#they are so tired I’m gonna draw them napping next time

[bludhavents]

Professor Tavis

pairing: boyfriend!garrick tavis x reader

word count: 3.9k

summary: When hear about Garrick's new job from Xaden, you start to question why Garrick didn't tell you himself. He makes it up to you in the best way possible.

warnings: 18+ ONLY. smut. porn with plot. brief description of panic attack. professor kink tehe. unprotected p in v. fem!reader. ridoc being a protective best friend. super minor onyx storm spoiler.

Xaden looks past his cousin to Garrick. “I just need Professor Tavis.”

I can’t help but gape at the title given to my boyfriend. The title I am just now hearing for the first time. My head snaps up to gawk at him along with the rest of my squad. He winces, but slides by me on the steps and follows after Xaden without looking back. 

All of my friend’s eyes turn away from the men as they disappear and focus on me instead. 

“Professor?” Bodhi frowns. “Since when?”

I meet his round brown eyes and shrug my shoulders, turning back to face the map on the table. Apparently, I’m the only one who remembers that we’re trying to plan out our flight path. The rest of the group is murmuring around me now, gossiping about Professor Tavis. I try my best not to feel scuffed at the fact that I’m learning about my boyfriend’s new job along with the rest of my squad. Except, apparently, not all of them were so oblivious.

“He told me about it over breakfast. They just asked him to accept this morning,” Imogen says, and I straighten in my seat. She’s always been interested in my boyfriend, which is enough to make me jealous as is. Him confiding in her about his new status before telling me feels like a punch in the gut. Then, she piles on top of that feeling. “He didn’t tell you? That’s weird.”

The hair on my skin raises uncomfortably under my leathers. I swallow hard. 

“Shut up, Imogen.” Ridoc slaps her on the shoulder with the back of his hand.

“Let’s refocus,” Rhiannon supplies, drawing her finger from Basgiath to one of the isles on the map. I can’t make out which one it is through the unshed tears that are stinging in my eyes. “This route could work.”

The group argues again, all speaking over one another as they shove their fingers onto the paper and suggest their own ideas. My mind races as I sit amongst them, drifting through my recent memories with Garrick in an attempt to recall any reason why he’d have withheld this from me, but I come up with nothing. A small sigh leaves my mouth as I continue to stir over the pit in my stomach. 

“What’s wrong?” Bodhi asks, looking up from the map.

“Nothing! I’m just tired.” I rub my eyes and blink hard, trying to force myself back into the moment to help my squadmates formulate the plan. Ridoc nods from next to me, leaning his head onto my shoulder with a dramatic yawn. 

“Me too. Can we break for nap time?” He smiles cheekily at our friends. Every single one of them rolls their eyes at his antics, but Rhiannon relents. 

“Yeah. We can come back after dinner and look at it with fresh eyes,” she says, folding the map up on the table and tucking it into her bag. We’d been here over an hour already. “I’m gonna head to the training room if anyone wants to spar.”

Violet, Sawyer, Aaric, and Sloane all break off with her. The rest of the group goes their own ways, and Ridoc stays with me as we head toward the dorm wing of the castle. His footsteps are wider than mine, his long legs guiding him easily down the corridor. 

“Never took you for a teacher’s pet,” he teases, looking down at me with a wide grin that shows all his teeth. I laugh, shaking my head. 

“Didn’t know I was one. Gods, I can’t believe he would tell Imogen before me. I mean Xaden, I get, but Cardulo? What in Malek’s name did I do to deserve that blow?” I let myself rant to him. Nobody else is in the hallway around us. There’s no reason to hide my disdain for my situation when I already know that he’s tuned into my agitation anyway. 

“I wanted to punch her in the mouth!” He shouts, throwing his hands up. “I mean if you’re going to be a homewrecker, at least have some tact about it.”

My heart twists and pounds in my chest. Homewrecker. The humor of the situation is abruptly drained from my body. My pulse quickens quickly, and my jacket suddenly fits too snugly. I grab his wrist and stop walking, turning to face him with hot cheeks. 

“You don’t really think…” My voice trails off, not wanting to think about the possibility of Garrick and Imogen having any sort of secret relationship. 

“No, no, gods, no,” he hurries out, quickly taking a step toward me and wrapping me into a tight hug. He speaks softly into my hair. “I’m sorry. That was a poor choice of words. You know that Garrick loves you more than anything. It’s pathetic and weird and I’m so jealous of it. He’d never do that to you. Gods know Imogen has tried, though.”

I relax a little at that, but I can’t help the sob that rips through my chest. The past hour has been utterly overwhelming, and it feels like I can’t breathe through the stress. Ridoc holds me tight, running a hand up and down my arm as I wet his leathers with my tears. 

It’s suddenly too hot. I fumble with the zipper of my jacket, trying desperately to get it off of my body as anxiety surges. Ridoc replaces my hands with his on the zipper, then quickly unbuttons the collar and slides my jacket off of my shoulders. He tucks it under his arm and takes a step back. My chest aches with the force of my sobs. After a minute passes and I show no signs of stopping, he sweeps my legs off of the ground and carries me bridal style toward the dorm hall. 

My face stays buried in his shoulder the entire way, uncontrollably wailing. I try wiping my eyes on the sleeve of my undershirt, but it’s no use. The floodgates have opened and the tears just keep coming. It’s a panic attack.

“It’s okay, we’re almost to your room,” he says sweetly, pushing open a set of double doors with his hip. He keeps walking. “Deep breaths. Almost there.”

“What the hell happened?” A familiar voice echoes through the hallway, and a new set of tears rises behind my eyes, spilling over quickly as I choke out a sob. Ridoc stiffens beneath me as I dig my fingers into him, holding myself close to him. 

The anxiety that’s running through my blood isn’t just about the thought of being cheated on, because I know deep down that Garrick would never do that to me. It’s just overwhelming to have Imogen’s snarky comment on top of the stress of planning our trip to the isles, and keeping Xaden’s secret safe from the others. It’s too much, and it’s all weighing on me now.

Ridoc’s steps slow, and he bends over at the waist, setting me back on my feet gently. I release my grip on him only after he places a hand on my upper back. Through my tears, I first see the wetness running down his leather jacket, racing from the collar down to his stomach. Then, I look away from him and see Garrick towering over us, right next to my door. 

“I’ll be in my room if you need anything.” Ridoc moves a gentle hand to the back of my head before turning and shoving my jacket into Garrick’s chest, matching his mean scowl with one of his own. “Don’t look at me like that when I’m the one who brought her here, Professor.”

“Don’t start, Gamlyn,” he bites back. His knuckles are white where he’s holding my jacket.

“I’d watch your fucking mouth if I were you. It seems to be getting you in trouble a lot recently.” He crosses the hallway and steps into his room, slamming the door shut loudly behind him. Garrick’s lips are pressed together tightly, chest heaving with angry breaths. His eyes trail away from our friend and land back on me, softening as he rests a calloused palm on my wet cheek and tilts my chin up to face him.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” His tone is pleading, and hot tears keep falling down my face as I stare into his hazel eyes and search for my answers. If he was cheating on me, would I see it in his revealing eyes? I don’t notice anything different. When I look into him, I still see only my Garrick. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

He opens my door with one hand, using the other to urge me in front of him. He guides me all the way to the edge of my bed and sets my leathers next to me as I take a seat there. His tall form shrinks to my height as he kneels in front of me, placing his hands on my hips. 

“Sweetheart, please talk to me,” he begs, squeezing my skin. 

“I’m just a little overwhelmed.” I drag my cold palms over my face to wipe away the drying tears and take a deep breath, willing them to stop falling. “Everyone was asking me questions about you becoming a professor, and I didn’t know anything about it, you never told me. Then Imogen starts answering all of them, and I just-- I don’t know. It really upset me, I think, to have her know more about what’s going on with you than I do. Then when we were walking back here, I started thinking that maybe there’s a reason you would tell her before telling me, and I just…”

Garrick flinches in front of me and moves his hands to cup my jaw. His hazel eyes burn into my skin and force me to meet his gaze. I see his lips parted in shock and a deep furrow between his thick brows. He opens his mouth as if to start talking, but hesitates, swallowing hard. 

“I don’t even know what to say,” he admits, running a thumb to catch a stray tear in the corner of my eye. “I love you so much, sweetheart. I never ever meant to make you think that I was going behind your back. I promise you, with all of my heart, that you are the only person I’ve wanted to tell all day.”

“Why didn’t you?” My voice breaks, and I gnaw on the skin of my bottom lip. 

“I didn’t tell Imogen, first of all-- Xaden did. While we were eating breakfast, which was right after I’d gotten back from the meeting where they told me about the job offer.” He grasps my hand in his and brings it to his mouth, pressing a gentle kiss to my skin. I sigh, letting my free hand brush the hair above his ear. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions. That’s just what she told everyone,” I apologize, and he shakes his head quickly. 

“Don’t apologize, I don’t blame you at all,” he says sincerely. “I’m sorry that you heard it from someone else. I’ve been wanting to tell you all day, but you weren’t at breakfast, and then I got pulled into another meeting to discuss lesson plans, and then by the time I got out, everyone was working on the flight paths with you. I wanted to be able to sit down and have a discussion with you about it in private without everyone listening, and then fucking Riorson ruined that. I should’ve just asked you to come talk with me, and I’m sorry that I didn’t realize that until it was too late.”

I stare at the man in front of me, watching his chest rise and fall with slow breaths. A sweet smile graces his full lips as I hiccup, finally taking in my first full breath all day. His shaggy hair falls into his face as he bends over. I watch as his strong hands delicately untie my boots before sliding them off of my feet one at a time. It feels like I’ve been bathed in a pool of relief and his words are the water that cradles me.

“Come here,” I swing my legs onto the bed and pat the spot next to me. He removes his own shoes and lays in the empty spot, wrapping an arm around my body and tugging me into his side. Our eyes meet where we lay, and I press a kiss to his lips. My body melts into the taste of him, but I relent, pulling away. He groans in disapproval. 

“Why?” He whines. I giggle, feeling at ease here in his arms. He smirks down at me and leans in for another kiss, but I put my finger to his lips instead. 

“I want to hear about this job!” I prop myself up on my elbows, laying on my stomach as he narrows his eyes at me in disdain. Looking at the man in front of me, I wonder how I ever got myself so worked up. There’s nothing but concentrated love in his eyes right now, and it’s all for me.

“Later. Come kiss me right now, I’ve missed you.” He sits up, grasping my cheek and bringing his mouth to mine. I sigh into the kiss and he takes advantage, slipping his tongue through my parted lips. My hand on his chest pushes him back against the mattress, not breaking the kiss as I follow him down. 

We’re thinking the same thing, his fingers grabbing my hips to lift me onto his lap, but I’m already lifting my leg to straddle him. He pulls away from the kiss and attaches his lips to my jaw. I can feel his smile against my skin.

“Good, sweetheart,” he praises, “you know just what I need.”

I settle onto him, my thighs clenching either side of his hips. He uses his hold on my waist to push my body down harder onto him, a groan rising in the back of his throat as he rubs me over his clothed dick. Gripping me roughly, he drags me back and forth over and over. I press sloppy kisses up his neck and along his jaw, leaving one just below his ear before lightly grazing my teeth over his earlobe. 

Every part of him is solid beneath me. Solid arms, solid chest, solid stomach, and a solid dick working me just right. Garrick Tavis drives me crazy.

“I need you,” he says, stopping his movements and turning to stare into my eyes. His pupils are blown, revealing only the faintest sliver of hazel around them. I kiss him softly. Garrick has always been a tease. I appreciate getting to return the favor sometimes, and the perfect idea has presented itself. I kiss him again and he groans, bucking his hips up. “I need you now, sweetheart.”

“What do you need from me, Professor Tavis?” I fiend innocence, voice soft and low, looking at him with wide eyes that I’m certain are just as lust-blown as his. Garrick’s lips part and the next kiss he drags from my lips is feverish. His hands are gripping at my shirt, tearing it off of my body with no regard and discarding it to the floor carelessly. 

He grips my ass roughly, and I squeal as I’m suddenly lifted off of his lap and flipped onto my back, staring up at my boyfriend as he unzips his jacket and slides out of it easily. I sit up to help him with his shirt, but he pushes me back down.

“I’m a professor and you’re a cadet, our relationship is strictly off limits.” He slides his shirt over his head, and my pulse stutters. I reach a hand out to feel his packed muscle, trailing my fingers down the patch of hair that starts at his navel and dips below his waistband. He inhales sharply.

“Off limits?” I don’t look at him, instead I work on unfastening the belt around his waist. My gaze drifts below my hands, and I pull my bottom lip between my teeth at the sight of the bulge straining against his pants. 

“Strictly. So I need you to be really quiet for me, sweetheart.” He rakes his hand through my hair, fisting it gently at the base of my neck and pulling so that I meet his eyes. “Can you do that for me?”

“Yes, Professor Tavis.” I nod quickly. He removes my hands from his crotch and steps off the bed. I frown, rolling to protest, but he’s quick to shut me up. 

“Take your pants off.” He’s already stepping out of his. “I can’t wait any longer.”

I don’t question him, the angry red tip of his stiff cock saying enough to prove that he’s being honest. My bottoms slide off quickly. I shove my panties off with them, baring myself to the desperate man in front of me.

“Bra.” Garrick’s voice is tight. He’s fisting himself, but not pumping at all. He’s waiting for me to follow his instructions. I unhook my bra and shrug it off. He hums in appraisal, bringing his eyes to my bare chest. I revel in the way his eyebrows knit together, like he’s physically pained by my beauty. This is what it felt like to be loved. 

“Professor Tavis?” I stand up from the bed, walking toward him slowly. He inhales sharply as I pause in front of him, nearly pressing my skin to his. “What should I do next?”

“Get on your knees, sweetheart.” He smoothes the hair at the top of my head as he commands me so sweetly. Seeing him like this, so affected by me, is driving me crazy. 

I lower myself to my knees in front of him, wetting my lips as I become eye level with his dick. Pre-cum is already leaking from the tip, and I open my mouth to lap it up, but he cradles my face and stops me gently. My eyes meet his as he towers above me, shaking his head softly. 

“Not yet, sweetheart. I want you to put your hand between your legs.” My breath catches in my throat in surprise. We’re both so desperate, and he’s dragging this out for so long, but I can’t find it in myself to argue with him as his cock twitches when I lower my hand down my stomach and dip it between my legs. The moan that tumbles from my lips is immediate. Garrick’s foreplay made my clit swell, and it’s the most sensitive that I’ve felt as I begin to stroke myself with my fingers. Letting the noises of pleasure escape as I start grinding with my hips is uncontrollable. 

“Professor Tavis,” I moan loudly as my head falls back. “Please fuck me. Please make me cum.”

I’m shocked when one strong arm wraps around my waist and hoists me up, but I don’t hesitate to wrap my legs around his waist. All plans of sucking him off are abandoned. He holds me tightly to him, molding his mouth to mine so fiercely that our teeth bump. The head of his cock teases my entrance and I gasp at the sensation. It takes him only two steps to reach the bed, where he pulls his mouth away from mine and lays me out on my stomach. The loss of contact makes me whimper.

“You’ve gotta be quiet for me,” he coos. His rough hands are a sharp contrast to his saccharine voice as he lifts my ass into the air and kneads it. I groan, jutting my hips back, and he tsks. “What’d I say? Quiet for me baby. Don’t make me tell you again. Can you do that for me? Can you shut that pretty mouth while I fuck you?”

The moan that leaves my lips is unstoppable, and he laughs darkly behind me before pulling my hips back. My cheeks flush at his laugh. 

“I want to be good for you, Professor. Please let me try.” He inhales sharply and then aligns his tip at my entrance. I push my hips back slowly, and he’s the one who can’t keep to himself this time. 

“Oh, fuck me, sweetheart. Fuck, you’re so fucking tight,” he hisses, grabbing my ass and pushing himself further into me. I gasp as he bottoms out inside of me, feeling overwhelmingly full. 

He leans down over me, leaving a trail of kisses up my spine. His lips pause at my neck, and he bites me softly. 

“You’re such a good girl for me. So fucking good. Thank you, sweetheart.” He straightens his spine and pulls his hips back so far that the tip of his dick is barely inside of me, before he slams into me. I whine, my walls stretched out by his thick cock, but he only pulls out again, leaving me to wait before he rams into me another time, cursing as he finds a steady pace. His cock is moving at the perfect speed. I moan as he hits a sweet spot, and I feel him focus as he hits it again, and again, and again. 

I cry out. “Oh gods. Just like that. Right there.”

He keeps his thrusts perfect and steady, pushing me closer to my edge. Once his fingers wrap around my front and find my swollen clit, I let out a shaky breath. He continues his punishing pace as his finger circles my clit once, then twice, and it’s the perfect combination. I’m shattering around him immediately, my legs shaking. 

“Professor Tavis!” Waves of pleasure ripple through me, my orgasm prolonged by him chasing his own now, his dick pushing into me roughly. I’m still squeezing him, wetness dripping down my legs as he hits the perfect spot. “Fuck!”

“Fuck, I love you so much, sweetheart,” he moans, pace quickening before he stills. I tighten at the feeling of his cock twitching inside of me, filling me up with his release. He exhales deeply, fanning my spine with hot air. “Oh my god, you’re a fucking dream.”

He places a firm hand on my ass as he starts to pull his dick out, but hisses with the motion, and then pushes himself back inside. I turn my head to look back at him, watching as he does it again, backing himself out almost all of the way and then sliding back in. His eyes are fixed on the point where he’s entering, watching with deep breaths as he repeats it one more time.

“Sweetheart, you feel so fucking good. I don’t want to leave.” His voice is strained with pleasure, gaze trailing from where I’m wrapped around him up to my ass, then my back, and then he meets my face. The fire in his eyes is enough to melt me.

“So don’t. Stay inside and come lay with me,” I suggest, hoping that he does just that. He smirks and lowers himself onto the bed with me, holding me close to keep himself inside as he adjusts us so that we’re spooning now. I lay my head on his arm and sigh contentedly. 

“I love you, sweetheart. That was fucking hot.” He laughs breathlessly, pressing a kiss to the crown of my head. I giggle, finding that I could really get used to this new job of his. 

[paintedonmyteeth]

Sleepy Cuddles w/ Pyramid Head 🩸🔪 △

Pyramid Head brainrot goes brrr. Pyramid Head brainrot is forever eternal, anyway — yeah I have yet another post of Pyramid Head because I’m bored, my brain had ideas, and I NEED him so I feel like catering myself once again w/ Pyramid Head. That’s all I can say. OH YEAH might I add, rather than Silent Hill’s PH like my last few posts this time I decided this time around I’m gonna do DBD Pyramid Head. Also a heads up for the small nsfw warning in this post, so MDNI.

Doing back to back trials or maybe more is always tiring. Leaves you all sleepy asf, grumpy, and really not wanting to be thrown into another trial for the entity’s amusement.

Usually you’d try sleeping around the campfire or take short naps, literally whenever you have the chance to do so before the entity drags you off to another random map, and it can get pretty annoying when you don’t get no breaks to rest. >:((

And what’s better than looking for none other than your favourite tall killer, the Executioner for some cuddles???

If you need cuddles or sleep, Pyramid Head’s always there in Midwich waiting for you whenever he’s not busy with any trials of his own. :))

He loves earning small visits from you while the both of you have some time to spend when the Entity isn’t calling for either of you for the next trial.

The two of you meet up usually in the halls of the school or some random classroom if Pyramid Head happened to be looking for you first. The nurses office is where the two of you kick back and relax in each other’s company most often, because that’s where all the old mattresses are left on the rusted metal bed frames.

The beds are way too small to fit with Pyramid Head’s large figure so the both of you would settle with stripping off all the mattresses from the bed frames, lie them all on the floor stacked atop each other by 2 by 4 for bigger space.

Cuddles w/ the big guy are the fucking best. And he enjoys cuddling you too.

Because of the huge height differences between the both of you, he thinks you’re the perfect size so he could gently squeeze you in his arms while you’re all curled up with him.

And don’t forget about them man tiddies, his tiddies are the best for a pillow but in the end, you’re waking up with a sore neck. But it’s fucking worth it. >:))

It’s also soothing listening to his breathing from his rusted helmet or the soft growls rumbling from his chest, which kind of reminds you of thunder rolling through the sky in the distance.

As I mentioned the last time in one of my other hc posts with Pyramid Head, he’s a fuckin’ walking heater and all that body heat radiating from him while you’re pressed against him with his arms around you is just pure bliss.

Feels so nice to pass out in his arms especially with all that exhaustion and the multiple trials you went through still racking your brain, and he likes it how easily you conk out the moment you get comfy with him just in a matter of seconds.

On some small occasions there’s times where Pyramid Head is also hornee and wanting help with finding some relief, once granted consent he’ll keep in mind how tired you are after all those trials you went through of course, this time around he’ll restrain himself from going too rough on you and will opt to fucking you gently and at a slower pace. Getting some relief out of this and also helping you destress, a small little reward for doing such a great job. <33

After cuddles and naps with Pyramid Head you’re feeling all rejuvenated and energized to keep pushing on through more trials the entity has yet to throw at you.

Sometimes it’s not enough and Pyramid Head will decide to keep you for a little while longer, drawing the entity’s attention in some instances and having to fight with them in order to prevent the entity from ripping you away from his grip.

Few minutes wasn’t enough he wants more time with his precious. Fuck off. >:((

Besides the exhaustion or stress from everything in the entity’s realm, you still visit Pyramid Head whenever just for more cuddles or naps to give the big guy some company and spend more time with your beloved Executioner.

🥩⋆♱✮♱⋆🔪 🩸

[trippinsorrows]

looking through your eyes + twenty two

authors note: this one may leave people a bit confused by certain things.....that's intentional.

cw/tw: fluff, angst, and smut

song inspo: ‘looking through your eyes’ by leann rimes

masterlist +story playlist + taglist request form

words: 9k

“Nu uh!”

“Uh huh!”

“Nu uh!”

“Uh huh!”

“Girls.” To his credit, Roman does his best to not interfere or get involved in the midst of his girls arguing. He prefers letting them work it out among themselves, and they typically do. But, there are times, like this, where he just doesn’t have it in him to listen to their bickering. “Stop arguing.”

Lina is the expected one to protest, and she doesn’t disappoint or prove his prediction wrong. “But, daddy—”

“Lina, be nice to your sister.” He looks over at his other twin daughter. “Leya, you have to share.”

The quieter of the two looks less than pleased at his instruction and is clearly in one of her few talkative moods, protesting like her sister, “But, it’s mine, daddy.”

“It’s gonna be mine if ya’ll don’t stop fighting.” Rarely does he have to be strict with them, but they’ve both been on one all day, and Roman is going off barely four hours of sleep because their baby brother decided to make it one of those nights for his parents. “I’m not gon’ tell ya’ll again.”

A shared set of downward gazes followed by another shared ‘yes, sir’ leads to them both switching their attention from the tablet to one of their playthings in the backyard. 

Roman runs his hand over his face as the backdoor opens, revealing Solana’s smiling but tired face. She’s operating off just as many fumes as she is.

“He finally go down?” She nods at his question, moving to sit on his lap, Roman wrapping his arms around her. 

“Eventually.” She chuckles, placing her phone on the rattan chair next to them, Roman seeing the footage of the nursery showing their son sleeping. Finally. “Could be worse. Remember when we had to do it with the both of them?”

Roman offers a small smile. He certainly does. “He takes after his sisters.”

Solana’s smile dims a bit as she caresses his cheek. “You should go try to take a nap. I can watch them.”

That’s an immediate no. “I’m fine.” A default answer for him. He gestures to the now laughing twins, explaining, “especially since they seem to be in one of their moods.”

Solana frowns and then rolls her eyes. “Wonder where they get that from?” Giggling, Solana kisses his cheek and again tries to convince him to do what he’s absolutely not going to do. “Seriously, Ro, I can handle it. They tend to get like that sometimes when you’re out of town anyway.”

At that, he looks over at her. “Really?” She nods. “You want me to talk to them?” Cause as much as he loves his girls, he has never and will never put up with them disrespecting their mother. That will always be where he draws the line.

With anyone. 

Solana shakes her head and instead moves to settle her head in the crook of his neck. “Let them just be kids.” Roman grows quiet, picking up on the underlying meaning to her statement. An agreement they both made with each other during her first pregnancy.  

That they would give their kids the childhood they never had.

“They’re happy, baby.” Years of being together has allowed both husband and wife to practically learn and know each other like the back of their hand, which is why Solana is so easily able to hear Roman’s unspoken concerns. “We all are.”

Her words, like her mere presence and everything else about her, are comforting to Roman. He holds her a little tighter, lips gazing over her temple. 

Solana, however, overhears the return of the argument between their twins, the sixth or seventh time this morning alone. And right as Roman goes to handle it, she shakes her head. “I’ve got it.” 

Watching her walk away, Roman allows his gaze to linger on her a little longer. One thing for certain, two things for sure, Solana only gets finer with age. Three kids later, her already curvy body has filled out even more, giving him all the temptation and stripping him of all resolve whenever she tells him she’s ready for another baby.

He’s just counting the days for that request, already accepting the fact that it’ll only be a matter of time before she’s showing him the next sonogram. 

It’s just a continuation of his inability to ever deny her of anything she wants. 

Roman grabs his phone, hearing it vibrate. Most likely an update from—

“Roman!” 

The phone is dropped, and Roman has never moved so quickly, shot up so fast as he sprints off in the direction where Solana went only to find there’s a vacant space, yard void of any and all items, play equipment, greenery, even the pool. 

What remains is the girls sitting on their knees, on the dirt, a piece of clothing between the two of them, but it’s the red dampness of the clothing that makes his heart stop. That makes Roman go dangerously still.

Blood. 

It’s blood. 

Dropping to his knees, the girls are on either side of him, his voice is eerily calm as he asks, “where is she?” Unlike his tone, Roman is anything but calm. Every single vile, evil, violent thought is crossing his mind at just the thought of someone daring to hurt his wife.

To take her.

Leya sniffles to the left of him. “You have to save her, daddy.”  His head snaps to her, confused by her words, confused by the fact that he’s not freaking out more, by the fact that he just somehow knows that Solana has been taken. “She won’t have much time.”

“Mommy can only fight with us for so long.” His attention switches to Lina, her comment leaving him just as perplexed as her twin. “You’re gonna have to trust them, daddy.”

“What?” He breathes. The weight on his chest is intensifying by the fucking second. “I don’t—”

“It’s the only way to save her.” Leyah reaches for his arm, her little mouth formed into a frown. “They’re gonna kill her if you don’t.”

His chest nearly explodes at that one word.

Kill

But, it's when the next statement that leaves their mouths, at the same time, that does him over.

“And they’re gonna kill us too.”

Roman shoots up from the bed, half expecting to find Solana startled awake by his sudden movement, only for him to snap his head to the right to see the normal rise and fall of her body as she continues to sleep. Peaceful. Content. 

Alive.

Roman shuts his eyes and runs his hand through his wavy hair. What the fuck was that?

Taking advantage of the fact that she’s still asleep, Roman is careful with how he peels the blankets off of him. He grabs his phone off the nightstand and makes his way out the room. Down the hall and descending the steps, Roman finds placement outside on the patio, away from it all so he can try to make sense of what just occurred.

The dreams of what feels like some type of alternative reality have become the norm for him. He has them at least a couple times a week, and while he’s still not sure what to make of them, they haven’t really bothered him. Until now.

Because how can a dream–turned–nightmare in which his wife is taken and possibly worse not bother him? Not to mention the strange, almost foreboding warning of his fictional children.

Trust? Roman doesn’t do trust. Shit like that gets people killed in his world.

It has gotten people killed in his world. 

But despite the heaviness of the latter half of the dream, there is one thing that Roman picked up on. That he has this weird almost sentimental reaction to.

Lina.

Leya. 

This is the first time in any of the dreams that names for the girls were used. 

There’s a strange sense of contentment he feels at the thought of it, a sense of clarity provided at no longer dreaming about two nameless children but two children, named and identified. 

Lina and Leya

Pretty names. Roman can admit that, but they feel…..shortened. Like that’s only part of their names. Nicknames. 

It makes him wonder what the full names are.

And before Roman realizes it, he’s grabbing his phone and opening up the notes app.

Lina Reigns

Leya Reigns

He’s not sure why he’s writing them down. He just knows that he wants to.

“Roman?”

Solana stands before him in one of his shirts, arms crossed over her body, a worried expression on her face. 

She doesn’t wait for the usual invite, for Roman’s long arms to extend and settle her on top of his lap. She does that all on her own. Brown eyes searching his face, she pushes back some of his hair. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

His answer is more default than anything, not an intentional deflection but still one nonetheless. “Nothing. Just….can’t sleep.”

“Bullshit.” Solana cussing is such a new experience for him, Roman having to fight back a small smile at how innocent the profanity sounds leaving her mouth. Like it’s too lewd for someone so innocent to be stating. “Talk to me.” She shifts on his lap, asking in a gentle tone, “was it a bad dream?”

Bad is an understatement, but he’s not too keen on letting her know the depth of what it included. Nor does he necessarily want to reflect on it. “Something like that.”

“Roman…..” And right away, without her even needing to say it, he knows. Knows what she doesn’t need to say.

He’s not entirely ready to tell her the extent of these dreams, so he’s intentional with leaving out the not so little fact that it includes them having children and focuses on a part of this latest one. “It was about you.”

She looks taken back by that but still encourages him to continue, her fingers now moving to massage his scalp. “Go on.” But he’s certain that it’s when he looks away, when he focuses on the dark, almost obsidian night sky that obscures the forestry surrounding the house, he knows that she knows. “Oh….”

“Yeah.” Roman doesn't know what else to say. Doesn’t want to say anything else. He doesn’t even really want to fucking talk about this, wants to forget the damn ‘dream’ ever happened, wants to just go back to bed and try to get some fucking sleep.

But, that would be too easy, and rarely in his life are things ever easy.

“Roman, look at me.” Solana’s soft, caring tone pulls him from pessimistic cognitions. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, Ro,” she whispers, bringing her hand to his bearded chin, forcing his unsettled gaze on her. “I promise.”

He wishes that her words provided more comfort. There’s some level, just not a lot, because Roman has had his fair share of nightmares over the years. Most from after that night. Some…..some before. Some he’s never once spoken about and never plans to. Too…..too many bad, difficult, unmanageable emotions attached to them. 

“You’re thinking a lot,” she whispers. The way she’s learned to read him so well feels almost too impossible to be true. He’s always prided himself on being an enigma, but with her? His inscrutable disposition melts away into something transparent and lucid.

He chuckles, but it’s void of any emotion. “I’m always thinking, Sol.” Always thinking. Always planning. Always strategizing. Just always in a state of always.

Solana shakes her head, gently protesting. “Not with me. I don’t….I don’t want you to think when you’re with me….just…..just be.”

Be.

Roman is unsure if he even knows what that is anymore. 

If he ever did in the first place.

And he admits as such. “I don’t….I don’t know how to do that.” A strange, uncharacteristic admission from the man who always has everything together. Because he has to. Because he’s never been granted the space to not have to. 

Solana ghosts her lips over his forehead, his eyes shutting as he holds her a little tighter. “Then we’ll learn together.”

________

Roman has a high sex drive. This is something Solana has always heard through the grapevine, among…..other things. But, her finding out about his sex drive is something she’s experienced herself. Is currently experiencing.

His large, strong hands remain placed and seated on her back, exploring her soft skin that has a soft sheen of sweat that’s built up from the exertion of her body. Her thighs ache a bit as does that sensitive space between her legs, both from the current stretch of him inside her as well as not being entirely recovered from their passionate lovemaking session just hours prior.

Truthfully, Solana hasn’t a clue just how she’s ended up engaged in intimacy yet again, possibly him needing a distraction of sort form his dream. But Roman occasionally sliding his hands to her hips, guiding her up and down, back and forth on his impressive length seems to be just enough, more than enough, to keep her hands on his shoulders, her fingers pressing into his skin, her teeth gnawing into her bottom lip to keep her from alerting his aunt and cousin just what they’re doing this fine early morning.

But, it’s that thought that has her trying to express said concern, to share the slight level of guilt she feels at doing this under his aunt’s roof. It feels almost….disrespectful? And maybe that’s too strong of a word. Regardless, she just has a feeling about it. 

“Roman…..” Solana hates that his name on her lips is more carnal than anything, a moan, essentially. Far from what she needs. Still, she pushes through. “We—we can’t—”

His deep chuckle under her followed by another slight lift of her body as he continues to fill her, physically and figuratively, “can’t what?”

Damn. It’s so hard to resist the devil when he makes the sin feel this good. “Th—this.” She’s not sure she’s even making any sense right now. “It’s—disresp—shit.” Roman is forever adroit, knowing just what to do and how to do it, because one minute he’s licking his bottom lip, the next minute his mouth is latched onto her breast, sucking on her areola in a way that makes it exponentially more difficult to not scream her pleasure from here to kingdom come.

“Ro….” Her hand shifts to the back of his head, his soft, wave locks intertwined in her fingers as Solana manages to keep her steady pace rocking atop of him. He’s so deep inside of her, reaching her stomach it damn near feels like. “Oh my god.” Head thrown back from the erotic of it all, a deep chuckle leaves his talented mouth as he detaches and switches to kissing along the swell of her heavy breast.

“You really wanna deny me this?” His voice is both teasing and curious, hands massaging her sides, gently helping her continue to ride him. “Could watch you and this beautiful body ride me for the rest of fucking time….”

Solana seems to hone in on two words. Beautiful body. She still somewhat struggles to wrap her head around just how a man who looks like Roman could be so enamored with her physically. Even with all the scars, the cellulite, the stretch marks, the fat, he looks at her like she’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.

He makes her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. It’s overwhelming and fills her with so much love, Solana bringing her hands to his bearded face for a sensual kiss to express that love and adoration.

Kissing Roman is also moving its way up her list of favorite things to do. A list that almost entirely includes him, because as much as he indicates and even shares how he can’t get enough of her, she feels the absolute same way about him.

Roman deepens the kiss, Solana loving the feel of their chests pressed together, how he almost protectively clutches her close to him. They hold onto each other almost, so deeply entwined, two troubled souls who somehow found each other in the midst of chaos and sorrow. A joint healing of sorts.

Not even half an hour later, both having found their release, Solana lays on his chest, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns of the tattoos that’s etched onto his chest, one of her favorite things to do when they’re together like this. She loves everything about Roman, his body included, but his tattoos hold a special place for her. She knows it’s part of his cultural background, but a large part of her would guess that the placement was intentional. The ink on his arms to help shield bad memories, a night of unfathomable loss and trauma.

She knows what that’s like. Knows what it’s like to carry around those scars. Another area where they can relate, shared loss that they can find comfort for, in each other.

Eager for her spent body to be one with his, she moves even closer, a small smile on her face when he tugs her nearer and kisses the top of her head. His affection with her always adds yet another layer of safety and protection she feels with him.

Feelings she hasn’t had in forever. If ever.

“I wanna ask you something, but if it’s triggering for you, then we dead it, okay?” Solana is obviously taken back by his statement, and while there’s a small chunk of her nervous about what he’s about to ask, she doesn’t want to shut him down.

Eyes focused on the window beside the bed that unveils the rising sun and subsequent kaleidoscope of dawn colors that paint the sky, she answers, “okay.”

“How were you mentally on our wedding day?”

Solana frowns. That’s the last question she expected to leave his mouth, but the more she thinks about it, thinks about the worksheets Gail had told her she showed Roman, Solana can almost bet she recalls one of those questions asking about the last time she felt suicidal prior to her attempt.

And she’d answered honestly.

On her wedding day.

Something she’s almost certain he knows and is referring to. In a slightly indirect way. To avoid being too……raw. “Roman—” She doesn’t quite know how to address this, how to explain it in a way that makes sense to him but is also not too heavy for her. “I—there was just….there was a lot going on.”

“Because of me.” Her eyes shut. She hates the tone of his voice. Low and subdued. Like he feels guilty about something, like he did something wrong. “Because I sped everything up without actually giving you time to….” Roman takes a deep breath, and she opens her eyes to look up at him. “If I had known—“

Solana sits up and brings her hand to his face. “But—but you didn’t—” She wets her lips, hating that he seems to feel somehow responsible for years worth of trauma that brought her to that place mentally. Not him. “I—I struggled for years with those thoughts, and it was just…..it was a combination of things. I was scared and confused, but mostly because of the plan and what they wanted me to do. I hadn’t eaten in days. I just…..it wasn’t your fault.” She kisses him, lips hovering over his as she whispers, “at the time….it felt like the saddest day of my life, but—it was the best, Roman. I got you….and that’s all I need.” She moves to lay on top of him, burying her head in the crook of his neck. “Te amo, mi amor.”

He still sounds guilty. "But, it's not the wedding you deserved."

"I don't care about that, baby." She moves her hand to his arm, gently massaging up and down his bicep. “Roman, I don’t—I don’t want you worrying about me. I’m better, not all the way, but I’m safe, and I want you to focus on you.” And she means that with everything in her. He puts so much into everything else. It’s beyond time he shifts some of that focus onto himself. 

“Solana—”

“I mean it,” she cuts him off, a hint of determination and borderline assertiveness present, something that takes them both by surprise. Truly. “Healing is…hard work, but it’s….it’s worth it. And you deserve it just as much as I do.” A thought crosses her mind, prompting her to share it with him. “Photography.”

He looks skeptical. “What about it?”

“I want you to start doing it more. You’re good at it, and it…..you looked happy doing it.” Because he is. Because there’s so many things that Roman is good at that he has to do. She wants him to have something that he gets to do.

“I was happy because I was with you,” he corrects. It’s kind but also not entirely true.

“It was more than that, Ro,” she counters softly. “If you want….you….you can take pictures of me.” In taking and sharing occasional selfies of herself while away from Roman, that discomfort  has waned ever so slightly with having her picture taken. Enough to have her willing to be his muse, if that's what it takes.

Roman chuckles underneath her, his hand on the small of her back. “You know I can’t say no to you, right?” Solana giggles, pleased mostly at his less solemn tone, at his agreement, at what type of relief it could provide to him. Even if they both know it’s something that obviously can’t happen until she’s done with treatment. Regardless, it’s something, and that’s all that matters.

But, it’s when Solana settles back on top of him, head on his chest that she feels it. Feels his semi-hardened length against her, prompting her to gasp.

They just….

Confused, she looks at him, brows furrowed. “How are you……do—do you have an addiction?”

Roman’s laugh is deep and makes her smile. A rarity but one she hopes to one day to increase the frequency of. “To sex? Shit, maybe.” She’d say definitely given the fact that they’ve already gone three rounds, and yet he’s still looking at her like that. “To you?” Solana’s breath is sharp as he carefully switches their position so that he’s hovering over her. “Absolutely.”

“Roman….” His mouth is already on the move, trailing down and in between the valley of her breast. “I’m—I’m sore.” And this time, it’s to the point where she can’t afford to bypass it, to push past it, even if there’s a small part of her that isn’t entirely opposed. That feels an almost…..excitement at being with him again in that way.

Even if it will be the fourth time in less than 24hrs. Not even 12. 

“I know.” And yet as he continues downward, Solana realizes he already knows this and is well aware of this fact. Hence him desiring an equally desirable alternative. “But, it’s like you said, baby….” She moans when he braces his big hands on her hips, his mouth kissing her inner thighs, thick fingers separating her swollen, tender lower lips. “I’m addicted.”

________

By the time Solana convinces Roman that they can’t spend the rest of the day locked in his bedroom, thrusted in the throes of sweet intimacy, it’s nearing 11am, and Fetu and Ava have already consumed their breakfast, discussing what they’ll have for lunch. 

Solana walks in first, wearing a warm smile aimed toward the two women, one of which she’s now seeing for the first time.

Ava stands up from the kitchen table and walks over with a small smirk. “My cousin finally got off you, huh?”

Roman rolls his eyes, muttering, “fuck off, Ava.”

Solana blushes. Ava is tall, only a few inches shorter than Roman with a thin build but soft curves. Her onyx black hair is shoulder length, and her smile and brown eyes give away her kinship to Roman. Even Fetu. They all look related. 

“It’s—umm, nice to meet you.” Solana is taken back a bit when Ava hugs her. It’s so interesting to her how the women in Roman’s family are so physically affectionate. It seems almost ironic given just who their family is. The way the word Bloodline strikes fear in the hearts of even the strongest. “I’m Sol—”

“Solana,” Ava laughs, stepping back. “I know. Heard a lot about you, and like I said last night, I’m sorry you got stuck marrying big ears over here.”

Roman is quick with it, retorting back before he downs the coffee he just brewed, “not as big as that big ass forehead.”

“Children. Literal children.” Fetu shakes her head, looking over at Solana. “Do you see what I have to deal with? Why I need you Solana?” She gestures with her thumb, “if this damn disease doesn’t kill me first, Dopey and Tyra Banks over here damn sure will.”

At that, both Roman and Ava look slightly irritated. “Don’t talk like that, Uso o le tinā.” She glares at Roman, lifting up her middle finger to flip him off. “Who else is going to keep me from killing our Tribal Chief?”

Roman scoffs, big shoulders lifting as he shakes his head. He sounds and looks so amused at just the thought of it. “You can certainly try.”

Ava sucks her teeth, angling her body towards him. “Don’t tempt me, asshole.”

Roman smirks, looking at her over his mug. “You know I love a good fight.”

“I’m about to kill both of you if you don’t shut the hell up!” Fetu snaps, Solana looking over to see she’s holding her slipper in her hand. “Embarrassing me in front of my friend, sweet Solana.”

“It’s—it’s okay,” Solana cuts in, unable to contain her smile. She’s not used to seeing Roman like this, so…..relaxed, almost…..almost like he’s at peace. She likes it.

She likes it a lot. 

“It is not.” Fetu drops her slipper back on the ground, shaking her head. “Since both of you have so much to say and clearly energy to expel, you can handle the wood in the back that needs to be chopped up?” Solana’s confusion must be evident as Fetu gestures to the living room. “Wood burning fireplace. I don’t like that new shit.”

“You mean the safest shit?” Roman mutters. 

Ava shakes her head, whispering to Solana. “Our aunt can be a little……old fashioned.” Solana says nothing, seeing no issue. With everything she’s been through, she truly deserves whatever she wants, in Solana’s opinion. “Roman’s been trying to convince her to let him replace it with an electric one for years.”

“And my answer will keep being no!” Fetu calls out, clearly eavesdropping. “Now, I mean it, I want that wood chopped. Both of you.”

Roman scowls. “I don’t need her help.”

Ava glares in his direction. “And I don’t need help from Samoan He-Man over here.”

“I–I thought you guys actually liked each other?” Solana intended to keep that in her head, but it somehow bypassed her speech defenses. Immediately, she feels bad, going the recompense route. “I didn’t mean—”

“They do,” Fetu answers, sharing. “It depends on the day. Today is just clearly not one of those days.” She plasters on a sickeningly sweet smile. “Now get to it, before I embarrass both of you.”

It’s slightly comical to Solana how both people, formidable in their own right, fold so easily at the direction of this older woman. Solana goes to fix her late breakfast along with Roman, the two sharing it at the table along with Ava and Fetu until it's time for them to depart and get started on their joint task. 

That leaves Solana with Fetu, a wonderful arrangement because it allows her time to get to know the woman who means so much to Roman better.

And that is done in a way Solana didn't expect, because she ends up in Fetu’s room, a large bin that Solana pulled from her closet exposing a world of welcomed surprises. 

Solana is overcome with an abundance of photos, a mixture of dated polaroids' and the type of photos one got developed at a kiosk or drugstore back in the day. She’d like to say that they’re photos of smiling, happy faces, but that would be a lie. Many of them are clearly of people taken off guard by a camera in their face. 

One in particular captures her attention, Solana reaching for the polaroid that shows a tall, handsome man. Sharp facial features with an almost stoic expression. Familiar. Very familiar. 

“Is this…..”

Fetu chuckles, nodding, “it is.” There’s a sadness both in her gaze as well as her voice. “He looks so much like him….”

Solana swallows. She agrees. Roman shares a striking resemblance with his father. It makes her wonder if they have similar personalities as well, but another photo steals her focus. A tiny gasp leaves her mouth as a small smile grows. “That’s—”

Fetu also laughs, nodding and reaching for the photo, handing it to Solana. “You can tell by the big ears.” Solana giggles, holding the photo and staring with borderline amazement at Roman when he was a boy. He couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7 years old, so young, so innocent looking, but she knows better. Knows that his smile in the photo was probably short lived. 

“I had taken him and the twins to the water park. They had so much fun that day.” One glance at Fetu, and Solana can see she’s reflecting back and mentally reliving that day. “I did my best to give him as much of a normal childhood as possible.”

Solana is quiet, her own sadness seeping in at the depressing reality that as much as she didn’t have much of a childhood, neither did he.

He never stood a chance. 

“Look at this one.” Fetu reaches her another photo. It’s Roman, but it doesn’t look like him. It’s of him as a child, looking far too serious for a boy no more than 8 or 9 years–old.

Studying the photo a bit more, Solana shares with all honesty, “he looks…..little?”

Fetu laughs. “Because he was.” Solana gasps quietly, as the woman explains. “Believe it or not, that big, strong husband of yours was the runt of his siblings. He was small for his age, and it always bothered him.” Solana has a hard time conceptualizing any part of roman being small. Fetu's lips slip into a small, forlorn smile. “I always knew he would be something special. I just—I wish it could have happened differently.”

Solana says nothing, already knowing what she’s referring to. What she doesn’t need to say.  “He’s…..he’s a good man.”

“He’s a better man with you.” Fetu places a comforting hand on Solana’s knee. “You are good for him, child, and I think he’s good for you too.”

“He’s the best,” Solana murmurs, emotion building at just the thought of the man who’s completely changed her life around. For the better. “He’s—he’s everything to me.”

And even that is putting it lightly, fails to fully encapsulate just what Roman means to her. What he is to her. 

Fetu’s grin shifts into something appreciative. “You know….I always prayed he would find someone before I closed my eyes. Someone he could love and who would love him back the way he deserves. The way anyone deserves.” Solana’s stomach coils a bit, a strange foreboding sense coming over her. “You’ve given this old woman a tremendous amount of peace, and for that, Solana, I cannot thank you enough.”

It’s been relatively easy to pick up on how close Roman is to his aunt, largely due to his own vulnerable worlds. She’s the closest thing he has left of a mother, and the thought of her no longer being here….

No.

Roman can’t lose anyone else.

Especially Fetu.

“Solana.” Pulled from her thoughts, Solana looks down to see that Fetu has moved their hands so that Solana’s palm is outstretched. “I need you to do something for me, but I need it to stay between us for now.”

And just like that, goosebumps sprout all across her arms. “You—you don’t want me to tell Roman?”

Fetu shakes her head, Solana looking down when she places a white, sealed envelope in her hand. “I need you to give this to him when the time is right.”

Questions. Solana is full of them. What is contained within this envelope, and why is Fetu giving it to her and not Roman? And why can’t he know? Just so many questions, but for some reason, Solana can only settle on one to ask.

“How—how will I know when the time is right?”

There’s despondency in the older woman’s eyes that contrasts her smile. “You will.”

Something about this rubs Solana the wrong way, and not in a bad manner, per se. Just something very heavy. Very sad. “Fetu, what—”

“Enough of all this sentimental shit.” Fetu clears her throat and wipes at her eyes, changing subjects as she goes on about something Solana can only partially pay attention to. There’s a bit of envy there. Envy at how she can carry on like nothing just happened. 

If only Solana could do the same.

________

The conversation with Fetu is something that weighs heavy on her chest, something she wants to inquire more about from her husband’s aunt but knows won’t give her the answers she’s looking for. It’s why the younger woman is grateful for a brief respite, one that she hopes will serve as a much needed distraction.

Solana settles herself onto the chair outside, looking over her shoulder to make sure the door is closed. 

She props the phone up against the back of the chair and adjusts her top just as the screen fills with smiling faces.

“Solana!” She smiles at Mickie’s excited greeting. “Oh my god, I told them he didn’t kidnap you!”

Solana giggles and shakes her head, frowning a bit as she explains, “no, I’m—I’m sorry. We….we had to leave suddenly.” That’s a nice way to put it. To refer to the way that Roman escorted and signed her out of the facility without her having a chance to explain to her newfound friends what was going on.

And unlike herself, Mickie, Cam, and Melina don’t have mafia head husbands who are allowed to break and stretch the rules for her the way Roman does. So they don’t have their phones at all times with unlimited and unmonitored usage. 

It’s why Solana has made the active effort to break away and call them during the slot of time she knows they’re allowed phone time.

Melina moves into the frame of the phone camera asking, “are you okay?”

An easy answer. “I am now.” Because had they asked just slightly over twenty-four hours ago, her answer would have been very different. “Just needed to handle something, but I’ll be back sometime tomorrow afternoon.” Roman shared they would have to get on the road tomorrow morning, something she could tell he wasn’t happy about. He clearly enjoys being here. Enjoys the freedom here. It’s a palpable thing, and she loves it. She loves seeing how at peace he seems in this safe space.

“Good,” Melina nods, clearly pleased by this. She smirks, “we miss you.”

Cam scoots closer so she can share, “it’s boring without our residential artsy bae.”

Mickie gasps, snatching the phone, sharing with an excited tone, “And Paxley had a total breakdown, ripped the head off her dolls and everything. Apparently her girlfriend broke up with her.” It’s clear she’s trying to hold back an amused smile. “It was actually kind of funny.”

Cam sucks her teeth and shoves the woman next to her. “Mickie, please.” She directs her focus back to Solana, adding, “Dr. S had to have her sedated and everything.”

Solan frowns. She knows what that’s like and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Melina snatches the phone away, expression shifting into something almost concerned. “You’re gonna finish out the program, right?”

“I am.” It’s something Solana has actually thought about since Roman’s confession. She hates that he’s been struggling, but what she hates even more is that she hasn’t and won’t be home to help him in the way that he deserves. Maybe even needs. But, she also knows that she’s not exactly where she would like to be yet. Getting there. But not yet.

And she wants to be at her best when she comes home. Roman deserves that much. But, so does she.

So, as much as a part of her would like to come home now, she knows that what is best is ultimately her finishing out her treatment. 

Melina looks relieved, offering a small smile. “Good.” 

Solana picks up on it, the unspoken thing hidden behind her question. “What is it?”

And the frown is back, Melina sharing in a solemn tone, “there…..there are whispers that the facility is shutting down at the end of the year. Something about lack of funding.”

‘What?” Solana didn’t know what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t that. “But—but it….what about….what about people who need help?”

Cam scoffs, almost bitterly. “Three steps forward. Eight steps back.” Solana feels for her the most. She knows this is the second time Cameron has entered residential treatment at the very facility where the four women seem to be finding so much healing. 

Mickie shrugs. “There are other treatment places…..none that are reasonably close and for women only.” Solana winces at that, at the almost bitterness that laces her tone at the end of the sentence. Being in a place to heal surrounded by women only truly makes the biggest difference when tackling sexual trauma. 

Trauma caused by men.

“I heard Dr. Stratus is seeing if she can get another grant or investor, but….” Cam shakes her head. “I don’t think we should hold our breath.”

Melina rolls her eyes. “Especially with how much money she probably needs to keep this place running. Has to be in the millions.” She smirks, sarcastically remarking, “and you know investors are just dying to put all their sweet money into a bunch of unstable bitches.” 

Solana’s frown deepens. She wasn’t expecting to hear this news. Definitely didn’t expect it to have her heart feel so heavy at this update. It almost seems silly, like she shouldn’t be so sad about a place closing that she only ever heard about a month ago, that she plans to never once again visit and be entered into.

It was a one time program that’s clearly serving its purpose.

And maybe that’s the thing that makes her sad. To know how helpful its been for her, a type of healing occurring she never thought possible. Healing that she knows so many more people need and will need. So many women.

Melina manages a grin that doesn’t meet her eyes. “Well, we started this together, at least we’ll get to finish it together.” And Solana gets it, understands why Melina wanted to see if she’s coming back. Because if this is the last time they’re all in the same setting, as strange a setting as it is, she wants it to be something they can do together.

“And we can still connect once we’re out of the hammer,” Mickie suggests with the biggest, brightest smile, “assuming we don’t get locked up again.”

Solana can’t help but to laugh. Mickie is a hoot, but she never fails to put a smile on her face. 

They all do.

And in some strange connection that she doesn’t quite understand, the smile and sisterhood of it all, it brings about a thought, spurs an idea that she otherwise would never consider. It’s a massive ask, much beyond a favor, the biggest and grandest thing she could ever ask for.

And yet she’s going to do it.

Going to ask it.

Going to ask him.

________

“Get the hell away from me!”

It’s the first thing Solana hears when her eyes snap open. The second thing she notices is the absence of a set of strong arms around her or the equally strong chest she was laying her head on when she fell asleep. Confused, Solana rubs at her eyes and tenses at the next sound to make its way to her hearing.

“Go away!”

It’s this second time around that Solana realizes she recognizes the voice, and it has her hopping out of bed and heading for the door.

“Uso o le tinā, please, it’s me, Ava and Roman—” Solan’s concern grows to match her confusion as she follows the source of the voices, having a good idea of what's happening without even needing to see it. “Just let us—”

“I don’t know who you are! Help!”

Solana finds the three of them in the living room, the sight similar to what she had already guesstimated. Ava and Roman are on opposite sides, both wearing pained, concerned expressions, focused on Fetu who’s in the middle of the room, in her robe, crying, a knife in her hand, arm stretched out toward them. However, Solana focuses on the red liquid pooling on the handle of the knife. Fetu is cut, most likely a self-caused injury when she went for the knife. 

Solana’s stomach drops. She’s clearly in the midst of an episode, unaware of who she is, who they are. And it breaks her heart. The amount of pure fear and terror in her face toward the two people who would no doubt lay down their lives for her.

Solana takes a step forward, and Fetu’s frantic eyes land on her, shifting into something almost relieved. “Please—you can help me!” 

Roman is the first to pull his attention away from Fetu, focusing on Solana who can so clearly see the distress in his eyes. How difficult this situation has to be, to see her like this and not be able to do anything. 

He reaches his arm, clearly trying to keep her back. “Sol, go back—”

“No!” Fetu cries out, bringing both husband and wife’s gaze onto her. Solana swallows as Fetu begins to cry again, shaking finger pointing back and forth between Roman and Ava. “They—they want to take me!” Her crying intensifies, Solana slowly starting to make her way toward the older woman, ignoring Roman’s subtle attempt to keep her away. “Please—please don’t let them hurt me.”

Fetu’s pleading breaks Solana’s heart and would bring tears to her own eyes if not for the fact that she’s focused solely on the scene before her. “I—I’ll help you, okay?” Solana doesn’t take her eyes off Fetu, mindful of any sudden action she could take, movement that could potentially and unintentionally injure her. “I’m—I’m Solana.” She introduces, offering a warm smile when she’s closer, very much aware of Roman and Ava whose eyes are burning into her back. “Can you—can you tell me your name?”

Fetu seems to try to think for a moment, her face painted in terror, only to shake her head. “I—I can’t.”

“It’s okay,” Solana immediately reassures, tensing a bit when she feels movement behind her, Ava and Roman trying again to approach, which only prompts her to hurriedly wave her arm to shoo them back. To tell them to leave without actually telling them to leave. “Well, I’m gonna help you, okay?”

She understands they just want to help, but their attempts to help will only exacerbate the situation. Fetu doesn’t recognize them, sees them as threats. But for herself, that is not the case. Thus, Solana needs them away to deescalate the situation. 

Solana is relieved when she’s finally able to stand directly in front of Fetu, gently reaching to move some hair out of her face. “It’s okay. You can trust me. I won’t hurt you.” The words seem to be registering, Solana gesturing to Fetu’s cut hand. “Looks like you hurt yourself.” She smiles warmly, gently, and patiently. “How about I clean that up for you and then maybe we can have some tea? Hmm?”

Standing in front of Fetu, obscuring her vision of the niece and nephew her disease has her convinced are strangers, Solana briefly turns around, catching both of their gazes. “Go.” She mouths it, eyes pleading in a way her voice cannot. “I’ve got her.”

Both look torn, Roman especially, but when Fetu drops the knife and reaches for Solana’s arm, clutching tightly, both indifferent to the blood that’s now stained on Solana’s skin, it seems to send a message that she is very much in good hands.

Solana gives the cousins a nod and refocuses her attention on the elder woman. “It’s okay,” she comforts, offering a warm smile as she moves her arm around her, pleased to see that the other two have left. 

It’s for the best. 

Solana is able to escort her into the kitchen and pacify her enough to get her seated at the kitchen table while she pulls out the medical kit under the kitchen sink. 

“Jealous.” Solana turns around, necessarily supplies in hand as she faces Fetu. “I—I told Nakoa we couldn’t trust him.” The next fit of crying returns as she shakes her head, injured hand formed into a fist that she hits on her thigh repeatedly. “I told him!”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Solana drops to her knees in front of Fetu, placing the supplies on the floor as she reaches for her hand, trying to stop her from further injuring herself. “It’s okay. I know—I know you did.”

Solana, in fact does not know, has no idea who this Nakoa person is nor the other unnamed man. Nor does she necessarily care very much right now to know. She just knows that her number one priority is keeping Roman’s aunt as calm and stable in this position as possible.

“He was…..he was jealous. Always jealous.”

“I know.” Solana nods, determined to not invalidate her, even if she’s making no sense. “Is it okay if I wrap up your hand?”

Fetu seems to take a second to think about it, eventually nodding. “Y–yes.”

Pleased at this acquiescence, Solana finds herself humming and singing softly as she works to clean, disinfect, and tend to Fetu’s wound. Fetu, who, in a much calmer voice comments, “you—you have a pretty voice.”

Solana’s smile is warm. “Thank you.” She’s happy it worked, worked to settle some of Fetu’s fear and anxiety. “My mother used to sing me to sleep.”

“Your…..mother……” Her voice is distant, as if she’s trying to put the pieces together. “I—I was never a…..mother.” She swallows, opening and closing her mouth a couple times before she speaks again. “Are you—are you a mother?”

A question she’s been asked twice now. Each time bringing up a sense of sadness. “N—n–not yet.” 

Fetu makes a sound, head tilting a bit as Solana clears her throat of the emotion that’s suddenly built up. “You will be.” The younger woman stills, lifting her eyes to meet those of Fetu’s that suddenly seem so knowing and insightful. “Nakoa….he…..he will be a good dad.”

Again, Solana is confused and suddenly a bit more curious about who this person is. And what connection he has, or Fetu thinks, he has to her. Regardless, she just continues to work seamlessly transitioning into her next task, fixing the older woman a warm cup of tea.

Solana sits silently in the chair next to Fetu, stifling a yawn as she catches a glance at the time on the microwave. 4:45am.

Her mind gravitates to Roman and Ava. Ava more than Roman. How often does she have to deal with these sorts of episodes? Roman as well, but with Ava living here with Fetu, surely, she has to face them more.

It makes her heart heavy. 

And it stays that way even as Fetu finishes her tea and asks to go “lay down.” Solana holds her arm, carefully helping her up the stairs and into her bedroom. She’s pleased when Fetu asks her to braid her hair for her, Solana feeling a sense of nostalgia, reminiscing on times when she was younger and her mother would braid her hair before bed. 

Some of her fondest memories with her mom.

Solana is helping Fetu get settled in bed when the older woman asks in an almost childlike voice. “Will you—will you stay with me until…..until I fall asleep?”

“Of course.” Gently caressing her forehead, she gives a comforting smile and moves to grab the chair against the closest wall. Dragging it to the side of the bed, Solana has barely sat down when Fetu reaches for Solana’s arm, her mouth shifting back and forth from a smile and frown as she clearly struggles to verbalize whatever she wants to say. “Promise me…..promise me you’ll look out for him.” Solana herself is frowning, confused by just what she’s asking. “Promise me you’ll stay with Nakoa.”

That name again. It confuses her just as much as it did the last time it was used. 

Fetu continues, shaking her head. “I can’t—I can’t walk out the door without—without knowing he’ll be okay.” There’s something about her statement and the one that follows that makes it click for Solana. That helps her to realize who Nakoa really is. “I—I left him all alone o–once. I—I can’t do it again.”

Roman

Fetu is talking about Roman and something else that Solana can’t even bring herself to verbalize, the thought itself devastating enough.

“I’m not going to leave him,” Solana vows, taking Fetu’s hand in hers, conjoining them. “And neither are you.” Tears fill her eyes as she reiterates, “he needs both of us.” Because he does. Solana knows and believes that with everything in her. The humanity and kindness Roman still holds is solely because of the woman before her. Solana has just so happened to build upon it. “And besides….you’ve gotta be here when we finally have a child. You’re…..you’re the closest thing he or she will have to a grandmother.”

Because it’s true. Because Solana wants her and Roman’s child to have the loving, supportive family that both of them were deprived of, and for more than just a short period of their life. It’s another vow on her part. 

To do better.

To be better.

“A child…..” Fetu trails off, loosening her grip on Solana’s arm, settling hers at the side of her body. “Yes….soon….soon.”

Solana can’t take her gaze away from Fetu, studying her face from the moment her eyes flutter shut to when the steady rise and fall of her chest indicates a much deserved peaceful sleep. Solana is absolutely prepared to stay in that chair the entire night, by Fetu’s side, no protest whatsoever. 

But, it’s not even forty five minutes into Fetu’s slumber that the bedroom door is slowly opened, Ava clearly checking that her aunt is sleep before she walks in and kneels at Solana’s side. “You can go. I’ll—I’ll stay with her.”

Solana looks at the woman, the red, puffy eyes that she knows all too well. She shakes her head, placing a hand on her shoulder. “No. You….you get some sleep. I don’t mind.”

Ava makes a sound, her nose turning up ever so slightly. She’s staring at Fetu. “It’s so—it’s hard seeing her like this, ya know? I—I just want to help, but I can’t—” Solana shakes her head, as Ava closes her eyes, clearly trying to hold back tears. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Again, Solana knows grief and heartache better than anyone. “She loves you. And in her heart, she knows who you are….she always will.”

Ava is visibly moved by the kind words, nodding and wiping at her eyes. “Thank you, Solana.” She sniffles, laughing with a small scoff. “You’re way too good for him.” Solana smiles. Not a chance. “Please….I’d prefer to sit with her, if….if that’s okay?”

Solana has no room or place to deny Ava anything, especially this. She just didn’t want her to feel like she had to. But hearing her reason, she’s more than happy to get up. “Of course.”

Solana is by the door when she stops and calls out Ava’s name, waiting for the woman to look at her as she asks, “who—who was Nakoa?”

Ava’s shoulders drop, the change in her disposition evident as she answers in a sad tone. “That was my uncle......Roman’s dad.”

Solana’s eyes shut, her mind gravitating back to the picture she saw just earlier today. Of course. Nodding, she reminds, “if you need anything—”

“I know.”

A final shared smile among the women, and Solana quietly closes the door. Making her way back to Roman’s bedroom, she half expects to find him up, pacing, wearing a hole into the floor. She instead is met with the complete opposite: room dark and Roman’s big body sprawled across the bed. He’s on his back, laying on top of the blankets. It’s obvious he fell asleep while doing that waiting she correctly called before even entering the room. 

Shutting the door, Solana moves over to the bed, careful movements helping her position her body so she’s tucked next to him. Her arm over his stomach, and her head on his chest. 

Despite her carefulness, it’s not even a full two minutes before he’s stirred awake. 

“Shhh. It’s just me.” She whispers, kissing his bearded jaw. Even in the darkness of the room, she can still slightly make out his features as he looks down at her. 

“Fuck.” His voice is deep with the slumber he so desperately needs so much more of. “I must have fallen asleep.”

“Good. You need that.” He’s been nonstop the past couple days, not to mention the fact that they have to be up in a couple hours to get back on the road. Solana makes a quick mental note to see if he’ll let her drive back. Even if just for a portion. “Go back to sle—”

“Fetu—” 

Solana feels his body tense underneath her, prompting her to soothingly move her hand across his abdomen. “She’s okay now. Sleep. Ava is sitting with her.”

He says nothing, but she watches the way he lets his head fall back against the mattress. “I’m—I’m sorry you had to see that. I didn’t—”

“I’m not.” Because she’s not. And truth be told, what occurred tonight rests devastatingly low on the list of worst things she’s ever experienced. “I’m glad I could help her. Help you guys.”

Roman hesitates before asking in a thick voice. “How did you….”

“My mom worked at a nursing home when she was in medical school. She used to tell me about her patients with Alzheimer's. How she had to help them. She used to write about it in her journals too.” Not to mention random information Solana has read and learned over the years in her vast pursuit of acquiring medical knowledge after being denied the chance to go to college and pursue her nursing dreams. “She just….she needed to feel safe. I know what that’s like.”

Again, Roman is silent for a couple minutes, Solana eventually feeling him tug her closer, her eyes shutting when he kisses her forehead.  

“Thank you.” There’s so much held behind those two words, an immense amount of appreciation and love that’s felt on such a palpable level. “I love you.”

She could never tire of hearing him say that. Ever. “I love you, too.”

Today was a lot, in so many different ways, Solana feeling perplexed by the many happenings. The letter from Fetu. Fetu’s maybe incoherent, or not so incoherent, warning about someone being jealous. Her almost ominous way of speaking about herself, about her future.

It was just…..a lot. 

And Solana knows there’s so much to digest and try to make sense of. Just not tonight.

Tonight she just wants to fall asleep in the arms of her husband.

Tomorrow, and whatever it entails, can come later. 

[kawacake]

OFFSIDE CRUSH | “The chaos begins?”

Masterlist, prev, Chap 2, next

A/n: something quick and simple the next few chapters won’t have so much writing mainly ig post, bllk boys making TikTok’s and more. Also a like and reblog would be appreciated and comment if you wanna be added to the Taglist bye

The knock on your door is so light it barely qualifies as a knock, more like a baby knocking on the door asking for entry.

You open it to see Reo balancing a box of cookies, Isagi looking over both shoulders like he’s expecting to get tackled, Bachira grinning like he’s about to do something illegal, and Nagi… barefoot and yawning. “Reo told me to walk. That was annoying,” Nagi says by way of hello. “You literally live five doors down,” you say, letting them in.

They kicked their shoes off and fully entered your room. You took one of the crumbled cookies and started eating it till Bachira practically slammed a pack of cards in front of you. "We're Not Really Strangers," the package read, “We’re going to play, we're not really strangers but the cards are a tad bit messier.” Reo narrows his eyes. “You mean emotionally manipulative.” “I mean fun.” Isagi sighs like his soul just left his body. “Can I opt out?” “Nope,” you and Bachira say in unison.

Bachira wiggles his eyebrows and holds out the cards. “Y/N draws first. House rules.” You glance around the circle, Reo is lounging on your bean bag chair, Isagi is sitting cross-legged and visibly stressed, Nagi is slouched against your bed, staring at you with half-lidded curiosity.

You pick a card. “Alright. ‘What’s something you’ve never told anyone here?’” Everyone groans. “Wow. Starting strong,” Reo mutters, rubbing his temple. “I’ll go,” Bachira offers cheerfully. “One time, I replaced Ego’s black coffee with chocolate protein shake as an experiment.” “Did he notice?” you ask. “He said nothing. But the next day, there were two locks on the staff fridge.” Next card goes to Reo.

He reads it aloud: “Who’s someone here you wouldn’t mind being stuck with on a deserted island?” “I feel like there’s a correct answer.” Isagi said Reo shrugs. “Y/n.” “WHAT?!” Bachira gasps.

“You’re resourceful,” Reo says, cool and casual. “Also, you’ve got the ‘keep us alive’ energy.” “PFTTTT I wish I was practically spoon feeding my entire life I’d probably kill myself if I got stuck on a deserted island.” You confessed making the boys laugh at you.

“I’d still want to be stuck with Y/n too. She wouldn’t make me do anything.” Nagi said before Isagi spoke up “Okay but you’d die in like six hours.” Nagi shrugs. “Worth it.”.

Isagi draws the next one. “'What do you notice first when you like someone?'” He pauses. Look up at the group. “Don’t make this weird.” “Too late.” Bachira said Isagi sighs. “I guess… their smile.” “That’s actually cute,” you admit. Isagi turns bright red. “I literally hate this game.” He huffed out.

Then Nagi lazily reaches forward, picks up a card with two fingers like it’s heavy. He reads it slowly. “‘What would you say if you knew they wouldn’t forget it?’” No one says anything.

Reo leans forward. “Dude. You gonna answer?” Nagi glances at you. His voice is low. Almost like he’s just talking to you. “I’d say I like it when you talk to me like I’m more than just another player.” Silence. Actual silence.

Reo’s eyes go wide. Isagi makes a strangled sound. Bachira straight-up clutches his chest like he’s in a drama. “HELP WHY IS BACHIRA ACTUALLY CLUTCHING HIS PEARLS.” You say causing you and Bachira to burst out into a fit of laughter.

“Anyway.” Nagi flops backward onto your bed. “I’m tired now.” “Bro,” Isagi whispers. “You can’t just say stuff like that and nap.” “Well watch me.” Nagi said back now, grabbing a pillow and two of your blankets, throwing it on the floor and throwing the two blankets over him.

“Wow…” You say looking at the boy who was now asleep on your floor. “We’ll wake him up before we leave.” Reo said as the three of you continued playing the card game. 

After what felt like twenty more questions Reo had fallen asleep so the other two boys finally decided it was time to go to bed so they woke Nagi and Reo up and they waved you bye as the four left your room.

-

yourinstagram

Liked by, reoofficial, clutchyoichi, sleepyseishiro, and 1,767,468 others

yourinstagram I wanna be able to fall asleep as quick as Nagi & Reo

View all 81,952 comments

rinwrecks Cool. now post game stats like you're actually paid to

yourinstagram why he clock my shit though…🥀 IT’S MY FIRST DAY GO EASY ON ME DAMN

user953 I want your job

yourinstagram I don’t, you can have it

sleepyseishiro Umm no you can’t have her job.

megumonster Girl wym “I don’t,” YOU DO!

yourinstagram WAIT CHAT I ACTUALLY HAVE TO GTS I ACTUALLY HAVE TO WORK TOMORROW

ChigiriH why are you now being aware of this

user035 exactly why you don’t need this job 🤦‍♀️

yourinstagram HO DO YOU EVEN HAVE A JOB YOURSELF

officialraichi we need a PR Manager for our PR Manager…

yourinstagram WAIT NO THAT COMMENT JUST BLEW ME

-

You closed instagram then clicked on iMessage to text your mom goodnight even though you doubted she was awake.

Fun Fact:

1. Y/n and her mom are 20 years apart and people often mistake the two for siblings.

2. Nagi isn’t aware of his feelings for y/n and just think he’s getting sick or something.

3. I wrote this in a span of 30 minutes FORGIVE ME FOR ANY MISTAKES.

Taglist🏷️: @amterasuu @inojinieeee

[rambheem-is-real]

Ee Varsham Sakshiga [With the Rain as Our Witness]

My submission for #varadevaloveday!

On the way back from Vedha's housewarming party, Deva and Varadha run into a storm. They take shelter in a hut, and Varadha suggests Truth or Dare. Which is a terrible game to play when you've been pining over your best friend for more than two decades.

Or: Modern AU Varadeva

-

“If you’re tired, go to sleep, raa,” Deva tells Varadha, breaking the sound of raindrops hitting the windshield of their rental car. 

Damn, Varadha thinks. 

Was Varadha tired? Yes. Was he actually pretending to be sleeping so he could ogle the other man? Also yes. Now he could either deny it, forcing himself to stay awake when his eyes probably wouldn’t stay open after the next few minutes and look like an idiot, or he could actually go to sleep, missing out on the wonderful sight of Deva driving. The angle at which he lifted the arm closest to Varadha as he steered was enough to ensure Varadha could see the muscle hidden beneath Deva’s dress shirt, a rare article of clothing for someone who usually preferred ratty T-shirts or tank tops. Deva had complained about it, of course. 

“Why the fuck were these torture devices invented?” Deva had snapped, fed up with being unable to fasten the tie to his neck. Varadha, already dressed up, had just laughed at him. 

“How are you, at your big age, unable to tie a tie?”

Deva just pouted, eyes pleading. And how could Varadha resist that? 

He had obliged, sliding off his perch on Deva’s desk to help him. Varadha’s fingers had felt like they were touching a live wire with every brush of his fingers against Deva’s neck, and the scent of Deva’s cologne so close hadn’t helped matters. 

“There, now you won’t look like a hobo at Vedha’s housewarming party,” Varadha jokes. 

“Vedha dresses just like me,” Deva complains. 

“Not today, he won’t.” 

Varadha had been right, all of their friends had shown up wearing some of their best. Not as fancy as the suits they had been wearing for the wedding a few months ago, but still classy. 

Now, the tie had been loosened, laying around his neck in a way that had Varadha imagining different circumstances. It did nothing to conceal the way the first few buttons on Deva’s shirt had been loosened, exposing Deva’s chest. Hence, the secret ogling. Varadha pushes down the instinctive fear that Deva had realized what was going on, that he had somehow found out about Varadha’s feelings. If Deva hadn’t realized in the last thirty years they had known each other, he damn well wasn’t figuring it out now. 

“Alright,” Varadha sighs. “My wonderful driver, wake me up when we get to your home.”

Varadha closes his eyes and leans onto the window, smiling at the chuckle he hears. The sound is more of a deep rumble with Deva’s voice, and it’s heavenly. Still smiling, Varadha lets thoughts of Deva lull him into sleep. 

-

The sound of the wipers furiously scrubbing the windshield breaks Varadha out of his nap. He opens his eyes to see a blur of water droplets and vague images of the road ahead of them. 

“Arey, em kanipisthundi ra neeku? [Dude, what can you see?]” He scoffs. “The rain’s gotten so much worse.”

Deva grits his teeth. “I’m fine. Go back to sleep.” Varadha makes an incredulous sound, drawing Deva’s attention. He can see Deva briefly turn to him out of the corner of his eyes, and his tone softens. “Really, raa. It’s fine; it’s a straight road until we reach the state border. By that time the rain’s probably gonna be better.”

“You don’t know that-” Varadha gasps in the middle of his sentence. “DEER!”

Deva swerves on the wheel, slamming the breaks. They narrowly miss the brown creature annoyingly parked in the middle of the fucking road, and the action sends them hydroplaning onto the other lane where they stop. 

Varadha takes a second to calm himself, and Deva quickly turns to Varadha to scan him for injuries. They hadn’t even hit the deer, for fuck’s sake, but something in Varadha warms to see Deva being protective over him. However, the warmth won’t stop him from teasing the other man. After all, it was one of his favorite activities. 

“What are you looking at? Koncham road atu pothene gaayalosthaya?  [Just because we went a little bit out of the lane will I suddenly have injuries?]”

Seemingly satisfied with his scan, Deva just rolls his eyes. “Ah? Rani gariki antha sukhamgane unda ani, check chesthunna [Just checking to see if Her Majesty is still comfortable].” 

Varadha half-heartedly smacks Deva’s arm, before his eyes land on the dashboard GPS. 

“Rey, there’s no signal here,” he points out. 

Deva starts the car, pulling it into first gear. “I don’t need a GPS to tell me where to go.”

“Mahanubhavuda [Oh great man],” Varadha says, folding his hands sarcastically, “You can do whatever you want when you’re by yourself. Me personally, I don’t want to get lost outside in this rain. Stop by the side of the road. Let’s wait for the GPS to figure its shit out.” 

“I told you already, it’ll be fine-” Deva’s interrupted by the sound of the tires hitting a pothole, and they both wince as they jolt in their seats. 

Varadha scans what he can see of the road, and finds a small hut coming up by the side, a few feet in. 

“Rey, rey, rey, there’s something there, stop!” He taps Deva’s arm in succession. “We can wait out the storm.”

Deva sighs but acquiesces. He pulls over to the side, in front of the structure, which looks more like a hut now that Varadha can get a less blurry look at it. Deva turns to look at Varadha, giving him a happy now? look. 

Varadha just grins at him. For all his teasing, for all his insults, Deva would agree to do anything Varadha asked of him when the time came. Varadha slowly curls his hand around the door handle. 

“Last one to the hut pays for gas!” He barely finishes before he gets out. The rain pelts his back as he lifts a hand above his head, trying and failing to keep his hair dry. Varadha hears an indignant shout and a “Vara!” muffled behind him, and suppresses the giggle that wants to climb out of him as he enters the hut. 

First, he thinks smugly as he observes the interior. Never mind that he had had the advantage there. Not like Deva hadn’t ever pulled some shit like this before. Tom and Jerry, Deva’s mom had lovingly called them as kids when they wouldn’t stop fighting when Varadha came over. Only she had realized that behind each prank, behind each childish insult, was a deep bond of love, and that fighting with each other was just the way they expressed their affection. They could go from happily playing with toys, to getting into a wrestling match, to guiltily soothing each other, all within the span of a few minutes. 

Varadha briefly spares a thought to the fact that Atha [aunt/mother-in-law] might be worried that they hadn’t come back home yet. There was nothing to do now, though. A quick glance at his phone shows no bars, just as he had expected. He and Deva would just have to apologize once they got to his home. 

Deva runs in a second later, almost knocking Varadha over. He frowns as he examines what he can see of the cramped space they’re now in. Varadha pulls on the wire near his face, and is rewarded with a flickering, weak light above their heads. Now that they can see better, it’s clear the hut wasn’t meant for someone to live in. Neither of them would be able to lie down flat on the floor, the rounded walls would prevent that. 

“Rey Vara-” 

Oh, Varadha can’t take that tone. That gentle, you deserve so much better tone. He sits down fully, resting his back to the wall, before Deva finishes. He glares up at Deva, still standing, who just looks exasperated. 

“I’m fine,” Varadha stresses, and what a reversal that is. 

Deva hesitates for a few more seconds before he gives up and joins him, sitting across so their calves touch. 

Varadha hates these moments. He loves now living with Deva and Atha, and being able to be around Deva more. If he has to adjust to living less lavishly than he had growing up, that’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make. 

Deva doesn’t see it that way, though. Every time Varadha’s had to eat leftover rice, take public transportation, stand in the hot sun for more than a few minutes, he gets this look on his face, some combination of guilt and anger, the latter emotion only for Varadha’s ex-family, of course. It never seems to get into his head that Varadha’s fine with this, that he’s not so soft as to consider any of these more than minor inconveniences. Deva had been both elated and sad to hear that Varadha and Baachi had left the Mannars. 

Elated because he had been there for all of the times Varadha’s family had humiliated, hurt, and insulted them, all for the crime of being born to a different mother. It had been Varadha who had kept Deva from trying to get back at his siblings numerous times for the shit they had put him through. Sad, because it meant Varadha was leaving his comfortable life with his wealthy family, to come tough it out inside Deva’s apartment, which was barely big enough for Deva and Atha by themselves. 

Well, the Raisans being in that situation was Raja Mannar’s fault in the first place, but Varadha was genuinely happy to live with Deva, and his decision had nothing to do with his separate secondhand guilt for the way Deva and Atha had to live their lives as he grew up with all of his basic needs automatically taken care of. Baachi had figured out a roommate situation with his own boyfriend, Rinda, and Varadha had begrudgingly accepted, not before attempting a shovel talk (successful, Rinda looked terrified) and a lecture on using protection (unsuccessful, Baachi had all but shoved him out the door after that).

Fuck. Now they’re both upset, and there’s a storm raging outside. Varadha can hear faint thunder in the distance, and he knows with their luck the storm will pass right over them. 

He tries to think of something that’ll lighten the mood, something to do to pass the time. Varadha nudges Deva’s foot with his own, to get Deva’s attention. He had been staring morosely at the ground, but he looks up to meet Varadha’s eyes. 

“Truth or dare?” Varadha asks. 

Deva just raises an eyebrow, and Varadha flushes. 

“I don’t see you coming up with something. Either figure something out or answer the question,” Varadha demands. 

Deva sighs. “Sare [Ok], raa. Dare.”

Varadha looks around the hut. What the fuck could he even dare Deva to do here? 

Deva seems to also realize this, and snickers. Oh, it’s on, Varadha thinks. Both of them had competitive streaks, and the best way to provoke was to act like the other was powerless. 

“I dare you to spend thirty seconds outside.” 

Deva’s jaw drops. “It’s raining!” 

“Exactly. Get out.”

Deva rolls his eyes, but dutifully crawls outside to lie in the grass for thirty seconds. Varadha definitely doesn’t admire the way the water droplets run across his skin.

When he comes back inside, he’s fully soaked, and Varadha realizes he’s made a mistake. The space is so small the puddles that Deva makes flow over to where Varadha is. 

Deva suddenly leans over Varadha, and before he can react, roughly shakes his head so the droplets in his hair land onto Varadha’s face. Varadha sputters, jumping away, and Deva laughs back to his spot on the floor. 

“Kukka [dog],” Varadha mutters, as Deva’s laughter slowly trails off. 

“Ok, my turn,” Deva says, still grinning widely. “Truth or Dare, Vara?”

Well, Varadha’s not going to pick dare. “Truth.” Deva opens his mouth, then closes it. Varadha smirks at him. “Whatever diabolical plan you had, it’s not happening.”

Deva pouts. “Damn, I gotta actually think of something to ask you now.” His brows knit together in concentration. “What don’t I know about you?”

A good question, actually. They had been inseparable ever since they had been introduced as toddlers, the sons of Raja Mannar and Dhaara Raisan. Every joy, every sorrow in their lives, they had shared with each other. 

“Do you actually approve of Rinda, or are you just ok with it for Baachi’s sake?”

That’s easy. “He’s an idiot, but not bad.” Not bad, Deva mouths at him, and Varadha flips him off, grinning. “He’s higher on my list than most other people, at least. And I trust Baachi to keep him in line.”

They smile at each other for a few more seconds. 

“My turn. Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

Varadha flicks an eyebrow, and Deva rolls his eyes once more. “You could barely come up with a dare last time. There’s nothing to do in here. Might as well make it a truth game.” He doesn’t like it, but Varadha can see the logic in that. 

“Alright.” He racks his brain for what he can ask Deva that he doesn’t already know. “Have you ever had a crush on anyone? Obviously, someone you didn’t tell me about.” 

Nice going Varadha , he thinks. Totally subtle. 

But Deva just contemplates it. Like there actually was an answer to that that wasn’t, Are you out of your mind? If there was someone I would’ve told you.  

“Promise me.” Varadha says, suddenly. “Promise me that everything you say for the rest of the game is true.” He hopes that if there really were secrets between them, this night would change that. 

Deva stares, mouth set in a hard line, for long enough that Varadha starts to sweat. Does.. does Deva want to keep secrets from him? Eventually he does lift up his pinky. “I swear.”

Varadha gives him a Look, now trusting him even less. Deva sighs. “I pinky swear, on our friendship, that I’ll tell the truth.” He then quickly links the pinky with Varadha’s. “And Varadharaja Mannar will also tell the truth.” Varadha opens his mouth, and then closes it. Well, he’d be a hypocrite if he didn’t agree to the deal as well. Complete honestly from both, then. 

“Sare, sare [Ok, ok]. Now answer the question.” 

Deva looks at the ground for the first time, not being able to meet Varadha’s eyes. “Yes,” he mumbles, and Varadha’s heart sinks. 

“My turn,” Deva says, quickly. “Have you..” He hesitates, but forges on. “Have you ever went all the way with anyone?”

“Have I had sex, you mean?”

“I’m just curious,” he defends himself. “Isn’t that the kind of question you would ask in a Truth or Dare game?”

“Yes,” Varadha answers honestly, to his first question. Deva takes in that information, eyes unreadable. “Now you. Do you still feel that way for that person?”

Deva closes his eyes, as if expecting a reaction from Varadha. “...Yes.”

Oh. Varadha forces a laugh. “Rasikudive, raa nuvvu [you’re really a player],” he jokes. “Pakkane mogudni pettukoni vere valla gurinchi matladthunnavu [you’re talking about other people with your husband right next to you].” The flirtatious banter was an inside joke between them, sometimes referring to each other as their husband or wife in private. It doesn’t seem to land in this moment, where Deva just looks pained. 

“Rey..” he starts, and Varadha interrupts. 

“It’s your turn to ask me something.”

Deva just looks at him. “Does it bother you? That I said yes to the past two questions?”

Fuck. Varadha hates his past self for suggesting this game. But he had promised. And it’s not like Varadha wasn’t a jealous person in general, even towards people Deva knows he has only platonic feelings for. 

“Yes,” he answers. Deva’s eyes widen. Moving on. 

“Does the person know you have feelings for them?” They’re getting dangerously close to what Varadha really wants to know, the identity of this mysterious crush of Deva’s. 

“No.” Deva says, quickly, but surely. Like that was unquestionable, like he had resigned himself to unrequited feelings a long time ago. “Do you? Have someone you like, I mean.”

Varadha keeps his eyes on Deva, thinking again about how if Deva had suspected anything he probably would’ve done so a long time ago. “Yes.” Deva’s eyes widen once again, and Varadha can see genuine surprise and hurt. 

Well, if they were talking about secrets. “Were you the one who beat up Ranga?”

Deva flinches. 

Varadha had always felt estranged from his family, but a few years ago, the catalyst for his leaving was Ranga. His brother’s boytoy? Boyfriend? Pet? Varadha still doesn’t know what he is to Rudra, but one day Ranga apparently thought it would be funny to call and withdraw Varadha’s application to his dream university. Varadha had been devastated, but knew better than to start something when Rudra could just as easily do the same to the other colleges he had applied to in retaliation. Let them pay for his college, graduate and then cut them off - this was Varadha’s mantra for higher education. 

He had, of course, raged about it in private with Deva. Had broken down, barely eaten dinner that night, slept with his head in Deva’s lap on the couch with Atha glancing worriedly at him. Varadha hadn’t told another soul about it. 

The day after, he went home to get a suitcase of his clothes and other belongings thrown at him the second he walked through the door. From the doorway, he could see all his trophies, his certificates, smashed on the living room floor. 

Someone had beaten up Ranga that morning. They had beaten him so bad he was in the hospital in a coma. Rudra had furiously enquired as to what happened, and somehow found out about what Ranga did. He had assumed it was Varadha, taking revenge, and had told Raja Mannar. And of course he only focused on the fact that Varadha had hurt someone, not even caring about the reason why. With Radha Rama’s encouragement, he had taken the decision to legally disown Varadha. 

That was the last day Varadha stepped foot in that house. He had gone numbly over to Deva’s apartment, holding nothing but his suitcase. Atha had opened the door, taken one look at him and the suitcase, and waved him in, had told him the guest room was always his. When Deva got home, Varadha could see the shock and clear guilt across his face. 

He had never asked Deva about it, and Deva didn’t talk about it. Varadha didn’t even blame him. He only felt mildly upset that if Ranga’s face did get smashed in, it wasn’t Varadha that had done it. 

“Was it you?” Varadha repeats the question. He knows the answer, of course. He just wants Deva to say something about it, now that they had both sworn to tell the truth. 

A shadow of Deva’s guilt that day comes back now, shoulders slumping. “Yes,” Deva whispers. “But you knew that.”

“I did.”

They sit in silence for a few more seconds. Varadha can be patient when he wants to, and can outwait even Deva, a man of few words. 

Eventually the tension is too much for Deva. “I’m sorry, raa,” he says, desperate. “I wasn’t thinking, at all. I didn’t expect them to take it out on you. That morning, I woke up still dreaming of your tears, and I couldn’t do anything, think of anything other than fucking that bastard up.” The last part is gritted out. “He’s lucky I didn’t kill him. I definitely wanted to, just for making you cry, for taking away your chances at your dream college.” 

Varadha swallows. He knows Deva cares about him more than anything, but to hear it put like that, it’s scary and reassuring at the same time. “You didn’t say anything about it afterwards, though. Even when I came to your house that day.”

Deva closes his eyes. “Does it make me a terrible person if some part of me, some small part of me was glad it happened?”

“Glad?”

“Because.. because it led to you staying with me.” He quickly clears his throat. “With us. Me and Amma.”

Varadha stares. Deva opens his eyes, and winces at whatever he finds on Varadha’s face. “I’m sorry. But it’s the truth. I felt awful for you getting kicked out, I felt awful that I ruined your life. I genuinely wanted to end it all, for a few days.” Varadha remembers the quiet, devastated glances Deva kept sending him all week, when he thought Varadha couldn’t see him. “But then I would see you, eating with us, laughing along with us into the late hours of the night, sleeping in the room that was now yours…” He swallows. Deva doesn’t finish the sentence, but Varadha, so closely attuned with his best friend, could easily tell what he wanted to convey. 

They sit in silence as Varadha digests this information, both looking anywhere other than each other. Eventually, Deva leans his head out of the hut, and comes back in, only slightly wet. 

He hesitantly tries to tell Varadha, “The storm seems to have broken-”

“Your turn.” Varadha interrupts. 

“My what?”

“Your turn.” Varadha nudges him with his foot. “Truth or.. truth I guess.”

“Are you angry at me?” He whispers, looking genuinely scared. Like what Varadha says now would screw with him for the rest of his life. “For what I did?” 

Varadha just stares at him, letting Deva squirm. 

Finally, he responds, mouth slowly curving into a smile. “Yedava [idiot]. If I actually was mad at you I’d have let you know the day it happened. I’m just mad you didn’t call me when you were beating him up because I had shit to say as well.”

Deva’s jaw drops. “You- you- dongasachinoda [fucking asshole]. You had me thinking you hated me!” 

Varadha can’t hold it back anymore, starts laughing uncontrollably. “Your-your face!” He wheezes. “You were so scared!”

Deva attempts to pout but fails to hold back a relieved grin. “Dick.”

“Well, if that’s what you want-,” Varadha winks, then laughs again as Deva attempts to hit him for that. He overshoots, and ends up falling on his face, onto Varadha’s thighs. Deva shifts into a more comfortable position, looking up at Varadha now. 

Varadha looks at Deva’s affectionate smile, and thinks back to the admission that Deva had loved having Varadha living with him. Suddenly, Varadha’s a lot less scared about who Deva’s been talking about. He thinks, he hopes, that he’s guessing it correctly. “What’s his name?”

Deva’s smile dims a bit. “Who?”

“It’s my turn, raa. What’s his name, the one you’ve been pining over?”

“How’d you know it was a guy?”

“You can’t ask questions, you only can answer mine. That’s how the game works.”

Deva looks deep into Varadha’s eyes, searching. Finally, he answers. “You seem so confident. Why don’t you answer, and I’ll tell you if it’s right?”

In response, desperately praying to every god he can think of that he’s not fucking this up, not ruining their friendship irrevocably, Varadha leans down and kisses Deva. 

There’s a brief moment of shock, a moment where Deva freezes, that Varadha starts panicking. 

Oh fuck shit fuck shit shit shit fuck fuck fuuuuuuuck-

Deva pulls back. 

I’ve gotta move out I can’t show my face anymore-

He sits up fully, so he’s facing Varadha. 

I’ve got to change my name, move to a different country, fuck fuck fuck fuck-

“What was that?” Deva’s face is carefully blank, but Varadha knows his own must be giving all of his feelings away. 

“I… thought it was me?” Varadha tries, feeling like a lump of embarrassment. He clears his throat, averting his eyes. “Or not. That’s fine. I’ll just-” He attempts to stand up, trying to push Deva off his lap. Fuck the rain, he’ll walk to Deva's house if that’s what he has to do to get out of here. And immediately start packing his shit once he gets there. 

He hears the unmistakable sound of a giggle from Deva, and Varadha snaps his head back around to see Deva with his hands clapped over his mouth. They can’t hide the wide grin he’s struggling to hold back well enough, though.

“What the fuck?”

Deva gives up and tugs Varadha back down, eyes sparkling with mirth. “Oh so only you’re allowed to pretend you’re mad at me?” 

“Ohh, you fucker!” Varadha pinches Deva in the side, hard, and Deva yelps, but it doesn’t stop either of their laughter. 

Deva pulls Varadha into a kiss, and this time it’s heavenly with both of them reciprocating. Both of their lips are chapped and dry from the lack of food or water, but Varadha doesn’t care. Deva, his Deva, is kissing him. 

They pull back, only far enough so Deva can rest his forehead on Varadha’s. 

He laughs incredulously. “Let me guess, you’ve also been secretly pining for your best friend all your life.”

“Fucking hell,” is all Varadha says in response, grinning. 

“We’re idiots.”

“Yep.”

Deva groans. “Even your brother saw it before we did, he kept teasing us at the party that we showed up together like a couple.”

“I think the whole world saw it before we did,” Varadha sighs. “I don’t know about your mom, though.” Deva winces, and Varadha pulls back, frowning. “What?”

“I might’ve…. told my mom at age six if I was going to marry anyone it was going to be you? And then repeated it when I was twenty-one and she started talking about people I might be interested in?” He grins, embarrassed. 

Varadha’s eyes widen as something occurs to him, and Deva immediately starts protesting. 

“No, no, it’s not like that-”

“Damn, you really were down bad for me, huh,” Varadha smirks, and Deva groans, hiding his face in Varadha’s chest. “What else, were you doodling our names together in your notebooks with hearts? Were you the one that put that sappy ass love letter in my locker in the ninth grade?” Deva doesn’t say anything, and Varadha bursts out laughing. “Wait, seriously?” 

Deva immediately pushes himself out of the light embrace Varadha’s been holding him in, and looks outside. “Well would you look at that, the sun is shining and it’s not pouring anymore.”

Varadha gets to his feet as well, grinning. He’s absolutely delighted at this turn of events, and won’t ever let Deva live this down. 

Deva’s about to go outside to the car, cheeks red, when he stops. He hesitantly takes Varadha’s hand in his own, looks at him like Is this okay? Is this too fast?

Varadha just brings the hand up to his lips, presses a kiss to the knuckles. An unspoken It’s very okay. 

Deva smiles shyly, and they head out to their car, hand in hand. The combination of the light rain and the bright sun makes a very visible half rainbow at the end of the field across from them, and Varadha smiles. 

"Let's go to our home, raa," he says. 

-

tags: @deadloverscity @ghostdriftexistence @zici @sambaridli @sometimesbrave @just-a-lazy-person @vijayasena @sinistergooseberries all the other server lovelies as well

[tiddiewitch]

Second Chances - CH. 10

Description: Agathrio AU / Wagatha - Agatha and Rio go on their dinner date and end up back at Rio's

Warnings: None - yet, I promise it's coming

Wordcount: 7,500

Notes: This is when I wish I could draw so much better than I do. I know exactly what Rio's apartment looks like in my head and I wish I could just show everyone.

Chapter 10 - Sixteen

True to her word Rio had called her the next day to make dinner plans. They agreed to meet the following weekend as she was working or on call throughout the next week. This gave Agatha time to think. After everything that happened with Wanda and trying to have kids she had never considered another relationship, at least a serious one. She thought sure maybe a fling here or there far into the future but she didn’t expect someone like Rio to enter her life. Sure they’d only been on one date, but the way just the thought of this woman made her stomach flutter and she knew her feelings were more than just physical attraction. According to Rio it was fate, though she wasn’t sure she quite believed that, there was definitely something there that she was being pulled into. 

On top of the swirl of emotions she felt over Rio, her body was once again betraying her. Each morning she would wake up in a cold sweat, heart racing, as images of the woman faded from her dreamy state. She would move to get up and ready for the day only to find her joints stiff and swollen and her back aching. She could see a tired puffiness in her face and chalked it up to water retention and stress as she had not been sleeping well. Nothing a morning run and a cold shower couldn’t fix. The week itself seems to drag on and on and she found herself more exhausted than ever. More than once Sharon caught her taking a nap on the couch in her office. The only thing that got her through were the random flirty texts from Rio. Each notification filled her with excitement and anticipation for their date on Friday. She felt like she was in her 20s again. 

By the time Friday rolled around though she was running on fumes. She managed to make it out of the office early enough to try and take a nap after work before she had to get ready. She hadn’t even managed to make it to her room and found herself being awoken by Ralph a couple hours later from the couch. 

“You gonna make it to dinner?” He laughed as he shook her awake. 

“Ugh, what time is it?”

“6:00”

“Shit, I’ve got to get ready.” She sat up stretching and shaking herself awake. “I feel like I got hit by a bus.” She said in a sleepy stupor. 

“I’m not going to lie, you look like it.”

“Great! I do not have time to fix this. I’m just gonna cancel.”

“No! We can work with this. I’ve already got your outfit picked out, just go wash your face and pull your hair back. You’ll be fine!” 

She groaned as she forced herself off the couch and down the hallway to get ready. As soon as she caught sight of herself in the mirror she decided this needed more than a freshen up at the sink and hopped in the shower. The steaming hot water felt good on her joints and helped to wash off the stress of the day. By the time she made it out she only had 30 mins to finish getting ready. She threw her hair up quickly clipping it into a big loose bun, a few pieces falling in waves by her face. She hurriedly applied some mascara and one of the lipsticks Jen had given her before heading into the bedroom to take a look at what Ralph picked out. On the bed was a black strapless jumpsuit with a gold belt. Something she had worn before at one of her galas, but hadn’t picked out in a while. She remembered it being a bit snug but as she went to pull it on found it nearly impossible to zip. She wandered out into the hallway knocking on Ralph’s door for assistance. 

“I can’t get this zipped and I have like 5 minutes.”

“Turn around…suck it in…lift them up” she was able to comply just enough for him to zip it leaving no room to breathe. She turned around to face him with a look of discomfort. 

“I don’t know if this is going to work.” 

“You do kind of look stuffed into it like a sausage but hey your tits look amazing” 

“I can’t breathe let alone sit or eat.”

“Fine we’ll go with plan b.” He sauntered off to her closet to pull out a strapless dress that featured watercolor shades of purple swirls. “More room to breathe but it’ll still show off what the good lord gave you.” 

“Great, now get me out of this!” She quickly shed the jumpsuit and had Ralph help squeeze her into the dress. “This will have to work.”

“Again, may be a little tight but the tits look great. I think she’ll really appreciate it.” 

“Fantastic! Don’t wait up!” She shouted as she rushed out the door. 

The ride to the restaurant seemed to take forever as she hit nearly every red light. Cursing herself for not having set an alarm to leave earlier she rushed into the restaurant 10 minutes late. A little out of breath, she caught sight of Rio seated across the room. As she made her way over the woman rose to greet her. If Agatha thought she had been attracted to her before the mere sight of her now left her drooling. Tonight she had opted for a dark green fitted dress with spaghetti straps and a plunging neckline. Her dark hair curled into waves like an old movie star and those honey amber eyes gleaming from behind a swoop of hair. 

“Well if you aren’t absolutely stunning!” Rio gleamed as she helped Agatha into her chair. 

“You’re not half bad yourself! I never would have expected this.” 

“Well it’s our first dinner together, I figured I’d pull out all the stops.” She winked. “Oh, and here you are my dear.” Rio handed over a single stemmed rose.  

“How lovely” Agatha fumbled with the flower, not really knowing where to put it until finally opting to hold it in her lap. She looked back at Rio suddenly puzzled. “So, you drove here on your motorcycle, in that?” This produced a roaring laugh from Rio. 

“Absolutely not! It took way too much time to get ready for that!” She giggled “I took an Uber. What about you, any trouble getting here?” 

“Just running later than I planned. It’s been a long week.” 

“Tell me about it! Today couldn’t come soon enough! I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again since our last date. Have you had a chance to read any of your book?”

“A bit. I’ve not read a lot of fantasy but so far it’s piqued my interest. Excited to see how it turns out. What about you? How’s your adventure going?”

“Better than expected for me. Worst than expected for them. But that’s what you get when you’re arrogant about exploring the arctic. Really enjoying the firsthand perspective, you can really see where they went off the rails. So tell me about these friends of yours!”

“Oh Jen and Ralph I’ve known since college. Alice is Jen’s new girlfriend. Ralph is currently staying with me while he’s in town. He’s usually on the road or on some cruise ship or something. Jen, well Jen actually works at your hospital.”

“Oh no way! What department?”

“She’s a nurse midwife in labor and delivery. To be honest I’d be surprised if she hasn’t happened to introduce herself to you already. She’s particularly nosey.” 

“No, I don’t think I’ve met a Jen. But then again, I’ve met a lot of people recently and don’t remember half of them unless I see them on a daily basis.” 

“How’s your aunt doing?” 

“She’s doing well. I told her about you, ya know.” She flashed Agatha her signature smirk

“Oh, and what did she have to say?”

“I should be on my best behavior, so as not to scare you off.” 

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Oh really?”

“You may have had me flustered last time but I don’t scare easily. Even with your reckless driving.” she smiled slyly at Rio 

“So you admit it, I made you nervous?”

“You, the situation, all foreign territory for me. You’re very… intense.” 

“I’m going to take that as a compliment. You mentioned that last time… it’s been..a while. So, who was she?” 

Agatha choked on her wine, her eyes going wide with panic. She hadn’t planned on discussing Wanda for as long as possible, but of course Rio knew exactly what question she didn’t want to answer. She took another sip of her wine as Rio sat there patiently waiting for a response. 

“I…um…well she was.” She began to stutter.

“It’s fine, take your time. I expect this isn’t an easy subject for you.” 

“Well, you don’t go 7 years without dating if it wasn’t at least a little traumatic.” she chuckled, getting a smile out of Rio. This brief joy settled quickly into an uncomfortable silence as they sat there once again, the hum of anticipation between them.

“Her name was Wanda.” Agatha managed to whisper through a shy smile, a twinge of pain in her eyes.

“Wanda.” Rio echoed softly. “How did you two meet?” Again she waited patiently for a reply. Agatha could feel her chest start to tighten as those memories began to rush back. She took a few breaths to settle the tears beginning to form and cleared her throat. 

“We..uh…we met in school.”

“Tell me about her. What was she like?” Agatha let out a breathy chuckle. 

“Do you really want to talk about this?” She deflected. Rio shot back a caring smile

“I do.” She sat back in her chair savoring her wine. 

“She was definitely a bit of a risk taker. Always kept me on my toes.”

“You seem to have a type!” 

“What can I say, I like the bad boys.” She shrugged before taking another drink “but she was unnervingly kind and thoughtful. She cared deeply about the people she loved. She was overwhelmingly curious, one might say to a fault, and she was nearly unstoppable.” Agatha trailed off with a wistful sigh, a distant gaze clouding her eyes. 

“She sounds amazing. How long were you together?” 

“Well we dated for 5 years and were married for about the same.”

“I see…How did you lose her.” Agatha’s breath caught in her throat. She knew the question was inevitable, given Rio’s directness, but it still caught her off guard and tears began to fill the corners of her eyes. She attempted a smile, blinking them away. 

“Well…she was…overcome by curiosity and adventure. I’m sure much like the explorers in your novel, only a little less polar.” She danced around the severity of the tragedy hoping not to step on any unhealed wounds within her. She did not need to come apart on this date. 

“It was…unexpected.” 

“Death often is. I’m sorry for your loss.” 

Rio reached across the table to hold Agatha’s hand. The soft warmth of her touch and the caring look of understanding created a small crack in the facade Agatha was trying desperately to uphold, allowing for a few tears to break free. She quickly pulled back and wiped them from her face as their food arrived. Thankful for the distraction, she took the opportunity to gather herself and nudge the conversation in a different direction. 

“So enough about me, part of this deal is I get to know you. For all I know you could be a serial killer.”

“I could be! You’ll have to find out.” She winked, “What do you want to know?” 

“Have you ever been in a committed relationship?” 

“A few.”

“And by a few you mean?”

“I’d say 3 of them were pretty serious, a couple of them lasted longer than they should have. The rest were just convenient dalliances.”

“How many overall?” Agatha raised her eyebrows. 

“30? 40? Probably more, I lost count.” Agatha’s eyes bulged as she took a bite of her food. Rio chuckled

“I take it your love life hasn’t been as prolific. Even before Wanda?” 

“There may have been a few others but no not nearly that many.” 

“Well luckily for you it’s equipped me with a breadth of knowledge and experience I’m sure you’ll want to take advantage of… at some point.” 

Her cheeky smile was beaming again. Agatha was grateful for how quickly the levity had returned. Rio somehow had the ability to pull from her some of her darkest moments and still end up making her feel as if she was glowing from the inside out. 

“When was your last serious relationship?”

“About 4 years ago. I thought I was going to marry this woman but found out she had been cheating on me. For a while.”

“Oh my gods. I’m so sorry, that’s awful!”

“It was for the best, really dodged a bullet there. So how many dates before I get to hear you sing?” Agatha rolled her eyes. 

“Something tells me you're not going to let that go anytime soon.” 

“Not until I get that concert you promised.”

“I promised nothing!” She said in mock defiance. 

“It was implied when you bragged about your karaoke skills. Come on! I bet you’re amazing.” 

“I am very good.” She taunted “We’ll have to see, when you’ve earned that privilege.” 

“I’ll beg if I have to! You’re not getting out of this so easily!” She wagged a frustrated finger at Agatha. As they took a moment to eat Agatha let her mind wander at that last comment. I’ll beg if I have to. Images of Rio danced across her mind, on her knees before her. The dress she was wearing ripped from her body, her big doe eyes looking up at her. 

“What are you thinking about?” The question startled her from her daydream. She cleared her throat as she composed herself. 

“Well…um… why? Why did you choose this field of medicine? Neonatal surgeon, it seems pretty specialized.” Rio grinned in response, knowing full well that was not what Agatha had been thinking about. 

“Sure.” She chuckled “I kind of fell into it to be honest. I knew I wanted to be a surgeon. I was lucky enough to have a brilliant mentor who was a pediatric surgeon and I enjoyed working with the kids. There was one case I sat in on though that made me realize this is what I wanted to do.” 

“Oh, do tell.”

“Are you squeamish?”

“I don’t think so.” She said cautiously 

“I won’t get into anything too graphic but, I was able to observe a spina bifida repair on a fetus. It was quite successful and the baby was born with minimal complications a few months later. It completely changed the trajectory of that child’s life before it was even born.” Agatha sat there stunned for a moment. 

“That’s incredible.” She finally uttered “Is that…do you do a lot of those now?” 

“In-utero isn’t as common, we avoid it if possible. Much of the work is done right after birth, which makes it hard to plan for.” 

“How so?”

“Babies run on their own schedule and it’s best to let them cook as long as possible unless it’s an emergency. The good thing is most of the time we know what to expect and prepare for when the time comes.”

“How do you deal with that kind of stress? I can’t imagine working under that kind of pressure!” 

“It’s not easy, that’s for sure! Outside of the work that needs to be done, you can’t think about it too much. Live in the moment, surround yourself with good company, find ways to stay physically active.” She ended with a wink. Agatha looked down at her plate of food, chewing over the question she wanted to ask. 

“Have…have you ever… lost a patient?” There was silence as their eyes met once again. Rio, seeing the glimpse of sorrow and worry in Agatha’s eyes, cautiously responded. 

“Yes.” Agatha’s breath caught in her throat as she was once again fighting back the tears threatening to spill over. 

“How?” She whispered. Rio looked down, picking at her plate, searching for how she wanted to reply. 

“Sometimes… it’s just not meant to be. Life is eternally fragile, especially at the very start. You can do everything in your power and it won’t be enough.” Agatha could feel every bit of weight in what Rio had shared threatening to crush her. “I’m just lucky enough to be in position to try. Besides, I am quite good at what I do so those cases are few and far between.” At that Agatha let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding and took a drink of her wine. 

“We can talk about something else if you prefer, this isn’t exactly light dinner conversation.” Agatha nodded silently “So when did you know you liked women?” Rio asked

“Probably since I was 13?”

“Tell me more” Agatha laughed at the memory. 

“There was this girl in my class. I wanted to be her friend so bad but she never gave me the time of day. I even tried dating her brother to get close to her but that didn’t end well. I ended up breaking his nose when he tried to make out with me on their couch. At the time I didn’t realize I was attracted to her like that but looking back it was pretty obvious. What about you?”

“I’ve always kind of known. My first kiss was with the neighbor girl in Puerto Rico.”

“How old were you?”

“Maybe 6? We were playing pretend wedding and there was no groom so I happily volunteered.” 

“What did your parents think?”

“I never really got to have that conversation with my father. I think my mother had her suspicions. My aunt got the brunt of it when I hit puberty. I did not let that woman rest!” She laughed 

“But she was ok with it? With you being gay?”

“More or less, she was more upset with how many of my female classmates I convinced to play doctor.” 

“How old were you then?”

“14? 15? When did you kiss your first girl?” 

Agatha grimaced “16. It was simultaneously the best and worst moment of my life.”

“Oh, how so?”

“Well, everything I had been feeling finally clicked, and it finally felt right. But my mother quickly found out and you know the rest. Conversion camp, boarding school.”

“So is she super religious or something?”

“Southern Baptist actually. Lots of fire and brimstone.”

“Ah, are you religious?” At that Agatha let out a bursting laugh. 

“Absolutely not! Growing up in that environment really beat it out of me. Are you?”

“Not particularly, I’d say I’m more spiritual.”

“What does that mean? Tarot and crystals and stuff?”

“Yeah along those lines. My aunt is basically a witch and I tend to take after her.”

“You’re a witch?” Agatha questioned, eyebrows raised. 

“Eh, more or less. I certainly manifested you!” 

“Oh really?” 

“Maybe I had a little help from my aunt. She anticipated you about a month before I actually met you.”

“What?”

“She read it in my cards. Have you ever had your tarot read?”

“No, can’t say that I have.” 

“Well we definitely have to change that!” By this point the waiter had brought their bill. Rio didn’t give Agatha a chance to even try and pay before handing the bill back to the waiter with her card. “So, any chance you’d like to continue the night?” She said as she signed the check. 

“What did you have in mind?”

“Well someone at work told me about this speakeasy type bar not far from here. Apparently they have live jazz on the weekends. We could have a few drinks, get dessert?” Agatha paused for a moment, contemplating with her face scrunched up to one side. 

“How far is it?”

“A few blocks.”

“Am I driving or are we walking?”

“We can take a Lyft if you’d like?” Agatha bit her lip. Exhaustion was pulling at her once again, but she was having such a good time and didn’t want to let the date end. 

“Alright lets do it!” 

As they rose from the table she suddenly realized how badly she needed to pee. “I’ll meet you out front, I have to go to the bathroom.” She rushed through the restaurant, nearly knocking over a waiter as she barreled into the restroom. She breezed past the few women waiting as a stall opened and she forced her way in. She barely made it to the seat before she expelled the contents of her bladder. She couldn’t remember ever having to pee so bad before in her life. Feeling lighter she exited the stall to glares from the many women still waiting. She calmly washed her hands and touched herself up in the mirror before heading out to meet Rio. 

“Did you make it?” She laughed

“Barely” 

“Good, you’re just in time. Here’s our car.” As they settled into the car Rio reached out and grabbed Agatha’s hand, planting a kiss on her knuckles, before returning both their hands to her lap. The ride was only a few minutes as Agatha sat back and observed Rio glancing out the window watching the streetlights go by. She was probably the most intelligent, grounded woman she had ever met, yet she had such childlike awe for the world around her. She was definitely the most beautiful she had ever met. At that thought she felt a pang of guilt ring in her chest. Wanda. She loved Wanda, and Wanda had been beautiful, though in a more classic sense. Elegant, soft, delicate. She had loved Wanda, and Wanda was gone. Her feelings now for Rio did not negate all she had felt for Wanda but the pang of guilt was still ever present. She started to pull her hand away when Rio turned to look at her, that signature smirk on her face, those burning amber eyes. She could feel the heat from Rio’s gaze engulfing the guilt hovering in her chest and replacing that with desire. Without saying a word she repositioned her hand on Agatha’s and pulled it in closer then resumed looking out the window. Moments later they pulled up to a simple wooden door, a green light casting the only glow on that part of the street. Rio excitedly opened the door and pulled Agatha through. 

“You sure this is it?” She asked

“Definitely! It looks just like the pictures they showed me.” Rio walked up and knocked on the door. A little window slid open and a man popped out. 

“Do you have a reservation?”

“Yes, under Vidal.” Rio replied, turning to bashfully shrug at Agatha. “So I may have had this planned the whole time, I’m glad you agreed to go.”

“Would you still have come here if I had said no?”

“Probably but only to drink my sorrows away at your absence.” Agatha rolled her eyes yet an undeniable smirk grew across her face. Eventually the door opened and they entered a long hallway. 

“Walk down to the elevator at the end and you’ll head down to the fourth floor.” The man instructed. 

“Down?” Agatha looked at Rio concerned

“Down!” She replied eagerly as she led her down the hallway. 

They pushed the button and waited for what felt like ages before the elevator arrived. They entered and pushed the only other available button, 4th floor. The doors creaked closed and the elevator slowly descended. Agatha leaned her back against the wall, taking some pressure off her aching feet. Rio sidled up to her and swung an arm around her waist pulling her into her side. Agatha looked over at her aching to rest her head on her shoulder but she didn’t want to appear as tired as she really was. Before they knew it the elevator landed and the doors glided back revealing an arched brick hallway lined with gas lamps, another door at the end. They glanced at each other concerningly as they slowly made their way toward the door. As they got closer they could hear muffled voices and the hum of the band. 

“Do we knock again?” Agatha asked

“I don’t think so.” 

As Rio reached for the handle the door burst open and they jumped back as another couple headed out. When they peered in they were taken aback by a large dome shaped room, much like a small theatre. There were tiered rows of round covered tables, each lit with a small lantern, leading down to a dance floor in front of a modest stage where the band was situated. Around the back of the room where they stood was an intricate wood and golden bar that wrapped around the whole level. Each of the waitstaff was dressed in some sort of 1920s attire. The big swing band playing added to the vintage atmosphere. 

“Do you want to grab a drink and walk around a bit or go find our table?”

“I would love to sit for a bit.” They wandered over to the host stand where they were led to a table right above the dance floor. Once seated Agatha let out a big sigh. 

“You alright?” 

“Oh, yes. Just a long day.”

“I won’t keep you out too late! Maybe we just get one drink and head out.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

“ I just wanted to check it out for a bit. I’m just glad to be here with you.” Rio reached out, grabbing her hand once again and planting another kiss. 

“Can I get you anything to drink or eat?” The server had popped up out of nowhere. 

“I’ll take a manhattan.” Rio replied then motioned to Agatha

“I’ll just take a water. But what desserts do you have?” The server rattled off a few, in the end she opted for a molten chocolate cake. She turned to Rio. “I’m so glad they have dessert. If I don’t eat something chocolate in the next 5 minutes I might combust!” 

“You have a sweet tooth?”

“Occasionally, but when I do it’s pretty severe.”

“Is it primarily chocolate or are there other sweets you indulge in?”

“Chocolate for sure but only as like a pastry. And really any pastry or baked good. I do really like tart or sour gummy candies as well. What about you?”

“I love a good red hot. Malted milk balls are also amazing. And those hard strawberry candies.”

“You have the palate of an octogenarian.” She laughed. 

“What can I say, I like what I like. That’s what Lilia usually keeps around her house.”

“Lilia? Oh, your aunt?” 

“Yeah, she’s usually got a bag of something stashed somewhere.” At that moment her dessert and their drinks arrived. She was practically salivating as they placed the plate in front of her with two spoons. 

“Oh, do you want some?” 

“No, I’m good you go ahead.” Agatha was two bites in before Rio had finished the sentence. In the blink of an eye the cake was gone. 

“WOW! You really put that away.” 

“I needed that!” She huffed, a little breathless. 

“You certainly did!” Rio chuckled. Agatha leaned back against the chair, a hand on her chest,

“You ok?” 

“Fine, just a little bit of heartburn. Maybe I should have gone slower on the cake.” She took a gulp of water as Rio stood up from her seat. “Where are you off to?” 

“I’m going to run to the restroom, I’ll be right back.” 

Agatha relaxed there for a moment, taking in the atmosphere. She never would have come here on her own. If it wasn’t for Rio she never would have known this place existed. The hum in the air as mumbled conversations flowed under the music. The vibrancy of the people dancing to the music. That cake. All things she would never have experienced without having met this woman. She took the time to soak it in, giving herself permission to enjoy it. Before she knew it there was a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find Rio holding out her hand.

“My lady, may I have this dance?” 

“I don’t dance like this!” She snorted

“I don’t either!” She patiently held out her hand before giving Agatha a judgmental look. “Come on, it’ll be fun!” 

“Alright.” 

She cautiously took her hand as Rio led her down to the dance floor. The music was a bit up beat and the people around them were spinning and twirling together. Agatha looked around nervously as they settled into a space. Rio took her right hand and guided Agatha’s left to her shoulder before placing it around her waist. Her left hand picked up Agatha’s other hand and held it out to their side. 

“Hey,” Rio hummed, pulling Agatha’s eyes to her. “Just look at me ok? I got you.” Agatha’s gaze locked on to Rio as she led them around the floor. Despite Agatha’s two left feet, Rio managed to guide them gracefully around the other couples. 

“I think you lied to me!” She said cheekily

“Oh really?” Rio replied, feigning shock

“You are quite light on your feet!” 

“You caught me! I’ll admit, I’m a pretty good dancer. So is Lilia so you better pick up quick!” 

“Is that who you learned it from?” 

“Oh yes! She took me to all her dance classes.” 

The upbeat song ended and the band picked back up with a slower tune. Rio pulled her in closer, letting their hands rest on her shoulder, their faces just inches apart. They danced there quietly for a while staring into each other's eyes. Rio’s scent enveloped her once again causing her heart to quicken. Eventually Rio leaned forward, resting the side of her head against Agatha’s. In the soft press of their cheeks Agatha felt herself relax. She reveled in the embrace that cradled her, feeling the heat of their bodies pressing together. The hand wrapped around her waist slowly drifted to her lower back sending sparks through her body along the way. She drew back a bit, her gaze drifting between Rio’s eyes and her pillowy lips. She could feel the tension tingling between them as the song came to an end. 

“You ready to get out of here?” Rio muttered, her eyes twinkling. 

“Yeah” Agatha smiled. 

Rio led them off the dance floor, down the hallway and back to the elevator where they waited with a few other couples. They stood there waiting with their fingers entwined, chancing quick looks at one another. As they entered Agatha wished they had the journey up all to themselves like on the way down. The heat now growing inside her was becoming impatient and she wanted nothing more than to feel Rio’s soft lips against hers. For now that would have to wait. As soon as they were outside Rio leaned over. 

“So, care to share a ride back to your car?”

“I’d like that.” 

They didn’t wait long before a Lyft picked them up. The journey back somehow seemed longer than before. Rio’s attention was no longer on the world outside but on Agatha, taking in every bit of her. She caressed her hand, turning it over and gently glided along each finger. The delicate touches further feeding the hunger burning inside her now. At last they arrived back at the restaurant and to Agatha’s car where they both got out. 

“Hold on a sec, I’ll be right back.” Rio shouted to the driver following Agatha to her car.  Agatha felt a pit rise in her stomach. Though she knew the night was ending she didn’t want to let Rio go. 

“So any chance I’ve earned another date?” Rio said somewhat sheepishly. 

“Oh, most definitely” Agatha beamed, her back resting against her car. Rio moved in closer, once again gathering Agatha’s hands. 

“I had an amazing time tonight.” She looked up into Agatha's eyes,  her gaze flitting between them and her mouth. The heat building inside Agatha was reaching a boiling point, the space between them growing ever closer. 

“Me too” she hummed. 

Before she knew it Rio’s lips were pressed against hers. Their silky softness tinged with the smoky bitterness of the manhattan that still lingered. As their lips gently caressed one another the hunger between them began to build. Agatha dove deeper reaching up to grab Rio’s face pulling it further into her, her fingers entwining in her hair. Rio snaked her arms around Agatha’s waist pushing her back against the car as she devoured the woman before her. 

Honk Honk - the driver, growing impatient, laid on his horn breaking their intimacy. 

Annoyed, Rio broke the kiss. “Give me a second! Can’t you see we’re having a moment here!” She shouted 

“You know I could just drive you home.” Agatha huffed breathlessly. “If you want.” Rio spun around raising an eyebrow. 

“You sure?” 

“Uh-huh” Agatha panted biting her lip. 

“On second thought,” Rio shouted as she walked over to the driver, tipped him handsomely, and sent him on his way. Agatha made her way over to the passenger door opening it for Rio. As she leaned into the car Rio planted another quick kiss on Agatha’s lips. 

“Thanks doll!” She winked and pulled the door closed. By the time she started the car Rio had the directions set to her place. A short, 15 minute drive to the other side of the city. As they pulled out of the parking lot Rio began fumbling with her audio controls. 

“What do you normally listen to?” She asked as she skipped through different radio stations. 

“Oh, I don’t really.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t listen to anything.”

“How?”

“My mind is usually racing so I use driving time to sort out my thoughts. Also, I don’t really spend that much time in my car to worry about it.”

“Huh.” Rio huffed amused as she turned on a 70s playlist. 

The rest of the short journey was silent except for the music, both of them feeling the weight of the late hour upon them. Rio sleepily gazed at Agatha as she drove, eventually letting her hand wander to rest on Agatha’s thigh. As soon as she felt the light touch a heat began to rise from that point crawling up her body to rest in her core. She could feel her heartbeat quicken and chanced a look at the woman beside her. Rio’s eyes were soft and heavy yet her usual fire still burned deep within them. That sultry gaze only intensified the heat building in her, rising to her chest. Moments later they pulled up to what appeared to be a schoolhouse taking up the entire block. 

“Am I at the right place?”

“Yeah” Rio giggled. 

“You live in a school?”

“Well it’s not a school anymore, they converted it into apartments.” Agatha looked puzzled. “Do you want to come see?” Rio asked as she tried to hide her smirk. She looked at the clock, almost 11. She could go up for a few minutes just to see what it was like then head home. 

“Alright.” Rio exited the vehicle and came around to open Agatha’s door. 

“Just don’t judge me, I haven’t had a chance to clean up.” She smiled as she held out her hand for Agatha. When she stood to get out her legs wobbled as a pain shot through her feet. “Woah! You good?”

“Yeah” she winced. “My feet are killing me!” 

“Well let’s get you inside and off your feet.” 

She wrapped an arm around Agatha’s waist supporting her as they went inside. The building itself was old, from around the 1910s and still featured much of the original ornate architecture. The main lobby still felt much like a school. Off to the right was a glass encased room which at one point must have served as administrative offices. The walls featured intricate portraits of former principals dating back to the inception of the school. Straight ahead was an imperial wooden staircase leading to a landing hosting arched stained glass windows that rose to the ceiling of the second floor. Between the stairs on the first floor was a long hallway lined with lockers and drinking fountains halfway down. 

“Are you sure we didn’t just break into a school?”

“Yeah!” She laughed again “They left the entry like this as part of the aesthetic. This way!” She followed Rio to the right just before the stairs to the elevator and pressed the button. Almost immediately the doors opened to a person holding a basket of laundry. “Hey Kris!” Rio said as they entered the elevator. 

“Hey” said a bleary eyed Kris who leaned back against the wall closing their eyes. 

They rode up in silence letting Kris exit before making their way down the hallway to the right. The floors were restored original hardwood matching the grand staircase below. The walls were split by wainscoting matching the original wood on the bottom and featuring dark green floral wallpaper on top. They passed a few wooden doors before reaching the end of the hallway where Rio stopped. Apt. 4 was etched in gold and black lettering on the glass of the frosted window pane that hung in the doorframe. She dug around in her bag for a moment before pulling out an antique iron key. 

“I thought you said this place was renovated!” She teased

“It is, they preserved as much of the original structure as they could, but most everything inside is updated and reconfigured.” 

At last she unlocked the door, swinging it open to a small entryway. Immediately to the left were a set of 3 large wooden cubbies built in. Each with a place to sit and hooks for what must have been backpacks at some point. Rio motioned for Agatha to sit and remove her shoes as she closed the door behind them. She took a moment to glance around the space. Directly in front of the cubbies they had built out a small half bathroom enclosing the entryway a bit. Past that the room opened up to a large kitchen with an island to the right and an open living room area across from that. The brick walls were punctuated by large black mullioned windows each surrounded by a hoard of various plants. 

“Care for the grand tour?” Rio called out as she threw her bag on the counter and kicked off her shoes. 

“Sure.” Agatha said as she made her way further in. 

“So each apartment is made up of 2 former classrooms and my bathroom was definitely the boys bathroom at some point. If you look to your left you’ll see the living room which is essentially where the first classroom was.” The room was fitted with a large oriental rug covering much of the wooden floors. A dark brown leather u-shaped sectional was at the center of the room surrounding a wood and glass coffee table. Along the left and back wall were floor to ceiling built-in bookcases with a sliding ladder. Some books peppered the shelves but there were several unopened moving boxes scattered about. 

“The bookcases were originally in the library which they converted into two story condos. Do you wanna see what I’ve found carved into some of the shelves?” Agatha nodded and followed her over to the first shelf as she knelt down. 

“Right here…” 

Math is a tempestuous lover

“Huh, not what I was expecting.” Agatha chuckled

“Then there’s this one over here…” she walked over and pointed out another mark. This one was a crescent moon with three shooting stars behind it. 

“How charming!” She remarked.

“But this one is my favorite…” She pushed the ladder to the end, “You'll want to look to the right on the top shelf.” Rio held the ladder steady as Agatha ascended a few steps. She leaned in looking to the right finding what looked like a carving of a butt and the words 

Mrs. Martin is a buttface

Agatha let out a laugh, “This is more what I was expecting!” She turned to look down at Rio. She held the ladder steady with both arms, her big doe eyes studying her, with a large smile plastered on her face. Agatha couldn’t help it, but at that angle she also saw right down the front of her dress. She blushed before quickly turning around and heading down the ladder. 

“This way to the kitchen. This is where the second classroom started, you can see where they took down this part of the dividing wall. Can I get you anything to drink?” She headed over to the fridge where she grabbed a soda water. 

“One of those would be great.” Rio handed over the beverage before heading down the short hallway. They stopped as they got to a wooden door with a frosted glass pane on the left. Rio swung the door open and flicked on the light revealing a large walk-in pantry with built-in wooden shelving. 

“This is the largest pantry I’ve seen, let alone one for an apartment.” 

“Yeah, it’s bigger than that hall bathroom. There is a hookup for a washer dryer which I need to get at some point. I’m already tired of going to the basement to do my laundry.” She led them out and closed the door. “Now, the bedroom!” She led them to the doorway at the end and stopped as she was about to open it. “Again, don’t judge. I only moved in like 2 weeks ago.” 

She slowly opened the door revealing the room filled with boxes, and clothes, half hung up and half in piles around the room. Along the right wall were more bookshelves but they had been converted into an open closet. The queen sized bed was fitted with black silk sheets and a green comforter that was held aloft on a wooden frame that you had to step on to get to the bed like a platform. On the wall behind the bed remained a large chalkboard. 

“This really was a classroom!” She said as she cautiously entered. 

“Hehe yeah, I am definitely going to get some chalk and use that. It’s too cool not to!” 

“Wouldn’t that get messy?” 

“Probably.” She shrugged. “ Come on, you've got to see the bathroom!” She waved her over to the doorway at the back of the room. As she flipped on the light Agatha took in the tile covered room. The whole left side of the room was sectioned off as an enormous walk-in shower with multiple shower heads. Straight ahead was a large double vanity and mirror. To the right was a toilet and a urinal? 

“Oh! The boys bathroom.” 

“Hehe, yeah” Rio beamed. “Home sweet home! So you want to hang out for a bit? Or, I know it’s getting late.” For the first time Rio seemed sheepish. 

“It is getting late.” At that Rio looked down pondering her feet, seemingly disappointed. “But I can stay at least until I finish this drink.” Rio looked back at Agatha beaming. 

“Come on, I promised I’d get you off your feet.” She led her back to the living room, settling down in the middle of the couch. Agatha settled in the corner letting out a sigh as soon as she sat. 

“Is it the shoes?” 

“Huh?” 

“Were the shoes making your feet hurt?”

“Oh, yeah, they weren’t the most comfortable but also my ankles and joints have just been sore lately.” 

“Maybe I can help?” 

“How so?” She let out an amused huff

“If you want I could rub your feet?” 

“You want to rub my feet?”

“If it’ll help.” Agatha mulled it over for a moment. The idea of it seemed intimate and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. But her feet were aching at this point. 

“Alright.” She decided and stretched her legs out to rest her feet in Rio's lap. Her nimble fingers wrapped themselves around her foot and began to knead at the sore spots. Almost immediately Agatha could feel her whole body relaxing into the sensation. She let her eyes flutter closed and leaned her head against her hand propped up on the couch. Minutes passed in peaceful silence before Rio looked up catching Agatha dozing. 

“Hey! You gonna be ok to drive home?” She chuckled as she attempted to shake her awake. Agatha let out a sleepy grumble before settling down further into the couch. “I’ll take that as a no then.” She slowly removed herself from beneath Agatha’s legs and went in search of a blanket. She rifled through a few boxes, coming up empty handed. In the end she grabbed her comforter from her bed, brought it over and wrapped it around Agatha before heading to bed herself.

[xoxnaeeeoxo]

Heyyy so the poll decided they wanted a story time of my h20 Dr. I will be doing story times about the other realities regardless though!

So let’s jump in. So the method I did that night I kinda just created it as I watched h20. The method; I just decided to use ocean wave sounds, and visualized a few scenarios of me in the water. (while using 5 senses to attach myself more to my dr). I visualized myself swimming as a mermaid, swimming with dolphins, swimming around fishes, close to beaches, under boats, and then when I felt ready to shift, I finally swam to mako island. I visualized myself in the moon pool, and then climbing out and falling asleep next to the moon pool for a nap. Now at this point with all the meditation, affirmations, and motivation I affirmed to myself that I am where I fell asleep in my dr. Lastly I just intended to wake up there and I did!

Okay so when I woke up there I was ofc happy, a little scared bc that cave is dusty asl and there were in fact spiderwebs. It was also dark but I scripted there were torches. Not to mention the only way out at the time was through the moon pool. So I sat there for a little bit just getting used to myself there and where I was. I did script other ppl from other shows in bc why not yk?

Anyways I was drawing in the tiny patch of sand with my finger until I felt ready to leave. And when I did finally feel ready, I lowered my feet into the moon pool. (I was wearing a two piece bathing suit). I scripted that my bathing suit became part of my mermaid form, and also that the transformation was different from what happens in the show.

So my transformation was freaky. Freaky but cool. And also fast. I scripted that my legs just stick together and the scale-y fleshy mermaid tail form around them/into them. It was really fast and my tail at the time was black with white and grayish shading. So anyway, after my tail formed imma be extremely real. I just stared at it. 😭😂 I moved it around, touched it, even splashed around a little. Now I’m not the best swimmer. So I was hesitant to fully get in the water. Even though I scripted I can breathe in it. (Not getting into explaining that bc I’m too tired to.)

When I finally got in the water I swam in circles first before I left the moon pool. (I am terrified of the ocean so I did script that it was a huge lagoon. Only dolphins, manta Rays, and other tiny fish in a very clear blue lagoon). When I exited the pool, let me just say nothing compares to the feeling of swimming as a mermaid. It felt freeing in a way, I almost didn’t wanna get out of the water lol.

So anyway after getting out of the water finally, I walked around along the beach just to see things and explore a little before eventually finding the juice cafe where Emma and Rikki were working. I went in and sat down at a booth and ordered a drink from Rikki this is how that went. (I also scripted we went to college together so it wouldn’t be awkward, and I wouldn’t have to start fresh with friendships.)

Me: *sitting looking at the menu*

Rikki: *walks up and stops directly infront of me*

Me: *looks up at her with a smile.*

Rikki: do you know what you want yet ?

Me: yes actually *orders a drink I forgot the name of*

Rikki: alright be right back.

After she walked away to make the drink I saw all the ppl I scripted walk in, and I legit covered my face. Okay so I scripted the teenwolf cast in bc hey free will🤷‍♀️. And I also scripted that Derek was my ex HAHAHAHAH. 🥲 so moving along.

Rikki: *comes back with my drink and notices I’m hiding from the people that just walked in*

Me: don’t ask.

Rikki: I’m gonna ask….why are you hiding ?

Me: okay look at the guy in the leather jacket..he’s my ex.

Rikki: ah the mean looking one?

Me: yep.

Rikki: yeah you can use the back door if you want. Also remember the get together is at Emma’s house, see you then!

She walked off to go take more orders and I took her advice and left with my drink. Now the rest of my day up until the party just consisted of me shopping bc the clothes in the early 2000s just eatttt especially with the summery/beachy vibes. I also do have a house there but I didn’t really spend much time there. So the party had started and I had arrived like 20 minutes late. There were people there and ofc the ppl I scripted in were there too bc I live for the plot. So I walked in grabbed a lemonade with a straw and sat in the backyard.

As time went on during the party I spoke to different people, got to know others, and gossiped with Cleo, Emma and Rikki. And as we were speaking my ex in said Dr tapped my shoulder and asked if we could speak. (For context the reason he’s an ex isn’t bad I just scripted it was a misunderstanding.)

Me: ehhh I suppose?

We walked to a part of the yard that didn’t have a lot of people and he basically just apologized and explained the situation that I scripted 😏 and yk the drill I had to pretend like I didn’t know and this that and the 3rd. And we agreed to give things another go. Emma’s party was a success and we had a lot of fun, not while cleaning it up though. I told Emma next time she needs to hire a cleaner bc the amount of cups??

But anyways the day ended with us crashing in Emma’s room. The days after were kinda just us going to classes and hanging out. We did however practice using our powers and testing our mermaid abilities in the water. It’s definitely a nice place to shift when you want summer vibes.

Okie dokie that’s my short story time, happy shifting !! I’m gonna hit the hay 🛌

[dreamerwriternstargazer]

….so I have slept in a bit longer than I usually would

I was supposed to lie down for only 20 minutes but my cat was being cute and snuggly 🥹

Anyway I still have… 3 hours which was the aim, even when I get up extra early I only make use of about 3 hours because I’m tired and groggy or distracted or something

I napped, I had cosy dreams, I’m alert and now I write out my essay

Also I did not realise I actually posted that study post from yesterday that was in my drafts my bad

Let me finish recapping here while I brush the sleep from my eyes

So! *claps* my assignment had to be based around two pieces on the themes of ritual behaviour, feasting and collecting

My argument is that despite the two pieces being extremely different art objects, they both were made to serve the purpose of ritual behaviours. The serving dish was made to be part of feasting, a ritual behaviour important for promoting good relations between the court and diplomats, a display of wealth and power as well as a means of highlighting the importance of the act of eating itself. To a similar degree the art print by Maria Sibylla Merian became part of a display not financial wealth but intellectual wealth as her paintings became sought after items for scientific collectors and botanists, eager to appreciate her accurate and lifelike drawings.

P1: Iznik Serving Dish + Feasting

P2: Butterfly Plate + Collecting

Now here’s the trickier bit, we need to develop the connection between these two pieces. Yes, there’s something tenuous about how both contributed to rituals through means of display, but ideally one of the pieces should apply to both rituals. However I thought of another angle for both

P3: The Iznik Serving Diah + Collecting.

See, the serving dish only looks how it does because it’s an imitation of Chinese porcelain, Chinese ceramics were a very big collector’s item in the Ottoman 16th century and prior as well. So it’s an expression of the ottomans’ admiration for and collection of Chinese ceramics

P4: The Butterfly Plate + Collecting

Now turning to the butterfly plate, yes it’s a specially printed version to be displayed and was made to serve the purpose of being collected, BUT the drawing itself was created as PART of the behaviour of collection as Merian made these illustrations when abroad to compile into a book of scientific studies of insects.

The thing with art is, it’s not just about the picture, it’s about all the stories surrounding the picture (which is actually a very limited aspect to literature when we consider it). Art is, the best way I can put it, the Veterinarian degree to Literature’s med school training for human doctors

Vets gotta know how to fix a variety of different creatures and have one degree for it. Doctors can’t even do the whole body they all need specialisms.

Anyway I’m even more alert now just gotta get my glasses on and wash mah face :D

Things to do today:

Grab the quotes I need from the sources I found, no like a fool I did not note them down but I saved the essays. I knew I’d go back to them since I skimmed them and need to solidify what I need from them exactly

Write out the first draft, ideally fully if I can.

Tomorrow morning:

Edit essay, add references and captions

Finish Exhibition plan with sources, references and captions (switch out Iznik jug for ottoman museum ceramics)

Submit because no we are not gonna faff about when the next assignment is due halfway through April and I have the end of term this week. It’s gotta be clean and well thought out, but no time to screw around refining it and making a masterpiece. Also evidently going by my A-levels I do my best work on the first draft 💀

[kaijukebox]

This counts as a hug— no I won’t elaborate…

-

Today’s Reference

[sinner-as-saint]

‘Tis the damn season

Stucky x Reader 

Run-through: What you, Steve and Bucky have, started out as a purely transactional relationship - powerful businessmen who needed a little fun and someone to spend their money on. But now after a while, it turned into so much more. The guys noticed that too, and they decided to do something about it and bring it up while all three of you are spending the holidays in a cabin up on the top of an icy mountain

Themes: smut, fluff, threesome

a/n: hi my little sinners!! also i’m drunk, merry christmas 

A sudden, heavy warmth woke you up. 

You sighed in delight when you realized that it was a warm, muscular body pressing into your back as you slept. A pair of lips kissing your shoulder while a pair of wandering hands touched you everywhere. 

“Wake up, baby girl.” A deep voice whispered into your ear, kissing and nibbling on your earlobe. You felt all the butterflies in your tummy at the sound of that. 

You smiled sleepily, eyes still closed as you leaned back more into his chest and whispered, “Hi Buck.” 

He nuzzled your neck, kissing and biting and nibbling until you opened your eyes and finally turned to face him. “I missed you so much, baby. Still jet lagged?” 

You murmured you missed him too and nodded, “Just tired, and a headache which refuses to go away.” 

As soon as you said that, you heard another voice scoff from the other side of the room. You turned to look and found Steve leaning against the doorframe of the bedroom door, shirtless. He shook his head disapprovingly and said, “It’s almost like all that could’ve been avoided if you’d travel with us in the private plane, in much more comfort.” 

You sighed, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. You were wearing one of Steve’s t-shirts as PJs. “I keep telling you. You guys are always photographed when you’re out, and if we’re seen to be traveling together to a place like this then…” You trailed off, sighing, “It’ll draw too much attention to your private lives. Won’t people wonder what the three of us are? You said it yourselves, you didn’t like the media knowing too much about your private lives. Let alone your sugar baby.” 

Due to that reason, you insisted that the guys reached the cabin a few days before you did. Flying together was not an issue, the problem was being caught - by paparazzi who almost always swarmed the two businessmen. If you were to be photographed together, it would spark rumors and gossip and headlines in the tabloids which you were almost certain the guys didn’t like. 

Steve rolled his eyes while Bucky sat up next to you and pulled you into his arms. You didn’t miss the look they shared for a brief moment. “It’s alright, baby.” Bucky whispered, “We’re gonna nurse you back to health in no time.” He kissed down your neck while his hands caressed your exposed thighs. “You know the best cure to jet lag?” 

You leaned your head back onto his shoulder, closing your eyes, “Lots of naps?” 

“No.” He mumbled, bringing his hands further up your legs. 

“Tea?” You said, almost moaning at how slowly he caressed your skin. 

“No, even better.” He said, slipping his hand in between your legs, cupping your bare, already wet cunt, “Orgasms. Lots of them.” 

You gasped as he slowly slipped two fingers inside of you, stroking your walls gently. You were whining in pleasure as you felt the bed dip in front of you. Opening your eyes, you found Steve kneeling in between your parted legs, looking down to where Bucky has his fingers buried deep inside you. 

Steve looked up into your eyes and you saw the hunger in them, “We were miserable up here without you for three whole days.” He said. 

You chuckled, but it ended up in a moan as Bucky’s thumb started slowly rubbing your clit. Still, struggling to breathe right you said, “I’m sure you were alright. You can barely keep your hands off each other on most days.” 

Bucky said, his fingers moving faster in and out of you, “You’re right, we fucked in almost every room in the cabin. Especially on this very bed.” He leaned down to murmur in your ear, “We both came so hard, whispering your name each time.” 

The mental image of that made you let out a moan, squirming on Bucky’s lap as you thrust your hips forward into his hand. Steve, meanwhile, lifted your shirt up to your chin and leaned over you to take one of your nipples in his mouth while fondling the other with his warm hand. His soft, yet steamy touch made you arch your back in pleasure. 

“Oh please…” You begged, “Please make me come, it’s been so long. Please.” 

They both chuckled. “So you did listen.” Bucky pointed out. “Such a good girl. Did you hear that, Steve? Our girl obeyed for once and didn’t touch herself while we were away from her.” He pressed a kiss to the side of your temple, his fingers making you moan louder and louder each time they slid in and out of you. 

Steve lightly bit down on your nipple, making you whine louder. Pulling away for a brief moment he whispered, “Good girl.” 

Your walls clenched around Bucky’s fingers and he sped up even more when he felt it. “Come on baby, come for us. You know you want to.” He urged, “It’s been so long, hasn’t it?” He cooed into your ear. “Come for us, baby girl. Make it good, come on.” 

And just like that, with Bucky finger-fucking you and Steve sucking and nibbling shamelessly on your tits, you came around Bucky’s fingers, moaning loudly as you did. Your body writhing in between them, back arching off of Bucky’s chest. 

“That’s a good girl,” Steve murmured, reaching up to press his lips to yours, swallowing your quiet moans as he did. “Now come on, breakfast is ready.” 

You smiled against his lips, “Give me a few minutes, I’ll be downstairs in a bit.” 

He winked at you, kissed you again then got out of bed and left the room. You got off Bucky’s lap and gave him a kiss as well before walking into the bathroom. After a much needed shower and after getting ready for a cozy day, you walked downstairs and walked down the corridor to the kitchen. 

And what awaited you there was quite the sight: Bucky pinned to the refrigerator by Steve who had his tongue shoved into his mouth, making the former moan and groan against his mouth. You leaned against the wall, quietly watching them with a dirty smirk on your face. God, there was something so satisfying in watching them both making out so recklessly. Both of them shirtless, their muscular bodies rubbing against each other. All golden, smooth skin and strained moans and their rash movements; desperately trying to touch and feel each other as best they could. 

But then, as Steve was kissing down his neck, Bucky’s eyes met yours. He smirked, knowing damn well what they were doing to you. When he let out a deep chuckle, Steve stopped and pulled away. He turned to look at you, his lips equally as swollen and soft as Bucky’s, “Like what you see, baby?” He teased. 

You gave him an innocent smile, “Oh don’t stop on my account. Please, continue. Just pretend I’m not even here.” You said, but they had both already untangled from one another, both reaching for you instead. You let them drag you closer, eventually trapping you in between their warm bodies again. “Fuck,” You whispered, “Why are you guys always so warm?” You almost moaned again as they both caressed your body wherever they could reach. 

Bucky was the first one to pull away from the steamy, 3-way makeout, “Come on, you need to eat, baby. We can play later.” He whispered into your ear, pulling you out of Steve’s arms and helping you up on the stool at the breakfast counter. 

— 

After breakfast, you ended up taking another rather long nap on the couch. When you woke up, your feet - now in soft, fuzzy socks - were in Steve’s lap. And he was sipping on whiskey while typing on his phone. You didn’t move immediately, you just stayed still and admired the beauty that was Steve Rogers. 

You still remembered the first day you met him and Bucky; a friend introduced you to them at a party and you began talking. As the conversation flowed effortlessly, Steve decided he didn’t want to beat around the bush anymore. So they both laid it out pretty clearly in front of you; they were looking for a sugar baby, and you could definitely use the money. You agreed, and several months later, here you were now. 

“Hey, pretty blue eyes,” You called out, your voice a little groggy after your nap. Steve turned to face you with a soft smile which melted your heart. “Where’s the other one?” You asked, yawning and sitting up so you could be closer to his warm body. 

“Right here.” You heard Bucky’s voice speak up from somewhere. You searched for him and found him by the fireplace, feeding more wood into the fire to keep the house warm. “Doing the hard work, as always.” 

“Oh shut up.” Steve groaned playfully at him as he reached out and pulled you into his arms and kissed you so hard you forgot your own name for a moment there. “Hi baby.” He whispered against your lips once you pulled away to breathe. 

“Hi,” You whispered, giggling. “I feel so much better.” You said, snuggling closer into his warm embrace. “So warm,” You mumbled, nuzzling Steve’s chest while he chuckled looking down at you. 

You heard Bucky sigh from the other side of the room. “It’s warmer here, just saying.” 

You looked up and found him lounging lazily on the large, white and fluffy rug in front of the fireplace. He patted the spot next to him. You were out of Steve’s embrace and running towards Bucky in less than a second. 

You jumped into his arms and he caught you perfectly. “Hey Princess,” He murmured, nuzzling your neck and playfully biting it. 

You giggled in his arms, squirming as he lazily tickled your sides. And soon, Steve joined the two of you on the rug with a playful smirk on his face and mischief in his eyes. 

Soon you found yourself right in between them; Steve was behind you while Bucky in front. Bucky gripped your hips and settled your body right in between him and Steve. You could tell by the look in their eyes that they couldn’t wait for both of them to fuck you at the same time. 

After all, you’d rarely go days without being in bed together. You could tell each of you were reaching their limit and you all just needed one another. 

“You just can’t wait, can you babygirl?” Steve teased, biting down on your shoulder as he and Bucky slowly undressed you in front of the fire. 

You whimpered, your core throbbing and sore but ready for them at the same time. Your heart raced in anticipation as you waited for them to finally fill you up. “Please,” you murmured once you were completely naked in between the two of them. 

You were desperate, and so were they given that Steve already had a bottle of lube in his pocket. Any other time and you would’ve teased him for it, but not now. Not when you were dripping wet and hungry for them. 

Steve slid inside of you first after he lathered his cock with the lube and toyed with your hole for a bit, pushing his thick cock slowly into your hole and he had you whimpering and moaning in no time.

You whimpered and you leaned forward and rested your forehead on Bucky’s shoulder to steady yourself, but before you could catch your breath and adjust to Steve’s size, Bucky guided his cock over to your folds and pushed himself into you as well. They both groaned once they were inside you and they didn’t have it in them to be slow and gentle.

“Fuck… we missed you so much, baby,” Bucky murmured, once he was fully inside of you. “Missed this tight little cunt so much.” 

You moaned as you felt your holes stretching with both of their cocks inside of you and you felt so full that you could barely talk. You gripped Bucky’s shoulders and tilted your head back to lean against Steve.

“So fucking good …” Steve whispered against your skin as he nuzzled the crook of your neck. They both had their arms around you, holding you up.

They moved fast, in and out of you until they found a rhythm which worked for all of you. Your moans, your gasps, the way you clenched around them only made them want to please your body even more. Your walls clenched equally tight around each of them and the wet sounds your bodies made got drowned out by the crackling sound of the fire. 

Steve carefully bit down on your shoulder, whispering how good you felt while his arm tightened around you and he firmly placed his palm against your abdomen, right above your core. He could feel each one of Bucky’s thrust and the bulge which formed each time Bucky’s thick cock filled you up. So did you, moaning at how full you felt with both their cocks moving in and out of you. It felt overwhelmingly good. 

All you could focus on was their moans and their body heat as it wrapped around you. The sounds of their rapid breaths, their groans and grunts. 

“Come for us, babygirl. Come on.” 

They both moved perfectly against you, your heart beats and breaths in sync. 

“Come on, be a good girl and come.” 

You felt the pressure growing in between your legs again, and you could no longer hold it back anymore. You were sensitive and needy. You felt your walls clenching around both of them, and your eyes rolled to the back of your head while you came violently around both of them.

You cried out and whimpered as they kept going even after you came, pounding into you from both sides and chasing their own release. The sounds of the moans and grunts coming from them made your body tingle, and you throbbed still.

Steve came right after you with a loud moan. Bucky came after both of you, panting as he carefully slipped out of you, letting his cum drip down your skin again. You whimpered when Bucky pulled out of you, you felt his cum oozing out of your folds and dripping down your thighs.

Your body felt heavy and limp, so you just leaned back against Steve while Bucky kissed your lips roughly. You were sure you would be sore until tomorrow morning but it was so goddamn worth it. 

—

After you calmed down, all three of you lying lazily on the rug, soaking in the warmth from the fire, Steve was the first one to speak up. “We needed to ask you something, baby.” 

You frowned, given he sounded so serious. “Sure, what is it?” 

He sent a look towards Bucky and they both inhaled rather nervously before looking at you with a look which you couldn’t quite understand. “So,” Bucky started, “You know, we work so well together, like, I mean the three of us. So we thought-,”

Steve cut him off. “We want you to be ours. As in a real relationship. One where we don’t have to hide, or keep secrets or be scared of cameras. A real thing. What do you think?” 

You were stunned. “Okay… you want me as your girlfriend?” 

“Yeah,” They both said at the same time, then turned to look at each other and sent each other faint, hopeful smiles. 

“Or more, we’ll see as time goes.” Bucky reached out and caressed your cheek, scooting closer to you, “It’s been a long time coming. We were driving each other insane trying to figure out when to talk to you about this. Besides, we’re so good together. Aren’t we, baby?” 

You melted under his touch as you nodded. “Yeah, I… I suppose I saw it coming as well. I love you both, so much.” 

“Perfect then, baby. I guess, when we go home after New Year’s we could make it public. You know, social media and all.” Steve said, always the one to see things from a bigger picture. “Won’t that be good, baby? We won’t have to hide anymore.” 

You smiled and nodded, your heart fluttering at how they no longer wanted to keep you a secret. “We get to live in our secret little bubble till New Year’s then?” 

“Yup,” Bucky answered, already so excited for this upcoming new chapter. “Until then, we’re not sharing you with anyone.” 

You giggled when he showered your face with kisses. “Okay, okay,” You managed to get out of his grip and turned to Steve for protection. He engulfed you in a bear hug and nuzzled your neck, a habit of his which you’d grown to love. “We still need to decorate the cabin.” You said. 

They both groaned. “We’re grown men, babe please.” Bucky muttered. 

You frowned, standing up and grabbing a nearby shirt to put on. “Oh stop your theatrics both of you, now get up and help me make this place more christmassy! As boyfriends, it’s your job to bring the tree in. Now come on, move your lovely asses and let’s get this place ready for Christmas!” 

—

a/n: I absolutely did not proofread this, merry christmas my darlings! 

[hockeynoses]

Calling In

Another Ste/ddie snz fic! 😅

Summary: Steve is sick and hopes that he won’t have to call off of work tomorrow. Eddie thinks he’s delusional. 1k.

Warnings: Some coughing. Not too much mess (nothing like what I sometimes write, anyway).

Notes: I wrote a rough draft of this for myself a month or two ago. I came across it today and decided to clean it up and post it. At this point, I’m a one-trick pony, but the “heart” wants what it wants. 💖

~*~

Steve had been forced to stay home today, having been taken down by a terrible head cold. Eddie came home from work to find him bundled up on the couch, looking like he’d just woken up from a nap. It pulled at something in his chest, seeing Steve so vulnerable like this.

After having dinner and catching each other up on their day (not that Steve has much to report), they’re snuggled back on the couch, watching TV.

“Baybe I’ll be well enough to go to work toborrow…” Steve muses hopefully.

Eddie shoots him an incredulous look. “You think you’re going to be better enough to work tomorrow?” His eyes flick to the pile of tissues currently surrounding Steve. The man can barely make it through a sentence without sniffling, sneezing, or coughing. He’s constantly holding a bundle of tissues up to his face because his nose is totally out of control and lord knows what might come out.

“Idt could happedn!” Steve says indignantly, into the aforementioned wad of kleenex. He gives a productive blow while glaring at Eddie, eyes tired and red-rimmed.

“Okay, we’ll see how you feel tomorrow morning,” Eddie relents. It isn’t worth it, and he doesn’t want to start an argument that would stress Steve out when he should be taking it easy. Steve nods like the matter is settled. Then he tilts his head back, eyes closing, inhaling a shaky breath before – “haaah…hah’ESSSHH’oo!” With the soaked mass of tissues still pressed to his face, he sheepishly looks at Eddie and asks, “Cand you bmake be some tea?”

Eddie chuckles, giving him a soft look. “Sure, sweetheart.” He pushes back the hair that had fallen into Steve’s face before heading into the kitchen.

[…]

The next morning, Steve wakes up feeling just as bad as yesterday – if not worse.  Blearily, he comes to, his nose somehow both crusted over and still running. It’s even on his pillow and he feels disgusting. He draws in a breath, throat dry from a night of mouth-breathing and no water, and immediately breaks into a crackling, chesty cough that makes him curl into himself. He tries his best to cover with his hand, which is now a mess, having just used it to wipe his nose.

As he’s catching his breath, the fit mostly over with, Eddie steps into the room, still in his pajamas and holding two cups of coffee.

“You okay, sweetheart?” Concern shines in his big eyes. “You sound awful.” He sits on the edge of the bed next to Steve, setting both mugs on the nightstand and grabbing several tissues from the box there, handing them over. “Here.”

Steve takes them gratefully and presses them to his poor nose. “Tha-ahhh- hih’KISSSHHH’uu! Ugh. Thaggs.” He blows his nose, which tickles his throat and causes him to cough up more gunk from his lungs. When it’s over, he turns to lay on his back again, groaning. “Oh god…”

Eddie pats his hip through the covers. “Still feel like going to work today?” he asks, trying and failing to keep a hint of smugness from his voice.

Steve groans again, this time in frustration, as he rolls over and buries his face into the pillow, hiding from Eddie. “You’re so bmean.” His words are muffled into the plush fabric.

Eddie laughs. “Hey, I’m not mean!  I brought you coffee.”

Steve peeks an eye open, reminded of the mug on the nightstand next to him. He can barely smell, but what he can, smells good.

“And I have the day off, so I can stay with you all day.” Eddie gives him a little poke through the thick comforter.

“Are you gonna be nice?”

“Baby, I’ll be so nice it’ll blow your socks off. I’ll get you anything you want.” Eddie pauses, carding a hand through Steve’s messy hair. “Should I get the phone so you can call in?”

“Ha-knxxgt! SNF. Yeah.” Steve pouts a little in defeat. Eddie’s vindication over being right is dulled a bit by how pathetic Steve looks.

“Okay, I’ll be right back. Sit tight.”

Steve sits up and tries to clear the grittiness from his voice so he’ll sound somewhat human. It only makes him cough more. Grabbing his coffee off the nightstand, he takes a few sips, the warm liquid helping to soothe his throat.

Eddie comes back and hands him the cordless phone, picking up his own mug and settling into the other side of the bed. Steve dials the number.

“SNF. Hey, Robidn.” His voice is a rough croak. “I thigk I’b godda have to stay hombe agaidn. I’b still-hah…. still- ihhh-hih’ERSSSH’IUE! Ugh. Really sick.” He moans and rubs his nose. Eddie presses a tissue into his hand, which he gratefully accepts. “Yeah. I’b – hih….heh’AESSSHOO!  I’b sorry.” He buries his face into the tissue and gives a couple of soft blows. Robin’s voice filters through the line, tinny.

“I dod’t wand to get adyone else sigk,” Steve responds. “And besides, Eddie would probably kill me if I tried to combe idn today.” He glances at Eddie with a tired smile. Eddie nods his head in silent agreement and sips his coffee.

“Okay. Hih’ISSHHH’ah! I will. Thaggs.” He ends the call and sets the phone down on the side table. “Well, that’s done.” He has just enough time to snap the ruined bundle of tissues back up to his face before – “ih’KISSH! Hah’TISSHSH!” He gives an exhausted blow before clearing his throat. “I thigk I bmight go back to sleeb.”

“Can you stay awake long enough for some breakfast? You should probably eat.”

“Just – hih’AEESSH’UE! Just wake be up agaidn whedn it’s ready.” He lays down again, curling onto his side.

“Alright, baby, I can do that.” Eddie rubs his back. “You have any requests?”

“Hmm… pancakes.”

“Pancakes?” Eddie says dramatically. “It’s a high ask, but your wish is my command.” He presses a kiss to Steve’s shoulder before getting up to make breakfast.

[katmoonz]

Depression

Pairing: Wolfstar x Fem!Reader

Word count: 3034

Includes: TW suicidal thoughts, depression, mentions of missing meals, crying, fluff, hugs, angst to fluff, comfort

Do not post any of my work anywhere else!!! I’m fine with reblogs but not with people stealing my work. 

Notes: I have depression, this fic is kinda based off of my experience with depression. I wanted more than anything for someone to notice how badly I was struggling and I was in desperate need of a hug. I can’t change the past but I can write down my thoughts, feelings and what I needed at the time.

Thank you @quindolyn for helping me to fix a couple bits and for helping me decide on the ending xx

Depression is completely unpredictable. You might feel on top of the world one minute and suddenly feel miserable the next. You smile around your friends and family hoping that they don’t notice that anything is wrong but deep down you just want someone to notice, to care, to ask you how you are or just hold you while you cry it all out. You want to die yet you can’t bring yourself to do the actions that would end it all because that scares you even more than living.

Lately, you had been feeling very happy. Remus and Sirius were wonderful boyfriends and would do everything they could to make you laugh or smile. Your favourite moments with Remus are the ones where he decides to cuddle with you, there is nothing more relaxing than just resting your head on his chest and listening to the thump of his heart and his steady breaths.

The best moments with Sirius are when he tries to make up his own jokes, most of the jokes he tries to tell aren’t even funny but that somehow makes it funnier when he tells you a bad one-liner whilst in detention. The sweetest thing about Sirius is that when you least expect it he curls up on the bed and sleeps next to you as Padfoot. It’s the sweetest thing ever waking up in Remus’ arms to Padfoot lying across your chest, Remus just watches over the pair of you with a smile upon his face at seeing his two lovers sleeping so peacefully.

This morning you had woken up and felt like crap, you couldn't quite place it so you skipped breakfast and had a lie-in instead. This caused you to miss your first lesson and most of lunch. You managed to go to your next lesson though which was Charms with your boyfriend Remus.

At first, you tried to concentrate but you felt like a cloud had settled itself over your head causing you to struggle with your work.

You’d been feeling better for a while now but for some reason today had just left you feeling miserable. For the rest of class, you sat with your head in your hand gazing out the window.

Remus could tell that you weren’t paying attention to the class and was starting to grow concerned. “y/n, you okay?” He whispers in your ear.

Not wanting to draw any attention to yourself or bother him, you just nod and force a smile in the hopes that you could pretend that everything was fine.

The bell rang a few minutes later signalling the end of the class period. You had History of Magic next, Remus wasn’t in that class with you but Sirius was. Remus walked you to your next class observing your behaviour.

You weren’t smiling and didn’t speak at all on the way there simply looking at the ground. Remus stopped with you at the classroom door and gave you a soft kiss on the cheek. “Are you sure you’re alright love? You know you can talk to me if something is wrong.”

Looking up at him you sigh. “I’m fine,” you say quietly before turning around and walking into the classroom.

Remus was growing very concerned with your behaviour, something was clearly wrong but you weren’t telling him.

Just then Sirius walks down the corridor. “Moony, decided to switch classes have you?” He jokes.

Not wanting anyone to overhear the conversation Remus grabs his arm and pulls him over to an empty classroom shoving him in the door.

“I need a favour,” said Remus in a serious tone.

“What Moons?” replies Sirius, confused at the sudden change in Remus’ behaviour.

“I need you to watch y/n for me and make sure she’s alright. Something is wrong and I want to help her but she won’t tell me anything.” blurts Remus.

Sirius pats him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry Remus, I’ll keep an eye on her.” Sirius leaves the empty room and proceeds to walk into the History of Magic classroom.

Sirius seats himself beside you but you don’t notice at first because you are spaced out not paying any attention to the lecture being given by Binns.

You felt like crap to put it simply. You wanted to focus on your classes so badly but your brain was just telling you no.

Your brain is running at a hundred miles an hour making you feel even worse. *I’m going to fail all of my classes. Why am I so useless? Do the boys love me or do they just tolerate me? Nobody loves me, not really. I wish I was dead, why can’t I just die?*

You feel slow tears make their way down your face. You sniffle softly not wanting to bother anyone.

Sirius quickly notices your tears as you sniffle next to him. *Moony is right* thought Sirius *something is very wrong.*

Sirius reaches a hand out to yours underneath the desk and gives it a gentle squeeze as a reminder that he is there for you.

Finally, you have enough of your self-deprecating thoughts and abruptly stand up, grab your things and leave despite only having twenty minutes of class left. Sirius gets up and follows you, grabbing your hand as you leave the room.

The pair of you walk silently through the castle until you get back to the Gryffindor common room. Sirius seats you at the couch in front of the fire before grabbing your bag and chucking it aside.

Sirius sits down next to you as you stare into the ornate fireplace with tears still slowly rolling down your face. “Y/n love, what’s wrong?” He softly asks.

Instead of answering him, you rest your head on his shoulder. Sirius brings his arms around you to pull you into a hug. The pair of you sit like that for a while, listening to the crackle of the fire and your sorrowful sniffles. Sirius simply holds you whilst tears slowly roll down your face.

“I'm sorry, I’m just tired. I think I’m gonna go have a nap” you say softly.

“Alright doll, I’ll see you at dinner then?” He asks.

“Yeah, I’ll be there,” you tell him knowing full well that you wouldn’t be in the mood to eat.

Leaving Sirius in the common room you walk up to the boys dorm and throw yourself down on Remus' bed. Grabbing a discarded sweater from Sirius’ bed on the way. You curl up in a ball under the covers on Remus’ bed before letting the tears fall down your face again *why can’t I just feel happy for once in my life? I always fuck everything up, I want to die*

Sirius watches you walk up the stairs to the boys dorm before letting out a sigh and putting his head in his hands. You had never been like this, you were usually so bright and cheerful something bad must have happened because Sirius hadn’t seen even the slightest smile all day.

The bell for the next lesson rings and Sirius remains sitting on the sofa in the common room contemplating what he should tell Remus. He didn’t want to make his friend even more alarmed but he couldn’t hide his feeling of concern for your breakdown in class.

Remus enters the common room behind a babble of second years who were complaining to each other about their homework.

Spotting Sirius on the sofa before the fire he rushes over to sit next to him.

“Where’s y/n? Is she alright?”

Sirius takes a deep breath before sitting back on the sofa. “No, I can see what you mean Rem, she’s very upset.”

“What do you mean?” replies a panicked Remus

Sirius turns to face him and puts a hand on his shoulder. “Look mate I don’t want to worry you but in class, she just sat and stared into space, then she started crying and walked out.”

Remus let out a pained sigh and ran his hands down his face before clasping them in his lap. “Is she okay? where is she now?”

“I walked her back here, we had a cuddle for a while then she said that she was just tired so she left to have a nap,” replies Sirius

Remus stands up from the sofa and brushes his sweaty palms off of his trousers, “let's go and check on her.”

Sirius rises off of the sofa too, he turns around and looks around the common room before turning back to Remus. “Maybe she just needs space, she told me she’d come down to dinner so let's just give her some time alone and if she doesn't come to dinner then we can go and check on her.”

Staring into Sirius’ stormy grey irises Remus stays standing for another minute before nodding and sitting back down.

The boys study in the common room for an hour in complete silence, both of them preoccupied with thoughts of their distressed girlfriend. Sirius and Remus then head down to dinner, sitting down at the end of the Gryffindor table closest to the doors so that they could spot you as soon as you walked in.

The boys sit and pick at their food mindlessly for ten minutes continuously watching the door in hope that you’d join them for the meal.

Sirius lets out a deep sigh and drops his fork on his plate rubbing his brow before looking at Remus. Remus looks up at him offering a small smile before standing up. “Come on Pads, our girl needs us”

Sirius quickly stands up and grabs Remus’ hand dragging him out of the great hall. The boys briskly walk hand in hand back to the Gryffindor common room and quickly ascend the stairs to the dorm.

Remus opens the door quietly in case you are sleeping and peers in, he feels his heart break as he catches sight of you. You are lying in his bed fast asleep with puffy eyes from crying.

Remus approaches the bed and sits down on the side closest to you. Gently he starts to stroke your face with his hand whilst gesturing for Sirius to come over to the bed with his other hand. Sirius kneels on the bed next to Remus, reaches out and starts playing with your hair.

Remus watches as you slowly awaken, your eyes fluttering as they adjust to the light in the room. “Darling are you alright?” He asks you softly while rubbing his thumb over your cheek.

You feel your eyes fill with tears but don’t want the boys to see them so you roll over and put your face in the pillow hoping that they leave you alone so that you can compose yourself again.

The boys look at each other trying to figure out what to do next. Remus nods at Sirius gesturing for him to try and get a response from you.

“Baby, why didn’t you come to dinner?” You still don’t respond, making Sirius panic. “Please talk to us, we want to help you.” This makes you feel even worse, they just wanted you to be happy but instead, you’d caused them to leave dinner to look for you.

Your body starts to shake as the tears start rolling down your face. You keep the sobs in not wanting to make them even more worried.

Remus carefully runs a hand over your back worried at the lack of response. “Y/n please talk to us, we love you baby we only want to help you. It’s killing me that you are this upset and we want to be here for you.”

This is the last straw and you lose control of your crying, finally letting out the sobs that had been building up all day.

Remus’ heart breaks even more “Oh baby, come here”. Remus turns you over and carefully pulls you into his lap.

You press your head into Remus’ neck and let out all of the emotion that had been held within you all day.

Sirius sits down next to Remus and yourself at the head of the bed, he runs one hand soothingly up and down your back. “It’s okay baby, it’s okay.”

Your entire body shakes with sobs, tears soak the front of Remus’ sweater whilst the boys continue to make attempts to console you.

Remus rocks you in his arms carefully trying to calm you down. “Shh darlin’ it’s okay”

You start hyperventilating from the force of your sobs, Remus pulls you back from his chest slightly brushing hair away from your face.

Sirius reaches out to you and picks up one of your hands, he brings it up to his chest so that you can feel his steady heartbeat. “I know you're upset baby but you’ve got to breathe. Can you do that for me?”

Sirius breathes in and out slowly emphasising each breath for you to follow. “In...and out, in…and out.” This continues for a few minutes as you try to regulate your breathing.

“Good girl, you’re doing such a good job baby”

The sobs slow down slightly as you regain control over your breathing, tears still fall down your face but not as quickly as before.

Remus cups your face in his hand wiping away stray tears with his thumb before pressing a solitary kiss to your temple. “Y/n, what’s wrong? Please tell us” he begs.

You let out a sigh, opening and shutting your mouth a few times trying to come up with something to tell them.

Sirius notices your hesitation and gives you a reassuring smile. “It’s okay love, you can tell us anything. I promise you that we’ll try to help you and nothing you say can make us love you any less.”

Looking into his eyes you see nothing but love and concern. You sniffle and wipe one of your sleeves across your face. “I don’t know, I just don’t feel good”

Sirius runs a hand through your hair before giving you a sympathetic smile. “Is it that time of the month baby? You feelin’ sick?”

Tears well up in your eyes again. “No” you reply softly “I don’t feel sick”

“Then what is it babe?” asks Sirius with a small frown on his face.

You consider lying to them for a moment not wanting to burden them with your thoughts and emotions but in the end, it’s the pleading expression upon Remus’ face that makes you give in.

You take a deep breath, “sometimes I just feel really sad, like nothing will get better. I feel like no one loves me. I don't want to bother you guys because I don’t want you to leave me.”

The tears fall down your face again as you turn around and put your face back into Remus’ sweater, your fingers have a firm grasp on him as if letting go would make him disappear.

“Please, please don’t leave me, I’m sorry” you beg them as you cry into Remus’ chest.

Remus feels tears well up in his own eyes but swallows them down in order to comfort you. “No no no, sweetheart, it's okay. I promise that we aren’t leaving you.”

Remus holds you even tighter in his arms “I wish you’d told us that you were feeling like this sooner darling. We love you so much”

Sirius sits in silence listening to Remus comfort you before lifting a hand and rubbing your back. “Look at me baby,” he says with a stern tone.

You look up at him, he has a more pronounced frown upon his face than what was there previously but it softens slightly when he realises that you are watching him.

“You need to tell us when you feel like this okay? You aren’t bothering anyone, we just want to help you and we would never leave you over something like this.”

You remain silent looking away from him, the tears slowing down again so all that remains are the odd couple every few seconds.

“Promise you’ll tell us when you feel like this baby?” He asks, holding your face in his hands.

You sniffle softly before agreeing “m’kay, I promise”

“Good girl, you’re such a good girl for telling us baby,” he says fondly before placing a soft kiss on your cheek. As he pulls away from your cheek he gets a mischievous look upon his face. “Hey babe, what do you call a cow with two legs?”

You look at him confused for a minute before saying “I dunno”

He leans in towards you with a grin upon his face as though he is telling you a secret “Lean beef”

This causes you to giggle, Sirius smirks whilst Remus chuckles. The boys are pleased to hear you laugh after having been deprived of such beautiful sounds for an entire day.

“Good one wasn’t it?” He asks with a cocky smirk on his face.

“No” you reply, still slightly giggling.

“No!” He repeats back to you in disbelief. “What do you mean no? I thought it was a good one”

Remus raises an eyebrow looking at Sirius “c’mon Pads, you can do better than that”

“Fine, I’ve got a better one” huffs Sirius. “What does the perverted frog say?”

“I dunno” you reply again trying to keep a straight face.

“Rubbit” he replies.

This joke was much funnier than the last and you burst out in laughter. You have joyous tears of laughter pouring down your face as you giggle until your sides hurt.

After a while you yawn and rub your eyes, Remus smiles affectionately at you before moving you off of his lap changing positions so that you are laying half on Remus’ chest with Sirius spooning you from behind.

“C’mon darling, let's get some sleep,” he says quietly.

Sirius buries his face in the back of your neck before mumbling out a quick “I love you”

You settle down into their embrace, relaxing all of your muscles and just as you are dozing off to sleep you feel Remus run his hand through your hair as he whispers “I love you darling, more than you will ever know.”

[cottoncandyjester]

How would yuki be with an insomniac darling?

I do adore the opposite attract trope yuki has heavy symptoms of narcalopsy and sleep is his love language

Warning this contains: yandere behavior, drugging, forced sleep, narcolepsy

He doesn’t understand how you can just not sleep

It really worries him when he wakes up from a ten hour nap to see you still awake

He’ll make you lay with him for his naps

He wants you to sleep but seeing you just stay up upsets him this isn’t healthy to him and it isn’t healthy for him either

He is someone who usually doesn’t care about much but he is deeply concerned about you which in turn can trigger his sleep attacks at times which doesn’t help the situation.

He’ll slowly stop taking naps since he wants to spend as much time with you as possible.

He will also stay up at night with you for as long as his body will allow him but the moment he feels sleep consume him he tries to fight it but it isn’t long til he is asleep

He’ll do everything he can to try and get you to rest from making tea to sweet cuddles during naps

If he’s noticing it’s affecting your health or you have gone too long with no sleep he’ll start drugging you with strong sleeping medicine

Nothing to put you in a coma but just enough to force your body to sleep

He always slips it into your food or drinks watching as you eat and hours later faint he always catches you and Carries you to bed falling asleep with you

He’ll make sure your sleep schedule is similar to his so when he sleeps usually so do you

He knows it isn’t healthy to sleep as much as he does but the thought of you going somewhere while he is asleep worries him.

Yuki let out a tired sigh as he finished a new batch of tatoos closing his sketch book with a soft sigh leaving his studio room to find you. He hated being away from you but if he was with you while he worked he would end up drawing nothing but tattoos inspired by you, yuki found you where he left you sitting on the couch watching tv. The sight made him sigh since he knew you barley had any sleep he knew you couldn’t sleep as much as him but he would like if you slept more.

“Oh you’re done? You have to show me them later” you cheered out your sweet smile making him feel guilty his poor baby must be so tired but their body was preventing them from sleeping, he had to save you. Yuki walked towards you and placed a soft kiss on your lips “ I’m gonna heat up some left over curry and rice, want some?” He asked out with a loving gaze. You wrapped your arms around him pulling him in for another kiss “mhm! Let’s eat together” you said happily blissfully unaware of his intentions. Yuki gave you one last kiss before he went to the kitchen making a fresh batch of rice while heating up curry, he was saving you that’s all he ever wanted to do. Yuki soon returned with two plates of curry now putting them on the table, hands shaking lightly as he felt a harsh wave of sleepiness consume him.

Not now! He couldn’t sleep yet not til he made you sleep! Yuki gulped and sat next to you starting to eat though he seemed more focused on watching you. “Is it yummy? Not too hot Hmm?” He asked out with a smile though he was already preparing himself for when he collapses. He placed his plate on the table now leaning back into the couch, rapidly blinking his eyes to prevent sleep from overcoming him he had to see you sleep first..he couldn’t sleep yet.

“It’s good! Curry is one of the few things you can make without falling asleep” you teased but noticed his behavior worry in your eyes “oh hey don’t fight it. Just get some rest” you cooed out as you reached out towards him but a weird feeling overcame you. You felt tingly so you placed your plate down and drank some water hoping that would help but everything was spinning and you looked to yuki who sleepily smiled holding his arms out “come, lay down..with…me” he whispers out his speech getting slurred and you collapsed ontop of him just as he closed his eyes.

“Fin..ally..” he whispers out as he hugged you close the two of you fast asleep, yuki was normally the one to awake first his sudden sleep attacks typically lasting a couple of hours while the strong medicine still left you asleep. He took this time to stroke your hair and watch you sleep pressing sweet kisses along your sleeping face.

He knew he shouldn’t drug you without asking but he was saving you, this was all for you everything he did was for you.

[welkinsky]

Congrats to 100 follower ✨💖 you really deserve it. You constantly put quality content out there 🥺

As for your celebration, what about the alphabet for Kakashi? 🥰

Kakashi X Reader | A-Z Headcanon

Masterlist

A-Z Headcanon

Warning: 18+ Content

A = Aftercare (What they’re like after sex)

Once you two are done and tired, he's gonna take a moment and then turn over to you to smile and adore how flushed you look. He usually kisses your forehead and then pulls you into his chest. Once you two are all calmed down. "You want to hop in the shower baby?" Still running his one hand through your hair. If you say you want to rest a bit more, he gets up to get you water and towels, or if you say yes then expect a "Round 2?" joke on your way, which wasn't actually a joke.

B = Body part (Their favorite body part of their partner’s)

Your thighs! Doesn't matter if you have thick thighs or not he likes to grab them while you're on top or you two are just chilling and he is running his hand through them and they slip certain places "by accident"

In a non-sexual way, it is your hair, for sure. He likes to bury his face in them because the scent of the fresh shampoo is relaxing to him. If you change your shampoo he'll notice it right away, expect a new bottle of the same shampoo on the shelf next to your new one the next day.

C = Cuddling

Cuddling with this man is a dream! He likes to be all over you with one leg over yours and your face buried in his chest. Even if you are being the small spoon, his one leg will be over you and your head resting on one of his arm and his other arm over your shoulder pulling you closer to his chest.

Whenever you two are on a nap date, his hand is always resting on you. He becomes restless when he can't find you but calms down after finding you on the other side of the bed. Then just keeps his palm on you rather than pulling you in and waking you up.

D = Dirty Secret

This one time, you two had an idea of taking some nudes together just for fun to see whose turns out to be the better one. You both set a rule to get rid of them after the winner was announced, which never happened since you two were so turned on in the process that you two ended up doing it. You forgot it but he still has your photo with him. Shut up, it helps him on long missions.

E = Experience 

He was not a virgin, but he wasn't much experienced either. If you want to know more about this scenario find it here.

In starting he kept things vanilla, he didn't want to freak you out. But you wanted more but that was the case with you too so this one time you stole his Itcha Itcha to read what type of stuff he was into. AND YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. You had to read it as fast as you can because he'd notice that it was missing.

And when you suggested something, it was a shock to him because he knows exactly how to do it but to ACTUALLY experience it and that too with YOU? The guy was in actual heaven that day.

F = Favourite Position 

It depends, he is a tease so he likes when you do all the work but just wait till he has your image of having one leg over his shoulder while he's pounding into you and you're all flustered, aaaaand the guy is pinning you down and going at it.

Or if he is IN THE MOOD he's gonna start with you on all fours and will end up having you burring your face in the pillow.

G = Goofy

Hehe he is the best type of goofy. He says the jokes with a straight face while everyone is on the floor dying. He only lets out a small laugh when you are laughing your "so-called ugly laugh" in front of others too.

But sometimes he starts laughing even before cracking the joke because it was that funny, "Oh boy, naah it's nothing" he says wiping a tear, off his one eye. You all will beg him but according to him "the moment is gone" lol he IS a tease.

H = Hair 

His hair is sooooo fluffy! And after how little he looks after them? It is almost a joke on you. You take care of your hair a lot but this guy probably washes it with body wash and still has such good quality. He always says that it is a good diet to trick you into healthy eating too. This guy never misses a chance to do that.

I = Intimacy 

Your emotional intimacy is something that is beyond this world. You both never knew that you were capable of feeling emotions so strongly.  You're hurt? He feels this burning feeling in his heart that he can't get rid of. He is having a nightmare? It breaks your heart that you cannot do anything about what he had to go through.

Not for once have you two felt any sort of negative emotions to one another but just love and CARE! You love your people but for the first time, you've felt that "care" not from the words but actions. 

For the first time, you two have felt that you don't have to do everything on your own, you can divide it and let your guard down for a moment because you know that other one will be there if something goes wrong.

J = Jack Off 

He does it normally when he is out on a mission or away from you for a while. One thought of you can turn him on in that case.

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks)

Ohohoho where should I even start? He LOVES to handcuff you because that just gives him more power over what he wants you to feel. Which is why he likes blindfold too.

As your relationship grows he likes the risk factor too so he likes to do it in a tricky place. But while making sure that your reputation doesn't get compromised at any cost.

L = Location (Favourite places to do they do)

Umm isn't it obvious? Anywhere? Literally. But he loves to bend you over the kitchen counter and take you then and there as he enters the house and finds you cooking or just having a drink or something.

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going)

He will do anything you ask for while doing it to make sure that he will be able to see that face of yours when you have just let go and you're too flustered to even care. It shows him that you are enjoying it.

Or if it is just you pleasing him and you look up to him with "puppy eyes" heh don't blame him for what is about to happen to you.

N = NO (Something they wouldn’t do, turn-offs)

You risking your reputation for the "risk factor". See, everyone sees you highly in the village and he loves the respect that they give you. He WILL NEVER ruin it just because he is feeling it right now and won't let you do the same too.

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc)

It may not seem like it but he LOVES to give it to you. Actually, if this time it is more of a sensual one then he always starts with eating you only. It is his way of showing that you're his priority.

He has long fingers so umm ya. You're overstimulated most of the time. As much as he loves seeing this, he holds your hand with one while the other one is pumping in and out of you as he plays with your clit with his tongue.

He loves to hold one hand with you even while he is eating you out. Wow.

P = Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

He starts with "slow as death" ones and then once you're begging to him theeen he goes fast and deep. You ARE lucky to have him honestly :')

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

You don't even have to say anything? You are looking good before you two go out? You'll be doing it before leaving the house.

It's not his fault! You look too good, it's your fault.

And sometimes these quickies turn into something more and you two end up staying home.

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

Risk who? That's all I'm gonna say.

S = Stamina 

He can go for a lot of rounds. But if he is just back from the mission or has been busy all day and now he is tired. Please don't push him. Not because he is a "poor guy" or something, nooooo, this idiot will get horny and do it anyway. But regret in the morning because he didn't take enough rest.

T = Toy

He bought it only when you two started experimenting so you both have handcuffs (used for you only he doesn't like to be a sub that often), a blindfold, and a vibrator for sure. This fucker likes to edge you a lot.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

Heh isn't it clear already? This guy is the definition of being unfair. As you start to get a little annoyed and turn to him and catch him smirking, all that "annoyance" turns into "lust" lol you simp! But can we really blame you?

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

If you are doing it somewhere out? He'll keep shut and even cover your mouth to avoid getting caught. But if he is at home, he will grunt a lot but will let out a loud moan once he reaches his high

W = Wild Card (Just a random headcanon because I cannot think of anything starting with W)

He cooks for you in the morning. That is the only time he can make sure that you have a good healthy meal since he is not there for lunch and you make the dinner.

If he is cooking in the morning then expect your lunch prepared for you too.  *and meal prep for dinner* bro he wants to make sure that you are taking care of yourself because you work too hard okay? Shut up and have your fruits and drink some water as you read this...... Go now, sip some water.

X = X-Ray

He has a lean physique but specifically, his arms are muscular and they are getting buffer after you mention that you like buffed arms. Hehe being slick, okayyyy.

Also, he has long slim fingers, umm good for you.

But you like to draw in his hands too sometimes. Just some little things. He smiles at them as he looks at them later.

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

He kind of has a strong sex drive. Most of the time if it is because of the fact that he is too excited to try new things on you.

Z = ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterward)

He doesn't sleep until he knows that you are sound asleep. He likes to take in the scent of your hair and just run his fingers through your hair to calm you down a bit. Do it back too, please. He loves it a lot! If you stop and start doing something else, he'll bring back your hand to his hair and make you do it for as long as you don't fall asleep. In any case, he is sleeping once you're asleep.

____________________________

Shikamaru is my favorite character but ya’ll are making me change my lane with how many posts I’ve written for Kakashi XD

Thanks For Reading and for the ask!

If you liked it you can check out the masterlist too!

[chipper-smol]

Hollow Knight Telephone Round Two: Babysitter SL

Prompt: Shade (lord) is in the midst of final exams and they’re more stressed and tired than usual while babysitting. They accidentally fall asleep in the middle of a calm spell and the god babies become worried. The next time Shade comes over, all of the god babies present a gift they all made together!

By @minnesotamidian-blog​

Shade barely noticed their surroundings as they entered the nursery playroom. Plastic clattered and they sighed as Radiance yelled at the top of her lungs. At least she wasn't screaming. Yet. The scene was set: Unn was still in a crib and chewing on a bar, Root was climbing slowly onto a chair. Radiance was knocking over plastic blocks as Grimm cackled away. For once, Wyrm was playing peacefully with a kick toy, batting at it with his tail. Root got onto the chair and squealed, raising her arms. "Big Root now!" The little blue-eyed godling squeaked out.

Shade picked her up, hugged her to their chest before holding her out. "Now you're a flying Root."

She screamed laughter as Shade tiredly walked her around the room before setting her down near some of her favorite toys. They made sure nobody else had claimed the chair and took a seat, bending over to pick up the fussy moth. "Ancient enemy!" Of course she bit their hand.

Shade winced and just ran a hand over her fluff. "Are you hungry for something that isn't void?" They spoke tiredly.

"Oranges!" She yelled out.

The teen sighed as he went to the mini-fridge with snacks and found some miracle of miracles! pre-peeled oranges. Shade pulled them out and put her in a high chair with one at a time so she wouldn't be tempted to throw the extras at them.

Finals were here and they were really taking it out of the gangly god. Why did they have to know stuff about inorganic chemistry? Why did they have to know about history nobody cared about? There were some fun subjects, but the finals seemed to even suck the fun out of those classes, going over notes and studying everything just in case. They'd been pulling long nights and the night before had been an all-night cram session-and they still had to come to work, they couldn't afford not to. They'd underlined all the stuff the teacher had said was important to remember and had written down stuff from the last finals about each teacher's usual tests.

It made narrowing down what to study from impossible to I'm totally toast. They groaned as they set down a calmer Radiance the opposite side of the room from Wyrm. She found toys that interested her, at least. Root wandered over to Wyrm, who was really into knocking at the kick toy and purring. Root settled nearby and burbled as she hugged and gnawed a plushie.

The teen couldn't help it. The kids were calm for once; their head started to tilt forward, eyes heavy. They were exhausted. Shade's eyes closed and their breathing deepened. At first, their toys were too interesting to notice their babysitter's state; but it didn't take long for Grimm to get bored enough to fly over and notice. "...Shade? Shade's eyes are closed." They landed and the four children not in a crib headed for the batlike godling.

"Is Shade dead?" Wyrm sounded worried.

"Don't be stupid, they're having a nap!" Radiance huffed.

Root looked up and swayed before patting Shade's leg. "Grown-ups don't have nap times." She was tearing up.

"Nuh-uh, they're having bad dreams and it's tasty!" Grimm clamored onto their lap.

The others joined, Radiance grabbing Unn to join them on the sleeping teen. Grimm rested between Shade's horns, Unn was on one shoulder, Radiance on the other, with Root and Wyrm curled up together on Shade's lap, Wyrm purring for once.

When Shade woke up, they were surprised by the weight on their body and forced themself to look down and around before moving. "Uh oh, I fell asleep… sheesh, I'm glad this place isn't a fiery disaster." They picked the godlings up. "You're not dead!" Wyrm exclaimed.

Root burst into tears and even Grimm joined in on the crying spat. Shade sighed and spent the rest of the time comforting them until meal time and settled them down. Time to go home for them all!

But the worry didn't leave the heads of the little godlings. "We should make something for Shade. If they're having nightmares, they might be sad." Radiance sighed. "But that doesn't mean I feel bad for my ancient enemy!" "What do we make?" Root twirled around, slowly turning in place until she fell onto pillows in her dizziness.

"Something of clay! I can burn it dry!" Grimm hopped around.

"But there's no clay." Unn spoke slowly, thoughtfully. "But there's crayons and paper."

"Oooh. We can make a pretty picture for Shade!" Wyrm waved his head happily. The group went for papers and each started to draw on the paper. "You're taking up too much paper!" Wyrm whined.
Radiance complained in turn, pointing at the color he was using. "I want that color!"

Wyrm growled and argued back. "I had it first!"

They started rolling around over their drawings, biting and clawing. Grimm gave a solid scream that startled the two. "You ruined Shade's pretty pictures!" He yelled.

The two looked at each other and hung their heads. "...sorry." Radiance muttered.
"-'m sorry." Wyrm looked away from the moth, skulking. "Start again? You can have the crayon, Radiance…"

Radiance took the crayon and they all picked up the last piece of paper. "I think this is better." Root spoke cheerfully.

It was three days later, once Shade had a solid night's sleep and finals completed that they'd returned to work. A large construction sheet of paper in grey covered in scribbles and rough names and messages was waiting for them.

Feel better soon Shade

Love you

Best babysitter

Tastiest nightmare!

Not the worst anciant ancient enemy.Shade could only feel warmth and laugh, hugging the drawing to themself. There were some days the job felt like the best thing in the world.  ------------------------------- By @tomatotimes

-------------------------------

By @loud-whistling-yes

"No."

The kids protested louder. Shade lifted the TV remote higher up, now above their head.

"Screentime's over, I said no."

Wyrm attempted to crawl up their leg in what was a rather pathetic attempt at stealing the remote, but was promptly shaken off. Grimm tried next, flying overhead to snatch the controller. Shade ducked and grabbed him by the tail before he could send himself flying straight towards the ceiling fan for the third time that day.

"Find something else to do," Shade said as they stuffed the remote deep into their pocket, much to everyone else's dismay. "Look, as much as I'd love to shut you guys up for the whole day, you've all been staring at the TV for hours now and I don't want to get in trouble with your parents."

Louder complaints.

"No, no, no. I am not cracking this time." Shade announced as they pulled Radi, who was hissing like an angry cat, off their jeans and pulled their phone out. "You guys got me last week, never again. No more TV for you, we're doing something else before I lose my money for tonight. Google almighty, what is your suggestion."

activities to do with children

fun activities to do with children

activities to do with toddlers

what can I do with kids that isn't a major headache to deal with goddamnit

Go to the park? Shade took about half a second to consider the thought before wondering why they even thought it was possible anyways. Five kids from the deepest depths of hell, outdoors? No. No park.

Finger painting? A pain to clean up, but better than outdoors. Then they looked up from their phone and considered the idea with greater thought. Grimm's wings, Radi's legs, Unn and Wyrm's… er…. Body?.... Nevermind.

Play pretend? …. If they hear the name Hallownest one more time they might just go insane.

Hide and seek? No. No no no no no. No more hide and seek. Shade was utterly sick of hide and seek. If they had to spend another second stuffed inside the closet or trying to get Radi off the roof they'll probably quit the job right there and then.

Baking?

… That might work. Sure, cleaning up is gonna be absolute hell but it's the only thing Google suggested that they haven't tried yet without horrible results.

Shade stuffed their phone back into their pocket and made a getaway to the kitchen, everyone else following, probably still trying to get the remote back. Butter, eggs, flour, sugar, oh, even some chocolate chips…

"Well then," They declared, pulling every ingredient out of the cabinet and fridge. "We're making cookies! And no, no one is allowed to touch the oven when it's hot. If you guys behave we'll have cookies in like, an hour or something like that."

The kids watched in confusion as Shade ran around the kitchen, pulling out bowls and spoons and a bunch of other utensils while typing furiously on their phone.

Cookies recipe

Cookies recipe easy

Cookies recipe for beginners

Cookies recipe for kids

"What do you guys think about chocolate chip cookies?"

Multiple chitters of approval. "Chocolate chip cookies it is then."

Step one: sieve the flour. Oh wyrm, first step and it's already gonna go to shit.

"Okay, you guys can watch this but for the love of the holy wyrm, do not touch it." Shade measured the correct amount of flour before scooping Wrym and Unn off the floor onto the table so they could see while Radi pulled herself onto the chair. The Lady had already clinged herself onto their sweater and Grimm was doing just fine flying nearby.

“You guys get one chocolate chip each if you guys behave and don’t get flour everywhere.” Shade added. “Now, Lady, hold still and don’t move, I gotta keep my hands steady for this…”

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

"Okay, chocolate chip time." Shade popped open the jar of chocolate as the kids cheered. "Actually, we’re not supposed to be eating this plain, cause it's going into the cookies. But no one actually does that so you guys get five chips each for not setting the kitchen on fire so far."

"The recipe says a cup of chocolate chips but we all know that's a lie." They added while shoving their phone back in their pocket and grabbing a handful of chips before mixing the batter together. "I'm probably not someone you should take life lessons from, but here's one thing I can guarantee you should take to heart: never follow the recipe when it comes to chocolate chips, you count that with your soul."

Final step: oven time. The oven was preheated earlier, and the only thing left was to get the cookies into the tray and into the oven. "Now, who wants to make heart-shaped cookies?"

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

Three deformed stars, five mutated trees, two malformed cats, several irregular hearts, a couple handfuls of chocolate eaten straight from the jar, and one (1) perfectly round cookie later, the cookies were on the tray, in the oven, and in a surprising turn of events, no one burned themselves… yet. Shade grabbed everyone and made sure no one was in a five-meter radius within the oven before picking up all the dirty bowls and utensils. “Cookies will have to sit in there for about 15 minutes, we’ll be cleaning up in the meantime.”

“Don’t look at me like that, and no whining, if you want cookies you gotta deal with the mess afterwards. That's the payoff, unless you're a wizard who has a passion for baking. Then that's fair, I guess." They dumped all the used utensils they could find and turned on the sink. The sief, three bowls, tablespoons and teaspoons.. Oh wait.

"Radi, the big wooden spoon, please?" Shade called, sponge in their hand and bowls being thoroughly rinsed.

Radi, of course, was not willing to help, because she's basically a feral house cat that just so happened to grow more legs than the average feline. Shade sighed and moved on to finding the next helper they could find.

"Grimm, I know you're touching the oven, stop it. I'm pretty sure you're immune to fire but not everyone else and you're setting a bad example for them. Get me the spoon please."

“Lady, here’s a cloth, help me dry the bowls up. Wyrm, … i have no idea how you can help, no limbs and all but uh, could you go get Unn? I have no idea where she went. Thanks.” The last sentence was to Grimm, who flew over with the mixing spoon and dropped it into the sink while Wyrm scurried away to find Unn, wherever she’s napping at.

"Radi? Radi, I know you're right behind me, stop pretending that you can't hear me. Lady has an extra cloth with her, you're on table wiping duty."

*********

“See? That wasn't so bad,” Shade sent the last of the bowls back into the cupboards and closed it shut. “And the cookies are pretty much done.”

“Also, no. You may not eat the cookies the moment I pull them out of the oven. These rules also apply to Grimm because it's unfair to everyone else.. Don’t look at me like that Grimm, I know you’ll eat them all before they cool and leave us nothing.”

The cookies smelt delicious, and were left on the dining table to cool. “Now that it's cooling down, it's naptime.”

A chorus of groans and wailing.

“It’ll be ready when you guys get up. Up up up, sleep time.”

**********

If you’ve been anywhere near toddlers before, you’d know that getting them to nap in their bedrooms is a near-impossible situation. And Shade was not a person who deals with near-impossible situations well. So following the months old custom, Shade turned on the tv, remote miraculously not pickpocketed, collapsed onto the couch, and waited for everyone piling on them to fall asleep before moving them into their bedroom and pretending they managed to wrangle them all into bed.

And it all goes to plan, the Lady and Wyrm were sound asleep on their lap, Radi and Unn were dozing off on their shoulders, and they're pretty sure the snoring from the top of their head was coming from Grmm. Now, step 2: get everyone off them and onto the beds.

… Or maybe later. It's been a long day, and the couch is pretty comfy. Yeah, just five more minutes, nothing wrong with that…

And if the parents came home to see a cleaner-than-expected kitchen, a tray of chocolate chip cookies, and five kids snoring on top of their babysitter, also sound asleep, then that’s nobody’s business.

And if the originally completely full jar of chocolate chips was pretty much empty, then that’s no one’s business as well.

-------------------------------

By @astronomicartz​

-------------------------------

By @hollow-kin​

Shade lord wanted to take a nap. They are sooo tired, but they are babysitting 5 baby gods for 5$/H. Grimm is a brat, Radiance his sister is also a brat. Unn was ether eating or seeping, same with grub1. Lady was, well sweet and cuddly. they needed to find a distraction for the kids, what would work?

Would tv work, would cartoons work? They had dinner already. Tv had to work or grub and radiance would destroy the house. They needed to take a nap. Now what to watch was a different question, they would have to ask the kids. “so, what do guys want to watch? “Movie!” well they were all in agreement, what was good. “What kind of movie do you guys want to watch?” “Fire!” “dath” “animal” “tree” “ok. No, we are NOT watching fire.” “awww” “i do not know what dath means so no. So nature show it is then.” they go over to the tv and turn it on, then select the world around us. Lady was quick to fall asleep, on their lap. Shade lord slowly fell asleep, and grub nested between grub and shade lord. Grimm climed up to shade lord's head. 

-------------------------------

By @hawaiianbabidoll

-------------------------------

By @neoliberalsatan

A gentle darkness surrounded the shade lord. He finally felt at ease. "finally", he thought, "rest." it didn't take long after that before the darkness started to take shape and a whole new world created out of shadows sheathed him.

But the happiness of the shadows didn't last long. A new and a new sound drowned out their world and all the animals and plants took to hiding back in his head. The shade lord felt the distressed creations stir inside his mind and woke up to the sound of his phone ringing. He rubbed his lowest eyes and accepted the call

"Hello, with shade lord. How can i help you?" "Oh sorry dear, i know it's terribly late but we got an unexpected call and need to leave. Since you've babysat Unn multiple times we assumed she would like to stay with you. Is it okay for you? Can we bring her to your place?" The shade lord thought for a moment and decided he could use the money. "Yea it's fine, she's always such a pleasure to babysit." The voice on the other side sounded relieved. "Thank you. You're a life saver. We will make sure you're compensated accordingly."

Feeling a bit more awake after the phone call he started to prepare for having baby Unn over. After a while her parents arrived and after some greetings he was home alone with the baby. He walked with her in his arms towards the living room and placed her gently inside the crib. She opened her eyes for a moment after losing the feeling of someone holding her, but then closed them again and fell back asleep.

The shade lord decided he couldn't sleep anymore and made some popcorn and decided to put on a movie. It didn't even take 20 minutes before he got called again.

"Hello, with shade lord. How can i help you?" "Oh yes finally someone who answers. Sorry but you're our last hope. We were going somewhere tonight but our babysitter called off. Do you think you could babysit our lovely Radiance? She's very good behaved and won't cause you trouble." "yea, no problem. You'll just need to bring her to my place if it's no trouble"

Not even 5 minutes later the parents showed up and dropped of their larva. Shade lord looked at it a bit confused but didn't get the time to say anything because the parents left as soon as they handed her over. He closed his front door and gave the larva a good look. She was white and had a fluffy appearance. She had 5 pairs of legs and yellow-orange eyes. She started to writhe a little bit and shade lord made sure to hurry to the living room. He took a pillow and placed it on the couch and softly laid her on it. She seemed at ease and rested on the pillow all stretched out

Shade lord continued his movie, which was finally starting to get interesting, but as usual the commercial break hit. He was in the kitchen making more popcorn when he got another call.

"Hello, with shade lord. How can i help you?" "Hello, is this the babysitter?" "Yes, that's the one you're speaking with." "Great, a family member had an accident and i need to be there for them so do you think you could babysit for me?" "Yep, totally." "Thank you, can we bring him to you?" "Oh yea, no problem."

A few minutes later his doorbell rang and he hurried towards it. The father carried his toddler in what could only be described as wing-esque appendages. The shade lord extended his arms for the man to put his toddler in and felt a gentle brush of the leathery membrane. He shivered lightly before feeling a sudden warmth light up in his face, like someone has started a fire. When he looked back up the man was gone and he closed the door. The creature he was holding in his arms was unlike anything he had ever seen. 2 horns sprouted from its black head. The face was as bleak as white linen on a summer day. It seems she likes make-up because she had already 2 black lines running from her cheeks towards her eyes, eventually fading into the darkness of her head. She had the same membranes as her father and no limbs besides it.

He wasn’t even in the living room before he heard his front door being was under siege. He put the weird creature down and opened the front door. Immediately he was assaulted by Hollow, a very energetic child. He was wearing a green cloak today and it finally seemed he was starting to grow bigger than a hand. His horns has also branched into the inside. Immediately after Hollow jumped on his he could hear Pale complain about his unprofessional work attitude. Although he was bigger than most it seems he wouldn’t grow much anymore. His tiny stature didn’t discourage him from being bossy. Finally White entered. By far the biggest of the bunch, she was also the most introverted. Her roots slid elegantly over towards him and even managed to stop Pale from talking for a moment.

He took them inside the living room only to find that somehow the larva and the winged creature had somehow gotten into a fight and now both were in hiding in opposite sides of the room. Normally he wouldn’t make such a big deal out of this if somehow his couch wasn’t full of tiny needles and a chair was on fire. He rushed to the tap to fill a bowl of water to extinguish the little fire. With the attention being diverted Hollow managed to slip from the watch of Pale and could now be found in the corner Radiance was hiding. The larva figured out quickly he liked to play games and had soon enough set up a plan to make him betray Pale.

In the meantime White had climbed the couch and started pulling out the needles while Shade lord had figured out what the membrane between the appendages from the weird creature were for. Namely, for flight. And now she was attacking his horns and he couldn’t reach her. As if her flying was not good enough alone, whenever he raised his arms she would back off and launch a little fireball  All this commotion woke up baby Unn who slowly started to slither away from her crib to find food.

The shade lord finally had enough of the little fire hazard and rushed towards the pantry to get a kettle. Once he had found it he peeked around the corner only to find that fire hazard eating his popcorn! All caution was thrown aside and he grabbed her by the guts and put her inside the kettle. She tried to heat it but he added some water to it. While it evaporated quickly it was apparently enough to bring over the message. Now he could focus his attention back on the larva again, only she could’ve produced those needles, which White was making great progress with removing them as a quick glance told him.

Now back to Pale and Radiance who were apparently having a fight (Darkness, that larva really has a talent to provoke others). They were arguing near the coffee table, because apparently they wanted a fight so bad they just ran to each other and met in the middle. Hollow was climbing one of the legs of the table, but wasn’t noticed by the shade lord because he was too occupied with the other 2. He tried to separate the arguing pair but they were at each other’s throats. They even had summoned a needle and a tiny dagger to fight each other. The shade lord obviously didn’t count on this tiny factor and had soon enough one in each hand. He screamed, trying not to curse, barely not failing miserably, and Pale managed to escape. In any other situation this wouldn’t pose a problem, but Hollow, after eating some popcorn, found himself at the right edge of the coffee table and pulled out his tiny wooden sword he got from Pale. The larva, Darkness curse her, used this to her advantage and made the sign to Hollow to betray Pale. The act of betraying Pale involved jumping off of the coffee table and hitting Pale as hard on the head as possible. Naturally, all of this went according to plan and even brought some extra spectacle. After Hollow had hit Pale on the head he wasn’t prepared for the recoil of the wood and ended up hitting himself in the face.

All of this lead to 3 crying children (1 of them from laughing, the others from pain) and 1 very angry young adult. He put the larva on the couch and took care of the others while White held a close eye on the damned 10 legged thing. After Pale and Hollow weren’t crying anymore he took the little fire hazard out of the kettle and continued his movie, which was getting to an end.

After the film ended a documentary started and had all the kids hooked. He went to check on Unn only to find an empty crib. He could however see a slimy trail lead up his wall and onto the ceiling. It went through the door into the pantry where he kept his food and toys for the toddlers. He looked up on the ceiling only to find a sleepy Unn with a letter block in her mouth. Suddenly Unn started to make a very weird noise and fell from the ceiling onto his face. He swiped her off of his face onto his shoulder and then washed it.

He returned back to the tv to watch the documentary that was still playing and plopped down on the couch. Not long after he was asleep with White on his left shoulder, Unn on his right shoulder, the little fire hazard on the same arm and Pale curled up in his lap. Radiance and hollow were still awake but occupied with the documentary instead of causing trouble. After the documentary ended they crawled up against his sides and fell asleep.

-------------------------------

By @constantlost 

-------------------------------

By @bugbeee

Exhaustion seeped into Shadelord’s body, limbs weighed down by a heaviness they hadn’t experienced in a while. The smatter of godlings that lay around them on the couch, or on them in Radi’s case, was enough to convince them that they had died and that this was the Eternal Void that was created to punish them for cheating on that test in the 8th grade. In their defence, it had been on rock sedimentation.

Wyrm continued his grumbling from the corner of the couch, still infuriated by the attack on his person only moments before. Root, the aggressor, looked remarkably pleased with herself. Shade knew they should probably punish her further in some way but... well, to be perfectly honest, they simply were not paid enough to do so.

They really should have charged more. Fifteen dollars at least per tiny demon they had to look after rather than the whole bunch. Fifteen dollars was not enough to encourage discipline. It was enough for them to make sure none of the godlings killed the other. And they had thought they had come up with an ingenious plan to secure some peace and quiet.

After much wrangling, they had finally managed to set up two separate playpens, each far enough away that the godlings wouldn’t start screaming if one of them saw their rival. Wyrm and Root in one pen, Grimm, Radi and Unn in another. It was a gamble, but one that thankfully seemed to have paid off. Radi was still exhausted from the tussle she had just had with Wyrm, and Grimm seemed content to chew off the heads of the plastic Garbies they had found. Unn continued to watch, and occasionally helped Grimm execute a Garbie in a spectacular manner. It was both reassuring, and beyond disturbing. Root and Wyrm meanwhile were cheerfully ignoring each other as they both played with their own toys.

It should have been foolproof.

Unfortunately for Shade however, they were dealing with infants instead of fools.

For some damned reason, Root had decided that now was the perfect time to act up, instead of being the sweet little darling she had been so far. Her target, much to their dismay, had been Wyrm. In all fairness, the godling had probably deserved it in some way; most likely he had tried to worm too close in order to steal some of the grubpaste and mushroom sticks Shade had left out as a snack. Root had seen this theft as a cardinal sin, and had subsequently decided that Wyrm deserved nothing less than absolute annihilation.

The momentary doze Shade had managed to fall into was abruptly interrupted by loud shrieking and wailing, resulting in them vaulting over the couch to hurriedly find out which one of the godlings was being tortured.

The scene that greeted them was... well, it wasn’t any less ridiculous than some of the other stuff the little goblins had pulled before.

Using her flexible tendrils, Root had seen fit to wrap them around Wyrm, and aggressively dunk him into the bowl of grubpaste he had attempted to steal from. His shrieks and hisses had woken up Radi and drawn the attention of the other children, who were now cheering on Root’s attack on Wyrm’s person.

“Enough,” Shade declared, shooting a glare behind them, “Root, let him go.” Root looked up innocently.

No, she seemed to say with her eyes, justice must prevail.

“Justice won’t get me my fifteen dollars,” they hissed out in return, and they could have sworn that Root shrugged, turning away from them to dunk Wyrm into the bowl yet again.

“No!” they cried out, quickly whipping down to grab the poor child before he could be further humiliated. After finally being saved from his vicious tormentor, Wyrm decided it was time to go into hysterics, lashing out with a sharp tail to fully show his displeasure. Root simply watched impassively as the rest of the children cheered.

Shade wondered if fifteen dollars was even worth it at this point.

“Alright, alright, enough! Root, you go in time out. We do not waterboard our fellow godlings in grubpaste. Wyrm, calm down, it’s just grubpaste- Settle down!” they yelped out, flinching as something heavy settled onto their head. The soft fluff revealed that Radi had decided to fly out of her pen and taunt Wyrm in person. Shade wanted to sob with frustration.

The door cracked open, and Ghost peered in, head tilted curiously.

Need help? they signed, and Shade wanted to collapse in relief.

“Please,” they begged, and their sibling nodded grimly, even as amusement danced in their eyes. Shucking off their school backpack, they quickly headed over to the other pen and signed to them, bobbing their head up and down in a soothing motion. Grimm and Unn were entranced. Radi less so. She remained seated on their head, but at least seemed to have finally stopped provoking Wyrm.

“I’m just going to clean him up,” Shade explained uselessly, watching as Ghost simply nodded and waved them off. 

With a tired gait, Shade wandered into the kitchen and turned on the tap, listening as Wyrm’s panicked yelps grew louder at the realisation of what was going to happen next. Radi snickered softly, before leaping off and gliding back into the living room.

Bath time, according to the godlings, was a fate worse than death, and something to be avoided at all cost.

Unfortunately for both Wyrm and Shade, it was a necessary evil. Wyrm disagreed. Loudly. And with claws.

He howled furiously as Shade slowly lowered him into the warm water, softly scrubbing at the now-dried grubpaste sticking to his skin. Despite his attempts, Wyrm failed to prevent them from continuing his bath. He turned to pathetic pleading instead, making soft mewling sounds as though he was nothing more than a poor innocent child who had done nothing wrong, ever.

Shade, who remembered the little bastard knocking a glass ornament onto their head, was not convinced. Ultimately there was no escape, and Wyrm reluctantly gave in to the soft scrubbing, though he made sure his rumbling complaints were known.

“Yes, yes,” Shade said quietly, “I truly am the worst. Close your eyes so I can rinse you.”

Wyrm, in a dumb act of defiance, did not close his eyes. The hysterics started again, and Shade contemplated drowning themself in the half-filled sink. Fifteen dollars, they repeated. Fifteen dollars.

Grabbing a tea towel, they quickly dried the godling off, carefully teasing out water droplets from soft scales. He child gnawed on their fingers in revenge. “I’m done,” they announced, wandering back into the living room with a now clean, and furious, Wyrm.

Ghost looked up from their position on the floor, back leaning against the couch as they played with Grimm. Radi immediately perked up at the sound of Shade’s voice, and quickly flew over, making herself at home on top of their head. Unn seemed to have decided to undertake the momentous task of scaling up the back of the couch, leaving a thick trail of slime behind. Root, still stuck in her pen as punishment, let out a wail, demanding to be let out.

Shade was all out of energy to fight back or deal with a tantrum.

“Alright, alright, out you go,” they muttered, depositing Wyrm on the couch before reaching down to lift out the petulant child from her terrible prison. She clung to them desperately until they finally collapsed on the sofa. She quickly wriggled out of their hold and instead plonked down beside them. Wyrm had hissed at the sight of her, and slunk to the other side of the couch to sulk.

Grimm let out a raspy cackle at the sight, before diving down to nip at Ghost’s fingers.

Unn finally made her way to the top of the couch and waved her eyestalks victoriously. All Shade could do was give her a tired pat.

They sank into the couch, the exhaustion creeping back in. It should have been foolproof.

Fifteen dollars.

-------------------------------

By @arandoskeleartist​

[trixxiephantomhive]

I posted 99 times in 2022

That's 99 more posts than 2021!

55 posts created (56%)

44 posts reblogged (44%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@airi-p4

@nerdypanda3126

@verfound

@ris-reblogs

@heartwithavacancy

I tagged 51 of my posts in 2022

Only 48% of my posts had no tags

#lukanette - 13 posts

#luka couffaine - 13 posts

#miraculous ladybug - 10 posts

#art - 7 posts

#airip4 - 6 posts

#pro lukamari - 5 posts

#miraclous fanfic - 5 posts

#lukanette endgame - 4 posts

#wip - 4 posts

#this is so cute i love it - 2 posts

Longest Tag: 40 characters

#ver you’re an evil mastermind in writing

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

August Minific Challenge day 04!!

@lovebugs-and-snakecharmers

Today’s prompt is “How don’t you know the difference between your left and right?”

(Prompt list: )

WC is 693

Fugitive!Luka and Mari are making their way to London this time.

It’s the dead of night, and Luka and Marinette are running down the silent streets of Paris, trying to catch a ride on any bus that hopefully won’t call the cops on them.

They stop by a bus and Marinette and Luka go to board it. After getting on, the driver immediately yells for them to leave or he will call the cops, and in the heat of the moment Luka draws the gun Anarka had forced him to take with him when he started packing up to run. “Drive us to the Gare du Nord and don’t call the cops.” Luka sits in the frontmost seat facing the driver as Marinette takes the spot next to him.

The driver spits at them and curses. “Always knew you Vigilantes were freakazoids. I bet you’ve always been working with Hawkmoth.” Luka feels an almost predatory hiss climbing his throat but holds a straight face and just gestures to the gun.

The driver shuts up and takes them to where they wanted to go and Luka quickly pulls Marinette off the bus. “He’s gonna tell the cops where we’re going. We should transform to be safe then throw clothes over top.”

“Okay… and Luka… you wouldn’t actually shoot anyone… Right?”

The boy stares at her and almost drops his gun. “Of course not! It's just… we’re already criminals… It… seemed scary… I’m sorry Mar.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She smiles and quickly transforms and throws clothes on as they board the train, Luka having done the same. “I haven’t ever seen that side of you.”

“It’s the part of me I never want to be.”

“Mysterious.” The couple starts to giggle, some of the adrenaline fading away, as they’re already another step to safety.

After a bit of a trip, they carry their few things to the small residence in a quiet part of town and knock on the door. A slim woman seeming to be almost an exact copy of Sabine appears, quickly pulls the two weary travelers inside and gives them some tea.

See the full post

16 notes - Posted August 4, 2022

#4

August Minific Challenge Day 16

Prompt: “Can I hold your hand?”

Word Count: 283

@lovebugs-and-snakecharmers

A rainy night where Marinette can’t help but wonder why Luka is standing outside in the cold weather. 

Marinette looks out her window into the pouring rain, and sees a figure standing in the street. This person, something just seems off about them. Sad, or Lonely. 

She goes down and out the bakery door. She walks up and sees it’s Luka, one of her friend’s older brother. A boy she’s grown a bit of a crush on. 

“Luka?” She calls out, and he turns his head to look at her. 

“Hey, what are you doing in the rain?” He asks. 

“I came out because I saw you, why are you out here?” She looks him up and down and her eyes are drawn to his simple grey t-shirt soaked from the rain, and his tired eyes looking to be long past ready for a nap. “Do you want to come inside?” She asks, gesturing over to her house, the bakery door still open, caught in the wind. 

“Okay” He calls out as she starts to run back towards the building. He follows her and they head up to her bedroom. 

“Luka, What are you doing in the rain?  and please let me get you something else to wear.” 

“I just felt like it?.. And I guess.”

Marinette leaves him alone and gets a pair of pyjamas from her older and quite absent older brother’s left over things, assuming they’ll fit, since he would’ve been a bit bigger than Luka is when he left. 

He gets up and changes, throwing his stuff into the dryer as well. 

“Hey Luka, are you okay?’

“I think so, I guess everything has just been too much lately…” Luka sighs and sits on the floor. Marinette kneels down and then sits next to him, glancing over. 

“Luka, Can I hold your hand?”

“Yeah..” Luka whispers back at her, his mind already shutting down for sleep, she takes his hand in her own and just smiles at the moment, hoping this can mean something for them in the future. 

17 notes - Posted August 16, 2022

#3

LBSC sprint Challenge for Prompt 5!

I put the original text prompt in the upper corner!

20 notes - Posted July 8, 2022

#2

W.I.P Wednesday 11/16/2022

Bartender!Luka

Luka was just zoning out and serving customers the night Marinette returned. She entered with no fanfare, just quickly over to the bar seat she found the night a week or so back. Luka didn’t even remember her at first, until after she ordered and he caught the sound of her heart. The Music that made her seem so kind at first glance.

“You know, People usually… Come to bars for alcohol. Not glasses of water and fries. That seems more of a diner thing.”

Luka chuckles at this small girl while he serves her what seems to possibly become a new usual.

“Technically you’re labeled as a Bar and Grill. That just seems to cater more to the bar side, You don’t have a bouncer. And I got a lot of work done last time.” Marinette looks up at him, plainly stating her fact of why it makes perfect sense for her to sit there with a glass of water and especially good cheesy fries.

Luka smirks and nods as he wanders off to help others. During the night the acquaintances catch each other's eye a multitude of times. Luka quickly darting away from the attention each time. The night gets later and later, and Marinette begins to sketch more and more, Losing herself in the work. After what feels like no time at all she feels a tap on her shoulder. So suddenly in fact, she screams and goes to attack with a pencil “AHH!!” “Woah, woah. It’s just, your friendly bartender here. We’re closing up and I wanted to give you some time to get out of here”

31 notes - Posted November 16, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

This Again?

@lovebugs-and-snakecharmers sprint fic!! 

Prompt I chose:  I'd follow him/her to hell and back but I wish s/he'd just stop going there

“Luka I love you- but please stop almost dying.” Marinette adjusts her pigtails as she gets to work pulling stitches into her boyfriend's newest of many smallish injuries.

“I’m not currently almost dying. Just- Practising sword fighting while seeing who can go the longest without sleep isn’t a good idea.” Luka smiles and looks at her, ignoring the pain in favour of watching his beautiful girlfriend doing something with such precision and focus. A small blush creeping up his cheeks. 

“It really isn’t. Are you alright though? I can’t imagine this is comfortable.”

“Eh- not the worst thing ever. I’m a Couffaine. We’re made for taking hits and dealing them back harder.”

Marinette laughs, his stubborn yet charming demeanour always managing to make her smile. Then she thinks for a second and looks at him 

“You didn’t kill your best friend did you?” 

“Nope! Just tossed him off the Liberty.”

“Luka!!”

“Don’t worry- he’s fine”

“Good. dummy.”

“I love you too Marinette”

“Oh hush..”  after letting out a tired sigh she stands and gives him a quick kiss.

After getting sewn up, and not waiting around to let it settle, Luka gets up and starts making himself a cup of coffee. Also grabbing himself a fresh donut, swearing to Tom he’ll pay when he can (He has a tab of at least 96 Euros by this point). The large man doesn’t really care, noting that Luka is a nervous wreck around the love of his life’s father. Which has the girl’s parents chuckling to themselves. 

Once the coffee is finished, Luka returns to Marinette’s room, and sits back on her chaise. The slightly exhausted boy trying to sip on the hot drink.  

“Luka, seeing how long you can stay awake isn’t healthy.” Marinette looks at him, the concern written across her face. 

“Don’t worry, I’ve stayed up longer from insomnia, and I doubt Dingo is gonna last any longer, he could barely hold a sword.”

“I can barely hold a sword on a full night's sleep. They’re heavy Luka”

“you’re just extraordinarily small. In a hot way.”

Marinette blushes and throws a halfway finished pillow at him. He gets hit and laughs looking at the black and green pillow 

“Who’s this for?” He asks, wondering if she normally makes things other than clothes

“Just trying out something new” 

“Cool.”  Luka smiles, always impressed by the sheer awesomeness that is Marinette’s talent. 

Marinette, slightly freezes, trying not to blush at Luka’s ever adorable smile. 

The young couple just watch each other for a moment. Then slowly make their way closer to each other, arms extend, a hug turns into kissing, kissing turns into cuddling, cuddling turns into Luka staying the night, and that becomes use for the condoms Luka is forced to carry around by word of his mom. 

“I’m still not sleeping. “

“Well then at least shush”

He gently hums, and moves his hand to stroke Marinette’s bare side. “Got it, quiet”.

38 notes - Posted June 13, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →