#there’s also a fucked up version where i shifted their upper torsos all one over but you don’t get to see that

[dokkywokky]

Part one of some art I’m tag-teaming with my girlfriend and our mutual. :3

[jediofbooksandsnacks]

wounds

Each scar has a story to tell.

also on AO3

This is set after Kogami returns to Japan after Sinners of the System Case 3. Season 3 had not debuted when I wrote this, uhm, some time ago.

all my thanks to @whatsyourcolor, @sandypenguin6 and @saber-of-dreams for their beta reading skills. All mistakes are mine, and I’m not a medical professional so please tell me if I mixed anything up, yes?

~

The wan morning sunlight drew Shinya from restless sleep. The palm of his hand rubbed over his eyes as he blinked slowly awake, his legs shifting beneath the yellow sheets in the still bedroom. Everything around him waited, as though it had caught its breath in anticipation of something soon to happen.

He dropped his hand.

The clock said it was too fucking early for this.

Next to him, Akane slept with an unburdened face. Nothing pulled her mouth tight, nothing caught her brow and then vanished when he glanced at her. This waiting game was slowly driving him crazy, but he couldn’t push her. Not on this.

He sighed. Ran a hand through his messy hair, ran his tongue over his teeth. A deep breath had him sitting up, sheets falling to his waist. The bed squeaked as his feet met the floor and he rolled his shoulder to work out a kink as the nail marks she’d left behind twinged on his back. On the way to the bathroom, he picked up his abandoned boxer briefs.

Their night had been lustful, and he couldn’t remember when he’d tossed them aside and had buried himself in her, in her scent and her body. Time stopped when he was with her and he didn’t yet know if it was a blessing or a curse. The spigot washed soap from his hands over the low hum of water refilling the toilet. Their toothbrushes were in the holder, hers looked like she needed a new one. He spat the toothpaste out, rinsed. Decided to shave later. The cotton of his boxers was loose around his legs as he returned to the bedroom.

She’d shifted while he was in there. One foot draped off of the bed and her face was buried in a pillow, her mouth opened on a small snore. A print book was on her nightstand and a glass of water stood next to it, blurring the digital time on her clock. The bubble they created together, a place where their daily responsibilities were laid outside the door, slid through his thoughts as he lay back down next to the sleeping curve of her body.

A mole stood out against her pale skin, just beneath her left shoulder blade. Gentle fingers ran across it, trailing down the naked skin of her back. In sleep she rolled over and settled against him and the pillows, her brown hair falling across her face. It was soft as he brushed it back. The smell of chemical apples lifted from her shampoo filled his nose as he kissed her forehead.

The sharpness of her eyes, the curl of her hair tucked under her ear, the slope of her shoulder in the night; he wanted to fix this in his memory, the entirety of Akane, to recall in the long nights he knew were ahead.

In a few minutes she stirred and woke. The exhalation of her breath made goosebumps prickle his skin as her eyes blinked open to meet his. Flashes of a hundred things ran through her look, and he was struck by the fact that they could discover something new each morning ahead until they were old and gray and faced that last, final discovery; if he could only ask her. If they had that luxury. One hand touched his chest as she lifted herself and kissed his shoulder with her tired mouth. As she sat up, she gave out a jaw-cracking yawn while the sheets fell back and dim morning light caught on the smooth skin of scar tissue healed on her upper abdomen.

Evidence of the night before was in the bite mark on her shoulder, the hickey bruising her right breast.

“Be back in a minute,” she said sleepily and kissed him again before she got up to go to the bathroom. The fluid lines of her back bent as she picked up her own underwear and then closed the door behind her.

When the door clicked shut he lay back, his hand beneath his head. It was a struggle to still his mind and think of nothing.

The expectation of violence had been his life, as an enforcer and then as a guerrilla. Wars had been his purpose, and he was prepared at any moment to sacrifice himself for the good of something greater. But nothing, nothing at all, had prepared him for the way he’d died last night in her arms.

Soulmates, his destiny, the One; he hated that take. It was thoughtless. Regressive. It wholesale shattered the fire and blood and meaning each person struggled with to make a life worth sharing and replaced it with a ridiculous trick of fate. But that wanting hit on something as-of-yet unspoken between them. Something that was, for all of its ups and downs, inescapably true.

The bathroom door opened and her footsteps shuffled across the carpet. The bed did not sink quite so far as she slid into it again and curled her arms around his torso and managed to tangle her legs through his. One hand drew an absent line down his chest, and then back up, as her breath tickled his skin and her face settled flush against his neck. Cotton met his hand as it settled on her hip. Yawning again, her breath now minty fresh, she murmured, “How long have you been up?”

“Not long,” he said. Fingers traced up and down her back, making slow, steady progress.

She hummed. The midday deadline for his departure loomed in front of them and manifested in the ceaseless motion of her hands against the contours of his skin. Will they ever be free of the System and its demands on their attention, on their hard work, and on their sacrifices? Her fingers settled into a circle on his side, tracing from his hip to his ribcage and back again. Both of them handing in their resignations and retiring to a house in the countryside, like Saiga, almost made him mention it to her. But that hadn't ended so well for him, had it?

Absently, she kissed his chest.

Understanding their jobs and saying goodbye were two different things.

“When did you get this?” His hand skimmed across the puckered skin on her side, just beneath her ribcage. Dominators were her judge and occasional jury, but this looked like—

“I got shot while we were making an arrest.” Her hand curled in the center of his chest. “I was glad that Gino was there to pursue while Hinakawa radioed for help.”

Of course it was Gino. Gino and his steady presence, manifesting his own guardian enforcer version of Dime. For whatever else was going on, for whatever bullshit Gino was going through, Shinya knew that Gino would have been tempted to end those assholes for hurting Akane.

Gino’s one problem was that he fell into the trap of being Iago’s green-eyed monster. But Gino’s feelings towards Akane were that of an older brother looking out for little sis, and that hadn’t changed. Masaoka’s own role suited him, though Shinya was leery of saying that. Their healing relationship was still sometimes contentious.

“He’s a good friend,” she carried on, “though he’s always trying to be a warrior.” The motion of her hands on his skin made him shiver; she traced one of his scars with gentle fingers.

“You seem to attract them.” The conversation he’d had with Hanashiro many months ago resounded in his head.

Eyes bright with knowing insight sparkled in her otherwise obviously controlled and clearly quite serious face which was in absolutely no way fighting a smile. “Detective instincts.”

A more secure him would not draw her close and kiss her. A more secure him would not fight a battle with himself about any of this, hue be damned. A more secure him would say the hell with it and ask her to--

(Still.)

One of her legs came high, her warm knee brushing the hair on his thigh as they lost themselves in a long, slow kiss. When it ended, her hands fell into her habit of retracing his scars. The bullet slash on his neck, the deep cut on his chest, the mottled skin of a one on his side that had healed slowly and needed better medicine than they had available.

“I can feel that,” he said to break the silence, “but at a remove.” Her waiting eyes watched him, so many questions looming unanswered between them.

“I know.” Fingers splayed over the wound, briefly erasing the mark from their sight. Beneath the warmth of her hand, though, he felt that dead zone, that place holding his marked history. Only parts of that story had come out since he’d been back, something he felt almost a pull to tell her and bring reality back to their plastic and Hue-cleared world. Someday he’d tell her more. But not now.

He threaded his fingers through hers. Kissed them. The sorrow in her smile held grace as she laid her head on his shoulder.

Could he turn time back to that first click of the loaded gun? Does the passage of time only heal wounds, or set them in deeper? And how can you find absolution when each morning dawned on a fresh battle with your own demons?

He’d met people like that. He fought back against it every day.

Shinya buried his nose in her hair, inhaling lab-created apples once more. Fingers ran over her back as he set those thoughts aside as he murmured, “I’m not dead yet, you know.”

Contrite, she hummed. “Are my thoughts that clear?”

“I know you.”

“You do,” she sighed. “Then I’ll see you when you return.”

“Only if you make the same promise.”

Her nose pressed into his neck, her mouth gave him a light kiss beneath his jugular. One hand slid down to her hips while the other traced her back, his own body responding to having her so close. The curve of Akane’s hip sloped down beneath his hand, and on his way back up he brushed his fingers over her stomach and abdomen and between her breasts before he brought them to her jaw. Ran his knuckles along her cheek, kissed her nose.

Trust and worry warred there and something deeper. Darker. But there was nothing they could say unless they opened her own tightly closed doors.

And how could he push through them, when his own had opened barely a crack?

Her face was only inches from his own when he caught her lips in a kiss.

Notes:

[spaceskam]

14 maria deluca

i’m sorry this took so long, I am indeed a distaster

tags: friends with benefits, fluff (mostly), pre-relationship, POV Maria DeLuca

14. Casual [ao3]

It started out as a good idea.

Maria needed an outlet and Kyle needed a distraction. It was fitting, honestly, because they both worked weird schedules. It wasn’t anything serious, just something they did when they needed to blow off some steam. One of them would go to the other’s after a long shift at work, they’d hook up at three or so in the morning, and then they’d make a respectable walk of shame at around six.

It was only when it became rather recurring and they started running into issues of keeping it a secret between them that the good idea part seemed to fade.

“Okay, so, maybe we should talk,” Kyle said one morning as they both laid in his bed, his questionably expensive sheets draped over them. They’d caught their breath already and the sweat on their skin was drying. Maria, personally, felt nice and floaty still.

“About what?” she asked.

Kyle shifted onto his side and looked down at her, gaze warm and welcoming in a way that made her heart beat a little faster. That was all new. She still wasn’t quite sure how to handle that feeling. That or the fluttery feeling she got whenever she showed up at his door smelling like alcohol and sweat and he looked at her like he’d be willing to lick the ground she walked on.

“Rosa is coming home soon,” Kyle said, “And she’s gonna be staying with me. New environment, a non-alien environment. No offense.”

“None taken,” Maria said as she moved to prop herself up on her elbows.

She’d gone to see Rosa a few times in rehab, but things between them were still a little off and none of it was made better by Isobel monopolizing Rosa’s visiting hours. Maria was hoping to fix that after she came back home. They were best friends at one point and she knew they could figure out a way to get that back, even if times had changed and they now had nearly a decade of age difference. The alien thing was just a fork in the already bumpy road.

But Maria was looking forward to putting in the extra effort.

“I’m not exactly sure how to navigate this with her in the house,” Kyle said.

“I mean, I don’t mind coming over when she’s here. I want to start hanging out with her more, two birds, one stone,” Maria said. Kyle made a face. A small one, but a face nonetheless. “Okay, then you can come to mine.”

“Then she’s going to ask where I was.”

Maria searched his face, trying to find anything that would give away whatever he was thinking. Kyle was usually pretty good at saying what was on his mind all the way up until he was sure it was going to get a negative response.

“Oh. So… you want to stop.”

“I don’t want to,” Kyle insisted, sitting up a bit more, “I just don’t know how else we can keep going without her noticing something is up.”

“I mean, we’re all adults here, it’s fine if she knows.”

“Yeah, but she’s my little-big sister and your friend and I’m her sister’s ex, that’s weird, right? If she knows about our sex life? Like, honestly, I don’t want to stop, I have a lot of fun with you, but you don’t think she’d think it’s gross or awkward or something?” Kyle said. Maria huffed a laugh, tilting her head as she sat up completely alongside him.

“Do you really think she’s going to care? After seeing her big-little sister dating one of the guys that literally covered up her murder, I don’t think me and you are going to be that big of an issue,” Maria said. Her tone was colder than intended, but she couldn’t help it when bringing up the topic of Rosa’s murder. 

God, that still pissed her off to an unmatched degree.

“I just don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable around me or in her own house,” Kyle said, a little pout on his ridiculously handsome features.

Sometimes, when she let herself think too much, Maria couldn’t fathom why Kyle was interested in her of all people. He had a good, stable job and had the face of a fucking god. It wasn’t even that she thought low of herself, it just didn’t make sense that he would settle for anyone in this town. And yet, here he was, trying to think of a way to make his sister feel welcome in his home.

How perfect could he get?

“I know her pretty well, I think,” Maria said. And she did. She felt like she knew Rosa better than she knew most people. Granted, there was a possibility some of it wasn’t as accurate as she would like it to be, but time causes a lot of fuck ups. “And I don’t think she’d be uncomfortable. I mean, she might make fun of us and make it awkward for us, but for the most part, I’d think she’d be fine.”

Kyle bit down on his lip hesitantly.

“Are you positive?” he wondered.

“If it would make it easier, I can talk to her about it,” Maria offered. That didn’t seem to bring him any kind of solace. “Or we can not tell her anything and just act normal? Like this is totally casual and not worthy of a discussion?”

“Casual,” Kyle repeated, nodding his head. Maria didn’t know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing to hear. “Right. Um. Okay. What if we go somewhere in between?”

“What the hell is in between?”

“Okay,” Kyle said, shifting towards her with so much enthusiasm that the sheets shifted and she got a very distracting glimpse of the length of his torso down to his upper thigh, “What if we just tell her that we’ve been hanging out more? Like, as friends. No details necessary.”

Maria searched his face, feeling almost guilty at the way he seemed so convinced that was a great idea. Rosa was going to see right through it and she was going to call them out immediately. But, if that’s what he wanted, she would do it.

“Okay. I’ll tell her that we’re just hanging out.”

“Okay, cool,” Kyle said, shoulders dropping with relief. He then blinked at her twice before throwing himself back onto her, pushing them both back into the mattress.

Maria laughed as he did so, smiled as he kissed her again, enjoyed every second as he fit himself on top of her effortlessly.

It was definitely worth trying to come up with something to tell Rosa.

-

Or. That was going to work well in theory.

It’d been two weeks since Rosa had started staying with Kyle, two weeks since Maria was hanging out with her more whenever she could. She and Kyle decided not to risk anything sketchy, but they’d both been getting a little antsy and, truthfully, phone sex just wasn’t cutting it when the real thing was right there. 

So, Maria found herself at 3:30 AM standing on Kyle’s porch and tapping her foot against the ground. The plan was she was going to be quiet, slip into his bedroom, get their fix, and slip out before Rosa woke up.

But, when Kyle opened the door with wide eyes and a tilted head, she knew something was up.

“She’s still awake,” Kyle whispered. Maria couldn’t even find it in herself to be shocked. She was more annoyed that she had been so blindsided by horny brain that she forgot Rosa was borderline nocturnal.

“Do you want me to leave?” Maria whispered back.

“Well, I already opened the door, so‒”

“You’re going to let bugs in and I’m not killing any of them, I’m just going to push them into your bedroom!” Rosa called, “Just tell Maria to come in!”

“I guess you’re coming in,” Kyle said. 

Maria took a deep breath and tried not to feel weird about it as she stepped inside. Kyle, however, had apparently never learned to hide any of his facial expressions and his disappointment was written clear across his face. Maria carefully swatted his stomach and headed into the living room.

“Hey!” Maria said, reaching out to give Rosa a hug where she was sitting on the couch. She had a bowl of popcorn in her lap and her eyes were trained on the gory scene in front of her, but she still managed to give Maria a hug.

“Hey, how was work?” Rosa asked, glancing over at her just to show she was paying attention before looking back to the TV.

“Fine. Didn’t have to throw anyone out and I got tipped pretty well, so I can’t complain,” Maria said, her eyes following Kyle as he went to sit on the other side of Rosa.

“That’s good. Kyle over here didn’t even save a life this evening, so I’m glad one of you did something productive,” she said. Kyle glared at her like he was personally offended.

“The fact that we didn’t have any extremely pressing surgeries tonight is a good thing,” Kyle said. Rosa shrugged.

Maria found herself laughing quietly at their casual bickering. It was a weird, yet welcome change. She had gotten so used to hearing it from Liz and Rosa that it was strange hearing it from someone else, but it was also a new way to see Kyle. Maria quite liked each new version of him she saw.

Still, they lapsed into silence as they watched the movie. Maria had no idea what the plot was or what was even happening, she just knew there was a lot of screaming and a lot of blood splatter, and Rosa seemed invested. So Maria tried to get equally invested, but she produced a less than stellar performance.

Instead, she found herself glancing behind Rosa’s head to look at Kyle. Half the time he was already looking at her. The idea that he couldn’t stop looking at her had her shifting in her seat and feeling a bit warm. She wanted him more than her logical brain could even make sense of and she didn’t know how to feel that not even Rosa’s presence and her movie of choice could turn her off.

What the hell was Kyle doing to her?

“Oh my God,” Rosa said suddenly, groaning and grumbling in Spanish as she leaned forward to grab the remote. Maria jumped, eyes wide as if she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. But she hadn’t. All she did was look at Kyle. That wasn’t illegal. Still, Rosa shut the movie off. “Can you guys stop eye-fucking over my head? I’m going to vomit.”

“What are you talking about?” Kyle asked, but his face gave it away. He was the worst liar Maria had ever seen. 

That made him all the more endearing.

“I know y’all are seeing each other or whatever the fuck,” Rosa said, pushing off the couch and putting the bowl on the table, “I don’t care, by the way, but I’d rather you never make me sit through that ever again. That was disgusting.”

“We didn’t even do anything,” Maria defended. Rosa rolled her eyes.

“I know you well enough to know what you do when you’re flirting and you’re totally flirting with my brother right in front of my eyes,” Rosa said. Kyle took a sharp breath in. “So gross. I’m going to my room and playing my music loudly. Call me when you’re not waiting for me to go to sleep so you can bang like I’m a child.”

Rosa saluted and walked to the guest bedroom. Sure enough, loud music started coming from her room and Maria let out a disbelieving laugh. She didn’t have enough time to turn to Kyle before her phone alerted her of a message.

Rosa<3: It’d be a lot less gross if I wasn’t related to him, but at least he isn’t ugly and he’s also a doctor. So gross but also good job, proud of you, make him buy us a yacht once he pays of his student loans

Maria laughed, a bit of weight lifted off her chest. She didn’t really think Rosa would mind, but Kyle’s nerves about it had rubbed off on her. She looked up to let him know that she was all for it and saw Kyle still staring straight forward, lips parted in shock.

“Hey,” Maria said, eyebrows pulling together as she slid closer. She put her hand on his shoulder. “You okay? She doesn’t mind, like, she’s not mad or anything.”

“That’s the first time she’s called me her brother to my face,” Kyle said, turning his head, “She’s never said I was her brother.”

Maria smiled softly, “Well, you are.”

“Yeah, but… she never says it. I don’t know, I feel like that was some kind of milestone or something. Like I should celebrate,” Kyle said, huffing a laugh. Maria shook her head fondly and slid her hand across his shoulder blades.

“I know a couple of ways we can celebrate.”

“I was kinda thinking of grabbing a beer with Alex, but that’s good too,” Kyle said honestly. Maria laughed and tugged him closer. She felt his breath on her lips and wondered how the hell she went two whole weeks without it.

“You can do both.”

“I like your thinking,” Kyle murmured, and then he was on her, leaning in and kissing her as it’d been forever. And it sort of had been.

Kyle didn’t break the kiss as he shifted around and grabbed her thighs, lifting her off the couch. Maria gasped softly in response, but she held onto him and let him take her to his bedroom. Rosa’s music was still clear despite it being muted by his bedroom door closing.

They fell back onto his bed, pulling each other closer and closer and it seemed impossible to get enough. Even as they started stripping and touching and things heated, none of it seemed like it would be satisfying enough. She wanted to do this for hours. Days. Weeks.

And suddenly it didn’t feel so casual anymore.

And, for some reason, Maria didn’t even mind.

[ad-ciu]

Thesis Tales: The Monster Horse

So, I have a story for you. A story about a man and his horse. His very, very strange horse. But, for context I better explain where this all comes from to start with.

I have been utterly silent here on Tumblr for the last several months as I have been writing my Master’s thesis. Now that it is finished, I can return to the lands of the living and participate in society again. However, like some shellshocked hero stumbling out of an Underworld with a collection of stolen goods under one arm, I have returned with stories!

You see, I wrote my thesis on Conall Cernach, someone who is greeted mostly with ‘Who?’ when I talk about him. You probably know his cousin and foster-brother better than him, Cú Chulainn. Since nobody has bothered to really write about Conall in the last, oh.... let’s say ever, I am technically the world expert on him at this point which is both amusing and terrifying. So what better to do with this undeserved position but yell about how cool he is on the internet.

Today, in what I hope to make a semi-regular discussion of what I discovered in my thesis, I’m going to be talking about the monstrous steed Conall Cernach rides, Derg Drúchtach, ‘Dripping Red.’

So, I love this horse. I love this horse so much because, oh my god, it is so fucked up. Without the broader context of horses in medieval Irish lit., it’s a freaky horse, with the context, it’s just so weird. 

So! Let me tell you about my favorite insane animal. But, before that: Horses and Heroes.

As a hero in medieval Irish literature, you need horses to pull your chariot. I’m not going to get into the whole argument about if chariots ever existed in Ireland (yeah it’s a thing, we’ve never actually found any), but the Ulster Cycle never stops harping about heroes and their chariots. These powerful, elegant beasts capable in battle are epitomized by Cú Chulainn’s horses, Liath Macha and Dub Sainglend.

These twin horses come to Cú Chulainn from the Otherworld, emerging from beneath a lake. They are powerful, beautiful, and fierce in battle. In the early modern version of Cú Chulainn’s death, Oidheadh Con Culainn, Liath Macha even seems to have some sort of Otherworldly knowledge, as they refuse to allow Láeg, Cú Chulainn’s charioteer, harness them on the day that Cú Chulainn dies as it is aware of the threat to its master’s life. In the older version of the tale, Brislech Mór Maige Muirthemne, Laith Macha goes into a rage when their master is mortally wounded and kills 90 men.

Though these horses are not always named, they accompany Cú Chulainn through many of his stories, princely and noble things, the horses of an upper-class warrior, befitting Cú Chulainn. They are the beauty and poise of the Otherworld.

But then there is Conall’s Horse. Derg Drúchtach, ‘Dripping Red.’

Only appearing by name in two different stories, Oidheadh Con Culainn and  Brislech Mór Maige Muirthemne, Conall’s horse is referenced to in passing in the glosses of other texts. It is a monster without a doubt. If Cú Chulainn’s horses are the beauty and grace of the Otherworld, Conall’s is the violent terror that stalks there.

Derg Drúchtach is a blood red horse, though its name, ‘Dripping Red’ carries the implication in Old Irish that it is specifically dripping red with blood. Therefore, the horse might be red, or is might be so gore-splattered you can’t tell the difference.

On top of this, the horse has a dog’s head. While this is not strictly uncommon for Ireland, there is an entire book written on this odd fact (Werewolves, Magical Hounds, and Dog-Headed Men in Celtic Literature: a Typological Study of Shape-Shifting by Phillip A. Bernhardt-House), this is the only instance that I am aware of a horse being given a hound’s head. 

(These two features of the horse, being red and being dog-headed, are divided into two separate horses by the time of Oidheadh Con Culainn, but in the original version of the story is a single being.)

Furthermore, because this horse cannot stop being morbidly fascinating, it is so strong that when Conall rides it at a breakneck pace to hunt down and slaughter every single person who had a hand in the death of Cú Chulainn, it tears hunks out of the turf in such a flurry that it appears as though the steed is followed by all the ravens in Ireland. On top of this, it foams at the mouth to the extent that the horse and rider appear to be at the epicenter of a mobile snowstorm.

And if all of this was not enough, the horse Eats People.

Or, well, bites most of people’s torso’s off, I’ll admit I am presuming it then eats the remains due to its name.

The one instance where the horse is given considerable ‘screen time’ is in  Brislech Mór Maige Muirthemne when Conall has hunted down Lugaid, one of the men who killed Cú Chulainn. As Lugaid has had an arm cut off by the corpse of Cú Chulainn, Conall is compelled by his honour to bind one of his own arms behind his back to make it a fair duel. However, the two men find themselves matched, neither able to kill the other.

In this moment of realization, Conall glances over at his horse, and the horse gets the memo and stalks over to Lugaid. As the two men fight, Derg Drúchtach strikes, tearing out a hunk of Lugaid’s torso so large that it proves to be a mortal blow. When Lugaid tries to reproach Conall for cheating, as he said it would be a duel alone, Conall corrects him, saying that he is not responsible for the acts of wild animals and insane creatures.

Derg Drúchtach, the mad, gore-splattered, dog-headed, man eating horse that foams at the bit so much it appears to be in a snowstorm, kills Lugaid. Saving its master from the duel while also saving his honour. 

This absolute insane animal has no clear equivalents elsewhere in Irish saga literature. A mad, frenzied animal that drips with the blood of men it has presumably eaten is only ever seen with Conall Cernach. Other heroes have their horses, but they are noble, powerful beings befitting their rider. Conall on the other hand rides on the back of this vicious, mad animal.

Why does this horse exist? I have absolutely no idea. Since the conception tales of heroes sometimes include the conception of horses, I suspect that the lost conception story of Conall Cernach we see referenced in the Tale Lists may have made reference to the horse. Or, potentially it was expanded on in other stories now lost to us. Either way, the fact that it appears in two different stories separated by several hundred years, and is eluded to in the glosses on other stories, suggests that something is going on with this horse. But, we might never know.

And, despite this, it is my absolute favorite animal from the Irish sagas.

[emily--valence-blog]

★♫ –– veronica

★  five times my muse though yours looked breath-taking, and the one time they voice it.

001. It had been a long time since Emily remembered feeling this affected by someone. Walking with this virtual stranger in her museum of treasures, she couldn’t help herself when her blue eyes lingered over the woman’s face as she talked passionately about a subject. It seemed that Veronica was an intense being - different from Emily’s own quiet intensity - and that she was incredibly passionate in general. It was apparent in the way that she talked with such gusto regarding history or when she locked eyes with Emily and held that stare, those smoldering chocolate eyes making the blonde weak. She was breathtaking and Emily could only stare.

002. There are times in ones’ life when something becomes immediately apparent. It was apparent to Emily from day one that Veronica would be important - detrimental - in some way to her. Sitting across from her, board game pieces strewn over the table and a heavy cloud of sexual tension present, Emily found herself smiling at the thought of spending a long time with the historian. What was a ‘long time’ in days, weeks, months, years? Emily didn’t know but she wanted to find out and was often struck with this urge to speak out loud about her feelings - about how deeply she felt for Veronica and how much that scared her because of the short time period that they knew one another. So, instead of voicing her desire and her already too-intense feelings, she sat quietly in the booth and listened with a grin as the woman talked.

003. Lying naked underneath the sheets, blankets leaving her upper torso uncovered, Emily lay facing Veronica, the woman’s soft breathing deep with sleep. She’d been awake for the past thirty minutes or so, staring. There was a part of her that needed to process what had happened - the date, the sex, the realization that this was quickly becoming something that she couldn’t control. It left a slight weight in her stomach - worry and anxiety at the thought of fucking this up. She tended to do that - just ask Caroline or her ex-husband or Sarah. Only you couldn’t ask Sarah because Sarah was dead. Her mind reminded her uselessly and that weight increased with the presence of shame. It was such a strange thing to have a lover die - you felt guilty for happiness with someone else afterwards. Emily didn’t know how to stop that but she hoped that with time it would go away. No amount of telling herself that ‘Sarah wouldn’t want this for you’ would decrease the shame and the remorse when she flirted or kissed or slept with other women. Even if the woman in her bed now meant far more than a one night stand - in fact, that might have made it worse.

Because Veronica meant something to her - the kind of something that changed you as a person forever. Reminded of fate, of her disbelief in coincidences, it solidified into a temporary relief. Relief because maybe this was where she had been headed forever - right here with Veronica in her bed, naked and warm and safe. Arm extending before she could catch herself, her fingers made gentle contact with the woman’s bare back, brushing her dark hair away and trailing the tips of her fingers across her soft skin. So beautiful. Motions halting as the woman shifted in bed, Emily watched silently as she turned and got comfortable, face now facing Emily with her eyes still closed and sleeping. Breathtaking and vulnerable, Emily felt the tell-tale signs of something recognizable settle in her chest. Eyes squeezing shut in retaliation she forbade herself to think of the word ‘love.’

004. Fuck my life. Reminded of a dozen different songs at the moment, Emily quickly hid behind a huge sculpture of an ancient Egyptian deity, peeking out behind his elbow to stare at Veronica. She was there, talking to some patrons about an exhibit and Emily was here, hiding and staring because she was a coward. Or rather, because she needed to prepare herself before she went over and talked to the woman. Her usual ease of flirtation and silliness had been replaced by the unfortunate version of herself that actually cared about another human being. She could be easy and fun when feelings weren’t involved but as soon as they reared their ugly little heads she turned into this nervous, unsure version of herself that she absolutely hated. Sure, she could still be fun and silly but it was different.

And now, standing here like a fool, Emily watched Veronica and felt those familiar nerves and off-kilter feelings return. Because Veronica was important and beautiful - wanted - and Emily didn’t want to fuck it up. She was so afraid of fucking it up. And that fear threatened to screw things up even more than her own disregard to movement and progress. But she wouldn’t, couldn’t tell Veronica how much the woman was affecting her - not yet and maybe not ever.

005. The Mummy is playing quietly in Emily’s living room but there’s no other noise besides that. Emily had reached for Veronica’s hand earlier and it now sat in her lap, the blonde drawing shapes and writing secret letters on the woman’s palm. It’s quiet and those familiar feelings are building up inside of her, making her breath catch and her chest seize. Reminding herself to breathe, Emily brings that hand up to her mouth to press several soft kisses to Veronica’s palm before she dares to glance over and meet the woman’s eyes. “You have the most beautiful soul out of everyone I’ve ever met and I’m going to fall in love with you one day.” It’s quiet but a confident declaration that leaves them both shaken. “I am falling in love with you. Everyday.”

♫  five times my muse swears it’s not a date, and the one time it maybe is.

001. This felt oddly like a date. It’s the first time that they’ve ever met - in front of a fertility statue, no less - but it feels as if she’s known the woman forever. There is an uncanny familiarity that they share and its confusing. Still, she’s enjoying herself - sans the elevator ride - and if Veronica asked her back tomorrow then she’d come. But it’s not a date even if it feels like one.

002. The next time they see each other, Emily is in the hospital. She cut her hand while she was cooking and needed several stitches - she’d had to call someone to come and pick her up because drugs make her woozy and confused. Cranky and sore, she buries her nose in the woman’s neck as they walk clumsily through her front door. Whining as her thumb pulses with pain, she just wants a bath - but she’s too tired for a bath - and to lay down - but she’s also too restless to lay down. Veronica said that she’d try and make something for them to eat when they got back to her place and Emily hopes that she’ll be able to hold it down - sometimes pain medication makes her nauseous.

Sitting at the kitchen counter while the woman whips up something quick, Emily admires her from behind. The historian has a strong back, beautiful soft hair, and a nice ass so she can’t really help it when her eyes wander and her mind tunes out the conversation they were having. Normally, she’s much more attentive but she’s sleepy and cranky and the day was ruined earilier but things are better now. Especially when Veronica turns around with knowing eyes and a soft smile, forgiving and easy, before she’s stepping forward and lying the food down in front of Emily. But the blonde only has eyes for the younger woman and her eyes drift shut as a pair of lips press into her forehead before Veronica leans back and Emily leans forward to rest her forehead onto the woman’s collarbone. It’s not a date - it can’t be because she’s hurt and Veronica is caring for - but Emily feels safe and taken care of which is an oddity. She’s almost thankful that she cut herself.

003. Ice skating is something that Emily’s only done a handful of times in her life. Each time was with marginal success but its nice to do something that she’s not naturally good at sometimes and there’s always room for improvement. So, she packs up all the kids from the organization and pays their way so that they can skate and have fun for the day. She’s not expecting to see Veronica there but its a pleasant surprise - one of the best she’s had all week. They hold hands and accidentally pull one another down when the other falls  and its one of the happier days she’s had in a little bit. It’s an impromptu date-hangout-friend-meetup but its not a date date - they’ve been on a few but this isn’t one of them. Still, it counts in her head.

004. Emily’s never been in a relationship so she doesn’t know exactly what dates entail. She does one night stands, flirtation ships, and flings but never relationships. So, she’s new to this and she doesn’t know what constitutes as a date. If you hang out with your girlfriend at their home does that count? If you happen to run into one another - because you hang out at a lot of the same places - and the night ends with the two of you going home together was that an impromptu date? It’s confusing so she’s never really sure unless its expressed as “do you want to go on a date with me to so-and-so?” or something along those lines. She’s been putting these hangouts - her and Veronica over at each others house to watch movies and eat together - as maybe-dates but she’s still not certain.

005. After the fifth instance of ‘is this a date or not,’ Emily gets a bit ticked because she’s been keeping count of how many dates they’ve had and just starts asking flat out if it is or it isn’t. So now, when they go over to each others house and they eat together or watch whatever movie the other wants to see, Emily knows for sure - it is a date.

[noexit-ff]

37.

His thick warm tongue around my clit, catching every drop of my juices as it poured from my trembling body. Head bobbing between my thighs, his two fingers slid inside of me, working them back and forth against my walls. His mouth clasped onto my core, sucking hard and long. I arched away from him, my legs shaking, body continuing to trembling as I scooted backwards up the bed but his tongue was like glue and he stuck to me, crawling forward with me, never missing a beat. Air filled my lungs when I gasped and inhaled deeply. My moans were caught in my throat “fuck, Chris!” His hand grabbed my thigh, sinking his nails deep into my flesh. Holding my body in place while his tongue swam deep. Zigzagging around my clit, licking me with so much force, he left no part of my folds unexplored. I am so wet as I began to coo his name, I am so close. He swiped his tongue and pulled away, Chris stared at me and I nibbled on my bottom lip, seductively watching him pull his boxers down and his member sprung out.

Wrapping my legs around his waist, plunging deep inside of me. His hips rolled around in a circular motion, my body gripped him tight, enclosing around his length while pulling him deeper inside of my warmth. The heels to my feet pressed into his lower back and my fingers snaked around the nape of his neck. His shoulders hovered over me, sweat dripping down his chest and onto me as our bodies came together. Sitting back, he grabbed my ankles and spread my legs wide, opening up my body even more to him. The bed jerked back and forth, knocking against the wall, thumping against the nightstand. A rhythm echoed around the room while he continued to fuck me harder, fastening up his pace, pushing his length deeper inside of me. Chris smiled down at me, he traced his hands up the side of my curves, caressing my skin. His hands held onto me from behind as he elevated my body into the air, Chris has strength and I tell him not to do it. One hand on my lower back, the other on my upper, he kissed my lips, gently at first before slipping his tongue between my lips. Running the tip of his tongue across my cheek, he pushed my head back so that he could suck on my neck. With my head arched back and my hands wrapped around the nape of his neck, my loud cries carried throughout the room. My body is shaking as he filled me. Dripping all around him, my walls contracting around his dick.

Chris dragged the covers back over us as he shuffled up “how do you even hold me?” he is crazy “I got strength” he leaned down kissing my lips, I leaned in closer and deepened the kiss, I pushed my tongue against his closed lips. Our tongues tangled and the heat between us was just beginning to spark to life again. Chris moved his head back “I love you, just hold me in your arms” my eyebrows knitted together in confusion, this is difference coming from Chris. He laid back on the bed, grabbing my hand and pulling me with him. Laying on my side “my stomach is in the way though” shifting a little, laying my head on his chest as he wrapped his arms around my waist. Placing my arm over his torso, Chris pulled the covers up a little more “keep you warm” I smiled a little “my stomach is like resting on you, can you feel it?” looking up at him “I can but it don’t bother me, I just want to hold you and you hold me. I am going to miss you so much” he had to remind me, he is going today and I don’t want it.

Monica is sweet, she really made me a nice ass breakfast and I didn’t even ask. I came down and she had waffles, pancakes, toast, egg, beans, bacon. I mean like everything and I am impressed “where is that daughter of mine” Monica moved her head to the side to see the stairs “I think she is a little upset, you know with me going” placing my fork down “oh no, I told her that she needs to let you go but on good terms. I promise you now, I will look after my stubborn daughter” smiling at Monica “she is really playing havoc with me already, she was like don’t go. Cancel the whole thing, then she played with me last night saying the baby is hurting her but then felt bad because she lied. I told her off, I get it. I know she is going to miss me but I am going to be back as quickly as I can” Robyn cannot play me like that because I will be far from her and I will come back if she says something is wrong “she is clingy to you, it’s cute to see her like this. She never wanted to be the man in the relationship, she always wanted someone like you to baby her, to carry her. You have spoilt her and now she is like this” Monica pointed behind me, turning my head seeing Robyn “I am not eating that, I’ll pass” grabbing Robyn’ hand “I don’t think so, you love food. So sit down and eat” she is being stupid.

Placing Princess on my lap sat at the table still “you need to look after your mommy, give her all the love even when she denies it” Robyn side eyed the dog “it will end up outside with the rest” poking my lips out “my dogs will be sniffing her pussy before she can even grow, just leave her in the house” she is too pretty for them “but you have other girl dogs out there?” Robyn questioned “but they are bad bitches that can handle themselves, look at this cute face. Don’t put her out there” bringing Princess up to my face, she tried to lick me “you going to miss me, I am glad someone will” Monica chuckled “stop annoying my daughter, if she ends up coming with you then it will be your fault” hearing a sniffle at the side of me “when are you going? I packed your things, not too many because you will buy as you go” Robyn pushed her plate back, picking the tissue up and dabbing her eyes dry “thank you, I will visit Tim. I will invite him over once the baby is born, get your make-up thing up and running. The designers are coming tomorrow, remember you need a bassinet in our bedroom and downstairs because at times it’s hard going up and down. Let me know if anything goes wrong or if there is something wrong, you got Ant’ number, my cars are all parked up and nobody should be here for them. Nobody should be coming here for me unless there is parcels, I want you and your mom to be safe so I am just letting you know that I am expecting nobody here. I cancelled anything that I was going to do” I need to know my family is safe here.

Robyn is not even speaking to me “that is sweet, you are thinking of the family. For us, there is people that know you will be out of town and may try to come. You can’t trust anyone” nodding my head at Monica “I heard that the baby is going to be another mini you, a junior version” rubbing my hands together laughing “yeah, I don’t know what to make of it” I shrugged, I hope people don’t hate it “I think it’s a beautiful idea, I think you should keep the tradition. I said to Robyn if you ever have a girl she needs to have your initials with the Brown in but she told me that the name Fenty is in reserves, it warmed my heart to think you both want more. Just like my daughter deserves the baby that is being blessed to us, you deserve to also be happy and proud that you are going to have a son. Don’t let anyone tell you different, you have done me proud, besides making Robyn a big baby but you make me ever so happy” Robyn pushed the chair out “please don’t walk off” I said but she did, Robyn stormed off “she doesn’t like tough love anymore, honestly. If anything goes wrong I will be back but the doctor said Robyn will be fine, she is healthy and the baby is too. I am worried about her” I will let Robyn sulk for a while “I heard that you and your father are on bad terms, he was at the party. I spoke to him” looking down at the ground “I gave him money, there is that” what else can I say “try and forgive, listen to me Chris. This baby is a blessing, new beginnings and new blessings, any grudges let it go. Think of it, your son will want to know the man that gave you his initials. I am saying the same to Robz, least talk to him. I said to Ronald, I don’t think you will ever see the child for what things you have done but Robyn may talk to him and that is it, she doesn’t want to see him. Just at least speak to him, it’s nice to have a clean chapter that you and Robyn will start” I never knew Monica talked so much sense, she actually got me thinking.

Answering the call from Mijo “Barry” walking up the stairs “you going today?” he asked “yeah yeah, I am waiting for Ant to come. Then I am out of here, living that foreign life for a while” I don’t mind it, I like it overseas “good luck out there, I know you will kill it out there. I was speaking to Lo and he said you doing Stadiums there and you sold them out, you on a whole different level out there. You a god to them” busting out laughing “some shit like that, I appreciate it though. They wanted me to do more dates but I have to be back for Robyn, I am nervous as shit about it all” reaching the top of the stairs “it will be a breeze for you, I just thought I would call to tell you good luck and I decided to break it with Mel. I am sure Rihanna will tell you soon” I knew it “go with your heart, I am glad you took the apartment. New start, for the both of us. Hopefully come back and everyone loves each other” walking into the bedroom, Robyn is on the phone so that could be Mel “I hope but I just want to think of the kids, fuck the hoes. I will let you go and take care, if you need me for anything I got you” that is the Mijo I know “good looking out, be good now. Bye” disconnecting the call, my ears perked up hearing he’s a bastard anyways, that is Mel.

Placing my Black Pyramid chain around my neck and then my Diamond chain after, I only have these two because EJ done packed my jewellery case for me and took them yesterday. Lot of my things have already gone, grabbing the black box. Opening the box and seeing the Black Pyramid chain that Ant got my son, this is beautiful and looks just like mine but a mini version. This has inspired me to create a baby line now, I just got so much I want to do “how funny, Mijo gets his best friend back and now he ditched Mel” closing the box, placing it back on the side table staring at Robyn all wide eyed “I know” I admitted “how? He just left now?” clearing my throat “he called me, and erm. I got him the apartment, I know my friend. He didn’t want Mel, it’s better this way Robyn so don’t give me that look” she looking at me like I just swore at her “you just fucked around in their relationship” of course she is going to say that “no, I saved Mel. You need to see it from my point of view, Mijo was with her to sleep somewhere, that is it. Now he is sorting himself out, what is Mel saying now?” Mel said something different “that you brainwashed him to leave” I shrugged “I don’t care, believe her. You know what, I don’t know why I even try with her when I am here saving her ass. This way she will get a baby daddy that will care more, he was trapped with her because he doesn’t want her!” I shouted but I didn’t mean too, I just got heated “ok captain save a relationship” waving Robyn off, I will leave her to it.

Dragging the box of Black Pyramid gear out of my walk in closet, I think I will take it with me. I don’t know why I didn’t give it to EJ, Robyn is quiet with me now and is just watching me “you was supposed to be going to birthing classes with me, now I will be a alone. Thanks to you I won’t have someone to help me” turning around to Robyn “your mom is going with you, don’t give me this again ok. We have been through it already Robyn, please stop it. Stop crying, I get it. I was supposed to help you but I can’t, this is big for me and all I want is my wife to support me. I am sorry I won’t be here” Robyn walked off crying, not like I can do anything now “Chris, Ant is here” Monica shouted, just nice, he is here and Robyn is not speaking to me barely. Robyn sat on the edge of the bed wiping her tears away “please stop crying, I will miss you but I rather you be at home resting. It’s tiring when touring” slowly walking over to Robyn “come on, please” placing my hands on the side of Robyn getting onto my knees “I will be back before you know it, just please take care of yourself and our baby” Robyn looked at me in sadness “I will” she said in a whisper, wrapping my arms around Robyn’ stomach and placing my head on the bump “be kind to your mom Bean, let her sleep” if she doesn’t sleep then she will be ringing me all day and night.

Dapping Ant “you better be ready for this nigga, we about to make some coins!” I chuckled nodding my head “you know it bro, did those niggas contact you?” kicking the box to the side a little “Sinko ain’t coming, which is weird for me. He is like a dog with you. Aww is that the dog you got Rihanna, hi” Ant said smiling at Robyn “hi Ant, I never got to really say thank you for everything. You have done so much for me and Chris” Ant picked the box up for me “it’s fine, just keep that baby inside you though for now. Call me if you know Chris ain’t picking up, I will look after stupid for you” looking behind me at Robyn “no tears” Robyn shook her head “no tears” she said with her voice all high pitched “then why is there tears in your eyes, where is Monica?” Robyn hit my shoulder “stop it, just please come back to me” I chuckled hugging Robyn “I will, just take care of yourself. You will be be on my mind everytime, I miss you like crazy. This shit is hard for me too, being away from my pregnant wife. This is my first kid, I want to be around for every moment” pressing a kiss to the side of Robyn’ head.

Monica cleared her throat “let each other go now, I will watch my baby Chris. You have a lovely tour for me, I think Noella and the girls will be coming to London for you. I will text you, they need tickets. I said Chris will get you in” raising an eyebrow “for Majesty yes, I don’t want the rest” Monica lightly hit my shoulder “don’t you play with them, you stay safe and don’t let any one fool you or get you drunk” Monica telling me off “I won’t ma’am, just tell your daughter to stop giving me sad faces” Robyn held my hand “I would usually say it’s fine but we need to go, the jet is getting charged for every minute it’s late in twenty minutes time so we need to go” staring into Robyn’ eyes “I love you, I will call you” leaning down and pressing a kiss to her lips, Robyn let my hand go but this is my chance to go and not look back. She will suck me back in with not going, picking my bag up from the floor. Ant held the door open, feeling Robyn touch my arm but I walked out “I love you too!” Robyn spat , I wish I could take her with me because I miss her. It’s like leaving a piece of my heart at home, it’s hard and I hope Robyn just looks after herself.

[kabrac]

A Small Accident/Fluff Month-Goodnight Kisses

Okay so I wrote this along a long period of time, (like 3 months??) but I really like how it turned out, so have this. (Also kinda for fluff month I guess?)

Warnings: Language and horrible akuma I came up with.

—–———————

“Shit,” Marinette cursed, frantically trying to get out of the shower.

Of course there would be a fucking akuma attack while she was in the shower, and of course it would happen on the worst day of her life.

She had confessed her feelings to Adrien, and he had rejected her, saying he was in love with Ladybug. So basically she was competing with a better version of herself.

She groaned drying her hair, she wasn’t even upset about it. She was more angry than anything, how could she beat herself? If they started dating and it got serious, she would have to tell him anyway. Maybe she could just skip the dating part and tell him she was Ladybug?

Wrapping a towel around her body, she yelled for Tikki, there was no time to get dressed, and she would come straight home anyway, it’s not like she was going to detransform in an allyway.

Tikki came to her side, transforming the shy girl, into the confident, amazing Ladybug. The girl jumped out of her room, quickly finding Chat Noir on a near by rooftop.

“Hey Kitty,” she spoke in a monotone voice, clearly upset, and her hair was still wet from her attempted shower.

“Something wrong M'lady?” He asked, a concerned tone laced through his flirty voice.

“Not having the best day,” She made a face like she had tasted something sour, quickly waving it off, “Let’s just get to the akuma.”

“I am Solver, I will solve every problem that is thrown at me, no one should have someone get in the way of my dreams!” The light-pink haired teen laughed evilly, sending problems at people.

~~~

One akuma fight later, Ladybug had found the item that was akumatized, a book that she used to write down problems, tore it, and purified the akuma. All was well when she said ‘miraculous ladybug’ and she could go home now, thank god.

But that was too easy wasn’t it?

Chat grabbed her by the hand, stopping her from leaving. She groaned in response, having a ready mental list for reasons why she had to leave asap.

“My Lady, please, we’ve known each other for over two years now, and I just think it’s finally time we-”

“Look, I’m not having the best day here, and I really need to go, like now,” she said, in a pleading tone.

“But, LB, please, don’t you think we have to right to,” her miraculous beeped, he didn’t even pause, he’s completely serious, shit, “know? What if something happens in your civilian form and you can’t contact me? What if something happens to your kwami?” He began to list a whole page of reasons why they should know, while Ladybug just shook her head.

And, though she hadn’t registered it, her miraculous was about to run out, and when she became aware of that, she started panicking. She could see the bakery. She could see it, she could make it in time if she left now, so she turned back to Chat, to give him some form of excuse.

“Now is really not the time, I have something going on right now I need to take-” Her transformation released, the towel that was wrapped around her blowing slightly upward in the process, but it didn’t matter it was long on her anyways.

She groaned again, preparing her hand to hold the towel in place. She should’ve been more careful, how could she let something like this happen?! The first time Chat knows who she is, and she’s dressed like this?!

“Now you see what I was talking about,” she growled, angry. This whole day seemed to be filled with that emotion. Anger. It was her least favorite. Ironic.

“S-sorry Marinette, I couldn’t hold out any longer,” Tikki apologized to her holder.

“Don’t worry Tikki it’s not your fault, I should’ve been watching my time better, and someone should’ve let me go back home quicker,” she glared at her partner.

“M-Marinette? I-I’m so sorry, why didn’t you tell me you were… indecent,” he gestured to the cloth draped over her body, blushing and stammering in the process.

“Well, what did you want me to say?! ‘Oh I just got out of the shower to transform, and the only form of clothing I have is a towel’?!” She scolded, pinching her nose, “Just take me home please, we’ll talk about it there, I have all sorts of foods, surely I’ll have something to fit your kwami’s needs, and we should probably get some first aid help too,” she mumbled the last part, they both got pretty beat up, Marinette had scratches on her face, and a small gash on her shoulder that went down below her neckline, and another gash on her neck.

He simply nodded his head, scooping her up. He was still dazed from her reveal, and upset with himself for earlier. He had turned down Marinette for her, well Ladybug, who was her. He shook his head, shaking the thought, and put her down in her room.

“What kind of food does your kwami need?” She asked, nonchalantly, like the whole reveal hadn’t even matter to her.

“Camembert.”

“Tikki, do you know where the cheese is down stairs?” She asked, turning towards the small animal.

Tikki nodded, “But what about your parents?”

“They’re gone for the week on some business trip or something, and you know where the cookies are?” She nodded again, flying down the stairs to go get them as Marinette walked into her bathroom, “We’ll talk about it later okay? Can you help me with some of my scratches while we do? I’ll treat yours after of course.”

“Sure,” he said, barely loud enough for her to hear as she turned the shower water back on, and locked the door. He breathed a sigh, his transformation releasing as Plagg was thrown out of his ring.

When Tikki came back, she carried two cookies, and two small wheels of Camembert cheese, setting them down on Marinette’s desk, by her computer, beckoning Plagg to come eat.

He went over to her, starting to munch on the cheese in silence, “So you’re Chat Noir,” Tikki looked over him with critical eyes, “Are you going to let Marinette know who you are?”

“I don’t know,” he spoke quietly, so the aforementioned girl wouldn’t hear him, “I feel really bad about earlier, I mean,” he paused, “I turned her down so I could have a chance with her, or, I guess, Ladybug.” The room fell to silence once more, Tikki looking at him, feeling sorry for the boy.

She could tell he loved Marinette, even before he knew, he was too blinded by his love for Ladybug to realize it though. The small Kwami sighed, young love, every holder she’d ever had the pleasure of being the Kwami of had it. Young love was so sweet and blissful. It almost seemed like a dream.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden stop in water drops hitting the shower floor, and Tikki rushed to get Marinette some more decent clothing than what she planned to wear when she initially got out.

The spotted creature grabbed a thick strapped tank top that Marinette owned featuring Harley Quinn, and some black shorts to go with the same-colored shirt.

When she got into the bathroom Marinette thanked her companion, and rushed to get changed, she had a sports bra, knowing she would have to take off her shirt when they cleaned each other’s wounds, because of the damned cut that went down to her upper breast. She blushed at the thought, it was embarrassing, though, less than an hour ago, he had seen her in nothing but a towel, so it would be better than that at least.

She sighed, putting on the clothes in a hurry, and she hesitated before the doorknob, “Hey, I’m gonna come out, if you don’t want me to see who you are, Tikki can get you a mask I’ve been working on.

She heard a muffled thank you, and the swish of her hurried kwami to get him the mask, she finally opened the door, holding a first aid kit to help their cuts and bruises.

She sat it down, quickly pulling out the antiseptic, and bandages. She glanced over him, he had some blood seeping through his shirt. She sighed, for what felt like the millionth time today, “Take your shirt off,” a small blush covered her porcelain face as she looked anywhere but at him.

 "W-What?“ He asked, not sure if he heard her correctly.

 "Take your shirt off,” she said it more clearly this time, “You have blood seeping through it, and I can’t get to the cut with fabric over it.”

He blushed, obeying as she looked at the wound, trying so very hard not to think about the place it was.

 She pulled a large cotton ball from the first aid box, soaking it in alcohol, “This is gonna sting, but it’s the worst of your cuts, so it’s better to treat it first,” he nodded as she hesitated to put the cotton ball to his skin, eventually she did, and he hissed in pain.

 "Sorry,“ her face looked like it pained her slightly to see him in pain. She removed the cotton ball, wiping up the access rubbing alcohol with another cotton ball, and wrapping a bandage around his torso to keep it from bleeding any longer. She moved on to assess the other cuts he had, one on his bicep, and another on his cheek, that was partially covered by her make-shift mask.

 She decided to not address that now, it would come later, and if he wanted to take care of it it on his own time, that was fine. She loaded up another cotton ball, and pressed it to the small, but deep, cut in his bicep, he flinched slightly, and she let out a small, "Hold still,” as he did.

 "Now, the last one is,“ she paused for a moment, unsure of how he would react, "It’s under the mask I gave you, on your cheek. If you want to treat it on your own, that’s fine, but if you want me to do it,” she took in a sharp breath before continuing, “you’ll have to take off the mask.”

 His face drained of color, he didn’t have a first aid kit, she’d have to do it for him. He’d have to take off the mask. Seeing his fearful expression, she quickly interjected, “You can treat mine before we get to it, if you want some time to think about it, it’s a small gash, it should be fine.”

 He silently sighed in relief, and nodded, going to pick up the items, he had treated wounds before, it was a simple process. What was not so simple though, the gash on her shoulder, and once she realized what he was thinking, after she saw him staring at the cut for a while, was… she was going to have to take off her shirt.

She sighed, blushing, it was embarrassing, this boy, who she doesn’t know the real name of, was going to see her topless. Tikki wouldn’t be able to help her with it, she couldn’t do it herself, and she certainly couldn’t just leave it be to heal. So she told Chat to look away as she took it off, and when he turned back, he turned a deep shade of red.

She tried her best to act as if it didn’t phase her, but it was impossible, she was also a very deep red.

“Just get it over with already,” she breathed, looking anywhere but his face, “I can’t treat it myself, and Tikki can’t do it either, and I can’t leave it, so just do it quickly,” he nodded, trying to suppress the heat that came to his face.

Once it was over with, they both sighed in relief, and she turned to put on her tank top again. She muttered a, “Thanks,” and moved her hair so he could get the cut on her neck, it wasn’t as bad, so it would be quicker, and less painful.

They sat in silence for a while, not wanting to speak through the awkward moment, until she broke the silence, “Sorry if I seem,” she hesitated, embarrassed at her words, “a bit, moody.”

“What do you mean?” He asked, she knew he meant what caused her to act this way, and she was quick to answer, Tikki didn’t understand her point of view very well.

“I know I mentioned it earlier,” she shifted her position, “I didn’t really have the best day.”

“What happened?” he bit his lip, already knowing the answer.

“I confessed to my crush at school today, and he rejected me,” she had the slightest look of anger on her face, “I’m not sad about it or anything, just… mad, I guess,” she huffed, rolling her eyes at her own foolishness from that day.

“Are… are you mad at him?” He asked, a look of fear covered his tan face.

“No, of course not!” She quickly replied, “It just, he said he had a crush on another girl– Ladybug– how am I supposed to compete with myself? Especially when it’s Ladybug, she’s a better me, a more confident and brave version of myself.”

“I don’t know princess,” he used her civilian pet-name, making her blush slightly, “I think you’re just as great as Ladybug,” he said, hoping to cheer her up.

“You’re not jealous?” She looked absolutely shocked.

“Do you want me to be?” He smirked, making her scowl at him.

“It’s not that! It’s just, well, you’ve been regularly flirting with me for over two years, you can see where my shock comes from,” she explained as if it were obvious.

He simply shrugged in response, finishing off her last cut with a small bandaid, “So the one on my cheek,” he started.

“Can you do it yourself, or do you want me to do it?” She asked, biting her lip, anticipation filling her veins.

“Can you do it?” He asked.

“I can,” she paused, “but do you want me to?”

He nodded his head, hair bouncing ever so slightly, “But the mask,” he reached to touch said item.

“Are you sure you want me to know who you are?” She seemed more unsure of herself, unreasonable in this situation. She had already revealed her identity, “If not, then I can probably cram the cotton ball under the mask.”

She heard the small hum of their Kwamis talking in the background as he answered, “Okay.”

She let out a breath of relief, “Okay, I’ll get to work then.”

   She cleaned the cut, slightly lifting the mask to clean the end of it, he hissed in pain, alcohol did do its job, to clean the wound, but it hurt like hell. She muttered an apology, her face scrunched up in slight worry.

   “There,” she placed a bandaid over the cut, finishing it off.

   There was silence for a while, no banter, only the sound of their breathing could be heard. It was a highly awkward silence.

   “I’m sorry,” he spat out, breaking the silence, Marinette jumped in surprise.

   “What… what for?” She questioned.

   “For, everything, I guess,” he breathed, he was scared that she hated him, “It’s my fault that I know your identity, and I just wanted to apologize.”

   “Don’t sweat it, kitty,” she had a smirk on her face, “I just wish it were under different circumstances,” she laughed nervously.

   “Me too,” he muttered, embarrassed that he had rejected her earlier, only because he had a crush on her alter ego.

   Marinette looked at her clock, “It’s, um, getting late, you should probably head home.”

   “Okay,” he bit his lip, he wanted to stay and tell her how sorry he was, and how he just felt so stupid, and kiss her. He wanted to kiss her so badly, that it almost physically hurt. How would he deal with seeing her tomorrow, not that he knew her secret, how would it affect their relationship?

   “Hey, Marinette?”

   “Yes–” She was cut off by a kiss, and a hand placed on her cheek. A blush could be seen on her face, and she reached to hold his forearm, as if to keep his hand on her face.

   And then it hit her– she wanted this. She wanted Chat, she wanted to be with him, and she was too stupidly hooked on her feelings for Adrien to see it. Was she really that stupid? How could she be so obviously in love, but not know it?

   The kiss ended all too soon, with him pulling away from a dazed Marinette. She looked in surprise as he jumped away, blinking multiple times to regain her composure.

“I-I’ll see you tomorrow,” she stammered, still slightly confused.

“Y-Yeah,” with that, he disappeared into the night.

“Tikki… did that just happen?” She asked unsure if she was dreaming, or maybe she was half asleep?

The kwami giggle in response, “I think it did Marinette.”

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