#where the doctor says he makes a great curry

[whatsfourteenupto]

The thing is, the Doctor is a pretty good cook across the board (Not 13. They’re not sure why it skipped that regeneration but 13 was only allowed in the kitchen with strict supervision). The issue is that if they start cooking one thing, they keep “might as well”-ing until they’re working on six recipes at once, all four burners are going, every dish in Donna’s kitchen is now dirty, and tomorrow’s breakfast is cooking next to tonight’s dinner “because it’ll save time in the morning!” Yes, the carbonada recipe they got from that lovely old man in Argentina is delicious, but dinner is interrupted by the bread they forgot they left in the oven.

[ashintheairlikesnow]

🔪 for Chris!

🔪 Awake surgery

CW: Referenced hand whump, blood, sadism, reluctant whumper, facility whump, BBU

"You have got to be joking." The doctor dried his hands off on the single-use towel he held, watching through the one-way window as the trainee inside sat, shaking his head at a nurse who was speaking to him in a low voice. He shook it less like he was saying no and more like he was simply denying that she was speaking at all. "Him again? What the fuck is Petrus doing to this kid? It's only been, what, four days since I got him out of the clinic in the first place!"

"I mean, you know what he does to him, he's one of the little sluts." The handler rolls his eyes. "Petrus fucks him stupid, not that any of them have brains to begin with. But this time 223499 dropped a glass during his Mixology class. Can't pin it this one on Petrus, it's all on 499 being a little bitch again. His Mixology instructor says he's a clumsy little shit."

"Great. Okay." Dr. Ross has a headache already. He hates this place, hates the crude, aggressive handlers and the way they talk about - and to - the trainees. He hates sewing the injured trainees up only to see them again, with new wounds needing dressed and new terror in their eyes. He hates everything about this job except the paycheck.

He can't wait to get another job and get the hell out of here.

The Facility gets to him - it works its way down under his skin, seeing the haunted, nervous way the trainees looked around all the time, trying to guess where pain would come from next. Trying to curry favor, to avoid the torture constantly forced on them anyway. He's been seeing their frightened faces and hearing them beg in his dreams far too often. "So he's here because..."

"It's a deep cut." The handler shrugs. "He needs stitches."

Dr. Ross looks back at the trainee. 223499 is holding perfectly still while the nurse turns his hand over. His palm is a mess of blood, darker than the new-penny shine of his hair. The trainee's stained fingers twitch nervously.

He's just a kid.

The same kid who'd automatically gone to his knees just a week ago, ready to do whatever he was commanded to, thoughtless obedience making the doctor's stomach turn.

He has to get out of here.

Dr. Ross swallows, feeling like there's a lump in his throat he just can't quite get rid of it. "Fine. I'll prep something to numb his hand, we'll give him a little bit of-"

"Nah." The handler shrugs, looking bored. "His primary's got a note on his file, didn't you see it? No painkillers for three weeks. Not even topical."

Dr. Ross watches 223499 flinch away from the nurse, who slaps him, making him cry out. The sound is muffled through the one-way window. As is the apology the boy provides immediately, stammering through it, only to be slapped again. This time, he doesn't cry out. He only cringes back, hunching into himself, and keeps his eyes down.

It makes Dr. Ross feel sick.

"... fine," He says, realizing the silence is drawing out too long. "I'll get him sewn up. He can go back to his room once it's done. Tell Petrus to leave him alone for one night, at least?"

The handler snorts with dry humor. "Yeah, good luck on that. But I'll tell him you said so. You want me to help you strap him down?"

Dr. Ross doesn't let himself look at the trainee again. "Yeah. Come in and strap him down while I prep."

"You got it, Doc." The handler gives him a lazy salute.

The kid doesn't fight being strapped down, but it doesn't matter. Once the work begins, the kid's back arches, he screams and thrashes wordlessly, then... even worse, he makes noises after like he's dying, low moaning sounds that seem barely human. He's shuddering, whispering apologies when all he'd done was drop a glass and try to clean it up too fast.

Dr. Ross goes home that night with the trainee's screaming in his ears. He hears the sounds the kid makes once the needle goes into his skin all weekend in his nightmares.

On Monday, he emails his resignation, effective immediately.

He's smart enough to have a one-way ticket booked for a country WRU isn't operating in before anyone reads it.

[thatdehydratedmedic]

A new beginning

It's September. After many rough winds, the dust has settled. June, July and August brought with them uncertainty, but here I am now. I am now in Malaysia. There's only a few days left before registration. Although I'm scared, I'm also relieved. So much has been done and I am one step closer to my goal.

During my first week here, my dad stayed with me in Malaysia at a separate hotel. He helped shop for necessities and I helped him pick out gifts for the rest of our family. It was quite the hassle. I remember people telling me that moving to Malaysia would be easy because everyone speaks English. I've found this to be a lie. Most people, in fact, do not speak English. In this era though, it is not a boundary we cannot cross. Google translate came in handy. I remember hosting a Japanese kid at out place before. This was ages ago, before the age of Google Translate. She could not speak English and relied on a tablet-sized device for her translations. It was not easy.

The most difficult part so far has been adjusting to how quiet the place is in general. Since I'm staying at a 2 room apartment and my roommate has still not moved in, its so so so quiet. It gives me the creeps. That's why I've come downstairs to the lobby to write. There is absolutely no way I could stay in my room any longer before I go insane.

I also find that the food here is very different. With all due respect to Malaysian culture, I have found that the food is pretty oily and the taste profile is worlds apart from what I'm used to. There is a sharp, almost citrus-y note in almost everything. Although I imagine someone else might enjoy it, I can't say I do. I miss the plain rice, garudhiya and curry. Even more than that, I miss the mas'huni and roshi.

I've written a lot about how things have been in Malaysia. But I also want to talk about how work was back in Maldives. I met so many patients who made me want to keep pursuing medicine. While there were definitely instances where patients behaved aggressively towards me, I can't blame them or even bring myself to be upset at them. Their pain and frustration was the result of a bigger issue with the healthcare industry as whole. Moments of helplessness gave me increased motivation.

Of course there was also the times where I could be helpful. Moments like these were much more common and naturally, I remember them a lot more fondly. My favorite interaction with a patient was when they requested me to translate for them on their second visit after being satisfied with my service on their first. They had come back after about 4 months. When they first took my name on a small piece of paper I did not think much of it, but I realized how much I had impacted them when they asked for me after so many months. It was a greater joy to see that they were doing much better than before.

During my time working, I met many great doctors as well. Among them, some more than others. In this regard the neurosurgeon was exceptional. He was an example of kindness, patience and diligence. I had gone into work thinking I would like to become a doctor who did not have to spend so much time in the hospital. I thought I would prefer to be someone with a good work-llife balance. After working with the said doctor though, I changed my mind. I believed I would much prefer the busy life.

That's all I have to say for now. That and that I cannot wait for uni to start. I am so excited to make anki cards and revise them. Watch me take those words back when school actually begins. I also need to note I am no longer sleep deprived. I am still dehydrated though, perhaps more than before. See you next time!

[gg-carboxylase]

Got ahold of Step by Step episode 12. We needed 2 more episodes as usual with these series.

If you've not watched the show, please do. It's worth your time, even if you feel like you're wading thru the first few episodes. It's slow burn. This is not horny hours. This is really office hours.

Spoilers under the cut obvs.

Some meta. Mostly my opinions.

I wrote that paragraph before the Mildly Spicy Bed Makeout. I kind of enjoy that Jeng shooed Pat to the shower For Reasons. At least, I personally infer bottom reasons but that's just me. Still, I would have liked more spice à la Bed Friend, but I'm a thirsty ho.

I'll get this admission off my chest — I'm bummed that we got those really spicy kisses and that's as far as it went. KP and Domundi productions spoiled me, obviously. Did I want to see them fake fuck? Yeah. I'll admit it.

The scene where they were writing out then deleting their text messages was acted to perfection.

Hot take — Ben is the worst ugly crier. We love him anyway.

Jeng is a stalker, he needs to learn to go less hard. He also needed to resign like, 2 years earlier from the company. Good for him though. Dad is hot. Shame he's a homophobe.

I am super over people singing in the shows, no matter how good they are.

I love that Jeng's passion is cooking.

You can tell this is a real Thai show because when they show that green curry, it's real green curry even if it's store bought. It's hard to find good green curry paste over here unless you're in certain places.

Jeng's mom — what was the point of a 30 second meeting. Ben is so good at being nervous and young, he's really a great actor.

The chemistry is off the charts in this episode, good Christ. They obviously had fun shooting the cake scene.

Jeng better have a hell of a savings if he's returning all his shares to his dad and putting his hopes on his restaurant.

The restaurant biz is a bitch. I grew up in the restaurant business and the margins are razor thin, even in famous and successful restaurants. Hopefully, Pat's advertising firm is doing well.

Seriously, again. Needed another couple episodes. Especially with how Jeng's dad tossed his resignation letter.

I know Man said this would be his only BL, but I would really like to see them do another show together. They really got their shit together at the end and it's rare to see a couple that can have this kind of chemistry.

The age difference works really well between them, it's comfortable — which isn't there for a lot of decade+ couples — and there's a lot of plots where this could be used. So let's manifest that.

I have no idea what the fuck Man does for a living, so I'm not sure if he's even free to do another series. Dude has an econ degree, which means nothing (no offense econ folks, you guys are like Swiss army knives). I suspect he's a mini Mile Phakphum, and just sort of exists on the largess of his family and his modeling career.

I very much liked this series. It's definitely in my list of favorites. For me, it started out rocky because I didn't understand what it was trying to do. Looking back, now that I see what the aim is, the path it took is perfect.

Would I have liked more sex? Absolutely, but as I mentioned before — I'm a thirsty ho. These lads get paid more than I make as a clinical lab scientist, spending my day making your doctor look smart. A little bed shenanigans isn't too much to ask.

Alas, I can't complain too much. The kisses we got were A+, top-tier compared to nearly any other series. The physical stuff we did get was also A+. Truly, my complaints are mostly unfounded. We could have ended up with Korean level bullshit.

I'm not going to bother with meta about the story because there's users here that are far better at articulating exactly what I want to say, so troll the tag for them.

[hms-tardimpala]

Favorite characters of 2022

For posterity, here are the characters I (re)discovered in 2022 that really stuck with me. I hope I can do this for several years and see if I can find a trend or if my tastes evolve with time. (This post's purpose is mostly to study myself, ngl)

Homer Jackson - Ripper Street

All the characters in Ripper Street are worthy of this list, but I relate to Jackson particularly. He's a scruffy, alcoholic, genius, messy jack of all trades, a brilliant doctor and a broken human being. And he's bisexual, of course.

I liked him from the first second, but I really fell in love with him when this 19th-century doctor said "Oh by the way, there was semen in these men's rectums, but I didn't think it was important." and "I know big stevedores who would make you feel like a princess, Sergeant."

His story in the show is a beautiful, funny and tragic one I won't forget soon.

Fetch Phillips - The Fetch Phillips Archives

I relate to Fetch so much it's concerning. Guilt is one of the five emotions I have on speed dial, so... But it's also fascinating to see him grow and painstakingly become a better man. I love what Luke Arnold is doing with this character and the series.

I don't need to say much about him here because the Writers of Sunder City discord server is where I discuss him the most, but yeah, he makes the list this year.

Max - Black Sails

She makes me think of Connor Walsh from HTGAWM because he looked out for himself and his loved one above everything else and wasn't above lying and manipulating people to achieve his ends. And the people I watched HTGAWM with disliked him just like they disliked Max when we watched Black Sails. But they forget that, among a group of murderers, Connor was the innocent one (I haven't watched S6 yet, don't spoil). He didn't kill Sam. He didn't crush a district attorney under his car. He didn't have a homosexual man deported back to Pakistan. He was just the mean guy of the group, was used to cover up these murders again and again, and nobody cared when it destroyed him slowly because he was "the mean guy". And I've seen plenty of people treat Max the same way.

She's the kindest, most compassionate character on this show. She values human life and all she wants is safety and happiness for herself and the ones she loves. She is one the best-written female characters I've ever encountered in any type of media.

Long John Silver - Black Sails

I don't have words. I know him intimately. He's a complete mystery to me. He's burned into my mind. I'm not the same after watching this show.

An interesting thing is that I like all John Silvers so far. Tim Curry in the Muppets movie, Treasure Planet John Silver, book John Silver. But to me he will always have Luke Arnold's face, voice and body language. It's a character I won't stop thinking about for a long while. I might write a thesis on the character and his different incarnations someday, just to entertain myself.

Steve McGarrett - Hawaii Five-0

Hear me out.

(Look at how fucking sad he looks in that uniform I love it)

I know this show is mediocre on average, I know it's copaganda and the ethics of it are dystopian. It's so far from my political views you'd think I'm joking.

But I still love it.

And while Danny used to be my favorite character, I now relate to Steve more. My whole life, I've wanted to be a soldier. Because of my relationship with my father, because of my transness, and for other bullshit reasons. I have now given up on this aspiration because of health issues (and other stuff), with great regret. So when I see in a show a man like Steve, who didn't necessarily enlist for the right reasons, who exists through his usefulness to his community - his found family - and who shares my issues with showing emotion/letting people in, feeling worthy on one's own, and being terrified of being alone, when I see that man grow, find love and learn to open up and live his own life... Well I just turn off my critical mind a little and enjoy the ride. And it's fine. I just love this character 🤷

Notes:

Out of these five, at least three are queer (all of them if you count headcanons)

80% of them are cis men. I don't think it's for lack of encountering and liking characters of other genders, it's just what I liked this year

Boy, this hasn't been a great year reading-wise, on the whole (with a few stellar exceptions)

[yutahoes]

Questions

pairing : dad! Yuta Nakamoto x mom! reader, Shiho, Shinichi

word count : 2.5k words

genre : fluff, a little dramatic, slightly suggestive

summary : Being a mom is hard. Being a mom on a period is harder. 

a/n : I suck at summaries. 🤦‍♀️ This is originally titled Emotions in my WIP but decided a last minute switch. Posting this as apology for not being active in Tumblr. A lot of things had to be done. Please enjoy this small domestic scenario. 

It was that time of the month again. Blood. Cramps. Annoying hormones. You thought having kids would lessen the painful menstrual cramps but if possible, it just worsens it. 

Additional to the pain is the fact that you have to cook dinner for your two kids and your husband who was going home after a long day of work. A loud cry can be heard from the living room that made you sigh. Shin. "Noona, can you make Shinichi stop crying?" You asked from the kitchen, putting the curry mix in the pot. But the cries got louder and you can hear your daughter grunting.

"This is mine. This is my rabbit." Shiho shouted, taking away the pink rabbit doll from her brother's grasp. Shin kept on crying, tightly holding on. 

You sighed. "Noona, can you just let Shin borrow your doll?" You asked, trying your best to be calm. "You have lots of toys already." You gestured at the lego blocks and tea sets scattered on the floor of your living room. 

"But this is mine!" She shouted. 

"I know, just let Shin borrow it for…" A loud rip can be heard, the doll's rabbit ear was on Shiho's hand as she fell on the carpeted floor. The rest of the body in your son's arms as he stopped crying to look at his sister crying on the floor. "Shiho please, stop crying. We'll get your rabbit…" 

She hastily wiped her tears, standing up and throwing the ripped rabbit ear on the floor. "I hate you and Shin!" The statement took you in surprise. You've never seen her like this before. "I wish Shin wasn't born! I love daddy more than you. I hate you!" 

"Shiho Nakamoto!" You said in a rather loud voice. She looked startled that you regretted calling her in that tone. You just wanted to cry at the moment and the pain in your abdomen isn't even helping at all. A loud sizzle can be heard from the kitchen as a smell of burning food filled the house. Shit! The food. "I'll be right back, stay where you are." 

You turned around from her and hurriedly went to the kitchen to turn off the stove. You even burned yourself and even bumped on the counter because of panic when you heard a loud slam of the door followed by muffled cries. You had to groan as you put the pot under the running water. 

You're not feeling well. You ruined dinner. You ruined Shiho's favorite toy. And your daughter hates you and her brother now. Great, Y/N, just great!

You heard the door open, followed by your husband saying the words, 'I'm home.' You were just leaning by the kitchen sink, taking it all in. Calm down, Y/N. You're just sensitive because of your period. "What happened?" Yuta asked as he picked up the toys scattered on the floor. He was carrying Shin in his arms, lightly rocking him. 

"Can you please calm Shiho down first?" He lightly glanced at the closed door of your daughter's room, asking you what happened. You didn't answer him, instead took Shin in your arms then gestured to the door. 

A sigh escaped your lips as Yuta disappeared inside the room. He's the only one who can calm her down anyways. 

-----

The moment Yuta entered Shiho's room, he saw how her body was heaving up and down from her bed. She was crying, something did happen. "Shiho." He called softly, sitting on the edge of her bed. "Baby, what's wrong?" 

She immediately hugged him, crying on his shoulders. Although Shiho is already seven, he can still see the little girl in her when she cries in his arms. And he wished she could still be his little girl even if years passed. "Daddy, I'm scared." She does look scared. Yuta asked why and the answer surprised him, "I hurt mommy. I said mean words to her and when she turned around, her skirt was bleeding." 

Oh, Yuta thought, it's that time of the month again. "You said mean words to mommy?" 

Shiho sat on his lap, nodding while wiping her tears. "I told her I hate her and Shin." 

"Do you hate mommy and Shin?" Shiho shook her head. "Then why did you say those things?" 

"I'm angry." She said with a pout and Yuta listened attentively to her. "Mommy told me to share my rabbit with Shin but I don't want to. I always share everything with him, my toys, my food, Cinderella, you, and mommy. Pinky is the only one I have left." Yuta smiled, why is she so cute ranting like this? "Now, Pinky is broken and I just got angry." 

The older sighed. "We'll get Pinky fixed, hmm?" Shiho nodded. "About you sharing everything with Shin, I'll apologize on behalf of mommy, daddy, and Shin. We thought it was alright, you are the older sister." Yuta explained as she stared at him. "We thought since Shin is still a baby, you can share your toys with him. When he grows up, we can teach him how to share his stuff with you." 

"For now, we just want you to take care of Shin since he's still a baby. But you know, honey, when you both grow up Shin will be the one taking care of you." The girl just stared at him, still pouting and as if thinking deeply. Yuta smiled, she really does resemble you. “Mommy and I both love you equally, Shin just needed some more attention from mommy right now and I hope you understand that.”

“But daddy, I still hurt mommy.” She whined. “My teacher said that if you say something mean you’ll hurt the person inside. Maybe mommy is bleeding because of what I said. Do you think she’s hurt? Should we bring her to the doctors?” 

Yuta chuckled at that. He didn’t know that he’ll have this conversation when she’s just seven years old. More importantly, he always envisioned this as you explain these things to your daughter, not him. “Well, mommy gets sick once a month. Blood comes out of her and she’s a little sensitive. It’s a normal thing for girls.”

“What happens when they don’t bleed every month?” 

He hummed, thinking for a while. Is he right in explaining this? “They must be pregnant.” 

A gasp escaped Shiho’s lips. “Daddy…” she called worriedly. “I’m pregnant.” 

Yuta laughed at that. She’s so cute. “No, honey, it happens when you’re older. Right now, you don’t have it yet.” He explained while giggling. “When the time comes, mommy is going to help you and I’m going to lock you in our tower.” 

“Why?”

“So you’ll have to bleed every month.” Yuta grinned as if proud of what he said but Shiho just stared at him curiously. The older kissed the top of the younger’s head. “Should we check if mommy is alright?”   

The young girl shook her head. “I’m still scared. What if she’s still mad?” 

Yuta smiled. “I’ll talk to mommy first. Can you help me clean up your toys outside?” The younger nodded. “Thank you, baby.” Her eyes glistened at that making him smile wider. 

-----

You were stitching the ear of Shiho’s doll when Yuta came into your shared bedroom. He’s still in his work clothes and you feel bad that he had to deal with this drama the moment he came inside the house. “How are you feeling?” he asked so you stared at him curiously. “Your menstruation came early today.” He whispered while placing a kiss on the side of your head. He wrapped his arms around you, leaning his head on your shoulder as he back hugged you. “Shiho was so scared that you’re bleeding because of her.” 

Wait, you thought, Shiho saw? “How is she?” 

“She’s really your daughter, no doubt.” You had to glare at Yuta because of that but he chuckled. “Don’t worry, she already calmed down.” You nodded. No one can calm down Shiho but Yuta so you’re thankful that he came home at the right moment. 

“I’m sorry about dinner. Can we just order some food?” 

He smiled, nodding, as he hugged you tight. “I’m sorry.” What for? “This must be stressing you out. I’ll try to take more days off to help around the house.” He knew he doesn’t need to do that but you’re thankful. He nuzzled his head on your neck, making you smile. Yuta being this clingy is something that isn’t new to you. He was like this when he asked you to marry him and when he asked permission to have a child with him. “I love you. You are the best thing that happened to my life, Y/N. I can’t imagine having a life without you.”

“Do you need something?” 

Yuta giggled. “First, you’re on your period. Second, having two kids is tiring already. So no, love, I just want to cuddle my wife and tell her how much I love her.” You smiled. You do love it when Yuta is being like this. But all things must come to an end and that is when Shin cried. “I’ll take care of Shin.” He said then kissed your cheek, “Should I prepare a warm bath for you?” 

You shook your head, saying that you’ll take care of it. “I’ll order food and clean outside. Take some rest.” 

“Thank you, Yuta.”

He shook his head, smiling at you. “Thank you, Y/N.” 

-----

You had your bath, cleaned yourself up, and even prepared for bed. A knock on the door can be heard followed by your husband’s voice asking if he can enter and you nodded. He opened the door, your youngest child in his arms while the oldest shyly entered the room while holding a food tray. You helped her with the heavy object and she thanked you quietly. 

Yuta sat on the other edge of the bed, rocking Shin who was nibbling a breadstick. He gave Shiho a look before the younger girl spoke up, “I’m sorry for shouting at you mommy. I’m just angry. I’m sorry.” Tears were welling up in her eyes and it broke your heart seeing that. “I still love you and Shin very much.” 

“Come here.” You opened your arms as she went up to the bed and hugged you. “I’m sorry for shouting as well.” This is also your fault. She’s still young, not fully understanding things, yet you as an adult had to overreact. You should have explained everything to her calmly, not join her in her tantrums. Your daughter deserved better than you getting mad at the small things. “I’m sorry you had to cry.” 

“I won’t do it again, I promise.” She said in a soft voice. “I don’t want to hurt you.” 

You kissed the top of her head, holding her in your arms and caressing her hair. “I don’t want you hurt as well so if mommy or daddy did something wrong or upset you, you can be mad at us. You can shout, you can cry, you can be scared. It’s normal, baby.” 

“I missed you calling me baby.” She snuggled on your chest that startled you. Yuta laughed, watching the two of you. “You always call me noona. I thought you don’t love me anymore.” 

It's now your turn to laugh at that. "I want Shin to hear the word noona so he can call you that easily." You explained as she exclaimed in awe, even Yuta looked surprised at what you said. "How can I not love you when you're my favorite girl in the world?" She giggled when you peppered her cheeks with kisses. 

"Then who is your favorite boy in the world?" She asked innocently and you answered Mark's name in a teasing tone. "Mark samchon is also my favorite." 

"Come on Shin, we're not needed here," Yuta claimed which made you laugh. Shin had to cry, struggling to get out of his arms. "Even Shin doesn't want me." He pouted and it was Shiho who laughed, giving her dad a breadstick. 

"Nana." The three of you stopped then looked at the source of the sound. Shin repeated the word 'nana' while tapping Shiho's leg, asking for breadsticks. Yuta was quick on his feet, getting the polaroid camera. 

"Did you hear that, mommy? Shin called me noona." You had to giggle at her excitement. That was the same feeling you had when they first said the word 'mama'. You heard the shutter of the camera, followed by a whirring of the photo paper. "I'll share my toys with you from now on, Shin." She whispered. 

Speaking of toys, you stood up from the bed to get the pink rabbit from the drawer. You already sewed the ears of her plushie but the two were just looking at you in worry. "Mommy, does it still hurt?" She asked as you lightly glanced at your husband who mouthed ‘blood’ at you. 

What? You already cleaned up. Why is your period like this? “Maybe you should get pregnant,” Shiho suggested that made you wide-eyed. Pregnant? Yuta shrugged, lying on the bed. “Daddy said it can stop you from bleeding.” Your husband laughed at that. 

“Honey, being pregnant means having a baby in mommy’s tummy. Shin is still young, we can’t have another baby yet.” Yuta repeated the word yet that made you glare at him. “I’m fine, baby, don’t worry about me.” 

Shiho nodded, smiling at the two of you then at Shin. She handed him a breadstick and he giggled, repeating the words ‘nana’ that made you smile. Yuta pulled you in his lap but you revolted. You’re bleeding. You might stain his jeans. “It’s just blood, no worries.” He whispered. “You were bleeding more when I took your virginity.” You had to lightly elbow his stomach. 

Shiho was busy giving Shin some breadsticks as the younger babbled incoherent words. Yuta was feeding you and your daughter with sushi alternately when you heard her asked all of a sudden, “Then mommy, how can babies get inside mommies’ tummies?” 

You had to glance at Yuta who laughed at the innocent question. God, she’s really growing up. 

[liibrii]

fem!Miya!Reader & Miya family

Part of the Third Miya Series

Synopsis: Three is a weird number. It's only two units bigger than one and only a unit more than two and yet it seems to be so much more, especially when the three in question are toddlers needed to be dressed for kindergarten.

wc: 2.1k

a/n: baby Miyas, the ultimate serotonin providers 🙃 if you wanna be tagged in future chapters let me know, and as always feedback is greatly appreciated!

Mrs Miya has always trusted her gut feeling and in that moment it was telling her the bathroom was down the corridor, last door on the left, and, just as Mr Miya had told her that morning, eating leftover curry for breakfast was a dreadful idea.

Doctor repeats her words and Mrs Miya's neck becomes completely stiff. If it wouldn't she'd perhaps be able to look at her husband whose face turned ashen pale. “Triplets?“

Well, this will take buy one get one for free jokes on a whole new level.

Doctor's words are just buzzing and the soon to be Miya parents nod and smile and nod and hold on each others' hand as if there's no tomorrow. They're silent on the way out.

Mr Miya turns to his wife. “Do they even sell strollers for three kids?”

Three is a weird number. It's only two units bigger than one and only a unit more than two and yet it seems to be so much more, especially when the three in question are toddlers needed to be dressed for daycare.

You all wear the same colours because Atsumu would throw a tantrum if your jumper wasn't the same colour as his and you would throw a tantrum when yours was a different colour than Osamu's, who in turn would throw a tantrum because his jumper was now the same colour as Atsumu's.

Mrs Miya had read advices that one should always dress their twins (or, in this case, triplets) differently as it is good for their personality development; which is all well and good and a great advice, except that whoever wrote it forgot to take into account that two and a half out of her three children saw being dressed differently as their siblings as a horrific violation of their toddler rights.

Your parents tell themselves one day you'll grow out of this phase, but till then mom stitches little numbers one, two, and three on the edges of your clothes. She did start stitching your names, but with only two pairs of hands in the house and three little sprouts in constant need of attention there was never enough time to finish them.

“One,“ says Mr Miya and Atsumu raises his hands.

“Ichi!“ he proudly chimes.

“Two,“ Mr Miya grabs you before you'd crawl out of the reach of his arms.

“Ni!“ like his brother Osamu too raises his chubby fists, but only halfway.

“And three!”

“San!“ You hug your dad's neck, perhaps hoping that will get you out of having to wear socks.

And heaven forbid they ever messed up which jumper belonged to whom. It was beyond your parents' wisdom how you could tell the number stitched on the edge was not the same they said when counting your heads, but you could.

“Must be yer superpower,“ jokes Mr Miya while changing your sweater that has the wrong number on the edge. He barely pulls it off when Atsumu's chubby hands already grab it and begin pulling it over his head. He screams when his father offers to help, pouting even if he's completely lost between the left sleeve and the opening for the head.

“Alright buddy,“ muses Mr Miya and turns his attention to Osamu who already pulled his socks off so, naturally, now you've mysteriously lost one of your socks too. Mr Miya sighs. Maybe it's time to let his boss know he's going to be late.

Three is an enormous number, when the three in question are a feverish toddler in your arms and two more running around doctor's office. Perhaps it was time to ask the daycare to put you three into different groups. That will cause an outrage, oh ever since the 'One child, one pillow' incident Mrs Miya is well aware of that. But then again, better that than all of you throwing a tantrum when only one got to leave the daycare early.

“One, two, three,“ she counts your heads under her breath, then hurries over to where you just picked up a very interesting small stone that probably fell from the soles of someone's shoes, “San! I mean y/n, sweetie, that's a stone. See, it's rough and cold.“ You whine when she takes the treasure from you but still  listen closely to her words that spark Atsumu's interest too, and he trots closer to see what is happening. Thankfully feverish Osamu has fallen asleep in her arms. Really, the last thing she needs is his firm conviction the stone is just greyish candy. Mrs Miya still lets Atsumu take the stone in his hands. “No,“ she grabs his hand when he lifts it towards his mouth that is already curving into a grimace. “Hey, hey, no need to cry over it sweetie. Yer gonna wake up yer brother and he needs sleep right now.“

“Is he sick?” your tiny voice chimes in. Mrs Miya nods. “Because he ate melon seeds,“ you nod with all the wisdom of a 3 year old. “He's growin' melons in his tum-tum,“ you tell Atsumu whose wide eyes blink twice before he bursts into tears.

“One, two, three,“ Mrs Miya counts your heads while you play around the house. If you hide from her sight sooner or later screaming and crying alerts her something happened. A moment later Mr Miya returns to the living room with a very much red faced and screaming Atsumu in his arms.

“What happened?“ she asks, crouching down to console you, also crying because there's no way you'd let your brother scream his lungs out by himself.

“Ah the usual,“ he places the scissors on the counter, “wouldn't let him shred his shirt. Osamu, no!“ He quickly grabs his other son who also starts crying, shocked that his own father would take the lost sock from him before he got the chance to find out how it tastes.

Ah, just another Sunday.

The good thing about three children running around is they're never lonely. There are always games to play, fights to win, faces to colour. Most of the days all of you exhaust yours (sometimes apparently infinite) supplies of energy by the time evening falls. Mr Miya puts you to bed (one bed, because trying to make you sleep in separate cribs is apparently a disgusting violation of Toddler convention) before he collapses beside his wife.

“Asleep?“ she asks.

Mr Miya hums. “For now.“

The moment they turn the lights off slide door across the hallway open. Light steps cross the dangerous waters of the dark hallway, enter the bedroom and climb over Mr Miya to the safe haven between the parents.

“Bad dreams?“ asks Mrs Miya. In response Osamu sniffles and snuggles closer. Not a minute passes when two more pairs of legs pass through the darkness of the hallway and climb to be beside their brother. You shriek when Atsumu pushes his cold feet on your back, but dad's stern word makes you stop. A few moments later you're all asleep.  

“One, two, three,“ sleepily mumbles Mrs Miya, patting each of your heads.

“Four,“ says Mr Miya and his wife giggles.

Three is the number of band-aid packages your parents buy per month. Ever since you've grown for about a chopstick taller, well you only grew for about three thirds of a chopstick because nature thought it would be funny if you got outgrown by your brothers at the tender age of 5, it turned out the tall tree in the park could in fact be climbed, if you climbed on someone's shoulders and then pull them on the lowest branch. Sadly the branches aren't big fans of being climbed on but no amount of scratches and falls could stop you from trying.

“A champignon never stops tryin'!“ proclaims Atsumu after the failed attempt that left bark in his hair and Osamu laughing on the branch.

“What's a champignon?“ you ask.

“It's the person who's the best! It's what I'll be one day!“

Osamu snorts, firmly grabbing on the thin branch he's sitting on. “Champignon's a mushroom.“

“No it ain't!“

A mushroom, you make a little note in your memory, because no matter how much Atsumu protests you're more inclined to believe Osamu when it comes to mushrooms.

Your heads turn when you hear mom calling and waving, waiting for Osamu to climb down before running over to her.

“I win!“ announces Atsumu despite Osamu reaching her first.

“Why, because yer a champignon?“

“Are we all here?“ loudly asks Mr Miya before his boys could jump into each other's hair, “identify yerselves!“

“One!“ calls Atsumu.

“Two!“ calls Osamu, louder.

“Three!“ you call and jump, because being louder than them was never an option.

Four heads turn to Mrs Miya. “Mom,“ she raises her hand.

“Excellent!“ proclaims Mr Miya as three small voices cheer. “Then we can get goin'!“

“Where to?“ you ask.

Mr Miya picks up a stick and starts drawing lines in the sand covering the path. “It's a secret but maybe ya can guess, we'll go down this path-“

“A treasure hunt!”

“Almost. At the fountain we'll turn left, and what lies down the fountain path?“

“Pigeons?“ you try guessing.

Osamu bumps his fist on the open palm. “Ice cream stand!“

Mr Miya nods.

“Last one there's a loser!“ shouts Atsumu who starts running before even finishing the sentence. Osamu immediately follows, both ignoring your shouts to wait up.

Three is a funny number. It only works when the two and one have the third , because otherwise it's just one and two. Like a clover that got munched on by a picky rabbit that tried a leaf and then decided it doesn't fit its taste.

Volleyball sort of became the rabbit munching on the clover. One day teachers simply decided you're not allowed to play on the same team as your brothers anymore. And no amount of crying, screaming and sulking could convince the rabbit to give the leaf back.

“Maybe we can sneak ya in,“ suggests Atsumu one night, “all ya hafta do is wear our clothes. No one will know!“

So you try that and funnily enough, people do notice when one and two together make a three, and what surprises children even more is that parents also notice when they return late from school because they had to stay in detention. And as if cleaning the school hallways for a month wasn't enough, now they have to clean the house too.

It is however enough to discourage you from trying to sneak into practice again, so you stick with only coming to games and waiting for their practice to end so you can walk home together. From time to time some of their teammates stop to say hello or to complain to you about their shenanigans, but that's knowledge you hold to yourself, since you never knew when blackmail material might come in handy.

It's only when Osamu teases they get to go to a volleyball workshop and you don't that you get envious.

“It sounds stupid anyway,“ you try pretending you couldn't care less.

“It would be perfect for ya then,“ Osamu shots back and sprints away as you dive after him.

Maybe you are just a teensy bit envious, still as long as you get to play with them when they are home it's not that bad. After returning from their workshops you don't even let them take their shoes off before dragging them to the volleyball net dad set up in the garden. You stand where you always stand, by the net so you can throw balls for them to hit over.

Atsumu pushes you away. “No, this is my position now. I wanna be a setter.“

You don' mind, and throw the ball towards Atsumu who sends it back into a bit of an awkward place and you end up not even hitting it.

Osamu bursts into laughter. “Ya suck.“ He jumps to avoid the kick aimed at his knee. “We play with good players now so yer gonna hafta practice more. There was this tall player with a cool name! Right, Tsumu?“

“Tsumu?“ you repeat.

“Tsumu and Samu. It's our names but they sound way cooler now!“ proudly declares Atsumu.

Your eyes widen in admiration. “I want that too! What should I call myself?“

“Yer always copyin' us,“ complains Osamu but he gets ignored as the first name Atsumu suggests earns him a ball to the face.

“Oh I know!“ You bump your fist on your open palm. “I'll be San!“

Atsumu thinks it over with the same expression Osamu has when trying to decide which udon toppings to order. “San,... Y/n... San,... It sounds so cool! Whaddaja think Samu?“

Osamu shrugs. “San, let me show ya how to spike the ball properly.“

tag list: @espressons @trashy-simp @nachotrash​

[butwhyduh]

I've just finished reading your Christmas bat boys series and I love them all 🥺🥺! I don't want to be greedy but could you write morning/boxing day breakfast scene for the boys(TM)? I'd love that! If not then that's fine too. You've already provided us with quality content 👌

💕💕

So I’m from the US and we usually don’t celebrate Boxing Day. So I’ll probably do something wrong but that’s okay. That’s how Americans do holidays anyways. But I refuse to believe Alfred Pennyworth wouldn’t celebrate for one second. So I firmly believe this was the day that most of the kids and even Bruce would indulge Alfred and do what he wanted.

When they were kids it was enough to simply put the sweets down and take a proper post Christmas shower. Jason Todd had been incredibly excited to learn about Boxing Day because he thought it was a family fight day. Uh, yeah, good food and watching some boxing was nice too, he had guessed. Not a lot was certain, but sausage rolls and some kind of sports game on Boxing Day was one of them in the Wayne’s household.

Damian

You woke up to the familiar scent of Damian. But he wasn’t within arms reach. Where was he? How did you get up in his room anyways? You sat up to see him sleeping on the floor. Poor guy. It couldn’t be comfortable, could it? You tried to climb out of bed but the soft rustle of the sheets woke Damian. He sat up quickly only to relax.

“Morning,” you said.

“Good morning. How did you sleep last night?”

“Good. You didn’t have to sleep on the floor. That looks uncomfortable,” you said feeling guilty.

“It’s alright. I’ve slept in worse places,” Damian said and you were reminded of his child soldier past. You frowned. “It’s truly fine, beloved. Let’s get down to breakfast.”

“Yeah,” you said softly. You threw on one of his sweaters and went down. Alfred was in the kitchen this morning and had a platter piled high with some sort of pastry that he was bringing to the breakfast nook. You and Damian slid into the seats and you looked at the beautiful white grounds of Wayne Manor through the large viewing window.

“Would you like coffee, tea, juice, hot cocoa,” Alfred asked you both before bringing your drink. It was nice to be the first up. Alfred brought Damian curried tofu scramble and fried mushrooms and tomatoes. (You too if you are vegan/vegetarian).

Bruce came in the room and sat across from Damian. It was almost funny to see the billionaire in sleep pajamas. A large cup of coffee was placed before him and he had a steaming plate of everything Damian ate plus sausage rolls and a protein shake. It was quiet for a few minutes.

“You slept on the floor last night,” Bruce said quietly as he read the news on a tablet. He rolled his eyes at the article “Local Reporter Clark Kent gets Pictures of Superman in action.”

“Yes. All night, father. You knew that,” Damian said with a bored hint of annoyance as he ate.

“Good. If either of you needs to speak to an adult in the matter of love or relationships, I am well acquainted with several child psychologists as well as a number of medical doctors,” He said casually. You almost choked on your food before taking a large gulp of your drink.

“Father. Not at breakfast,” Damian chided. His ears had a soft redness and he pointedly looked out the window instead of at either you or Bruce. You stared at your plate.

“I think I hear Jason awake. I’d better catch him before he leaves. Excuse me,” Bruce said before leaving.

“Sorry. He’s.... awkward. He thinks he needs to teach us about sexual education. A little late,” Damian said with a laugh.

“A little late? Oh,” you said. Damian quickly looked at you.

“Not that way. We’ve just, we learned in school. Not that I’ve- I think someone’s coming in here,” Damian said grateful for the distraction.

Dick and his fiancé walked in. He had his hand around her waist and the pair seemed glued together. They sat down at the same time with a giggle. They probably hadn’t even noticed you both there.

“Are you done?” Damian asked and you nodded. You couldn’t handle watching them.

You both went upstairs to his room again. Damian awkwardly sat on the bed.

“You know,” you started. Your face felt flush. “If you did want to talk about it, I’d be here.”

“Oh. Do you mean,” he started to ask.

“Sex. Yeah. It’s fine if you don’t. Seriously. Just saying...” you trailed off. He looked at you intensely. When Damian Wayne was thinking hard on something, his face became completely imperceivable.

“Maybe. Soon?” He said hopefully. You nodded. “Wanna watch a movie? You’ve got to go home in a few hours.”

“Yeah sounds great.”

Dick

You woke up feeling like a puzzle piece. An arm was thrown across your back and legs wrapped in yours as you laid on Dick’s chest. His heartbeat was steady in your ears. You couldn’t get much closer to him if you tried. You moved to get up because the bathroom was calling your name.

“Baby,” he groaned and wrapped his other arm tightly around you. You tried to pull out while shushing him back to sleep. There was no way you could pry yourself from his grasp unless he wanted you to with his incredible grip strength. “Stay with me,” Dick begged. “Just a little more.”

“I’ve got to use the bathroom,” you protested and he finally let you go with a big pout.

When you came back, his rough fingers pulled you by your bare thighs back in bed. His dress shirt and panties weren’t exactly the warmest clothing. You landed on him with a giggle. Dick quickly wrapped you both back in the blanket.

“Good morning, fiancé,” he said softly. His fingers traced soft circles on your back.

“Fiancée,” you said back with a smile. Dick kiss you softly. Morning breath and all. He finally pulled away.

“It’s Boxing Day. Alfred’s sausage rolls. Are you hungry,” he said finally releasing you.

“Yeah. A little. Especially after last night,” you said getting up and finding some clothing.

“I know, right,” Dick said and his face was basically this emoji 😏. You rolled you eyes and slipped on his sweater and a pair of sweatpants.

Dick couldn’t keep his hands off of you. He held your hip while walking downstairs and laced his fingers in yours as you ate breakfast. His plate was piled high with the pastry and he drank a green protein shake with it. Was there anyone else in the room with you? Maybe? Who knows? Who cares?

After breakfast you both said goodbye to his family before leaving back to Bludhaven. You and Dick stayed in bed for a good portion of the afternoon and when he went on patrol, he looked at you wistfully before leaving.

Tim

Tim could sleep through a hurricane in a canoe. He missed a lot of sleep and when he finally laid on his pillows, lights out. He didn’t move. He didn’t snore. And God hisself couldn’t wake this man before at least 5 hours had passed.

And when he woke up on the day after Christmas, he was incredibly disoriented after getting 9 hours of sleep. He vaguely felt someone laying in his chest and he looked down. Oh yeah, you. He slept so hard, he forgot he had a girlfriend for 2 minutes. He would never tell you that.

“Sunshine,” he said running his fingers on your arm. “Wake up.”

You slowly stirred to look at him. You laughed instantly. His hair stuck up everywhere. Probably a side effect of having his face between your legs last night. He looked at you confused.

“You need a shower before you do anything, Timbo,” you said with a smile.

“Back at you. Wanna join me,” he asked with a eyebrow wag.

“I think I’ll pass with all your family awake. Last night was pushing it,” you said, giving him a kiss. He leaned towards your face to continue the kiss as you pulled back. His hands held your hips but released them easily when you pulled away. He had a pout on his lips but got up to shower anyways. You both got ready before going downstairs.

Alfred slid a cup of coffee in Tim’s hand before you even made it to the breakfast nook. You poured a large one for yourself after seeing the scene. Dick and his fiancé were half an inch from making out at the table. It was too early for this madness.

Tim gave you a knowing look. He certainly wasn’t the only one getting play in his childhood room last night. You rolled your eyes.

Tim grabbed a few pastries and a protein shake. It was funny the first time you learned he drank them religiously. He didn’t look the type. Dick on the other hand... But Tim was naturally thin and couldn’t hold weight on his body to save his life. A protein shake at every meal helped replace the calories he lost through work, lack of sleep, and his insanely fast metabolism.

Tim’s phone rang. No surprise there. You were honestly surprised that Tim’s phone hadn’t rung earlier or last night. He sighed and answered it. His breakfast was probably going to be interrupted. He talked for a few minutes before hanging up.

“Sunshine,” he started.

“You’re busy, Wayne Enterprise. Have to leave soon,” you guessed. He looked regretful.

“Yeah. I’ll make it up to you tonight. I’ll call you a car when you’re ready to leave. I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Tim said. He quickly shoved food in his mouth and gulped down his coffee. “I’ve got to go.”

Jason

You woke up frozen. You were not under any blankets and tbh your tits were like icy. Your stomach was really warm tho. You looked down to see Jason’s head between your bare breasts and his body slotted between your legs. He clung on you like a monkey and gently snored. The blankets were on the floor. The activities of the night before had you flushing. Yeah that had been fun.

You ran your fingers through his hair to wake him gently. You didn’t want to jerk him awake but you were frozen. Jason slowly stirred and rubbed his face into your bare skin before groaning.

“Fuck it’s cold,” he grumbled, wrapping himself tighter around your body.

“Get up. I’m cold,” you said and he begrudgingly released you. He stood up and you realized that you both were completely naked. He grabbed some sweatpants and threw them on before throwing the blanket on you. You snuggled in the warm fabric. You were lulled back to sleep for a few more minutes.

You woke up alone. There was a note on the dresser.

Get dressed and come downstairs to the breakfast nook Princess- Jay

You grabbed one of his black sweaters and threw it on with your pants you wore the night before. You saw Bruce slide Jason the keys and he confirmed it with you afterwards. Your mind couldn’t process that.

Jason pulled you to the breakfast nook. Dick and his new fiancé were leaving and Tim was rushing out with business. His girlfriend left shortly after. Bruce, of course, had already started working on business or whatever mysterious stuff he always did.

Jason ate every single sausage roll and the rest of the vegetables that you didn’t eat. Alfred came and sat at the table with you both. Usually not what he would do but Jason always insisted. The older man nursed a cup of coffee and you all looked out the large viewing window. You couldn’t get over how huge the place was.

“Alfred, can you tell me stories about Jason when he was a kid?” You asked and Alfred smiled.

“I have many of Master Jason’s childhood. He was always a boisterous lad. Still is I suppose,” Alfred said taking a sip of his drink. Jason smiled. He had an arm thrown over your shoulder.

“When he was 14, Jason tried to climb the chandeliers in the front entry, as Master Richard had many times. Well, Jason was probably 20 lbs heavier than Richard even at that age. The chandelier came down with a resounding bang. Jason had broken a toe. This was the morning before a gala at the Manor. Master Bruce was far from pleased,” Alfred said. You laughed.

“The chandelier got reenforced and now Dick can swing on it to his heart content. I’ll leave the acrobats to him though,” Jason said with a laugh.

“I wish I could have seen it,” you laughed.

Alfred sat with you both for the better part of an hour, just telling funny stories about the boys and Bruce. Alfred stood up.

“I really do have work to do if I hope to catch the game this afternoon. I hope you both understand. But one last thing before you go, Master Jason. Bruce has been talking about leaving you the penthouse for years. He just needed a push to finally give it to you. I hope you both enjoy it,” Alfred said before leaving the room.

“Let’s, uh, let’s get going,” Jason said abruptly. He was feeling uncomfortable emotions. It wasn’t the first time and you indulged him without asking any questions before leaving.

Bruce

He had a pounding headache when he woke up. He was hung over. He had impeccable hearing and the noises from 3 of his 4 sons rooms (as Duke and Cass had patrolled after the party) had him finding a bottle of whiskey. Was Jason purposefully being loud? At least Damian’s room was quiet. Bruce couldn’t handle that. Of course that didn’t guarantee anything. But he was willing to put up with it so that his boys could be home. But yeah, sound proofing on their bedrooms was a priority. Jesus Jason, wtf?

Giving Jason the penthouse was not a plan. But Bruce was grateful because the Jason’s Christmas list had been “gun.”

Dick’s list was “a break.” Bruce got him a pair of jet skis. That would be a good distraction.

Tim had asked for “a day off.” Bruce gave him tickets for 2 to Hvar, Croatia in January for 2 full weeks in a snowy cabin.

Damian had asked for a certain set of Wakizashi swords. He got the swords.

Alfred asked for a pasta maker and Bruce bought him a ticket to Italy for a week to pick one up.

Also: 3 days after Christmas, Tim recieved a camouflage gun themed snack gift basket with the card reading “duck next time-Jay”

[takoyakitenchou]

masquerade ch.10

im back (fr this time)

“I always knew you were weird,” Akira muttered when they got onto the skydeck turned landing pad. He and Hisako had just graduated from their respective colleges and now they, Souma, and the Denmark Nakiris were gathered on top of the Copenhagen penthouse for some quality catching up. There was no doubt that the day would end in another round of shokugekis.

“Rude!” Alice pouted as she set down a large blanket and a few red Solo cups in the shade of Ryo’s new helicopter. “I just happened to buy my amazing husband a gift! Besides, he has a license now and having a charter plane is fun.”

“You talk as if your family doesn’t own three private jets,” Akira pointed out, pouring draft beer from a two-liter pitcher.

Alice waved this off with an annoyed flap of her hand. “Hayama, when are you and Hishoko gonna get married?”

“We’re twenty-two,” Hisako pointed out dully. “And don’t call me Hishoko.”

“I’m not, Hishoko. However, as the official matchmaker of the Nakiri Faction, I must insist that you get the hell on with it already.”

“Nakiri Faction?” Akira inquired.

“Yes! You’ve been an honorary member since you assisted my booth at the festival in first year.”

“You mean Jun’s—”

“And you and Hishoko are going to get married in like… two days, so she’s automatically a part of the faction as well now!”

Souma laughed as he took out a few boxes neatly packed with onigiri. “Yo, Arato, did you buy Hayama a helicopter yet?”

Hisako raised an eyebrow. “No,” she smiled with a teasing air. “But he bought us a company.”

The red-haired chef spat out his Lagunitas IPA. “What!?”

“Yeah, I bought Habui,” Akira said casually, as if he were talking about bargain eggs.

“Holy shit! Is that why you were on the front cover of Forbes!?”

“It’s been the only thing on the news for the last week, Yukihira,” he replied drily.

Alice added, “It was definitely a shock at first, though.”

True—it took her a full hour of staring at the magazine to properly process the fact that twirling his Phi Beta Kappa key around his finger and still wearing his graduation gown, the fresh Columbia graduate had dethroned the Sendawara sisters with a phrase that would become legend—“My nose can make better curry than your hands.” How he’d made that much bank as a college student was up to debate, but nobody questioned the fact that he was the new CEO of Habui. 

“Tokyo will be our home base,” Hisako said, staring speculatively into her cup. “I’m starting med school at Johns Hopkins in the fall but after Innlausn opens next month Akira will probably be moving back to Japan.”

Souma’s eyes widened. “Wait! I just had an idea. Why don’t you guys stay at my place in Evanston for the startup period?”

“You’re only saying that because you want us to be indebted to you so we don’t run your ass out of Illinois,” Akira scoffed.

“Cruel,” Souma retorted, feigning hurt. “I’m just being nice. Right, Arato?”

“I mean, I’ll take you up on it,” Hisako grinned, and she and Souma exchanged a fist bump. “We owe you one.”

“No, we do not! Don’t say things like that to him!”

Alice smirked at this. “Oh, yeah? You only got your Chicago floorspace because Yukihira’s journalist girlfriend pulled strings with the contractors.” She paused for a second, then whirled on Souma. “By the way, Yukihira. You’re getting pretty serious with Erina again, aren’t you? What a fuckboy. Two girls at once?”

A vein pulsed in Souma’s temple. “Oh, shut the fuck up. I’m single and Erina doesn’t like me like that anymore.”

“Baseless assumption!” Ryo bellowed.

They all laughed at this — the story of the spontaneous kiss after Origin’s opening night had circulated among the friend group and now they were placing bets as to when the former first and second seats of the Elite Ten would finally quit beating around the damn bush. Souma, who had been too embarrassed to call Erina since the debut, had chosen to aggressively not participate.

Within moments, they were all rolling up their sleeves and getting their hair out of the way to crack down on each other in a shokugeki themed “obscenely expensive”. They had just raided Alice and Ryo’s apartment-sized kitchen, making vulgar comments on how Akira had only bought Habui because he was still salty about Sendawara Natsume hitting on him during the Elections and talking general shit like they hadn’t already earned each other’s highest respect, when Hisako’s phone rang.

Everyone leaned over the doctor-restaurateur’s shoulder to see just who the hell would dare interrupt their shokugeki episode.

Incoming FaceTime call from: Nakiri Erina

Before Hisako could even answer the call, Souma dropped his knife and bolted for the door. His flight was cut short by Ryo, who grabbed his collar and yanked him backwards. “The fuck you going?”

“F-finland,” Souma squeaked, his arms and legs in frantic motion.

“Oh no you are not,” Akira snapped, shoving Souma back over to Hisako, who was greeting Erina over FT. “Take responsibility for your dumbassery.”

The blonde chef dropped her phone when Souma entered the frame. “Y-yukihira!?”

“Um… yo…? Nakiri? Sup?”

Erina was already blushing, but she managed to say, “Nothing much. You?”

Hisako passed the phone to Souma with an expression of amusement, who nervously combed his fingers through his hair and started moving around to find better lighting. “I’m uh… not doing anything either. Where you at?”

“I’m in Tokyo,” Erina said. “At dinner with—”

“Yukihira!” Asahi grinned, popping into view.

Erina looked a little disgruntled as the two proceeded to treat each other like the brothers-in-law they were probably going to be (hahah the foreshadowing). 

The rest of the Nakiri family greeted Souma and asked him if he knew where the hell Jou had disappeared to this time, and obviously Souma had no clue, but it really did seem like things would work out between the two families after all. Once it was just Erina watching him silently through the screen, Souma gave a slow smile and said, “Good seeing you again, Nakiri. I guess I’ll…”

Erina asked hesitantly, “Are you free later? Maybe around midnight my time?”

Shrugging, Souma answered, “Should be. Why?”

“N-no, it’s nothing. Never mind. Goodbye.”

“I’ll call you,” Souma offered. 

Erina’s ears turned red. “If you insist, I will pick up your call.”

“Sounds great.” Souma passed the phone back to Hisako and sat down grinning like a foolish idiot. 

Alice had been watching the whole interaction with mild amusement, and now she tapped the kitchen counter for attention, first dibs on the truffle oil long forgotten.

“So, Yukihira. You still think she doesn’t like you?”

[esperwatchesfilms]

Clue (1985)

This is one of my all-time favorite films. I have no clue why. It might be the nostalgia factor. But I’m absolutely obsessed with it. I’ve seen it a million times, but I have never looked into the interesting trivia on its IMDB page, so this will be fun!

Awesome Fun Fact:

The color of each character's car is the same color as their playing piece in the game, and is introduced as follows: Colonel Mustard drives a yellow 1954 Cadillac Series 62, Mrs. White drives a black-and-white 1950 MG TD convertible, Mrs. Peacock drives a blue 1952 Packard 200 Deluxe club sedan, Mr. Green drives a green 1951 Plymouth Cranbrook, Ms. Scarlet drives a 1946 red Lincoln Continental, and Professor Plum drives a purple 1949 Pontiac Streamliner Station Wagon.

Prof. Plum: It’s frightened.

Something I Already Knew But Maybe You Didn’t: When Wadsworth cuts the power to the house during his solving of the mystery, it represents the point of divergence of the three endings.

Amusing Fun Fact: Professor Plum indicates at dinner that he works for the World Health Organization, part of the United Nations Organization. This means he works for UNO WHO.

Wadsworth: Professor Plum -- you were once a professor of psychiatry specializing in helping paranoid and homicidal lunatics suffering from delusions of grandeur. Prof. Plum: Yes, but now I work for the United Nations. Wadsworth: So your work has not changed. But you don’t practice medicine at the U.N. His license to practice has been lifted; correct? Miss Scarlet: Why? What did he do? Wadsworth: You know what doctors aren’t allowed to do with their lady patients? Miss Scarlet: Yeah? Wadsworth: Well, he did. Miss Scarlet: Ha!

Mrs. White: [after Mrs. Peacock swears that the reason she's being blackmailed is a vicious lie] Well, I am willing to believe you. I, too, am being blackmailed for something I didn't do. Mr. Green: Me too. Colonel Mustard: And me. Miss Scarlet: Not me. Wadsworth: [surprised] You're *not* being blackmailed? Miss Scarlet: Oh, I’m being blackmailed all right, but I did what I’m being blackmailed for.

Miss Scarlet: Well, to be perfectly frank, I run a specialized hotel and a telephone service which provides gentlemen with the company of a young lady, for a short while. Professor Plum: Oh yeah? [pulls out pen and a pad of paper] Professor Plum: What's the phone number?

Wadsworth: The double negative has turned to proof positive. I’m afraid you gave yourself away. Colonel Mustard: Are you trying to make me look stupid in front of the other guests? Wadsworth: You don’t need any help from me, sir. Colonel Mustard: That’s right!

Wadsworth: Mrs. White, you've been paying our friend, the blackmailer, ever since your husband died under, shall we say, mysterious circumstances? Miss Scarlet: Ah! [laughs] Mrs. White: Why is that funny? Miss Scarlet: I see! That's why he was lying on his back, in his coffin. Mrs. White: I didn't kill him. Colonel Mustard: Then why are you paying the blackmailer? Mrs. White: I don’t want a scandal, do I? We had had a very humiliating public confrontation. He was deranged. He was -- [points to head] Mrs. White: -- a lunatic! He didn't actually seem to like me very much.

Miss Scarlet: Why would he wanna kill you in public? Wadsworth: I think she meant he threatened, in public, to kill her. Miss Scarlet: Oh. Was that his final word on the matter? Mrs. White: Being killed is pretty final, wouldn't you say? Wadsworth: And yet, he was the one who died, not you, Mrs. White, not you! Miss Scarlet: What did he do for a living? Mrs. White: He was a scientist, nuclear physics. Miss Scarlet: What was he like? Mrs. White: He was always a rather stupidly optimistic man. I mean, I'm afraid it came as a great shock to him when he died, but he was found dead at home.

Mrs. White: I had been out all evening at the movies.

Wadsworth: But, he was your second husband. Your first husband also disappeared. Mrs. White: Well, that was his job. He was an illusionist. Wadsworth: But he never reappeared! Mrs. White: [chuckling, admittedly] He wasn't a very good illusionist.

Prof. Plum: Maybe he was poisoned!

Wadsworth: He decided to put his information to good use and make a little money out of it. What could be more American than that?

Col. Mustard: You lure men to their deaths like a spider with flies! Mrs. White: Flies are where men are most vulnerable.

Mrs. Peacock: No, I just want to powder my nose. Thank you.

Wadsworth: Sorry!

Wadsworth: The key is gone! Professor Plum: Never mind about the key, unlock the door! [smacks Mr. Green on the shoulder] Mr. Green: [grabs Professor Plum by the collar, throttling him] I CAN'T UNLOCK THE DOOR WITHOUT THE KEY! [releasing Plum, Mr. Green rattles doorknob] Mr. Green: LET US IN! LET US IN! Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet: [on other side of locked door] LET US OUT! LET US OUT!

Mrs. Peacock: Our lives are in danger, ya beatnik!

Communism is Just a Red Herring Fact: The line "Communism is just a red herring" is said in all three endings (twice by Wadsworth and once by Miss Scarlet). Not only is it is a pun (particularly after World War II, the Russian Communists were frequently called "reds", for example, the anti-Communist slogan, "Better dead than red."), but it cleverly refers to a MacGuffin (or a real "red herring") implemented by the screenwriters, because none of the murderers motives end up having anything to do with creating political conspiracy. There are various visual red herrings on-screen, such as a hammer and sickle on the shelf beside the torch Colonel Mustard finds, and a bust of Lenin in the attic.

ESE: 125/100

50 +10 for Tim Curry +4 for the dogs +2 for the dog poo shoe +5 for Mr. Green’s obedience (”Sit! No, not you, sir.”) +1 for Mrs. Peacock’s glasses +5 for amazing one-liners +5 for the discussion about why Mrs. White’s being blackmailed -10 for homophobia -5 for The Three Stooges antics when Mr. Boddy’s secret is revealed +5 for not shouting +5 for confusion +5 for most hilarious pairings +10 for secret passages +3 for the ironing board +10 for singing telegram +10 for Wadsworth walking through the whole thing +6 for 3 different endings -10 because the timing makes no sense for Mrs. White to have killed Yvette +10 for Mr. Green going home to sleep with his wife +4 for Clue card credits

[brythebibliophile]

dance with me--a spencer reid x reader

a/n: hi everyone! sorry I haven’t posted that much, my life has been kind of hectic. this idea just kind of came to me so I hope you enjoy it!

warnings: none! just fluff :)

word count: 1570

-

“Jeez,” you said as you shut your book and grabbed the closest thing to you(your arm rest). There was turbulence on your way home from a case in Colorado, and while you weren’t a nervous flier, you would still prefer for the rides to be smooth and calm.

“I really do not appreciate that turbulence,” Rossi stated from his position across from you. It wasn’t a secret that Rossi liked his plane rides smooth as well. 

“Relax, guys. Did you know that the actual chances of a fatal injury from a plane crash are 5% or less? Also it would be kind of difficult for the plane to actually crash. Most things have a low risk of happening but the stakes are high if said event actually happens--like in rock climbing. The chances of the climber slipping are slim, but if they do fall the injuries could be fatal. Anyways, as I was saying, lots of activities are like that, but plane crashes are at low risk in both areas. So hopefully that can help to...calm you down,” Dr. Spencer Reid said in an attempt to help.

Spencer and you always had a weird relationship dynamic. When you guys actually interacted you two always had a good time, and when you got put together on cases things normally went more smooth than usual, but something had just never clicked with you two. The rest of the team didn’t know it, but you knew that the reason(at least on your part) was that you had a crush on Spencer. Big time. So, the only way to ensure that you didn’t accidentally slip your feelings or make a complete fool of yourself in front of Spencer was to...avoid him, mostly. 

“Thanks, Reid,” you said. “You know, I’m not that nervous of a flier, I just prefer a smooth ride. Helps to ease the anxiety more than your statistics, that’s for sure.” That earned a chuckle from Rossi.

“Yeah, yeah. Excuse me for trying,” Spencer said with mock hurt, but the smirk he offered you let you know that he was kidding. “We should be landing soon, anyways. I estimated our landing time and we should be down in eight-ish minutes.”

“Wonderful. I honestly cannot wait to get this paperwork done and go home because I have been craving thai food since we left for this case!” You said, your mouth watering with just the thought of red curry, pad thai, basically everything on the menu.

“Woah, did someone say thai food??” Derek’s head popped up over the other side of Rossi’s chair.

“Yes! I’m planning on grabbing some on my way home. Do you guys want to come over actually? Anyone who wants to come can!”

Everyone on the jet agreed to coming except for JJ, who wanted to get home to Will and Henry, and Spencer. 

“Reid?? You in?” You nudged him a little bit with your foot underneath the chess table. 

“Ummm, maybe? We’ll see how I feel after paper work because I’m a little tired.” You frowned a little bit. That wasn’t the answer you had wanted.

“Okay! Just whatever works for you.” Soon after that conversation, the jet landed and the team went in to finish up the paperwork for the case and meet up at your apartment. You always dreaded this part of the case. Normally the jet gave you time to cool down and try to forget about the awful things you had to face at work, but paperwork always managed to open up the wounds while they were still fresh. The amount of paperwork you had to do normally depended on your role in the case, but since you had been the one to type up a working profile for Hotch before you all delivered it, and you were the one who arrested the unsub, you had to do quite a bit. 

Spencer had been watching you. From his desk a little ways away from yours, he had seen you filling out the papers you were required to and turn them into Hotch. Reid didn’t really have to do much paperwork, but he was waiting for you to be done because there was no way he was going to miss this thai food despite what he eluded to on the jet. The young doctor noted the ways your body language changed as you recounted the events of the case. He saw how you bit your lip either out of frustration or to keep your tears from falling. He saw how your brow furrowed as you looked over the case file one more time. He saw how your hands shook as you passed of the papers to Hotch and walked back to your desk.

“Okay, everyone, I’m gonna go back to my place and shower but everyone meet up at my place in like an hour? Will that work for everyone?” The rest of the team nodded and grunted out agreements as you turned and walked to the elevator. Spencer jumped in with you. Just as the elevator started to descend, an extremely loud jolt of thunder erupted from the heavens. You jumped a little bit, then blushed because you were embarrassed. 

“I’m not scared of thunder, you know,” you smiled and relayed this news to Spencer after hearing him softly chuckle at you. “I’m just a little jumpy after relaying the details of our case, that’s all.”

“No, I get it. It’s just that I’m normally the one jumping for weird reasons.” Spencer returned your smile, and the elevator opened for the ground floor. You two started to walk out together.

“Sometimes I just wish it would all stop. I mean, I’m here for a reason and I love that I’m helping people! It’s just, I dunno, people are really messed up sometimes. The world can be really sucky,” you admitted to Spencer as you walked across the lobby of the Bureau.

“Agreed,” Spencer breathed out as he grunted when he saw that it was absolutely pouring outside. “Great. I don’t have an umbrella. Do you?”

You shook your head. “Well, this will be interesting. Are you coming by the way?? To dinner?” Spencer nodded. “Great. You heard my announcement about time, right?”

“Right. Well, let’s brave the rain!” You and Spencer nodded to each other as if you were going into a battlefield and stepped outside of the main set of doors.

“So apparently, not only do the people of the world suck, but the world itself does too! Blasted rain,” you joked. Something shifted in Spencer’s face. 

“Do you trust me?” He asked. You nodded, a bit skeptical. “Come here.”

He led you to his car, then took his messenger bag and your briefcase and shoved them in the back seat. He locked the car again.

“Spencer! What in the world do you think you’re doing?” You inquired, a little frustrated but mostly curious.

“Come here!” Spencer responded. He grabbed your hand, which took you by surprise because he was normally such a germ freak. He dragged you out to a portion of the parking lot that was normally deserted. “Dance with me!”

“Spence! What? You aren’t making sense. What are you talking about?!”

“Your hands have been shaking ever since you handed Hotch the case papers and you’re being more talkative than normal! Those are both indicators of stress and you don’t deserve that. So, I’m asking you to just forget about it. Dance with me.”

“Spencer, I have places to be! I need to pick up dinner and no matter how hard you try to make me forget about it the world is a crappy pla-”

“Dance with me and pretend the world doesn’t exist,” he pleaded, cutting you off. “Please.”

You gave in. He smiled. You started out doing a goofy dancing thing, the kind of things they showcase in cheesy teen sitcoms when they say a character is bad at dancing, but you slowly morphed to dancing with each other. At one point, Spencer span you out, and you came spinning back in to him. You breathed him in, and even though he smelled mostly like the rain that soaked his clothes, you could pick up traces of coffee and books, both trademark Spencer scents. You looked up at him and your eyes met. Then neither of you could take it any longer. You kissed. It was spontaneous and desperate and beautiful. You both smiled softly at each other when you pulled away.

“I need to go home and take a shower,” you said slowly, easing your way out of Spencer’s arms. “But I’ll see you soon, okay?” Spencer nodded. “Walk me to my car?”

You held hands all the way over to Spencer’s car, where you picked up your things, and then over to your car. You weren’t sure if that kiss was like a one-time thing but you really hoped it wasn’t. Too late to turn back now, you thought as you pressed a kiss to Spencer’s cheek before turning around and opening your car door. 

“Thank you. For making me forget about the world, I mean. Even if it was just for a little bit. Hopefully you can do it again sometime, Doctor.” Spencer smiled and nodded. You drove off with a sense of satisfaction, and a new optimism that maybe the world was not, in fact, as bad as it seemed.

[imagines-to-quench-thirst]

Imagine explaining to your man Kdramas:

This is a small drabble like a story for each man on my main roster. I love Korean dramas and I wanted to pair some dramas with one of the guys.

Enjoy and if you like some of the dramas mentioned here they are all on Netflix where I watch them.

Enjoy ❤️

Victor Creed:

This man lived some time in Korea and lived along with the Korean Empire in great secrecy but seeing you so immersed in your drama he is ready to roll up his sleeve and talk about his tales of Korea.

'And that's how my friend at that time Jeon helped me escape the death penalty.'

'But you don't have friends. You said that.'

'...'*modem ringing*

'Sorry.'

'You know what? You don't get to hear my other story that includes stealing a golden elephant with a secret clan of widows.'

'What?!'

'Noooooo.'

His favorite pick is: Nokdu

Loki Laufeyson:

Loki is frazzled to say at least when he saw you cocooned in your blanket with your coffee as you glued your eyes to the TV screen. It took a few good episodes to pass and an empty cup of coffee for you to notice a presence on the couch. Loki was a little mad since you absolutely 100% rooted for the good muscular actor as he played his part and you did yours which may or may not include some drooling and whistling. He waited for you to finish to hear the explaining he wanted to know so much.

'There is a special girl who is a Samjang and she meets a locked up God when she was a kid and then... They fall in love.'

'Can-can you repeat my love?'

'Oh, and one of the gods sells ice cream!'

'Once again darling... Repeat but slowly.'

His favorite pick is: : A Korean Odyssey

Thor Odinson :

You already know that this man is already on the drama-wave and he is nothing but a bigger fan than you. He lives to talk about the whole drama when you two finish it.

'This Drama! Was the peak of entrainment. The suspense, intrige, and oh soo more.'

'Oh and don't forget the secret brother twist.'

'Of course, when Tae-ho's ex-girlfriend boyfriend is his enemies secret younger brother that he sent to America to be super smart and zo come back so they can avenge their father.'

His favorite pick is: Last

Bucky Barnes:

Bucky is hella confused at the start but later he is on it and not letting go. His Netflix list is as long as his hair. And most of all he loves to draw parrel when you do a brief summary of the drama you two will watch.

'So you are telling me a rich girl paraglides into North Korean and falls in love with a stoic soldier.'

'Yes, but not by choice, a tornado swooped her out of South Korea.'

'So, like us.'

'Yes, minus the parachute.'

His favorite pick is: Crash Landing on You

Steve Rogers:

For Steve, it's a little hard to get adjusted to with you being all over the TV as you root for the main underdog girl that tries to win over her boss's heart who can recognize people's faces. Especially when he saw the main charted hovering over his on-screen ladylove. So he tries to copy-paste it.

'Y/n...'

'Yes, Steve?'

'Jagiya~~~'

'...HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH No.'

'Okay, sorry.'

Bless his heart.

His favorite pick is: The Secret Life of Secretary Kim

Jagiya is a Korean word for honey. I think so don't kill me if I'm wrong.

Bruce Wayne :

Y'all know my boy is ready to leap if you say you find an actor or location great in a drama he is ready to pick up his phone and call a few people to arrange a fan meet or travel to the location.

'I saw that the actor who played Park Hun in your favorite drama is landing here for a contract meeting.'

'How do you know that? I don't think that's public information.'

'... I-i just know.'

His favorite pick is: Doctor Stranger

Clark Kent:

This cinnamon roll is the best one to cry with more like on him. He is a great boy that will hear your cries over the deaths of the characters. He just radiates comfort.

'It's okay, Y/n. He avenged his brother's death and got a chance to reincarnate.'

'But-but his mother... I just want to hug her and make her tea.'

'I know sweetie.'

His favorite pick is: Along with the Gods

Not a series but a damn good movie I always ball my eyes on it. Highly recommend.

Arthur Curry :

Arthur is very much in the middle of it. Very well knows that being on your good side means appeasing your needs and wishes. But hooking this Fishman on your drama was easy as sinking the same hook.

'I like this one. When will the next episode come out?'

'Next Tuesday.'

*GASP*'Shut up.'

'I'm serious Arty.'

'Damn you scheduling system. Damn you!'

His favorite pick is: W

Orm Marius:

The ex-King himself finds weird comfort in the unsung heroes of Imperial Korea with the misunderstood King. And he is ready to sneak into the bathroom to gasp in secrecy at the episodes.

'Orm, come on lets go!'

'Just- 32 minutes until it ends, my world. I need to know if Prince Lee Hyeok will win the hear of the commoner Sunny. Like us.'

'What?!'

'Sorry, my darling I'm coming.'

His favorite pick is: The Last Empress

Joker(Suicide Squad):

This clown is frazzled by your state when you start your dramas but know very well not to touch the tiger when watching point of interest. But him being the needy person he will mostly sneak under your arm and as you to pay attention to him with no avail as your eyes still gaze at the action scene. His mild distaste is only that you pay much more attention to them rather than him.

'Y/n, why do you watch this police drama. It's not even that good.'

'You take that back my woman Ha Na and my boy Hyuk gave their all to capture the killer that killed her father and his wife with a kettlebell in the first episode.'

'Kettle ball you say? Maybe it's not that boring.'

His favorite pick is: Voice

Duncan Vizla:

This agent of absolute peace and carnage loves to watch them with you it reminded him if the times he was in Korea undercover killing a corrupt minister. He loves the thrill of the police dramas with the time travel twist as his top one drama and as well as yours.

'This actor Choi Jin Hyuk really knows how to act with the time travel twist.'

'True that's hard to act through. That's not everyday stuff. Do you think that time travel is real?'

'Of course, it's. I know it first hand.'

'How?'

'Well I got to be with you and I think the only plausible explanation is time travel.'

'Awww, Donut!'

His favorite pick is: Tunnel

Kdramas are a big part of my life and each of the dramas and movie listed I have watched and much more. Not to blabble long enough I hoped you liked it.

[yandere-for-you]

HOLY SHIT!!, sorry but I’m happy to finally have this done!

This takes place pre canon atlest a year or so

I tried to make this as gender neutral as possible but the reader is called mom in this and there is mention of pregnancy and brainwashing with medicine

I own none of these ppl.

————————————————————

It started with headaches.

It was unusually bright today in the sector, in the apartment, that your small family lived in and you were sitting on the couch, watch your four year old son, Lea, playing with his toys on the floor. When suddenly you were hit with this awful headache, it was more migraine then headache actually but still you felt terrible. You placed a hand over your eyes.

"Mama?" Opening one eye, you saw your kid looking up at you worried. You loved your son, even if the time you were pregnant with him was fuzzy; one minute you had shown Reno the test, the next you were in the hospital, nine months later, tired and high on pain killers, with your husband by your side who had your new born in his arms. Reno had told you it was a healthy little boy and let you name him. You decided on Lea, which for some reason, to you, it just fit in your hazy mind.

Picking him up, you sat him on your lap, he snuggled against you, "Just a headache, little firebug."

You knew you made a mistake in telling him when his eyes widened and he tried hopping up.

"Gotta tell dad!"

You stopped him, patted his head, "No, no, no, it's just a headache. No need to worry your dad about this."

"But-"

You gently shook your head, laying down and pulling your son with you, "Let's just rest and it'll go away.", he wiggled around to get comfortable before finally settling down. You'd only closed your eyes for a second, just for a second.

Then before you knew it, you had woken up in your bed and the only soft light from the lamp your bed-side table illuminated the room enough to for you to see. Sitting up, you saw the sun had set and it was nighttime. As you got out of bed, you saw you were dressed in an over sized button up. Reno must have changed you out of your day clothes. It was nighttime so he must be home, but he wasn't in bed.

You walked out of bedroom and into the living room, where you say your husband was sitting on the couch, dressed in a plain black shirt and pj pants with another lamp on and the tv running with some seemly boring show, "Hey, Babydoll, you're up.", you made an agreeing noise as you sat on the couch then curled up against him and he placed an arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer.

"How was work?"

He hummed, "Same old, same old.", you wouldn't really know, Reno never really told you in detail what he did for work, all he told you was that he worked in an office and sometimes had boring days.

"Rude?"

"He's fine, says hi.", you felt bad not being able to see your husband's partner a lot, giving that he was also his best friend and Lea's godfather.

"Did you eat? Sorry I fell asleep before you got home."

Reno chuckled, kissing you on the forehead, "Yeah, me and Rude picked up something, fed Lea, he's asleep in his room. There's something for in the fridge for-", you didn't wait for him to finish has you jumped over the couch and over to the kitchen. You flipped him off when you heard him laugh at you as you pulled out the take out box.

After heating up a plate, you curled back up against him, having changed the channel to something more else, "Sooo, a little munchkin told me you were having headaches?", you nearly choked on your food then after drinking some water to get the food down, you looked at him in embarrassment for being caught keeping something from him. He ran a hand through the your hair, "Could have called and told me. Have you been taking your meds?"

You picked at your food, "I just didn't want to bother you, you're busy with work and yes, I have everyday, like I'm suppose too."

He hummed, "Should we go to the doctors'? They could take a look, make sure nothin' wrong with your meds.", you froze at what he said, you really, really, didn't want to go to the doctors'. You hated them and their hospital/offices, they felt cold and unfriendly, even if they tried to plastered on a friendly smile whenever one of the significant others of Reno's friends or you were around. You gave birth to your son in one of the rooms of the hospital and as soon as the drugs wore off, you wanted to leave, immediately, which caused them to drug you up even more, so you wouldn't hurt yourself or them.

"Please, Reno, it was just a headache and I'm fine now. I really don't wanna go back there.", you place the plate on the coffee table, not really feeling hungry anymore.

"Hey, hey, it was just a suggestion. I know how much you hate it there.", he picked up the plate as he got up from the couch. You watched as he placed the food back in the box and then back in the fridge. Your husband walked back over and kneeled down in front of you, "Let's go to bed, Babydoll."

"No doctor?"

He chuckled, "Nah, no doctor, just tell me if you have anymore problems. Now, come one, bed time.", you agreed and both of you quickly brushed your teeth and went to bed.

Then you were seeing and remembering weird things.

You were at home, cleaning up the apartment and watching Lea and his friend, Isa, who was dropped off by his mother, Li Mei, the wife of your husband's boss, Tseng. Li Mei was a beautiful woman from Wutei, with two different colored eyes, one a deep pretty brown and a beep blue, light blue hair that matched her son's and flawless skin. Honestly, sometime you were kinda jealous of her flawless looks, you only had a son and she had two kids, and yet, she looked like she wasn't stressed as hell with raising them. Xion was their other child, a daughter, with hair like her father but with her mother's soft face and blue eyes.

You froze, seeing something strange appeared in your reflection of the window you were cleaning. Leaning closer, you wondered if you had always had that strange bright green ring around the pupils of your eyes, "Mama!", you filched away from the window and looked down to see the boys standing to the side of you. Lea holding up your phone.

"Yes, you two?"

"Dad's calling! Also we're hungry, food please!"

Sighing through your nose, you smiled and grabbed your phone from him, "Okay, let me talk to your dad then I'll make something for lunch. Go on, go play.", you bend down and kissed him on the head and messed up Isa's hair, which made him pout and then follow a giggling Lea back to the living room to play. You answered the call and placed it to your ear, "Hello, sweetie. Why are you calling, you don't usually call when your at work unless somethings up."

"Aahhh, Caught me, Baby doll. But I just got the feeling I needed to-", you flinched away from the phone as a yelp came from it.

You place it back against your ear, "Um...What..what was that?"

"Some one hit their toe on their desk or something I think, don't worry about it, Gorgeous. So, how's you and the munchkin doing?"

Rolling your eyes, you answered him, "We're doing fine, Li Mei dropped off Isa because she had to take Xion to a check up.", you made your way to the kitchen and started pulling things out, looking for something to feed the kids, "And I'm just trying to find or make some lunch for the kids.",

"Great, anymore headaches?"

"No, I'm haven't had any in a week.", in truth you had been having them, one almost everyday for the week since they started but you really didn't want to worry your husband, you decided on making a sandwich, "How do you feel about curry tonight for dinner?"

"If it's the spicy kind you make, hell yeah!", you smiled at the enthusiasm he showed about your cooking, you weren't the best but he thought whatever you made was.

"Of course, but I need to to pick up some stuff from the store before you get home."

"Got it, send me a list, Baby doll.", as you were saying your I love yous and before you hung up, you thought you heard another scream, this time for help. Looking down at your black screen, and saw that the green ring, you thought saw a moment ago, was gone. You shrugged as you placed your phone on the counter then picked up the plates, filled with the kids' lunch.

The next time something happened was when you were getting up in the morning. Your son had jumped on you both as you slept, yelling about how it's the weekend and dad has the day off and, "Get up, get up, get uuuuup!!",

You groaned, rolling over to Reno with your eyes still closed you told him, "Your son's awake."

"Before 8 am, and coffee, he's your son.", then you smirked when you heard him grunt as Lea landed on him, "Alright, Alright, Munchkin, I'm up.", cracking open an eye, you giggled when you saw the claw marks you left on his back last night, good thing he put pants on afterward. You stopped when Reno side eyed you, and smirked. Squeaking, you hid under the blankets, listening to him chuckle as he picked up his son and walked out of the room, telling you he would get breakfast started.

You tossed the blanket off as soon as they were gone then sat up and stretched. Getting up, you walked over to the bathroom and turned on the lights only to nearly trip backwards at what you saw in the mirror. In the mirror was you but you looked strange in the reflection there were bruises and cuts on your body and your face had a bleeding cut on your cheek, you looked like you had gotten into a fight and a pretty bad one, "Baby Doll?", blinking, you saw your normal everyday self reflecting back at you and the only bruises you had were on your neck and peeking on from your shirt collar. You turned to see Reno looking at you with narrowed eyes, worriedly.

You rubbed your eyes, "Yeah, yeah before you ask I'm okay. Do you need to use the bathroom or anything?"

He hummed, "Naah, used the other one, was worried about ya. You take your pills?"

You huffed, "Not yet, was about too.", you waved him away, "Now shoo, you tomcat. I need to use the bathroom, myself.", He grinned then kissed you on the lips as he rubbed your back and left, telling you he'd had the coffee ready in a bit.

After using the bathroom, you held your pill bottle in your hands, staring at it. It was a plain orange bottle with a white lid, a normal bottle, all considering but it had no label. You didn't even pick up your own medicine, even ever you were running low, you would tell Reno or Rude and they would get them for you. Dropping one in your palm, you stared closely at the white and green capsule, wondering if you were ever going to stop taking these, probably never with the way your husband was. The last time you suggested maybe weening you off of them, Reno had gone still and quiet, narrowed his eyes at you then got really close to your face, so close you could see the very light freckles doting across his nose and cheeks. He smirked at you, but you knew in your gut it wasn't very kind, he told you that he could take you to the doctors and see what they said, then two weeks had pass and before you knew it, you had gotten pregnant with Lea and it was really never brought up again. Maybe...maybe, just this once you could stop taking them and make him see you were just fine without them. You watched as the little capsule made its way down the toilet, hoping this wouldn't come back to bite you in the ass.

It came to bite you in the ass and bite you hard at lest two or so weeks later. You were home alone, with Reno at work and Li Mei being so kinda to watch over Lea with you just wanting to get some stuff done and some alone time to yourself, you busied yourself with doing the normal chores around the house. You were sitting on the couch, folding laundry when out of no where a terrible pain ran through your head, it felt a lot worst then the first headache. You let out a cry of pain as you bent over, holding your head. Flashes of memories went through your head, some you hoped weren't real.

When it was finally over, you looked up and glanced around wide eyed at the apartment, "W..where am I? What happened? Wait...", you pinch the bridge of your nose, blinking away the rest of the pain then you remembered what happened and who you really were.

You were...are(?) a part of Avalanche, a rebel group that fought against ShinRa and its Turks...wait, Turks! Standing up, you looked around, again and saw a photo frame. You snatched it up and saw you holding a little red headed boy, no, that was your son, Lea and standing next to you both, with his arms loosely around you both, was...fucking Reno Sinclair, second in command of the Turks and a really, really, really, dangerous man. You remembered, now, how you had fought him a hand full of times and only barely gotten away with a only a few bruises and maybe a broken finger or two.

So, why were you here?

Glancing down at your hand, you nearly screamed when you saw a deep red and sliver wedding band on your ring finger. You looked closer at the photo then tossed it away from you when you saw a matching ring on Reno's hand. You felt nausea roll around in your stomach, were...were you married to a Turk? How were you married to a Turk?! How long had this been going on and why can't you-Gasping, you ran into the main bedroom bathroom, you ripped open the medicine cabinet, then grabbed the blank pill bottle. These...these things that he was making you take had...brainwashed you into marrying and having a kid with him. You looked at the date written on the bottle with marker and dropped it in shock when you saw it was five years.

Five years of brainwashing and being in a relationship with this man. Did your friends at Avalanche think you were dead?

Oh, God you had to get out of here!

You changed into a pair of torn looking jeans, comfortable and easy to move in, an over sized hoodie from the closet and a pair of boots that were a size to big, then you packed a small bag with what you needed, just enough to get to sector seven, check on everyone and then find a way out of Midgar, maybe go to Wutai, you had a friend there, or Icicle Area, or..or...anywhere but here. You pulled off the ring and placed it beside the picture frame, taking one more glance at it, you felt shame and guilt waste over you as you looked at your son, you felt bad for leaving him behind but being on the run with a four year wasn't safe for either of you. You know Li Mei, the poor woman was probably also brainwashed, will take care of him. You pulled the hoodie over your face then walk down the hallway, you left through the window, and down the fire escape, making sure no one saw you.

Li Mei had an awful feeling something was wrong when her friend, (Name), didn't come pick up Lea from her apartment on the time they said they would, then she got even more worried when an hour passed and still no (Name). They were never late picking up their son, really they were never late for anything. Making sure the kids were still playing and ignorant to her worry, she grabbed her phone and quickly dialed her friend's husband, "Li Mei, what's up? Like, I don't mind ya calling but if something's wrong you should really tel-"

She didn't let him finished as she blurted out, "(Name) hasn't come to pick up Lea at the time they said, it's been an hour, Reno, and I'm worried.", there was silence for a moment.

"Ya sure? Maybe they're just-"

"Reno, you and I both know (Name) hates being late for anything and if they were, they would call and tell us.", Li Mei bit at her knuckles, an awful habit she had picked up from childhood when nervous that her husband, Tseng, was trying to get her to stop.

"....Fuck..Fuck, I'll right, I'll tell Tseng what's going on, you make sure for the time to keep the kids from figuring out what's going on."

"Of course, please, find them, Reno.", they hung up and she glanced from her phone to the mini red head, hoping the boy didn't find out something happened to his other parent. But, Lea was a very smart and observant child and she he would find out what was going on soon.

Reno and Rude walked into the red head's apartment and immediately their senses were on edge, something was wrong, "Baby Doll?", bright blue eyes narrowed as they glanced around then down the hallway. He turned to his partner, "Check the kitchen, I'll get the living room.", Rude went to the kitchen and he walked into and around the living room. Reno saw the half done laundry on and around the couch, but nothing else seemed out of place, until he saw something sparkle beside the picture of his family. Picking it up, he nearly had a heart attack when he saw it was (Name)'s wedding band, "Fuck..Rude!", he ran into the kitchen, and showed Rude the ring.

"Shit..this is a problem."

"No shit!", he placed the ring in his pocket then ran down the hall to their room, "(Name)?!", he looked in the closet, in the bathroom, even under the bed. As he went to check his son's room, Rude walked into the bathroom and saw the pill bottle. Picking it up, he walked back out and met his partner in the hallway.

"Reno, have they been taking their medication?"

The red head run a hand through the his already messy hair, "uh, yeah, I've been making su-", his eyes widened when he remember what happened a few months ago, "FUCK! I should have taken them to the ShinRa doctors as soon as Lea told me they were having headaches.", headaches were the first sign that the medication was beginning to stop working, then seeing or remembering things, and last it was having the urge to stopping taking the pills altogether and then remembering everything.

Reno looked at his partner, "Call Tseng, tell him we have a Code: Runaway. I gotta go see Lea, make sure he's okay."

"Got it, partner.", Rude pulled out his phone and dialed up his boss as Reno went to Li Mei's place.

They wouldn't catch you for half a year.

[tarlos-spain]

Comfortember Day 12 - Make something

Fandom: The resident

Pairing: Conrad Hawkins/Devon Pravesh

Characters: Conrad Hawkins, Devon Pravesh

You made the most beautiful thing

After Nic's death, Conrad is devastated, he doesn't know how to move on but Devon is always ready to remind him the most important thing in his world, Gigi.

There was a black cloud over Conrad's head.

Everyone had noticed it, but Devon had noticed it before anyone else. He had tried to talk to him at the hospital, had gone to his house with beers, had invited him to dinner at his apartment, but to no avail.

There was something Conrad didn't want to share with anyone, not even him, and in a way Devon felt bad that Conrad wasn't able to tell him anything.

When the day off came for both of them, Devon offered to take him out to lunch. When he was home, Conrad wasn't a great lover of cooking, he had enough work being a father and he couldn't think about everything that had happened in the last few months.

"You don't need to come over. I can order something to eat." "You're going to give Gigi pizza?" Devon heard Conrad growl on the other end of the phone. "You know she loves the curry I make her and don't lie to me, you like it too."

He had already prepared the food and put it in the tappers when he called, so twenty minutes later he was already ringing Conrad's doorbell.

He didn't look the best when he received it. He was quite the pro at the hospital, Conrad was one of the best, even when he was having a really bad day. But when it was his day off, when he was at home and no one saw him, he had a chance to look depressed to himself.

"What if I had told you not to come?" "I had already prepared the food, I spent all morning with it and I would have had so much left over that I would have come anyway to bring you some."

Conrad smiled, with that gesture that tried to hide the worry or in this case sorrow that flooded him.

Devon stroked his arm, sometimes he wondered if his partner liked the little caresses he was always giving him. But he had never told him otherwise. Maybe Conrad wasn't one to express affection as such but he liked to feel that someone cared about him.

"Is Gigi sleeping?" "Yes, she's been running around the living room all morning and she was tired. I think she's going to be good at athletics." They both burst out laughing. "I guess, sometimes I think everything I've done in life lately is one mistake after another."

They left the tapers in the kitchen and Conrad offered him a beer, but Devon declined.

"Why would you say that?"

Conrad shrugged and leaned against the counter.

"Is everything okay at the hospital? I mean..." "Relax, I haven't killed any patients. In the hospital everything is mechanical sometimes, it's easier not to think about the complicated things in your own life. But when I get out, when I get home and close the door..." Conrad sighed heavily. "You're not talking to anyone about how you're feeling are you?"

Conrad shook his head and stood there staring at the floor.

It was hard to talk about himself when he didn't want to acknowledge that he could use a hand when he wasn't the big doctor inside the hospital and it was even harder to accept that he could know a lot about the human body, but when it was his turn to know himself and understand what was happening to him, he was a mess.

"Come with me."

Devon grabbed his arm and tugged.

"Where to?" "You come." "Didn't you want to fix something to eat?" "Not until you feel better." "What?

Conrad paused waiting for an answer.

"We've been talking like this for days. you sound depressed and that's normal, but there's something wrong with you when he says you don't do anything right and only feel useful when you're in the hospital. You know, that kind of nonsense." "Hey, that hurts!" Conrad protested. "Come on, come on, there's something you need to see that will surely help you realize that you don't have a right to feel that way."

Conrad followed him not knowing what was on his mind, but he was hungry, so he might as well find out what he wanted to tell him and then they could eat.

Devon carefully opened Gigi's bedroom door. The girl was still asleep, a perfect creature, enjoying a perfect moment. He motioned for Conrad to come with him to the child's crib.

He covered her tightly with the sheet and the child sighed, in what seemed like a way of thanking him.

"Like that thing you were telling me yesterday about not being able to do anything right?" Devon whispered and Conrad glared at him. "Then what about that wonderful little thing you and Nic did?" "That's different." "There's nothing different about it. You have a daughter, you've seen her born, she's depending on you and right now, whatever you think you're doing wrong, she'll look at you and still love you exactly the same." "Dev..."

Conrad looked away from the crib, reached in and stroked the child's cheek, He smiled, it was so simple to forget all the problems as the child breathed heavily and rolled over in the crib.

He suddenly felt stupid for belittling how he felt about his daughter and grateful that Devon was there, always there, ready to lend a hand at any time. He reached across the crib, placed his hand on Devon's hand.

He nodded silently, it was his best way, at that moment to say thank you.

[asknarashikari]

Minific : Sougo become a kid of seven year old and Riders take turns who gonna babysit (most of time is probably Emu or/and Shinnosuke)

(this is just me want wholesome content from the riders--)

I hope you guys don’t mind me combining these, @lumisarah166​ and @askrikkaiandhyotei​!

“Shinnosuke, Sougo-kun, lunch is ready,” Kiriko called, as she placed the last dish on the table. 

Shinnosuke tapped Sougo on the shoulder, making him pause his furious scribbling. “Sougo-kun, time to eat.”

“Okay, Shinnosuke-san!” The seven-year-old bounded up to the dining table, where Kiriko was already sitting with Eiji beside her. Shinnosuke and Sougo sat opposite them. “Wow, Kiriko-san, this looks great!”

She smiled at the de-aged Rider. “Well, eat up then, because I made plenty more for all of us,” she told him, reaching over to pat his cheek.

After they all said, “Itadakimasu!” the family of three and their guest dug into their meal of curry rice, tonkatsu and miso soup. Sougo in particular seemed rather hungry, scarfing down his plate in a matter of minutes and cleaning it out before handing the plate to Kiriko. “May I have some more, please?” he requested.

“Of course!” Kiriko was delighted by his healthy appetite, and went to the kitchen to refill Sougo’s plate. 

Shinnosuke chuckled and messed with Sougo’s hair. “Fighting that monster took a lot out of you, didn’t it?” he asked. 

“Hmm, yeah, but you guys were there, so it wasn’t too hard,” Sougo said with a shrug. “I just wish I didn’t have to wait to turn back...” 

The whatever-monster-of-the-year-attacking-this-week had age regression powers and turned the final Heisei Rider into a grade-schooler. The other Riders had subdued it and tried to force it to return Sougo back to his real age, but it swore, under pain of death, that the effect would wear off in only a few days. 

However, there was a little additional problem: Sougo was living on his own at the moment. His uncle and Woz had gone to some kind of watchmakers’ convention in Fukuoka and wouldn’t be back for a week. Geiz and Tsukuyomi were also out on a trip in Kobe when they got caught in a snowstorm there, and couldn’t travel back as all the trains had been cancelled. Thus, it fell to his fellow Riders to care for him in his hapless state.

Kiriko returned with Sougo’s plate, with more curry rice on it, and Sougo’s eyes lit up with eagerness. He immediately started to eat it the moment Kiriko laid it down in front of him. 

“He’s quite the eater, isn’t he?” Kiriko mused as she turned back to her own meal.

“Yeah, he is,” Shinnosuke agreed. “No wonder he got mad at Tsukasa that time he stole his food...” He looked at Eiji, who pouted as his own half-full plate of curry rice and tonkatsu. “If only this one wasn’t as picky of an eater as Sougo-kun is...”

Kiriko sighed, nodding as she finished her miso soup, and turning to her son to try and coax him into finishing his food.

----------

“Alright Sougo-kun, pick any of these out and we’ll play it together, okay?” He laid down a selection of kid-friendly games in front of his junior and started taking out the bento boxes he bought from the convenience store to reheat when they got hungry.

“These games look really old, Emu-sensei,” Sougo said, looking through the covers. 

“Ah, well, I kind of collect old games and play them as well. It’s sort of my hobby,” the doctor explained. 

Sougo nodded, accepting the explanation, and handing Emu one of the games. “What about this one? I’ve never played it before.”

Emu stared at him in shock. “You’ve never played Mario Kart?!” he asked in outrage. 

“Well, it says here it was from 1992... I wasn’t even born yet when it  came out...?” Sougo asked in confusion. 

Emu for a moment felt his own age with that statement, before he shook his head. “But... surely, you’ve played one of the later versions right? Like the one on the DS, or the Wii... no?” Emu’s jaw dropped as Sougo shook his head. “Alright, we’re fixing this... travesty right now...” He said determinedly, going over to his TV set to set up his Super Famicom. “A twenty-one year old not playing Mario Kart, what the heck...”

After the setup was complete and he loaded up the game, he handed one of the controllers to Sougo. “Alright Sougo, just because you’re a kid and my kouhai, that doesn’t mean I’ll go easy on you,” he told him.

Sougo giggled. “I wouldn’t expect anything else from you, sen-” He flinched when he saw the look in Emu’s- or rather, in Genius Gamer M’s- eyes. 

(Needless to say, Sougo was utterly trounced on his first time playing Mario Kart.)

----------

“Sougo! Where is he?!” 

“Geez, calm down, kid,” Shoutaro sighed. “He’s just over there, see- whoa!” 

Tsukuyomi practically threw the other Rider aside and rushed to her now un-deaged boyfriend. Geiz nodded apologetically to Shoutaro before joining Tsukuyomi in hugging the life out of Sougo.

“Haha, guys, please- you’re kinda choking me-” 

“I was so worried sick about you!” the lady Rider chided. “What was I supposed to do when you were a freaking child, Sougo?!” 

“But I’m fine now, really!” Sougo pointed out. “And the other Riders took good care of me, honest!” 

Geiz huffed. “That’s not the point,” he said. “We were so far away from you and something like this happened... We should be the ones caring for you...” 

“Aw, you do care about me!” Sougo teased. 

“Of course I do, idiot,” he retorted. He grabbed Sougo’s hand and pulled him up from the couch. “Alright, let’s go home already, I’m tired and I want to cuddle you.”

“Ah, okay! See you around, Shoutaro-san!” Sougo waved goodbye as he and the other two left as quickly as the latter arrived.

Shoutaro blinked after the trio, surprised at how fast they came and went, and shrugged to himself. “Crazy kids....”

[schnoogles]

who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? chapter 2 written for the @jonsa-halloween event! Day 7: Free day! Read on Ao3 

“That’s a fine cloak you’ve made her Lady Sansa,” Theon remarked, “It’s a bit big for the little Lady though, no?” Jon shot a glare at his friend. They were invited guests as household staff. Not as friends. And if he were honest, Jon didn’t like Theon criticizing Sansa’s gift. But before he could say anything to apologize, Arya and Sansa giggled.

“Yeah Sansa,” Arya teased, “I’m practically drowning in this thing.” As if to make a point, she put in the cloak and was indeed completely encompassed in it.

Sansa sighed, “I suppose it was wishful thinking that my little sister would finally grow a few inches.” Everyone laughed at her joke. Except for Arya.

--

“For she’s a jolly good fellow!” Arya smiled at her family who were surrounding her. The Starks always loved to make an event of their children’s namedays. Even the household was invited to celebrate with them. “And so say all of us!” Everyone cheered as she blew out the candles on her cake. Sansa and Catelyn had baked her her favorite this year: chocolate cake. 

Tradition dictates that Old Nan would be the one to bake the cake, but a few years ago, the old woman had declared she was ready to retire. Knowing that she would have no other means of income to survive, the Starks had kept her on. She now oversaw the younger cooks and acted as a live-in nanny for their two youngest boys. Old Nan had initially refused, stating she had a great-grandson she must take care of. So the Starks took him in as well. Walder, a fine young man if a bit slow in wit, was kind and loyal. Catelyn, unsure at first because of his large stature, soon came to appreciate the new stableboy for he was as gentle with her sons as he was with the foals. When Rickon began to speak, he would copy the only word that Walder was able to say, “Hodor.” And Walder, who would dote on the little boy, took his new nickname in stride.

After the cake was sliced and passed around, Bran and Rickon insisted on Arya opening her presents. They wanted to see what she received. And really, so did she. Arya was thrilled with each gift she got. A new horse from her father, a book of mythology from her mother, fitted trousers from Robb (who Catelyn looked at disapprovingly), and a few more knickknacks from everyone. It was Sansa’s gift though that touched Arya the most. When she opened it, Arya looked up at her sister with watery eyes.

“Thank you, Sansa,” she whispered. When Arya went up to hug her sister, everyone asked what it was that Sansa gave her. Arya went over to the box, and lifted up a large bundle of dark gray fabric. Their family smiled softly.

“That’s a fine cloak you’ve made her Lady Sansa,” Theon remarked, “It’s a bit big for the little Lady though, no?” Jon shot a glare at his friend. They were invited guests as household staff. Not as friends. And if he were honest, Jon didn’t like Theon criticizing Sansa’s gift. But before he could say anything to apologize, Arya and Sansa giggled. 

“Yeah Sansa,” Arya teased, “I’m practically drowning in this thing.” As if to make a point, she put in the cloak and was indeed completely encompassed in it.

Sansa sighed, “I suppose it was wishful thinking that my little sister would finally grow a few inches.” Everyone laughed at her joke. Except for Arya.

“You know, it’s rude to make fun of someone on their nameday,” she huffed. 

After mingling with everyone for a while longer, Jon decided they had outstayed their welcome and that it was time to let the family spend time together. He gestured to Theon and the two men wished Arya one last happy nameday and left. They didn’t get too far before they heard someone calling for them. Turning around, they saw it was Sansa.

“Oh, I forgot to give this to you before you left!” She handed them what looked like a picnic basket filled with food.

“What’s this for?” Jon asked curiously.

“Don’t question it, Snow, just accept it with a smile.” Theon joked. 

Sansa smiled shyly at Jon. “It’s just some leftovers from today. Thought you two could use some food for dinner.” Theon looked back and forth at Jon and Sansa before rolling his eyes. 

“Thank you, Lady Sansa,” he said, and grabbed the basket from her hands, because apparently Jon forgot how to use his. “We’ll be sure to have a hearty meal tonight.”

“Of course, Theon. We couldn’t possibly eat everything on our own.” She glanced back at Jon before adding, “And it’s just Sansa. You know my family doesn’t care about formalities like that.”

“Yes well, you wouldn’t catch us calling your father and mother anything other than Lord and Lady Stark.” Theon looked at the other two again, who were doing nothing but smiling shyly at one another. “Well, I’ll go ahead and bring this home. Join me whenever you're ready, I’ll be out by the tractor.” Theon gave Jon a knowing smirk before retreating to their cabin.

Jon cleared his throat, “You’re always very kind, Lady-”

“Just Sansa. Please?” When Jon did nothing but give her a strained smile, she continued, “I know you don’t call Arya ‘Lady Arya’ or Robb ‘Lord Robb,’ so I must insist on the same treatment. Or I’ll think you just don’t like me.”

He nodded and chuckled, “Alright then. Sansa.”

She grinned triumphantly, “You’ve finally relented. It only took you five years.”

At the reminder of how they met, Jon excused himself. “Time to work now, your father doesn’t pay me to just sit around.” Sansa frowned. She knows he didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but she can’t shake the thought of Jon just being kind to her because her father pays him. “Thank you again, Lady-” Jon cleared his throat when Sansa quirked a brow at him, “Thank you, Sansa.”

Sansa watched him longingly as he continued down the path to the yard. Before he moved out of sight, he turned around and saw her watching. She returned his small wave and then he was gone. Sansa knew what she was doing was dangerous. She shouldn’t flirt with him so blatantly. He didn’t deserve to be entangled in her mess. Jon Snow deserved better. 

“Admiring our pretty farmhand again?” Sansa jumped at the voice of her little sister. Arya always had a knack for sneaking up on people.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sansa said dismissively.

“You can’t lie to me, it’s my nameday.” 

Sansa snorted. 

“Anyways,” Arya continued, “Mum wants us to go drop off some food for Maester Luwin. Something about gifting the doctor who helped her through the hardest birth of her life.” 

--

“Oh so loverboy finally returns?” Theon teased Jon.

“Watch it, Greyjoy.”

Theon raised his hands in surrender. “I’m just saying, Sansa has always been sweet on you. And I know you like her as well.” 

“She’s not sweet on me. She’s sweet to everyone. And besides, it doesn’t matter. She’s off limits.”

Theon turned off the tractor and turned to face Jon. “You know as well as I do that the Starks are different from the rest of those upperclass folk. They don’t care about money and titles. You think they’d’ve let Robb court Talisa if they did? Or let Arya befriend that blacksmith?” With that said, he went back to plowing the fields for the new crops.

Jon sighed. He knows all this. When the Starks first moved to town, a lot of the richer people tried to curry favor with them. They were an old, well-respected family name. But when they realized that Lord and Lady Stark didn’t care for fancy gifts or making betrothels for their children, their popularity died down. With the lower class though, their popularity increased. Lord Stark and his son, Robb, worked as solicitors and always advocated for the less fortunate. Lady Catelyn often volunteered at the church and schools. She was very active in charity work. 

What Theon didn’t know was that Jon had already tried to court Sansa. Perhaps not as obviously as Robb did with Talisa. But still, he tried. He’d offer to take her into town when she had errands, or walk her home from church if she had stayed late to help. And each time, he’d gotten a kind, but resounding “No, thank you.” At first he thought she just didn’t want to be a bother to him, but eventually her rejections weren’t accompanied by kind smiles, but sad smiles. Oh, she was kind alright. Too kind to tell him to piss off. But Jon wasn’t a fool, he stopped bothering her with unwanted advances. 

--

“Tell your mother again that I thank her!” Maester Luwin waved farewell at the two Stark sisters and closed his door.

“Well, that was a lovely visit, shall we go home then?” Sansa looked down at her sister, who was now donning her new cloak.

“Do you mind if we take a detour? Wanted to visit Gendry at his shop really quick.”

Sansa smirked at her little sister. “No, you go ahead. I’ll wait for you by the bench under the lamppost. I don’t want to watch any of your indecent flirting.”

After lightly shoving her sister, Arya walked to the opposite direction. Sansa smiled fondly at her. Despite her jab at Arya’s height, Sansa was very proud of the young woman she was slowly becoming. She went and sat down on the bench and waited for her sister. She thought about how in just three weeks, she would no longer be a lone wolf. Though that thought excited her, she was still worried. New wolves always had trouble controlling themselves, and Sansa was afraid she wouldn’t be able to reign in Arya. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the figure heading toward her.

“Lady Sansa, fancy seeing you out here all by your lonesome.” She looked up to where the voice was coming from, and immediately frowned. 

“Just waiting on my sister, Mr. Baratheon.” Joffrey Baratheon was another one of Sansa’s many unwanted suitors. He, like his chum Harry Hardyng before him, had made it a sort of game to try and get the attention of one Sansa Stark. 

“Ah, shall I wait with you? And I’ve told you Lady Sansa, you must call me Joffrey, we are friendly enough I think.” Before Sansa could tell him no, he sat down close to her. Too close. He smiled down at Sansa. “This is nice, isn’t it?”

She stood up, wanting to make as much room as possible between her and the overbearing man. “Mr. Baratheon, this is highly improper.”

He scoffed at her. “Improper? What’s improper is a woman such as yourself out here on your own. I’ll walk you home.” He proffered up an arm to her. 

“As I said, I’m waiting for my sister,” Sansa responded stiffly. If there’s anything that annoyed Sansa Stark, it was a man who could not handle the word no.

Joffrey looked exaggeratedly around. “I don’t see her.”

“Look behind you.” Joffrey turned to find a smirking Arya. “Now you do.” And when he started to reply, Arya interrupted him. “You can go now Mr. Baratheon. We’re fine to walk home on our own.”

“Why you insolent little-”

“Sansa, look what Gendry gifted me for my nameday,” Arya proceeded to unravel a very delicate looking fencing sword. She turned towards Joffrey and began waving it in complicated maneuvers, “Doesn’t the blade just gleam so prettily Mr. Baratheon?”

“Ladies shouldn’t be wielding such things,” he scoffed. Arya pointed the sword at him and he backed off. 

“Good thing I’m not a lady.” 

“I’ll see you later then, Lady Sansa. Good evening.” With a final scoff at Arya, he walked away. 

“Did he say anything awful to you?” Arya asked, still not taking her eyes off the retreating man. Sansa cleared her throat and Arya turned back to look at her sister. Sansa then glanced down at the fencing sword and gave Arya a questioning look.

“I’ve always wanted to learn,” she said sheepishly, “and I guess Gendry asked Jon what to get as a nameday gift, Jon told him about it.”

“Jon? Our Jon?”

Arya snorted. “Yes, dearest sister. Our Jon.” After wrapping up the blade again, the sisters went down the cobblestone path that led to their home.

“So, how are you going to hide that from Mum and Dad?”

“You think I can fit it in the empty picnic basket?”

It was Sansa’s turn to snort at her sister.

--

“Alright, supper time.” Jon jumped off the bed of the truck and stretched. He had been mulching for the last few hours and was ready to call it a day. Theon looked back at the shovels they had left on the far side and debated whether or not they should put it away. Jon gave him a hard stare and he sighed.

“Alright, I’ll put them away.” Jon sat down on a nearby tree stump while Theon dragged himself over and started putting away their tools. His back ached just a bit and he needed some rest. Suddenly he heard loud giggling and then a shout of his name.

“Jon! Look what Gendry made me!”

He looked over and stilled. Walking towards him was the woman who had always managed to catch his breath. She waved at Jon.

“Sansa. Hi.” And then Jon, remembering the one who actually called for him, looked to Arya, “And what is it Gendry made you?”

She laughed, “Oh like you don’t know! He told me you were the one who suggested he make me one.”

Jon scratched the back of his head, “Yes, well you always complain about not being good with a needle like your sister Sansa, so I thought you could have a different needle of your own.”

Sansa looked at her sister amusedly, “Oh really?”

“Oh do shut up.” Arya looked at her sword happily. “That’s what I’ll call you. Needle.”

“Gods save us all,” Theon said as he approached them, “Lady Arya with a sword? This surely can’t go well.”

“You’re still working, Theon?” Sansa concernedly asked, “It’s rather late.”

“Time doesn’t stop for farming unfortunately,” he laughed.

“But Jon’s not working,” Arya pointed out, “He’s just sitting around.”

Theon barked a laugh. “Yes well, he’s handsome, not handy.”

“Hey!”