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soyeahitsmiddleearth · 4 years

Text

Multi-Dimensional pt. 2

The Company x Reader

Trigger warning: reference to past domestic/animal abuse

Really angsty but funny at the beginning.

@barbar126��

So when you finished your little '10 minutes alone in your house' test, you were actually pleasantly surprised to see everyone sitting around your living room and enjoying their tea and food without a fuss. They hadn't even taken their weapons back, and nothing was broken either.

After that, you realized that things were probably going to go well and you can afford relax a bit. Plus... free labor.

Around 5 or so days pass by without much incident (of course showing them how to use the bathroom was awful since they didn't seem to grasp the fact that the water just comes out of the showerhead and they don't need to fill anything... and that the water could actually be warm if they waited for 10 damn seconds).

You made the mistake of not telling the 'dwarf' known as Dwalin to wait while you got everything set up, and when you turned he had already been half-naked.

Suffice to say, you screamed so loud that a bunch of those 'dwarves' came running over with weapons drawn and everything.

You're going to have to make a spray bottle and spritz them when they pull out their pointy things like that, but only after you're 100% sure they won't shank you for it.

The first time they saw your barn full of horses, cows, goats, and some sheep they were excited, and when they saw your aquarium room with all your fish and the terrariums with your snakes and turtle that you pet sit, they were a little more nervous.

The youngest, who you know to be Ori, had asked if the reptiles would eat them, but you only smiled and said, "Not unless I tell them too." You can't actually make them attack the dwarves, but it's best to keep them on their toes.

You decided to 'employ' all of them to help you take care of the animals, though you don't really need it, and may I say that the sight of your tiny hamsters, rabbit, and turtle being held in big 'man' hands is probably the cutest thing you've ever seen.

Yeti has also betrayed you, for he has fallen in love with that blond 'hobbit' known as Bilbo, and will only listen to him. If you had known Yeti would drop everything and have an affair the moment you turned your back, you would've sent them away (not really). The first time Yeti refused to come to you while he was snuggling the small hobbit shattered your heart. The betrayal shot through you like a poison arrow and spread throughout your whole body, leaving nothing in its wake other than sorrow and pain.

You got called dramatic for that.

"Fine! I don't need you anyway, Yeti! I've got Copper!" You cried, much to the amusement of your guests.

To be honest, you act like a total nut job with the sole purpose of bringing some joy into their everyday lives... and to keep them underestimating you in case things go south.

The quieter Balin seemed to take to your cat Butterscotch immediately, and now you rarely see him without ole Scotch in his lap. Your other two cats Midnight and Mittens were a little less pleased to have so many people around them, but they tolerated the dwarves and eventually got to petting terms with them.

The brothers Fili and Kili (you keep mixing them up, you're ashamed to admit) seemed to like your rabbit and hamsters the most. After you showed them how to feed the little fluffy boi's and how to open their cages, you often found them walking around holding them in their arms. It's very cute.

Thorin, the leader of this entourage, acts like he doesn't care for any of them, but you saw that bastard feeding Copper scraps under the table when he thought you weren't looking. And, apparently, Mittens kinda likes him which is interesting.

It's been only 5 days, but you found yourself becoming fond of the lot of them rather quickly, and they to you (though you don't know that).

You have two spare bedrooms with medium-sized beds, the love seat, long couches, and a chair in your living room, and a small couch in your bedroom too. You decided that moving the couch out to one of the other guest bedrooms would be beneficial, but it'll take some time so you were postponing it.

Now is as good of a time as any, you suppose.

You had been feeding your fish with Nori and Ori, and when the inspiration to move the couch hit you, you handed them the shaker and said, "Be careful not to overfeed them, otherwise they will explode and I will cry." You make your way to the door and pause, "A lot."

With that, you leave toward the stairs, and Copper rises from his spot next to Thorin (you feel weird not saying Mr. before) to follow after you.

"Oh, here's my good little boy!" You kneel down and squish his fluffy face, making over-exaggerated smooching noises as you kiss the top of his head and his snout, "Who's a good boy? Who's my good boy!?" You ask in a baby voice, scratching his back and petting him all over. His tail wags excitedly as you smother him in affection, and it only makes your heart melt, "You would never betray mommy, no you wouldn't! You wouldn't ditch me for a hobbit, would you baby? Oh, I love you." smooch, "so," smooch, "much!" You kiss the top of his head one more time, then stand back up with a bright smile on your face.

Someone clears their throat behind you, so you turn and see the majority of the intruders standing behind you. Some of them look amused, a few disturbed, and others are actually laughing.

"What?" You ask indignantly, feeling your face heat up from embarrassment. You forget that there are others in the house who aren't use to your animated way of talking to your babies.

"You have quite an interesting way of speaking with your animals." Mr. Thorin asshole Oakenshield states (he's actually a pretty nice guy).

You can't even help the violent blush from spreading across your cheeks, "D-Don't talk to me like that!" You exclaim, pouting rather childishly. "Copper! Attack!" You yell, pointing in his general direction.

A few of them stiffen, but Copper just kinda lazily ambles over and sits down in the middle of the dwarves, making you gasp dramatically. There's some more laughter, and while you knew Copper wouldn't actually attack them, it did nothing to ease how flustered you are like you thought it would.

You throw your arms up in the air in defeat and yell exasperatedly, "Fine! Have fun laughing while I put small animals in your things!" You don't wait around to see how they react and instead walk up the stairs and head to your room to begin moving the couch.

There's some murmuring that you can hear down below.

"Did we actually offend her?" Someone whispers.

You don't know their voices well enough to decipher who is who, yet, but their conversation actually warms your heart a bit.

"We didn't, did we? I only found it to be slightly amusing, and cute..." Another voice states.

"Yeah, it was cute, t-the dog I mean..."

Ooh, they think you're cute. Nice.

You decide that you should stop eavesdropping and go ahead and start moving the couch. Or try at least.

At first, you try pushing it, but the carpet simply doesn't allow for it, so you instead try to pull it, but that doesn't work either. Then, you crouch down and manage to lift it slightly from the ground, and so you, still gripping the gap beneath it, slowly walk back with it a few steps. You only manage to make it about 3 feet before you have to take a breather though.

You do that 4 more times, and eventually, you make it to the still-open, door. Once you get it there you stop and lean against it, panting quietly from the exertion.

For about a minute you stand there, and once you've caught your breath somewhat you lean back down and lift it as much as you can again and begin dragging it backward. You make some grunting noises from your effort and breathe out loudly when you drop it 2 feet later, standing up straight since the position is making your back hurt.

You bury your head in your hands and groan dramatically, "I'm a failureeeee!"

"Are you okay?" Someone says behind you suddenly.

You turn your head a bit and see one of the brothers, the brown-haired one, Kili you think (or was it Fili?), on the stairs looking at you with furrowed eyebrows, so you drop your hands back to your side.

"Just peachy. Do you need help with something?" You ask, wiping your hands on your jeans.

He shakes his head no, then glances at the heavy couch you're trying to move. "No, but it looks like you do."

You look down at the couch, then back at him and shake your head, "No, no I've got this. I've just gotta bring it across the hall over there." You point towards the end of the catwalk, but your resolve diminishes slightly when you realize just how far it is. Of course, you don't retract your denial since you don't want to look stupid. "All good over here."

You turn your back to him again and go back to your little system of lifting it slowly, pulling it back a few feet, then dropping it.

Honestly, it's painful to watch.

He then asks again, "Are you sure... you do not need help?"

You shake your head 'no' and don't bother turning or answering verbally this time (definitely not because you're out of breath), instead you just do the same process again and finally pull the damn thing all the way through your door.

"S-See? I've got it all under control!" You look over at him with a weary and very unconvincing smile. Damn, you don't even believe it yourself.

"Hey Fili, come here!" He calls suddenly, not acknowledging your assurance that you're all good.

Oh great, now they're gonna watch you fail together and make fun of you.

You huff indignantly and turn away, moving to pick it up again and, hopefully, arrive at your destination before you can be embarrassed anymore today.

Heavy footsteps ascend up the stairs and you groan internally, but continue nonetheless.

"What is it?" You hear him ask Kili (now you've got it), "Oh, uh, what is she doing?"

You do your best to tune them out and just go about your business. When you drop the couch this next time, though, you kinda just stand there for a moment and wait for your back to stop hurting.

A voice then pipes up next to you, "Allow us."

You look down at the blond dwarf with surprise, not having heard him approach, "Um, I don't know if you'll be able to..." Your eyes drift over to Kili (you know that's his name for sure this time) who is at the opposite end of the furniture, and when he lifts it, it goes up much higher than what you managed.

How is that even possible? They're smaller than you are! In height, at least... Okay, actually maybe it does make sense since, as stated 5 days ago, these bitches are thicc👌.

"Okay." You don't see the point in arguing any further and just step out of the way (plus you hate physical labor), watching as they carry the whole couch to the other room in record time. Now you just feel silly, having so adamantly refused any assistance when the job effort was cut in half in literal seconds.

After a few moments of just standing there, you follow and go into the room, seeing that they've already placed it in a free space in the room.

"Is this alright?" Kili asks, looking over at you with a slightly smug expression.

You just nod dumbly, looking between them and the couch a few times, "I don't...," you pause before you finish that thought, squinting at the couch, "Move it a little to the left."

They do just that, and when it's done you smile brightly, "Looks good. Thank you."

Fili opens his mouth to say something, but a loud knock on your door and barking from Copper and Yeti silences him.

You spin around on your heel and look downstairs frantically at the entrance, seeing a distorted figure through the wavy glass of your front door. Your eyes go wide, and you turn back to the two brothers, "Don't go outside!"

You then race downstairs, the two following close behind, and wave everyone looking at the door over to you, "Go hide over there," you point to an area out of sight from the front door. You smile and say, "Good boys!" out of habit, but another knock keeps you from getting embarrassed.

You start to run over to the door, but pause and run back to say, "And don't leave this area. I don't know who's here."

A louder knock resounds throughout your main room, and you yell, "I'm coming! Just give me a moment!" Once they're all hidden away, you make your way over and open the front door.

Your face falls immediately, "Erick... what are you doing here?" Suddenly all the confidence and joy washes out of you, leaving nothing but a barren wasteland of confusion and dismay.

The man at your doorway, Erick, looks down at you with a blank stare, then down at your dogs. A smile comes to his face and he says, "Hey, Copper! I've missed you, buddy!"

Copper doesn't go up to him, instead he growls a bit and you feel satisfied about it. Yeti just turns away and goes to where everyone else is hiding, no doubt to look for Bilbo.

Erick steps forward a bit and goes to pet him, but you snap, "Hey! Leave him alone. What do you want?"

When you ask what he wants, he steps back out onto the patio and glares at Copper briefly before looking back at you, "I just came by to see Copper, is all. He's my dog too you know."

His words make your blood boil, but you try to keep your cool and instead shake your head, "No, the moment you raised your hand to him he was no longer your dog. And I doubt you made a trip all the way here just to see him. Just tell me what you want so I can get back to my day."

His fists clench at his sides and you unconsciously flinch but maintain eye contact. "Fine, you're right. I came to take him back home with me."

"What?" You ask incredulously, looking down at Copper's sweet face, then back up at him. "Yeah, no way, he's my fucking dog."

"Yes way, he was our dog, and being as I bought him for you and paid all his bills before you began this worthless animal sitting shit, I have more of a right to him than you." His voice sounds so smug, and his smirk makes you sick to your stomach

"You only bought him for me because you needed something to make me stick around." You argue, "Why are you doing this now? Why not last week? Or tomorrow? Or literally any other time? Why did you have to come by without even calling me in advance?"

He crosses his arms and leans forward intimidatingly, purposefully looming just to unnerve you, "Because I want my dog back."

Oh, you know exactly what he's doing. Copper is precious to you in more ways than one, and after your not so great breakup with this slimy bastard, he looked for every way to piss you off and fuck you over. You can't count on two hands how many times he threatened Copper's well-being just to force you to do something. He thinks that by taking Copper now he can psych you out and make you come back to him. And, well, he probably can, but there's no way you're going to just give Copper to him.

"Over my dead freaking body." You snap back, crossing your arms much like he did, "I can pay you back for everything in cash, but he's not going anywhere with you."

"Yes, he is. I've got the receipts to prove it too. Give him to me or I take you to court."

Oh, this fucker.

"Then fucking take me to court!" You stand your ground and shake your head, taking a calming breath so you don't explode, "Why can't you just leave us alone? Copper is my dog, I love him so much, and you know that! I'm sorry I broke up with you and it hurt your feelings, but you have to leave him out of this! Isn't there something else I can give you? Like my money?"

"Well... I suppose I can make this all go away." He suddenly says, a smirk curling upon his lips and he leans down slightly.

You don't dare hope that he's going to say something rational. "How?"

"Just let me take you out on one more date, I'll show you that I'm not that guy anymore." He attempts a 'sweet' and 'apologetic' smile, but you can see right through him, "I didn't even mean to hit him anyways." Just as you expected.

You lean back when he gets closer and your nose scrunches up distastefully. "Um, yeah, you didn't mean to hit him because you meant to hit me, or did you forget about that? I'm not going anywhere with you. End of discussion." At this point, you've completely forgotten about the 14 people hiding not 20 feet away. You're just so damn angry you can't even think straight.

"Then I'm going to take him back home with me. And if he happens to get out and run into the middle of the road... well, my dog door doesn't lock, as you know."

You recoil at his hateful, disgusting words and feel a spark of emotion shoot through you, "I w-won't let you take him. He's been through enough because of you!" In a way you're expressing your own frustrations through Copper, speaking about him in a way that conveys what you're actually feeling too. "Please, Erick just leave us alone. I can pay you back for the things you got him, that way you haven't lost anything."

"Except for you." He tries to sound disappointed and regretful, but you know he isn't. He isn't. "You know I love you..."

For a split second you almost believe him, but you shove that trust away as soon as it appears. It took you a long time to get to where you are today, and you're not about to relapse and start forgiving him again now. "You don't love me, Erick, you love to control me. I left, and that's your fault!"

"If you won't get back with me, then give me Copper and I'll leave you alone."

Great, an ultimatum.

Yes, having this prick leave you alone for good would be wonderful, but sending that innocent fluff ball with him is a death sentence. You don't know what he did to him when you weren't home if he did anything at all, but you loathe the thought of Copper being at his mercy (mostly because he has none).

Copper was the only ray of light in your dark life then. He was your only solace, your beacon of hope, and your only ally when Erick made you drive everyone else away. In some ways, you'd first die then part with him.

"No! I already said I'm not going to give him to you! You only gave him to me so you could use him against me anyways! You don't love him, and you don't love me. You're crazy."

He glares daggers into you but doesn't reply to that. Then steps to the side and whistles, "Copper, come here."

Copper's ears twitch, but he doesn't move to get up. He's scared.

When Copper doesn't move Erick begins to step inside, but you get in front of him and glare up at him, "Hey! You can't come in here, Erick!"

He doesn't move at first, clearly not having expected you to stand up to him physically like that.

"This doesn't have to be difficult, Y/N. Just give me his leash and we'll be on our way."

"Over. My. Dead. Body!" You repeat, reaching back to push Copper away a bit and urge him to run off.

"That can be arranged." He hisses, a dangerous glint gleaming in his eyes.

"Hey, g-get away from me!" You shrink back and start to step away, but he reaches up and grabs your wrists, causing you to physically cringe when his skin meets yours. "D-Don't touch me!" You cry in alarm, hearing some shuffling from the very place you hid your new friends. The new friends that you instructed not to come out. Copper stands up when you start to shout and he barks at Erick, but he only ignores your good little floofer and shakes you a bit.

"You were so much better when you listened!" He snaps, releasing one of your hands to grab your face in a bruising grip.

"Stop!" You yell louder, voice slightly muffled and intended for both him and the no doubt distressed dwarves and hobbit. One of your knees comes up almost on its own, and though it doesn't quite hit it's target, it does hit his stomach. His grip on you loosens, so you wrench your wrist from his grasp and shove him backwards out your door, causing him to land on his butt on the wood deck.

"Did you really just do that?!" He screams, staggering to his feet with murder in his eyes as he moves to come back inside. "You're gonna fucking wish you-"

He reaches towards you, but you slam the door on his fingers before he can come any closer or finish his threat. A loud cry of pain comes from in front of you, but you slam your door instead of going to look. You turn all the locks quickly and step back from it, tripping over your own feet and falling on your butt much like he did when he starts to bang on your door from the other side.

"Give me that damn dog, Y/N! I will get a judge involved! I'll sue you for assault and robbery!"

He continues to scream and break things outside your door, and at some point you wrap Copper up in a tight hug, sniffling softly from a mixture of both relief and fright.

Erick screams every curse in the book. He screams violent threats against your animals, describing what he's going to do if he ever get's his hands on them, all the ways he's going to hurt you. How he wants you to die, and how he'll kill you if you ever cross paths again.

You don't know how long he goes at it, yelling these hateful and threatening things at you and your poor animals, but eventually, he quiets. With one final kick at your door and exclamation about how he's going to get you for this, he leaves.

Your heart is beating rapidly in your chest, and you're unable to move for a little bit until Copper's cool nose presses against your cheek gently.

He's shaking (or maybe that's you), you notice, so you stroke his head gently and mumble, "Hey, it's okay sweetheart... It's okay." You don't know if he can understand you, but your voice seems to calm him regardless. Despite being slightly traumatized, you're actually a little proud of yourself for standing up for yourself and Copper like that.

More shuffling registers from behind you, but you don't turn to look. You don't want them to see your tears, even if you consider them your friends. People are horrible, and when they see someone like you as you are now they either pity you needlessly, or see someone they can take advantage of. And you're done being taken advantage of.

You just continue to sit there on the ground, hugging Copper's fuzzy head to your chest while you whisper comforting things to him, sniffling occasionally while you wait for your violent trembling to cease.

A few minutes pass of complete silence, you could probably hear a fly landing on something with how quiet it is. There is nothing you loathe more at this moment then having to face the people behind you, but you stand up anyways.

"Miss Y/N?"

Ah, you recognize that voice. It's the hobbit Bilbo, and it sounds like he doesn't know what to say.

You ignore him calling your name and just dance around the topic and try to make a joke out of it by stating, "W-Well that was awkward, wasn't it? I didn't think this is how our day would go." You don't turn to face them, shoulders stiff while you look at Copper's sweet face and try to keep your tears at bay, "I... I don't feel so good all of a sudden. I think I'm going to retire early tonight." Your voice is soft and weak, heavy from crying, and you just feel humiliated all around (especially at the way your voice breaks when you attempt a laugh).

You turn slowly and force a smile, one much too bright and cheery to be paired with your puffy eyes and heart-wrenchingly frail demeanor. "H-Help yourself to my kitchen."

You cannot stand the expressions on their faces, even the half-deaf one heard everything, so you turn your gaze down to your feet and, without another word, make a bee-line for the stairs and practically run up them with Copper and Butterscotch on your heels. Even Yeti follows after you. "Good night!" You rush out before slamming your bedroom door, avoiding the same 14 pairs of eyes still trained on you.

If you had taken a little longer to look at them, you would've seen more than pity though. Some of them held anger, some looked sad and empathetic, and some were simply shocked or upset themselves. They've seen nothing but the strong-willed and funny part of you, so seeing that...

It seems that your distress has affected the mood of this company quite a bit more than you realize.

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kyliwrites · 5 years

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the exit's the other way

ship: davekat (no quadrant/all quadrants; established relationship)

prompt: "you know what!? fuck you. i'm out of here."

"*name.*"

"WHAT?!"

"the exit's the other way."

setting: earth c (canon universe/post-canon, no epilogues)

Your name is Dave Strider, and you are just the absolute god damned best at riling loud, insufferable aliens up to the brink of delirious rage. Because the way their gray cheeks flush and their eyes darken is so perfectly entertaining, you take it upon yourself to annoy them into paradox space and back.

Karkat, for example. All it takes is the bare minimum of poking and prodding at his favorite romcom actor and SHABAM. Little guy's all fuming and everything; you can see the puffs of smoke coming out his ears and the attractive way his fangs slide out over his lips. He's glaring in that wide-eyed furious way of his, anger hot enough to brand you right on the asscheek like a motherfucking cow. Moo, bitch.

You hardly insulted him, but Karkat's like that: hypersensitive, petty, an asshole, totally adorable when he's mad. He's got his flaws (who doesn't?), but with you, he doesn't try so hard to cover them up. You love him all the more for that.

Presently, he's ranting about the flaws and inaccuracies of some human film you alchemized into existence for him, and he's been doing so for approximately four minutes and twenty-seven seconds. You haven't been paying much attention, if you're being honest, because you've been too busy mentally recounting everything else about those four minutes and twenty-seven seconds. Why? Narrative reasons, yo.

You tune in at the last second and catch his metaphorical hands instead of the hilariously unironic picking apart of whichever movie you picked for him (you can't even remember at this point; you've spent all three years since the game ended finding progressively shittier films, if only so you can experience the pleasure that is Karkat's ranting).

"-and are you even FUCKING listening, douchenozzle!?" Comes Karkat's infuriated, raspy interjection. It throws you bodily from your thoughts, and you blink from behind your shades in an effort to clear your head.

"Nah," you answer honestly once you've regained your bearing. "Shit got more boring than watching American football with the boys on a rainy Saturday night. Dude goes in for a tackle and skids across the field tragically. Eight jocks in a row go flying and it's like a god damn bowling alley up in this bitch. The boys start swearing like some motherfuckers, but you, a renowned Football Connoisseur, shake your head solemnly rather than go batshit insane over the slip-n-slide conga line like, you know, a normal person. Football people, bro. No humor. No sense of irony."

"I understood approximately FUCKALL OF THAT, asshole. Speak English or Alternian, thanks a whole fucking lot. What gog damn language was that!?" Karkat looks you up and down with a scrunched up expression, as if deciding where to maim you first. You straighten involuntarily underneath his gaze.

"...S'called Texan, m'dude."

He recoils melodramatically. "Texan!? Is that a joke or some bullshit? Some kind of dead language you somehow learned? Where the fuck is the TEXAN and who came up with a name that hideous and disgusting?"

"No, Karks," you wheeze. "Texas. The people from Texas are Texans."

"Why do I care about your overcomplicated alien linguistics!? Answer my question, Strider," he demands, crossing his arms. His nails, bitten down yet still sharp and threatening, dig into his sweater.

"I'm from Texas, dude. You know how there were, like, different dialects on y'all's murderplanet? English is kind of like that. Texans have huge accents and are famous for being racists, people from Jersey are famous for being the shittiest people, Alabamians marry their relatives, etcetera etcetera."

After a moment of thought, Karkat nods seriously and says, "That explains why you're such a xenophobe."

You choke. Of all the things you'd been expecting him to say, it definitely wasn't that. You reply eloquently:

"W-what!?"

"You heard me. You fucking space racist."

"Oh my jesus shit, rude," you protest vehemently. "I am not space racist." Not anymore, at least.

Karkat flashes a rare fanged grin at you, his eyebrows lifted, and you realize he's only joking. The smile is gone as soon as it came, one of those blink-and-you-miss-it gifts. "Space racist." He nudges you with one elbow. You nudge him back.

"Dude," you say, "don't make this a thing."

He pushes you forcefully, hard enough for you to have to grip the arm of the sofa you're sitting atop to remain seated, in response. Oh, it is on.

You tackle him and he lets out a paralyzed squawk when you roll off the couch and into the floor. He lands on his back with an "oof," and you pin him down by the shoulders. He bares his teeth, but the smile breaking out over his face ruins the effect.

"Get off me, asshat, I'll fucking kneecap you," he barks, still grinning like an idiot.

"You won't." You're grinning like an idiot, too, to be fair, except yours is more fond than shit-eating. Dave Strider, maximum sap. Whod've thunk.

He surges forward suddenly, without warning, and uses his legs to flip you onto your back; it knocks all the air out of you, but you manage a cackle and a "fuck you" anyway. He pins your arms above your head and sits on your chest.

"Say fucking uncle, Strider."

"That's not how that game works!" You wheeze. "You don't even know what an uncle is!" He smirks—the sight makes your heart flutter like the cat getting showered in affection meme. The thought distracts you and you briefly ponder making a Karkat version, but you aren't given the reins to think very long because he flicks your nose.

"Ow! Dickhead, that hurt—"

"Dickhead yourself! Your fucking bony ribs are digging into my ass!" He wrinkles his nose and shifts, trying to find a more comfortable way to sit.

"What ass?" You demand in jest, which is the worst thing someone pinned beneath the person they are making fun of could possibly say. He narrows his eyes and you manage a "shit wait no" before he snatches his hands away.

You've lived together for all of three years, four months, and seventeen days. He knows your weaknesses as well as he knows his own, your fears, your discomforts. He knows what you like, love, and hate. He knows when to push and when not to push. He gets you better than anyone, even your own psychoanalytic twin sister (you'll have to blame that one on the fact that she and her wife don't leave their house unless they're going to the alien procreation cave).

So, that's why he decides to tickle you. Because he knows you throw an absolute shitfit when it comes to being tickled.

You hunch your shoulders when his hands descend upon you and try to roll yourself into a tight, impenetrable ball to escape his fingers, but he's fucking relentless. He knows how sensitive you are; it's the perfect revenge.

In between your wheezing laughs, you can barely manage words, but you cough out a "dude," "bro," and "dudebro," then, finally, "Karkat," before he pauses, rasps, "You did this to yourself," and raises his hands threateningly again.

You blurt, "Uncle! I'll say uncle just don't do it please dude I have never done anything wrong ever you know this right? I—"

He leans forward, silencing you. "Take that bullshit you said first back, Strider, or your plea to your human familial figure is null."

"Fine! Fine, I take it back. Listen, bro. You definitely don't not have an ass. Like, in fact, that ass is so ripe I can't believe anyone would ever accuse you of not having one. That's so fucking disrespectful. How dare those blind motherfuckers? I'm waving my fists at them right now. I will singlehandedly smite all Karkat's assphobes, my man. I'll raise my assphobe smiting trident and pulverize all these thotass sons of bitches right here, right now. I'll do it, I will. I'm no coward. I'll protect that magnificent rear with everything I have, dude. Those glorious buns. The assnihilator—"

"Shut the fuck up oh my gog I can't believe I fucking brought this upon myself." Karkat rolls off of you and clutches said glorious buns. Apparently your ribs really did hurt his ass. Huh.

"You did bring it upon yourself," you agree. And then, because you still aren't done pushing his buttons and want to be an insufferable piece of shit, "So, you didn't say what you thought of the movie."

He opens his mouth, clamps it shut hard enough for his teeth to clank together, repeats the motion a couple of times. "I—Dave—You fucking—No. You know what? Fuck you. I'm out of here."

You burst into the horrid laughter of a hyena when he scrambles to his feet in one furious motion; he's back to grumpy scowling and cussing you out in the amount of time it takes for the underpaid McDonald's employee working the back of the store to flip a shitty one hundred percent not-beef burger patty.

He stomps heavily away—in the direction of the kitchen, you note, which only makes you cackle harder when you realize he didn't do it on purpose.

"Oh my fucking jesus god. Karkat!"

"WHAT!?" He yells without facing you.

"The exit's the other way."

He comes to an abrupt halt, slowly turns around, and begins marching back, in the right direction this time.

You're too busy flailing on the couch (you can't even remember pulling yourself back onto it) to give a shit when he throws himself down beside you. You do, however, give tons of shits when he pulls you into a very exasperated smooch that simply screams "shut the FUCK up you absolute godless heathen of a space monkey."

You are not opposed to "shut the FUCK up you absolute godless heathen of a space monkey" smooches.

He draws back and rolls his eyes. "Are you done yet, bulgemuncher?"

You are, as established many times, an insufferable piece of shit, so you say, "Dunno. Do I get to kiss you again?"

"Not with that attitude you don't."

You kiss him anyway, because god dammit he's your boyfriend and you demand kissing rights. He doesn't protest; instead, he wraps his arms around your neck and relaxes, just a little.

You could stay in his arms forever, you think.

#davekat #dave strider #karkat vantas #fluff #no epilogues #homestuck #fic

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justjessame · 4 years

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Put Me In Coach Chapter 40

Negan and I came to a very good understanding after our ride in the conference room. And after he spanked me to a burning red tint. And after he made sure that the dripping wetness that him spanking me caused was thoroughly taken care of. We understood that while we adored Trey, and our routines with him, even new-ish parents deserved alone time. Overnight, evening, date time, alone time.

Eric was smug, the fucker. “‘I’m not a sex toy,’” he mocked me, taking the bag I’d packed for Trey’s first overnight stay after Negan and I agreed to the new terms of our relationship. “Sure, Mara, and I’m also sure that Coach’s big, hard-” Trey poked him in the cheek and he stopped talking. “Hey, Boo, ready for fun times at Uncle Eric’s?” I smirked at the quick turn in conversation. “Let’s get away from these straight squares and go to the-”

“Flaming fun house?” I offered, grinning at my best friend. “Get out, but first,” I kissed Trey with a loud smacking smooch. “Dada and Mama are right here, baby, so just-”

“Mara, stop it.” Eric was rolling his eyes. “Trey will be FINE. He LOVES time with Steven and me, you know that.” He turned away, tossing a warning of his own over his shoulder. “Just give a shout if Coach needs some ‘flaming fun house’ times, K?”

“Thirsty whore,” I muttered, closing the door behind him. Negan was downstairs, finishing up a meeting with Steven and a few of the outpost leaders. He’d be back soon, he promised, and he NEVER broke a promise now. Not after being forced to by Carl’s sudden appearance when we first arrived.

I tidied up the entry room, tucking Trey’s toys into his crib, smiling because Negan had found a travel crib for Eric’s rooms, one on wheels in case Laura had to take him overnight. Picking up the books that I’d read him during the morning, stacking the plates from lunch, and putting them outside our door, I took a look around and felt that the room looked decent. I moved into our main living area and repeated the process, taking the time to remake the bed, fluff the pillows, and pick up any dirty laundry that had been missed. I was fixing a t-shirt that was hanging out after Negan wasn’t as careful as he usually was during dressing when I came across the small black velvet box.

Biting my lip, I thought about NOT opening it, but curiosity won out. Flipping open the box, I shook my head. It was clearly the wedding band that he’d chosen for me. Dainty like my pair of rings still secure on my finger after all these years, it was dotted with tiny round diamonds, almost like Morse code. My finger touched the band gently, wondering if the world hadn’t gone to shit if we would have been able to get past- I sighed.

“It means ‘Forever,’” Negan offered, leaning against the doorframe and studying me. “I- I wanted it to be on your finger forever, so it seemed appropriate.” I bit my lip and waited for him to come closer. He walked slowly, leaving Lucille leaning by the door. “It should have been right here,” he took my left hand in his and touched my ring finger where the other two sat, "a long fucking time ago."

“Then put it there,” I held out the box to him, but he shook his head and my heart clenched painfully at the rejection.

“Oh, princess, I AM going to put it there,” he wrapped his arms around me after releasing my hand. “But I plan on doing it in FULL view of every-fucking-one.” It was my turn to shake my head, but my face was cradled against his chest so my movement was stifled. “And I hope you’ll wear the dress you picked out.” That made me pull back a little and look up at him.

“Did you peek?” I watched his face, feeling like I would be able to tell if he lied about this. He shook his head and I felt a rush of surprise. “Really?”

“When they brought everything back,” I’d known, because he’d finally told me what it had taken to empty our house and bring it all to the Sanctuary, that he’d sent minions to get EVERYTHING. “Since the bag isn’t fucking see through and the label is from a wedding gown store, exactly what it was, but I hoped, Amara-”

“That you’d find me?” He nodded and swallowed hard. “You did, didn’t you?” I smiled up at him and I finally got the kiss I’d been waiting for. “Stop trying to redeem yourself, Negan, I love your ass and the rest of you.” He chuckled against my lips. “So you haven’t a clue what it looks like?” Another negative. I bit my lip. “When?”

“When-” he raised an eyebrow.

“When can we do it in front of ‘every-fucking-one’, Negan? I think we’ve waited long enough, don’t you?” His eyes seemed to light up. “I’m serious, I want my damn ring.” That got a laugh and then he finally took the box from me, but he snapped it shut and tucked it back in the drawer where I found it.

“I think-” he scooped me into his arms and I grinned into his neck. “That FIRST I want to make sure I should buy the cow-” I slapped his shoulder playfully. “I mean, I already have the free milk, right?” Another smack and he tossed my ass onto our bed. “Now, princess, you were being nosy in Daddy’s drawers, what do you think I should do about that?”

I licked my lips and watched as his eyes went from playful to predatory. “I don’t know, Daddy, what do you think?”

Lying together on our bed, my head on his chest, my ass burning I was smiling. “You look pretty fucking pleased for a woman who just got her ass turned ruby red by my hand, princess.” I bit my lip, thinking about his face when he FINALLY sees me in the dress he swore he hadn’t peeked at.

“I’m wondering-” hiding my face in his bare chest, my smile grew.

“What?” His voice was heavy with curiosity. I considered what I wanted to ask, something I hadn’t asked in the years before the world went fucking tits over ass.

“Why did you pick me?” Not looking up at him, just letting my fingertips tease the spattering of chest hair that I loved. “I mean, when I was still a school girl and you were-”

“Your asshole gym teacher?” I smiled, kissing his skin and waiting for him to continue. His fingers slid down my bare arm, touching as gently as if I were made of spun glass. “I don’t know, I won’t lie and say I never LOOKED while I was teaching. I’m not dead.” His fingers slid back up to the back of my neck and tugged so I knew he wanted me to meet his eyes. “Then you walked in, looking like you’d like to smack the living shit out of me, eighteen years old and ready to take on the world. You said, ‘yes, sir’ and I felt something deep down inside of me unlock, and then it was temptation after temptation with you.” I smirked up at him. “I can still see your skimpy as fuck gym clothes, Amara, and I thought I’d burst into fucking flames every damn day you jogged and stretched in that fucking gym in front of me.” Biting my lip, I listened as he told me a better story than he could tell Trey. “I couldn’t fucking find it in me to even TRY to keep my distance. Hearing that you had ALL those fucking offers for Homecoming, then having you actually say yes to that moron Joe, I wasn’t lying when I said I was in knots. I knew that I should tell you to go off with a guy your own age, but fuck, princess, I knew we were meant to be. Didn’t you?”

I let what he said digest for a couple beats, feeling more loved by the man I was wrapped up in than I ever thought possible. “I think I probably knew when you spanked me the first time,” his smile made his dimples peek out from the scruff he’d regrown at my insistence. “I wouldn’t have let ANYONE do that to me, but I never once questioned YOU doing it.” I pulled myself up his body, my lips meeting his and then pressing my forehead against his. “You have opened my world wide open, Coach, and I think I’d rather die than be separated again.”

“Same, Amara, same.” And then he rolled me onto my back, and he let the rough scruff of his face drag down my body, burning until he settled between my legs. “I’m hungry.” His lips met my other lips and I felt like the world was tilting as I arched into his mouth, thinking our date nights were head and shoulders over any fucking other date nights that have ever been had.

#negan x ofc #The Walking Dead #Smut #alternative universe

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badcowboy69 · 4 years

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High Kaydia Heartthrob

Here’s a small bit of an AU of sorts having Travis and his husband Riley featured in the universe I created years ago. It’s a planet that’s all “old west” but with some modern luxuries to it. It’s all part of my almost 500 page novel I wrote about me and my bad cowboy. And before anyone asks, NO you cannot read it nor will it ever be posted anywhere. It’s a guarded treat I only let those near and dear to my heart read. Anyhoo...this is a small spin off of sorts from the saga @fuzzyelves and I created recently. I hope anyone that reads this enjoys it and I’m more than willing to answer any questions about it. Placed under the cut for length. Enjoy!

My ride home from High Kaydia was finally over and I wearily guided my horse, Chance, up the dirt path of my parents’ ranch to the shaded comfort of the barn. The ranch was quiet, which was unusual, but for that I was thankful. I wasn’t wanting to deal with my parents and their curious questions right now. My mind was already a flurry of activity and I didn’t want it clouded with anything else.

Dismounting, I began to remove Chance’s tack and put it to the side so I could tend to his needs first. I wiped the sweat and froth from his body then checked and cleaned his hooves. Satisfied with his well being, I led him to the gate leading to the pasture and let him loose. He gave a shrill whinney seeing his friends and galloped off. I sighed as I watched him run with Ghost, Domino, Sundance, and all the other horses of my mom’s small herd. My thoughts went to Riley’s horse, Indigo, and I imagined her running alongside them.

“Shit!” My daydream shattered as I remembered I promised to call Riley to let him know I arrived home safely. Jogging back to the barn, I gathered up my pack and quickly made my way to the house. Stepping inside I noticed how empty and quiet it was and I wondered where my folks were. Then again, maybe it was better I didn’t know! Blushing at the thought, I went to the phone and fished Riley’s number out of my wallet. After requesting to be connected, I stood nervously while twisting the phone cord around my fingers in anticipation.

“White’s General and Supply. Riley speaking.”

My heart about soared hearing the smooth tones of Riley’s voice and a pleasant wash of warmth surged through me. “Hey there, mister. Wondering if y’all got any sickle blades in stock?”

Following a small bit of silence, I heard a soft gasp on the other end followed by, “Oh, Travis it’s you! I take it you’re home now?”

“Yeah, not happily, though. I really wish I coulda stayed on another night,” I frowned, finding an unfamiliar yearning in my entire being to be in Riley’s company once again.

“Likewise.” was the short answer followed by an uncomfortable pause. I knew he had to be missing me like I was him. At least I hoped. After a few moments, he continued. “I...I really had a great time with you last night, Travis. I hope that we can hang out and do it again very soon.”

I nodded to myself then directed my eyes towards the window hearing my mom’s joyful laughter from somewhere outside. I had to make this quick. “M-me too. Um...listen, my folks are gonna be here any minute now and I’m sure they’re gonna harass me about stuff so I better scoot. I’ll try and give you a call tonight if you want.”

“That sounds good. Actually, I can call you if you’d like? After dinner maybe? We could probably discuss plans about my coming to visit you. Maybe later this week? How does that sound?”

I couldn’t contain the huge grin that spread across my face hearing that. He truly did want to continue seeing me! I cleared my throat and pushed my hat off my brow. “S-sounds perfect! I’ll...I’ll be looking forward to hearing from you then. Thanks again for everything. Talk to you soon!” After I heard him bid me goodbye for now, I hung up the phone and sighed. I didn’t want to miss him, but I did. I only hoped it wouldn’t be too long until we saw one another again.

The screen door squeaked loudly indicating that someone entered the house and I turned to see my mom carrying a basket of eggs. “Well, there’s my adventurous son home at last!” she exclaimed while putting the basket on the counter. “How was your trip? Did you manage to get the saw blades?”

“Y-yeah, I did. Got ‘em in my saddlebags back in the barn. I have to get ‘em and put my gear away soon. Thought I’d come in and get a cold drink, first.” Giving one last glance at the phone, I went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of beer. As I twisted off the cap, I noticed my mom was leaning against the counter with her arms crossed in front of her chest and a knowing smile on her lips. I felt my cheeks warm with a blush and I quickly turned away. “I...uhh...I better go and get those blades and tack put away afore pa gets sore at me leaving things lying around.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” she replied.

I felt her eyes still on me as I guzzled down the beer. I was about to put the empty bottle on the counter when she stepped in front of me and placed her hand on my arm. I looked sheepishly at her and bit my lower lip. “Anything wrong?”

“What’s he like?”

I paled. “Wh-who?”

“The man in High Kaydia who caught your fancy. Travis, you can deny it all you want, but a mother knows these things.”

I rubbed the back of my neck and looked away, but felt her hand on my cheek turning me face her again. “It’s nothing to be upset about. I’m glad you found someone who’s special enough for you to keep busting up blades over and making a two hour ride to go and get. I take it he’s a store keep?”

I nodded shortly making her smile gently. She patted my cheek and nodded in approval. “Well, whenever you’re ready to share details about him, I’d love to hear them.” She pulled me into a tight hug and sighed. “And don’t worry about your father. As much as he squawks about that town, he’ll trust your judgement. Now, go get your stuff put away before he does find something to squawk about.”

Nodding, I pulled from her embrace and hurriedly slipped out the backdoor and headed to the barn. As I hung up the new sickle blades in the workshop, I heard my pa’s fox cries of “Yip, yip, yip!” out in the distance indicating that he was herding up our few cows for their routine inspection. I was glad as it also meant he wouldn’t be crossing my path anytime soon. Even though ma said he wouldn’t have issues with my having a possible love interest in High Kaydia, I still didn’t want to deal with any probing questions or comments.

Love interest?

I snorted at that thought and began to give my tack the once over before putting it all away in their appropriate spots. Heading back to the house, my mind drifted to Riley again. Could he truly become a love interest? I sure would like to hope so. Although romancing and stuff really isn’t something I’m all too familiar with, I ain’t exactly too green with it either. Mostly it was the random cowboy that moseyed onto our ranch looking for temporary help before he continued on his way. Handsome face, kind heart, sweet talker. Never amounted to anything, really. Maybe a few casual outings...usually a smooch or two, maybe a handjob, but I never let it go beyond that. Why bother? Why get emotionally and physically involved with someone I probably would never see again? Or even want to. Shit like that always left me feeling unsatisfied and dirty anyways. I also never pictured myself to be the relationship kind of guy none either.

So, why Riley? What makes my feelings for him different?

I grabbed another beer from the fridge before continuing to my room, scooping up my discarded pack along the way. I slung it on the bed and closed the door with a sigh as I twisted the cap off my bottle and took a deep drink almost emptying it. “Dammit.” I sat heavily on the bed and pulled off my boots, wiggling my toes to get the circulation back in them from being cramped up from the long ride home. Flopping backwards, I closed my eyes and draped my arm over my brow. I wanted to nap, but now that I was alone and relaxing, my mind had other ideas.

Riley.

Again with Riley.

I groaned and rubbed my face with my hands then stared up at the ceiling. There was no denying I had it bad for him and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. It couldn’t be bad, though, could it? I mean, he made me feel great! I love listening to him talk and I love simply being in his company. I love hearing him laugh at my dumb jokes or antics. I love the surge of warmth or tingles that went through me from any thought, any touch...any time those gorgeous blue eyes of his gazed at me. And don’t even get me started about that red hair!

Lordy! When he permitted me to touch it last night I could have died right there on the spot!

I rolled over on my side, grabbed my pillow, and clutched it tightly to my chest. My arms ached to hold him again. My lips ached to kiss him again. I started yearning to have his body pressed against mine like it was last night when we kissed goodnight in the shadows along the side of the bed and bath. The first kiss we shared by the campfire was plenty amazing as it was, but the goodnight kiss? Woo boy! I never wanted it to end!

Riley had me backed against the side of the house with his hands clutching my hips keeping me close against him. My hands were busy fussing with his amazing red hair, of course. Riley was murmuring a few gentle compliments, but I hardly heard them 'cause my concentration was somewhere else...mostly on how close we were. I held him tight, my fingers pressed against his back while I secretly wished for our shirts to be off. I wanted so badly to feel the heat of his freckled skin against mine in the cool evening air.

I now began wondering just how much hair covered his chest and I not only imagined myself gliding my hands over it, but also found myself shifting my thoughts to his freckles. I also began to wonder to what extent those freckles went on him and if I’d be lucky enough to touch every one someday. Did they cover his back? Did they dot his legs? Hell, did they go throughout his inner thighs? The hell with touching them, I think I’d much rather glide my tongue over them! A groan escaped my throat with that fantasy and once again I imagined us up in a hay loft. To explore him in those small, but intimate ways would surely be a dream come true!

I sighed and turned over onto my back, still clutching my pillow against me. I also discovered my left hand had a will of its own and it managed to slip down the front of my britches without my even realizing. I blushed and immediately yanked my hand from there. What the hell is wrong with me? I ain’t never felt like this way about nobody before. As badly as I wouldn’t mind getting closer to him than our light smooches and touches, I really wanted to learn a bit more about him along the way. I mean, you could find someone that could be the best lay in the world, but if they were a horrible or boring person then no amount of fucking would be worth it.

Thankfully, I already knew from the small bit of time spent with Riley there was no way in hell he was boring. So far every moment we were together was fun and amazing. Hell, every time I was around him I felt my heart soar! And with his gentle personality I seriously doubted he was a horrible person none either. Still, there was so much more to learn about him and I truly hoped he’ll teach me for a long, long time to come.

Fin~ for now....

#travis blackfox #riley white #writings #to most certainly continue...

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codename-bewareofthefangirl · 7 years

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can i request kirishima, todoroki, and kacchan comforting their s/o bc they're going through an insecure moment where they dont like their body (too meaty, too skinny) thank youuu~ 💗

Hi dear! I’m sorry if it took me so much (I’ve also your matchup in progress)! I’M ALWAYS FINE WITH COMFORT WRITING AND THESE BOYS ARE PERFECT FOR IT! I hope Bakugou doesn’t result exaggerated or an animal, but I believe he’s more a man of actions than words, especially about things he deems important (take a look at my hcs if you want to know how I perceive him). Kirishima IS A SUNSHINE, I couldn’t not think that only his presence could lift your mood. Todoroki is the smoother and sweeter (and most forward) boyfriend ever, I tell you.

Well, enjoy and have a wonderful day!

Bakugou, Kirishima, Todoroki x Reader with Low Self-Esteem, Comfort, Hints about Sexy Time, Fluff, Romance, Kisses, Soft, Your Bodies Are Perfect When Imperfect

Bakugou Katsuki

“What the hell are you doing?”

You jolted, averting immediately your eyes from the microwave.

Bakugou was glaring at you in what you had learned to be confusion and irritation, a spoon of cereals in his mouth and a messy bedhead. Ah, Sunday’s mornings together were the best.

You tried to smile and wave it off.

“Nothing, Katsuki.” You resumed drinking your tea with cookies, obviously baked by your boyfriend because homemade shit was better than bought one.

“Oh yes, because I’m fucking stupid!” He rolled his eyes, putting the bowl aside and focusing only on you. A shiver ran down your back and you played nervously with the cup. “’The hell is wrong?”

You shut your lips and shook your head.

“Nothing.” Maybe, if you repeated it in your head enough times, it was going to become true.

Bakugou literally growled, scratching his head and mumbling insults under his breath before he stopped abruptly. He held his breath for five seconds and exhaled deeply.

He knew the look you were wearing and had learned that getting aggressive wasn’t going to make you talk. Approaching directly your defensive stubbornness was like launching himself from a plane in the sea: he was going to get smashed against the concrete.

Finally, he had again a, sort of, impassive expression.

“Yesterday you were in your world for the entire afternoon. I found you closed in the bathroom five times, for longer than fifteen minutes. This night you’ve slept buried against me. You avoided my eyes. Five seconds you were glaring at your reflection in the fucking microwave.”

You gulped and widened your eyes horrified; you hadn’t thought it was that evident. But Bakugou had always to be exceptional at everything, hadn’t he?

“Try to say again it’s nothing and I’ll lose my patience.” Bakugou was holding you frozen on you chair just by staring, blood red eyes not accepting lies or half-assed truths.

“I-” Your mouth dried and Bakugou took another deep breath to maintain his composure, “I think I’m fat.”

That took him by surprise, his face scrunched into incredulousness and he tilted his head trying to metabolize the words that were falling from your lips.

“I mean, I’m too curvy and chubby. It’s ugly. Like a cow. I don’t understand how can you like me when we’re surrounded by pretty girls all the time! And, overlooking your horrible personality, you could have any of them. I’m so embarrassed that-”

“What the fuck?!” Bakugou interrupted you with an explosion from his right hand. Confusion had been replaced by anger and disapproval. “Stop with this shit immediately, SO.”

You tried to argue, but the sound of another explosion filled the room.

“First, don’t compare me to those lousy motherfuckers who like girls only based on their shape, alright? Goddess or cow, I don’t care until it’s you inside.” Your boyfriend spoke slowly, weighing every word with an astonishing and indisputable bluntness.

You clenched your jaw to not cry, but the simple relief he was giving you was overwhelming.

“Alright?” He repeated, scowling, and you nodded. Satisfied, he continued.

“Second,” he stood up and towered over you, “I love your body as it is and if you haven’t understood it yet, I’m going to mark every spot I adore until nightfall.”

His smirk made you shiver inside and your cheeks heat up.

“K-Katsuki! It’s morning!” You stuttered trying to push him away, but he captured your wrists. Bakugou shrugged.

“It’s Sunday,” He replied before he smoothly picked you up from the waist, bridal style. You let out a small shriek and grabbed onto his pajamas. He marched back to the bedroom.

“Put me down! I’m heav-”

Katsuki literally threw you on the bed and climbed on the mattress.

“Another negative word on your weight,” He growled, swiftly stripping his tank top off, “And you won’t be able to go to lessons tomorrow.”

Kirishima Eijirou

“SO? SO!”

Kirishima was waving his hand in front of your face when you finally snapped out of your cloudy thoughts.

“Ejirou?” You called blinking, a faint smile on the lips.

After his afternoon spar with Bakugou, Kirishima had found you curled on the couch, wrapped in a blanket like a burrito. You hadn’t said the usual “Welcome back!”, hopped to kiss him on the cheek nor acknowledged his presence in any way and he was now more than worried.

“Something wrong, babe?” He brushed your cheek with a thumb in a soothing voice, still smiling happily. He always seemed to smile when he was around you.

You tilted your head and lowered your eyes.

“I don’t think I’m good for you…” you whispered so low that for a moment you hoped he hadn’t heard you and you could take it back, but Kirishima stiffened on the spot and your stomach twisted.

“What do you mean?” His voice was softer now, but you could hear the frailness behind it.

You bit your bottom lip, curling more.

“I’m not pretty enough.”

An infinite second of silent stillness, the Kirishima sighed heavily in relief.

His warm chuckle made your heart flip.

“What are you saying, SO?” He cupped your cheeks and forced you to look him in the eyes, “You’re more than pretty!” He was blushing a little, in that cute way he always did when giving an honest compliment.

“I’m fat,” you argued glaring down, but he tilted your chin up again.

“You’re not.” Kirishima was sporting his toothy, shiny grin, but his words were stern. “You’re curvy and I like that, you know it.”

You shook again your head, stubbornly.

“I’m heavy.”

Kirishima didn’t even bat an eyelash.

He wrapped his arms around your waist and pick you up, blankets and all.

“I don’t think so.” He flashed a smile.

“Ejirou! Put m-” As soon as you started to argue, embarrassed, he laughed and threw you in the air.

You shrilled, before falling in his arms again.

“Ej-”

He threw you again.

“I think you’re very light, you know? The perfect weight!”

And again.

“I’m not even using my Quirk! See SO?”

And again.

“My pretty, curvy girlfriend!” he bubbled, “Please don’t fly away! I’d be very sad!”

Finally, a chuckle burst from your throat.

Kirishima continued to throw you up in the air and saying stupid things until it became a full, warm laughter. Then he fell on the couch with you in his arms, smiling widely; you snuggled against his chest and he pulled you as close as he could.

“Sorry, I haven’t showered yet,” he mumbled, remembering he was still in his sweaty tracksuit. You shrugged, all the sadness and insecurities evaporated like snow under the sun.

“That’s fine…” you murmured closing your eyes, “Can we stay like this for a bit?”

Kirishima beamed and nuzzled against your neck, before smooching your cheek.

“Sure, babe, sure!”

Todoroki Shouto

Todoroki found you sitting with crossed legs on the floor of the living room, in front of the mirror. He was sure he had left you on the couch studying when he had gone out for a run, so now was confused, to say the least.

Especially because you were caressing your reflection with a sad and sort of disgusted grimace.

He padded quietly until he was by your side. Only then he realized your eyes were red and tears still edged at the corners of your eyes; concern immediately replaced his curiosity.

He crouched down, as you shifted your gaze on him, and took you gently by the shoulders.

“Is something wrong? Are you hurt?” He tried to keep his voice calm and composed, but worry trembled under the cold surface.

“N-no I’m fine…” you whispered, wiping clumsily your tears.

He furrowed.

“You’re crying.” His shoulders relaxed a bit as he made sure you weren’t physically harmed.

“Sadness, hate…a bunch of stupid emotions harassing me.” You tried to shrug it off, but your voice broke.

“Why?” Todoroki asked softly, sitting behind you and circling your body with his legs.

Darkening, you turned to face the mirror again. In silence, you raised a hand and pointed at your reflection.

“I’m disgustingly skinny.”

Todoroki flinched at the “disgustingly” and caged you against his chest, gazing at your reflection together.

“It’s not disgusting,” he replied quietly, but his tone was sharper than usual. He was absentmindedly drawing circles on your forearm with his fingers.

You groaned.

“I’m all bones, no curves at all,” you explained, mouth pulled down, “It’s like hugging a shard of ice.”

“I love ice.”

You rolled your eyes, but your lips betrayed you and smiled a little.

Todoroki caught that.

“Curvy girls are be-”

“You’re the best,” he interrupted you. You couldn’t look at him, but his eyes pierced holes in you from the mirror. “You’re the one I love, body and soul.”

The honesty in his voice was so vibrant that it washed your insecurities away in slow waves.

“You’re fair and slender, maybe a bit frail, but I know how strong you can be,” he continued, without breaking off the contact, “And when I hug you, I feel certain that you’re made to be in my arms, as you are.”

A lump formed in your lungs and you felt your eyes stinging again but for a different reason this time.

“I don’t care what others prefer, I think you’re perfect for me.”

That was the final blow. You were now burning inside, a flame in the pit of your stomach and heart drumming in your ears.

“You’re unbelievable…” you murmured covering your blushing face and curling with the back against him.

Todoroki smiled fondly and kissed softly your hair, rocking you back and forth.

“It’s fine, I’ve a lot of time to make you believe me, love.”

394 notes · View notes

kujo1597 · 7 years

Text

Actually, That Was a Good Thing

Life is constantly moving forward. Things are always changing, nothing is ever still even when you don’t realize it’s moving. A lot can happen in just a year.

(A/N: Holy cow! I’m actually done this! I wanna thank those of you who read this until the end. I appreciate you so much! And I really appreciate new readers as well I hope you enjoy reading the whole story. Of course I’ll still be writing stuff for this AU but the main chunk of story is done.

And a big shoutout to @drawbauchery for her Mom Zircon AU. It really inspired my human Zircon. That dynamic between Zircon and Peridot is super cute! And I really wanted to do a similar dynamic. But without the stalker, I think I’ve put poor Peri through enough already. Haha.)

You can also read this on Archive of Our Own.

Chapter 15

Peridot let out her breath in a puff when she put a heavy box on a brand new carpet.

The room looked and smelled so clean.

“Ooof,” Amethyst put down another heavy box.

As she looked around Peridot felt a bittersweet feeling.

“Heck of a year,” she said.

“Huh?” Amethyst didn’t quite catch that.

“I was just thinking that is was just one year ago that I was living with Lapis and the two of us had our first date.” Peridot’s expression turned apologetic. “Sorry my moving day fell on our one-year anniversary.”

“Don’t worry about it; important thing is that we’re together,” Amethyst kissed Peridot on the cheek. “Not like it’ll take all day to do this anyway.”

“Yeah,” Peridot knelt to give Max a pat. She pointed at an arbitrary part of the hallway. “Go explore, Max. This is our new home.”

But he stayed put.

“Little guy probably needs to adjust first,” Amethyst suggested. “He’s never been here before.”

“That’s true. He’ll explore with me, I’m sure.”

Amethyst stretched out. “Well, we should start unpacking.”

“Then go out and buy a mattress. The bed in here is too soft.”

“You already tested it?”

“I felt it while putting boxes in my bedroom. I can’t sleep on it.”

“Alright, mattress shopping it is. Good thing you’re not stuck with that clown car anymore.”

Peridot laughed. “Yeah, I still can’t believe Pearl surprised me with a car. Fixing it with her was so fun, then she let me keep it!”

“So which room you wanna unpack first?”

“How many belts does one demigirl need?” Amethyst playfully groaned as she sprawled out on Peridot’s bed.

“I don’t have that many. And it’s not like they’re all the same anyway,” Peridot pulled out a few belts. “See? This one has an alien pattern, this one is covered in Pokémon, and this one is houndstooth.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen,” Amethyst really didn’t get it. “That’s just a lot of belts nobody’ll see.”

“A few of my therapists told me that doing small things for myself, even if it’s silly stuff like wearing goofy belts that only I know about can help my mood.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Probably should guessed. So is that houndstooth one because you like Persona 4 so much?”

“You know it.”

“And y’know... having a million belts is probably better than me. I just have the one and it’s being held together with duct tape,” Amethyst changed the subject. “Since you’re buying a new bed, do you mind if I have this one?”

“Not at all.”

“Cool.”

Peridot finished organizing her closet knowing full-well that it wouldn’t last. But it was satisfying nonetheless.

“Do you think Max will be fine while we go shopping?”

Amethyst glanced at the sleeping lump on the bed next to her. “I don’t see why not. Buddy’s passed out. And you leave him alone all the time.”

“Sometimes dogs piddle and get destructive when they’re nervous. He’d be left all alone in a strange new place.”

“We’ll just take a trip to Dreamy Sleep then come back.”

Peridot glanced at Max. “Well, what I can do is leave some of my clothes laying around to hopefully keep him calm.” She gave it some more thought. “Yeah, he’ll be okay if I do that.”

“Ready to go then?”

Before long Peridot changed and left her clothes on the bed and couch.

While her and Amethyst carried the new mattress through the hallway, thank the stars Peridot got a room on the first floor, Peridot was confronted by a woman with bright-yellow hair styled up into two points.

“Do you have a dog?”

“Yeah,” Peridot signaled to Amethyst to put the mattress down. “But he only weighs nine pounds so he’s well within the size limit.”

“That’s well-and-good but if he cries constantly then we’re going to have a problem.”

“Max cried? Was it the whole time I was out? He’s usually very quiet.”

“He cried for the first five minutes.”

“Ah, this was his first time being left alone here. He should be good in the future. I don’t go out much so he should be adjusted next time.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed. “What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a freelance programmer,” Peridot replied growing more irritated. She knows she doesn’t exactly look ‘respectable’ but frankly, bright-yellow hair doesn’t either.

“Okay the-”

“Jeanne!” Another woman came bounding through the hall. Her pale blue hair curved and floppy. “Are you harassing our new neighbour?”

Jeanne, oh how the sound of that name made Peridot’s skin crawl, replied, “I was just asking them about their dog.”

“I must apologize for Jeanne,” the blue-haired woman said. “She’s a stickler for the rules.” Her tone turned firm when she started to face the other strange lady. “I told you it was just a nervous pet.”

“It’s fine,” Peridot said, the new woman seemed very nice and when Peridot looked at her she felt something she’s never quite felt before. In some ways it was like how she felt about her dad. But different.

Jeanne... not so much.

“Oh, right,” the new lady turned to Peridot. “Isa.”

“Peridot.”

“Amethyst,” she waved from where she was leaning against the wall.

“Good to meet you,” Isa said then she looked between Peridot and Amethyst. “Are you two living together?”

“No,” Peridot hesitated but saw a wedding ring on Isa’s finger and a matching one on Jeanne’s. “We’re not living together but we have been dating for one year. Exactly, actually. So you and Jaune are married, right?”

“Yes.”

“Got married the day it was made legal.”

“That’s great,” Peridot said, feeling relieved. Some of her neighbours in her old apartment were... less tolerant.

“We should let you go,” Isa said.

“Yeah,” a part of Peridot didn’t want this conversation to end. She started to consider getting to know Isa over tea. “Max is missing me. It was nice to meet you.”

The four all waved and said their goodbyes and Peridot and Amethyst reached Peridot’s room.

She carefully opened the door and Max came bolting out then started to run circles around her.

“Okay, hello, I know, you missed me,” Peridot picked Max up and kissed him. “Let’s check around for accidents, eh Max?”

After the inspection which turned up nothing resulting in lots of scritches and smooches from Peridot, and the mattress was in place, Peridot and Amethyst sat on the couch watching TV.

“So Peri, how ‘bout we do something naughty?” Amethyst wiggled her eyebrows.

“Oh, what do you have in mind?” Peridot gave Amethyst a sultry look.

“Well,” Amethyst dragged the next sentence out sexily. “Why don’t we cheat on Kofi and order Domino’s?

“How scandalous,” Peridot leaned into Amethyst. “Pull out your phone and place that order.”

“You want those spicy chicken bites?”

“You know I do-” Peridot couldn’t keep up the routine; she started laughing uncontrollably.

“How could you?” Amethyst said in mock offense. “I try winning your heart with pizza and chicken and you laugh at me?”

“I can’t help it,” Peridot said between giggles. “We’re such big dorks.” She collapsed onto Amethyst clutching her stomach.

Amethyst traced lines next to Peridot’s mouth with her thumb. “Maybe I should cut back on the comedy a bit. You’re starting to get laugh lines.” She rubbed Peridot’s cheek. “Then again, those are the best wrinkles. Means you’re happy.”

“Please don’t stop making me laugh, even when I look like my lola,” Peridot sat partially up and wrapped her arms around Amethyst. “Your sense of humour is one of my favourite things about you.”

“You feeling alright? Like, you’re cuddly but not usually this mushy.”

Peridot nestled into Amethyst’s neck. “I think I’m just feeling a bit lonely. I haven’t lived alone since college.”

“Want me to stay the night?”

“No,” a shake of the head. “Well, yes. But you shouldn’t. It’d be best if I just rip off the bandage. So to speak.”

“Alright, if you change your mind tell me,” Amethyst looked at her phone. “Still up for cheating on Kofi?”

“Always.”

“Have I ever told you that I appreciate how you started trying weird shit with your food?” Amethyst stated, amused by Peridot putting her chicken bites onto her pizza.

“I’ll never surpass the master,” Peridot took a bite. “I’m not brave enough to mix strawberries, canned tuna, and hot sauce together.”

“Not my best sandwich in all honesty.”

“They can’t all be winners,” Peridot said with a shrug.

They ate supper while watching Ninja Keith reruns.

Eventually Amethyst spoke up. “So, you still doin’ that Lapis and Jasper thing with me tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” Peridot finished off her crust. “We need to make sure it goes well. And if it doesn’t, we need to be there to help them.”

Amethyst grabbed another slice of pizza. “True. And fukkin’ deck Lapis if she makes my sister even worse.”

“She won’t. Lapis has made great progress. Have faith in my roo-former roommate.”

“I know,” Amethyst sighed. “Just worried. Jasper’s been doing better too.” She took a big bite. “Don’t want it to go backwards.”

“I feel the same way when it comes to Lapis.”

“You sure you don’t want me to spend the night?” Amethyst had noticed a subtle sadness in Peridot’s eyes. “Sometimes it’s best to take band-aids off slowly. Y’ever slice your leg open?”

Peridot cringed. “Yeah, ripping off the bandage hurt like a son-of-a-gun.”

“But if you peeled it and wet it then it wouldn’t have.”

After a moment’s thought Peridot gave in. “You’ve convinced me. So I guess you need to go get your stuff then.”

“Nah,” Amethyst polished off her pizza. “I had a feeling you’d want company the first night. My stuff’s in my car.”

“You know me well.”

Peridot and Amethyst barely dragged themselves out of bed the next morning. They were both worried that things would go horribly wrong with Lapis and Jasper.

But before they arrived at the meeting place Peridot decided to drop Max off at the beach house. He needed the supervision if they were gonna be gone for the day.

Pearl was the one who opened the door. “Hello Peridot and Amethyst.”

“Hey Pearl,” Peridot greeted her. “Thanks for puppysitting on such short notice.”

“Don’t mention it,” Pearl gave Max a swift pat on the head. “I actually kind of like him now.”

“We can’t dawdle,” Peridot put Max on the floor then pointed into the house. “Go find Steven.”

With that, Max excitedly ran off.

“Bye Max,” Peridot called after him with a giggle.

“Amethyst,” Pearl turned her attention to her. “I need you to pick up a few things.”

“Got it,” Amethyst saluted as she took the shopping list.

“You’ve never watched Max for the whole day before,” Peridot passed a basket full of blankets, toys, and food for Max to Pearl then pulled a piece of paper out of her hoodie pocket “As you know he eats at all three meals, though breakfast isn’t an issue... He gets three-quarters of a scoop of kibble. Max sometimes sleeps under stuff so if you haven’t seen him in a while check under Amethyst’s bed. Let’s see...” Peridot looked over her list to find more urgent stuff.

“Peridot,” Pearl interrupted her thoughts. “He’ll be fine. I’ll read the list, I promise. You two need to get going.”

“Well, okay,” Peridot passed the list of care instructions to Pearl. “Remember, keep an eye on Steven, I always catch him sneaking snacks to Max.”

“Okay,” Pearl pushed Peridot out of the doorway.

“And watch him when he potties,” Peridot’s fretting continued. “Seagulls like to pick on him.”

“I got it.”

“And don’t forget-”

“Goodbye, Peridot.”

“Yes, goodbye,” Peridot said automatically.

Pearl closed the door on her.

“Well that was a bit rude,” Peridot put her hands on her hips.

“She’s right though, rude or not we gotta go,” Amethyst jabbed her thumb at the car.

The couple raced to the back corner of the meeting place so as to be discreet. They weren’t actually supposed to be there.

Not long afterwards Lapis strolled in, then Jasper. Those two looked pretty okay, nervous, but okay.

“Lapis,” Jasper said after taking a deep breath.

“No, I’m going first,” Lapis firmly stated. She made eye-contact with Jasper, sighed, then said it.

“I’m sorry.” Lapis kicked her foot. “I shouldn’t have taken all my anger out on you.”

“I...” Jasper could barely believe what she just heard. “Um...” That wasn’t part of her plan... “Okay.” She cleared her throat then recalled the script she had rehearsed at home. “I took advantage of you to punish me. I did bad things, and always felt bad about myself and I used your anger to give me what I felt I deserved.”

Lapis looked like she was about to blow a gasket. “What! No! I used you! You were such an easy target. So big and smug, with that stupid nose piercing, you look like a bull, and you got angry back which made it easier for me to yell at you. But then you stopped and I kept going. For once I felt powerful.”

“And I felt like I deserved it so I let you keep going and egged you on, and when you did leave me I tried to get you back, I craved the attention. Nobody ever stays with me, our relationship, as awful as it was, was the longest one I ever had. I didn’t want it to stop and be alone again,” Jasper breathed in, “but it really was bad.”

“You know, you didn’t deserve what I did to you.”

“I know that now, but at the time I truely believed I did.”

“We were really bad for each other, you brought out the worst in me.”

“And you brought out the worst in me.”

“We really shouldn’t be together.”

“Well,” Jasper recalled what Peridot had told her, “we shouldn’t date,” she held out her hand, “but we can try being friends.”

Lapis didn’t take Jasper’s hand. “What if we fall back into our old habits?”

“Amethyst and the peacock will call us out on our shit,” Jasper jerked her head towards where the two she was referring to were sitting. “That’s why they’re here.”

Lapis looked at them. “God dammit, were they here the whole time?”

“Pretty sure.”

“She’s such a worrywart,” Lapis said with a fond smile. “Dumbass.”

“So how ‘bout it?” Jaser offered her hand again. “Wanna try being friends?”

“Sure,” Lapis took the offered hand. “We can try.”

“Hey Amethyst, Peridot,” Jasper called out to them. Amethyst perked up but Peridot looked confused. “You gone deaf, ya little peacock?”

“No!” Peridot replied with a blush, then when her and Amethyst joined Jasper and Lapis she continued, “it was just weird hearing you call me by my name.”

“Been over a year, kid,” Jasper clapped Peridot on the shoulder.

“Wait,” Amethyst crossed her arms with a smirk, “you knew Peri’s name the whole time.”

“I had a good feeling about her.”

Amethyst playfully smacked Jasper’s arm. “You ass. You were testing her.”

“Of course, I don’t want you getting hurt again,” Jasper chuckled at her feisty little sister. “Anybody patient enough to put up with me calling them such a dumb name’s bound to be good. Or at the very least be able to put up with you.”

As the exchange between sisters went on, Lapis looked at Peridot. “How’s condo life treating you?”

“Pretty well so far. I met two of my neighbours. They’re nice. So...” Peridot felt a small tug in her chest, “how’s the roommate search going?”

“Bad. You set the bar too high. I can’t go back to eating nothing but garbage,” Lapis’ cheeks warmed up. “And you’re nice and funny.”

“You know, you can come over any time,” saying this made the tug go away slightly. “I’d like that, and so would Max.”

“That damn mop, miss him too,” Lapis said under her breath then added in a normal tone, “And you swing by whenever. I’m not changing the lock.”

“It slipped my mind that I never gave my key back. I’ve had it for so long...”

“I never asked for it. I know I can trust you.”

“True, but I might scare your new roommate if I just waltzed on in. I don’t need to deal with the police.”

“Yeah, you do look kinda sketchy,” Lapis teased Peridot. “But I’ll just tell her to expect a short big-eared nerd with dumb hair to randomly show up.”

The two laughed.

“But I’m serious Peridot. Come over whenever you want. And bring Max.”

“You too. And I will come over with Max, he misses you too.”

Sensing that Peridot needed a hug Lapis held out her arm. “Come here, you sap.”

Peridot accepted the hug.

And that’s when Lapis realized she needed it too.

After some more talking Amethyst and Peridot parted ways with Lapis and Jasper who also went their separate ways.

“So glad that went as smoothly as it did,” Amethyst sounded relieved.

“Me too,” they arrived at the door of the beach house and Peridot opened it. “I wonder how Max did.”

Peridot looked around for him and and didn’t see him.

“He’s sleeping on the couch,” Pearl said, startling her. “Him and Steven ran and played all day.”

“Max must be pretty tuckered out then,” Peridot said with a laugh. “He’s gonna sleep well tonight.”

Amethyst chuckled. “Yeah, good for you, he kinda fussed a lot last night.”

“He’s never done that before, not even when I first got him,” Peridot sighed.

“You have to remember, he’s known the duplex for most of his life,” Pearl surprisingly gave Peridot this gentle reminder. “It’ll take time for him to adjust to the new location and not having Lapis around.”

“It’s an adjustment for me too,” Peridot said under her breath.

“That’s natural, I imagine moving from Canada was one too,” Pearl placed a hand on Peridot’s shoulder. “But at least this time you actually know people and have some company. Even if it is of the furry variety.”

Amethyst gave Peridot a crushing hug. “Yeah! And if you ever need non-furry company just give me a call.”

“Thank you, both of you.”

“Well, you can stay for a bit, or if you need to go you can find Max on the couch,” Pearl jabbed her thumb towards the living room.

“I think I should get going, I have stuff I need to do and groceries to put in the fridge,” Peridot walked into the living room.

And Steven was there. “Hi Peridot,” he said with a smile. “I think Max had fun.”

“It looks like it,” Peridot gave a very sleepy Max a pat. “And I trust you had fun too.”

“I did,” Steven gushed. “I didn’t know he could run that fast.”

“Yep, he’s pretty speedy when he wants to be.”

“We had races, and played tug, and chase,” Steven listed off all the things the two of them did on his fingers with a big grin.

“Did you know that he knows how to play peek-a-boo?”

“He does?” Steven got starry-eyed. “I need to do that with him next time.”

“But maybe not around Pearl,” Peridot whispered. “He does this cute little bark and I don’t know how she’ll handle that.”

“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind,” Steven whispered back.

“Unfortunately, I have to take him home now,” Peridot picked Max up and he blearily opened his eyes, noticed Peridot, then went back to sleep. She gave him a kiss.

“Aw, okay,” Steven sounded disappointed.

“Don’t worry, you’ll see him again before you know it,” Peridot ruffled Steven’s hair.

“And you too, right?”

“Yeah,” Peridot smiled fondly. “And me too.”

Steven gave her a big hug and she left after getting another hug from Amethyst.

Max trotted next to Peridot through the hallway of the condo building. She technically was supposed to have him on a leash but he was well-behaved so it should be fine. And it was, Peridot reached her door without incident, well, apart from a mother looking at the two of them nervously as Max sniffed towards her child.

She’ll just have to get used to them, Peridot figured, only slightly bitterly.

Peridot didn’t finish her unpacking yesterday so when she finished putting groceries away. She started with her action figures because robots in cool poses always lighten up a room. She started with the Labrys Figma Amethyst managed to get her for Christmas.

A knock on the door interrupted Peridot’s reminiscing.

She hurried as fast as she could on her bum knee and prosthetic foot.

“Wait,” Peridot was slightly out of breath and a bit too late. When she got a look at who was walking away she smiled. It was Isa! ...And Jeanne. “Sorry about that, I was unpacking,” she added with a laugh, “and my legs are kind of a mess.”

“Oh, that’s fine,” Isa said, she was momentarily mildly puzzled then remembered the sight of Peridot in shorts. She held out a basket. “Here, a welcome basket.”

“Thank you,” Peridot took it and looked through it. “Ooo, I can make marmalade with this.”

“Marmalade?” Jeanne snickered. “What kinda punk are you?”

“One that’s a marmalade-loving nerd,” Peridot didn’t really appreciate Jeanne’s tone.

Or maybe a slight bias was shining through.

“So, uh,” Peridot awkwardly pointed at her door, “would you two like to come in and chat?”

Isa and Jeanne exchanged glances.

“Sure,” Jeanne shrugged and Isa nodded.

Peridot led them into her home. “Now, it’s still a bit messy. I had more stuff than I thought.”

“You sure it’s such a good idea to invite strangers into your home?” Of course a Jaune was snarky and picky.

Peridot looked at Max who was still sprawled out on his back. “Well, Max doesn’t have a problem with it so I think having you two over is fine.” She held up her basket of fruits. “I’ll go put these away, make yourselves at home. Do you want tea?”

“No thanks,” Isa replied. “And I can help with the basket.”

“Thank you.”

The two went into the kitchen while Jeanne sat on the couch next to Max. She looked at him for a bit and he looked at her.

“Is your dog friendly?” Jeanne called to the kitchen.

“Yeah,” Peridot called back. “Go ahead and pet him. He especially likes chin scratches.”

While putting fruit away Isa looked in the living room and smiled. “Peridot,” she pointed at the couch, “I think Jeanne and Max like each other.”

Sure enough, Jeanne was smiling as she rubbed Max’s tummy and the pup was loving it.

Isa pulled out her phone and took a picture making sure Jeanne wouldn’t catch her and get embarassed.

And in that time Peridot decided that maybe Jeanne wasn’t so bad. Max is a pretty good judge of character after all.

Putting food away didn’t take long at all, Peridot and Isa joined Jeanne and Max bringing glasses of water.

“So, what do you two do for a living?” Peridot kicked herself for asking such a boring question.

“Get this, me and Jeanne are both lawyers.”

“Jaune’s a lawyer?” Peridot couldn’t believe it, how could somebody with highlighter-yellow hair be a lawyer? “Like, practicing?”

“Yes I’m a practicing lawyer,” Jeanne was understandably annoyed. “And why do you keep saying my name like that and making that face?”

“Oh, I didn’t realize,” Peridot didn’t want to touch on that subject so she stayed vague. “Somebody ruined that name for me. I assure you, it has nothing to do with you.”

Finding this odd, Isa kept it in mind. “Where are you from?” She asked.

“Calgary, Alberta,” Peridot replied.

“Me too,” Isa smiled as she put more pieces in place, especially as she got a better look at Peridot’s face. “Actually, you look kind of familiar.”

“Well that’s odd, I didn’t go to law school. I guess maybe we could have gone to elementary school together...”

Even more pieces fell into place, especially with that unique eye colour.

“Would you happen to know Jaune Diamont?” Isa asked out of the blue.

“What, no way they know somebody that important,” Jeanne waved her hand dismissively but then she noticed Peridot’s off expression. “Wait... do you?”

“Um... uh...” after much hesitation Peridot answered the question. “Yes. She is my mother.”

“Holy shit,” Jeanne said in quiet disbelief.

“Aha! I knew it!” Isa was far less quiet. “You look just like her! You’re Peridot Diamont-Hōseki!”

“I can’t believe one of your crazy theories ended up being right,” Jeanne still wasn’t over it.

“I remembered that Jaune had a daughter because the lawsuit involving her was the talk of law school,” Isa looked at Peridot who was barely hiding her mild crisis. “Then one day the discussion suddenly stopped. It’s always bothered me. Something big must’ve happened.”

“It got settled out of court,” Max crawling onto her lap helped calm Peridot. “That’s all I can legally say.”

“That’s really suspicious,” Jeanne raised an eyebrow.

“Considering I’m sitting with two lawyers I really can’t say anything more.”

“You know,” Isa’s suspicions about the case had woken a strange new feeling up inside her, but she couldn’t place it, “you can tell your lawyer about it. It’s not official yet, but if you need one you can hire me.”

As much as Peridot didn’t appreciate the subject of Jaune being pushed on, that weird feeling from earlier returned. She... kind of wanted to tell this lady she only just met more about it.

“I’m really uncomfortable going into detail,” Peridot took a breath, in and out, and stroked Max. “But I will tell you this. It was a divorce case and ‘alleged’ child abuse was a large factor.”

Both Zircon’s eyes went wide.

“Oh jesus...” Jeanne was the only one to speak.

Isa didn’t, she had a feeling that was it, but that new feeling made her unusually quiet. After a little bit he figured out what that feeling was.

She wanted to take care of and protect this young woman she recently met.

“I don’t know what to say,” Isa breathed in. “But if you need a restraining order filed or anything, even not legal matters, my door is open.”

“You have my gratitude,” unlike Isa, Peridot still hadn’t figured out what she was feeling. “Oh, and I’ve already filed a restraining order against her.”

“Well I would hope so,” Jeanne loudly said.

Isa realized something. “For the record, my wife’s name is spelled J-e-a-n-n-e not J-a-u-n-e so she doesn’t have the same name as your mother.”

“That’s good to know,” with the bias gone Peridot was actually able to think better of Jeanne.

Though she still found Jeanne a bit rude...

“Moving on,” Isa made a motion with her hands as if she was physically moving something. “I see you like video games. Jeanne was really into them when she was younger. Weren’t you dear?”

“Yep, I was a SEGA kid. I played a lot of Sonic.”

“Ah, I was a Nintendo kid myself, but I did have Sonic CD on the PC.”

“Missed that one, the SEGA CD was too expensive and I didn’t even know about the PC version.”

“It got re-released on a few consoles. I have it on my PS3 if you want to play it.”

Jeanne actually smiled. “Maybe some other time.”

And Peridot smiled back.

The three chatted for a while about their interests and eventually the Zircons had to leave.

Then Peridot got back to her task of unpacking while talking to Amethyst on the phone.

“Whattup Peri?”

“Hey Amethyst,” Peridot couldn’t hold in her giggle. “Do you remember Jeanne and Isa?”

“Yeah, just met ‘em, blue and yellow hair, right?”

“Right. They were just over and they’re actually really nice.”

“Cool, it looked like you didn’t like Jeanne.”

“It was mostly bias since her name sounds like my mother’s,” Peridot answered truthfully. “But it’s spelled differently. The sound still bugs me a bit though.”

“Give it time.”

“I will.”

“So why’d you call? I like talking but we saw each other earlier. It’s not like you.”

“Still feeling a bit lonely I guess.”

“Want me to serenade you to sleep?” Amethyst jokingly offered.

Peridot laughed. “No thank you. I don’t want to wake up with a dead or broken phone.”

She heaved a heavy box onto the table to sort through.

“Still unpacking?”

“Yeah, it’s taking forever. How’d I amass this much stuff in four years?”

“Dude, I’m the same way. You keep buying these little trinkets and before you know it you look around and think ‘shit, how’d this happen?’ And then you go and buy more stuff.”

“For someone who isn’t into statues I sure have a lot of statues...”

Amethyst chuckled heartily.

The two of them continued to talk as Peridot unpacked.

Peridot looked around her quiet new living room and let out a satisfied breath. She finally finished unpacking.

As her eyes wandered she thought about where she was just four years ago.

At the time, the fire seemed like the end of it all.

She lost her home.

She lost her belongings.

She lost her savings.

She would wear the scars for the rest of her life.

It hurt.

But from that fire she met Lapis, a close dear friend.

Then Amethyst, her wonderful girlfriend.

And of course, Max. Her companion who helped and continues to help with all the stress.

All that loss and nearly dying put everything into perspective.

It made her a better person. And in several ways, it gave her a better life.

Peridot smiled.

That fire was actually a good thing.

#SU Fanfic #Amedot #Courtship #SU Amethyst #SU Peridot #SU Zircon #SU Yellow Zircon #SU Blue Zircon #SU Lapis Lazuli #SU Jasper #SU Pearl #Steven Quartz Universe #Human AU #Not Such a Bad Thing Universe #Kujo Writes #Drawbauchery

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underopenskies · 7 years

Text

All Things Come In Three’s

((AND HERE IS WHERE THE PIC WITH THE TRIPLETS COMES INTO PLAY. 8D

@fontsandsins and @fontsandsins-rp because i don’t know what one to tag you on, dude.))

The months went by almost too fast for Hamish's liking. It felt like his baby girl had been small and completely dependent on Skylar and himself one day and wanting to do things on her own, pulling herself up on the furniture to get herself around the house. Both Skylar and himself had agreed they didn't want the age gap between their first two children to be too big so they had begun trying for their second baby for at least a month now, they hadn't had a chance to go into town for a pregnancy test so for now they where hoping Skylar would start having symptoms that could hint that she was pregnant until they could get a test to confirm it.

However, the symptoms were nowhere to be found. The only time she had been nauseated was the time Bella had caught a small flu bug and proceeded to pass it back and forth between her parents and her for several miserable days until they managed to kick it.

The only problem that Skylar was finding, however, was the tightening of her pants. She had worked hard to lose the belly that Bella had given her, and it had taken her quite some time to manage it- but she was mostly back to normal by the time they had started trying again. Sure, she still had a little bit of jiggle, but that would go away in time. The problem was, she was pretty sure the jiggle was growing.

Her pants wouldn't button. They had been getting progressively tighter and tighter for her to wear, but honestly she didn't think much of it. Married life was different than single life, and everyone went through weight fluctuations. But now she couldn't get het jeans to button, no matter how much she sucked her belly in to try and make space. They refused to button around the pouch she was developing.

She slid out of the bedroom and to the living room, carefully going to the couch and propping her leg up on it. She began to stretch, trying to stretch her jeans a bit. They remained unbuttoned and half or own her hips. Maybe they had shrunk in the wash? She had changed detergents since the type they had been using seemed to irritate Bella's bones.

Hamish was out in the lounge at the time, chasing after their quick crawling daughter to keep her from getting into things she shouldn't. He smiled at Skylar, scooping Bella up into his arms. "You okay, beautiful?" He asked, watching Skylar stretching against the furniture.

"Yup." She nods. Once Skylar had given her pants a proper stretching. She sucked her stomach in again and made to button her pants. She could just barely get the button to the hole. But not even close enough to get inside of it. Her arms strained a bit, and when it got nowhere. She gave up with a whoosh of air and leaned her hip against the couch with a groan. "I might need t' borrow your pants and a belt. I have tried on every pair o' my regular jeans and I just cant get them t' button." The only things she had to wear were her maternity jeans, and they were bigger than Hamish's jeans by far. Her maternity ones were designed to fit a belly that Bella had grown in.

Hamish cuddled Bella, she rested her head against his chest. His eyes moved down to Skylar’s middle. "I thought you had lost your baby belly?" He commented the cringed at himself realizing that comment could have hurt her feelings.

Skylar took his comment in good stride, only twitching one of her brows and snorting at him in vague amusement. "I did lose my baby belly. But apparently my body has different ideas about losing the weight." She pokes it lightly, smoothing her hand over the swell of firm pudge, and then heaves a sigh. "Darn it. My butt looks fantastic in these jeans and I just got back into them."

Hamish laughed. "Your butt looks good in anything, babe." He said walking over to her, Bella lifted her head and smiled. "Mama!" She cheered.

"How's Mama's favorite girl doin'? You makin' daddy get his exercise for the day?" Skylar beamed at Bella, and leaned out to smooch her chubby little cheeks. "And your butt looks best in nothing." She winks playfully up at her husband, and then leans up to kiss him too. Her middle rubbed just slightly against him as she did so. "Though I do say, I do enjoy your backside in a pair o' your jeans."

Hamish chuckled and lent in to kiss Skylar. "no, dada." Bella said, pushing his face away from Skylar's.

Skylar laughed. "Oh dear. 'S only Bella allowed t' have Mama kisses?" She queried playfully to her daughter, and tickled her chin gently.

Bella lent towards Skylar holding her arms out. Hamish passed her off to Skylar. "I'll find you a pair of jeans, beautiful."

"Thanks, Haz." She took their daughter into her arms, and propped her up on her hip as best she could. Bella's leg sat funny over her middle. "C'mon baby girl. Lets follow Daddy."

Bella laid her head against Skylar's shoulder, she brought her little hand up and gently patted Skylar's breasts. "Yum." She said quietly

That made Skylar laugh. "Yum indeed, baby girl. Ya know where the goods come from, don’t ya? Ya daddy thinks its yummy too." She playfully glances to Hamish as she follows him to the bedroom. "Speaking o' the goods... Hey. Haz? Ya remember anything from the pregnancy books? When I was nursing Bella this mornin' while ya were out feeding the horses, it was makin' my abdomen cramp up something bad. Small twinges have been normal since I had her, but it was really hurtin' this morning. It was really weird."

Hamish shrugged. "Maybe your boobs are just saying she's too big for breastfeeding. She's a big girl now." He smiled pulling open his drawers and going through his pants.

"I doubt its that. There's a lot o' folks that breastfeed until the lil' one is nearly two, and lots o' natural health places even recommend it." She blinks at him. As he scoots over to rifle through his drawers, she frees one arm from holding Bella, and reaches out to smack his ass. She gives him a playful grin.

"Maybe my swimmers are awesome and you're already pregnant." He said, pulling out a pair of pants, holding them out against Skylar's legs.

"Just because ya knocked me up after a couple rounds on the first try with Bella doesn’t mean..." She trails off though, and Skylar frowns as he measures the pants against her legs. She lifts her hand and counts on her fingers and mentally for a moment before her palm meets her forehead with a loud clatter of bone on bone. "Awh heck. Hey Haz? When's the last time I had ya pick me up a box o' tampons from the store when ya were in town?" Because she's pretty certain it's been a while. A long while.

Hamish paused. "Uh...honestly, I don't remember." He clicked his tongue. "We started trying I think… almost two and a half months ago." He said, his face heating slightly and his soul swelled with excitement.

"I haven’t had a period in at least that long. Holy hell, I haven’t even noticed 'cause we've been so busy with Bella an' with the farm." Skylar's eyes blink wide. "You think... Maybe we should make a doctors appointment? I mean... Either we are, or we aren't and there's something goin' on in my belly t' make it swell up like this. I shouldn't be this big this early if I am."

Hamish nodded. "We should make an appointment." He agreed. Bella looked up at Skylar.

Skylar glanced down at Bella. "Ya hear that, Bella? You might be a big sister with some luck." She smooches her little forehead and smiles at her. "Can ya call and see when they got openings for an appointment? I'll work on getting into some pants."

Bella giggled.

Hamish laid the pants on the bed and grinned, leaving to fetch his phone. He dialed the ultrasound clinic he made an appointment for the next day they luckily had a spot they could slip the couple in.

Skylar juggled Bella and got into Hamish's jeans. They fit her a little differently, sitting much lower on her hips than her usual jeans did, and she mused that her underpants were bound to be showing if she bent over.

She walked out with his jeans and a loosely tied belt, which was almost not needed, and hefted Bella higher in her arms. "So, when did they have an opening?"

"We got a spot tomorrow at Noon." He said. He wrapped his arms around Skylar despite Bella's protests.

And despite Bella fussing at them both, she leaned up and kissed Hamish with a warm, pleased sound. "Good. Who knows? Maybe that first night all those months ago did it, 'n we just never knew it." Being several, several months along made a lot of sense given how big the bump to her belly was getting. What She thought might have just been fat might not be fat after all. "You know... Other than when we all got the flu, I don't think I got nauseated at all. Or like... Any of the usual symptoms. 'S kinda weird, ain't it?"

"Every pregnancy is different." He said he placed his hand over Skylar's belly. "What do you think Bella, is there a bubba in there?" He asked, Bella blinked "bubba?"

"Uh-uh. Bubba, or a lil' sissy. More likely a boy though, I think." She quirks a faint grin to her daughter and smiles as Hamish touches her belly. "Heh. Bella is gonna have to share a room, aren't ya baby girl?" They didn’t have a second room to give the second baby a room of their own. Two would be a hair cramped in the bedroom, but not horribly bad.

"No!" Bella said firmly, making Hamish let out a loud laugh. "Aw baby girl, you don't wanna share?" He rubbed her skull. "I'll give Ava a call after the ultrasound and have him come and look at the house with me."

"She might have t' share for a lil' bit." Skylar laughs gently at her daughter's firm refusal. "You and Ava are awesome at building, but I doubt ya can finish th' entire build we need by th' time baby number two would be here. Especially if I'm far enough along t' be showing."

Hamish chuckled he kissed Bella's skull. "We've got work to do little girl, are you going to help daddy move the cows?" He asked, Bella sat up straight away and held her arms out to him.

Skylar chuckled and handed her right over. "She is, and Mama's coming too. Just lemme get m' boots and all three of us can go get the cows moved t' the other pasture."

"Yuh!" Bella beamed excitedly at her daddy.

"Let's get your boots on too little cowgirl, and a warm jacket." He said, carrying Bella to her room and getting her into a jacket. Her boots sat at the door with mommy and daddy's, he sat her on the floor and helped her get her boots on then got his own, he grabbed the baby sling off the coat rack at the door and strapped it onto himself, he picked up Bella and put her into the sling.

Skylar got herself ready while Hamish wrangled Bella into her boots and clothes. Skylar snagged her hat, tucking it on over her horns through the special holes in the front, and then slid her boots on. Her coat followed after, and then she grinned at Hamish. "You know... There is something sexy about a cowboy with a baby cowgirl strapped t' his chest. I'll get Charlie saddled for ya today, a'right?" He didn’t need to try and cinch a saddle with a baby on his chest. That was hard enough to do without a grabby fingered baby getting things pinched in straps by accident.

Hamish smiled and kissed Skylar. "Thanks. Maybe we will feed the chickens quickly." Bella squealed, kicking her legs out. He picked up the bucket of chicken feed and walked over to the coup. He opened the buckets lid and picked up the little plastic cup inside and filled it, passing it to Bella. "Hold on it this baby, don't let it spill." He said, picking up the bucket again and opening the coup door.

When he stepped inside, Bella shoved her hand into the cup, getting a handful of the feed and throwing it at the chickens. "YUM!" She yelled out. Hamish laughed and threw out a few handfuls.

Skylar could hear Bella shouting "Yum!" At the chickens, and her laugher rang out even as she made her way into the barn. Saddling up the horses was done swiftly thanks to years of practice, and she hopped onto Mel's saddle and got comfortable. Well, as comfortable as she could in the saddle. Mel gave her some sass, pinning her ears and grumpily stamping her hooves at Charlie when Skylar drew the stud closer.

He was the only stud that didn't bother her. More because he acted like a gelding than a stud most days.

Skylar brought them all out of the barn, and smiled at Hamish. Unlike Skylar, Mel pinned her ears and seemed to glare at him, like she had been for the past long while. "Mel is in a bit of a mood today it seems. She's probably cycling through her heat again."

Hamish tilted his head to look at Charlie and chuckled the stud had his ears perked and an almost excited expression about him. "Does she smell good to you, buddy?" Charlie snorted as Hamish took his reins Bella reached out grabbing at Charlie's mane, Hamish chuckled and untangled her little fingers before carefully mounting into the saddle he adjusted his hold on the reins and Bella grabbed at any of the extra leather that was left dangling from her fathers hands.

Skylar smiled at them both and laughed. "So long as he doesn’t try t' mount up while I'm in the saddle, I don’t mind if he tries t' woo her. She might mind though. She's giving him the stink eye. About the same look she's giving t' ya too, actually." Skylar adjusted herself and then clicked her heels into Mel's side. The mare set off at a light lope, her tail kiting high as she pranced and generally showed off in all her ivory glory. Mel was pretty and she knew it too.

Hamish chuckled and nudged his heels into Charlie's side. "We've got precious cargo buddy, you've gotta be gentle." Bella waved the loose reins in her little hands. "Go! Go!" She squealed. Charlie's ears flicked towards Bella then he moved forwarded, Hamish smiled, Charlie was the best horse he could ask for, the stud moved in a way that felt like he was purposely trying to make his gate smoother.

Skylar glanced behind her with a grin stretching her lips, displaying pearly sharp teeth. "Charlie is a good stud. Never thought I'd like a stud after the one tha' killed my Da'. But he's real good with Bella." There was a reason Skylar didn’t ride with Bella. Mustangs were not smooth rides. Hamish's bruised stones whenever he rode Mel tended to attest to that. "Who's a good boy, Charlie? I think you are."

Mel gave a sharp bounce in protest, to which Skylar was braced to accommodate, and pinned her ears with a pissy knicker.

Skylar patted her neck. "You're a good girl too, Mel. Prettiest, good girl there is." While Mel didn’t seem to understand the individual words, she seemed to understand the praise, and her temperament smoothed out and she resumed prancing.

The neared the gate to the cattle paddock, Hamish nudged the chain holding the gate with his foot then kicked the gate open. He walked Charlie in and then Bella started up.

"MOOOOOOOOO." She yelled, a few cows turning their head in the direction of Bella's screaming. "Moo, Dada!"

Skylar idly wondered how amusing Bella would find her cow call, and lifted her hands up to her mouth. She cupped them around them once she was in the gate, and then proceeded to use her call, making a reverberating mooing noise from within her hands. It was louder than any cow's moo that she had ever heard, but it carried over the sound of the animals to all of her herd and that's what mattered.

The cattle that were most familiar with Skylar lifted their heads, and began to move towards her, separating from Hamish's herd as they moved instinctively to her as they'd been trained over the years.

Bella jumped slightly which made Hamish laugh. "What's mommy doing baby, did she scare you?"

Bella looked over at Skylar and let out a giggle. "Mama moo." She said before yelling out a squeaky high pitched "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Hamish laughed and kissed the top of her head, Hamish's cattle let out a replying moo in response to Bella. "Let's get those cows. Tell Charlie to go, baby girl."

Bella shook the reins in her hand as Hamish nudged his sides. Charlie moved forward, breaking into a smooth trot.

Skylar laughed a deep, belly-shaking laugh and urged Mel forward. She hardly even had to guide her, the fast moving mare knowing this song and dance by heart. She dashed and rounded up Skylar's herd, and then re-merged them with Hamish's group once Charlie had them gathered into a rough shaped blob of animals.

Skylar gave a whoop to get them moving once Hamish was in position, and then let loose on the reins to let Mel run her energy out keeping the stragglers from wandering too far from the herd. She'd leave Hamish to keep the herd moving, as it was a less body taxing task. The job she was doing had her twisting this way and that with her mare. Their movements were fluid however, practiced after years and years of knowing each other by heart. There was a certain grace about his horned wife when she was in the saddle.

Hamish watched her in the saddle, and his cheeks warmed slightly. Bella watched her momma, and Hamish's smile grew wider. One day his tiny daughter would ride along side her mother, and his whole family would ride together to move cattle.

Skylar’s focused turned more towards work, and she kept a careful eye in her husband and her baby, and ran interference between the more rowdy of her herd and the much more mellow gelding. Mel kept them in line as they moved the herd out of the gate, and away, heading out to a different pasture.

The white mare moved like a bolt of lightning, turning this way and that, correcting the cattle’s movements just like Hamish’s dogs might, but on a much larger scale. For the nastier of the bunch, she used teeth or hooves- and the cattle minded her.

Hamish and Bella took up the back, bringing in any cattle that strayed, Bella helped by yelling her little lungs out at the cows, most of it was babble but goodness was he proud of his baby.

It took them a little over a half hour to get all the cattle moved. Once the first half of the cattle had made it through the gate of the new pasture he knew the others would follow, so for fun he shifted his hold on the reins and helped Bella hold then the way he had been and guided her hand to show her how to turn Charlie, she giggled tipped her head to try and smile up at Hamish.

He chuckled at her reaction but instructed her to watch where she was going before letting go on the reins completely, letting Bella be in charge.

Bella was a little too young to know the full complexity of steering a horse- and thus promptly tried to turn Charlie right into one of the cows that they were herding.

Skylar, unable to really see just what Hamish was up to, gave him a mild 'what the hell' look, and urged Mel into action to finish rounding the cattle up into the field. It was fairly easy work, compared to running the herd for miles upon miles like they had to at her birth home to get them from one open range to the next.

Hamish laughed and helped Bella turn away from the cows. "Careful, Bella." He warned then let her hands go again, resting his hands on his thighs. "Look at you, riding the horsy all on your own baby."

Bella laughed happily and wiggled the reins, flapping them excitedly in her urge to go faster. “EEE! Or-see!” She squealed.

Bella’s squeal reached Skylar, and she laughed slightly. “Looks like she’s riding her first horse early.”

Hamish chuckled and helped Bella guide Charlie over to Skylar and Mel, when Charlie was closer to Mel and Skylar he let go of the reins again and let Bella ride on her own.

Charlie’s ears flicked at her excited sounds.

Her shrill noises had Mel's ears pinning just briefly, before Skylar nudged her lightly with her heels. The horned skeleton turned in her saddle to look at her daughter and gave her a loving look. "That's a good girl," she praised. "Ya learnin' well, lil' Miss Bella. She really is doing good, Haz. She's gonna be a natural when she gets bigger."

Mel gave Charlie teeth, to ensure she had her personal space from the stallion, and then flipped her tail like the tease she was. Her neck craned up, and she arched, displaying herself contently as she awaited Skylar making her move.

Charlie’s ears flicked forward and he snorted, he turned slightly towards Mel which had Hamish tugging on the reins slightly to turn him away. "Not with little ladies around, Mr." He smirked.

Bella huffed and shook the reins. "No, Dada!" She scolded.

He laughed and let go, holding his hands up. "Sorry."

Mel’s backside bounced up in a faint warning buck to show that she would indeed nail Charlie if he tried to get too frisky. Her hooves didn’t even fully leave the ground, but it was more than enough for Skylar to urge her away from Charlie. Skylar flush. “Mel’s in a surly mood today.” She tells Hamish. “N’ I don’ want her t’ nail Charlie while th’ both o’ ya are riding him.”

She pats her mare’s neck, and then clicks her heels into her side to urge her into walking circles. “She needs a good hard ride.”

Hamish smirked. "What kind of ride?" He reached behind him slightly and have Charlie’s rump a gentle pat.

Skylar paused a moment, before bursting into guffaws. “Oh my god, Hamish. She probably needs one o’ those too, so we can get a foal goin’ for when Bella’s older. But right now I think she’s liable t’ kick him in the bits rather than let him mount up. Lemme run her down a bit n’ wear her out, and then we’ll see if she wants t’ stand for him.”

Hamish chuckled. "You hear that old boy?"

Bella kicked her legs out, which were long enough to knock against the leather of the saddle and have Charlie move forward into a trot. Hamish grunted slightly, not having been ready for his daughter to take them for a ride. He made sure she wasn't steering Charlie into a fence before adjusting so he could bounce in the saddle while allowing Bella to keep the reins. She giggled excitedly at the faster speed.

Skylar laughed and kicked her heels into Mel’s sides. She lifted her backside out of the saddle with her legs, putting her weight into the stirrups, and held on as Mel leapt forwards like a bolt of lightning. She kicked up a cloud of dust behind her as Skylar leaned down to reduce the wind pull.

The mare ran circles in the field, bolting around the cows and weaving around trees. She steered away from snake holes and animal paths, keeping clear of things that might cause her issue, as she just ran free with her rider astride her back like her she had been wishing to do for a while now.

Skylar leaned her weight with her movements. She knew her mare’s tells, could anticipate when she would turn, accelerate, slow, or jump over something. The woman held firm to the horn and to her reins and let her mare cut loose, running out her excess energy in the warmth outside.

Bella watched her momma ride and grinned widely. "Mama!" She called out happily. Being the clever girl she was, she had noticed that Charlie got faster when she kicked her legs, so she did so again. She wanted to ride like her mama did- however this time Hamish caught on to what his daughter was trying and pulled Charlie back to slow him down.

"No Bella. We can't got too fast." He said, which made Bella promptly begin a mini tantrum.

Skylar brought Mel in back towards Charlie, the mare’s sides heaving for breath after a good run. With Bella pitching a fit, she brought herself alongside the stud and leaned over in her saddle to rub her fingers over her daughter’s little horns. “Ya can go fast when you’re bigger, baby girl.” She promises softly.

Hamish smiled down at Bella who pouted up at Skylar. Charlie turned his head to sniff at Mel, Hamish bit his lip and slipped off Charlie’s back. Bella grabbed at Charlie while Hamish held him back from trying to mount Mel while Skylar was still sitting on her back.

Skylar could very neatly see what the stallion was up to, and was scrambling out of the saddle as quick as she could. Her boot got caught in the stirrup, and she ended up eating dirt when she landed face first on the ground, but she still scrambled the heck out of the way before his hooves came down where she was once sitting.

Skylar was up on her feet in a flash, and snagged Hamish’s arm. She tugged him and Bella away from both animals quickly, knowing quite well what was coming. Charlie wasn’t the first stallion that had tried to have his way with Mel- and there was a reason that Mel and Skylar got along. But there was a time and place for being near that stuff, and this was not the time.

Mel stood there for a short time, her sides heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Charlie had enough time to get mounted up, and probably get a few good thrusts in, before her ears pinned and she caught her second wind. She turned, hooves flying and teeth lashing as she very vehemently made a point as to what she thought of the old man touching her.

Skylar watched her mare with a grimace and panted slightly. Her face was going to have a hell of a bruise on it come later, and she was pretty sure she might have split her lip when her teeth impacted with the ground- but she’s not sure. She can’t see her face. “When Mel’s tellin’ a stud no, it’s best t’ get th’ hell out o’ th’ way.” She says, and proceeds to cover Bella’s eyes and ears so their little girl doesn’t get upset by the noises of the shrieking mare.

Hamish wrapped one arm around Bella and pulled Skylar against him, he let out a breath of air and sighed. "Jeeze Charlie." He couldn't help the slightly amused look on his face as Mel bucked him off. Apparently how ever, Mel must have smelt good enough that he didn't give up and tried to mount her again.

Mel turned sharp teeth and sank them into Charlie’s shoulder, before sprinting away from him with her tail kiting high in the air.

Skylar watched her go, and then scuffed her shoes with a sigh. “Well, it was a lil’ stupid o’ me t’ come so close t’ him with her smellin’ that good. I guess I deserve th’ busted lip for that.” She snorts. She thumbs her fingers over her face, and winces a little at the tender flesh near her left cheek. Skylar’s bottom lip had split just a little bit too. Ugh. “So… we might be walkin’ back.”

Hamish turned to Skylar, looking more than slightly worried. He placed his hand on her cheek, and then his brows pushed together and his eyes dropped to her stomach. If she was pregnant, he prayed that the tumble hadn't hurt the baby growing inside.

Charlie sulked and walked back over to Hamish, his ears pinned back and he looked as pouty as Bella.

Skylar’s gaze followed his, though she did wince a little as his hand touched her cheek. She probably needed some ice, or they were going to get all of the awkward questions at the clinic tomorrow. “I didn’t land on my belly.” She says softly. “I caught myself on my face n’ on my arms. Might have a wicked bruise later though. My face smarts somethin’ awful.” She eyes Charlie as he sulks back over, and snorts. “That’s what happens when ya get too eager t’ chase the younger ladies, old fella. She runs faster than ya do.”

Hamish laughed and rubbed his nose. "Sorry buddy." He rested his head against Skylar's shoulder. "I'd like to try and breed them properly and in a safer environment… I don't really want them hurting each other." He turned back to Charlie. "You gotta let the girl warm up to you though buddy, you can't just mount her without a bit of romancing first, come on… I thought I taught you better."

“A safer environment would be best.” Skylar agrees. “Mel will geld him if you’re not careful. She’s not… Well, she’s not particularly kind to stallions when she’s in heat.” She sighs softly, pats Charlie, and then gently shrugs off Hamish’s hand. “Go ahead and hop on Charlie. I’ll get Mel.”

She puts her fingers to her mouth, and gives a shrill whistle. It didn’t take long for Mel to come back, and soon Skylar was swinging back up into the saddle, and keeping far away from Charlie.

Hamish slowed Charlie and dismounted. He stood at Hamish's side while he took Bella out of the Chest harness and sat her on a hay bale. She smiled up at Hamish then tipped her head spotting Skylar.

"MAMA!" She squealed. She kicked her legs against they hay bale and smiled wide.

“Hey baby girl,” Skylar smiled to Bella. She dismounted Mel once she was close to the barn, and was quick to get her unsaddled. Once she had her gear off, she slicked down her sweat soaked fur with a slicker brush, and then guided her off to the paddock.

Once Mel was out to pasture, Skylar went to scoop up Bella, pressing kisses to her cheeks and tiny little horns.

Once Skylar had Bella, Hamish unsaddled Charlie and checked him over for any injuries cause by Mel's outburst. There where a few spots that seemed like they would be a little sore, but he was fine. He let Charlie out to pasture, leaning on the fence for a moment to watch him. His lips curled into an amused smile. Charlie pranced around like he use to when he was younger, he was trying to get Mel's attention and show off.

Bella giggled at the kisses, she pressed her hand against Skylar’s horns to try and stop the kissing attack. Her other hand grabbed at Skylar’s shirt and tugged it outwards so she could peer down it. "Yum Mama?"

That was her little girl, always knowing where the goods were. Skylar laughed gently and planted one more sweet smooch on her head, before bouncing her a little higher. “Ya can have some yum’s soon, sweetie. Lets finish chores outside and then you can have some when we’re inside, okay?” Skylar headed out to join Hamish.

Mel watched Charlie’s display, but otherwise didn’t give him the time of day. She swished her tail and simply grazed.

Hamish laughed and looked over at Skylar as she came to stand by him. "I don't think she's impressed." He laughed.

Charlie cantered in a wide circle around Mel, tossing his head and puffing out his chest.

Mel pinned her ears, and her hind legs gave a warning buck as he cantered around her. One of her ears cocked forwards though, listening to him as she watched him.

Skylar snorted and laughed. “Indeed. Lucky for you, I like my studs a bit older unlike Mel.” She leans up and kisses his bearded cheek. “If anyone can woo Mel though, I’m sure Charlie can. If not, we can probably jus’ do artificial insemination. ‘S what we did up on Ma’s ranch.”

"I'm sure we can get them to breed naturally, we just need Mel to be interested enough that she doesn't kick him off straight away. After we're finished working out here I'm going to move Mel in the small yard and keep her in there with Charlie close by but on the other side of the fence. Let them just hang out for an hour, and then when we put Bella down for her nap I'll give them another go." He explained.

Bella had been watched Charlie as they spoke and giggled every time he passed by closer to where they where standing.

“That should work.” She nods. “Mel is a fairly aggressive female, so we just have t’ be patient. She’s got a heck of a temper when she’s cycling.” Horse PMS was just as bad, if not worse, than a skeleton’s could be. Skylar bounced Bella a little bit, smooched her little horn, and then settled her better against her hip. “Speaking of work- I think the stalls will be alright for another couple of days. We just need to move some hay down from the loft, and get it stacked in the corner for later, I think.”

Hamish nodded in agreement and gave Skylar's ass a gentle slap before heading over to the barn and pulling down the steps to get up to the loft. He climbed up the steps and began moving a few bales closer to the stairs so they would be easier to be passed down. "You know, it's a lot easier doing this now I have you." He called out from up in the loft.

Skylar had squeaked at the slap to her ass, and then snorted. She carefully went and set Bella on soft pile of hay, carefully shutting the barn doors so their daughter couldn’t wander out, and then went to the steps to the loft. She climbed up, and collected the hay bales as they were slid to the edge, carefully eyeballing where they would drop and how close they were to Bella. That was to say, not very close at all.

“Everything is easier with the ones you love.” She smiled up to him, working to bring the hay bales down from the loft as he brought them over to the entrance.

Hamish smiled and looked down through the loft, Bella was looking up and smiling at him. He couldn't help but laugh; she was such a happy kid.

When the last of the hay was down, Skylar held her hands up to help Hamish come back down the stairs, offering him a bright smile in return. “You know… Bella has your smile, I think.”

His own smile widened slightly. "I dunno, I see more of you in her." He said, leaning over the stall door to look down at Bella sitting inside. "What're you doin' missy?" He asked. She simply giggled and grabbed a fistful of hay, making an attempt to throw it up at him.

Skylar laughed and peered over the door with him. “She’s bein’ adorable, ain’t ya, ya lil’ cutie?” She coos. “And I dunno. She might be a lil’ mini- me, but those teeth I can feel comin’ in are entirely yours. I’ve felt them often enough to know by now.” She parts her lips to gently nibble her teeth across his neck in a teasing motion. “I’d know if she had my teeth. She’s gonna have your smile~”

Hamish hummed and turned to wrap his arms around Skylar. He pressed his lips against hers, pressing her slightly against the stall door.

Bella immediately was crawling towards the door, using it to stand herself up, slapping her little hands against the wood. "NO!" She shouted.

Hamish laughed against Skylar's lips. "She really doesn't like me kissing you."

Skylar laughed against his lips as well. “She really wouldn’t like what we do when she’s sleepin’ then, would she?” She grins at him. “She doesn’t want my kisses either. Maybe she doesn’t like me kissin’ you? Huh Bella? Don’t like Mama kissin’ your Daddy?”

Hamish smiled against Skylar's cheek. "Jealous girl. I'd rather her only wantin’ kisses from her daddy. Hopefully it stays that way for a long time." He hummed.

“I dunno,” Skylar grinned slyly against Hamish’s shoulder. “I think she does plenty o’ smoochin’ on Alex’s lil’ cheeks when she and him are visiting while Lola and I chat.”

Hamish's brows pushed together slightly. "Excuse me?" He lent over the stall door and lifted Bella into his arms. "Are you kissing Alex?" He asked. She giggled and tucked her face against his neck to hide. "Young lady, you have to ask your daddy permission before you go kissing boys."

Skylar laughed. “She’s just like her Mama. I sure didn’t go askin’ my Da’ permission before I went kissin’ boys.” She reaches up to smooch Hamish’s cheek. “Besides, Alex is hardly the worst boy she could be smoochin’ on. He’s a good boy. Lola n’ Ava are raisin’ him right.”

He huffed slightly. "I never knew she was smoochin’ him." He said, cuddling her against his chest.

Skylar rolled her eyes in good humor. “She’s a baby, Haz. She was smoochin’ th’ stuffed pony Adam’s girlfriend made her. Kisses are a thing they just do.” She smiles at Bella. “Ain’t that right, cutie pie?”

“Mama!” Bella beams at her. “Yum.” She fists her hands in her dad’s shirt, grasping small bits of his chest hairs through his shirt. She tugged on them lightly and cooed at her mother.

Hamish cringed and gently pulled her away from his chest and held her towards Skylar. "She wants you." He said, passing her off. "I'll finish off the stuff out here, it's not too much."

Skylar snorts and takes her daughter. “Just because she says ‘yum’ n’ yanks on your chest curlies doesn’t mean she wants me.” Skylar pauses when Bella paws at her covered breasts. “That means she wants me.” She chuckled. “Alright, alright. We’ve made ya wait long enough, lil’ princess. I’ll be inside with her, Haz. M’ gonna get some ice on m’ face while I’m at it too.” She gives him a lopsided smile, smooches him again, and then saunters from the barn.

Hamish smiles, watching them return to the house, he picks up one of the hay bales and lifts it onto his shoulder, moving it into one of the un-used stalls that was currently being used for storage until they either got more horses or where able to breed Charlie and Mel, He moved each bale then closed the stall, stretching out his back and popping his spine. He rubbed his fingers against his spine as he walked back towards the house.

By the time that Hamish got to the house, Skylar was seated on the couch with an ice pack pressed to her cheek, and Bella nursing eagerly at her breast. Skylar reclined a bit, letting the ice soothe her sore bones, and hummed a soft lullaby in Russian to Bella as she nursed.

She was interrupted by the occasional facial flinch as her middle cramped. But there wasn't much to be done for it. Bella wasn’t on solids well enough to be taken completely off milk, and her horns really needed as much as they could get in order to properly grow to size.

Hamish stepped inside, still rubbing his hands against his lower back. He flopped down on the couch, leaning over slightly to watch Bella feed, he loved how content she looked while breastfeeding.

"Back sore, sugar?" Skylar noticed his hands on his back, and adjusted Bella slightly. Her face tightens at a cramp, and she sets down the ice to run her fingers along her belly, massaging to try and relax whatever was cramping. "Once she goes down for a nap, I can rub your back for ya."

He kissed her cheek. "You're amazing." He said softly, his eyes turned down to Bella, he smiled, watching her eyes trying to fight sleep.

Skylar kept humming softly, and stroked her fingers up between Bella's horns. She rubbed gently, and made sure to keep her touch soft and light so as not to stir her. "You're amazin'." Skylar winks at Hamish, and cuddles into his side as best she can.

Bella eventually lost to the weight of her eyes and fell asleep.

Hamish sat up so Skylar would be able to get up from the couch when she needed to, to put Bella down.

Once Bella was asleep, Skylar carefully got up. She took their daughter to her room, and got her carefully tucked into her crib, making sure she was comfortable with a light blanket draped over her to keep her from getting too cold. She managed to creep back out again without waking her, and then made her way back down the hall to the living room.

She paused by the bathroom to note that she was, indeed, getting a bruise on her face, before continuing down the hall.

Her fingers kneaded her belly as she made her way to the couch, plopping back down next to Hamish. She rubbed the sore spots gingerly and sighed. “Mmmn… So, ya back is sore?”

He let out a long breath. "A little achy, but I'm fine." He leant forward and caught Skylar's lips in a kiss, his mouth moving gently against hers.

She kissed him back sweetly, and leaned a little into him. “I feel ya there. I’m achin’ after feedin’ Bella. But, I don’t mind giving ya a rubdown, sugar. Ya wanna lay on ya front for me, n’ I can do that for a lil’ bit?” She inquired, kissing him again and gently nibbling his lip.

Hamish gave in and turned to lay across the couch on his front. He let his eyes close slightly, focusing on feeling Skylar.

Skylar took a seat on his hips, carefully balancing on his backside. She popped her knuckles, and then began to work and knead her way up his back, starting from the bottom of his back and working her way up towards his shoulders. “Mm… Ya real tense, sugar. I need t’ do this for ya more often.”

Hamish grunted slightly when her fingers rubbed into a tight ball of muscle. It felt amazing though as Skylar’s hands worked wonders on his back.

Having hands roughened by her type of work meant that she could apply the sort of pressure that Hamish needed in order to get his muscles to loosen up. She hummed a soft sound as she worked, slowly scooting up his back as she loosened knotted muscles and got him to relax. Her mouth came down on his shoulder and placed a kiss on it, right about the time she located the sore spot in his back. She pressed her fingers along side his spine, and found one of his disks out of place.

With a careful application of pressure, she distracted him with a nip of her teeth, and then shoved his back into alignment once more. The painful bit done, she massaged the area around it to soothe him back into relaxation.

Hamish groaned into the pillows on the couch. "Fuck, sky… ah, that feels so much better." He purred.

Skylar chuckled and continued her work up into his shoulders. “Ya threw your back out right there.” She informs him gently. “You’re all in place now, sugar. Should feel better come t’night. Maybe take a long hot soak in th’ tub before bed, n’ help keep it from slippin’ back out again.” Slipping disks happened with age.

He smiled and turned his head slightly. "Will you jump in the bath with me?" He asked, a cheeky smile curling up on his face.

“If ya can help me get Bella settled t’ bed early tonight, I’m down for jumpin’ in th’ tub with ya. Heh… Y’know, when we remodel th’ house, we ought t’ get a bigger tub so we can both fit a little easier.” She reaches a hand back and lightly pinches his ass cheek, before leaning down to smooch his skull.

Hamish rolled over and pulled Skylar in for a kiss. "I moved Mel and Charlie before I came in. We might wanna give them a try before Bella is awake. I'll need your help with Mel." He said, kissing her cheeks between words.

Skylar smiled between kisses, and laughed gently into his chest, having lifted her hips so he could roll over under her. She straddled him now, and nestled her backside firmly against the front of his pants. “M’ not sure what I can do t’ help ya with makin’ Mel more friendly t’ Charlie, but I’ll give it a shot. He might just be one old man tha’ ain’t gonna get laid t’night.”

Hamish laughed and pressed one last kiss against Skylar's lips before getting up with her he walked to the door, holding her hands and stepped into his boots. He pressed his hat onto his head and lowered Skylar’s hat on over her horns. He walked outside with her to where Mel was pacing in the small yard. Charlie was tied up outside the fence, grazing on the small amount of surrounding grass while also watching Mel.

Skylar whistled to Mel when she got out there, and watched her mare practically canter to the fence. She leaned her neck over to brush her nose to Skylar’s face, and Skylar obligingly rubbed her neck and just under her jaw. “There’s my girl,” She cooed. “Now listen, Mel. Ya gotta let Charlie woo ya- he’s a good boy, y’know? He’s like my Hamish. Lil’ bit older than ya, but he’s a real good fella, y’know? Th’ younger ones jus’ don’t know how t’ treat a lady.”

Mel licks her for her troubles, and Skylar sputters. Her ears prick upwards though, to show that the quite smart equine was indeed listening to her.

"Good girl, Mel." Hamish said quietly, not wanting to distract the mare from Skylar's reassuring words. "Alright buddy, let's do this." He said, moving around Skylar lifting the lead rope over Mel's head to be on her other side, which encouraged Charlie to move around behind her. He sniffed at her before mounting her, pressing himself against her.

Mel’s ears flicked, threatening to pin as he mounted up. Skylar was quick to make soft, reassuring clicks to her- and lo and behold, Mel stayed in place while he lined himself up, and thrust in.

Hamish leant on the fence, keeping an eye on Mel's body expressions, if he thought she was going to kick out he had to be quick getting Charlie off her, things went perfectly though. Charlie finished what he had to do, slipping down off her, his tail flicking in his excitement, and like a good partner should after sex, he stepped up next to Mel, nuzzling his head under her chin for a cuddle.

She tossed her head a bit, but ultimately rubbed her nose against Charlie’s.

Skylar grinned and bumped her hip to Hamish’s. “Well, what do ya know. Looks like he woo’d her. Think it’ll take?”

Hamish grinned. "We'll have to wait and see, you and Mel might get to be mommas together." He reached out to pat Mel's neck, praising her for how good she'd been.

Mel glanced at Hamish, and pinned one ear. Rather quickly, she lashed her teeth out, and stole his hat right off his head, before prancing away from both him and Charlie with her prize in her mouth.

Skylar broke out into guffaws. “Pretty sure ya still on her shit list, sugar. We might end up bein’ Mother’s together, but I think I’d be havin’ a baby before she would. Horses carry for eleven months n’ all that. I mean, Bella was almost that, but I really don’ wanna carry another baby for forty two weeks. Tha’ was rough.”

Hamish rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around Skylar instead. "I just meant you can be pregnancy buddies, can talk to each other about baby stuff." He smirked. Charlie had turned his head to watch Mel, his ears perked there was a look in his eye, like he was admiring Mel.

Mel tossed her head and swished her tail, sashaying around the small pen with his hat clamped between her teeth. She shook it so the corks rattled at him in a faint taunt, long legs pawing the ground elegantly. If Charlie was admiring Mel, it was for a good reason. She was a hell of a good looking Mustang.

"Oh we will." Skylar snorts and leans into Hamish. She wiggles her fingers at Mel. "C'mere, ya lil' hat thief. He needs his corks so the flies don't bother him."

The mare looked at her and tossed her head.

Skylar snapped her fingers. "Don't give me tha' shit Mel. C'mon. Gimme the hat, n' ya can have an extra quarter can of grain tonight with ya dinner."

The mare looked unimpressed.

"Fine, a half a can but no more." That seemed to win her over, and Skylar received a moderately slobber soaked hat, which she promptly squished onto Hamish's head. "There ya are, love. I wont let her bully ya too much. My brothers already get away with far too much o' that as it is- don’t need m' horse getting in on it too."

Hamish snorted and adjusted the hat on his head. "Thanks. She's just playing, aren't you Mel? Giving me a hard time cause I stole Sky from you, huh?"

"I dunno, she got snotty with ya last time ya knocked me up. It might jus' be a thing." Skylar grins and leans up to kiss his bearded cheek. "Mm, ya need a trim, sugar. Gettin' a little scraggly."

"Might be why she's grumpy at me now? Can you tell Mel, is sky pregnant again and you're not happy about it?" Hamish cooed teasingly over the fence at the mare. He curled his arm around Skylar's waist, pulling her hip against his.

Skylar cuddled her head on his shoulder, the curve of her horn coming to rest affectionately against his temple. Skylar smiled at the mare.

Mel pinned her ears at him and snorted, before huffing and sauntering off to go sniff at Charlie.

Skylar snorts. "Animals have a better sense o' smell than we do. An' who knows? There might be a baby in here. Probably why I'm so puffed up." That was the best case scenario. Worst case... Well, there was probably a health problem. A tumor or something unpleasant. She didn’t want to think about it though. A baby was a much better thought. Besides... Her family didn't have a history of them. That she knew of.

Hamish unclipped the lead rope from Charlie’s halter, he was sure enough Mel wasn't as grumpy with him as earlier Charlie turned to sniff at Mel in return, lapping at her mane gently.

Mel affectionately groomed his shoulder in turn.

Hamish turned towards Skylar and pressed his lips against her forehead. "I love you." He mumbled.

Skylar gave a soft pleased rumble, and scooted his hat and her hat back, so she could press her forehead to his. She cradled his head to hers, and smiled to him. "I love ta too. You 'n Bella are my world, Hamish. Ya really are."

As if she could hear Skylar's brief mention of her name Bella's sniffling wails drifted out from her slightly open bedroom window. Hamish chuckled and turned his head towards the noise.

"Sounds Like baby girl is up again. I'll go get her." Skylar kissed him again, and then turned to saunter off and go fetch her daughter from her bedroom.

Hamish bit his lip, watching her walk away, he hated when she had to leave his side, but boy did he love watching her leave, he really hit the jackpot, even in his own jeans her hips and ass where just...perfect. His cheeks turned red.

Skylar glanced back over her shoulder at him as she walked to the house and spotted his cheeks blazing a bright red. She smirked a little bit, added a tidbit of sashay to her walk, and tipped her hat to him. She knew he enjoyed how she looked- and she worked hard to keep her body in good shape. She loved him in whatever shape he was in- but she liked to be in good shape for him and for her.

Her fanny did look fabulous in his jeans though, even as she disappeared inside the house.

Skylar smiled and tickled Bella's toes as she tried to wrangle hrr wiggly daughter into her pajamas for the night. "You're such a wiggly lil' worm, ain't ya. Are ya gonna let me get ya into ya jammies? Or is it a long shirt sort o' night?" She coos to her daughter. She’s got about one foot in her pajamas, but the second one is elusive as heck.

"Uh oh, Bella." Hamish grinned dropping to the floor next to her, he pinned her arms down and began pressing kisses to her cheeks, hoping to distract her enough that Skylar would be able to pin down her leg to get the pajamas. She squealed and pushed at his face.

Hamish pinning her arms was definitely more than enough to help her get Bella's legs fully into her little pants. She slid them up under her diaper and got them tucked gently under her hips, before fetching the matching shirt. She shook it out, and then grinned at Hamish. "Alright, Haz. We're ready for her shirt. Lets get them lil' fists wrangled in."

He laughed and lifted Bella's arms so their daughter was in a sitting position, he held onto her arms so Skylar could get the shirt over her head without Bella squirming away.

With practiced precision, Skylar squirmed the shirt down over her head and her little arms, managing to make sure not to hook the collar of her shirt on the little nubs of her horns. Once she and Hamish had fiddled with positioning of hands, Bella was soon fully dressed. Skylar smiled, and measured her little horns against her knuckle. "I think her horns grew some. They're a lil' bit longer than last time I measured them."

Hamish looked down at Bella's horns and smiled. "Look at you, you big girl." He cooed, pinching the horns gently between is fingers.

Bella cooed and nuzzled into his hand, happy baring her gums at him. She was just starting to get a couple of teeth, and they gleamed at him brilliantly. "Da!" She waved her arms at him eagerly. "Orries!"

"Its story time she says." Skylar hums. "You haven’t missed a night yet."

Hamish grinned and scooped her up into his arms. "Story time." He carried her to her room and let her pick out her favorite book, the same one they read every night, he didn't even need the book at this point, Bella just liked looking at the pictures. He sat down on the small couch they had in her room, letting her snuggled up to him. "That’s not my pony." He read out loud. Bella giggled. Hamish opened to the first page. "That’s not my pony, its hooves are too bumpy." Bella reached out and ran her fingers over the texture added to the page when she was ready she turned the page for Hamish. "That's not my pony, it's patches are too velvety." again Bella rubbed her fingers over the page and then turned it. "That’s not my pony, its saddle is too squishy." Bella poked at the book then turned the page. "That’s not my pony, it's tail is too fluffy." Bella again felt the fluffy texture then turned the page. "That's MY pony! Its nose is so soft." He finished. Bella gave the pictured pony's nose a gentle pat then pushed the book closed and rolled over clinging to Hamish. He stood and lifted her, lowering her into her crib, covering her up with her blanket, making sure she was nice and snuggled in. "I love you, Bella."

"Luv'ou Daddy." Bella gave him a sleepy smile, and snuggled in with her blanket.

Skylar watched him get her settled, and then crept off down the hall to go get a bath going for the both of them.

Hamish turned her night light on then walked to the door turning off her big light and pulling the door closed so it was only open and small crack his soul swelled with love, he loved reading Bella her story, he loved his family in general he heard the bath water start and headed down the hall, leaning on the door frame, watching Skylar.

Skylar was still dressed for the time being, but that was going to change soon. As the bath really started filling, she added in some muscle relaxing bath salts designed specifically to help with sore ectoplasm, and then stirred them up.

Once it was stirred in to the slowly filling tub, she worked on shimmying out of her clothing, shrugging out of her shirt and bra first, before sliding out of her borrowed pants. She hummed, and worked her panties down after, before pausing to look at her self in the mirror. The bruise on her face was a nasty one.

And she would probably get a lot of funny looks at the clinic tomorrow. So would Hamish.

Skylar ran her hands over her belly, trailing her fingers over the paunch that had formed there like the pesky swell that it was. She rubbed it gently and hummed faintly, the horned woman none the wiser to her husband peeping in on her. "'S there a baby in there...?" She murmurs to herself.

Hamish smiled, knowing he hadn't been spotted yet, he unbuttoned his shirt and silently removed his cloths, once he was bare he made silent steps into the bathroom and curled his arms around Skylar, placing his hands over her own on her belly and pressing kisses to her neck, his hips pressed against her bum. "I hope there's a baby in there." He said softly.

She startled a little bit, but not too badly. A faint smile tugged at her lips as he nestled his hips up against her bare rump, and Skylar rocked back against him teasingly. "I hope so too. A baby would be amazing to have happen t' us." She smiles brightly to him and then carefully nudges his hips with hers. "Ready to climb in to tub...?"

"Ladies first." He smirked, holding his hand out to help her step into the tub. He loved her hardly noticeable but cheeky little nudges she always gave him, he couldn't help that it was already getting him a little excited.

When she glanced down, she definitely noticed that he was already starting to perk up. She lifted a brow, and took his hand to let him help her get settled. On her way down, she winked up at him. "Don’t keep me waitin' too long, stud." She purrs. The tub was a little small to do a whole lot of stuff in, but they could be creative. This wasn't their first rodeo in here, after all. It was easier to clean up.

Hamish laughed and waited until she was sitting down before stepping in and lowering himself into the water, letting his legs tuck around Skylar. He looked over her naked form, pressing his hand gently against her stomach. "Maybe there is two babies in there." He said softly, tipping his head. They hadn’t been trying for their second baby long enough for Skylar to be that big, asides from a medical problem...what other answer could there be, there had to be more than one baby he could feel it in his bones.

"Twins?" She blinks and looks down at her belly. "I could see it, yeah. I certainly feel like I could have two babies in there. Multiples usually cause more nausea though. And I've had like... None." She wiggles her toes up along his side's, and swishes water around him lightly. "Except the time that Bella gave ya the flu and ya gave me the flu n' we kept trading it. That was miserable. Heh... Good thing ya made th' crib big enough for multiples just in case, yeah?"

Hamish leant forward and pressed his lips against hers. He ran his hands over Skylar's side pulling her closer slightly.

Skylar slid closer to him easily, shifting her long legs in the tub so they curled up slightly. She leaned into his kiss as the water bubbled up over her backside, and she slid her fingers up and down his thighs. "... We need a bigger tub for easier access." Skylar muses faintly, and presses another kiss to his mouth.

He smiled. "A bigger tub, maybe a new shower?" He suggested between their kisses. He shifted closer, pulling her almost into his lap.

Skylar just shifted the rest of the way onto his lap and settled her backside against him comfortably. "A bigger tub and a new shower. One that doesn't have a funny heating system. Sounds good t' me." She purrs between kisses, enjoying his touch and the feel of him against her as she cuddled up against him.

Hamish nodded making a happy sound against her lips, he trailed his kisses down her neck to her collar bone then down to her breasts, kissing her nipples. He couldn't get enough of Skylar, every inch of her was the most beautiful inch he'd ever seen.

His whiskers tickled her breasts, but in a good way. As his mouth found her nipples, it pulled a soft pleased sigh from her throat, and she slid a hand down his chest, raking her finger tips gently down his pectorals, trailing down his ribs and then towards his hips. Her hand curled around his cock, and she stroked him gently, palming over his member as she teased him.

His arms curled around her tighter in that moment, his hips instinctively pushed up into her hand. He focused on her nipples a little longer then moved on to kiss every inch of her he could reach from their position.

She arched into each of his kisses, and let her free hand wander as she continued to gently fondle him. Her hands worked over him slowly, and her mouth descended to his shoulder, nibbling along his skin and bones as she rumbled happily under his touch. She loved his touch, always would.

Hamish groaned slightly and ran his hand down her back, groping at her ass, pulling her even closer. "Mhm, Sky~" He purred.

Her core slid against his shaft, and she smirked as he purred her name. She mouthed over his shoulder, leaving small nibble marks along his skin as she just lightly ruffled his skin. "Mmm, Haz~" she purrs back. Her fingers shift to stroke at his tip, and she rocks her hips teasingly against the rest of his shaft and his balls. "I love you, Hamish~"

Hamish's face felt like it was on fire, he always felt so hot around Skylar. He pressed his mouth against her shoulder and sucked and sucked, leaving a bright mark on her flesh. "I love you too, Skylar."

She angled her neck so he could leave a proper mark, and then smiled slightly. She shifted to nuzzle him again, and nipped him a little more firmly as she toyed with the head of his cock. Swirling her finger around the tip, she dipped her fingertip just lightly into his slit, before stroking back down his shaft. "Good. We'd be inna pretty silly spot if ya didn't love me at least jus' a little bit." She teased, and nipped up towards the bones of his neck.

Hamish chuckled softly before pressing his face against her neck at the actions of her fingers. "A-ahn, Sky." He ran his hands down the grab at her hips.

Skylar smiled, and kissed his neck. "Tell me what ya want me t' do, Haz." She purrs, fingers teasingly continuing their motions. "Ya want me t' ride ya? Or stroke ya until ya come? Ya gotta tell me what ya want, cowboy~"

He turned his head to try and look at her. "Sky, I want to see you ride me." He said, rubbing his thumb against her hips.

"Then ride ya I will." She smiled. She shifted and lifted her hips up. She perched over his member and stroked him a little more, before lining him up. She winked at him, and leaned back so he could see better, before sinking down on her husbands dick. She eased her way down slowly, taking her time to let her body ease down and take his girth. He was big, after all. Skylar rolled her hips gently, taking time to ease her way down and take all of him. "Mmm..."

Hamish bit his lip, his eyes dropping down the watch himself disappear inside Skylar. He took in a deep breath at the feeling of her heat, his mouth twitched up into a smile at the corners and he lifted his eyes back up to meet Skylar's "You're beautiful" He whispered.

"N' you're handsome as e-ever." She gave a soft, pleased gasp as she managed to hilt him. She flexed faintly, and her walls tightened around him. Her eyes fluttered, lashes half-lidding, and she rolled her hips against his with a slow tenacity, before rising up and setting a slow bouncing pace.

Hamish grinned, he remembered the first time He and Skylar had tried to bathe together, they hadn't even through about the fact that movement in water would well, make the water move too...to put it simply the bathroom had been soaked and they spent more time mopping up the bathroom floor that they spent having fun together. They where a bit more well practiced, slow movements didn't disturb the water as much.

As she bounced, she reached behind him and turned off the water, so they didn’t run the risk of splashing water out anyways. She opened her mouth to give him a saucy air kiss, and lifted one of her hands to gently fondle her breast. She teasingly toyed with her nipple as she rolled her hips on his, and cupped the weight of her breast in her hand. A light squeeze produced a few drops of blue milk, which she teasingly dabbled off and into her finger, before offering it to him.

Her walls fluttered and clenched, and Skylar gave a soft groan as she had to resist from going faster. Slow was easier- and less messy- but it was just such a pleasant torture...

Hamish opened his mouth obediently taking her fingers into his mouth, sucking on them while she rode him. He gripped at her thighs and guided her hips as she bounced up and down.

His hands on her thighs helped steady her, keeping her pace even and balanced. Her body shifted against his, rolling her hips and creating a pleasant friction inside of her every time her pelvis touched his. It was... Kinda hot, watching him suck on her fingers. She could get why guys liked it when women did it. It made her briefly wonder if Hamish would ever want to try reversing the positions. She did have a strap-on from her younger, more wild years.

Skylar's walls fluttered and tightened around him, heat and warmth pooling in her lower belly. She panted a little bit, keeping as quiet as she could so she didn't disturb their daughter who wasn't that many rooms away.

Hamish's eyes lifted feeling Skylar tighten around him suddenly, did something happen that made her get so close, a sexy thought maybe? He smiled around her fingers and squeezed her ass gently, feeling himself throb inside her. He lifted one hand to hold her wrist and removed her fingers from his mouth, turning his head to kiss her wrist, He pushed his hips up into her slightly, trying to edge himself closer

As his lips kissed her wrist, she cradled his cheek and stroked her fingers tenderly along his jaw line. She rocked against him with a shuddering shake, and felt him butting up against her deepest recesses. Her body leaned closer to him as he squeezed her ass, and Skylar's walls tightened around him once more. His cock was massaged in puling waves, matching the quick beats of her soul as she bounced.

Hamish grunted and wrapped his arms around Skylar so her body was flush agaisnt his as he came, he jerked his hips up letting out a deep breath against her shoulder. "f-fuck"

She came as he flooded her, and clamped tight around him, holding him tightly inside of her as she gasped against him. "A-ah~" her abdomen cramped something nasty mid orgasm, however, and the sound she made was something between pain and pleasure as she curled up to his chest, clutching him tightly.

Hamish held her, rubbing her back. "Sky? Are you okay?" He asked, letting her come down from the orgasm before he eased her away from him and looked her over. "Babe?"

"Ah... Ow..." She inhaled quietly as he rubbed her back. When he eased her away from him, she had a small pucker to her brow, and a frown faintly at her lips. Her hand strayed to her belly. She rubbed it tenderly. "That, ah... Kinda hurt a bit inside. That's... New." She muttered softly. "Not where ya are, but... In my belly."

Hamish grabbed her hips and lifted her slightly, easing himself out of her and pulling her against him so she could relax against him, he placed his hand over her belly and rubbed it in gentle circles. "I'm sorry, Sky."

"Haz, sugar, it's okay. Ya didn't hurt me." She soothed gently, but cuddled up to him all the same. She let his fingers soothe her belly, and nestled her head to his shoulder. "It's my belly. Remember I told ya that feeding Bella has been making it hurt?" She glances up at Hamish, blue eyes gleaming at him faintly. "Orgasms n' feeding cause contractions and stuff. Maybe that's what's making me hurt?"

Hamish cuddled her against him. "If there is a baby in there, do you think it's okay?" He asked, sounding slightly worried.

A frown tugged her face, and her soul fluttered anxiously in her chest. "I... I don't know." She stuttered. "I think so. I mean... Maybe? I don’t... I dunno. It's not hurting now beyond an ache so maybe it's okay. It's only when stuff makes it contract." She swallowed nervously all the same, and her fingers tightened slightly on the edge of the tub. Panicking over it wouldn't do any good. Calm was better, even if the unknown was terrifying.

He sensed her discomfort and kissed her head, lifting his hand to rub one of her horns, like what he did with Bella. "Hey, let's clean up and get into bed, okay? We've got the appointment tomorrow and we'll find out what's going on."

Her head tilted into his touch, and she closed her eyes with a brief sighing sound. "Okay..." She sighs softly. "It's no use panicking when it's probably nothing serious." She shifts in the tub, but doesn’t seem eager to move from the horn rubs he was offering.

He chuckled and started helping her sit up. "Hey, I'll pay you back for the amazing massage earlier by rubbing your horns until you fall asleep, hm?" He found the soap and began lathering bubbles over her body.

She did the same with him with the soap once he was done with it, and soaped him up. "That sounds good. It won’t take long either. Horn runs are the best." She smiles at Hamish, and scrubs him clean, before carefully rinsing him off.

Once they where both clean Hamish lifted himself up, stepping out of the bath and onto the floor mat before turning and offering his hands to help Skylar out of the tub, He took he hands and helped her out then pulled and towel off the towel rack and wrapped it around her before getting out for himself, he rubbed his ectobody and bones dry then hung the towel back up, picking up his cloths along with Skylar’s and tossing them in the dirty cloths basket, he pulled his wife close and pressed another kiss against her lips.

Skylar kissed him again once she was dry, and tossed her towel into the dirty clothes once she was dry and good to go. Her ectobody and clothing wasn't really necessary. Sleeping in the nude was a thing once more, now that she wasn't huge massive pregnant and afraid to show her strethcmarks. Her mouth was gentle on his as she relaxed and enjoyed his kisses. "I love you... Lets go cuddle." She laces her fingers with his and gives him a loss. Before lacing her fingers to his and gently tugging him down the hallway l. Their nudity didn’t bother her at all since the often slept this way.

Hamish followed her with a smile and crawled into bed with her, snuggling close and bringing his hand up to again rub her horns, he pressed soft kisses against her skull as he soothed her with the gentle rubbing.

Skylar settled into his side on the bed with a pleased sound, and tilted her hands into his rubbing. Her eyes closed, and she cuddled closer to him with a warm, slightly sleepy noise. "Mmm... Feels so nice..."

Hamish chuckled and lay in bed, watching her in the darkness as they cuddled together. Skylar always said how much she saw of him in Bella, but right now Hamish could see his daughter in his wife, his lips curled up into a loving smile.

She peeked open an eye to watch him, blue glowing softly in the darkness. Her fingers slid up and stroked over his chest, before looping over his ribs and clinging tightly to him. "Mm... What's that look for?"

"I just can't get over how beautiful you are." He said softly. "Most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on… and she's my wife"

"Aww Haz, ya don't have t' lie n' fluff my ego." She quirks a lopsided smile to him and sprawls out better against his chest. She angles her horns away from his head, and sighs contently. "There are lots o' prettier women out there, with normal teeth n' no horns. But... I'm glad ya think I'm the most beautiful." She smooches his chest with a sleepy daze. "Pretty sure ya the best husband a wife could ask for. Good sense o' humor, kind, sweet, handsome, sexy, good for cuddling- I could go on forever. Ya the best, an' that's th' honest truth."

"How dare you." He said. Hamish almost sounded grumpy. It wasn't a tone he used towards Skylar, hardly ever. He pushed himself to sit up and looked down at her through the darkness of the room, reddish brown eyes gleaming at her in the dark. "How dare you say there are prettier woman than you, Skylar. I couldn't even imagine someone more beautiful than you, Girls with normal teeth and no horns, their beauty is nothing compared to the unique beauty you have." He leant down again and pressed his mouth over hers, moving his lips against her.

Skylar blinked up at him initially, his sudden grumpy tone startling her awake. When he finished speaking and kissed her, she smiled against his lips and looped her arms around his neck, trailing her fingers gently along the backs of his vertebrae as he hovered over her. Her blue eye lights were soft and loving as she looked up at his reddish brown ones. "And there ya go provin' why ya the best. M' sorry, Haz. I guess I really am a bit exotic, ne?"

He grinned against her lips, pressing his forehead against her horns and pushing against them slightly. He shifted and lay back down, wrapping his arms around her, He yawned and rubbed her horns again, feeling his own eyes become heavy.

She nuzzled her face to his, and let her eyes drift back down to half-mast. She shifted onto her side, tossing one leg over his hip, and then did her best to blanket him in the softness of her body. She sighed softly, gave him a sleepy kiss, and smiled. "I love ya... Mm... Sleep well, Haz."

"I love you, too." He said, sleep finally taking him and his eyes falling closed.

They only opened again around 2AM to the sound of Bella, he rolled out of bed then paused, grabbing for a pair of underwear before walking to his daughters room, lifting her out of her crib and bringing her back to his and Skylar's room. He cuddled down in bed with her settling Bella in the middle knowing Bella would cuddle up to breastfeed with Skylar.

Skylar woke when Hamish wiggled free of her, and was awake when he brought their daughter in. She smiled sleepily, and took her in her arms, cuddling her close to her chest. Predictably, Bella latched right on to her breast and began to nurse, making soft sleepy noises as she did so. Skylar sighed softly with a content sound, her brow furrowing as her middle twinged, and burrowed her face as best she could against Hamish's shoulder to try and rest while Bella fed.

Hamish fell back asleep fairly quickly, one arm draped over Skylar and Bella. Bella clung to Skylar, her little body pressed flush against her mothers, she loved getting to cuddle in bed between her parents.

Skylar drifted to sleep with Bella settled between them, and stirred only when their daughter shifted positions and kicked her in the ribs or teethed on her knuckle in her sleep. It was a good sleep though- being cuddled to her daughter was a good thing.

The next morning started as usual. Hamish got up and took care of his chores so Skylar and Bella were able to wake up together. He came back inside to the smell of toast and coffee and his daughter sitting in her high chair covered in crumbs and jam. After breakfast was when things became a little more rushed, to make their 12 O'clock appointment they would need to leave a lot earlier to make the time for the long drive into town.

It was a drive Bella hated, and so of course she had to make sure her parents knew she hated it. But eventually they were all in the car and on their way to town, Bella napping in her car seat. They pulled out outside the clinic and Hamish parked the car, going around and getting Bella out of the car, cuddling her against his chest so she could wake up on her own instead of him waking her up and having her be grumpy.

Skylar hadn’t had the time to extensively cover up the bruise that had blossomed on her cheek over the course of the night, and she procured some strange looks from folks passing the car as she clamored out. It was a nasty splotch of dark mottled blue on the soft bones of her face- she was probably lucky she hadn’t knocked a tooth loose.

She clamored out of the new truck, and made her way around to his side, where he was cradling a sleeping Bella. Skylar gave him a smile, and slipped an arm tenderly around his waist as she adjusted her purse over her shoulder. “Alright. Lets go see ‘f we got a baby cookin’ in th’ oven.” She guided him for the clinic, ignoring the looks they got from people as they passed them by. The bruise no doubt looked like something bad- for all that Skylar looked like she could handle herself.

Skylar held the door open for him and gave him a warm look when they reached the entrance.

Hamish entered the clinic, still cuddling Bella. He walked to the reception desk. "Appointment for Skylar Parker for an ultrasound?"

The receptionist looked down at her laptop, tapping a few keys. "Yes, take a seat. The doctor will call you shortly."

Skylar nodded her thanks, and guided her husband down to the waiting area. She claimed the seats they had usually taken so many times before, and then nuzzled her head to his shoulder with a soft sound. “Ya alright holdin’ Bella while she naps, or d’ ya want me t’ run out n’ get th’ car seat while we’re waiting?” The car seat doubled as a place that she could nap, and it had a handlebar for carrying, like a lot of newer models did.

"She's okay." He said, gently patted her diapered bottom, causing her to stir slightly, bringing her hand up to rub at her eyes.

"Mmn…" She grumbled, turning her face into his chest, her eyes blinking open a few times.

"Are you awake?" He asked his mouth turning up into a smile. Bella shook her head against his chest, making him laugh quietly.

Skylar giggles softly, and watches their sleepy daughter. “She reminds me o’ myself when I first had t’ quit drinkin’ so much coffee while bein’ pregnant with her.” She’d still been traveling at the time, but boy, the fatigue and grumpiness had been real. Tommy had said trying to wake her had been like trying to wake a bear.

Skylar hums, and rubs her middle. “’F I am pregnant, m’ hopin’ this one’s a lil’ boy, so I can have a mini you t’ have grinnin’ at me every mornin’.” She smiles to him cheekily. “Though our boy would be sans th’ beard.”

Hamish laughed and rubbed Bella's back while she woke herself up. "A boy would be nice." He smiled. They only had to wait a little while longer. Bella had woken herself up by the time the ultrasound nurse came out and called on them.

When the nurse came calling, Skylar stood up and helped Hamish up, so he didn’t jostle Bella too badly.

She followed the nurse down the familiar hallway, and then into the room, carefully taking off her purse and unbuttoning the pair of borrowed pants. She unfolded them down over the swell of her belly, and rolled up her shirt, quite familiar with the starting process of how everything went, and what they would need from her while the nurse got all set up. She left Hamish to wrangle Bella while she got as comfortable as she could in the chair.

“Mama!” Bella wiggled her fists at Skylar from Hamish’s arms, and made grabby hands at her.

Skylar wiggled her fingers back and smiled. “Ya got t’ stay with Daddy right now, baby girl. Mama’s getting’ a checkup.”

Hamish sat down on the guest chair bouncing Bella on his knee. "You have to watch the TV baby, to see if there is a baby in mommy's tummy." He said pointing out the screen to her.

“A-bee?” Bella questioned, looking where he pointed.

The nurse laughed lightly. “Hopefully yes.” He answered the chatty baby as he liberally smeared some gel onto Skylar’s belly, and then flipped on the monitors to warm them up. “I would peg you at around five months along with a single, Mrs. Parker.” He hummed.

She chuckled. “I know. I’m about as big as I was at that point when I had my daughter. But, my husband n’ I ain’t been tryin’ for a baby for… I dunno, closer t’ three. So… Just a lil’ concerned.”

“Rightfully.” The nurse nodded. He hummed, and brought the wand gently down onto her belly. He pressed down a little bit, and then began to scan around. He paused, and blinked, before rolling the wand carefully a bit lower. “… Lets see here.” He looked closer at the screen, going quiet for a moment.

Anxiously, Skylar waited for him to say something as to the fate of her insides.

“…” His brow furrowed a bit, and he paused to take a quick picture of the screen, before pulling out a Doppler. He brought it over to her belly, and ran it around until it picked up the sounds he needed to hear- which was not nearly as clear as the beat of Bella’s soul had been. “Alright, well, I can see what’s occurred here. Congratulations are indeed in order, Mr. And Mrs. Parker.” He flashed them a faint smile. “Do you see these dark specks here, here, and here? That would be Baby A, Baby B, and Baby C. And this noise here, would be the three soul beats.”

Inside the screen, there were three small sacks visible. Inside each of the sacks, a small fetus was visible- with tiny, tiny nubs for horns. Three babies- all squished together tightly inside Skylar’s belly. It was little wonder why she was hurting whenever her belly contracted- there wasn’t just one or two- it was three trying to grow in there.

Skylar’s mouth dropped open, surprise filling her face with about equal parts excitement and some mild tears in her eyes. They’d done it- but they’d mildly over done it. “… Well, I was expectin’ twins, but not triplets. Holy heck, Haz. Triplets. Look ‘t that.”

Hamish had practically jumped up from the chair. "Three!" He wrapped his arms around Bella, giving her a tight hug. "Bella, there are three babies!" He leaned down to kiss Skylar, resting his head on hers. He laughed. "Oh my god, Sky." He grinned.

Bella reached her hand out and picked up some of the gel on her fingers.

Skylar laughed happily and leaned up to kiss him back. “Oh my god Haz. Three. Heh… Heh… Oh my god, three.” Her mind was already whirling with all the things they’d need to do. There was no way they’d fit four babies into Bella’s room- there was just no way. It was decent sized, but not big enough for four eventual kids. She looked down to the tech. “Ah- how far along am I?”

He smiled. “You look to be about ten weeks right now, Mrs. Parker.” He leaned back, and offered Hamish a wipe so he could clean up Bella’s fingers, before carefully getting several more pictures of the babies and printing them off. Once he had, he carefully began to clean her belly. “I know you both are very, very excited- but you both do need to be aware of the risks of a triplet pregnancy.”

Skylar swallows. “I know of a lot of them.” She says. “My mother had triplets very, very early. My brothers spent several weeks in Neonatal care. I’ve got a family history o’ multiples- ‘s probably why I’m having them.”

The nurse nods. “Good that you’re aware then. All the same, I’ll prepare pamphlets for you on medical problems that can occur, and signs should you and your husband see them. As for you, Mrs. Parker, you need to cut back on the tasks that you’re doing. And, for the health of your unborn children, you may want to consider putting your daughter onto bottles instead of breastfeeding, if that’s what you do. Triplets are much harder on the body- there is greater chance of losing them. Anything that causes contractions of the uterus can put them at risk of being lost- particularly this early. So sexual intercourse, breastfeeding, nipple stimulation- I would avoid it all. I’m not putting you on bed-rest, as that’s for your primary healthcare provider and yourself to decide, but I highly recommend you take it easy.”

Skylar swallows nervously and nods, fingers folding over her now clean belly as she does up her zipper and button. “I’ll talk with my midwife about what I should be doin’.”

The nurse frowns. “I highly recommend you have them in a hospital setting, Mrs. Parker, with a cesarean verses vaginal delivery. It’s much safer and easier to coordinate that way.”

“Thank you, but no.” She shakes her head firmly. “My body, my choice. I don’t do hospitals. So… no. Havin’ triplets vaginally can be done. My Ma’ did it- I can do it too.” She sits up, ad taps her fingers against the chair. So many conflicting feelings- she’s excited as hell, but also anxious as hell. Triplet pregnancies are stressful- and they already had a baby who would be turning one in the middle of it.

“I don’t approve, but there’s not really much I can do about it.” He says lightly, and then stoops to collect the pictures for them. “Here you are. I’d suggest coming in once per month for checkups and ultrasounds, to make sure that none of the triplets stagnate in growth.”

Hamish wiped Bella's hands clean then listened carefully to the conversation between the nurse and Skylar, his stomach twisted nervously when the nurse hight suggested a hospital birth and Skylar rejected the idea. He glanced at Skylar, and then down at the image of their triplets that the nurse had handed to him.

His soul felt like it was beating hard enough to be heard. He was excited of course, but he hadn't fully realized how dangerous triplets could be. He could already feel the stresses he had when Skylar was pregnant with Bella coming back...only thing, this time it was times three.

Skylar nods to the nurse, and takes a deep breath. She scrubs her hand up over her skull, fingers raking over the scar that loops around her right horn. This was a lot to take in... She and Hamish needed time to talk and plan and calm down some and work out what they would be doing. She glanced at the nurse. "Is that all?"

"I would suggest reading up on anything and everything you can get about triplet pregnancies and deliveries if you plan on using a midwife. Other than that... No. Congratulations again- and I wish you both the best of luck.'

"Thank you." Skylar shifted to sit sideways on the chair and tugged her shirt down over her belly. "Haz...? Ya wanna take a minute or ten n' talk here before we're ousted, or talk in th' car?" He looked like he needed to both explode with excitement, and melt in to a small stress induced freak out.

"I can step out and give you both a few minutes alone." The nurse offers.

Hamish nodded. Once the nurse had left the room Hamish sat down, he held Bella with one arm and rubbed one hand over his face. "Three." He breathed out. He scrubbed the hand over his face then looked up at Skylar. "S-Sky… The house... The... breastfeeding… You fell off the horse." Sweat beaded up on his skull. "Fu-hh... I could have hurt them last night." He swallowed.

The tears that had welled in her eyes welled again for a different reason. Her hand scrubbed over her skull again, and she shivered briefly. "I... I know." She swallows. "We didn't know. We... We didn’t know, Haz. We do now. We'll be more careful. We've got breast milk on the freezer, n' I'll stay off Mel, and..." No sex was going to suck. Skylar reached out and took his hand, and raised it up to her belly. She gave him a shaky smile. "I guess it goes t' show we make tough babies. The... The house is gonna be 'n issue though. We, hah, we don't have space for three more. Bella's room ain't gonna hold three babies n' a toddler." Yeah, they had planned on the possibility of triplets- hence Hamish building Bella's crib to be able to co-sleep three- but they hadn’t expected them to be so soon. The house wasn't equipped to house four babies long term, and upgrades took a long time. Hamish had been planning some with Avacardo, but nothing had been set in stone yet.

Skylar rubbed Hamish's fingers comfortingly, shakily sighing. Her eye lights quivered, and she took a breath to keep calm.

Hamish leaned forward in the chair to rest his head against Skylar, his own tears budding at the corner of his eyes.

Bella looked between her parents, they both looked sad. Why did they look sad? She hiccupped and sniffled. "Eehh…" She started to whimper.

"Oh Bella, baby girl, it's okay." She nuzzled Hamish, and looped out her arm to take Bella from him and cuddle her to her shoulder. Then she shimmied over so she could cuddle Hamish, gently sandwiching Bella between them. "It's gonna be okay." Skylar swallows. "It's gonna be okay. We'll figure somethin' out together, okay? We're in this together."

Hamish pressed his lips against Skylar's cheeks, letting out and shaky sigh as he tried to compose himself.

Skylar offered him what comfort she could as she held him and Bella, and tried to keep them both calm. She inhaled and exhaled gently, finding a rhythm and encouraging Hamish to follow it with her. "It's gonna be okay, Haz. But we're gonna need t' get started on house upgrades as soon as possible. So we might want t' do a chat with Ava before we head home. Maybe arrange a time for him t' come out sometime soon."

Hamish helped Skylar up and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "We're going to be okay." He whispered, kissing her cheeks.

"We will." She agreed, turning her face so he could smooch the side that didn't have the big nasty bruise from falling off of Mel. "We will. 'Cause we're t'gether in this." She leans into him, and then stoops to collect her purse. It's looped over her shoulder, and she nuzzles his cheek.

Hamish's smile returned, he was still stressed definitely, but Skylar was right. They would be okay.

He took Bella back from Skylar and cuddled her, and then pulled his phone out of his pocket once they had left the room and made a few more appointments for ultrasounds to keep up with Skylar’s care. He dialed Avacardo's number as he walked with his wife back to the truck, sandwiching the phone between his head and shoulder as it reached it so he could put Bella into her car seat.

"Hello?" Avacardo answered.

Hamish smiled. "Ava, mate. So, we've got a bun in the oven. We've gotta start the house works as soon as possible."

Avacardo laughed over the phone. "Hey, congrats. Well, I've got one job to finish up, and then Lola and I can come up and take a look around."

Hamish shut Bella's car door then climbed into the drivers seat. "That sounds good, thanks mate."

"No problem, See you in a few days." Hamish said his goodbye's and hung up, then started up the truck. He paused for a moment before pulling out to turn towards Skylar. He lifted his hands up and cupped her cheeks. "I love you, so much." He rested his forehead against hers.

"I love ya too." Skylar leaned against him with a soft sound. "I love ya a whole lot, Haz. You, Bella, an' our babies. Heh... We should probably call Elaine too. She's gonna need t' know about them, n' all that so we can start a plan. Triplets... Do come early." If they came too early, Skylar would have to go to the hospital, she knew. If she could make it to thirty six weeks, she should be alright. She would probably be walking on metaphorical eggshells until she reached at least the point of safe viability.

Hamish laughed. "Three… How did that happen?" He let his hand rest on her belly. He sat up, and put the truck into reverse, backing out and turning onto the road. They began the drive home, Bella sitting forward in her seat trying to look out the window she babbled to herself quietly. Hamish chuckled, listening to his daughter babble.

Skylar listened to her babble as well, but smiled faintly to Hamish. "Well... You're the one who wanted t' put three in me. I guess ya got powerful swimmers after all, sugar." She sighs softly. "Though again, this falls on my genetics. A single and then three. M' getting a sense o' deja-vu from this."

"Wouldn’t it be hilarious if it was three boys?" He laughed, shifting the trucks gears as they drove through town, it was best to make the most of the trips to town while they where here, so Hamish had decided to quickly stop as the supermarket to pick up a little extra of anything they where running low on.

"Oh my God, Hamish, that would be some form of hilarious irony right there." Skylar snorts. She shifts as he starts to head to the supermarket, and gives a faintly amused smile. "While we're the supermarket, I think I'd like some strawberries. Mm... When we get home, I guess I'd best go dig out my maternity pants from where we boxed 'm up too.'

"At least one boy would be nice." He mused as he started looking for a parking space. "Maybe we should try some bottle formula for Bella. If breastfeeding hurts wouldn't breast pumping be counted as something you shouldn't do?" He asked, his eyes staying focused on finding a parking spot.

"Probably. We do have some milk in the freezer though, but picking up some formula wouldn't go amiss." Skylar muses lightly. She shifted and rubbed her belly, before humming. "A boy would be good. Or two boys and a girl. Anyways... I dunno if using the pump is the same. It doesn’t latch into my nipple- it massages the breast itself. It never gave me the same cramps as feedin' Bella did, but its probably best just t' play it safe. I don' wanna lose m', yknow?"

Hamish nodded and spotted a park, pulling in and turning off the car.

"All don’!" Bella said happily from the back.

Hamish laughed, she was going to be upset when she realized they weren’t all done and there was still the drive home to do. He got out of the car and got Bella out of he seat, and meeting Skylar around the front of the truck.

He pulled out a shopping cart, putting the dollar coin into the little slot to unlock it from the others, he sat Bella in the seat of the cart and pushed it inside. Bella smiled and held onto the handle of the cart, looking around with how far out from town they lived seeing all of these things where still pretty new to her, so every brightly packaged item was pointed at accompanied by an excited baby squeal.

Hamish couldn't stop smiling the entire time, every item that they chose had to first be handed to Bella for inspection before she allowed the item to be placed into the cart.

Skylar enjoyed their walk through the store, and she picked up fresh fruits that they didn’t grow up on the farm while she was there. Fruit was good for her- and for Bella. Skylar paused, and then snorted an amused sound. “Hey, Hamish? We really should o’ suspected I was pregnant. Remember last time? I craved strawberries n’ other fruit’s real bad when I had Bella. I bought like… two cartons o’ them last month when we went shopping. Didn’t think nothin’ of it.” She ate fruit often because it was a healthy sweet- and it didn’t even strike her as funny when she’d had a hankering for strawberries.

Hamish laughed. The time had gone so fast while at the same time it also felt like ages since Skylar had been pregnant with Bella. He could hardly remember all the different things Skylar had had cravings for.

Hearing her parents laugh, Bella faked a laugh. She didn't understand the joke, but she wanted to be included and that only made Hamish laugh more. He smooched her forehead and passed her a bottle of soap to look at.

Skylar leaned over and smooched Hamish’s shoulder, before snagging him an extra container of deodorant. “Ya runnin’ low. Ya had a lot earlier- but lil’ miss figured out how to spray it when we were in the bathroom t’gether, and… Well.” There was a reason the bathroom a week back had smelled strongly of his spray on deodorant. “Ah- I need some soft polishing cloth. Bella’s horns ‘r gettin’ big enough now tha’ polishing will do them good n’ keep m’ from peeling as they grow.”

Hamish chuckled. Bella spotted the deodorant can and held her hand out. "Tah?" She asked. Hamish strolled through the isle, picking out a new toothpaste and toilet paper, they were always good things to stock up on. He smiled at Bella as she tried to reach into the cart to pull out things she shouldn’t touch, pointing them out to Skylar. "Tah, Mama?"

“Nope- you can’t spray the can this time, sweetie.” She instead stole her fingers and kissed them, before offering her a key chain with little bits and bobbles to play with. “Here, sweetie. Look- there’s buttons to play with.”

Bella's eyes widened as she took the key chain, looking at each charm. She shook it around in her hand and smiled up at her parents at the sound it made. She pressed her thumb onto one of the buttons repeatedly, it kept her busy and quiet most of the shopping trip.

Skylar beamed brightly, and nudged Hamish. “Think we should buy th’ charm? Might keep her busy in th’ car.”

Hamish raised a brow and hooked his finger around it, tugging it gently. "Ah! No, dada! Mine."

Hamish smirked. "Should dada buy this for you?" He asked her, still tugging it away from her gently.

"Yes!"

"Yes what?" He asked.

Bella was quiet for a moment. "Peeeese?"

Hamish snorted and let it go. "Okay."

“Good girl, saying please.” Skylar smooches her little horns. “Now what do we tell Daddy?” She grins to Hamish. “This is a new one we’ve been working on.”

Bella furrowed her brows and looked to her Mama. “Tha…?”

“Thank…?”

“Thakuuu Daddy!” Bella beams, proud of herself.

“Good girl.” Skylar smiles happily.

Hamish leant down and smooched on her face. "Such a polite little lady." he pushed the cart down into the pet isle, picking out more dog food while looking for the horn polish. "Pup." Bella commented, pointing at the dog food cans.

"That’s like our puppies, isn't it."

Skylar smiled, and moved down the isles. She located the horn polish in the exact same place as before, and simply withheld her sigh at the price. Oh well- it lasted. She stooped down to collect it, and then straightened, before heading back over to Hamish. “You know, if all three babies get bigger horns, we’re going to be buying a lot of horn polish.”

"Maybe we can find that brand in bulk online?" He suggested. He quirked a brow and looked down at Bella. "I wonder what you're going to think about having your horns polished."

Bella blinked and lifted the hand not holding her little key chain charms to touch one of her horns.

Skylar giggles. “If we’re gentle, she’ll probably love it. It’s real relaxin’ t’ experience, havin’ someone else polish your horns. I used t’ love when my Da’ did it for me, n’ my brothers loved when I did it for them. As for findin’ bulk online, probably. We can look into it- but d’ya think they’ll even deliver since we live so far out in th’ middle o’ nowhere?”

"I don't mind meeting someone in here to pick it up in the truck and driving back to the house." He shrugged. “I just figure it would be easier having a huge bulk of polish especially since it looked like we've got three more little pairs of horns that will need it."

“That’s quite true. When they get bigger, n’ they’re out in th’ world, we’ll need a lot more polish. We can look into it when we get home.” Skylar nods and bumps his hip with hers, before sauntering down the isle and back to the main isles. “Alright… I think we have everythin’ we needed. Ah- nope. We wanted t’ try formula, yeah?”

Hamish nodded and turned the cart down to the baby care isle. "More diapers." He mused to himself, pushing a pack into the cart, “You can never have too many diapers.” Bella immediately spotted the binkies hanging off a shelf. "Ah?" She asked, pointing to them.

Skylar hummed, and looked them over. “I don’t think it would hurt. She usually sleeps better when she’s suckin’ on me, so maybe a binkie would make her sleep since she’s not gonna be able t’ be doin’ th’ suckin’ anymore?” She selected a couple of them, and set them in the cart. “You can have them later, baby girl. I wanna wash m’ first.” She’d probably rinse one off in the bathroom and let her suck on it on the way home. Skylar did need to pee anyways before they left.

"You’re so spoiled." He cooed to his daughter, who simply pushed her hand against his face. Hamish pushed the cart over to the register and began unloading their items to be scanned. "Bella can daddy have your toy for second so he can buy it?" He asked, Bella looked hesitant, clinging the key chain to her chest. He let out a soft sigh. "Here look, you can do it,” he said, holding her arms near the elbow to straighten her arm out. The clerk leaned over and scanned the toy. Hamish let go of Bella's arm and she beamed brightly, holding the key chain out towards the clerk then quickly bringing it back closer to her chest whenever he looked up at it.

Skylar chuckled. “I think ya just made her day.” She smooched his cheek, and then leaned over to start bagging their purchases as the clerk rang them up and slid them down to her. She left Hamish to pay, either with her funds or his, while she reloaded the cart with their purchases as they came down to her. She hummed as she did so, stooping over to carefully slide the toilet paper under the cart where it wouldn’t get too squished by their heavier purchases.

Hamish watched the cost as it added up. He wasn't worried about how much everything was going to cost; more that the clerk didn't try to charge them more than what they had bought. Everyone in town was pretty good at being fair, though he knew there were always a few people that would try to rob you of what cash you had in your pocket. Everything added up fairly, however.

Hamish swiped his card and helped Skylar load their bags back into the cart to make it easier to get everything out to the truck.

Skylar smooched his cheek in thanks, and then took a quick break to pee and wash up one of the binkies they had purchased. She returned quickly, and guided the front of the cart as they left the store. She hummed cheerily, and smiled as she watched Bella play excitedly with her toy.

Once at the truck, she carefully lifted Bella out, leaving Hamish to unload while she turn a turn at getting Bella into her car seat. She gently popped a binkie in her mouth, much to her daughter’s delight, and left her playing with her key chain while she stepped back around to go help him get stuff loaded up.

Hamish unloaded all the bags into the tray on his truck then covered them over with the tarp tying it down. He pushed the cart back into the shop and got his dollar back before returning to the truck.

"How does she like that binkie?" He asked as he climbed in, turning to look into the back. Bella smiled at him around the binkie in her mouth. He laughed and then started the car, he pulled out and started on the drive home. He smiled as they drove, again Bella was talking to herself in babble, however now her noises where muffled slightly as she tried to talk around the binkie's nipple. It didn’t take too long before she went quiet. Hamish glanced up at his rear view mirror to see Bella had fallen asleep again, the binkie moving slightly as she continued to suckle on it in her sleep.

Skylar had been watching her through the mirror, and had watched the slow progression as Bella had succumbed to slumber. It had been adorably precious- and she needed more of that adorable sight in her life. She simply went quiet, however, and smiled up to Hamish, before leaning over and lacing her fingers with his, cuddling her head to his shoulder. She didn’t speak so she didn’t wake Bella- but the binkie worked like a charm for the whole ride home.

The ride was quiet as to not disturb their daughter, soon the fence line that lead home started racing past outside the window. He followed the dirt road up to the gate, drove through and pulled up the car, parking it in his spot. Bella stirred when the feeling of the truck moving stopped, but it was her key chain tumbling out of her hand and onto the floor of the truck that woke her up fully. "Uh oh." She said trying to lean forward in her seat to spot it.

“Hold on, baby. Mama will get it for you.” Skylar shifted and carefully hopped out of the truck. She slid around to the side with the car seat and carefully snagged the key chain. It was handed up to Bella, while she got her daughter into her arms and located her binkie. Once Bella was secure in one arm, Skylar turned to load the other one up with groceries like normal so they could make less trips back and forth.

Hamish opened his mouth to protest but puffed his cheeks keeping his mouth shut while making sure to load extra bags onto his arms so he could get more inside so Skylar didn't try to carry the heavy bags.

Skylar wasn’t daft- her arm might have been loaded, but she didn’t take any heavy ones. She took the lighter ones, or the ones that had fragile breakable things inside, and left the heavier things for Hamish to carry- and he’d realize that once he started to load his arms up. Once her arm was loaded, she gave him a smile and made her way up to the house, tromping up the stairs. The front door was eased open and left open for Hamish to follow her in, and she kicked out of her boots, before going to the kitchen to set bags onto the table.

Hamish shuffled inside with the bags, dumping half onto the table and the other half onto the floor before going back out to get another load of bags. Bella looked up at Skylar. "Yum?" She asked, only this time instead of her breasts Bella has spotted a bright yellow banana sitting on the top of their fruit bowl.

Initially, Skylar thought she was asking for milk- however, when she spotted Bella asking about the banana, she beamed instead, and turned to settle her into her high chair. “Sure, baby girl. Lemme get it cut for you.” She cooed.

It didn’t take her long to peel it and cut it and put it on a little paper plate, and then settle it in front of her daughter in her high chair. “Banana is yum.” Skylar coos, and playfully lifts a small slice to offer a bite to their daughter.

Bella opens her mouth and takes it from Skylar's fingers. "MmnYum ananaab" She said as she chewed.

Hamish shuffled inside again with the last of the shopping and put it down on the floor before going back to take his boots off and shut the front door. "What have you got there?" He asked Bella as he walked back in to help Skylar unpack the shopping bags.

"Anananab" Bella responded holding up a piece to show him.

“Someone wanted some banana,” She smiles, “So I cut her some slices.” Seeing as Bella was now preoccupied with her food, she turned to go put away groceries. Her belly bumped lightly into the cupboard as she stretched up to put things away. “She’s been a good girl all day- n’ fruit’s good for her. You wanna share some banana with Daddy, Bella?”

Bella beamed, and offered Hamish a half gummed on slice of banana that was moderately covered in baby drool. “Aaah!”

Hamish cringed slightly and glanced at Skylar. "Wow… Thanks baby." He said leaning down and opening his mouth so she could feed it to him. He chewed and swallowed it quickly. "Mmmm yummy." He picked up another slice and fed it to her this time.

Bella's pink eyes positively sparkled, and she beamed at him in absolute joy as he ate the banana. When he offered her a slice, she opened her mouth and chomped on it, her few teeth and strong gums making short work of the mushy fruit as she made happy burbling sounds around it.

Skylar covered her face with her hand and tried her hide a snort and a laugh at his misery. She'd been there before. At least banana tasted good. Goopy baby cereal was the worst. Bella Dulles if you didn't though. "Okay, I didn't mean for her t' feed ya that one. Kudos t' ya for bucking up n' eating it though, Haz."

"I had to, I have to be a good influence, fruit is good… I'd rather have that than the horrible stuff other kids eat… if she eats fruit like it is candy I'll be a happy daddy." He said, puffing his chest out slightly.

"Ain't that the truth. I don't think we'll have too much o' an issue with candy. Neither o' is eats it in great quantity, so she's gonna grow up eatin' fruit like it's candy. With any luck," Skylar hums, "she'll try candy when she's older and decide she doesn’t like it." That said, she continued to put stuff away, and rubbed her fingers over her belly with her other hand. She still couldn't believe she hadn't realized it. She'd been bumping her belly into cabinets for a while- and that was telltale in itself. Speaking of fruit... Skylar nibbled on a strawberry while she put stuff away, and hummed happily.

The initial shock of finding out they where having triplets was finally beginning to wear off for Hamish. Sure he was still slightly stressed, concerned for the babies well-being, but now he was starting to feel pride building up in his chest. He had gotten her pregnant, with triplets. He puffed his chest out proudly.

Skylar was watching him puff up out of the corner of her eyes, and allowed an amused smirk curl at her lips. She finished putting stuff away, and then turned around to look at him. She leaned her hip on the counter and arched a brow. “So… What are ya so smug about, mister?”

Hamish stepped across the room to her, a swagger in his step. "I put three in you." He purred, his hands resting over her belly. "And for you to be ten weeks, it would have had to happen on our first or second try~" He was obviously very proud of himself.

Skylar rolled her eyes and gave him a bemused look. “Well, stud, three means I’m gonna be a lot more bound t’ th’ house. Can’t be out helpin’ ya do stuff. But, I can keep ya company n’ do light stuff like feedin’ the chickens n’ stuff.”

He pressed light kisses against her lips. "It's fine Sky." Kiss. "I'll do everything." Kiss. "You don't have to lift a finger." His cheeks had turned their bright shade of pink he could already feel her belly pushing out against his when he cuddled her like this. Kiss, kiss. "I just want you to focus of baking these buns good and cooked so we can bring them in to the world safe and sound."

“I will go completely crazy ‘f I don’t have anythin’ t’ do.” She laughs, and meets each of his kisses. As his face starts to turn pink, a wicked grin curls at the corners of her mouth, and she hooks her fingers in his belt loops and pulls him flush to her, pressing the pregnant curve of her belly against the soft pudge of his own. “I suppose I might just do some bakin’ o’ more than jus’ th’ buns in my oven.” She hummed. “Jus’… Don’ be surprised ‘f they come out a lil’ undercooked.” She taps her fingers lightly on his hips. “M’ gonna try t’ keep them in as long as I can. Which… brings us t’ th’ question… I’m gonna be pretty high maintenance. Lola’s got a baby, n’ I’ve got Bella- ‘n we gotta upgrade th’ house which ‘s probably gonna be a stressful environment for me t’ be around. So… Wha’ are we gonna do?”

Hamish hummed quietly He was silent for a moment in thought. "Well, Ava and Lola and going to be coming up anyway and with Ava staying here, Lola could take you and Bella back to hers if she doesn't mind. Then when you start getting bigger, you could have one of your brothers come get you and take you out to your moms, because, at least if something did happen your mom knows what she's doing." He suggested.

Skylar pondered about it with a thoughtful hum and then nodded. "That sounds like a good idea." She says lightly. "I might have t' head up t' Ma's around twenty t' twenty five weeks. My brothers were born at twenty five- I don't really want to be doibg much movin' around once I reach that point just in case, y'know?" She sighs and loops her arms up and behind his neck. "You have t' call n' stuff when I'm at Ma's, so ya can read Bella her bedtime story. And visit at least once every couple o' weeks, because we're both gonna miss ya."

Hamish nodded. "I'll miss you both too. I'll call every night I promise." He rested his forehead against hers, pressing against her horns they way he knew she loved him to do. He turned his head slightly to look over at Bella who was watching them, her little fingers full of squashed up banana.

Skylar took just a moment to bask in his touch pressing in on her horns. She just enjoyed it for a moment, before sighing softly to herself and glancing to their daughter. She makes a soft kissy sound. “You enjoying your banana, baby girl?” She asks, nuzzling her head onto Hamish’s shoulder and just cuddling him for a moment. She wouldn’t be able to hold him like this for long.

Bella looked at her hands, opening and closing her fingers deciding what she thought of the squashed banana over her hand. "Yuck." She said, rubbing her hands over the high chair tray trying to get the mush off of her hands. She looked back at her hands, none of it had come off. It was stuck to her hands; it was time to panic! Bella shook her hands and squealed, kicking her legs out.

Hamish snorted and grabbed one of her face cloths, dampening it with warm water from the sink, squeezing it out then using it to wipe her face and hands clean along with the mess on they tray of the high chair.

Bella stopped her panic and looked down at her hands. Clean. Okay, she could be happy again.

Skylar snickered gently, and flicked her eyes over the both of them with a smile. “You know,” She comments, “We’re gonna need two more high chairs for when th’ triplets are big enough t’ sit in them?”

Hamish laughed and nodded. "Three of everything." He chuckled. Lifting Bella out of her highchair. He bent over, putting her feet on the floor, holding her hands so she could practice walking. She gripped his fingers tightly as she walked across the room, she looked up at Skylar with a wide smile. Hamish turned her towards Skylar and pulled his fingers out of her hands, before letting her got. She stood on her own, turning her head to look at Hamish like he had betrayed her, and then up to Skylar. "Mama." She whined, holding her arms out towards Skylar. She took a step forward, then another. Hamish's smile grew wider with each step Bella took towards Skylar.

Skylar crouched down so she was more to Bella’s height, and held her hands out to her. She didn’t go to her, however. “Three indeed.” She hummed. “Good girl, Bella. C’mere- ya doin’ real good, baby girl. Keep on walkin- c’mon, that’s it.”

Bella wobbled her way towards Skylar, and made it close before she tripped. She was just in range of Skylar catching her, and Skylar did, swooping her up into her arms for a smattering of smooches and adorable kisses.

Hamish stepped over to his wife and daughter to join in covering their little girl in kisses. "You're almost there baby, you'll be out there walking around helping daddy soon." He beamed.

Bella squealed. “Noo!” She pushed at his bearded cheek and laughed, trying to hide her face in her mother’s shoulder.

Skylar laughed, and cuddled Bella. “She’s doin’ real good.”

Hamish laughed. "Do you think Daddy needs to shave Bella?" He asked rubbing at his beard after he'd been pushed away.

"Yuh!" Bella had no idea what she was agreeing to, but she agreed none the less.

Skylar snorts. "She's never seen ya without ya beard. I wonder how she'd even respond." Skylar reaches up and threads her fingers through it. "Mmm, Mama'll miss Daddy's beard though. But it'd be up t' ya. I cant imagine its nice wearing a beard in th' heat."

"I don't think I'd shave it off completely, just make it less scruffy." He decidedly chuckled, leaning to kiss Skylar's cheek. "I know how much you like the beard."

“I do,” she fans herself and fake swoons against the counter in response to his kiss. She winks at him teasingly. “It jus’ makes ya so darn’ handsome, I dunno what t’ do sometimes. Ya are a lil’ scruffy though. Ya look good with it trimmed up nice n’ neat.”

He chuckles and smacks Skylar's bum gently. "What're your plans for the rest of the day, Mama?" He asks softly, as he began to go through what he had to do in his head.

Skylar squeaks and grins at him. “Ah… well, I was going t’ help ya with chores and pitching out th’ stalls. But that’s probably not wise.” She looks down at her belly and rubs it gently. “So… I dunno. Probably go shuffle boxes in the closet and dig out my maternity pants, so I can stop stealin’ yours. Uh… Plan on how t’ tell Ma’ n’ my family.” She taps her fingers lightly on the counter. Skylar blinks. “I… really dunno. M’ a busy person usually. I don’t know how not t’ be busy.”

"You should invite them up for lunch before we start working on the house. You can give your mom the ultrasound picture and see how long it takes her to work out there are three babies in there." He grinned, walking towards the door to pluck his hat of the coat hanger at the door.

“I should.” She agrees with a lopsided grin as she watches him head for the door. “I might make plans for that while ya out doin’ stuff. Gonna see if I can get Bella down for a nap though first, n’ maybe do some house cleanin’.”

He plopped his had on his head and walked back over to kiss Bella's cheek. "You have a good nap, baby girl." He kissed Skylar again then headed for the door, pulling his boots on. The dogs started barking when he walked out and ran over, wrestling each other to get a stick from the others mouth. Hamish smirked and pulled the stick from Leroy tossing it as far as he could, watching both dogs race after the stick as he walked towards the barn to muck out the stalls.

Skylar watched him leave with a soft smile, and then turned to scoop Bella from her high chair. She lifted her up, tucked her in her arms, and then tickled her before heading off to her bedroom to lay her down for a well deserved nap while Skylar got some house chores done.

#Hamish #Skylar #Bella #The Triplets #character plot

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