row. He pointed at it after a moment of straining his eyes to see around the dimly lit room. "Yes. You, Y/n!"

"The reigning monarchy during that time was lead by King Cedric Roland Jackson Snider the Forth and his wife Queen Stacia Emily Snider." Your hand slowly lowered after your answer and the professor nodded in approval.

"Excellent! Yes! Both King and Queen during that time funded their exhibition out to the area where our town would first be established. Who can tell me what the original purpose of the exhibition was?" Again unsure looks were given around until once more your hand raised in answer. "Miss Y/n?"

"John MacVicar!"

"Right you are! Yes! He was part of a research team of doctors, engineers, and designers who helped to create the first medical ultrasound. The student who did the project on this man included references to some of those people in their paper. Now can anyone tell me one way we use medical ultrasounds today?" You waited to see if someone else would raise their hand and someone else did. A boy in the very front row. "Yes, Charlie!"

You didn't bother interrupting and only listened to the professor continue his lesson and turn to the next slide which was a picture of some old relics from the same time as the founding of the town. You busied yourself by writing down words in the notebook you always took with you during these classes. The words forever being inscribed upon the surface of the paper with ink- Something poked your arm making you pause.

"Psst. Hey, Bud. I gotta tell you something."

Your  f/c eyes deadpanned looked at the dark eyes of the man sitting next to you as he again poked your upper arm.

"What, Murata?," you whisper hissed back to him voice low to avoid drawing attention. "I'm trying to take notes here. You should be taking notes too! You have no idea if this'll be on the finals!"

Murata didn't seemed phased by your words in the slightest and only whispered back. "We need to talk. It's important!"

"I'm taking notes. Wait til after class."

"WHAT?! BUT THAT'S STILL HOURS AWAY-"

"Mr. Murata." The professor gave a look of silent disapproval as the lesson paused. A good few heads also turned to stare at the seemingly frozen man next to you suddenly in the spotlight. "Is there something so important that you have to disrupt my lesson? If so please share it with the class."

In an instant Murata's face went an embarrassed red and he shook his head no. "N-NO! I was just-...Uh. A-Asking to borrow a pencil! Yeah!"

The professor narrowed his heads. "Well then next time ask quietly or better. Next time actually come prepared and not disrupt the class. Now then. " He turned back to the board. "As I was saying, notice how they didn't list their sources on where they got the information? Don't do this. Whether it's from a book, website, or interview with a professional. ALWAYS list reliable resources for where you got your information."

Murata gave a sigh of relief as the faces of their classmates turned away from them and focused back onto the lesson the professor was giving.

"I told you. Just wait until all our classes are finished and we'll talk after. Ok?" You looked back to the notebook after giving Murata a quick reassuring pat on the hand.

His huffed annoyed before he pulled his hands back and looked away. "Fine. But don't take too long."

You wondered briefly about what he wanted that was so important to interrupt class but brushed it off to refocus on the lesson before you. Your paper had been about smallpox and how the man who invented the vaccine was able to make a cure for the epidemic of it. You just hoped the professor liked it enough. The professor continued sighting mistakes to avoid in the future when writing a report before looking back to the class. 

"Now then. Your assignments will be graded and be given back to you this Friday. Until then you'll be doing another project with a partner. It'll be the last major project before winter break so be sure to work hard on it." The professor clicked a button and the projector. On the slide it had two different pictures. One of a brain and one of a silhouette of a man running. "Your project is going to be based on mental and physical health. You and your partner will chose one of the topics and base your project on how one thing can impact either, either in a negative or positive way. Again that topic is up to you to decide but you must take notes and have proof of your results. You may now chose your partner but just know whoever you pick will be your partner for the duration of the project."

The lights turned back on above everyone and the mumbling started up again as the professor switched off the projector. Blinking at the sudden change in lightage, you shook your head before turning to Murata and stopped as you realized he was gone. F/c eyes blinked before your head swiveled around but you still didn't see him. You even stood up for a better peek but still didn't see him through the crowds. Where did he go? He was right here just a second ago..He must've moved and you didn't notice too busy paying attention to the professor. Rats. You were gonna ask him to be your partner. 

Already some people were getting up and moving around at towards their desired partners and not one of them was your friend. Rats again. Outside of Murata you didn't really know anyone else in the class.

Or at least that's what you thought at first.

You had settled yourself into just picking a random person and asking them, however when you looked up towards the very back you caught sight of a familiar face. There up in the top row of seats sitting all by himself was a man. A man with long dark black hair tied in a ponytail, and a large baggy hoodie. Blue eyes didn't look up from the notebook he was still writing in. Just continuing to work away on whatever he was doing. All alone with empty seats all around him.

So maybe that's why when a lady smiled at him from rows below and gathered up her backpack,he didn't notice. Nor did he notice when she bounded up the stairs towards him until a shadow fell over him. Those dark blue eyes blinked confused before looking up and jumping lightly at the sight of your pretty face smiling at him.

"Hi, Giyuu! You remember me right?"

Wait. DID he know her? He furrowed his brows in thought looking at her up and down wracking his brain. Oh wait. This was the lady Gyomei was seeing now wasn't it? Yes. He saw her twice but he remembered who she was now.

So he nodded at her. "Yes. How are you?"

"I'm great thanks! I remembered that we took the same health class." She spoke so excitedly it reminded him a bit of Mitsuri- "Do you wanna be my partner?"

A record scratch sound went off.

...Giyuu blinked. Staring at her wide eyed before turning around to look around him really quick just to be sure there wasn't another Giyuu she was asking before slowly looking back to her and pointing at himself. "Me?"

"Of course! You're like the only person here who I remotely know."

His eyes widened more. "You w-w-want to be my partner?" You nodded. "Do the project with me?"

"Of course! I'd love to! Do you wanna be my partner?" He slowly nodded as if not entirely sure this was happening himself. "Great! Class is almost over. We can get some food at the cafeteria and discuss what you want to do for the project if you'd like." Still bewildered he nodded and was even more surprised when you flopped down next to him with a smile and leaned towards him. "So how have you been? I haven't seen you since the onsen incident. I'm really sorry btw."

"I-I.." He swallowed thickly. "I've been fine. And it's fine."

"I'm glad you're not angry with me. Gyomei was right about you."

"Huh?" He rose a brow at you once more confused. Gyomei mentioned him? When? What did he say?

You smiled largely at him. "You're very understanding and kind."

"EH?!"  You still smiled as his face went a confused pink. However you just opened your notebook.

"I think we should do a physical health project. With your studies in wanting to be a p.e. teacher it might make it easier for us to work with the subject with your smarts."

"You..think I'm smart?"

"Obviously. Do you want to do the physical health subject?"

He didn't answer at first still staring in awe at you before his face returned to his normal stoic expression and his face slowly slipped back to its normal color. "*ahem* ...Yes. Let's do that. We can discuss what we both want to do for the project later when we get dinner." 

You nodded in enthusiasm. "Great! There's a cafe on campus if you want to go there and talk. I'll just call Gyomei after class and let him know where I am."

"That's fine."

You smiled at him and continued to try and make small talk until the bell rang signalling the end of class. Giyuu stood up first politely waiting for you to gather your things before filing out the door with him and down the halls amongst the throngs of people. You pulled out your phone to call Gyomei but stopped as you say a familiar sight. Murata was coming down the hall towards you as you waved to him but your friend stopped seeing Giyuu giving you a gaze... before he frowned, turned, and disappeared into the crowd again. ..Huh. That was weird. What was that all about? Oh well. You shrugged it off before continuing to call Gyomei.

Your boyfriend was surprised to hear you were hanging out with Giyuu but was very understanding of your project and wished you both luck on coming up with a way to tackle said project. With that out of the way you happily turned back to Giyuu who again blink as you happily grabbed him by the hand and tugged him out of the building and towards the on campus cafe. 

He stared wide eyed in awe at where she grabbed a hold of hand then slowly back to her as she smiled and slowly took the man all the way back to the cafe. As the door chimes on the door above you, another familiar face lit up as she spotted you both.

"GIYUU!! Y/N!!," Mitsuri called before giving a full armed wave at you both from behind the cash register.

"Hi, Mitsuri! Can I get two of those really delicious milkshakes and a couple fruit sandwiches please?" You turned back to Giyuu who was still mesmerized with where you had grabbed his hand and was staring at you. "Do you like milkshakes and fruit sandwiches?" He slowly nodded at you. "Ok. Then we'll have some my treat!" You then turned back to Mitsuri who was still smiling and blinking. "Hey..Are you wearing a new eyeshadow?"

"YES! Obi got it for me! Isn't he the sweetest?", she gushed out.

"Absolutely! You look beautiful in green!"

"KYYAAA!!~" She gushed a bright pink as you complimented her. "Oh my gosh! You're so sweet! I could kiss you right now-"

"Oi! Quits making a racket out there and send us the orders!," another female voice called out from the back.

"Oh right! You guys go sit down and I'll bring it to you when it's done!"

You smiled wider at the blushing woman. "Thanks, Mitsuri. C'mon, Giyuu."

Giyuu continued to stare at you before you walked towards a nearby empty table. He watched you before looking at Mitsuri who only smiled back wider at one of her partners holding her own cheeks.

"I know! Perfect isn't she?!"

He opened his mouth-.. before deciding to just close it and quickly follow you to the table. You were already sat down and opening your notebook to today's lesson. He slowly sat down across from you and you spoke.

"So I know we chose physical health but what are we doing? The professor said that we have to chose an aspect that either affects a person negatively or positively and gather evidence on it. Any ideas?" You looked at him.

His eyes gazed over to the side.. before nodding. "I came up with something while writing."

"I'd love to hear it!"

Again he looked surprised by your words. "You.. actually want to hear what I have to say?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I usually do projects alone. I'm not really a person that most people choose to be around."

"Well that's just mean." He again blinked as you pointed at him. "I think they just don't bother to try and talk to you but that's their loss. They just won't know how much of a unique person you really are." His eyes widened as you gestured to him. "So what was the idea for the project?"

"..Huh?"

"The project idea, Giyuu."

"O-Oh." He cleared his throat. "They say that moving around continuesly for at least one hour a day can be very good for your health. I was planning on measuring my strength and muscle mass and then proceeding to record myself exercising for one hour a day. It's mid October now and the project isn't due until the last day of November so the day before I turn it in, I'd measure my muscle build again and see if there was any change in strength or stamina."

Your eyes were wide in awe. "Giyuu, that's ingenious!" You smiled brightly! "Also that's a great idea! Let's do it!"

"Really?! You really think it's good?" You nodded. "In that case,  would you be alright with doing the project with me? I think two people doing the project might make make it more credible if there's more than one person with the result."

"Good idea! I'm busy with work and classes though so we'll have to do our hour exercises at noon except on the weekends. I'll give you my number and address. Tomorrow we can start after work. Sounds good?"

Again he nodded looking off to the side and rubbing at his neck. "S-Sure. Sounds..pretty....P-Pretty good." He added quickly at the end with his still blunt tone. "I-I'll talk to Shinobu about it tonight."

"I'll be sure to let Gyomei know too. For now let's get some food in us before we become skeletons."

[dashofmonsters]

Dreamers & Delusions- Pt. 6

merman x female reader

Tao drew you a bath while you limped down the hall. He was pissed when you arrived to the bathroom but you needed to stretch your legs and the pain wasn't too bad but a couple cuts did reopen.

The bathtub is ridiculously huge since it has to accommodate Tao's giant ass body but you're not complaining. Though the giant white T-shirt might be worth mentioning.

"Hey uh, do you perhaps have a shirt in a different maybe less awkward color," you pick up his shirt and try to hand it to him.

He gives you a blank stare and raises a brow, "Is this color offensive to your people?"

You groan not really wanting to explain what would happen but it looks like you must. "No Tao, do you remember what happens to your shirt after you get out of the water from saving someone?"

You give him a moment and watch as the gears slowly grind and then the lightbulb comes on. Tao quickly snatches the shirt out of your hand then looking flustered and the blue glowing bands on his cheeks return.

"I'll take a black shirt if you have one," you laugh as you hear something slam.

Tao comes back moments later and hands you a shirt without looking at you before closing the door with more force than necessary. You snort laugh and then reality sets in again.

"This is just an emergency situation, nothing weird will come of this. Just take a bath and wear the giant shirt," you tell yourself as you start to strip.

It hurts like hell when you peel your shirt off as cuts reopen and crusted blood makes your skin itch like crazy. The bandages are all bloodied and as you remove them you start to get a good idea of the damage. Once you remove your pants, bra, panties and the rest of your bandages you spin slowly in front of a corner mirror. There's a large angry bruise on your back with lacerations near your hips. Your thighs are splotted with shallow scraps and patches where your legs scrapped jagged rocks. You're sporting quite the shiner on your right eye that you didn't notice before but when you touch it you wince.

"Fuck I look like someone who got into a street fight or some shit," you whisper as you do one more turn before heading into the bath.

The water is warm and clearly spelled as bubbles foam around your cuts and scraps. You let out a sigh as you feel the magic mending your body. You've been scared to use anything from the other realm thanks to your mom but you trust Tao and whatever magicky thing he put in the water.

After lounging and letting the spelled water do it's work you start scrubbing yourself off with whatever soaps he has and rinse off. You'd stay and relax longer if you weren't afraid he'd come busting in thinking you feel asleep and drowned. You quickly dry off and go to grab his shirt when you remember something.

This is all you have to wear.

You pull the shirt on and thankfully it goes a little bit past your knees. It smells like the beach and a mix of spices. You sniff it again and then pinch yourself for being weird.

"Ok we got clothes on but we're probably going to have to go commando for a bit... Ok, let's just be an adult about this. We'll just run a quick load of laundry and be done with this," you whisper as you pace the bathroom and gather your bloody clothes.

Slowly you gather up your courage and tiptoe out of the bathroom and pad down the hall to the kitchen. You peak around the corner and see Tao wrapping a few bandages around his fingers. Trying to be quiet but not sneaky you continue your light steps into the kitchen but you're caught.

"That was fast, I had assumed you'd be in there long-" Tao turns and shuts his mouth as he stares at you.

You look away and fiddle with your dirty clothes. You're not uncomfortable or embarrassed but you are anxious.

Tao clears his throat and you hear him shift his stance, "I uh see the healing spell worked. How are you feeling?"

"Good," you squeak then cough, "I mean I'm feeling better, a lot better. My back still feels a little bruised but it's not too noticeable. Um so what happened with your fingers?"

He looks at his bandaged hand before balling it into a fist, "I had a moment of uncontrolled emotions yesterday and punched the wall. It seems I have inherited my mother's short bursts of rage."

You look around then and see a patch covering part of the wall in the kitchen. "I was upset that I had caused you to cry when you were already in a vulnerable state. I was not being a good friend."

His shoulders slump and he looks at the floor. He looks tired and his hair is a mess.

"Tao if anything you're now my best friend. I don't think anyone would have come to my rescue like you did," you sigh and walk just a little closer to him.

He does his best to keep his eyes off of you but ends up failing. His bright eyes are nearly swallowed by the inky blackness that over take the whites of his eyes. The blue lines on his cheeks reappear along with blue line on his neck. He inhales sharply and closes the gap between you and he.

Something about the way he's looking at you does things to your head and you're not sure if you like it or not. You feel smaller than ever but safer than you've been in your life. He lifts his bandaged hand and soothes your lightly bruised cheek with his thumb.

"As I've said before, you are all I have. As my shoal mate you are mine to protect, mine to care for, and mine to guard," he says, his voice a lot lower than usual.

Your heart is pounding loud enough for you to hear and you hope that Tao isn't pay attention to the smells in the air because the way he said mine has you more aroused than you care to admit.

Tao soothes your cheek a moment longer before letting his hand drop. He inhales sharply and you cross your legs hoping he won't smell your arousal. Unfortunately you think he does when his leans down and sniffs you. You try to back away, embarrassment finally taking over but you don't make it too far.

"You smell good," Tao whispers as he holds your hand.

"I uh just used whatever soaps you had lying around," you laugh nervously. "Could also be from the healing spell too. It did make the water smell a little lemony."

Tao straightens up and the first thing you notice is that his eyes are all black now, not a single trace of gold in them. He tilts his head and sniffs the air. Your heart is pounding wildly now and it gets worse when he starts to slowly crouch to your eye level.

You try to back up again only to get spooked by the thundering roaring outside. You almost trip but Tao catches you and holds you close to him. He nuzzles your neck and cheek and you hear a low rumbling purr.

"Hey uh Tao, buddy? Um you alright," you poke at him as you squirm in his arms.

He holds you a little tighter and and hides his face in the crook of your neck as he mumbles something.

"Tao? Hey um-"

"Just give me a minute," he grumbles, the purring calming down a little now.

"Oh uh ok? Is everything alright," you ask.

"No," he groans then lifts his head off of you and gently pushes you away a little bit.

Tao quickly shifts away from you before standing up and straightening himself.

"Hey are you going to be alright? You were being a little uh well different than usual," you try not to say weird or anything else that would make him feel bad.

"In time... I just was not expecting- Never mind, I need to go rehydrate. I'll be in my tank for a little while. Try to get some rest and if you get bored you have some of your books you left here in my nest room," Tao says with his back to you still.

"Oh uh ok," you nod.

Tao heads for the bench, peeling his shirt off on the way there and you quickly turn around as you notice his pants come off next. You bolt to the hallway and press your back against the wall. Your mind is blank for a moment and then you finally remember about your clothes.

"Fuck me," you slap yourself and try to recall what all just happened.

You dropped your bloodied clothes when you were trying to back away from Tao. You sigh and go back to the kitchen to collect them knowing that he's probably in the tank already. You gather them up again and try to hunt down his washer and dryer that's at the end of the hall across from a room that he probably uses as a closet.

You check the washer and dryer to make sure that they're empty and to your luck they are. You throw your clothes in and turn the wash on and hum a nervous tune.

Trying to not think about what happened between you and Tao is like trying not to breather, in-fucking-possible.

~~~~~~

Tao:

I am ashamed of myself. I cannot believe what I had done. I am thankful that she does not understand merfolk culture or I would be even more mortified by my actions. I had smelled her and my instincts took over and I scented her with my own pheromones.

Worse yet, I am painfully hard. I had to come up with some excuse to dismiss myself so she would not see my shame. I had rehydrated myself plenty yesterday and this morning after I checked on her. I am glad she does not know that so she cannot suspect my lie.

My body shudders and I cringe at remembering the taste of the lie on my tongue. Fair folk can lie but it comes with a cost. For my kind we can taste them and they are not pleasant. The bigger the lie, the more disgusting the taste.

Recently though that lie was not the only one I had tasted. I had called her my friend many times over and not once did it taste bad until I mentioned it yesterday. I did well in hiding my disgust when the word rolled off my tongue but it tastes horrible. I tried saying her name and calling her my friend while she was bathing and the vile flavor was more intense.

I tested a couple other words with her name afterwards. Shoal mate tasted normal, acquaintance tasted as bad as that human alcohol she had me consume one time, and then I tried the word mate. It had tasted absolutely divine. I had thought for a moment I had made a mistake. I whispered it a few more times with her name and the flavor grew more exquisite.

I knew deep down I craved more than just her friendship and I want to be more than just a friend but her heart is hurt. I couldn't ask her for more than she's comfortable with no matter how much it pains me.

My body feels tight and too hot as I grab at one of my cocks. The pressure help alleviate some of the pain but it's not enough. I allow myself to sink down and situate into a bed of seagrass and lean against a mound of sand I piled up before the tank was filled.

I loll my head back as I grip at the top cock again. I think of her as I slowly pump it, pressure building and the pain dulling. I think of how she looks at me, her eyes wide and curious. I think of her smile and how easily she shares it with me. And then I think of how her cheeks flushed when I walked her to work for the first time.

I groan as I pump harder and faster. By the goddesses she was gorgeous. Her eyes shone in the setting sun and her lips looked so kissable when she was at a loss for words. I wanted to see her more flustered and flushed.

A shameful thought crosses my mind and I grab my second cock and start working it. I imagine her flustered if I tell her she's beautiful and that I want her for my mate. Her face would be flushed and I would kiss her until she was dizzy. I gasp and arch my back as I feel myself tighten.

I would bare myself to her, body and soul if she'd accept me as a mate or even as just a suitor.

I pump harder and faster and bend forward and growl as I come. The pain is nearly gone but something worse happens. A terrible clawing ache finds its way into my heart.

I cannot deny myself what I feel for her anymore. I want her as my mate, I need her as my mate. There will not be another and I feel this truth deep in my bones.

"My mate," I whisper as I go limp and slowly succumb to much needed rest.

~~~~~~

You paced around Tao's home here and there while he was in the tank. For the entire rinse cycle you paced in the laundry room then you moved to the hallway where you paced until the clothes were ready for the dryer. You ended up back to the nest room where you flopped down and tried to rest but you ended up just sort of rolling around before you left to pace some more.

After a while you ended up back in the kitchen where you paced till you heard the dryer chime that it was done. Your shirt is completely ruined but you want to save it anyways to remind yourself that you survived something terrible. The pants are luckily salvageable and just have a few rips and tears. You shimmy into your panties and pull on your pants. As you remove the shirt that you're borrowing from Tao to put your bra on the door opens and suddenly you're bare chested in front of the mer himself.

He quickly slams the door shut, "I AM SO SORRY!"

At this point your nerves are to wound up and you're too tired to care anymore. You start laughing. You end up on your knees, laughing so hard that you're in tears.

"I should have knocked, I'm sorry," he says again.

"It's-" you wheeze. "It's fine. No harm man," you snort laugh as you try to gain composure. It takes a couple minutes and you quickly slip on your bra and the shirt before straightening yourself.

You slide into the hall and see Tao crouched against the wall on the far end.

"Hey, everything's ok man, it was an accident right? Not like you knew I was shirtless in the laundry room," you laugh as you walk up to him and join him on the floor.

Tao grumbles, his golden eyes flicker as they look towards you for a brief moment then back to the ground.

"Yes, just an accident," he mumbles.

"Come on, stop being so depressed. Why don't we go to the kitchen and make some lunch or dinner or whatever. I don't even know what time it is but I'm hungry again and I haven't seen you eat," you stand up and tug at his arm. "Come on you grump."

He sighs but he does get up. For some reason you don't let go of his arm and for some reason he lets you keep tugging him to the kitchen. You eventually let go of him and grab an apron that you brought over. Tossing his to him you give him a smile and he just shakes his head and laughs.

"What's so funny," you ask.

"I feel like I should be used to your antics and being surprised by you by now but I'm not and I don't think I ever will be," He smiles at you as he ties his apron off.

"Sorry," you grimace.

"Don't be, I wasn't saying that out of annoyance but rather... fondness, yes that would be the word," he nods and heads towards the fridge. He pauses before opening and turns to you. "After we're done eating there's something I want to talk to you about. I was thinking it over while I was in my tank."

"Oh uh ok, sure. So what do you want to make? I was going to just reheat the soup from earlier for me, so this'll be more for you," you ask as he opens the fridge and pulls out a few ingredients.

"How about that one fish dish we wanted to try, the one with the miso glaze," he suggests.

You quickly go to the pantry and start pulling things out needed for the recipe. Tao pulls out a chopping board and knives while you clean the fish. After a minute you both fall into a comfortable silence while passing off ingredients, chopping, cleaning, stirring, and sautéing.

Whenever you pass him something you notice his finger brush against yours. Whenever you splash water on him while cleaning something off, he retaliates and splashes you back. He smiles and laughs unrestrained when you're both like this.

Once the fish is done you reheat up your soup and take it over to the living room. Tao has one of those tall tables you usually see at an overpriced burger joint. He sets the food at the table while you climb up your ridiculously tall chair. You nearly fall off and he laughs when he catches you.

"Not funny man, I need a fricken step stool just to get to the first run on this chair ya giant," you poke at him as he sets you down.

"It might not be funny to you but it's hilarious to me. And didn't you say last time we sat up here that it made you feel young again," he gives you a smug grin.

"Yeah as in my legs dangle enough that I look like a kid swinging their legs uncontrollably at a restaurant," you glare and angrily kick your legs.

Tao looses it and has to hold the table for emotional support as he actually snort laughs. He looks so strange laughing like that that you start laughing and neither of you are able to control yourselves anymore. You haven't laughed like this in years, probably since you were a kid if you're honest with yourself.

You start to think about those old times when you were little but stop yourself. You don't want those bitter memories to sour this.

"Have I told you lately how strange you are," Tao asks with probably the most devastatingly handsome smile you've ever seen.

"You've insinuated it but nothing direct," you tease him, wiping a couple tears from your eyes.

"Well, you're very strange and-"

You gasp and feign being scandalized.

Tao shakes his head, "You're strange and full of life. There are some days I envy how easy it is for you to smile and enjoy living. You're a beautiful soul."

You feel your cheeks flush and your heart threatens to pound out of your chest. Your mind is racing trying to figure out why he's saying all this stuff.

This isn't like him! He doesn't just say mushy stuff like this! Maybe he's still not over me almost drowning, that's gotta be it right? Yeah no, for sure for sure. He's just recovering right? No way he'd say that to me... Oh it could be practice for the fake dating right? Gods I forgot about that... Fuck fuck fuck!

"Something the matter? You've been glaring daggers at me," he raises a brow.

You grumble, not realizing you've been staring at him and turn to the soup. Tao chuckles and starts cutting into the fish dish you both made. As you pick up your spoon a piece of fish is being waved in your face.

"Try some before you eat that," Tao offers you a bite.

When you try to take the fork he pulls it away with a smirk on his face. You're not used to this version of Tao whoever this Tao is. He's being unusually playful and teasing you and actually laughing. It's not bad but it might take some getting used to.

That being said, you want that fish.

"Come on, I can feed myself now," you try to reach across the table but he raises his hand away.

"Says the person who nearly fell out of her chair," he grins.

"I will climb on this table if I have to," you hold your bowl, ready to move it out of the way.

"Would you now," he asks, raising a brow.

You move the bowl over and far away enough that it won't spill. You lift yourself up onto the table and scoot close enough to Tao that you can almost grab the fork from him. That is, till he moves it to his other hand.

"Fine, be that way," you poke at him and move his food down the table.

"Really," he tilts his head.

"Yes, really," you scoot back and try to snatch the fork again but he moves it to his other hand once more.

You're about to say something but Tao moves you till you're sitting right in front of him. His hand snatches your chin, his thumb brushes your bottom lip.

"You know, it's considered rude in my culture to refuse food especially if someone is willing to feed it to you," he says, his tone a bit more serious.

"I uh... I didn't know," you frown. "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be insensitive."

Tao gives you a soft smile then, "I know and I did enjoy seeing just how far you'd go to get the fork from me, but out food will get cold."

He lowers the fork down and tilts your head back just enough. You take a bite and it's so good you can't help but do your happy food dance.

"Then I guess it turned out well," Tao smiles, the whites of his eyes going black again.

"Of course it turned out well, we made it," you say as you start back to your seat.

You move the plates and bowl back to their places and start eating. Tao takes a few bites then offers you bits here and there. You stop putting up a fight a just eat when he offers it. You didn't mean to offend, not like you know much about merfolk. And then an idea hits you.

"Hey how long do you think this storm will last," you ask.

"Maybe another day or two. Why," he says between bites.

"Well since I won't have much to do here I was thinking I could learn about merfolk culture. I don't want to offend you or anything so it's best to learn when I have the time right," you tell him.

His expression is unreadable then, "There is not much to learn but I would... I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have."

"Awesome, so quick question that's been bothering me. How do you drink underwater," you ask.

"We do not. We usually just filter the water into our bodies. Now if you're talking about wines and beverages of that sort, we usually go onto land or caves with air pockets that have been spelled and enchanted to stay dry," Tao says then goes into a long lecture about the trade between merfolk and fae.

He tells you stories then of when he was young and helped hull crates to his shoal's caves with the other merkids. He went into great detail about the time one of the elders got so drunk off of fae wine that he mistook a seal for his mate and kissed it.

"And then Belzan, the cave guard thought my mother wouldn't be able to handle going after the thieves. So she challenged him to a dual. If my mother lost she could go after the thieves and expose the guard's shame of letting some of the wine get stolen. If the guard won, my mother would have to remarry him," Tao pauses. "My mother won and came back with the thieves not even a full day later."

"And what of the guard," you ask.

"She never spoke of his shame. For that, he was indebted to her. He was actually the one who helped me meet my acclimation agent. Belzan had much respect for my mother and knew of my suffering. He knew it caused my mother great pain that she had to remarry and the mer she was arranged with was not cruel to me nor was he kind though," Tao sighs and looks down at his hands.

"Do you ever wish that your mother got arranged with Belzan instead," you know it's a bit of a sensitive question but your curious now, completely invested.

"I never thought about that, but maybe if she had married him things would have been better. I would still have had to leave but I might have been able to leave on better terms. I could have been able to set up some way to write them, let them know I'm alright and I'm alive and happy with my new shoal," he runs his claws across the table, his voice pained with grief.

"Tao, I-"

"Maybe one day though, right? That's what you would say? That I should talk to my agent and ask him? Maybe I should have when I moved here, maybe I still can," he lifts his head and smiles at you.

"Yes, that... that sounds like a great idea. Ask him when he comes to visit next time," you agree. "So uh there was that other thing that you wanted to talk about right?"

Tao nods and scoots his chair back, "Yes, just give me a minute. Do you want some coffee? Tea? I'm usually not much into sweets but the orc who runs a cafe next to the grocery store I usual go to let me sample this chocolate cake the day before the storm and I just had to buy a whole one. Would you care for a slice?"

"Oh uh sure, and coffee sounds good," you answer as he clears the table.

Tao puts on a pot of coffee and pulls out a rather large and impressive chocolate cake topped with raspberries. You watch him fiddle about the kitchen, cleaning up and plating the cake slices. You also can't help to notice how happy he is. Like really truly happy.

From the moment you and he started cooking to now, his just been so happy. You want to keep seeing him like this, you want him to smile more and laugh like he did when you kicked your legs.

You watch him some more until his eyes meet yours. For a second you think he's going to tease you but instead he smiles, "Coffee's about done, same amount of cream and sugar as last time?"

"Yeah, thank you," you nod.

You're not gonna lie, you're in an absolute daze with how Tao is acting. You feel drunk off of his smiles and dizzy from his laughter. You tell yourself it's your silly crush come to rear it's ugly head but you feel like it might be more than just a crush. You've had crushes before but nothing this intense. You know you feel something more but you're still scared, still unsure if you want to even accept these feelings.

"Are you alright," Tao asks, setting a slice of cake in front of you.

"Oh um, yeah... Just thinking about some things. Cake looks good," you quickly change the subject as he sets down the coffee.

"Trust me, it tastes even better than it looks," he smiles as he sits back down.

You quickly dig into the cake, practically melting in delight with the first bite. Unable to help it, you break out into another happy food dance.

Tao laughs, "Do you have to do that every time you eat?"

"Only if the foods really good," you grin.

"I don't think I've ever seen you just sit still and eat," he mentions.

"Well that's because I usually eat whatever we cook and it's damn good, so I will do my happy food dance thank you," you point your fork to him.

"I suppose you have a point," Tao says. "So I guess I know whenever you don't enjoy something you'll just be still as a stick."

"Pretty much, so what is it you wanted to talk about," you ask again.

Tao takes a sip of his coffee and a bite of cake before twiddling with his claws, "You said you got into an argument with your grandmother and that I was mentioned?"

"Yeah, it was her typical 'you're not pretty enough to keep a man' banter mixed with her being a rude bitch. She said somethings in regards to our fake dating like it wouldn't work out and shit like that or you'd get bored of me. It pissed me off," you tighten your hands around your mug, recalling how hateful she was.

"Did it really upset you that much," he asks.

"Of course it did! When she talks like that she's indirectly insulting you! I couldn't just stand there and pretend that it didn't bother me Tao. You're my best friend and you mean a lot to me, so yeah it pisses me off when people say stupid shit about you," you give him an incredulous look, confused why he doesn't understand your annoyance.

"Thank you for defending me, this isn't... Well I am not used to anyone caring so much to the point of near death, accidental or not," Tao admits. "You shouldn't have to live with someone who would push you to a breaking point like that though."

"I know, but I have nowhere else to go," you sulk.

"No relatives nearby or anyone," he asks.

You shake your head.

Tao is quiet for a bit as he nurses his coffee and strums a claw against the table. He stabs at the cake, taking a few small bites. After a few minutes he lifts his gaze to you.

"Would you like to move in with me then?"

[ontheoddoccasioniwritestuff]

Home At Last (141 Members x Reader)

Summary: You and your boyfriend spend some time together after an extended mission. Preference for what has changed in each of the 141 men after a long mission abroad, including Simon “Ghost” Riley, John “Soap” MacTavish, Kyle “Gaz” Garrick, and John Price.

AN: It’s hard writing preferences so kudos to all the writers who specialise in them! I’ve found that I really like writing fics where you share a bed with the COD boys and/or they’re vulnerable with you lmaoo. 

Content warnings: Some allusions to smut (Minors DNI), Reader is GN and some use of Y/N, a mixture of soldier!reader and civilian!reader

Masterlist // AO3

Your name: submit What is this?

Simon “Ghost” Riley

“Can you fix it?”

Ghost was slowly but surely making his way out and allowing room for Simon to come back, one of the eye sockets sliced apart. Part of that process was removing the mask when he was sure he was absolutely safe: in his room, door locked, preferably with you. But this part had been altered.

In his hands, he held his balaclava with the skull faceplate splintered diagonally down the middle. As he stared back at what he usually stared with, he winced. The snot green marks, mottled with violet, framed his face where the mask had crunched into him, beneath the butt of a gun. His ears were still ringing from where his brain struggled to process this attack. Vaguely he remembered an enemy soldier standing above him, raising his empty weapon to strike Ghost in the face again, to match his mask, his skull, and his moniker as truly one. Then blood spurted out the enemy’s gut, his clothes tearing in two spots, and the enemy collapsed alongside him.

Your question echoed around in his head, a sign he was failing to ground himself as well as he usually did. He tossed the mask away from him. He wasn’t sure where it landed and he didn’t care either.

“No.”

“I’m sorry.”

Your voice was closer now, and reverberating less. Good. Simon was coming back.

“It’s just a mask,” He replied.

It would be easy make another one. He could darn and mend clothes well enough, and making a new mask would only refine his oft-abandoned stitching skills. Plenty of spares lined his top drawer

Somewhere in his inner monologue, you’d changing into your post-shower lazy gear.

“Nightcap?” You offered.

“Fuck,” He sagged at the suggestion, “Please.

Through lazy eyelids, he watched you collect the decanter, pouring two fingers worth of whiskey into glasses. You mixed yourself a drink too. Clinking his glass against yours in the smallest celebration of the mission’s end, Simon knocked half the whiskey back. He enjoyed the burn a lot more than the bruises.

Swallowing, he heard you sniff and gag, “Oh my god, it reeks.”

In your hand was the abandoned mask. Sitting down beside him on the cot, you began unpicking the stitches that held the broken faceplate against the fabric, whilst Simon poured himself another glass then sipped and swirled at it.

With the plate removed, you held the balaclava up in front of you both, “Just needs a scrub. Save you buying a replacement.”

Good thing about the fabric being black: in the dark, you couldn’t see the dried blood.

“Thanks,” Simon knocked his head lightly against yours, groaning a curse word in instant regret. He held the cool glass against his bruise.

“How’s the rest of you?” You asked tentatively.

“Fine,” Simon closed his eyes, “Not broken.”

The next thing he felt was your hand touching his that held his glass, the gentle contact tracing up his arm until you reached his ropey shoulders. There, you began to squeeze out the first knots your thumbs found. Simon grunted appreciatively, soaking up the touch he’d missed these last few weeks.

After a few minutes, he tilted his head back to see you, knelt behind him and smiling away at your handiwork. He couldn’t help but grace over your cheek with the backs of his calloused fingers.

“You ok, sweetie?” You leant against his touch.

Simon blinked languidly up at you, “Mm, it’s good to be home.”

-

John “Soap” MacTavish

AN: Genuinely wrote this before Neil decided to drop his Soap in the bubble bath checklist.

John “Soap” MacTavish really knew how to brighten a doorway. His broad shoulders carried bulky arms and a body to boot, almost entirely blocking out the hall light when he opened your bedroom door and sheepishly smiled at you.

“Hey love.”

Never before had you left your bed with such speed. It was like you could fly, fairy dust and the happiest thought of your husband’s return after three months radio silence spurring you across the room. Your arms wrapped around him to prove he was really hear. There was a thunk of his bag falling to the floor, and you were swept up in his embrace.

You only realised something was off when no stubble rubbed against your neck as Johnny nudged his cheek there. Drawing back to take in his face, you gasped at the sight of several strips of white tape holding his chin together.

Your hand traced over his cheek, avoiding the injury by several inches, “What happened?”

“Razor wire, it’s fine. Healing,” dismissed Johnny, pecking your lips between his answers. You were too concerned to respond at first but then you realised he was trying not to react every time his lips pursed, tugging on his fragile skin.

“You’ll fuck up your cuts,” You tried to lean back away from his kisses, as tempting as they were.

But Johnny had you in a boa constrictor’s grip and he wasn’t about to let you go, “Don’t care. Missed you.”

“Johnny,” You said in an attempt to warn him.

“Baby,” He mocked and managed to get the one more kiss on the corner of your mouth that caused you to cave.

“Missed you too,” You said, sheepish under his fond gaze. Fingers brushing through his overgrown Mohawk, you kissed him thrice more, the final lasting until you couldn’t hold your breath any longer.

With his lips brushing yours, Johnny whispered with a smirk, “I stink.”

“I know you do.” Your hands slid down to his shoulders. “I can run you a nice hot bath.”

You thought his pupils couldn’t dilate any more, but his iris was now barely a ring around his pupil at the mention of his second greatest weakness.

Swaying from side to side, Johnny tucked his thumbs into the waistband of your pyjama pants, “Will you join me in there?”

“Scrub you down?” You raised an eyebrow. Fluttering his eyelashes, Johnny nodded with a pouting bottom lip, and you snorted at how ridiculously charming he was acting.

Despite the comedy routine, Johnny was clearly more interested in the simple pleasures that were hot water and your presence against his war-torn body. The groan that released from his throat as he sank beneath the bubbles made your cheeks warm as you removed your sleepwear.

Before he wrapped himself around you, Johnny splashed you – which you claimed was unfair since his stitches prevented you from splashing back. But he made it up to you by settling you against his chest, heart beating strong within it, arms returning to cuddle you close. You stroked over his forearms, letting the water soak his fluffy dark hairs while the pair of you flirted with each other. With the Sandman lingering over you after your extended day, you almost drifted off beneath the bathwater - twice.

-

Kyle “Gaz” Garrick

When Kyle Garrick sloped into medical, you were in your office with no idea that he was there. Being buried up to your eyes in paperwork worked wonders for preventing distractions. He was hovering by your office door and watching you in your official habitat with that dopey smile on his face, lovesick after two months away from you, and you hadn’t even noticed. Your pen continued scribbling down details of the latest entrant to the med-bay, your eyebrows creased in the centre of your forehead – the picture of intense concentration.

Unable to stand being in your presence without acknowledgement any longer, Kyle cleared his throat. Your head shot up, eyes wide to take him in, and you gasped.

“Oh my god,” You shot out of your chair, leaving a line of ink at the end of whatever insignificant word you’d just written. You didn’t care about anything else as your arms squeezed around your boyfriend and all his tac gear.

But then he grunted, restrained rather than relieved, and you pulled away, assessing his entire body as you asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Need a change on bandages.” He gave you a wry smile as he gestured to his shoulder. It was then that you caught sight, beneath his vest and jacket, of a bandage that did not look as sterile as it had presumably been when it was first dressed on him.

“I swear to God, if you went for debrief before you came here…” You trailed off when Kyle dropped his gaze, looking a little sheepish, and you couldn’t keep a wrangle on your volume as annoyance filled your body: “That idiot! Did you tell Price you needed them changed?”

No time for an answer, you dragged Kyle (by his good shoulder) to a bed in the bay. He watched with affectionate exhaustion whilst you worked and rambled about the “bloody paperwork” being nothing compared to “potential for infection, did you even have access to anti-biotics on this mission?” Even as you ranted, your touch against Kyle’s wound was as gentle as ever. The reunion with softness made the soldier shiver. You mistook it for feeling the chill of the evening and sped up your healing – and your tirade on Price’s priorities.

“Next time Price comes here, I’m not using anaesthetic. Don’t even care how much it hurts,” You grumbled as you tucked in the end of the gauze and surveyed your handiwork. Content with this conclusion, you let out a sigh like it was the first breath you’d taken since Kyle came back.  

“Feel better?” Kyle raised an eyebrow with fond irony.

Peeling off your rubber gloves, you dumped them in the disposal, “No. You’re still hurt.”

“Barely a scrape. Come here.” His good arm raised to make way for you, and he kissed your forehead to welcome you back. “I missed you.”

“Me too.” You allowed yourself a little break in his embrace, before resuming your role, “I’ll get you some painkillers then we can head to bed.”

“Got all the medicine I need right,” He pecked you quickly on the lips, “Here.”

“I’m not kissing your bandages.” You proved this by kissing his cheek, “And you’re still taking some painkillers so I can cuddle you.”

Kyle sat up a little straighter. Ah yes, the most potent medicine, often best paired with kisses: cuddles in bed with a loved one after prolonged absence. It meant swapping sides on the bed so that you weren’t leaning on Kyle’s injury, but that was hardly a sacrifice.

And if there were a few more kisses on places that didn’t risk medical attention, that was between you and your beloved boyfriend.

-

John Price

It was an easy rule to agree to: no PDA on a mission or on base. Only in the privacy on his quarters – unofficially yours too –permitted you both to let your real feelings show. Therefore, a mission two months long had deprived you of the affection John often shared with you.

You’d gotten creative over the years: the occasional tap if his knee against yours if you were sat beside one another, or a hand touching the small of your back as he passed you by during the watch changeover if you were really lucky. But it was nothing compared to what you could get up to when you were off-duty. More than anything, the mission had been a real exercise of self-restraint, one you both took with the utmost seriousness.

Two weeks prior, when your hearing took a knock from a grenade exploding close by, John had almost given in. He was the one to cup your face, getting Ghost to shine a torch whilst he checked your eyes for signs of a concussion. He took your watch that night too.

But now, with steam curling about the small bathroom, he was able to rest his hands on your waist, pouting and pulling faces as you sliced the foam from his cheeks.

The fully-fledged beard that had grown across the mission had been hidden mostly in a balaclava, to protect against the cruel snow and ice that had battered you day in, day out. It did suit him well, as did the waves that curled in his longer tresses  beneath his hat – in a sort of gruff recluse kinda way. But he had his image and reputation, and the SAS was hardly a place to be sporting untamed hair. Hence why you were carefully trimming at his beard until the floor of his private bathroom was littered with brown (and the occasional grey) hairs.

“I’ll shave it properly in the morning” he had said when, upon entering his quarters, he’d embraced you tightly and tickled your neck with his unruly facial hair.

You replied, “You could go to a barber’s, treat yourself to a hot towel.”

“You’re cruel for teasing a soldier with the prospect of hot towels.”

“Or I could do it?”

That suggestion struck a chord with the Captain, and he realised later that it was a nice way to ease himself back into the comforts of your relationship.

You were half tempted – in your post-mission mania – to shave his cheeks bare like when he was a Lieutenant and bask in the baby-face he’d suffer from for the three weeks it’d take to get his mutton chops back to their original glory. Nonetheless, as you followed the grooves of his chin, you decided that treating this act of trust as sacred was better than the split second of devilish delight you’d get from that. Maybe when you were both retired though.

Patting down his cheeks with a fluffy towel that’d been hanging on the radiator, you revealed him unto you, “Hello handsome.”

At last you could show your love for him and without worrying about getting his facial hair trapped between your teeth like dental floss. Still holding his chin up, you pressed a smiling kiss to his already pursed lips.

“Thank you, gorgeous,” He hummed against you, and you both giggled at how his appreciation – and his freshly trimmed beard – tickled the small space between you.

[newkatzkafe2023]

Ok, so I have an idea-

How would wukong feel for having BOTH a fem humaniod King Kong and Godzilla????

Cause after reading both ur fics of each Godzilla and King Kong ones.

I NEED to know how he would deal with 2 territorial queens

The real reason Queen Kong and Goddesszilla fought😬😬😬

(Lmk Wukong) He's scared of both you and your sister. He met you first and he fell for you over time and had so much in common with you. Then he happened to meet your sister queen kong and she kinda had a crush on him. He became good friends with her and was comfortable but then disaster struck when you found out that your sister was around your boyfriend And after you guys brawl and destroy part of the mountain with a Is terrified monkey king watching you both came to an agreement. You both decide to get on even ground and share Wukong, does he get a say in this?? Not unless he wants to put his immortality to the test.

(NR Wukong) Two hot queens were after him. He didn't know if he should be terrified or turned on. You and your sister were fighting again when he came up to you two with drinks. Then you girls got sidetracked with dealing with him as he flirts with the two of you. Your sister queen kong blushed, while you were totally unamushed by his antics but he wiggled his silly drunk ass into your heart as well as your sister. Then Wukong found himself being fought over and dated by you both as This reminds him of a dream he had once But with giants

(HIB Wukong) This has to be some kind of joke to him. Like seriously two Beautiful women want to be his mate so bad, They would throw hands for it. Like seriously the snarled and the force cuddles are way to much for him. Not to mention how Territorial , you and your sister are over him and what would get upset if the scent of the other got on him. Luckily You both pretend to get along so you don't want accidentally worry or scare the children. You both are very protective over Silly girl and Luier and would also mother them together. Wukong just decided to mate both of you so you both would stop stressing him out.

(MKR Wukong) Ok this one is kinda easy to deal with, considering his own territorial instincts would join with you and your sister. He's quick to get jealous when someone sniffs around you and queen kong and He's the one who flies off the handle. Infact You and your sister actually put it aside, Your bullsh*t to stop him from making an ass up himself. Your just as Aggressive demeanor and your sister's voice of reason You both don't fight much as others think.

(Netflix Wukong) Oh boi it's like watching children fight over a popular toy. You and your sister think he's adorable and you both want him and he feels the pressure to choose between the two of you which Terrifies him. Until one day you both were smiling down at him and told him that you would share him for now on. Well The pressure of choosing Subsided now he has to deal with the pressure of having to territorial girlfriends that love him way too much.

FEEL FREE TO REBLOG

[themultifandomgal]

Kevin Atwater- Bombs And Drive By Shooting

"Ok Jackson ready for work?" I ask my sniffer dog who barks. I get out of the car and walk to the back letting him out

"Officer Halstead thank you for joining us" Hank Voight says to me walking over with my brother Jay

"No problem" Jackson jumps out

"How do you want us to do this?" Kevin, my boyfriend asks walking over to me and Voight

"If you guys could go in first and check the floor. Moving anything that could hurt Jackson, then I'll go in with him and he will sniff out drugs, money and fire arms"

"Sounds good. Atwater you and Burgess are up. Upton I want you to go in with little Halstead. I chuckle at Voights nickname for me to identify which one of us he's talking about.

Kevin and Kim head in first to look around, making sure that the men and woman in the house are secure and that the floor is ok for me to send Jackson in.

When I get the all clear Jackson Hailey and I walk in, Jackson sniffing around. He sits wagging his tail at a few different spots around the house, Kev finds drugs, weapons and cash

"Ok I wanna do one more round with Jackson. Make sure we haven't missed anything since there's been so much in this house" I let Kevin know who radios over to Voight what were going.

Jackson sits facing a wall wagging his tail

"It's just a wall right?" Burgess says looking at me

"Jackson's never wrong" I reply. Hailey goes to tap on the wall to see if it's hollow but I hear ticking

"Wait. You hear that?"

"Is that a bomb?"

"Possibly. Jackson is trained for bombs as well"

"How the hell did it get in there?" Kim asks looking around

"Let's back out slowly. Turn our radios off and get someone to phone bomb squad" Jay says. I walk over to a large painting and take it off the wall noticing a large hole

"This must be how they got it in the wall"

"YN let's go"

"Jay I might be able to see what kind of bomb"

"No. Your leaving now" Jackson and I are dragged outside. I place him back into my car while the building is evacuated. I walk back over to Voight, Jay and Kevin

"Maybe they knew we were coming, so they put a bomb there to blow up all evidence"

"Maybe" Jay replies that's when we all hear gunshots "get down!" Jay yells but it's to late. My leg starts burning and Jackson in my car is barking like mad, probably from the noise

"YN?" Kevin is by my side putting pressure on my leg. Bomb squad arrive and run into the building managing to disarm the bomb pretty easily. Which finally allows us to use our radios once again

"We need multiple ambulances at our location. Drive by shooting multiple victims with GSWs" Jay worriedly says into his radio

"I need someone to take my car. Take Jackson home" I say gritting my teeth together because of the pain

"I'll take him home" Hailey says "you just focus on staying awake"

"YN?" I hear Will shout my name as he runs over to us

"Will I need you to step back" Connor says getting to me first "no family remember. You can take a seat with your brother and Kevin. Brett speak to me"

"GSW to her left thigh. She's alert and awake, ketemine given in the ambulance" Brett tells Dr Rhodes who wheels me away with Maggie and April. Soon enough I'm asleep.

When I wake up Kevin is sat by my bed holding my hand in his

"Hey how you feeling?" he reaches over to grab me a drink and helps me sit up a bit so I can have a bit of water

"Tired. Did we catch the shooter?" I ask earning a chuckle off Kevin as I lay back down

"Yeah we did"

"Where's Jay and Will?"

"Gone to get us all a drink. You've been asleep for 23 hours"

"Fuck"

"Good news though, the operation went well and you should be able to go back on duty with Jackson in 5 or 6 months as long as you do your physical therapy"

"Your awake" Jay sighs walking in and handing a drink to Kevin

"You hungry?" Will asks me

"Not really. Feel a little nauseous to be honest"

"That will be the anaesthetic wearing off. I can ask Maggie or April to give you some antisickness meds?"

"Yes please" Will leaves the room "when can I go home?"

"In a couple of days" Jay says. I groan in response "sorry kiddo but you need to heal up a bit"

"I hate hospitals"

"So do I"

"Are you looking after Jackson for me?" I look at Kevin

"Of course, he's missing you though"

"Miss him too"

"Maybe we can pull some strings and get him here"

"I'd love that" I give Jay a smile. Maggie comes in with Will to give me some antisickness medicine and once it eases up I am able to eat something light.

[theodorecanaryhood]

A Christmas story: The Coffee Shop guy and the Red Hood, holiday special

Arkhamverse Jason Todd x Male! Nerd Reader

Ft Dick, Tim and Damian

Wrapping paper everywhere while scissors were placed neatly on the table. You didn’t realise Jason walked into the room until you heard him sniff.

‘How long you been sitting there?’ You asked as you adjusted your glasses.

‘Long enough to know you stick your tongue out when concentrating, I never noticed that before’ Jason smiled.

It was yours and Jason’s first Christmas together, along with it being your first Christmas in your new apartment.

You hoped Jason would like the presents that you got him, along with asking him if what you brought his siblings was ok.

‘So you noticed huh?’ You smiled, Jason nodded. He came over and sat next to you, handing you the roll of tape.

‘Think we should do these together’ Jason said as he picked up a roll of paper and the scissors.

Christmas Eve had appeared out of nowhere and it seemed Jason was trying desperately to keep his sanity, Christmas in the Manor was always a nightmare when all of the boys were together. At least from what Jason could remember.

Of course, the Manor had seen better days and was still being partly repaired due to the explosion from the Arkham Incident, but it was liveable enough that the family could share a space.

Jason held your hand tightly as he walked you to the front door, Dick appeared in the doorway.

‘Jay you don’t need to ring the doorbell, this is your home too’ Dick smiled, giving Jason a hug as the two men stood on the doorstep.

Dick turned to you and smiled while Jason beamed, wrapping an arm around your shoulder.

‘Dick, this is y/n my boyfriend, y/n this is Dick, my older brother’ Jason said as the two of you shook hands.

‘Jason doesn’t stop talking about you’ Dick laughed as he stepped aside and let the two of you inside.

The Manor was big, though probably not as big as it was before. Jason seemed so happy to have you with him, he’d mentioned a few times that he didn’t like the Manor much in his adulthood.

Dick was friendly as usual, from what you’d heard, Dick was always a friend to everyone.

‘You guys want a drink?’ Dick asked as the two of you walked with him into the dining room, Jason nodded as Dick handed you both a beer from the fridge.

You had told Jason that you guys were spending New Years together with your friends. Jason just wanted to be with you, he didn’t care where he was.

‘Hey guys’ Tim called out as he walked into the room.

The two of you were introduced to each other, Tim was hopeful as he’d seen a huge change in Jason lately. He was hopeful you were a good thing in his life.

As the night grew on, the four of you watched some Christmas movies. Tim was the designated bartender for the night and provided all the drinks.

Jason held onto you most of the night, either sitting you on his lap or wrapping his arm around you.

Dick would glance every now and then and smile, seeing the pure love between the two of you.

‘Morning sunshine’ Jason’s gravelly voice greeted you, barely awake yet alert enough.

‘Morning you’ you smiled as Jason leant in and kissed you softly.

Jason’s messy hair and sleepy face was something you’d never expect to love so much. You checked the time to see it was 7.30am, still early enough.

Jason ran downstairs to fire up the heating and make coffee for the rush of feet down the stairs.

The four of you sat at the table sipping on your coffee, slowly waking up a bit more.

‘Right, can we open presents now?’ Dick smiled as he rushed onto his feet, a little excitement spread across his face.

‘You’re so sad Dick’ Tim chuckled, taking another sip of his coffee as Dick shrugged.

‘I know you are, but what am I?’ Dick asked mockingly.

‘12 years old apparently’ Tim finished as he stood up.

You all sat in the living room on the floor, presents spread everywhere as you all opened your gifts.

Dick was generous as always with what he got everyone, of course having to get told by Jason what to buy for you.

You smiled when you saw that everyone liked what you’d gotten them.

After the war of opening presents was defeated, you all decided on more Christmas movies, while Jason opted to cook for everyone.

It was small and quiet with the four of you, something you weren’t used to. But it was great, even more so you could spend it with Jason.

December 25th came to a close with the four of you asleep on the couch, all of you in some way were cuddling or clinging onto each other.

A perfect close to your favourite holiday.

[thewitcheswitch89]

Ghostober 2024

by @kroas-adtam

Read on AO3 or Wattpad

I miss you!

Phone/Video

Copia x reader

Fluff

(listened to too many power ballads from the 80s today…not in the mood for smut…)

Copia was on tour and you hadn't seen each other for weeks. The only thing you had left was a phone call every night or a simple video call.

This night was no different. You were sitting in your bedroom, scrolling through social media. When you got a message from Copia.

"I'm in my hotel room right now. Can I call you?"

You read the message with a smile and replied immediately.

"Sure, call me!" you reply, and you've barely sent the message. A few minutes later, your phone rings. You answer it with a smile on your face.

"Hello, my love," you said, leaning against the headboard of your bed.

Copia sighed on the other end of the line.

"Mia cara... I've been waiting all day to hear your voice," he said, the rustling of the pillows audible. A deep sigh. Followed by a yawn.

"I wish I could be with you now!" you sighed, "I miss you!"

Copia laughed softly. "Oh Cara, you have no idea how much I miss you. Everything about you... your touch, your smell, your hugs... Everything...!"

"Everything?" you ask, lying down on the bed. Your eyes fall to his side of the bed. How much you wanted him to be beside you right now. You wanted to feel the warmth of his body, to bury your face in his chest and breathe in his scent.

A small sigh left your lips as you felt tears forming in your eyes. No, don't cry now...you thought to yourself. You did not want him to feel guilty. So you wiped away the tear. Even though he could not see it anyway.

"Yes...everything!", Copia's voice was soft.

"Falling asleep without you is hell," you pouted and rolled onto his side.

"Still...after all these weeks on tour?" he laughs. "I gave you my T-shirt!"

"That's not enough... it hardly smells like you anymore..." you said, resting your head on his pillow. His smell was very faint. Barely perceptible. That hurt your heart. You had never missed anyone so much. You had known it from the beginning, when the two of you started your relationship. That one day he would go on tour. But every day he wasn't there, you found it harder and harder to be without him. A little sniff escaped you and a tear rolled down your cheek.

"Amore...?", Copia's voice came through the phone. Of course he had heard it. And he knew exactly what was happening. "Don't cry ok...Ill be home soon...Just a few weeks ok!

But it was too late, the tears were streaming down your cheeks and you could not stop them.

" It's still too long...!" you whispered. You felt stupid for crying now. You tried to compose yourself and took a deep breath. "Its stupid, I know im a little crybaby! I'm sorry!".

" No, no...you are not stupid, mi amore...!" he said. And his voice made you miss him even more.

" I love you Tersoro...dont forget that!" he said and you could hear in his voice that he hated the way you were crying. It hurted him that he could not be there to hold you and wipe away your tears.

" I love you too Copia," you said. A small smile played on Copia's lips.

" You know what we do when I get home...I take you out Cara...I take you to that Italian restaurant I took you to on our first date," he whispered with a grin.  And you chuckled softly. This was what he had in mind. To make you forget your grief over his absence...and focus on the time he would be there after the tour was over.

"And we drink a lot of wine...and eat a lot of pasta...!" he said with a smile on his face.

You nodded, even though he could not see it.

" Yeah...yeah, that sounds good," you laughed now, wiping away a single tear. The prospect of seeing him again soon managed to push your sadness aside for a moment.

"And after that...I'll take you home...and we'll catch up on all the abstinence..." he said, his voice a little horsey now.  "How does that sound, Cara?"

You lay motionless on the bed, swallowing hard as you listened to him.

"Then I'll make it up to you...all the time I couldn't touch you...without your kisses and hugs...do you hear Cara?"

" Yes...I...I hear you!" you said, biting your lip. Your hand was on your stomach, grabbing your t-shirt. He knew exactly what he was doing to you. How much you longed for him while he was gone. He enjoyed teasing you. Making you leave without words.

" When I am home with you...in our bed...I will not let you go...I will take my time with you...making sure I do not leave an inch of your beautiful body untouched...!" he continued. You could hear him shifting on his bed, by the rustling sheets. You just lay there listening intently. Feeling your desire slowly grow as he continued. Your tears, which you had shared just a minute ago, were forgotten.

" I will peel you out of the dress that you will be wearing...that little black one...with the low back!" he murmured. "Mhh...I can imagine how you would tremble under my touch...so soft and warm...when I start to kiss your neck...finding that special spot there. Sucking on it...kissing it...before I would kiss my way further down...too...", then he stopped. You could hear him moving again. A low growl came from his throat. You whimpered inwardly as he paused. And your hands gripped your shirt tighter.

" What... what then?" you whispered, you wanted him to continue so badly. But he just laughed. Which made you squirm.

" Tell me, Mia cara...!" he said softly. "What are you wearing right now?"