#this drawing took 32 minutes

[roosterforme]

Covering the Classics Part 3 | Bob Floyd x OC

Summary: When Anna finally agrees to meet her new friends at the bar, she learns pretty quickly that the hot guy from the bookstore is actually Bob Floyd. But the fact that she ran and hid from him, thinking she'd never have to see him again, leaves her feeling mortified, and Bob is left to draw his own conclusions.

Warnings: Fluff, angst, adult language, eventually 18+

Length: 3700 words

Pairing: Robert "Bob" Floyd x Female OC (this story is part of the Beer Boy/Sugar and Jake/Jessica universe)

Covering the Classics masterlist. Check my masterlist for more! Thank you to @mak-32 for the beautiful banner!

Anna took a deep breath as she swiped on some mascara and found her tube of lipgloss. She finally caved and agreed to go to the Navy bar that her friends couldn't stop talking about at lunch every day. She only had about five dollars in her wallet to buy a drink since she sold her car for rent money. She couldn't believe was going to take an Uber all the way to Coronado just to make an absolute fool of herself in front of this Bob character. And worst of all, she was still thinking about the hot guy with glasses from the bookstore. 

"It's okay," she told her reflection in the bathroom mirror. "At least you're absolutely killing it at work. And you're having a good hair day." She dabbed at her lips, but skipped the concealer. Kevin used to love it when she covered up her freckles which made her never want to do it ever again. Every time she thought about him, her heart skipped a beat, but not in the fun way.

She counted to five and said, "Kevin isn't here." Then she put her makeup away and made sure her computer was plugged in so she could mess around online when she inevitably returned to her miniscule apartment within the next hour and a half. "Let's get this show on the road," she muttered. 

The ride to the bar was uneventful, as she was sure the rest of her evening would be as well. Bob sounded like an absolute dream when Advanced Calculus and Advanced Physics talked about him. Anna couldn't imagine him being outright rude to her after the two of them said he was sweet and had perfect manners, but she could already tell what his reaction would be: a kind but forced laugh, and maybe a halfhearted smile. And then Anna would probably get to watch him pick up a different girl instead if she didn't leave right away with her proverbial tail between her legs. 

Maybe she should have stayed home.

"Here we are," the driver said as he pulled into a beachside parking lot as the sun started setting over the ocean. "The Hard Deck."

"That was quick," she murmured, wishing she could stay in the solitude of this backseat a bit longer as she climbed out. "Thanks."

The fact that every day in San Diego was warm and beautiful was going to take some getting used to. The weather almost never wavered here unlike back at home. Anna opened the weather app on her phone and scrolled to her saved location in New Jersey, and sure enough, it was raining there. She nibbled on her lip and checked her work email, dragging the toe of her beat up sneaker on the gavel parking lot. 

She was just stalling now, wondering if her friends would even notice if she didn't show up. They just met her two weeks ago; they probably didn't even really like her that much. Her thumb hovered over her rideshare app as she thought about the two other women just going about their business like normal if she never went back to the weird tree at lunchtime. She was inconsequential to their day.

Anna pressed her lips together and tapped the app. There was a car two minutes away, but the guilt of having wasted eighteen dollars to come here in the first place was eating away at her mind. "Damn it," she whispered as she closed out of the app and shoved her phone into the pocket of her snug jeans. She started walking up to the sand covered wood planks that led to the entrance of the bar, and she didn't stop until she was inside. 

Slow Ride was blaring from the sound system, and the place was pretty packed. It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust so she could get the lay of the land, and when she did, she realized she was surrounded by mostly men. "Great," she mumbled, earning a few looks, probably because she had barely taken a step beyond the entryway before freezing up. 

But as Anna made her way closer to the bar, a big guy in a khaki uniform winked at her and called out, "Hey, Red!"

She felt her cheeks warm up which was certainly not going to help with that nickname. "Oh no." Deftly, she squeezed her way through the many bodies until she had one hand resting on the bar. Why were all these men so attractive? And why were they looking at her? 

When a different guy next to her turned and saw her, he stuck out his hand and said, "Hey, I'm Jackson."

"Anna," she replied, slipping her smaller hand into his very briefly before trying to take a step back. But she just ended up bumping into someone else. 

"You gotta let me buy you a drink," Jackson told her with a grin. "Seriously. You're already the best part of my night."

Anna swallowed as she looked around for her friends, but she didn't see either of them. "Um... not yet. I'm not a big drinker."

Jackson laughed merrily. "Aww, honey. You came to the wrong place. Hey, Penny!" Anna watched the bartender turn around with her hands full of two martini glasses. "Can you get this one anything she wants on my tab?"

Penny laughed, and said, "You'll have to get in line, Jackson. You're number four on her roster already."

"Damn it!" Jackson complained with a laugh.

Anna's eyes went wide as Penny delivered the two drinks and then came back and leaned on the bar right in front of her. "By the looks of things, you won't have to pay for a single drink all night. So what'll it be?"

Penny had friendly looking eyes that made Anna feel a little more comfortable. "A ginger ale?"

"Coming right up," Penny replied, reaching for a pint glass and the soda dispenser gun without looking away. "I've never seen you in here before, so I feel like it's only fair to warn you that these guys can get a little relentless."

That was literally the last thing Anna wanted to hear right now. Even Jackson hadn't moved an inch away from her, and her hands were starting to sweat as the ginger ale came gliding across the bar. When she wrapped her hand around the cold glass, she told Penny, "I'm actually supposed to meet some friends here. But I don't see them?"

She smiled and said, "Give me a name."

Anna looked down into the bubbles of her drink and muttered, "Jessica Reed?"

The response was immediate but kind. "By the pool table. Where she always is. Oh, and do not challenge her to a game, because she will kick your ass."

Anna laughed as she picked up her drink. "Thank you so much. And um... could you thank whomever paid for my ginger ale?"

Penny nodded as Anna started to head for the pool table. Jackson pouted at her, and the big guy in the uniform called out, "Come back, Red!" She ignored both of them as she fought her way through the crowd, desperately trying not to spill her drink on anyone. There were a lot more khaki uniforms and even some one piece jumpsuit type things that had patches sewn onto them. She read a few of the patches as she got closer to the pool table. Harvard. Omaha. Halo. Those were some weird names. 

"There she is. Anna!" 

She turned her head when she heard her name, and she saw Jessica waving one hand in the air as she juggled a beer and a pool cue in the other. Jessica actually looked happy to see her as she stood there, all wrapped up in the arms of a guy that Anna couldn't fully see yet. And then her other friend was waving both hands in the air, too, so she waved back. "Hi."

Both women squealed, "Hi, Anna!" in unison, and it was honestly one of the nicest sounds Anna had heard in recent memory. She already felt better about being here now, and that's when she caught sight of who she assumed was Jake. And she was momentarily struck dumb. 

The blonde man kissed the side of Jessica's neck and whispered something before releasing her, and then his green eyes met Anna's as he smiled. She decided immediately that he looked like a GQ model, and that was actually pretty fitting for what would pair well with Jessica.

"Hey," Jessica said, reaching for her hand and pulling her closer. "This is my boyfriend, Jake." She gestured over her shoulder to the GQ model who reached his hand out.

"Hi, Anna," he said with a southern drawl. "I've heard a lot about you."

"Oh. Same," she replied, biting her tongue before she told him she'd never heard of a man who was sweet enough to pack his girlfriend fancy sandwiches and also had the nerve to look like he belonged on a magazine cover.

"And that's Bradley," Jessica said mildly. 

"My god," she whispered to herself. Her other friend was wrapped up in a pair of thick arms that belonged to a man with a mustache and alluring scars that ran along his left cheek and down the side of his neck into his floral shirt collar. He was every bit as good looking as Jake, but he had dark hair and eyes and looked decidedly a little bit rougher around the edges. 

She blushed as she remembered the comment about how he and his wife liked to use math as foreplay in the bedroom. Right now, he kept pulling his wife closer for another hug and kiss while she playfully tried to escape his grasp, and Anna had to look away, because a flash of jealousy hit her like a brick. 

"Hey, Anna," came Bradley's gravelly voice as he finally released his wife, and she shook his hand as well. "Sugar told me you're from New Jersey."

Sugar? Anna was definitely beat red in the face now. "That's right."

He laughed and reached out again for a fist bump. "Way better than all these west coast losers," he said over his shoulder, earning a middle finger from another seriously good looking guy.

"Stop trying to make her think you're cool, Beer Boy," his wife told him with an eye roll before he turned away to talk to the other guy. 

The problem was, Anna already thought they were all devastatingly cool, and now she was standing here like an awkward fifth wheel. "Do you want a beer?" Jessica asked with a smile. "They have Sam Adams."

Anna didn't want to tell her about the scant five dollars in her pocket, and she also didn't want to have to thank one of the random guys who told Penny they wanted to buy her a drink, so she just shook her head. 

Then her other friend said, "Well Bob is up at the bar right now. You just missed him, actually." She was smirking as she added, "He's probably getting himself a ginger ale, but if you want a beer or something else, he'd be happy to get it for you."

She made like she was about to call out his name when Jessica said, "Bob also likes ginger ale. And the bookstore in North Park."

Anna met her eyes before turning and craning her neck. "He does?" she asked softly, thinking about those pretty eyes and wire rimmed glasses and the smell of tea leaves. And then she saw him. He was here! "Oh," she gasped. He was Bob?

---------------------------

"Thanks, Penny," Bob said as he accepted his drink. Two of the guys at the bar were talking about a cute redhead, and all he could think about was the girl from the bookshop who decided after probably four minutes and seventeen seconds that she didn't want to talk to him anymore. He wanted to look around for this mysterious, new redhead, because if he was being honest, that was something he really thought was pretty, but what was the point? She was probably already over trying to talk to Bradley or Jake or Mickey.

Yesterday, Bradley told him to start wearing his uniform to the bar if he wanted more girls to talk to him, but Bob wasn't that desperate. He still had this fantasy where he met the girl of his dreams kind of organically. But maybe wearing a Dungeons & Dragons shirt wasn't the best thing he could have paired with his jeans tonight. Jake took one look at it thirty minutes ago and told him to go home and change into something else.

"Your girlfriend likes it," Bob had told him with a smirk, and sure enough a minute later Jessica was making a fuss over it.

But now he was making his way back to the pool table where the two couples were most likely on the verge of being indecent. Seriously, if Bob had to watch Bradshaw's hands all over his wife's rear end for one more minute, he was going to scream. 

Then he saw her, and he nearly dropped his glass of ginger ale on the floor. It was the girl from the North Park bookstore. Red hair, brown eyes, freckles, kissable lips. She was looking back at him in disbelief. 

Oh my god. He was hallucinating. He must be. Jessica was talking to the redhead who wasn't paying an ounce of attention to her, because she was focused on Bob. Her lips curled into a smile, and he thought he'd better make sure. When he glanced to his left and then his right, he didn't see anyone else who could be on the receiving end of that smile besides him. 

"Bob!" called Bradshaw's wife. "Come meet Anna!"

Anna. That was the name of their new friend from the university. They talked about her all the time even though they just met her. They told him he would like her. But this was the girl who wanted that horrible Vonnegut book last weekend. This was the girl Mickey thought he imagined.

Apparently he hadn't stopped walking, because now he was right in front of the three women, and he had three pairs of wide eyes trained on his face. "I remember you," he said softly. "From the classics section." Her lips parted softly, and her pupils went wide as Bob asked, "Are you Anna?"

She nodded, her cheeks tinged with pink beneath her freckles. He almost groaned, because she was so much cuter in person than what his memory supplied. Nothing about her was flashy, which he almost preferred, but there was no way she wasn't the hot girl that those guys at the bar were talking about. 

"I am," she replied. "And you're Bob?"

He glanced at the other two women, wondering what exactly they told her about him. They looked like they were both holding their breath as he held out his hand and said, "I'm Bob Floyd. It's nice to meet you. Again."

"I'm Anna Webber." She bit her lip, a look of embarrassment overtaking her features as she shook his hand gently. Then he remembered that she ditched him last weekend, leaving nothing but the book he'd already devoured in her place like some sort of parting gift. He released her hand abruptly and cleared his throat.

Now she looked a little hurt, but he didn't know what to say. He ran his fingers through his hair, his nerves getting worse by the second as the other two women practically vibrated with excitement on either side of Anna. "Uh, thanks for that book recommendation. I loved it," he said, barely meeting Anna's pretty eyes.

She gasped and asked, "You read it? You actually read it?"

Bob was trying to formulate another coherent response, but the urge to walk out of the bar was very strong. He was already embarrassed right now, and then he heard Mickey's voice as his friend walked over. "Holy shit, she does have red hair and brown eyes."

Mickey seemed to capture Anna's attention for the time being which really grated on Bob's nerves. Nat would never do this to him, and he couldn't wait until she got home from being deployed. Then Bradshaw's wife was in his personal space along with Jessica. "So she was the girl? From the store in North Park?" she whispered, squeezing his hand.

"The one you had instant chemistry with?" Jessica added hopefully. 

Bob swallowed hard. "Yeah," he murmured. "It was Anna. But the two of you need to knock it off now, because it's probably not going to happen. There's just something about me that doesn't translate well. She kind of ditched me at the bookstore."

"What do you mean?" Jessica practically shrieked, and Bob had to hush her. "You're perfect for each other!"

He closed his eyes and shook his head, letting his awkwardness wash over him. "I don't know, Jess."

When he opened his eyes again, Anna was looking at him while she talked to Mickey, and Bob knew it would take even longer to get over the mystery woman now.

--------------------------

Anna couldn't believe Bob was the mystery man from the bookstore. Their chance meeting read like a piece of poetry that had no business being in her life, but the fact that she was meeting him for the second time felt something like fate. And she didn't like it. Not one bit. 

He was so handsome, just like Jake and Bradley. Now Anna was wondering what they fed these men in the Navy, because Mickey was very good looking as well. But the more she spoke to him, the more irritated Bob seemed. And she didn't like how his brow was pinching above his glasses. Not compared to the way he'd looked at her in the bookstore. 

Her mind was a mess right now. And then she remembered that she actually ran and hid from Bob last time she saw him. She started to panic and look around, silently coming up with an escape route, but it was too late. 

"Let's play pool?" Jessica asked a bit cautiously, and that was when Anna fully pieced it all together. Her new friends from work were going to think she wasn't attracted to Bob, but that couldn't have been further from the truth right now. Frankly she didn't know what she should do, so she followed everyone over to the pool table.

Well, everyone except for Bob. He remained at the bar alone, and she couldn't really blame him for not wanting to talk to her after the stunt she pulled in the bookstore. But she was only trying to protect herself. Maybe she could explain that to him. 

She was trying to decide if she would have hid from the most attractive man who had given her the time of day in years if she knew it was actually Bob. That's when she set down her empty glass of ginger ale because she was being handed a pool cue and told to team up with Bradley. She went through the motions, playing as well as she could while she chatted with everyone, but she found herself hoping to catch Bob's pretty eyes looking at her. Once she lost and handed the cue to Jessica, she saw him heading her way, and he had a glass of ginger ale in each hand.  

"Anna," he said softly in that voice that left her shivering. She took the drink he offered her and tried to act normal, but she was still so startled by what he said earlier. 

"Did you really read A Room with a View?" she asked quickly before she lost the nerve.

Bob smiled softly and met her eyes briefly before glancing at the floor. "Every word of it."

She bit her lip to keep from screaming. Kevin never once read any of the novels she suggested for him, preferring modern horror monstrosities instead. And then he went and actually turned her life into a horrific monstrosity which she should have probably seen coming. But right here in front of her was Bob who she had actually already met and formed a pitiful crush on, and she couldn't bring herself to say more than, "I'm happy you read it."

He was blushing now as he sipped his own ginger ale before saying, "Yeah, it was great. I wouldn't mind some more of your book recommendations, honestly. As long as you don't try to get me to read that Vonnegut."

"Cat's Cradle," she said with a laugh that had his gaze snapping back up to hers. His eyes were hopeful as she smiled at him, but she rubbed her hand along her forehead and said, "I'm sorry I... vanished. The other day."

"What happened? I told Mickey I needed a minute, and you were just gone."

She wanted to be honest with him, but she didn't know how to explain herself. And now she was starting to feel like she and Bob were in a fishbowl; so many pairs of eyes were looking their way with next to no subtlety. She cleared her throat and decided to avoid his question. "Have you read any Jane Austen?"

He looked a bit disappointed by her response, but he said, "I have not."

"I think you'd enjoy Persuasion. Or Northanger Abbey. What about Virginia Woolf?"

Bob shook his head. "I feel like I'm about to embarrass myself again like I did last weekend at the bookstore, but no, I haven't read either."

Anna practically moaned at his bashful expression and pink cheeks. He smelled so good, it was unbelievable. Why did she feel so drawn to him? Why couldn't she stop herself from taking a step closer when he muttered, "As soon as you said you knew what Cat's Cradle was about, I figured I was in way over my head. The classics kind of elude me. I'm actually more of a poetry buff."

"Poetry?" she gasped, heart pounding at an overwhelming rate as he swirled his glass of ginger ale around with nonchalance. As if he hadn't just said the sexiest thing any man had ever told her. 

"Are the two of you just going to stand here and play footsie all night?"

Anna looked up to see Jake with a smirk on his face right in front of her. She didn't even notice anyone else in her vicinity before he spoke. Bob was shaking his head and already taking a step away from her when she asked, "Do you want me to text you some more recommendations?"

Bob froze and turned to look at her with a soft smile. "That'd be great." When she handed him her unlocked phone, he quickly added his number before handing it back to her. His calloused fingers felt even more exhilarating this time, which was very bad, because she'd already been thinking about the way he accidentally touched her at the bookstore on repeat.

"I'll send you some of my ideas," she muttered, pocketing her phone again before allowing Jake to pull her away toward the pool table again. She tried her best not to let her attention return to Bob over and over again, but she mostly failed. Sure enough, after a while, she saw another woman break the perimeter of the pool table and make a beeline toward Bradley before eventually turning toward Bob. 

She was really pretty with shiny brown hair, and it made Anna uncomfortable when she touched Bob's arm. It wasn't fair. He was so lovely and soft spoken and handsome. He was even wearing a shirt Kevin would have never been caught dead in, but it made Anna smile. In another version of her life, she would have gone for it tonight. Instead she got to watch the brunette woman hand him her phone just like she'd done a few minutes prior. 

"It's pretty late," she said suddenly even though she had no idea what time it actually was. "I'm going to head out."

Advanced Calculus and Advanced Physics both looked a little alarmed. "Already?"

"Yeah," she said, setting down her ginger ale and trying to skirt past Bob and the unknown woman. She gave both of her friends a quick hug and said, "I have a lot to prepare for my upcoming classes this weekend."

"Let me walk you to your car," Bob replied immediately, slipping away from the brunette to be closer to Anna. "Maybe you can give me the titles of the Jane Austen books again?" His cheeks were flushed, and the other woman looked annoyed now which did make Anna smile.

"Persuasion and Northanger Abbey," she repeated for him as she started to walk past the bar sending a wave in the direction of the pool table. Bob was following her now as she added, "And I don't have a car, so there's nothing to walk me to."

"Persuasion and Northanger Abbey," he repeated softly to himself. "Will you let me drive you home then?" he asked hopefully. "All I had to drink was ginger ale."

Anna let herself look up at him before she shook her head. "I'll get an Uber, but thanks for offering. It was nice to meet you. Again."

"It sure was," he agreed as he continued to follow her all the way to the door.

With one last glance over her shoulder, she noticed the dark haired woman on her tiptoes looking around for Bob. "Your brunette friend is looking for you," Anna said softly before slipping outside into the cool night air and opening the rideshare app on her phone. Bob didn't follow her any further, and she rode home with disappointment and sadness thrumming through her body. She was out of cheap wine, but at least she had her favorite poetry website to keep her company.

-------------------------

Bob groaned as he nudged his glasses up his nose and pressed his fingertips to his eyes until he was seeing stars. "But I like redheads," he moaned to himself. He could not believe it. He really just couldn't get over the fact that tonight of all nights some random woman started to chat him up. Anna could barely look at him to begin with, but now he'd be damn lucky if she actually texted him the book recommendations at all. 

His dream girl was Anna. Anna was the perfect woman he met at the bookstore. Anna was the one he'd been thinking about nonstop, but now he had confirmation that she wasn't into him. That's why she vanished last weekend. That's why she gave him the cold shoulder tonight when he was practically tripping over himself at the sight of her. She was perfect. He was just hopeless. He could keep thinking about her, but what was the point? Now that he knew she worked with his friends, he had to stop this crush in its tracks and try to save face.

"There you are, Robby." A hand snaked around his side to his abs, and he almost jumped a foot in the air. He hated being called that, and he hated that Anna saw this woman talking to him. 

"Hi," he said cautiously, taking a step away from her. 

"Is the redhead your girlfriend?" she asked, clearly annoyed now.

Bob sighed and said, "I wish."

She rolled her eyes and vanished back into the crowd, leaving him alone again. He never imagined he'd have such an eventful night involving the fairer sex. "Damn it," he whispered as he made his way back toward the pool table to his friends. 

"There he is!" Bradley called out with his hands cupped around his mouth. "Big ol' Bob! Did you just give your phone number to not one but two women?"

His wife and Jessica both looked mad now. "I thought you liked Anna," Jessica snapped. "Once we realized she was the redhead from the bookstore, we thought you'd probably end up sneaking off with her or something."

Bob could feel the heat rising in his face. "Come on," he replied, giving Jessica a look. "There's no way that would have happened. And I didn't give that other woman my number. I didn't even want to talk to her." In a softer voice, he added, "She just started touching me for no reason."

Bradley's wife pulled Bob in for a quick hug as she said, "Pretty soon, you'll be as good at dodging them as Bradley is." She looked him in the eye and quietly asked, "Now what happened with Anna?"

"I don't really know." That was his honest answer. "I was excited to see her again. I guess I imagined she vanished in the bookstore like some sort of romanticized Cinderella fairytale or something stupid when in reality she just... kind of got tired of talking to me. She seemed a little uncomfortable when she saw me again tonight, so that must be it."

"I think you're wrong," she said with conviction that almost made Bob believe it himself. "Jess and I will ask her about it next week."

"Please don't," he groaned, shaking his head. "I'm going to go home. See you at D&D tomorrow," he told Jessica before stopping by the bar to pay for the ginger ales, but Penny just waved him on. He left her a ten dollar tip and walked out to his truck. 

It wasn't even that late, and when he parked in front of his duplex, his elderly next door neighbor was still awake with her door propped open for her cat to come back inside. As Bob trudged up the shared walkway with his key in hand, she called out, "Robert! Is that you?"

"Hi, Suzanne," he replied with a laugh. "It's me."

She was sitting on her couch, and he could hear game show reruns playing as she loudly said, "You're home pretty early for a Friday night. Still haven't found a girlfriend?"

Bob groaned. He could kick himself for even mentioning that he wished he had a girlfriend a few weeks ago when he took dinner over for her one Sunday evening. "Still single," he confirmed as he headed for his front door which was all of ten feet away from hers. 

She scoffed, and Bob saw her massive cat, Sylvester, streak back inside. "You must not be trying very hard, Robert. Handsome, strong thing like you."

It was like arguing with his grandma, so he just avoided it completely. "Okay, I saw Sylvester run inside, so I'm going to close your front door. Make sure you lock it before you go to sleep. Good night, Suzanne."

He pulled her door closed for her and then unlocked his, and he walked inside to find his copy of A Room with a View sitting on the coffee table. It seemed to be taunting him like it knew he'd seen the adorable redhead again. And struck out a second time. He was confused and hurt and annoyed, and he just wanted to go to bed and pretend like he wasn't as hopeless as he felt. 

-----------------------------

These babes need to get themselves straightened out! Anna, he thinks you're not into him! Bob, she's scared to admit she is! Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 4

@thedroneranger

@theamuz

@cherrycola27

@katiedid-3

@yuckosworld

@je-suis-prest-rachel

@callsign-magnolia

@t-nd-rfoot

@wkndwlff

@eddiemunsonreader

@wintercap89

@the-fever-of-mankind

@sio-ina-bottle

@lovingperfectionsblog

@daisydont-lie

@sappy-seresin

@birdy-bat-writes

@cutelittlefakejourneys

@cottagecori

@fandom-princess-forevermore

@sotalife

@novastories

@xoxabs88xox

@rileyanntoinette

@mannsachds

@midnightmagpiemama

@greatszu

@zetasaturno99

@lovingrobertfloyd

@taytaylala12

@captain-fandomwriter58

@grxcisxhy-wp

@hobireasns

@wolfquake23

@paintlavillered

@seitmai

@noonenuts

@amiets2

@sylviebell

@imnotcreativeenoughforthisblog

@lonelysoul50

@sweetwhispersofchaos

[intothedysphoria]

Billy’s therapist probably didn’t mean to be patronising but he very much came off that way. Something about being in a wheelchair now made people think he was simple.

It was CIA appointed or whoever the assholes who’d dragged him into hospital were. The therapist felt like he should have been a part of the Men In Black and Billy half expected that he was going to get his memory erased.

Instead, after Billy signed several NDA’s about the time he was possessed by a fucked up alien thing, he was told to draw. So he drew. He drew his mom bathed in the California sun, Max trailing a muddy skateboard around the house. Heather when she was still alive. Neil covered in bulbous sores, just because. He didn’t draw Steve, even if he wanted to. He wasn’t going to get his boyfriend into more shit than he already was.

The man pursed his lips then asked Billy if he knew why he was there. A sardonic answer almost danced on his tongue until he remembered these guys probably had Max. He shook his head no instead.

“We’re moving you out of Hawkins Billy” came the crisp response. For Billy’s own safety, of course. No cover up here.

They were not moving him back to California, even after Billy threatened to stab a guard. California would be too obvious of a move.

They were dumping him in yet another shithole but this one was in Texas. To live with his maternal grandfather, who Billy hadn’t met since he was three years old.

He didn’t get to say goodbye to anyone. All he had were Max and Steve’s house numbers balled up in his fist as he boarded the plane.

His vague memories of “grandpa Patrick” were of a gruff, surprisingly fit old man who scared the shit out of Neil. Memory did not disappoint.

Patrick had served 32 years in the Air Force before working as low level management on an oil rig and retiring soon after. He was a piece of work when it came to bending house rules but it came from a place of genuine caution not the desire of instilling fear.

Since the past months had destroyed any hope of going to college, Patrick signed him up for wheelchair basketball. Under the surname O’Connor, not Hargrove.

Phone usage was limited from 5pm until 6pm every day, because Patrick was perhaps overly concerned about bills and was also convinced that all phones were bugged. Billy tried to call Max and Steve every day. And every day either Susan or Mrs Harrington picked up. It was driving Billy up the fucking wall. What was the point of having a boyfriend or sister if you weren’t allowed to call them?

Billy’s aunt Marie had noticed that he was becoming steadily more despondent by the day, so she gently suggested writing a letter. As long as he didn’t use his old name and wrote with his left hand he should be fine.

Max’s letter took about 10 minutes. They knew each other so well all Billy really needed to establish was that she was safe, she was coping and she wasn’t getting too much shit at school. Billy already knew how she’d be feeling in this situation.

Steve’s letter took much longer. Trying to judge how your boyfriend of a little under a year would react to you suddenly reappearing in his life was a little more complicated. Especially when you had to drop in hints as to who you actually were.

Billy struggled through emphasising that he loved Steve, leaving him had been hell and he’d met several actual cowboys since the move. After that he really just had to wait.

Steve sent him back a letter with tiny butterflies drawn on the front. He was always doodling and on their first date Billy had been told his eyes reminded Steve of butterflies. It was a difference from all his past dates who’d told him they looked like the sea.

It was a long letter for Steve. He was dyslexic and despised writing, would constantly need to be bribed with affection to finish a book report but Steve sent practically a novel. He was bored and lonely in Hawkins, had a job in a video rental space and was working his way up to going to college. There were several paragraphs asking about the rules of wheelchair basketball followed by several more asking if he’d bought a cowboy hat.

He loved Billy more than he could explain and hoped he could come back soon.

Billy felt asleep with the letter tucked into his pocket and resolved to find Steve again.

One day.

For @shieldofiron @dragonflylady77 and also @oopsiedaisiesbaby for giving me the idea of Texan Billy

[kibblz-n-bitz]

Keep Watching.

Short drabble i wrote for @kingofthe-egirls and @bokutosbiceps

Summary: You and Ace play a "game" while watching a show.

Warnings: Fingering, Ace is a Tease, he's also a lil mean🤭

"Keep your eyes on the screen, babe." Ace's voice rumbles against your back, where his warm chest is pressed against you.

You squirm in his warm embrace as his hands trail all over your body. He chuckles, breath fanning against your ear as you arch into his hands. You want to turn your head into his neck so badly, but you knew you had to obey him, or there'd be dire consequences. You two had just started an hour long episode of some stupid show. If you could sit through the entire thing without cumming or looking away from the screen, Ace would reward you. Sounds easy, right?

Wrong.

Not even past the intro, and already Ace is kissing at your neck and shoulder while one of his hands plays with your nipple. You knew he was hellbent on getting you to lose. He loved teasing you. It turned him on to see you whine and squirm as you fought your orgasm, only to writhe in pleasure as it finally took over you. But you really wanted to win this time. You weren't going to give in so easily, you told yourself.

So here you were, leaned against him in your bed, facing the TV. Ace continued fondling your breasts, but decided to up the ante. He kissed you below the ear. You gasped and tipped your head back against his shoulder, still watching the television. You felt wetness pool between your legs.

"A-Ace..." You whine, frustrated at his lack of mercy.

"Hmm? Something wrong?" The boy hummed against you, his other hand now traveling further downward. He paused to draw slow circles against your navel. That fucking tease. Ace sucks a bruise into your shoulder before speaking again. "Want me to stop?"

"No..."

"Then keep watching."

With that, he dips his hand lower. His other hand gropes at each breast accordingly, alternating between tugging at your nipple and rolling it between his fingers. A chuckle vibrates through his chest as he brushes against your wet pussy through your panties.

"Already?" He applies pressure to your clit and you gasp, your hands fisting the bedsheets. "We aren't even 10 minutes in, babe."

"Shut up," You huff, legs kicking out a bit under Ace's ministrations. "You aren't... -mnhh-... playing fair."

"Oh, really?" Ace hums against your ear. He nips at it. "I think I'm being pretty fair."

His fingers tug harshly at your nipple as his other hand down on your clit through the fabric. You let out a moan, head thrown back onto Ace's shoulder. He laughs at you again. "This 'isn't fair.'"

"Oh! P-please, Ace, you c-haa... You can't!" You plead as you squirm in his arms.

"Then keep those eyes forward, baby." He nudges your head from where it's on his shoulder. "You don't want me stopping, do you?"

Cruel bastard.

Ace lets you watch a little further on into the episode before going further. Your eye twitches when you feel his hand that rubbing against you through fabric now push past the waistband of your panties. His fingers trail through your soaked lips and you whimper, clamping your legs shut around his hand.

"Ah ah ah," Ace chides you as his other hand reaches down to spread your legs again. He cooes at you, "Can't have that now, Darlin'"

His voice darkens as one hand prys you open, while the other dips into your folds. "You're supposed to take what I fucking give you."

Your pussy flutters, your breath quickens and you whine at his dominating words. Fuck, how many minutes were left? You blinked at the TV, mind cloudy. 28 minutes in, 32 to go. Your fists balled against the sheets, you clench your jaw momentarily. You could do this.

Ace had other plans. He knew you wanted to win, more than anything. He wasn't going to let you, but it was adorable to see you try. He had an idea.

His fingers stroked your pussy, never dipping in, occasionally circling your clit on the upstroke. When you'd try to push your hips into his fingers, trying to get him inside, he'd pull his hand away.

"Stay still." Ace rumbles into your ear. It's a warning, one you must obey. small whimpers and gasps escape you as your boyfriend continues teasing your pussy.

When he finally does dip into your pussy, you breathe a sigh of relief. His teasing was starting to drive you insane. You weren't sure if you would've lasted much longer if he'd kept it up. So the feeling of him sliding his middle finger into your pussy is much appreciated. He curls his finger and you moan, legs twitching. He his finger in and out of you for a while, teasing, he knows you want more. You check the time.

35 minutes. 25 to go.

Ace chuckles at your resolve, your determination to see this through. He adds another finger, this time moving at a bit of a quicker pace. You bite your lip. Shit. Ace laughs again, this time at the way you twitch when he curls his fingers just right. You whimper and grip at his forearm.

"A-Ace-"

His fingers speed up, and you're moaning and writhing in his arms, not sure whether to curl away from the pleasure or bask in it. His fingers reach deep. Wet sounds can be heard from where he's fingerfucking you, and you flush to your ears in embarrassment.

"Hear how wet ya are, gal?" Ace's fingers keep up their rough assault against your g spot. Your thighs tremble as you try to stave off your impending orgasm. "Such a good girl. You gonna be good f'me?"

Your hips buck as his fingers curl repeatdly against your bundle of nerves, nails digging into Ace's arm from where you hold him. Biting your lip, you nod. You want to be good. You want to make it through the episode. Your eye peeks open (you hadn't realized they shut) to check the time once more.

20 minutes left.

"Please, Ace..." You whine. Your other hand comes up to bury itself in the boy's hair from where he's got his chin hooked over your shoulder. Gently scratching his scalp, you try all the stops to try and get him to show some mercy.

"Please what, Y/N?"

"P-please... slow d-ah! Down..."

"Poor baby, what's wrong?" Ace cooes, lack of sympathy evident in his tone. "Ya gonna cum?"

"Ffgh- No... I j-just-"

"Then take it."

His other hand, that was holding your leg open, now reaches down to circle your clit. Electric pleasure shoots through your body. You're warm from the inside out, God you're not gonna make it.

"Ace!" You cry, hand fisted into his hair. Your hips twitch as your orgasm approaches. Trying to stop it now was futile. The boy laughs as you writhe in his arms.

"Shhh, I know baby, I know." He kisses your cheek. "Just let go, baby. Let go."

You feel the pleasure wash over you. The pounding of blood in your ears washes away any other noise, the TV or the challenge you were given far away from your mind. You roll your hips against Ace's hand, riding out your orgasm. Basking in all it's glory before the punishment you knew would come.

When you finally come down, Ace is lazily trailing his fingers through your pussy. You turn your head to face him and he looks back at you, shit-eating grin etched onto his face.

"You lost, Y/N."

[crazyunsexycool]

My Little Love

Chapter 32

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Enhanced!Reader

Word count: 5.7K

Warning: Some tears, little bit of angst, Sad Henry, Some seperation anxiety, some fluff

A/N: Our favorite family is back. Also it's the first official introduction to Steve's Honey. Although it's only for a brief moment. This also happens before all of the holiday one shots for this series.

Series Masterlist

There was fire in your veins. It traveled from the top of your head to your toes. The burning sensation wouldn’t stop even as you begged for some mercy. Leather straps dug into your flesh, cutting your skin and drawing  blood. The more you struggled the worse it got. 

A voice, familiar, cold and harsh made impossible demands. You begged some more. The only response you received was that same voice, mocking you and a stinging sensation across your cheek.

You couldn’t place the voice no matter how much you tried to remember. Where had you heard it before? A choked sob escapes you as the group of people around you move to ‘work’ on you. 

****

Shallow ragged breaths fill the otherwise quiet room. Slowly a voice calls out to you. Dripping with love and innocence and concern. It pulled you out of the deep dark memories that were weighing you down.

“Mama, is kay now. No cwy.” Charlotte’s reassurance was spoken in a calming manner. 

“It’s just a nightmare.” You heard Henry say as you finally opened your eyes. 

Your body ached, your muscles were tense and sore but you realized that you weren’t in the living room anymore. At some point someone, most likely Bucky, moved you to the master bedroom. Immediately your mind went back to the nightmare, a memory really. You couldn’t shake that feeling of knowing who that voice belonged to. 

“Mowning mama.” Lottie’s sweet sleepy voice pulls your attention as she gently caresses your cheek. She wipes away the tears that had fallen. 

“Morning sweet Angel. Morning my sweet boy.” 

It was a delight for them to hear those nicknames. They sat at either side of you and when you opened your arms they didn’t hesitate to snuggle up to you. You kissed the tops of their heads and just enjoyed being with them again. It was obvious by the sleepy looks in their eyes that you had woken them up. The door opens slowly and you manage to look over to see Bucky pop his head in. His smile is breathtakingly soft as he watches the three of you all cuddled up in bed. 

“Daddy come on.” Henry patted the empty space beside him.

Bucky’s smile widened as he walked in and closed the door. He was dressed in a black t-shirt and gray sweatpants which meant that he had just woken up too. He had no problem taking up the empty spot next to his son. Instinctively Bucky’s hand finds yours, your fingers intertwine with his. Soon enough Henry starts telling you about the video games he and uncle Sam and uncle Josh played. Lottie tells you about her sleepovers with Olivia. You listen and ask all kinds of questions and for those few minutes you forget about the hell you lived through and the three months you had been separated. The four of you joke and laugh, share cuddles and kisses. Your heart feels light and it erases any memory of your nightmare. 

There’s a knock on the door and when it opens it’s your dad. He informs you that your siblings are here. Reluctantly you let the kids go and got up, sitting at the edge of the bed. Henry took Charlotte’s hand and led her out to the living room, you could immediately hear your siblings greeting them. 

“How are you feeling?” Bucky asked. He knew from experience that asking if someone was ok after a traumatic experience wasn’t the best way to get them to talk. 

“Tired.” You murmured. “I had a nightmare, a memory really. I hate remembering.” 

He shuffled around and sat next to you. Bucky’s arm moved behind you until it settled around your waist. 

“I know Sugar. I hate to say it but it won’t always be easy. But I’m right here with you. I’ll do whatever you need me to do.” 

You gave him a sad smile before resting your head on his shoulder. The two of you stay like that for a few minutes before you get up and head to the bathroom to freshen up. 

****

Bucky had already joined your family in the living room. He’d advised them that you had woken up from a nightmare, that from the events that happened the day before you were probably still on edge and that it would be better to not get too excited or loud around you just yet.  

“Hey.” You said as you stood at the edge of the living room. Unsure of what to do next. 

“Y/N.” 

Luke got up first and he made his way towards you. It was slow and cautious, almost as if he was afraid to scare a wild animal. 

“Can I hug you?” He asked, although he kept his hands in his pockets instead of holding his arms out and not really giving you a choice. 

“Yeah, that would be ok.” 

Gently Luke pulled you into a hug and kissed the top of your head. You clung to him. The moment felt all too familiar. It brought you back to your childhood when you would get in trouble way before you had been alienated from your siblings. You realized you were crying harder than you meant to because Luke was swaying side to side and reassuring you that you were safe. 

Next came Josh and Sofia, followed by Molly. All of them telling you how happy they were that you were safe. Olivia was the last to come up to you. Still shy around you but you couldn’t blame her, you had barely spent any time together. 

“Hi auntie Y/N.” She says shyly, halfway hidden behind Molly’s legs. 

“Hi Oli. Lottie told me you had a lot of sleepovers.” You had gone down to her level and she loosened her grip on Molly’s leg and shifted a tad bit closer. 

“Yeah, she was sad a lot because she missed you.” 

“I missed her too, but thank you because you kept her company.” 

“I missed you too.” She reveals as she walks even closer to you. “You’re fun.” 

“Yeah? I missed you too.” 

Olivia is finally standing in front of you, her hands behind her back and she squirms around a bit. You play with her curls and smile at her.

“Can I hug you too?” 

“I would really love a hug from you.” 

She gives you a toothy grin and then her small arms wrap loosely around your neck. You pull her in and pick her up. 

“Thank you for helping Charlotte and Henry while I was gone. You are the best cousin ever.” You whisper in her ear and she giggles. With a kiss to her temple you set her down. 

There’s an awkward silence. You knew that they wanted to ask you about what you went through. There was no way you’d tell them. Some of it you didn’t even really remember. 

“What do you need from us?” Luke asks as everyone settles down. 

You blinked at him, confused at his question. 

“We don’t want to overwhelm you.” Molly adds. “So whatever you need us for, we're here, just let us know.” 

You nodded but you were at a loss for words. It was a lot to take in, in the last few hours. It hadn’t even been a full 24 since you were found so suddenly having so much control of yourself and freedom you didn’t know what to do. 

“Shouldn’t you be meeting with Shuri?” Ed offered.

“Yeah we should. Are you ok with waiting here?” 

“Of course, whatever you need.” 

The information Shuri had for you was worse than you thought. There were several microchips implanted in your brain. Those along with a chemical component were being used to control you. Half of the issue was resolved when Yelena sprayed the antidote in your face a few hours ago. The other half was going to be complicated. You were going to need literal brain surgery to be completely free of hydra’s hold. 

Bucky took you aside and for a while he just held you. It was overwhelming. The decisions you’d both have to make were difficult. 

“Look at me Sugar.” Bucky murmurs as he pulls back. Your red rimmed eyes meet his bright blue ones. “I know it’s a lot more to ask of you. You’ve been through hell, I get it. But we have to do this. We have to go back to Wakanda and make sure those things are out of your head. I promise I’ll be right there with you. Then this will all be over.” 

“What about the kids?” 

Bucky sighs. 

“But you just got back, you can’t leave mama.” Henry argues, he’s on the verge of tears. 

“I know, sweet boy. I don’t want to go but the bad men hurt me and I have to go to Wakanda to get better like you, daddy and Lottie did.” 

“But we were gone for so long.” 

“Shuri thinks that it will take less time, bubs.” You tried to soothe him and run your hand up and down his arm but he pulled away. 

“Why can’t we go with you? You went with us last time?” 

“Bubba, mama needs to get bettuh.” Lottie speaks up for the first time. You had noticed she had been lost in thought, you’re sure she was having a vision. 

“But daddy is going.” 

“I’m going to be there to watch over mama during and after her treatments.” Bucky added.

Henry threw his arms around your neck and cried. He pleaded with you to take him but in reality you weren’t sure if your memory would be affected after the surgery or worse if you’d die because of it. You didn’t want either of them to see that and Bucky wouldn’t be able to watch them and take care of you at the same time. That’s what you tried to explain to Henry but he wouldn’t accept it. After going back and forth he just stepped away from you. 

“Fine leave again then. I don’t care.” He all but yelled before running away, turning invisible as he did. 

His reaction had you crying. He had been anxious while you were gone and now that he had you back you were leaving again. Henry’s reaction was completely understandable but it still hurt you. Lottie stood in front of you and offered you a smile. Her hair was much longer and she had it swept over her shoulder to one side as she played with the ends. 

“Is kay mama. Bubba just scared. I make him not scared.” 

“You’re gonna take care of him while we’re gone?” 

“Mmhmm.” She nods as she places her arms and crosses them over your legs propping her chin on one of her free hands. “No be scared mama.” She taps her temple. “Mama be kay. I see it.” 

You make a sound between a laugh and a sob before you pick her up. Lottie smiled at you and leaned into your chest. Leaving them again wasn’t going to be easy. In fact you were sure that the tightness in your chest had everything to do with being away from them. 

****

Shuri and the Dora Milaje that stayed to protect her were already on their jet. You and Bucky would be leaving with them. There was not a lot of time from when you told the kids to when you’d actually leaving so you weren’t able to talk to Henry again. You didn’t want to leave things like that with him but the clock was ticking and you weren’t sure what hydra would be able to do to you. After you said goodbye to your family you and Bucky were at Bruce’s lab, getting some last minute information. 

“This is a very awkward conversation to be having.” Bruce sighed. 

“Is something wrong with Y/N?”

“No, not exactly.” Bruce cleared his throat but was going slightly red at the mere thought of having to discuss this. “I think you should um not- do certain things for the next three weeks.”

“What things Bruce?” You look at him confused. “No training or using guns?”

“No. I mean you shouldn’t do those things either.”

“Then what?” Bucky was getting irritated.

“Don’t have sex.” 

You and Bucky turn to see a woman walking up to you.

“I’m sorry what? Who are you?” 

“I’m Dr. Banner’s new assistant.” She offers you and Bucky her name. “I started a few weeks ago. Anyways, while running some tests on your blood samples we found high doses of medication used for fertility treatments.” 

The reality of what this meant sat heavy in the air. They were preparing to use you for another winter soldier child and who knows what they would have done to you once you gave birth. 

“She’s right. I’ll have Shuri monitor your levels but from now until you get back it’s best if you abstain from those activities. Unless of course you’re ready for more kids.”

“Bruce, just tell us not to have sex.” Bucky shakes his head and holds back a chuckle. 

“Fine, don’t have sex. Now get out of my lab.” He chuckles. “I know you’re in very capable hands but good luck.” 

“Thanks Bruce.”  You also thank his assistant before heading out.

****

“So brain surgery, upset kid and now no sex. Things can only go up from here.” You tell Bucky as you sit back in the jet. 

Bucky chuckles and shakes his head. 

“They will. They have to.”

“I haven’t had the chance to say it but I’m glad you’ve let your hair grow out. I always wanted to play with your hair when you had it long like this.” 

“You’re welcome to play with my hair as much as you want.” 

You sigh and lay your head against his shoulder. 

“What’s wrong, Sugar?” 

You take a moment and tell him what’s bothering you. That voice in your dream and how you felt that you were supposed to recognize it. That there were things that you didn’t remember but that it was more than that, it felt that there was a wall blocking those memories. Bucky takes your hand and reassures you that everything will be ok. That most likely you just need to remove those microchips in your brain and everything will fall back into place. You can only hope that he’s right.

For days Shuri worked tirelessly to undo what hydra had done. It was difficult the first time you woke up to find out that the surgery was being done in sections. After two weeks of going between surgery and recovery, Shuri was finally done. It was complicated to say the least but it had been successful. You took one week to fully recover thanks to the serum.

****

It was a brisk night in Wakanda. The nightgown you had on did little to keep you warm but with all of the memories coming back to you it was a welcomed change. Some peace and quiet was exactly what you needed as you thought about how you would tell Bucky who had been hurting you and what you had learned and remembered.

“Sugar? Everything alright?” Bucky’s gravelly voice cuts the silence. 

“Yeah, just another nightmare.” 

“Mmm.” Bucky walks up and places his hands on your hips. You can feel his body warmth against your back. “Want to talk about it?” 

Turning around you look up into his concerned blue eyes. You knew you had to tell him but you were scared at his reaction. Bucky pulls you into his chest, his hand running up and down your back in a soothing manner. 

“I remember everything.” You mumble while blinking back tears. “I don’t even know where to start.” 

“It’s ok Sugar. I know this part is difficult, remembering any part of it. Just tell me what you want, if you want too.” 

“I remember the voice.” You start by saying. “I remember everything she told me, it was horrible.” 

“She?” Bucky racked his brain trying to remember any high ranking female hydra officers but he couldn’t. 

You pulled back to look at him, the truth was on the tip of your tongue but the weight of it kept you from talking. Bucky cupped your face and tilted your head so that you would look at him again. Your gaze was starting to unfocus and he called your name softly. One warm and one cold hand grounding you in reality. You weren’t strapped to that table anymore. There wasn’t a room full of men ripping you apart and figuring out the best way to put you back together. No, you are safe now. In the arms of the man that loved you and who might despise you in a moment. 

“You’ll hate me.” 

Bucky’s brows furrowed in confusion. There was a chance you weren’t coherent due to the surgery and medications. 

“I could never hate you, Sugar.” 

You blinked up at him owlishly while studying Bucky’s face. It might be the last time that he looked at you with so much love. With your hands wrapped around his wrists you take a deep breath. It was now or never. 

“My mom.” Bucky tilts his head but waits for you to continue talking. “She’s the voice. She was the one in charge.” 

You felt him stiffen.

“Your mother is hydra? Is your father? Your siblings?” A bit of panic in his tone.

You shook your head as he pulled away. He paced back and forth on the balcony. 

“How? Why? I don’t understand.” 

“Apparently all of the family on her side was hydra. But that’s not all.” You started crying then. Bucky stopped and looked at you. 

“My great grandfather and grandfather they were both-“ you struggled to get the words out. It hurt to think that two of the people you loved the most were created at the hands of your family members.

“They what?” 

You flinched slightly at the sharpness of his tone. 

“They were both part of the winter soldier program and of developing the program for Henry, Charlotte and the boys.”

Bucky stared at you with slight horror. He takes a step away from you and then another. 

“She was horrible. The things she told me.” You start to sob. “What she did to me as a kid was nothing compared to what she did this time.” You turn away from him and lean on the railing again. “The plans she had for me were evil. Having me hurt Charlotte and Henry was a fail safe plan. She knew it would kill me if they were hurt.” You hide your face in your hands and continue to cry over everything. 

The sight of you crying over the things your family has done breaks Bucky’s heart. You flinch when you feel his hand on your back.

“Sugar, it’s over.” 

“It’s not.” You shake your head. “She’s still out there. It’s not over until she’s dead.” You turn to look at him again with a pained expression. “As long as she’s alive we’ll never have peace.” 

“We will. I promise you we will.” 

Bucky pulls you into his chest and lets you cry until you can’t anymore. He had to put his feelings aside for the moment, this wasn’t about him and it wasn’t your fault. Deep down he knows you aren’t like the monster that your mother is, and neither is your family. 

From the moment you told Henry you had to go to Wakanda he had been anxiously awaiting your return. He felt bad for not saying goodbye. It didn’t help that Charlotte called him out on ‘being mean to mama’ when you were already scared. All he wanted now was for you to come back so he could tell you that he didn’t mean it. He was scared too.

It also happened that he was sad at the thought that you would miss his first official birthday. It’s not that a party was the most important thing to him but Henry wanted to spend it together as a family. 

So on the actual day no one could coax him out of his room. Not Eddie, Luke, Molly or Steve and Sam. Not even Lottie could convince him to go up to his party. 

“But bubba is so nice. You habe fun.” Lottie rubbed his back in a comforting manner as he lay facing the wall. 

“I don’t want to have a birthday party. You go and have fun baby.” 

Lottie huffs in annoyance. “Kay.” She says as she walks out and closes the door. 

A few minutes later there’s another knock and the door opens. 

“I said I don’t want to go to the party.” Henry’s tone is stern.

“That’s ok sweet boy. What if we do something else, just the four of us?” 

Henry sits up, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open as he turns towards the door.

“Mama, you’re back.” He says between choked sobs. Henry hops off the bed and runs into your waiting arms. “I’m sorry mama, I didn’t wanna be mean.” 

“I know bubs. We were both scared.” 

“I love you mama.”

“I love you too.” You kiss the top of his head and hug him for as long as he needs too. Pulling back, you cup his face with both of your hands. “Happy birthday.”

Soon he pulls away and moves to hug Bucky. 

“Happy birthday bubs.” 

“Thanks. Did you know they were coming back today?” Henry turns to look at Lottie who is giving him a mischievous smile. 

“Yeah.” 

“Why didn’t you say anything?” 

“Is a suwpwise. Duh.” Lottie rolled her eyes. 

“When did she learn how to do that?” You whisper to Bucky. 

“She spent way too much time with Nat and Sofia.” 

“Oh great.” You mutter. “So what do you say sweet boy, party or family hang out?”

“I don’t know. Shouldn’t you rest?” 

“I had all the rest I needed for now. Besides your dad and I made sure to pick a good theme for your birthday. Are you sure you don’t want to go see it at least?” 

“You picked it?” Henry asks while looking at both of you wide eyed. 

“Of course. Well it was your dad’s idea. I wish I would have been able to plan it though.” You gave Henry a sad smile.

“I wanna go to the party.” He says excitedly.

“Let’s go then.”

****

As always Tony out did himself. The largest of the shared living rooms had been turned into a fully functioning arcade. All types of retro arcade games were set up around the room, one of the bars had been turned into a prize booth and even the lighting was perfect. Anything you could find in an arcade you found here and there were even some of Henry’s favorite things available too.

There were banners hanging up that said ‘gamers don’t age, they level up’. Henry was wide eyed as he looked around and found that all of his favorite people were there including Sam’s nephews and Clint’s older son. Still it wasn’t packed with people which you greatly appreciated.

“Can I go play?” Henry looked up at you and Bucky.

“Of course bubs, it’s your birthday.” Bucky nods. 

“I’ll find you later. C’mon baby let’s go.” 

Bucky slips a hand around your waist as you watch the kids run further into the room. He leads you a bit further in but you stop him and nod in the direction of the bar.

“What in the world is going on there?” You were referring to Steve talking with Bruce’s new assistant. 

They looked like complete opposites. Steve was animated and smiling while she was a bit more guarded, a bored expression on her face. Still there was a bit of lightness in her eyes as she looked at Steve. You wondered how it started and what it was in the first place. 

“Don’t worry Sugar, we’ll find out soon enough.”

“You can’t tease him about it.” 

“I won’t make a promise I don’t intend to keep.” Bucky says with a chuckle.

Just then Steve turns around just to take in the room and his whole face lights up when he sees you. You watch as he excuses himself and walks over to you.

“When did you get back?” He asks as he gives you both hugs. 

“A few minutes ago. We wanted to surprise Henry.”

“So I’m assuming everything went well.” 

“Yeah. I remembered everything. There’s-“ you sigh, your features darkening for a moment. “There’s someone from hydra still out there.” 

“You sure? We haven’t gone through all of the files yet.” 

“Trust me, there’s someone missing on the list of detainees.” Bucky adds. “But we’ll worry about that tomorrow. Right now we are here to celebrate.”

You smile up at him. Although the serum had healed all of the surgical incisions your body was still exhausted from the three months of hell you lived through, the surgery and the emotional rollercoaster too. So you decided on taking it easy. You walked through the room, finding your family or the team and talking. Sitting and just enjoying being back home. 

****

“I’m going to win you a prize Sugar. Pick whatever teddy bear you want.” Bucky says with a smirk. 

“I want that teddy that looks like you.” You point at the stuffie that had a black and gold arm. 

“You got it.” 

Bucky heads to the basketball game and shoots nothing but net. He ends up getting so many tickets he can get you the bear. 

“Is this how you used to woo the girls you dated back in the 30s?” You asked as you hugged the bear to your chest. 

“Maybe.” 

You smile and kiss his cheek. “Thanks for my new sleeping buddy. I’m sure he’ll keep me safe.” 

“What? There’s no way a stuffed bear is replacing me.” 

“But he’s so cute and cuddly.” 

“Sugar.” He gave you a halfhearted glare. 

You kiss his cheek, laughing before you disappear between some of the arcade games with Bucky grumbling behind you. Charlotte and Olivia run past you, each of them holding some cotton candy and giggling. Henry is sitting at a racing game with Sam in the seat next to him, both of them competing for first place. 

“You can’t use your own hammer, Point Break.” Tony tells Thor. 

“But the objective is to hit these creatures.”

“You’re supposed to wack, not obliterate.”  

You chuckle and shake your head as you walk past them and find your dad hanging out in the lounge area with a drink in hand. He pats the empty seat beside him and you take it, immediately resting your head on his shoulder. After making sure you’re ok, Bucky leaves to find Steve and challenge him in a game of pool.

“How are you feeling, kitten? Do you need to go up and rest? I’m sure Henry wouldn’t mind if you went and had a nap.” Eddie said.

“No, I'm ok. As long as I’m not pushing myself physically I’ll be fine. I’ve already missed so much.” 

The two of you sit there for a while just watching everyone enjoy the party. Eddie just says something once in a while but mostly you sit in silence. It was nice but it felt surreal. Now you had a better understanding of why Bucky hated crowds. The space felt suffocating, as if all eyes were on you and every whispered conversation was about you. Maybe they were waiting for you to break. But it wouldn’t happen tonight. This night was reserved for Henry and he deserved a good birthday.

****

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you.” Everyone stood around the birthday cake which was made to look like a huge video game controller, singing. 

Bucky held Lottie while you had your hands resting on Henry’s shoulders. 

“Happy birthday dear Henry, happy birthday to you.” 

“Blow out your candles and make a wish.” You whisper.

Henry looks back at you with a smile. An innocence you’d barely seen in him since he was rescued. There was pure joy on his face as he turned to look at his dad and sister. He turns back to the cake and blows the candles out. Everyone cheers and you kiss the top of his head. You pull him back as Molly and Wanda begin to cut the cake. Soon enough everyone has a piece.

****

“You have a mess on your face sweet angel.” You say while trying to wipe Lottie’s face clean with a napkin. 

“No mama.” Lottie pulls away, sticking her tongue out to try and lick away the frosting around her lips. Then she takes another spoonful of cake and shovels it in her mouth. “Habe some, mama.” She takes another spoonful and holds it up for you.

“No thank you, baby. I already had some.” 

“Is kay mama. Habe some, is so yummy.” 

You huff a laugh and accept the spoonful Lottie had offered you. She smiles before turning her attention back to her slice. This was very reminiscent of the night she called you mama for the first time. She was sitting on your lap yet again with a huge mess on her face. Everyone sat around talking and having a good time. This time though, Henry sat next to you and your family was here. Memories like this is what you would cling to in order to keep the nightmares at bay.

After a while the party calmed down. People were still playing video games but the atmosphere was more relaxed. You couldn’t fight the exhaustion anymore so you went to find Henry. He was waiting his turn to play dance, dance revolution. 

“Hey birthday boy.” You tousled his hair to get his attention.

“Hey mama. Do you want to play this?” 

“No it’s ok. I am going to go upstairs and lay down. I’m tired.”

Henry looked at the game and back at you unsure of what to do. 

“I’m not saying you have to leave the party, baby. I’m just letting you know so you don’t think I left you, ok?” You caress his cheek and smile. 

“Are daddy and baby going with you?”

“No,” you shake your head. “I’m just going to lay down for a little bit. Your dad and Lottie will still be running around. I’ll try to come back down later.” 

“It’s ok mama.” Henry gives you a hug. “Thank you for coming back for my birthday.” 

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” You kiss his forehead. “I’ll see you later.”

“Ok mama.” 

You watch as Henry gets up to select what he wanted to dance to before looking for Bucky. You find him with Luke, Olivia and Charlotte on the balcony. The girls were admiring the twinkling lights of the city as night fell while Bucky and Luke had a conversation. You go up to them and let them know you’re going to be leaving the party. Bucky takes your hand and gives your knuckles a quick kiss before watching you walk away.

At some point after you had fallen asleep Bucky  joined you in bed. The weight of his arm around your waist and the soft rise and fall of his chest against your back brought you comfort. You couldn’t, however, fall back asleep. As quietly and quickly as you could you slid out of bed and out of the room. You needed some fresh air so you slid the door to the balcony open and stepped outside. 

“Mama?” Henry asks from the door. 

You turn, surprised to see him awake at whatever time it was. He walks towards you, rubbing the sleep out of his eye with the back of his hand. You open your arms for him. 

“I was calling you, didn’t you hear me?” He asks as he leans into your warm embrace.

“I’m sorry sweet boy, I guess I was just thinking too much.” 

“It’s ok. Why are you out here? Aren’t you cold?” Henry presses himself closer to you.

“Not really but let's go inside.”

You head to the living room and get comfortable on the couch. Henry lays down and rests his head on your lap. Immediately you start playing with his hair while he holds your free hand. 

“When do you know if a birthday wish worked, mama?” 

“Well I think it depends on what you wished for. If it was something big then it could take some time.” You look down at him. “Why?” 

“I just want my wish to work fast.” 

“What did you wish for, sweet boy?” 

Henry sits up and faces you. “I wished for you to not feel scared like I was when I got here.” 

“Oh baby, you didn’t have to use your wish on that. I’ll get better little by little I promise.” Henry’s revelation made you tear up just a bit.

“I know. I just wanted to help you like you and daddy and baby always help me.” 

You smile at him then pull him in for a hug. 

“You are helping me, sweet boy. Just by being here with me right now and giving me some cuddles.” 

“I can do that.” 

“I know you can. I love you so much my sweet, sweet boy.” You kiss the top of his head before getting comfortable on the couch. 

“I love you too mama. I missed you so much.” Henry whispers.

“I missed you too.” 

Henry ends up cuddled up on your lap. His face is buried in the crook of your neck. Soft snores fill the quiet room. Your hold on him is strong and you struggle to not think about the things he must have gone through now that you have experienced some of them. 

The two of you stay on the couch until the morning when you’re woken up. Charlotte, wanting to be included in some cuddles, hopped up on the couch and found a spot on your lap before practically falling asleep again. For the next few weeks it’s the same routine. You wake up due to the nightmares and someone always finds you. The kids comfort you by cuddling on the couch, Bucky by letting you cry on his shoulder. 

It was true what Bucky had said, it wouldn’t be easy but you would manage. Your life would be slightly different now but you had a reason to keep pushing forward. You had good days and you had bad days but you pushed through it all. There was lost time you needed to make up with the kids and you intended to do just that. 

Ch. 33

Permanent taglist:

@rebekahdawkins

@cjand10 

@nalny5 

@Sturchling 

@angywritesstuff 

@seitmai

@writing-for-marvel

@goldylions 

@almosttoopizza 

@littleseasiren 

@pono-pura-vida

@talesofadragon

@midnightramyeoncravings

@bunnygirlwriter876

@pandaxnieenke

@kandis-mom

@hisredheadedgoddess28

@braveclementine

Series taglist:

@buckystevelove

 @vicmc624 

@just-someone11

@sjsmith56 

@emily-roberts 

@spencerriedisagorgman

@superduckmilkshake 

@samfreakingwinchester

@lofaewrites

@enchantedbarnes

@callsign-athena

@broadwaybabe18

@saranghaey 

@viperchick47

@ilovetaquitosmmmm

@da-pimp-river-niall

@ozwriterchick

@jenn-f

@rebel-soldat

@therealwritersblog

@alyroseking

@samlworld

@witchybabel

@capswife

@oceaniamadness

@queenie32

@buckybarnessimpp

@multifandom-girlie

@joliver1328

@noonespecial90

@mega-kittyglitter-1

@pumpkin-babydoll

@imaginexred

@olipiaa

[jomunson]

50 ed headcanons i been thinking about

1. washes his hair with bar soap

2. doesn't like coffee

3. his father is in jail and his mother passed when he was 11

4. secretly gets really scared when it storms

5. says "hubba bubba"

6. gets super miserable in the summer, he burns super easily

7. swims with goggles and a snorkel

8. wears his hair in a towel when he gets out of the shower

9. super good and confident with flirting with men but really awkward and flustered with flirting with women

10. will say "is this guy bothering you, babe?" if you ever run into furniture

11. love language is words of affirmation, he wants to know you don't see him as a freak

12. sleeps with a garfield plush he's had since he was a boy

13. really bad at fishing, like he'll actually catch a boot when he goes on trips to the creek with wayne

14. burps the abc's

15. took his driving test drunk

16. when he gets home from school he's tired from being a tough guy, he reads a book and smokes before falling asleep

17. thinks people are pranking him when they ask him out

18. wears silly red and pink heart designed boxers

19. really sweet with the kids who live in the trailer park

20. will leave a handful of change as a tip

21. can only cook spaghetti. only spaghetti.

22. biggest fear is the koolaid man coming alive

23. minute man munson (iykyk)

24. will ask people to name 3 songs if their wearing a band tee

25. put lipstick on one time and felt pretty

26. prefers apple juice over orange juice

27. absolutely loves halloween

28. extremely competitive

29. hits people when he's excited/laughing

30. sits really close to the tv like an ipad kid

31. moans while getting beat up to make it awkward

32. extremely allergic to cats but loves them to death

33. birthday is april 19th 1966

34. has skinny dipped w his bros in lovers lake

35. fein for chocolate chip pancakes

36. eats skittles for lunch

37. tried to do a karate kick and ripped his pants once

38. calls his van his baby

39. lifts his leg when he farts and thinks it's peak humor

40. won a goldfish from the fair and fed it crushes doritos for 4 months and cried when it died

41. writes reminders on the palm of his hand and it gets smeared on his face

42. always cuts his face when he shaves on accident

43. when he draws and has to erase he does it so hard it rips holes in the paper

44. feels cool because he doesn't carry around a backpack at school

45. scared of moths

46. has lost pencils in his hair

47. flips his boxers inside out so he can wear them longer

48. has to be told to shower

49. tried to pierce his ears and sobbed and then they got infected

50. his nose gets the brightest red in the winter

[cherr-22]

TNGDH 32

“Gasp…… Ugh. I’m dying…….”

After leaving the study, I ran like crazy. I ran like I’ve never ran before.

Thankfully, it wasn’t too far from my room. If I weren’t fast enough, the ‘Summon’ duration would end and I would’ve disappeared in the middle of the hallway, leaving behind nothing but my clothes.

After running at full speed, I went into the bed, covered myself with the blanket, and canceled the ‘Summon’. With that, I was summoned back to where I designated in advance, under the sawdust.

―Squeak. (Whew.)

At this rate, I might end up passing away young…….

I stumbled towards the middle of the hamster house and laid on my back with my arms and legs stretched out. The sky is yellow. So yellow.

“Did you exercise? You look tired.”

Kyle appeared suddenly and picked me up while I was still panting. He began to kiss all over me. With no strength to even lift up a paw, I helplessly received all his affectionate gestures.

―Squeak……. (Are you content now…….)

“I understand, I understand. I also like you a lot.”

―Squeak……. (This clueless bastard…….)

“Today, I will make you a present.”

Kyle, who put me down, put a handful of duck feathers into the handkerchief he laid out for me last night. Then, he carefully began to quilt it.

Although it looked a little awkward and had threads sticking out, it came out better than the dish scrub he made before. Have you been practicing these days?

I peered at his face with my barely open eyes. There was a warm smile that contrasted with the endless winter out the window.

What are you so happy about.

It’s just a demonic beast.

As I felt the handkerchief being carefully placed on my back, I slowly closed my eyes..

―Squeak……. (This diligent, tactless, warm-hearted bastard…….)

One day, this moment would become a memory to think back about after I return back to my world.

It would be a happy memory to remember.

*

―…….

“…….”

“…….”

It was a suffocating silence..

I looked back and forth at Kyle and the magician, who were both watching me put up a guard.

It had been thirty minutes since the magician entered the study. They constantly observed me as if I were a lab rat. Stop staring please. It’s really burdensome.

Gulp.

A swallow was heard throughout the room.

The culprit was the nervous magician next to Kyle.

“T-then, I will start now.”

As if he had finally made up his mind, the magician, who looked to be middle-aged, lifted me up carefully.

The lift was uncomfortable. The palm I was sitting on was shaking hard as if an earthquake occurred.

―Squeak……. (Excuse me, sir…….)

Are you trying to play with me or what?

I sat on the shaking palms and gave him a wary look.

You must be nervous with Kyle glaring at you as if he were going to rip you to pieces, but it’s not like Kyle would actually shred you. He’s just worried. He’s just an ordinary demonic beast lover.

After wiping his sweat with the back of his hand, the magician began to inject blue mana into my body. I closed my eyes and hugged tight onto the cashew nut in my hands.

I didn’t know how my body would react to this and neither did the system, but I had no choice but to take a gamble. Kyle would’ve used all possible methods he could find to make me grow.

Right. It’s better to get this done and over with.

―……?

Bam.

My body was pushed slightly to the side along with the sound of something blunt hitting each other.

I held tighter onto the cashew nut I almost dropped and stretched out my neck to look around like a meerkat. Wh-what was that? Something just flew by?

“……Did you do it?”

“I did, however…….”

There was a crushing silence. The magician swallowed again nervously before placing his hand on my body once more.

“This…… this time I’ll try injecting harder.”

Despite saying that, he was still shaking incredibly.

Your life must also be a rough ride. I pat the magician’s hand with my front paw and took a short, deep breath. Come, I am ready.

“……Hmph!”

The magician made a weird grunting sound before drawing up a palm full of blue mana energy. Then, the moment the powerful mana shot out and made contact with my body…

Ting.

Ting.

Bam.

My body rolled back twice before colliding with the wall. I was buried in Kyle’s knitted yarns.

“Cashew!”

Kyle quickly picked me up. I shook my head and felt some static electricity penetrating my whole body.

‘Just what exactly is happened?’

What happened? Is mana supposed to feel this shocking?

[The in□able power □s d□sp□.]

I blankly stared at the system window that appeared in front of my eyes. The letters were broken into pixels and were difficult to read, but I felt I knew what it was saying.

‘Is it saying that the mana of my body and this world are colliding? Is it the same for the unexpected appearance of the beast during the reconnaissance?’

As I was lost in my thoughts, Kyle checked my entire body for any wounds.

“……Your Highness. This, I don’t think this is your typical demonic beast.”

The magician said in a hushed voice as he formed a puddle below his feet from his sweat.

“If this little one isn’t a demonic beast, what could it possibly be!”

Kyle covered me with his palm as he shouted at the magician who stood far away from him and flinched.

Hey, hey. Don’t be like that. It isn’t his fault.

“H-however, it’s not only not accepting the mana, it’s even reflecting it back…….”

While the magician rambled, I picked up the cashew nut that had flown away. The end was slightly cracked from the impact earlier. It also looked like there was a bit of dust on it.

―…….

I threw the cashew nut in frustration. Forget it. I’m not eating this dirty thing. I should use ‘Summon’ and eat something nicer.

I sat back down and watched two people arguing- no, one person suffering from the rage of the other. It’s not like I could stop the fight with this body of mine. I would have to wait for them to finish on their own.

Thinking like that, I revisited the system window with the pixel letters.

“Your Highness!”

I turned my head at the sudden voice and the study door flinging open.

It was a face I knew. He was one of Kyle’s knights in the scouting party.

“What’s the matter. A guest is here, so quickly state your matter.”

“M-my apologies! However, a letter arrived saying that Prince Belial had been attacked……!”

“……attacked?”

……What? Attacked?

I jumped up.

Kyle chased off the magician and put me back into the hamster house. After closing the house, he approached the knight at the door.

Hey. Talk inside the room! Let me hear it too!

I pressed my ears against the transparent wall. Fortunately, the study door was not completely closed, so I was able to vaguely hear the conversation.

In summary, Belial, who was returning back to the imperial palace, was ambushed by an unknown group. It was a serious incident that caused the carriage to overturn, but because the location was closer to the imperial palace, it took time for the news to reach the Blake estate……

I crossed my arms and paced back and forth in the hamster house.

The early part of <The Winter’s Heart>. The only attack I knew at this point of the novel was the ambush on Kyle that resulted in him getting wounded on his right arm.

But that incident didn’t occur on Kyle due to my interference. So instead, Belial was attacked?

‘……Something’s not right.’

Does that mean the unknown force behind the ambush on Kyle in the original story wasn’t from Belial? I thought deeply while rocking on the swing.

The controlling power within the imperial palace was definitely the second prince, Belial. I’d hate to admit, but he had exceptional leadership skills and a captivating smile, making him popular among the people.

Then was it different within the palace? As far as I knew, some subjects already openly considered Belial to be the future emperor even though the 1st prince was still alive.

‘But, what was his name again?’

Suddenly, a system window appeared.

[Lorenz Serena Meinhardt was weak-minded and cowardly. He couldn’t compete with Kyle in force, nor could he beat Belial in intellect. All he had left was the pride of being the 1st prince.

‘Right. It was Lorenz.’

I disliked him so much I even forgot his name.

I recalled the description of him from the story. With a hair color lighter than Belial’s, he was said to have a sharp appearance that resembled his mother, Serena. His thick eyebrows and clear facial features were said to resemble the emperor.

[눈_눈]

### ‘눈’ means ‘eye’. The emote resembles a frowning face.

Yeah. Like that.

However, the imperial family valued tradition and legitimacy. No matter how much power Belial held, he would not be able to become the emperor.

Besides, it wasn’t as if Prince Lorenz had no support at all, and the emperor probably would want to entrust the country to his eldest son.

That was why I thought Lorenz wouldn’t interfere with Belial’s matters. He could become the emperor even if he stood still, so there was no need to make a mess.

―Squeak. (This is all so confusing.)

While I spun the hamster wheel with my hands habitually, Kyle returned to the study with a slightly depressed look on his face.

It seemed everything has settled down. How kind of you to worry about your enemy like that.

With a short sigh, I used ‘Summon’. He didn’t seem to have the spirit to look after the hamster, so this would be the perfect time to become Shu.

Above all, the small hamster body wouldn’t be able to give Kyle the comfort he needed. For now, I want to be be his side as a human being.

--------------------------------------------------------

Previous Chapter / Next Chapter

[queenshelby]

Our Little Secret (Part 23)

Pairing: Cillian Murphy x Reader

Warning: Infidelity, Age-Gap

Minutes later, Cillian helped you into the passenger seat, buckling your seatbelt securely before closing the door quietly.

"I am only 32 weeks pregnant, Cillian. It is too early for her to be born," you whimpered, your voice hoarse with worry. "Please tell me everything is going to be alright," you implored, the fear clearly written across your face.

"Everything is going to be okay, Y/N," Cillian assured you, his voice calm and steady as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. "Babies can be born at 32 weeks these days, even without complications. Lets just stay positive, alright?" Cillian insisted, his voice low and soothing. "Remember, your doctor told us that it was common for women to go into labour early, and that the baby could be perfectly healthy even at 32 weeks," he reminded you, his eyes locked on the road ahead.

You nodded, taking a deep breath to calm your racing heart. Your palms were sweating, and your muscles were taut with tension as you tried to focus on the rhythmic pattern of the contractions.

"Focus on your breathing, Y/N," Cillian urged, his voice quiet and comforting.

"Take deep, steady breaths," he instructed, his gaze locked on the traffic ahead. "Try to relax," he added, his voice dropping to a whisper.

Despite his efforts to soothe you, waves of nausea washed over you, accompanied by sharp pains that rippled through your lower abdomen. You clenched your teeth, grimacing with each contraction.

"Can you hear me?" Cillian asked, his voice cutting through the haze of pain. You managed to nod weakly, your gaze glued to the dashboard clock. Time seemed to stretch impossibly, each minute agonizingly slow.

Eventually though, you made it to the hospital, where doctors and nurses quickly whisked you away.

The next few hours were a blur of medical procedures, tests, and unfamiliar faces.

Throughout it all, Cillian remained close to your side, offering support and encouragement as you struggled to cope with the overwhelming anxiety and pain. You clutched his hand tightly, drawing strength from his unwavering presence.

His stoicism and dedication were testament to the depth of his feelings for you, and you couldn't help but feel grateful for his unconditional support.

"What's wrong? Is she going into labour?" Cillian asked the doctor urgently, his voice betraying the panic he was struggling to conceal. 

"No, apparently not," he responded calmly while assessing the situation and reviewing the ultrasound pictures. 

Your partner is experiencing something called Braxton Hicks contractions, which are essentially strong, frequent contractions that aren't necessarily related to true labor," he explained, addressing you directly. "These contractions are typically harmless, but they can cause a great deal of discomfort and anxiety," he added, his voice soothing as he sought to alleviate your concerns.

You sighed deeply, your grip on Cillian's hand tightening reflexively.

"How do we stop them?" Cillian pressed, his voice tight with concern.

"Rest and hydration can help manage the discomfort," the doctor advised, his voice steady as he continued to explain the condition. "However, if the contractions persist longer than expected, we may need to consider other interventions to ensure the health of both mother and baby," he cautioned, his gaze locked on you.

"Now, Miss Y/LN, I will need to place you on to bed rest for the duration of your pregnancy," he declared, his voice firm, "This means no working, no running errands, and no unnecessary stress. Just take care of yourself and your precious baby," he added, patting your shoulder affectionately, "Trust me, I know it's challenging, but we want to create the most favourable environment for your baby girl's development," he reasoned, his words resonating with genuine concern.

You took a deep breath, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over you.

"I am living on my own, I can't really," you began to say, trailing off uncertainly. "I mean, I don't know about that," you admitted, glancing at Cillian warily.

"I can stay with you until Mara is born," Cillian offered, his voice laced with concern. "I mean, if you let me," he added, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

"Really? For eight weeks?" you gasped, unsure about his proposal, which is when the doctor interrupted.

"Actually, it will only be 4 weeks as, in my opinion at least, we should consider a c-section after 36 weeks. Your daughter is measuring ahead by one week and will unlikely have to go to the NICU. Your placenta is no longer fully intact and whilst, currently, your baby is getting all the nutrients she needs, we will need to keep a close eye on this," the doctor announced, his voice warm and confident.

Cillian squeezed your hand, the gesture serving as a reminder of his unwavering support. You glanced gratefully at him, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude for his steadfast presence.

"We're going to start monitoring you closely over the next few weeks," the doctor continued, addressing the both of you now. "As long as you stick to bed rest and maintain a healthy diet, we expect things to progress smoothly," he said, patting your shoulder gently.

"And, of course, your partner will need to assist you with daily tasks which I assume is not going to be a problem," he added, gesturing towards Cillian who felt a little uncomfortable about being referred to as your partner, but still chose not to correct the doctor.

"Of course not," Cillian responded, his voice resolute. "I will make sure Y/N gets the care and assistance she needs during this period," he assured the doctor, his gaze meeting yours.

You smiled weakly, your hand instinctively resting on your rounded stomach. The thought of sharing your home with Cillian, day in and day out, was both thrilling and daunting.

You wondered whether his presence would stir up feelings that threatened to consume you, or whether it would provide the stability you desperately craved.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" you asked Cillian, your voice shaky with uncertainty. "I mean, it's a lot to ask," you added, your gaze flickering between his eyes and the wall.

"Of course, I'm sure," Cillian responded, his voice soft yet determined.

"I want to be here for you and our daughter, however long it takes," he emphasized, his gaze locking onto yours.

"I appreciate that," you murmured, your voice trembling slightly. "I just hope you won't regret it later," you added, the thought of imposing upon his life weighing heavily on your conscience, knowing also that Amanda wouldn't appreciate this situation. 

***

Later that day, after around 8 o'clock in the morning, the electricity came back on and Cillian went to his home to pack some clothes, make arrangements for Max and call Amanda to inform her of the recent developments. 

Just as expected however, Amanda did not take lightly to hearing that Cillian would be staying with you for four weeks.

"You can't stay with her, Cillian," she snapped over the phone, her voice trembling with anger. 

"Amanda, listen," Cillian began, his voice steady yet apologetic. "This is an emergency, and I need to be there for Y/N. She is pregnant with my child, remember?" he explained, his gaze flickering between the open closet and his unpacked bag.

"Yes, I know. How could I possibly forget when her pregnancy interferes with our lives this much?" Amanda retorted sarcastically, her voice dripping with contempt.

"None of this is her fault," Cillian argued, his voice rising defensively. "She needs my help, and I intend to give it to her," he asserted, his gaze unwavering.

"Fine," Amanda spat bitterly, her voice choked with resentment. "But just know that she is probably playing you. I am sure all of this is a set up. She is probably faking it," Amanda accused spitefully, her voice trembling with suspicion. 

"You are seriously delusional and, you know what?" Cillian said, his voice steely with resolve. "I am done," he declared flatly.

"You are done with what?" Amanda demanded, her voice echoing with desperation.

"Everything," Cillian responded coldly, his voice void of emotion. "Our relationship, this constant bickering, the mistrust. Everything's finished," he stated bluntly, his gaze fixed on their entangled history. "I should never have gotten involved with you," he told her and, immediately, silence enveloped the line, the tension thick enough to suffocate. Amanda's breathing quickened, her heartbeat pounding erratically in her ears.

"Perhaps you shouldn't have, but you did, didn't you? Because of boredom or what?"  Amanda challenged, her voice cracking with bitterness. "Or was it simply to get over this little whore of yours because this is exactly what your sister seems to be thinking," she sneered, referring to Cillian's younger sister and this was exactly when the realization daunted upon him. 

Just as Amanda's voice trailed off, it was replaced by a deafening silence, thick with tension. Cillian stood motionless, the receiver clutched tightly in his hand. 

"You are in love with her, aren't you?" Amanda whispered, her voice laden with accusation. "That's exactly what Shiobhan tells me. She insists that you are merely projecting your feelings about her onto me because you are too fucking ashamed to admit to yourself that you love this little slut," Amanda added, her voice wavering slightly. “So, congratulations Cillian. This whole pregnancy thing is the perfect excuse for you to finally break free from that shame of yours and run straight into her arms," Amanda conjectured, her voice cracking with desperation.

"Amanda! Stop, I--" Cillian stammered, his voice trailing off uncertainly.

"Listen, Cillian," Amanda interrupted, her voice gaining momentum. "It's alright, we had fun while it lasted. You were never really able to commit to me because you were already committed to her. Now just leave me the fuck alone. I endured enough," Amanda snarled, her anger boiling over as, finally, she hung up on Cillian.

He was silent for a moment, staring blankly at the cordless phone in his hands as reality dawned upon him. There may have been some truth to what she said, and he felt a pang of guilt for not confronting his feelings earlier and instead allowing himself to hurt her unintentionally.

He sighed heavily, feeling defeated and utterly drained. He gathered his belongings, placing them in the duffel bag hastily, focusing on the task at hand.

He knew he needed to clear his thoughts and prioritize your wellbeing and that of his child. He felt conflicted and guilty, overwhelmed by the torrent of emotions surging within him. However, he pushed these thoughts aside, focusing on the present situation. He knew that he had to be there for you, and any distractions would only complicate matters further.

No matter what his feelings for you might have turned into over the past few months, it really did not matter. Nothing could ever become of you and Cillian was very well aware of that.

To be continued...

Tags:

@sunbeamseas @saint-ackerman @oatmealisweird @naxxsstuff @amanda08319 @r-m-cidnah @elysiannook @cillshot @infireddabdab @tastycakee @harrysbestiee @lilybabe22 @adalynlowell @henrywintersdearestgirl @ietss @thatgirlthatreadswattpad @ryiamarie @axionn

@heidimoreton @nela-cutie @futurecorps3 @delishen @nosebleeds-247 @thirteenis-myluckynumber @gills-lounge @hjmalmed @lost-fantasy @tiredkitten @sidechrisporn @smallsoulunknown @charqing-qing @hopefulinlove @aporiasposts @shycrybaby @me-and-your-husband @hjmalmed @lacontroller1991 @galxydefender @aporiasposts

@galxydefender @hunnibearrr @saint-ackerman @lunyyx @gentlemonsterjennie1 @ihavealotoffandomssorry @nadloves @lost-fantasy @nolucesn@mcavoy-girl @hjmalmed @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @blushykiss @tatumrileyslover @teawithsatanx @orijanko @rhaenyra4ever @xcinnamonmalfoyx @budugu @nadloves @kmc1989 @bloodybagels @obeyme4life @richiesgroupie @forgottenpeakywriter @smailaway @sophiaaguirred

[amelodramaticrewrite]

MELODRAMA! The Ultimate Revival art

art for the prologue, also known as "The Ultimate Revival"! when i say prologue, i'm referring to the ingame prologue, as that lasts more than the written prologue here^^ i didn't realise how long the ingame chapters are before now,,

aaaand, because i can, here is the first "draft" (don't know if i should call it a draft as it's a completely finished drawing) of it!

for what is about a months difference, i'm quite proud LMAO

originally this art was for "My Class Trial, Our Class Trial", buut it ended up fitting the prologue better!

the first version took 6 hours 28 minutes, while the new version took 9 hours and 32 minutes!

[imraespace]

LIFE'S HARD WHEN YOU'RE INLOVE ─

─ WITH RIN ITOSHI !!

Lunchtime rolled around and as of right now, you stared out of the window beside your desk to witness the practicing that's happening in the field.

Based off your knowledge and literally being friends with those on the football team, there's a big game that's going to happen on Friday so for most of the break times they get, it's in the field they go to. For some reason, your daily view out the window was just simple. You look at your friends and secretly cheer them on but today your eyes moved on their own and for some reason, they're not focusing on your friends.

The eyes you own seem to have a will of its own as of right now it's staring at the same boy your eyes landed on this morning. Why was he so.. capturing..?

Your train of thought broke when you realized that their practice had come to an end. Should you be a good friend and buy them something to cool off or.. stay here and sit down! Choices..

"I'm too lazy to move right now.." You mumbled, beginning the process of resting your head on the table. Yet that couldn't have been done because some rat of a student chose you to collect some test papers for a teacher.

So much for wasting your thoughts earlier..

After moaning, groaning, and cursing the world, you finally began walking down the hall to waste your energy for some lazy teacher, like grow some legs or something. Another eye roll was done by you.

In your mini tantrum process, you huffed and puffed and turned your head in the direction of your favorite vending machine. Okay, maybe this walk wasn't so bad.

Completely forgetting about your task at hand, you took a complete U-turn and made your way to the machine for some juice to cool down your mind and sweeten your mood. But! Before you could complete your walk your silly eyes landed on the same boy. Isn't practice over..? Why is he still there..

It then hits you that maybe this sport is very much important to them? Your face began to grow a bit soft, funny things popped up in your mind and oddly enough, you found yourself holding not one bottle but two in your hand. One is your juice, Minute Maid to be exact, and the other is just a simple water bottle.

"Hey girl! What are you doing!?" That's the thoughts that is currently flying through your mind right now. Why are you doing such silly acts like this one.. Then you stopped and remembered something. You looked at the water bottle and then back outside and made a run for it into your classroom.

Yoichi and Meguru weren't in here, which was good. No one was in the classroom actually, they were all in the lunchroom, leaving you to yourself as you wrote a little something.

Now here you are, peaking around the wall, holding onto that water bottle and note. You noticed that he was too much into his zone to realize that there's a creepy girl staring at him from afar with water in her hand. He should be more self-aware but you're quite happy he isn't.

So here is Y/N, simply placing down the bottle of water and note and quietly erm, more like sprinting away. You didn't look back, you just ran further away.

Atleast you got your juice.

.

.

.

The boy noticed that the lunch was almost over, he scowled at the idea of stopping his practice yet did it anyways. He made his way towards a bench and noticed a water bottle..?

"What the fuck.." He mumbled to himself as he read the note.

Rin rose his eyebrows with full on confusion as he read the words:

‟ Remember to drink your water when you're practicing hard.

╶Isagi. ฅ^._.^ฅ „

.

.

.

At the end of classes that day, you wondered if you gave yourself away. Of course, you forgot to NOT draw your signature touch of a cat at the end of silly notes.

But hey, he won't know it's Seishiro for sure! Seishiro adds (• × •).

Silly besties.

━ 7:32 PM

When you had switched off your device, your eyes landed on the book that laid on your bedside table. The waves of sleep hit you slowly, thinking about the conversation.

You weren't in love, which is good on your side but..

"Thoughts cannot formulate anymore.."

You thought of those words from the book. What had happened at lunchtime wasn't at your own will. It wasn't your thoughts, actually, you weren't even thinking, you just moved on your own.

You did some crazy things. At least from your knowledge, love doesn't make you do some crazy things.. Right?

So why did you do what you did today..?

Thoughts were too much, you fell asleep. At 8:01 PM.

.

.

.

Reo Mikage, a friend, someone who's indeed close with you. May have some fights here and there. Right now, tonight is his turn to check up on yourself. Why? Because of a habit you have of falling asleep with a mess on your bed yet today it's oddly clean..

Reo face lit up as he realized that there's nothing for him to fix. A small frown rested on his face as he walked up to your bedside table and turned off your lamp. He left your room with a small shut of the door.

Even though you three may be the same age, but birthday wise you were the youngest and the boys took it upon themselves to take care of you in simple ways like this. Tomorrow is Seishiro's turn, maybe he will have a mess to clean up..

Does it seem childish? Maybe.. But for some reason, it felt as if you grew up with this.

## LIFE'S HARD WHEN YOU'RE INLOVE. --

╴“ WITH RIN ITOSHI?? „

ฅ^._.^ฅ : some things about y/n !! she mostly sleeps through the day, only does stuff IF needed !! with her given gift of being effortlessly smart , all she does in her free time is : nap , eat , sleep. hmm what if.. one day y/n develops a crush and now has to ACTUALLY work to achieve a goal ? : date rin itoshi !!

3 // 5 note: HA weirdo!

TAGLIST!!: @deezy12299 @kuroronana @khoiyyu (OPEN)

-`♥︎´- for this story, i'm trying a something new, which includes words/phrases, foods and hometowns from japan and germany. if there's any errors please point it out !

-`♥︎´- word count : 981

[xxnghtclls]

Permission

Chapter 31

(Chapter 30; Chapter 32)

True Form Sukuna x Reader

Rating: Explicit

Warning: Graphic Depiction Of Violence

Please see Chapter 1 for tags! Permission

Someone Special

„I love you.“

Minutes passed since he vanished, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to look away, hoping you would maybe spot his crimson orbs in the shadows. You whisper, still staring into the empty darkness, knowing he can’t hear the words you were too nervous to tell. But you wait. And you’re not disappointed. There it is.

Like an echo of your longing in his head, he answers with a squeeze on your heart.

It’s him.

If he knows about his effect on your heart?

Does he talk to you in your absence, too?

Flames still crackling right next to your feet, as you keep staring on the spot you saw his shadow last.

These words he whispered in your ear, so honest and gentle, so… pathetic. It makes you smile.

What a cute bastard, you think to yourself while remembering his words about him getting angry just because you left his chambers. Truly pathetic.

He knew he wasn’t going to see me for a while.

You sigh and decide to sit back down in front of the fire, fiddling with the remaining apple in your hands, you keep getting lost in thoughts about him.

He kissed me…

He likes to be around me…

What if the King of Curses not only needs to be in your vicinity because of the curse he put on you, but also because he likes you? Truly… likes you? Not just your devotion, obedience or pussy. Not just because you’re his, but because you’re…

you.

What if his kind of curse is similar to yours? A curse so similar to the feeling of love, you don’t know which is which or if it’s the same.

You shake your head at your thoughts and lay down, drawing circles in the dirt in front of you.

He’s the King of Curses, he should know…

You close your eyes and try to put yourself back into the moment with him, while you sat there wrapped into his arm, wondering if he’s ever been in love.

“I apologise for the headache…” you whisper “my love.”

And with a responding ache in your heart, you fall asleep.

Knock

Knock

Knock

Dark, grey clouds of the late evening paint the sky, as you stand in front of the shrine, waiting for Uraume to open the heavy door.

Luckily, your way back wasn’t as eventful as your previous journey. Whenever you were about to cross a burned village, you decided to take a detour and walk around it, kept yourself hidden in the forest and thicket. Every step you took made you miss him more, made the heartache worse whenever it appeared. Knowing now that it’s not only your longing but also his, made it easier for you, soothing almost. Knowing, that he thought of you, too.

Your journey home took a bit longer, five days instead of three thanks to the detours, but you came back safe and sound, just like you promised Uraume.

The locks cackle and the door opens. A hint of relief is seen in Uraume’s eyes as they see you standing there, your face still not fully clean and the bruise still decorating your cheek.

“Did you find him?” they ask with anticipation in their voice. You exhale sharply, before tears pool in your eyes and you nod with a smile on your face. Uraume exhales and quickly puts their hand on your shoulder, motioning you to come in.

“I didn’t tell the others you were gone. But they definitely suspect it.” they say quietly, as you follow them through the halls. The other girls seem to be in their quarters already. Good for you, but you prepare yourself to be questioned by one or the other.

After arriving in your chambers, you carefully place the dagger and the bow and one arrow right next to your futon, earning an unreadable look from Uraume before they excuse themself to go into the kitchen. You thank them and while waiting for them, you take the chance to clean yourself off the remaining dirt and sweat thats stuck to your body. The bruise on your cheek still hurts and you hiss in pain when the wet cloth swipes over the damaged skin, as well as your burned knuckles.

After what seemed like an hour, Uraume comes back with a bowl.

Hot steam of a miso soup hits your nose and you blow to cool it a little before you take a sip. They must’ve just prepared it for you.

“He sent you back here.” they say quietly, looking out of the window of your room. You swallow your first sip.

“Yes. He is right about that, though.” you answer while blowing some more.

“He always is.” Uraume continues, their words making you smile at their trust to him. “How did he react?”

The hot bowl in your hands warms your heart as well, as you recall what happened.

“I met him on the battlefield. He was angry.” you huff quietly. “Never saw him so pissed before.”

Uraume nods, still looking out of the window.

A pause.

Your lips continue to move, first without sound. Your eyes quickly shoot to Uraume and back to the soup. A few seconds pass until you pick up the courage to say it.

“Then he kissed me.” you confess quietly with a beating heart.

Another pause.

Hearing no reaction from Uraume, you look up. They still look out the window, a hint of a content smile on their lips, as they seem to be in thought. Relief spreads in your gut, as they don’t seem to be affected in a negative way by what you just said. They almost seem… happy about it.

You take another sip of your soup.

“And your heartache?” they ask.

“Didn’t stop.” you answer. “But I think I can handle it better now.” They nod.

“I understand.”

“Thank you, Uraume.” you say sincerely. They turn around and make their way to the door of your chambers.

“Now that you’re back like you promised, you can get back to work in the morning.” their voice back to a more strict tone. You smile.

“I will. Thank you.” you assure them, before they leave your chambers.

The sound of a door sliding shut.

You’re alone again.

Silence.

A soft pull at your heart makes you put your hand on your chest.

“Shhh” you try to soothe it. You’re more than relieved to know the nature of this heartache, doesn’t make you scared anymore.

Laying down, you start to hum Sukuna’s melody and hum yourself to sleep with it.

Until…

the heartache wakes you up, ripping you out of your slumber, feeling more intense than usual. There’s a different note to it, almost feels like anger.

“What’s wrong?” you whisper to yourself as you hiss and bend in pain.

Why does it feel similar to that night back in december?

You try to forget and not remember what you heard that night, before you ran away. Breathing slowly, you try to soothe yourself, try not to worry, try to remember you’re his, the words he said and his lips on yours. Your heart is beating in your throat, while the pain reaches it’s peak and slowly decreases again. Sitting up, you drink a sip from the remaining broth next to your futon. The pain eases itself and you’re exhausted, sliding back into your sheets.

You wake up at sunrise. A heavy weight in your heart, but no pain.

Just come back to me.

You decide to get up quickly in order to pick up your work where you left off, not wanting to risk to piss off Uraume after they did you such a big favour.

Changing back into your kimono, you go out into the halls, fetching that bucket and sponge from the chamber. Your feet bring you outside into the garden to get some water. Looking around, you notice, that some of the bushes need a trimming and weeds spread in the ground too. Somehow you’re pleasantly surprised to see, that soon there will be other work for you, than just cleaning floors and cabinets. You’ve missed this garden.

Before you go to the well, you make your way through the garden to Sukuna’s chambers and slide his door open. While you’re at it, you hear a splash from behind you.

Oh no.

You turn around and see the maid who gave you the bowl of rice before Sukuna went to war. It’s not the last person you wanted to see, but seeing no person at all would’ve been better. Despite everything she’s done for you, caring for you when you were sick and giving you food when you needed, you’re careful to trust her.

Better don’t overshare, you think, as you brace yourself for a conversation. She’s fetching water from the well, as you make your way to her.

“You’re back.” she says, a hint of a smile on her lips. “Again.”

You sigh.

“I am.” you avoid her gaze.

“Don’t be too upset that I know. It was too obvious that Uraume didn’t ask us for those special food preparations anymore.” she says.

“Yea, well I guess they have better things to do.” you answer and she hums in agreement.

“Did you really think we would poison you?”

“I still do.” you answer with a smile while scratching some dirt off the stones of the well, making her sigh.

A pause. Wind moves the naked branches of the trees. Both of you watch the branches dance.

“They really let you go after him.” she says in thought, before she turns to you. “Did he do this?” she motions to the bruise on your cheek. You frown in disbelief.

“No?”

She hums, while you let down your own bucket.

Splash.

She huffs to herself.

“You truly must be someone special.” she smiles.

Here we go.

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean?” she asks. “Princess, are you really asking me that?” her tone shifts into an accusing one.

You look at her in confusion and open your mouth.

So it wasn’t a coincidence.

“We know.” she says before you can voice anything. “The blind girl told us everything she heard, while you enjoyed his dicks on the throne, when she had the insides of her eyes running down her face.”

She makes it sound like it was your fault and you turn your gaze away.

“He uses pet names all the time.” you brush it off. “Probably wasn’t the first one he fucked on that throne and I most surely wasn’t the first one to stay in my lane instead of helping some stranger. I don’t know what you’re getting at.”

You feel her tensing up at your words, while you’re heaving up your bucket full of water.

“You really don’t know do you?” she asks, making you look at her in confusion.

“Know what?”

“I know I’ve told you, that he has favourites… but this is different. I’ve never seen him doing anything for anyone, yet he vanishes for days just to bring your jealous ass back into this shrine. Others ran away before and he just let them die and rot outside these walls, not moving an inch for them. I’ve never heard him call a maid anything other than bitch or slut. He most probably doesn’t even remember our names, if he even asked. I’ve never heard of anyone being allowed to act so freely around him like I saw you do during the audience. You’re allowed to look at him, to touch him. Just like that, without asking first. She said he told you to look at him after he asked you to ride him?” her voice breaks a little. “He pushes our faces into the sheets while he fucks us from behind as if we are a piece of meat.”

What?

The ground beneath you seems to slip away. You have a hard time to comprehend what she’s saying. Yes, you did think you were special, one of his favourites, but not in this way. Not at all. Not even with the curse he put on you.

If this is true, then he really might be…

“If he just uses you as a piece of meat, why do you continue to worship him then?” you ask, making her huff, her eyes growing wet.

“You already know the answer to that. He makes you feel wanted in a sick and twisted and addicting way. However, that changed when you came along. He started to neglect us. Now everyone is fucking with each other even when he’s here, seeking the company of our King with each others bodies.”

“It’s not my fault.” you whisper, while she keeps talking.

“So please tell me.” her voice turns sincere “What are you to him?” her eyes pierce into yours, desperate for an answer.

A pause.

You don’t know what to tell her and nervousness spreads in your gut and face. She notices and her eyes widen, as if it clicked in her mind.

“He kissed you.” she adds in a whisper.

Your breath hitches, not sure what to say, not knowing what this is supposed to mean, feeling like she caught you redhanded. A stressed look paints your face, hearing all she says, hearing all the things he’s done for you presented like his dinner on a plate, before you regain control.

“I don’t know what I am to him.” you finally say, so sincere, hoping she would understand. “But he is everything to me.”

She nods, before you continue.

“I am his.”

“So he claimed you.” she whispers. “Telling you the words everyone yearns to hear but never did.”

Never did?

Your heart is pounding and you shake your head in confusion.

“What do those words mean if he hasn’t spoken the words that I yearn to hear.” you answer, trying to play it down. “I am his, but he isn’t mine.”

“Sometimes…” she says calmly, while stepping away from you. “…words don’t need to be spoken to be true.”

An ache in your heart, as you muster her face, seeing that her very heart seems to be broken and you can’t help to feel sorry for her. Reaching out, you grab her hand to stop her. You feel a lump in your throat.

“Why do you condemn me for his actions?” you whisper desperately. She looks at you for a moment, before she speaks.

“Because being in your place is something we all sought and now because of you, we won’t find it here either.” she answers, slipping her hand out of yours.

You’re stunned, while she leaves without saying another word. Again, you’re reminded that they’re not just angry and jealous, but also heartbroken. Everyone came here with their own story, so similar and yet so different to yours, seeking a place to belong, only to be disappointed again. Disappointed by a man which energy is so addicting and gravitating. You know how it feels. You know it so well.

And you feel sorry, because you understand.

Some tears are dripping down your face, while you force yourself to understand, that there’s nothing you can do about it. If you are truly what she accuses you to be, if you are truly the only one he desires, his love, then you won’t give up what you achieved. You lived your whole life after the likes of everyone around you, needing to place your needs and wants below everything else to survive.

You just want to be you. To be truly you. To be with him. And if it’s true, if you made him fall in love with being you, if the King of Curses truly fell in love with you, then so be it.

You stand there a few minutes, thinking about the conversation you just had, picking at the old wood of the bucket, before you take it and walk into Sukuna’s chamber.

While you’re scrubbing his floor and clean his room, you keep thinking about the things she said about him. How rough he’s been to others, how gentle he is to you.

Telling me and only me “you’re mine”?

You remember what he said before he even fucked you the first time, how he ridiculed you for wanting him to claim and fuck you. Then how needy he ordered you to ask him to be his, while he was balls deep in your holes. The way he called you a fool in the very night you ran away. You didn’t know. But it’s true.

I was a fool.

I was special from the very beginning.

Why?

Your heart starts aching and it continues while you finish to clean his room.

I want to talk to him.

Come back.

You finish cleaning the halls and throne room as well. No one cleaned here in your absence, which you are happy about, because there is actual dust to clean off the floor and walls. A rumble in your stomach reminds you of a mortal need you wish not to have.

Hunger.

You decide to finish your work for today and make your way into the kitchen. There’s no way you can live like this, in fear. If it’s true what she said, then if they hurt you, he’s going to hurt them too.

At least you hope he would.

You’re building up the courage to face those heartbroken souls.

I can’t live like this until he comes back.

With a heavy beating heart, your trembling hand raises to knock at the kitchen door.

Knock

Knock

Knock

No response, however you heard maids being inside.

You brace yourself and slowly open the door. Everyone stops what they’re doing. The bitch is there, as well as the maid you talked to earlier and three others, including the blind one, which you haven’t seen since it all happened.

Silence.

“What are you doing here?” the bitch speaks.

“Who’s there?” the blind one asks.

“The princess.” you and the bitch say simultaneously, making her frown in surprise.

“Listen.” you continue. “I’m sorry for how Master Sukuna treats you. And I understand why you’re pissed at me. I really do and I would be, too. Hell, I would even contemplate to poison me, if I were you.” your words make the bitch cock her eyebrows at you. “However, even if that’s not your intention, I know I’m a fucking burden for you. I will avoid crossing paths with you. Uraume won’t ask you for food again. I only ask you to let me use the kitchen after sunset.”

Silence.

Your right hand fiddles nervously with the fabric of the sleeve of your kimono, while you stare into everyone faces, waiting for an answer.

The lips of the bitch turn into a curl before she bursts out laughing. Another maid joins her. The rest stays silent. After a moment you nod and turn around, ready to leave.

“Fine.” the maid who you talked to earlier suddenly says, cutting off the hysterical laughter.

“No way.” the bitch exclaims, while you turn back around. The bitch is looking in disbelief at the maid.

“Shut up.” she says, silencing the bitch. “If she is to Master Sukuna what she seems to be, letting her starve in his absence may not be the wisest decision.”

The bitch slams her fist on the table and gets up, stomping her way past you and spitting on the ground right next to you.

The maid gets up as well and walks right up to you.

“I understand you, too.” she says quietly and it surprises you. “I allow you to use the kitchen after sunset. Only after sunset.” something intimidating in her voice but you try to brush it off.

“Thank you.” you say, before walking out.

You held your word and so did they.

After sunsets you would sneak into the kitchen, even trying not to use too many ingredients that were stored there, to make yourself a small meal. There was no need to talk to Uraume about the food, since you were actually feeding yourself and not losing weight.

Sometimes there were not many ingredients left and you blamed the bitch for hiding some of it on purpose. It would get hard to work during the day with an empty stomach. Sometimes the day seemed to get longer and longer the more hungry you got.

That’s why you started to take apples with you, only to have something to snack on in the morning. And all in all, it worked. You survived, without losing too much weight, staying healthy at least.

Sometimes you would cross paths with another maid and when you did, you looked away, going into the other direction, minding something else first. You tried your best to avoid everything and everyone. Just waiting for a better time.

Sometimes the heartache grew unbearable again, making you unable to work. However, the heartache itself didn’t crush you the way it did before you went to seek him out. Knowing the true nature of it now, you stayed calm. Sometimes you hummed his melody to soothe yourself. And maybe him, too.

To your luck, Uraume let your painful days slide, knowing how bad it could be for you. And you tried your best not to disappoint them, getting up as soon as you could to fulfill your duties. Sometimes the heartache pierced through your chest. This bad and angry pain, that reminds you of that night. Five times it pierced through you, you kept counting, because it was so painful and different. You didn’t tell Uraume, knowing their powers couldn’t change anything anyway.

And sometimes you would cry yourself to sleep, begging him to come home to you. To put and end to all this waiting. To just be there with you.

Soon you could start working in the garden again, cutting off branches and pulling out weeds like you used to. You liked this type of work more than cleaning. Keeping the garden fresh and neat.

And you waited and waited.

Sometimes you even dreamed of seeking him out again. Without the purpose of coming back. Just leaving it all behind. With him. But you didn’t.

You waited and waited. Day after day.

That was what your life became. Waiting for him. In this shithole of shrine.

And you waited and waited. Bearing your heartache and his.

For two more months you waited.

April came upon you, the weather got better and the cherry trees in the garden started to bloom. The grass got greener, the water in the pond clearer, painting reflections of the sunlight on the wooden bridge that is hovering over the surface.

Snip.

You’re cutting off a branch that’s growing too far into the space that takes up Sukunas door. Today you feel empty.

How much longer?

A thing you ask yourself every single day.

Snip.

Another branch.

Snip.

Another.

You have asked Uraume if it would be possible to get some Nishikigois for the pond. They didn’t seem to happy about your request, since those are pretty expensive, but they agreed to consider it. That was a week ago and you wonder, if they have decided yet.

You look up and watch the sunlight fall through the pink blossoms of the cherry trees, the very same pink shade of the hair you cut a few months ago.

Heartache.

A soft breeze lets the branches move and the light dances even more between the spaces of those pink blossoms. You inhale the fresh air and continue your day, snacking here and then on an apple you took with you last night. The sun wanders and another day without him returning passes. The sky paints itself in multiple shades of red and yellow during the sunset and you sigh, closing the doors to his chambers.

Suddenly you hear a loud noise from the halls. Something heavy falling on the floor. Out of instinct you rush inside, not considering that it has to be one of the other maids, you pledged to avoid contact with. But maybe a part of you hoped it would be Sukuna.

You run inside, only to see the bitch laying on the floor, an empty wooden bucket running a slow circle right next to her. She must’ve tripped on the damp floor you cleaned a few minutes ago. You hesitate, contemplate about helping her. She looks up and sees you.

“Fuck.” she curses under her breath, before looking away again.

“Do you need help?” you calmly ask her.

She groans in pain and slowly gets back on her feet. Considering her missing response to you, you turn on your heels in order to walk back to your chambers.

“Wait.” she says breathlessly. You stop.

“Sorry for not drying the floor. I didn’t expect someone to walk these halls at this time.” you say without turning around.

“Shut up.” she growls, making your eyes roll.

“What is it?” you turn around, finally facing her.

“I noticed something.” she smiles at you with a smile that you want to rip out of her face. You cock your eyebrows at her.

“You’re looking good. I haven’t seen you in a while, but apparently only being allowed in the kitchen once a day after sunset doesn’t do you much harm.” she says, acting like she truly admires your looks. “Even when nothing much was left, you are holding up pretty good. Look at that shiny hair!” she continues, touching a strand of your hair, making you shy away from her. You’re tensing up at her words, trying to ignore her remarks.

“Did you take so much care of yourself, hoping that Sukuna will still cherish you after all this time? Call you pretty maybe?”

“What are you talking about?” you frown at her.

“Oh you didn’t know?” she giggles, taking a step closer to you. “You know… hehe and I do know that you know: Our King grows bored of individuals pretty fast. Not only here in the shrine, but also whenever he was gone, he would search to get his satisfaction otherwise, sometimes even bringing home some woman, because she was promised to him as a prize.” she whispers. “Just like me.”

Your eyes widen and your heart is pounding at her words, knowing she’s just telling you this to provoke you.

Or does she?

You grow nervous, remembering that heartache that’s different from the others, remembering the anger you felt that night when you heard…

“What would you do if he comes back and didn’t fuck you the way he would before. He always finds someone else he would also consider his favourite. Believe me, I’ve outlived some of them. And whatever little thing you have going on with him, I have to admit it truly is special, but…no matter what he did with you or told you, I assure you he will grow bored of you as well.” she continues. “Maybe, just maybe, he hasn’t come back yet, because he found someone else to play his little game with.” she coos in pity. “The real challenge is not to become one of his favourites, but to keep that place. Maybe that’s why I’m still here. Maybe the way I fell into his hands is better than yours. Being a prize is better than being garbage.” she spits.

You clench your jaw, can’t help to feel extremely stressed about what she said. Because you know he would be capable of it. He’s shown you before. But it’s her and things have changed. So much happened between you and him. The curse, the kiss, his words. It’s just her trying to provoke you, her words contradicting what the other maid told you two months ago, to make you feel less of yourself. A lump grows in your throat, the fear of what she’s saying to be true too big, as you just keep staring into the face you want to pierce with his dagger and your arrow.

Heartache.

It grows dark outside, the last light is about to vanish, as suddenly

Bang!

the doors to the halls fly open.

Both of you jump and look to the door. Your eyes widen, the colour falls from your face and with a dry mouth and a banging heart, his name falls on your whispering tongue.

“Sukuna!”

[phantom--brainz]

They're yapping to each other and staying up past bedtime

First time genuinely drawing these two!

Took 18 hours and 32 minutes 😭

@thatsthat24

[wolfythesilly]

Ruby !! I liked drawing this one because i love drawing my moth ones !!

Ruby is a rosy maple moth! i picked this animal because ruby loves sugar, and so do moths! and i felt a rosy maple moth would fit ruby !!

this one took 32 minutes!!

[svtskneecaps]

a list of timestamps, for no reason :)

thesis statement : No, what blue did tonight and what red did the last two nights are not the same.

disclaimer: this is not a judgement of right / wrong, this is a glorified compare and contrast paper.

a TL;DR is available at the top, immediately following the keep reading link (which i hope, for your sake, is still there).

for each vod i have compiled the time stamps first, and then under the heading "notably" have compiled and compared them.

this is the most toxic i will allow myself to be.

TL;DR:

Blue team on Day 4 took 2 seconds from first task claimed to last. Red team on Day 2 took 5 minutes 14 seconds from first task claimed to last, and on Day 3 took 42 seconds.

Blue team on Day 4 was vulnerable in the area for 2 seconds before claiming their last task. Red team on Day 2 was vulnerable in the area for 8 minutes 31 seconds, and on Day 3 was vulnerable for 12 minutes 10 seconds.

The time blue team spent getting situated before logging out in global is not counted in this as being vulnerable because it is not a viable strategy for an entertainer to waste 4 hours of their limited time camping global to ensure no one is logging out.

Red team claimed their first global task on Day 3 with 13 minutes until the server closed. On Day 4, Etoiles and Roier arrived to stop blue team from applying the same strategy with 15 minutes until the server closed.

Blue team's actions on Day 4 did not leave them open to any reasonable retaliation efforts once Tubbo logged out. The moment he logged back in, the tasks were as good as complete. Unless another content creator metagamed, they would not be able to stop him.

Red team's actions on Day 2 and Day 3 did leave them open to retaliation. They were not fast, they often did not have the items they needed crafted in advance and spent time in sight of the global task dome crafting the items. If a team had been waiting for them to try this at the global task dome as Etoiles and Roier did for Blue team, that team could entirely have succeeded in killing them or ruining their plans.

The global tasks on Day 4 were already functionally blue's 4 hours before they were claimed. Even if the disaster hadn't affected global, the way it was supposed to, the only thing left would have been revenge. There was no preventing it once Tubbo logged out.

The global tasks on Day 2 were open to reclamation for an hour after red team claimed them. By Day 3 blue team was aware of red's strategy and had a full 12 minutes (at a predictable time! see below) in which they could have attacked red and stopped them.

What blue and red team did was not the same.

Below are the time stamps I used to get this data and draw these conclusions. I've included links to vods for verification purposes. These links are not future proofed.

November 7th, 2023: Day 4 of Purgatory

TubboLIVE's VOD:

1:47:20 : Tubbo logs out of the server, behind the blue "contracts" NPC. He has 15 minutes 32 seconds of server time remaining.

5:50:23 : It is 3:48:52 am in Tubbo's time zone. Tubbo shows the clock on his screen. There are 11 minutes and 8 seconds until the server closes.

5:50:49 : Tubbo loads in, behind the blue "contracts" NPC. It is 3:49:41 am. This is the first moment the game is visible on his screen. He has 15 minutes 03 seconds of server time remaining.

5:50:50 : Tubbo claims the first of the global tasks.

5:50:51 : Tubbo claims the last of the global tasks. It is 3:49:43 am.

Notably:

Functionally, tubbo was standing behind the blue NPC, invincible, for 4 hours 3 minutes and 3 seconds

There is a 29 second period of server time that I can't account for.

The total time it took for tubbo to claim every global task after loading in is 2 seconds.

The cooldown for every global task before it can be reclaimed is 10 minutes. In this case these ten minutes started at 3:49:42 and 3:49:43 am. The first moment any of these claimed global tasks can be reclaimed is 3:59:42 am, with 18 seconds until the server closes.

Etoiles's VOD:

4:56:08 : With some leniency, this is the first clear view of the blue "contracts" NPC and the spot Tubbo is "standing" shown on Etoiles's stream.

*(the blue NPC comes into view at 4:56:06 but whether Etoiles would have seen Tubbo there is dubious enough that I have opted for a later time stamp)

4:56:12 : Etoiles and Roier enter the global task dome. They are standing directly to the left of the red NPC; on the opposite side as the blue NPC. The spot Tubbo is "standing" is clearly visible on Etoiles's stream. Etoiles has 10 minutes 40 seconds of server time remaining. There are roughly 15 minutes and 30 seconds until the server closes*.

*(Time calculated roughly using Tubbo's log in message; this is not exact)

4:56:17 : Roier is standing in front of the blue "contracts" NPC.

4:58:03 : Without leaving global spawn, Etoiles disconnects to get a buffer on his time limit. Remembering that there is a disaster coming, he immediately re-logs to avoid the combat logging penalty. Roier does not disconnect during this time.

4:58:18 : The first frame of the game is visible after Etoiles relogs. Etoiles has 8 minutes 53 seconds of server time remaining.

4:58:45 : The quicksand disaster starts, affecting global spawn despite admins having informed Etoiles previously that disasters did not affect global spawn.

5:00:08 : The disaster ends.

5:01:17 : Tubbo logs in. There are roughly 10 minutes 11 seconds until the server closes.

Notably:

Roier is standing three blocks away from Tubbo's log-in point (effectively, three blocks away from Tubbo) at 5 minutes before Tubbo logs in.

Were Tubbo logged in, waiting physically at spawn, Etoiles and Roier would have been able to initiate combat 5 minutes and 5 seconds earlier. Both had plenty of time on their server counters to participate in this combat, albeit Etoiles would have been kicked before server close. Roier would not be (source: Slime's vod, 2:45:05 and on. There is no disconnect message for Roier before the server is closed at roughly 2:45:08).

Were Tubbo logged in, waiting physically at spawn when Etoiles and Roier arrived (at roughly 3:44:37 am in Tubbo's time zone, 15 minutes and 23 seconds before the server closed), and had claimed all global missions at that time rather than risk dying in combat, the missions would have been able to be reclaimed at roughly 3:54:37 am, with about 5 minutes and 23 seconds before the server closed. This is 5 minutes and 5 seconds more than the actual time.

November 5th, 2023 : Day 2 of Purgatory

This is the first day red has used this strategy.

Cellbit's VOD:

6:52:27 : Cellbit arrives at the plaza outside the global task dome (Carre is already here; he wasn't streaming so I don't know when he arrived).

6:52:49 : Cellbit enters the global task dome. He backtracks to the right of the global task dome, and sets up a crafting area to craft items for the tasks somewhat out of sight of the dome. He is 96 meters away from the dome.

6:55:34 : Cellbit re-enters the global task dome.

6:55:44 : Cellbit claims the first global task for red team (electrolytes). The cooldown is 10 minutes 41 seconds.

6:55:49 : Cellbit claims one global task for red team (radiation medicine).

6:55:55 : Cellbit claims one global task for red team (campfires).

6:56:04 : Cellbit leaves the global task dome and sets up a second crafting area to the right of the dome after losing the first. This area is in full view of the dome, and is roughly 61 meters away.

6:57:40 : Cellbit dumps every item in his inventory except for iron and minecarts and a shield into a chest (he is functionally defenseless).

6:58:18 : Cellbit re-enters the global task dome.

6:58:23 : Cellbit claims one global task for red team (minecarts).

6:59:12 : Cellbit claims one global task for red team (diamonds).

6:59:49 : Cellbit gets his sword out of the chest (he is no longer defenseless).

7:00:58 : Jaiden claims the last global task for red team (rails). The bananas task remains unclaimed.

7:01:01 : ElQuackity is visible outside the dome on Cellbit's stream for the first time. Cellbit chases him.

7:04:34 : Cellbit kills ElQuackity, putting red team in the lead.

7:48:07 : The server closes.

Notably:

Red team is physically present, visible, and murderable / stoppable at the global tasks area for 8 minutes 31 seconds.

Red team takes 5 minutes 14 seconds to claim their global tasks.

The cooldown on these global tasks leaves at minimum 36 minutes 28 seconds to reclaim, maximum 41 minutes 42 seconds to reclaim before server close.

If a team were to have come up to the dome during the 8 minute 31 second period, they would have seen the team and could have attacked or stopped them.

There is a 2 minute 9 second period where Cellbit literally does not have a weapon in his inventory.

If a team were to have come up to the dome while the red team was still crafting the global quest items, they could have attacked and prevented the team from crafting the items and forced them to retreat without claiming those goals.

November 6th, 2023 : Day 3 of Purgatory

This is the second day red has used this strategy.

Cellbit's VOD:

3:39:11 : Cellbit sees Bagi on the bridge to global. There are 24 minutes and 2 seconds until the server closes.

3:39:49 : Cellbit enters the global dome, standing just to the right of where the red NPC is on November 7th.

3:40:24 : Cellbit exits the global dome to craft the water bottles needed for the global task.

3:42:58 : Cellbit crafts the final water bottle needed for the global task.

3:43:28 : Cellbit, Foolish, and Carre re-enter the global dome.

3:44:15 : Cellbit and Carre exit the global dome to inspect Bagi's body. Foolish exits the global dome to use the crafting table.

3:45:36 : Cellbit and Carre re-enter the global dome.

(There's a few more entrances and exits from the dome during the following period, though they stay within the area marked with Bagi's body, the global NPCs, and the crafting table as corners : Never much more than 61 meters away and never out of sight of the dome)

3:49:45 : Cellbit sends the message "hey guys we are about to deliver global tasks you should come!" There are 14 minutes and 18 seconds until the server closes.

3:50:39 : Cellbit claims the first global task for red team (tea leaves). There are 13 minutes and 26 seconds until the server closes.

3:50:59 : Carre claims one global task for red team (gas masks).

3:51:01 : Cellbit claims one global task for red team (hot cocoa).

3:51:09 : Cellbit claims one global task for red team (water bottles).

3:51:12 : Cellbit claims one global task for red team (backpacks).

3:51:21 : Carre claims the last global task for red team (tea). There are 11 minutes and 52 seconds until the server closes.

4:03:13 : The server closes.

notably:

Red team is physically present, visible, and murderable / stoppable at the global tasks area for 11 minutes and 28 seconds before they turn in any global tasks.

Red team takes 42 seconds to turn in all of their global tasks.

The cooldown on the global tasks leaves at maximum 3 minutes 26 seconds of time to reclaim, and at minimum 1 minute and 52 seconds to reclaim.

If a team were to have come up to the dome during the 11 minute and 28 second period, they would have seen and could have attacked red team.

If a team were to have come up to the dome in the 3 minutes 47 seconds between red team arriving at the global dome and red team crafting all the water bottles for the global task, they would have seen and could have attacked red team.

[xanatharspen]

Momento Mori

I only remained on Twitter for so long because of Unus Annus. I was there for the Livestream and was live tweeting Pictures I doodled during the livestream with a timestamp of when I finished them in respects to the final count down.

But twitter is a trash fire so I took screenshots of my tweets and will be posting them and the originals below mainly for archive puposes now that I've deactivated my twitter.

Pictures below the Cut.

(Tweet of the first Picture "Momento Mori" completed at 4 hours, 31 minutes, and 53 seconds left in countdown to the deletion of Unus Annus.)

(Tweet of the second picture "Momento Mori 2" completed at 3 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds until the deletion of Unus Annus.)

(Tweet of the third picture "Momento Mori 3" completed at 2 hours, 45 minutes, and 10 seconds until the deletion of Unus Annus.)

(Tweet of the fourth picture "Momento Mori 4" completed at 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 5 seconds until the deletion of Unus Annus.)

(Tweet of the fifth picture "Momento Mori 5" completed at 1 hour, 32 minutes, and 35 seconds until the deletion of Unus Annus.)

(Tweet of the sixth picture "Momento Mori 6" completed at 57 minutes and 45 seconds until the deletion of Unus Annus.)

(Tweet of the seventh picture "Momento Mori 7" completed at 47 minutes and 56 seconds until the deletion of Unus Annus.)

(Tweet of the eighth picture, "Momento Mori 8" completed at 13 minutes and 10 seconds until the deletion of Unus Annus.)

Final Tweet a screenshot from the last frame of the last moments

I debated whether or not to save these and repost, save them just for me, or just delete them all together.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not posting them because I want Unus Annus to come back or anything. But sometimes you need some motivation, some reminder that creation doesn't have to be for financial gain.

You are okay to draw fan art and write fan fiction. Sometimes it can feel like people want you to stop those hobbies and instead create something that you can get paid for, but creating happiness should be what you focus on.

I still think about the last Livestream of Unus Annus and how motivated I was afterwards.

[everlastingdreams]

The Weeping Monk x Reader : Born In The Dawn Chapter 32

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Story Summary: Locked inside a dark room in a dungeon, kept alive only for your power, you believed you’d never see the daylight again. That is until the Weeping Monk finds his way down and steals you from your captors. It is the beginning of a journey that leads you through hardship and newfound hope, but nothing is assured in a world that is changing for the Fey. The magic that runs in your veins is drawing out the worst the world has to offer, does it include the man who pulled you from the dark?

Chapter Title: What Once Was.

Notes: /

Warnings: Grief. Violence. Torture. Sexual Assault. Rape Threat. Gore. Enemies To Lovers. Pining. Trauma. Flagellation. Manipulation. Strong Language. Blood. Gore?. Misogyny. PTSD. Spicy and smut parts. Slight redemption arc.

Other warnings: Jealousy. Forbidden Love. Romance. Slow-burn…

Word count of this fic: +200K

Chapter:  32/40

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When your eyes opened, dim sunlight was entering the room through the window. At some point in the night you must have turned in your sleep, Lancelot was still asleep behind you but had his arm greedily around your waist. It took a few minutes to pry his hand loose so you could slip out of his hold without waking him. If you did not leave his room soon, you might as well have shouted it from the roof that there was something between you and the Ash Man. Your father would murder him if he found you here.

For a blink second you considered borrowing his cloak to get to your room, but it would not make matters better if they saw you in your nightgown strolling around the castle with his cloak on your shoulders…

With regret you got up from the bed and looked back to see him still vast asleep. He was quite a striking vision like this, hair messy and the sheets no higher than his waist. You forced your eyes away from him, or leaving would become an impossible task. Barefooted you left the room, chasing the night before the dawn would make it’s presence known all over the fort. You passed Ciro and Squirrel’s room, hearing how they were clearly awake already, and tiptoed past the door. While turning a corner you collided with something solid quite hard.

“Lady of Dawn. My apologies, I did not see you coming.” Ser Florent caught you by the elbow to help you steady yourself.

Dammit…

By reflex you crossed your arms in front of you, feeling quite bare in just the nightgown.

The knight read your response to his presence well, and had removed his cloak not a moment later to put it over your shoulders, “Where to then?”

He wasn’t even going to ask why you were walking around the fort under dressed like this?

“I was on my way to my room.” You greatly appreciated the gesture.

He saw the way you were looking at him a bit uncertain and said, “I am a knight, I will not ask a lady about her personal affairs.”

“That is very gallant of you.” The other knights were far more nosy.

Ser Florent walked you all the way to your room and even helped prevent others from seeing you like this. At the door, you handed him back his cloak and thanked him again for his chivalry.

He bowed his head a little. “I will speak of this to no one, so do not concern yourself, my lady.”

You were beginning to see him as trustworthy. “Please, just call me ‘y/n’. I am no noble.”

“Perhaps not by blood, but by character you are.” He stated. “Have a good day, y/n. If there is anything you need, the knights of the Fey are at your service.”

This time he bowed his head further and let you go into your room to ready yourself for the day ahead.

~~~♡~~~♡~~~♧~~~♡~~~♡~~~

Once you were dressed and washed up, you headed out the door for breakfast like nothing had happened. Squirrel and Ciro were in the kitchens, having had the same idea as you. First you greeted the volunteers of the day who were busy baking bread with the sacks of flower that had been acquired again.

“Morning, Little Moons.” You tore a piece of bread from a loaf and walked up to the children.

“We’re not little!” Squirrel piped up.

Ciro greeted you with a wide smile while explaining things to Squirrel. “It’s what they call Dawn Folk children, Squirrel.”

The boy hadn’t realized that it was a term of endearment and not an insult. “Oh…”

You gave Squirrel a hug, he still acted like he didn’t enjoy it.

Ciro on the other hand welcomed your embrace with open arms, “Can we practice with the bow again today?”

Mirena had not come to ask you for help with healing yet, so for now you had no plans.

You hummed pensively. “I’d have to borrow Lancelot’s bow.”

“Please.” Squirrel pleaded. “He won’t mind.”

“I’m not the best with the bow either.” You sheepishly admitted.

Squirrel grinned. “I am.”

It was hard to say ‘no’ to two children who looked so enthusiastic and hopeful. “Alright. I’ll fetch the bow. Eat something and meet me in the courtyard.”

They both began to collect some bread and fruit to eat. By the time you were out of the kitchen, they were chewing. You ate your bread whilst walking towards the stables to get the bow from Goliath’s saddle. At a cross-corridor, the Ash Man joined your side.

“Good morning.” Your grin told the secret between you.

His own matched it, “Good Morning. Where are you headed?” He began to walk beside you.

“To Goliath.” You told him. “To fetch your bow.”

His grin grew, “Should I be concerned?”

You snorted a laugh. “I’m fetching it because Squirrel and Ciro asked to practice.”

The smug oaf decided to ask, “I see. How is your skill in archery?”

Your eyes narrowed at him in warning.

He was clever enough not to single you out. “Some practice benefits everyone.”

You approved of his quick thinking. “Indeed. And some help from others too.”

He could tell that you were asking for some advising on archery. “You have but to ask.”

Of course he’d love to show off his skills…

You warned him. “If I catch you laughing-”

“I will not.” He answered quick. Too quick.

“Fine then.”

“Fine what?”

“You can show me how you use the bow.”

“I did not hear you ask.”

Swiftly you turned to him before he could open the door to the courtyard. It came out a bit arrogant, “Do you want me to say ‘please’?”

There was a lopsided smirk tugging at his mouth now, he looked you up and down with expectation.

You swallowed your pride, “Fine. Will you please show me how to use a bow?”

Every word came out more agitated than the previous.

“Gladly.” The smug twit said, and opened the door for you.

You moved past him closely, brushing against him on purpose.

In part of the courtyard, a group of knights was sparring. Matthew and Florent were among them.

Matthew saw you and Lancelot walk by them and approached, “Ash Man, care do join our spar?”

Lancelot looked at him, then at the knights who looked uncertain about the whole idea. “Perhaps another time.”

You were beginning to walk away when what he said next made both of you halt.

Matthew was still fueled by the spar and showed his true colors, “Wouldn’t it be good to see if we could stand our ground against one of the Church’s weapons?”

The other knights said nothing of the way Matthew still addressed Lancelot as one of the Church.

You saw the Ash Man bite his tongue, but you weren’t going to let that slide, “He’s no longer-”

Ser Florent groaned at his fellow knight, pushing some of his short light golden hair back in irritation, “By the gods, Matthew. Do not act haughty, some of us have seen how well you’d do against the Ash Man.”

Matthew glared back at him, the other knights hid their chuckles by pretending to cough. You looked at Lancelot, feeling like there was something you had missed.

Ser Florent approached you, respectfully tilting his head, then he quietly spoke to Lancelot, “If you want to show us your skill, we would appreciate it. But the choice lies with you.”

From the corner of his eyes Lancelot looked at you, seeking advice on what to decide.

There was a slight shrug of your shoulders, “It could help to see if they can stand their ground against someone with experience.”

He thought about it for a second, then gave Ser Florent a nod.

“I’ll wait here.” You witnessed up close how the look in Lancelot’s eyes changed, the prospect of a challenge had awoken the warrior in him. “Be careful.”

An alluring smirk appeared on his lips. “I will be gentle.”

You shut your eyes and pinched the bridge of your nose. He walked towards the knights with Ser Florent.

This knight proved to be one for settling grudges. “Well then, Matthew. Considering you were the one to invite him, I doubt you have any objections to be the first to compare your skill against his?”

He was growing to appreciate this perceptive knight…

Matthew failed to provide an honest smile and beckoned for the Ash Man. “No objections.”

Ser Florent whispered to Lancelot, “I know you two do not get along. Do try not to kill him. We are short on knights.”

He gave a respectful nod and drew his short sword whilst approaching the insolent ‘knight’.

Matthew had his sword ready to spar, “Shouldn’t you draw your other sword?”

Lancelot let some arrogance slip, “I need no weapons to disarm you.”

The other knights took a step back to give them the room to end this strange quarrel. Deep down you understood that there was some rivalry between them. It was as if Matthew believed he had a claim on you because he knew you before Lancelot did. And Lancelot was bothered by the attitude Matthew had displayed. The infatuation had blinded you from seeing the flaws in the honey-eyed knight, it became harder to stand his character day by day. The end of a friendship was painful, but maybe it was necessary if Matthew continued to be hurtful.

Matthew laughed a bit at Lancelot’s claim, “Better keep one in hand. I wouldn’t want you to lose an arm.”

Matthew was the first to lunge.

Lancelot parried the attack and pushed the sword away with his own, turning the blade pointing downwards to try and get Matthew to stumble when he pushed back. Matthew countered the maneuver and managed to get his sword free, attacking with an upward motion. The tip of the sword passed right by Lancelot’s chin, who had tilted his head back just in time. Matthew was acting too careless.

“Have you gone mad?!” You shouted at him.

Lancelot wasn’t amused by the reckless action in the slightest.

“He can handle a Fey.” Matthew sneered, aiming it at Lancelot’s past.

Matthew went to lunge at him again, but Ser Florent grabbed a firm hold on his arm.

Ser Florent seethed at Matthew, “What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing?!”

Matthew pulled himself free. “Gods, Florent. I won’t kill him!”

Ser Florent looked at Lancelot to see if he wanted to continue this. To your dismay, the Ash Man nodded. The knight stepped out of the way but kept a close eye on them.

Matthew attacked again.

Lancelot no longer played ‘gentle’ and hooked the crossguard of the short sword into Matthew’s, then elbowed him in the stomach. A boot to Matthew’s toes and a quick strong pull at the locked swords send Matthew face first to the ground.

An ‘oof’ sounded from those who had witnessed it happen.

Lancelot knelt down beside the fallen knight and whispered something to him, then stood again. Matthew took a second before pushing himself up from the ground, he wasn’t happy with the loss but made no attempt to continue the spar. You saw them share a look, filled with matters they seemingly refused to speak out loud to one another.

Ser Florent clapped his hands together once, “Well then, that was… educative. Care to do us the honor too, Lancelot?”

The knight gestured to the others and himself. Matthew stepped aside and let another knight step in his place.

Lancelot seemed quite willing to spar with them. And you were glad to see that others wanted to spend some time with him too. Finally, he was beginning to find his place here.

They matched their skill to his, one by one, and they would have fallen to the steel of the Ash Man had this been a real battle.

Helio had walked up to you, having noticed the spar happening. You kept quiet as your father stood beside you to watch the display, the knights had not noticed his presence yet, they were too busy having fun.

“He has talent.” Helio suddenly said.

“He has.” You agreed.

Helio kept his eyes on the spar. “I can see how he is holding back now. If he wanted to, he could kill them all.”

“He won’t!” You turned to him.

Helio did not look at you. “Those who live by the blade, perish by it. I admire his determination to seek another path in life.”

You watched the spar, it continued amicably. “He did not choose to be picked by Father Carden to become a warrior. Now that he is free from the Church’s hold, his true character comes to light.”

Helio hummed and saw how even when the knights fought with two against the Ash Man, his dual wielding of swords still proved quite the challenge against them. You saw Squirrel and Ciro walk unto the courtyard. They came up to you and the sparring was not sufficient enough to make them forget about their plans.

“Where is the bow?” Squirrel pouted.

The knights began talking for a moment and noticed the children present.

You put their worried minds at ease. “Don’t worry, I’ll go get it and be right back.”

Helio inquired, “Why do they need a bow for?”

“I promised the children to help them practice archery.” You told him.

“You?” Matthew said in disbelief after having heard it.

When the other knights looked at him, Matthew realized he had said something wrong. Lancelot could see your eyes spit fire at Matthew.

Nothing that would have come out of your mouth now would have been nice. How many times did he find it necessary to make a fool of you in front of others?

You walked away to go and collect the bow, and caught yourself thinking of using another target for practice instead of that straw-man.

~~~♡~~~♡~~~♧~~~♡~~~♡~~~

A few minutes had passed where Squirrel proved to be quite the stern tutor when it came to archery. He stood close to Ciro, watching over every move your cousin made.

“Now, nock.” Squirrel watched Ciro’s shaking posture.

Poor Ciro barely managed not to drop the arrow to the ground.

You offered some encouragement, “Think of what Lancelot has taught you.”

It appeared that Ciro was more nervous to get Squirrel’s approval…

Ciro dropped the arrow by accident. “Ss…sorry.”

Squirrel picked it up for him and handed it back, “Nothing bad’s going to happen, you know. You’re not going to shoot someone’s eye out.”

It was a poor attempt to comfort Ciro, but it was an attempt. For Squirrel to do so, he must like Ciro.

Ciro held up the arrow for you to take, “Will you try it?”

He clearly needed a moment.

You took the arrow from him with a matching uncertainty, knowing that by doing so Ciro had also transferred Squirrel’s attention over to you. “I’ll try.”

The bow was handed to you next and you felt your own hands start to shake a little.

Dammit…

The Hidden had mercy on you it seems, because the Ash Man returned to you after sparring to his heart’s content. You had seen the knowing grin he had after seeing the bow and arrow in your hands and glared at him for it.

Squirrel looked relieved to see that Lancelot was there to handle the tutoring part in his stead.

Whilst passing by the children, he gave Ciro a pat on the shoulder to give the boy some comfort.

He came to stand behind you and gave the order right away. “Nock.”

You had such a firm hold on the arrow and bow that it would not touch the ground unless you were on it too. It looked so simple, but once it was time to do so it proved that one needed to learn certain methods to send an arrow flying through the air. You looked at Lancelot from the corner of your eyes, seeing how he was clearly waiting for you to ask for help.

That smug…

You forced it through your teeth, “How do I nock properly?”

It was so obvious he had been waiting for the question, his quick reaction gave it away. He brought your arm lower and corrected the way your fingers were on the bow. “Do not grip the bow so tight, it is not going anywhere.”

Was that last comment really necessary? You shot him a warning look, he pretended not to see it.

His hand came to your back. “Do not lean or bend.” It skimmed down to your lower back, “Straighten your back.”

You scanned your surroundings, and quietly told him, “Hands…”

The children were not looking for a moment, nor any other curious eyes. He could not resist.

Before he withdrew his hand, he playfully scratched at the spot in a discreet and quick manner. If it wouldn’t have drawn more attention, you’d have swatted the twit’s hand away. For the rest of his help, he only touched your hands, and even that…

Thank the gods that your father and the knights were busy training. The Ash Man danced on dangerous ice, and enjoyed doing so it seemed.

“Loose.” He ordered once he was content with how you held the bow and arrow.

The arrow flew across the courtyard and hit the straw-man hard in the ‘chest’.

“Good draw strength.” His brow arched at the sight.

“Whoa!” Ciro and Squirrel exclaimed.

It had gotten Ciro excited to try again and you handed him the bow whilst Lancelot retrieved the arrow.

“See. If she can do it, you sure can.” Squirrel continued to offer some encouragement to Ciro, this time it was more effective.

The joy you had felt at successfully firing an arrow was almost spoiled by the blunt comment of the boy. Lancelot returned just in time to hear Squirrel say it and swallowed a laugh. At least the boy had good intentions, just a poor choice of words.

“Percival is right.” Lancelot said to Ciro while grinning in your direction.

You pulled a face at him when the children did not see. Then the Ash Man looked behind you, something had drawn his attention. You looked back to see your mother approaching.

Mirena had crossed the courtyard to come and speak to you, “I need to discuss something with you, do you have a moment?”

“Of course.” You followed her to stand a little further away from the others.

She wasted no time to get to the point of this, “A blacksmith in Madrock has send me a letter. There is something waiting for me to be collected. Will you go for me?”

It was rare for your mother to ask for the help of others on matters like this. “Alright. But why ask me?”

Mirena gestured to you. “I am asking you to go, because whilst you’re there you can get some new clothes on the market.” She touched the damaged, bloodstained sleeve of your jacket. “This is ruined.”

You looked down at your sleeve sheepishly.

“Go tomorrow. Good?” She asked.

You nodded, and saw her calling the Ash Man over. He came closer to hear what this was about.

Mirena gave a quick explanation and a request, “Y/n is going to Madrock tomorrow to retrieve something for me. Accompany my daughter.”

“Of course.” Lancelot tilted his head respectfully.

“That is settled then.” She was content with the positive response from both.

Before she could walk away, you asked, “What exactly is this ‘something’ we have to go and collect?”

“Do not be so nosy, Little Moon.” Mirena said and walked away.

Ah, one was never too old to be scolded by their parents…

You saw the look on Lancelot’s face.

“Don’t say a word.”

He bit his tongue.

Helio spoke to Mirena for a moment as she walked by, then he walked towards you.

“Ash Man.” He called out. “It would be good to have the boys watch the spar. Seeing is learning.”

While Squirrel was excited over it, Ciro let out the deepest sigh and you went to pat his shoulder a little. Lancelot collected the bow from Ciro and walked with the boys towards the sparring knights.

He would have preferred not to teach them the flaws in the sword fighting of some of the knights.

You stood and watched for a while too, sighing quietly when you saw Matthew come towards you. Matthew came to stand next to you and watched his fellow knights continue to spar without him.

You kept quiet, being very aware of the tensing that had happened to Lancelot’s jaw when he had seen Matthew stop beside you.

“Why don’t we speak anymore?” Matthew suddenly asked.

Your reply was quite cold, “Because when we did, you decided to tell everyone of my personal affairs.”

“I told you I was sorry.” He acted a bit defensive, then sighed. “I don’t want us to fight.”

You crossed your arms, feeling uncomfortable. “Then I suggest you are more considerate towards others.”

“Are you still upset I rejected you for so long?” It sounded like a genuine thing he considered possible.

You swiftly faced him, stunned, “I am over it, Matthew.”

Hurt flashed in his eyes for a blink, he fixed his attention on the spar again. “Maybe it’s best then, that we don’t spend as much time together as we used to. We’re not children anymore.”

Ouch…

Now that you were no longer the infatuated woman there to stroke his ego, he saw no point to save the friendship between you. At least he was honest about how he saw things now.

Still, he seemed to mourn the past between you. “I’m sorry, y/n. I think we both know that what was between us once, is gone now.”

It did hurt to accept how things had changed, you had changed… you had grown.

You were understanding. “Some time apart will do us well.”

Matthew gave a respectful inclination of the head and joined the other knights again.

After all these years, you had come to see that Matthew was flawed, just like everyone else. But the things he sometimes said were hurtful, and in time those would have gnawed away any appreciation you had for him if you did not take a step away from each other now.

In that moment you withdrew in your thoughts, feeling the bitter pain of a friend that became no more than an acquaintance. Squirrel had been looking up at your face beyond your knowledge, he came to your side and curled his hand around yours when he saw the sadness. It pulled you back to the present, and seeing the sweet boy hold your hand made you feel a little better.

You saw Lancelot looking at you, and went over to him to take the bow from his hands. “I’ll take the bow back to Goliath.”

He knew you were only offering so you could have some time to yourself, and handed you the bow.

With an excuse to walk towards the stables, you hoped to clear your thoughts of the unpleasant ones. But the feeling would remain for a while…

~~~♡~~~♡~~~♧~~~♡~~~♡~~~

In the late afternoon, you found yourself enjoying the little bit of sun there still was left with the children. It was going to be a short walk around the fort’s curtain walls, but once Squirrel laid himself down on the grass with his arms spread open like a bird, soon Ciro followed the example. After hesitating for a little while, you followed suit. Squirrel’s was on your right, Ciro on your left.

Squirrel squinted his eyes as the lowering sun was on them. “I like it here.”

You turned your head to look at him, “Do you?”

He nodded, speaking quietly, “I still miss home, and Nimue. But this feels like home too.”

His hand moved over the grass until it found yours and clasped around it. Squirrel turned his head to Ciro when he felt his friend do the same to him.

Ciro smiled at him, “You’re my best friend.”

“I’m your only friend.” Squirrel said without thinking.

“Squirrel!” You winced at the choice of words.

Ciro didn’t seem to mind and was just glad to have a friend, even a blunt one.

A chill began to set itself on your skin. “It’s getting colder. If we go inside, I can read to you from that book again if you want?”

“Can you read to us about the Snake Folk clan?” Ciro asked.

It would interest you as well. “Of course.”

You got up from the grass and helped them to their feet. Whilst walking back to the fort with them, most of the knights were not sparring anymore, they sat down against the wall to catch their breath. Only Ser Florent and Lancelot were still sharing information and tricks with each other on how to win in a fight. They were getting along quite well, the knight was the amicable and curious kind, he greeted you as you walked by with the children. Lancelot glanced at you and gave a polite nod, like you had not slept in his bed the previous night. With a secret smile of your own, you walked into the fort.

The book you needed was missing in their room for a few minutes.

“I put it on the chair.” Squirrel claimed.

So you found it under Ciro’s bed, still open on a page that spoke of the Faun Folk.

You plopped down on the floor between their beds, putting the book on your lap. “Snake Folk…”

You skimmed through the pages and found the chapter on the Snake Folk, one quick look at the next pages and you knew it would take a while to read all of it for them. Determined to keep your promise, you began to read from the book, it wasn’t long before they sat on the ground beside you to look at the pages as they were read out to them. Again your finger followed the words you read, so Squirrel could learn.

Time past far quicker than you had liked it to, it was nice to spend time with the children and see their young minds travel on the words of a book. At some point they had gotten into bed and you had been sitting with your back against Ciro’s bed, and that is how you woke up an hour later after dozing off with the book in your hands.

Dammit…

The children must have fallen asleep not long after you had. One look at the window told that night had fallen over the lands. You closed the heavy book as quiet as you could, and this time it was placed back on the chair. After tucking in the children, you left the room without waking them.

On the way to your room, you noticed candlelight coming from under the library’s door. You decided to go inside and pick out a book to read for yourself for on those nights where the past kept you from sleep. The Ash Man was in the library, head down over a book while a wall of stacked ones surrounded him. He was not as neat with books as you would have thought him to be it seemed.

You alerted him of your presence with a tease, “Did that book I gave you awake an appetite?”

An appetite for books, or…

It was deliberately ambiguous.

He shared one of his own, not lifting his eyes of the page being read, “I do not need a book for it, I have you.”

It left you flabbergasted, the wish to get him flustered had backfired.

He looked up for less than a second, amused to see your response.“I am curious to see if there is more of my clan hidden in these books.”

You brushed the thick layer of dust off of a book, “Any luck?”

He wasn’t gravely disappointed, like he expected that it was unlikely. “None yet.”

Lancelot closed the book and leaned back on the chair.

You searched one of the shelves for the book you wanted, ultimately finding it in one of the stacks he had on the table with him.

It sounded more like a statement coming from him when he saw what book you had chosen, “Again one on the matters of the heart?”

“What?” You shrugged your shoulders. “I like them.”

He was smirking up at you, “What do you enjoy about them?”

You swallowed the nerves down and tapped your fingers on the book. “I… uhm…”

Lancelot waited patiently for you to form a sentence.

“They were and are a safe way for me to learn what it’s like.” You admitted, “I know it’s not real, and it’s silly-”

“It’s not ‘silly’.” He told. “In books it is not our own heart that is at risk.”

It was nice to hear that he didn’t laugh, but rather understood. You hugged the book to your chest.

His head tilted a little to the side, reminding you of how a pup could look at someone.

When you saw him try to hide a yawn, you scolded him. “You should be resting, we’re traveling tomorrow.”

His quick wit was alert tonight. “Spoken by the one I am accompanying.”

He had a point.

You turned to leave. “Well, I am going to bed now. I don’t want to fall asleep on my horse.”

“Uhm-” Lancelot began but fell quiet.

There had been something he wanted to say…

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing.”

It didn’t feel like it was nothing, but by his expression you could tell that dragging the truth out of him would be difficult.

You offered a sweet smile instead. “Good night then, try not to get lost in the tales in these books.”

While heading to the door, the sound of the chair dragging back made you turn to him. It looked like he wanted to say something but failed to do so again. Upon seeing your inquisitive eyes, he folded his hands behind his back to hide their restlessness.

He could not ask so much of you…

You sighed a little in compassion at seeing how uncertain he looked. “Alright, spit it out. I can’t sleep knowing that there is something that you think you can’t tell me.”

His hands squeezed together tight behind his back whilst he got closer to you.

The hood of his cloak hid the hope in his eyes, his gaze did not lift from the ground.

“Last night was…” He struggled to voice his thoughts, “It…”

It was odd to feel your heart warm at his stammering. You helped him by saying, “I found it lovely.”

Visual relief crossed his face, had he been worried that you regretted it?

His gaze went past your shoulder, before dropping to the ground again, “Worth repeating?”

Your eyes widened slightly, it had been an indirect request to join him again tonight. After having fallen silent for a moment, you tried to string a sentence together. “I am tempted. But if we want to be well-rested to travel tomorrow…”

He gave a slow nod, understanding what you wanted to say, “Not tonight?”

You reached a hand out to lace your fingers in the leather that ran across his chest, pulling him closer. “Another night will come. And if you wish for it too, many more after it.”

It was not often that you saw the Ash Man silent, yet so loud with the look in his eyes he gave. You brushed your lips to his cheek, whispering to him, “Sleep well.”

With a playful shove to his chest, you send him a step back and let go. He looked so tempted to respond to it, but held back. It was half a miracle that he just let you walk out of the library after that.

Maybe he’d make you pay for it tomorrow.

Taglist:

@ourlazydetectivekitten​​ @the-great-adventures-of-me​ @linkpk88​​  @fxrchxldws​​  @elenaoftheturks​​ @slytherlight​​ @beananacake​​    @crystallizedtime​​  @moonlightaura03​​  @angrygardendeer​​  @have-aheart​​   @5am-cigarette​​ @arcanenature​​  @thewinterskywalker​​ @notyourwildestdream​​ @coloursforyourportrait​​ @koressecretidentity​​ @nike90​​ @n1ghtlux​​ @rachlovesactors​​ @luckyzipperscissorsbat​​ @morena-doing-stuff​​  @the-fangirl-diaries​​ @gipsydanger17​​ @heavenly1927​​  @phantasmalbeiing  @labyrinthonmymind  @asarcastic-thiamstan​​  @rainyv-skies @kissingandromeda @stclairesplace @​​katjusja @isla-bell-blog @beebeerockknot

Please let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist of this story.

[kaynon]

Another Artfight attack, probably my last one for the year (unless I get something done quickly today)

This has been one of the biggest pieces I have ever made, it took me anywhere between 22 and 32 hours over the course of the last two and a half weeks. There were a lot of things happening in between working on this which is why I’m not entirely sure about the time. The full timelapse video is 16 minutes long. I’m really glad I pivoted from trying to make this into a comic, I don’t know that I would’ve finished it if I had. This is one of the only pieces with full shading I did this artfight, I didn’t draw in a light source but I really tried to work off of one. Even though I had a reference photo for the sketch, a lot of these poses were new to me and some were difficult to figure out (a couple of legs are missing, and one of the mugs are weird)

Overall I wanted to draw a bunch of pirates (loosely inspired by a scene in Bloody Cape) and that’s what I did and I’m pretty pleased with how this turned out

Solevi ‘Levi’ Starlance belongs to tieflingcxre, @tieflingcxre on here

W.H. belongs to fuzzheadlola

Luciana Requin-Tiburón belongs to LeafyLilac, @leafy-lilac on here

Rina belongs to hamjoe

Tempest and Callisto belong to CaptainHarrie, @diosmaden on here

Leandro Acosta belongs to Teeb, @tinta--branca--art on here

Elaine Sherwood belongs to AmyIssen, @amy-issen on here

Therasia belongs to kaeri, @glitterrgalax on here

Green belongs to 7lizardsinacoat, @7lizardsinacoat on here

Arlo belongs to 8regrets

Timelapse under the cut