#wanted to answer this earlier but alas. was busy

[monarchisms]

omg new icon

yessir 🙂‍↕️

[cherrysnip]

just that — chwe hansol

pairing: vernon x afab!reader

prompt: "are you guys dating?" or that one time you strongly denied your relationship and he got sulky(?)

a/n: another fic for my fave secret dating x brother's bestfriend trope >.<. this was initially posted on another site before i decided to take it down and let it sit on my drafts for a year lol.

It was already two in the morning but you were still wide awake. With all the things you have done the whole day, it was expected that everyone, including you, would doze off as soon as you get on your beds. Unfortunately, you didn't.

The guilt that has been consuming you since earlier is what's actually making it hard for you to sleep. You had been rolling on the bed too many times as if that would help ease the regret you had been feeling (spoiler alert: it didn't).

When you arrived at your vacation house this morning, you and Vernon had tried to be as discreet with your relationship as possible. You going on a trip together wasn't a new sight, anyway. Vernon and your older brother, Wonwoo had been friends since freshmen year of college so the former is usually invited in times like this and so you both thought you could just let this three days pass without anyone knowing what you really have. However, it seemed like Wonwoo already had a hint about it and had been watching you the entire time. And alas! While you were having dinner, the million-dollar question was finally dropped.

"Are you guys dating?"

Vernon was about to answer but you suddenly panicked and was the one who replied instead, "Of course not. He is just like an older brother to me!"

As soon as you said it, you already wanted to take it back. But it was too late. Vernon may not have said a word but the disappointed look on his face spoke volumes. After that, you avoided each other for the rest of the night.

To be honest, this had been a subject of your arguments a couple of times before. Vernon wanted to tell your friends and families that you have been together for four months already but you're against it. It isn't because you were embarassed about your relationship or afraid that your family would say something negative (if anything, they're very very supportive). It's just that you wanted to enjoy the privacy you had without others minding your business, especially your brother Wonwoo who had been protective of you since your fallout with Joshua, even though it had been years and you have already moved on. He's also the reason why your past suitors had immediately scrammed away after going through the interrogation stage.

"Stop scaring them, will you?" You remembered complaining one time but your brother just shrugged.

"If they get scared of me and give up that easily then they're not really willing to fight for you. People like that are not worth it."

You knew you brother means well but sometimes you just want him to tone down the scare meter a little bit. Because if this continues, you might end up being single for the rest of his life.

But then, Vernon happened.

You already knew who Vernon was since he was a senior in high school. Vernon lives alone because the rest of his family is in another country. That's why when he gets a weekend off from the university, he would tag along with Wonwoo to your house to hang out. He is basically a part of your family now. However, the both of you didn't really got the chance to talk to each other because you were busy studying and usually just stays in your room the whole day when Vernon visits.

That set-up lasted for months until your first day in college. Wonwoo was supposed to give you the tour but had to cancel since he had to attend to something urgently. Of course, knowing you would whine about it nonstop, Wonwoo sent another person to guide you.

It's none other than *drum rolls please*, his best friend, Vernon. Surprise, surprise!

"Hi," that was just the first word that Vernon said to you (while sporting that smile that YOU swear would actually make anyone melt if possible), but you already knew you would fall for him. HARD.

You wouldn't admit it at first. The guy's nice (and freaking handsome and hot too) but you didn't want to give meaning to that kindness because you thought Vernon might just be doing it because you are his bestfriend's sister. However, it wasn't easy to supress the feelings when every time your eyes meet or when you smile at each other, butterflies would fill your stomach.

Not to mention, Vernon would also never forget to buy you your fave Iced Americano every chance he gets.

Luckily, it isn't a one-sided affection. Because apparently, Vernon is feeling the same towards you. The confession was nothing grand but for you, it was romantic and perfect.

It was in the middle of the crowd, during the Music Festival as your university's resident band was playing Enchanted by Taylor Swift, when Vernon looked at you directly in the eye and told you, "I like you so much y/n. I know this might be too sudden for you but I've been keeping this for a while and I just want to let it out. It's alright if you won't like me back ---"

"Shut up. I like you too," You replied while chuckling. You found Vernon blabbering cute because most of the time when you're together, you did the most talking and he would just agree and smile at you every now and then.

That was also the night that your relationship became official.

What followed was the happiest four months of your life. But now you're afraid that it would be cut short if you won't reconcile with Vernon as soon as possible.

You weren't able to take it anymore so you finally got up and carefully tiptoed as you went out of the room. You were just about to go to the next room but you heard a soft mumbling sound from the living room. That's when you realized that someone other than you were still up and is watching the television.

At first, you thought it was your brother but when you saw the brown hair peeking on the couch's headrest, it was a confirmation that it was him—your boyfriend.

Biting your lower lip, you walked towards Vernon who still haven't noticed that you were there. It didn't seem like he was focused to what he was watching, he was more like 'spacing out".

"Nonie?" You called softly and poked at Vernon's arm. The latter automatically looked up to you and blinked multiple times, probably making sure if you were really there or just his imagination.

"Why are you still awake?" Vernon reached for your hand and squeezed it lightly. You resisted yourself from crying because of how sweet your boyfriend is right now when he should be mad at you.

"I'm sorry about earlier," you said but Vernon shook his head.

"I should be the one saying sorry, babe. I told you I would respect your decision but I still acted up."

"But I know you're upset about it, Nonie."

"No. A little disappointed, I guess. I just don't want to hide anything anymore, especially our relationship. I don't want this to stay like a dirty secret because it's not."

You nodded and came over to sit on Vernon's lap. Your boyfriend was obviously taken aback but he just let you be eventually. He even encircled his arms in your waist to pull you closer.

"Okay. We'll tell them tomorrow."

Vernon's eyes widened. "Tomorrow?"

"Why are you so surprised?" You let out a laugh. "Are you still not ready?'

"Of course, I am. I've been preparing for it for months,"

"So you're not scared of Wonwoo-oppa?"

"As my friend, no. But as your brother, yes. I can even imagine him strangling me the second he finds about us."

You both knew that's far from Wonwoo's personality so he would most likely not do that but who knows? It could be worse.

"You'll be fine, Nonie. But if ever you get broken bones, don't worry, there's a nearby hospital, we can just--aw" you tried teasing him but Vernon was already pinching your nose before you could even finish your sentence.

"You're lucky I would do anything for you."

—♡—

[shocymer]

121U. 「 Want To Want You 」

"Accidentally crash in to the afterparty of your college football club. There's not a single thought that you end up making out with their hot quarterback."

Pairing : Baekhyun × afab! reader

Word counts : 1.5k

Contents & Warning : suggestive, university! AU, football player! Baekhyun, strangers to lovers, inspired by Day6 -121U.

× Happy late-Birthday, Baekhyun! × | masterlist | a cup of ☕

“Where? Huh? Your major’s festival? Okay okay I’ll be there, I’ll call you back later.” Hanging up the call with your bestie, you rushed up to her faculty building.

Now is 11 p.m. In fact, your best friend asked you to join her since the afternoon. But you've need to gather some reference books in the library first. Too immersed in it, you can’t believe it's almost midnight already.

Isn't it too lively at this late hour? Many tents were still set up firmly, decorated with vivid hanging lamps on each booth. There are still a lot of visitors coming in and out. Feels so different on the first time you set foot here, especially seeing the unusual views. Yeah you admit that you’re not such an update student when it’s come to campus events. Seems like what your best friend said is true, you need to have a little fun at least during your college year.

‘Ding’ a notification sound lit up your phone screen under your grasp. A simple text message showed up the second you are tapping on it.

(Bestie) bae don't call me, my phone is nearly dying. Oh I’m in the blue one! Cya xoxoxo

Ah, seriously? You thought while typing a quick reply.

(You) mkayy

Whether you’re tired or something, the first thing you do is looking for a blue tent just like what 'you assume' she said. As far as the eye could see, there’s no sign of a blue tent around. You let out a deep sigh before decided to left the festival area. Thinking that it will be easier to find those place outside rather than in there.

Once taking a few steps out of the entrance gate, you see a beam of blue light radiating in the corner of the groups of tents. You approach where the light initially came from in confidence. Hoping to find your best friend then drag her home right away. But after you are getting closer, seems like it came through from a different place, which turned out to be separated from the festival booths. However, you still give it a go. Who knows she might be there, right?

The vibe is obviously too contrast, a faint upbeat music began to be heard clearly as you slowly enter the tent. Lot of unfamiliar faces are busy talking to each other. At the time like this, you regret not to be friends with another major students long before.

Beyond your expectation, the tent is connected to a building you've never been to. The deeper you go, the blue light becomes denser. You look around, groups of supposed to be female students surrounded each of male students, having an exhilarating convo that you still unsure about. But It’s giving a party to celebrate something. A slight hint of alcohol odor is also filled the room made you so sure of it. Your curiosity is answered once you saw a pile of football helmet proudly placed at the corner along with a big trophy next to it.

Well, it looks like you got lost here. Automatically shook your head after thinking of how this party coincides with the festival outside. You intended to get out as soon as possible. Alas, the group of girls you saw earlier simultaneously ran after one of the football players, till you pushed to the side.

Hand grabbed the door handle in reflex as you tried to stand still, “crazy, how famous are these guys here?” You said irritably.

Little did you know there’s someone next to you, chuckling at your words. His long fingers covered the thin lips of his, trying to muffle the laughter. Those voice was so satisfactionaly crisp that it tickled your ears. He stopped doing so after both of your eyes met.

Breathtaking. is the first word that comes to your mind. The way those eye smile formed when he is laughing despite a few strands of damp hair subtly covered it. His tall and quite slender figures caught your eyes the most. You can’t believe with those delicate look, he is literally one of them as the game jersey still wrapped around his torso perfectly fit. You stare at him in awe, wondering how pretty his pair of orbs can be if there’s a chance to looking at it up-close.

“Are you okay?” He asked after realizing you were lost in thought for a moment.

“Y-Yeah I’m totally fine.”

Leaning closer to you, he raised his voice a little bit right next to your ear. “But you don’t seem so. Perhaps, do you need something to drink?”

You're the one who's gone crazy, the music has been this loud ever since. How can you mesmerized at this man to the point you could caught his laughter so clearly before. You tried to collect your own sanity before lean over to him,

“No thanks, there’s only booze that I see around.”

His mouth form an “A” shape for a couple of seconds, before fully suggested you something, “I have some water. If you don’t mind, c’mere.”

You nodded as following his back behind, opening the door that you held for your dear life a few minutes ago, which is the football team’s locker room. Even this room decorated with much darker blue light just to match the party vibes. At least your hearing is saved as only less loud music can be heard outside.

He handed you a black metallic water bottle, “I never see you before.”

“Uhm well, actually my faculty is 5 buildings away from here. So.. Yeah” You gulped down the water that he offer to you. “Thanks by the way.”

“Sure no problems.”

After that only silence remained, the mood’s shifting undeniably fast. Looking at how awkward both of you right now. You pay close attention to what is printed on his back. ‘Baekhyun’ and number ‘04’ are visibly written on it. Sometimes he took a glance at you only to catch you red-handed staring at him so intent. Feeling like a blood rushed up to his head, he's too shy to say anything. He decided to brush it aside by ruffling his still damped hair.

Your fingertips itching to reach his front bangs while blurting out few words under your sense, “you’ll catch a cold if you don’t dry your hair properly.”

As your hand nearly touch his hair, he grab it swift motion. “Just.. don’t touch it.”

“Ah sorry I didn’t mea-”

Before you succeed pulling your hand back, he brought it to his cheek while keeping the eye contact with you. Slowly, his lips putting a soft kisses by the end of your palm. “Can you dry it off for me?”

Without a single thought, you reach an unclaimed towel that’s neatly folded on the bench. Then stretching out your hands to dry his hair off as you positioned yourself face to face along to him. At first you actually did that heartily. But after you realized he didn't let go of his gaze towards you as if you would disappear at any moment, your rationality poofs away.

Too dangerous. Your heart beats goes up in rapid speed. If it’s not under the dim light the flushed cheeks of yours would definitely be seen by him,

“why.. you keep staring at me like that?”

“Because I want to.”

“What If.. I want you?” Fingers squeezing through the hem of slightly wet cloth that cling on top his head as you expected perhaps a rejection.

“Well, If that’s the case,” he tucked your hair behind your ear, “I will let you have me.”

His index finger lifted your chin, demanding an eye contact meanwhile his other hand busy untangled your clenched digits to be interlocked with his. Bodies lean forward, the tip of lips are nearly touching, the scent of soft linen and a hint of floral mixed into one only to tease your sense of smell. His warm breath sparked the overflowing desire,

“Please.. don’t tease me..”

He chuckled with head hanging low for a mere seconds before his deep brown orbs seeking through into yours for once again, “first I need to know your name, young lady.” While planting a quick kiss on the back of your hand.

Your lips trembled, stumbling upon the word by word of your own government name which ended up make him burst in laughter. He find you too cute to be true. “Your name is beautiful, just like you.”

He pulled you into deep yet passionate kisses. A slight of naughty smile formed on his lips, the way he felt your body shudder as soon as his fingers running from the nape of your neck down to the lower back. Moving in painfully slow motion.

Head’s going blank, eyelids are too heavy to open, you murmured between the making out session under your control. “But.. I’m not as beautiful as you Baekhyun..”

Out of everyone’s encounter him in romantic ways, you’re the one and only who’s flatter him using the word ‘beautiful’ at such timing. He couldn’t help, hiding an ear to ear smile against your shoulder. Till his soft whisper blown into your sensitive ear.

“Just wait, I will prove you wrong after this.” following by a michievous wink in the end.

a.n. I know it's a sudden baekhyun fic because I miss him lately after I rewatch exo's killing voice T.T He's my ult bias in exo and I really want to tell him that he's so beautiful, gorgeous, spectacular, amazing, breathtaking, scrumptious, immaculate + other praises following behind. Oh well, Happy Birthday Byun Baekhyun! ♡

[deiaiko]

#22.7 Lunch

Grace had led their guests to the cafeteria, where rows of dishes had been arranged and carefully prepared.

His team took the initiative to make a buffet where each of them cooked a few dishes for their guests and served them anonymously, though that led to a wide range of food, from modified instant noodles to expensive roasted meat. At least there was variety, and hopefully it could cover everyone's preferences.

Grace had given a short speech to thank everyone for participating in the game, and to welcome them to enjoy the buffet. Though the atmosphere was a little awkward with half of the team away to accompany Agni.

At first, the princesses looked at the food warily. But after an explanation from Grace, and after Dan and Gyetang ate their portions to prove them safe, they were finally willing to get their servings.

They gathered together around the long table specifically prepared for this occasion, enough for everyone present. Currently, it was only occupied by Endorsi, Anaak, Hatz, Gyetang, Dan, and Grace himself. Laure was left to sleep on the sofa by the window. Hopefully, he wouldn't be forgotten later on.

It seemed like Gyetang and Dan were having the time of their lives just by talking to Endorsi, and Grace really appreciated that she took the time to indulge his team.

Anaak definitely looked like she would rather be anywhere else but there, but Grace believed that she also found the situation amusing. Especially when Endorsi looked like she wanted to throw hands at her fanboys.

In contrast, Hatz had been eating his lunch quietly. Only speaking if he had to, and only after his mouth was empty. The scene reminded Grace exactly of how it played out all those years ago on the second floor. He felt nostalgic.

Grace obviously didn't want to miss the opportunity to get to know everyone, and began asking questions on mundane things, like their favorite foods, favorite activities, recommended places they would like to revisit, why they were climbing the tower, some fond memories of their past…and so on.

Of course, questions were also thrown his way. He tried to answer it as best as he could, but he avoided telling anything that concerned his past. It was still a sensitive topic to get through, even between him and Agni. He only hoped this wouldn't lead them to think that he was cold.

The elevator behind him let out a soft chime. He turned around to look and beamed when he noticed Agni and Novick. Though he wished the others had tagged along as well.

Novick went to get his servings, Agni only spared Novick a glance before making his way to the empty seat next to Grace.

"Isu and Bam said they'll wait for Ran," Agni informed as a greeting. "I've told them where to find us."

The conversations afterward were mostly led by Endorsi and Agni. Not the friendliest exchange, unsurprisingly. It was more like a business deal with some sarcasm, but it kept the room alive.

Soon Novick joined them, sitting near Dan and Gyetang. Endorsi scanned him once and looked pleased when Novick didn't give her as much of a reaction.

Between the banter, Grace noticed that Agni was sitting quite stiffly. He did a check on him earlier after the game ended, so he knew what was wrong. It was the usual cold and ache that Agni had gotten used to. The game earlier and the days of preparation beforehand definitely had put a lot of strain on him. Was that why he didn't get food along with Novick? What could he do to help in this circumstance?

After a few moments of pondering, Grace downed his glass of water and turned to Agni. "Do you want to eat anything in particular? I'm going to get refills, so might as well."

"Well…Okay." Agni gave him a brief smile, and glanced at the buffet table. "Is there any warm soup?"

Grace had the urge to tuck Agni under a warm blanket and tell him to take it easy for the day. Alas, they need to host for the occasion today, so that wouldn't do. He pushed the thought away and recalled the menu they had prepared. "We have rawon."

Agni raised his eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes." Grace grinned. He knew Agni wouldn't say no to that.

"Can you get me the meat and soup only?"

"Of course. With tea?"

"Yes. Thank you."

And so Grace went to the buffet table and prepared Agni's order. A medium bowl, some chunks of meat, and then soup. A cold water refill for his own glass. And lastly a steaming cup of tea with an extra spoonful of honey. 

As he was stirring the drink, Rak and Khun joined him to get some food. Seeing them together, still bickering, made his heart swell. It almost felt like he was reliving the past. Which he kind of was doing, in a way.

Khun examined each of the menus, holding up a spoon indecisively. "Which one did Bam cook?"

Grace smiled and put his pointer finger on his lips. "It's a secret."

"It's just food, what's the big deal?"

"Exactly," Grace winked. "Does it matter who made which?"

Khun raised an eyebrow, challenging him. "It matters to me."

A chuckle escaped his throat. Has Khun always been this sappy? That was cute. But Khun should have tried better if he wanted to get that information from him. Definitely not with that attitude. "Just get some of each, then it’s guaranteed that you'll get Bam's in the mix."

"Best turtle is right!" Rak laughed, with his plate already filled to the brim. "I'm trying everything regardless! They all smell good!"

"See? Rak gets it." Grace laughed as he summoned his lighthouse to place Agni's order on. Truly, Rak was the best. His heart unhelpfully ached at the thought. He needed to think of something else. "Are Isu and Bam still with Ran?"

"Yep," Rak was the one who answered, since Khun was purposely ignoring him. 

Grace felt his chest squeeze at the realization. Maybe he should've told Khun the answer he wanted to hear? But that would be against the rules that his team had agreed on. Khun had always been cold to him anyway, though the silent treatment was new.

Grace didn't know where he went wrong the first time, and this one seemed to be too petty to get mad for. Maybe he was just overthinking it.

Don't mind, don't mind. He told himself as he focused back on the task at hand. He had kept Agni waiting long enough. He should get back to him while the meal was still warm.

Grace took notice of Khun taking several servings of food. He was probably going back to the medbay. So Grace turned to Rak and asked, "Care to join me here, Rak?"

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[xenrui]

My One and Only

Pairing: Larissa Weems x Reader (Fluff)

Warning: None (unless there is, pls let me know)

Summary: You heard a few people talking about your relationship. Causing a rift in your mind, but your gf is there to soothe you

A/n: Based on real events ;)

~~

Your head was buried on your girlfriend's pillow. Quiet muffled sobs could be heard around the room, tears soaking the pillow.

Upon hearing the front door open, you quickly sit up, wiping the tears from your face. Quickly getting your phone to look as if you were busy on it, and wasn't just crying a few seconds earlier.

"Darling, I'm home" The Principle of the School you worked at called. Although you didn't respond, because you knew your voice would crack and she'd notice something wrong the moment she hears your broken voice.

"Darling?" She called out once again, but got no answer. Panic starts to rise in Larissa's chest and her mind goes to all the possible things that could've caused the silence that she got as a response.

She shakes her head lightly to remove those unwanted thoughts, placing her bag and coat on the nearest chair. Then going around the house to try and find you.

Once reaching the bedroom, she opens the door. A sigh of relief escapes her lips as she finds you safe and sound, but confusion clouds her face as she questioned why you didn't answer her. Surely you could've heard her? This isn't normal of you to do

"My Love, why didn't you respond to me?"

"Just tired.." You tried your best to not let any tears come out of your eyes, focusing on the phone not wanting your lover to grow worried. But alas, your voice betrays you as the tone came out the way you didn't want it to go out, and it cracking a bit. To this, Larissa quickly goes to sit next to you and holds your chin to have you look into her eyes.

"My Love, what's wrong? Did something happen at work? Is someone harassing you? Tell me" Larissa's voice covered in worry as she scans your face for whatever caused this tone in your voice.

Gloss started to form in your eyes and Larissa's eyes widens, hugging you tightly, not wanting to force you to tell her something she wasn't sure you were comfortable sharing.

"shh.. It's okay, I'm here. If you don't want to tell me, it's perfectly fine" She caressed your hair, but the tears were already running wild. Your cheeks started to become stained with tears and some even fell on her blouse.

You sniffled as you try to find your words. "I overheard them talking about me and you.." You sobbed, causing Larissa's heart to ache at the state her lover was in.

"what were they talking about?" She asked, not prying on who it was.

"they said that I don't deserve you and that.. that you should find someone better." To this, your sobbed harder. Just being reminded of what you heard and saw earlier making your brain go over board.

Larissa was shocked, she knew Y/n hasn't been in town for a while so she was sure it was from work. She whispered sweet nothings to you trying to calm you

"Do you.. do you still like me?"

Larissa, to say the least, was surprised at the sudden question as it came out of nowhere

"Why yes of course My dear, I still and will always love you dearly." She states, her tone being sharp as to bring her point across

It was silent for a few minutes before you spoke again, with another question

"But what if you found someone better?"

"And what exactly is better?"

"you know.. Someone mentally stable, and smarter, pret-"

"Y/n. No one is better than you, you are the best I've ever had and you always will be the best. And if it isn't you then no one else will be able to replace you. I don't care what other people think and you shouldn't too, the only thing you should care about is what you think." Then placing a soft kiss on your lips

"..But why?"

"why?"

"why do you like me?" You finally asked the question that has been lingering your mind for a while, she was too good to be true for someone like you.

"Because, you're you. Your smile is the most adorable thing in the world, your laugh is like music to my ears, your face is the most prettiest thing I've ever seen, your wits, your Personality, the way you can comfort me whenever times are tough, how you get shy and flustered whenever we make eye contact accidentally, and so on. I can't even imagine living a life without you."

She continues. "You don't have to ask those questions anymore because I already have what I want, and she's right in front of me. And if you still don't believe me, then I promise to show you until you reach the end of the altar with an 'I do' and whatever happrns after." She kisses your forehead as she strokes your back with one hand and holds your hand with the other

"I love you Y/n L/n" she says, as she backs away a bit to see your face, now smiling with tear stained cheeks.

"I love you too, Larissa Weems"

[mrs-kodzuken]

Christmas Magic ♡

Pairing: Aged up!Kenma Kozume x fem!reader

WC: 1.6k

Genre: mostly fluff, marriage, sexual tension

CW: fem!reader, lots of sexual tension at the end, long haired!reader

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

I scrolled on my phone looking through a baking app, skimming across it for new recipes to try out. I wanted to bake something for Kenma and I even though it was only one in the morning.

Currently, I was sitting on the counter in our beautiful kitchen. The bar stools were always an obvious choice to sit in but alas I loved our granite counter. I screenshotted three recipes for three different types of cookies to try out.

Gingerbread sandwich cookies, Peppermint patty-stuffed chocolate cookies, and some DIY YouTube emoticon cookies, those were for Kenma.

Speaking of my husband, he had told me about thirty minutes earlier that he was going to stream live. Which is most likely what he was doing right now.

I looked through the ingredients on the list and quietly headed upstairs to the second floor. Even though Kenma was an entire floor above, in his gaming room, of our three story house, I still tried to be as quiet as possible.

I mean, it was one am after all. Time didn't really bother Kenma and I because of our schedules.

Entering our bedroom, I grabbed a measure of clothing. Hat, scarf, winter jacket, sweatpants, and warm socks. Grabbing my snow boots from the closet floor I headed back downstairs to the door.

I looked up at the snowy sky and took a deep breath in of the sharp icy air, which felt like needles poking my lungs. Winter is here and it's my favorite time of the year.

Smiling at the decorative lights flashing on our house that we put up a couple of weeks ago. I started my walk to the closest market, I didn't want to travel too far just for some cookie ingredients.

Some of them we didn't have either. Hopefully, they'd be open because I wasn't going to sleep anytime soon. And I needed something to busy me whilst my husband was streaming.

I headed in and heard the bell ding as the warm air from the small convenience store heated me up.

Immediately, I went to the baking and ingredients section. I tried to balance the objects in my arms while walking up to the front counter because I didn't think to grab a cart.

"Hello." I spoke to the cashier and carefully set my items down.

"Hi Mrs.Kozume, do you plan on making something this late?" The old lady had asked with a light laugh. The crinkles by her eyes creased and shown her age.

"Yes ma'am, I wanted to bake for my husband. He's working right now and probably won't be sleep for a couple more hours." I laughed with her.

Since I would always come here for plenty of household things, at any time of day or night, I knew most of all the workers.

"Ah, well I hope the two of you have a good night." She placed my ingredients in two plastic bags then held them out for me.

"You too. Thank you." I waved at her and opened the door, leaving as the cold air from the chill night surrounded me once again.

Not after hearing a mumble of 'such cute youngens.' I had quietly laughed to myself and continued my short walk home. Eager to bake and be in warmth again.

Passing all the colorful decorations of houses, I stared in awe. Small snow flurries had began to fall as well. Christmas is such a wonderful time, isn't it?

Finally coming close to a familiar decor, I quickly got inside. The coldness nipping at my nose and body as I shivered from it.

"Baby? Are you back?" I heard a deep voice fill the air as I took off my winter boots and continued to strip until I was in my regular house clothes.

"Yes hon, I went out to get some things." I answered my husband while hanging my big coat on the rack and leaving my snow boots by the door.

"Did you finish your streaming?" I questioned, tilting my head as he rounded the corner from the kitchen.

"Yeah, it was a short one." He muttered, his eyes focused on the bags in my hands.

I walked into the kitchen, setting them down on the counter before heading upstairs, kenma following my every move.

"What'd you get?"

"Just a few ingredients for baking." I opened our closet and picked out my pink Christmas pj's that Kenma bought me. They had small green Christmas trees on them and were very soft.

As well as reaching for some big fuzzy socks to warm up my cold feet.

I took off my house clothes and slipped that on, not bothering to cover up my body. It's not like Kenma hasn't seen any of this glorious body before.

I watched as Kenma's eyes trailed down my body and gawked at my every move.

"My love, do you wanna your Christmas jammie's on to match me?" I asked, silently begging so we could be cute together.

He came from behind me as I reached into the drawers to pull out his set. Ken hugged me from the back, his arms wrapping around my waist and his head on my shoulder.

"Sure baby, I'll be right down." Kissing the nape of my neck, I sighed peacefully and broke our hug.

Heading down, I waltzed kitchen, pulling my hair up and started with the basics.

I could basically feel his eyes staring at me while I started getting the bowls and utensils out as well as my ingredients I had bought.

"Yes, my love?" I turned around to face him, getting ready to start whisking the batter.

"Can I help?"

I smiled softly at him, my heart bursting into flames full of love. Especially since he looked so precious in his pajamas that matched mine.

"Of course you can, here." I gave him the batter I was just about to whisk and started on a new task.

"What kind of cookies are these." He sniffed the batter, his nose twitching.

"These are gingerbread sandwich cookies. I have two others that i wanted to bake too. I'm gonna start on the peppermint patty-stuffed chocolate ones." I gave him my phone that had all the instructions on how to bake the Gingerbread cookies.

He set the bowl down and his eyes skimmed down the phone to the last one. I saw a soft smile grace his handsome features.

"Can we make the last one next?"

"Sure, let me finish with this chocolate first and you put those in oven." I directed, happy that we were bonding.

Baking with Kenma was always nice, even if we stopped a few times here and there because he wanted to make out for some unknown reason.

"Are they done?" I asked him, peering back while he opened the oven. I cleaned the last couple of dishes that we used for baking.

"Yeah, but they're hot so be careful." He warned me as some of his two toned hair fell into his face. Ken put the cookies on a platter and set them on our granite counter, waiting for them to cool.

I grabbed my step stool and set it where I could fix his hair, as per usual. I, unfortunately, had to stand on my tippy toes from how short I am.

Lightly taking his hair out of the messy back bun I had put it in earlier, and changed it to a ponytail.

"Your hair is so soft and long baby." I gently racked my hands through his hair.

"Oh please, your hair goes down to your ass baby." He retorted as if I meant it as a bad thing.

"It's not a bad thing honey, most guys don't wear it long. It looks sexy on you." My face flushed and I stepped down, putting the step stool away to where it goes.

I didn't hear an answer from him as I made my way towards the cookies. They should be cool enough by now to eat.

Gently, I touched one before picking it up just to see if it would burn my hand or not.

Seeing as I could pick it up I turned to Kenma with it.

"Say ahh." I broke the cookie in half so I could feed it to him.

He stared down at me with watchful eyes and an eyebrow raised like I was dumb. Nevertheless he did as I asked.

"Good boy, does it taste good?" I could have sworn that he almost choked when I said that. I was just proud that the cookies we made came out looking so good.

"That's new. It's usually Daddy." He smirked, his cheeks flushing bit red, watching my expression.

My face burned a bright red because I knew what he was talking about. And it was, in fact, true.

"How does it taste?" My voice high pitched because of his response, I cleared my throat to fix it.

"Eh, you taste better."

I could have died right then and there.

"You're such a horny person, Kenma." I laughed at him, feeling the sexual tension in the air.

I thought this was supposed to be wholesome and yet here my erratic husband is, trying to be sexy.

"You're one to talk.." He trailed off, analyzing my face.

"Anyway! Do you want to watch home alone? I'll bring the cookies up while they're still warm?" I said getting a glass of milk for us to dip our cookies in.

"Sure baby," He kissed my jaw in the same place of where he had set a mark he made a couple nights ago.

I rolled my eyes at him. "I can't believe I married a horny tornado." I muttered and focused on the sweets in front of me.

Knowing damn well that later I would be getting some Christmas magic.

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ ˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖

a/n: this is from my “Haikyuu x Reader Oneshots” on Wattpad! I hoped you enjoyed and let me know if you want more!

the header is from lena!! on Pinterest

[grokebaby]

[Present day]

The "Case"

"Nyevilicus, we need to talk." Mewmew said, entering the room. Something about ms presence held a seriousness that Evie didn't like, but alas. It must be important if ms bothering-err interacting with them. Truth be told, Mewmew and Evilicus had been floating quite far from each other lately despite living in the same house. After Evilicus' return, and the initial confrontation it brought, things had sort of settled.

"Very well.. I'm listening." they said, reserved, sitting down. The kitchen was dim with the orange of sunset coming through the cracks in the curtains. Dusk being one of the most frequent times they happened to interact at all, seeing their differences in daily rhythm. That, or their differences of native planets..

"So, please understand that iyam coming to you about this with good intentions, I only want what's the best for everyone, alright? Please hear me out til I've finished speaking. I have nyour best interest in mind as well." Mewmew started prefacing ms future statement, and suddenly it all felt heaps more frightening than before. Evie will have to prepare to swallow more now. Perhaps it was about time, after some of the revelations they'd had earlier.. Maybe it'll be good. But it'll certainly sting.

"Okay.. I'm ready, then.."

"Alright, good. Good! Um." Mewmew tapped ms paws on the table. Mews expression became sort of.. Gentler. Something about it made Evie's stomach drop, and they couldn't explain why. They must've done something wrong. "So, I wanted to just say that if you ever need.. Support, for dealing with your emotions, or.. Ways to manage them constructively.." Oh, now it's just embarrassing. They shrunk further into their armor, but kept listening nonetheless.

"Please, just let me know. Okay? I've dealt with these things too, and it.. It'll help you feel better too! I assure you. I'm nyat here to judge you, I'm not enrolled in the alliance, okay, everything here is just everyday business. Nyalright?" Mewmew concluded, ears slightly drawn back. Was that a good sign? It feels like ms holding something back.

Evilicus only nodded.

Mewmew seemed relieved. To some extent.. "Alright. Alright, good! Thank nya for listening. I'm proud of you. Just, please leave the livestock alone, it's very important to the humans living here."

...

......

".. What?"

"Mrrp?"

"What do you. What livestock? You mean earthly animals?"

Mewmew looked like m braced mself for something for a second, as if m wanted to sigh. "Nyou.. Know what I'm talking about.."

There was an increasing silence between them, as they looked between each other. Evilicus glanced around the room, as if the answers would magically spawn out of something. Anything?

".. What?"

"...."

"....."

"Evilicus." Mewmew said, though firmly, now with increasing emotion in ms voice. Evie couldn't really tell what it was, but hoped not anger, nor disappointment. Still reeling from the sudden comeuppance of unknown conversation topics, Evilicus scratched their face. "I uhm.. I really don't know what you're talking about here.. S..sorry.." their voice grew smaller and smaller towards the end. Mewmew shot them a look, as if in disbelief, although parts of it had to be some form of discomfort. "Ih-"

Mew took a breath in. "The farmers in this town have reported.. Increasing cases where their livestock - like, sheep, cows.. Have been.. Killed. They suspected wild nyanimals at first, but.. The livestock wasn't really eaten that much and.." Mew grew uncomfortable.

".. And?"

"And the cases were just starting to look more.. Like.. Brutalized. And it-" Mew breathed out heavily, fidgeting. "It doesn't look like anything a wild animal could do. Anymore.." m concluded, now facing Evilicus razor sharply in the eyes. "I wanted to come to you about this.. Fairly. In a fair manner. Which is why I brought up the-the managing of feewings, and-"

"And so, wait, you think.. You think I did this?" Evilicus put their hand on the table, their whole presence tense.

"-Out of anger, or vengeance maybe, something, I don't know but we can talk about it-"

"I did not do that. What reason do I have to take my emotions out on animals? Nor the townspeople?? And on another note, I've barely left this house since coming back!" Evilicus stood up from their chair, blood racing under their skin. They could hear it clearly, echoing off the metal. Mewmew stood up as well, partway, putting ms paws up defensively. As if pacifying a frightened animal.

"I said we can talk about this, Villy, if you did do it-"

"I DIDN'T."

Silence fell between them once again. Oh, this is way worse than what they could've anticipated. Doing something wrong and being told about it gently? Sure. But hearing something bad happened and immediately assuming blame on Evilicus themself? Decrepid.

It's not that Mewmew wouldn't be valid to doubt the moral of their actions - it's plenty understandable. No, what's terrifying about this situation is that it's just plausible enough to blame on Evilicus. And knowing their history, they really, Really don't have enough alibi to prove otherwise.

A cruel twist of fate.

It's almost.. Too convenient. Isn't it.

Evilicus swallowed.

"Look, I know you don't have.. Much, to trust me on my word yet," their voice trembled, heat flashing their forehead. "But I swear.. I've not left this house. I've not spoken to anyone but you. Nor seen anyone. But you. Ever since I returned." they continued, feverishly, feeling the seconds tick by, feeling how their dark and dingy heart was now resting soft, still beating, on Mewmews paws. Their only grace, only mercy, only other person in this cosmos right now.

And they cannot lose it.

Mewmew looked between their eyes, as if searching - desperately, for something. For a shred of trust. For a bit of patience within mew. To believe this, and walk the path m set on when deciding to do all this for Evilicus at all.

Those few seconds were the longest of their life.

Mew sighed. "Alright.. I believe you. I'm sorry. It's just.. It worried me, and I.. Sorry." Mew blinked a few times, leaning back on ms chair. And it's no wonder mew seemed defeated by this, because if they chose to believe Evilicus instead of the rest of the scene, they'd both have to grapple with the next question.

Who's doing this?

[saedii-gilwraeth-simp]

felt like writing, inbox wasn't calling to me, but here's some Modern AU Tydii. Might do more AU's, there's always kinda fun, anyway...

Also, in this, imagine Saedii wearing the denim fit Taylor Swift wore to the Chiefs game back at the start of September (linked here in case y'all didn't see the fit that lives rent free in my brain lmao)

~~

In Tyler’s defence, he was drunk. He was normally a more reserved person and not one to do things like get shit-faced, but Scarlett had been giving him shots and Saedii was in a corset top that made him think thoughts that left his brain wandering away from where he should have been focussed on not letting his sister ply him with shots.

Alas, now he was stuck in a cell with Saedii (in her denim shorts and the aforementioned corset top from his personal heaven - and hell) and the drinks are wearing off enough that he knows he punched someone at the bar but his inhibitions are still low enough that he is not focussed on that at all, too busy thinking about how devastatingly beautiful Saedii looks when she’s pissed off. He likes women with edges, so sue him.

“Are you okay?” He asks, making her tilt her head down from where she was glaring at the ceiling to look at him. He tries not to wince at the slight split in her lip, a touch guilty for not stepping in before the jackass at the bar had a chance to throw a punch.

“Peachy,” Saedii answers dryly, deeply unimpressed with the fact she was stuck in this cell. Possibly even more unimpressed that they were stuck together.

“How’s your face feel?” She shoots him a deadpan look, but then smirks.

“Better than the other guy,” he smirks back at that, not feeling the slightest bit guilty for said other guy. Saedii considers him for a second, purple eyes intense. “Thanks for that by the way. I didn’t need you to step in, but thank you nonetheless,” she says, and he nods.

“Anytime,” he assures her, before the pair fall back into silence. All being in a police holding cell at 2am aside, it was nice. Saedii has closed her eyes leant her head back against the wall and he takes a moment to take her in, before letting the remnants of drunk Tyler take over and cross the cell to sit next to her. She opens her eyes and and looks at him with a raised eyebrow, waiting for him to explain why he’s now in her space. “Go on a date with me?” 

Saedii blinks at the question, and he mentally pats himself on the back for being able to surprise her.

“And why would I do that?” She asks in kind and he shrugs.

“Because I like you and you can’t tell me you’re not interested, I saw how you looked at me tonight,” he says and she rolls her eyes, but her ears are beginning to redden.

“I was drunk.”

“In vino veritas,” he says, grinning when she tries to elbow him. “I’m a big boy, I can handle a no. But I really do like you, Saedii and I would like to date you if you’d be down,” he states, leaving it at that and going to sit back against the opposite wall. He can feel her watching him and winks at her before mimicking her earlier position and leaning his head on the wall with his eyes closed.

“Okay,” she says and he opens his eyes and meets hers.

“Is that a yes, then?” Saedii nods and he can’t help but grin.

“Next Friday, 7pm. Don’t plan something boring,” she says and he nods.

“I will think wider than the ‘dinner and a movie’ box, especially for you Saedii,” she seems pleased enough with this answer, but doesn’t get a chance to reply before a cop interrupts them with a knock of keys against the holding cells bar.

“That bloke doesn’t want to press charges, you two are free to go,” he says and Saedii hums derisively, standing and walking to the officer as he starts to unlock their cell. Tyler follows suit, not wanting to be stuck here much longer.

The night is brisk (see: absolutely freezing) when they emerge from the station and he catches a muttered curse from Saedii as the breeze hits the skin revealed by her outfit. He barely has a second to consider what he’s doing before he has taken his letterman jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders. Saedii looks like she wants to reject the gesture, but chooses instead to shove her arms through the sleeves and turn to him.

“I’ll give this back next time I see you,” she says, obviously uncomfortable with owing him something but he shakes his head with a smile.

“Nah, keep it if you want, it suits you,” he says. She considers his words before turning to go.

“Friday, don’t be late,” she states, before beginning to walk away.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he calls after her, watching her walking away and enjoying the sight of her with ‘Jones’ across her shoulders.

[ongaunt]

𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐞?

elliott penndragon x eloise fortier

summary: a round of truth or dare at the three broomsticks with the hogwarts legacy crew gets a bit spicy.

tw: alcohol, mild language, mild sexual content

mentions: sebastian sallow, ominis gaunt, garreth Weasley

⟡ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ⟡ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⟡

“What did you mean by that?”

The words spoken earlier between them in privacy replayed in his mind, over and over, despite all his protest. Elliott dared to ask the last question Eloise probably wanted to hear. To his detriment, it probably wasn’t the best time or place. They had finished classes for the day and began walking to the Three Broomsticks where their friends were waiting. If the mood turned sour enroute, it would get much worse when they arrive.

“What?” Eloise mumbled a reply, not bothering to look back at him as she charged up the hill.

“You know – if we kissed it would be weird,” he shrugged.

He tried to keep up with her but Eloise sped on unwavering. She could be a scary person from the outside but Elliott would think he knew her better.

“Why are you asking such a dumb question?”

Elliott scoffed. “Am I really that disgusting to you? Friends do kiss sometimes-“

“What the fuck kind of friends are you hanging out with?” she cringed. “Plus – I know you. I’ve known you and Alexis for forever, it would be weird. Now cut it out.”

“But aren’t you curious? You’ve never thought about it?”

She stopped walking and looked at him as if he grew another head. “No.”

“Wow, okay-“

After that absolute blunder, the two Slytherins walked in silence. The Three Broomsticks never felt so far away. The mood finally lightened once they caught up with their peers, beers in hand and gossiping away like nothing happened. Several butterbeers later, Elliott could feel himself sway a little. He leaned against Sebastian and raised both brows at a dumb joke Garreth made.

“-and that’s what I call a kaiju kitty,” he finished his punchline with a hearty laugh.

The table groaned, Ominis completely ignoring it happened. Elliott stretched his arms, almost hitting his best friend in the process.

“Oi, watch it,” Sebastian warned.

“My bad,” Elliott yawned. “I think I’m done with drinks. Who wants water?”

Perhaps it was the alcohol or the fact that the bar was busy that night – it took Elliott almost half an hour to get six glasses of water. He barely made it out alive. The table was in high spirits upon his return, all of them laughing at something spinning on top of it.

“What did I miss?” he asked blankly.

Ominis lifted his head up slightly at the sound of his voice, “We thought you left! Come, we’re playing a game.”

“Oh?”

“The bottle spins and whoever it lands on has to answer a truth or a dare,” Garreth explained mid-cheer.

Elliott resumed to his seat beside Sebastian, watching the bottle slow to a stop in his direction. “Uh, okay. Dare-“

“No!”

“Don’t-“

Elliott’s tired eyes widened immensely as the table erupted into a roar, everyone yelling in protest all at once. “What?!”

Garreth was laughing, Sebastian shaking his head slowly and Eloise looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her up. Even Ominis had a smirk on his face. The clueless Slytherin threw his hands in the air, confused.

“Eloise said she’d kiss the next person that choses a dare,” Sebastian explained between huffs of laughter. “So I guess that’s you, mate.”

Merlin’s balls. “Okay – fine, I choose truth then-“

“No, no, the bottle is sacred, my friend. You must abide by the rules.”

Eloise looked like she was about to punch Garreth for his stupid game. Alas, she sighed. “Fine. I’m no wuss. Come here, idiot.”

Elliott leaned back in his seat, face crestfallen as their friends looked (and listened) on in amazement. His hand covered his eyes as she got up and made her way angrily toward him.

“Why are you covering your eyes? Don’t be weird about this.”

“-but you said –“ he stopped himself, arguing back to Eloise was always futile. Elliott removed his hand, his cheeks flushed a crimson hue.

Eloise dragged a stool from the other table with a loud squeak, slumping onto it. She manhandled the brunette to look at her, both hands on his cheek.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this? It’s just a stupid game,” he asked.

“Kiss me, coward.”

The silence was loud. The kiss was a soft peck in the beginning but no one could tell who used tongue first. It was a battle of wills, their lips fighting for dominance, tongue clashing clumsily. Sebastian, Garreth and Ominis were stunned. Finally they broke apart, both panting heavily and redder than roses. Eloise silently walked back to her seat and took a big swig of her remaining ale, Elliott wiping his reddened mouth with his sleeve.

“I don’t even need sight to know that was horrendous-“

“-so who’s next?”

[themissingnumbers]

Okay, okay- I know you said that it was okay for us to make assumptions, but know that I still feel bad about it. But also know that I'm about to do it again.

Are you, like... another Blue? Wait- that sounds all kinds of wrong. Lemme explain my weird thought process here-

Sooooo... You referred to Verdant as "Burū," right? If my brain can make proper connections, then "Burū" means "Blue," I think. Now, in all fairness, this could just be a nickname that I'm looking way too into for no reason, but if she's "Blue" then that would make you "Green." Now wait a second, "Obviously" I hear you saying already—of course, you're Green. That's what you call yourself and that's what we've all been referring to you as. But I'm thinking about this, and by proxy you, in a regional difference kinda way.

You said earlier that there wasn't just one copy or Cartridge of Generation 1 hangin' around. I can only assume that you mean the four commercially available versions of Generation 1: Red, Blue, Green and Yellow. Now, Red and Green were released first in the East, but Red, Blue and Yellow all became geared towards the West and the rest of the world later on, while Green remained exclusive in Japan. I know this sounds like a weird tangent, but I bring this up because in the West, the Rivals name is "Blue," but in the East, it's "Green." The names "Blue" and "Green" got swapped at some point during the international transition, not just for the Rivals but for the Girl characters as well, with who we know in the West as "Leaf" or "Green" being called "Blue" in Japan. So for you to call her "Burū" and you to be named Green, I mean you're in Viridian City and you've even got the spiky hair so... You- You can see how my brain made this connection, right?

…I'm sorry, I don't know why I just yapped this at you. Honestly, your relationships and identity are none of my business. Everything I just said could 100% be a coincidence and I would completely accept that because I know nothing of the world you all live in. Or, I could be extremely dense and could be walking on some very very thin ice with you right now—I don't know! Y'know what? I've said too much. Just- Just write this entire thing off as a weird thought! ...yeah, a weird thought...

Please don't be mad...

Green stares at you blankly for a few seconds, you can't really tell what he's thinking.. Oh no You hope he's not ma-

"SNnnnrrk-BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

Oh. He's laughing at you. Really hard too. It takes him a few seconds to compose himself enough to get his first response out

"Heh- Hah- Hehheh- Damn- Heh- I'm not gonna bite yer head off man, am I really that threatening? Trust me- I may get mad easy but I don't just go in on some guy for some bullshit reason I'm not Reddo." He quietly snickers for a couple more moments before seeming to completely calm down enough to actually answer the question.

"But really, No offense taken really. Make your guesses all you want, This one's a good one, but, alas, it'll always be the last answer you come to heh. Anyways though," He pauses, gathering his thoughts before he continues on.

"No, I'm not a Gurin. But I did grow up with one, He's a fine guy. Threw rocks at him and the like, ya know how it is. He kinda ignored me like I wasn't there though. As I said, very good guess, keep it up, 'Like how ya put things together but, nah. Reddo is Reddo, Burū is Burū, Gurin is Gurin, and Me? Well.. I'm just me. My name isn't Gurin anyways, if anything my name is Midori. "

FIRST | PREV | NEXT

[lgbtlunaverse]

In an echo of sorts on my "I want post canon wwx to have complicated feelings on jgy" post, though in a different way, I would love to see post-canon Jiang Cheng having some seriously complex feelings to unpack about Wen Ning and Sizhui.

Like. The entire cultivation world has to answer for what happened to the Wen Remnants, there is not one person singularly responsible (though things would have been so much easier if we got rid of jin guangshan earlier. alas.) But of all those people in either siege Jiang Cheng is the only one who actually met them before on the burial mounds, at peace. And while the siege was happening he was very much not thinking about the overall ethics, mostly busy with the fact that his brother in law and sister were dead. And after Wei Wuxian's death I have to imagine not much "productively working through feelings surrounding wwx" of any kind was done.

But now he's back. And with it all the other shit that got repressed.

And cql canon very handily present an opportunity for the complicated feelings with the chengqing and all but even in novel canon uh... Wei Wuxian's back. And Wen Ning is back. And Lan Sizhui is the toddler that Jiang Cheng met and thought was dead for 13 years, a death he would have personally been involved in. And he's his nephew's friend. And also the teenager who's been fascilating extremely tilted and antagonistic conversations between him and Lan Wangji for years now. That kid. You could have killed that kid. You almost did.

And Wen Ning strongly dislikes him now, in a way that is deeply painful and interesting for both of them, but any of Sizhui's and Jiang Cheng's interactions have had no reaosn to be anything but polite and cordial. Pretty sure Jiang Cheng as of the end of the story doesn't even KNOW Sizhui is a Wen but a-yuan and wen ning aren't gonna seperate anytime soon and jin ling will know which means eventually he'll probably find out and... I don't know, you look at a kid your nephew's age and realize he is one of a handful of people still alive who knows what your sister's soup tasted like, and that you've personally helped murder his family. Not to even mention him being wangji's ward and wangxian considering him family meaning that... if you look at it from a certain angle (and accepted several truths about wei wuxian and who you are to each other that you are not willing to admit) that's your other nephew.

(And again in cql-verse that's the little cousin and brother of the woman you wanted to marry at one point so haha that's cool another family you never had and lost anyway have fun thinking about that!)

[bamdelune]

My Eyes Fall Shut (and my Heart Loves You Again)

୨୧ Pantalone x F!Reader

Reader experiences memory loss after an unspecified event and lands herself in a room under the care of Baizhu before a certain Harbinger pays her a visit.

A small peek from one of my Pantalone drafts ! Still a work in progress but wanted to share this small snippet with someone 🫶 Notes and reblogs are always appreciated! Not beta read

The gentleness of silk and cloth devoured your figure, your body laid in a comfortable mattress. The aroma of tea filled your senses as your eyes fluttered open.

The crowned ceiling greets you first as your focus shifts around the room, your sight lays on a green-haired bespectacled man that seemed to be accompanied by an ivory snake. Your head suddenly felt heavy as an unexpected weight gave you a crushing headache. Your being felt numb,

"Ah! Miss, you're awake." The man smiled, his voice was pleasant and soothing. "Qiqi, kindly fetch me her documents, please." He asked the girl who seemed like a child beside him. She quietly nodded and showed herself out.

You hoisted yourself up, your back resting on the wooden headboard behind you. The physician—you assumed, reached out to help you get comfortable on the mattress.

You slightly flinched, every nerve in your body felt sensitive. You didn't know where you were, you didn't know him. Your mind told you to be defensive.

"Miss Y/N?" He seemed confused.

You completely brushed past the foreign name, was it supposed to be yours? Was he talking to you or somebody else? But nobody was in the room other than you and him. The name, it felt unfamiliar in your head.

"I'm truly sorry for asking but do you know where I am?" you mumbled, eyes shifting around once again.

You winced hearing a knock on the bamboo door of your room, the knob turned and the entry opened to reveal the child from earlier, holding a few pieces of paper.

"Dr. Baizhu, here are the documents you asked for." Qiqi said softly, her small fingers handing the items to the doctor.

Baizhu promptly thanked Qiqi. As he did so, another person followed into the room. The man had long deep bluish black hair, eyes with violet hues that burned through transparent glasses adorned with chains. A black sleeveless bodysuit fit his figure paired with matching coloured pants and shoes. Dark gloves decorated his hands with silver rings around most fingers. His scent subtly filled the room—a soft vanilla and floral scent.

His eyes lingered on you for a while, slightly widened as if it was a surprise you were alive and breathing.

When he spoke, it was a gentle baritone, though something put you off about him. You weren't sure what it was but it sent shivers down your spine despite the room having a typically warmer temperature.

"Ah. The Regrator. I assume you came to visit our patient here? You're usually not this late every day, no?" Baizhu forced a smile at him, even if you didn't know him all that well, you could tell how his features tensed up and tightened in the other's presence.

"I had some business to take care of. You know the responsibilities of heading Northland Bank." The "Regrator" mirrored the same smile. Their similarities were uncanny. His gaze suddenly turned to you, to which it was your turn to tense up. "How is she?"

"There's no need to rush, Harbinger. After all, she had only woken up a few minutes ago. You're free to stay idle while I observe her though." He replied, gesturing to the spot behind him which would give the other man access to see you properly.

Baizhu then turned to you, his gentleness never wavering.

"How do you feel? I suggest that you answer with honesty since I'm observing something different, behavior-wise."

Your nails dug into your skin, prints of crescents were printed in your skin with a slightly redder color. You felt faint, mind drawing to a blank as you scrambled for an answer to put into words. Alas, you remained silent for a few seconds before opening your mouth to speak.

"Pardon me, I'd address you as Dr. Baizhu, yes?"

The green-haired man simply nodded, a gentle smile still on his face. The man behind him though, the Regrator, his face a little dimmer than when he came in. His lips were turned into a visible purse.

"Yes. I suppose I'm doing alright… I awoke with a light migraine. I'm not sure how I ended up here, I do not have a recall of past events… I think. In fact, I wasn't sure you were talking to me earlier. Ah— I'm really sorry, I must've rambled about nonsensical things."

"No, no, no, dear. It's alright. Thank you for being honest." Baizhu nodded as he scribbled a few notes on the document that was brought in prior to the observation. Baizhu then turned to the bespectacled man behind him as Qiqi stepped forward to offer you some herbal tea. You thanked her, picking up the small cup, the warmth spreading from the tea to your skin. When your lips met the rim, a mild flavor of sweet grass entered. It was sugary but not too much. It was just right.

You eavesdropped on the two men's conversation about your condition, though you couldn't hear that much coherently. As you tried to observe what their expressions were, the Regrator shared a glance at you, eyebrows furrowed with eyes full of longing expressions. As if your condition was the most terrible thing that could have ever happened in the history of Teyvat. The ever-so-stoic (or so you assumed) Regrator's icy aura cracked under your unknowing gaze.

[novaqueenofmadness]

Rich Coffee

summary: don’t you just hate it when unsolicited men follow you around? well i got the stuff just for you The Glare™️

tags: bucky, being followed and catcalled for a sec

a/n: ‘domnule’ means ‘sir’ as in “excuse me sir/mister” in Romanian. if it’s wrong or there’s a better way to say it please let me know

*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･' ★'･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*

You had been walking in circles for a few minutes now. You could feel the moist night air dampening your scalp, making your skin feel sticky, and leaving a shiny thin layer of condensation on your jacket. Worst of all you knew you were about to be running late for your shift at the café but you couldn’t help it, this really isn’t your fault. There had been some men that had stopped you earlier in your walk, catcalling and insisting that “you just have to come have some drinks with us sweetheart.” You had declined, politely telling them you were busy (your skin crawling) and most of all not interested. Annoyingly enough some people just can’t take “no” for an answer. The café is nearby, you know that, but the last thing you wanted was for some annoying tourists to know where you work and come harass you there for the rest of the night and whenever else they would’ve felt like coming. So you resorted to taking the main street that had a good amount of people, and turning into other streets at random and looping back to the main one again but they were just not letting up. Desperate, sad, sad disgusting men. You could hear them chatting and chuckling to one another, it was three guys, and occasionally they’d holler something at you, either asking for you to reconsider getting drinks with them (they would pay for everything you wanted to have[as if]), or having the audacity to complain about how long the walk felt. If you weren’t being reminded that jail was a very real place and didn’t have yourself a promise of living out of pure spite you might’ve swung around and perhaps shanked someone but alas c’est la vie. On the other hand if it’s so fastidious to them they could oh i don’t know just leave and go back to your shitty bar ya know.

You could feel your heart beating in your chest, felt it pulsating in your fingertips, heard it in your ears above all the people around you and making it quiet enough that your hearing just had to zero in on the men following you. You could hear their footsteps, every time they tripped and one of their friends helped them up laughing at them and standing them upright. There were enough people around that you felt safe but in any case you were uncomfortable and wanted them gone, for cheese sake Gabi was probably waiting on you to switch shifts and finally go home and get some sleep.

what do i do? i just want to go sit at the counter and get my paycheck. people have nothing better to do? do i call the po-? i know that jacket- oh! and i know that hat!

The thought suddenly hit you when you saw the fabric. It was that slightly worn out brown cotton with all the little scuffs, and even though its owner always had a different hoodie peeking from underneath it the black baseball cap he wore was always the same. Most recognizable of all, at least to you, was the slightly longer hair you’d spend hours wondering if it was as soft as it looked at the ends or maybe greasy from how much he wore that cap.

ok i don't know know him but better him than nothing right? right. with a deep breath you quickened your pace and with an enthusiastic approach announced yourself.

Bucky didn’t know why he decided now of all times was a good moment to take a walk. The streets were generously sprinkled with people out to enjoy whatever nightlife they could find, sitting, talking and drinking in and outside of restaurants and bars and eating from whichever vendor was successful in catching their attention. He had meant to go to the same café he would always go to at this time. It was well past midnight closer to what one may call a late night or a very early morning. As usual he couldn’t sleep, as if he ever could, and this café was quiet enough that he’d either read something to pass the time, write in his small journal (or go through it), or sometimes even doze off until it was closing time when the sun came up. The only reason Bucky hadn’t planted his bottom at his usual table right this second was because the barista on shift at the moment isn't the one he’s used to. Currently at the counter is the barista he knows is from the shift right before his preferred one (it’s not creepy he just likes to know things alright). While the barista on shift at the moment also has great customer service, Bucky knew they liked to chat with the customers a lot, something he just couldn’t bring himself to do. In contrast the barista that was usually at the café when he went in would give him his space, play the music at a softer volume and, surprisingly enough, managed to pick up on what music he tended to enjoy more. Above everything else they’d always announce themselves when they were bringing something to his table and he was distracted. Either by whistling to the tune of the music playing, saying “order up” before leaving the counter, and on the rare chance that he was napping, clinking the dishware as they approached his table. It helped with a lot of his anxiety and he was always thankful for it ever since they had caught him flinching that one time he was distracted thinking. They never brought it up or made it a talking point on the few times they had conversed with one another, but that they noticed and took it into consideration was something Bucky will remain grateful for. So maybe in actuality he does know why he’s walking around, but it's not because he’s hoping that by the time he does a round around the street the nice barista he prefers will be on shift when he’s back. Not at all and the Scarlet Witch isn’t here to prove otherwise. So ha.

Bucky will admit he was a tad bit distracted, and you should give him some credit, there’s dozens of footsteps all around as well as all the talking happening. So yes maybe he jumped a bit and went slightly ‘assassin mode’ when he heard,

“James! Hi honey i’m so sorry i’m so late, some people were holding me back” followed by someone, albeit reluctantly, wrapping their own arm around his bionic one. Bucky immediately felt every muscle in his body coiling up together ready to incapacitate whoever just called him by his name, given name that is, and was about to attack him. It however took him a full second to uncoil himself and realise he knew that voice. It was the very familiar voice of the nice barista he was absolutely not just thinking about and waiting for. Bucky turned his head to the left and there you were, wrapped around his arm looking tired and uncomfortable.

Feeling James flinch when you grabbed his arm you quickly made your touch barely there, letting go and essentially just hovering around his arm. The last thing you wanted was to make the poor man uncomfortable but you were getting desperate. Making eye contact with him you conjured up your best believable smile and quietly but hastily added “Domnule- James- Domnu- i’m really sorry there’s men following me and I don’t know what to do.” James had given you his name before at the café after a conversation where all you referred to him as was “domnule”, but you never felt close enough to him to use it and had continued to use “domnule” to greet and bid adieu whenever you interacted with him.

Bucky could see desperation in your eyes, they were beginning to get watery, and from the split second you had been pressed to his arm he felt your slight tremour that had travelled up to the nerves pressed in the socket of the prosthetic. Now that he knew there weren’t any hostiles there for him he relaxed and quickly looked around from beneath his cap.

“Sweetheart he’s not interested! How about that drink now?” Immediately Bucky saw you tense and your eyes widen, nearly on the verge of tears, he completely turned to you and wrapped his right arm around you, causing you to let go of his left and freeze even more at the sudden action but swiftly getting into character, letting go of some tension and pressing closer to his side. Whispering a small “thank you so much” under your breath and fully relaxing. You got a hold of his jacket with your right, selling the part of a couple meeting up for a later night walk.

Thanks to the numbskull's call Bucky was able to pinpoint exactly where the men harassing you were. To him they looked clearly intoxicated, two of them lean and the third with more mass. They looked slightly winded, as did you, clearly you had been walking around trying to get away, and they kept leaning on each other laughing and looking your way. “It’s no problem Doll I was about to call you, everything alright?” He made sure to look you over for any injuries or any other signs of distress he might have missed before. Thankfully you were visibly alright.

“Yeah everything’s good, we can get going please.” You were desperate to leave, you felt awful for disturbing his night but you also knew he was going to end up at your café and who better to walk you there than a 1.75 built man who always looked ready to throw someone through a window and maybe even stop a speeding motorcycle with his bare hands. You were already turning to the general direction of the café and attempting to pull the solid steel wall in front of you when you felt the arm around you pull you back closer and turn you to face him.

“Doll, I need you to look me in the eyes and tell me you’re alright” Any time you and James had spoken his voice was always quiet, almost like he wanted almost no one else to hear him speak. The difference between those times and now was that he was properly holding eye contact with you, were his eyes always such a rich coffee brown? and his voice wasn’t quiet, it was soft but loud enough for anyone approaching to hear it. “I- well- yes- i’m,” the other difference was that he’s never left you this speechless, yes you found him conventionally attractive but you had never been this close to him, and he’d never made you feel this flustered. Bucky could feel the heat that was gathering at your cheeks with how close he was, later he was sure he probably would’ve gotten flustered too had he not been busy giving The Glare™️ to the men that had been following you.

You, quickly noticing the look in his eyes and without thinking, placed your hand on his cheek and turned him to look at you “James, I’m fine, nothing happened” and quietly added “and i’d really like to go start my shift Gabi is going to murder me” giggling feeling the completely tension ease off your shoulders now that you felt safe.

Bucky felt himself relax further feeling your i gloved hand cold from the weather on his now warm cheek and the thought of getting used to your laughter and the feeling of your palm passed his mind. Collecting himself and closing his barely parted lips he nodded scanning your eyes one more time to be sure “alright, let’s get going” and began to walk with you to the café, making sure to keep his arm around you and looking back at the men who had been following you earlier. Men who now stood up straight as pins and looked much paler and much more sober than they did when they first walked into the street. Bucky won’t admit to it but the rest of the tourists enjoying the night would recall three seemingly frightened men booking it out of the street as if their shoes had caught fire and they were desperately looking for water to put them out.

The walk to the café was a very short walk from there, you and James didn’t converse at all but stayed just as close throughout it. Finally getting to the café you saw it was empty, as it usually was at this time on weekends, and an annoyed Gabi sitting at the counter. They looked up when they heard the bell at the door ring and were ready to call you out on your tardy-ness when they saw it was that one hot-late night-patron who seemed to only come in during your shifts, holding the door open for you and letting you in. Gabi's mouth was visibly agape and their eyes nearly bulged out of their skull. They let out a small gasp and quickly got up, grabbed all their things and replaced their astonishment with a Cheshire-like grin. “Gladyoumadeithavefunstaysafe bye.” You hadn’t even finished blinking when Gabi was already out the door, bell still ringing and the panes on the door still trembling from how fast they made their exit.

“Bye?” Now actually inside the empty café it was just you and James. You looked back at the door tilting your head questionably, making sure you really just saw your co-worker a second ago and then made eye contact with James. You couldn’t help laughing. You were relieved to have made it to work with no other problems and your co-worker’s jump-the-gun attitude never failed to bring you entertainment of some type. Bucky also couldn’t help joining, a softer laugh, when he recalled the men’s scared faces and now your co-worker’s quick retreat was amusing in and of itself.

“Eager to leave, that one” Bucky felt calmer now unwrapping his arm from around you but unconsciously dragging his arm across your back and taking his seat by his usual table where he could see everything around the café.

“You don’t know the half of it, I'm sure if they had my phone number at hand they would’ve been spamming me,” seeing things continue as usual and trying to stop the tingle that went up your spin when he removed his arm, you began to make your way behind the counter, checking in, taking your jacket off and tying the café’s apron around you. “Give me a second domnule and I'll get you your usual order.” Already washing your hands, getting his desert and warming and mixing his coffee the way you’ve learned he enjoys it.

The sudden change to “domnule” struck a chord in Bucky. Normally he’d let it be, he was a customer and he knew you were just doing your job being formal, but, “You were calling me James just a few minutes ago, I still think it sounds better.” He always thought domnule sounded too formal for him, on top of that it reminded him of a military service he barely recalls doing (even if it was in a different language), and of the little scientist addressing each other at hydra bases. He could do without the domni. Bucky faced the table making himself busy placing his choice of book to read today and pulling out his small journal.

“Oh- That. Again thank you so much domnule-,” Bucky looked up at you as you looked up from his coffee you were preparing “James,” you nodded as he did and a small smile blossomed on your face. You began to approach his table with a quiet ‘order up’ as you departed from the main counter. “Those men were following me, for a while actually, but I didn't want to bring them here. I felt they would’ve stuck around for the rest of my shift.” You placed his order down and were ready to head back when he signalled for you to sit with him. You did a sweep around the café and yup, still empty, sat opposite him but shifted your chair closer to the wall so he could still see out into the room.

“That’s smart, people usually go to places they frequent for comfort but weirdos either stick around or come back later” Bucky took a sip of the coffee you just served him and couldn’t help but sigh. Just the way he likes it, perfect. “But you’re alright, right? They didn’t…do anything?” Bucky looked up at you again, your eyes were scanning the book and journal on the table, you looked fine but he wanted to make sure. The thought of men harassing people just for the fun of it already irks him but the thought of anyone harassing you who always makes sure there’s always warm coffee in his mug, you who’s been able to pick up on things that make him uncomfortable and comfortable and applied it to the times you interact with him, you who are just doing your best and still treating people with kindness, you and your non judgmental self, just makes him consider that perhaps committing a few more war crimes would be no biggie.

You looked up at him and again noticed his eyes, and once more wondered if his hair is really just soft as it looks or if it would be greasy from wearing that cap all the time? “I promise i’m all good James” you sent him a smile, and couldn’t help but notice the reddish colour lightly dusting his cheeks and ears from what you thought to be the cold outside. “Just some idiots that had too much to drink.” Which wasn’t anything new, the following you around had scared you a lot more since normally they wouldn’t go that far but you were glad James was at the right place at the right time. “Your first order is on me as a thanks.” You saw him about to protest before you shut him down “no take backs, I need to thank you.” Your voice shying to a softer tone and you got quickly already up and walking to the counter when James replied.

“How about I walk you back home?” Stuffing some of his desert his mouth in order to not continue talking. Bucky was sure if he wasn’t trying to hide his own flush on his ears with his cap he would’ve seen your own flustered state. He almost asked you for a date but decided he doesn’t know how long he’d be here, in any case why not try to take it slow like it would be if it were normal circumstances, at least this once. He always thought you made interesting conversation with him, and enjoyed the times you’d stop by and chat or even when you just asked him if he wanted refills or water.

“Home, you want to walk me home” you were mostly thinking out loud, processing what he proposed and eventually a small ding went off in your head and you started nodding. “Yes! Sure, yes I'd feel better walking home with you.” You could feel the apples of cheeks still warm and the smile on your lip was clearly content. Of course you found him cute, you really liked talking to him when you felt he was open to that and always found the excuse to fill his mug to get close to him but you’ve never wanted to push him out of his comfort zone, this could very well count as a dream come true.

Bucky found your smile and the sudden alto into your voice adorable and couldn’t help his own barely there smile. But it’s a smile from Bucky. What else could you ask for?

The rest of your shift you spent sitting with James talking softly and listening to the music you let him play. You thought he looked a bit confused trying to find the song on your music app but not everyone has smartphones and how hard is it to just give some guidance. James never actually touched his reading book and at times when he told a story of when he was young he’d pause to look for you to nod and quickly jot down another note in his journal. You found it endearing he looked undeniably excited every time he wrote something in there. At the end of your shift, when the sun came up, you cleaned up and just as promised James walked you all the way home. Leaving only when he managed to ask you if he could walk you to work tomorrow. You, needless to say, agreed then and the time after that and the time after as well.

//The Glare™️

[scientistservant]

8, 23 and 36 for the OTP ask game!

- @selfship-shenanigans

8. Who is a morning person? Who is a night owl?

"Neither of us are really 'morning people'," Finkelstein says with a roll of his eyes, his tone irritable. "If I had my way I'd sleep all day and work all night. But alas... Alice wakes up earlier than I do to prepare meals, however we both tend to sleep in well into the afternoon."

23. Who initiates cuddling more?

Finkelstein pauses, and looks away in embarrassment. "I don't beg for it, if that's what you're referring to... Alice's fur is warm and comforting... and her kisses are sweet... and she is gentle with me... TELL NO ONE!!"

36. Who is more protective?

"Alice, by far," he answers with a chuckle. "I am not saying I would never protect her -- I would, with my life, as she would me with hers -- it's merely that... I don't want to make the mistake I made with Sally. Not again. I will not protect Alice against her will. She is very protective of me, however -- to a fault, one could say. She tends to... sometimes coddle me. Alice is a brave, intelligent, and selfless girl, like my dear Sally... They can both hone their own, but if they need me, I'll be there.

...

"What are you still doing here? I'm busy, get out!"

[tinygamertris]

THIS IS VERY BELATED but I want you to know I saw your tags and LAUGHED, so I wanted to pick from one of them (or, more, blend two): How did your characters experience as an orphan shape their perception of Garlemald? Might this have changed if their parents lived? Might this have changed if they were adopted/received a different family?

I'm not playing Gentian any more but I spent SO LONG working on his lore that I can still answer the questions! Yay!

(Also I'm very glad I made you laugh!)

(EDIT: I spent twenty minutes gushing to one of my besties about how much fun I had making this post, and then explaining to him about Gentian, and now I'm back to playing the lad who is going to fix Garlemald come hell or high water! Thank you! XD)

For the first 12-odd years of his life, or at least the bits he remembers, Gentian's world was the orphanage, the block of old homes and slowly collapsing businesses around it, and the people who lived there. Nobody was rich, nobody was strong, but everyone banded together and helped out. The little old ladies in the bakery three doors down always made sure that someone had a cake for their birthday even if it was teeny. The family down the road would hand down clothes as their own army of kids grew up. The kids in the orphanage would run packages around the neighbourhood for the veteran who lost his legs in the Werlyt Campaign and he'd tell them stories of the friends he'd made and loved and lost and sometimes men from his unit would come around and the whole neighbourhood would come together to help them return to civilian life. It was hard but everyone pulled together, and I think it shaped his love of Garlemald in a way that can never be shaken. He's seen the worst of his country, yes, but he's also seen the best.

If his parents had lived he would probably have grown up in Ala Mhigo, loyal to the Empire and completely inured from the dark side of the country. His parents came to the country because his mother was part of the second army of builders, managers and administrators who followed the Garlean victory (she could use paperwork to make almost anything happen, and the messy state of the country genuinely did need people like her), and of course they couldn't leave him behind! It was an accident of bad timing and rebels who didn't care overmuch about civilian casualties that killed them; if she'd left work five minutes later or earlier they'd have lived. I think he'd have still felt loyal to the Empire, and probably still contributed to their magitek in time, but he wouldn't have had the same intense love for the civilian population he has in canon.

It would've been so, so easy for someone terrible to adopt him. The noble families of Garlemald are often twisting knots of infighting and jockeying for power, and we've seen how many innocent sons Valens van Varro took in and tried to corrupt. We've seen how the grandson and great-grandson of the Most Beloved Emperor Solus zos Galvus were raised! He was genuinely lucky it was the Dravis family that got wind of him first, given that they were honest and generally kind. If word of his magitek skills never got out, though, he would've stayed at the orphanage until 18, then been sent to the army to earn his citizenship. I don't think he'd have been happy in that life, and I also don't think he'd survive for very long.

[caniruineverything]

lean on me (when you're not strong)

a benmars fanfic

Summary: During a week off from White Flower business, Marshall is excited to hang out with Benedikt, as they two usually do when they have free time. However, Benedikt begins to act oddly, and when Marshall realizes why, he takes care of his friend.

The sound of footsteps faded to background noise as Marshall raced through the familiar streets of Shanghai, Benedikt as his right, and Roma at his left. As the wind tousled his hair and the sounds of the city blurred together, Marshall had never felt so alive. His favorite people, the ones who had taken him in when he had nowhere else to go, were keeping pace with him. Well, Roma was. Benedikt had slowed considerably from the steady, quick jog they had started at, and was lagging behind his cousin and friend.

"Ben?" Marshall began, quirking his eyebrow at his friend, "are you alright?" It was unlike Benedikt to be unable to keep up with Marshall, not after years of the two of them racing each other all over the city. Benedikt wiped his brow before replying.

"What? Of course I am alright, Mars. Why wouldn't I be?" Marshall just stared at the blonde, wondering if the other boy realized just how oddly he was behaving, unable to run, sweating buckets in the cool morning, and were his hands shaking.

"You-" At that moment, Roma, who had continued on, unaware that Benedikt and Marshall had stopped, jogged back to them.

"Hey, why'd you stop? Everything alright?" At this, Marshall shot a glance at Benedikt, wondering if he would respond the same way he'd responded to Marshall. Sure enough, before Marshall had a chance to say anything Benedikt ground out.

"I'm fine, alright? I am simply tired; I haven't been sleeping well. Now, if you are done asking me if I'm alright, I'm going to return home. Goodbye." He was gone before either Roma or Marshall could make a sound or move. Glancing at Roma, he saw his own confusion reflected on Roma's face. Roma, ever the peacekeeper, offered.

"Should I go see why he's in such a mood?" Marshall shook his head in answer. If Ben wanted to be grumpy, he would let him.

"No. Let him cool off alone. Can we get food? All this running has made me hungry." Roma nodded, and the two shot off in search of sustenance.

Marshall stepped into the apartment he shared with Benedikt, food in hand, and looked around for the blonde, who was nowhere to be found. Roma had left earlier, in search of Juliette. Well, he hadn't explicitly said that was what he was doing, but Marshall could easily read between the lines.

"Ben?" he called into the seeming vacant apartment. When he got no response, he put the food down on the table and walked around, looking for any sign that Benedikt was in the building. In the room they had designated as the living room, slumped in a chair, there Benedikt sat, reading a book with his head resting on his hand. "Ben?" At the sound of his name, the Russian boy looked up. Well, started, really, almost as if he had been on the edge of sleeping.

"Hello, Mars. How is my cousin?" That was it, no explanation of why Benedikt had left so abruptly. Surely, no book could be that important, right?

"Roma is fine. He is once again off gallivanting around with the Scarlet Heir." Benedikt scoffed at this, and replied.

"No surprise there. He and Juliette Cai probably think they are so covert, but alas. My dear cousin was never exactly subtle, now, was he?"

"That's Roma for you." So they weren't going to mention earlier. Okay, Marshall was fine with that. He was. "I brought you dinner. It's on the table if you haven't eaten yet."

"Oh." Benedikt blinked. "Thank you, that is very kind, only I'm not hungry. You can have it, if you want." Now Marshall was surprised. Sure, Ben had never had a ravenous appetite as Marshall did, but he was usually up for food.

"I've already eaten. I will set it aside in case you want it later." Marshall turned around before Benedikt could see his puzzled expressions. He walked back to the kitchen, placed the food he'd brought back into the fridge, and stepped back into the living room. Benedikt had resumed reading his oh so interesting book, though he kept blinking as if he was finding it hard to concentrate. Soon enough, Benedikt rose and declared he was going to bed.

Marshall stared after him, brows furrowed. Benedikt was quite the night owl, always being the one staying up, burning the midnight oil, while Marshall was fast asleep. Nevermind the running earlier, if anything made Marshall worry, it was this. If something were truly wrong, however, wouldn't Benedikt tell him? Marshall earnestly hoped that was true. He would hate it if his friend suffered in silence.

Marshall sighed, deciding there was no point in staying up if Benedikt wasn't there, and headed to bed as well.

Marshall awoke at the premature hour of 10 a.m. to sun streaming through the blinds. He blinked, surprised that no noise from Be had woken him up, as per usual. Instead, the apartment was silent, no signs of life besides Marshall. Had Benedikt left this early? Lord Montagov. had promised the two cousins they could be free from White Flower business for the week. Whenever that was the case, Benedikt and Marshall typically spent their free time together, while Roma took the opportunity to seek out the Scarlet Heir, if rumors were to be believed.

He slipped out of bed and wandered into the kitchen, searching for Ben or any sign that he had left. When he found nothing, he knocked on Benedikt's bedroom, which prompted no answer. Slightly uneasy at this point, Marshall made up his mind and slowly, as quietly as he could, opened the door peering inside. There, in his bed, lay Benedikt, clearly fast asleep. The slightest discomfort twinged in the back of Marshall's mind. Benedikt rarely slept in, rising with the sun most days.

In fact, the two had easily settled into a rhythm, with Benedikt waking up early and occasionally making breakfast for himself and Marshall, who woke when he could sleep no longer. Though he would never admit it, those days when he woke up to Ben's food were some of Marshall's favorite days, when, if he closed his eyes, he could pretend they were dating. Which, of course, was just a fantasy, as greatly as Marshall wanted it.

He shook his head, exiting his thought, and took in the sunlight bathing Benedikt in gold, his blind hair almost like strands of the precious metal it was often compared to. His skin was slightly paler than its usual rosiness, though Marshall chalked that up to having been asleep. He wasn't sure how long he had been staying at the figure on the bed, though it looked as if the sunlight streaming in had shifted infinitesimally. He refocused, and seeing as it was late enough, decided to bite the bullet and wake Benedikt up.

Marshall set his hand on Benedikt's shoulder and shook him gently. Benedikt made a slightly indignant noise at the sudden motion forcing him out of his slumber.

"Ben? Hey, sleepyhead, time to get up." Marshall murmured, slipping into the familiar tone he used with the blonde.

"Don't patronize me," came the slurred response, as even half asleep, Benedikt knew his lines.

"Rude. I came all this way to pull you out of dreamland, and this is the thanks I get?"Marshall may have been acting offended, but inside he was quite content. Hey, it wasn't his fault Benedikt looked adorable right as he was waking up. It wasn't a sight the Korean boy was often granted, so forgive him if he was going to enjoy it. Sooner enough, though, Benedikt pulled away, stretching awake, and the warmth against Marshall's hand was gone.

It was then that he realized how warm Benedikt was. That's what you get for sleeping in the sun, I guess, he thought. He brushed the thought off and left the room so Benedikt could get dressed. A few minutes later, Benedikt stepped out of the room, looking slightly more rumpled than normal. Another thing Marshall would only get to see when he woke up before Benedikt, he supposed.

"Breakfast is ready!" Marshall spooned the slightly burnt meal into two bowls, placing them to inform the two chairs facing each other at the table.

"Thank you, Mars." Marshall couldn't help the slight thrill that shot through him at the words. And the smile, god, the smile. Marshall swore he melted a bit every time one of Ben's dazzling smiles were sent his way. They ate, chatting occasionally, though Benedikt seemed quieter, somehow.

"Lot on your mind?" Marshall inquired, both trying to start conversation and genuinely asking.

"Oh," Benedikt started, "Yeah, I guess." He pushed his bowl away, then seemed to think twice and picked it up, laying it near the sink, and walked into the bathroom they shared, the only one in the admittedly small apartment. Marshall just sat there, fishing his own bowl. A minute or so later, he stood up and laid his own bowl by the sink. When he happened to glance at Benedikt's bowl, it contained almost the same amount of food as it had when it had been given to him. If you didn't like my cooking, Ben, you could have just said something.

"Come wander the city with me today."

". . ."

"Come on, it's only fair after you left me with Roma yesterday." And didn't eat my food, but he left that out. Antagonizing Benedikt's wouldn't help his case.

"Fine. I will come with you." Though he didn't seem particularly pleased about the exciting day ahead, which was odd. Marshall knew Benedikt had fun and genuinely was happy when traipsing ain't the city, though it wasn't as though the blonde tried to hide that fact. "I am truly sorry for leaving you yesterday. I was simply. . . busy."

"Sure. Now come on." Busy. Sure. When Marshall had returned, Benedikt had been reading. Super busy, right. Marshall elected to ignore his friend's dodgy answer, and grabbed his hand, pulling him out the door of their apartment.

"Where do you want to go first?" Marshall figured since Benedikt had agreed to come with him, the Russian boy could choose where they went first. Unfortunately, Benedikt must have been feeling indecisive, since he responded with:

"I don't mind. Wherever you want to go is fine." Alright then, Marshall was happy to supply a destination from his mental list of places to bring Ben. He just had to choose a place that didn't seem too romantic, as this wasn't a date, wasn't a date, as Marshall's internal mantra repeated.

"Well, I was out running alone last week"-when Benedikt had actually been busy-"and I found a really nice place to just sit and watch the city. How about we head there; it's not too far." Not that he had been looking for it, but when he said 'sit and watch', Benedikt had relaxed slightly.

With an excited "Follow me!", Marshall was off, dashing in the direction of the abandoned building where there was a really nice view. He glanced back every now and then to make sure Benedikt was behind him. He did not want a repeat of the other day, and it was quite easy to lose people when dashing through the crowded streets of Shanghai.

Though most of the moments he spent with Benedikt were beautiful, Marshall had to admit that he felt happiest when he was running through the city with his friend, even if that was all they would ever be. After maybe ten minutes, Marshall noticed Benedikt slowing considerably every time he peered back at him. He slowed to a stop and turned to face his companion.

"Mars, why'd you stop?" Benedikt was the first to say something when he had caught up. Marshall just kind of gawked at him, trying to formulate a response.

"You- I- you were getting slower, and I just wanted to make sure that you were okay."

"Oh," Benedikt flushed, evidently embarrassed that he had been caught not being able to keep up with Marshall's pace. "I'm. . . fine."

"You would tell me if you weren't, right? If you don't feel like running, you can say so. I won't be mad, if that's what you're worried about." Marshall almost facepalmed for not saying something like that sooner. He'd Benedikt come with him because he didn't want to make Marshall mad.

"Oh, Mars. That's very kind of you. But I'm not worried about making you mad. You should know that by now. Let's just keep going, alright? I want to see this spot you are so excited about." Though Marshall was still skeptical whether Benedikt was telling the truth or not, he acquiesced and began running again.

Only to stop again when Benedikt did, only a minute or so after starting up again. Even from a few feet in front of him, Marshall could hear Benedikt panting hard. He opened his mouth to ask if the other boy wanted to sit down for a bit, when Benedikt's legs began to shake. It took Marshall a few seconds to react, but when Benedikt's eyes began to roll back into his head, the Korean boy kept forward to catch his friend.

When he was able to steady the both of them and lay Benedikt down on his lap on the ground, he could feel the sheer heat radiating off the unconscious figure in his lap.

"Goddamnit, Ben, why didn't you tell me you were sick?" Everything began to come together; Benedikt leaving early, going to bed almost before it got dark, not eating anything, not waking up at his normal time, and his reluctance to run. He realized his heat from that morning had been a slight fever that had only gotten worse as the day progressed, and his pale complexion was a symptom of his illness.

Marshall just sat there, on the ground of the alley they were in. Luckily, Benedikt's ailing body had chosen a spot to collapse where there were no people around. Even when as sick as he currently was, Benedikt did not want to cause a scene. Marshall would have found it endearing if he wasn't currently cradling the boy, since the latter had fainted in his attempt to gaslight himself and everyone else into believing he was fine.

Benedikt began to stir, and Marshall was surprised that he was watching Benedikt awaken for the second time in one day. "Ben? How are you feeling?" Marshall asked as soon as Benedikt seemed aware enough to answer. The boy in question looked up at Marshall blearily, still evidently confused.

"What am I doing on the ground?" Well, he was actually in Marshall's lap, but it wasn't as if that was what was actually important.

"You fainted straight into my arms, Mr. 'I'm Fine'. Seriously, please tell me next time. I think I almost had an aneurysm." Benedikt had the grace to look ashamed, though he was obviously still quite out of it. "Hey, let's just get you home, alright, and we can talk about this later, yeah?". Benedikt just nodded, and then attempted to get up.

"Nope. Not by yourself. I'll help." Marshall wished he could say he was surprised at Benedikt's actions, but he wasn't. Benedikt had always been the type of person to try and do everything by himself, either unwilling or forgetting to ask for help, though Marshall tried to make sure Ben knew that he would always be able to ask Marshall for help.

"I'm-"

"If you say you're fine one more time, I will-"

"Okay, okay," Aw, man. Marshall had really wanted to finish that threat. I will throw you into the Huangpu, even if he would never make good on it. "I just. . . want to get home. I don't feel well." Oh. If Benedikt was admitting this, he must have felt like death warmed over. How he looked, Marshall supposed.

"Okay. Please just let me help you. I don't want you to make yourself sicker than you already are." Marshall looped his arm around Benedikt's torso, and when the other boy didn't protest, began to walk slowly in the opposite direction they had been running in before.

It took a while, as painstakingly slow as their pace was. It wasn't as if Marshall minded, of course. He would love heaven and earth if Benedikt needed it, though it wasn't as if he would ask for it. They eventually made it to their apartment. When they got inside, all it took was one small "Bed?" from Benedikt for Marshall's heart to break before helping the weak boy into his bedroom. There had been a few moments where Marshall was sure Benedikt was going to pass out again, and he would have to carry him back, but luckily Benedikt soldiered on.

The moment he was laying down, however, he began to slip away into sweet oblivion. When he was sure Benedikt was fully asleep, Marshall began carding a hand through his sweaty blond hair. He wished, not for the first time, that Benedikt would have just told him that he wasn't well. They could have avoided this whole affair, and Benedikt would have recovered faster.

Though he knew neither of them were fully out of the woods yet, he was relieved that he knew the extent of what was going on with Benedikt, and that said not was resting in his own bed now. Marshall laid down next to him, as the bed was quite large, and Benedikt took up not even half of it, and fell asleep next to the boy he loved, content to take care of him until the two of them could get back to safely racing through the streets again.