#'that mountain must have been huge before it popped in one of the biggest eruptions in recordable history
Note
indruck volcano pls?
Here you go! I based Indrid’s mer-design on a Chinook Salmon.
Duck’s search history is getting weird.
In his defense, the last few weeks have been pretty damn weird.
It started two weeks ago, when he was checking tree specimens along the river. One minute he was engrossed in his work, birds chirping and the sky blue above him. The next the hair on the back of his neck was straight up, and he was positive someone, or something, was watching him.
Gradually, the feeling subsided, and he chalked it up to random case of the heebie-jeebies.
Except, two days later, it happened again. And then again the day after that. Each time he looked around, kept his ears on high-alert, and came up with nothing. The fourth time it happened, he got a glimpse of the back and tail of something human-sized and pinkish-red disappearing beneath the water.
He knows his wildlife well, but he’d never seen anything like that. That night, he sat down at his computer for research.
River fish of the pacific northwest?
Biggest species of freshwater fish in pacific northwest?
Are there pink sturgeon?
Pink fish near Mt. Saint Helen's?
How to report illegal, exotic pet selling ring?
The next day, he was leading a tour around the river walk, when something pink-red caught his attention. He kept one eye on it as he spoke, noticed it disappeared under the surface whenever anyone else turned to look it’s way. Towards the end of the tour, he glanced over to find, instead of reddish scales, red eyes watching him from a definitely human face. It blinks, then ducks beneath the current.
Mermaid sightings in Washington?
Animals commonly mistaken for mermaids?
Are mermaids real?
Proof of mermaids other than that freaking discovery channel mockumentary?
Two days later, he’d been bending over the embankment to see if that was a native turtle or a released pet in the water when his hat dropped of his head and into the water, rushing away before he had a chance to go in after it. It was, as his friend Aubrey would put it, a bummer. That hat had pins from all the parks he’d been too, and the first nametag he was ever given as an official member of the park service.
Just before his rounds took him away from the river, he spotted something on a rock at the edge of the water.
His hat.
He was about to thank his luck that it got caught on the stone when he noticed that it had clearly been placed there, and that there wasn’t a speck of mud or dead leaves on it. And whoever put it there had thoughtfully weighed it down with several colorful rocks.
And there were no recent footprints on the shore save for his own.
“Uh, thanks?” He called out over the water, feeling sillier by the second. No response came.
He turned, headed up the bank, and swore he heard over the burble, “You are welcome.”
Can mermaids talk?
Are mermaids friendly?
Which brings him to now, several days later, as he’s back in the same patch of water, trying to fish out the turtles that were, indeed, someone’s non-native pet that had been turned loose.
“You are going to lose your hat again.”
“FUCK!” He stumbles back, landing on his ass in the shallow water. Across from him, peering around a rock, the man who definitely has a fishtail, looks concerned
“Oh dear, in most futures you did not fall.”
“You’re a fuckin’ mermaid. I ain’t crazy! Wait, futures?”
“I can see the future. And no, that is not a thing all merfolk can do, since you were about to ask.”
“I...how...god what the fuck is goin’ on?” His pants are taking on water at an alarming rate, but that is the least of his worries.
“I am introducing myself to you. I thought that was a custom merfolk and humans had in common?”
“It, uh, it is, but, uh, see, most humans don’t expect to ever meet a merperson on account of we assume you ain’t real.”
The merman sighs, “I know. And those who do see us are often frightened. Or try to capture us for money.” Cautiously, he swims away from the rock and over to Duck, stopping a few feet away, water shallow enough that he can keep his arms resting on the pebbly sand and tail flicking drops of water into the air, “but you are not one such human. Which is why I wanted to know you.”
“You, uh, you wanna know me because I don’t seem like I’m gonna sell you off to a sideshow?”
“Among other things. I have been the steward of this portion of river for years, seen many tend to these woods. You have such an air of caring to you when you work, and such competence, it is fascinating to watch. Also I enjoy that you sometimes speak to the trees.”
“I just want ‘em to know they’re grownin’ well.” Duck mumbles, blushing.
“It is charming. If it is alright, I would like to continue watching you when you work. Perhaps I could even talk to you while you do, if it is only you and I around?”
“Uh, sure?” Duck shrugs, “can’t promise sparklin conversation, but I ain’t opposed to the company. Might learn more about trees than you ever care to know.”
“Splendid!” The merman claps his hands together, “some day, in return, you can come swim with me and you can learn more about fish and current than you care to know.”
His enthusiasm skips across the water and Duck catches it.
“You got a deal. Name’s Duck, by the way.”
The merman grins, teeth sharper than Duck expects, “It is nice to meet you Duck. I am Indrid.”
Mermaids carnivorous?
Should you offer to share your lunch with a mermaid?
Indrid, true to his word, appears now and then over the next few days. Sometimes, if the trails or river are busy, Duck will just see flashes of tail, or a flicker of a face peeking around a rock.
Other times Indrid will float on his back or even climb up onto a rock to watch him work. He asks Duck questions about birds, and trees, the various behaviors of humans that confound him. Duck, in turn, asks him about his life in the river, about the layout of merfolk up and down this part of the state.
Some days, Indrid is nowhere to be seen. But on those days, Duck will spot pictures drawn into the mud or sand of the riverbank, as high up as Indrid was able to manage. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a drawing of a merperson waving. Others it tells Duck where to spot a rare salamander or songbird. Once or twice, it’s reminder of something Duck needs to do that day after work, something he meant to write down but didn’t and is glad for the reminder of. He assumes Indrid must use his future sight for those.
On the days when it’s only messages in the sand, he’s always sure to leave a happy face (or the words “thank you” once he teaches Indrid how to recognize it).
It’s been three days of sand messages, the longest stretch yet (Duck misses him, keeps hoping he’ll turn and see that toothy smile) when Indrid finally appears and asks, “would you like to swim with me tonight?”
Given that it’s pushing a hundred degrees (the kind of day that makes him feel as though the mountain will erupt at any moment) and he’s fairly certain Indrid either can’t or won’t eat him, Duck says yes.
When his shift is over, he heads down to their agreed meeting space, an inlet that’s off limits to the public and has a calm current.
“I assume you wear those because otherwise the water is too cold for you?” He points at Duck’s swimtrunks, the spare pair he keeps in the car.
“Kinda. Mostly to, uh, preserve our modesty.”
“Ah.” Indrid says with the tone and nod that Duck knows means, “I understand but think it is a bit silly.”
As soon as he’s up to his chest in the water, Indrid is swimming around him, talking animatedly and brushing his body along Duck’s back. Duck shivers at the contact, tells himself it’s from the unfamiliar, cool scales.
Their conversation turns to Indrid’s younger years, and he admits to harassing a flock of college students who were tubing and kept chucking their beer cans into the water.”
“How’d you get ‘em to stop?”
“My tail is rather strong, so I got it under their tubes and just-” he flicks his tail out of the water with a huge splash, the bulk of which hits Duck.
“Ackhey!” He splutters, giggling.
“ApologiesAH!” Indrid shakes his head in surprise when Duck splashes him back. The human gets another wave directed at him by Indrid’s tail, and when his vision clears the merman is gone.
“Uh oh.” He says just as Indrid pops out of the water in front of him, drenching him as he does. The tail sneaks behind his legs and knocks them out from beneath him. But before he goes under, willowy arms grab him.
“I win.” Indrid grins.
“Guhhuh.” He flails a bit, trying to right himself, and his hand slides up Indrid’s tail.
“Mmmmmm.” Indrid sighs as he helps him up, “that feels nice.”
“Is it, uh, can I do it again? It’s kinda cool, never felt anythin’ quite like it.”
“Of course.” Indrid rests his head on Duck’s shoulder as the human runs his hand up and down his tail, noting the dark flecks in the red.
“It been the same color all these years, or does it change?”
“That’s a fascinating question….”
They talk until the sun goes down, resting against each other all the while.
Merman tail sexual thing?
Can a human fall in love with a merman?
Can a merman love a human?
Merman porn?
Two days later, Duck is just starting his rounds by the river when Indrid emerges, eyes frantic.
“Duck, Duck, the volcano-”
“Oh fuck me, is it-”
“No, it is not erupting again, but, but there will be an earthquake on account of it’s seismic activity. You need to clear the visitor center, the roof is going to come down and it will kill twenty five people. You have fifteen minutes.
Duck runs, is winded by the time he reaches the center, and no matter how he tries, his coworkers will not listen to him (he wishes Juno was working today, he might be able to tell her the whole truth).
Out of ideas and time, he pulls the fire alarm.
The center evacuates in a hurry, and just as his boss is about to ask what the hell he’s doing, the ground shudders once beneath them. Then again, more violently, thirty seconds and an eternity all once of cracking and shaking and shouts of alarm.
The visitor center is ruins.
But everybody is alive.
-------------------------------------
Duck rolls his pants up, wading a little ways into the water as he chucks stones into it
“You did it.” Indrid surfaces, swimming over to float off to his left.
“Yeah. Guess I did. Got two days suspension for pullin’ the fire alarm though.”
“I am sorry.”
“Ain’t the end of the world. Uh, are there any more of those comin’?”
Indrid thinks for a moment, “No, none so severe in the forseeable future.”
“And the volcano?” He steps into deeper water.
“Still not erupting any time soon.”
“Can, uh, can I ask you the odds of one more thing?”
“Of course.”
“Uh, what, what are the chances of you and I kissin’?”
Indrid swims the few feet between them, looping his arms around Duck’s shoulders and planting a single, cool kiss on his lips.
“Indrid.” Duck whispers, ready to wade in over his head just for another kiss, knowing for certain Indrid would never ask him to.
“Before you ask: yes, my sweet, I do see many more of those in our future.”
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A Hero Among Us-Chapter 15
Previous chapters on AO3 Special thanks to @statell for all the help
Chapter Fifteen (Explicit sexual content)
Jamie came into the house after his morning chores, smiling with the thrill of his surprise. Taking the stairs two at a time he blasted into the bedroom and stood stock-still. The drapes were drawn, and his wife was still buried under covers. Did she forget about their trip to town today? He peeked under the quilt and saw the whites of her eyes. When she sat up the quilt pushed all her hair in her face as it slid off. She swept it back in one movement and looked around the room.
Jamie stared at his wife, naked, disheveled, unaware of the predatory fantasies running in his crippled brain. He reached a hand tentatively toward her and touched her breast. She didn’t seem to notice and laid down again to finish waking up, she murmured to herself. Her eyes closed and Jamie licked his lips. His granite erection felt like fifty pounds of intense hunger. He slowly circled her on the bed, pulling his layers off without the aid of releasing buttons. He slid into bed naked and pressed his face to the back of her legs while he lifted one thigh high enough to gain access to her sweet core. He tried to slow his heart and calm down, but her show of meek, sweet femininity caught him off guard and he couldn’t wait to consume her.
Jamie slid his tongue into her wet darkness and moaned with his pleasure. Claire was waking up and ran her fingers through his hair and arched her back breathing harder. Jamie was in no hurry, so he teased and licked, pushing two fingers into her body and moaning again as she pushed against his face. He couldn’t stand it another minute and pushed up to kiss her deeply, sliding himself into her for several slow thrusts, and then dropped back to her throbbing center. Claire was moaning and pulling his head to her and when she arched her back and ground down on his mouth, he released her to waves of ecstasy and throbbing pleasure. He pulled her legs over his shoulders and entered her again as he was momentarily overcome with the feel of her wet warmth. He wanted to wait and build her heat again, but his body had other ideas and he crashed into her at least a dozen times before he shattered in a growl. He dropped his head to her shoulder panting for his life.
Claire expected a giant Scot to drop down next to her and cuddle into more sleep but instead, he rose from the bed and suggested in the nicest way possible that she get up. They were going into town this morning for a much-deserved surprise. The word filtered into Claire’s ear and seeped into her foggy brain suddenly becoming a large hammer. “Surprise? What surprise Jamie!”
“Well, you will love it, but we’re already late, so, never mind Sassenach. You rest.”
“Wait, we’re not late!” Claire pushed the quilt off her naked body as she zoomed around the room putting her layers on. Her shift and stockings were on and she held her corset to her body and looked behind her shoulder for Jamie to assist with her laces. He was very quick and complained the whole time he would rather be taking it off of her. Once the skirts were tied and the jacket was almost buttoned, she took a deep breath and said “ready.”
“Are ye now?” Jamie came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, turning her slowly until she could see her reflection in the mirror. Jamie decided she looked like Medusa in a fine dress and almost choked swallowing his laugh.
“Oh my God!” Claire pulled the door open and called for Misses Crook before sitting down at her vanity. Jamie kissed her shoulder and left to get the carriage ready. He was anxious to get the white horses out in front of the carriage, but the filly was too young to be without her mother yet. Fergus arrived with his face washed and his hair combed and helped Claire into the carriage before joining her. He would watch the carriage and horse while milord and lady were about their business. Jamie flicked the reins and Brimstone headed out to what remained of their road.
Jamie pulled the carriage into a shady spot and helped his beautiful wife step down. He walked her to a fancy-dress shop and asked for the head dressmaker. After introductions, he announced his wife was in need of a very fancy dress to wear to the St Helena fiesta, the biggest party of the year. Claire almost erupted into Jamie’s arms and bounced with her excitement.
“Spare no expense, if ye please, but it must be done in a week’s time.”
He looked at Claire with his intense blue eyes and reminded her it might be the last fancy party while she still had a waistline and told her to create a masterpiece. He touched her cheek before he slipped out the door heading for the tailor. He needed a suit and shoes and hoped it would not bore him to tears.
Fergus laid in the carriage and fell asleep.
When Jamie collected his bride, she had stars in her eyes and told him all about the dress that was being made. She told him some dresses don’t have bustles anymore, they are more form-fitting and flowing. She mentioned other attributes of the dress, but Jamie had no idea what she was talking about. They fetched Fergus and took him to spend his twenty-five cents leaving Jamie spent and hungry. They decided on ice cream in the shade and giggled trying to catch the treat as it slid down the side of the cone. When they finally headed home, Claire was exhausted. She didn’t have the stamina she once had and yawned all the way back to the house. Fergus helped her out of the carriage and into the house and she sat down at the table with a sigh. Fergus waited and looked around nervously.
“What is it, Fergus?”
“Oh, nothing milady.” He walked into the kitchen and smiled when he heard a gasp.
“What is that? That, there, what is it?”
Fergus played dumb, “it looks like a wooden box, milady.”
Claire got up and walked to the new addition to the kitchen. She ran her hand around it and pulled a lever in front to pop it open. When she pressed the door open her hands were cold. She continued to investigate, and the interior of the box was ice cold! “What on earth?”
Jamie stood behind her smiling. “Now that we have a road mo gradhag, we can have ice delivered once a week and ye can keep food fresh in that box.”
Claire’s eyes were huge as she continued to touch the interior of the box.
“You must keep the door closed Mistress.” Misses Crook materialized and explained how the box worked. Claire and Misses Crook were over the moon, Fergus was hungry and bored, and Jamie was ready for his afternoon chores.
The Highlanders had mostly scattered for the afternoon and evening, hunting for turkey, pheasant, or pig. Their vineyard mini fiesta was tomorrow night and fresh meat was needed. Cho had been harvesting his vegetables all afternoon. With the help of the Highlanders still on the property, they brought buckets of corn, peppers, Peas, cauliflower, beans, rhubarb, cantaloupe, and squash to the kitchen. Claire and Misses Crook went crazy over the bounty, thrilled with cooking for the party tomorrow.
Donus was being extra evil when Jamie tried to brush him. He narrowly escaped what would have been a vicious bite. He exhaled a long surrendering breath and dropped the brushes into a bucket. He looked Donus in the eye for a long minute and then opened the door to his stall.
“Ye canna stay here and get fed twice a day while ye seek to maim, Donus. Ye make it clear ye dinna want to be my horse so go. Go!!” Jamie got behind the horse and slapped his rump hard making the horse lurch for the barn door and freedom.
Jamie felt the loss and wished Donus well. It was the first time he had been defeated by a horse. He didn’t care much for that but mostly wanted him to be okay out there by himself. He walked back to the house with his head low. He decided he was just tired, it was a long day.
Reaching the house, the atmosphere was high energy as the men were bringing in the spoils of their hunt. Three turkeys, a mid-sized pig, and buckets full of fresh vegetables. He smiled at Fergus sitting on the floor in the middle of the buckets. His cheeks were bulging with food and he chewed happily with a stalk of rhubarb in his hand. Jamie was looking between the Highlanders for Claire and saw Misses Crook point up. He opened the bedroom door and was shocked when a gorgeous, excited lass jumped into his arms crushing his mouth. He smiled into the kiss, happy she loved the icebox.
“Jamie darling, what’s wrong?”
“I let Donus go tonight. I’m done with him, and worried about him.”
Claire draped her arm across his shoulders and looked down at his sad face. “He might change his mind and come back you know.”
“I willna change mine mo chridhe, he’s a killer”
“I will have Misses Crook bring supper up here and read to you until you fall asleep. How does that sound?” She kissed his temple over and over and then ran downstairs to inform Misses Crook.
Jamie laid against a mountain of pillows and ate the vegetables and meat on the tray, a piece of rhubarb pie, and back to the meat, while Claire read to him. This was so relaxing and completely self-indulgent. He told himself it was the off season, another week to rest before vines would need to be cut back. He took the book from Claire and held a piece of turkey in front of her lips.
The night passed quietly for Jamie and Claire and they read through half of the book before giving in to the pull of their dreams. Jamie woke several times during the night and wrapping his arms around the Sassenach was all he needed to drift back to sleep. His insomnia for the past month was cured with the harvest.
The next night, the cabins were hanging with fiesta decorations and the smell of roasting meat was heavy in the air. Claire worried the ladies would not come so far but the carriages started to arrive right on time and two, three, or four girls would emerge with bright smiles. Claire was thrilled with the turnout and the barber and his brother came a bit later to play the music the Highlanders loved.
Claire looked around for anyone sitting alone and saw Rupert sitting with a tiny girl. He had not moved from her side all night and fetched her food and drink before sitting next to her again. They got up and walked through the vineyard until they were out of sight. Claire felt an immediate need to do something, but what? Two young people should not be alone in the dark, but she didn’t want to follow them. She chewed her nail and waited for them to emerge. Rupert’s cheeks were rosy red, and the girl would not meet his eye. Hmm, she thought, something happened.
It was an amazing mini fiesta and when the carriages arrived again the girls left. Claire watched Rupert walk with his girl to her carriage and shake hands with the man who waited for her. The little girl smiled sincerely at Rupert and climbed aboard waving out the window. Rupert watched her roll away from him and Claire could feel his loneliness for her.
The next day Jamie helped Claire aboard the carriage, and they enjoyed Sunday services. As Claire shook many hands and spoke to the women, she caught Rupert out her peripheral vision. He was washed and wearing clean clothes and speaking with the young woman from the party. She blushed and smiled at him like he was the king of her world. Claire saw a pairing in progress and prayed it would happen. Rupert had a heart of gold and needed a woman to love.
On the night of the St. Helena Fiesta, the house was abuzz with excitement. Jamie was quite impressed that he did not have to constantly pull his shirt sleeve down under his coat. Somehow the tailor included extra fabric for him to reach for something without the need for adjustment. He heard the door open upstairs and his heart rate jumped. He watched Claire descend the stairs with her hair piled high and soft ringlets bounced around her face and down her back. The fabric of her gown shimmered in the light of the lamps. The dress was a cut he had never seen. Rather than the huge bustle or butt roll, it seemed to fall around her natural frame, and it was stunning. Layer after layer of sheer fabric in different hues of blue wrapped around her upper body and flowed into a trailing skirt. He approached and held out his hand, admiring the most beautiful woman God had ever made.
“You look stunning in that dress love.”
She could see the truth in his eyes, and it made her feel like a princess. She smiled at his new suit, tailored in the modern cut with soft breeches that hugged his muscular rear end in an enticing way. He walked her outside and the Highlanders were lined up to see them in their finery. All smiles and nods, Claire felt ready to face the St. Helena wine population.
Angus sat in the box seat ready to drive them to the fiesta. He would return at eleven o’clock to bring them home. Every man that watched noticed Claire’s delicate curves, straight back, full cleavage and bright white smile.
It was a magical night and Claire was the bell of the ball, surrounded by women and admiring men all night. When Jamie would leave her side for refreshments, the women would surround him, batting their lashes and pushing their breasts out. They danced and drank, and ate the most wonderful food. Jamie was pulled away by Ben to meet another grower. After the handshake, Jamie kept his eye on Claire. She was surrounded by ladies and pulled more to her as the evening went on. When Jamie could excuse himself, he watched her on his walk back. She was stunning, poised and comfortable, and the other women seemed genuinely fond of her, an outsider. He was so incredibly proud of her.
At eleven o’clock, Jamie and Claire said their goodbyes and were loaded into the carriage. Jamie pulled his wife onto his lap and looked at every inch of her up close. She giggled and let him touch her dress and feel her curves without all the padding around her middle. She was exquisite.
“It wasna as terrible as I thought it would be Sassenach. Actually, I met some important people and enjoyed socializing. You, my love, were a sparkling diamond among all the people at the party. I was bursting with pride to arrive with ye and leave with ye. Sometimes I find it hard to believe how blessed I am to be married to ye.” He looked in her eyes and touched her cheek.
As Claire bent forward to kiss him, he saw the shine in her eyes and the smile on her face. “Thank you for taking me to the party. It was wonderful, the best time I’ve ever had.” She started her kiss softly with her hand on his cheek. When he felt her tongue on his lower lip his heart rammed in his chest and he sucked it into his mouth letting his hands roam free. Now that Claire was pregnant, Jamie had an automatic halt mechanism when he thought about loving her because he didn’t want to hurt the baby. It was easily defeated by seeing her naked, or just reclined, so Claire never became aware of it. Jamie decided to let the mechanism work tonight fearing she was already exhausted. He stayed his hands and just held her to him.
Claire was undaunted by his lack of action and kissed his earlobe pulling it into her mouth and then ran her tongue down the side of his neck and bit him hard. So much for the halt mechanism. Jamie held her hands behind her back and ravaged her neck, mouth, and throat as the ride became quite bumpy. Claire’s eyes were closed, and she moaned into her husband.
My darling lass. Ye have made me the happiest man in the world. I owe ye everything, including my soul. Claire’s eyes were mere slits as she gazed down on him. Her chest was heaving for air and her breasts straining against the fabric of her dress.
“It is not your soul I want tonight James Fraser.” She pushed herself back on the bench and pulled her skirts high enough to expose her pulsing core. She pulled his hand to her heat and closed her eyes pushing his fingers into her aching need.
“Jesus Sassenach, yer crippling me lass.” His fingers slid in and out of her as she opened her legs to his probing hand. She was on the edge, riding his hand and moaning. Angus pounded on the roof of the carriage and Jamie stole a look outside. Pulling his wife up quickly he held her hands and looked into her lusty eyes.
“Sassenach, my love, we have fifteen stairs to climb, and one door to close. I will tell ye what to take off, and ye will do it while I watch. I may tell ye where to put yer mouth, when to suck, and how to bend. I will have ye how I want because ye ken I will send ye to heaven tonight, as high as you want to go.”
“No more talk,” she hissed and pulled his hand to her core.
“Do as I say, and I promise ye no mercy Sassenach.”
When Angus opened the door, he helped Claire descend the carriage and felt worried because she looked dead on her feet. He handed her to Jamie and promised to put Brimstone up. Claire had lost focus and Jamie guided her up the stairs and closed the door. He pushed her from him and pressed her to the center of the room. She regarded him with smoldering eyes.
There are fancy clasps that hold yer dress up love, open them and let it fall. Her hands pressed into the clasps and released them as the dress puddled around her feet. “Come here Sassenach and turn around.” Jamie reached for the laces and pulled them so slowly that Claire reached behind her and grabbed his erection through his soft pants. Jamie grunted and took control of his lusty wife until she was completely worn out from a beautiful party, Jamie’s need for her mouth, her pussy, and positions that threatened her sanity. Jaime dropped to her side and looked at the face he loved. Claire smiled as her eyes were closing, “that was really fun… everything.” He could tell she was nearly asleep when he heard, “I love you so.”
Jamie welcomed the autumn and then the winter. As the vines slept, he made improvements to the house and talked with Cho and the men. He fished almost daily with Fergus and watched his wife blossom with pregnancy. He found her more and more beautiful with each passing day which was fortunate because Claire was stuck on sexual go-mode. She was almost embarrassed by her increased sexual appetite and Jamie laughed at her cute, red face when she lured him upstairs with a broken cabinet, a squeaky door, a loose floorboard, and a full list of other issues that required his immediate attention. She was adorable and he was reeling in his happiness to share so much intimate time with the amazing Sassenach. Life was good. The pace of winter was slow, and he felt like the luckiest man alive. The second luckiest would be Rupert.
When Claire and Jamie met little Mary Hawkins, she was the very definition of demure femininity. Shy and quiet at first, Claire charmed her into feeling relaxed and accepted and the women spent a good deal of time together with Misses Crook. Claire waited for the obvious next step and finally asked Rupert on impulse when he was going to marry the girl. She was half-joking, but things became serious when she looked at his anguished face.
“Christ, Rupert. What is wrong, please excuse me for overstepping. It’s none of my business!” She was red-faced and ashamed for such a question.
“Thank ye for askin it of me, Mistress. I dinna ken what to do. I want to marry her.” His face blushed sweetly, “but I dinna want to leave the vineyard and I canna have my wife livin in a cabin with Angus.”
Claire grabbed his hand, “I see. Yes, that is a hurdle that needs some thought. Do you mind if I speak with Jamie about it?”
He looked at her with a smile and wide eyes, “I dinna mind!”
Claire had a mission and loved Rupert’s heart enough to see this to the deserved happy ending. When she was alone with Jamie that night, she explained Rupert’s problem and watched her husband light up when he thought of a solution that would help on many levels.
“They can move into the other house and Rupert can oversee that vineyard while we endeavor to plant it. There won’t be much needed for the first three years aside from cutting back in the fall and general vineyard maintenance which he knows already. We can get an icebox for that house too!”
Claire smiled at his excitement and felt her heart in her throat.
“The house needs some work though. Do ye mind if I take over with Rupert? We …” He looked at Claire and gasped, pulling her to him, “tell me why you cry mo chridhe.”
Through her happy tears she pushed her beach ball into his stomach so she could kiss the daylights out of him, but found it hard to get close enough. Jamie turned her and laid her on the bed to kiss her deeply, feeling her hands make an inquiry that made him smile…then pant.
Rupert had two weaknesses in life, Mary Hawkins and crayfish. He loved them both, so it wasn’t hard for Jamie to find a quiet place to speak with Rupert about taking the house on the other shore. When he started to describe his idea, he could see the crimson ears and face on Rupert, even in the dim light of early evening. Rupert listened and smiled so hard he actually looked like a different person. Love is transforming, Jamie decided and felt so grateful he could offer this opportunity to a Highland brother that was so deserving. It was a moment Rupert would remember until he took his last breath.
Claire was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for Rupert to speak to Mary’s father, then for Rupert to ask her, then for Rupert to bring Mary over, so she could finally explode with planning, preparing, and helping to ready the house.
Jamie did his best to hold his wife when she was sad, love her when she was needy, and anticipate every other emotion he was seeing on a daily basis. He was feeling more and more fearful about her moods and finally asked Misses Crook who answered quite characteristically, “dinna worry, it's normal.” The end. It did more to calm Jamie’s nerves than one would believe. He was used to Misses Crook’s precise words and heard her honesty.
“Jamie darling, on the off-chance Rupert works up the nerve to ask little Mary for her hand, how will we get the house ready? I’m afraid I grow more tired with each day and wonder how much help I will be.”
Jamie kissed her soundly and assured her all was in his head already. “The Highlanders will earn their ridiculous pay for the last harvest and be happy to do it,” He laughed. “What do ye think about giving the newlyweds a swing for a weddin present?”
Claire smiled through her tears, “that is an exceptional present, yes.”
Jamie pulled her into his arms and caressed her growing stomach. “Sassenach, ye are so sweet and so loving… and very weepy. How will I know when yer tears are from sorrow? They look the same to me and I dinna want to miss when ye need somethin of me.”
“Oh, Jamie!” The tears poured out of her eyes, “I love you so much!” He held her close and silently appealed to a higher authority with a prayer that he would know her troubled heart if it ever came.
Mister Hawkins gave his blessing on the marriage and shook Rupert’s hand with a smile. Rupert made it back to the vineyard without Mary seeing him and paced for the remainder of the afternoon. When Angus finally asked what the trouble was Rupert paced in the other direction to worry out how he would ask his love to marry him. The enormity of his pain should she refuse him started to make him crazy and after three days of pacing, Jamie finally pulled him to the lake and stuck a pole in his hand then forced him to sit on a rock and watch his line.
“Now then, Rupert. What is troubling ye so?”
Rupert looked deflated, “I canna decide how to ask Mary to be my wife. If she says no, I will lose my head.”
“Ah, so the lass has excused herself from outings ye invite her to.”
“No.”
“The lass willna kiss ye.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“The lassie looks at another then.”
“No.”
“Christ Rupert, what the devil is the problem then?”
“What if she says no?”
Jamie rolled his eyes wishing for someone with emotional stability to rescue him. He felt Fergus tapping his shoulder offering some freshly cooked bacon to lure the crayfish to the hook. “Good lad, ye have a way with women and one Misses Crook to cook this up for us. Take my pole, I must check on Claire. See if ye can help Rupert figure out how to ask Miss Mary for her hand.”
Fergus laughed at red-faced Rupert. His savory French accent was the last nail in Rupert’s perceived coffin. “Please, my friend, do not waste your time. When I ask her to color my world until the end of time she will choose me, even though I am only eleven years old, she will choose me.” Fergus looked at the water with a dreamy expression.
Rupert growled and jumped to his feet, “when the devil takes over the earth maybe, not until then, and I will thank ye to stay away from my wife!” He stalked off and headed for the barn to borrow Brimstone for a few hours, praying Jamie would forgive him. He was steaming mad when he started toward Mary’s house which calmed into a directive with purpose; ask Mary to be his wife. Gone were his fears and insecurities. She was his life now and every day that passed was one day less he could share with her. When Mary answered the door, she was breathless having run from the third floor. Rupert held out his hand which she took immediately. They walked until he was sure no one in the house could see them and he took her hand. Another fifteen minutes of distance and he stopped and kissed her passionately. Mary clung to him and he smiled knowing she was lost in love, just like he was. He dropped to one knee and smiled up at her, “Mary Hawkins, will ye marry me, lass?”
Mary was over the moon and laughed and giggled all the way home, tucked into Rupert’s side with his strong arm around her. It was time to start their life together and he had the little idiot to thank for it.
Mary and her mother, aunt, and cousin started on her wedding dress that very afternoon. Mary had dreamed of her wedding to Rupert for so long she knew exactly what she wanted, and the women giggled at her sudden command of the task. It was so unlike Mary to assert her opinion and control over a matter. Her mother looked at her with conviction in her heart that Rupert would open the world to her daughter and help her live the life she was born to live. He would be her everything.
Jamie fell to Claire’s side gasping for breath and reached out to her. She was talking about making a list of chores to do before the wedding. He was a bit put off by that until he realized she was already asleep and dreaming about the wedding preparations. He kept his laughing quiet and laid back to enjoy his peace. Feeling the room was closing in on his happiness he walked out to the large patio and surveyed the acres of sleeping vines under him. He prayed his thanks for their bounty and felt the pull to lay under the stars and sleep. He was very tired, but the walls felt like a prison cell sometimes.
It was time to make a bed for the patio so he could sleep under the moon and hear the crickets. He would hold his wife close and keep her warm while showing her the magic of sleeping outside and making love under the stars. He was aching for this. He reluctantly closed the doors and returned to their bed.
The next morning after chores, he and Fergus rowed to the other shore to start building the bed. Now that he recognized his need to be outside, he couldn’t wait. The bed would be ready to assemble in a couple of days, but he still needed a mattress which he would pull off the best of the guest beds in the house. When they rowed back, he could see Claire pacing the shoreline and his heart rate shot up as he rowed with energy and Fergus tried to keep up.
“What’s amiss Sassenach?” he held her hands hoping to offer his strength and watched her blush as she looked down and explained.
“The…the hinge on the bedroom door has come loose and the door is hanging there. I am fearful it will break off.” Her tone got quieter as the sentence was said until she was almost whispering, still looking at the ground.
“Fergus tie the raft to the shore. If it gets away, ye swim after it.”
He walked Claire upstairs and closed the door against the world on the other side. He held his sweet wife and removed her dress, corset, shift, and stockings, kissing every inch of newly exposed skin. He took his time and loved her sweetly, filling her empty reserves with his love and promises, until she was exploding into her release and clinging to him. They held each other in the afterglow of release, each grateful for the other and the miracle that was coming. Claire slept on her back and Jamie watched her round stomach feeling sleepy and sated. When it moved, he jumped a foot off the bed and gasped bringing Claire out of her dreams.
“What is it, love?”
“Yer, ah…yer stomach moved harshly Sassenach, like two cats in a gunny sack. Is that supposed to happen?”
She looked at him sleepily and pulled his hand to her abdomen. “I am sorry for being so needy for your love. I have demanded time with your hands when they could have been feeling our baby grow. I am sorry Jamie,” she giggled, “a little.” She stretched like a purring cat and asked him to put his head on her thigh so he could use both hands to feel his moving daughter.
“Daughter.”
“Yes, I believe it is a girl.” She looked at his face. “Are you disappointed we will have a daughter?”
“Nae, I am overjoyed, I will have two of ye to love and protect. Sassenach, do ye really believe it’s a girl?”
Claire had been dreaming that a baby girl was speaking to her about different things and honestly believed, in her heart, their baby was a girl. She was unsure how Jamie would react but the look on his face made all her doubts and fears vanish. His face was alight with love for his child, his smile was huge with anticipation to meet her, and she exhaled her relief.
The baby was awake and ready to practice moving her body with hard kicks and punches to her mother’s loving abdomen. Her father felt every movement like a gift from God. Claire was sound asleep again and Jamie watched a limb move across her stomach and could hardly breathe when it stopped midway. He held the tiny protrusion, wondering if it was an elbow or a knee, and felt the hot tears falling down his cheeks. He was touching his child and the wonder of it made him weep. When the movement stopped sometime later Jamie kissed Claire’s stomach with his wet cheeks and finally knew why she cried about everything lately.
How could she not?
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Home for the Holidays
Hello~
Pairing: Onkey
Rating: Pg
Warnings: Omegaverse, mpreg, abo dynamics, etc
w/c: 2,824
Summary: When they go to visit Kibum’s family for the holidays they aren’t allowed to stay in the same room because they aren’t mated/married yet, and Kibum sneaks into Jinki’s room because he misses him.
(came from the thought of “I already got you pregnant, what more could I do to disappoint them aisjdoas let me under the covers.”
There weren’t many cars on the road so late at night, especially when many people opted to fly instead of drive the almost 8 hours up the mountain. They had about two hours to go before they arrived to Kibum’s childhood home to visit his family for the holidays. Jinki was supposed to be napping, being they had switched driving about an hour before at the last rest stop, but with the crinkle of the popped rice snack bag he knew the man wasn’t. “Baby?”
Jinki hummed warmly, shifting his head slowly to look over at him from where he had been looking out the window. There was a soft smile on his face as he said, “Yes Bummie?”
“Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” Kibum glanced over at him for a moment before focusing back on the ice covered road. He offered his hand over to the man and Jinki was quick to wrap his warm hands around it.
“Yeah, but I got hungry.” Jinki smacked his mouth. “Not to mention the snow is starting to stick.”
“We aren’t stopping.” Kibum reminded him, knowing full well the next sentence that was going to come out of Jinki’s mouth.
He whined. “But snooow.”
“There’s a good 3 feet of it around my house Baby.”
“But Bummie, snow.” Kibum could hear the pout in his voice and that nagged at him.
When Kibum deeply sighed and the car shifted over to the side of the road Jinki knew he had won. The keys were taken from the ignition and Kibum wiggled on his gloves. A smile erupted on his face when Jinki leaned over to press a slow, warm kiss to his cheek. Before he rushed out of the SUV Kibum called out to Jinki. “You forgot your hat.”
The man didn’t hear him at all, excitement about the snow overpowering everything else. Kibum just shook his head, gripping the thick hat and stepping out of the car. Jinki was working his way over toward the untouched snow a few feet from the road. He looked back at Kibum with a wide, elated smile. Hair covered in little snowflakes. “Come play.”
“I’m good here watching Baby.” Kibum laughed for a moment, before sombering. “Just be careful. There’s always ice under all that snow.”
“I doubt it.” Kibum sighed as the man blew off his warning to focus on catching snowflakes with his tongue. But of course Jinki would find the icy patch under the packed snow and his feet slipped out from under him. Kibum watched with his heart in his throat as Jinki fell straight into the snow back first. Time moved incredibly slow as Jinki didn’t move, panic bubbling in Kibum’s chest he had hurt himself or the baby, but just as he was working getting himself out of his shock and to move toward him he heard Jinki’s laughter. Loud, obnoxious, happy laughter. When he finally made it over to him Jinki was slowly sitting up in the snow, moving it around him with his hands with the biggest smile on his face, little giggles still leaving his lips as the soft cold substance fell from between his fingers. Kibum fussed at him as he helped him up, “I’m fine Babe. Really, I’m okay. You can stop grooming me now.”
“I told you to be careful.” Kibum chided, finally tugging the hat he took from the car over Jinki’s damp, messy hair. “You’re soaked to the bone now.”
Jinki scrunched his nose up in displeasement as he moved his limbs. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”
“Have you gotten enough of your snow dose, Baby?”
“Mm yes.” With a hum Jinki stepped closer, arm warming around Kibum’s waist under his open coat and laid his head against his shoulder as he snuggled closer. He shivered a little when the wind blew against them, and Kibum cooed at him. “Bite me snow wolf. It’s cold here.”
“Ah yes, it’s hit you, my little marshmallow. Let’s go get you something dry to wear.”
Jinki climbed into the car to turn on the heat to warm up as Kibum looked through his suitcase for the warmest items he packed. Once he had them pulled out, he rezipped the suitcase and closed the trunk. Jinki changed quickly, sighing happily when the warmth began to engulf him. His wet clothes and big parka was tossed in the backseat for the time being and Kibum wiggled his own coat off to hand it to him. Jinki made a face. “I’m not taking your coat.”
“You’re already wearing my clothes. What’s a jacket?”
The man was grumbling about how rude it was to be so charming and sweet as he snuggled under the soft cotton coat. Kibum just smiled softly as he finally pulled from the side of the road to continue the rest of their drive.
—–
When they finally pulled up the extensive driveway Jinki was snoring a little in the passenger seat. The lights in the house told Kibum that the party had already started, as if celebrating for 4 consecutive days was necessary, but he had grew used to the craziness of his parents holiday gatherings fairly early in his life. He patted Jinki’s knee, heart melting a little as his head shifted over and his cheek squished against the headrest as he wiggled slightly to get comfy again. “Baby, we’re here.”
Jinki squinted as he grunted, not approving of being woken up. “Five more minutes?”
“If we hurry we may be able to sneak in the side and cuddle before they realize we’re here.” At the sound of cuddles the man perked up; however, the excitement of the prospect of cuddles was short lived. As the back of the car was opened someone came outside the front of the house, taking upon themselves to lean back into the front door and announcing Kibum was home. Kibum sighed. He tugged Jinki closer and pressed a kiss to his temple after seeing the deep frown on his face. “Don’t worry. I’ll sneak in to see you later.”
——
Later that night he opened his door slowly, trying to minimize the amount of sound the hinges would make. After the soft click was heard as he closed it he turned to head toward the East wing of the house, where Jinki’s room was. The quickest way was through the kitchen, but as he stepped from the carpet of he hallway to the wood of the kitchen he spotted his mother standing at the counter, slowly stirring something in a small mug. She lifted her attention from the object in her hands and smiled at her son. “I thought you were asleep. You must be incredibly tired from the drive here.”
“I am, but Jinki forgot his toothbrush in my suitcase and he’ll probably need it before bed.” Kibum lifted the small bag that held the man’s toothbrush. She didn’t need to know he had taken it from the man’s suitcase on purpose as a safety net.
“Oh, well I’ll take it to him.”
“Mom, that’s not necessary.”
“You’re exhausted.” She smiled warmly, stepping closer to take the toothbrush. “Besides, we wouldn’t want you getting any ideas and staying the night with him.”
Kibum sighed. “Of course Mama.”
He kissed her cheek and frowned as she walked away. Once he got into his room he texted Jinki quickly, She intercepted me Baby. I’m sorry.
Jinki was quick to respond. It’s okay. I kind of expected her to be waiting. She thinks I’m a bad influence on you.
He snorted. Goodnight Baby. I love you.
Love you too
Kibum hooked it up to the charger and placed it face down on the table before focusing on getting comfy. He frowned deeply at the lack of Jinki to hug and the pillow was just not going to cut it. He flopped onto his back and pouted. Stupid traditions. Hopefully at the actual party tomorrow night he could spend all of it with Jinki.
—–
Jinki held his cup of hot chocolate with both hands, sipping it carefully as he looked over the rim at the rest of the party. The large living room was bright and golden, full of happy celebrating people and pretty sparkling lights. Kibum was mingling, being the good son and going around meeting people he hadn’t seen in a while. Jinki’s eyes slipped away from his boyfriend when he heard his name coming from the left of him. He smiled politely at Kibum’s cousin. He didn’t fail to miss the bottle of whiskey gripped in his hand. The man’s words were a little slurred as he spoke. “Want a shot of this in your mug Jinki?”
“I’m fine with this, thank you though Chanyeol.”
His big eyes narrowed. “Are you sure? It’s a holiday party, what’s a party without booze?”
Jinki hummed. “I’m trying to lower my amount of drinking.”
Chanyeol laughed obnoxiously. “It’s not like your pregnant. Live a little.”
“My doctor wants me on this special cleanse for a test I gotta do when we go back. Thank you for offering though.”
“Alright, sorry to have pushed.” Chanyeol squinted up at the lights. “Mm have a good night if I don’t see you again.”
Jinki eyed him as he left, making a mental note to leave ibuprofen in his room for the man when he woke up. There was a bitter taste in his mouth, and his nose scrunched at the uneasiness in his stomach. His head was starting to hurt from all the noise. Kibum’s family was huge, and that didn’t count everyone’s plus one, and Jinki wasn’t even close to being used to the whole dynamic yet compared to their quiet life back home.
He found Kibum again, and although he wanted to tell him he was heading to bed early, he didn’t want to interrupt the heated conversation he seemed to be having with his father. He debated doing just that for a moment before deciding against it and walking toward the wing of the house his room was in. A quick change and a relaxing time in bed would surely nip the nausea in the bud, or at least make it bearable. Especially with that secret pack of crackers Kibum gave him from the kitchen.
His head was already feeling better as he distanced himself from the volume of the festivities, stepping into his room and quietly closing the door after himself. As soon as he unbuttoned his pants he signed deeply, finally feeling comfy and not so restrained. He frowned a little though as he kicked the pants off his ankles, knowing full well he’d need bigger clothes soon.
He shivered as he slipped off his sweater, the chill in the air getting to him quickly. After pulling on a big shirt he climbed into bed with a soft, content sigh. His journal was lifted from the bedside table, next to his cup of hot chocolate, after he got comfy. He thought about sending Kibum a text, to make sure he didn’t worry, but knowing him he wouldn’t have his phone on him and wouldn’t see it until bed anyway.
——-
Music could still be heard in other parts of the house, but the volume was getting dimmer as Kibum walked down the hall to the room Jinki was given when they arrived yesterday morning. His door was closed, but Kibum expected him to be asleep so it wasn’t out of the ordinary. He carefully and quietly pushed it open after turning the knob, slipping in just as quietly. There were a few candles lit and Jinki was laying in bed with his journal open on the mattress next to him. He looked up gently when he heard the door click open and he slowly smiled when he saw Kibum. “Hey Babe.”
Kibum took the few steps to press a soft, slow kiss to his lips. The journal being closed could be heard, and Jinki’s fingers moved up into Kibum’s hair. When the man pulled away their noses were still touching. “You feeling alright, Baby?”
“Yeah,” Jinki smiled and pecked his lips before leaning back on his pillows, eyes warm and soft. “I got a little overstimulated by the noise and lights and all the people. You were talking with your dad and I didn’t want to interrupt, or worry you.”
“Worry me you did.” At the words Jinki pouted, ready to apologize, but Kibum smiled softly, moving to straddle him and said, “Lemme under the covers Baby.”
“But your parents-”
Kibum paused in trying to get to the other side, hovering above him. He leaned down to kiss Jinki’s nose and whispered, “I already got you pregnant lovlie. I don’t think it matters if I sleep with you under my parents roof.”
Jinki’s cheeks were a little pink in the soft glow of the candle flames. “But they don’t know that.”
There was a deep pout on Kibum’s face. “I missed you last night. It wasn’t the same without you.”
After a moment Jinki cracked. “Fine, but take off your clothes. You know how I hate the feeling of dress pants.”
Kibum grinned as he fell onto the other side of the bed. “You think I’m going to cuddle you in any other state of dress than nude?”
Jinki rolls his eyes. “Oh what was I thinking.” After a kiss to his cheek, Kibum wiggled his pants off and unbuttoned his nice shirt off, tossing them over the end of the bed. “If your mama comes looking for you I’m going to play opossum.”
Kibum grunted as he moved to get under the covers, but once he was comfy he wiggled closer to him. “That’s fine. I love you so much I’ll brave it.”
“Uh huh.” Jinki opened his journal again and continue to write his entry. “And are you prepared for the wrath when this baby is born and we aren’t mated?”
He took a moment to adjust himself further, trying to get his position just right. Once he was where he wanted he hummed and asked, “What do you mean?”
Jinki paused, putting his pen down and looking over his shoulder. “Your father is an Elder for Moon sakes. Your pack cares deeply for how children are conceived. The fact you helped me through my heat before we were mated, the fact the condom broke, the fact we’d risk it at all… all of it. Keeping the baby. It all goes against your pack’s central doctrine. According to your parents I should have never laid with you before I had a mark upon my neck from you and the paperwork.”
Kibum nuzzles into his neck, arm moving over his waist so his palm is flat on the little bump of a tummy he has. “That was written hundreds of years ago. Times change.”
“They made us sleep in separate rooms across the house from each other. I’m literally in an entirely different wing of their home than you.” Jinki deadpan comments. “They think we still live separately back home.”
“Point taken.” Kibum sighed. “I don’t understand how a damn ceremony and a signature in an ancient book makes what we have any more real. I love you. The last two years and some has been amazing, and although we didn’t plan the babe, I’m happy. I’m so happy. I don’t need an Elder’s stamp and a mark on your neck to know you’re the one for me. That you’re mine.”
“I know that, I do.” Jinki put his journal up on the table and turned to kiss him softly. “I’m happy too Kibummie. How we are is amazing. I don’t want to change just because we have to, but because we think we’re ready for that part of our lives. Do you want to keep the baby a secret?”
“I don’t want to, but I also want to remain happy.” Kibum laughed warmly, pushing some of Jinki’s hair from his face. “I’m over the moon. They’re going to ruin it all. I don’t want to lose this feeling Baby. I just want to feel this warm giddy feeling all over. We’re going to be parents Baby.”
The smile on Jinki’s face was bright and so happy as he cupped Kibum’s jaw. He softened, eyes fond as he gazed over his face. “You’re so beautiful Bummie.”
With a little movement Kibum kissed Jinki’s palm. “One day when we are ready I’m going to make asking you something special.”
“You know I don’t need anything extravagant.”
“But you deserve it.” Kibum sighed happily. “Every time I look at you so much warmth travels over me. I just want to kiss you.”
The corner of his lips quirked up. “Then kiss me.”
“My mother’s right,” At Jinki’s confused face Kibum laughed quietly, brushing their noses together. “You’re a bad influence on me.”
Jinki pressed their lips together softly and grinned. “Guilty as charged.”
——
#onkey#key#onew#shinee#jinkibum#my fic#and asidjaijdaisj they don't tell them about the baby until after she's born because kibum knows they'd just not approve at all#and he's really happy with jinki#oh and they always go to visit kibum's family because jinki doesn't have any#he aged out of the foster care system#but this is very modern and jinki's a doctor back home#kibums parents also don't know they live together back in jinki's home town#they met when kibum was an ambassador for his pack and before anyone from out of town meets the elders they have to get checked out by a#doctor to make sure they aren't caring some weird disease#jinki's the doc that checks kibum out and hangs out with him during quarantine because he has a fever when he gets there#kibums really smitten because he can tell jinki's smiling even when he has a mask on because of his eyes.#anyway
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