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randomvarious · 3 years

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SWV - “Right Here” 18 Top Hits 1/94 Song released in 1993. Compilation released in 1994. R&B

The first wave of R&B girl groups in the 90s was dominated by three separate entities: first, there was En Vogue, who were responsible for starting the whole craze, and then came TLC, who were then followed by SWV. And since this is a post that’s gonna be littered with a bunch of fun, little trivia nuggets, here’s your first one: SWV, which is an acronym for Sisters With Voices, originally wanted to call themselves TLC, based on the first initials of their three members, Tamara, Leanne, and Cheryl. But they received a cease & desist letter from Epic Records, who had the TLC name locked up for the soon-to-be sensational Atlanta trio that was on their own roster. And so, Tamara, Leanne, and Cheryl begrudgingly settled on calling themselves SWV instead.

They began in 1988 in New York with two members, Leanne and Cheryl, who both sang at church, and were in search for a third girl to finish out the group. After going through auditions, they chose Tamara, who, according to a Rolling Stone article, was really shy and originally would only sing with the lights off. The three girls also donned stage names. Leanne would be Lelee, Cheryl would be Coko, and Tamara would be Taj. As a quirk, they sent out demo tapes with bottles of Perrier because they couldn’t afford to send champagne. They would end up catching the ear of legendary producer, as well as the father of the new jack swing fad, Teddy Riley (more on him later), and he would end up getting SWV inked to a ridiculously terrible eight-album contract, which the group never completely fulfilled. But at least they got themselves signed to a major, right?

In 1992, SWV released their debut album, It’s About Time, with most of the production coming from a guy named Brian Alexander Morgan. Morgan has gone on to produce, remix, write, and arrange for a bunch of music superstars, including Usher, Drake, Wu-Tang Clan, Mariah Carey, and Ariana Grande. But his first big opportunity came from...right here...with SWV’s debut album.

In fact, it was “Right Here” that would kick things off for SWV, becoming the group’s first single, before their debut album ended up hitting the shelves. But here’s where it might get a little confusing. That first single isn’t the version of “Right Here” that everyone would end up remembering SWV for. Actually, almost no one remembers the original version of “Right Here,” which is an excellent song on its own. Morgan laced his new jack swing beat with organ, electric guitar, and ringing bells that remind us of Run-D.M.C.’s “Peter Piper” and Snap!’s “The Power,” which both trace back to Bob James’ “Take Me to the Mardi Gras”. And Taj raps, too!

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The original version of “Right Here” would peak at #92 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #16 on the R&B/Hip Hop chart. The next pair of SWV singles, “I’m So Into You” and “Weak” would fare much better, both reaching the top ten on Billboard’s Hot 100, with “Weak” going all the way to #1. These singles would then set the stage for the release of a new version of “Right Here,” the one everyone knows and loves, which is credited as a Teddy Riley remix, and was fresh for the summer of 1993. It’s commonly dubbed as the “Human Nature Mix” because of its liberal sampling of the Michael Jackson song off Thriller. That particular mix would also feature on the Free Willy soundtrack, which would also contain and lead with Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There”.

(Another famous sampling of “Human Nature” would happen in 1994, too, with Nas’ “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” which was produced by Large Professor. Now, you could be thinking that the “Human Nature Mix” might’ve provided some inspiration for Large Pro to conjure up that particular beat, but as it turns out, “It Ain’t Hard to Tell” was actually recorded in ‘92.)

So here’s the coolest piece of trivia you’ll run into today. Know who’s delivering that catchy “ess, double, you, vee” line throughout the “Human Nature Mix”? Pharrell. And it’s his first vocal credit, ever! One day, he was performing in a high school talent show with his R&B group, The Neptunes (not his production project with Chad Hugo), and guess who was in the audience? Teddy Riley! Riley’s studio just so happened to sit next to Pharrell’s high school. How’s that for luck? Pharrell would end up writing Riley’s verse on Wreckx-N-Effect’s old school hip hop summer classic, “Rump Shaker,” and the following year he was on the “Human Nature Mix”. There’s also a captivating, “give-it-some-time-to-work-itself-out” kind of “UK Remix” of “Right Here” on which Pharrell raps, and in 1996, The Neptunes (now just Pharrell and Hugo) would receive their first production credits for two songs (and an interlude) on SWV’s second album, New Beginning.

And now for something probably even less people know about. Although the “Human Nature Mix” is credited to Teddy Riley, it’s not his work. It’s Brian Alexander Morgan’s, the guy who also produced the original version. Riley’s name was merely attached for marketing purposes only. The label probably thought that if they sold the single as a remix that was made by a production superstar who was using a Michael Jackson song(!), it would move more units than if they said it was by Morgan, which is a name that barely anyone knew. And it seems like the label was correct in its calculus. Even though it didn’t end up hitting #1 (it hit #2), the “Human Nature Mix” remains SWV’s most remembered song, and you can credit it for leading to a re-release of SWV’s debut album, which at that point would add the remix, and would help generate over two million copies sold.

And come to think of it, how many songs can you name in which the remix ended up becoming far more popular than the original version? Before the advent of EDM, anyway. And “Ignition (Remix)” doesn’t count, by the way. That totally misunderstands what a remix is. There’s like a handful of tracks that come to mind: a pair of Amber remixes by Hani and Thunderpuss (”One More Night” and “Sexual (Li Da Di),” respectively), another Thunderpuss remix of “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay” by Whitney Houston, a Latin house remix of Madonna’s “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” by Pablo Flores and Javier Garza, and of course, Todd Terry’s remix of “Missing” by Everything But the Girl. But the “Human Nature Mix” of “Right Here” might be at the top of the list. Lots of people aren’t even aware of the original’s existence. When you say the words “’Right Here’ by SWV,” everyone just assumes you’re talking about the “Human Nature Mix”. When the song is included on compilations, a lot of times the words “Human Nature” aren’t anywhere to be found, like on this random German comp I have that gathered 18 of the top songs from January of 1994. That’s how much more popular the “Human Nature Mix” is than the original. Let me know if you can think of any other remixes that hold a similar status.

One more thing before I get to the music video. This mix is so different from the original. The original version has a much harder edge and clearly took way more thought and effort to put together than the “Human Nature Mix” since the “Human Nature Mix” primarily just coasts off of the Michael Jackson sample. It doesn’t mean the original’s better though. It’s definitely great, but it’s trapped in the new jack swing era, and for that reason, it doesn’t have the staying power of the “Human Nature Mix”. Sometimes a producer finds something that’s easy enough to cobble together and it just manages to hit really good. That’s definitely the case here. The “Human Nature Mix” is just so fluffy; it was perfect summer radio then and it’s perfect summer radio now. It’s like an R&B counterpart to DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime,” which came out a couple years beforehand. In fact, if I were doing a nostalgic 90s summer mix, I would probably line those tracks up back-to-back (”Rump Shaker” would be somewhere in there, too). There’s just a super relaxing, enjoyable airiness that both songs seem to possess. Oh, and speaking of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, you know who provides the background vocals on Will Smith’s “Men in Black” song? Coko from SWV. Wild, right?

So, anyway, the video. It sucks. It just does. It’s not memorable at all, besides the awkward, intermittent slip-ins of footage of Michael Jackson performing “Human Nature” from his Dangerous tour and some clips of Free Willy swimming and breeching. It’s really a missed opportunity for the group. Apparently, there’s another video without Michael and Free Willy, too, but I can’t find it. It sounds like it’s boring though. Oh well.

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The first single off of SWV’s next album (”You’re the One”) would do very well for itself, too, and that album would manage to go platinum. But they’d get lost in the fold soon after, while En Vogue and TLC would end up building much more on their prior success. And TLC would come out on top for the late 90s with songs like “No Scrubs” and “Unpretty”.

SWV made good songs, but they weren’t marketed well, at all. Case in point, your last bit of trivia: Taj was a contestant on Survivor in 2009. No, not Celebrity Survivor. Just regular-ass Survivor. No one knew she was Taj from SWV and she didn’t tell anyone on the show either. This lady helped sell millions of records for fuck’s sake. I guarantee you every contestant on that show knew an SWV song and they had no idea who this woman even was. Isn’t that kind of insane? I mean, SWV were by no means one-hit wonders, and they weren’t super popular for that long, but they were definitely an early 90s R&B staple. Anyway, for what it’s worth, Taj ended up finishing in fourth on Survivor. She’s also married to soon-to-be Hall of Fame running back Eddie George.

So, there it is. One of the greatest and most popular tunes of the 90s. A song everyone likes that has a lot of fun, interesting facts that surround it. Shame that these girls couldn’t sustain their success for the remainder of the decade, but at least they and Brian Alexander Morgan gave us this indomitable classic.

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bakudekuficlibrary · 6 years

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Heelloo! This blog is absolutely wonderful. Before sleep, I always come to look for a fanfic based on the lists and it's very helpful. I can't help but sleep like a bear after reading a good fic recommended in this blog. Hope you continuee! And alsoo I have a request... if there is any fic with a jelly Kacchan, but a frequently jealous Kacchan. Because I love reading that type of scenes. Hope you answer meee, thankk youuu!!! ;;;

Hi! Thank you so much for the kind words, and I’m so sorry for the wait! Here’s a link to the Jealous Kacchan mini-list, just in case you haven’t seen it yet. Hmm… I think possessive behavior fics have a lot of Jealous Kacchan moments, so here’s a mini-list! (Some fics are tagged with both “Jealous Bakugou Katsuki” and “Possessive Behavior,” so you will see some works listed on here that were already listed in the other mini-list!)

-Ellie

20 Works.

Before Midnight by DriftingGlass ( E | 211,528 | 28/28 )

Izuku Midoriya takes the same train to and from school Monday through Friday, morning and night. His only company during these lonesome hours comes in the form of another boy his age—a teen with scarred hands and blood gem eyes, a stranger with ash-blond hair who walks in a shroud of danger and mystery.

“Would you stop with that fucking muttering, idiot?”

And before Izuku can find his footing, his life becomes a full-blown collision course thanks to walking cannonball Katsuki Bakugou.

(And along the way he may have found the missing fuel to his fire).

[Graphic Depictions of Violence | Underage | Implied/Referenced Child Abuse | Emotional/Psychological Abuse | Attempted Sexual Assault]

[Abandoned] Alexithymia by DriftingGlass ( M | 61,246 | 10/11 )

It’s as if he’s inhaling a breath of snow and ashes—a shock and choke in his throat, strangely reminiscent of the day he realized that the birthmark blooming on his shoulder was identical to the drawings on his childhood friend’s desk.

Now, twelve years later, it only confirms Izuku’s impending doubts that, yes, he is now legally claimed by Katsuki Bakugou.

[ THIS FIC HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. ]

[Underage]

[On Hiatus] Lost Omega by GreyDayMoon ( Not Rated | 36,940+ | 12/? )

Izuku was just trying to take care of himself and his mother but a single slip up sends him into unfamiliar territory where he encounters an aggressive alpha who drags him into tribe life.

*On temporary Hiatus*

[Graphic Depictions of Violence | Underage | Dub-Con]

[On Hiatus] And He Was Magnificent by Skaii, SugarbabyIzuku ( E | 4,134+ | 1/? )

Midoriya Izuku is an omega slave, born into a life of subservience. He’s trapped, never to reach his dreams of something more; until he’s thrust headfirst into the world of Bakugou Katsuki, the crown prince of Incendium Kingdom. Now, Izuku must adjust to a new life as Katsuki’s slave—while a war that threatens to shake the land looms on the horizon.

[Graphic Depictions of Violence]

[On Hiatus] Quirkless by InkHound ( M | 29,444+ | 6/? )

Izuku’s heartbroken at the tender age of four— the doctors have confirmed he is quirkless. But the truly crushing blow is when not long afterward, little Izuku has a chance meeting with his number one hero; All Might, who tells him that without a quirk, he can’t be a hero (it’s just too dangerous).

Later that night, Izuku is watching his favorite All Might video in a daze. He puts the question to his mother; can he still be a hero, without a quirk? He watches as she freezes up, pale-faced and wet-eyed before she rushes to his side and speaks in a trembling, tear-filled voice;

“Oh baby, my sweet baby ‘zuku,” she says through her tears, “Of course you can.”

And everything changed.

[Underage]

The Bonds that Bind Us by DMMegsie ( M | 28,298+ | 5/? )

Travelling with his trading caravan, Izuku is on his way home when they stumble across an already heated battle in the middle of an open field in the dead of night. Being mistaken as part of attacking party, Izuku finds himself fighting off the fabled Demon King of the Mountains of Fire.

However, during the battle, Izuku breaks a necklace on the Demon King that held an unspoken promise from his mother from long ago, which changes everything.

Nothing ever as it seems, nor is it simple. As an omega of elven descent, Izuku has a lot to learn about the greater world and himself. The same could be said of the half dragon lord of the mountain.

[Graphic Depictions of Violence | Rape/Non-Con]

Oubaitori by DriftingGlass ( M | 32,666+ | 4/16 )

From the moment he was born, Izuku understood that he was different. He was a rarity, an omega; not necessarily seen as useful or even desirable. It didn’t take long, however, for his entire future to be placed in the hands of an alpha, one by the name of Katsuki Bakugo.

Through many pitfalls, confusion, and pains of growing up in a city where both are outcasts of their own kind, it takes more than just the threads of instinct and arranged contracts to bring two hearts together.

Love isn’t fate. It’s pure luck.

[Underage]

Mark Me Up by Flightless_Bird ( T | 1,674 | 1/1 )

Katsuki’s gaze cut into him again like a lightning bolt and it took Izuku a second to realize what the tilt of the blonde’s head meant: come here.

Hero & Zero by GreyDayMoon ( Not Rated | 8,493+ | 4/? )

Bakugou was the number one hero, surrounded by fans, and loaded with fame and fortune. So why would he care if a boy from his childhood still watched him from the edge of crowds? He wouldn’t give a shit about Deku who would? Who would even be looking for that stupid messy green hair?

Except maybe he would.

The Only One Who Can Make You… by TitanOrphanAnnie ( E | 898 | 1/1 )

PWP One-Shot about some fooling around after class that ends up fluffier than Kaachan was prepared for.

Possessive fuck by Thetrash ( E | 2,585 | 1/1 )

Izuku has a study date with Shoto and Katsuki decides to fuck him before he leaves.

[Dub-Con]

Aphiemi by DriftingGlass ( G | 9,591 | 1/1 )

[ Aphiemi - “to send for one’s self, to forsake, to hurl away, to disregard, to put off.” ]

Emotions are incredibly difficult to control and formulate the way you want to. For one Katsuki Bakugou, he’s made mistakes and placed assumptions on one person he realizes he cannot bear to live without, no matter how much he simultaneously detests and adores the little shithead.

Gagging For It by sagequit ( E | 3,006+ | 2/? )

Bakugou discovers that Midoriya has a bit of an oral fixation. Shameless PWP.

SeriesPart 1 of Bakudeku Filth

[Underage]

Soft Spots by Saysi ( E | 38,613+ | 18/? )

Midoriya and Bakugou don’t have the best of relationships - except when they find themselves alone.

Bakugou quickly finds himself developing a soft spot for the nerd.

Happy birthday Midoriya!

[Underage]

Fake It Till I Make You Mine by AnimeLoversInTown ( E | 8,514+ | 3/? )

All Katsuki wanted was to get away from people and eat his lunch in peace. How is it that after only two short minutes of blissful silence, he suddenly had to deal with Deku bawling, got suckered into listening to his problems, and wound up with a boyfriend? Ah well, at least he wasn’t bored.

[Underage]

Miko!!! by Hermaphrodite ( T | 30,110+ | 6/? )

Izuku isn’t really sure, but hes pretty certian in his past life he must have been a terrible person, maybe a heretic that had a cult following and went on a mass murder spree that cost people their lives or something, because there is no way that the gods could hate him this much for absolutely no reason besides existing. Firstly, he was born as a Omega, almost a second class citizen at this point if he was going to be honest with himself, and now at the age of four being branded Quirkless by doctors who were giving his mother looks of pity that clearly read that they thought just what society has conditioned them to think. To them, he was a quirkless, useless omega.Just because you live in a world where everyone has superpowers and you don’t doesn’t mean you aren’t any less of a hero! World be damned! They’ll just have to watch me do it!(Quirkless Omega Izuku accidentally summons Tamamo-No-Mae and becomes a DemiServant, and now with her power he will shape the world and show everyone Omegas can be Heroes! and well, Kaachan just wants everyone to stop staring at his Deku)

Where the Stars Burn Brightest by DriftingGlass ( M | 18,467+ | 3/? )

In a world where countries are torn asunder through quests for greed, power, and understanding the realm of industrial technology and ancient magic, only the strongest—and smartest—live a full life.

Every individual is born with a phrase marking their bodies, linking them to their soulmate through the threads of fate and time.

Izuku Midoriya is born with only half of a soulphrase on his wrist, destined to never meet the other half. A cruel omen.

Though this has not stopped Izuku from dedicating his young life to researching soul-born magic and science under his master, the legendary Toshinori Yagi. He is determined to manifest his Quirk, with or without a destined soulmate.

However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he rescues a volatile criminal—a man of savage beauty and many secrets.

And so, Izuku realizes rather quickly that in his dangerous new quest, only the most willful survive, and if his new companion is anything to show for it, nothing will prepare him for what’s to come.

[ Rewrite of The Rhythm of Fire and Wind ]

[Graphic Depictions of Violence | Past Abuse]

I Like You Deku, damn it by AjhayLee ( T | 8,364 | 1/1 )

Bakugou Katsuki dreams about his past self as a prince and liking his attendant childhood friend. The thing is, he couldn’t confess his feelings and he wasn’t able to tell him. Upon realizing that he also like the present Midoriya in the process, he does what his past self couldn’t do the fourth time he woke up from the dream.

[Major Character Death]

class act by savedetonate (neverlasting) ( E | 1,696 | 1/1 )

Katsuki is riled up and feeling petty, and Izuku is looking too good to ignore.

[Underage]

Consumed by youreroad ( M | 5,209+ | 3/? )

Izuku and Katsuki had known each other since they where kids. They have their ups and downs and even had a fall out during middle school but in the end they are best friends. Even with Katsuki’s abrassive personality Izuku knows Katsuki cares for him.

He just has no idea to what extent.

In which Izuku tries to date and Katsuki is consumed by his obsession.

#BakuDeku #KatsuDeku #BNHA #bkdkfl ask #w:violence #w:underage #t:abuse #t:dubcon #w:rape #t:pa #w:mcd #curator ellie

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serenephenix · 7 years

Text

Cookies, candles and some care

The last few stories I wrote made me sad. I needed to fight the sads with lots 'n lots of fluff.

That’s what you get for it. A sequel to that other oneshot I already wrote.

(Procrastination and desperation are powerful fuel, I tell you.)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cookies, candles and some care

[Fandom]:Voltron: Legendary Defender

[Rating]: Gen / Gen

[Genre]: Friendship, Sickfic, Team as Family

[Word count]: 3.600

[Warning]: fluff, so much fluff it will rot your teeth

[Status]: oneshot/ completed

[AU]: based off on @taylor-tut‘s “The Pizza One” prompt

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shiro should have seen it coming. That did not make it any less horrible.

„Ah- ATCHOOOOM!“

„You sound like a car horn.“

He threw Lance a glare, rubbing at his nose with the back of his hand slowly and with purpose, a sort of mean satisfaction overcoming him when it made the young man shudder in revulsion, the peevish smile dropping in favor of a grimace. Lance and Pidge had that in common – to be grossed out at such overt displays of bodily functions or, at least in Lance’s case, those of others.

Talking of Pidge, Shiro felt bad for her. This had to be hell for their roommate. If he felt already gross, drenched in sweat as he was and having to blow his nose every few minutes, he did not want to know how she was faring. If she had the strength she would probably be hogging the shower as much as possible.

He watched as Lance cast a look at the now almost empty tissue box, his brows furrowing as he pulled one more out of it and handed it to Shiro.

“Come on, it’s all in good fun. And please stop right now, because I sure as hell do not want to catch your germs.”

He took the offered item, wiping down his hand before blowing into the tissue. He hated how it made his nose itch, how it made dried skin flake off and just overall burned but there was little he could do about that.

Bunching up the tissue, he threw it into the trash can strategically positioned between his and Keith’s beds. It bounced off its rim before falling in.

“And here we see a perfectly executed shot by the one and only Takashi Shirogane, winning his team the cup!”

His lips quirked at Lance’s enthusiastic display, one hand curled as though he were holding a microphone while his other made a broad sweeping motion. It was uncanny how well he could pull off a fake, exaggerated commentator’s voice. And it sure was entertaining. It could almost make Shiro forget about how downright awful he felt.

“Will you shut up.”

They stilled, looking at the bundle of misery curled in on itself on the other bed. Shiro did not envy Keith in the slightest. Besides having a case of the sniffles just as bad as his, his little brother also had to deal with a splitting headache nothing could seem to alleviate and that just was made worse by pretty much everything. Shiro had tried to be as accommodating as possible, to keep quiet and had even agreed to leave the blinds closed even if he would have preferred them opened. He still wondered though whether Keith’s remark that Shiro was even breathing too loudly was maybe pushing it.

But when the covers were peeled back far enough for an unruly black mop and a pale face to emerge, Shiro had to admit that he could not really put it past Keith. Besides the flush and bloodshot eyes, the bags under them spoke for themselves. He really looked every bit as miserable as Shiro felt every few hours when his fever would spike.

“Come on, warrior. Laughter’s the best medicine.”

Despite the words and his defensive posture, Shiro did not miss that Lance dropped the volume to a whisper. Lance really was doing an amazing job at taking care of them, all things considered. He probably should let him know.

“Thanks again.” Articulating around the mucus already clogging up his throat and nose was annoying.

“No biggie.” Lance replied cheerily, picking up the trash can to empty it. When he turned back to Shiro, there was a small smile on his face. “It’s the least I can do.”

Although none of them had ever made much of a fuss about that evening when Lance had first stumbled into their midst, the boy was always particular about showing his gratitude for it. They had already told Lance numerous times that it was okay, that they did not expect anything out of it, that they really just appreciated having him here but Lance remained firm on his stance.

Sure, he had never said it out loud, but Shiro could read it in his eyes, in the way they twinkled or shone when he did something for them and they were happy about it. The look of someone who felt there would never be enough ways for him to let them know how thankful he was.

But Shiro was just as grateful that Lance had come into their lives. He was a real asset in their living community, despite sometimes leaving his socks strewn everywhere and listening to his favorite music a little too loudly at times but he helped out, usually when asked and sometimes in more subtle ways like that note he had left for Hunk about needing to take a look at Keith’s bike.

And he livened up things quite a bit, coming up with stuff they could do together in town for pretty much no money to ‘bond’ as friends. The most entertaining part had to be listening to him come up with suggestions.

And Shiro was glad that now, Lance even had the time for that. It had not always been a given, not even in the first months he had spent with them.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by Lance announcing he’d be back soon and before Shiro really knew what was happening, the door fell closed and hurried footsteps made the floorboards in the hall creak quietly.

He lay back down, trying to get comfortable again but it was hard with his prosthesis. He knew he should take it off but with Lance coming in every so often unannounced he just did not dare. As stupid as the sentiment was, he would have felt far more exposed with it off than in the shorts and undershirt he was currently wearing. And he also did not want Lance to see the ugly stump hidden under it, the puffy and misshapen scarring Shiro himself was reluctant to look at even after all these years.

His restless shifting must have annoyed Keith.

“If it’s such a bother just take it off.”

How the hell did his brother know him so well! Was this even possible? Maybe Keith was one of those mind-reading aliens he so often kept talking about.

“It’s fine.”

He did not even need to glance over to know Keith’s expression was one of blank displeasure and skepticism.

“No one’s gonna judge.”

Shiro gave a frustrated sigh. In parts because he knew Keith was right but also because despite his own reassurances, the foreign appendage was starting to irritate his already sensitive skin.

“The others have already seen. What’s the difference with Lance?”

The difference would be that it would be a deliberate choice to show it. With Hunk and Pidge it had been more of an accident, him not having counted on the two of them returning early from a movie they had dubbed as pure trash as he emerged from the bathroom in nothing but a towel. And Shiro had not forgotten the look on their faces: the wide eyed, muted horror they had tried so hard to instantly push back to make him feel at ease. It must have been strange for Pidge to finally have known what was actually concealed by her brother’s years-long labor.

He told Keith so, watching as his little brother’s eyes furrowed slightly. He still did not seem to really get it. It could be because Keith in general approached these matters with little apprehension or simply because his brain was too fever muddled. But honestly, after all those years Shiro knew it was just part of Keith’s dauntless nature.

“I stand by what I said: he won’t care. He’ll probably just laugh it off. And maybe for once we can agree on something.”

“And that would be?”

Lance was rubbing off on Keith, even if he would loathe hearing it. But the smirk was far too cocky to be purely Keith: “That you’re an idiot.”

He snorted but still made no move to take off the arm.

“What mighty progress you’ve made young Padawan.”

Keith jerked his head in some sort of mocking gesture but gave a sharp hiss, curling up again.

“Bad idea.” He admitted lowly, a hand snaking out from within the folds of his blanket cocoon to massage his forehead.

“Take it easy.” Shiro tried in a soothing voice, somewhat apologetic that he could not provide Keith with the usual comfort of a back-rub. He was too unsteady on his feet yet to try squatting down and getting back up again.

“Just think about it, okay?” Keith finally relented, burying himself back under the soothing mound.

Shiro was not going to make any promises on that.

It was maybe half an hour later when Lance returned and it was high time too, the small but steadily growing pile of tissues on Shiro’s bed already threatening to go spilling down on the floor. Shiro also was relieved to see two new packages of tissues jammed between Lance’s shoulder and armpit.

“Sorry for the wait – Hunk’s thrown up again.”

Shiro winced in sympathy. Hunk’s already very sensitive stomach did not do well with sickness and the concurrent nausea.

“Yep.” Lance agreed, popping the ‘p’ while depositing his offerings in their designated places.

Lance seemed to be holding up well but Shiro couldn’t help but try and study his face, to look for the signs that he did not want to see. As good as Lance was at taking care of others, he still was terrible when it came to his own basic needs. Also, he was the only caretaker in a household with four virally infected individuals. But Lance looked quite healthy and alert, at ease even. It was a relief.

“I’ll have to go to soon. Anita’s getting kind of antsy. I’ll just bring you guys some more water and … stuff.”

“Will you be alright?”

Lance beamed, putting both fists on his hips: “No worries, I kind of told her what’s been going on and she’ll let me off the hook soon. She kind of owes you guys.”

Well, at least it was something.

“Just be careful outside. Driving’s going to be tricky.”

His concern earned him an eye-roll that was equal parts exasperated but amused.

“Yeesh, mom, I’m going to be fine.”

He snorted at Shiro’s particularly sour expression.

“I can handle it, man. I mean, yeah it’s gonna be tricky figuring out how to drive with all that snow but I can handle it.”

“Who was it again, going on about how cool snow was and never having seen it before?”

The pout, crossed arms and blush were more endearing than anything.

“I’ll be careful. You don’t have to worry.” He finally said, with kindness and patience they only saw when Lance was being dead serious.

Although no one had probably told Lance, Shiro guessed he had put it all together a while ago. It escaped no one in this flat how he got whenever anyone was outside, driving alone and in bad weather conditions. Shiro also guessed his arm, or lack thereof, had to be the biggest give-away of them all.

“Okay.”

Nodding, their friend was ready to leave when Keith piped up, voice muffled but still discernable.

“Tell him to take it off.”

Lance blinked, while Shiro threw Keith a dark glare as his brother re-emerged.

“What?” Lance blinked at Keith’s surprisingly intense stare.

“Shiro’s prosthesis is bothering him and he won’t listen.”

Shiro felt no remorse as he threw a tissue at Keith, which missed by quite a margin. Lance watched the whole display with mounting confusion before he settled his eyes first on Shiro’s face, then his arm and back onto his face. Slowly, the surprise morphed into something thoughtful, stern even.

“If that’s right, you really should take it off and let it breathe.”

Shiro could not look him in the eye, could not admit out loud to the problem.

“He’s embarrassed.”

That was it. He was going to shove the tissues down Keith’s gigantic trap! Or maybe once Lance was out of the room. He did not need a witness to get rid of as well. Especially one that was taking care of them.

Lance’s eyebrows rose in understanding, a small lilt to his smile that was somewhat sad.

“Well, if that’s all there is to it.”

He turned, going over to the closet holding all of Shiro’s clothes, rummaging through it in search of something Shiro could not see from behind the opened doors.

Lance gave a sort of whoop, before slamming the doors shut (Ah, sorry Keith!) and throwing a big and comfy sweater at him. He stared at Lance, once he managed to catch it, the guy smirking at him understandingly.

“I said I’d go and get you guys some more to drink. You can change while I do that. Should take about five minutes.”

And he was out of the room with Shiro’s fried brain trying to catch up to what just happened.

“Told you it wouldn’t matter.”

He pointed at Keith with a warning finger, eyes narrowed, and sulking.

“One more word. One. single. word.”

Too bad for him that a snort did not count as a word. He’d have loved to get his rightful revenge.

Still, he gave a relieved sigh when he finally strapped off the faux appendage, relishing the softness of one of his most comfortable sweaters.

Despite the blinds, Shiro could tell that it had gotten quite dark outside already. He was lying on his stomach, reading up on the topics they would have to work through in their next session after the holidays, listening to the quiet snores coming from his little brother.

After another fit of groaning and rolling around even Shiro had not been impervious to, he was glad to know Keith was finally getting some rest.

He paused at yet another paragraph, closing his eyes as he tried to focus on what he had just read, the glow from his table lamp casting an orange glow even through his eyelids.

He felt somewhat bad for Pidge and Hunk. The two had been extremely excited to get home and meet with their families, had even made arrangements with other people to drive with to their respective hometowns. But whatever bug was going around had hit all of them hard.

And for some reason Lance had remained the last one standing in all of this. It was their luck really, because none of them had been in any shape to do anything for almost three days. It couldn’t have been much fun for Lance. And he still did it while going to work. Shiro found it rather admirable of him.

He wished he could somehow get his three friends to see their relatives. Yeah, Lance included. It had been somewhat disheartening when he went to admit in a small voice that he did not have the money to make the long trip. A skype call was what he would have to settle for he’d joked but the smile had not reached his eyes. Shiro had opted ruffling his hair even if it was poor consolation.

“It’s not forever. And I have you guys.”

It had been a rather touching admittance.

Shiro started a little when he heard the door to their flat falling shut, unsteady steps hurrying through the hall. Glancing at his watch he was surprised to realize that it had actually been two hours already.

The door to their room opened, Lance’s head appearing as he took in their room.

“Just where I’ve left you.” He murmured and Shiro was somewhat taken aback by his uncontained excitement. He could guess how cold it must have been outside just by looking at Lance’s red nose and cheeks, which were lifted by a wide smirk.

“Think you can wake Keith up and get to the living room?” he whispered conspiratorially but still loud enough for Shiro hear.

Keith’s garbled grouse of “M’ awake already.” spared Shiro the need to answer.

Lance did not seem the least bit deterred by the lack of enthusiasm.

“Good, good, good. See you in a few then!”

And off he was, probably to go and see to Hunk and Pidge as well.

“Do you know what that was about?”

Keith shrugged, gingerly trying to get up and roll his head to probably loosen the undoubtedly stiff muscles in his neck and shoulders. Armed with their blankets, they made their way to their destination, already somewhat intrigued at the soft glow, warm glow greeting them in the hall.

They stopped dead in the entrance just taking in the sight.

Shiro had no idea when Lance had done it, when he had even found the time but he knew it could only have been him that had decorated the whole room. And even moved the couch now that he took a close look at it.

Candles, tea lights and bulky ones they knew came from Lance’s personal stash had been placed all over the room, bathing everything in a lovely and cozy light. They made their way over to the sofa which had been turned in such a way it was facing the open window from where they could see the small space between the apartment complexes, the few trees and single bench in it all covered in pristine white as snow steadily fell in thick blobs; the light from different apartments illuminating it all. Shiro jumped when his foot hit something and he wondered where the heck Lance had gotten a coffee table when he suddenly realized it was just a bunch of moving boxes Lance had kept and now obviously repurposed. He still wondered where he had gotten the burgundy red cloth from to cover it. Keith plopped himself down with one end of the sofa and Shiro watched him as he took an appreciating look around the room.

It was not fancy at all, no actual Christmas decoration to speak of but somehow the room breathed the very atmosphere of it. Speaking of which… Shiro, despite his completely congested nose took a small whiff… was there something on the stove?

He got no more time to think it over when he suddenly heard the gasps coming from behind him, making him and Keith turn around to see Hunk and Pidge entering, eyes sparkling.

“Dude, this is nice. Hi Shiro, hi Keith.” Despite sounding pretty rough, Hunk appeared to be in good spirits, Shiro and Keith giving him a nod in greeting.

Pidge just took one more look at everything, nodded with an affirmative grunt and promptly went to sit next to Keith on the couch, pressing herself into his side which he accepted without complaint.

“Where is…”

He needn’t even ask, because suddenly Lance appeared from the kitchen, gripping their largest pot while he bit down on their only, slightly melted soup ladle, depositing the thing on a large plate placed strategically on the floor next to their make-shift table.

He spat out the ladle, grinning up at them still, smile so wide and happy it was infectious.

“So, I know that the TV’s still busted,” He began, producing a few bowls from somewhere on the ground and lining them up on the red cloth. Looking at each other quickly, Hunk shrugged with a smile, pushing Shiro to sit down with him as Lance just chattered on, “and that we all had slightly different plans on spending our Holidays,” the wheezy chuckle was definitely Pidge’s “but I thought that that should in no way stop us from having an awesome Christmas!”

Shiro could not comprehend how it was possible for Lance to pour the thick and stewing broth expertly into the bowls without spilling a single drop while he was almost vibrating with excitement.

Lance shoved the warm dishes into their waiting hands, handing out spoons as he went.

“And while it was totally sweet of Anita to treat us with a pizza, I thought that you guys would have less trouble with stomaching one of the best soups you’ll ever have the pleasure of savoring!”

Indeed, if going by Hunk’s and Pidge’s grimaces, greasy food was the last thing any of them wanted, as well intentioned as the gesture may have been. As Lance went on, filling his own bowl, Shiro saw Hunk taking a tentative sip from his spoon. His friend’s eyes widened.

“Dude!” The shout made Lance perk up, wide grin still there. If Shiro had to guess, nothing short of a funeral could wipe it off the Latino’s face at this point. “You gotta give me the recipe. Now!”

Lance laughed bright and happy, head thrown back: “Sorry, no can do. It’s a family secret and abuela will kill me if I ever pass it on to anyone but one of her great-grandkids.”

They could only laugh at Hunk’s indignant grumble, a string of muttered “just watch me cook it through sheer force of will” making it hard not to topple off the couch.

Who needed much when one room was so full of warmth and laughter, with people genuinely happy to have one another? Yeah, maybe it was a shame that none of his friends had made it to their families this year but, Shiro thought, that was alright.

Because Lance for all his quirks and tendencies, possessed the invaluable gift of making a home no matter where he went.

#vld #voltron #sickfic #whump #lance #shiro #keith #hunk #pidge #fanfiction #completed #shenanigan(g)s

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