#ive carried her with me this whole time but i have asked little of her
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the theogony is the best ever and i love it with my whole little heart. i need to write something about hekate
#hekateeee hekateeeeeee#i should make her a pocket on the dorm altar#ive carried her with me this whole time but i have asked little of her#but i think ..... im thinking#ruby tell
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Slashers with a Vampire S/O:
[PART II]
CW: Biting, marking, breaking of skin, blood, slightly dom, immortal, GN! reader, blood kink and drinking blood
LITTLE NOTE I: Im in a slightly good mood and i wanted to write another character even though they aren't a slasher, but as a bonus!
LITTLE NOTE II: I've been up since 3AM working on this and then other things. Its currently 9AM and im having crucial back pain
BONUS: extra character
EXTRA CHARACTER: Violet Harmon
MAIN CHARACTERS: Stu Macher + Billy Loomis, Carrie White, Freddy Kruger, Tate Langdon, Bubba sawyer,
GENRE: Headcanons
Fandom: Horror
STU MACHER + BILLY LOOMIS
Stu wouldn't believe you at first.
Billy tends to stalk you from time to time, so i think he would know
You also know that your loving, killer boyfriend stalks you
So you also know that he knew.
"Uh, Sweetie, you do realize its not Halloween yet, right?"
You scoffed and flashed your fangs at Stu and Billy
"Might be fake-"
"Bitch, please!"
Stu playfully rolled his eyes and smiled
Suddenly, you ran past him
But way too quickly
"Wait-- What the fuck?--"
Billy just snickered at him
"What are you laughing about?"
Stu narrowed his eyes
"Ive been knowing, you fuck-rag."
Stu did in fact realize you were not lying.
"And you didn't tell me?!"
"They just did,"
"You--"
"Enough."
Stu kept whining the whole week after that
He would ask stupid questions
Like Tif, he would watch Vamp movies with you
He will let you bite him just to feel how it feels
Sometimes it'll go well with Stu, sometimes it wont...
He needs like 20 years to recover from that bite
And other times, he feels like hes floating
"I feel high! Is this what you felt when they bit you, Bil?"
"No, i felt horny."
...
"Wait, wha--"
Now, with Billy
He loved it when you bit him
He has a major blood kink
You marking him, blood seeping down his neck as you drink from him.
He also loves looking into your crimson eyes
He thinks your eyes are really pretty, but he wont admit that
Maybe if you manage to bribe him
He does know that he can actually die if he lets you drink as much blood, so it only happens once awhile
He will bring you back some victims as ghostface though!
Be prepared for loving phone calls from your loving boyfriends telling you how much people they've killed
CARRIE WHITE
She did believe you, but it took her some time to process stuff
I mean, she's got powers. Why wouldn't she believe you?
She sometimes thinks about how her mom would react
Her mom would be absolutely pissed
But she doesn't care
she's not letting you go anytime soon
And she doesn't plan too
You don't drink from her because her body is already fragile enough
She never brought up that idea either
I mean, she has thought about it, but she knows that you would refuse instantly due to both her physical and mental health
She would let you drink from her, if it meant saving you in some kind of way
She doesn't ask too many questions about it and treats you like any normal person, but with extra and special attention since you're her S/O!
When shes upset, her powers get out of control and she has flung knives at you...maybe more than one.
But she really didn't mean to!
She can't control it!
She freaks out when one of the knives at you, dropping her upset mood
Then you have to reassure her that you're immortal, so it wont affect you as much
"Carrie, sweetie, im okay--"
"I-it wa-was in your th-throat!"
"Again, not like im dying--"
She was so upset the first time it happened
She tried running away and locking herself inside her room, but you were much stronger than her, so you held her close until she was calm
"Shh...its okay, its okay."
"i--im-im sorry, im sorry..."
Poor baby :(
But you will pamper her after shes calm down
:)
FREDDY KRUGER
Hes gonna believe you, since you know, hes a dead, burned, sleep demon--
But he wants proof
Crimson eyes or bright changing eye colors? check.
Sharp fangs that can hide themselves? Check.
Blood lust?
You tried biting him the first time you guys met and he caught you eating more than one person in your dreams.
So yea, Check.
He makes dirty jokes about your powers
Speed?
He'll say something along the lines of..."Well, lets see your pace in the bedroom--"
You start fist fighting him every time he does say something like that
But sometimes you'll play along with his little flirting game
And the second you do, theres a thick lump in those worn out pants of his
The next thing you know, you wake up naked
Oh, and because of that supernatural crazy stuff,
You find a way to see the demon through the day instead of night now!
Through spells though
But as long as you're seeing him!
TATE LANGDON
Hes known way before you've met him, and thats because hes known you longer than you've known he existed
When he did reveal himself, like his true self, which is being dead, you realized about him knowing about your little secret
And the other ghost in the house
yay.
I mean, you were planning to tell your boyfriend Tate that you were a Vamp, but he knew
So that spares you the explanation and proving
You were just glad he knew
Tate, i feel like when he tells you that he knows, he'll compliment you.
How he loved the way your eyes would change color
How he loved your powers
And how he loved you, most of all, all of you.
All the confessing would definitely lead to a passion make out, and maybe even further
And dont tell me 'no'. This shit would be like a telenovela, but it got to the part that they are confessing
And im listening to 'or nah' by The Weeknd right now, it's a sign.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
He would treat you like his normal S/O, not caring about the fact you are a human-blood-drinking creature.
He would suggest you be a vampire for Halloween, since you know, you're already one...
"Haha, so funny. I'm not gonna wear those weird human versions of vampire cloaks!"
"C'mon, it'll be funny!"
"Okay, how about this; You wear those ghost costumes, the ones where theres just holes where the eyes are and ill dress in one of those weird vampire cloaks."
"No, not in a million years!"
"It's either we wait a million years then, or you wont ever get to see me in that vampire cloak~"
"Okay, you win!"
"So, deal then?"
"Deal."
Whenever you have your blood lust, he'll offer up his cold flesh for you to bite through and let his bitter sweet blood soak out
But in the end, you can't.
Dead blood in fact makes Vampires very ill
And though it saddens him that he cant help you, he'll understand.
He wont let you drink his blood.
No matter how much pain you're in.
He can't risk putting you in even more pain
So he mostly goes invisible when you have your blood lust
And he waits in the corner of your room for you to come back from hunting your meal
Calm cuddles after your blood lust while listening to Nirvana
He absolutely loves that you are immortal
You can stay with him, forever.
Forever and ever. With him, and only him.
VIOLET HARMON -- THE BONUS
Violet has also known, like Tate because she has been watching you.
You also knew she was a ghost in the house from the day she came up to you
How? When words about the infamous 'murder house' were being spread, so did the word Violet
And you might of seen a picture or two of her when people would talk about the murder house
She kinda has no choice either
She also was really interested in you when you moved into the house
She was obviously shocked when she found out you were a vampire
She did not expect that at all
I mean, she grew up knowing that vampires didn't exist
And yet, here you are
before you guys started dating she was the classic-
sorta stare and not talk
Only because you're a vampire and she doesn't wanna trigger anything--
Okay...shes was nervous.
She has a literal crush on a hot vampire who is living in the house she died in!
okay, the 'died in' part is uh, just not needed
And she did really want to talk to you, she just needed a push
Tate.
"Okay, Vi, you got this..."
She took a deep breath
"shit, never mind. i don't got this--"
"You do."
She yelped when the familiar voice had appeared from behind her.
"Tate...?"
"yea, sorry. I just wanted to say that, uh, you should go for it. Its now or never. They might be a inmortal , but they wont stay here for long without, um, value? So, uh, go for it."
He flashes Violet a small smile before walking way
"Thanks..." She mumbled and continued to stare at your figure
fuck it.
"Uh, h-hi,"
Her heart felt like it was about to pop tf out her chest
Wait, it dont beat no more.
But still felt like it
You felt like you were trippin'
Are you actually talking to a cute, dead girl right now?
Yes. Yes you were.
"Hi, Violet."
She froze up.
How the hell.
Did one of the ghosts tell you?
What.
"How did you--"
"Oh, it was easy. A lot of people talk about this house, and you."
oh, right.
Well, shit.
"What, cat got your tongue?"
Yes.
"N--no, im fine--"
You just chuckled at her
Why in the hell were you so calm???
"Do you wanna talk a little? im sure you didn't call me just to call me."
"Yes! i mean--sure!"
You guys hung out the rest of the night and it was amazing.
She found out things about you
You found out things about her
A win-win!
She'd hate when you have your blood lust
Because 1. You're scary as hell
2. She hates seeing you in pain
3. There's no blood available for you in the house because its all dead blood, we dont want you to be sick
4. She hates waiting long for you to come home
Long naps with you after you got back from hunting
BUBBA SAWYER
You told Bubba from the start of the relationship!
I mean, why not tell your cannibal boyfriend that you, are in fact, a blood thirsty vampire
At first, he was confused
A vampire in texas...?
A real, REAL vampire.
Complusion to make him less confused
Oh, now he gets it!
Wonder why...
He'll still love you
Vampire or not
constant babbling about how he loves your crimson eyes
HATES it when you have your blood lust
He hates seeing you in pain
Tries feeding you his victims
Gets even more upset when you tell him you can't have dead blood
Hes on his way to find some more victims
You can count on him!
He'll come back with 2-5 victims
Maybe even more if there was some event going on nearby
He'll sit you on his lap and cuddle with you till' you feel better
He coos at you but you have absolutely no idea on what he's saying!
˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ✦ ˚ . ★⋆. ࿐࿔
. ˚ * ✦ . . ✦ ˚ ˚ .˚ ✦ . . ˚ . ੈ✧̣̇˳·˖✶ ✦
#carrie white#carrie 1976#carrie white x reader#carrie#bubba saywer x reader#bubba leatherface#texas chainsaw massacre#violet harmon#tate and violet#tate x reader#tate langdon#evan peters#freddy kruger x reader#freddy krueger#nightmare on elm street#stu matcher x you#stu matcher imagine#stu matcher x reader#stu matcher fluff#billy loomis x reader#billy loomis#scream 1996#ahs murder house#ahs fandom#vampire
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Hello! May I request a fluff drabble or one-shot of William and his noblewoman wife being at a ball and sneaking away to the garden (or anywhere private) and they’re giggling because of the thrill of having to hide from some of their noble ‘friends’ while sneaking away and William is teasing and flirting with her the whole time<333
A/N: this got me blushing an kicking my feet alsjalsjdjlsskj. It’s absolutely adorable and I hope I did you justice anon! ALSO ALSO ALSO PLEASE SEND ME SOME ASKS. IVE CLEARED THROUGH ALL MY ASKS AND IM REALLY BORED + IM NEARLY AT 500 FOLLOWERS SO SEND IDEAS FOR AN EVENT.
Character(s): William James Moriarty x fem! Reader
Format: oneshot
Prompt: sneaking away from a ball with Liam
Genre: (tooth rotting) fluff, slightly suggestive
Warnings: nothing really I suppose. Fem! Reader. Reader is a noblewoman. Reader is liam’s wife.
“YOU ARE CERTAIN that nobody saw us leave the hall, right, my love..?” You asked you lover who was walking backwards, holding both your hands in his as you sneaked away from the ball.
It was no secret that the two of you could find such gatherings excruciatingly boring. You and your husband had jokingly threatened to run away multiple times that night, until it eventually became your reality only an hour or two later.
“Oh why bother about them,” he smiled as he leaned closer to you, planting a gentle kiss to your lips “I have you all to myself now, do I not?I may as well take advantage of being alone with you for what seems like the first time tonight..~”
Heat creeps up onto your cheeks as he kisses you once more, this time slightly longer than before.
“I suppose you are right..but I would rather not cause a scandal whilst hiding..” you sighed as William brushed a strand of hair away from your face, admiring your beauty in the moonlight
“Does that not add to the thrill of it, darling?” He asks, kissing your cheek, a teasing smile on his face as he backs away, still holding your hand as he clasped his free one over your eyes. The two of you continue to sneak around the gardens whilst the other nobles ‘enjoy’ the party inside. Honestly you were thankful that, because of William, you weren’t currently amongst them. God they could be so insufferable.
You hummed in agreement “it does indeed. Still, you’ve not mentioned where exactly you plan on taking me, dearest.” You commented, relishing in the feeling of the grass beneath your feet, brushing softly against your ankles as William guided you through a strange little passageway, shielded by trees which shone in the moonlight.
“Just give me a moment, (Name). Relax and enjoy the walk.” He said, rubbing his thumb against the back of your gloved palm reassuringly. “Did you notice how distant Lord Beresford’s wife was from him this afternoon? Perhaps a little birdie had informed her of his illegitimate family with one of the maids, at least that’s what I heard.”
“William!” You gasp in a mixture of shock and amusent, “How could you do such a thing!” You exclaimed, fighting back a laugh that would be loud enough to give both of you away
“You of all people should know I’m much more under the surface,” William smiled innocently “Much more.”
“I’m aware.” You said as William paused in his steps, “I think if any member of the ton heard of your true nature, they’d feel most faint. Apart from Albert, we know what he’s like.”
You could hear William chuckle softly as she stood behind you, his warm breath against your ear “Be careful, sweetheart, I might get carried away if you keep teasing me like this.” He whispered, slowly removing his hand from over your eyes.
You blink for a moment, adjusting to the soft lighting. There before you was the most beautiful scene you could possibly imagine. A tranquil pond in the forest reflecting the surrounding greenery. Water lilies bloomed along the edges, while dragonflies flew gracefully above. There was the faint sound of croaking, coming from the small frogs on lily pads.
“You’re always been fond of a beautiful environment,” he said as he stood in front of you, brushing a stray strand of hair behind your ear “Particularly at night…” William kissed your temple “I love you.”
Although William was incredibly infatuated of you, he didn’t use that term sparingly. He believed that if he could show his love for you in his actions, that was worth more than a casual ‘I love you’ in a passing moment. They were such strong words, only to be used if they needed to. He knew that.
You smiled up at him “I love you too.”
He leaned forwards, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips. “I really do love you.” He murmured before kissing you again “every part of you..”
“I do too,” Your hands found themselves in his soft blond hair
“Mm..not as much as I love you, though,” he smiled against your lips, kissing you once more
You couldn’t help but laugh like a child as he did so. “What’s brought this about?” You asked as you cupped his cheeks in your hands
“Is it a crime to show your beautiful wife that you love her?” He said with a faux offended expression
“Well you aren’t exactly a law abiding citizen.” You kiss him again, lips upturned in a smug expression.
#—a’s anons 💄#moriarty the patriot#william james moriarty#william moriarty#william moriarty x reader#yuukoku no moriarty#moriarty the patriot x reader#yuukoku no moriarty x reader#mtp william#—a’s asks 💌
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HI! welcome back from your break! we really missed you!!
how have you been? i have not been doing well- i got in a car crash on monday (im not hurt, only bruised up) so ive just been recovering from that. i'd like to request our beloved alcina caring for her fem partner who got in a car accident. ty!!
Hello, there! And thank you, dear 😊 It's always nice to be missed ♥️ As for your injuries, I do hope you've healed up some and that you're feeling better! 🫂
As for your request, here you go! 😁
***
"Draga.. just what is it that you think you're doing?"
You stopped dead in your tracks, only having made it half way across your lover's bedroom before she caught you.
"It's.. it's been three days, Alcina! I feel disgusting and I need to bathe!" You exclaimed with a pout.
The Lady's face softened ever so slightly, giving you a chuckle as she made her way into the room.
"You do realize that I left that bell next to you so that you could call me if you need anything, hm? And that 'anything' includes bathing."
You averted your eyes, doing your best to keep your balance. While you understood that the Countess was only looking out for your best interest, you couldn't help but feel a little guilty for how much time she'd spent looking over you the past couple of days.
"I.. I didn't want to bother you, my lady. And I'm not even that badly hurt! That accident-!"
"That accident could have been much worse, draga! The whole carriage flipped! And the fact that I wasn't there.. that I couldn't stop it!"
Alcina took a deep breath, her fingers coming to pinch the bridge of her nose as she exhaled.
"I can not lose you." She said quietly.
"But.. you didn't lose me!"
Her eyes opened abruptly, glowing in a mix of fear and rage.
"AND I WON'T! I CAN'T. MIRANDA KNOWS I'VE ALREADY MADE SURE THAT INCOMPETENT DRIVER WILL NEVER SEE THE LIGHT OF DAY. IF HE HAD-"
You hobbled over to her, wincing slightly as you took her hand.
"Hey, hey.. darling.. breathe for me."
And she did, squeezing your hand softly in the process.
"I am sorry, pet. I lost myself for a moment there."
"Hey, it's okay. I understand. Would it make you feel better to help me bathe?"
Alcina smiled, the subtle lines at the corners of her eyes creasing and lifted you into a full bridal carry.
You chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."
"Mh.. as if I would ever turn down the opportunity to bathe you, my pet."
"Uh huh."
The Countess placed you down with the utmost of care before helping you to undress - with a sad, far away look in her eyes as her gaze scanned over the many bruises and scrapes that still decorated your body.
"Would you mind if I used some of your eucalyptus oil?" You asked her and she smiled.
"You, draga, may use any of my oils that you see fit."
She hummed quietly as she began to draw your bath, adding the oil you requested along with another she said would be good for the pain. And another that was supposed to help promote healing. It was such a simple act, yet so endearing. And only showcased the Lady's inherent need to take care of those she loved.
"Thank you, Alcina."
She blushed softly. "Whatever for, pet?"
"For loving me?"
At this the Lady chuckled, testing the bath with a single finger before lifting you carefully and lowering you into it.
"Draga.. loving you is the easiest thing in the world."
This time it was your turn to blush, with the indulgent heat from the water already willing a deep flush across your body.
"Charmer." You said, biting your bottom lip.
"Mh.. perhaps."
You could hear the smile that coated her words, felt the tenderness in her touch and the love that encompassed it. Her hands ever so careful as she used the washcloth to cascade warmth over your sore muscles and bruised skin.
"Now.. lay back, my pet. I want you to soak in here for at least twenty minutes. Is that clear?"
"Yes, my lady."
"Mh.. good."
She started to stand and you grabbed her hand, forcing her to look back at you.
"Can you.. can you stay with me awhile?"
She looked down at you with the most tender look you had ever seen, a look that made your heart lurch and your cheeks burn.
"Oh, draga.. I'll stay with you for as long as you need."
"So, forever?"
She paused before nodding, blinking away a single unspent tear.
"Yes, my pet. Forever."
***
I do hope you enjoyed this, dear! And be sure to take care of yourself ♥️
#depravity answered#anonymous#resident evil village#alcina dimitrescu#lady alcina dimitrescu#lady alcina x reader#lady dimitrescu x reader#alcina dimitriscu x reader#re8 fanfiction#lady dimitrescu fanfiction#lady dimitrescu fanfic#always a pleasure to write some soft alcina 🥺#feel all the hugs from our illustrious countess!#re8 asks
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hello! i hope you’re having a lovely day! i’m wondering what your thoughts are about a reader who makes it her duty to “warm up” Morpheus’ spaces? In the sense of creating warm, soft spots ideal for lazy dozing and begging Dream to direct sunlight into his chambers. I feel like he’s often portrayed as quite cold, so him fully wrapped around his lover’s finger and creating a space that is warm and soft and *feels* much more home-y than the stone cold interiors of the palace. Maybe especially for a reader who comes from a cold place / is having a cold winter and so is dreaming (ha) of springtime afternoon naps
hi love, thank you for that very cute idea! i hope you like what ive done with it 🤍
The first time you see his chambers they are ... empty. Except for a bed. And while in that moment you don't particularly care for that (his lips on yours are way too distracting), the next day you do care.
You come from a place with long winters and the cold is getting on your nerves in the Waking world. You don't want it in the Dreaming too.
And his chambers are the very definition of cold.
So you make it your mission to "warm his space up".
At first, you do it without telling him, while he's away.
Sneaking in plants and flowers that you find in the Dreaming.
Soon Matthew notices what you're doing and he is determined to help. He steals all sorts of things from the Dreams of Humans.
Blankets, fairy lights, pillows-
And then Lucienne and Mervyn catch Morpheus stealing. You corrupt them to help you get furniture into his chambers.
Sofas, small tables, whole bookshelves, lamps-
Mervyn complains the whole time by the way, nervous of his Rulers reaction.
When Morpheus returns, you meet him in the throne room. He carries you into his rooms right away, occupied with your lips, your skin, the sounds he draws from you - and then he stops.
Looking around, wondering if he's in the right place
And then he looks at you with a raised eyebrow
And you say "you promised to give me everything I want?"
And he simply nods - 'cause thats exactly what he promised - and returns to kissing you.
Afterwards, you nap and when you wake up, you see Morpheus wandering through the room, inspecting the changes.
"You like it?" You ask nervously and he takes a while to answer.
"I didn't mind the way it was before." He turns to you. "Did you?"
And you explain to him why you made these changes. And for heavens sake, he's so utterly enarmored with you that you could have said anything. If you want to change his chambers, so be it, if you want to change his whole palace, so be it.
He wants you to be comfortable, to feel good in his realm, especially when he's not around.
So of course he makes the windows bigger to direct more sunlight into the room. Of course, he pushes the bed to the window. Of course, he makes his chambers smell like your favorite flowers.
And in the end, he finds out that these changes not only make you feel better-
Because when you wrap your arms around him, drifting off to the sound of birds singing and the rustling of trees, his palace truly feels like home.
send me an ask for a little blurb
#morpheus x reader#morpheus x you#sandman imagines#sandman fanfiction#sandman x reader#dream x reader#dream x you
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Lost and Found
Eren Jaeger x Female Reader
Chapter IV: One Step at a Time
Chapter summary: Searching for a path to your forgiveness, Eren yearns to bridge the gap his absence has left in your and your daughter’s lives, realizing how hard it’s going to be with every step of the way.
Words: 14.2k
Chapter 3
A/N: Yeaaah… it’s not like I’m 6 months late lol. I’m sorry for the long wait. I thought about splitting the chapter into two, but then again, you’ve waited for so long, might as well post the whole thing. I’m so very grateful to everyone who asked me about this story. It means a lot because believe me, it is hard to write such complex relationships, so having you have real interest in it means the world.🥹🫶🏻 hope you enjoy it!!
…..
Eren knew the path to your house by heart.
Even though you lived on the other side of town, he still remembered how he would walk you home everyday, and then walk all the way back to his house. It was your “thing”. He never let you go home by yourself.
But now, as he drove his black BMW, that looked absurd as opposed to the quaint streets of your simple town, he realized he never felt this nervous going to your house before. Even when you were teenagers and he’d spend the entire way thinking of a way to kiss you, it didn’t come even close to how anxious he felt at the moment. Because back then, he had nothing to lose. Now, with everything he held dear hanging in the balance, the weight of his fears bore down on him.
He parked his car beside the fence of your house, that looked exactly the same as it did the first time he walked you home. Light blue, with a little marking at the entrance that was his doing. He remembered how he’d taken a red marker and written yours and his initials on it. It wasn’t big enough for your mom to see, but both of you knew it was there. As he stepped outside, his eyes became glued to it. He wondered if Lily ever noticed and perhaps asked you about it.
He looked at the porch, the one he used to kiss you on, and it transported him right back when you were 16. When seeing you walk out the door and towards his arms was the most important thing in the world. He felt like an idiot for ever thinking there was anything else that could come close to that feeling.
His legs carried him to the front door, the familiar creak of the porch serving as a reminder of all the times he’d stood on this threshold, waiting for you. His heart pounded inside his chest as he lifted his hand to knock on your door. The little person that appeared in front of him was not the one he expected to open it.
Lily peered up at him, her eyes curious as she hid half of her tiny body behind the door, only her head peeking behind it.
“Hey there, Lily.” Eren smiled at her, a little nervous as he looked down at his little copy, “Is your mom home?"
Lily continued to stare up at him, ignoring his question with her own, "Who are you?"
Eren froze in his place. How the hell was he supposed to introduce himself?
He swallowed thickly, but still maintained his smile, “About time I told you my name, huh? It’s Eren. I'm-”
"Are you my mom's new boyfriend?" The little girl looked at him skeptically.
Eren found himself at a loss for words by the straightforwardness of the question. He began to think, trying to come up with a response that would answer her curiosity without delving into the complicated nature of his relationship with you.
“No, I’m not. I’m.. an old friend of hers.” The moment the words were uttered, he felt a surge of frustration run through him. You weren’t just friends who’d lost touch over the years. To reduce everything you’d gone through together to a mere friendship that had just faded away felt like a whole new betrayal. But still, as much as he wanted to, Eren knew he couldn’t tell the beautiful little girl in front of him the truth. Not just yet. “I really need to talk to her. Is she here?”
“Lily, I’ve told you not to open the door-“
You appeared in a flash, and Eren could sense your protective instincts kicking in, like a mama bear ready to defend her cub. You were in your bath robe, which made Eren a bit uncomfortable, appearing on a Sunday and catching you off guard. When your eyes landed on him, they widened, but he had to fight his from going down to your collar bones. Don’t, you asshole.
“Hey.” His voice was low and gentle, but that didn’t stop your frown from appearing. He watched as you instructed Lily to go inside, who sent him a smile before telling him bye.
“Bye, Lily.” Seeing her go inside, he wondered when he’d be able to see her beautiful smile again. Like he always wondered if he’d ever be able to see yours.
“Why are you here?” You brought his attention back to you, sensing the guardedness in your voice. Looking at him like he was your enemy, like he wanted to do you harm. He hated it.
“I’m sorry for showing up like this, but I really need to talk to you.” He had the feeling you’d say no, so his first instinct was to cut you off. “Please, Y/n. Just an hour, whenever you can.”
He could only imagine how you must be feeling right now, put on the spot like that. But Eren had no other choice.
You studied him for a moment, your eyes revealing nothing. Eren’s heart was in his throat. He didn’t know if he should say something, plead with you again, or just remain silent. He decided on the latter, even though it was excruciatingly difficult to withstand your penetrating stare.
“You can’t just keep showing up like this. You know that.”
He did. It felt so wrong to disturb your life like this, but his selfishness was stronger than anything else inside of him.
“I know, I’m sorry.” He did his best to stop his voice from wavering. “I won’t bother you, I promise. Just please consider it.”
It felt like hours going by as he waited for you to say something. His fists clenched and unclenched as he struggled to tear his gaze away from you, his eyes drinking in every detail that had been denied to him for so long. He wanted to memorise your face in case you shut the door in his. Here, right now, in this vulnerable state, with your face untouched by make up, your hair casually gathered into a messy bun, body wrapped in your bathrobe. He watched you instinctively trying to shield yourself from him, a physical barrier reflecting the emotional walls that had been erected between you.
But to Eren, you were more beautiful like this than ever before.
“Fine.” The word rung in the air, and it took a second for Eren to grasp it, “Tomorrow, 2p.m., Daisy cafe. It’s my lunch break, so I won’t have an hour.”
His green eyes almost dilated, his face contorting into a smile. He wanted to wrap his arms around you, barely stopping himself. You were giving him a shot. He couldn’t possibly ask for more. “Yeah, sure, of course. Thank you.”
“Okay, then.” You cast your eyes down at your feet. Eren could sense you weren’t comfortable looking at him. “We have to get going, so..”
“Oh, yeah, sorry.” He moved back a bit as if not to intrude your space. “I’ll- I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Bye.”
A heart beat later, you’d closed the door.
Eren lingered on your porch for a moment longer, basking in the afterglow of your agreement. His heart drummed a rapid rhythm in his chest, the echo of his pure bliss. You were going to talk to him. That glimmer of hope managed to fuel his determination like nothing else. It was euphoric, almost like he was floating. As he slid into his car, the scene replayed in his mind like a movie scene.
As he navigated the familiar streets, his smile was unwavering, a childlike glee etched on his face. The sudden ring of his phone disrupted the serene silence of the car. The device was new, its number known only to his father, which made the incoming call a curiosity. His mind flickered to the luggage he had left behind at the hotel, intended for his old house. The call, he thought, was likely related to that.
The moment he picked up, he regretted it.
“Hello!?”
Shit.
It was Hange. His manager.
How the hell did she get this number?
“It was about damn time, Eren!”
He sighed. He should’ve known they wouldn’t let go of him that easily.
“What do you want, Hange?”
“What do I want? What do I want!?” Her laughter echoed in the car, but it was laced with bitter irony. “Do you have any idea how much time I spent trying to find you? You bailed out on us and left without so much as an explanation!”
“I think I gave enough of an explanation.”
“Oh, yeah, sorry, I forgot about the “I’m done living this life anymore” crap. Sorry if I didn’t believe you after saying it for the hundredth time without actually doing anything about it.”
“You can believe what you want. The reality is, I’m done.”
A brief silence ensued before she spoke again, her voice unusually grave.
“Eren, are you on drugs again?”
He didn’t know why, but it made him laugh, “Actually, for the first time, I’m as sober as can be.” He took a deep breath before speaking again. He had to end this once and for all. “Hange, I’ve talked to my lawyers. I want out of the contract.”
“You can’t do that, Eren. The contract’s not done for another year!”
“Watch me.”
“Eren, where the hell are yo-“
He ended the call before she could finish her sentence.
He recognised the unfairness of his actions. Hange was a good manager, even though he was sure she’d gone nuts after so many years of dealing with him and his band mates. But if he wanted to get his old life back, he had to leave this one behind. For good.
…..
10 years ago
The last day of school. A day that set you free from the tight grasp of constant homework and irritable teachers. A day that also somehow seemed to amplify the pounding in a certain green eyed boy’s heart as he laid next to you on the lush green grass, the school building mere meters behind you, forgotten for the next three months.
Eren thought tenth grade wasn’t like any other grade before it. It was the most fun he’d ever had at school, and the strange thing was, he didn’t even get into that much trouble. Well, if he really got to think about it, he knew there was a reason behind his change. Ever since that rainy day you opened up to each other for the first time, you’d become inseparable. It was so weird - one day, you didn’t even know that much about each other, then the next - he was walking you home and telling you about his dreams. You did, too. About life and your fears and your hopes. Late night conversations had become a regular occurrence, sharing every little thought, like and dislike with each other. And the best thing was, there was no judgement. It was a safe space between you two, a time when the world faded into the background and it was just you and him, baring your souls to one another. There were nights when the topics were deep and introspective, delving into the complexities of life and the future. Others, the conversations were light-hearted and filled with laughter, going into the early hours of the morning.
Sitting together in class, at lunch, and even after school became the norm for both of you. It was as if you were two pieces of a puzzle, blending seamlessly into each other’s lives. Eren found himself looking forward to each day, eager to see your smile and hear your voice. Your presence brought him a sense of comfort and happiness that he had never experienced before. He admired your strength and your ability to see the beauty in even the smallest things. Your passion for life ignited a fire within him, inspiring him to write about subjects he had never thought of before, like.. love.
Eren couldn't deny the growing feelings he had for you, feelings that went beyond friendship. He found himself captivated by your every word, your every smile, and your every touch. The way his heart raced whenever you were near was a clear indication that his emotions had transformed into something deeper. And, as dense as he seemed, he couldn't help but notice the subtle shifts in your interactions as well. The lingering gazes, the gentle brushes of hands, and the way your laughter seemed to fill the air with an extra sparkle whenever he was around.
But, as much as Eren thought he knew what was hidden behind your actions, he couldn't shake the uncertainty that clouded his mind. He questioned whether you actually felt the same way, whether his heart's desires were reciprocated. The fear of jeopardizing the beautiful connection you shared kept him from confessing his feelings outright.
Yet, the last day of school marked a turning point, a moment when Eren decided to seize the opportunity that the summer break presented. He couldn't bear the thought of spending one more day in the dark, hiding his feelings from you without knowing if there was a chance for something more to happen.
As you both laid next to each other, Eren's heart beat like it never had before. He mustered the courage to take your hand in his, intertwining your fingers together. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through his veins, reassuring him that he was on the right path.
With a trembling voice, he turned to you, his heart on his sleeve. "I've been wanting to tell you something," he waited for you to look at him before he continued, trying not to get lost in the pretty hue of your eyes. "This past year with you has been the best time of my life. You've become my best friend and.. so much more.” His mind repeated that he should turn his face away from yours, or else he might burst into flames. Nonetheless, the grip he had on your hand tightened. Go on, you idiot.
“But Y/n, I.. I haven’t been completely honest with you.”
At that, your eyebrows arched, mouth falling slightly agape in confusion. That’s when you really noticed the redness of his cheeks, the vulnerability in his eyes. It was a look you hadn’t seen on his face before.
"Truth is.. I'm in love with you.” There it was, out in the open. He’d done it. There was no turning back now.
Watching your eyes go wide brought him a kind of anxiety his heart couldn’t handle. His hands had been sweating for the past 5 minutes, and he prayed to god you hadn’t noticed. And if he could get a glimpse of what was inside your mind, he’d realise that indeed, you hadn’t noticed, because there was nothing else that could get your attention except for his confession that was heavily hanging in the air.
Your mind replayed the word what, what, what, over and over again, and you thought about pinching yourself to be absolutely sure this was happening. He was in love with you. Eren just confessed he was in love with you. The boy you’d spent ninety percent of your time with, who’d become your best friend, confidant, shoulder to cry on when your dad forgot to call you on your birthday, who’d made you laugh until you had tears prickling your eyes, who’d walked you home every single day after school even though he didn’t have to, who’d given you his lunch when you didn’t bring one yourself. That Eren. YourEren.
The silence had gone on for too long. The green eyed boy felt the need to fill it, hoping he didn’t screw things up beyond repair.
“But I want you to know I understand if you don't feel the same way. Our friendship means a lot to me, and I don't want to jeopardize that."
You blinked a few times at him, your mind racing, trying to comprehend all the emotions swirling within you. You had to say something, even though your breath was caught in your lungs.
“I..”, you began, unsure of where to go. It was your first experience with.. situations like this. And if the person lying beside you was any other boy, it probably would’ve been a lot easier. But this was him. And because of how much he meant to you, it was scarier than you could’ve imagined.
But even though you were scared, you were also thrilled. Because, the fact of the matter was, you were head over heels for this boy.
“Can I tell you something too?” You asked quietly, eyes unconsciously focused on his lips.
“Of course.”
You didn’t even realise when it was you’d leaned in. But you did. With your lips gently caressing his, for the briefest moment. Then back you were, staring once again at those plump, soft lips you’d just kissed.
Eren’s mind struggled to catch up with what just happened, his stare going back and forth between your cherry lips and pretty eyes. The fact that you initiated this kiss, your first kiss, meant that he wasn’t wrong, that there really was something more between you. It was a validation he had desperately hoped for but never expected to receive.
With great effort, he steadied his breathing and met your gaze, bringing his hand to gently cup your cheek. His touch was tender, timid, but filled with warmth and affection.
"I... didn't expect that," Eren stammered, his voice soft and low. "But,” he gulped, eyes traveling down to your cupid’s bow, “I liked it. I really liked it."
Your cheeks flushed pink, a shy smile tugging at your lips. You turned to your side, facing him fully, and placing your own hand on top of his.
“I’m glad.” You whispered, “because… I’ve been falling for you too.”
You could almost feel the relief of his exhale, as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Then a gentle smile, the same one you’d been falling for for the past year, adorned his face. “You have?”
You nodded. “How could I not? Eren, I’ve never thought someone could be so amazing to me.” You leaned in even closer, “I was just scared to admit it because I didn’t want to ruin anything. I was scared there was a chance it was all in my head.”
“Oh, believe me,” Eren rested his forehead against yours, “it’s real. It’s been real for a while now.”
Your heart fluttered at his words, with tiny little butterflies flying around in your stomach and filling your chest with warmth. You couldn’t remember if you’d ever been this happy.
“It was the same with me.” He continued while gently stroking your cheek. “You’ve become such an important part of my life,” the most important, he thought, “that I was terrified I’d screw it all up if I confessed. But trust me, it was freaking torture wondering if you felt the same way. I couldn’t bare the thought of losing you if you didn’t.”
You shook your head, “You could never lose me, Eren. Even if that was the case, which obviously isn’t, I would’ve still been your friend. I’ll always be there for you.”
Eren’s eyes softened. You truly were amazing. “And I’ll always be there for you.”
You stayed like that for a few seconds, staring into each other’s eyes, losing yourselves in them. And then, Eren decided to spontaneously lay a quick kiss on your nose. A spark of joy ignited within you, with your laughter bubbling up, filling the air with its infectious sound.
Eren’s eyes twinkled with delight, “That’s my favourite sound.”
“You always know how to pull it out of me. Even when I don’t want to.”
The moment the sentence was over, Eren couldn’t wait any longer. His hands gently cradled your face, like he was holding the most precious thing in the world. Then he quickly caught your lips in a soft, but passionate kiss, one that was filled with longing, a testament of how long he’d waited to do this. It took every last breath you had. When the kiss ended, you stayed close, your noses barely brushing against each other.
“I’ll make sure you always do.”
…..
Today
4:30. That was what the clock showed when he woke up with tears in his eyes.
He brought his hand to his cheek, feeling the dampness of his skin. Just when he thought he finally got used to it. The painful reminder that even when he was asleep, the ache of missing you still lingered, refusing to fade away.
The memories, so many of them turned dreams, ones that haunted him every night or so, were as real as he could remember. Your face was still as pretty, but your eyes were brighter then. In his dreams, he saw those eyes and the way they sparkled whenever he would gaze at them.
In those dreams, he could almost feel the warmth of your touch, the tenderness of your embrace. They were bittersweet, bringing temporary solace among the daily torment. A cruel reminder of what he had lost, yet they also offered a fleeting respite from the harsh reality of your absence.
But then he remembered. In a couple of hours, he would see you. His sleepy mind had forgotten to remind him of that, that it wasn’t all lost. That even though he wouldn’t get to hug or kiss you, at least he’d get to see you. Hear your voice. He wasn’t a 1000 kilometres away from you anymore, just a few streets.
He sat up in his bed, his dream still fresh in front of his eyes. He leaned against the cupboard and looked up at the ceiling. Did you, too, have dreams like this? He wondered if there were nights where you’d woken up with tears brimming eyes, searching for him while he was god knows where. It tugged at his heart, his fists clenching. He was sure nights like this were a regular occurrence for you after he left. And while you were pregnant..
He slammed his fist into the mattress and closed his eyes shut. He should’ve been there to wipe them, kiss them away, to help you, to love you. But he wasn’t.
“One step at a time, Eren.” His whisper echoed through the room. He had to talk himself out of the self-loathing, out of the guilt that was threatening to consume him if he took one wrong step. He had to believe things could get better.
He got up from his bed and walked to the window, pulling the curtains aside. The city was still asleep, the street lights casting a soft glow on the quiet roads. He took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs. He knew it was futile to try and fall asleep again, so instead, his mind began racing with all the possible outcomes of your impending conversation. His heart pounded in his chest as he thought about the words he would say, the apologies he would make. Would you accept them? Would you believe that he was sincere? Or would you turn him away, the pain of his absence still too fresh? He didn’t know any of these things except one that was for sure. He had a long day ahead of him.
…..
“Rise and shine, mama!” A certain cheerful voice rang in your ear. You opened your eyes to see your little girl jumping on your bed, her hair a mess, eyes wide and sparkling, like they always were. You smiled at her, pulling her instantly into a warm embrace.
“Good morning sweetheart,” you murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. Lily giggled, wrapping her small hands around your neck, “did you sleep okay?”
“Mhmm,” she nodded her head a couple of times, “I dreamt I was a princess and I had a whole castle allll for myself!”
Your laughter filled the air, “Well, that’s not far from the truth.” You scooped her up into your arms and got out of bed, making your way to her room.
“Tell you what, you make your bed and brush your teeth and I’ll make you some special princess pancakes, okay?”
When you let her down, she rose her tiny thumb up, her face determined, and you had to put your palm in front of your mouth to keep your chuckle in. She was just too cute.
“I want them pink!”
“You got it!”
You turned on your heel, trying to remember where you put the pink food coloring with strawberry flavor you bought for her. You prepared the batter, now being an expert at making quick breakfasts, all the while smiling at your daughter’s excitement. Life was just fuller with her in it.
Lily, having diligently made her bed and brushed her teeth, came running to your side, her eyes fixated on the bowl of pink batter. She bounced on her toes, "Mama, they're going to be the prettiest pancakes ever!"
“They just might.” You gave her a wink and a playful nudge, “But only if her majesty helped me mix the batter.”
Her face lit up at the prospect of helping you, and she eagerly grabbed the wooden spoon you offered her. You held the bowl steady as she stirred, her tongue poking out in concentration.
"Good job, your highness," you praised, ruffling her hair. "Now, let's get these pancakes cooking."
As the pancakes sizzled on the pan, filling the kitchen with a delicious aroma, you took a quick detour to the bathroom to wash your face and brush your teeth. When you returned, your heart swelled at the sight before you. There was Lily, perched precariously on a kitchen chair, carefully flipping the pancakes with a look of intense concentration on her face.
You really are growing up so fast, you thought. It was a thought that filled you with a profound sense of awe and a hint of melancholy. Your little girl was blossoming before your eyes, and while it was a beautiful sight, it was also a poignant reminder of how fleeting these moments truly were.
As you sat at the table, your attention focused on Lily, her excitement about starting school next week bubbling over in a stream of endless chatter while she ate her pink pancakes, your eyes filled with nothing but love for her. Until you unconsciously glanced to your right, at the chair that remained perpetually empty, and it stirred a pang in your heart. It was a void that has existed ever since she came into your world.
Despite her cheerful demeanor, you knew she was aware that things weren't quite as they should be. You saw it in the wistful look that crossed her face when she saw a child perched high on their father's shoulders. It was there in the longing in her eyes when she watched movies featuring families gathered around the dinner table, laughing and sharing their day. And it was painfully evident in the park, when she'd watch a mother and father swinging their child between them, their laughter echoing in the air.
Yes, your daughter was a happy child, full of life and joy. But there was a part of her world that was incomplete, a piece of the puzzle missing.
What should I do?
It was a question nobody could give an answer to except you. Confusion settled inside your mind like a heavy fog, and you found yourself grappling with a myriad of emotions. But then again, Eren had that kind of effect.
Just talk to him, you repeated to yourself, the words becoming a mantra that guided your resolve. You knew deep down that having a conversation with him was necessary, for your daughter’s sake at least. After all, you had faced and overcome numerous challenges in your life, and this was just another hurdle to navigate. Facing it was the only way to move forward.
One step at a time.
…..
With his third cup of coffee for the day clutched tightly in his hand, Eren couldn't help but notice the slight tremor that had begun to take hold. Perhaps it was the caffeine, or maybe it was the fact that in half an hour, he’d be meeting you. He strolled past the town's library, one hand buried deep in his pocket, the other cradling the diminutive cup of warmth. He observed the streets with an almost alien curiosity, taking in the sights as if for the first time.
This was his first venture into town, a decision his mind tried to dissuade him from, haunted by the prospect of getting recognised and the inevitable gossip that would follow. But he yearned for a taste of normalcy, a fleeting moment of being just another face in the crowd, despite his life being anything but ordinary. So, he ditched his car, and sauntered along the familiar, yet strangely new streets.
Eren was riddled with nerves at the prospect of talking to you, yet when he allowed himself to truly contemplate it, he realized his anticipation outweighed his anxiety. This was it, the moment he’d been waiting for, finally taking place. There was no room for screw ups.
But then again, as much as he pondered on it, he wasn’t quite sure what kind of apology would soften the sternness in your eyes every time you looked at him. I’m sorry for leaving for 7 years and making you gather the pieces.. no, that wasn’t it. I’m the biggest scumbag on the face of the earth. That seemed more fitting.
His thoughts then wandered to Lily. What was she doing at this moment? Did she enjoy drawing? Had she mastered riding a bike? Did she have a favourite sport? A favourite toy? Food? Movie?
He desperately wanted to know the answers to those questions, but he also feared the disappointment that might come with them. He had missed out on so much of her life, and he knew he could never make up for lost time. She looked like such a joyful kid, too.. The last thing he wanted was to screw that up.
The weight of his thoughts and the ticking clock in his mind seemed to drag his steps, making the short distance to your meeting place feel like a marathon. He was seconds from facing the music, facing you, facing the last 7 years.
The bell above the cafe door jingled as he pushed the open, the familiar sound sending a rush of nostalgia through him. This was a place you used to come after school along with your friends, a sanctuary for playing cards, laughing, making plans, escaping the world. Now, it sort of felt like a battleground, the setting for a confrontation that was years in the making.
He scanned the room, wondering if you’d showed up even though he was 20 minutes early, his heart pounding. Then one last glance at the far end table and there you were, sitting in a corner, your hands wrapped around a cup of coffee. When your eyes met his, he could see the wariness in them, the hardened resolve. You looked like you were prepared for this, for whatever he had to say.
He walked over to your table, his steps slow and measured. People were talking around him but it was like he couldn’t hear anything, like everything was silent. The only thing he actually could hear was the rapid beating of his heart as he reached the table and took the seat across from you. His hands trembled slightly as he placed them on the table.
“I thought I was going to be early.” He said, an anxious smile crossing his lips.
“I wanted to get it over with.” The truth was, you didn’t mean to sound so rude. Maybe it was the nerves, but you didn’t intend for your words to be laced with so much iciness. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“No, I get it.” He interjected, trying to sound unaffected, even though your words were like needles to his heart. “Thank you again. For meeting me.”
You nodded once, realizing how hard it was going to be to look him in the eyes. Breathe, your mind repeated. Just breathe. “I meant to ask yesterday. What’s wrong with your eye?”
Shit, he thought. He’d bought concealer yesterday to cover it, but your question meant he didn’t do a good job. No point in lying. “Met Jean the other day. I guess he didn’t miss me much.”
You looked down at your coffee mug, shaking your head. This was just too typical of them. “So.. what did you want to talk about?”
That I miss you so fucking much.
But he couldn’t say that. So, the next most important thing was, “I’m sorry.” He looked you straight in the eyes. “I’m deeply sorry for everything I’ve done to you-“
“I don’t need your apologies, Eren.” You stopped him in his tracks, causing his eyes to widen, “Really, just- don’t.” Your tone suggested no further arguing about it. Eren couldn’t decide which hurt more - the numbness in your voice or the disappointment in your eyes.
“Just tell me what you want.”
As much as it pained him, Eren knew this would most probably be the outcome. He expected his apologies to fall on deaf ears, even though he so desperately wanted, needed, to convince you how sorry he was. But he also needed to thread carefully.
“I.. know this is going to be too sudden for you,” he began, his eyes settled on a tiny drop of coffee on the wooden table, too overwhelmed to look at your face, “but the reason I wanted to talk is because,” spit it out, Eren, “I want to be a part of Lily’s life.”
Silence. Not a word, not a breath. Nothing.
When Eren looked up to catch your expression, he saw a medley of emotions on your face. Surprise, confusion.. maybe even a hint of anger. You took a moment to process his words, that felt like forever to the man sitting in front of you.
“I’m- I’m going to live here from now on, and I want to help you with whatever I can.” He added, trying to convey his sincerity.
You continued to stare at him, your features becoming unreadable. A deep sigh escaped your lips, and you craned your neck to look up at the ceiling. Then you moved your eyes towards him, gripping your cup tightly, “Eren.. Lily has a stable life. I can’t risk you ruining that. I’m sorry.”
The finality of your words made Eren’s heart sink to his stomach. But one thing about him was, he wasn’t giving up without a fight. “Okay, I deserve that. But.. are we just going to pretend like we don’t know each other? Are we going to just pass each other by?”
He struck a nerve.
“You pretended like I never existed and left. So, you tell me.”
Your words hit him like a punch in the gut. One that was long overdue.
“Y/n.. I can’t express to you how much I regret everything that happened back then. And even though you probably won’t believe it, if I had known about Lily, I-“
“So you needed to know about her so you could acknowledge me? Is that it?”
You had a counter for everything he said, and his words only further fuelled the slowly-bubbling anger within you. All the hurt, the betrayal, everything you had felt for so long was resurfacing, even though internally you were fighting to stop it. With much effort, you decided to try and collect yourself. You weren’t going to let him see you lash out.
“Eren, look.. I can’t let her be near a person who can walk away from his responsibilities with the snap of his fingers. This is my daughter and I don’t want her to get hurt.”
“She’s my daughter, too.” The words left a burning feeling in his throat, because he knew he shouldn’t have said that.
“I’m sorry?” The disbelief in your voice was palpable. His daughter? He wanted to be responsible all of a sudden?
“Look, if- if you don’t want me to spend time with her, I won’t put pressure on it. Just let me help with things. I can give you money, I can support you-“
“Money? You think we need your money?” You let out a disbelieving laugh, then quickly gathered your jacket, getting ready to leave. “This is ridiculous.”
“No, wait, please.” Eren reached out, grabbing you by the hand. The contact made you jolt, freezing in place. When you looked up, you were met by his desperate eyes. You stared at them, at the two green orbs he shared with you daughter, and you hated how for the slightest moment, you actually felt bad for him.
“I didn’t meant to sound so forward, I just.. I don’t know how to approach this.”
After a long silence, you pulled your hand away, not harshly, but firmly, and sat back into your seat. “Well, let me help you then. Just don’t approach it at all. Leave it be. It’s been years, and maybe things should be left alone as they are.”
Eren’s face fell. He should’ve expected that, but it still hurt more than he anticipated.
“Y/n, you can’t ask that of me.”
Your hands were shaking. You thought you were ready for this, but now that it was actually happening, you weren’t so sure anymore.
“Okay. What do I tell her? Hm? Hey, baby. I know you’ve always wondered who your dad is, and I know you haven’t ever met him, but the other day we bumped into him at the store, and now he wants us to be one big, happy family. Does that sound good?”
Eren winced at your words, the harsh reality of the situation hitting him like a truck. It was like he was in a maze that he was desperately trying to find the right path to, but that always ended in failure.
“You don’t get it, do you? You’re going to stir up her life. I can’t let you do that.”
“I know it’ll be hard.” He began quietly, “I also know it’s not fair to put all that pressure on you. The last thing I want is to make your lives harder. I want the opposite.”
“Good. Then it’s better if you stay away.” You were talking to hurt him now, and you knew it. “Anyway, you say you’re going to live here from now on. Why? How is your celebrity life going to fit in a small place like this?”
His answer was instantaneous, “I’m done with all that.”
A few moments were needed for you to process his words. “Oh. Oh, okay. You’re done with it. And now you think you can just causally stroll back in here like the last years didn’t happen?”
“No, I- listen, it’s not like that-“
“Then how is it, Eren?“
You noticed a few heads turning towards your table, realizing you’d been raising your voice. It was clear that emotions were running high for both of you, and you were aware that wouldn’t amount to anything good. Eren was hunched forward on the table, almost like a little kid seeking some kind of comfort.
“I couldn’t live like that anymore. I needed to come home.” His voice was so low, you barely heard it. Then he rose his head up, his eyes pleading, begging for you to believe him, “I swear, it’s been like that for a while. It’s just- it’s not that easy to get away from it. I did, though. It’s over.”
You leaned your head on your hands, and closed your eyes shut. Thousands of emotions threatened to swallow you whole. You took in everything he said and tried to make sense of it. But how do you trust someone who left you like you meant nothing and never looked back? You couldn’t let that happen to Lily. You’d rather anything else than letting someone hurt her that way.
“How do I know that you won’t go on tour and not come back for the next 7 years?”
“If I do that, you can always send Jean or my dad my way. I bet they’ll be real happy to put an end to me.”
“You think this is funny?”
Eren shook his head. “I am done. I was miserable leading that life. It’s over, Y/n. Truly.”
Silence enveloped the space between you and Eren as he could see the confusion etched on your face. A fraction of him held onto the hope that there was the tiniest chance you were considering giving him a shot.
“I just want to get to know her. That’s all I want.” He added, searching for your eyes that were settled on your coffee cup. “It’ll all be on your terms. Whatever you say, that’s what’s going to happen.”
Still silent, you lifted your gaze to meet Eren’s eyes. Oh, how you wanted to believe him. How you wanted to be sure that this man in front of you was someone you could trust with the most precious thing in your life. How you wanted to see the change behind his desperate eyes.
“What do you think?” He probed, his heart on the verge of exploding.
“I don’t know.” Your voice wavered, “I don’t know if I can trust you.”
“Tell me what I need to do, and I’ll do it.”
Then, you saw it. It was like transporting back in time. A glimpse of the boy you fell in love with all those years ago, sitting in front of you, ready to do whatever it took to make it right. It was the look in his eyes, the determination, that almost caught you off guard.
You swallowed thickly, it all becoming too much, “I have to get back to work.”
Quickly, you rose up from your seat, and began rummaging through your purse in search for your wallet.
“No, please, let me.” Eren stood up, reaching to stop you.
You avoided his touch like it would burn you. “I can take care of myself.” You threw some money on the table without counting, wanting to leave before the tears started spilling.
Eren watched helplessly, a storm inside him, one that couldn’t let him decide what to do. Trying to think under the pressure of you leaving, he reached out inside his pocket and gathered a small piece of paper.
“This is my new number.” He held it out to you. “Please, just promise me you’ll consider it.”
His hand hovered in the air between you as you hesitated. You were conflicted, but in the end, you decided to take it. Even if you didn’t call him, leaving him here completely hopeless wasn’t like you. At the end of the day, if it wasn’t for him, you wouldn’t have had Lily. Despite all the hurt and confusion that lingered between the two of you, you couldn't deny the impact he had on your life.
With a heavy sigh, you nodded at Eren, taking the tiny piece of paper in your hand.
Eren's eyes softened, a glimmer of hope shining through his inner storm. In a moments time you were out the door, leaving only the sound of the ringing bell behind you. He stared at your reflection through the window, every inch of his body wanting to chase after you, but his mind knew he shouldn’t. It was all in your hands now. Taking his number indicated a crack in the door, a silver of possibility, but he knew that the slightest pressure could slam the door shut again. So, he just stood still. Helplessness was his only companion for the moment.
…..
Summer, 10 years ago
You’d never actually gone to Eren’s house before. You’d only been to his backyard, having sneaked out one night and stargazed on the grass Mr. Jaeger had freshly moaned, where Eren intertwined your fingers for the first time. You’d spent an hour looking at the stars and thinking of goofy names for the constellations you could barely recognize, giggling every time one of you came up with something particularly silly. He then took you home on his bike, and helped you up the flower ladder that led to your room. If only you’d known how much he wanted to kiss you, even then.
What had changed between then and now was that he had confessed his love for you, which had given you the courage to do the same.
That day, he kissed you on your porch after taking you home like he usually did. It was a long, soft kiss, with his hands cradling your face, a kiss that made your knees wobble and your breath hitch in your throat. You fell asleep thinking about it, about all of it. There was this euphoria that wouldn’t let your smile fade, nor your mind rest. You woke up the next day to a text from him.
Eren💚
“Good morning, beautiful.”
You couldn’t stop your grin from spreading across your face. You pressed your phone against your chest, sighing with content. As you laid there, the morning light filtering through your curtains, you felt a warmth that wasn't just from the sun's rays. It was the warmth of him thinking about you at 8a.m. You typed a response, your fingers dancing across the screen with the same lightness that filled your heart.
“Good morning..❤️ did you sleep okay?”
You hit send, and almost immediately, the little dots that signaled Eren was typing appeared. The anticipation bubbled inside you, a pleasant fizz of excitement that made you sit up in bed, clutching the phone even tighter.
Eren💚
“Didn’t sleep much tbh. Couldn’t stop thinking about yesterday.”
You couldn't help but feel a flutter in your chest at his words. You wanted to say so much, to tell him that he had been in your dreams all night, that the thought of him made the morning seem brighter, but you settled for a response that conveyed your feelings without overwhelming him.
“Me too.. It was the best day I’ve had in a long time.”
You were restless to see his response, watching the screen in anticipation, the seconds of him typing passing like hours in your mind.
Eren💚
“It was the best day I’ve ever had.”
Your heart skipped a beat. Best day he’s ever had. You wanted to write that too but didn’t want to appear too forward. Turns out he was braver than you, which wasn’t a shocker at all.
Eren💚
“I really want to see you. Take you for breakfast?”
Was this how things were going to be from now on? Were you going to be so giddy and excited every time he messaged you? The thought made you smile even wider, and you couldn't type your response fast enough.
“I’d love that. What time should I be ready?”
Then, your phone rang. It was him. Your heart was beating faster than it ever had before. You had to repeat to yourself that this was still your best friend, the boy you’d shared your deepest thoughts and dreams with. But now.. he was something more, and that change seemed to turn you into a person you’d never thought you’d become. That made you nervous but also.. so, so happy.
You quickly picked up, voice timid but filled with warmth, “Hey.”
“Hello, pretty girl.” He was going to be the end of you with those nicknames. “Could you look outside your window for me?”
You blinked a few times, taking you a second to comprehend what he was saying before you jumped out of your bed and ran to your window. There, on the street below, was Eren. He was leaning against his bicycle, phone to his ear, and looking up at your window with that familiar, heart-melting grin.
You couldn't help but laugh, surprise and delight bubbling up inside you. "Eren! What are you doing here so early?" you asked, still holding the phone to your ear, though you were now speaking to him both through the window and the call.
"I wanted to surprise you," he said, his voice coming through the phone and faintly from the street below. "How about we start with that breakfast I mentioned? I couldn't wait until lunch."
Your heart did a somersault. "Give me five minutes!" you exclaimed, already thinking about what you could throw on quickly. You didn't want to keep him waiting.
"Take your time. I'll be right here," he replied, his tone patient and kind.
You ended the call, a smile plastered on your face as you hurried to get ready. You brushed your hair, found your favorite comfortable jeans and a t-shirt, and grabbed a light jacket. After a quick glance in the mirror, you dashed downstairs, your heart pounding with the anticipation of the day ahead. Your mother was in the kitchen, and you faintly heard her ask you where you were going so early.
“Eren and I are having breakfast!” You replied before you opened the front door. When he saw you, Eren pushed off from his bike and walked towards your front door. His eyes were bright, and the morning sun gave his hair a golden hue. "Good morning, for real this time," he said, his voice warm and inviting. He looked so.. ugh, he was the most beautiful boy you’d ever seen. He was wearing a pastel green shirt that made his eyes pop, and his smile was infectious as ever.
“Good morning..” you sounded shyer than you intended, but that seemed to steal another grin from Eren’s handsome face.
“You’re so cute.” He caught your face in his hands and planted a soft kiss on your lips. Your cheeks immediately flushed, and to your dismay, Eren noticed instantly, letting out a loud chuckle. “Are you blushing?”
You looked down at your feet, then hid your head in the crook of his neck. “Shut up..”
Eren laughed again, then brought you back to look him in the eyes, “Y/n, it’s still me, you know.”
“I know that!” You exclaimed, “it’s just.. I’m not used to this yet.”
Eren crooked an eyebrow, trying to hide his smile. “Mhm. You seemed to get used to it pretty quickly yesterday.”
“Oh, shush!” You wrapped your arms around him, and you felt his lips press against your hair.
“We should get going if we want to beat the breakfast rush.”
…..
Daisy’s cafe was as full as you’d expect for a Saturday morning. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sound of light chatter filled the air, welcoming you into its embrace. You found a small table near the window, the perfect spot to enjoy the morning sun. Eren ordered your favorite chocolate chip pancakes without even asking you, and you couldn't help but smile at the gesture. When they came along with the other things you’d ordered, the green-eyed boy watched with an amused expression as you drizzled syrup over the stack, the rich, sweet aroma mingling with the coffee's robust scent.
And then, without any warning, “My mom wants to meet you.”
You almost choked on your first bite. This was unexpected to say the least. Not because of anything else, but because you’d never met his mom before, and you knew about her.. condition. Eren had confided in you about her declining health, but conversations about it were rare, his discomfort in discussing it understandable.
Eren's expression softened, and he reached across the table to take your hand. "Yeah, she's been asking about you," he said gently. "She knows how much you mean to me, and she's been wanting to meet the girl who's captured her son's heart."
Your heart swelled, then you took his hand in yours as well. "Of course, I'd love to meet her," you replied, your voice steady despite the nerves that suddenly fluttered in your stomach. "Whenever you think it's the right time."
“I think it would mean a lot to her, and to me. My dad would be stoked to meet you, too."
You nodded, smiling. The thought of meeting his parents, his mom, especially given her health, felt like a big step.
“We could go today, actually. After breakfast, if that’s okay with you.”
The invitation caught you off guard, but you saw the earnestness in Eren's eyes. This was important to him, and therefore, it was important to you as well.
"Today?" you echoed, giving his hand a gentle squeeze back. The suddenness of the plan made you nervous, but the idea of putting it off didn't feel right either. "Yes, of course. I want to meet them too."
Eren's face lit up with relief. "Great!", he said, his voice filled with excitement that made you happy. "I was talking about you all night yesterday. They’re already in love with you.”
He’d been talking about you. You wanted to jump into his arms right this second. “I hope I live up to their expectations.”
He laughed softly, the sound easing the tension that had built up at the thought of the meeting. "You will. They're going to see what I see in you."
You finished your breakfast, chatting about little things to ease the nerves. Eren told you a bit more about his parents, his childhood memories, and what you might expect. It was comforting to hear him talk so fondly of his family, and it made you even more eager to meet them.
“But Eren, I need to change! I want to look more presentable-“
He reached across the table to put his finger in front of your mouth.
“You’re perfect, okay?”
It was just like him to reassure you in such a direct and heartfelt way. You smiled against his finger, and he reciprocated it.
“Okay, I trust you.”
After breakfast, you hopped on his bicycle, your arms circling his stomach, that was as hard as a rock, and he took off down the street. The ride was relaxing, your head resting against his back, eyes closed, letting yourself feel the summer breeze. As you held onto him, you could feel the muscles in his abdomen flex with each pedal stroke. The air was fresh and crisp, and the gentle rush of the wind against your face was invigorating.
The streets were familiar, yet they seemed different from this perspective, the perspective of your newfound relationship. Everything was more alive and vibrant. You watched as the neighborhood passed by, children playing on the sidewalks, dogs barking in the yards, and the everyday life of the community unfolding around you.
Then, you remembered. The flower farm you worked at was just a few blocks away from Eren’s house, and an idea formed in your mind.
“Hey, stop there.”
Eren glanced over his shoulder, following your gaze to the flower farm. He slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road, coming to a stop. "Here?"
You nodded, dismounting from the bicycle. "Yes, I just thought... maybe I could bring a bouquet for your mom. It's the least I can do, considering she's inviting me into her home."
"That's a really sweet idea," Eren said, his eyes softening. It was moments like this that cemented in his mind why he’d fallen so hard for you. You were just so kind, so thoughtful.. beautiful inside and out. “I’ll wait for you here.”
You quickly made your way into the flower farm, greeted by the familiar scents and colors that always brought you comfort. You selected a few of your favorite blooms, arranging them into a bouquet with care and attention. The colors were vibrant, and you hoped they would bring a smile to Eren's mother's face.
Returning to where Eren waited, you showed him the bouquet. "What do you think?"
"It's beautiful," he said, genuinely impressed. "She's going to love it."
As you approached his parents' house, your heart began to beat a little faster, but you tried to remain calm. When you came to a stop, Eren helped you off the bicycle, his hands steady and warm. You took a moment to compose yourself, smoothing out your clothes and running your fingers through your hair to tame it from the ride.
"Ready?" Eren asked, searching your face for any sign of hesitation.
You nodded, feeling a surge of courage. "Ready.”
Eren led you up the path to the front door, and before he could ring the bell, he looked at you one last time. "Hey," he said, his eyes searching yours. "No matter what, I'm here, okay? And they're going to love you. I know it."
You nodded, squeezing his arm. He rang the bell, and within moments, the door swung open to reveal his mom. Carla Jaeger. The resemblance between mother and son was striking; Eren had inherited her whole face, her eyes and the same kind expression that made you feel instantly at ease.
She gasped when she saw the two of you, and her eyes shone like two beautiful jewels.
“Oh wow. Eren, you didn’t tell me she was that pretty!”
The compliment sent a rush of color to your cheeks, and without thinking, you found yourself drawing closer to Eren, seeking a subtle comfort in his presence. His arm, strong and reassuring, seemed to naturally wrap around you, as if to silently say, 'I've got you.'
“Mom, this is Y/n.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, mrs. Jaeger.” You extended your hand for a handshake, and she took it instantly, holding it with her two frail hands. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she stepped aside to let you both in. "Please, call me Carla," she insisted warmly. "Mrs. Jaeger makes me sound far too formal. You of all people should be able to call me by my first name."
"Thank you, Carla," you replied, appreciating the gesture of intimacy. It was a small thing, but it spoke volumes about her character and how she viewed your relationship with her son. “Eren told me that you loved flowers.”
You extended the bouquet towards her, and her eyes immediately lit up with appreciation. "They’re beautiful, thank you so much," she inspected them thoroughly. "You have a wonderful eye for arrangements. I'll put these in water," Carla said, already moving towards the kitchen. "Please, make yourself at home."
The house was filled with the pleasant hum of a home well-lived in. The walls were adorned with family photos, and the shelves held an array of knick-knacks and books that gave the space a personal touch. It was a home that was clearly cherished, a place where memories were made and treasured.
As Carla led you through the house, Eren stayed close, his hand occasionally brushing against yours in a silent show of support. You could feel his gaze on you from time to time, checking to make sure you were comfortable. She led you to the kitchen, where the aroma of blueberry muffins filled the air. You couldn’t not notice the beautiful vase filled with white lilies, a throwback to your first conversation with Eren.
“Sit yourselves down, I’ll make some coffee. Actually, Y/n, do you drink coffee or tea?”
“Tea would be great, thank you.”
Carla nodded and smiled, moving gracefully around the kitchen to prepare the beverages. "Tea it is," she said. "We have a few different kinds. Any preference?"
As she busied herself with the kettle and the tea selection, Eren pulled out a chair for you at the kitchen table. The domestic scene was heartwarming, and you felt a sense of inclusion. Eren took the seat next to you as Carla placed a steaming mug of tea on the table, along with a small plate of muffins. "Help yourself to the muffins," she encouraged. "I baked them this morning. They're Eren's favorite."
You thanked her and took a muffin, noticing the way Eren's eyes lit up with childlike excitement at the prospect of his mother's homemade treats.
“Well, look who it is.” A male voice filled the room, and you turned to the door to see Mr. Jaeger put his keys on the kitchen counter, his smile on display. “You must be Y/n.”
“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” You stood up to shake his hand, and he gave you a friendly shake.
“There are no “sirs” around here. You can call me Grisha.” He tapped his son on the shoulder, “Eren’s been telling us so much about you.”
“Only good things, I hope.” You gave a nervous laugh.
“The best.” He winked down at his son and Eren shook his head, smiling.
Grisha's easygoing demeanor and the playful interaction between him and Eren helped to further ease any lingering nerves you might have had. The atmosphere in the Jaeger household was one of warmth and joviality, and it was clear that humor and affection were the foundations of their family life.
As Grisha joined the table, Carla brought over another mug for him, and the family settled into a comfortable routine, as if you had always been a part of it.
“Now, do tell us, how did our boy succeed in stealing your heart?”
“Dad!” Eren's protest was half-hearted, his cheeks tinged with a hint of red as his father posed the question that hung in the air, a mix of curiosity and gentle teasing. Grisha's eyes twinkled with mirth, and it was clear that he was enjoying the moment, eager to hear the story from your perspective.
You glanced at Eren, who gave you a small nod, his embarrassment giving way to a look of affection. It was your cue to share the tale, and you took a deep breath, ready to recount the story that had become a cherished memory for both of you.
"Well," you began, a smile spreading across your face as you recalled the details, "it all started in detention, actually."
“Oh, that’s gotta be interesting!”
Grisha's interest was piqued, and Carla leaned in with a look of amused anticipation. Even Eren seemed to settle in, ready to hear your version of the story, despite knowing it all too well.
"Yes, detention," you continued, the smile never leaving your face. "We were both there for completely different reasons. I had accidentally fallen asleep during class, and Eren..."
You looked at him, unsure if you should say the reason for him being there. He looked at his parents, only saying, “Jean."
They both nodded, with Carla rolling her eyes, which led you to believe they were familiar with their antics.
You continued, “Well, I was reading my book when he came up to me, and we started talking. He was interested in it and wanted me to tell him about the story.”
“Can I confess something?” Eren chimed in, “I was more interested in you.”
You playfully nudged him with your shoulder, “You don’t say. Anyway, it was just the two of us, so we came up with a plan and decided to..” you stopped again, biting your lip, realising where the story was going, and the consequences that followed right after.
“Wait, is this about the time Eren locked that grumpy teacher inside his classroom?”
You froze in place, thinking maybe this wasn’t the best story to tell his parents the first time you meet them. Given the fact you were both suspended for an entire week after that, it was probably not the best idea.
“Ugh, I can’t stand that little man!” Carla exclaimed, her previous amusement giving way to a hint of exasperation and a rebellious twinkle in her eye. "Always so sour. I'm not saying I condone what you two did, but I can't say I'm entirely surprised."
You let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding, relieved by Carla's reaction. Eren gave you a reassuring look, squeezing your hand gently under the table as if to say, "See, it's okay."
“He’d tried to embarrass Y/n earlier that day. Couldn’t let that one slide.” Eren intercepted, and Grisha let out a laugh.
“Sounds like our boy, alright. Looks like you’ve got quite the knight in shining armour, Y/n.”
You couldn't help but blush at Grisha's comment. Eren's protective nature was one of the things that had drawn you to him in the first place, and it was clear his parents recognized this trait in him too.
"I guess I do," you replied with a smile, looking over at Eren, who was trying to hide his own reddening cheeks.
Eren, recovering from his moment of shyness, added with a playful grin, "Well, I can't have anyone messing with my partner in crime, can I?"
Carla shook her head with a smile, clearly amused by the banter. "Just make sure you two don't end up in actual armor, okay? I don't think I could handle bailing you out of the school dungeon."
The table erupted into laughter, the atmosphere light and full of familial warmth. Then, mrs. Jaeger started coughing, and not the kind of cough a flu could bring. It was long, and the laughter around the table faltered as her coughing grew more severe, her hand coming up to her chest as she tried to catch her breath. The jovial mood quickly shifted to one of concern. Grisha was by her side in an instant, his hand on her back, his expression a mix of worry and calm as he tried to help her through it.
"Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay." Grisha said, his voice steady but tinged with urgency.
Eren was on his feet now, his earlier embarrassment forgotten as he focused on his mother. "Mom, should I get your inhaler?" he asked, ready to spring into action.
Carla managed to nod between coughs, and Eren didn't hesitate. He dashed off into the house as you stood up as well, feeling a bit helpless but wanting to offer support in any way you could.
"It's okay, dear," Carla said between coughs, trying to reassure you and Grisha, though her voice was strained. "This happens sometimes. Just need my inhaler."
Eren returned quickly, out of breath but with the inhaler in hand. He passed it to his mother, who took a deep puff, holding it in before exhaling slowly. After a few moments and a couple more puffs, her coughing began to subside, and her breathing evened out.
"I'm sorry for the scare," Carla said, her voice still a bit weak but steadier now. "I've been dealing with this for a while. Some days are better than others."
Grisha gave her a soft smile, his eyes full of love. "The important thing is that you're okay now," he said.
Eren sat back down, the worry slowly leaving his face as he saw his mother recovering. "Yeah, Mom, you've got to take it easy," he said, the protective nature you admired so much shining through once again.
She waved her son off, “I’m fine, I’m fine.” She then turned to give you a soft smile, “I’m really glad we finally got to meet you, Y/n. Eren’s been different ever since you came into his life. No more going to the principal’s every week or so. You seem to have a good impact on him.”
You exchanged a look with her, one that truly conveyed her gratitude.
Eren smiled, his eyes now on you, “She keeps me in line.”
“Well, he’s been there for me, too. In more ways than one.” Your hand lingered on top of his, and you felt the incredible need to kiss him, but you knew now was not the right time.
Grisha, ever the observer, raised his mug in a mock toast. "To keeping each other in line, then," he said with a chuckle. "Sounds like the secret to a good partnership."
“It does, doesn’t it?” Carla looked at her husband, her eyes shining with fondness and gentle ribbing. "You could let loose from time to time, you know. Life is not only about balance. Sometimes, a little mess is good."
Grisha's eyes met Carla's, and he gave a mock sigh of resignation. "I suppose you're right," he conceded with a playful roll of his eyes. "A little mess never hurt anyone. It's the spice of life, I guess."
Eren watched the exchange with a smile, clearly enjoying the banter between his parents. It was evident that their relationship was built on a strong foundation of love and mutual respect, peppered with the ability to laugh and tease one another.
You couldn't help but smile at the scene before you, feeling a sense of inclusion. The Jaegers were.. they were what truly family was all about. Their ability to embrace life's imperfections, to find humor in the chaos, and to support one another through it all was inspiring. It was a reminder that family wasn’t about being perfect; it was about being there for each other, through the mess and the triumphs alike.
“I think I’m going to start on lunch.” Carla said, but before she could start rummaging through the kitchen drawers, her husband stopped her in her tracks.
“I’m making lunch. You sit down and rest.” He gave her a quick peck on the forehead, then turned to Eren, “Come help me start the barbecue, son.”
Eren kissed your cheek, then got on his feet and followed his father to the backyard. They had a big yard, and it was a sunny day, a perfect time for a barbecue.
As you watched Eren and his dad prepare the grill, the way they moved with an easy familiarity, it was clear that this was a ritual they had shared many times before. The clinking of the tools and the crackling of the fire blended with the sounds of nature in the Jaegers' backyard, creating a symphony of domestic bliss.
Mrs. Jaeger watched as well, with a genuine smile on her face, and yet.. you could sense the sadness in her eyes, a mother's concern that never fully fades even in moments of joy. It was a look that spoke volumes about the love she had for her family and the silent strength she carried within her. She was a beautiful, but frail woman, her big sweater doing nothing to conceal the fragility that seemed to be a part of her very essence. The coughing fit had been a stark reminder of her vulnerability, and it was clear that her health was something that weighed on her mind, as well as on the minds of her family.
“I really meant what I said, Y/n.” The woman spoke, her eyes still glued on her family. “Thank you for being there for him. The last year and a half has been.. challenging. I was afraid he was going to keep spiraling, getting into trouble, but then you came along.”
She was now looking at you you, her gaze filled with gratitude and relief. It was clear that your presence in Eren's life had made a significant impact, not just on him, but on his entire family.
"You've grounded him," Carla continued, her voice soft but earnest. "Helped him not think about.. everything."
You felt a swell of emotion at her words. You knew he was different, you’d seen it, felt it yourself, but hearing it from his own mother meant the world to you.
"I care about him a lot," you replied, meeting her gaze. "And he’s been there for me just as much as I've been there for him. We support each other."
Carla reached out, placing a gentle hand over yours. "That's what it's all about, isn't it?" she said with a smile. "I can see how much you both mean to each other, and it gives me peace of mind to know he has someone like you in his corner."
You nodded your head, your gaze back on the boy who’d stolen your heart, “I want to thank you, too. You’ve done a wonderful job with him. He’s.. everything I could ever ask for.”
“Oh, sweetheart, stop it, you’ll make me emotional!” Carla exclaimed, and you both shared a laugh. Her laughter was a balm to your ears, and as you both settled into a comfortable silence, your thoughts drifted to your own mother. The change in her had been palpable ever since your father left. Where there was once warmth and open communication, there was now a cold distance that seemed to stretch further with each passing day.
Her lively spirit, which used to fill the house with joy and endless chatter, had become withdrawn, her smiles fewer and her conversations clipped. The light in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a weariness that seemed to weigh down her every movement. She was there, but not in the way she used to be—her presence more like a ghost of the vibrant woman she once was.
You understood her pain, the sense of abandonment and betrayal that must have eaten away at her, but it pained you to see her so altered, so consumed by the shadows of what used to be. You longed for the days when your mother was your confidante and your pillar of strength, not this shell of her former self, moving through the days with a hollowed-out heart.
Sharing this moment with Carla, you were reminded of the stark contrast between the lively, loving atmosphere of the Jaegers and the quiet desolation that had settled over your own home. It made you appreciate the Jaegers' warmth even more and deepened your gratitude for the sense of family they extended to you—a gift that was all the more precious given the void that had formed in your own life.
"Life has a way of throwing us curveballs," The woman before you spoke, as if she could read your thoughts. "But it's how we catch them—or pick them up after they've hit the ground—that really counts."
You nodded, looking down at your tea. “I like how that sounds.” For a moment, you debated if you should confide in her, having met her only today. But there was something about this woman, about her demeanor and outlook on life, that made you feel safe. It was a feeling you hadn't realized you'd been missing until now.
You took a deep breath, feeling the words rise up from within. "My mom... she's been different ever since my dad left. It's like the life has been drained out of her, and I don't know how to bring her back. We were so close before.. I miss her—the way she used to be."
Carla's expression softened, her eyes reflecting a deep empathy. She looked at you like this wasn’t the first time she’d heard that story, probably because Eren had already mentioned it. Which, you were kind of thankful for. It meant he cared enough to seek support for you even when you weren't around, and that Carla was now a willing confidante, ready to offer comfort and advice.
"I’m very sorry to hear that, Y/n. It's never easy, seeing the ones we love change before our eyes," Carla said gently. "But remember, healing is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, patience, and a lot of love. Your mother may seem lost right now, but she's still in there, somewhere. And with you by her side, she has a beacon of hope to guide her back."
Her words were a comfort, and in that moment, you felt a connection with her, one that went beyond casualties. She was offering you a piece of wisdom that came from experience, from her own life's trials and tribulations.
"I truly hope so," you said, your voice thick with emotion. "I'll keep trying with her. Maybe one day, she'll be ready to start picking up those curveballs herself."
Carla reached to touch your cheek, her palm warm like her soul. "I’m sure she will, in her own time. And she's lucky to have you. Just like we're lucky to have you here with us."
“Thank you, Carla. This… it really means a lot to me.”
Carla's touch was reassuring, and her kind words wrapped around you like a comforting embrace. "You're welcome, dear," she replied with a gentle smile. "We all need a little support sometimes. Don't hesitate to reach out, whether it's to talk about your mom or anything else. We're family now."
You nodded, feeling a sense of belonging that was both new and deeply cherished. The kindness and openness this woman shared with you was like a soothing balm to the ache you'd been carrying around. It was a stark reminder that, while you couldn't control everything that happened in life, you could choose the people you surrounded yourself with—people who could make the burdens feel a little lighter.
“Now, do you think you could help me set the table? I could even show you my special lemonade recipe.” She sent a playful wink your way.
"I'd love to," you responded, the corners of your mouth lifting into a genuine smile.
Carla stood up to show you around the kitchen, and together you began to gather the plates, utensils, and glasses needed for the meal. The clink of cutlery and the clatter of dishes became the backdrop to a new kind of intimacy, one that was formed through shared tasks and quiet conversation.
As you worked, Carla shared her recipe, explaining each step with the care of someone passing down a treasured secret. You listened intently, taking note of the way she squeezed the lemons just so, the exact amount of sugar she added, and the sprigs of mint she used for garnish. The simplicity of the task, paired with the significance of the moment, made you feel more at home than you had in a long time.
With the table set, the bouquet you gifted her centered right at the middle of it, and the lemonade prepared, you stepped back to admire your handiwork. The kitchen was now transformed into a cozy dining space.
"Looks perfect," Carla said, surveying the scene with a satisfied nod. "Thank you, Y/n. You're a natural at this."
Just then, Eren and his father appeared at the door, the scent of grilled food preceding them. "Wow, look at this!" Eren exclaimed, his eyes taking in the spread. "You two have been busy."
His father placed a hand on your shoulder, a silent gesture of thanks that spoke louder than words. "You're part of the team now," he said with a warm smile.
As everyone took their seats around the table, the afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the scene, you felt a profound sense of peace. Eren sat next to you, his hand never leaving your knee, and in that moment, you just knew.
This was exactly where you were supposed to be.
…..
It was a silent night. A night where the crickets could be heard, their sound still gracing your town’s fields and grass because of the warm weather. You were lying in your bed, staring up at the dark ceiling, unable to fall asleep no matter how much you tried. It’d been two days since your conversation with him. Two days of overworking yourself so you could not think about him. Two days of failing because of all the waking up in the middle of the night, your conversation still fresh in your mind.
Lily was fast asleep in her room, unaware of your inner turmoils. At least you hoped she was. The first day of school was just one day away, and she was beaming with excitement, talking about anything and everything she couldn’t wait to do now that she was a “big girl”. It was heartwarming to listen to her, and it gave you a reason to smile amidst the swirl of emotions you were caught in. Lily's happiness was infectious, and it reminded you why you pushed through the tough times. Her joy and innocence were like beacon in a storm, guiding you back to what truly mattered.
But now, in the quiet of the night, your thoughts drifted once again to Eren and the small piece of paper that now sat on your nightstand. The mere act of taking his number didn't bind you to anything, but it symbolized a bridge — a potential pathway back to someone who had once meant the world to you.
With each silent tick of the clock, your mind played through a thousand different scenarios. What could happen if you called? What would remain if you chose not to? But there was a more pressing question that you couldn’t escape: What did you want to happen?
You rolled over in bed, trying to find a comfortable position that might welcome sleep. Your life had done a whole 180 since he came back, and you were afraid of the same thing happening to your baby girl. How could you answer her questions without breaking her heart if you decided to tell her about him? Even if you came up with some dumb lie that could evidently cause more damage as she grew older, that would only put a bandage on the wound. It wouldn’t fix anything.
But what if Eren was telling the truth? What if he really wanted to be a dad to her? It would be like taking away her chance of having both parents present in her life. But what if.. what if he left again?
You took a deep sigh, palms pressed against your face. You looked at the clock. It was 11:45pm. Screw it.
You jumped off your bed to grab the little piece of paper and began dialing his number, thinking he probably wasn’t asleep. Even if he was, you didn’t care. You didn’t know if you would get that kind of courage again.
He answered after the second beep.
"Hello?" Eren's voice came through the line, alert enough to recognize the urgency of a late-night call.
"Hey, it's me," you said, your voice steadier than you felt. The crickets' chorus seemed to quiet as if the night itself was holding its breath, waiting for what would come next.
“I know.” I know your phone number by heart, he thought. “Is everything okay?”
You took a deep breath, closing your eyes as a means to collect your thoughts. You wanted to tell him that no, everything was not okay. That you’ve been thinking about your conversation, about everything, and that you couldn’t sleep a wink because of it. But instead, you decided to opt with something entirely different.
“The first day of school is in one day.”
Eren went silent. He knew, of course, but he couldn’t quite understand why you were mentioning it.
“Yeah, I know..” he replied, a note of confusion in his voice, “Is Lily okay? Are you?”
"She's more than okay. She's excited, can't stop talking about it," you said, a small smile forming as you thought of your daughter's enthusiasm.
“I’m glad.” You could almost hear the smile in his voice. “It’s her big day, after all.”
Then, you became quiet again. The silence stretched between you, filled with the weight of unspoken thoughts and lingering emotions. Eren seemed to sense your hesitation, your internal struggle with the complexities of the situation.
“Y/n.. is everything-“
“We’re having a gathering at home after the school ceremony. I want you to come.”
The words came out before you could second-guess yourself, a decision made in the quiet space between heartbeats.
“It’ll be only close friends and some neighbors. Your dad, too.” You decided to add.
Eren's response took a few seconds, but you couldn’t miss the excitement, surprise and gratitude mixed within his voice. "I... yes, yes, I'll be there. Just tell me the time."
You nodded, even though he couldn't see you. "It'll be in the afternoon, after the ceremony. I'll text you the details," you said, your voice steady despite the fluttering in your stomach.
"Okay, I'll wait for your message. And Y/n… I… ", Eren paused, as if choosing his words carefully, "Thank you. I really appreciate this.” He went quiet again before he spoke, “I'm going to make sure you don't regret it."
You let out a breath you didn't realize you'd been holding. "We'll see," you said, not ready to make any promises or set any expectations. "For now, let's just focus on making it a good day for her."
"Yeah, yeah, of course," Eren agreed. "She's going to have the best first day. I'm sure of it."
"Yeah, she will" you whispered, a small smile returning as you thought of your daughter's excitement. “And Eren.. I haven’t told her anything yet.”
“Yeah, I understand. I told you, whatever you say, that’s what happens.”
"Okay. Goodnight.”
"Goodnight, Y/n," Eren said softly, a note of warmth in his voice.
The room was quiet once more, the earlier tension replaced by a cautious hope. You were still unsure about the future, about how things would unfold, but you had taken a step. For now, that was enough.
As you lay back down, the crickets outside resumed their song, a familiar and comforting sound. You closed your eyes, allowing yourself to imagine the gathering, the school ceremony, and the look of joy on Lily's face. With those thoughts filling your mind, you finally felt sleep begin to take hold, offering you a respite from the whirlwind of emotions and a chance to finally rest.
…..
Tag list: @vlsquuu @love-is-sick @shima707 @6sakusa @p4lli @intimacywithcelestine @docufanfic @jaegersdiary @xcelestina @fvckingeetar @theforest @roronoazorosbxtchh @hannaburnout @camilo-uwu @ec3lipsy @littlemochi @erensonly @f4irycafe @idktbhloley @fairyvibez @desthevirgo @ange11core
#eren jaeger#eren jaeger x reader#eren smut#eren jaeger smut#eren fluff#eren jaeger fluff#eren jaeger angst#eren angst#eren x reader
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interlinked 🍊 mike schmidt x reader
🍊ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 🍊ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗ 🍊ʚ
description ★ mike finds out everything about you and uses that information to ask you out.
mentions ★ perv!mike, semi stalker!mike, fluff
warnings ★ afab fem reader, oblivious reader,
a/n ★ a little out of my normal vanilla comfort zone but cmon yall know this is hot, set modern day but still same age in the movie (if that makes sense)
˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.⋆.ೃ࿔*:･˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.⋆.ೃ࿔*:･˚ ☁️
you're always so exhausted coming home from work. the only form of release you have is the pink wand in your bed stand but recently it's not doing you any good. your job isn’t facisnating but it’s easy money.
every once in a while you get compliments, telling you how beautiful you are and men always try to get your number. you always politely decline. you just want to meet the right one eventually. you never really dated anybody because anyone you’ve ever talked to just wanted to fuck and go.
until you met mike. mike worked with you but you never really spoke to him for long periods of time. but you never knew how obsessed he was with you. he wanted to know everything about you. he would stalk your social media finding out every thing he can about you, your favorite food, drink, restaurant, etc. and he would bring them up in conversation.
you were always very surprised about how he knew just what to bring up in small talk, occasionally asking you if you would try a new food place in your town. but politely you always declined.
mike always took in interest in things you talked about just to get closer to you. you just always thought that he was just into everything you were into, which fascinated you.
“hey have you seen that new movie with Molly Ringwald in it? we should watch it sometimes” he awkwardly suggested. “oh my god i love her! she’s my favorite actress!” you responded enthusiastically. “wait no way she’s my favorite too!” he smiled. he knew just the kind of things to say to you.
later that week you finally agreed to go out with him, after he tried for 4 months to take you out. it was simple and sweet.
you took a taxi to the movie theater after he offered to drive you, you declined and said you would take a taxi. you thought it was safer if anything went down.
in the movie theater you both sat down beside each other. mike got you both a giant bag of popcorn and two sprites. he knew you loved sprite from shamelessly stalking your social media before arriving to the cinema.
“what’d you get me to drink?” you asked him. “i didn’t know what you wanted so i just got a sprite.” he said, awkwardly smiling at you as you say “thank you, sprites actually my favorite drink”
halfway through the movie he puts his hand on your leg, it’s in good nature, he wants to make sure you’re okay. it shocks you for a second.
the movie finishes and as you’re walking out you say “this might be my new favorite movie” as you sip on your drink. mike is holding your jacket and carrying it out for you.
mike offers you a ride to his place and you agree. sitting in his beaten down truck you say to him “i feel like i’ve known you my whole life mike” as you put your hand on his knee and look into his soft brown eyes. he looks up at you from his steering wheel and gives you a soft smile.
obviously mike knew where you live, he knew everything about you. but when he offered to take you to his house and he’d make dinner you were down.
you walk into his house first and sit on his couch, “is chicken alfredo good?” he says to you. “i love chicken alfredo!” you exclaim. you swore you could hear him say “i know” under his breath but you didn’t think anything of it, besides you were too busy watching the tv to overthink it.
“dinners ready” he yells at you from the kitchen. “i got you a place to sit” he follows up. you walk to the kitchen and even your form is placed on the right side of the plate, so is your drink.
“i feel like ive known you my whole life. it feels like we’re just eternally interlinked.” you say, sincerely. “i feel that way too.” he replies as you take a bite of your food. mikes obsessed with you, hell, he worships the ground you walk on. he would spend every waking moment with you if he could. sometimes you wish he could too.
over the course of 2 weeks you’ve slowly started to fall in love with mike. simple gestures he does to make you more comfortable. you like when he does that, and the way he takes a interest in your interests makes you want him badly.
mike invites you over again, but this time when you enter the living room he’s holding a bouquet of waterlilys and you run up and thank him you hold his hand and bring him over to the couch to watch some movie. “do you think there’s a chance of us being more than friends” he says to you as you’re on his couch
you stop for a second, letting your mind repeat the sentence 100 times. “i would like that mike” you smile. he puts his hand on your thigh and squeezes a little, as you look up at him he looks down into your eyes and smiles. “i really like you y/n” he says to you softly, just slightly a whisper. “i like you too mike” you say as you match his tone.
mike leans in close for a kiss and you engage. it felt like a taste of heaven making out with mike schmidt. he was gentle, his tongue asking for entrance into your mouth. its sweet, really. you just wish you could stay like this, his hand on your thigh, his tongue in your mouth and seeing heaven in his eyes.
mike breaks the kiss first, you noticing a tent in his jeans. it angers you at first, thinking “this is why i don’t go out anymore. what the hell is he thinking.” but then you notice the wet spot in your panties, soaking through your pants. mike grabs your wrist and stares you in the eyes, this is the most intimate you’ve ever been with someone. it’s simple and sweet. “i think im falling in love with you y/n, and i don’t know what to do.” mike says to you, he feels dumbfounded. at first it was infatuation, but now he’s becoming head over hills.
“me too” you reply, face bright red. mike wraps his arm around you and sits his face on your chest. this is comfortable, and safe. you could really get used to this.
˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.⋆.ೃ࿔*:･˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.⋆.ೃ࿔*:･˚ ☁️
#jersey writes#five nights at freddy's#mike shmidt#josh hutcherson#fanfic#mike schimdt fanfic#fluff#mike schmidt headcanons#mike schmidt x y/n#y/n#mike schmidt fluff#jealousjersey
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Moonlight on a river 2/2
Pairings - Damian priest x Fem!Reader
Word count - 0.7k
Warning - Hurt/Confort, Fluff/ Angst
NOT PROOFREAD. Part 1
Damians POV
I walked into The Judgment Day’s locker room, getting ready for my match. But I noticed the atmosphere felt different. Dom and Finn were mostly quiet. They were never this way before?
“Guys tell me whats up why are you two so quiet?” I asked.
Dominik scratched his head as Finn opened his mouth to answer me.
“Look man we’ll talk after the promo,” Finn and Dominik both walked past me as I stared at them in shock.
After the promo , me , Finn , and Dominik walked back stage. Back to our locker room. I tried not to let my confusion get into the way of the promo, but I ofter found myself zoning out whole thinking about it. They had never acted this way towards me , so what made their feelings change?
I sat down on the locker room bench as I waited for Finn and Dominik to talk.
“Look we know about the Y/N situation..,” Dominik spoke first.
“And we dont think what you did was valid man , I mean did you know what happened to her mom that day, and the fact you put the weight of a breakup on her is just cruel..” Finn chimed in.
I felt confused.
“What happened with her mom?” I asked.
Dominik sighed as he began to speak.
“She got into a car crash — A drunk driver is what she said.”
“Look the only reason we know this is because Rhea told us about. After she texted Rhea about the breakup, and she repeated what you said— she just broke down man,” Dominik had a sour look on his face , meanwhile Finn turned away from them both.
Then the realization hit me. Thats why her eyes were so red. She had been carrying a hard weight in her shoulder. And when I broke up with her , that was just the cherry in top. A heavy weight of guild filled my mind as Finn and Damian told me what had happened. By the end , I knew I had to talk to her. Make things right. That was the least I could do, I thought to myself.
Your POV
I layed in bed , curled up as a thick blanket covered my body, when I heard a key unlock the front door. My face morphed into confusion as I sat up from my curled up position in the bed. Soon enough I heard the door to now my own bedroom creak open. I felt my stomach drop as I saw a worried face. His face.
End of your Pov
He didn’t understand how you felt until he saw it. When Damian had walked into the bedroom , he first saw your worried and confused expression. Your eyes were bloodshot red and had darker spots under your eyes.
“W-why are you here?” You asked. Your voice was shakey. Fragile. Like you could break any minute.
As you looked down, Damian came closer to your sitting figure. His hands found its place on both sides of your head. Making you look up at him.
“I came to apologize. I didn’t know it was this bad — and I really messed up. I just want you to know it was a mistake. Ive been a mess these few days and I thought about coming back.. I did and when Dom and Finn told me what happened I knew I had to come back”.
“I know i messed up, just please ill do better this time. Im so sorry.” He finally completed his rambling as a tear rolled down onto your cheek.
“I don’t know if I could trust you so easily, b-but ill try. I just need you to regain my trust. Day by day.” You replied as Damian blinked away the tears that threatened to drop from his eyes.
“I wanna make it up to you even if its little.” He said.
He opened his mouth to speak again. “Cmon let’s go eat dinner , and we could take a bth if you would like to?”
I nodded as a sign of okay , and he went downstairs to get the food for us ready. A small smile found its way to my face as I finally felt joy enter my body. I was happy to finally have Damian back. You felt better already.
A/N 💬 - Im sorry this is kinda short!! But im trying to get requests done im sorry for how late its going just know im trying 💕
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a lil lottienat fic
summary: pre-crash, a bit of a continuation of a scene in season one and some first kiss flashback content (i sorta hate it its not the best thing ive written but oh well)
a/n: just kisses, flirting, and some in-character swearing <3
“You know what? Fuck this.”
Natalie resisted the urge to flip off her teammate as she spoke, resorting to turning and walking down the other end of the courtyard. She’d always known Taissa was the kind of girl who would do anything to get what she wanted. She’d even been known to convince teachers to raise her grade by a few marks. But freezing out a teammate? A freshman? It was a new low, and she wasn’t about to stoop to Taissa’s level.
She knew full well that the others, being the timid sheep they were, would probably agree, no matter how begrudgingly. That’s why she couldn’t help but be startled as a girl suddenly appeared next to her, offering a small smile.
“Hi.”
“Lottie. Hey.” She struggled to hide the surprise in her voice. “Shouldn’t you be figuring out how to freeze Allie out?” She asked coolly.
Lottie shifted uncomfortably, falling into step beside her.
“Well- no, you’re right. I don’t want to. But you know Taissa, none of us could convince her otherwise even if we tried. Well- maybe Van could, but I don’t think Tai would want us to tell her.”
Natalie rolled her eyes, but smiled gently at the mention of Van.
“Those two are-”
“Totally dating?” Lottie finished, a slight twinkle in her eye as she glanced at Natalie. The blonde girl laughed a little, and nodded her agreement.
“Yeah.”
A silence fell over the two as they walked together. The differences between them stood out sorely, and if they weren’t wearing the same soccer uniform, anyone would assume they didn’t know each other.
Lottie loomed over Natalie, and carried herself with the reluctant elegance of a girl born into a more privileged lifestyle than Natalie, to say the least. Natalie was much shorter, hair dyed a messy blond and smelling faintly of some sort of alcohol, as she often did.
Lottie noticed this, and decided to break the silence.
“Drinking again?”
“Mind your own business.” Natalie retorted instinctively, but softened a little as she saw Lottie flinch.
“No, I’m kidding- yeah, my friend snuck in a bottle. Why, you want me to get you some too?”
Lottie wrinkled her nose at the thought, which made Natalie laugh.
“Nah, don’t worry. I know you don’t like that kinda stuff.”
As the two approached the soccer field, Lottie paused next to the bleachers, causing Natalie to halt too, offering a curious look and a slight tilt of the head.
“So… if you know I don’t like that stuff, do you know what I do like?” She smirked a little as she spoke, leaning against the wall beside her. Natalie glanced nervously towards the field, torn between what to do.
“Lot, maybe here isn’t the best time, someone could see-”
She shut up quickly at the brunette’s pout, which seemed to be one of her few weaknesses. She met Lottie’s gaze, hating herself for the way she felt her cheeks burn against her pale skin. She wasn’t supposed to have a weakness, something that could make her knees go weak. She was the strong one. The tough one. And she didn’t, up until a few weeks ago.
It had been their closest game of the season, and things were tense. The girls were silent in the locker room, and all of them left with more haste than normal. Natalie had sat against the lockers, fighting tears for the first time in a while. She could usually suppress them easily, but she had choked today. She wasn’t meant to do that.
She had let the defender slip right past her, letting her secure one of the team’s two goals. It was the worst slip up of the whole season, and everyone knew it. She also knew all too well that some of her teammates were a little scared of her to say the least — except for maybe Lottie — so no one said a word. Not even Jackie, confident and assured team captain. Not even Taissa, headstrong and ready to call Natalie out on the smallest mistake.
That’s how she knew it was bad.
When it got to the point where she was sure everyone had left, she let herself cry. God, had it felt good. For the first time in months, a pure, genuine release of-
“Nat?”
Fuck.
She ran an arm across her face, and glared up at the source of the interruption.
“The fuck are you doing here, Lottie?” She seethed, looking away guiltily at Lottie’s wounded expression. The taller girl fumbled her words.
“Shit, I’m so sorry- I didn’t mean… are you okay?”
She lowered herself to sit next to Natalie, awkwardly resting her arm over her shoulder. At this level of affection, Natalie began to cry more, turning to bury her face into Lottie’s neck. The two sat, not talking, for a few minutes before the blonde girl's crying died away.
“S-sorry you had to see that.” She mumbled awkwardly, turning her head.
“No! It’s fine, I promise. Are you okay, though? I… I know it seemed bad out there, but we won in the end, right? Just because you let that ball slip past, it does not make you a bad soccer player, okay? You’re one of the best on the team, and everyone loves you-”
“Everyone hates me.” She interjected, turning to face Lottie. Eyeliner was smudged beneath her eyes, and her lip quivered a little. Even if Lottie knew Natalie was hard to figure out, she could tell one thing; Natalie was being genuine. She really thought no one liked her. And the knowledge of that broke her a little. Natalie went on.
“I just- you’re all popular and sporty and rich, and I’m what? I’m just the burnout that people are scared of. Who lives in a trailer park, who gets bad grades, who messes up soccer games. No one has any hopes for me, because why should they?”
She looked away again, fighting another wave of tears.
“I don’t.”
The words were spoken quietly, almost at a whisper, but they were sincere. Natalie turned to look at Lottie, who was staring at the floor. She glanced up, offering a soft smile.
“Uh- hate you, that is. I don’t hate you. And I really don’t think the others do. Everyone thinks you’re cool, Nat. And so what if you’re a bit intimidating? At least the opponents are scared of you.”
Natalie chuckled a little at that, and shook her head slightly.
“I don’t get it.”
Lottie cocked her head. “Get what?”
“...Why you’re so nice to me? You’re kind of the only one. It’s…” She paused to think, and met the brunette’s gaze with a smirk. “It’s actually sort of adorable.”
Lottie’s eyes widened, though not in surprise. That is, not in surprise of what she said. She knew there had been something between them for ages, a palpable tension that tightened at every slight glance, every small smirk. But she had never expected Natalie to act on it, and definitely not now.
Natalie gently reached her hand to cup the taller girl’s cheek. She felt Lottie’s face grow warm under her touch, smirking at her flustered expression. She giggled a little, leaning in ever so slightly.
“Is this oka-”
Lottie surged forwards impulsively, closing the gap. The kiss lasted for hardly a second before Natalie pulled away, settling into a smirk at Lottie’s wide-eyed expression.
“I… that was… nice. Could you… kiss me again?” Lottie glanced away awkwardly, a little embarrassed at her boldness.
Natalie grinned, wrapping her hand around the back of the other girl’s neck, pulling her in again. This time, the kiss lasted for longer, both of them leaning in further, relaxing, melting into each other's touch.
That was why now, weeks later, they were making out behind the bleachers, giddy with love. Natalie, being much shorter than Lottie, raised herself on her tip-toes as high as she could, grumbling something unhappily every time the other girl would tease her by lifting her head just out of her reach.
“Hm- Lottie stop it-”
“Aww but it’s so fun teasing you.” She giggled back, but lowered her head to kiss her more, both of them so desperate for the other. Natalie moved her hand to the bottom of Lottie’s shirt, beginning to feel her way under. Lottie pulled away in surprise, taking a slight step back. The blonde girl flushed red, and looked away.
“Shit- sorry.”
“No, it- it’s okay. Maybe another time. But we should go to training. C’mon.” She pecked Natalie gently on the cheek, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the field. The shorter girl followed after, head still dizzy, and very in love.
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Hi! If you're still open, I have been brainrotting Tighnari and would love to see someone write about it, just, Tighnari spending time sweetly and lovingly with ther ace SO!female. I would appreciate it so much, Would write it myself but really love how you write <3
ty in advance btw.
pairing: tighnari x reader
tw: none!
type: fluff, established relationship, sfw!
pronouns used: she/her
a/n: TYSM and thanks for requesting!! i LOVE tighnari ive been brainrotting over him too ♡＼(￣▽￣)／♡ he is everything to me. i love his silly little ears ;;
TIGHNARI
HUGE cuddle bug but... plays it off
"it's only natural for us to love cuddling, you know. there are hundreds of thousands of years of instincts that have us need to be near each other - plus it's good for the brain. what? i'm right. now get over here, i need a nap buddy."
tighnari is busy a lot of the time with his forest ranger work, but he can't stand being away from you for too long, so on occasion he'll bring you with him
the teasing commences.
"careful! that tree is extremely lethal. in fact, thus far, the only known protection against its pollen is getting a kiss from your true love... yeah, i'm messing with you. but can you blame me?"
you hit him lightly over the head and he laughs at you and ruffles your hair
tighnari's FAVORITE place to snuggle is in a tree overlooking the avidya forest
he can hold you against him to keep you from falling and of course he'll lightly tease you about that too
i mean come on, without him, you'd be dead on the forest floor! ...no, not really. he's sure you'd be able to keep your balance without him. but where's the fun in that?
he brags about you, too
"hey, did you hear? she found a whole new kind of mushroom yesterday. she tripped over it and noticed it was something we hadn't logged yet! you all wish you were me, i have the coolest girlfriend in the WORLD."
the people of ghandarva ville get sick of it pretty fast, but it's not in a malicious way or anything. ah, young love.
you spend a lot of time with him analyzing plants. tighnari likes to be extra thourough, so when he's not sure about something, he'll ask your input on it
"do you see just the littlest tinge of purple on this leaf? i can't tell what that is."
sometimes he stays up late, and since it's always easier to fall asleep with him next to you, you plop yourself down on his lap and rest your head on his shoulder
he loves this. he thinks it's so silly... and, of course, he loves the proximity between you two
he'll hold you close to him, clean up his desk, swivel his chair around, and carry you to bed
it's easier for him to sleep with you next to him, too.
#tighnari#tighnari x reader#genshin x reader#genshin#genshin impact#tighnari genshin#genshin impact x reader#tighnari hcs#tighnari fluff#f!reader#fem!reader#gi tighnari#genshin tighnari
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Hello! I hope you're doing well. Could you perhaps write a scenario Ive had for awhile? So basically, a new student transfers into Class 1A who identifies as Genderfluid, is physically female but feels more comfortable wearing the male uniform. Upon meeting the new student Iida freaks out on them due to his serious, studious nature and wholeheartedly believes that a "girl" should wear the female uniform. He then feels bad after Aizawa explains things to him.
I hope you're doing well too honey! Here is my input so I hope you enjoy it 😘
Title : Odd one out
Characters : Aizawa (Dadzawa)/ Iida/ Genderfluid reader
Genre : Angst/ Heartwarming mostly
Masterlist|Second Masterlist
_ "Alright, be quiet," mr Aizawa's fist pounded on the table as he coerced his students to settle down while he introduced you to them, "this is y/n, she will be your new classmate so treat her nicely."
You took a quick look around the classroom before bowing your head down, "it's a pleasure to meet you all."
_ "You'll be sitting over there right next to Iida, he's our class representative so if you have any questions he'll be happy to help," your new teacher gestured you to take your seat, and you thanked him quietly before walking straight to your designated spot.
It was hard ignoring everyone's questioning looks– not that you were surprised to be the subject of their observation anyway, as you weren't only the new kid at school, but also had a unique look that managed to turn every head your way.
Ever since you were a little girl, you were expected to speak, dress, and act a certain way that mostly left you feeling shackled.
You had never been free to decide those things for yourself since your choices were always met with strong objections.
_"You're a girl, never forget that."
_"No, you can't cut your hair short."
_"Oh look at you, finally dressed the way you should."
_"I don't get you, seems to me like you have no idea what you want for yourself."
But that wasn't true, since you've always known what you wanted.
You simply wanted to be free, and hated following social norms and limiting yourself to what's expected of you as a girl.
_ "Don't forget to hand in your assignments in time am I clear?" your teacher warned in that same tired monotone voice before dismissing everyone as the session came to an end.
_ "Excuse me y/n, may I speak with you?" it was that class representative guy, Iida was it? You would definitely need some time to learn everyone's name.
_ "Yes sure." you offered him a nervous smile as you continued clearing your desk.
_ "First, let me welcome you properly and wish you a nice stay among us," he then took a deep breath and straightened his glasses before carrying on, "I've noticed that for some reason you're wearing the boys' uniform instead of the girls', may I ask why?" this guy is the same age as you are, but for some reason he had a more mature demeanor than everyone else did.
_ "I'm more comfortable dressing this way. Will it be a problem?" there you were, facing another confused soul.
_ "But you are a female y/n! School regulations are clear, and state that what you're wearing is specifically designed for male students, so please make sure to respect our dress code and to wear a proper one starting tomorrow." this guy is strict, and soon you started to understand why he was picked to be the class rep out of everyone else.
_ "I don't believe I'm breaking any rules, and I'm not trying to be controversial, it's just.." you lowered your head and squeezed your eyes shut as you prepared to explain yourself the way you had been doing your whole life, "I'm gender fluid."
He blinked a few times in obvious confusion, "what does that mean?"
_ "Simply put, it means not being restricted to only one gender identity." okay it's true, but who said that?
Your head snapped up to follow the voice, and your eyes widened as you found your teacher approaching your desk.
_ "Mr Aizawa! you're still here sir?" your class rep was clearly as oblivious as you were of your teacher's presence.
_ "I'm sorry, I wasn't going to interfere but I guess I probably should?" his eyes were on you, almost as if he wanted your permission first.
It was unexpected, usually no one cares enough to try and learn about you, and instead jump into their own judgements and conclusions.
You nodded slowly and turned to look at your classmate who seemed increasingly tense.
_ "Sir, we were talking about the school uniform she has chosen to wear."
_ "I know, there is nothing wrong with what she's wearing though, that's still our school's uniform."
_ "But sir, she's a girl. There is a reason why we do not have a unisex uniform."
_ "You're disregarding her gender identity though, which has nothing to do with sex. Let me ask you something, how would you feel about being forced to speak or act in a certain manner just because that's what's expected of you? Never mind how you feel about it."
_ "If I have to do it I will, even if I don't like it."
_ "Wrong answer, you shouldn't force yourself to do something you're not comfortable doing just to gain everyone else's approval," your teacher placed a palm over the confused boy's shoulder, "as long as you're not hurting anyone, you should be free to live however you want, and in that regard I believe that's what y/n is doing. She's not breaking any rules or disrespecting anyone, she just wants to freely dress and act the way that makes her happy. We should all respect that."
Your eyes moved between your new teacher and classmate, it was mesmerizing how knowledgeable and accepting Mr Aizawa seemed to be, and the smile that found its way to your face was proof of how happy you were.
_ "You're aiming to be a hero Iida, and I believe that one day you'll be able to make your brother proud, but to do that you'll need to accept others' differences and see them as unique individuals since you'll be a hero to everyone despite their distinctions."
_ "I've never thought of it this way before sir and I believe you're right, which means I owe y/n an apology," your class rep averted his eyes in embarrassment before bowing down, "please forgive me y/n, I never meant to disrespect or belittle you. I was simply ignorant of your preferences, but I promise to learn more and to never run to judgement. This was a good first lesson." he straightened his back and offered you an apologetic smile that you returned immediately.
_ "I'm happy this happened, and you know what? You can ask me about anything that confuses you, I don't mind at all."
All the anxieties and self doubt that accompanied you on your first day, had left instantly after this conversation.
_ "Alright, now that everything is cleared up, get out of my classroom, I still need my nap."
You were in for an adventure, with unique teachers and unique students, and you could barely wait to start your journey alongside them.
_ "Yes sir! Right away!" Iida pulled you up and pushed you out quickly, as you blinked in confusion, "let's go y/n I'll explain later."
#boku no hero academia imagines#my hero academia headcanons#boku no hero imagines#my hero academia fanfic#my hero academia fluff#my hero academia imagines#boku no hero headcanons#boku no hero fanfic#boku no hero fic#iida tenya x reader#my hero academia iida#tenya iida x you#tenya iida x reader#aizawa sensei#aizawa shouta#aizawa shōta#shota aizawa#dadzawa
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moody can you write about jack and reader having fun at a club but her feet hurt from her heels so he carries her to the car like the gentleman he is 🥰🥰🥰🥰
Piggy back rides
A/N(?): i am !!NOT!! a writer, everything i write and post is simply for fun and not to be taken seriously
This fic is longer than the ones ive written before and i had some help from the amazing @harlowcomehome . I’m so sorry it took me so long to post this, i changed it up a bit so i hope you like it!! @exoticr0ses
You had just added the finishing touches to your look for the night. Jack and Urban had been waiting for you downstairs ready and dressed for the club. You’re not usually the biggest fan of going to the club but it was Jack’s idea and after being in the house all weekend he had to drag you, Urban and any other friend that would say yes to his invitation out with him.
You had decided to put on your favorite little black dress and sparkly tie up heels to add some pizazz. You wore your favorite accessories and took your precious time doing your make up because who shows up to club early anyway?
After you made sure to take a couple photos of your look for the night you went down stairs and before you could even enter the living room properly Jack and Urban heard your heels against the hardwood floor.
“You made us wait this whole time now you want to rush us?” Urban says as he turns to Jack, who backs him up by saying “The nerve of this girl huh.”
“You made us wait this whole time now you want to rush us?” Urban says as he turns to Jack, who backs him up by saying “The nerve of this girl huh.”
“You made us wait this whole time now you want to rush us?” Urban says as he turns to Jack, who backs him up by saying “The nerve of this girl huh.”
You look at the both of them, shaking your head as you start to walk towards the front door. As you walk passed them they both couldn’t help but get distracted by your confident strut and the short length of your LBD did not go unnoticed by either one of them. They hurry up to follow you out the door and into the car.
The ride to the club was fun, the three of you sang and rapped along to your playlist. Jack was driving while you looked pretty in the passenger seat and Urban was patting himself down every few minutes to make sure he still had his lighters.
Once you guys arrive at the club Jack hands his keys over to the valet. Shortly after, everyone was lead to the reserved section. Hours of dancing, singing and occasional drinking went by and you were having the time of your life until you felt it. The beautiful heels you decided to wear were starting to make your feet ache, you knew that if you took just one step it would hurt even more. You refuse to walk barefoot in a club because god knows what’s been on that floor.
Luckily Jack was next to you so you did the first thing that came to your mind and tapped him on the shoulder. Jack saw the pained look on your face and leaned down to hear you better over the loud music.
“I can’t take another step in these heels, I feel like I’m going to fall over any minute now” you yell in his ear over the music.
Jack is immediately alarmed and asks you if you want to leave. “But I don’t wanna ruin Urbans vibe, he’s having such a good time” you say to him as you both glance over to Urban who is having the time of his life with a few girls that none of you had seen before. “Wait here okay?” Jack tells you making sure you’re balanced before he goes over to Urban and tells him something in his ear. They have a short conversation, you watch as Urban nods. The two men doing their own personal handshake before Jack walks back over to you letting you know you’re both good to go.
You were always worried about leaving Urban behind “is he going to be okay?” Jack laughed “yeah, he said he’ll get a ride home with one of them, or he won’t” he laughed and gave you a wink. You knew what that meant and forced a smile, your feet throbbing still. You lean on Jack as much as you can until you finally make it back outside of the crowded club.
“Fuck why did i wear these heels it feels like my foot is gonna fall off” Jack looks at you complaining for the 100th time before he says “What’s that one beyoncé song? pretty hurts?” and he starts to chuckle. you glare at him but on the inside you couldn’t help but feel warm at how cute his smile was.
“Alright alright my bad y/n. Come on hop on my back.”
The way your face immediately lights up at his offer of a piggy back ride makes Jack feel accomplished until that light dims too quickly.
“Jack my dress is way too short my butt’s gonna be hanging out.” “Well maybe you should’ve worn a longer dress….nah i’m just playing. Here, put this on.” He says as he’s taking off his jacket and handing it to you. You put it on expecting it to be big but to your surprise it was long enough to cover your butt.
“Okay hop on now”. “You better not drop me Jackman or i swear to god” “I’m not going to drop you just get on.”
Jack squats down a bit with his back towards you and you hold onto his shoulders and hop onto his back. Once he straightens his position he does a little hop to readjust you on his back. However, you weren’t prepared so the jump came by surprise and caused you to let out a short lived embarrassing scream. Jack bursts into laughter so you smack his right shoulder lightly “Warn me next time you asshole” “Don’t make me put you back down y/n” he says in a joking manner. You’re quick to apologize not wanting him to put you down, enjoying the relief in your feet.
The two of you start heading into a random direction enjoying the city lights, buildings and sounds of traffic and other people enjoying their sunday night. You guys talk about anything you can think of and laugh at each other’s occasional jokes.
“Are you hungry too or is it just me?” He turns his head to the side making sure you hear his question over the loud music of the car that just drove by.
“I was just about to ask you the same thing”
“Isn’t that 24 hour diner like 2 minutes from here? can we go there?”
“You’re asking as if i’m the one paying y/n.”
“You think you’re so funny Jack obviously you’re paying since you dragged me out of the house.”
He rolls his eyes knowing you always tell him that if he drags you out of the house you will not be spending a single penny.
You guys arrive at the diner which luckily for the both of you was pretty empty. Meanwhile Jack was ordering the food, you scheduled an uber for when you’re done. You end the night out enjoying a cheeseburger and curly fries while watching tiktoks together.
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Operation Stumpy Re-Read
ADWD: The Queen's Hand (Barristan IV) [Chapter 70]
Long ass chapter for no good reason.
The Dornish prince was three days dying.
He took his last shuddering breath in the bleak black dawn, as cold rain hissed from a dark sky to turn the brick streets of the old city into rivers. The rain had drowned the worst of the fires, but wisps of smoke still rose from the smoldering ruin that had been the pyramid of Hazkar, and the great black pyramid of Yherizan where Rhaegal had made his lair hulked in the gloom like a fat woman bedecked with glowing orange jewels.
Perhaps the gods are not deaf after all, Ser Barristan Selmy reflected as he watched those distant embers. If not for the rain, the fires might have consumed all of Meereen by now.
+.+.+
He saw no sign of dragons, but he had not expected to. The dragons did not like the rain.
We already know they hate the cold, and don't do well in the north, but not liking rain seems to be a new development. At least for me.
"I knew it would rain," he said in a gloomy tone. "My bones were aching last night. They always ache before it rains. The dragons won't like this. Fire and water don't mix, and that's a fact. You get a good cookfire lit, blazing away nice, then it starts to piss down rain and next thing your wood is sodden and your flames are dead."
Gerris chuckled. "Dragons are not made of wood, Arch."
"Some are. That old King Aegon, the randy one, he built wooden dragons to conquer us. That ended bad, though." - The Dragontamer, ADWD
+.+.+
Missandei sat at the bedside. She had been with the prince night and day, tending to such needs as he could express, giving him water and milk of the poppy when he was strong enough to drink, listening to the few tortured words he gasped out from time to time, reading to him when he fell quiet, sleeping in her chair beside him. Ser Barristan had asked some of the queen's cupbearers to help, but the sight of the burned man was too much for even the boldest of them. And the Blue Graces had never come, though he'd sent for them four times. Perhaps the last of them had been carried off by the pale mare by now.
It seems little Missandei can stomach some pretty gruesome things. Reminds me of another little girl in this story.
I'm going to pretend the Blue Graces aren't helping because they hate him.
+.+.+
The tiny Naathi scribe looked up at his approach. "Honored ser. The prince is beyond pain now. His Dornish gods have taken him home. See? He smiles."
Dornish gods?
+.+.+
How can you tell? He has no lips. It would have been kinder if the dragons had devoured him. That at least would have been quick. This … Fire is a hideous way to die. Small wonder half the hells are made of flame. "Cover him."
Says the Targaryen loyalist.
+.+.+
"I'll see that he's returned to Dorne." But how? As ashes? That would require more fire, and Ser Barristan could not stomach that. We'll need to strip the flesh from his bones. Beetles, not boiling.
Something tells me House Martell won't be enjoying this skull as much as the last one.
+.+.+
"You should go sleep now, child. In your own bed."
"If this one may be so bold, ser, you should do the same. You do not sleep the whole night through."
How does she know that?
+.+.+
Grand Maester Pycelle had once told him that old men do not need as much sleep as the young, but it was more than that. He had reached that age when he was loath to close his eyes, for fear that he might never open them again. Other men might wish to die in bed asleep, but that was no death for a knight of the Kingsguard.
If there is any justice in this world, Barristan Selmy falls down a flight of stairs. Make it old man shit.
+.+.+
After the girl was gone, the old knight peeled back the coverlet for one last look at Quentyn Martell's face, or what remained of it. So much of the prince's flesh had sloughed away that he could see the skull beneath. His eyes were pools of pus. He should have stayed in Dorne. He should have stayed a frog. Not all men are meant to dance with dragons.
Misleading. Remember everyone, the dance won't actually involve dragons, Daenerys or any other real Targaryen.
+.+.+
And with the sun arrived the Shavepate. Skahaz was clad in his familiar garb of pleated black skirt, greaves, and muscled breastplate. The brazen mask beneath his arm was new—a wolf's head with lolling tongue.
LMAO.
Two for three! If this guy is in a rat mask at the start of TWOW, I'm going to lose my mind.
Can someone do me a favour and ask a Targ if it's a good thing when the poisoner dresses like a wolf?
+.+.+
"They await the Hand's pleasure below."
I am no Hand, a part of him wanted to cry out. I am only a simple knight, the queen's protector. I never wanted this. But with the queen gone and the king in chains, someone had to rule, and Ser Barristan did not trust the Shavepate.
You realize you didn't have to do anything, you stupid jackass.
+.+.+
There are two hundred highborn gathered in the square, standing in the rain in their tokars and howling for audience. They want Hizdahr free and me dead, and they want you to slay these dragons. Someone told them knights were good at that.
Personally, my money's on cripples, bastards, and broken things. And Samwell.
+.+.+
Men are still pulling corpses from the pyramid of Hazkar. The Great Masters of Yherizan and Uhlez have abandoned their own pyramids to the dragons.
You find any lions under that pyramid?
+.+.+
"Nine-and-twenty?" That was far worse than he could ever have imagined. The Sons of the Harpy had resumed their shadow war two days ago. Three murders the first night, nine the second. But to go from nine to nine-and-twenty in a single night …
Sounds like the perfect time to go to war, Barry.
When she opened her eyes again, Daenerys said, "I cannot fight two enemies, one within and one without. If I am to hold Meereen, I must have the city behind me. The whole city. I need … I need …" - Daenerys V, ADWD
+.+.+
Why do you look so grey, old man? What did you expect? The Harpy wants Hizdahr free, so he has sent his sons back into the streets with knives in hand.
Both of these men thought Hizdahr was the Harpy.
+.+.+
The sign of the Harpy was left beside the bodies, chalked on the pavement or scratched into a wall. There were messages as well. 'Dragons must die,' they wrote, and 'Harghaz the Hero.' 'Death to Daenerys' was seen as well, before the rain washed out the words."
Damn, they forgot my favourite.
+.+.+
"Twenty-nine hundred pieces of gold from each pyramid, aye," Skahaz grumbled. "It will be collected … but the loss of a few coins will never stay the Harpy's hand. Only blood can do that."
"So you say." The hostages again. He would kill them every one if I allowed it. "I heard you the first hundred times. No."
He can deny him all he'd like, the blood is still on Barristan's hands if these kids die. He's the one who committed treason, and empowered this maniac.
+.+.+
Hizdahr's grotesque dragon thrones had been removed at Ser Barristan's command, but he had not brought back the simple pillowed bench the queen had favored. Instead a large round table had been set up in the center of the hall, with tall chairs all around it where men might sit and talk as peers.
The audacity of this man.
+.+.+
They rose when Ser Barristan came down the marble steps, Skahaz Shavepate at his side.
[...]
"Whitebeard." Belwas smiled. "Where is liver and onions? Strong Belwas is not so strong as before, he must eat, get big again. They made Strong Belwas sick. Someone must die."
Someone will. Many someones, like as not.
You can only laugh. I'm sure Skahaz is.
+.+.+
Should Drogon return to Meereen without Daenerys mounted on his back, the city would erupt in blood and flame, of that Ser Barristan had no doubt.
Wanna bet the same thing happens if she is mounted on his back?
+.+.+
Thus far both dragons seemed to have a taste for mutton, returning to Daznak's whenever they grew hungry. If either one was hunting man, inside or outside the city, Ser Barristan had yet to hear of it. The only Meereenese the dragons had slain since Harghaz the Hero had been the slavers foolish enough to object when Rhaegal attempted to make his lair atop the pyramid of Hazkar.
Uh, no actually, that's not accurate at all.
The dragon twisted violently in the air, wounds smoking, the girl clinging to his back. Then he loosed the fire.
It had taken the rest of the day and most of the night for the Brazen Beasts to gather up the corpses. The final count was two hundred fourteen slain, three times as many burned or wounded. Drogon was gone from the city by then, last seen high over the Skahazadhan, flying north. - The Queensguard, ADWD
Convenient to forget something like that. I bet Barristan is going to be forgetting a lot of things in the future.
+.+.+
"We have more pressing matters to discuss. I have sent the Green Grace to the Yunkishmen to make arrangements for the release of our hostages. I expect her back by midday with their answer."
Barristan Selmy sending the Harpy to go negotiate with Yunkai is the most Barristan Selmy thing he could have done.
+.+.+
Skahaz Shavepate slammed his fist upon the table. "The Green Grace will accomplish nothing. She may be conspiring with the Yunkai'i even as we sit here. Arrangements, did you say? Make arrangements? What sort of arrangements?"
"Ransom," said Ser Barristan. "Each man's weight in gold."
Of course the Shavepate would be the one to correctly suspect treachery.
+.+.+
"Their sellswords will want the gold, though. What are the hostages to them? If the Yunkishmen refuse, it will drive a blade between them and their hirelings." Or so I hope. It had been Missandei who suggested the ploy to him. He would never have thought of such a thing himself. In King's Landing, bribes had been Littlefinger's domain, whilst Lord Varys had the task of fostering division amongst the crown's enemies. His own duties had been more straightforward. Eleven years of age, yet Missandei is as clever as half the men at this table and wiser than all of them.
Hm, it's usually Arya. This is the first time Missandei has given off older sister vibes.
+.+.+
"They will refuse, even so," insisted Symon Stripeback. "They will say they want the dragons dead, the king restored."
"I pray that you are wrong." And fear that you are right.
Reasonable demand.
214 people dead.
+.+.+
"Your gods are far away, Ser Grandfather," said the Widower. "I do not think they hear your prayers. And when the Yunkai'i send back the old woman to spit in your eye, what then?"
"Fire and blood," said Barristan Selmy, softly, softly.
✨ foreshadowing ✨
+.+.+
Skahaz Shavepate stared through the eyes of his wolf's head mask and said, "You would break King Hizdahr's peace, old man?"
"I would shatter it." Once, long ago, a prince had named him Barristan the Bold. A part of that boy was in him still. "We have built a beacon atop the pyramid where once the Harpy stood. Dry wood soaked with oil, covered to keep the rain off. Should the hour come, and I pray that it does not, we will light that beacon. The flames will be your signal to pour out of our gates and attack. Every man of you will have a part to play, so every man must be in readiness at all times, day or night. We will destroy our foes or be destroyed ourselves." He raised a hand to signal to his waiting squires. "I have had some maps prepared to show the dispositions of our foes, their camps and siege lines and trebuchets. If we can break the slavers, their sellswords will abandon them. I know you will have concerns and questions. Voice them here. By the time we leave this table, all of us must be of a single mind, with a single purpose."
Horse shit, this is exactly what he's wanted from the beginning.
"You mean to take the field?" The Shavepate's voice was thick with disbelief. "That would be folly. Our walls are taller and thicker than the walls of Astapor, and our defenders are more valiant. The Yunkai'i will not take this city easily."
Ser Barristan disagreed. "I do not think we should allow them to invest us. Theirs is a patchwork host at best. These slavers are no soldiers. If we take them unawares …" - Daenerys V, ADWD
x
The queen sighed. "What do you counsel, ser?"
"Battle," said Ser Barristan. "Meereen is overcrowded and full of hungry mouths, and you have too many enemies within. We cannot long withstand a siege, I fear. Let me meet the foe as he comes north, on ground of my own choosing." - Daenerys V, ADWD
Ahem.
Ser Barristan is a valiant knight and true; but none, I think, has ever called him cunning."
"Knights know only one way to solve a problem. They couch their lances and charge. A dwarf has a different way of looking at the world. What of you, though? You are a clever man yourself." - Tyrion II, ADWD
I'm dying at the author giving the Daenerys side a beacon. I'm used to Stannis copying her.
+.+.+
And when all that had been discussed, debated, and decided, Symon Stripeback raised one final point. "As a slave in Yunkai I helped my master bargain with the free companies and saw to the payment of their wages. I know sellswords, and I know that the Yunkai'i cannot pay them near enough to face dragonflame. So I ask you … if the peace should fail and this battle should be joined, will the dragons come? Will they join the fight?"
They will come, Ser Barristan might have said. The noise will bring them, the shouts and screams, the scent of blood. That will draw them to the battlefield, just as the roar from Daznak's Pit drew Drogon to the scarlet sands. But when they come, will they know one side from the other? Somehow he did not think so.
A little friendly fire. No biggie.
I wonder which ally is getting smoked.
+.+.+
Ser Barristan took two of his new-made knights with him down into the dungeons.
Ego always wins in the end.
As he watched them at their drills, Ser Barristan pondered raising Tumco and Larraq to knighthood then and there, and mayhaps the Red Lamb too. It required a knight to make a knight, and if something should go awry tonight, dawn might find him dead or in a dungeon. Who would dub his squires then? On the other hand, a young knight's repute derived at least in part from the honor of the man who conferred knighthood on him. It would do his lads no good at all if it was known that they were given their spurs by a traitor, and might well land them in the dungeon next to him. They deserve better, Ser Barristan decided. Better a long life as a squire than a short one as a soiled knight. - The Kingbreaker, ADWD
+.+.+
Ser Gerris punched a wall. "I told him it was folly. I begged him to go home. Your bitch of a queen had no use for him, any man could see that. He crossed the world to offer her his love and fealty, and she laughed in his face."
"She never laughed," said Selmy. "If you knew her, you would know that."
"She spurned him. He offered her his heart, and she threw it back at him and went off to fuck her sellsword."
"You had best guard that tongue, ser." Ser Barristan did not like this Gerris Drinkwater, nor would he allow him to vilify Daenerys. "Prince Quentyn's death was his own doing, and yours."
This will be the man who tells Dorne what happened. I couldn't be happier.
She did laugh, and she did influence him.
+.+.+
Barristan Selmy could not dispute the truth of that. He had spent the best part of his own life obeying the commands of drunkards and madmen.
Sounds like another king I know.
Jon laughed, laughed like a drunk or a madman, and his men laughed with him. - Jon VIII, ASOS
+.+.+
To Ser Barristan the big knight said, "No need to come and talk if you meant to hang us. So it's not that, is it?"
"No." This one may not be as slow-witted as he seems.
You can't be serious.
This POV is unbearable, I can't believe I have one more to get through.
+.+.+
Ser Archibald grimaced. "Why is it always ships? Someone needs to take Quent home, though. What do you ask of us, ser?"
"Your swords."
"You have thousands of swords."
"The queen's freedmen are as yet unblooded. The sellswords I do not trust. Unsullied are brave soldiers … but not warriors. Not knights." He paused. "What happened when you tried to take the dragons? Tell me."
Even 11-year-old Sansa wasn't this deluded about knights.
+.+.+
The chains … there were bits of broken chain everywhere, big chains, links the size of your head mixed in with all these cracked and splintered bones. And Quent, Seven save him, he looked like he was going to shit his smallclothes. Caggo and Meris weren't blind, they saw it too. Then one of the crossbowmen let fly. Maybe they meant to kill the dragons all along and were only using us to get to them. You never know with Tatters.
What a weird thing to write.
+.+.+
"Ah, what did you expect, Drink? A cat will kill a mouse, a pig will wallow in shit, and a sellsword will run off when he's needed most. Can't be blamed. Just the nature of the beast."
Still holding out hope this isn't only about Brown Ben Plumm.
+.+.+
"What did Prince Quentyn promise the Tattered Prince in return for all this help?"
He got no answer. Ser Gerris looked at Ser Archibald. Ser Archibald looked at his hands, the floor, the door.
"Pentos," said Ser Barristan. "He promised him Pentos. Say it. No words of yours can help or harm Prince Quentyn now."
"Aye," said Ser Archibald unhappily. "It was Pentos. They made marks on a paper, the two of them."
There is a chance here.
If you thought Barristan Selmy sending the Harpy to Yunkai was the dumbest thing he would do in this chapter, I've got some news for you.
"Pentos?" Her eyes narrowed. "How can I give him Pentos? It is half a world away."
"He would be willing to wait, the woman Meris suggested. Until we march for Westeros."
And if I never march for Westeros? "Pentos belongs to the Pentoshi. And Magister Illyrio is in Pentos. He who arranged my marriage to Khal Drogo and gave me my dragon eggs. Who sent me you, and Belwas, and Groleo. I owe him much and more. I will not repay that debt by giving his city to some sellsword. No."
Ser Barristan inclined his head. "Your Grace is wise." - Daenerys IX, ADWD
+.+.+
"I mean to send them back to the Tattered Prince. And you with them. You will be two amongst thousands. Your presence in the Yunkish camps should pass unnoticed. I want you to deliver a message to the Tattered Prince. Tell him that I sent you, that I speak with the queen's voice. Tell him that we'll pay his price if he delivers us our hostages, unharmed and whole."
Yup that's right, Barristan Selmy promised to give Pentos to a sellsword. PENTOS.
There are no words.
+.+.+
"Why not? The task is simple enough." Compared to stealing dragons. "I once brought the queen's father out of Duskendale."
Past your prime, peaked in high school energy.
+.+.+
The simple part, at least, thought Barristan Selmy, as he made the long climb back to the summit of the pyramid. The hard part he'd left in Dornish hands. His grandfather would have been aghast. The Dornishmen were knights, at least in name, though only Yronwood impressed him as having the true steel. Drinkwater had a pretty face, a glib tongue, and a fine head of hair.
God, shut up.
He would have a thin blue line bumper sticker, I know it.
Edit: Necessary addition.
+.+.+
By the time the old knight returned to the queen's rooms atop the pyramid, Prince Quentyn's corpse had been removed. Six of the young cupbearers were playing some child's game as he entered, sitting in a circle on the floor as they took turns spinning a dagger.
Uhh, that doesn't feel like a good omen.
+.+.+
Far off to the east, beyond the city walls, he saw pale wings moving above a distant line of hills. Viserion. Hunting, mayhaps, or flying just to fly. He wondered where Rhaegal was. Thus far the green dragon had shown himself to be more dangerous than the white.
He sure is!
+.+.+
The Dornishmen, Hizdahr, Reznak, the attack … was he doing the right things? Was he doing what Daenerys would have wanted? I was not made for this.
NO YOU CLOWN.
I want no war with Yunkai. How many times must I say it? - Daenerys VI, ADWD
+.+.+
Galazza Galare was attended by four Pink Graces. An aura of wisdom and dignity seemed to surround her that Ser Barristan could not help but admire. This is a strong woman, and she has been a faithful friend to Daenerys.
That's all the Harpy confirmation I need.
It's not clear what Pink Graces do. I am reminded of House of Pahl.
+.+.+
"I am pleased to hear that. The Wise Masters of Yunkai asked after him. You will not be surprised to hear that they wish the noble Hizdahr to be restored at once to his rightful place."
"He shall be, if it can be proved that he did not try to kill our queen. Until such time, Meereen will be ruled by a council of the loyal and just. There is a place for you on that council. I know that you have much to teach us all, Your Benevolence. We need your wisdom."
"I fear you flatter me with empty courtesies, Lord Hand," the Green Grace said. "If you truly think me wise, heed me now. Release the noble Hizdahr and restore him to his throne."
"Only the queen can do that."
But you can arrest the king, start a war with Yunkai, and give away Pentos?
+.+.+
The pyramid of Hazkar has collapsed into a smoking ruin, and many of that ancient line lie dead beneath its blackened stones.
How about twins? Any set of twins under that pyramid?
+.+.+
"And murder. The Sons of the Harpy slew thirty in the night."
"I grieve to hear this. All the more reason to free the noble Hizdahr zo Loraq, who stopped such killings once."
And how did he accomplish that, unless he is himself the Harpy?
+.+.+
"Her Grace gave her hand to Hizdahr zo Loraq, made him her king and consort, restored the mortal art as he beseeched her. In return he gave her poisoned locusts."
"In return he gave her peace. Do not cast it away, ser, I beg you. Peace is the pearl beyond price. Hizdahr is of Loraq. Never would he soil his hands with poison. He is innocent."
"How can you be certain?" Unless you know the poisoner.
If he would take one fucking second to listen to the words pouring out of his dumb idiotic mouth, he might realize there's no motive here.
+.+.+
"They did. No amount of gold will buy your people back, I was told. Only the blood of dragons may set them free again."
It was the answer Ser Barristan had expected, if not the one that he had hoped for. His mouth tightened.
Should the hour come, and I pray that it does not, we will light that beacon.
+.+.+
"I know these were not the words you wished to hear," said Galazza Galare. "Yet for myself, I understand. These dragons are fell beasts. Yunkai fears them … and with good cause, you cannot deny. Our histories speak of the dragonlords of dread Valyria and the devastation that they wrought upon the peoples of Old Ghis. Even your own young queen, fair Daenerys who called herself the Mother of Dragons … we saw her burning, that day in the pit … even she was not safe from the dragon's wroth."
"Dragons," Aemon whispered. "The grief and glory of my House, they were." - Samwell III, AFFC
+.+.+
Ser Barristan was on his feet at once. "What is it?"
"The trebuchets," the Shavepate growled. "All six."
Galazza Galare rose. "Thus does Yunkai make reply to your offers, ser. I warned you that you would not like their answer."
They choose war, then. So be it. Ser Barristan felt oddly relieved. War he understood. "If they think they will break Meereen by throwing stones—"
"Not stones." The old woman's voice was full of grief, of fear. "Corpses."
Yeah no shit, I would also feel relief if I manipulated the system for a specific outcome, then got exactly what I wanted.
I wish him well. Barristan Selmy is not allowed to die in Meereen with a sword in his hand.
Final thoughts:
Live look at me trying to get through the last three chapters.
-> return to menu <-
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i get myself twisted in threads
Chapter 8: who used to be me
Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Steve knows he went to bed with someone on either side of him, so waking up with no one there is a little concerning.
There’s a spike of panic before he recognizes Jonathan’s bedroom, with one of Nancy’s skirts hanging over a chair.
The kids—the kids are out.
They’re not in the Upside Down anymore.
He’s not in the Upside Down anymore.
“You awake, Steve?” Mrs. Byers sits next to him on the bed, feeling his forehead. “Oh, good, your fever’s much lower.”
“Good morning.” He tries to sit up, but it pulls something in his side and then he remembers the stitches.
“It’s almost two, sweetie. It’s not surprising, you were overwhelmed yesterday. You missed Irene’s visit, but she fixed up your stitches and changed your bandages. You won’t be off the IV for a few more days, though. And you'll have the catheter in until you can reliably stand on your own.” He winces despite himself when she mentions that. Steve really just wants to forget it's there.
He hardly remembers waking up yesterday. Hopper was there for a lot of it. El, too. She’d read to him, one of those kids’ chapter books. He thinks if he remembered more of it, he’d know what book it was.
And then the kids. He’d seen them all, they’d had a fort? And then Nancy and Jonathan had made him come back to bed.
“I just need to check those again, and when Jonathan gets home from school, he can help you take a shower. I could help you now, if you’d prefer, or you could wait for Hopper. Whatever you want to do.” A shower sounds fantastic, but he’d rather take one alone.
The main problem is that he won’t be able to stand for that long. Not on his own. It’ll hurt, and if they asked his nurse or whoever, they’d probably say no.
“I think I’ll wait for Jonathan.”
“That’s not a problem.” She props him up on different pillows—one smells a little like the shampoo Nancy uses, so he knows her lying down next to him wasn’t part of a dream or something—and hands him a glass of water.
“So, I’m thinking soup for lunch.” Mrs. Byers doesn’t need him to help keep up the conversation, which is good, because he doesn’t have much of anything to say right now. She talks about the kids’ fort and how they’d gotten to have a sleepover last night, how Hopper’s been talking to that Owens guy and he might have to go to the lab and have some tests run to make sure he’s okay.
She keeps talking the whole time it takes for him to drink the whole glass of water.
It’s half an hour, at least. It settles weirdly in his stomach, and he’s not sure if it’s from the remnants of the fever or if it’s everything else going in his head right now.
“Do you think you can move out to the living room? I can’t carry you, but you can lean on me.”
“Yeah, that’ll work.” It’s awkward, because he’s so much taller than she is, but it hurts less than walking alone does, and once he’s in the living room with evidence that the kids were there last night, safe and not dead, he’s able to relax a little more.
The fort is still set up, Will’s art supplies are out, and when he sits on the couch he can see El sleeping on a mattress on the floor.
“Is she…?”
“She’s just fine. You might not remember, but she tried drawing you out of your head yesterday. It tired her out a little, is all. She fell asleep not long before you woke up.”
“Okay.” Still, once Mrs. Byers has come back with the soup, El doesn’t sleep for long.
“You lied.” She looks at him.
“I didn’t lie, El.” On a technicality. “I never promised I would get out first, because I didn’t know what would happen.”
“You are not allowed to be alone now.”
“What?”
“Joyce and Hop said so.”
“El, we were talking about the next few weeks, until he heals up a little more.” Mrs. Byers interjects kindly. “Not ever again. I’m sure even Steve likes time to himself.”
Weeks? He’s not that bad off, he can even walk with help.
“I do, Mrs. Byers. It’d be kind of impossible for someone to be with me all the time anyway, kiddo. We all have school or work.” From the look on Mrs. Byers’ face, he’s going to be getting shit later for calling her ‘Mrs. Byers’, but she won’t say anything in front of El.
Hopefully.
El finally sits down, squishing against his non-bitten side. “You are not allowed to be alone. My rule.”
“El, you can’t go everywhere with me.”
“I will watch instead.”
“No. I love you, kid, but there are things I do that you don’t need to see and I know you can’t watch people for long.”
“It will be… practice.”
“Spying on me doesn’t count as practice.”
“Once a day?”
“No.”
“Every other day?”
“Still no.”
“Three times a week.”
“Nope.”
“Twice a week?” He shakes his head, tugging on her short hair a little. “Once a week?”
“Once a week will work, I guess. But only when I’m at school, and not after 2:30, okay?”
He usually has practice around then, and she doesn’t need to see the boys’ locker room.
If he’s allowed to practice again, that is. He wasn’t allowed to before all of this. His doctor had been very insistent upon it. And with all the new damage to his body… all the new scars… he’s not sure he’ll be able to handle being in a locker room again.
His mother would throw a fit if she could see him now. He's going to scar, that's for sure. And he's too skinny now for even her to think it looks pretty.
He wonders if she even knows that he was gone. He hasn’t asked Mrs. Byers yet; he’s a little scared of what the answer will be.
“Why?”
“I have practice that I have to change for, and after I have to change again. So nothing after 2:30, agreed?”
“Once a week, before two-three-oh.” She repeats, and he knows she’s just messing with him by the little grin on her face.
“You got it, Ellie.”
“No.” Her nose scrunches up and she shakes her head, like she can rid herself of the nickname that way.
“Mom? Can I see Steve now?” Will’s backpack is half unzipped. and if he couldn’t see Jonathan right behind him he might be more worried about him losing all of his schoolwork. For a kid who typically keeps his things organized (or more organized than Steve had at his age, anyway), it’s a strange sight. “Steve!”
“Hey, buddy.” Will’s the one kid he hasn’t really spoken with much—certainly not as much as El, Dustin, and Max. He has a lot more common ground with Lucas, and even Mike, as annoying as he is. Will, though, is quieter, and while they talk when he’s over, it's not the same. Mike is the only other kid who doesn’t call him on the walkies whenever they need something, even if it’s just to talk after a nightmare.
It's because Mike and Will have Nancy and Jonathan, he knows. But he hopes they know they can call him. If they need to.
“You’re awake!”
“Yep, and almost fever-free.”
“You’re not allowed to do that again.” Will looks almost as serious as El had when she’d told him he wasn’t allowed to be alone. He doesn’t quite manage it; his worried face is almost identical to Jonathan’s.
Steve feels like maybe he shouldn’t know that. Or at least, he shouldn’t admit to knowing it. He can’t really remember the first time he realized he was noticing Jonathan, but the fact that it’s been long enough that he’s got his facial expression memorized?
Steve doesn’t know what to do with that.
Will pokes his shoulder lightly when he doesn’t answer. “I can’t make that promise, Will.”
“So you won’t make it to me, either?” Jonathan asks, and if it weren’t for El, his nearly-empty soup bowl would have spilled all over the carpet. Since when does Jonathan care about him putting himself in danger?
He's probably just saying it for the kids' sake.
Jonathan can’t mean it any other way, right?
(He doesn’t let himself think about the way Nancy and Jonathan had clearly shared a bed with him last night.)
“You know why I can’t.” Steve’s not going to say he’ll stop putting himself in danger when it really means he’s giving the kids time to run, get help, whatever.
“Jonathan,” Mrs. Byers says, maybe sensing that this is probably going to derail into an argument of everyone against him trying to get him to make a promise he knows he won’t be able to keep, “would you mind picking out a new set of clothes for Steve? He’s not quite steady enough on his feet for him to shower alone, so it was best to wait.”
“Of course, Mom.” He stops by the couch to give her a kiss on the cheek and ruffle El’s hair.
Steve tries to ignore the way his stomach sours when Jonathan doesn’t touch him at all. He knows what Jonathan thinks of him, he can’t let himself forget that.
“Will, El, please start taking the fort down.”
El looks like she’s going to remain stubbornly pressed against Steve’s side for a minute, but she does pull away without prompting to help Will.
“And you,” Mrs. Byers turns to him, trying to pull off stern but not quite hitting it with the way her lips turn up at the corners. “Call me Joyce. I don’t know how many times I need to tell you that.”
“Maybe just once more, Mrs. Byers,” He says, just to be cheeky.
“Oh, you!” She laughs. “Jonathan, come get Steve! He thinks he’s funny.”
finish on ao3 or under the cut
Walking with Jonathan is easier than walking with Joyce, at least. They’re closer in height, and he’s not as worried he’s going to crush Jonathan.
Actually, he probably wouldn’t even crush El right now.
“I didn’t know if you’d want a t-shirt or a sweatshirt so I grabbed both.” Jonathan explains once they’re in the bathroom. “Do you just need me to stay in the room?”
He'd love to say no, but he doesn’t think he can.
Once he’s sat on the edge of the tub, Steve can feel his energy flagging. He’d been fine in the living room, and the walk wasn’t even as far as Jonathan’s bedroom, so he doesn’t know why he’s crashing.
“Steve?”
“Yeah?”
“You can just go back to bed, man, you’ve gone grey.”
“No, we’re already in here.”
“You’re not taking a shower, then. Come on, arms up.” Jonathan somehow manages to strip him down to his boxers.
“Hang on.” Jonathan steps outside the bathroom for a minute, or maybe it’s five. He can’t really tell right now.
“Mom says your stitches can’t get wet, but your ankles will be okay. We’ll just have to rewrap them.” Jonathan covers the bandages on his torso in plastic wrap and takes the ones on his ankles off altogether.
“And Nancy called, she stopped by your house to get you a few things.”
“Okay.” Steve lets Jonathan worry about the water temperature and soap and everything else. Even sitting up without a backrest is taking so much thought, because he has to worry about not popping a stitch.
He hadn’t had time to be this worried about his ankles in the Upside Down, and it’s weird to be thinking about his wounds constantly now.
“Nancy will be here soon, do you just want to sit under the water until she gets here? She mentioned washing your hair for you.” He nods, and Jonathan half-lifts, half-dumps him into the bathtub. He barely fits, but that’s okay, because if he wasn’t forced into sitting up he’s not sure he’d be able to right now.
When Joyce said Steve was awake, Nancy wasn’t expecting to find him nearly passed out in the bathtub. Jonathan’s sitting on the edge, holding a wet washcloth like he’s never seen one before.
“Boys.” She mutters under her breath, not really thinking about it. “You know he wouldn’t have cared, right?” What Steve might care about, though, is the catheter bag on his leg. Joyce and Hopper take care of it, mostly, but Irene had wanted them to learn, too.
“No, he did some of it. I think he just likes sitting under the running water, honestly. It’s probably the first time he’s been clean in weeks.”
She sets down the bag she packed up at Steve’s house; some of his clothes (but not too many, because she thinks she likes seeing him in Jonathan’s and that’s a thought for later), a blanket she knows he finds it hard to sleep without, and his hair products. Not all of them, she doesn’t think he uses them all every day anyway, but enough.
“Nance?” It’s quiet, almost slurred.
“Hey, Steve.” He hardly reacts as she cups water in her hands and carefully pours it over his head.
She should have grabbed a cup from the kitchen. She washes his hair for him carefully.
Nancy’s glad he's not up to conversation, really. She'd probably tell him something she's not ready to… or something he’s not ready to hear.
Tommy had asked about him today. He’d pulled her aside between second and third period, the only ones she doesn’t have time to meet with Jonathan between, and asked her why he’s gone.
She’d had to tell him she didn’t know, and she hadn’t been all that upset about the lie.
He hadn’t pushed.
She’s not sure she wants to tell Steve about that. Tommy might be a safe enough topic, right now.
But she doesn’t want to, not when he’s like this, half-asleep and pliable.
Looking at them like they could leave him to drown in here and that’d be okay.
Instead, she talks about the kids’ latest campaign—he pays more attention to them than he lets on, she knows, because she’s seen him at the school library looking up different terms and rules. He relaxes into her hands when she works the shampoo into his hair.
He’d let her do anything she wanted to, right now.
She wants him to look at her like that in much better situations than this one.
Jonathan must have dug around in the cupboards, because he has a cup ready to rinse the shampoo out, and she could kiss him for it.
“Hi.” Steve looks up at them both, and with his hair wet like this, she can see the little scars from the plate on his head.
To avoid tracing over them with her fingers, she picks up the conditioner and squeezes it maybe a little too hard.
Jonathan doesn’t seem to have the same issue; when she looks at them again, he’s got one hand tilting Steve’s chin up, the fingertips of his other hand delicately finding the paths the scars take into his hairline and across his scalp.
If Steve were more with them, she might tell Jonathan to kiss him.
Nancy knows he wants to; they’ve talked about it. Before Steve heard exactly the wrong thing.
But not now.
Not when Steve’s eyes are so hazy she’s not sure he’ll remember this tomorrow.
Not when they haven’t talked to Steve yet, about any of this.
None of them speak as she rinses out the conditioner, when Jonathan pulls the stopper, when they get Steve changed into a pair of Jonathan’s pants and one of his own slightly-too-big sweatshirts, no t-shirt underneath.
(It’s one she knows fit him perfectly last year.)
They wait until they’ve got him back in bed to rewrap his ankles.
And if Steve grabs each of their wrists loosely—fingers trembling like even this is too much for him to handle—when they try to leave, they don’t have to tell anyone that’s the reason they stay.
They don’t have to tell anyone they weren’t really going to leave anyway.
<- 7 9 ->
#stranger things#steve harrington#nancy wheeler#jonathan byers#joyce byers#el hopper#will byers#hurt steve harrington#i get myself twisted in threads#ao3#stranger things fic#st fic#st fanfic#steve harrington fic#whump#whump writing#whump fic#stoncy#stoncy fic#ao3 fic#nix writes#my fic#my work#work in progress#fic wip#fic update
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oh my god! so i kept on telling myself that i’ll read window across the galaxy whenever i find time (haven’t really done that yet T_T it feels like i have all the time in the world and yet not enough) and i come to do my daily check of raccoonfallsharder to find out IT’S FINISHING SOON?! you work at the SPEED OF LIGHT (which is a compliment ❤️🩹 i am a snail and i wish i wasn’t.) but hopefully i can start binge reading WATG soon, the excerpts i’ve seen look amazing (which isn’t shocking coming from you. everything you write is a masterpiece!)
all of this to be said, i hope you’re doing okay. i know you write the Rocket Reminders for others but i hope you apply them to yourself as well. you deserve amazing things And More!
okay first of all you do a DAILY CHECK of my blog?? ｡°(°.◜ᯅ◝°)°｡ i mean that has to be an exaggeration but it’s still the sweetest fucken thing ive ever heard?? this seriously has made my whole shitty week better (hello tuesday morning, ive peaked). this whole ask is just so sweet and caring and kind. i might be tearing up in my office. thank you. i am carrying your words with me everywhere i go today, like armor ♡
secondly window will be here waiting for you whenever you’re ready babydoll. it’s not going anywhere (also you don’t gotta binge it! it’s perfectly fine to take bitesized chomps)
thirdly snails are incredibly important. they’re recyclers and pollinators and they are very cute when drinking water. there is nothing wrong with taking time, and fanfic writing should be enjoyable — not something to punish or pressure yourself about. 6 out of 10 experts agree that in all likelihood, trying to rush something like this is just a result of capitalism convincing you of the lie that “productivity” (whatever that is) is the most important thing. the other 4/10 say that you would have more time to create if it weren’t for capitalism in the first place, so it’s still not your fault. anyway the point is please keep being a lovely perfect snail going at your own lovely perfect pace and don’t be too hard on yourself
finally here’s an extra window excerpt (the very beginning) just for you ♡♡♡ may your day be full of soft and happy moments, you gorgeous winter sunrise, and may you feel loved & cared for every second
☆✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
The Eclector is dark and, despite the raucous laughter and fighting of the crew, every footfall on the gridded catwalks seems to echo. It smells like rust and oil and old metal, and sometimes sweat, and there’s generally very little that is pleasant about it.
But Kraglin Obfonteri had sent word that the Yondu clan had recently overtaken a Xandaran luxury liner. Among its treasures, there had been a pretty vast art collection, and Jolie is a reliable assessor and - for some of the more common mediums, as well as a few blindingly unique ones - a restorer. It’s not the first time she’s contracted her services out to a Ravager crew. Hell, it’s not even the first time she’s worked with the Yondu Clan. She crosses paths with them at least once every fifteen cycles or so.
So here she is, following some hulking brute named Taserface and dodging when pirates on the catwalk above decide to spit over the side.
What a way to spend my morning, she thinks. There better be something worthwhile in this pile of junk.
They finally leave the belly of the ship and Taserface leads her through a network of cargo holds and corridors, trying to make very awkward conversation and occasionally leering at her. Jolie is a consummate professional, though, and she’s dealt with a lot of creeps. She keeps a polite smile on her lips and a dead look in her eyes. She’d been hoping today’s escort would be the aforementioned Kraglin, or maybe fellow-Terran Peter Quill. Pete’s been family since Jolie met him - almost seven years ago - even if they don’t usually see each other more than once every few cycles at most. He’s a handful of years older than her, but his relative optimism still makes her feel like he’s a sweet, annoying little brother. Frankly, it pulls some heartstrings, because Jolie has baggage where younger siblings are concerned.
Kraglin, on the other hand, is a remarkably endearing moron, and Jolie kind of adores him, the same way she adores particularly stupid cats.
Unfortunately, Jolie gathers that Pete has apparently disappeared in his M-Ship without a word - much to the irritation of the rest of the Yondu clan - and Obfonteri is offsite on orders from the captain, engaging in some kind of criminal activity or another. So here she is, stuck with a guy who could’ve picked any name in the galaxy and settled on Taserface.
Each chamber the pirate guides her through is packed with stolen goods, and she keeps her eyes open in case there’s some incredible artistic masterpiece that has somehow escaped the haul he’s currently taking her to examine. No luck so far, and Taserface is pulling ahead of her, trying to impress her by droning on about some recent brawl he’s been in. She zones out of the conversation, only smiling placidly and nodding vacantly when he glances back at her.
They pass another corridor, this one even more abandoned, and enter yet another chamber. More goods are stacked all around, a disorganized horde of stolen treasures: casks of silverwine from Vanaheim, crates of shimmering pearls from Morag, pleasure-bots from Contraxia. At the far end, she sees what looks like the corner of a cage.
Her eyes narrow, and her head tilts.
That’s unusual.
Normally, bounties are housed in the caged cells lining the main corridors just off the belly of the ship - not hidden, and not mixed in with the loot. As they draw closer, Jolie can just make out a shadow shifting inside - something the size of a kid.
Her blood runs cold.
She’d heard Yondu and his crew had already been exiled from the loose coalition of Ravager clans due to trafficking children, but she’d thought they’d stopped doing that years ago, when Pete had come on board. Is that why this cage is hidden way out here?
They draw closer, and she catches a glimpse of fur moving behind the rusted bars. Out here in space, that doesn’t mean anything in particular: it could still be a child. Her stomach becomes a stone in her gut, and she knows she's not leaving this stupid fucking ship without knowing what's going on, and making sure everything is okay. She’s got enough units on her that she can probably afford one or two kids, maybe a few if she needs to - a bribe more than a purchase, she thinks, and a mean fucking talking-to for Yondu Udonta. But if he's making some kind of a habit out of this, she’s going to need a lot more resources than she currently has available to her.
And maybe he’s not. She's trying very hard not to jump to conclusions, because to be honest - despite his reputation - Yondu really doesn’t seem like the type to continue engaging in this shit. And she kind of likes him, like the grumpy old uncle she's never had.
Taserface keeps heading straight across the chamber to the other door, boasting and blathering, but Jolie’s drawn to the cage. Smoothly - never breaking stride - she veers to the left, and her tour guide doesn't even notice.
The metal box is about three feet tall, sitting on top of a knee-high crate scrawled with the words “sovereign porn” in Kree - lovely, Jolie thinks drily - and there’s definitely a lifeform inside. She leans in just a bit, and catches a flash of bright eyes and teeth and - she thinks that’s a ringed tail, and a mask.
That can’t be right.
Her eyes scan him again, and yeah: the caged creature looks almost like a raccoon from back home, but he’s standing upright on his hindlegs and…yep, he is most certainly wearing pants.
The lifeform rears back: teeth bared in a vicious, silent snarl, ears flat against his skull. In this position, she can see some kind of metal has been embedded in his chest. The fur around it - and in a few other places - has long since stopped growing due to scarring, and the flesh around the metal itself looks painfully inflamed. Her heart slams into her sternum and her stomach drops.
“Oh, love,” she breathes out, unthinking. “What did they do to you?”
The raccoon tilts his head to one side, eyes bright with biting intelligence, and she could swear he’s practically sneering. He opens his mouth and for all the world, she almost thinks he’s going to answer her.
Taserface interrupts any miraculous revelations with his too-loud, too-boastful voice, suddenly behind her, leaning too close. “T’was the High Evolutionary Hisself what cut the critter up and stitched it back together. Replaced some of its bones with new ones and made it walk like it’s tryin’ to be a man.”
She straightens and stares up at him, and the asshole chuckles, like it’s funny.
Jolie makes a noise in her throat before she can stop it. “Nope. Don’t like that.”
She turns back, still eyeballing the creature on the other side of the rusty bars. It’s shadowy in there, but she’d guess he’s maybe three-feet tall with change. And if he is a raccoon - and he sure does look like one - he’s probably already plotting his escape.
She gnaws on her lower lip. “And where are you all taking him now?”
Taserface looks at her like she’s an idiot. Maybe she is.
“Back t’ HalfWorld an’ the High Evolutionary, a’course.”
Her head snaps around to face him so quickly that something in her neck audibly cracks, sending a hot flare of pain up the back of her skull. She ignores it. “So they can torture him some more?”
Taserface shrugs and glowers and spits dismissively. “It'll be two hunnert-thousand units.”
Jolie sucks in a breath through her teeth. That’s more than…well, that’s more than a few children.
She looks at the rusted bars, and back to her brute of a tour guide, and sighs heavily. Slowly, she turns back to the cage, swaying toward the bars so she can peer in at eye-level. She’s immediately face-to-face with the creature. His ears are still pressed flat against his head, fur bristling, and he’s gazing back, clearly suspicious and probably - justifiably - feeling more than a little bit mean. She’s suddenly certain that if she got close enough, he’d take out her eyes.
There’s no helping herself, is there? Goddamn, she’s an idiot. One corner of her mouth twists up in exhausted resignation and she sighs.
“Welp,” she says solemnly to the raccoon with a polite nod, “fuck me, my dude.”
Swiftly, she stands back up, turning to Taserface and flattening her palms together in front of her with a soft clap. Her fingers lace together and she presses her knuckles to her lips in half a prayer. She’s not going to think about the consequences too much. Not till later, anyway. She’s going to move through these next moments in a flurry, a manufactured whirlwind: partly so she doesn’t second-guess herself, and partly to keep Taserface from applying too much critical thinking to anything she’s about to say.
She imagines that second part should be easy.
“It looks like it’s Udonta’s lucky day, because I happen to have two-hundred-and-thirty thousand units on hand, and I’ve always wanted a raccoon.”
#rfh asks#window across the galaxy#uniquetaste#snail appreciation post#rocket raccoon#rocket raccoon fanfiction#guardians of the galaxy
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Text
Silver Princess || House of the Dragon
OC x Daemon Targaryen x Aemond Targaryen
-> Chapter IV
Chapter V "Celebration"
Valaerya returned to King's Landing about a day before Rhaenyra left on her tour of the Seven Kingdoms in search of a suitable husband. So she had plenty of time to herself and hardly any worries.
She didn't tell her father about what happened on the Stepstones - that her uncle didn't accept help. The news came to King's Landing by itself, and it said one thing: The Triarchy had been defeated.
So she had an easy life for the next many weeks. She grew closer to her father, who was now her only family at court (not counting Alicent and her children, of course).
Besides, you could say that Rhaenyra didn't outshine her brilliance after all.
However, her peace of mind was soon to come to an end. Sitting on her balcony, she glanced up from her book at the view before her and was surprised to see a ship that shouldn't be returning to the capital until two months from now.
In addition, the ship was dangerously passed by familiar dragon, Caraxes.
"Evylin?" She called her maid, rising from the armchair on the balcony.
"Yes, princess?"
"Bring me my favorite dress." She ordered, returning from the balcony to the center of her chamber
* * *
She had barely had time to change into the dress Daemon had once given her before the castle began to boil. Were it not for her guard, she would have had a hard time pushing her way through the throng of people who were all heading for the throne room.
Fortunately, she managed to get to the front of this whole group of people and stand quite close to the throne. She saw her father with his crown on his head, and at the bottom of the throne stood Otto Hightower and the kingsguards, ready in case of attack by an approaching attacker. But... what exactly were they defending against? Surely they knew as well as she did that Daemon was coming back to court, but why did they assume he might attack and so much precaution was needed?
Soon, as the throne room fell silent, the sound of footsteps could be heard coming from the corridor. Valaerya stood on her tiptoes, though it did little to help her look over the people's heads to see Daemon, who entered the hall with his usual sure-footed stride and headed for the throne.
However, when he stopped at the end of one of the knights' swords, she had no trouble seeing him anymore, all she had to do was look to the side.
"Add it to the chair." He said, dropping something he was carrying in his hand. Then he took a small step back and clasped his hands in front of him.
She could see now that his hair was noticeably shorter than the last time she had seen him. Besides, he also wore a crown...
"You wear a crown." Just like her father noticed. "Do you also call yourself king?"
"When we defeated the Triarchy, they named me King of the Narrow Sea." Daemon explained, and then there was a long moment of unbearable silence. “But I know there is only one true king, Your Grace." He added finally, then got down on one knee, taking off his crown as he did so. "My crown and Stepstones belong to you." He said.
"Where's Lord Corlys?" Asked the king, after looking at his younger brother with a small smile.
"He sailed back to Driftmark."
"So who holds the Stepstones?"
"Tides, crabs... And two thousand dead Triarchy corsairs, staked to the sand to warn those who might follow." With these words, Viserys descended the few steps leading to the throne, aiding himself a little with his sword. He stopped right in front of Daemon and took the crown from him.
At the same time, Otto also changed his position, now standing on the side of the hall, not far from Valaerya. But he didn't even say a word to her.
While the king was examining the crown from Daemon, he looked sideways at Hightower, but his gaze lingered much longer on Valaerya.
He recognized the dress given years ago.
The silence lasted for quite some time again, but this time it wasn't so unbearable. The king turned to hand the crown to one of his kingsguard, then turned back to his brother, visibly in a better mood than before all this conversation.
"Raise." He said finally, and then he hugged his brother lightly, which was a beautiful symbol of reconciliation between the brothers. "The realm owes you a great debt, brother." He added as they pulled apart. "Come." With these words, he placed a hand on his shoulder, and the two began to leave the room with the general contentment of the crowd.
Valaerya also started to head for the exit, but on the way she came across her sister.
So I recognized the ship well...
"You came back sooner." She said, walking over to Rhaenyra and taking her arm. "So either you've already taken a liking to someone or..." She didn't have to finish her sentence, her expression spoke for itself.
"It's a shame to even talk about it, it was pathetic..." Rhae sighed as they headed out of the throne room together, ahead of the crowd. "You'd better tell me what was going on at the court while I was gone."
"Lady Redwyne got sick from too many strawberries. Wish you had seen her then, her face was all red and swollen, and supposedly she had a terrible rash all over her body."
“In the end, this overeating took its toll on her." They both giggled to themselves at the story and the image of Lady Redwyne in the condition described above.
Admittedly, since their father married Alicent, they had grown closer. Despite an unpleasant incident during the king's hunt, they still remained very close.
It looked like the Targaryen family was finally starting to get close.
* * *
For the party held in the courtyard, Valaerya wore the same dress as for her uncle's arrival. But she didn't care too much about the conversations of her family, standing at the table with sweet snacks she heard everything perfectly.
She didn't feel the need to listen to stories of their youth, gods forbidif she went there, they'd start recalling some embarrassing situations from her childhood, and then all she'd want was to sink into the ground.
That's why it was safer and more pleasant to stay here, with sweets. She ate chocolate decorations arranged on pieces of cake, drinking it from time to time with a sip of wine.
She had spent quite a long time there, enough that the conversation had died down a bit, and she hadn't even noticed her uncle beside her.
"Is this a dress from me, princess?" He asked, standing next to her. "It looks different."
"But in a positive sense?" She replied with a question, smiling.
The smile faded slightly from her face as she suddenly felt Daemon's hand on her waist. He pulled her slightly to him so that she was almost pressed against his chest.
She couldn't help but feel her heart speed up slightly at the unexpected touch. She wasn't used to such contact, but... She liked it. She didn't even care that her father was still somewhere in the courtyard, and he certainly wouldn't support such closeness between his daughter and brother.
Although they were lucky enough that the king had his back turned to them and was busy talking to his courtiers.
"Definitely." He replied softly, tilting his head and looking into her eyes intensely. "I didn't expect to see you in the sky then." He said, with his free hand he lifted her hand in which she held a goblet of wine and drank some of the alcohol.
"Nobody expected it." She replied, immediately guessing that he was referring to that battle with the Triarchy. She couldn't concentrate and come up with a more complex answer when he was so close to her.
"You've grown, princess. Also - in a positive sense." Saying this, he let go of her hand. Immediately after, he also removed his hand from her waist, walking away, running it gently over Val's body.
It cost her a lot not to turn after him and watch him walk away. She finished the rest of her wine and headed out of the courtyard.
The rest of the day passed her rather lazily, although it is worth noting that she didn't go to the Dragonpit at all that day. In the evening she was about to change into a nightgown, but the thought occurred to her to visit her sister and gossip a little more. After all, it wasn't that late, she surely wasn't sleeping yet.
So she headed for Rhaenyra's chamber, which wasn't that far away. She easily passed Ser Criston and entered her sister's room.
"Rhae?" She asked, but received no response. She looked around the chamber, but Rhaenyra was nowhere to be found. Has she gone somewhere? Or maybe she hasn't gone to bed yet? But then Ser Criston wouldn't let her in, would he?
After a more thorough examination of the room, she noticed that there was a piece of paper on the bed, on which a secret exit from this chamber was shown.
So it looked like someone shown her how to get out of here secretly and took her for a walk...
Ugh, okay, that's fine, but how is she going to get out of this room now without Ser Criston getting suspicious? It can already be quite strange that he can't hear any conversation or laughter from the inside.
She lay on her back on her sister's bed, staring thoughtfully at the ceiling. Well, she'll have to hang out here for a while so it won't be too suspicious that she's barely came and is already leaving. That she had decided to visit her sister tonight, ugh...
She was laying there alone, she doesn't even know how long, until she finally decided it was time to leave. She opened the door, intending to pass Criston Cole as if nothing had happened...
"Is everything alright, princess?"
Damn.
"Yes, why do you ask, ser?" She replied, stopping and turning to him.
"You were exceptionally... Hush." He said with a hint of suspicion in his voice, which Valaerya didn't like.
She could just tell the truth that Rhaenyra wasn't inside, but first: she wasn't going to turn her sister in and cause her trouble, and second: she didn't want to worry Ser Criston. Of course, deep down she was worried that something bad might happen to Rhae, but without exaggeration, she certainly wasn't out alone and someone was watching over her.
Someone who knew the truth, would probably accuse her now of not caring about her sister at all, and it's certainly because she is next in line to the throne. But the reality was that she didn't want to cause unnecessary panic and create conflict between herself and Rhaenyra. If she still wasn't at the castle tomorrow morning, then she'd start to worry.
"Walls have ears, better not to talk too loud." She smiled. "I wish you a peaceful night, Ser Criston."
"Mutually, princess. Have a good night." He replied, without asking any more unnecessary questions.
Valaerya nodded once more before turning and walking away towards her chamber. What really puzzled her was this...
...Who took Rhaenyra for a night walk?
~
-> Chapter VI
-> general masterlist
-> Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon masterlist
#hotd#hotd fanfic#daemon targaryen#daemon x oc#aemond targaryen#aemond x oc#rhaenyra targaryen#alicent hightower#house of the dragon
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