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lady-of-the-lotus · 3 years

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The Undershirt

The Sleuth of the Ming Dynasty - Suitang - 2k - G - first kiss fluff - AO3!

..............

“Hand it over,” orders Sui Zhou.

Tang Fan pouts, a pout somewhere in between his “I’m hungry, feed me” face and “Dinner was an hour late, I almost died” face.

“I ran out of clean ones,” he says when Sui Zhou holds out his hand, “and I had to pack in a hurry—”

“I had only three rules. Rule one: Don’t mess up my house again—”

“Alright, alright,” Tang Fan says before Sui Zhou can lecture him. Leave it to Sui Zhou to take an inventory of his clothes as soon as he got home, all because Tang Fan had left his things just the tiniest bit mussed! “Take your stupid undershirt back; it’s too big on me anyway.”

Sui Zhou turns back to his cooking as Tang Fan slips halfway out of his robe, making a face as he removes the undershirt. Missing Sui Zhou, Tang Fan had pilfered the distinctive draped-neck garment from his things after he’d left on his ill-fated “business trip.” “Happy now, Sui-baihu?”

Sui Zhou glances up briefly from the soup, eyes flickering over Tang Fan. Sui Zhou’s handsome features are soft in the warm yellow candlelight and the orange glow of the stove. “Better.”

Tang Fan stands there with his robes draped around his waist, chest exposed, shyly holding the undershirt in front of him, watching Sui Zhou’s strong, sure hands as they slice vegetables and meat and then, once dinner is cooking, assemble the dessert, grinding the sesame seeds and working the delicate mixture.

A swell of fondness fills Tang Fan’s chest as Sui Zhou puts the finishing touches on the little sesame cakes, decorating each with a pink circle of honeyed flower petals.

"Aren't you going to put the undershirt back on?” Tang Fan asks as Sui Zhou puts the last petal in place. Most of the shyness has worn off as Sui Zhou tells him about how he developed the recipe, his deep voice low and soothing as it fills the cozy little kitchen.

"Later." Sui Zhou glances up, eyes flickering once again over Tang Fan's bare chest before returning to his work. Perhaps it's the warm glow of the candle, but Tang Fan imagines there's a hint of color in Sui Zhou's cheeks.

Too late it occurs to him that he should have at least put his robes back up over his arms and chest. Jiejie had driven it through his head that to wear robes without an undershirt was uncouth and a sure way to get the robes dirty, but…

"Do you still have your prison clothes? That was a good look." The question escapes Tang Fan before he can censor himself. "I mean—your uniform is good too—I mean, your normal undershirt is better than that prison one.” He dangles the undershirt from his fingertips, as if this question was just an extension of him returning Sui Zhou's undershirt. “I mean...”

Sui Zhou cranes his neck away slightly, as if trying to avoid looking at Tang Fan but probably only checking to make sure Dong'er isn't nearby to see Tang Fan in this state of undress. "Be careful with that. You're going to set the kitchen on fire again."

Grinning, and more at ease now that the conversation is back in familiar teasing territory, Tang Fan sidles closer to Sui Zhou, waving his shirt near where the mutton soup is bubbling on the fire. "Oh, that was on purpose. You know, to get you to free Dong'er—"

Sui Zhou gives him that look of his, the one that appears completely expressionless but in fact contains a half dozen emotions from all corners of the spectrum. "You set fire to my house on purpose?"

"Well—"

"What about the time you fell asleep with the candle beside your bed, and the time you tripped and fell holding the lamp—"

"Fine, it wasn't on purpose. But the bad food was! I can cook, if I wanted to—”

"You can't cook."

Tang Fan inches closer. He's not quite sure why. "You could teach me."

Sui Zhou frowns slightly. "You step foot in my kitchen without me here, and you sleep outside with the sheep."

Tang Fan wrinkles his nose. "The sheep has a name ."

"Li Qing?"

Tang Fan almost drops the undershirt on the stove. "How did you—”

Sui Zhou turns away again as if to hide a grin. Li Qing is the main character of Tang Fan's magnum opus, My Sexy Lady .

"You didn't read it!" Tang Fan leans forward in consternation. He's not sure why he's so thrown. It's a brilliantly-written work, like all of his books, but somehow to have Sui Zhou privy to—to all that — "Wang Zhi told you or something—wait till I get my hands on him!"

Sui Zhou is definitely holding back a grin. "I liked the part where the ‘sexy lady’ sets fire to Shi Yang's house after she thinks he stole her necklace."

"That never happened! She never did anything half so crazy!”

Sui Zhou is no longer holding back his smile. "Maybe in the sequel, My Sexy Wife."

Tang Fan laughs out loud. People who don't know Sui Zhou think he's stiff and cold and completely humorless, but Tang Fan knows better. It's subtle, but Sui Zhou's sense of humor and appreciation of the outlandish is definitely there. If it weren't, Tang Fan doesn't think he would get along with him as well as he does.

Which, when he stops to think of it, is rather odd. His getting along with him so well, not the sense of humor. Despite having lived in the capital for years, and having many acquaintances, Tang Fan has few close friends. As he knows he’s a delight to be around, never complaining and generously standing people meals, he can only assume it’s a failing in other people.

A failing that Sui Zhou evidently doesn’t have, to appreciate Tang Fan’s virtues, both hidden and overt.

It’s not that Tang Fan annoys people. That can’t possibly be it, no matter what Jiejie says. But he can’t deny that not everyone appreciates him, and that hurts, sometimes.

A sudden thought, and Tang Fan abruptly stops laughing. Why did Sui Zhou pick that example? Surely it was just a joke after what they'd been talking about—he knows it is—but of all characters to pick—

Tang Fan had based a lot of Li Qing on himself. Like him, she's a beautiful genius often put-upon by those who fail to appreciate her properly, driven to do the right thing at whatever costs, someone who appreciates fine food and faces the world with a smile no matter how she's feeling.

No. Sui Zhou is just teasing him, as usual. That's it. He probably hadn't even finished the book...

He wants to ask Sui Zhou if he liked the book, but despite it being his best-selling work, he’s hesitant to ask. Sui Zhou is nothing if not honest, and what if he didn’t truly like it?

Tang Fan resolves to start work on a sequel that night. Perhaps Shi Yang could enter the imperial guards and, together with Li Qing, solve a series of increasingly exciting mysteries that pit them against the world. Back to back, they’ll chase justice and stand strong against the winds of—

“Here.” Sui Zhou slides the plate of sesame cakes towards him. “For coming to get me.”

Tang Fan grins. “You mean rescuing you.”

Sui Zhou turns back to the soup. "Just eat them."

Tang Fan inches even closer, more to annoy Sui Zhou than anything else, he thinks. "Go on, say it. I rescued you."

"Keep this up, and you're getting kicked out of my kitchen."

" Your kitchen? Why is it—oh, right. It's your house." Tang Fan looks down at the sesame cakes. It's almost a shame to eat them, they’re so beautifully decorated. "Am I allowed to eat them before dinner, or are you going to get all sulky?"

Sui Zhou gives Tang Fan a look as if to say, I'm not the childish one here, and reaches for a sesame cake just as Tang Fan does. Their fingers brush, and tingling current runs up Tang Fan's arm. Startled, he jerks away, dropping Sui Zhou's undershirt on the stove.

Spattered in mutton grease, it erupts in a column of flame.

"Augh!" Panicking, Tang Fan drops the shirt in the soup. “Put it out! Put it out!”

Sui Zhou snatches the shirt out of the soup and drops it in a pot of water. "What did I just tell you about setting my house on fire?"

Smiling weakly, Tang Fan begins sidling in the opposite direction as Sui Zhou comes closer. "You startled me! You grabbed at me just as I was trying to eat, I haven't eaten all day, I was hungry, you forced me to take a cake—"

He bumps up against the wall. Sui Zou leans over him, one arm framing him, his face a mix of exasperation and—and fondness, Tang Fan wants to believe, though it’s hard to when there's a charred, soup-soaked undershirt not five feet away.

"It wasn't my fault I burned your shirt!" Tang Fan continues bravely. Whining has always worked on Old Pei and Jiejie, though he still hasn’t quite learned the exact point Jiejie’s indulgence tips over into slapping-him-across-the-face territory, hence all the slapping. "Tired after weeks of traveling, traveling across half the empire to rescue you, if you recall, weeks of seasickness and danger and unpadded saddles and not being able to finish my rice noodles in the one good restaurant between here and I thought you were dead at one point, and that was almost as bad as the noo—"

Sui Zhou bends forward and kisses him.

Tang Fan goes rigid.

Did—did Sui Zhou just—

Sui Zhou kisses him again, as if to clear up any doubts.

"Well, that's one way to stop you from talking," he says.

Tang Fan's heart is beating like a war drum, but strangely enough it's not from nerves. There's a smile on Sui Zhou's lips (rather full lips, he notices. Until now he's been too distracted by his arms and shoulders and—well—all the rest of him, most likely), and there's definite fondness in his eyes.

"I once talked through an acupuncture session for a sore tooth," Tang Fan says boastingly, more to calm his nerves than anything else.

He’s never been kissed before. Or rather, being a man, perhaps it was more appropriate to say he’d never kissed anyone before.

He’d always changed the subject when Old Pei brought it up. The local girls had never interested him, and he’d never though there were other— options—

"You can ask him at dinner,” he blusters on, pulse fluttering. “I was probably able to give him some good tips and pointers, I once read a book on acupuncture that—"

Sui Zhou shuts him up again, cupping his face in his hand. It smells of honey and spice, the callused palm somehow soft against Tang Fan's cheek, his long fingers curling around the back of his neck as he kisses him.

Tang Fan is suddenly very aware that he's half-naked, but it's somehow nice being around Sui Zhou like that, not uncomfortable as he's sometimes felt in the past around others. Natural, despite his first-time nerves.

He suddenly realizes that Sui Zhou is looking down at him as if waiting for him to say or do something.

"Am I allowed to speak again?" Tang Fan asks.

Sui Zhou half-smiles. "Nothing could stop you from talking for very long."

"I want another one of your undershirts, but a black one this time. I saw one tucked away in the chest, but Dong'er said it wouldn’t match my robes, though what does she know? I want the black undershirt, and—"

"Black to hide any future char?"

"This was an accident! You startled me!"

"The one you were wearing today is mostly black now, after you set it on fi—"

Tang Fan kisses him.

"You're right," he says, grinning at Sui Zhou, who seems to have forgotten how to speak. "That does work."

AO3

#suitang #the sleuth of the ming dynasty #tsomd #tang fan #sui zhou #tangzhou #katie sleuth of the ming dynasty lotus

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forever-halone · 3 years

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VII. speculate

“...oh. Hmm. I haven’t thought about it in awhile. Not that I don’t like a good book— I like any story someone has to tell. It’s just I haven’t had the time to sit down and take one in. I’ve been busy and you sort of have to have the mind for it, right? It’s far different than listenin’ to someone sing a tale or tell you what they saw. And to be honest, after all these reports I’ve gotta get myself through, it’s difficult findin’ myself wantin’ to read some more.

I was a luckier child than most to grow up with access to a library and those willin’ to— remind me of my letters, I think. But my favorite book in that whole place was this little thin thing: had a brown cover with lil’ lovely yellow trimmin’ on the borders and the spine. It made it stand out when it was set on the shelf, and likely why I picked it out in the first place. But you had to be careful with it, I remember the second page bein’ real fragile for some reason. You had to be sure not to tear it.

It was a story about a girl and her dog in some far off village set in... augh, I think it was someplace between Thanalan and the Black Shroud? One of the charmin’ bits was it was set out on the border in the middle of seemingly nowhere, so whenever someone visited it was always an adventure. Near the end of the book she started havin’ feelings for the merchant’s son, which was endearin’, but there was a cliff hanger in the end ‘cause her best friend— the, uh, the dog— went missin’. I was devastated, ‘cause the library didn’t have the sequel. Which made sense, it wasn’t a library meant for keepin’ tales like that, it held more important things, but not knowin’ what happened to the dog ate at me, and I wouldn’t stop thinkin’ about it some nights.

In times like that you just got to make things up, right? I figure in the end, she’d find her dog waitin’ for her by the creek where she first met the merchant’s son and realize that chasin’ her dreams is a worthy pursuit after all. She’d go off and marry him, move into the city like she wanted to and get another dog to give her friend some more company in her old age, and get all the dresses she’d find herself wantin’ when she saw all the other ladies. She’d meet her father, too, I think it was. Or somethin’. I don’t know, that detail wasn’t really brought up again, I don’t know where the author was goin’ with that. Not that they need to, I guess.

...the title? Oh, no... I don’t remember... let me think...”

#ffxivwrite2021 #iggy's characters goes and rambles for several paragraphs... round 2!!!!!!!!!!!!#farid will gladly talk about a thing he likes for 3+ minutes regardless of how much he knows about it thank you so much #farid griffinrider

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fakeloveaskblog · 3 years

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Yay lasertag!!! Janus you should totally go visit Remus on the weekend and hang out! Also, maybe invite Remy too, if they wanna come. Then (specially if they don't show) you can plan with them both to maybe go on another hangout with Remus but to somewhere you like and let Remy tag along for the ride if they wanna while u're at it.

(Words: 3153 words)

Janus: "Ah yes! I will let you know that after hanging out with Remus I managed to use my incredible totally very good texting skills to ask the Rems if they wanted to go to an art museum and they both for some reaosn, maybe they are being blackmailed, said yes! I hope it will go g-"

He cut himself off as he saw the two Rems come towards him. He had been waiting outside the museum. (Honestly half the reason he had choosen it was because he knew Remus liked art)

Remus waved at him while grinning. He had on sweatpants, a way too large t-shirt and a necklace made out of animal bones. Remy had their arm swung around him. Even though they had sunglasses on their eyebags were still visible.

“Aight gamers! Are we ready to do an epic art heist!! I got my sunglasses ready!” Remus exclaimed. He didn’t, he was planning on stealing Remy’s sunglasses.

“Partner you’re forgetting that we must first observe the security measures of the museum before we can even start to plan the heist” Janus replied.

“Oh!!! That’s what we’re doing today isn’t it??”

“Correct partner!”

“Babes I dunno why you gotta steal art when I’m standing right here” Remy added while posing.

“Good point. Good point”

Janus had on a yellow bowtie he’d gotten from Logan, a loose purple shirt and black dress pants. People had to look fancy when they went to museums right? Remy had a skirt short enough to fool god and their boyfriend’s hoodie on (it looked oversized on them but with how skinny they were Everything looked oversized on them).

As soon as they got in Remus started to bounce up and down as he looked at the posters showing all the different exhibitions. There was a modern art one, classical and one smaller exhibition for specifically mosaic works.

“So whatcha you wanna look at Snakey?” Remus asked.

Janus was caught of guard “Why are you asking me?”

“Well you chose how we would hang out. C’mon you deserve to choose this too”

He looked over to Remy who shrugged “Uhm okay. Well. The classical paintings would proably give us the most money on the black market so lets look at those”

“Yay!”

Remus quickly took on his noise canceling headphones and a chew necklace before doing thumbs up. He firmly took Janus’ hand in his. He sent him a soft smile which made Jan’s heart spin before dashing of with him into the exhibition.

A few big paintings from the renaissance hung on the wall. Remy came a little later since with the cane they walked pretty slow. Remus eyed the paintings from a distance before squinting at them up close. He flapped the hand he was hoding Janus with around.

"Oh!!! This is so cool!!!! This is from the renaissance but it's not using the chiaro oscuro technique like everyone did 'cause Da Vinci would eat their newborn if they didnt!”

"Is that why it's looking flatter than me?" Remy asked.

“YEah!! Augh I love the renaissance!!! Mostly because they were dissecting bodies so much!! sometimes for the sole purpose of drawing anatomy better!! I wanna do that! Or watch someone do that! Getting to see one of those old classrooms where they dissected corpses would be so awesome!”

“Huh good way to get rid of bodies. Great time for serial killers” Janus commented.

He let out a dreamy sigh “It truly was. They’re doing serial killers dirty nowadays”

They went through some more rooms of renaissance paintings. Janus made sure to hold Remus back a bit so Remy could keep up with them. The duke kept rambling about different shading techniques.

They stepped into another room and the style changed. Remus continued to flap his hand nonetheless. Janus was definitely going to have pain in his wrist tomorrow. It was worth it if he could hold his hand though.

Remy leaned their elbow on top of Janus’ head “This is like the baroque time right?”

“YEah!” Remus’ eyes went huge “Bean you didn’t tell me you were into art history??! Do you know about Ruben too?? I like how he paints butts!”

“What? Nah. I just- I can like see it on the clothes in the paintings. Can’t you?”

“Do I look like a time traveling fashiong guru” Janus replied sarcastically “That is honestly impressive”

Remy sunk in on themself and a hint of red appeared on their cheeks “No. Nah. I’m like a total airhead! Completel idiot! hehe I’m like tots sure everyone knows this stuff. Y’all are just bad at fashion. I uh anyway Rem you were gonna rant?”

“I was?”

“Yeah!”

“Oh....Okay!!” He looked around the room before getting caught on a small painting in the corner. He dashed over to it “HANds!”

The painting depicted 2 bloody hands over a table. They were holding onto each other. the red stuck out against the dark background. It was hard to see if they were supposed to belong to two people who were fighting or in love.

Remus looked down at Janus’ hand while playing with his fingers “I think my favorite body part are hands” He mumbled “I mean they’re horseshit to draw but they can do so much”

Janus looked away from the painting as well. He let his crush do whatever he wanted with his hand as long as he kept holding it. the way he held him so lightly but kept rubbing his thumb up and down his skin made him melt.

“Yeah they can do a lot of fucked up shit” Remy butted in. Jan nearly jumped. He’d completely lost himself in adoring his crush.

“Well hands can also be used to give snakes small berries! And to make coffee!”

“Girl I wasn’t starting an argument. But you sure did won it!”

Remus was staring down into the floor as he said “When I become a cannibal I would wanna try eating human fingers first. I’m sure they would be tasty”

“Why was there a when in there?” Jan asked in a small amount of terror.

“Oh yeah babe totally. I will like actually eat a dick” Remy agreed.

“Why is there a will in there? What kind of time tenses are you people on?? Does english grammar mean nothing to you heathens!?”

Remy got a smug look on their face. They poked their finger right into Janus’ chest “C’mon say what you will eat when you become a cannibal”

“Yeah Snakey” Remus squished his cheeks “Say it! Say it! Say it!”

The two of them kept going on while Janus looked like a sour lemon until he finally caved in.

“Fine. I would either eat the stomach or....the buttocks since they would have the most fat and sustain me the longest”

The Rems looked at each other before bursting out into laughter. “He said butT!” Remus cackled out. The other Rem nodded along and pretended to wipe away a tear from laughter.

“Aight babe let’s put the guy out of his misery”

They motioned for Remus to go ahead. He happily skipped into the next room and grabbed Jan’s hand to take him with him. The snake couldn’t help but notice how Remy stayed behind for a monent.

“Oh cool!! We’re onto impressionism! The first real art style!” He sighed “From impressionism to cartoon furries. How magical the journey of art is”

(Jan who had a scaley phase in high school chose to not reply)

“I love the music as well. Crazy lads. My favorite lad?” Remus snickered “De bussy!!”

“That’s my porn name” Remy instantly replied, coming up behind them. “Hey that paint lady kinda like looks like Terra” They pointed at a painting.

“....Hey YEaH! I guess my art is timeless!”

Janus looked between them “who’s Terra?”

“Well girl” Remy playfully ruffled Remus’ hair “She’s just Rem’s tots cool like cartoon character. She’s like all over his sketchbook. Makes it look kinda straight if you ask me but she does have like a very cool design so I get it!”

“Oh......Yes...Sounds very....cool”

The group kept going around looking at art. While it felt like lead was filling Janus’ chest. He’d never heard about Terra. He’d never seen his sketchbook. Meaning they had spent time with each other without him.

He pierced his nails into his palms to stop the thoughts. He refused to be some jealous person who didn’t allow his friends to hang out without him.....Still he wish he could have seen the drawings as well....seen them smile together...heard their shared laughter....

Oh. Oh what if they thought he was annoying. What if they preferred being without him. What if he’d forced them to come here today. What if-

“Hey snakey wanna look at the modern art as well?” Remus interrupted.

“What?”

Without realizing they’d gone through all of the classic art. Now they were in the last room with not much more than a giant painting the size of one of the walls and a bench.

“That sounds horrid!”

“Yay!”

Remus quickly continued of into the next exhibition. Janus still had the taste of lead filling his throat as he went to follow. Until he realized Remy wasn’t there. He turned around and saw them sitting on the bench in front of the painting. They were leaning their arms on their cane.

“It would probably give us a lot on the black market” Jan said while sitting down beside them.

“Mhm. It’s pretty. I just like wanted to look at it some more” They lied.

“Understandable”

The painting was pretty much a big flower field with a summer sky shining down on it. Janus noticed how Remy forced deep breathes through their gritted teeth. Their brows were furrowed and their hands kept shaking.

“Are you alright?”

“Of course!”

“I have some painkillers with me. Would that help agains the pain you’re totally not in?”

They glanced over to him “Girl what you doing walking around with painkillers?”

He looked at them with the most deadpan expression “Remy I’m overweight. You can not phantom how often I get knee pain" He took out a pill and held it out to them "Here"

"There's really like no need! I can like handle it"

Even more deadpan "You shouldn’t have to ‘handle it’. It's 1 painkiller dear. I'm not exactly becoming a saint because of this"

They hesitantly took it "Thanks"

He did fingerguns "No problemo"

They stayed sitting for a bit so the pill could kick in. Jan shuly glanced over to admire them every now and then. Remy kept looking down into the floor while picking at their skin.

“I’m sorry” They said it in a much quieter voice than their usual high pitched one “I tried to do everything right so I wouldn’t ruin everything. I even went to bed early so I wouldn’t get tired....I...I really looked forward to getting to be with you two”

Janus heart beat faster. He pulled himself together to comfort them “You haven’t ruined a thing”

They hid their face in their hands “I’ve been tired and out of it all day. I keep like slowing you down. Don’t think I haven’t like noticed how much you have to hold Rem back from going faster! I’ve just been making this all much worse than it should have been”

“Well you’re here aren’t you? I for one appreciate you simply being here. You don’t have to do anything to make me appreciate you, don’t even have to talk. I hope you know that”

“....really?”

“Oh no darling I totally expect you to win the nobel prize while in a kind of pain I can’t even imagine being in on a daily basis”

Remy chuckled “Thanks”

“There’s really no need for that. I am at any and all times doing the absolute minimum to be counted as a decent human being”

“Sure snakey-babey” They had a soft smile on their face.

They moved to hug him. Their arms wrapped around his back and they muffled their head right between his man titties. Janus sat still for a few seconds, too flustered to think before moving his arms around them as well. A hand on the back of their head, another on their lower back. Their skin felt so cold against his.

Remy closed their eyes and let themself calm down. They could feel Janus’ breathing against their hair.

“I think my fav like human part is the chest” They mumbled out “‘Cause I can hear the heart beat. It reminds me I’m- we’re still like alive”

“Like a bloody biological seashell”

“Exactly” They pressed themself closer. “I like being with you” It was nothing more than a whisper, like it was a secret “When you’re here I feel a bit less like a rotting corpse”

Janus held onto them harder “Well I-I try my best”

“I know babe”

His heart was beating out of his chest. The people around them must think they were a couple. He closed his eyes and focused on Remy’s touch, on Picani’s words from their last session. He managed to push enough of the shame away and focus on the happy butterflies in his stomach instead.

Remy moved away. The moment broke.

“We should probs go find Rem before he starts like eating the art”

“haha yeah” Janus did thumbs up but kept sitting. He’d gone full idiot.

It wasn’t until he saw Remy straining to stand up even with the cane his brain kicked back in.

“Is there some way I could help?”

They didn’t answer. But they did lean their arm around his shoulder to let him carry some of their weight. They slowly but surely made their way to the modern art exhibition.

Remus was sitting crosslegged in front of a weird statue, he was doodling in his sketchbook but shone up into a smile when he saw them.

“There you are! I was starting to think that either the zombie apocalypse had started or you were making out somehwere”

“Oh yeah babe. Full tounge” Remy joked back. Jan let out an inhumane noise.

He closed his sketchbook “I think we’re done here. You’re looking tired beanie. We can come back some other day”

Remy held back the urge to lie that they were fine. Instead they weakly nodded.

The gang left the museum. Right beside it was an ice cream shop. Remus got 3 scoops of a worryingly weird mix of flavors. Janus got 1 scoop of lemon. Remy didn’t feel like eating.

They sat down on a couple of benches right outside. Remy laid down with their head leaned onto Remus’ thigh. He chewed his ice cream while calmly moving his hand up and down their back.

Soon enough they were deep asleep. Janus quickly laid his jacket over their legs. He didn’t want to accidentally see anything under their skirt without their consent.

Remus stared at him like a blood sucking eagle while smiling “Soooo now when beanie is in dream land.......Do” He stopped to giggle “Janny. Janny. Do. Do you like someooooonnneee??”

Janus just blinked at him for half a minute. This was too much. This whole day was too much. He was a wreck. His crush was asking him THis?! While his other crush was laying in his crush’s lap?!?

“Why- Why- What- Who are you working for?! The fucking FBI??? Are they after me?” He desperately tried to joke it away.

“No. No. But seriously JanJan!” He wiggled his shoulders around in a stimmy way “Do you happen to like anyone with a name that starts on R????”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Janus kept glancing between his two crushes while his blushing could be seen out into space. He wanted to lie but his mouth wouldn’t move.

Remus leaned closer and whispered “You’re into Remy right?”

He nodded. A breathe of relief went through him. At least Remus didn’t know he liked him.

“OH I KNEW IT!” Remus yelled out in excitement while flapping his hands.

“Shh! Shh!” Janus scrambled to cover his mouth as Remy stirred for a moment. “Shhhh!” They cuddled closer to their friend and fell back asleep.

“I knew it!” He giggled “Or I mean Remy knew. They told me they thought you were into them”

“WHAT?!”

Now it was Remus that covered his mouth. He was full on cackling “Yeah! They said it was really obvious! But good for you snakey! I’m sure if you murder their boyfriend you can get them in no time! Or you can become a fab homewrecker!! I can help you buy a nice sexy dress and all!!”

Janus paled in terror “How- In- What- In what way did they say it was obvious?”

“Oh y’know-”

The notif on his phone went off. He checked and his eyes went wide. He carefully moved Remy’s head onto the bench before standing up.

“Sorry snakey! Ro needs super duper emergency help! Gotta go!! See you later! Don’t die!”

Remus left him just like that. Right after dropping THAT bomb on him. Janus sat unmoving. His mouth was slightly agape in shock. His thoughts were runnig around screaming nonstop.

He sat like that for over 20 minutes until Remy let out a yawn and slowly woke up. They took off their sunglasses to rub their eyes. Just seeing their vibrantly green eyes made Janus panic even more.

“Did Rem disintegrate?” Their voice was hoarse from sleepyness. Janus pinched himself to hold back the uhm feelings.

“He- he uh he went he went he sure did went yeah”

“....Cool!”

They stretched their joints, they all cracked. They looked to Janus and moved closer. He couldn’t breathe. They knew. They knew. They knew.

“Girl are you feeling okay?” They pressed their palm to his forehead “You’re like super hot. In both ways! Maybe you should like go home and rest. I gotta get home before my boyf gets home anyway”

“Y-yeah” Was all Janus could get out.

“Cool. OH! By the way! Girl!!! We haven’t like hung out just the two of us right?? We should tots do that! Just like tell me whatever you wanna do and we can do it!”

“Yeah”

“Awesome! Well I’ll see you on that hang out then”

They hugged him for just a few seconds but for those seconds Janus felt like he was in heaven.

They got up and left. Janus slumped over on the bench. His heart was going crazy. They knew. They knew and now they wanted to hang out alone with him. He turned to you. His eyes were wide and panicked.

Janus: “W-what am I supposed to do? I don’t know any good hang out plans! Do you know any??? I’m- this is all- how did they even know I like them! Oh I’m sounding like an overdramatic 13 year old.....This totally isn’t really overwhelming. I would hate getting Logan cuddles right now!”

#thanks for the ask!!#im sorry these keep getting longer #i really do try to cut them down #dukeceit #demus #janus sanders #remus sanders #remy sanders #mini fic #sanders sides #desleep #desleepmus #dukeceitsleep

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artificialqueens · 3 years

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Galactica, Chapter 64 (Group Fic) - TheDane/Veronica

A/N: Click here if you’re looking for previous chapters (or here if you’d rather read on AO3). 💫

Last Chapter: Violet was not pleased by Team Adult’s discussion about Courtney, and Katya tried to grit her teeth and smile through her anxiety.

This Chapter: Katya continues to fake it, Tati rescues Courtney from Team Adult, Bianca makes nice, and Violet finds joy with an old friend.

***

“Katya! How are you, girl?” asked Alexis, giving her a tight hug that smelled like sweet florals.

Even though Katya had barely worked in Fame’s office, the entirety of the Galactica staff absolutely loved her, the crew always welcoming her back with open arms ever since the first time Trixie brought her back, everyone delighted to see her.

“Hi! I’m good, how are you?” Katya replied, touching the ruffles of her dark red skirt, doing her best to keep the smile on her face. “Love this dress.”

Alexis looked at her for a long moment before tilting her head and lowering her voice, asking, “Are you okay?”

Katya bit back a sarcastic reply. After all, Alexis couldn’t have guessed that she was about the 40th person tonight to ask her that question. Katya was trying her best, she really was, but simply maintaining her sanity all week had been hard enough.

She just didn’t have the energy to be her usual effervescent self, and she knew it.

“I’m fine, just a little tired,” Katya shrugged, the words an absolute lie since she honestly felt exhausted. “You know, this time of year the six year olds are a bit out of control. Christmas cheer and all.”

Alexis laughed, patting her on the arm. “Well, bless you for taking care of the little monsters.”

When Alexis left a few minutes later, Katya felt a familiar arm wrap around her shoulders. “You know, if you want to leave early, we can.”

“That’s okay, sugar butt.” Katya turned around, placing a kiss on Trixie’s cheek, her fiancé wearing a sparkly silver tuxedo. “I know it’s important for you to bond with your team.”

“Yeah, but it’s even more important that you’re okay,” Trixie told her softly, holding her against his side, his voice low and full of concern.

“Have I told you today that you’re my favorite?”

“No…”

Katya wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him flush against her, Trixie immediately responding to her dominance. “How about this...you go chat up whoever you need to, and I’ll go prepare a sampling of every dessert they have...then we can meet back at that table in 10 minutes for a taste test?”

“Oh, you’re so on, baby.”

He gave her an enthusiastic high-five before scampering away, Katya smiling at his jaunty little walk. She’d been feeling so guilty for days now, wondering if she’d ever be enough for him. If she couldn’t handle kids, would he still be happy? She supposed there was no way to truly know for sure, and that thought plagued her like no other.

“Hey Katya. Are you okay?”

Katya closed her eyes, taking a brief moment to center herself before forcing a sunny smile and turning towards April’s voice.

***

The Galactica party was a lot more fun than Tati expected, everyone so much sweeter than she had hoped. She had bumped into Violet, the two of them actually talking this time, and Ivy had said hello to her earlier, Tatianna still beyond grateful for how kind the redhead had been to her at the holiday show. And then of course, there was the lovely Max, who had taken some photos for Tati’s portfolio after they’d met in September.

“Hi Max!” she exclaimed, greeting him with a bright smile. “It’s great to see you again!”

“Tatianna, hello!” Max said, gesturing for her to stop and pose in front of a big glittering Christmas tree, snapping a few shots of her, laughing as she hammed it up, giving him her best poses. “Well done.”

“I feel so honored to be in front of your camera again,” Tati said.

“Not for the last time, I hope.”

“Oh god, me too. I honestly can’t thank you enough for that session we had.”

“So they were useful then?” Max asked.

“You’re kidding, right?” Tatianna didn’t want to say that the simple photos Max had taken of her in his studio were a million times better than the meager gigs her agency had booked for her. It had been so much fun to shoot with him, Max guiding her with his calm voice and clear vision, the results speaking for himself even though Tatianna had just been doing what he asked. “They’re the best photos in my portfolio, hands down.”

“I know it’s tough when you’re starting out,” Max said, “But I’m sure you’ll find your niche; you’re very talented.”

“Thanks,” Tati said, hoping it wasn’t just something people said. It felt like she’d spent months pounding the pavement with little to show for it. Thank god for Courtney for getting her in with Galactica, because the holiday show had been her first major job for a real label, and she had her fingers crossed about walking for them during fashion week, hoping she’d done enough to prove herself.

She glanced towards Courtney once again, standing with Bianca and Miss Fame and what looked like a whole group of their high-roller friends, including the supermodel, Raven, who Tati still couldn’t believe she’d worked with. (Not that they’d exchanged two words, but even being in the same backstage area as her had been exciting.)

Tati knew that she should probably go over and say hi, but you couldn’t pay her to interrupt that group. Although from the look on Courtney’s face, she might have welcomed the interruption--poor girl looked stressed, clinging to Bianca’s hand for dear life.

Max followed her gaze, chuckling to himself. “Courtney’s new girlfriend is certainly a good person to know.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve met her before and I don’t think I left a very big impression. Although to be fair, she was real busy eye-fucking Courtney the whole time.”

Max laughed some more at that and said, “That sounds about accurate.”

Finally, Courtney glanced back in Tati’s direction, her eyes lighting up when she saw her. She leaned in, murmuring something into Bianca’s ear, then came bounding towards Tati, a relieved expression on her face.

“Augh, you look so fucking pretty!” Tati squealed, pulling Courtney in for a tight hug.

“Look who’s talking, golden goddess!” Courtney cried, taking her whole ensemble in, then turning to Max to add, “Hi Max, how are you?”

“I’m well, thanks,” Max said, picking up his camera again and snapping a shot of the two of them, Courtney on her tiptoes. “I should probably leave you ladies to catch up. Have a lovely evening.”

“Bye!”

“I love these shoes!” Tati said, spinning Courtney around.

“Thank you, they’re Bianca’s,” Courtney said, beaming up at her.

“So...how’s that all going? Are you having fun?”

“Tonight?” Courtney asked, smile fading, the look on her face betraying exactly how much fun she was not having. “Tonight’s been...interesting. I mean she’s amazing. And walking the red carpet together was just the most exciting moment of my whole life.”

“Aww…” Tati grinned, then asked, “...but?”

“But...her friends are...not quite in favor of it. I think they think she could do better.”

“Fuck them! You’re a goddamn catch.”

“Thank you,” Courtney giggled, then waved to someone excitedly. “Oh! There’s Alaska! She’s the best, she’s in charge of the makeup department and she told me they’re gonna be casting the next campaign in January. Let’s go say hi!”

“I love you…” Tati said, letting Courtney pull her over to a striking blonde woman in a blue gown with sky-high heels and even higher hair.

Tati stood up straight, hoping to make a good impression, but their exchange with Alaska was quickly cut short when a swarm of people flocked over to hammer Courtney with questions about her scandalous date.

“Are you guys actually a couple?”

“Is Miss Fame mad?”

“How long has it been going on?”

“Are the rumors true?”

Courtney laughed, taking the questions in stride and giving very diplomatic answers along with a few knowing winks, finally able to loosen up and have fun.

***

Shangela loved the annual Christmas party. Sure, it was a pain to put together, Fame’s attention to detail and demand for perfection almost impossible to keep up with, and yet, they managed it every single year, the result always worth it.

“Mmh!” Rita moaned, her eyes closed. “God, this gelato is magnificent!” The HR director was dressed in a sparkly blue suit, her hair twisted in a tight updo.

“Do you two want a room?” Jaida raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed, her white nails tapping against her brown skin. She was dressed in glittery royal purple, and looked like a million bucks.

“Do not be jealous of those of us who have chosen comfort over beauty,” Rita smiled, her accent coming out. “You might be skinny, but I, I have gelato.”

Shangela snorted, Jaida hitting Rita’s shoulder and leaning in for a taste.

“Guys!” Shangela looked out on the dance floor, Kiara standing there with her arms over her head decked out in sparkling gold, Laganja next to her in gorgeous yellow. “Get on out here!”

“Come on!” Laganja cupped her mouth, “or are you scared you can’t shake it?!”

“Ugh!” Shangela gasped, holding a hand to her chest. “Girl you did not just say that to my face! Move aside!”

***

Bianca loved her friends, but she knew how intense and judgmental they could be, and so she was glad to see Courtney finally having fun on the dance floor with Tati. She smiled slightly to herself, watching as Courtney twirled and laughed--the lowkey shade she’d gracefully endured earlier seemingly forgotten.

She turned back to the group, catching Fame’s eye and giving her what she hoped was her most charming smile. Fame narrowed her eyes slightly, lips pursed, and Bianca sidled up to her, putting an arm around her waist.

“So on a scale of 1 to 10...how mad are you?” Bianca asked softly.

“A 7.” Fame’s voice was cold, but she didn’t push on Bianca’s arms, didn’t try to wiggle out of her embrace.

“I’ll take that,” Bianca laughed, a moment of relief fluttering in her chest.

“You know I hate being blindsided,” Fame told her.

“I know, I know...but be honest. If I’d called you and told you that I was bringing her, what would you have said?”

“I’d have said the same thing I told you a month ago.” Fame looked at her, her blue-gray eyes filled with annoyance. “Absolutely not. Stay away from my staff, and for damn sure don’t bring them anywhere near a red carpet.”

“Exactly.”

Fame rolled her eyes, shaking her head at Bianca, but not making any move to get away from her gasp. She was definitely peeved, and wanted Bianca to know, but they’d be okay. And Bianca had no doubt that once her friends realized that her relationship with Courtney was serious--and even better, than it was making her so absolutely happy--they’d all get on board.

Bianca leaned in and pressed a kiss to Fame’s cheek, then inquired, “Still a 7?”

Fame gave her some side eye before admitting, “Maybe a six and a half.”

“Hey, progress!” Bianca said, clinking their glasses together, Fame not pulling away which Bianca took as another win. “That’s barely more than usual.”

“If you ever,” Fame pointed at Bianca, champagne twirling around in her glass, “pull something like this again,” Fame’s voice was firm and hard, a warning tone in it that left no room for arguments. “I might not be so forgiving.”

“So you’re saying don’t propose at your Spring runway show?” Bianca asked, a mischievous grin deepening her dimples.

“Bianca, that’s not funny,” Fame sighed, exasperation radiating from her and Bianca laughed, hugging her tight. “If I thought you’d still be together in February, you’d be on very thin ice right now.”

“Good one, blondie,” Bianca said. Given the circumstances, she decided it was better to let her have that one.

***

Courtney had never liked her coworkers more than tonight, on the dance floor. She was so used to seeing everyone in their serious, professional modes, but getting tipsy and a bit silly with them was a much-needed reprieve.

However, as much fun as it was, her eyes kept getting pulled towards Bianca, and her dimples, and the hand that was wrapped around her glass that Courtney wished was wrapped around her thigh. At one point, she glanced over to find Bianca gazing back at her, tingles rushing up her spine as their eyes met.

She smiled slowly, giving her best hair toss and bedroom eyes, hips moving in a slow, lazy circle. Then, for good measure, just to really hammer the message home, she took her fingers and slid them slowly up her thigh, lifting her skirt ever so slightly.

Bianca’s expression barely changed, but Courtney was watching closely enough to detect the slight quirk of her eyebrow, the smile tugging on her lips. She also saw Bianca’s eyes flick over to the exit, then back to her, and gave the faintest nod of agreement.

“Tati? Would you hate me if I took off?”

“What?” Tati yelled over the music, laughing as Bob took her hand and spun her in a circle. “No, go get laid, girl. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

And with one last air kiss, Courtney headed for the door, nearly skipping towards the exit.

Bianca took longer than her to extricate herself from her friend group, and by the time she made it out to the lobby, Courtney was already waiting, posed, leaning against a table covered in poinsettias.

Bianca threw open the door, striding towards her quickly, taking her face into her hands and kissing her hungrily. When she pulled away, she was already breathing hard, one hand wrapped around Courtney’s waist, the other tangled in her hair.

“Did you have fun in there?”

“It was alright,” Bianca murmured, lips trailing down her jaw. “Fuck, why didn’t I get a hotel room for us?”

“Um, because you live four blocks away?” Courtney ventured as her eyes fell closed.

“Four long, endless blocks,” Bianca moaned softly, fingers gripping her waist tighter.

“Come on…” Courtney giggled, pushing off from the table and heading for the door. “Let’s get out of here.”

***

“Uh!” Pearl’s eyes widened as she swallowed, an explosion of deliciousness in her mouth. She reached down, stabbing another piece of the passion fruit mousse on her fork. She had spotted Violet sitting by herself, her friend clearly not having a good time, so Pearl had done what any great bro would do, which was kidnap her, the two of them now tucked away in the darkest corner she could find.

“Try this one Vivi!”

“What?” Violet looked at her like she was crazy, a raspberry tart on her half of the plate and Pearl couldn’t help but laugh. Their legs were intertwined, the seat they had taken not nearly big enough for two adults. Pearl had grabbed them a plate of the teeny tiny desserts that had been put out, the treats resting on Pearl’s thigh and Violet’s skirt.

“Come on,” Pearl grinned, raising the fork, “Here comes the airplane.”

“You’re insane,” Violet laughed, the frown of her beautiful face completely gone.

“Open wide!” Pearl moved the fork forward, making an airplane noise, Violet hitting her hand to get it away from her face.

“Pearl!” Violet cried, outrage in her voice, even though she was still laughing, their plate almost toppling over, Pearl popping the bite in her own mouth.

“I’ll get you next time.” Pearl wiggled her brows, swallowing the mousse down.

“Please,” Violet sounded exasperated, but she was adorable when she was upset, Pearl knowing few things that were more fun than ruffling Violet’s feathers. Pearl was just about to go for Violet’s raspberry tart, stealing it a surefire way to get into another play fight, when she saw light coming out of Violet’s clutch.

“Umh, Vivi?” Pearl pointed to the ground, “Your bag is glowing.”

“Shit!” Violet’s eyes widened, and she lunged for her clutch, nearly tipping over the plate as she fished her phone out.

***

“Fuck!” Courtney exclaimed, Bianca all but hurling her onto the bed, her dress tossed to the floor the second they’d stepped off the elevator.

Courtney was already on edge from the ride home, Bianca driving her absolutely nuts in the backseat of the town car, sucking wet kisses into her neck, toying with the little decorative buttons on the front of her panties. She sprawled on the bed, legs danging over the side, looking up wild-eyed at Bianca standing above her, tugging her down by the skirt.

“Please, B...”

“Please what, angel?” Bianca asked, flashing her a wicked smirk as she slowly knelt down between her legs.

“I...I…”

“I love these practical undies,” Bianca said, fingers trailing over the edge of Courtney’s gray, boy-cut panties. She dipped her head, teeth pulling at the little buttons, the pressure against Courtney’s clit even better than it had been in the car, immediately making her grasp the covers in her fists.

“I love seeing you all wet like this, baby.” Bianca nuzzled into the front of her panties, then began to kiss down her thigh.

“So wet,” Courtney echoed, thrusting her hips up, begging, “Take them off, please.”

Bianca pressed one more kiss to her inner thigh, then began to slide her panties down. She let go of the covers, hands going to her tits, playing with her nipples to release some of the pressure building up in her abdomen.

“In a hurry?” Bianca teased, lips ghosting over her.

“I need…”

“What do you need, angel? Tell me,” Bianca urged, nibbling gently on her thigh, mouth moving higher. “Tell me.”

“You tongue…” she whined, not caring how needy and strung-out she must have seemed.

“Uh huh...where?” Bianca licked her, so gently she thought she might scream, right at the crease of her thigh.

Courtney let out an impatient, strangled moan, pinching her nipples hard, hips rolling faster now. She could feel Bianca’s hot breath against her, and all she wanted was that mouth, that tongue, but words were failing her. The only thing she could manage was a gasping litany of, “Please please please please…”

It seemed to work, though, Bianca swirling a tongue over her, finally, strong hands holding her shaking legs apart. Her body responded fully to every generous touch, arching up, whimpers turning soon to full-throated moans.

***

“You know,” Sutan reached out, closing the cab door, Violet’s crutches against his chest as the car pulled out, juggling everything while tipsy a huge pain. “I can’t wait for these,” Sutan moved his arm, the crutches clacking, “to be obsolete.”

It had taken forever to find Violet, her phone going to voicemail the first three times he had tried it, and while he wasn’t proud of it, it had taken a few deep breaths not to panic.

Apparently, the vibration on it had died months ago, the fact that he had a 23 year old girlfriend who actually had the sound turned on on her phone in her everyday life deeply bizarre.

“I’m sorry that me getting around is such a huge inconvenience for you.” Violet was leaning back into the seat, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “I’ll tell my broken bones to hurry up.”

Sutan realised how stupid he had just been, Violet’s struggle so much grater than the hassle he felt.

“Sorry.” He went for an apologetic smile, hoping it was clear on his face that he meant it. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“Mmh?” Violet looked over at him, and Sutan put her crutches down against the window, hoping that they’d stay in place.

“Yes mmh.” He moved closer, their driver ignoring them completely as his hand touched Violet’s knee, his arm sneaking around the back seat, boxing her in. “Can you forgive me?”

“Hmm,” Violet hummed, the sweet lavender scent that had become synonymous with her filling his nose, the prettiest blush dusted over her cheeks. “I’ll consider it.”

“Good,” Sutan grinned, “because I am very, very, very sorry.”

“Oh god,” Violet rolled her eyes, a chuckle leaving her. “You absolute idiot.” She reached out, putting her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss, their lips touching as Sutan pressed her against the car door, their trip home a lot more interesting now.

***

“Go go go go!” Alaska laughed, clapping her hands together as Kandy and Ivy slammed back shots. Most of the non-staff guests had left by then, staying once the cameras had disappeared not that interesting. It was, of course, the best part of the night, as the lights went down and the bass turned up.

“Yeees!” Alaska cheered as Ivy finished the 5th shot and slammed the glass down seconds before Kandy.

“Everybody!” Shangela grabbed Ivy’s hand, “We have a winner!” She thrusted it into the air, making everyone laugh, and Alaska felt like she was flying high.

She grabbed her vodka soda, looking around the room, only just spotting Kim Chi who was bent over a couch, drawing a moustache with lipstick on Amy who had passed out. As their boss, Alaska had a fleeting concern, wondering if she should intervene, but then shrugged, realizing how hilarious it was, and turned back to Shangela to take another shot.

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autism-corner · 7 months

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i cannot resist the little yellow girl....

#another nendroid of her went up on the resell site and.....#listen ive only asked the seller how much they want for it. nothing official yet....#(it was part of a post with LOADS of different other figures so =3=)#sillyposting #augh if its less than 50 bucks im getting her.......#i am an adult!! i can spend my money on anything i want!!! inclusing the little yellow girl!!!!

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blake-belladonna-defence-force · 4 years

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so i was listening to music and thinking about the bees (as i do) and now all i want is a modern college-ish fic based on the music video girls like girls by hayley kiyoko... any interest? love reading your fics and you’re the first person i thought of to ask about this.

Aw, thank you, mate! That’s really kind of you 😊

Anyway, here ya go!

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Yang leapt off of her bike and hoisted her backpack up a little higher on her back before walking up the path to Adam’s house. While she wasn’t thrilled to be spending anymore time with him, she was doing this for Blake. What Blake Bella-freaking-donna saw in Adam Taurus was beyond her.

But all thoughts of distaste towards the boy left her as the door opened and revealed her best friend; she was wearing shorts and tank top, her feline ears flicking towards Yang as she recognised her.

“Yang!” Blake laughed, carefully wrapping one arm around Yang’s neck as Yang gave her a friendly squeeze. “It’s about time you showed up! I was getting worried.” She added teasingly, though the playful glint in her eyes did little to distract from the anxious pinch of her brow.

“What happened to your wrist?”

Or the bandaged left wrist that she had kept at her side.

“Ah!” Yang felt her heart drop at the briefest expression of panic spread across her friend’s face before she smoothed it back. “Well… you know how clumsy I am. I tripped and fell. Landed on my hand awkwardly.”

“Blake-“

“Yang. How lovely to see you again.”

Yang bit back a growl as Adam came over and pulled her into a headlock and ruffled her hair. If it weren’t for Blake, he’d be needing a new set of teeth.

“Hey, Adam.” Yang sighed, pushing away from him and giving a very forced smile. She wasn’t going to give him a reason to get angry at Blake. Her priority was keeping Blake safe until she and the rest of their friends could convince her to leave. “How’s it going, man?”

“Good, as long as I’ve got my Blake.” Adam cooed, voice like sugar coated poison as he forcefully pulled Blake to his side and walked her into the kitchen.

Blake gave her an apologetic glance at Yang over her shoulder and gestured to the stairs. Without another word, Yang headed to the guest room.

It was going to be long weekend.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

When Yang entered the kitchen, she winced at the smell of cigarettes. Blake had never smoked until she met Adam and now, she smoked as regularly as he did. Yang suspected that Blake didn’t particularly enjoy it.

Blake gave her a playful half smirk as Yang jumped up on the counter beside her while Adam went to check the fridge. When Yang quirked an inquisitive brow at her, Blake blew several smoke rings in front of her, making it look far more attractive than she had any right to.

“Show off.” Yang snorted, reaching over to poke Blake’s knee. “We get it, dude. You’re soooo cooool!”

“Why, yes. Yes, I am.” Blake grinned, a delighted light entering her eyes. “That’s why-“

“Blake. Did you get the drinks I asked you to?”

“I- yes. Of course. They should be in there.”

“Well, I’m looking and I’m not seeing it. Are you trying to suggest that I’m lying?”

“No!”

Yang dug her fingers into her ripped jeans, her grip tight enough to hurt. The genuine distress on Blake’s face and the fear in her voice as her ears pinned anxiously made it much harder to keep quiet. But she knew what voicing her opinion would accomplish. She couldn’t run the risk of Adam hurting Blake because of her.

“They’re in the back, I swear!”

“No! They’re-oh. You’re right.” Adam said, calmly shutting the door and smiling “apologetically” at Blake. “I’m sorry, Blake. But you know how long I’ve been planning this. I wouldn’t want my efforts to all be for nothing… would you?”

“No, of course not, Adam.” Blake said quietly, stiffening slightly when Adam came over and kissed her cheek.

“The others will be here soon. Why don’t you ladies go get ready, hmm?” Adam said, his hand curling possessively around Blake’s injured wrist. “We might even be able to set your friend up with one of mine. Double dates would be nice, wouldn’t they?”

Blake nodded stiffly, smile forced and body leaning away from Adam slightly before he let go and headed outside to set up the barbecue.

“Yang? Coming?”

“Yeah, hold up.”

It made Yang’s blood boil to see Blake treated in such a manner but she had to be careful.

She never could predict Adam’s behaviour.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

As the two got ready, Yang couldn’t help but send glances to Blake. It was like a magnet. Blake had to the most beautiful girl that she knew; mind, body and spirit. Seeing the way she crumbled when Adam was in the room was heart breaking.

But neither girl mentioned Yang’s wondering gaze. Nor did they discuss Blake’s own, shifting to meet Yang’s before darting away quickly.

It wouldn’t be the first time that weekend that Yang desperately wished that things were different.

When Adam cannonballed into the pool in front of them and forced Blake onto his back when the two girls were giggling.

When she and Blake were painting their nails and Blake, without thinking, placed a lilac accent colour on Yang’s middle fingers among the yellow.

When Adam forced Blake out of her seat and tried to kiss her neck before before shoved away, an ugly sneer on his face as he dropped into an armchair and continued to watch the game. Yang had turned to face Blake and frowned slightly at the sight of frustrated, angry tears that welled up before she blinked them away and smiled shakily at Yang.

When Adam belittled Blake for not knowing who was who in the game in front of everyone, joking about the burden of a girlfriend that didn’t know something so simple.

Each little thing was slowly making Yang’s blood boil, outrage bubbling below the surface at the unjust and cruel treatment of somebody so important to her.

But she had to be careful. Adam had been drinking all weekend. Who knew what he’d do, even in the presence of company with alcohol in his system.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Late one night, Yang picked her way out to the backyard, carefully stepping past the unconscious bodies that had gone way past their limit. She sighed sadly at the sight of Blake sitting at the pool, body trembling slightly. She glanced at Yang as she sat and smiled weakly at her, shifting a little closer and resting her pinky over Yang’s.

“You know we all love you.” Yang said quietly into the night, heart cracking as Blake leaned her head on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek against it. “Ruby, Weiss, Jaune and the others… anyone of us will take you in. You could even stay with me. My roommate wouldn’t care and you could take my bed. We could get you away from him.”

“I know.” Blake murmured, a shaky breath being pulled from her lips. “But I don’t think I’m brave enough to leave.”

“You’re the bravest person that I know.” Yang whispered into her hair, eyes welling up slightly. “Adam can’t take that away from you.”

She felt a shiver run through Blake’s body before she pulled away and stared at Yang, reaching out to brush her hair back and lean forward to place a sweet kiss on her nose.

That was when a sudden force on Yang’s hair sent her to the ground, crying out as her head scraped a rock and the back of her head hit the ground.

Everything was fuzzy but she could tell that Blake and Adam were arguing. She watched as Blake tried to dart around him to get to her, only for Adam to grab her by her injured wrist and pull her close, snarling into her face before he sent the back of his hand against her face in a cruel slap. As Blake hit the ground, Adam sent his foot into her ribs, causing her to collapse and cry out in pain.

Yang saw red and managed to clamber to her feet and tackle Adam to the ground, striking him with her fists. She soon felt Blake’s hands pull her back weakly and let her guide her away from Adam.

“Yang, he’s out!” Blake assured, her voice watery as tears spilled down her face, her breathing harsh due to the intense pain in her side.

“Blake…” Yang choked out, instantly curling her arms around Blake and supporting her weight. “God!”

The two girls leaned their forehead against each other before something made them drift towards each other and meet in the middle, both of team tasting iron. Eventually, Blake pulled away.

“We- we should call the co-augh!” She let out a pained yelp, as she tried to step back, her hand clutching her ribs as she fell to the ground.

“Blake!” Yang gasped in concern, supporting Blake and gently lowering her to the ground. “Easy, I’ve got you.”

“Yang, can you get my phone? We need to get help.”

Yang hesitantly complied. It took some hours of questioning, but eventually, the two woman were able to reunite in the hospital.

It would take some months of healing that would go beyond Blake’s ribs and Yang’s head. But they would be okay. More than okay if the shared expression on both of their faces as Blake reached out for Yang’s hand was any indication.

#bumbleby #blake belladonna #yang xiao long #rwby #fanfic

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kiddoryder · 3 years

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Rimfire

Wow...It's been since I wrote a fanfic huh? Well I'm really sorry about that. I mean you have to admit, 2020 was hell with all the crazy stuff that was happening. I felt stressed and lost my happiness and spark in writing.

But thanks to the new year and new Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel clips and episodes coming out, I feel back and better than ever!

So, this story about my OC Sonya/Liz making a new friend making Charlie feel some type of way.

So, relax and enjoy the story!

At the hotel, Angel was sitting on the couch watching some TV. Then Charlie and Vaggie come in and Vaggie looked very annoyed. Angel noticed the look on Vaggie's face, but he didn't care.

Angel - "What the fuck you want?"

Vaggie - "You haven't been doing your chores in the hotel!"

Charlie - "Yeah Angel. I told you to take out the trash hours ago and you didn't do it."

Angel - "And?"

Charlie - "Care to explain why you didn't take the trash out like I told you?"

Angel - "Cause Vaggie didn't wanted to fucking leave. I mean I thought the princess would have better taste in lovers. Guess trash is her type."

Vaggie fumes in anger and was about to punch Angel, but Charlie stopped her.

Charlie - *to Vaggie* Let me handle this. *to Angel and sternly* Angel Dust, as the princess of hell and heir to the throne, I order you take out the trash."

Angel - *annoyed* "Ugh! Fine."

Angel took the bag of garbage and threw it out the window breaking the glass.

Vaggie - *furious* "Angel!"

Angel - "What? Ya told me to take out the trash and I did."

Vaggie - "We meant by you getting your lazy ass up and actually doing it you motherfucking bastard!"

Angel - "Well ya should been clearer on that and be less of a nagging bitch!"

Vaggie growled in anger and was about to punch Angel, but Charlie stopped her.

Charlie - *pleading* "Guys please. This isn't the time to fight."

Vaggie - *sighs* "Fine."

Charlie heard a ping noise on her phone. She looked at her phone and look a bit dishearten and text back. Charlie put her phone back and sigh a little. Vaggie seem to notice this and said:

Vaggie - *concerned* "Is there something wrong hon?"

Charlie - "Oh it's just Sonya."

Angel - "Sonya? Your baby cousin who's a Gemini and have an awesome side in her head?"

Charlie - "Yeah. I ask her if she wanted to hang out and she said how she's a little busy today. To be honest I'm a little worried."

Vaggie - "Why?"

Charlie - "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy she and her family move in the city, but I haven't seen her in a while."

Angel - "Hey maybe the kid is hanging out with her friends."

Charlie - "Sonya and Liz don't have friends."

Vaggie - *sympathetic* "Aw. They don't have any friends because they are Gemini?"

Charlie - "Actually no. It's their own choice for not having any friends because the other kids don't interest them."

Angel - "Well who can blame them for that? I mean most of the people in hell are either fucking boring ugly freaks or just fucking creepy."

Charlie - *uneasy* "Right…Anyway, to sort of speak, I'm Sonya and Liz only friend. But it's okay because family members can also be friends as well."

Vaggie - "Well alright."

()()()()()()()()

A few days had passed and believe it or not, the hotel was getting more people. Even though Charlie is happy about that, she couldn't help but wonder about why Sonya and Liz haven't been able to hang out with them. Charlie would often be disappointed when they are "busy" or have "other plans''. However, Charlie still has high hopes and spirits that she will be able to spend some time with her baby cousin.

Right now, as Vaggie and Angel was coming down and saw Charlie with Razzle and Dazzle practicing some songs.

Vaggie - *confused* "Um Charlie? What are you doing?"

Angel - "Ya doing a pitch again for the hotel?"

Charlie - *chuckles* "I wish but no. Today is the annual Hell Music Festival."

Angel - "Isn't that the festival where some motherfuckers come and play some shitty music?"

Charlie - *displeased* "Yes, it is Angel."

Vaggie - *to Angel*" And what the fuck you know about music Angel?"

Angel - "For ya information babe, I happened to be an expert when it comes to music."

Vaggie - "How? By picking which song to choose when you fuck the creeps that paid you?"

Angel - "Beside that! I know how to play the accordion and trumpet. Plus, I listen to some pop music by some bitch name Verisoka Mayday. Her songs are pretty catchy."

Charlie - "Well today is the day of that Festival. Sonya, Liz, and I would always practice, play some music, and have fun. It's one of my favorite things to do with them."

Then they heard a loud squawking noise outside. Everybody covered their eyes, and Husk woke up from his drunk nap.

Husk - *annoyed* "What the fuck is that noise?"

Vaggie - "It's that stupid crow bird! I thought Niffty got rid of it!"

Niffty - *popped up* "Oh! I did! But then another one came, and I got rid of that one and I made it into a hat."

Niffty show everybody her new crow "hat". This creep everyone out as Niffty put it away.

Niffty - "That must be a new one that came today."

Then the bird stops squawking. Then there was a knock on the door.

Charlie - *squeal* "It must be Sonya!"

Charlie ran to the door and opened it. She was surprised to see not only Sonya was there but someone next to her. It was some Fox/cat like demon girl around Sonya's age. She has short purple hair, long bangs that covered her right eye. Her eye was red with yellow pupil, her Fox ears was gray but was wearing a safari hat with tooth's in it. She has white fur with a puffy white cat tail, her out was a safari vest, a long sleeve crop top that was black with flames on it. She was wearing camouflage pants which a knife patch strap to her left leg and had on brown army boots.

Sonya - "Hey Cousin Charlie! This is my new friend Rimfire Bloodworth!"

Rimfire - "Sup."

Charlie - *surprised* "Oh! A new friend? Well, it nice to meet you Rimfire. Come inside."

The girls went inside and Rimfire looked around.

Rimfire - "Nice place. What's this hotel for?"

Charlie - "Oh! It's a place to redeem sinners."

Rimfire - *confused* "Redeem sinners?"

Charlie - "Yes. I believe every demon- well most demons have something good deep down inside of them. If I can unlock that good, they can access to Heaven."

Then Charlie bring Rimfire to the lobby living room where Angel, Husk, Niffty, and Vaggie was.

Charlie - Hey guys *the demon began to make noise again* this is *the bird made louder noise* my cousin new *the bird made even louder noise* LITTLE FRIEND THAT I WANT YOU TO- "

The demon bird kept on making loud noises. An annoyed Rimfire took out a gun from her vest and shot the bird straight in the chest. The bird then fell from the tree dead and everybody was shocked on how Rimfire not only has a good for her age, but how she was able to shoot the bird with good aim.

Rimfire - "I took care of it" *blows the gun smoke*

Charlie - "Anyway...This is Sonya's new friend Rimfire."

Angel Dust - "New friend? *teasingly* So she's your new lover?"

Sonya - *annoyed* "No! She's just someone I just met!"

Angel Dust - "Yeah sure kid. It starts out that way and pretty when you soon hit your grown up hears bam! You're both sleeping together in the same bed.

Vaggie - *rolled her eyes* "Augh don't listen to him! He's the type that would sleep with anybody for money."

Angel - *scoff* "Not everybody. I wouldn't sleep with you if you even paid me."

Vaggie - *mad* "I'm a lesbian you idiot!"

Sonya - *to Rimfire* Don't mind them. *points to Vaggie* That's Vaggie. Vaggie is the hotel's manager and my cousin's girlfriend. She also the one who must keep *points to Angel* Angel Dust there in line. He's also the first patient here for the hotel."

Angel - "I'm also Hell's biggest porn star. So, I'm pretty much famous. If ya want kid, I can show you one of my movies."

Charlie - *shocked* "Angel! They are underage!"

Husk - "Oh come on Princess. The weird little boy and his friend here are close to adulthood."

Sonya - "First of all, I'm a weird little girl! And second, I rather watch the 666 news then watch Angel's dirty gross movies."

Angel - *offended* "Hey! They aren't gross! They are very high class."

Sonya - *rolled her eyes* "This is Niffty and Husk. They work at the hotel."

Niffty - *to Rimfire* "Ooh nice to meet you! I'm always happy to make new friends. It was nice of you killed that annoying bird. Although it should have been a strong man that should have done it because that more of a man thing no offensive."

Rimfire - "Uhh...Right."

Husk - "Wow. The little cat girl is a shooter. That's something different."

Rimfire - "I'm a half cat. I'm also part Fox as well."

Charlie - So Rimfire what brings you to Hell?

Rimfire - *shrugs* "I was just actually almost got attack by freaky assholes until Sonya came over and save me."

Sonya - "Yeah she came to Hell with her family a few days ago. Rimfire and I been hanging out with each other."

Charlie - "Oh that's cool! Do you live nearby?"

Rimfire - "Actually I live pretty close to here."

Vaggie - "And how did you end up in hell?

Rimfire - My family are in the poaching business. We still are. It called the Bloodworth Poach and Coach."

Vaggie - "Poach and Coach?"

Rimfire - "It's a store my family owns. My mother would sell the animal fur and meat. My dad will get the animal customers would want, and even coach them on how to hunt."

Everyone - *amazed* "Whoa."

Rimfire - *smug* "Yeah it is pretty cool. It was even like that when we were alive."

Angel - "How you and your family ended up down here?"

Rimfire - "Oh we ended up getting killed in a forest fire."

Charlie - *sympatric* "Oh gosh, I'm so sorry."

Rimfire - *shrugs* "Eh. It's life."

Charlie - "Well...Say why don't we go practice for the festival huh Sonya?

Sonya - "Actually Cousin Charlie I was thinking of just practicing with Rimfire."

Charlie - *surprised* "What?"

Rimfire - "Yeah. I mean I originally wanted to do it myself, but I figure practicing with Sonya can be fun."

Charlie - *uncomfortable* "Oh...okay yeah sure..."

Sonya - "Sweet! Thanks!"

They both went upstairs to Sonya's hotel room. Charlie frowns in sadness and confusion. Charlie didn't think her baby cousin out of all people, didn't want to hang out with her. Or do their usual traditions. Vaggie noticed that sad look on her girlfriend's face.

Vaggie - *concerned* "Charlie what's wrong?"

Charlie - "I-It just weird I mean Sonya always practices music and singing with me. She never done anything like this to me."

Angel - "Hey. She's at stage one Princess."

Charlie - "Meaning?"

Angel - "Well you know how kids are. One minute they are close to family and next they don't want to even act knowledge that they are related."

Charlie - *scared* "Wait, does this mean that Sonya and Liz wouldn't want to spend time with me anymore?"

Angel - *shrugs* "Eh. It could happen."

Vaggie - *mad* "Angel!"

Angel - *defense* "What babe? I'm just saying it's the truth."

Vaggie - "You're not helping, you idiot!"

Charlie - *scared*" Ohh I need to do something! I don't want Sonya to think I'm some lame uncool cousin."

Angel - "Who's stopping you?"

Vaggie - "Well if you are serious about this. Maybe you should talk to her."

Charlie - "Well okay."

Charlie went upstairs and began to think about what Angel said to her earlier. Even though there are sometimes Charlie thinks Angel is just being his regular silly weird self, it could be one of those time Angel could be right about some things.

Charlie - *thinking* Angel could be right. Sonya and even Liz would think of me as an uncool relative. I gotta remind her how much fun I can be and cool! Maybe if I act like how kids are today!"

Charlie then sees Sonya and Liz's hotel room. She went to the door and knocked on the door.

Sonya - "Come in."

Charlie - *acts hip* "Hey hey hey! How are my best girlfriends?"

Sonya - *contused* "Uh Okay…"

Rimfire - *confused* "Uh fine?"

Charlie - *acting hip* "So What's you guys doing? Any new hot digs on music."

Sonya - "Yeah…"

The whole thing felt very weird to Sonya and Rimfire. Especially to Sonya because she never sees Charlie act like this. Even Liz herself was confused about it. The only person they see trying to "act hip" was Sir Pentious.

Charlie - "Hey Rimfire you need to worry about me I'm not some lame regular cousin. I'm one of the cool cousins Ya know what I mean dawg?"

Sonya - *concerned and confusion* "Charlie, are you feeling okay?"

Charlie - "Oh I'm fine I'm cool as ice."

Sonya and Rimfire look at each other in confusion. They can tell something is wrong with Charlie but decide not to make a big deal about it.

Charlie - "So What are you gals doing?"

Rimfire - "Well we were busy writing some songs. But then we decide to take a break."

Sonya - Yeah. We are now just now going over dark magic stuff."

Charlie - "Ooh! Mind if I join in?"

Rimfire - "You know about dark magic stuff?"

Charlie - *smug* "Girl, you're talking to the princess of hell here. Beside What's wrong with mixing up stuff. Sometimes you gotta go insane to out sane the same. You know what I'm saying?"

Rimfire - *confused* "Actually no."

Charlie - "So where this magic stuff you two little wizs are doing?"

Sonya - "Over there."

Sonya pointed to her cauldron. It was boiling and purple smoke was coming out. Charlie took a peak and it was purple bubbling liquid.

Sonya - "Yeah we were just working on a new potion. But I wanted to tell you Cousin Charlie is-

Charlie - "Ooh! Allow me to add some spices to help take this potion high to the sky."

Charlie saw some random potions, liquid and powders on Sonya's shelves. Charlie grabs them and she starts mixing some potions up. Sonya gets worried and so was Liz cause even she knew what mixing up random potions together can do. Even Rimfire was getting a bit scared and concerned on what the princess of hell was doing.

Sonya - *scared* "Cousin Charlie Don't! You're mixing the wrong ingredients!"

Charlie - *scoff* "Relax Cuz there's nothing wrong with mixing things up."

Sonya - "But Cousin Charlie!"

Charlie - "Don't worry! What a little mixing can do?"

Then there was a loud explosion. Vaggie and the others heard it. Looking concerned, Vaggie and Angel went upstairs, and their eyes widen in shock. They saw the room all covered in purple goop and even the girls were now covered in purple goop.

Angel - *confused* "What the hell happened here? Looks like a bowl of rotten oatmeal had sex with guacamole and just have birth in this room."

Vaggie - "I'll get some mops and Niffty. You guys better get cleaned up."

()()()()()()()()

Vaggie and Niffty was cleaning up the goop in Sonya and Liz's room. Angel was even force to clean under the threat his precious pet piggy Fat Nuggets will be sleeping outside. He had to use his four arms to clean the walls and was using rags. Charlie, Sonya, and Rimfire was now clean thanks to taking a shower and now wearing some fresh clothes.

Niffty - "Don't worry! This mess will be done in no time!"

Vaggie - "I'm just glad none of you guys gotten hurt."

Charlie - "You could say that something went a little wrong right Sonya?"

Sonya was so mad that she was ignoring Charlie. This made Charlie a bit shock because Sonya never gave her the silent treatment. Rimfire even felt a little uncomfortable because of the awkwardness. Then she heard a car honk and when Rimfire look outside, she saw it was her parents' car.

Rimfire - Maybe I should head. *to Sonya* We should get rest cause we gotta sing for the pageant tomorrow."

Charlie - *surprised* "What!? Sonya, you got to accept. Why didn't you tell me?"

Sonya - *angry* I wanted to tell you Cousin Charlie, but you were too busy acting weird and crazy!

Charlie - *nervously laugh* "Oh I see."

Angel Dust - "Whoa harsh."

Vaggie - *trying to calm things down* "Okay okay let just be happy that nobody got hurt. We should get back to cleaning this mess up though."

Rimfire - "Well maybe I should head home."

Sonya - "Cousin Charlie…"

Charlie - *hopeful* "Yes?"

Sonya - *mad and serious* "I'm spending the night with Rimfire. And don't even bother coming to the pageant! You really embarrass me."

Charlie - *pleading and shocked* "Sonya Wait!"

Sonya and Rimfire left the room and Sonya slam the door. Sonya got into Rimfire's parents' car and they drove off.

Angel - "Ouch! Tough way to say I don't need ya anymore isn't it?"

Charlie looks down feeling hurt. She sighs in sadness and walked out of the room. Vaggie look mad at Angel for his insensitive comment and punched him in the arm.

Angel - *in pain* "Ow! What?!"

Vaggie - "You're such a fucking asshole!"

Vaggie left the room to go check up on Charlie.

Angel - *mad and rubs his arm* "Sheesh! Try to help people and this is the thanks I get."

()()()()()()()()()

Charlie was in her room sitting on her book feeling sad. She took out a scrapbook from her drawer and open the book. She flips a few pages and saw pictures of her and Sonya and Liz together. When they were younger, or current ages having fun, eating together, comforting each other, or just hugging. Charlie let some tears come out of her eyes and felt like she must sing on how she is feeling. She took a deep breath and began to sing.

Charlie - *singing*

In my hands a legacy of memories

I can hear you say my name

I can almost see your smile

Feel the warmth of your embrace

But there is nothing but silence now

Around the one I loved

Is this our farewell?

Sweet darling you worry too much

My child, see the sadness in your eyes

You are not alone in life

Although you might think that you are

Never thought this day would come so soon

We had no time to say goodbye

How can the world just carry on?

I feel so lost when you are not by my side

But there is nothing but silence now

Around the one I loved

Is this our farewell?

So sorry your world is tumbling down

I will watch you through these nights

Rest your head and go to sleep

Because my child this is not our farewell

This is not our farewell

Vaggie - "Charlie are you okay?"

Charlie looked up and saw Vaggie looking concerned. Charlie quickly wipe the tears from her eyes.

Charlie - "How did you find me? The hotel is pretty big."

Vaggie - "You're the only girl I know that can sing that good. I never forget your beautiful singing voice."

Charlie - *smiles* "Thanks Vaggie…" *sighs in sadness*

Vaggie - *sits next to Charlie* "Are you alright Charlie?"

Charlie - *sad* "No. My baby cousin hates me now."

Vaggie - Hey now she doesn't hate you."

Angel Dust - "She just doesn't want to speak to you again."

They turned around and saw Angel by the doorway. His lower arms were cross, and he had a bored look on his face.

Vaggie - "Where the fuck did you come from?!"

Angel - "Well babe, when a man and broad love each other they fuck each other in bed and then bam! A baby."

Vaggie - "That's not what I meant you cabrón hijo de perra! I meant why did you came here?"

Angel - "What? I can't help out my buddy the Princess of Hell here?"

Vaggie - "Well you're not helping!"

Charlie - *sighs* "I was just trying to remind her on how cool I can be."

Angel - "And that fucking bombed."

In a split second, Vaggie jumped and gave Angel a black eye. She wasn't going to sit back and let Angel make everything worst. While Charlie would have said something, she feels like she would let this one slide because right now she too focusing on fixing the mess she made with Sonya.

Angel Dust *holding his eye* - "Ow my eye!"

Vaggie - "Look Charlie, I get you don't wanna lose Sonya and Liz. But you need to realize something too: Sonya and Liz are growing up. Sure, there would be sometimes they would like to spend time with you, but there are sometimes she need to spend time with kids her age."

Those words made Charlie realize that Vaggie was right: her baby cousins are growing up and do need some friends around their age. There's nothing wrong with them growing up and she will always have a relationship with Sonya and Liz.

Charlie - "Yeah I guess you're right. Maybe I was just trying too hard."

Angel opened his mouth to speak but quickly kept his mouth shut when Vaggie showed her fists as a warning. Charlie wiped the rest of the tears away and stood up on the bed.

Charlie -First thing I'll do is go to the pageant to talk to her."

Angel - "Uh news flash babe: she told you not to come."

Charlie - "Well I'll just try to talk to her before the show starts."

Vaggie - "Where is this pageant anyway?"

Angel - "Oh I it's in a bar called Drink Till you Die. It's not far from the hotel."

Charlie - *confused* "How do you know?"

Angel - *smirks* "Inside intuition."

Vaggie - *facepalm* "Oh god. Why am I not surprised?"

Angel - *chuckles* "Relax I just had to do some dances is all."

Charlie and Vaggie just stare at him in confusion and annoyance.

Angel - "What? I also had to do some shots. And suck a lot of dick."

Charlie - "Come in! Let's go!"

()()()()()()()()()()

At the bar, the stage was all set up nicely for the music pageant. Backstage, Rimfire and Sonya was getting dress up for the pageant. Liz came out in shadow form looking mad at Sonya. Sonya took noticed at Liz looking mad and crossing her arms.

Sonya - *annoyed* "Don't start."

Liz - "So not cool what you said to Cuz Sonya."

Sonya - "Aw come on! When did you became a preaching saint? Besides, you get into trouble more than I do."

Liz - "Yeah but at least I don't make Cuz feel like crap or yell at her! You should of saw her face after you yell at her. She looks like was about to break down into tears."

Sonya - *sighs* "Do you think I was too hard on Charlie back there?"

Liz - "What do you think genius?"

Sonya sighs and starts to feel a little guilty. She was just angry that Charlie embarrassed her in front of her new and first friend she made around her age. But at the same time, Sonya realize she should of just talk to Charlie about it instead of yelling at her.

Rimfire - "Hey. What's wrong are you- *sees Liz's shadow form* Uhh...Who is that?""

Sonya - "Huh? Oh, I forgot to say that I was born a Gemini. I technically share a body with somebody. This is Liz."

Liz wave to Rimfire. Rimfire was a bit confuse but wave back to Liz.

Sonya - "I meant to tell you later, but I guess the best time is now. It just hard to tell people can they don't believe me.

Rimfire - "Well I think it's cool you have another self. I mean, it is Hell after all."

Sonya - *sad* "Thanks...You think I was too hard on my cousin Charlie?"

Rimfire - "Honestly? Yeah. I mean you usually tell me how cool your cousin is, and I was shocked that you snapped at her."

Sonya - *sighs* "I was just mad at her for embarrassing me."

Rimfire - "We all fight with our families sometimes. Even me

Sonya - *surprised* "Really? But your family seem so cool."

Rimfire - *disbelief* "You kidding? Sometimes my dad sticks his hand in a dead animal's body and moves their mouth like a puppet."

Sonya covered her mouth like she was gonna throw up. However, Liz look amaze and giggle a little thinking it was funny.

Sonya - "Oh God

Rimfire - "Exactly. My mom always showing off the fur coats like she's a model. It can get pretty annoying sometimes."

Sonya - "I'm sorry to hear that."

Rimfire - "See? Family supposed to embarrass each other because they are well, family."

Sonya - "Yeah that's true. I'm just still mad at Charlie got what she did. I never expect of her out of all people to embarrass me like that. I honestly thought it would be either my parents or her friend Angel Dust."

Rimfire - "Well as for your Cousin Charlie, maybe in a way she felt jealous of me."

Sonya - *confused* "What? Why would she be jealous of you? She's not like that."

Rimfire - "I don't know I mean based on what you told me, she was basically you and even Liz's only friend. Maybe when Charlie saw me and you wanted to practice with me than her, she probably felt jealous."

Those words strike Sonya right in the head and the heart. She didn't think of how Charlie felt about this. Sonya was just so happy she finally made a friend around her age, she forgot how Charlie would feel about this. Or even talk to her about this. Even felt awful that she didn't do their tradition of practicing and singing for the pageant.

Sonya - *guilty Now I feel bad. I shouldn't have yelled at Charlie like that.

Little did she know that Charlie was listening to time the whole time. Charlie was listening through the window and she had tears in her eyes. But these tears were more heartwarming love. She realizes despite what she did, Sonya and Liz still love her and want to make things right between each other.

Charlie - *touched* "Aw you guys heard that?"

Vaggie - *struggling* "Not really cause you're standing on us."

It shows that Vaggie and Angel was trying to hold on to Charlie while she was quietly looking through the window. Since the window was too high and figure that they would get kick out the place, they thought it would be better to look out the window.

Angel - *groaning* "Man how long are you gonna make us hold you up?! My arms are killing me!"

Vaggie - * annoyed* "You're only use two of them!"

Angel - *groaning* "Well you girls weigh a ton! You should seriously lay off the Bon bons!"

Before Vaggie can say anything, Charlie saw Sonya and Rimfire leaving the room.

Charlie - "Wait they are leaving!"

Charlie got off Vaggie, Vaggie got off Angel, and Angel began to stress his back and arms.

Angel - "You should seriously get on a diet"

Charlie - "We don't have time! Let go!"

()()()()()()()()()

Sonya and Rimfire went to the stage. They set up their guitar and just before they were about to sing, one guy said:

Guy - "Hey that was my beer!"

Guy 2 - "No it wasn't!"

Rimfire - "Hey assholes! We are about to sing here!"

Guy - "And that stupid bitch you were kissing was mine!"

Guy 2 - "I don't care!"

Guy - "You calling me a liar?!"

Then suddenly, an ugly bar fight began to break loose. Sonya and Rimfire managed to dodge some glass bottles that was being thrown. Then they managed to crawl to an abandon table so they can be safe. A demon was not only beat up but thrown out the window and landed by Charlie's feet. That when Charlie began to hear yelling and fighting inside the bar.

Charlie - *worried* "Guys, the girls are in trouble! We got to get in there now!"

They went inside the bar and saw lots of people dodging and fighting. Rimfire took out her hunting knife that was strapped to her thigh. Sonya quickly took out her spell book.

Sonya - "Ready?"

Rimfire - "Ready!"

Rimfire began to use her hunting knife. She managed to cut off some demons' arms, stab them in the eye, and in the gut. Then Sonya shouted:

Sonya - "ventum exponentia!"

Wind power came and blew some of the demons away out the bar. Charlie and the others saw this and was impressed. Even Rimfire was amaze on the spell Sonya cast.

Rimfire - "How did you do that?"

Sonya - "I spent a lot time reading these books. I learn how to use some of these spells."

Rimfire - "That's so cool."

Sonya - "Thanks!"

Sonya kept casting more spells to stop the fight. But unfortunately, one of the beer bottles was thrown and it still had beer in it. The beer bottle splatter all over her book wetting it. Now the pages were too soggy and messy to read.

Sonya - *horrified* "Oh no!"

Rimfire - *shocked* "Your book!"

While the girls were distracted, another demon threw a glass beer bottle. The beer bottle hit Rimfire in the arm much to Sonya's horror. Then another bottle was about to hit Sonya in the head, but to her's and Rimfire surprised: Charlie quickly came and ducked the girls down to a table.

Sonya - *surprised* "Cousin Charlie?"

Rimfire - *confused* "What are you doing here?"

Charlie - "Getting you and Sonya out of here!"

They all saw Vaggie and Angel was fighting some of the demons. Vaggie was using her knives and Angel was using his guns. Even though they were doing well, there was too much demons in the bar.

Sonya - *to Charlie* "There's too many of them. Should I bring out the big guns?

Charlie - *smirks* "Be my guest, baby cousin!"

Rimfire - *confused* "The big guns?"

Charlie - *smiles* "You will see."

Sonya nodded quickly. She began to quickly look around and saw a bottle shard on the floor. Sonya took a bottle shard and pricked her finger on it and passed out on the ground much to Rimfire's concerned. But before Rimfire can say anything, Liz awaken and took out her scissors and fireworks. Liz smile manically and jump on the table where Vaggie and Angel was at fighting.

Liz - "Bada boom! Time for a blood bath!"

Angel Dust - *happy* "Oh alright! My little girl buddy is here!"

Vaggie - "This is one of the few times I'm actually happy that she's here!"

Liz - "Time for a little fun!"

Angel Dust - "Knock them out, honey!"

Liz began to fight the demons in the bar fight alongside with Angel and Vaggie. Charlie was making sure Rimfire stay safe. Some were injured, some ran away in fear and others passed even before she was about to hit them. Pretty soon the bar fight was over. Liz was panting a bit exhausted from all that fighting.

Liz - *little tired* "Boy did that feel good!"

Rimfire - *impressed* "Wow. You are one crazy chick."

Angel - *smirks* "And that's why she's awesome."

()()()()()()()()()

At the hotel Charlie was checking the girls for injuries. Vaggie got out the first aid kit and Angel was cleaning up his weapons.

Charlie - *concerned* "Where does it hurt?"

Rimfire - *wince a little* "Just my arm. I think that bottle cut me."

Charlie saw the cut on Rimfire's arm. She saw how even though it was big, it wasn't deep so that was a good thing. Charlie began uses some disinfectant to clean the wounds. Vaggie was surprised that Rimfire wasn't crying or even wincing in pain as Charlie was using the disinfectant on her wound.

Vaggie - "Doesn't that hurt you?"

Rimfire - *shrug* "Eh. I felt worse."

Vaggie - "You have?"

Rimfire - "After I died in a fire. Trust me, this is nothing compare to my death."

Vaggie - "Tell me about it. *to Liz* what about you Liz? Any injuries?"

Liz - "Oh just some scratches but I'm cool. You don't need your panties up more ass Chica."

Vaggie looked annoyed as Angel giggled at Liz's comment. Then Sonya came out in shadow form telling Liz something.

Liz - "Hey Cuz! Can you do the old switcheroo? Sonya wants to talk to you."

Charlie - *smiles* "You got it."

Charlie hugs and pet her hair at the same time. Sonya is back much to Angel's dismay.

Angel - "Aw man."

Sonya - "Okay. *took a deep breath* Cousin Charlie I wanted to say I'm sorry for earlier. I was just mad and embarrassed."

Charlie - "You don't have to be sorry. It was my fault for messing up your spell...

Sonya - "But I was the one who yelled at you."

Charlie - "I know but I heard you talking, and I know you didn't mean it."

Sonya - *confused* "Wait how did you heard us talking?"

Charlie - "Yeah...I heard from the window and- "

Angel - "I had to held her's and Vaggie's fat asses!"

Vaggie punched Angel in the arm. Charlie rolled her eyes and went back to talking to her cousin.

Charlie - "I was just afraid of losing you."

Sonya - *confused* "Losing me?"

Charlie - "I was a little...jealous."

Rimfire - "Jealous of me?"

Angel - "I know it's a shocker."

Charlie - "I'm sorry girls. I mean I was just scared of losing you because of how we always spend time together. When you wanted to spend time with Rimfire it threw me off."

Sonya - *guilty* "So it's my fault." *she looks down*

Angel - "Yeah kid it's pretty much is."

Vaggie - *mad* "Angel shut up!"

Angel - "What? I'm just saying."

Charlie - "It's not her fault! I mean even before you moved to the city you didn't really have friends other than me."

Sonya - "Still, I wasn't trying to push you away. I mean Rimfire first friend my age."

Rimfire - "And you are the first friend I made since I got here."

The two hug each other for the first time. Which was a weird awkward hug.

Sonya - *uncomfortable* "This feels weird."

Rimfire - *also uncomfortable* "You mean the hug?"

Sonya - "I never hugged anyone my age."

Vaggie - "Oh sorry the pageant got ruined for you guys."

Sonya - "It's fine. I don't know why they did it in a bar this year anyway. Everybody is always drunk and stuff."

Rimfire - "There's always next year."

Charlie - *happy* "Well the hotel does have a music room."

Sonya - *perks up* "Really?"

Charlie - *nodded* "Yeah I put it there so the sinners can gain new hobbies to distract themselves from sling drugs and stuff."

Rimfire - *impressed* "That's so cool."

Charlie - "Maybe you can do a concert for us! So, we can cheer you sing."

Sonya - *perks up* "Really? You let us do that?"

Charlie - "Of course! I mean it also to make up for what happened."

Sonya - *smiles* Thanks Cousin Charlie!"

()()()()()()()()()()

Charlie opened the music room and saw how huge it was. It was the size of an opera theater room. There was red wallpaper, posters of her mother past concerts, poster of her dad singing, even some of her singing on stage as well. There were lots of tables, with cushion chairs, even a bar in its which Husk was already there drinking.

Charlie - "Man it's been a while since I came in here. Thanks for cleaning it up Niffty."

Niffty - "No problem! It was super-duper filthy, and it needed a lady's touch. Which is weird cause you guys being ladies and didn't clean it no offense."

Husk - "Explain to me again why we are in this fucking room?"

Charlie - "So we can listen to my baby cousin and her friend sing."

Angel - *flirty* "Ya know I can always do a show for you Husky."

Husk - "Fuck off!"

Sonya and Rimfire came with their instruments, and just before they got on stage, they heard a strange noise. They turned around and saw something under the table. Rimfire got out her gun, and then a little pink nose came out of the table. Turn out it was just Angel's pet piggy Fat Nuggets just sniffing around.

Rimfire - "Oh it was just a pig. He looks more like the runt of the litter. *shrugs* well looking like we are having pork chops tonight."

Just Rimfire was about shoot Fat Nuggets, Angel took the gun away from her.

Angel - "What the fuck are you doing?!"

Rimfire - "About to shoot a pig."

Angel - "This pig happened to be my pet!"

Rimfire - "You keep an animal like a pig for a pet?"

Angel - "What's that supposed to mean?"

Rimfire - "Animals are only good for food and clothes. Keeping them as pets are stupid."

Angel - *offended* "How dare you! *cooing to Fat Nuggets* it's okay baby, Daddy will always protect and love you no matter what."

He gave Fat Nuggets a hug much to Rimfire's disgust. Then Charlie said:

Charlie - "Okay Rimfire. We actually have a rule here: no one can harm anyone's pet."

Rimfire - "Rules like that are made to be broken."

Angel - *threateningly* "If you break that rule, I'll break you!"

Charlie - *nervously* "Maybe you should get on the stage now with Sonya."

As they all took their seats, Sonya and Rimfire went on stage with their guitar. They plug it in the speaker and fix the microphones. Then Sonya began to speak in it:

Sonya - "Hello! This song was originally meant to sing in the pageant. But that then turned out to be a bust."

Rimfire - "Yeah. Never do a music pageant in a bar."

Sonya - "Agreed. This song Rimfire, Liz and I wrote is for my awesome best friend and cousin: Charlie. Who was always there for me and Liz no matter how bad things get? This is for you cousin Charlie."

Sonya and Rimfire began to play their guitar and they sing:

In Hell there's one moving light that's glowing

Just like a star

Then she keeps on going

The whole place need that hope

People think she's weak but she's tough

You don't want to mess with her when you cross the line

Inside she has that light, she's tough

Her heart whispers do it now

The light comes out and shout out I'm going to do that vow

Oh Charlie, don't you worry

These are bumps you are going to through

Some day you will know what to do.

Oh Charlie, it's alright

Doesn't matter what you do

Just keep on going because I believe in you.

She's ready to roll

Tonight, is different

She'll show some hope but start it off slow

Oh no oh no

Some stupid assholes try to let her down

But she makes the show keep going on

She's not done she will keep on until the end of dawn. Her heart whispers do it now

The light comes out and shout out I'm going to do that vow

Oh Charlie, don't you worry

These are bumps you are going to through

Some day you will know what to do.

Oh Charlie, it's alright

Doesn't matter what you do

Just keep on going because I believe in you.

Her plans are on right now

And she's going to sing amazing songs

Her plans are never going to end and don't care if it takes long.

Oh Charlie, don't you worry

These are bumps you are going to through

Someday you will know what to do.

Oh Charlie, it's alright

Doesn't matter what you do

Just keep on going because I believe in you.

They finished the song and saw how Vaggie, and e others was cheering. Even Husk was impressed on how well the girls sang. Then suddenly, Sonya was grab by Charlie in a big hug. Tears of joy was flowing down Charlie's face because not only she loves the song, but how much her baby cousin mean to her. Sonya and even Liz in shadow form hugged back because they know no matter how many time Charlie will embarrass them; they will always love her no matter what.

Hope you all like it!

#hazbin hotel #vaggie #charlie #angel dust #rimfire #Sonya #liz #my fanfic

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deltas-writing-corner · 3 years

Text

Warmth: Act 1 - 13

Fandom: Ikemen Sengoku

Disclaimer: This is only the first 1000 words of the chapter. If you would like to read the rest, click here!

Warnings: none

Masterlist: (coming soon)

You stayed in bed the rest of the day. Mai and a few of the maids came in to check on you and express their joy at your awakening, but you couldn't reciprocate their sentiments as well as you would have liked to. Just as you start to think of a way to repay the girls for helping you out earlier, a muffled thud makes you spring out from underneath your covers to see what it was. It was only Ranmaru, who was kneeling down by your bed.

"Did I wake you?" he whispers.

"No," you answer, sitting yourself up and stretching out your stiff body real quick. "Don't keep me in suspense. Has he made up his mind?"

"He asked me to escort you to his quarters. I made sure to check the area for anything that would indicate a trap being set, but the place is clean. It seems he's willing to just talk with you."

“Good,” you sigh. That’s one matter less to worry over. “Thank you for double checking everything for me.”

He shakes his head and looks up at you with a soft smile. "It's no problem, my lady. This is the least I can do for you."

He helps you onto your feet and begins leading you by the hand. You make sure to keep your grip tight and follow his lead with precision. The last thing you want is to not only get caught out of your room, wide awake, but for him to get into trouble for helping you out. Thankfully, the two of you find yourself at the familiar manor in no time. He leads you to the back, where Mitsuhide's room is presumably at.

“He’s in there.” Ranmaru points towards a pair of doors. A flickering yellow hue finds its way through the miniscule crevices of the sliding doors, indicating that someone is present in the room. “Are you alright?” he suddenly asks you.

You hadn’t realized that your body began shaking, nor of the fact that your breathing has stopped entirely. You can feel each beat of your heart within the front of your head, down to the tips of your fingers and bare feet. Strangely enough, this midnight meeting is even more panic inducing than the skirmish you were brought out to. You had nothing to lose then, being immortal an all, unlike now.

Your very survival is on the line here. Kuro, your most trusted ally and brother, is gone. He isn’t here to squeeze your neck and reassure you in his typical blunt manner. He isn’t here to sink his teeth into the back of your hand and tell you to shut up and stop overthinking. At least back then, when the two of you were enemies, his lingering presence always reminded you that you were never alone. Even with Ranmaru standing right next to you, firmly holding and stroking the back of your hand with his thumb, you can’t help but feel so cold.

For the first time in 300 years, you feel so alone.

However, you are alone for a reason. Mitsuhide is alive for a reason. Kuro would have injected every ounce of his venom in him if he didn’t have faith in you. He sacrificed his body and held back because he believes you are capable of taking charge of the situation and turning it towards your advantage like you did many times before, in this life and the last.

He believes in you now, just as he did back then.

Your hand shoots up towards your face and you bite down on the back of your hand hard enough to draw a bit of blood. Ranmaru flinches at the sudden action, but he’s shocked completely still at the crazed, determined look in your eyes even within the blanket of darkness. A trail of saliva and blood stays connected to your lips when you pull back until you wipe it away with your sleeve. You take a breath in, hold it for a few seconds, and then release it out.

“Ranmaru,” your voice suddenly takes on a commanding tone despite it being hushed. “I need one more favor from you.”

He can see that you’re still scared shitless, but ready to face whatever it is that lies ahead of you once you open those doors. You have earned his respect and gratitude too many times to count. Somehow, you’ve earned it again despite having never lost it before.

He lets go of your hand and takes a full step back before lowering himself onto one knee and bowing his head to you. A symbol of his respect for you. “What do you need from me?”

“Go away.”

Your command, although simple, completely throws him off. Before he can question you or ask for further clarification, your hand finds its way under his chin and lifts his head up to look at you. You're looking at him as if nothing was ever wrong, like you weren’t freaking out just moments ago. His tongue swells up with uneasiness when you begin to pat and brush the top of his head like one would an innocent child.

“While I have every intention of making that white-haired rat kiss the very ground I step upon by the time the sun rises, I can’t take any more risks from here on out. In case things don’t go as planned, I need you as far away from here as possible.”

“I-It’s alright!” he frantically brushes off your concern. “No matter what happens tonight, I’ll stick by your side-”

“No,” you sternly cut him off. “I don’t want you anywhere near here, and that’s final.”

“But-”

Your hand returns to your side as you lower yourself down on your knees, down to his same level. Whatever argument he had left is silenced by your final plea. “Please, just go.” You pathetically say. “I can’t lose anyone else today.”

Your hands return to him again, this time running against the few bruises and scratches that litter neck from restraining Mitsuhide earlier. Ranmaru received these wounds whilst you were in limbo within your head. Mai and the other attendants came to your side and offered their help without hesitation despite having little to no combat training. The people around you have gone to such lengths for your sake. Such influence over them amazes you as much as it saddens you.

You will make good on the efforts everyone has given for you. But should you fail, the least you could do is ensure that no one else falls with you.

After a moment of silence, Ranmaru thankfully nods his head in understanding. You usher him away before standing up and facing the towering doors once again. It isn’t until you can no longer hear his silent footsteps that walk forward, grab onto the round handles, and pull the doors open. You’re immediately hit with warm air, a stark contrast from the chilly air from outside. Inside awaits the person you both despise and fear the most in this world, Mitsuhide Akechi.

He’s seated down by a low desk, nestled comfortably to the left side of the room. In his hands are a couple of papers that his eyes skim over, slowing down only when he happens upon something worth his full attention. When you step in and close the doors behind you, he pulls his amber irises away from his work to quickly acknowledge your arrival.

“Come in and make yourself comfortable,” he gestures towards the cushion positioned in front of his desk. “I won’t be long.”

You slowly make your way into the room. Ranmaru reassured you that their isn’t any traps or tricks set up for you, but you’d rather be safe than sorry. You lower yourself onto your offered seat and observe his room in the meantime. The first thing that catches your eyes is the small flintlock pistol almost conveniently on full display within the recessed wall. A delicate vase with a single stem of white flowers is set right next to it. Whether he meant to set it up in such a manner, you can't help but feel like you're being mocked by the weapon being so shamelessly displayed next to delicate and pure flowers.

You mentally slap yourself, or rather, you envision Kuro slapping you on the back of your head with his tail for letting yourself get worked up over essentially nothing. You move your vision away to the other side of the display; a hanging scroll and a piece of round ceramic or porcelain held up by a wooden stand. The scroll is of a painting of the moon, illuminating the same type of white, bell-like flowers as the ones in the vase. You look down to inspect the details of the fine china, but something suddenly tugs on your sleeve.

It's a fox. Its fluffy fur, as pure a white as a fresh blanket of snow. Its slanted eyes press together in satisfaction as it gnaws on your sleeve. You try to pull the damp fabric out from its mouth, but it growls and bites down into it like a vice.

"Hey now," you light-heartedly scold it. "This is mine."

It rapidly trashes its head side to side, silently telling you that no, your sleeve belongs to them now. You let your arm go limp to fake giving up to its advances, pleasing it greatly and causing its tail to rapidly sway back and forth. As soon as it lays down and relaxes, you swipe the fabric away and securely tuck it out of sight before it could bite on it again.

Mitsuhide gives a quick glance up to check out the commotion. Chimaki is snapping her jaw and burrowing her nose into your side. She's determined to get back whatever it is that you took from her that was likely never hers in the beginning. You aren't bothered by her persistence, much to his relief. The inhuman strength and soul quaking hisses of your companion before he beheaded him and the brief flash of serpent eyes from you. It was all still so fresh to his head, yet he's somehow managed to keep himself as calm as can be and called you to his room instead of outing you the moment he way away from you.

He thinks back to his conversation with Hideyoshi earlier in the day, the documents in his hands nearly rip as his grip suddenly tightens.

"It's been a week and she still hasn’t woken up! There’s no signs of improvement, but no worsening symptoms either. Even the other physicians can do nothing but check her pulse and breathing regularly. Yet even then, all of them note of a few moments where she stops breathing, but her heart keeps beating. Augh, this is so frustrating!”

With how concerned he looked and sounded, one would think it was Nobunaga that was injured and not the chatelaine. You are highly looked upon by Nobunaga, if the reports of his hellish attitude and looming presence during the duration of your initial treatment is to be believed. Surely, you are not held in the same regard as their shared lord. But in the eyes of Hideyoshi, your favoritism from the one he is most painstakingly loyal to places you on a pedestal just as high as the Devil King himself.

That was a major issue for Mitsuhide. He needed to kick that pedestal from right under your feet before you can even think about claiming the one slightly higher than your own. Normally, he would work within the shadows and resort to his usual dirty tactics. For you, someone clearly not human, and for the good of the people of Azuchi, he was willing to step into the light and ask for some assistance.

But before he can even dip his toe into the otherside, Hideyoshi says something that unknowingly halted him and forced him back into his dark corner.

"She better wake up soon. If not for Nobunaga-sama or Hisa-Obaasan's sake, then for Hayai's."

Hayai. How could Mitsuhide forget him? One day, you came running to Hideyoshi, holding what you believed to be an interesting looking rock. It was not a rock but instead a turtle shell, with said animal still inside and a bit frightened. It was one of many reasons (although silly) that pushed him to carry out his unauthorized excursion to Ise. How can anyone who is human not know what a turtle is?! How can any human not think it odd that someone doesn't know what a turtle is?!

It's because he trusts you. Hideyoshi trusts you enough to not question what is reasonably questionable and suspicious. He is not the only one who's heart you've coiled around. Nobunaga is so charmed with you that he would raise hell over your well-being in his own home and demand Ieyasu to return immediately, despite being out on an assignment by his own orders. Ranmaru and possibly every single female attendant in Azuchi not only trusts you and considers you like a sister, but they're fully aware of your secret and have no intention to sell you out.

It is because so many people support you that he felt necessary to swallow his now fixed tongue.

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#ikemen sengoku #ikemen sengoku writing #ikemen sengoku fanfiction #ikesen #reader insert #reader insert fanfiction #ikesen writing #ikesen fanfic #writing #ao3 fanfic #otome #cybird #fanfic: warmth

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inkedtoast · 4 years

Text

TF2 X Male reader || Chapter 1

Warning: Cursing, drinking, mentions of alcohol (and farther along in the series there will be gore)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“She will wear you out livin la vida loca

Alright!

Livin la vida loca

She's livin la vida loca!”

My alarm startles me awake with the loud and overly catchy song that somehow lived past the early 2000’s. I roll over and unlock my phone to turn off the alarm, yawning widely. I stretch my arms, kick off my blanket, and then sit up. I stare out of my bedroom window- which is one out of three windows in my whole apartment- and contemplate if I really wanna go to work today. The reminder of my paycheck and slightly overdue bills tells me that yes I should, so I get up and pull on my work clothes. I pat down my hair and put on my favorite hat. Stuffing my bare essentials into my travel backpack, (water bottle, keys, phone and charger, earbuds and wallet, and some of my drawing supplies), the various fandom pins that litter the front of it click against each other. They clatter louder against each other as I zip up the front pocket and hoist the bag over my shoulders. I start walking to the front door, not bothering with breakfast, when I realize I forgot my glasses. Those are kiindaa important…

I snatch them off of my nightstand and whisk out the front door and lock it. I jog to the bus stop, hoping I’m just in time. As I run to the bus stop, a couple dogs in someone’s yard start barking at me. I slow down a bit and wave to the dogs. They start leaping at the wire fence, making it creak and groan, trying to get a closer look- or smell, I guess. I start jogging again and get to the bus stop fairly quickly. I squat down next to the bus stop sign and breathe heavily.

“I’ve been jogging to the bus stop everyday for like a month now, I should be used to this. Augh!”, I pant. I stand up and look down the road both ways. I look to the left and see the bus just turning onto the street. Ah, thank god… I think in relief. I grab my wallet out of my backpack and pull out the correct amount of bus fare. The bus is just a couple blocks away when I hear a shuffle, like someone misstepped on the concrete sidewalk behind me. I turn to look behind me and see that no one is there. Huh…. Okay.

The bus pulls up behind me then and the doors ssttttss open. I turn back to the bus and drop my money into the till. The little machine whirs next to the bus drivers seat as it counts my money and sticks out a ticket for me like a tongue. I grab it and take the farthest seat back as is possible. I’m gonna be here a while…. I pull out my phone and plug in my earbuds. I press play on my favorite playlist, close my eyes and lean my head back. I tap my hands and feet to the songs, and soon I’m doing mini air drums to the songs and doing air riffs. My arms get tired from the waving around and I calm down. About three songs after that, I feel like someone is watching me. I open my eyes and lean my head forward. I pull out an earbud and look at the rest of the bus.

There's an old lady at the front of the bus with her nose in a Kindle and an older looking guy with a very interesting choice of polo shirt (it's bright green and some kinda golfing reference on it). And of course, the bus driver, Marty, who knows me as a regular. All of them are minding their own business, though. The guy with the green shirt notices me looking around and politely waves and smiles. I return the gesture and go back to my music, sinking down into my seat. Man, what is up with me? Guess I'm just feeling a little off today…

In record time (like an hour) the bus approaches my stop. I pull on the… stop cord thing and Marty waves at me.

"Have a good day, son!", He says as he smiles and opens the bus doors. I throw him some finger guns as I step backwards off of the bus.

"I'll do my best." He laughs and closes the doors as he drives away. I stand there for a second and sigh. Ah boy… work time. I turn face and walk a couple blocks to my place of work. The bright orange, yellow and purple sign announces the business for everyone within 200 feet to see. Big Red's Bar and Inn. The place where any self respecting drunk, bar hopper or cheater ends up. Anyone that comes to visit from another city always gets surprised about this bar.

A lot of new people say "Oh wow this little city has a bar? Not just a bunch of liquor stores? Wow" or "Oh.. quaint". Yeah it's not glamorous, but we have what we need. TV's, food, pool and foosball tables, lotto machines…. We get by. Honestly, I got lucky with this job. It's basically strictly family owned and run, but one of the girls there knew me from highschool and talked with her mom who runs the place. The two of them tackle every problem that comes up in the bar really easily. Once, Jessica -the one who got me this job- pulled a shotgun out from the counter after one guy wouldn't leave this lady alone. He left really quickly after that. I've never had to hold that thing and I hope I never will. I don't like trusting myself with that kinda thing.

I walk up to the front doors and pull out the establishment keys and fumble for a second before jamming the key in and unlocking the doors. My job is pretty simple and not that glamorous. I open up, clean the place, wait on tables during working hours, keep up stocks and take out the garbage. Basically I'm an errand boy. But it's labor intensive so I get paid pretty well and I'm not complaining. I notice a few things are out of place. A couple of chairs are on the floor instead of the table, a bunch of bottles are missing from the shelf on the wall behind the bar and there's a broken tumbler glass on the counter.

"I hope that doesn't get taken out of my paycheck,'' I mumble to myself. Maybe Jessica was having a rough night? I shrug and pick the glass up, sweeping the broken bits into the cup from the counter and go dump it into the glass receptacle.

||hours later||

It's just after happy hour and I am exhausted. A group of college kids who just got in decided to celebrate and pretty much trash that bar… during happy hour. At least wait till after 8 you dipshits. Who drinks at 5pm? Fuckin' morons, that's who… I grump to myself. Jessica comes up to me with a tray of Coors beers.

"Hey can you take these over? These guys are basically black holes for beer," She sighs. I frown. She seems really damn tired and down.

"Can I put tequila in them to make 'em pass out, so we can cut them off and get 'em outta here?" I joke. She laughs.

"No, we cannot. We can get in trouble for that. On top of that, why waste good stuff on a bunch of kids?" Jessica pats my shoulder and walks into the back.

"Good point, good point," I nod to myself. I carry the tray of Coors over and place them on coasters. The group of guys cheer when I walk up with their drinks. One of them catches my attention.

"Hey, dude, that girl. She single or what?" The guy who asks looks like some jock right out of a 2008 high school movie. Black spiked hair, traces of acne, wiry but somehow muscular frame. Yeah, no, this guy's a douche. I shrug.

"I dunno. Not my business and not yours either, man." I place the last couple beers down and start walking away. Jock McDouche stands up and grabs my shoulder, making me drop the tray. It clatters to the ground as he stares me dead in the eye.

"What'd you say, punk?". Oh boy…. Here we go… I step away from him and try to defuse the situation. I don't need Red getting on my ass about causing a bar fight.

"Dude, don't try and hit on some girl. Mind your own business and let her do her job. She can kick you out and ban you faster than you can say 'Poughkeepsie'." All of these things are excellent points and a few of the other guys in the group side with me. Despite that, though, Jock McDouche pushes me.

"Why you being so defensive of her? She your girl or something?"

"No, it's just none of your business. If she wanted it to be your business, you'd know." Right after that, Jessica turns up.

"Something wrong gentlemen?" She's got the bar shotgun on her hip, pointing it right at the crotch of the asshole who started this. His face bleaches and bullets of sweat start rolling down his forehead. He covers his junk with his hand, as though that will stop any bullets that get fired.

"N-no ma'am. Just fooling around, weren't we pal?" He looks at me. I raise an eyebrow. I wait a few seconds before answering just to make him squirm.

"Yeah. Definitely." I turn to Jessica and shake my head to let her know it's not worth it anymore. She uncocks the gun and walks away. I bend down to pick up the tray and walk back behind the counter to put it away. I start reorganizing glasses under the counter and stacking them by height and size due to boredom. I sit behind the counter for another ten minutes before Jock McDouche and his posse decide to pay and leave. As Jock pays for his share of the tab, he glares at me. I stare right back at him, letting him know literally I couldn’t give a shit. He scoffs at me and walks out once him and his buddies are done paying.

“Hey, could you go and take out the trash and recycling?”, Jessica says as she comes up behind me. I nod and set down the glass I was rolling in between my hands. I grab the full bags of garbage and recycling out by their drawstrings and tie them. Walking to the back door through the kitchen, I push it open with my back. As I finish struggling to open the huge dumpsters and dropping in the garbage, I hear a few steps behind me. I’ve heard of this being a signal that someone is trying to mug you. Wait isn’t that just in movies?.... I decide that it can happen in real life and grab a broken bottle and turn to chuck it at the person behind me when I feel a sharp pain in my neck. I raise my hand to my neck and feel something that is clearly a mini tranquilizer dart. I look up and see a female silhouette in a dress. I’m not sure but the outline of her dress is…. Purple?

“At least he tried to defend himself… Definitely gives him points..,” I hear her sigh. I feel woozy in seconds and feel my knees collapsing. I try to throw the bottle at her again and it sadly bounces off of her torso and breaks against the ground. I try to stand up, stumbling like I just finished drinking a whole 40 of tequila. The woman, whose face I can’t see, makes a surprised noise.

“You should be out already. Ah, well, that’s something important to note: needs higher dose of tranq,” She scribbles that down on a notebook as I look at her like she just grew three heads. She grabs my head by my hair and jerks it to the left and jabs the dart gun against my neck, shooting a dart deeply into my skin. I instantly feel 200% more tired and promptly start to give in to the heavy, potent drugs.

“Ahh fffuckk...,” are the last words I hear myself say before fall forward and pass out on the lady’s shoes.

#tf2 #tf2 x male reader #male reader #tf2 pauling #tf2 demoman #tf2 sniper #tf2 medic #tf2 heavy #tf2 scout #tf2 spy #tf2 pyro #tf2 engineer #tf2 soldier

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diddlesanddoodles · 4 years

Text

Dumpling ch 28

(Chapter Warnings: This chapter contains violence against children.)

The roof tiles were rounded and it made running horribly difficult. She kept slipping and Jae had to pull her back up and usher on further. Neither of them looked back to see if they were being pursued.

“Come on! We just need to reach the King’s Keep. There’s guards there and –”

All sound was drowned out by a savage roar that split the sky and sent both Jae and Nenani tumbling. A dark shadow passed above them and the burst of wind that followed it nearly sent them falling off the roof. Nenani looked up in time to see the thin membrane of wide black wings flap once and then twice and the shape of the creature turned as it banked around the other side of the castle. It was an enormous black creature with familiar features. All spikes and horns and talons and teeth.

“Oh...Oh shit. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!” Jae said, his eyes wide with panic. “That’s...that’s a fucking Dragon!”

“What?” Nenani asked in distress. “Are you sure it’s not just a really big wyvern?”

“No. No, we gotta move. If the Mage doesn’t catch up first, that thing’s gonna make snacks out of us! Come on, let’s go!”

There was a blast of horns as the call to assemble rang out. She could hear the sound of guards moving into position and people yelling and screaming as they saw the great beast overhead. She could not be certain of it, but she felt as though the beast was easily twice if not three times as large as the wyvern had been. It’s scales were a glossy black with mottled patches of brown and gray along its flanks and shoulders. The Dragon had two back legs and two forelegs with enormous wings holding it aloft. The wyvern only had back legs and its wings acting in place of “hands”. As a consequence, there was a lot more bulk to the dragon’s body. Jae’s grip on her wrist kept her firmly planted in the present and they ran. The dragon made a large loop around the castle’s perimeter, its great horned head sweeping back and forth as though seeking something and then it opened its jaws wide and from deep within its throat, a stream of blue fire erupted and rained down on the western wing of the castle.

“Oh shit!” Jae cursed, stopping in his tracks to watch the horrible blanket of flames fall onto the roof. “No...No! NO!”

“No, please...” Nenani said quietly as she watched the flames catch. The roof was tiles, but the supports underneath were very much wood. And the ramparts along the edge were wood as well. “No...”

“Take heart, children,” said the Smoke Mage from behind as he loomed over them. “You won’t be around to watch it burn to the ground.”

Jae pushed Nenani away just as the Mage tried to grab her. She rolled painfully against the hard edge roof tiles and looked up just as Jae brought her father’s sword up one more time. But the Mage blocked his strike easily with a single swing and then suddenly Jae was on the defensive. The Mage swung again and again and it was all Jae could do to keep the sword in front of him to keep the black blade from lodging itself into his neck. With each swing and clash of the blades, the young man was pushed back further and further. One after another after another. Closer and closer to the roof’s edge.

“Jae!” Nenani called as she struggled to get to her feet, but they wobbled with fatigue and pain.

The Mage flung his blade one more time and Jae’s grip slipped and the thorn guard blade went sailing away over the edge to clatter noiselessly far below. The Smoke Mage reached out with a clawed hand and grabbed Jae around the throat and jaw and lifted the boy off the ground like he was nothing. Small trails of blood trickled from the gouges his nails were tearing into Jae’s neck and face.

“Augh–!” Jae weezed and kicked. “F-fuck off!”

“Such a pathetic showing. You wield his sword like a toy,” the Mage spat as Jae struggled and slammed his fists against the wrist gripping him to try to loosen the maddening grip. “But you will die just the same as Hayron did. In the mud.”

The Mage thrust his arm out and released Jae’s throat, tossing him away. He fell back into the open air and disappeared over the roof’s edge with a cry of surprise. And was gone.

“JAE!” She screamed, getting to her feet despite the pain and running to where he had fallen. “JAE! JAE!”

But as she reached the roof’s edge, the same clawed hands grabbed at her scalp and pulled her back by her hair. She screamed in pain, trying to get away from the Smoke Mage but not matter how she writhed and kicked, his grip was hard and uncaring. He pulled her close and she felt the end of the stag skull mask dig into her cheek.

“I have sought you across this continent for months,” his voice was loud in her ears, hissing like an enraged viper as she continued to struggle; reaching for the edge with desperate hands to get to Jae. He needed help. She needed to get to him! “Every time I’ve gotten close, you slipped through my fingers; Every. Single. Time. But you have no one else to help you now. So be a good little brat and do as I say and perhaps I won’t pull out your damnable tongue.”

“Release her!”

Nenani looked towards the voice and saw the bright colored red armor and gold Vhasshalan seal upon the breast plate. The giant wore a helmet so she could not clearly see his face but the long gray hair trailing behind him gave him away.

“Rheil! Please –!” A clawed hand covered her mouth and her plea was silenced. She felt his claws dig into her skin and draw blood.

“I said release her!” The Smoke Mage did not say anything, only stood there and considered the sight of the Captain of the Guard balancing himself precariously on the library’s roof with his sword drawn. A great shadow fell upon them all as the Dragon landed behind them, shaking the buildings and pushing several tiles off the edge. Its great horned head was only a few feet behind Nenani and the Mage. She could feel the heat of its breath on her and she squirmed. But the sight of the Dragon did not seem to rattle Rheil.

“I tell you once more, Mage. Release the girl or I will strike you down!”

The Mage laughed, pulling Nenani up by her collar. Her legs kicked feebly in the air. Behind them, she saw the Dragon open his terrible jaws to reveal long wicked teeth and a blood red tongue. Waves of heat spilled from its mouth.

“Release her to me, now!”

“...No.” The Smoke Mage said and just as he had done with Jae, threw Nenani into the air and away from him. But she did not sail over the edge of the roof to find her death so very far below. No. He threw her back into the waiting jaws of the Dragon that lurched forward to meet her. She hit the hot flesh of its tongue, the heat painful against her skin, and she looked out just in time to see the world disappear behind long sharp teeth.

“Take her to the keep.” The world went dark and she screamed.

……………………………………………………………………………..

She was all over mud and even her mother’s displeased face could not dampen her giggles. The mud puddle was a cool relief from the hot day and Nenani was perfectly content to splash about the muck like a little piglet.

“You just had a bath!” Oira told the little girl as she grabbed up a handful of mud. “And look at your dress!”

“But it’s fun! Look! I made you a pie!” She held out her handful of mud, several bits of dried leaf and twigs poking out.

“What would your father say if he saw you like that?”

“He would say,” said her father as he came up behind his wife, kissing her on the cheek, and the looked down at his child. “What flavor pie?”

“Hm,” the little girl thought for a moment. “Lemon!”

“Lemon? Why lemon?” her father asked. “Why not apple or even a fish pie?”

“No fish,” she said. “Lemon.”

“I just gave her a bath,” Oira said exasperatedly to her husband as he knelt at the edge of the muddy pool and stuck his hand in. “Oh, not you too. You’re who she gets all this from you know.”

“What? You never played in the mud when you were little?”

“Mud? Gods above I would’ve been batted across the ears if my governess found me all over mud like her and if I had ruined my dress? I’d have been whipped.”

“That’s a shame,” he father said sympathetically. “Every child deserves a chance to just be a child. There’s plenty of time for other things later, but these years are so short.”

“Hayron, I wasn’t like other children,” Oira said with a frown.

“But it’s what you wish for her, isn’t it?”

“You know it is...”

“Well, I’m afraid part of letting her have a normal and safe childhood includes things like this.”

“But the mud, Hayron...”

“Yes, dear. Even the mud...”

………………………………………………………………………….

There was a ring of light dancing around her head and every beat of her heart sent a throbbing pain across her temples. There was no up or down. Just the oppressive heat and moisture of inside the Dragon’s mouth. Something inside her was pulsing and trying to get out, but the ring of light held it back. But still she pushed and pushed until at last she felt the ring begin to crack. She could faintly hear Maevis’s voice chanting and the words that had not made sense before began to become clear to her and she could hear him saying the words...

“...where the north sky meets west and upon there lay your line to seal and bind, a crown of gold to smother the flames...”

The ring of golden light shuddered as another pulse became fire and light and the crown upon her head shattered into a shower of dazzling stars before the world erupted into fire and heat and hate and fear. The Dragon’s jaw was torn from its skull by the explosion of red flames blooming from inside its mouth and it screamed and writhed in terrible pain; it’s tongue was ash and its teeth were charred and broke apart as he fell from the sky as the flames hungrily began to consume the enormous creature.

She was falling and watching the dragon burned, only dimly aware of herself. The release was euphoric and the pressure and pain inside her head and chest was gone and it was flowing from her hands in long ribbons of red and yellow and orange. The flames ate up her hate and fear until she had nothing left to feed it. The fire ceased flowing from her and she slipped into darkness as she and the dragon both plunged into the river below.

When she broke the surface, all she could see was fire. The water, the smoldering corpse of the dragon, everything. It was all on fire. She swam for the shore, breathless and exhausted and coughing up river water. Once she reached the shallows, she rested. The cold water lapping at her skin and soaked clothes in start contrast to the light and terrible fire that floated on top of the water all around. As she watched the dead dragon burn, her thoughts went back to Vhasshal and...

“Farris...” she breathed and a sob caught in her throat. “Jae...” Her tears were as hot as any flames and the pain in her chest returned. She got to her feet, fists clenched so hard her fingers went numb, her arms shaking not from the cold, but from anger and hurt and pain. She screamed, her eyes burning and she inhaled deeply and screamed again. The sound of it echoed throughout the valley. Again and again and again and with each release, the flames grew higher and higher until all of the river that she could see was in flames. She heard the snapping of a tree branch behind her and she whirled around.

There was a blue ranger standing on the banks. He had long red hair and an unkempt beard and he held up a placating gloved hand as the fire light reflected in his normally green eyes. But now they were on fire too. “Hello there, my little sweetling...”

Nenani’s eyes widened in disbelief and his name burst out of her throat like a sob. “K-keral…?”

The ranger’s coat was dirty as would have been expected with him having spent a few days out in the wilds. She could see him glance warily over to the giant mound of smoldering flesh that had once been a dragon.

“Ye seemed to have found yerself in a bit a trouble, lass,” He said, slowly making his way to the river’s shore. She felt the tears well up. He looked just like Farris and she could see him in his face and it made her heart ache. As though responding to her, the flames pulsed.

“Whoa!” Keral took a step back, both hands raised. “Just...calm yerself. Ye need to calm down, Nenani. Feed them flames any more and yer gonna set the whole valley alight.”

“He came!” she yelled. “He came and he hurt Farris!”

She could see now the ranger’s hard expression. “Are ye hurt, lass?”

“HE HURT FARRIS!” She screamed, yanking at her hair. “HE KILLED JAE!”

The blue ranger physically jolted as though the news had struck him like a sword. He was silent for a moment and then said, “Lass. Ye can tell me all that happened. But ye need to calm down.”

She grabbed more of her hair and shuddered, closing her eyes and wrapping her misery around herself like a cloak. “HE CAME FOR ME AND THEY WERE HURT! IT’S ALL MY FAULT!”

“You know that ain’t true and if Farris were hear he’d tell ya same.”

“HE’S NOT HERE! NO ONE IS!”

“I am, sweetling. I’m right here. Yer gonna be fine. Just listen to me...” Keral was standing at the edge of the river now and he looked down at the lightly lapping waves. Then he stepped into the river.

Nenani bristled, suddenly horrified that her flames might hurt him. “Don’t! Please! I don’t wanna hurt you!”

“Ah, sweetling,” Keral said, flashing her a warm smile and pulling his gloves off. “Mage fire don’t work that way. Ye have to want to hurt me fer it to work.”

With every step into the water, she backed away, trying to quell the flames before he got too close and began to smolder like the dead dragon. She would never forgive herself. “I can’t control it!”

“All ya need to do it want it to go away,” Keral told her gently, making a downward motion with his hands. “All ye gotta do, lass.”

“It’s not working!”

“All those mean feelings ye get; Anger. Fear. Pain. Mage fire thrives on it and just a little sends up a big ol’ spark if yer not mindful. So I know yer real scared, lass. Yer angry, yer hurt. The whole river’s burnin’...”

She stared at him sobbing and then looked back towards the burning river. The flames were so high. His shadow fell over her and she looked back at him alarmed as how quickly he had made it over to her. He crouched down near her and puts his hands to either side of her and she bristled, fearing that he would ignite any moment and die. His expression was firm, but warm and confident. The light of her fire reflected in his green eyes. “But I’m not scared. Because I know ye ain’t gonna hurt me lass.”

He scooped the sobbing ball of mage fire from the water and Nenani waited for his cries of pain...but none came. She looked at his hands and saw the fire from her body did not burn his flesh.

“Just breathe, Nenani.” She took in a breath, staring down at his hands and tracing the creases in them with her eyes. The light of the flames began to dim as her heart beat slowed. Another breath and they became weaker and weaker…

“That’s it,” he said quietly to her. “Just like that.” And then the flames were gone and she was left sitting in Keral’s hands feeling ill and so very tired. Smoke rose from the dragon, but neither it nor the river was in flames.

“I’m sorry...” she said thickly and rubbing a wet sleeve across her nose.

“Hush now,” he said, opening his coat up and slipping her inside. She was far too out of her own head to even mind his body odor and instead just soaked up the warmth he was providing. “That was a lot power ye just burned through and it’s already pretty chilly. Just get yerself warm. Don’t worry about nothing else, eh?”

She could heard the slosh of the water around his boots as he exited the river and the soft crunch of river rocks which then gave way to the softer sounds of grass and forest undergrowth. He pulled his coat over her a little more and she was sealed inside with only a small bit of light visible. He rubbed her back soothingly through the fabric of his coat as he walked and she felt the tugging of sleep. She was so tired that when it finally pulled her under, she did not resist. But just as she did, she could hear Keral speak softly to himself.

“...water runs red with fire...”

……………………………………………………………………………….

When she woke up, she was still wrapped in Keral’s coat, but it hand been placed on the ground and folded into a sort of make-shift bed. Sitting up, she looked around and saw Keral sitting against a large fallen tree with his arms crossed and head bowed. He looked like he was asleep. But the moment she made a sound, his eyes opened and green eyes looked to her.

“How ye feeling, sweetling?” his voice was soft, but hoarse and his eyes looked sad and she could not help but think of Jae. She didn’t feel confident enough to speak for fear that she would just start crying again, so she settled for a noncommittal shrug.

“Aye,” he said with a small tired smile. “’Bout the same myself.” He shifted his feet and rolled his shoulders. “Just takin’ a rest before movin’ on. It’ll take us a day or so to get back to the castle and I’d like to make it there in one go without stoppin’. Go on and get some more sleep. It’ll be harder once we start movin’ again.”

She laid her head back down, but wasn’t confidant she would be able to sleep. But she must have because when she awoke again later that day, the sun was starting to set and when she looked over to the fallen tree, Keral was no longer there. A jolt of fear gripped her and she scrambled to her feet, looking around fervently.

“K-keral?” she called, her voice was nearly gone. Probably from all the screaming, she supposed.

“Right here, lil’un.” She turned towards the sound to see Keral standing in a thick part of the forest, obscured by the tall trunks of trees. “Heard somethin’. Just gonna go check on it. Keep yer head down and stay still for me, eh? I’ll be back in a bit.”

She nodded and crawled back under the cover of his coat. From under the thick cover, she watched the small patch of forest that she could still see and waited. It seemed like several minutes went by without a sound beyond bird song and the wind. But then there came a rustling of leaves that stopped and started again without any semblance to a pattern, but it seemed like it was getting closer and closer and…

Someone leaped over the large fallen tree and ran straight towards her. They wore a long gray cloak and hood and she could not see their face, but they weren’t a giant. They were human. They hurriedly knelt down near the opening of the coat and reached their hand in.

“Nenani,” said the figure breathlessly, grabbing her hand. A woman. “Nenani! Nenani, come. We have to be quick.”

“What?” she asked, but the figure was pulling at her arm and practically dragging her from under the cover of Keral’s coat. “Who...”

“There’s no time!” the woman said, putting their hands on the small of her back and steering her along with her. “We must move quickly now!”

Nenani wondered if she was part of the Hill Tribe. Had Keral sent her? Had he found the Smoke Mage and sent her along to warn her? Her mind raced and they ran into the thick trees. Nenani struggled to keep up and the woman kept prodding her along, sometimes picking her up all together to get over a log or down a steep incline.

“Where...where are we going?”

“Away.” The woman did not say more and they kept running, but soon Nenani was growing too tired and began to slow considerably. Looking at Nenani as she panted breathlessly, the cloaked woman nodded.

“We’ll take a rest here for a moment.” she said and walked over to a very large tree and sat on a root poking up from the ground. “But only a moment.”

“Where are we going?” Nenani asked in gulping breathes. “Please.”

“We’ll go a little further and then start to circle around again. I need to pick something up and then we can go on further.”

“Who are you?” Nenani asked. The cloaked woman pushed off from the root and stood in front of Nenani.

“You don’t recognize me, do you?” she asked. “It’s bee a very long time...A lot has happened. To me. To you...”

“I don’t…?”

The cloaked woman reached up to pull back her hood to reveal a pale thin face and red hair that had been cut astonishingly close to the scalp and not very evenly. There were scars around her neck and face and she had large eyes that held in their depths a kind of innate sadness. Nenani stared at the face and found it hard to breathe. A large swell of emotion came up and she felt the tears dribble down her face. Her hands were shaking and the tips of her fingers began to glow.

“I’ve missed you so much...” The woman was crying.

Nenani ran to her and with every bit of strength she had left, wrapped her arms around her and squeezed.

“MAMA!”

#Dumpling #g/t #g/t story #g/t writing #giant and tiny #size difference #Nenani #Jae #Keral #Smoke Mage #angst #get yer tissues

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