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#also. i do enjoy a nice 'dramatically looking off into the distance' pose as much as the next person
mastersoftheair · 3 months
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new pics of the MotA Men (from appletv's instagram)
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need this matty specifically to rail me to within an inch of my life in that bathtub behind him (minus the socks around it lmaooo) (also no i did not send this ask, you’re wrong)
if it were you who’d sent this ask id check in and ask if you’re okay. But I suppose you are cuz who wouldn’t wanna be railed in a bathtub by this guy?
it’s a shame it’s not you, though….cuz I’ve got some thoughts. They’re unhinged and unrealistic. Do not try this at home kids cuz I suspect it would be cold. But anyways….
Matty heard the sound of her heels as she walked into the bathroom and looked up at the mirror, smiling as her reflection appeared behind him. “You’re not ready yet?” She chastised. “We’re going to be late, you know.”
Matty looked down at himself, then back at her, “what do you mean I’m not ready? I am. Don’t l look good?” He ran a hand through his hair, scrutinizing the grey streak at the front of his hair. “oh, that’s what you’re wearing?” he grinned, “is it not enough?” He glanced at the counter full of products and accessories and then smiled, putting on her leather bracelet, and then her sunglasses “okay, NOW, I’m ready.”
she giggled as he struck a dramatic pose, but she had to admit, he looked way too attractive for this to be a joke. “Hold on, you’re missing one thing.” She grabbed one of the rings off the counter and slid it over his pinkie finger. “There. Now, you’re perfect.” Matty pushed the sunglasses down when he noticed the way that her gaze had lingered on the leather cuff.
An idea occurred to him. A vision, really. He rushed to light the candles that had remained around the bathtub from last night’s elaborate aftercare session, using the cigarette lighter in his pockets. He handed her the sunglasses back before heading for his open suitcase. “Matty, what’re you- we’re already late- people are expecting us!”
“people are boring.” He said, one hand behind his back, hiding what he’d brought back in, his other hand grabbed her by the waist. “Close your eyes and kiss me, yeah?”
***
her knees hit against the porcelain tub as another ruined orgasm evaded her, shaking her body from head to toe. “Please, Matty, please, my love - need-“ she felt suddenly cold when he pulled away from her naked body. he’d driven her crazy, cupping her breasts, kissing in between them, twisting and squeezing her nipples as he pleased, he’d sucked and bitten on her neck, sure to leave a mark that will be difficult to cover up tomorrow. Getting her wet and pushing his clothed center against her throbbing exposed cunt had brought him a smile. “wrists.” He stated simply, and waited for her to offer them willingly for him to tie up above her head. “you wet enough?” A hint of trouble in his question. “sooo wet, pleaseee”
he still slipped his finger inside her to check, taking the chance to tease her a bit. Once certain that it was comfortable, he pulled out the remote controlled bullet vibrator — a purchase made specifically for travel adventures. It’s compact, small, easy to hide, and lends itself nicely to controlling from a distance— slipping it inside of her. “ohh- fuck!” She knew what was coming, and it was torture. He’d clicked it on, taking a moment to enjoy her writhing and moaning against the bathtub before going about his business. “Don’t you dare cum without my say so. You got that?” He announced, casually.
“yeah- yesss.”
her moaning and desperate crying filled the bathroom as he went through her makeup and jewelry items in search of some inspiration. Every now and then, he would remember to click the remote, adjusting the speed or rhythm and hearing her suffer for him. He almost took pity on her when he heard her assure him, without prompting, “I- I- I didn’t cum, I promise. Just- fuck…really really want to.”
he meandered leisurely towards the bathtub and look down, the flickering flames of teacup candles giving him an idea. “you wanna cum?”
“so- so- so much. Please, honey. Please matty….”
as she spoke, matty lifted the candle over her body, tilting it slightly. she shrieked in hot, white pain as the melted wax dripped over her skin. Her back lifting in the air, a feeble attempt to escape her confines. Matty gave her a moment to adjust before repeating the name process again with another candle. as he splattered different colors of wax all over her breasts and stomach, she couldn’t help but clench around the vibrator inside her and, moan, with pain and with pleasure. her gut wrenching cries had turned to small sniffles when he ran out of wax. He sprinkled some of her make up glitter all over her burning skin and pulled out his phone for some photos as she shook and held in her orgasms, dutifully. the flashing phone camera had alerted him to her tear stained cheeks, making him smile. “alright. You’ve had enough, darling.” Gently, he crouched down, reaching over and slipping the toy out of her. she whined pathetically. in response, Matty lined up the shower head with her cunt and turned on the water. He used his empty hand to expose her clit focusing the water stream directly on it. “cum for me, my darling. Let go. Let me have you.”
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I'll Stand By You (Wanda Maximoff/ Reader)
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Hello! We've reached Halloween in Westview. I hope you all enjoy!
Songs used: "I'll Stand By You" by The Pretenders (1994) and "This I Promise You" by NSYNC (2000)
Summary: Westview is slowly falling apart as Wanda worries reader is drifting away. With some sibling chaos. I'm bad at summaries. :)
With a sigh, you began making your way downstairs, following the sounds of the commotion. Wearily tugging at the skin-tight suit that you couldn’t seem to avoid wearing for the day.
“Woah, smokin’ costume, sis-in-law!” You heard Pietro whistle which only made you sigh again in exasperation. “If you weren’t already married to witchy over here…” He trailed off as he leaned against the wall.
You rolled your eyes, biting back a chuckle when you saw Anna smack his shoulder. “That’s my sister you’re talking to.” She warned, glaring at Pietro who just laughed in response.
“You and Mom look nice, Momma.” Billy said sweetly with a smile which you easily returned. Reaching over to affectionately ruffle his hair.
“Yeah, Mom is old Red Riding Hood and you’re old green riding hood, Momma.” Charlie said with a laugh, looking at Pietro for approval who merely held up a hand for a high five. You clutched your chest to feign hurt and gave Anna a disbelieving stare when she began to laugh as well.
Much to your annoyance Pietro then turned his attention back to you. “Let me guess, you’re a… woodland fairy queen? Or the woman of my dreams?” He finished with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“Pietro.” Wanda warned. Anna smacked him in the back of the head.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I was going for, Pietro. I live to visually please you.” You quipped back sarcastically.
Before he could say anything else, Wanda walked over to you. Leaning in and pressing a kiss to your lips which you shortly returned. “Thank you for humoring me and wearing this… dramatic get-up, honey.”
“Well, there were no other clothes in my closet, so…” You replied flatly, watching the way Wanda’s smile faltered. Unable to stand seeing the look on her face, you attempted to lighten your tone. “I knew you had a thing for me in tights.”
Her shoulders relaxed when you posed dramatically and sent a teasing smile her way. “I have a thing for you in general.” Wanda said in a husky voice, a small smirk on her lips.
Leaning in closer you matched her smirk, “What a coincidence because I just so happen to have a thing for you as well.”
Wanda let out a quiet giggle and you smiled adoringly at the way her nose scrunched. As Wanda was leaning in again, you turned to face the rest of the family in the living room. Wanda sighed.
A short laugh escaped your lips as you watched Billy and Anna cover Pietro and Charlie’s eyes in a desperate bid to win the video game that they were playing. The laughter faded when you watched Pietro pull out sodas, teaching the twins how to chug the can and then burp much to your annoyance. Anna threw her own can at Pietro’s head.
“It’s wonderful that our siblings are so…” You paused as you watched the four begin wrestling for the remote. “Great with kids.”
Wanda nodded unconvincingly as she watched the scene by your side. “Yeah... They’re just full of surprises.”
Lightly you pat her shoulder as you stepped around her. “Well, good luck with them tonight. I’m sure it’ll be entertaining to say the least.”
Wanda turned to face you, a frown tugging down at the corners of her lips. “What?” She followed after you as you made your way to the door. “What do you mean? You’re all dressed and ready to go.”
You gestured vaguely to yourself. “I’m undercover. Ellie said there’s been mischief running amuck in the community and she suspects neighborhood watch. An inside job, Wanda! I'm an investigative journalist now.” Dramatically you tossed your cape over your shoulder for emphasis.
The frown on Wanda’s face remained as she shook her head lightly, “But that’s not what you’re supposed to…”
Skeptically you eyed Wanda. “What do you mean supposed to?”
“You didn’t tell me you had plans.” She eventually grumbled in annoyance, ignoring the question entirely.
“Well, I’m telling you now.” You replied with a small shrug.
Her eyes gleamed with frustration as if she couldn’t believe the words you were saying. “It’s the twins first Halloween. You have to be there.”
Anna and Pietro stepped over before you could get a word out. “Woah, what’s the big deal?” Pietro asked as he teasingly placing his hands in between you both like you were about to start fighting. “I’m much more fun than Y/n. No offense, you’re still smokin’.” He winked your way and you gagged.
Anna pushed him away and turned to Wanda with a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Wanda. We can help with the twins. It’ll still be fun.”
“Uncle Petey to the rescue, huh?” Pietro added with a goofy grin.
You clapped his shoulder and turned to Wanda. “Sure… Petey. Problem solved. Have a spooky time tonight, kiddos. I love you!” You called out to Billy and Charlie who were engrossed in their game.
“Love you.” They called back distractedly, never taking their eyes off the screen.
Hesitantly you stepped back over to Wanda, ignoring the gloomy expression on her face as you lightly caressed her cheek.
With a small smile you leaned in and kissed her other check. “Be good.” You whispered before pulling away. Once again, you posed dramatically, smirking when Wanda begrudgingly replicated the action. “Time to solve this case!” With a final toss of your cape you left.
Wanda’s shoulders drooped slightly as the door closed behind you. Seconds later, you poked your head back in. “I forgot to say… you look beautiful, my love.” You called out sincerely, sending a wink Wanda’s way before shutting the door behind yourself again.
The blush on Wanda’s cheeks made both Pietro and Anna smirk in amusement.
____________
“Unleash hell, demon spawn!” Pietro called after the twins with a smile as they walked off to one of the houses with Anna. He furrowed his eyebrows questioningly when he noticed Wanda staring at him.
Wanda attempted to force an easygoing smile on her lips. “Do you remember when we were at the orphanage and there was this song that we used to sing? The one that would play on the radio whenever the soldiers radio frequencies would interfere with the our frequencies? It went like,” Pietro just stared, his head tilted slightly. “Let me come along, ‘cause even if you’re wrong-”
“-I’ll stand by you, I’ll stand by you. Won’t let nobody hurt you. I’ll stand by you.”
You sat patiently outside the door, the music playing quietly on your phone to break up the silence that surrounded you. And possibly send a message to the woman who was currently ignoring you.
Natasha walked over and kneeled by your side. “Are you planning on staying out here all night?” In response you lifted your shoulders slightly in a small shrug. “You should at least eat something.”
“I’m not hungry.” You murmured, spinning the rings on your fingers absently.
With a sigh Natasha stood up and gently pat your head. “I’m going to bring you both food. And I expect you both to eat, even if you aren’t talking right now.”
Almost as soon as Natasha had walked away the door behind you opened, causing you to fall backwards. “You can turn the cheesy 90s music off now. I get it.” Wanda said quietly, her posture tense.
You scrambled to shut the music off and rushed to your feet. “Hi.” You said nervously.
From where you stood you could see Wanda fight a smile. “You’ve been sat outside my room for three hours and all you came up with was hi?”
Shyly you rubbed your arm. “I did have a whole speech planned out in my head but looking at you now I can’t seem to think of anything other than you.”
Wanda melted with your words and you could see the frustration in her eyes begin to fade away. “Did you really mean what you said? That you don’t care?”
Tentatively you reached out and took her hands. “Never. Not about you. I was talking about myself. I will care about you forever.” Care was a placeholder for what you truly wanted to say and you both knew it. "I'm sorry for making you think I didn't."
With a sigh, Wanda pulled you into her arms. “Well I care about you, so if you care about me you also have to care about yourself.”
You buried your face in her neck, breathing in her sweet scent. “Okay. I care...” You mumbled letting the silence wash over the moment. “Did we just have our first fight? I hated every minute of that.”
Wanda’s chuckled slightly. “Yeah. Me too…” Her eyes shone brightly with amusement as she gently tilted your head up to meet her lips, finding comfort in your touch.
You were her safety.
Impatiently Pietro snapped his fingers in Wanda’s face, squinting his eyes slightly at her expression. “You’re testing me.” He said flatly with a knowing point of his finger.
Wanda quickly feigned innocence, still shaking away the memory that had filled her mind. “No, I’m not.” She insisted.
Wanda was testing him though. She knew he wouldn’t know that song. He shouldn’t have.
In response he waved a hand dismissively as he gestured vaguely to his face. “Hey, it’s cool. I know I look different.”
Unable to help herself, Wanda nodded. Her brows furrowed. “Why do you look different?”
Pietro shrugged. “You tell me. I mean, if I found Shangri-La I wouldn’t want to be reminded of the past either.” Wanda looked back at him pensively.
Anna then rushed back with the twins. “Your turn, Uncle Petey!” She exclaimed patting Pietro on the shoulder.
“Alright, Uncle Petey’s about to maximize your candy acquisition. Not like your lame Aunt Annie over here.” He joked, ruffling Anna’s hair who just smacked his hand away. He offered a hand to Charlie who eagerly took it as Billy linked on.
Before Wanda could even blink they had sped away. “I’m beginning to think he’s a bad influence.”
Anna spun around to face her. “Beginning? I hate to break it to you, Wanda, but between the two of us I’m the only good role model here.”
Wanda just shook her head in amusement when someone in the distance caught her attention. “I’ll be right back, Anna.” Anna nodded and ran to try to catch up to the twins. Wanda made her way over to the person of interest. “Hello, Ellie.”
Ellie turned to face Wanda a mild look of surprise covering her features. “Hi, Wanda. Where’s your lovely wife?”
The polite smile that Wanda had grown so accustomed to made an appearance. “Oh, it’s okay you don’t have to be secretive. Y/n told me about the undercover piece about neighborhood watch that you have her working on.”
Curiously Ellie quirked her eyebrows. “I haven’t assigned Y/n to any undercover pieces.”
Wanda’s smile wavered slightly. “Oh. I thought… I thought she…” Her lips pulled down slightly in thought.
Ellie shifted nervously in the silence as her brows furrowed in concern. “Is there something I can do for you, Wanda?” She continued on before Wanda could utter a response. “Do you want something changed?”
A confused chuckle fell from Wanda’s lips. “No. It’s fine. I must have just misheard her this morning.”
“If you say so. Tell Y/n I said hello.” Ellie finally replied, sending a wink Wanda’s way as she walked off.
“Hey, that woman looked so much like Amelia. Y/n loved her.” Wanda jumped at Anna’s sudden appearance. Her eyes clouded over when she processed what the teenage girl had just said.
__________________
“This is so lame. I can’t believe you’re making them return all the candy.” Pietro grumbled with a roll of his eyes.
Wanda crossed her arms indignantly. “Well, I can’t believe what a bad influence you are.”
“That’s why I’m better.” Anna added in a sing song voice.
Pietro sneered. “Oh, shut it, pipsqueak. We’re here to do the exact same thing, okay? Come to town unexpectedly, create tension with the sis-in-law, stir up trouble with the rugrats and ultimately… Give Wanda grief.”
Anna huffed when Wanda looked at her suspiciously. “I mean, that’s what you wanted, isn’t it?” She asked, her tone dripping with irritation that was a stark contrast to her positive attitude earlier.
The confusion at the situation caused Wanda to purse her lips as she allowed herself to consider the two people before her. “Anna, weren’t you six when Hydra… I mean, you weren’t a teenager when you…” She trailed off slightly, not wanting to finish the thought.
The younger girl rolled her eyes defensively. “Look, that was years ago. I aged. That’s what happens inn life, isn’t it?” Anna crossed her arms when Wanda didn't seem convinced. “I don’t know, okay?”
Wanda frowned slightly then turned her attention to Pietro. “And you. What happened to your accent?”
“What happened to yours?” Pietro countered defensively. He sighed when Wanda leveled him with an unimpressed stare. “Look. Details are fuzzy, man. For both of us. All I remember is getting shot like a chump in the streets for no reason at all. Next thing I know, I heard you calling us.”
Anna stepped forward, nodding along with Pietro. “We knew you needed us.”
The words hung in the air like an unanswered question. “Uncle P, Auntie A, guess what?” Charlie shouted excitedly effectively ending the conversation as she rushed over with Billy.
“There’s a treasure bag with full sized candy bars on the lamp post!” Billy pointed up eagerly at the post that was hanging directly above their heads. “Mom, can you help us get it?”
The sound of metal crunching filled the air as Charlie waved a hand. The lamppost giving way easily as she skipped over and took the bag off the light. “Next stop, Cavity Town!” She cheered as she walked back over and passed one of the treats to Billy.
“My niece is a badass!” Pietro hollered as he lifted Charlie on his shoulders. Wanda couldn't help the pride that bubbled in her chest as she watched her daughter's powers develop. She wished you would have been there to see it too. “Just like your uncle P! Chip off the old Maximoff block!”
Anna coughed pointedly. “Manipulating earth and metal? Sounds a lot like the badass comes from my genes.”
“It’s okay, baby. You can take it slow, and you can-” Wanda’s words were interrupted as Charlie began flying through the sky, cheering all the while. Wanda shook her head in amusement at the way Charlie smoothly flew through the air, her smile unwavering.
Billy watched his twin excitedly which Wanda took note of.
When Charlie floated too low, Wanda grabbed her foot and gently pulled her down. “If you’re going to explore, please just take your brother with you.” Wanda said seriously.
“Really?” Billy asked happily.
“Really?” Charlie repeated with a pout.
Wanda bit back a smile as she nodded. “Really. And please, just remember-”
“Don’t go past Ellis Avenue.” They responded in unison.
“We know, Mom. We know.” Charlie said dismissively as she offered her hand to Billy and a moment later they floated into the air.
Pietro and Anna shook their heads. “Be careful! I love you!” Wanda shouted after the twins.
_________________
For the past several hours a feeling of discomfort had settled in your chest as you wandered the city of Westview. The feeling reached its breaking point when you watched a woman frozen in time, replicating the same action again and again. The moment solidified your resolve. You needed to see what was outside this city. To see if all these odd occurrences were just that… odd occurrences.
You didn’t want to believe it was Wanda. It couldn’t be.
In a bid of desperation, you took advantage of one of your new-found skills and allowed yourself to fly into the skies of Westview. Everything looked completely normal... Except for one set of lights stopped strangely at the edge of the town.
Curiosity got the better of you as you flew over to investigate the scene. The sight of the stalled car unnerved you as you wearily made your way over to the driver’s side. “Agnes? What are you doing here?”
Despite the question, Agnes continued to stare off into the distance, almost as if you weren’t there at all. “Took a wrong turn.” She lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug. You worriedly took note of the way her eyes were glossed over with unshed tears despite her face being completely void of emotion. “Got lost.”
Her words were monotonous which was so out of character for the woman you’d seen before. You frowned. “Lost? In the town you grew up in?” There was no response from the other woman as she continued to stare blankly ahead. Your fingers tingled with uneasy energy. “I wonder…” Hesitantly you lifted your hand until it hovered over her temple. You closed your eyes as you focused, becoming one with the earth’s current until a short burst of light drifted from the tips of your fingers into the side of Agnes’ temple.
With a gasp, she sprung back to life. Agnes desperately took your hands, pulling you down. “You! You’re one of the Avengers! Are you here to help us?”
“I do want to help.” You assured her. “But what’s an Avenger?”
Agnes pulled her hands away as if she’d been burned. “What? Why don’t you know?” Suddenly she began patting herself down anxiously. “Am I dead?”
Your brows furrowed in concern. “No, no, why would you think that?”
There was a brief pause before Agnes turned her attention back to you. “Because you are.”
The tightness in your chest increased tenfold. “I am what?”
“Dead. You’re dead. Dead, Dead!” Agnes shouted hysterically causing you to flinch back involuntarily.
Determinedly you pushed forward again, ignoring her words. “Agnes, I want to help. I’m going to get help. To reach someone outside of Westview and figure everything out.”
“How? No one leaves. Wanda won’t even let us think about it.” Manic laughter startled you into silence as she continued. “All is lost. We’ll never escape her.”
Despite numerous attempts to call out to her, Agnes’ laughter never stopped. The unsteady tingling in your fingers began again as you took a deep breath and grounded yourself with the earth once more. You lifted your hand to her temple and almost as soon as the light entered her temple the laughter stopped.
“I will fix this.” You declared softly.
A caricature of a smile overcame her features. “Alrighty, neighbor!” She said as she turned the car around. “Happy Halloweenie!”
With a new sense of determination, you marched forward into the open field in the distance. The soft buzzing of static becoming louder and louder the further into the field you ventured.
Cautiously you reached a hand out to touch where the sound seemed to be coming from only to be met with resistance even though nothing was there. Confusion took hold of your emotions as you watched the costume you were wearing transform into your typical clothes as you pushed your arm through the energy barrier.
Knowing this was the only way, you pushed forward, feeling as if your mind was being wiped clean the further you walked.
The pain was becoming unbearable, but you knew you couldn’t turn back.
As the pain worsened, a quiet song began playing in your mind, almost as it was attempting to comfort you.
“Hey, hey, it’s okay. Look at me.” A soft hand on your face tilted your chin up. Her eyes were flooded with worry but her gentle touch brought you comfort. “This might hurt a bit, but we have to do this.”
A soft groan fell from your lips as you could feel the first stitch begin to close your wound. “Wait, wait.” You hissed, pushing her hand away from your bleeding side.
Her fingers gently brushed through your hair. “Y/n. You’re bleeding, we need to stitch this up now.” You knew she was right, but you still wanted to roll away. The woman quickly scrambled to her feet, stepping away for a moment before rushing back with a small device in her hands. “Here. Focus on the music. Focus on me. Not on the pain.”
“I've loved you forever, in lifetimes before and I promise never will you hurt anymore. I give you my word, I give you my heart. This is a battle we’ve won and with this vow, forever has now begun…”
When the song from the radio reached your ears, a choked laugh fell from your lips despite the pain you were in. “Did you plan for the cheesiest 90s song to play?”
In response she smiled ever so slightly, but her eyes remained focused on the task. “I didn’t, I swear. Guess I just got lucky.”
“Yeah. Me too…”
Staring up at her made it impossible for you to focus on anything else as you processed the words that floated from the radio. She was done before the song had even finished. You didn’t feel a thing.
“I didn’t see they were government agents.” You murmured guiltily after a moment as you watched her wrap your now stitched up side.
Her concerned eyes met yours. “Y/n, I don’t blame you. I’m just glad you’re okay. I was so scared I wouldn’t get there in time. That I wouldn’t be able to protect you. I... care about you.” Her words were sincere as her thumb lightly caressed your cheek. The placeholder word from your past making a comeback.
The small box of a room that was your newest hideout was dingy, but with her here it was the most beautiful place in the world.
Your chest tightened with familiar feelings that you spent so long avoiding. “Can you hold me?” You looked away as you asked, still not used to the vulnerability.
“Of course.” She breathed out, carefully helping you to bed before gathering you in her arms. Her heartbeat against your ear was the sweetest song you had ever heard. You had never felt safer than when you were in her arms.
Wanda was your safety.
“Wanda.” You gasped out, feeling yourself refocus on the current world around you as thoughts of Wanda flashed through your mind. Of Wanda smiling. Of Wanda laughing. Of Wanda crying. It was all there again.
Until it wasn’t.
With a gasp you fell to the floor, clutching your head, feeling yourself – your mind - begin to fade away.
“Why aren’t you helping her? Something is wrong with her, she needs help!” You heard a voice scream anxiously. You looked up just in time to see the woman get held back by someone. “Steve! Natasha! Help her!” She cried out holding her ear as a man tugged her arm down and handcuffed her to a car.
Despite the pain coursing through your veins you continued to weakly crawl forward. The threat of losing consciousness and the sense of who you were increasing the further out you moved from the barrier. “Th-they need h-elp.” You gritted out, not remembering why, but knowing it was why you were there. One of your arms gave out from under you as you fought to keep your eyes open.
The bespectacled woman watched you with growing concern, tugging desperately at the handcuffs that kept her in place. “Steve, Natasha, you need to hurry.” She said quietly, her eyes widening when you fell to the floor.
Everything went dark.
__________________
There was a comfortable silence in the air and Wanda could almost allow herself to relax as she sat on one of the bales of hay while the twins played on their own in the town square.
Almost.
“Where were you hiding all these kids up until now?” Pietro suddenly questioned with a smirk.
“What?” Wanda replied in surprise.
Anna leaned back on her hands, feigning amusement. “I assume she let them all sleep peacefully in their beds.” She picked at the hay in disinterest. “No need to traumatize beyond the occasional holiday cameo, right?”
Pietro rolled his eyes. “Hey, back off. She’s the empathetic twin.”
“I don’t-… I didn’t-” Wanda stuttered. Anna smirked slightly.
Waving his hands dismissively, Pietro continued. “She handled all the ethical considerations of this scenario as best she could.” Wanda’s mind seemed to be put at ease as Pietro’s speech continued. “Families and couples stayed together, most personalities are the same, people got better jobs. Better style, for sure.”
Flicking a piece of hay at Pietro’s head, Anna added. “Convincing my sister that she’s in love with her.”
Wanda turned her head sharply at Anna’s words. “What do you mean convincing? Y/n loves me.” Her brows furrowed as she considered Anna’s words. “She does.”
A laugh fell from Anna’s lips. “You can cut the act, Wanda. Pietro and I know everything.”
“I’m not acting. Y/n and I love each other.” Wanda defended quietly, trying desperately not to let Anna’s words get to her.
Anna shrugged. “If that’s what you need to tell yourself. Y/n was in love with Amelia- sorry, you renamed her Ellie.” She smirked when she saw Wanda’s fingers flex slightly. “They were soulmates. They made the best team. I’ve never seen Y/n more in love than she was with her.”
Wanda’s jaw clenched, and Anna’s smirk grew.
“Do it. Make her go away.” Pietro encouraged Wanda when familiar red tendrils began drifting from her fingers.
Anna tilted her head in mock sympathy. “What? You don’t want to hear the truth?”
With a wave of her hand, Anna slumped on the hay. Pietro cheered. “She’s just sleeping. She’ll be up in a few minutes.” Wanda said quietly, feeling the shame creep up on her as she tried to shake Anna’s words. Pietro laughed, and she turned to face him. “You don’t think it’s wrong?” Wanda asked quietly, her voice uncertain.
“What, are you kidding? I’m impressed! Seriously.” He admitted with a knowing smile. “It’s a pretty big leap from giving people nightmares and shooting red wiggly-woos out of your hands.”
For a moment Wanda stared off in the distance, allowing his words to wash over her.
“How’d you even do all this?” He finally asked. Wanda shifted uncomfortably at the question. “Hey, I’m not some stranger, or your wife, or your wife’s annoying little sister. I'm your brother. You can talk to me.”
Wanda’s eyes began to glisten to unshed tears as she thought over his question. “I don’t know how I did it.” She admitted quietly. “I… I only remember feeling completely alone. Like I was drowning. Just… Endless nothingness. Empty.” A tear fell down Wanda’s cheek.
“Mom! Mom!” Wanda heard Billy call out to her frantically as he ran over with Charlie following closely behind him. Wanda quickly composed herself.
Rushing over to the twins, Wanda felt dread build in her chest. “What is it, Billy?”
“I hear Momma. In my head! She’s in trouble.” The fear on his face made Wanda’s concern increase tenfold as her stomach dropped. “I don’t know understand. What’s happening to me?”
Wanda placed comforting hands on his shoulders as she struggled to control her emotions. “Where is she? Where is your mother?”
“Hey, don’t sweat it, sis. It’s not like your dead wife can die twice.” Pietro flippantly replied with a chuckle.
Anger. That's all she felt when Pietro spoke so dismissively about you. Unable to control her anger, Wanda shot out a hand as Pietro was sent flying back from the force of her powers.
Taking a breath, Wanda turned back to her terrified son. “Billy, I need you to focus.”
Closing his eyes, Billy began recounting what he saw. “I can’t tell. I see these… soldiers.” Wanda tensed even more. Billy gasped. “They think she’s dying!”
For a moment Wanda was sure her heart stopped.
Thinking quickly, she turned away from Billy, her eyes glowing red.
.
.
.
Steve and Natasha ran up just as the walls of the barriers began moving forward. They continued to sprint forward while Haywards minions made desperate attempts to run away.
“Y/n!” Steve cried out, feeling fear seep into his bones when he saw your lifeless form sprawled out on the empty field. On numb legs he began moving faster. Hopelessly, he was forced to watch the red energy wash over you once again.
Natasha cursed as they lost sight of your body. The red barrier continued to push forward when they were mere feet away from Darcy. “Fu-” They heard her mumble through a wince as she also became lost behind the barrier.
“We have to get in there!” Steve shouted.
With determination, Natasha nodded. “Let’s try.” A moment later they were pushing against the red energy that was fighting against letting them in.
Annnnnd we have concluded with the 90s! Chaos is the main population of Westview right now. A lot happened here. I'm not even sure what to say to be completely honest. A little nervous about this part.
Anyway...
As always, thoughts and comments are always welcome! Let me know what you think. :)
Taglist:
@theofficialzivadavid // @tquick99 // @abimess // @marrymemcgrath // @the-camilucha // @afuckingshituniverse //@pxterstrk // @aimezvousbrahms // @ensorcellme // @sapphicshots
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buckys-black-dress · 3 years
Text
✄ chapter three: losin' grip on my doin'
a/n: okay, let's goooo! chapter 3 :) things are buildin up... get ready ;) chapter 4 will be posed tonight or tomorrow :)
wc: 4.1k
[fratboy!bucky barnes x fem!reader]
series masterlist
-
To say the least, waking up the next morning in the most coveted after playboy's bed was a shock. You wake up nestled into Bucky Barnes' side, and you wonder if this is what it felt like.
If this is what every conquest that's been brought to his room feels like when they wake up.
You're very much aware of a metal arm slung over your waist, and you feel panic rise up in your throat. Once you recognize you're fully clothed, you release a breath and feel the tension disintegrating from your body.
You can feel Bucky Barnes' heavy breaths under your head from where you're situated on his chest, and you take a moment and pause.
You would never think you'd find yourself in this situation; sidled up in bed with your university's most notorious fratboy. Someone girls and guys coveted after, and who would do anything to get in bed with him.
Yet, here you are. You don't want to admit to yourself that you quite like it here. You feel comfortable, safe. Fitted perfectly right under his arm, listening to his even breaths as you replay the night before's events in your mind like a film reel.
You meet him.
You play pong with him.
You talk to him.
You go up to his room with him.
And now you're awake in his bed. Fully clothed.
How?
Before you could ask too many questions and drown into a spiral, you hear Bucky draw in a sharp breath, signaling his awakening. You look up at him, wondering how he's going to react to you being here. Not only you being here, but also how you two woke up.
"Mornin', doll." He smiles down at you, and his morning voice sends a shiver down your spine at the raspiness.
"H-Hi." You simply say. You can't quite draw any coherent thoughts at the moment, as Bucky's arm tightens around you and draws you closer to his body.
"Sleep well?" He asks, still looking down at you fond look that makes your heart swell in your chest.
"Hm," you hum, "better than I expected, honestly." You laugh.
"Good, spent way too much on this mattress for it to not please my guests." Bucky smirks, and you get lost in his blue eyes for a moment.
But then, you think about his word choice. Guests. Plural. And although you know nothing happened between you two, you still feel a wave of shame wash over you at the notion.
Bucky's had guests in this bed before. You aren't the first girl to sleep in this bed, and you probably weren't the last.
You feel Bucky shift underneath you, seeing his expression turn to worry at the way you're clearly lost in thought.
"Everythin' alright?" He asks, and you nod quickly.
"Yeah, everything's fine. Just peachy." You give a quick smile, trying to not show how your stomach was churning at the thought of all the girls who've been here before you.
"Wanna go grab some breakfast?" Bucky asks, and you pause.
He wants to stay with me? He's not kicking me out, asking me to leave?
“Sure, uh, where did you wanna go?” You ask gently, worrying that you might scare him off, that he’s delusional right now and he doesn’t really want to spend time with you. You’re beyond confused right now.
“We can head to the diner if you’re good with that? My treat.” He says as he stands up, pulling on a shirt to avoid the chill of the room.
It’s a red henley, and the way you see his muscles straining in the sleeves of the shirt has a blush crawling up your neck.
“Yeah, that’s fine.” You croak, getting out of the bed.
-
By the time you get up and get dressed, sweatpants courtesy of Bucky, and head to the diner, it’s already noon. It’s a Saturday morning, so most people are still in bed while recovering from their hangovers.
“So, how come I haven’t seen you at one of our parties before last night?” Bucky asks while you seat yourselves at a booth in the back of the diner.
“I uhm, I don’t really go out too much. Natasha basically begged me to come out, and I only did it to get her off my case and stop asking me.” You reply while taking a sip of the scalding coffee in front of you that a nice waitress poured for the two of you.
“Really? Well, I’d say you should come more often,” he gives you this smile, and your brain is short-circuiting at how handsome he looks. “You were a great pong partner.”
The emphasis on the word and his tone indicate that he was very much so being sarcastic, and you give a bashful chuckle at his words.
“Oh yeah, definitely. I have nothing on Natasha and Sam.” You laugh, and the same waitress comes by to take your orders.
Once she flutters back behind the counter to put the orders in, you’re reading a text on your phone that you felt vibrate while it was in the pocket of Bucky’s sweater you were sporting.
Natasha:
(12:08 PM) Hey, did you end up getting back safe last night? Sorry I kind of bailed, I just ended up crashing when I got to Sam’s room.
She punctuates her sentence with a face palm emoji in embarrassment, and you smile at the text.
Y/N:
(12:10 PM) Hi, I just crashed in Bucky’s room last night. No funny business tho, so don’t get any ideas in your head.
As you send off the message, you turn off your phone and place is face-down on the table, deciding you’ll deal with Nat’s freak out about you spending the night with Bucky later.
“Everythin’ okay?” Bucky’s voice startles you out of your thoughts, and you snap your eyes up to his.
“Yeah, Nat was just making sure I didn’t end up dead in a ditch last night.” You laugh, shaking your head at how dramatic your roommate could be at times.
“Hey, it’s good to know she cares about you.” He responds, and you nod at his words.
“I mean, yeah. No matter how much she might bug me about going out or getting a boyfriend, she’s still like my sister. I don’t know what I’d do without her.” A sigh leaves your mouth, thinking about Nat. She’s been there for you through everything in your life, and it was true. She was your biggest supporter, and you’re glad you have someone who cares so much for you.
“She seems like a great friend. Sam and Steve are the same for me. I mean, although I grew up with Steve, Sam was like the third brother we never even knew we needed.” He stares off into the distance with a soft look in his eyes, and you smile fondly at his words.
In that moment, you feel like you’re seeing a side of Bucky that not many people get to see. This is Bucky, a guy from Brooklyn who’s just trying to get by in college. Not a man-whore, or a guy who just wants to ge his dick wet like everyone says.
Before you could come up with a response to what he’s said, the same lady comes and places your hot food in front of the both of you, leaving with a ‘enjoy!’ before she whirls away again.
You eat while making small talk, just about life, school, and hobbies. Before you know it, Bucky asks for the check, and even though you know he said he’d pick it up earlier, you still fight him on paying for half the bill.
In the end, Bucky becomes so frustrated with your antics that he simply gets up and hands the waitress his card, and you simply watch with a dropped jaw at his actions.
“You didn’t have to do that!” You exclaim, albeit quietly, but enough to show your frustration.
“Doll, I’m treating you to brunch. Just let me.” Is all Bucky says, effectively shutting you up.
-
On your walk back to campus, Bucky asks what you’re doing for the rest of the day, asking if you wanted to come back to his room.
“I should head back, Natasha’s probably waiting for me with a million questions.” You bashfully look up to your window from the bottom of your dorm building.
“Oh, okay doll.” Bucky wraps his arms around you, pulling you into an unexpected hug. You feel your body tense at the action, but once you realize what’s happening, you relax again, letting yourself melt into his body.
“See ya later?” He asks with a raised brow.
“Uh, yeah. I don’t know what I’ll be doing later, but we can talk later.” You smile up at him, slowly moving out of his grip and towards the door.
Before you could fully open the door, you hear Bucky’s voice call out to you one more time.
“Y/N, wait!” He yells, jogging over to you at the door. “Can I uh, get your number? So I can text you later?” He asks, his metal hand rubbing the back of his neck.
“O-Oh, sure! Yeah!” You reply a bit louder than you had intended, just out of pure shock at his question.
You open a new message on your phone, allowing Bucky to type in his number and save his contact. Once he hands the device back to you, you see his name saved as Bucky Barnes <3.
Before you can say anything about the heart he added himself, he pecks your cheek and runs off, with a distant ‘I’ll see ya later, doll!’
You essentially float up to your room, not feeling like you were on the planet right now. You felt like you were up in the clouds, unaware of your own actions. You unlock the door to your room, and Natasha is perched upon her bed, looking down at two outfits she has held up against her form.
“Hey! You didn’t answer my messages, you little bitch! Tell me everything!” She turns around at the sound of you entering, already berating you.
But it all sounds muffled in your ears, not fully comprehending what she was saying to you.
“Hey, you okay? Earth to Y/N?” The redhead says again, waving a hand in front of your face at your spacey expression.
“I-I, yeah, I’m fine. Just… shocked.” You breathe out.
“So? Tell me what happened!”
At first, you could barely get the words out of your mouth, trying to explain everything that occurred in the past 24 hours. You get through the story, a little bit challenged at trying to organize your thoughts, but eventually you get Natasha up to speed.
“So… you didn’t have sex with him?” Your roommate says, and you shake your head no.
“Nat, you know how I feel about having sex. I don’t want to rush into it, and I don’t want my first time to be with some… random guy from a frat. I want it to be with someone I trust, someone I’m comfortable with.” You tell her like a broken record, because over the course of the time that you’ve been friends with Natasha, you’ve had this conversation with her several times. Sometimes, you wondered why she was so hellbent on you losing your virginity.
As much as you loved her and understood her intentions with the question, you were getting tired of having to defend yourself every time.
“I- I know! I just… I want you to be happy, with whoever you want. I never want you to think I’m rushing you though, Y/N. I love you.” Natasha explains, putting her hand on your arm in consolation.
“I know, Nat. But trust me, you’ll be the first to know when I do… do it. Don’t worry.” You laugh at how ridiculous you sounded.
She’s looking back down at her bed now, looking between the outfits she was holding earlier.
“Okay… now, help me pick an outfit! Sam wants to go on a date tonight!” She says, showing you the different options.
As you two banter and talk about last night, you interrupt Natasha’s tirade about Sam and ‘what a gentleman he is!’
“Bucky gave me his number earlier.” Saying it out loud makes it sound all the more ridiculous. You feel like a high-schooler at your words, and the way Natasha stops all movement makes you feel all the more insane.
“His number?” She asks, like she couldn’t figure out what to really say.
“Yeah. He even saved a heart next to his name in my phone. What does that even mean?” You wonder out loud, and now you’re sure you’ve gone crazy.
“I… I’m not sure. I think he likes you.” She says nonchalantly, and you scoff.
“Yeah, because Bucky Barnes is very interested in a girl he met last night who didn’t want to sleep with him. He must be going crazy over a girl like me.” You finish with an incredulous laugh, like it never even crossed your mind that he could like you.
“Well… he acted very different from you’ve been telling me. He usually just fucks a girl and she leaves the next morning, nothing more, nothing less. The fact that he didn’t fuck you and took you out to brunch says a lot about this whole situation.” She explains, and you’re still having a hard time grasping this information.
Just as you’re about to find a rationale as to why her explanation isn’t plausible, you feel your phone buzz.
With furrowed brows, you open your texts.
Bucky Barnes <3:
(2:01 PM) Hey doll, do you wanna come by to another party we’re having tonight? Could use my trusty pong champ ;)
Your mouth dries at the message, words lodged in your throat.
“Look what he just texted me.” You flip your screen to Nat and she reads with an unreadable expression, which quickly turns into her brows shooting up.
“A winky face! Y/N/N, he fucking likes you! He wants to see you again!” She exclaims, and you don’t even know what to say.
“How do I respond?” You feel so unexperienced, asking your roommate for advice on how to text a guy.
“Here, gimme,” she snatches the phone out of your grasp, quickly typing something and handing the phone back to you.
You read what she sent with wide eyes.
Y/N Y/L/N:
(2:11 PM) I’ll be there ;) Should I bring clothes to change into for tonight?
“Nat! Why would you say that? You’re making it sound like I wanna have sex with him tonight!” You rise up from your spot on her bed in a panic, pacing the area of your small room.
“Y/N, relax! He-” Before she could finish, your phone buzzed again.
Bucky Barnes <3
(2:13 PM) Hilarious, doll. You don’t have to, but if you wanna crash here again tonight, you can definitely bring your own stuff if that makes you more comfy :)
“Oh my God. He’s so sweet!” Nat giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. “You have to go now!”
“Nat… doesn’t this look a little… suspicious? From what I’ve heard, this isn’t how he usually acts.” You say wearily, the worry clear in your tone.
“Y/N, look at me.” Natasha's hands come to the sides of your head, urging your gaze to meet hers. “You’re a great girl. You deserve someone who treats you well and gets excited to see you, like Bucky is right now. Don’t push him away. You deserve something good.”
At her words, your eyes soften and you feel the distant sting of tears behind your eyes. You give her a nod, not knowing how to express your gratitude to her in words at the moment. She pulls you into a hug and you hold her tight against you, like she might disappear if you let go.
“Now, we need to get you ready for tonight. You’re gonna make Bucky wish he fucked you.” Natasha smirks an evil one.
“Nat!”
-
The party was in full swing upon your arrival. You were all alone when you walked through the doors of the fraternity house, as Natasha had gone on her dinner date with Sam. She’d promised she’d come by after dinner, and you were practically shaking while searching for Bucky in the packed house.
There were people everywhere, and the longer it took for you to find Bucky, the more anxious you were becoming about being here.
“Y/N!” You hear distantly, and your head whips around in search of the owner of the voice.
You feel a hand slide around your waist, and you smell Bucky before you see him. If it weren’t for the distinct smell of his cologne and mint, you would’ve slapped the hand away long ago.
“Hey! Been wonderin’ when you’d show up.” Bucky has a smile on his face, showing off his pearly whites.
“Sorry, I got held up at home with Natasha.” You tell him, looking around at the crowd. You could feel your breathing shorten at the sheer amount of people around you, and your stomach churns in anxiety.
As if Bucky senses your discomfort, he rubs the hand on your waist along the expanse of your back.
“You okay?” He asks, visibly concerned at your demeanor.
You nod wordlessly, trying to make it seem like you weren’t extremely stressed right now. You would’ve loved to let loose tonight, but yesterday was already pushing it in terms of going out.
“Do you wanna head upstairs?” Bucky asks in clear concern at your demeanor right now. He feels a wave of guilt wash over him. If he knew just how much you were going to become uncomfortable by just being here tonight, he wouldn’t have asked you to come. He would’ve simply asked you on a date, or done a night in with you.
You nod again, not allowing the words to leave your throat. You feel as though your mouth is full of cotton, not even being able to form any coherent thoughts at the moment.
Bucky’s cool metal arm guides you by your lower back to the stairs, and you’re once again reminded of the previous night. His cool metal hand is the only thing grounding you at the moment, and you think you would’ve ended up on the dirty bathroom floor downstairs in a puddle of tears if Bucky had taken any longer to find you.
You pass through his doorway, and Bucky’s arm is holding you against him as the door shuts behind you two.
He wordlessly caresses you, running a soothing hand up and down your back, which is partially open because of your outfit. You’re wearing a dress from Natasha’s closet, which she claimed made you look ‘hotter than the motherfucking sun, Y/N’, and you were basically forced into.
“For what it’s worth, honey, you look stunning tonight.” You feel Bucky’s chest rumble from his speaking from where you’re placed against him, and you give a light laugh.
“Thanks,” you return quietly, unable to really come up with anything witty to say. “I’m sorry I’m ruining tonight for you.” Your voice comes after a few moments of silence, but suddenly you’re pulled away from his body.
“Hey,” his hands are on your shoulders, “you are not ruining anything, doll. Parties ’ll come and go, but I don’t want to do it if it isn’t with you.” He tells you in earnest, and you feel an indistinguishable ache in your chest at his words.
Where did this man come from? It seems as though the perfect guy, one who respects you, one who doesn’t force you into anything, one who seems to care too much about you has just... fallen into your lap.
It almost seems too good to be true.
“Bucky…” You trail off, unable to find any words of gratitude at the moment.
“Yeah, doll?”
“Can we just… lay down? Maybe watch a movie?” You ask.
“Of course we can, honey. Anythin’ you want.” He smiles brightly again as your mood seems to lighten a bit. “Do you need a change of clothes?”
“Yes, please. If you don’t mind.” You can’t really bring yourself to look at him. You feel embarrassed that you’ve pulled him away from his own party. Although he constantly reassures you that he doesn’t mind, you’re still bashful.
“Here, honey,” he hands you the same garments from last night, “you look good in these.” He laughs, and you feel your cheeks turn bright red.
“I- I’ll be right back.” You give a tight smile and retreat to the bathroom.
While Bucky waits outside, he begins to get lost in his thoughts. He liked you. A lot. How did he get himself into this mess? He’s not stupid. He knows what he did to get here. And now it was looking really, really, stupid.
Unfortunately, there was no getting it out of it now, though. He could try and reason with the person he’d made a promise to, but he was stubborn. There was little to no chance he would be able to get out of this one.
But he thinks of it on the flip side. He’s been seen bringing you up to his room two nights in a row, and he knows how it makes both of you look.
For him, he looks like he’s keeping up with reputation.
Take a girl home.
Fuck her.
Leave it at that.
No one quite knew you on campus except for your friends, so they weren’t worried about you or who you were.
All that mattered was that Bucky Barnes was keeping up with his usual antics that were expected of him. There was nothing out of the ordinary for him, other than the fact that he wasn’t actually fucking you.
Bucky snaps out of his train of thought when he hears the bathroom door click open, his eyes meeting yours once again.
But his eyes quickly divert to your body, once again covered by his baggy clothing. You were watching his stare move down your body and felt a wave of insecurity wash over you.
You probably weren’t half as gorgeous as the girls he’s brought back here before. You knew what kind of girls guys like him preferred. Long, cascading hair, big, bright eyes, thin waists, legs that went on for what seemed like miles.
You just weren’t that.
It made you come back to the thoughts that had plagued your mind previously.
Where did Bucky’s interest in you come from?
Why was he suddenly feel the need to coddle you, take care of you, to reassure you?
Your concern was quickly washed away when Bucky settled in his bed, patting his spot next to him under the covers.
“You comin’?” He asks in a raspy, quiet voice that makes your knees wobble.
You don’t say anything while you situate yourself beside him.
“Bucky, can I ask you something?” You begin meekly, not making eye contact with him.
“Anythin’, doll. Somethin’ wrong?” He looks down at you in a worried gaze, and you shake your head.
“I just… what made you want to approach me? I- I know I’m not like those other girls you’ve been with before, and I can’t help but think that you… you want something else from me?” You explain with little ease. You feel bile rising in your throat as you speak because you can’t bear to think that Bucky really ulterior motives for all this time you’ve spent together.
You’ve only just met him, yet you feel like you’ve known him forever. You’re comfortable with him, more than you usually would be with a stranger, and it freaks you out.
“Y/N… can you look at me?” Bucky tilts his head down to try and meet your eyes, which is something you can barely do at the moment. “I want you to know, before this goes anywhere else; you are an amazing girl. I don’t know why it took me so long to talk to you, but I think you’re one the most genuine, kind, beautiful girls I’ve ever met. I… I know I have a reputation that precedes me, but you… you’re different.” He speaks so genuinely to you that you feel a slight sting behind your eyes.
“I… I never want you to doubt yourself ever again, doll. You’re perfect, just as you are. I’m sorry it looked like I was after anything else before.” Bucky finishes, and you can’t seem to find any words at the moment.
You just nod fervently, and then you feel yourself being pulled into Bucky’s large arms.
“Please, don’t let anyone make you doubt yourself again. You’re worth it.”
That night, you fall into the most comfortable and deep sleep of your life, wrapped safely in Bucky’s arms.
138 notes · View notes
aetherarf · 3 years
Note
Not the one who requested the scara x tall!fem reader but as a female who's taller than the average in her country i'm thanking you with all my 173 cm of height :") honestly it was soooo good! loved it so much! ><
If this isn't too much to ask, could you write something more with that prompt? Say something like Scara wants to show off how cool and beautiful HIS tall gf is during some sort of diplomatic event he had to attend because all the other harbingers were already doing other missions and some ppl there decide that it's a good idea to comment on the height difference which sort of hurts his s/o a bit :') thank youu
I'm glad you could enjoy it! Also, of course! This can, arguably, be a continuation of the other but I'm not linking it for... Tumblr-Is-Stupid reasons.
[[ Summary: Scaramouche doesn't like big frilly events... However, even if he's forced to go to one, he's going to give you an opportunity to show off... and maybe he's showing you off as well.
Word Count: 1'311 ]]
You looked in the mirror, twirling a little as you looked over the dress...
At first, you were... hesitant. It felt getting measured, and having to discuss specifically what you wanted, but looking at it now... Oh, it was wonderful.
Scaramouched walked up beside you, setting his hands on your waist, pressing a kiss to the back of your shoulder, "You look good," he praised, sweetly.
"Only because you knew that designer," you said, thinking aloud beyond all else.
"Well, it doesn't matter. Are you ready? The Tsaritsa is cruel to those who aren't overly-punctual."
Looking over your dress, ensuring there wasn't anything wrong with it, and examining your entire appearance in one last check...
"I'm ready."
Scaramouche stepped back, grabbing your hand, "Come, let's get going." He pulled you closer to him, an arm around you as he set his hand on your side--
Oh, you knew exactly what he was doing--he wasn't just going to a meeting, he was intending on showing you off. A warm feeling in your chest--He adored you so, he's willing to show off his love.
Before walking out the door, you bent down to give him a kiss, him trying to stand on his tip-toes to chase your lips... Only to huff, quietly pout, realizing that he couldn't exactly reach up and force you to kiss him.
He always got so huffy whenever he realized this.
...
As you walked in... you realized how mentally un-prepared you were. It was... massive. A grand, almost terrifying chandelier as you looked up at the ceiling, and it seemed that even your dress, at the time you had thought would might be a little too dramatic, eye-catching, it was actually one of the most mundane outfits in the room. From extremely rich merchants and industrymen to the other Harbingers themselves who seemed to adore drawing attention to themselves, with their clothes, their masks...
At least you didn't feel self conscious about being stared at anymore.
"Hey," Scaramouche said, garnering your attention, "I need to do something, I'll be back in a few minutes. Okay?"
"Oh, alright. I'll just... probably mind my own business."
"That's for the best. They're all monsters, here... Try not to get eaten up by them."
He sounded oddly serious as he walked away, you watching for a moment as he left, disappearing past the crowds of people.
Oh well. After looking around, feeling lost, you spotted a few chairs at the edge of the room, away from most people. It was probably for the best, reasonably easy for Scaramouche to spot you when he came back, and you wouldn't accidentally intrude on others... on whatever conversations, business or otherwise, they would be having.
You sat down, looking around... distantly, you could recognize many people of prestige, ones you've seen written about, or only in the distance as others listened to them speak, or nearly worshipped them as though they were divine.
Was Scaramouche posing a risk to himself, bringing you?
You suddenly felt self conscious once again, damningly so... And you shook your head, sighing softly.
"Well hello sunshine," you jerked your head up, looking at someone who was standing before you--A charming young man, with pretty blue eyes and messy, copper colored hair.
Childe, you believed this one was called.
"Oh, am I in the way of something," You asked, about to stand, but he immediately sat in a chair beside you.
"Of course not... I was just curious. You were sitting alone, and I wondered might be going on in that head of yours," He looked at you with adoration, and pure curiosity... you could only be flattered.
"Ah, I'm... just someone's plus-one," you said, "He's busy right now, so I just decided to wait for him."
Childe's eyes widened slightly, and his smile grew to a grin, "Oh, he left you, did he? How cruel. After all, you're like a beautiful white fawn wandering into the forest of grey wolves... How could he leave you like that?"
You laughed, unsure and nervous. Rejecting him flat out might not be the best idea, but...
"Ahem," You heard his voice, and Scaramouche walked over--not sitting beside you, but right on your lap, grabbing your jaw and jerking his head to kiss you--intensely, your face burning with the shamelessness of his action, and when he pulled away, you were gasping for breath, and he had your lipstick on his lips. He jerked to look at Childe, a smug smile on his face, "Oh, Childe, were you saying something to her?" He asked, and he... stared.
"Uhm, just chatting, I should probably go talk with Signora or something. See you later, Balladeer."
"Bye." He said, and then he looked up at you, "... He was flirting with you, wasn't he?"
You were still reeling, and you wouldn't lie, seeing Scaramouche with your lipstick on him was a prettier sight than you'd like to admit. "Y-yes, I was just trying to be nice."
"Being nice gets you eaten alive out here," he said, wiping the corner of his mouth, trying to wipe off his face, "Damnit."
"I, uhm..." you fumbled for a moment, and provided your lipstick, "I don't think it'll come off, but you might be able to just apply more and make it look good." You admitted, and he took it without question, applying it...
It, shockingly, managed to work on him. He handed it back, "Yours is smudged a little, fix it. We're going to start the dinner soon, I can bring you to the restroom so you can have a mirror to do it with."
"Right," you said, lightly tapping his lower back so he'd get off of your lap, "That'd be nice.
After a quick trip to the restroom, cleaning off the mess on your face and trying to calm down after such a shameless display, even if you had done nothing but sit there and mind your own business, and when you came out, he offered his arm for you to hold onto as he escorted you to the massive dining table, sitting down with the countless other Harbingers and big-name figures within Snezhnayah.
The Tsaritsa stood at the head of the table, and her voice--Gods, it was booming, and it sent a shiver down your spine. However, it quickly proved that this was something she had spoken about it constantly, over and over again, a sort of rite to promise that the words spoken here not be forgotten...
But focusing on it was hard when Scaramouche's hand rested on your leg, lightly pushing up the skirt of your dress to gently rub the skin, you lightly tapping his leg with your hand, warning him.
"Your skin is soft," He whispered, plainly, and his hand stilled, but it did not move away from your leg.
... Only for him to begin stroking your skin once again,
"Shouldn't you be paying attention?" You asked, voice low and quiet, terrified of a possible punishment...
But his smile, oh, that damned smile, you knew he was up to trouble...
"I'll behave," he said, softly, "But you owe me."
"I always owe you," you said, not trying to tease, but realizing how much he could toy with those words now that they were in the air between only the two of you.
"We'll talk when we get home." He declared.
He said this--And you knew, if he was any other man, he would end up wanting some... favor. A very particular one you could think of.
But Scaramouche?
He'd drag you to bed, and press kisses to your face until you were falling asleep, and if you even tried to leave just to go to the restroom, he'd whine, crying for you like a spoiled baby.
Maybe you did spoil him.
He was too sweet, in the quiet and safety of your home, not to spoil.
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Text
A Cursed Reality-JJk x Male Reader (Ch.4)
This chapter is a little shorter than usual but I'm hoping since it's the second chapter in the week you guy will let me slide. I would've written more but I like the ending so.
Let me know if you guys think I should translate what Inumaki is saying. He won't always use safewords but I think it's important to his character and easily understandable in this situation. Enjoy!!
Last // Next
Chapter Four:
“Do I look stupid to you?”
“Salmon”
“...”
“Bonito flakes?”
“Where are we going anyway”
“Fish flakes”
“I’m not a fan of surprises.” [Name] responded. A comedic silence fell as [Name] and Inumaki just started each other. One of them was bound to give in and if anything it was NOT going to be [Name] who possessed the second strongest cursed technique in the world, as well as being a Special Grade sorcerer at the ripe age of 17. Definitely not. It wasn’t as if Toge was his weak spot or anything.
“I better not regret this”
“Fish flakes”
As much as Inumaki loved being friends with [Name], the other sorcerer was at the end of the day extremely dramatic. It had to have been something he picked up from Gojo over the years. The two were frighteningly alike, both of them had this tendency to pretend they were happier than they actually were while hiding some extremely dark behaviors. And like Gojo [Name]’s power was both feared and not completely known.
Somehow the two were hiding a more complex aspect of [Name]’s power. Why, Inumaki was unsure. [Name] is the type of person to carry a ton of secrets while keeping almost nothing important about himself hidden. Upfront, but unknown. And if his ultimate cursed technique is a secret kept from everyone but Gojo, then it’s final. No amount of begging or blackmail would do any good. Though it doesn’t mean Inumaki doesn’t wish [Name] felt comfortable enough with him to share.
“Are you just gonna stand there looking off in the distance or are we gonna go”
Toge torn from his thoughts looked at [Name] for a second, curious and contemplative before turning around and walking off
“I guess that answers that question.[Name] said out loud to himself “Is he really leaving me? That fucker”
[Name] saw Gojo before any of the first years. Which was unfortunate because not only was he curious about the new first year (and would probably never admit it) it meant that the first person he’d see after spending the day out with Inumaki would be a cocky white haired idiot. Gojo treated [Name] like a younger brother and if you’ve ever had a sibling you’d know siblings make it a personal mission to tease, abuse and humiliate you. Out of pure love of course.
“So how was the date?” Gojo teased
“Fine. Nobody died” The two of them stared each other down. [Name] with challenging eyes and a straight face and Gojo with a smirk on his face
“Oh [Name] senpai you’re back” Fushiguro announced, the sound catching the attention of Nobara and Yuji who’d been arguing over whether or not girls would actually like Yuji once they got to know how dumb he was.
“How was your date?” Yuji asked excitedly
‘I’m being interrogated before I even get into the dorms, AND in front of a first year girl I don’t know’
“If you call going to defeat a second grade tormenting some people in the city a date, it went well. No casualties. My partner was fine and didn’t need my help but of course like the amazing friend I am I stepped in to help finish the job” [Name] answered
“Big deal. You showed off in front of some girl and then swooped in when the job was almost done to steal the credit. Why should I respect you as my upperclassman” Nobara huffed while striking some sort of... wonder woman pose and staring [Name] down
‘I like the energy but also why is she coming for me at first sight?’
“Did you miss the part where I helped defeat a second grade with no problem? It wasn’t to show off or to brag. Who would I be trying to impress? Megumi and Yuji? And who said it was a girl?”
Nobara was caught off guard with the last response. Not only did he return the energy she gave him, but she failed to recognize a member of the alphabet mafia (LGBTQ+ community). Actually, now that she’s thinking about it, she was a little too comfortable around Megumi, Yuji, AND Gojo for them all to be straight. Gojo did give her weird vibes but not the creepy stalker weirdo kind
“So… You fight monsters with your boyfriend then?”
“He’s not my boyfriend. But I mean yeah it’s like a best friend tag team kind of thing. You’ll get used to it around here.”
“They already kind of did” Gojo chimed in
“Yeah, I saved the kid while Kugisaki nailed the cursed spirit with her straw doll thingy” Yuji started.
‘Straw doll thing?’
“Of course I did more of the work, but we wouldn’t have been able to save the day without her”
Nobara pretended to not be flattered by the compliment as [Name] tried to hold back his laugh and not howl at her pleased face. He failed. Yuji and Megumi began to giggle too. Gojo was amused by their dynamic, looking at the first years and smiling. Happy they were getting along with their upperclassman. It was really nice to see [Name] have friends too, if he only had Toge it would hurt that much worse if the cursed speech user was ripped away from him. He knew from first experience, and as a jujutsu sorcerer, there weren’t many moments of happiness in their future.
Report: July 2018
In west Tokyo City, at the Eishu Juvenile Detention Center
The sky abovethe exercise yard
“Hey what’s that?”
“What?”
“There! That egg thing!”
“Whatchu talkin about?!”
An Unnamed Apparition of Potential Special Grade was witnessed by multiple non-jujutsu sorcerers. Since it was deemed an Emergency, three first year students were sent to the scene. Of those students, one died.
It was discovered that a special grade sorcerer showed up just before the worst of the situation but could not save all three students. In his grief the entire facility was destroyed.
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13uswntimagines · 4 years
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Instincts and Media Day: What a Terrible Combination (Alpha Kelley x Omega!Reader)
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Request: R goes into heat and Kelley has to contain herself so she doesn’t pounce on R, but also so she doesn’t fight another alpha if they come near her girl. So, throughout it all, she becomes more possessive and protective, especially since they are having a busy media day where R has to be around other alphas for shoots and videos.
Authors note: Hey dudes, I hope you Enjoy! Hit me up with Comments, Questions or Requests! 
You groaned lightly, burying your face as far into your alpha’s neck as you could get, taking in her soothing scent. Her strong arms were wrapped around you, holding you tightly, trying to alleviate some of the pre-heat aches you were experiencing. You whimpered as another round of cramping hit your lower belly, soothed slightly by Kelley’s hands rubbing circles into your back. 
“I know baby, I know, just a few hours,” She murmured into your hair, kissing your ear and pulling you ever closer (which was difficult because you had already taken up residence on her lap). She would much rather be cuddled up in bed with you, but you had media obligations before the Olympics that you couldn’t get out of. 
You whined into her neck, pawing at her shirt collar in an attempt to expose more skin for you to nuzzle into. It wasn’t a behavior that she typically allowed, but these were special circumstances. You were in pre-heat and surrounded by about a million alphas who could no doubt smell your pheromones despite the heavy blockers the medical staff had given you.
“She ok Kell,” Alex asked, rubbing your back as she approached the two of you, careful not to touch any skin that wasn’t covered by your t-shirt. You weren’t usually this clingy, always trying to break out of the mold of what society thought omegas should be. You must be feeling it if you were this pliant, but then again, there were no cameras in you yet. It was kinda nice to see you and Kelley this soft. 
“She’s in pre-heat and the blockers are giving her cramps,” Kelley replied softly, her fingers coming up to rub the back of your neck, just barely brushing your mating mark. Reassuring you that she was there, and scent marking you so everyone else knew that you were hers. You sighed into her, kissing the skin under her chin. 
“Poor baby,” Alex mumbled with sympathy, dramatically pouting her lip. 
“Mm not a baby,” You huffed into Kelley’s neck, peeking out just enough to stick your tongue out at the forward, before returning to your favorite hiding spot. 
“I know baby girl, Alex is just messing with you,” Kelley murmured, shooting a glare towards Alex and scratching your scalp. Alex quirked her eyebrows up at the alpha. Had it been any other day, you probably would have chased her down and tackled her. It was troublesome to see you so subdued. 
“why can Alex mess with short stuff in pre-heat but I can’t?” Tobin smirked towards Kelley and wrapped her arms around her omega. Alex leaned back into her arms. 
“That sounds like an alpha problem to me,” Kelley growled at Tobin in warning. She was grateful that the alpha hadn’t tried to get closer to her mate, but the teasing was not appreciated. Not with so many other alphas around. 
“Speaking of alpha problems Worms has got one,” Alex laughed, gesturing towards the very obvious bump in Kelley’s shorts, despite her compression underwear. It was another unfortunate side effect of your pre-heat pheromones. A low growl ripped from your throat. Yes, it was just Alex, but all the hormones rushing through your veins were making you a bit territorial. Kelley’s growl joined your own as she pulled you tighter to her, unhappy with the feelings flittering through your bond. 
“Leave her alone hot stuff,” Tobin said, eyeing the two of you cautiously. Gently pulling Alex back two steps, hoping that the space between the four of you would calm the situation down a little bit. You and Alex were best friends and shared a very particular omega bond, but heat made everyone a little anxious. 
“They want Baby bear for the photos first,” Christen hummed, joining her two mates and watching the way you cuddled further into Kelley with worry. 
Kelley sent her fellow Stanford alpha a stiff nod and began to try and untangle you from her. “Let’s go baby girl,” She murmured softly, rubbing your back as she coaxed you out of her neck. 
“Don’t wanna, you’re warm, and you smell so good,” You whined, finally giving in to the insistent hands, shooting your alpha an unamused glare. 
She leaned in and ran her nose over your scent gland, before placing a kiss on your mating mark. This was no easier for you than it was for her. She wasn’t usually this possessive, but with the scents you were releasing, she just couldn’t seem to help herself. 
“I’ll be there the whole time,” she reassured gently against your skin, standing the two of you up. It would be alright, at least you hoped so.
******
You and Kelley trudged over to the first room, her hand placed firmly on your back to guide you. You didn’t usually like your alpha acting so… alpha? But your inner omega was purring at the action. 
Kelley glared at the woman who handed you your kit, unhappy with the number of dominant pheromones she was releasing. You rolled your eyes slightly, changing into the required clothing without incident, and cuddling back up to Kelley the second you could. 
The photographer watched you with furrowed brows, keeping a large distance between the two of you, more for you alpha than for you. Kelley sent him a grateful smile. 
“Alright Y/n, if you would stand right there please,” He directed softly, gesturing towards a spot marked with an x in front of the camera. You nodded hesitantly, pushing off your alpha (who may or may not have smacked your butt) and heading towards the marked spot. You warningly eyed the other man standing behind said spot, unsure of why he was positioned like that. 
You allowed the beta woman with the photographer to position you, and show you the requested pose, all well laughing lightly at the silly faces Kelley was making at you. 
That was until the man behind the mark laid down, enclosing your feet with his legs. The smile melted from your face, and a rush of nervous scents rolling off of you in waves. Kelley’s response was swift, striding up to the alpha photographer and tapping him on the shoulder. 
“Why is there a guy laying between her legs?” She hissed at the man. 
“He’s just the mister,” the photographer shrugged, hoping that nonchalance would help to show her that this wasn’t a big deal.
“I don’t like the view he has,” 
“Damn you smell good,” The man on the floor mumbled, painfully unaware that this was not the right thing to say. 
“Kell,” Your voice neared panic, your eyes were wide and a bright blush tinted your cheeks. It was one thing for Kelley to tell you how good you smelled and another for a random person to do so. You weren’t naive and you hated the view some people had of omega, thinking that a pass like that was acceptable. 
“Mario will behave himself right?” The photographer glared at the young man, shaking his head, 
Kelley growled back low and dangerous, like a warning siren. Any more unprofessionalism from the man would result in some extreme consequences. It wasn’t that she didn’t think you could handle yourself, but her instincts demanded that she protect you, that she tell others that you were hers. 
The man on the floor shrunk, holding up his spray bottle like a shield and praying that his mistake hadn’t just set the delicate situation over the edge. He hadn’t meant to say it, and he knew you were the other alphas, but he just couldn’t seem to help himself. 
“Kelley, just a few shots,” the photographer pleaded, and you sent him a very slight nod. Kelley met your eyes and nodded in return. 
“Fine…” she huffed, and the photographer’s shoulders relaxed. If you could handle it, so could she. “but I don’t like this,” she finished softly, glaring at the floor. You sighed in support of her sentiment before returning your attention to the photographer. The quicker you started, the quicker you would be finished. 
*****
Kelley’s protective instincts were being pushed to the limit. You had been shuffled around from interview to interview, with each respective reporter asking more invasive questions than the last. You were becoming increasingly uncomfortable and your heat symptoms were continuing to become more prominent. 
You only had a few stops left before you could go back to your hotel room and hopefully ride out the rest of your heat in peace before the opening game of the Olympics. 
“If you’ll step this way Ms. Y/l/n, I just have a few questions for you,” the sleezy alpha interviewer gestured towards a spot next to him in front of the camera. You kissed Kelley’s cheek before taking the requested spot. You inner omega crying out for the alpha, and growling at the distance between the two of you. 
The man shot a look at your alpha before queuing the camera. The conversation started normally, asking questions about how you felt being a left side forward and the connections in the midfield, but then everything seemed to shift. 
“So what’s it like being an omega on the national team,” He asked, stepping a little bit closer to you. 
You took a small step back, smiling into the camera. “It’s great, we are all treated as equals and the girls are amazing!”. You gestured wildly as you spoke, always happy to highlight the team's emphasis on equality and not allowing an individual's bearing to impact the team's view of them. 
Yes, the team was a little protective of the omegas, but then again half of the countries you faced were not as progressive in their views of omega roles as the US. They always made sure they weren’t overstepping. They never wanted you to feel like you were lesser or subservient to the alphas on the team, and they would kill anyone who made you feel that way. 
The reporter frowned at your answer, gritting his teeth just a little. Why did you little omegas have to be so difficult?
“That’s not what I meant.” The reporter growled lowly, taking another step closer to you, “Do you ever use the other alphas attraction to you to your advantage,” He tilted his head so your faces were mere inches apart.
“There’s only one alpha I care about so no…” You mumbled, leaning away from the man and trying to remain calm. Your eyes met your alpha’s, and she tilted her head slightly. She didn’t like where this was going. 
“But couldn���t your beauty be helpful on the field,” He pressed, again trying to close the distance. You put your hands up to stop him. 
“I think she tries to rely more on her skills,” Kelley interjected, her lips a thin line in disapproval, and her attempt to not strangle this man. 
“Of course, my bad,” His eyes snapped to hers and he brought his hands up in innocence, but didn’t move away from you. You sent Kelley help me eyes, releasing a light wave of distressed signals. He leaned closer to you, either oblivious or uncaring towards your uncomfortableness. 
“Can you take a step back please?” Kelley growled, releasing her own dominant scent. The man’s nose twitched as he turned to face her, his hand grabbing your shoulder to prevent you from escaping. Tobin shot you a concerned look, stepping towards the situation. 
“No need to get overprotective,” He smirked as though he was the one in control of this situation, the cockyness oozing off of him in waves. 
Kelley bearing her teeth was the only warning you and the teammates who were watching you had before she lunged at the man, entirely fed up with his caviler attitude towards you. 
“Whoa Kelley, relax,” Tobin yelled, wrapping an arm around the smaller alpha’s waist, pulling her away from the situation. The reporter dropped your arm in shock. The USWNT was known for its impeccable control. It was incredibly rare for an alpha to lose it, but Kelley had been pushed too far. 
“You do not disrespect her!” She roared, fighting Tobin, Christen, and JJ’s attempts to restrain her. Alex, Sam, and Mal all moved to stand between you and the sleezy reporter, hoping that a wall of teammates would help to calm Kelley down. 
“Kelley, chill,” Christen grunted when an elbow came very close to her face. Nothing would calm her down right now besides you. 
“Kel,” You said quietly, your voice barely above a whisper, and the alpha froze. She turned her head towards you, her inner alpha screaming for her to go to you, so she did. The team let her pass and she wrapped you up in her arms, your face buried into her neck, soothing your frayed nerves and appeasing your instincts. 
“I don't like this,” she hissed into your ear, her nose pressing sinfully against your scent gland, marking you as her own. You whined pitifully into her neck, a sweat breaking out across your forehead and a low ake settling in your lower belly. 
The team formed a protective cocoon around the two of you (leaving a wide radius as to not trigger Kelley’s instincts further) to give you some privacy from all of the cameras. Vlatko quickly made his way towards the hoard of players, deciding that having you and Kelley present was not a priority at the minute. He could smell the heat pheromones rolling off of you, a distinct shift from the pre-heat symptoms you were experiencing before. Keeping you here would just be begging for trouble, A fact he wasn’t naïve to. 
“Take her back to the hotel, and… take care of her,” He ordered carefully from a respectable distance. The team was a family (a very protective family) and he was the newcomer. Getting too close to the team (who were already in protective mode) was a very bad idea. 
Kelley glanced up from your neck to salute him “You got it, boss,” before picking you up bridal style. You were in no condition to walk, and your omega preened under the alphas display of strength. You purred into her chest, nuzzling the skin exposed by her neckline. 
“What about my interview,” the reporter huffed, receiving several glares from Kelley and the rest of the alphas on the team. How fucking dare he. While they couldn’t deny him outright, they always had a special punishment for disrespectful assholes. 
“I’ll finish it, you’ve perved on enough omegas today,” Tobin smirked evilly in his direction, too many teeth showing in her smile to be kind. Christen sent a nod in your direction as if to say that the team would deal with the situation so Kelley could attend to you. She sent the forward a grateful smile before leaning down to kiss your head. 
“Let’s go my darling,” she murmured, walking towards the door, all of her alpha bravado gone now that you were safe in her arms. Now that she could devote her full attention to making you feel good and loved instead of fending off other alphas. Maybe she had lost her impeccable control, but it was worth it if it kept you safe. 
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annabethy · 3 years
Text
under the mistletoe, watching the fire glow day 21: best friend’s sister
Character A poses as their best friend’s lover for a Christmas party. Character B is the best friend’s sister,, percabeth
Percy truly doesn’t understand how it’s come to this.
He likes to think that he has at least some form of dignity, but he is quickly proven wrong as he is shoved into a suit by someone that has the audacity to call herself his friend.
“Quit pouting,” Piper chastises, pulling on his tie just a bit too tightly. He chokes dramatically, glaring at her, but she just rolls her eyes. “You agreed to this.”
“I did not agree to this,” he says. “I was simply there when your mom told you to bring a ‘lover’ to the party, and you held me at gunpoint.”
“You love it,” she says, laughing. It’s the complete opposite of the truth because he actually hates this, but his windpipe is cut off so he’s incapable of actually pointing that out.
“There’s no way anyone’s going to fall for this.”
She laughs. “Everyone will fall for this, and that’s why it’s perfect. No one’s seen us in forever since we moved away for college. We can just frame it as two best friends falling in love.”
“Yeah, but… I don’t know if I can do that. I look at you and want to vomit.” Piper gasps in mock offense. “You never had feelings for me? Not even small ones?”
“I had feelings for a lot of people, but believe it or not, you were never one of them. Not then, not now, not ever.”
“You really just friend zoned your best friend,” Piper says.
“I’m in love with someone else,” he lies.
Piper snorts. “You’re in love with my sister.”
His smile falls. “I am not. You take that back.”
“Relax, Percy. I think it would be cute if you got with her. You could marry into the family!” She claps her hands before pausing. “We could just never talk about sex again. I don’t want to hear about how you blew my sister’s back out.”
Percy shrieks. “Piper!”
She just laughs, throwing the jacket of his suit in his face and motioning for him to follow him out the front door. He hurls insults at her as he settles into the driver’s seat – also against his will, by the way – but she just throws them right back at him.
The hour drive home is spent with them being about as stupid as possible. They scream along with the music blasting in the car until they’re both laughing so hard they can’t breathe. It helps ease his nerves because he knows who’s going to be at this Christmas party, no matter how hard he tries to deny it.
He can’t even say her name right now because if he does, he might crash just so he doesn’t have to face her. It’s almost as though Piper can sense his frustration because she turns the music even louder until the car is shaking with the bass and he can’t hear his own thoughts.
Percy never ceases to be amazed by the wealth of Piper’s family. The second he walks into the manor, he is overwhelmed by the silvers and golds lining every inch of the place. It’s funny because he grew up around them, but it was always a stark contrast to the way his own life was. He could live a million lifetimes and never get used to being around people with this amount of money.
“So you’re rich rich,” Percy teases, just as he always does when they come home for the holidays,
“I’m wealthy,” she corrects, leading him along the corridors to the center of the party.
“Old money or new?”
“The type that could have you killed with the snap of my fingers,” she answers.
“Oh, please do not have me killed, your highness.” He grins cheekily as they walk into the center of the event.
“I must admit I’m liking the title,” she says. She stops him just before they are close enough to be noticed by anyone else, turning serious, and Percy fails miserably to match her tone. “From here on out, you’re my boyfriend, okay?”
“Oh god, I just threw up in my mouth.”
“That means having to kiss me at least once,” Piper says. “On the lips.”
“Please don’t make me.”
“I will never hear the end of this is they find out we’re faking, so start acting like a good boyfriend.”
“Uh.”
“Kiss me.”
“No.”
“Percy.”
“I can’t do it.”
“You’re going to plant one on these lips, or I’m going to pick up one of the silver forks and stab you with it.” “Fuck you.”
“Yeah, well if you’d kiss me, we might be able to get there.”
And then: “This is getting painful to watch.”
Percy and Piper both jump at the extra voice present. He turns his head so fast he nearly gets whiplash, and of course it’s her.
“Annabeth, my love!” Piper greets, giving her a lazy side hug. “I was just trying to get my boyfriend to kiss me.”
“Hm. I didn’t know you two were dating,” she says, a pointed grin towards Percy.
“Christmas surprise,” Piper adds, addressing Percy. “Aren’t you going to say hello?”
“You act like Annabeth’s my distant aunt,” Percy says, but he wraps her in a sweet hug anyways. It makes his heart stutter just the tiniest bit, and he has to force himself under control.
It’s embarrassing that he’s this caught up on her. It makes him feel a little guilty too, because she’s practically still a baby. He remembers when she was in diapers, wandering around the house with a pacifier while him and Piper messed around with play dough. Still, she had grown up, and he had too, and he hadn’t accounted for how pretty she would grow to be.
Okay, so he’s not that much older than her. He’s twenty, and she’s eighteen, so he supposes it’s acceptable, but now he’s in college and she’s still in high school, so things have grown… weird? He just doesn’t see her as much as he used to, and something in her changed. When she was younger, she would cling to him, but recently, she just looked at him with something he couldn’t pinpoint.
It looks similar to the face she has on now, actually.
“So you two are a couple now?” Annabeth asks, but Percy doesn’t really hear her. He’s too distracted looking everywhere except her short black dress she has on, or the way her curls fall perfectly onto her chest, or the gloss of her lips.
Piper elbows him, and he clears his throat. “Yeah. The happiest. We’re so in love. I want Piper’s babies.”
“Hm. From what I’ve heard, I wouldn’t have thought that was very true,” Annabeth says, giving him a knowing look.  It makes him wonder just what she’s heard. “Anyways, dinner’s about to start. Why don’t you go show everyone just how in love you are, oh-so-real couple?”
Piper laughs, but Percy glares at her. He’s given no choice but to follow Piper as she skips towards the dinner, and Annabeth follows at a distance, eyes analyzing them. Annabeth clearly hadn’t fallen for the disguise for even two seconds, so it has him worrying the rest of the night.
He is rightfully worried because the dinner does not go at all as expected. Annabeth is directly to his right, and Piper to his left, and they seem determined to kill him. Piper’s all lovey on the outside, which is not something he’s used to in the slightest, and it has the entire family’s attention on him. They coo over the new ‘couple,’ and Annabeth laughs into the hand covering her mouth.
Annabeth clearly enjoys the entertainment, and also relishes in embarrassing him even more because she’s started playing footsy under the table, running her heels up and down his ankle. He does his best to not make a face, but then her hand occasionally brushes against his wrist, and it has him wondering what it all means. Annabeth is much more handsy today than she’s been… ever, and he’s enjoying it more than he should with his fake girlfriend next to him, so the next opportunity he gets to leave, he takes full advantage.
He twists and turns through the halls, gets lost about five times before finding somewhere that looks remotely familiar, and then repeating the process. It’s a good few minutes before he finds an empty balcony and pushes open the doors to step outside.
It’s not to take a moment to breathe, really, because he’s fine. It’s just overwhelming, he supposes, sitting next to the girl he’s almost ninety percent sure he’s crushing on that he probably shouldn’t be, and his best friend who is apparently his girlfriend now.
“Hey, Piper’s boyfriend,” a voice calls. “You good?”
Percy rolls his eyes fondly, turning around. “Did you need something, Piper’s sister?”
She just shrugs and steps forward. “Just thought I’d come tease you a little bit.”
“Tease me?”
“A fake relationship? Really?”
“You wouldn’t understand,” he says. “You’re, like, twelve.”
“I’m eighteen, but nice try.”
“A baby,” he emphasizes, heart suddenly beginning to race as she drags her fingers up his chest, tugging lightly on the tie. “Do you need something or not?”
“I guess I just have a question,” she says, leaning against the rail now. “So. I’ve heard things. Suspected even longer because even if I’m two years younger, I’m about two years smarter.”
He laughs. “What do you want to know?”
“You liked me,” she says. “Back in high school, I think.”
It’s a blow to his lungs, and he can’t find the air to breathe. He knew she’d bring it up at some point, because even if they never acknowledged it, it’s been floating between them, unsaid. He never acted on it because she was practically his own little sister at some point, and she’s Piper’s sister, and it just felt wrong.
“I think so,” he answers. “I don’t know.”
“Explain?”
“You’re Piper’s sister,” he tries.
“I’m Piper’s sister. I’m also your friend.” Annabeth tilts her head, a slight smile pulling at her lips. “What’s the problem then?”
“I–” He blinks. “I don’t know. I guess there isn’t one, really. It just never turned to anything more before I graduated, and now I’m hours away.”
“That leads me to my next question.” She stands again to face him head on. “You’re in college now. I haven’t seen you more than five times since you graduated two years ago. Are those feelings still there?”
“I don’t recall you ever being so upfront,” he teases. He doesn’t need to take time and think about her question though. He already knows the answer. He knows it every single time Piper says her sister’s name, or one of Annabeth’s pictures pops up on his timeline. He likes his best friend’s sister.
It might be more than just a crush.
(Definitely more than a crush.)
“I love you, Annabeth,” he says, “but I don’t want to do anything that might make things different, you know? I grew up with you, and I grew up with Piper, and if something happens, Piper will take your side, and I’ll lose the two people I love most, and–”
“That’s not what I asked,” she says. “I asked if the feelings are still there.”
From the way she’s looking at him, he doesn’t need to answer. “Why are you asking if you already know the answer.”
“Because I want to know if it would still be a good time to kiss you, like I’ve wanted to do for the last two years.”
Percy chokes out a laugh. “Annabeth.”
“You love me, Percy. It’s obvious to see it’s as more than a friend, and it always has been.” She bites at her bottom lip. “Do you know how many people I’ve had tell me that you and I would work well together?”
“I’m assuming a lot.”
“Piper was the number one supporter, surprisingly enough,” she tells him. “And I know you’re on a date with my sister, but she practically shoved me out of the dining room chair to come follow you, so it’s safe to say she wants this too.”
“Piper has issues.”
“Yeah, but you love her, and you love me.” Percy’s fingers fidget, because even though all of this has been swimming around inside him for years, hearing it from her is something else entirely.
“It’s only weird if you let it be,” she says, and something breaks inside of him.
Annabeth’s his friend too, and she’s a part of his life.
He loves her, so he kisses her.
It feels an awful lot like coming home. Suddenly, nothing else matters except him and her. Annabeth is his best friend’s sister, but she’s also his best friend too, and the person he loves and always has.
He distantly realizes that it’s going to be difficult to explain to her family how he went from being Piper to Annabeth, but right now, he can’t bring himself to care. It’ll be a cute story to tell in the future if this ever turns to anything more. He really hopes it does.
Annabeth is his family, and his best friend, and she is the one he was meant to be with from the start.
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dapandapod · 3 years
Note
Hey honey! I'm so glad for your 400 followers, you deserve the world. For the prompt... You know that pouty/grumpy face of Joey's, well, Geralt just happens to adore when Jaskier does that. He stares at him and at his lips trying not to get caught by the Bard, and his heart melts in a puddle of love because ugh, he's so cute. I hope you're well bb, yours Idiot syndrome anon™ 🖤
Oh my gosh how sweet are you!!!  So I said I would do something small right? I tried, ok? It accidently became a little longer, because you have the greatest ideas! 
So here, please enjoy 1/4 prompts for my 400 follower celebration!  Feel free to send an ask, comment or messege me if you have something you wish me to write!
Geralt being soft for pouty Jaskier! As a treat! On Ao3 here!
Geralt has a secret, a soft spot.
Jaskier pouts when he gets annoyed. There is a slight chance that Geralt finds that absolutely adorable. So he might be annoying on purpose. Maybe. Possibly. Totally. 
~
Jaskier sits on a log, it’s old and a little little rotten. Geralt told him not to sit on that log, that his (nice) pants will get wet, but did he listen? No.
And now there is a very stubborn bard still sitting on that log. Trying very hard not to look displeased in his wet pants, but honestly, he is failing very hard.
In his efforts to hide his discomfort he is pursing his lips together, a little wrinkle between his eyebrows, staring into the fire with some rarely seen concentration.
He uses a long stick (also damp, because fuck you Geralt) to poke around in the burning logs, eliciting some very satisfying crackling.
On the actually less damp ground sits Geralt, legs crossed in a pose that would make a less flexible man cringe.
He is supposed to meditate but there is this very good feeling in his chest.
This is the safest I-told-you-so he has had with Jaskier in a long time, and the cutest. He is holding back a smile, but he can feel the corners of his mouth twitching, betraying him.
Jaskier notices, of course. He sends Geralt a glare, his bottom lip pushing up just a little, fighting off a pout.
“What.” Jaskier says, daring Geralt to say something. But Geralt has been around for a long, long time and he knows a trap when he sees one.
If you want to keep your tender parts attached to your body, you don’t say “I told you so.” You just feel it.
“Don’t start a forest fire.” He says instead.
Now there is the pout for real. Three dwarves in a frock, that is adorable.
Swooning is not something witchers do, but melting he can do just fine.
“Fuck off.” Jaskier says, as predicted, turning back to the flames and poking some more just to be contradictory.
Geralt allows himself a smile, feeling very much at peace, and closes his eyes again.
 ~
 “Noticed something new about me?” Jaskier asks, making a ridiculous little turn showin off his new doublet.
Geralt of course noticed, but it’s too good not to poke fun at him.
"Uuhh… did you gain weight?”
The outrage. The indignation. Imagine all the offended noises you can think of, and make them come out of Jaskiers mouth.
Jaskier doesn’t speak to him for the rest of the day. And Geralt just can’t stop smiling at that adorable little pout, so it was absolutely worth it. 
 ~
 "You don’t think I see you smiling?!” Jaskier says accusingly to Geralt, his hair is sticking up in odd angles and he is pacing back and forth in Geralt's room at the inn in Oxenfurt.
For once they had coin enough not to share (and Geralt will never admit how much he dislikes that) but Jaskier came storming through his door anyway, ranting away like no tomorrow.
“You think it’s funny?! Geralt, this is serious!”
It is not. It’s just Valdo Marx again, managing to start a show before Jaskier had the chance himself, and thus stealing the show for tonight.
But Jaskier of course takes it as a personal insult, and with as much dignity as he could muster left to rant at Geralt instead.
Not that Geralt complains. He is glad that Jaskier is there, and to be honest he expected this.
He heard Valdos nasal voice taking tone downstairs and unlatched his door so that Jaskier could come in and (pout) vent.
It is probably a little weird, but it makes Geralt happy. A little warm feeling in his chest that Jaskier chose to come to him.
“No.” Geralt says, because that is the safest, but also the truth.
It’s not funny, but it’s very cute.
Jaskier sighs dramatically and sits down next to Geralt on the bed.
“I guess you will never understand the woes of an artist.” he sighs, and produces the most excellent pout Geralt has seen in weeks.
 He can’t stop staring. His eyes are fixed to Jaskiers mouth, that lower lip sticking out and giving his lips a perfectly kissable shape.
This is not good.
Geralt tenses, taking control over his hands before they can do something dumb.
 Like stroking that lip with his thumb. Pushing at it to make it open up, to give him a puff of warm breath. Like leaning in and capturing it with his teeth.
That would be very dumb.
He is so focused on not doing that, that he doesn’t pay attention to Jaskier turning towards him.
Those very kissable lips fully turned towards him, giving him a perfect view.
He stares for another second before he catches himself and looks up. Realizing Jaskier hasn't said anything for a while, which is a little odd.
“What?” Geralt asks, but more like croaks really. Embarrassing.
Jaskier looks at him curiously, tilting his head. Geralt's eyes betray him and shoot down to the bard's lips and back up again.
The pout and the little frown with it is gone, but damn it makes him weak.
Is he closer than before? It feels like Jaskier is closer. And when did it get warmer? It definitely feels like it’s warmer in here.
“What are you looking at?” Jaskier asks him, like he doesn’t know, the little shit. The corner of his mouth is curling upwards in a satisfied little smirk.
“Nothing.” Geralt says, staring at Jaskiers eyes to make himself not look at his lips.
It’s a little awkward but he is holding on for dear life here, be nice.
 Jaskier is not nice.
 Because he is leaning forward, head still tilted and lips parted, looking somewhere below Geralt's nose.
“You sure?” He asks, the absolute bastard. His lashes are long and dark, his hair is still sticking up in odd angles.
Geralt wants to kiss him so bad. His brain is not listening to what Jaskier just said, he is too focused on those lips so close to his.
 “What?” He breathes, and then he loses the fight.
 He leans forward and closes the distance. Capturing that lower lip between his, finally. Jaskiers arms immediately circle his neck, one hand clenching in his hair.
Geralt's hand wants to touch, wants to feel that lip, but his own mouth is in the way, so it settles on Jaskiers slightly stubbled cheek.
Jaskier obviously isn’t satisfied with the one kiss, so there are two, and then three. And then Jaskier is the one licking Geralt's lip and he short circuits, breaks in at least five tiny pieces, forgets how to breathe, and then he lets him in.
 When Jaskier finally pulls back he makes a face. Geralt's stomach plummets, but it’s alright.
“I can’t believe Valdo Marx got to sing to our first kiss.”
Geralt smiles and leans forward, stealing another one.
“And second.” He smirks at Jaskier, who pouts. Ah, two trolls in a skirt, that is adorable.
 He feels his face doing something, his eyebrows moving and his lips pulling into something sappy.
Jaskiers mouth opens and then closes, eyebrows shooting up.
 “That’s the expression you have been hiding from me?! How dare you!” Jaskier accuses, and then throws himself at Geralt again, who just chuckles.
 A high, nasally and slightly sour note from downstairs and Jaskier pulls back again.
“Ugh. No. I can’t. Marx totally kills the mood.” Jaskier says, draping himself over Geralt's lap.
“Want me to go down and steal his lute?” Jaskier smiles and kisses Geralt's nose.
“Sweet of you. But that would ruin all of my hard work and we can’t have that.”
 ~
 It is entirely possible that Jaskier now has found out about this secret little soft spot. It is entirely possible that Jaskier is abusing this power against his witcher.
And they both love it.
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Text
wings & the way down - part 2
Derek Morgan x Spencer Reid
Word Count: ~1580 this chapter
Warnings: Mild angst. Allusions to ~mysterious~ backstory. Strangers with cookies. 
A/N: Thank you all for your lovely comments on the last part! Catch up here if you missed it. Tag list for this is open. 
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Friday, January 3: Derek
Derek is playing it cool. 
Or... he would be, if he could stop freaking the hell out. Whatever. 
He wants to be there early, just in case, and he hesitates. He should grab his basketball — tryouts next week, he should be practicing as much as possible — but then he’d have to carry it around while they walk. He grabs his dog-eared copy of Slaughterhouse-Five instead. 
Spencer seems like a reader. Maybe he’ll be impressed. Derek doesn’t have much experience trying to impress adorably geeky college guys, but that seems like a good start. 
He looks at himself in the mirror one more time and thinks, I can’t do this. 
Then he shakes it off, like he’d shake off the nerves before a big game, and he gives his reflection a smile. What’s the worst that can happen, right? He embarrasses himself in front of a pretty boy, he avoids the park, he never sees the guy again. After the year he’s had, some good old-fashioned rejection would be a cake walk. 
Playing it cool. He can do this. 
He walks downstairs, locking up behind himself and leaving the spare key in its spot — its “hidden” spot, which is a totally obvious fake rock, but apparently here in the suburbs you can just do that sort of thing. 
He walks, enjoying the sun, because January here feels like Chicago’s April. He’s not going to get used to this any time soon. 
Yeah. This was the right choice. 
You deserve to do it on your own terms, his mom said, when she hugged him goodbye in the airport. You can be whoever you want. 
It didn’t feel like he was trying to be someone else yesterday, though. It felt like he was being himself. 
He didn’t realize it could be easy like that, flirting with a guy, teasing and laughing and making Spencer smile. The stupid line came out like it was nothing. The fear only kicked in afterward. 
Derek knows he’s charming as fuck; he’s been making girls smile like that since he was fourteen. And it’s not a skeevy thing — not even necessarily a sex thing — he just likes making people smile. He likes the way they stand a little straighter when you compliment their shirt, or the way they bring a hand to the back of their neck when you admire their hair, and the way one nice comment can startle someone right out of a bad day. 
Speaking of. 
He’s walking into the park, now, and there’s a girl walking toward him, blonde with pink streaks in her high pigtails, wearing thick neon pink glasses and several violently colorful patterns. She looks like Miss Frizzle’s ditzier sister. He kinda loves it. 
“I like your glasses,” he tells her cheerfully, as they come face-to-face on the path. 
 Most people look startled, at first, when a stranger compliments them; they’re caught off-guard. Spencer looked like a deer in headlights, yesterday, when Derek caught his attention. 
Not this girl, though. Without missing a beat, she tosses back, “I like your face, sugar.” As their paths cross, she gives him a cheesy over-the-top wink. 
He retorts over his shoulder, “I ain’t that sweet, babygirl.” 
“I don’t believe you,” she sing-songs, and he’s laughing as they both continue on their way. 
Derek makes his way over to the same spot as yesterday, a round table between two curved benches. He pulls out his book and settles down to wait. Spencer isn’t there yet (which makes sense, considering that “same time” meant “two-ish” and it’s more like one-ish right now) but there are two older men playing chess at one of the tables nearby. Otherwise, it’s quiet: two women jogging, a few families on the playground, a guy throwing a ball for his dog. 
For a while, it’s actually a pretty awesome way to spend an afternoon. He doesn’t really notice how much time has passed until he shifts, stretching some cramped muscles. Then he checks his watch. 
They didn’t really set a definite time, though. It was vague. It’s not a big deal. 
Twenty minutes is a normal amount of time to be late. Derek has pulled that move on more than one first date — which begs the question: is this a date? — but he didn’t expect Spencer to be the type, somehow.  
He starts to get anxious around half past. He can think of a dozen excuses Spencer might use, but they’re all excuses he’s used himself, and they all boil down to I don’t actually care. 
He turns back to his book and tries to forget about the time.
At three, after re-reading the same page for the fourth time, he accepts that it’s a lost cause. He sets the book down on the bench and rests his face in his palms for a moment, taking a deep breath. 
Fuck. He is so not playing it cool. 
There was something about Spencer that Derek can’t stop thinking about, and it’s not his bone structure or his eyes or the way his fingers looked as he fiddled with his chess piece. It was the way he blushed and stuttered, completely flustered and unable to hide it, and the way he brushed it off with, “I’m not used to being flirted with.” It was a genuine reaction. He was being honest. He wasn’t trying to pose or posture or do any of the things Derek would’ve done to protect himself. 
It was the little crease between his eyebrows as he studied Derek intently — too intent to be polite — like Spencer was figuring him out, looking under the surface, seeing him in a way that people usually don’t, because most people don’t care enough to look. Most people miss what’s right in front of them. 
It was the way he sat, legs crossed, unpretentious and almost childlike. 
It was different. He wasn’t hiding anything. Derek’s been hiding a lot, these last few years. It was nice to be around someone who wasn’t, and who made it look easy. 
And yeah, it was also his cheekbones and eyes and fingers and smile, because Derek is only fucking human. 
At quarter past, he starts to wonder what he did wrong. 
Yeah, I’m flirting with you. 
It was like a free-fall, the pause after the words, that frozen moment of can’t take it back now and this is going to change everything. It’s the same hot-cold-terrifying-exhilarating shock he felt in the pause after he came out to his mom — same as the moment right before the jury gave their verdict — same as the moment he walked into school the next day. 
But it was different, because Spencer smiled, all slow and shy. No betrayal, no creeping disgust, no pointed questions or even more pointed silence. 
That easy acceptance took Derek’s breath away. It felt like freedom. It felt like the moment the plane’s wheels lifted off the tarmac, the sickening lurch in his stomach, the blaze of something like defiance as he watched Chicago recede into the distance. 
Spencer smiled, and Derek felt like he could’ve ignored the laws of physics and flown away. If that was what “being out” usually feels like, he could see why people might want to do it. The moment of free-fall — this is going to change everything — was worth it, for that. 
This, though? There’s something cold and leaden sitting in his chest, dragging him rudely back down to earth. He should just go. This is an embarrassing amount of time to wait around for some random guy. 
“Tell me who I need to punch,” somebody calls. “A face like yours should never be frowning, sweetness.” 
It’s the colorful girl from earlier, and Derek can’t help but smile at the way she stomps over and sits down across from him, matter-of-fact and brazen like they’ve known each other for years. 
“I was just waiting for you, babygirl,” he tells her, turning the charm up to eleven, and she rolls her eyes. 
“Penelope. The pleasure is all yours.” She holds her hand out for him to shake — her nails have tiny daisies painted all over them — and Derek kisses it instead. 
“Derek Morgan. Charmed, I’m sure.” 
“So who’s the girl that’s got you all tragic-looking?” she asks, and rummages in her massive bag for a minute before pulling out a tupperware of cookies. “Want one? They’re still warm. I was at my friend’s house, she needed some cheering up, we baked. I promise I’m not some creepy creep who’s going to lure you into their white van, oh my god, I just realized that I’m a complete stranger, and this is totally weird! But — cookies?” 
“I’d follow you anywhere, babygirl. And I will totally take a cookie.” He takes a bite of melty chocolate chips and moans. “Marry me?” 
“Alas, your heart belongs to another,” she says solemnly. “I know that face. Spill.” 
“Got stood up, but...” Derek chews as slowly as he can manage. “Wasn’t a girl.” 
He’s starting to get used to that free-fall sensation. It’s not so bad this time around. 
“Oh my god, I shouldn’t have assumed, I’m sorry! Men, right?” She heaves a dramatic sigh, and Derek tries to hide his own quiet sigh of relief. “The worst, I swear.” 
“No biggie. Other fish in the sea, right?” 
“Have another cookie.” 
“Woman, you are a goddess. I am so glad I met you.” 
“I’m glad you met me too, Derek Morgan.” 
.
.
part three here! 
.
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ticklygiggles · 3 years
Text
A Snow War
by @im-absolutelee-ticklish for the lovely @tickle-bugs. I had a lot of fun writing this. I hope you enjoy it! Also wanna do a quick shout out to @ticklygiggles for hosting and putting in so much work, you’re amazing. As well as @amazingmsme for helping me out when I was stuck, couldn’t do half the stuff I do without your creative mind and support. 
Word count: 1,936
Summary: Jaskier, Geralt, snow, mystery, mischievousness and tickles. Sounds like a wonderful combination that can only go well for everyone. 
Pfft. Went the snowball when it hit Geralt’s back. Pfft, pfft. Another two came flying in close succession and hitting their target. Geralt finally turns his head to see not what he had expected. There was Jaskier walking along and humming as he played his lute. Looking around at the scenery seemingly lost in thought. The witcher had expected to see a giant grin or a smirk and a playful twinkle in his companion’s eyes ready to assault him yet again with the cold stinging yet fluffy weather ball that he created. His hands were not even wet and there would be no way he would be playing his lute if the snow had touched them recently. He cared about that instrument like a parent cared for their child. Hell, like Geralt cared for Roach. Not seeing any of the signs of mischievousness or playfulness from his friend he looked ahead and patted Roach on the neck.
Time went on and nothing seemed to be happening. Geralt could not get a thought out of his head. Who had thrown the snowball if not Jaskier? And had he been the only one that was hit. Knowing how dramatic Jaskier was, he didn’t believe that Jaskier could be hit with something and not cry out as if he had been stabbed with a knife and was dying. He couldn’t come up with any solutions. It had had to be Jaskier. But how could he have seemed so collected so quick after. It didn’t make any sense. And why was this infiltrating his mind? A lot of what Jaskier did he didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to. Especially after the fact, especially something like this. But this stumped him. He rode a while longer lost in thought.
Suddenly it hit him. At the same time another frigid ball hit his neck and slid down his shirt. He cried out and arched his back. Jaskier came up beside Roach and looked up. “Geralt? What is it? Did a winter beetle fly into your shirt again?” There was that smirk.
“No” He deadpanned. Squirming where he sat as the icy ball started to melt, dripping down his spine.
“What then?” He asked. Face serious but there was that twinkle in his eye.
“How is it that you could be throwing snowballs at me yet when I turned around you showed no signs of doing so?” This made Jaskier laugh. Bright and full. Geralt loved that laugh, he wished he could hear it all the time. It was much better than his almost constant chatter about who knows what. Although he would hate to admit it. But he would miss the chatter if Jaskier suddenly stopped for a long period of time.
“I think the answer is I am not throwing snowballs at you. Perhaps the trees are giving you kisses?” He suggests with a giggle.
“Trees giving me kisses?” He raised his eyebrow in a high arch.
“Oh, you know. Depositing their love in the form of little snow droppings. All for you. I guess you could say that last one made-out with you.” He snickered. Catching on to what had happened to Geralt based on the question he had posed. The witcher just snorted and rolled his eyes. Facing forward again. Leaving Jaskier to chuckle quietly to himself and fall back. This allowed Geralt to finish the thought he had started before he was so rudely interrupted. The reason why he could not seem to let this go was because Jaskier was at the centre of a mystery. One thing he loved about Jaskier other than his laugh was the fact that he really wasn’t much of a puzzle. He wore his heart on his sleeve and even if he might try to hide something, Geralt could usually figure it out quite easily. Of course, he wasn’t completely an open book and there was a lot he didn’t understand about Jaskier. But the stuff that really mattered, he knew. And it puzzled him greatly that if Jaskier had in fact pulled one over on him. How had he done so without there being any signs at all. He had played the moments in his head trying to find something that showed what he knew. But there was nothing. And it was driving him crazy. He wasn’t like this. He wasn’t used to this. He had to know. But if he was going to find out. He felt like he would have to catch the bard off guard.
With the day finally ending. The sun setting and their dinner caught and eaten Geralt looked over at Jaskier plucking away and trying to figure out the chorus for a new winter song he was creating. Good, he was thoroughly distracted. Just behind where the witcher was leaning against a tree was his arsenal. He had prepared them while Jaskier had done the dishes. He took a snowball about the size of a bumblebee and flicked it. Hitting Jaskier on the shoulder. He would have to do better than that as Jaskier didn’t even flinch. He grabbed a couple in his hand. This time he flicked it higher into a bit of an arc and it plopped on his head. Still in the zone Jaskier continued to work on his song. Geralt waited a moment before flicking two more one landing on his head causing him to stop what he was doing. One to land on the back of his head and plop into his shirt. Jaskier didn’t realize the snow was in his shirt until it was too late, and it already started melting at the base of his spine. He let out a shriek and jumped up. Hopping around and crying out.
“What?” Geralt asked innocently. He had been fortunate that it was dark, and you couldn’t really see what Geralt had been doing. He had sat far enough away from the fire to be in darkness from watching eyes, but close enough for warmth.
“SNOW! COLD!” Jaskier yelled out still dancing around. Geralt finally allowed himself to chuckle.
“Not so nice is it?” He asked with a knowing smirk clear in his voice. Jaskier stopped and stared at him. A smile forming. While Geralt had been out hunting Jaskier had made his arsenal of snowballs. And because Geralt was at that perfect distance of warmth and not being seen. So had Jaskier. As they looked at each other they both knew. They stared at each other like two cowboys waiting for the other to make a move to signify the dual would start. Muscles twitching with readiness. And suddenly. Pfft. Went a snowball followed by a deep cry and Jaskier diving to the ground to hide himself and grab his snowballs. Geralt had been hit from behind. A perfect shot right at the base of his neck. He was the one who had cried out. And the snow war began. Jaskier was the first one to throw hitting Geralt in the side. Grinning he threw a couple back at Jaskier, one hitting him in the face and the others hitting his torso. Back and forth they threw. Jaskier yelping each time he was hit and Geralt smiling widely. It quickly became apparent that Jaskier had been ready for an all-out war while Geralt had only been ready for a piece of the battle. Out of snowballs he tried to find cover, but it was no use. So, he did what Jaskier didn’t expect and charged at him. The poor bard hadn’t seen it coming. To preoccupied with what felt like his sure-fire victory he wasn’t paying attention until he was tossed in a snowbank and straddled. Large icy hands found their way up his shirt scribbling along his ribs. Shrieking from the cold, surprise and the obvious tickling Jaskier thrashed around and cursed. Already laughing hysterically.
“Geheeeheeralt, noohoohooo. Thiihiis ihiiiihiiisn’t a snoohooowball fiihiiight.” Geralt smirks at Jaskier’s reactions and plea.
“You’re right. Don’t you know that a tickle fight always concludes a snowball fight?” He teases.
“Tihickle fihiight?” Jaskier screeches out trying to wiggle his fingers into the offender’s neck. Geralt barks out a laugh but simply leans back. As he continues to rake his blunt nails along the sensitive ribcage.
“Yes, tickle fight. And the winner gets to tickle the loser for however long they want.”
“NOHOOOHOOOO! YOHOOHOOOOU’RE JUHUUUHUUUST MAAHAAAHAAKING THIS UHUUUHUUUUP.” The incredibly ticklish bard cries out.
“Am I now? Hmmm, I didn’t think I was creative enough for that.” He lifts one hand up into the squealing man’s armpit and the other goes down to knead his hip. Jaskier is in hysterics kicking and pounding the snow and Geralt’s arms. Cursing and snorting. Geralt grins down at the man being reduced to a ticklish puddle in his hands. “You know. There is one thing you can do for this battle of ours to become a draw.” He baits.
“WHAHAAHAAAT?” Geralt kneads into both hips now and he leans down to Jaskier’s face and whispers his hot breath into his ear.
“Tell me how you threw those snowballs while we were walking and how you threw the one that hit me in the back of the neck as we were sitting here.”
“I dihihiiidn’t….” And that was all the answer he got out before a scream cut him off. He screamed because Geralt latched onto his thighs and blew a raspberry in his neck.
“No, tell me the truth or say nothing at all.” Jaskier shook his head and thrashed around. “Okay, that works for me.” He turned Jaskier onto his tummy and grabbed his feet into a head lock, bending his legs at the knees, but not before squeezing the backs of his thighs and scribbling the backs of his knees. The boots and socks came off and blunt but effective nails scrapped along the bottom of his soles.
“GEHEEEHEEERALT, IT’S COOOOOHOOOOHOOOOHOOOOOLD!” he tried to reason.
“You didn’t seem to mind before. Why are you only complaining about it now?” those fingers were now under and between his toes. Jaskier screamed and pounded the ground with his fist. It was not satisfying or helped, only made things worse because it hit the snow and the thud was just a pfffff, as it slowly allowed his arm to sink in.
“IT WAHAAHAAASN’T MEEHEEHEEEEEHEEEE, IT WAHAAAHAAAHAAAHAAAS A SNOOHOOOHOOOOW PIHIIIHIIIIHIIIXIE.” He yelled, hoping Geralt would believe him. The tickling stopped but he was not released.
“What was that?” Jaskier panted for breath. Giggles still pouring out of his mouth.
“I made friends with a snow pixie. She was willing to help me out for a bit today. I just wanted to see how you’d react. And she blocked my sight so I couldn’t see when she was doing it. She told me you turned around and was watching me for a while. That’s why I wasn’t showing any signs.” Jaskier knew his witcher well to add that last part in.
“Is that so. And where is this pixie now?”
“She had to leave, it was a one day affair. After she threw that last snowball she left.”
“I see.” He paused. “ready?”
“ready for what?”
“someone has to be punished for what they started and seeing how she isn’t here and you were the one who put her up to it I think this calls for a nice long wrecking, don’t you?” Jaskier stutters and starts to squirm.
“Noooooo, waaaaaait a…” That was all he could get out before he was quickly lost to hysterics again. And that was the start of what they called the snow war.
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bundleofyarrow · 3 years
Text
Bundle of Yarrow Chapter 7 is up!
Your adventure continues! Spending your last days in the Wild Area with Milo before you get to Motostoke. But so many feelings have gone unspoken. What will come out before you have to part ways? Read on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29087343/chapters/72689874 or below the cut! Comments and feedback always welcome <3
West Lake Axewell
The first thing you notice is how incredibly quiet it was. If you were next to a body of water in Alola, it was almost certainly the ocean, rolling in from the distance, rhythmically crashing against the shore. As you look to the gigantic lake, its stillness shook you. Underneath the overcast sky it was almost eerie, with the only movement being the occasional water Pokemon breaking the surface. Your body wanted to shiver, but it’s wasn’t really that cold, just grey and silent. The breeze seemed to rustle the tall grass more than wild Pokemon.
“Quite the sight, huh?” Milo was looking out at the lake also as the both of you approached it. “One of the few flat areas in Galar, you can see straight across.”
He was right, though you can’t really make out much given the fading light and how cloudy it is. But you do see the walls of a large city, making you pause a bit. You forgot that civilization existed for a while, what with all the dangers of the Wild Area. Who lets kids, much less anyone without experience, just waltz in here?
“Is that…?”
“Yep, that there’s Motostoke! The city gates are pretty much on the opposite side of the lake from us.”
So close, yet so far. You let out a little sigh.
“You alright? Leg botherin’ ya?” The concern in his voice creates a funny feeling in your stomach.
You put out your leg and rotate your foot in the air. “I think it’s fine, it hasn’t gotten worse at least. It’s more that I haven’t done camping and hiking like this in my entire life. So to get so much of it all at once has been quite the experience.” To put it lightly.
“Definitely havin’ an adventure, aren’t ya?” He offers a smile, because of course his first instinct is to lighten the mood. And it’s nice, you enjoy it.
“You can say that again!”
Milo scans the path in front of you. “I know we’ve been goin’ at it all day, but if we can cross that bridge over there,” He points out to a large wooden bridge that spans the skinniest part of the lake. “and then set up camp, Motostoke is reachable tomorrow.” Milo looks back to you, still concerned. “What do ya think?”
Nodding, you shift the bag on your back to sit more comfortably. “Sounds like a plan! Thanks so much for being my guide Milo, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
He looks away, pink tufts of hair blocking his expression from view. “Oh it’s nothin’…” He mumbles out, among other indiscernible words.
The both of you maintain idle chit-chat along the way, mainly you pointing at a Pokemon you don’t recognize and Milo telling you what he knows about it. You get the sense that Milo is a bit of an introvert, and that silence without the pressure to talk is something that comforts him. He fumbles over his words often, but you find that charming. He seems preoccupied with trying to say the right thing, and the right thing tends to come naturally, except when you catch him off-guard. It’s hard not to enjoy watching him get flustered over little things.
As you draw closer to the bridge, you notice that the amount of tall grass in the area is increasing. There’s a clear path forward, but you feel a bit uneasy. Like someone, or something, was watching you. Rustling in the tall grass picked up the further along you went, and you instinctively grasped Milo’s arm. You had been walking without his support for a while now, so Milo jumped a bit in surprise.
“Milo, something is stalking us in the tall grass.”
“H-huh?” When you look over, his head is turned in the opposite direction, like he was avoiding something.
“Wait, what’s the matter? Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m f-fine! Jus’ dandy!”
“Why won’t you look at me? Is something wrong?”
“It’s nothin’! Don’t-”
“PAN!”
A small figure dashed out of the tall grass and right in the path of you and Milo. You actually recognized this one, it was a Pancham. She began to execute a series of martial arts moves, not attacking either of you but clearly it was a show of force. The Pancham ended with a dramatic and aggressive pose, shooting her most intimidating glare at you.
“CHAM!”
Moments pass in silence until you can’t handle it anymore.
You begin to giggle. “It’s adorable.”
The Pancham is clearly shocked at your reaction.
Milo smiles and rubs the back of his neck. “She’s a cutie pie that’s for sure.”
Her head hangs in shame. It seems like the Pokemon really thought she really had the upper hand here.
You walk over and squat down in front of her. “Hey now, don’t be sad! Just because you’re adorable doesn’t mean you’re not also very cool and strong!”
“Pan…?” The Pokemon’s eyes looked up to you, glistening.
“You’re the most fearsome Fighting Pokemon I’ve met in Galar!” Granted, this is the first Fighting-type you’ve met since you arrived, but she didn’t need to know that.
Pancham’s paws went to her hips and she confidently posed with that leaf in her mouth. You slowly extended your hand, and as you didn’t feel like she meant any harm, pet her on the head. She couldn’t help but smile and nuzzle into your hand.
“Something tells me you’re in the mood to play, am I right?”
The Pokemon nods before turning to the side and shadowboxing some more.
“How about this: if you can guide us across this scary bridge,” You gesture to your next destination. “I’ll let you battle with my Pokemon while we set up camp. And I’m sure Milo’s would love to make some new friends too, right Milo?”
You look back to Milo, who is looking down to you with a smile. This smile felt different from his usual, though you couldn’t really pinpoint why.
“You betchya! I have a few achin’ to have some fun.”
“What do you say? Will you help us out? We could use a brave Pokemon like you.”
If the Pancham still had a bruised ego, that was yesterday and now is a brand new day. She turned around and marched towards the bridge, looking about for any dangers to quell.
You rose from your low position, but must have struck a weird angle doing so because your injured leg felt weak. Stumbling and giving out a quick yelp, you felt a sudden pair of hands on your torso.
“Easy there now.” Milo helped you stand. “Leg still actin’ up?”
His hands were both gentle and firm as they helped you balance, and you were definitely blushing feeling him so close.
“Th-thanks Milo.” The Butterfree inside you danced. “It’s not so bad. I’m sure some rest will do it good.”
Eventually he lets you go when it seemed you were stable, and guided you forward behind the Pancham with a light palm on your back. It impressed you how he acted this way so naturally. Not that you were a cold person who ignored others in peril. But it seemed his body just moved like a reflex whenever someone was in need.
“It’s amazing how well you handled that Pancham.” Milo said it more to himself that you, like he was musing about something. “If you don’t end up a trainer, I could see ya as a great Pokemon breeder.” You’ve never considered the possibility before. “We have a Daycare Center right by Turffield, you should visit it sometime!”
“Oh? Is Turffield where you’re from?”
“Born n’ raised!” He beams with pride. "I miss it each time I have to travel. Quite peaceful, and the folk are humble and kind. It may not be a big fancy city but, it's home.”
It isn't long until you all make it to the bridge. The Pancham makes an exaggerated scouting motion, as if trying to scope out any enemies. Satisfied with the safety of the bridge, she waves the two of you to follow her.
The bridge itself feels sturdy, which is a relief because it's quite long. You can see from here that Lake Axewell is full of powerful looking Pokemon, and you'd rather not meet any by falling in. Crossing the bridge went by rather uneventfully, mostly Milo sounding homesick through how he described Turffield to you, and Pancham turning back to look at you both, as if she really did feel responsible for ensuring your safety.
You realized this was the most Milo has talked without prompting since you both met, bubbling with enthusiasm when you asked him questions about his hometown. It’s almost like you finally found the thing that let down his walls a little bit. It was easy for Milo to come off as polite and well-mannered, but before now you had a creeping fear he was just being nice because that was the normal thing to do.
“Now you have to come n’ visit. All my Wooloo will love ya’.” But this made you feel a little better.
Once across the bridge, the colors of dusk were full in the sky. Thankfully it was easy enough to find a clearing nearby to set up camp. You let out your Pokemon to play with Pancham, only to have Wooloo and Yamper tackle to you the ground, giving you their excited and excessive versions of affection. Between your fits of giggles, you realize that your Pokemon probably felt your distress, but you left them in your bag and they were unable to get out.
“I missed you all too, I’m sorry it’s taken so long for you all to come out- ack, Yamper! Not in my mouth!” You can’t help but laugh as you sit up and hug your excited Pokemon. “And don’t forget to acquaint yourselves with Lotad!” The two scamper over to Vanillite and Lotad, who are chatting. You notice your Pancham guide acting a bit bashful to the side. “Now don’t be shy, everyone’s friendly! You all, make room for a new friend!” You gently push her towards your Pokemon, who let her join in.
The sound of opening Pokeballs draws your attention to your left, where you see three Pokemon floating around Milo. Two of them are the same species, though one seems incredibly stronger than the other. He’s gently petting them and whispering hellos.
“Go on, introduce yourselves.” They ride the breeze over to you, giggling and twirling around you. These must be native to Galar, or at least missing from Alola’s ecosystems, because you’ve never seen them before.
“This redhead here is Gossifleur,” Milo began, anticipating your question. Gossifleur spun as if on cue. “and these two elegant cotton balls are Eldegoss.” Both bowed towards you. The Gossifleur and one of the Eldegoss went over to join the other Pokemon, who were starting to play. “This one gave that Seismitoad a what-for when you were in trouble.” Made sense, he seemed way more experienced and skilled than any of the other Pokemon present.
You smiled and bowed as well. “I am in your debt. If you ever need me to sneak you treats past Milo, just give me the word.”
“H-hey now…” Milo put his hands to his hips as the Eldegoss twirled and giggled some more.
The two of you began to set up camp and the Pokemon romped and battled with each other. You were kind of relieved that your Pokemon could fight without direction, calling out orders in battle felt weird. If your Pokemon could fight more instinctively, that would would help out in future encounters.
First you helped Milo get his tent up, which his elder Eldegoss rested on top of the moment you finished. Then you looked around for sticks and dried up driftwood, since this area had less trees than the others you’ve camped at so far. You spot Milo squatting down at the coast of the lake and pulling up roots of some sort. Eventually you make it back to camp and begin stacking the wood, and Milo returns with what looks to be vegetables just washed in the lake.
“So for dinner, I’m thinkin’ I’ll-”
“Oh no no.” You interrupt, taking the roots from him. “You have been working so hard taking care of me. Let me do something for you.”
This catches Milo by surprise, which makes him a bit flustered. You realize that he does a lot so naturally that it must rattle him when something unexpected happens.
“But I don’t m-mind! You’re hurt ‘n all.”
“How about you start the fire, then check in on the Pokemon and make sure everyone’s playing nice?”
He blinks a few times before showing you a bit of an embarrassed smile. “M’kay, only if you promise to holler if you need help.”
“Promise.”
You borrow Milo’s paring knife while he takes out some flint for fire-making. Along with the roots you have mushrooms that you picked in the Dappled Grove and the berries that survived the trip from the Rolling Fields. You bring the root up to your nose and smell it, immediately jerking it away when you get a strong pungent, bitter smell.
“I can go find something else if you want-”
“Milo.”
He looks a little startled. “Y-yes?”
You see that the fire is growing and should be fine for cooking in due time. You point over to where the Pokemon are hanging out. “Go play.” Milo almost scrambles over to the group, and you smile a bit as they cheer and involve him into their activities. You can hear some giggling from behind you, likely his Eldegoss still perched on the tent.
Turning back to the ingredients in front of you, it’s likely the meal will have to be centered around the pungent root and mushrooms. The root will have to be peeled and well-grilled to begin tempering the bitterness, meaning you will likely grill the mushrooms as well. They would be okay together, but need a little more balancing… You sift through the berries in your bag until you find what you’re looking for: persim berries. Cooking this into the roux of the curry is bound will downplay the bitter elements of the root and allow the mushrooms to shine a bit more.
Grabbing a pot Milo brought with him, you head down to the lake. Milo looks like he’s about to say something to you, but the Pokemon tackle him for his attention. You fill it with water and return it to the fire, beginning prep work as it begins to boil. You put in the rice and eventually make the curry with persim paste. As all that cooks, you take a small break as everyone is making some noise and you see a bright light flash from the center of the group. Lotad was evolving, and you got to be the first to congratulate her as you hug your new Lombre. She seemed a lot more relaxed in this form, and looking around, it seemed like your Pokemon were training and tiring themselves out. You’ll have to check and see if they learned any new moves later.
Returning to the fire, you set up makeshift skewers so you can grill all the sliced mushrooms and root that you can. Once everything is done cooking you make plates for Milo and yourself by creating a bed of rice, scooping on the persim curry, and topping it all with the grilled root and mushrooms. Then you set out the rest for the Pokemon, calling everyone over to eat.
Milo and the Pokemon bound over enthusiastically to grab their helpings. Milo beams when you hand him his plate. In your periphery, you notice the Pancham acting shy again. “You didn’t come all this way just to look at others eat did you? Come, join your friends!” It seems like all she needed was permission because she bolted over immediately to eat with the rest of the Pokemon.“This is great!” Milo was shoveling in his dinner, he must have been hungrier than he let on. “I’ve never had such a well-considered meal while camping.”
You smiled at his compliment and took a bite yourself. The grilling helped bring out the sweet and savory elements while the curry had a balancing effect, to the point where you were actually enjoying the bitter profile of the pungent root. Not bad for making something out of completely foraged items!
If it wasn’t for everyone starting to quiet down because their mouths were full, you wouldn’t have heard the faint vibrating in your bag. You look over to Milo, who has his mouth full.
“I’m going to answer my phone, sorry if I take a while.”
He nods, clearly wanting to say something but instead focusing on chewing and swallowing his food as you slip towards your bag by the fire. You sit crossed-legged with your curry in your lap, and fish your phone from out of your pack. There’s a part of you that still wants to ignore it, but you imagine your tantrum has gone on long enough and it’s time to answer. You tentatively tap on your Rotom Phone and watch the video turned on.
It was Leon. This shocked you a bit since the number was from Sonia’s phone. He wasn’t looking at the phone but at something off camera, like he wasn’t really expecting you to pick up. Which, fair.
“Hi.”
You honestly have no idea what else to say.
There’s a couple seconds of pause as Leon’s eyes slowly move towards the screen and presumably to your face.
“Oh my god.” The way he says your name twists your heart with guilt. He looks a bit ragged, but as you look at his surroundings, you can see that he’s indoors somewhere. As he shifts to sit up, you can make out that he’s probably in a hotel room, flopped down in bed with the TV on in the background, some trainer’s battle statistics being read off. He’s in some casual clothes instead of his jersey, but still has on his trusty snapback. “You’re alive, thank Arceus. You’re alive.”
You close your eyes, already feeling a whirlwind of emotions.
“Leon, I-”“I’m sorry. I’m sorry! I’m so, so sorry. This was all my fault, please forgive me. Please. Please, I’m sorry.”
The distress in his voice almost startled you. The sincere desperation on his face is clear and unfiltered. A tremor spills through the palm holding your phone.
“No Leon, no. It was me. I’m the idiot here. I need to be the one apologizing.” Your nose sniffles, and the way your senses prickle tell you that tears will soon be on their way. You probably look miserable, and locking eyes with Leon is just making you feel like you’ve been acting like trash these past few days. “I’m so horrified at my behavior, and how I’ve acted. You must have been so worried.”
“I was, I thought, it would be all my fault if something happened to you.” From the sound of his voice, it sounds like Leon is beating you to the crying. “You didn’t answer, not even to yell at me, or tell me to leave you alone, so I couldn’t stop thinking of the worst.” Now come the tears, he doesn’t even pretend to hide them. This only prompted your own to run down your cheeks. “I can be such a bonehead, and insensitive to others, because I’m wrapped up in my own shit. And if you got hurt because I was being a jerk, I just don’t know what I would have done.”
The both of you trade apologies like this for a few more minutes through quiet sobbing. You’re sure the others could sense your emotion but you couldn’t bring yourself to look over.
“Leon, I promise, I’m okay. I only have a small injury and it’s healing well.”“…What? What happened?”
You recount your encounter with the Seismitoad. Leon cursed, and his golden eyes locked onto you fiercely. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
That sounded rather extra, but for some reason, you didn’t mind. You tried to smile through the ugly crying.
“I was lucky that I was saved by a kind stranger camping out in the Dappled Grove. He’s escorting me to Motostoke, I think I could be there by tomorrow.”
There’s an uncomfortable pause, though you’re not sure why it is.
“Do you… feel safe, you know, with him?” Leon looks dead serious.
“My chastity remains unspoiled, dear knight.”
Leon turns red but maintains his serious demeanor. “I hate that you’re still out there. Maybe if I leave now-”“No, Leon, don’t. I know you probably have important champion stuff to be doing. Don’t waste time on me because I’ve been acting like a brat.”
“Don’t say that about yourself. Well, at least, you’re not a waste of time to me.” He cracks a bit of a smirk for the first time this entire call. “Though yeah you’re a brat for all you’ve put me and Sonia through.”
“I deserve that.” Your hand rubs at your face, trying to clear away some of the tears. “I owe you both a big apology. Letting me camp with you all and then just running off like that.”
“Hey, all that matters is that you’re safe.”
Leon’s attention suddenly shifts away from the phone, and he beckons someone over. Sonia’s face squeezes into frame and she immediately starts crying, which makes you cry all over again too.
“We were so worried about you! God I was terrified thinking of you out there all by yourself.” She managed through her tears. “You’re grounded, under house arrest, in detention. I don’t want you missing ever again! This is what happens when I leave you with Leon.”
“H-hey, I was worried too!” The two bicker some, and you all begin to break down into soft giggles, sniffles, and hiccups.
“I promise not to do this ever again. If you all want to send me back to Postwick though, I don’t blame you, I deserve it.”
“Don’t say things like that. We promised to go on an adventure together remember?”
You smiled, remembering your time in Wedgehurst with Sonia.
“I-I want to come on the adventure too…” Leon was pouting.
“When I get to Motostoke, I owe you both apologies, and explanations.” You look down, dreading it but knowing it’s the right thing to do. “You both have been so kind, and are basically my anchor here.” A yawn escapes from your mouth. “I should be in Motostoke tomorrow, don’t worry about me if you both are busy with things.”
Sonia wrestles her phone from Leon’s grasp. “Just keep us updated, okay? We’re staying in the Budew Hotel, but if you make it in time, you can watch Hop and Gloria participate in the opening ceremony!”
Nodding, you tell yourself that tomorrow has to be a hustle so you can make it in time. “It’s a promise.”
You hear Leon mutter something off to the side which catches Sonia’s attention, making her snicker. “The Great Unbeatable Champion Leon has a request~” She deftly dodges a pillow being thrown at her from off-camera. “And really, me too, because I want him to leave my phone alone: can I pass along your number to Leon?”
It seems like not all of the of the calls and texts you got were from Sonia after all. You nod with a small smile. You’re glad that this seems mostly like water under the bridge, though you are still a bit embarrassed about how silly you’ve been acting.
Shifting a bit, you realize that you’ve barely touched your dinner. “Okay, I’m going to go. I can’t wait to see you two tomorrow!”
Leon nudged into the camera frame as they both gave their goodbyes, and soon the call was over. You couldn’t help but give one long exhale, trying to relieve all the tension you’ve been holding in your body. It wasn’t even seconds after you put your phone away that Wooloo, Yamper, and Pancham ran over and pressed into you.
“Aww you guys. Thank you.” You tried to hug them all at once, and saw Milo coming over, chuckling.
“Sorry, I tried to keep ‘em at bay to give you some space.” He extended his hand to help you up from the Pokemon pile that wiggled on top of you. His grip encircled yours, warm.
You picked up your plate of food and returned to the rest around the fire, sitting next to Milo. Your Wooloo nestled against your side as your other Pokemon began to huddle together for warmth and comfort.
“Apologies for taking so long, didn’t mean to ignore you.” You begin to eat your curry. “How’s dinner?”
“Amazin’, you have a good touch for cookin’! The Pokemon were very pleased.”
“And how about you?”
He blinks a few times. “I m-mean, of course I loved it…”It takes all your strength to not smirk or laugh, to not give away how you said that on purpose just to get a reaction from Milo. “I’m glad, I wanted you to feel how grateful I am that you’re as kind as you are.” You look over to him, and even though the only light is coming from the campfire, it’s not hard to see he’s blushing. “I’ve caused you trouble, and I just want to thank you for all that you’ve done for me.”
Milo stammers out some words that you can’t really understand, but you just smile and continue eating as he works through his awkwardness. Guy has to learn to take a compliment, you know?
“Y-you’re welcome though!!” He eventually spits out, desperately scooping at his empty plate trying to seem like he was concentrating on eating still. You hear the telltale giggling of his Pokemon around him. “You guys, s-stop!”
Cracking a smile, you collect all the dinnerware and head down to the lake to wash everything. The moon is covered by clouds, but some of its light shimmers on the surface of the water. The conversation with Sonia and Leon replays through your mind as you wipe off the remnants of dinner. It was surprising that they didn’t tell you off or make you to go home to Postwick. It showed that you were ready to give up when others believed in you. And you needed to see this through, mainly for your own personal growth, but also to respect the time and energy other put into you.
Returning to camp, you come to an almost domestic scene of all your Pokemon and Pancham just huddled in one cute heap and Milo nearby petting Wooloo with one hand while he checks his phone with the other. Sensing your emotions, your Rotom Phone zips out of your pocket and snaps a picture. The camera shutter sound and your subsequent scolding of Rotom alerts Milo to your presence.
“Thanks for takin’ care of the dishes! I feel spoiled.”
“Good.” You smile, hoping Milo doesn’t bring up the fact that your Rotom creeped on him, and set the plates and such into his tent. “Though I bet you’re ready for me to get out of your hair by now I’m sure.”
“Not at all.” He checks the time on his phone. “But if we’re gonna make it to Motostoke before the openin’ ceremony, we should probably hit the hay soon and get up early.” He stretched and yawned, with Wooloo whining a little from the loss of contact.
The both of you rustle around preparing for bed, Milo inside his tent and you rolling out your sleeping bag by the campfire. You’re about to douse the fire when Milo calls for your attention, his head poking out from his tent.
“You’re sleepin’ outside? Aren’t you chilly out here?” He sounds concerned, which makes you feel something all over.
“I imagine you want your tent back to yourself. Plus I got this big pile of Pokemon to keep me warm.” All of your Pokemon are out except for Vanillite, who returned to their Pokeball after no one wanted to cuddle with below freezing body temperatures, with Pancham taking their place. However you would be lying if a reason you decided to stay outside was out of respect for Milo’s relationship with Nessa.
Milo’s brow is furrowed and it seems like there’s a battle going on in his head. “Okay, only if you’re sure…” He pauses. “I really don’t mind i-if y-you…” His voice trails off and you take it as him trying to be polite.
“Don’t worry, you deserve a night off from babysitting me. I can handle this.” …you think.
He eventually accepts your answer, not one to push, and eventually wishes you good night before slipping back inside his tent. You douse the fire and crawl into your sleeping bag, and the Pokemon promptly huddle into the various nooks your body makes sleeping on your side. Turns out having cuddly Pokemon has its practical benefits too. Your eyes were about to close when you heard your phone buzz.
Rotom apologized noting the timing, but you see a text from an unfamiliar Galarian number, and upon opening the message realize it’s Leon.
Hi its Leon! Just texting you so you have my number
You smile, starting to feel a sense of normalcy after all the events in the Wild Area.
thanks~ looking forward to reuniting tomorrow <3
Moving to slip your phone back into a bag pocket, you pause when it vibrates again. You turn the screen towards you and see Leon has already replied. 
I can’t wait I don’t think I’ll be able to sit still until I see you with my own eyes
So much for ‘just’ texting you for saving his number. A part of you admits that you’re a little happy though.
definitely hustling over to Motostoke, planning on waking up early and everything! will you be busy doing things for the ceremony tomorrow?
Your eyes close for only a moment before you get another text from Leon.
Well yes I mean I am the Champion after all ;)
You snort at him capitalizing champion, stirring your Yamper from her sleep for a second before you pet her back into slumber.
Pardon me, your Highness. i come from a land without royalty
Pancham wiggles around in the space behind your knees before breathing out a satisfied sigh.
PLEASE don’t call me that lol sorry I keep forgetting you dont know much about sports
You roll your eyes a bit.
then do enlighten me, Mr. Unbeatable Champion Sir ;)
The screen lights up with an immediate “STOP” text from him, making you giggle. Wooloo bleats a soft noise of concern into your chest, and promptly goes back to sleep when nothing seems wrong.
Nooooo you’re killing me dooooont :( one thing I like about you is that you treat me like a normal human being not like the Champion
You’re not sure if you should read into that text or not.
But anyway I can sneak away whenever Charizard can show me to the city gates. So make sure to text me as you’re arriving and I can meet you!!!! :D
Looks like Charizard is going to be the one guiding you around Motostoke then. 
sounds like a plan! see you tomorrow then~
Leon wishes you a good night, and you finally tuck Rotom into your bag. Closing your eyes, you can’t help but think of how normal that felt. Being out in the Wild Area has really pushed you out of your element, a scary place in a strange region. You’ve never really camped before and now you’ve just spent three days in the wilderness. And now that’s you’re recovering from a near-death experience, it’s time to leave the Wild Area for the rest of your days.
Just as you were about to drift off, you heard the unzipping of Milo’s tent, followed by footsteps and the shuffling of some material against fabric. Your eyes open and head turns as the Pokemon resting against your body shift in response to what they are sensing. It’s almost pitch black, but the light from a Rotom Phone shows someone is lying a sleeping bag down near you.
“…Milo…?”
His silhouette pauses before continuing to slide into his sleeping bag.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake ya.”
You turn your body so you’re completely facing him. The Pokemon grumble when they are disturbed, and now congregate in-between Milo and yourself, with Wooloo shamelessly pressing into Milo’s chest.
“What are you doing out here?”
“It just didn’t feel right lettin’ you sleep out here all by yourself.”
You’re thankful for the cover of darkness, since you definitely have an embarrassed smile on your face.
“Oh, you don’t have to do this really, I got the Pokemon out here with me.”
“I can leave if it makes ya uncomfortable-”
“No!”
You say a little too quickly and loudly, enough to startle some of your Pokemon.
“I mean… I like that you’re here, and selfishly want you to stay, I just don’t want you inconveniencing yourself on my behalf even more than you already have… Arceus, I’m talking too much.”
You desperately wish you could read his expression through the dark, but you think you hear a light chuckle.
“I want to be here too. Sounds like everythin’s alright then.”
It feels like you should just fall asleep at that, but also, it seems like the right time to chat a little more.
“Looks like Wooloo’s happy. We might have to do joint custody at this rate.”
You can hear Wooloo’s wool being pet, and the Pokemon letting out a pleased sigh.
“He definitely would make all my other Wooloo jealous. I wonder if they’ll play well with him.”
“We’ll have to find out when I visit.”
There’s a few moments of silence, and you yawn a little.
“I’ll miss your company until then.”
Milo seems to shift around in his sleeping bag a bit in response to that.
“…r-really now? Sounds like you have good friends waitin’ for ya…”
You hum a bit as your eyes feel heavier. It’s true, you are about to re-enter the whirlwind that is Leon and Sonia. But there is something about this man in front of you that makes you feel a different way. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but that’s why you wish you could spend more time with him. 
“Yeah but I want to spend more time with you.” 
Your thoughts are getting a bit hazy and running into your words as physical and emotional exhaustion begin to overtake you. 
“You make me… feel different…”
If Milo responded, you’ve fallen too deep into sleep to hear it.
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asphalt-cocktail · 4 years
Text
For the Sake of Content- Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Pseudonym: Sugar
Summary: After walking in on your long-term boyfriend, Harrison, cheating on you and then losing your job the following day; your find yourself broke, jobless, and single for the first time in a long while. In order to make ends meet, your best friend since college, Freddie, suggests you start soliciting explicit photos of yourself, not only to help boost your confidence but to help pay the rent for his band mate’s apartment you just moved into.
A/N: Hello my lovelies! I’m so happy with the reception I've gotten with my fic! I’m really excited with what I have written out so far and I’m really happy seeing everyone enjoying what I have written, i have big plans for this little cutie. Not a lot is going to happen during these first few chapters other than establishing the foundation because it is a slow burn, but don’t worry, once we get there it’ll be like a fucking avalanche of chaos. My tag list is open, so if you are interested feel free to send me an ask! I will be reblogging with my taglist and links to the previous chapter, so please be patient with me!
Pairing: Roger Taylor x F!Reader
Warnings: Language, mentions of sex work, masturbation, some friendly banter between roger and reader, not proof read, short chapter but don’t worry it gets better.
Word Count: 1.7k
18+ if you are a minor do NOT interact with this post. This is fictitious content and I own nothing.
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It was your first night living with Roger and you were secretly thankful he was busy with a gig which allowed you to unpack your things in peace. He made it very clear that you were to stick your side of the apartment, i.e. your room, and not ruin the ‘aesthetic’ he had worked so hard for his apartment to have. It disappointed you to say the least, considering your only qualm with the apartment was the hideous wood paneling that made up the walls of the living room. It looked like a scene straight out of a 1970s porno.
The later it got the more you progressed in unpacking what little boxes you had and the closer it got to Roger coming home. You finished with what you decided would be the last box of the night and now laid in your bed, door closed, your colored LED lights dimly lighting your room a deep red color.
Your frowned going through your emails and reading rejection letter after rejection letter from the jobs you had applied for. You were thankful you were quite the penny pincher and were able to survive to for at least a month, but the dread still loomed over you like a dark cloud.
Your mind drifted to Freddie’s suggestion from earlier that week, “Try camming, love, it’s all the rage right now!” his loud voice echoed in your mind until you finally caved and grabbed your phone typing in your search engine how to be a camgirl.
Several articles popped up;
How to Become a Cam Girl
TIPS FOR BECOMING A CAM GIRL & HOW I DID IT
Camming on a Limited Budget?
You sighed, your eyes felt strained from reading article after article. You’d seen several reoccurring websites, the two most popular being Twitter, Snapchat, and some live stream sight called WatchMe. Skepticism filled your brain, why would people be so into buying nudes from people or watching them masturbate on camera when they could do it for free on some porn site?
The sense of intimacy that one got, anonymity, and personal interactions with some who was literally paid to be nice to you over ruled the financial aspect.
The financial aspect also caused you to throw what little shame you had left out the window and soon you found yourself impulsively signing up for all three sights starting first with WatchMe. You pursed your lips when you found yourself being prompted to enter your name, what the hell would you put? You certainly couldn’t put your real name, could you? No, you couldn’t. You found yourself smiling while entering Sugar into the name space.
The application process was surprisingly long and bureaucratic, but it was probably good they had you submit a picture of your license twice, once just on its own, and once next to your face just to confirm you were of legal age. The only downside was that it would be a three day wait for the information to be processed.
You scrolled through your imaged looking for some pictures or videos to put on your premium snapchat, but much to your dismay you found that you had a few vanilla nudes taken ages ago back when your and Harrison’s relationship was still young and romantic, but not much else. You reluctantly got out of bed and rummaged through your underwear drawer, picking through your cotton granny panties you wore when your period made you bloated and finally found a black lacy pair of panties that had a matching black lacy balconette bra that pushed your breasts together giving you the perfect amount of cleavage.
You put it on and stood in front of your full-length mirror, it had been ages since you’d last put on lingerie. It felt nice to put it on for yourself and not for someone else; you twisted in the mirror, observing how the lace delicately cupped your cheeks and hugged your hips perfectly. You chewed on your bottom lip and posed, kneeling in front of the mirror, your legs spread and your back arched to give your chest a little extra pop while you positioned your phone over your face and clicked a few pictures.
The red lighting in your room caused a complimentary glow against your skin, showering you in red light and somehow making your images look more erotic. You smiled a bit to yourself, you looked hot!
Our relationship is boring
The word hammered against your mind, causing you to frown and your brows to knit together in frustration.
You were NOT boring, did boring people take pictures of themselves to sell to other people? No.
You found yourself getting hot with frustration and strangely enough, arousal. You didn’t know if it was from how you were dressed working in tandem with the lighting or if it was your pent-up frustration from not having a proper orgasm in so long, but you soon found your hand traveling south while you remained kneeling in front of the mirror. Before you began you carefully positioned your phone, just enough to keep your face out of the picture and rubbed your thighs, leaving teasing touches around the band of your panties.
Your chest heaved with anticipation, you didn’t know why but the fact that you were being videotaped added a feeling of naughtiness to your actions. You gave your slit a teasing rub, your hips twitching at the sudden pressure before your fingers harshly rubbed yourself. The rough fabric of the lace adding an additional tingle to the pleasure that shot through you. You moaned, leaning back ever so slightly to angle yourself and rubbed yourself through your panties, strumming harshly at your clit.
“Ah, fuck.” You whined, reaching up with your free hand and kneading your breasts, pulling your bra down and allowing them to freely spill over. Your nipples reacted to the cold air and hardened almost immediately. You pinched and twisted at them while your fingers began to move faster and faster against your wet core before you decided you needed to fully touch yourself.
You stripped off your panties and spread yourself for the camera, allowing your glistening cunt to be on full display. You slipped your fingers between your folds and began to rub harsh circled around your clit, rolling your hips along with your motions and allowing unfiltered moans to fall from your lips. Roger wouldn’t be home for another few hours, but for some reason the idea that you may get caught enhanced the arousal you felt.
You dipped two fingers into your tight hole, letting out a high-pitched sigh and now feeling contently full. You pumped them in and out of your tight cunt, the slick sounds squelching as you pumped them in and out rapidly. Your stomach clenched when you brushed against that spot inside you and a knot in your tummy began to tighten, getting tighter and tighter each time you thrust your fingers into you. You used the heel of your hand to rub harshly against your clit, the slickness guiding you with ease “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” You whimpered out, rolling your hips against your hands.
The tightening knot in your stomach snapped and your body jerked while a wave of pleasure washed over you.
After you recovered, you sat up, did you just masturbate in front of a camera? You couldn’t help the smile that crept onto your face; it was like you had a dirty little secret of your own.
When you finally ventured out of your room you found Roger lounging in the living room “Wow, out of your room for once?” Roger asked, kicking his feet up on the coffee table.
“No company tonight?” You chimed, noting the absence of some bar floozy hanging off his shoulder, “Did your show go all right?”
Roger’s brows were tightly knit together, he was obviously tense over something and the long sigh he let out before answering you practically told the story; “No, it was complete garbage.” He mumbled, “The venue, not us.” He quickly followed with.
Right, of course Queen was perfect, but you decided to entertain the idea, inching closer into the living room, “What was so bad about the venue?”
It was as though he were waiting for someone to ask him that question, “The crowd was total shit, I know Freddie is damn good at interacting with the crowd, they were just,” He took a surprisingly aggressive drink from his beer bottle, rolling his eyes at the memory, “Stiff as hell,” He mumbled, “Then! That wasn’t even the worst part, on top of that the power cut out not once but three times!” He dramatically raised his arms in frustration, “I practically threw my set off the stage after the third time.” Roger scoffed. Despite your distance from him you could smell the combined stench of sweat, cigarettes, and alcohol that seemed to seep into his garish outfit.
You arched an eyebrow at him “You threw your kit off the stage?” your voice pitched in disbelief.
Roger shrugged “Yeah,” he was so nonchalant, “What about it?”   
“Well I guess you won’t be going back there anytime soon,” You mumbled, and Roger raised his bottle in agreement, “You know, I was thinking we could paint the walls a nice cream color.” You mentioned, lightly running your hands across the drab wood paneling.
Roger narrowed his eyes at you, “Paint over wood panel?” He scoffed, “It’s original finish, you can’t do that!”
You rolled your eyes dramatically, “I can tell it’s original, I can practically smell 1970 seeping out when it gets too hot in here.” You chastised, “Plus painting the walls a lighter color will brighten it up a bit, what the hell are you trying to live in, a cave?”
“Fine, you get to paint the accent wall and I’ll take the others.”
“I pay half the rent here too!” You constantly reminded him that he wasn’t the only one who lived here anymore.
Roger let out a frustrated sigh, “Fine you get two walls and I’ll get two. Have fun painting them Saffron Ivory of whatever boring color you decide on.”
Well, guess your civil conversation is over, you sighed, “At least it’ll look better,” You mumbled, turning back to face him "Shouldn't you shower, you filthy bastard" You scrunched your nose up at his pungent post show odor.
"Ah, fuck off," Roger muttered flicking you the V.
You flashed him a closed mouthed smile "Pleasant, as always." you sarcastically stated before you found yourself slinking back into your room. You truly had no idea how Freddie expected you to coexist with this man.
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darlinvandijk · 4 years
Text
M&G
Concept: request where we’re at a m&g and really nervous and when we finally have our turn he’s sweet and basically the perfect dream boy. Like usual dm and whatnot for a request and I’ll be happy to comply! (Sorry if this is long, I just really liked this idea lmao) Hope you enjoy :)
I rush around my room looking for my shoes, considering I’m already 10 mins late to meeting my friend Andrea at the venue. I finally find them and slip them on before sprinting down the stairs and running out of the house, in hopes that maybe I can rush through traffic a bit.
I get in the car and text my friend to let her know I’m finally taking off, before buckling in and putting on my concert playlist. I sing along and drive through traffic, getting more and more anxious about the fact that I’m meeting Ruel today. Some people might think I’m being dramatic, but honestly can you blame me? How am I supposed to talk to him without being completely awestruck, because boys like him just don’t exist in the real world. It has nothing to do with him being famous, it’s everything about him. He’s gorgeous, sweet, funny, talented, and basically everything a person could wish to be. So yeah I’m going to be intimidated when it comes to talking to someone that I truly admire as a person. Also it doesn’t help that he’s so fucking attractive, I can already tell I’m going to embarrass myself.
I pull up to the venue and park my car, before getting out and looking around for Andrea. I get my phone out to call her and see where she is in line, before I spot her frantically throwing her arms around to gain my attention. I let out a laugh and jog over to where she is, giving her a small hug before looking her over.
“You look so good holy shit” I laugh as I compliment Andrea, watching strike a couple poses to truly show off the outfit.
“Says you, honestly you know that I think you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever met, like I’ve told you multiple times that if you ever want to date a girl I’m open to it” Andrea says with a wink before nudging my arm playfully. I laugh and wink back at her, feeling happy to have such a good friend like her. We’ve been friends since we were kids, truly going through everything together, so we’re way past just being comfortable with each other, it’s just how our friendship works.
“I’m so nervous Andy, like what if I pass out or like what if I smell bad when I hug him.. oh god what if he just decides he hates me and doesn’t want to talk to me” I mumble anxiously as we start to head into the venue, finding our seats. She rolls her eyes before giving me the look that basically says I’m about to get lectured.
“I didn’t stay up watching a countdown to get us these front row seats with the vip m&g all for you to look like you’re about to have a stroke. Suck it up bitch because you smell great and he’s not going to hate you. The only person he hates is the person who stole the acne jumper” she states watching my reaction to see if I’ll take her advice and calm down. I nod my head and slouch against the front of the stage, knowing we still have time until the concert starts.
“Honestly who really knows like maybe he’ll even like you enough to ask for your number” she whispers wiggling her eyebrows, I roll my eyes. I mean the last guy that’s ever going to notice me is Ruel.
“Please Andy, like I doubt Ruel is gonna notice me and actually want anything to do with me. He’s famous and has millions of girls fawning after him, I’m just a fan. He’s gonna see me, give me a hug, talk to me, and then I’ll be thrown to the back of his mind as he meets all his other fans around the world. I’m just a fan.” I mumble with a sad smile, coming to terms with the fact that he meets thousands of fans and will never remember me the way I want him to. Andrea glares at me ands puts her hands on my shoulders and gives me a light shake.
“Girl if you don’t quit with this sad fucking attitude, like don’t make me smack some sense into you. You never know, we just gotta wait and see.” She says with a determined face, causing me to laugh at her stern attitude about this. I nod my head and give her a hug, thankful to have someone like her as my best friend.
A couple minutes later the lights go out, causing us to scream along with everyone else, because it was finally time for the concert. The drums kick in first, before the bass hits causing the ground to shake. I was filled with so much anticipation that I didn’t even notice I was holding my breath. Finally a blue light shines onto the stage as Ruel finally comes out, causing me to freeze in awe. I was staring at the man of my dreams as he runs out on stage and flashes a grin at the crowd. Andy grabs my hand and holds it in a death grip, completely starstruck that we were finally seeing our favorite person in concert. He sings his songs, dancing across all parts of the stage to make sure everyone has a moment during every song where he’s with them.
As the concert goes on, us singing our hearts out to every song, my favorite song finally starts to play. He goes around trying to touch as many of the hands grabbing at him. He slowly moves around the stage as he sings real thing, before finally walking directly in front of us. I stare up at him in complete adoration for the beautiful boy in front of me, who’s completely singing his heart out. Andy reaches her hand out and he gives it a firm squeeze causing her to let out a small sob, overwhelmed with everything going on. She pushes me forward, knowing I’d never throw my hand out to him, to shy to make a move like that.
As I get slightly thrown forward, my hand automatically shooting out for stability, it comes into contact with something. I freeze out of shock as I realize what I was holding onto was Ruels hand. I stare straight into He green eyes as he holds my hand, giving me a small grin as he sings. Fans are screaming around us as they realize he’s not just giving the small squeeze before moving on, since he’s still crouching down with my hand in his.
He belts out my favorite part of the song, towards the end of it where he just sings out in his raspy tone, causing my heart to practically stop. He gives my hand one last squeeze before standing up and slowly letting go, walking backwards slowly with a little smirk on his face, finishing off the song. Andy is literally shaking me and throwing me around, while I stand there in complete shock at what happened. He finishes the concert, continuously making eye contact with me throughout the last few songs, causing me to freeze up every time and send a small smile towards him.
“I love you all, thank you for coming out tonight. I can’t wait to meet some of you after this, hopefully I see all of you at the meet and greet” he says with so much love to the crowd, looking over to where Andy and I stand when he says all, causing me to blush instantly, even though there was no way he was talking about me.
Andy and I make it to the m&g line once we leave the concert hall, shaking with nerves from the surreal experience. We’ve barely even spoken since the concert ended, trying to soak it all in. Finally as we wait at the end of the line, not caring if we were last, she turns to me and grips my hands with pure mischief lighting up her eyes.
“Bitch you guys had a moment. Everyone saw it and he did it on purpose. Our Australian bitch had a connection with you” she all but shrieks into my ear. I roll my eyes and give her a light shove, knowing she was being her typical overdramatic self. We talk about the concert as the line slowly dwindles until it’s our turn. She gives me a slight shove to go in front of her as we make it to where Ruel is sitting on the black sofa, waiting for the last fans to come in, aka Andy and I.
He looks up with a slightly defeated look before a grin slowly appears on his face as he sees us. Andy lets out a cough, causing me to look at her seeing her smirking. I blush at my stupid friend, knowing the mischievous games she’s trying to play. Ruel stands up and gives Andy a nice big hug, before slowly turning to me and holding a hand out so that he could pull me closer from where I was standing at a distance away from them.
I shyly place my hand into his, hearing his chuckle at my obvious nerves for the situation. He pulls me into his arms, tightly wrapping them around my body, swaying us from side to side. Neither of us notice Andy pull out her phone to record the moment. He pulls away and looks down at me, giving me a soft smile as my face heats up, a matching blush on his face. He pulls the both of us to the couch, an arm around the both of us as we smile for pictures. Once we take our pictures he stands up and turns to us with a grin.
“So did you guys enjoy the concert? I was a little nervous about real thing, do you think it went well?” He questions genuinly before slowly giving a boyish smirk as he brings up real thing. I instantly blush knowing he recognized me from the moment we had.
“Fuck yeah, concert was great, and real thing was amazing. Honestly probably the best song you did, right?” She questions giving me a nudge as Ruel lets out a laugh and shakes his head with a smile.
“Yeah it was really good, you’re honestly so talented” I mumble out looking down, trying really hard to calm my nerves and shaking hands. Ruel bends down in front of us, reaching out and taking my hands into his.
“Hey don’t be getting all shy on me, I wanna see that pretty smile of yours” He says softly, as I look up to make eye contact, watching him look me over with a look I can’t figure out in his eyes. Andy lets out a light cough, watching us with a grin on her face, causing Ruel to let go of my hands and stand up.
We talk with him for another ten minutes, mainly Andy carrying the conversation with him, since I’m too shy
“Would you guys like to hangout on the bus? There’s no other fans left and I’d like to get to know you both” he asks with a cute smile, causing my heart to speed up. Before I can even reply Andy already starts walking forward towards the back exits, yelling about how she wants to play fifa. I let out a laugh following behind her with Ruel next to me, both of us walking at a leisurely pace.
“I uhm want to know if I can have your number? You’re really pretty and I just have a good feeling about you. It’d be a shame if I didn’t shoot my shot at least, yeah?” He asks giving me a little wink, causing me to ease up around him and nod my head.
“I always knew we were meant to be friends, thank god you have a thing for my best friend, now you can’t get rid of me either bitch” Andy all but cackles out, causing Ruel to laugh and roll his eyes knowing she’s definitely a wild friend.
We make it onto the bus and sit around with one of his friends and Coco, all getting to know each other and just really having a good time. As we talk I notice something touch my hand, I glance down in time to see him intertwine our fingers, giving my hand a soft squeeze. I look up and send him a smile, knowing my face was turning pink the more he looked at me.
“You’re honeslty so breathtaking” Ruel leaned over and whispered into my ear, instantly causing me to blush and freeze up, not expecting such a bold compliment. He notices my posture and lets out a quiet laugh, giving my hand a small squeeze as his thumb rubs the back of it.
“You’re quite bold now aren’t you” I whisper back, with a teasing grin on my face. Watching the smile that lights up his face, happy that I’m becoming more comfortable and less shy. He lets out a laugh and wraps his arm around my shoulder, our interlocked hands hanging and still entwined.
That’s how the rest of the night went, not so secretive hand holding, soft glances, whispered compliments, and the night sealed with a hug and new contacts on our phones, with the promise to see each other the next day. Who would have thought, besides Andy of course, that a m&g would change my life for the better like this.
Who would have thought that a few months later, the boy of my dreams would become my boyfriend, and love of my life.
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The Quarry
This piece is actually part of a larger fic I did a while ago (fic on AO3 is called Quarried Depths, which @kleeklutch helped with during the beta process), but I thought it capable of standing alone as a one-shot. It takes place between “2.3 Meet the Frogs” and “2.4 Hazeapalooza”, when Nursey and Dex... didn’t have the best relationship; this piece specifically takes place right after that scene where Nursey spilled the cereal and milk on Dex (and in this case, on Dex’s laptop as well). It also explores a bit of how Dex looks up to Ransom.
Warning: There’s a first-person depiction of an anxiety attack, as well as unintentional self-harm via scratching.
Anyways, hope y'all enjoy.
---   ---   ---
“There are eight d-men on this team,” I breathe through clenched teeth. “Eight. Coaches could have paired me with any of them. Instead, I have to. Put. Up. With. You.” I punctuate the last few words by prodding a trembling finger into his chest.
I don’t give a damn if Nurse gets the message or not, but a distant tendril of satisfaction blossoms within me when he flinches back. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that something crumples behind those dollar-green eyes of his.
Not bothering to wait for a further response, I turn back and continue on my way.
Nurse doesn’t bother following.
I don’t go back to my dorm. In all honesty, I don’t know where I’m going. I just need to be somewhere without people. Without judgement.
As my feet carry me on my way, the haze of rage begins to ebb and the thrumming gradually quiets. With that ebbing, my brain plays catch up and clarity is restored. With that clarity, two things hit me.
The first is the fact that I had wandered out of campus and into Samwell Park. Not only that, but judging by my vantage point and surroundings, I went past the dam and past any defined trail. I really am in a spot where I won’t be bothered, even with the university visible across the Pond’s surface.
The second thing that hits me is the full weight of what just happened. The possibility that my computer will not survive this. The fact that this fight between me and Nurse was probably the worst that has happened between us. The fact that this blow-up happened in front of the team and much of the school.
That weight settles into my stomach and pulls my insides down with it.
Did you really think you’d make it? He’s right. You don’t fit here. You don’t fit with them.
Did you see their faces? They hate you. And why shouldn’t they? You never say the right thing. They were just being nice before. They were being generous. And now you’ve really blown it.
My skin pulls taut and, as it tightens, it constricts my chest and sends a familiar damn itch all over. Shedding my backpack does nothing to ease that.
Now they are going to tell Hall and Murray. Now the coaches are going to kick you out. Then where are you going to be? Where’s your scholarship going to be? Gone. All that investment. All his investment for you. It’s all going to be gone. You’re going to lose a scholarship and a laptop. All within one semester.
Just because you have to be Billy the Blunder.    
Gasping for air and clawing at my arms, I finally collapse and curl in on myself to weather the storm.
Because that’s what you’re good at. Weathering.
It’s all you’re good at.  
I don’t know how long I lay where I fall. Could be seconds. Could be minutes. Could be hours.
Whatever the case, the storm finally ebbs, and as my breaths slow and even out, I unfurl and lift myself off the forest floor.
All things considered, it was probably one of my worst attacks. I don’t even have to look at my stinging arms to know that I’m going to have to keep my sleeves down for the next few days or so. Easier will be not showing my hands so that nobody can see the little bloody crescents gouged into them.
Just to be sure, I sit on a rock that juts out over the water and go through some of the breathing exercises taught to me. It doesn’t banish completely the tight feeling in my chest, but little by little it loosens things up.
As things loosen up, I take stock of the setting: The clear sunny day with just the a slightest cool breeze. The extreme clarity of the water suggesting that turnover hasn’t happened yet despite the time of the year. The shore terminating in a rocky drop-off with no bottom beyond.
It dimly occurs to me that this spot most likely was a quarry once.
Feeling back in control and getting a good gauge on my surroundings, I get an idea.
I place my laptop in a shaded location where I can see it, strip down to my underwear, use my clothes to make a nest around the computer, inhale a deep breath, and take a leaping dive off the rock.
The briskness of the water is like a sledgehammer to my lungs. It’s a familiar pressure, however, and not unwelcome. As my momentum slows, I release just enough air to allow for a steady descent. The cloud of shimmering bubbles clears to reveal a sight before me. Shafts of dappled light from the noonday sun dance around the pale surroundings and occasionally illuminate the blurry forms of various fish gliding and hovering around in the distance. Unlike the majority of the Pond, which is shallow enough to walk through for a hundred feet without the water reaching your neck, here I’m rendered tiny by the cliff-like wall plunging down to indiscernible depths.
If anything, and despite the very real danger it can pose, the incomprehensible nature of the environment that dwarfs me is a source of comfort. It doesn’t judge. It doesn’t spurn. It doesn’t give a flying fuck where I come from and who I am. It just is and offers a familiar presence that supports and embraces even as the mild protests of my lungs signal for me to kick back up to the surface. That embrace relaxes me in full, and the breath I take upon breaking the surface reinvigorates my body.
I should do this more often.  
As I swim around the surface, the sound of crunching leaves and snapping twigs breaks me out of that state of calm, and it gives me cause to press close to the edge and reach for a small rock. That is, until the crunching is accompanied by the grumbling of a familiar voice and the flash of a white cap.
“Over here.” I punctuate my call by lobbing the rock into a leaf pile in front of me and pushing off the rocky wall so that I can be seen.
Ransom jumps straight up and lets off a high-pitched yelp — city folk… — before he whips around, does a double-take, and finally focuses on me. After taking a few steadying breaths, he gingerly picks his way towards the edge of the rocky bank. I doubt those loafers, which probably cost as much as everything I had on half-an-hour ago, are made for going through anything rougher than cobblestones. “You’re fucking hard to find, you know that right?”
“Wasn’t planning on being found,” I counter. “How’d you get this far?”
“Left breakfast early, and I saw you stomping southbound along the Pond. Wasn’t too hard to follow your trail — if I had to ask some random witnesses that you passed — until the damn path withered away to nothing after I crossed the bridge by the waterfall,” he grumbles while looking around. “This really is the fucking Forbidden Forest.”
I can see how he may have that impression. The vegetation here’s likely secondary growth, but considering how well-established it is in general and how thick the trees are, it’s really old secondary growth. Perhaps old enough to be non-virgin primary growth. Don’t know the age of Samwell Pond, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s at least a century old. The quarry itself was probably abandoned long before it and the surrounding land was flooded when the dam was built.
“Anyways, took me a while, fuck you very much, but here you are.” He looks me up and down with raised eyebrows. “Didn’t expect this.”
I’m just glad that he didn’t find me while I was having the attack. Still, I scowl back. “What’s so strange? Students play in the Pond all the time, and last I checked the park has a ‘swim at your own risk’ rule.” Then I realize that the water’s clarity means that he can easily see my briefs as I keep afloat. “Also what I have on has nothing on the stuff, or lack thereof, idiots have worn around town.”
Ransom mulls that over and shrugs with a chuckle in acknowledgement. “I’m more meaning that it’s the middle of fall.”
“It’s a nice day.” Possibly the last nice day in a while if the forecast’s correct. “Isn’t Toronto supposed to be around the same temperature?”
He snorts. “You picture me going out for a Halloween plunge in Lake Ontario?”
To my own surprise, I bark out a small laugh. “Guess not.”
Satisfied with my swim, I climb out, shake myself off, and hop back onto the sun-warmed rock to lie down to bask and dry off. I don’t miss that Ransom’s staring at my arms and hands, which I keep balled up. While he thankfully doesn’t say anything specific, he still asks, “Are you going to be alright?”
I give a shrug of my own. “I’ve had worse.” Guess it’s already time to face the music. “So when do I need to clear out my locker?”
“Don’t be dramatic, Dex,” Ransom huffs while kicking his shoes off, plopping down on the ground next to my rock so that we’re eye level, and swinging his feet over the edge. “So you two got in a little tiff. Okay, a major tiff. Still, you should have seen some of the tirades Jack meted out. Especially at Bitty. They got pretty epic.” For good measure, he pops those last few syllables and kicks at the water to send it upwards into a sparkling arc.
“Sure, but I bet they weren’t regular. Let’s face it: there’s no way Nurse and I get along, the other D-men are already paired up, and the team clearly likes him more. Hell, I know I’m good on the ice, but I’m certainly not spectacular like you or Holster. So if I were in charge and had to trim things down,  I’d  bin me first.”
Ransom widens his eyes at my admission, and even I’m a bit surprised how easy it is to say that.
Maybe I really don’t belong here.
“Fuck,” Ransom breathes as he squints at me, “you’re serious aren’t you.”
I just shrug at that. “Don’t want pity, if that’s what you think.” I really don’t. I wouldn’t mind if people here actually managed to see things from my perspective, but there’s no point in being broken up about them not understanding.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to be a doormat if shit’s thrown my way.
Minutes of silence pass between us. Silence that Ransom breaks first: “Two weeks.”
“What?”
“Give your partnership with Nursey two more weeks.” He holds up his fingers for emphasis. “If you both truly think this pairing is a disaster, then I’ll talk to Jack and the coaches to see if we can work something out.”
That’s more than cutting it close if they think something can be worked out before the season really starts getting into the swing of it. I squint up at him. “You really think two weeks will make a difference?”
Ransom shrugs. “It might. Better chance than if we don’t try anything. And seriously…”
“Yeah?”
“You two fit together better than you think.” Ransom doesn’t acknowledge my scoffing but instead holds his hand out. “So do we have a deal?”
“That assumes he wants to stay partners with me.” The image of Nurse flinching back from me plays on repeat, and for some reason my stomach clenches at it.
“I’ll talk to him.”
Like it will do any convincing. Whatever, it’s two more weeks. “Don’t get your hopes up,” I mutter as I shake the offered hand.
Deal settled, the two of us continue staring out at the Pond and university itself in silence once more.
And once more, Ransom disrupts it.
“Dex?”
To my surprise, Ransom’s voice now sounds stilted and hesitant. When I look at him, his face is a neutral mask except for a clear twitching tension within his jaw. Considering the air of confidence he always shows in his casual banter and poise, the unease that he’s radiating makes me sit up and turn towards him. “Yeah? What’s the matter?”
“What did you mean when you told Nursey that he’s ‘given everything’?”
That’s what he’s so conflicted over? “What do you think I meant? Just because Nurse has been swaddled in luxury doesn’t give him the right to lord it over me.” As I’m talking, it dawns on me why Ransom was so apprehensive. “Wait, I don’t have a problem about you and the rest of the team being rich. I don’t have a problem with him being rich. If I hated rich people, I wouldn’t—”
Ransom holds his hand up to stop my rambling. It doesn’t escape my attention the massive exhale that he releases. “It’s okay. It’s o—“ The words die as his brows pinch together. “Wait, no, it’s not okay.”
The backtrack puts me at a loss. “What are you talking about?”
Ransom stares at me, opening and closing his mouth as if he’s ready to say something but holding back. Ultimately he shakes his head and looks away. “Nope. Nah. Not doing this.”
What. “What?”
“Even if I didn’t have a meeting later in the afternoon, I’m not putting myself through this. At least not right now.” I try to ask him to clarify, but he just continues: “Go to the library. Talk to someone willing to discuss with you. Except for Shitty; he’s smart and a great guy with great intentions, but…”
“No fucking kidding…” Nurse is obnoxious enough, but I don’t know what I’d do if Knight was a D-man I had to be paired with. I've been civil and deferential all this time, but I’m not going to go out of my way to be chummy with that lefty-than-thou blowhard.
Ransom must have heard my muttered statement, as he lets off another sigh and pinches the bridge of his nose. “See, it’s shit like that why the team… nevermind.” He shakes his head. “Look, all I’ll say is that Nursey probably didn’t think you were yelling at him for being rich, and remembering some of the stuff he talked about may help you figure out what I mean. Also there’s a term that I recently learned that might be useful to you: ‘Intent versus Impact’. If you think you got it figured out and want to make sure, then we can talk.”
“But you’re barely giving me anything to figure out!” It’s fucking ridiculous. Why should Nurse get any sympathy from me if I don’t even know what supposedly bothers him?
My protests are answered with a snort. “Like you’ve been forthcoming about yourself.”
Ransom’s disdainful scoff feels like a slap in the face, and I can’t help but reel back a bit.
He must notice my reaction, as his voice softens. “I don’t want you to think I’m unwilling to talk if there’s anything you need help with. But William?” Both the use of my first name and the plea in his voice makes me look up at him. Really look at him to see lines of worry etched into his face. “We’re a team. I’m not saying that you should bare your soul. But we can’t have your back if you shut us out.”
A stiff breeze makes me pull my knees up to my chest.
I don’t need anyone to have my back. I’ve already said what I’ve needed to say. No reason for anyone to go out of their way for me. I did alright before, and I’ll do alright now.
Still, I humor Ransom: “I’ll take that into consideration.”
His raised eyebrow makes it obvious that he doesn’t believe me, and he looks ready to call me out on it. Ultimately he just shakes his head before glancing at my clothing nest. “Anyways, I was just coming to check to see if your computer’s alright.”
At least that’s something straightforward I can talk about. “I need to wait for it to dry first. Then I’ll check if there are any issues.”
“Well, I hope there aren’t any…” That air of pensive awkward settles over him again.
This time, I huff, “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Ransom allows for another minute or so before speaking: “You can’t afford a replacement, can you.”
Is he just figuring that out? “Well technically, I have enough money to buy one…” Really don’t want to elaborate beyond that.
I don’t have to. Ransom wide-eyed stare and the sharp exhale tells me that he's read between the lines. I’m still baffled that he didn’t know, but I’m also beyond thankful that he’s not showering me with platitudes or falling over himself with guilt.
“If it’s truly busted, I’ll see if I can rally the guys to help you replace it.”
“I don’t need your charity,” I growl. I’m completely sincere when I say that I don’t mind that my teammates are rich. But like hell I’m going to let them pay their way into my good graces or buy themselves a pat on the back because they are oh-so-generous. And like hell I’ll let Nurse buy himself out of the mess he made.
Ransom sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose again. “Then don’t think of it like that. Think of it as a team expense to make sure that things run smoothly. After all, the last thing we need is for the loss of your computer to put your academics at risk, which would put your athletics at risk, which would disrupt team dynamics,” he notes while ticking off each stage of the scenario with his fingers and waving them in my face. “So it’s not just about you.”
Well, when he puts it like that, the last thing I need is to be a burden on the team.  And if they— fuck dammit, he’s good.
I take a deep breath. “If, and only if, anything needs to be replaced, it will probably just need to be a part and not a full replacement.” Not to mention that I would need to figure out how to repay them.
Hopefully it won’t come to that. It better not come to that.
For once, Ransom is satisfied with my response and relaxes fully to pipe, “Sure thing! Just let us know.”
“Also… do you think you can refrain from mentioning this spot? I’m not saying to keep it top secret, and I know it’s public land anyways.” Hell, for all I know, people come here all the time, and I just caught a lucky break today. “But it’s nice to have a quiet place, just in case.” Not to mention that the last thing I want is for this patch of forest and pond to become sullied by a kegster crowd.
For one reason or another, understanding dawns behind Ransom’s eyes even though he keeps his tone light. “I don’t think you have to worry about crowds of people here.” He scowls at the surrounding vegetation with suspicion. “But how about this: I’ll keep it on the lowdown if you help guide me back to civilization. Deal?”
“You do know that I practically came here by accident, right?”
He shrugs. “Even if you did, I trust you to find a way out. Faster than me for sure.”
I blink. I mean, I’m not exactly surprised at the assertion that’d I would be better at navigating a forest than most of my teammates. Haven’t made it secret that I hunt, after all. But that one trusts me to lead him out catches me off guard.
Once I get my bearings straight, I murmur, “Deal.”
Ransom flashes one of his trademark smiles and holds his fist out, and his smile widens when I bump it.  
He has a really nice smile.  
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paellaplease · 4 years
Text
Revali x OC. Unpublished, additional scene to Chapter 5
Hello everyone,
A big thanks to the OG readers and newcomers to my blog and my botw fic: Firebird. Love you all. I wrote this scene some time ago in 2019, around the time when there wasn’t even a clear Ch.3 yet. Unfortunately, it had to be omitted due to pacing and plot. 
Now you all get to read it, enjoy!
Warning: firebird spoilers under the cut. 
[Context: It’s time for a tour. Revali is flying, Maiya is on his back. They are high-up in the air, gliding with a full view of Rito Village next to them.]
  Squinting her eyes, Maiya could see the movement of the Rito and other travelers of Hyrule as they went about their business. Some seemed to be waving goodbye or closing shop, and she realised belatedly how late in the day it already was.
The Enchanter’s gaze flicked up to the sky above her. The sun hung low in the sky, painting the bright expanse in oranges, pinks and greys in one of the prettiest sunsets she’d seen in a while. The colours of the sky reflected off the crystalline lake surrounding Valoo’s Spire, painting it in the same way as if it were its own canvas. The sight made her want to sigh dreamily. It really was beautiful.
"Wow." She whispered.
"Yes, I know," Revali's voice broke through her thoughts, reminding her of exactly who she was with right now. "Witnessing my unmatched skill in flight is always sight to behold."
Maiya’s easy smile sunk faster than a faulty boat on an icy lake as she regarded the blue Rito beneath her. "Not you dummy, I'm talking about your village!"
“You said a bad word,” a high-pitched voice chirped next to her.
Maiya jumped, nearly slipping and plummeting to the ground below. “Holy crap!”
(Revali sighed, tired with her clumsiness, complained as he immediately tilted to resteady her. “Like trying to keep a sinking boat afloat.”)
“Look! Cree! She did it again. That’s three times now! I think...”
Maiya looked to her left. Following the sound of the voice, she was soon face to face with a bright yellow Rito child, her little wings beating rapidly at her sides like an excitable bumblebee.
“Oh, hello…,” Maiya scratched the back of her neck in confusion. Where did she come from?
The Enchanter wasn’t the best with children. Not that she hated them or didn’t like having them around, but more so that she wasn’t very used to it. Having grown up in a village primarily of a rotating cast of seniors and Gorons (the latter’s average lifespan outnumbering hers by generations) she always found herself as the youngest in most given situations.
“Uh. Were you flying there the whole ti-”
“Are you a witch?” The child blurted.
What?
“Also why do you only have one glove? Didja lose the other one? And why does it smell like burnt moose?”
What?!
“Inti!” Another voice piped, this time lower-pitched and a little nasally.
It was from another Rito child. He was just as small, peeking out shyly from behind his yellow feathered friend. Maiya guessed that this was probably ‘Cree’.
He was jet black in colour and slightly bald. New feathers sprouted from the top of his head, giving him an overall messy appearance. Like most Rito children, his eyes were round and wide, carrying a gleam of wariness as he peered at her. His irises were a startling blue, reminding her of someone familiar.
Cree let out a surprised chirp upon noticing that Maiya had spotted him, moving to hide behind Inti again. “P-papa said it’s r-rude to interrupt p-people…,” she heard him mumble.
“I wasn’ being rude, Cree!” Inti squawked. If there was a floor beneath them, she would have stamped her talons. “I was just asking a question. Also, why do ya keep following me?” The yellow Rito flew to the right, exasperated when Cree did the same.
“D-don’t you remember that s-scary s-story old Yieni told us?” 
Inti giggled. “You really believed him?”
Her snickers turned into a belly laugh as she somersaulted through the air. “He said that enchanters had snakes for hair and would turn naughty Rito children into frogs-
“-and then eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!” Cree finished, sounding horrified.
Maiya was speechless. Dear Hylia, what do I say to that?
Inti shook her head, “You know he’s just makin’ that up! Enchanters don’t really do that, right Revali?”
Maiya was surprised as Revali angled his head to look at her, dramatically narrowing his eyes as he made a show of assessing the Hylian for any ‘frog-magic capabilities’. She returned his scrutinizing gaze, resisting the urge to bare her teeth in challenge.
He smirked, “Oh they don’t, but this one definitely does.”
If her face didn’t feel like a furnace before, it definitely did now. “I absolutely do not!”
“By Valoo, look how red her face is! She’s just about ready to attack. Don’t worry, children. I, Revali: the most accomplished fighter of the Rito...’
More like the most god-awful and arrogant of the Rito.
“...cannot be beaten by weak magic such as hers.” With that, he struck a dramatic pose in the air, making Maiya yelp as she was jostled to the side.
The Hylian scowled, fists clenched. She was seconds from snapping back when a quiet laugh she hadn't heard before stopped her.
Cree's shoulders were shaking, trying and failing to hide the little snorts and giggles that escaped from his beak. He lifted his wings, adorably imitating Revali’s pose in the sky. 
So lost in his joy, he didn’t notice that he’d manage to detach himself from Inti’s side, moving closer to the two.
A gust of wind blew past them, reddening the tips of Maiya’s ears and softly caressing the ends of her messy bandana. Cold as it was up here, the breeze was mildly comforting. It swirled and whistled around them, seeming to disappear in an instant, taking her anger with Revali along with it.
It gave her an idea.
“I’ll prove it.”
Straightening her posture and anchoring herself to Revali with her dominant left hand, Maiya used her free arm to reach behind her head, picking out a few pins and untying the knot that held her bandana together.
The two young Ritos paused in their laughing to look at her, curious as to what she was doing.
After a few strong tugs the knot loosened, allowing her to yank it down to her neck and free the hair bundled up underneath. Everything fell messily over her face and shoulders. 
The wind chose this as a terrible time to pick up again, sending her uneven dark locks waving wildly in the open air. It was like a blanket of midnight or coal, a dark shroud contrasting against the lavender sky of twilight.
“Pfffft, okay I didn’t think that through,” Maiya said, batting a few locks away that managed to tangle and land in her mouth, “But see! No snakes.”
Worryingly, the group went quiet. After a moment, she began to wonder if her plan had backfired. Maiya bit her lip, smoothing her hair back, feeling dejected as it returned to waving chaotically above her like before. 
How dishevelled did she look right now? Was she weird? Scary?
Truly arsed it now, Maiya. This is what happens when you try to lighten the mood. Is the truth any better than the stories, anyway? Turning things to ash and burning anything that so much as startles you. The destruction at least was consistent.
Slightly disheartened, her gaze fell to both her hands. Her first few years in the forge were...tumultuous. She could recall the many times Teacher told her to stay away from the other smiths before she finally learned how to control her emotions and stifle the flames from the overreacting rune. Her left hand twitched at the memory, feeling prickly as if she was running her palm over sandpaper. A small hint of blue leaked from the glove’s burnt holes and scratches. “I…”
She looked up, about to dismiss her actions with a bad joke, when Inti reached out.
Maiya froze. A small wing gently brushed past a messy section of her hair, strands flowing over the young Rito’s feathers like a dark river over a field of rye. The little Rito gasped, marvelling at the way it twisted and turned in the wind. “It’s so soft,” she whispered. “And black like the nighttime!” 
The yellow Rito flew closer, careful to dodge a few rogue strands as she picked up more hair and laughed. “It’s pretty, just like your feathers, Cree!”
Her friend hung his head bashfully, secretly smiling from the compliment.
Maiya felt the knot in her chest unwind, slowly disappearing as she gazed fondly at the two young Ritos. These kids are too sweet. Brushing her hair away from her eyes, she felt slightly better as she turned her attention back to Revali, noticing that he was looking at her with an unreadable expression on his face.
“Believe me, now?” she teased.
Revali blinked, seeming to snap out of whatever trance he was in. Hilariously, the feathers surrounding his neck puffed up. 
Ha! Maiya chuckled, smoothing down the ones closest to her in pity. “Are you alright?”
He shook his head and narrowed his eyes at her, opening his beak to reply-
“INTI! CREE! WHERE ARE YOU?!”
The group flinched as a shrill voice echoed from the village below.
“Uh oh,” Inti said, “that’s my mom.”
Cree rushed back to the yellow Rito’s side, nudging her back towards the village in a panic. “We w-were supposed to b-be b-back ages ago!”
“Okay, okay! ‘M goin’!”
“Bye, Revali! Bye-uh…,”
“Maiya,” she supplied helpfully.
“Maiya!” Inti chirped. “I’ve never met an Enchanter before, but you’re nice!” She turned around then, letting Cree lead her back home. The two little Rito’s whizzed away, flying further and further till they were just black and yellow blobs in the distance. Maiya sighed, shaking her head.
She and Revali were alone in the sky once again. A comfortable minute of silence settled between them, only to be broken by the blue Rito letting out an obviously fake yawn. “It’s late. We should head back. I’ve already wasted enough time playing tour guide for you.”
“Technically you haven’t done anything, other than getting me up here.” Maiya huffed, pointing to the village below, “You haven’t even told me the names of most of these places, how am I supposed to know how to get to the blacksmiths tomorrow?”
Revali tsked, “Very well. I’ll give you the abridged version on the way to Swallow’s Roost.”
“Thanks. Also,” her voice darkened, taking on a cutting edge that she rarely used in most cases.
“What in Din’s Name was that? Diving off the ledge? Was it really necessary?”
*
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