#on an unrelated note (cause I was reading comments about this comic)
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It him? It him.
#tim drake#stephanie brown#bernard dowd#batfam#finally a writer who understand how the youth speak#on an unrelated note (cause I was reading comments about this comic)#it always confuses me when people are like#‘what’s the point of that character being queer’#cause it just sounds like#‘what’s the point in having vegetarian options at a restaurant’#like the point is that some people are vegetarian???#and they also deserve to eat?#hello??????
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Pinch hit 3 - CLAIMED
Reminder: Pinch hit 2 is still open
We have a pinch hit. If you can do it then please either respond on the Dreamwidth post (all comments are screened) or use the email listed in the contact post giving your AO3 name.
This is due 21st November 7pm UTC (note, this is later than the assignment deadline and no extensions will be given on this pinch hit).
Fandoms: Doctor Who (2005)
Mediums: Art, Fic
Requester: dilettantefan
Doctor Who (2005)
Ship: Twelfth Doctor/Simm!Master (DW 2005), Ship: Twelfth Doctor/Dhawan!Master (DW 2005), Ship: Missy/Twelfth Doctor/Simm!Master (DW 2005), Ship: Thirteenth Doctor & Donna Noble (DW 2005), Ship: Thirteenth Doctor & Bel & Inston-Vee Vinder (DW 2005), Ship: Thirteenth Doctor & Bel (DW 2005), Ship: Twelfth Doctor/Missy (DW 2005), Missy (DW 2005), Ship: Twelfth Doctor & Bill Potts (DW 2005), Twelfth Doctor (DW 2005), The Master (Simm) (DW 2005)
Interested in both art (any style/medium) and fic! I also like little comics if you're into that/have the time.
For romantic ships: To be honest I would love to get some Missy/12/Simm or 12/Simm, but if those don't inspire you, any 12/Master ship makes me happy. Also something a bit sad or something bittersweet is okay, but please avoid complete tragedy (I have canon for this lol). I like hopeful stuff, and fluff of course. I do read smut but I'd rather avoid it in exchanges to make things simpler :') (suggesting sex scenes is okay) I like AUs (obviously, with what I ship haha) but not the ones that are completely unrelated to the canon universe. Possible ideas: fix-it of the end of series 10 where no one dies, fobwatched AU, AU where 10 did manage to "keep" the Master so by the time it's 12 they've been together for a while (lol extra idea if you want to have Missy, she regenerated in a silly/totally non tragic way), a fic about them working through their issues after they got together (but the past still causes much pain), the Doctor compose(s) something for/inspired by the Master(s) and it's sweet (reluctantly sweet - he's rude about it)…
For friendship ships: Always love some 12 & Bill (idea: fix-it of series 10 where Bill has more agency and manages to join back with the Doctor before 10 years, or maybe she has formed a resistance or something in the meantime; anyway, the Doctor isn't too late and they save the day together and go on to have other adventures; another fluffier idea, 12 is there for Bill's wedding - not with Heather though, I'm sorry I don't like their relationship…). I also think some 13 & Donna would be great - I was thinking about everything 13 went through and how she would need her best friend more than ever (you can make it happy, fluffy, bittersweet or even completely sad, there are many possibilities I think).
For 13 and Bel or 13 & Bel & Vinder: I would have liked to see more of Bel and Vinder, particularly Bel I must say, I think she would be such a fun companion. I would have liked to see more interactions with 13. Also I am in the small minority who likes the theory of Bel and Vinder being somehow the Doctor's parents. But if you're not into that you can just have them as regular companions.
If nothing in the relationships inspires you then feel free to write about/draw any of the listed characters individually!
Do Not Want: complete tragedy, Doctor/companion ships, explicit sex scenes, AUs unrelated to canon
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Hurricane (Part 8)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Rebecca Lao)
Rating: T+
Warning: angst
Summary: A hurricane is falling over Boston. Edenbrook has been evacuated and some very different doctor’s end up seeking shelter together.
A/N: The ending is trash. But it’s my trash. We’ve got one more chapter to go and then that’s a wrap on this project!
________________________________________
Naveen drove the car back to the cabin before parking it on the cobbled drive, the engine shutting off with a quick flick of his key. Still caught in an awkward silence as heavy as the rain clouds above, the trio padded back towards the cabin. Ethan watched Becca out of the corner of his eye, holding a few paces back with Naveen to let her approach the porch first. In the doorway, Sienna was waiting with two bath towels draped over her arms. A wave of relief washed over her petite form as she saw them; her big eyes softening and bottom lip quivering with all the emotions she saved for the worst of outcomes.
“Becca!” Sienna called as she closed the distance between her and Becca, wrapping her soaking wet friend in a hug around a large, plush towel. “Are you okay? What happened?”
For someone who’s life nearly drifted away with the current earlier, Becca seemed strangely quiet and calm. She didn’t even look at Sienna; darkened eyes trained on her peripheral, towards the unrelenting waters. “I’m fine, Si. Just went for a little swim.”
Sienna looked at her with critical eyes, not believing a single word coming out of her friend’s mouth. She would have said something in any other circumstances, but she was too thankful that Becca was breathing at the minute. This conversation would have to wait. She turned her attention to the other rogue swimmer now coming up behind them, handing him the other towel still draped on her arm.
“Ethan, are you okay?” she asked the attending, her trained doctor’s eyes scanning him for obvious injuries.
He took the offered towel gratefully. “Please, there is no need to worry about me.” He wiped his face first then draped the burgundy fabric over his shoulders, shivering as the cold wind caught his wet clothes, “Where’s Jenner?”
Sienna nodded towards the ajar door, her arms still wrapped securely around her best friend. “In with Elijah.”
Ethan nodded and went inside to his dog, sparing one last glance towards a despondent Becca on his way.
With a small, resigned sigh, Sienna turned her full attention back towards her friend and guided her to the door. “Come on, let's get you cleaned up.”
Sienna led Becca inside and up to her room. Elijah didn’t notice the girls as he was in deep conversation with Ethan in the archway to the den. For that, Becca was thankful; they could just slip upstairs and rest.
As soon as the girls reached the threshold of the master suite, Sienna closed the door softly behind them and reached for her friend, her eyes severe now that they were blessed with the privacy they didn’t have earlier. “You okay?” She asked with a concerned hand gripping Becca’s forearm; her tone of voice emitting a firm warning that she would accept the truth and nothing else.
Becca shrugged Sienna off, taking a step back to shed her wet clothes and throwing on her pajamas. Biting her tongue this round, Sienna gathered up the strewn garments into a pile and wrung them out in the bathroom, making a mental note to wash them once the power came back on. Becca didn’t waste a single second before immediately crawling under the covers while Sienna watched with a very careful eye.
Sensing the stare, Becca sighed heavily. “Si, I’m fine. Truly.”
Her friend wasn’t convinced. “That’s what you say, but you were literally being ripped down stream, you could have died.”
“But I didn’t.”
Light pads of sock-clad feet walked to the bed with private determination and sat on the edge of the mattress, her eyes begging. “Talk to me, please.” - a hand reaching for the top of Becca’s thigh - “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
But Becca wasn’t waving, keeping her gaze on the darkwood bedpost in front of her to avoid Sienna’s concerned one. “That I really need to sleep. I’m exhausted.”
“Bec-”
There was a knock at the door, making both ladies tense in place. Sienna reluctantly moved to open it and was met with Dr. Banerji’s warm smile, his medical bag cradled against his hip.
Ever in dire situations like this one, the senior doctor never seemed to run out of positive energy. He stepped in the room and glided closer to the bed, a comforting smile decorating his lips. “I’ve come to take your temperature and listen to your lungs,” he informed them. “And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Becca rolled her eyes, but didn’t argue. She swung her legs off the bed and sat on the edge, letting Naveen inspect her. Thankfully, she only had a few cuts on her hands that were in need of bandaging, most likely inflicted while she fought to hold herself against the current earlier
“How are you feeling?” he asked as he applied ointment and bandages to her palms.
“Tired.”
“As expected,” he nodded. She wasn’t forthcoming, so he made sure to update her on what has been going on downstairs; “Ethan has a gash on his leg. Dr. Greene is stitching him up.” The gossiper in him carefully gauged her reaction while his more romantic side hoped to see something pass along her features, possibly akin to relief, but he was disappointed there was nothing but the tired eyes of a woman who’s been through hell that afternoon.
She felt his critical gaze searching her. The third one silently scrutinizing the last hour; and it made her blood begin to boil.
“I didn’t need rescuing. I know how to combat a riptide. What he did was stupid,” she clarified, indifferent to his comment.
Naveen chuckled and offered her a kind smile, although one that hid a hint of seriousness in it. “We both know exactly why he did it, Becca.”
Becca scoffed and shook her head, looking away.
The older doctor sighed and put away his medical tools. He obviously wasn’t going to get anything out of her tonight, and he’d been around this kind of temperament long enough to know when to resign. It was almost comical just how similar she was to his protégé, especially when it came to their ironclad stubbornness. “You’ve been through a lot today, dear. I’m prescribing you some much-needed rest.”
Becca rolled her eyes.
With a taut smile, Naveen gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder before taking his medical bag and leaving the room.
While Naveen was with Becca, Sienna had excused herself to make some tea. The petite resident was now staring at the kettle, transfixed, but not actually watching the steam spill out into the shadows of night. The worry for her friend still ever present in her mind and the creases on her forehead. In a daze Sienna poured two two mugs full.
She was just setting the kettle back down on the hob when a gruff sound had her jumping out of her trance and turning on the balls of her feet.
“Let me,” Ethan said quietly.
The two shared the same despondent look, though one of them had a deeper reason for it.
Sienna’s eyes expertly roved over him. He’d changed into clean pajamas, his hair wild and partially dry from drying it in a towel. His weight being carried on one side of his body, no doubt from his injury. His eyes were dark, and there were prominent purple circles under his eyes. And his large hand was extended towards her, waiting with all the patience of a dying man.
With a small smile, she hands the mug over without a single reservation.
And Sienna watches intently as Ethan gingerly makes his way through the cabin and up to Becca.
*
In the few short minutes she was left alone Becca snuggled deeper into the blankets. Rolled onto her side so her back was to the door and her face buried in a pillow begging her to spill everything all over.
Over her tormenting thoughts she recognized the patter of footsteps against the hardwood of the hallway and sniffled all the emotion back. If Sienna saw her crying it’d become a much bigger thing than Becca ever wanted it to be. She’ll save her tears for later.
When the steps grew louder, crossing the threshold, Becca muttered, “You should just sleep here tonight instead of going up and down to check on me.”
“Do you think that’s wise?”
Even in the minimal light of the candle on the dresser Ethan could see her stiffen. Could hear the discontented sigh that escaped her when his words met her ears.
He stood suspended in the doorway, questioning every instinct he thought he knew.
Becca shifted under the sheets, moving to sit up in bed.
“Thought you were Sienna.” Her tone was still and level and wildly indifferent as she chanced a look at him.
“Sorry to disappoint,” he muttered back. Crossing the distance Ethan held out a mug to her; “Are you okay?”
She took the offering, a forced smile on her lips. “Peachy.”
“Becca…”
“I’m fine, Ethan.” She groans, deflating. “What do you want me to say?”
“You can start with why you’ve been upset with me all day.”
Becca couldn’t help the absolutely indecent chortle that erupted from her.
“I’m not upset with you. I’m mad at myself.”
Ethan made a garble akin to Huh?
And that just fueled the fire that’s begun to rage within her the last day and rivals the treacherous storm this hurricane caused.
“Why did you come after me?” She all but spat the accusation. “It was so reckless and stupid. You could have been hurt. You have stitches for Christ’s sake!”
“You could have drowned. I wasn’t going to let that happen.”
The audacity in his unbridled poise had her stirring under the sheets and gripping the mug tighter.
“Superman Complex already belongs to someone else. Why, Ethan.”
It was a standoff between them. Him in his dry clothes - white tee and gray sweatpants, standing at the side of her bed. Becca was shielded by the blankets but still sitting tall and commanding for someone of her stature. He couldn’t read her ever-telling body language in the dim light of the master bedroom. All he could make out was her silhouette, rigid and doing all she could to cloak herself behind an unsuccessful curtain of hair.
Holding onto the sliver of revelation he had earlier, Ethan spoke truthfully.
“Because I care about you. You have such a fulfilling life ahead an-”
It certainly didn’t have the intended impact. For she cut him off with a resoundingly offended;
“Can you stop.”
His darkened azure eyes were wide with panic. “What -”
“I’m sick of these mind games.”
Her tone was flat, and that scared Ethan Ramsey more than anything. It would be better if she was yelling. He found himself wishing she was yelling even if he had no inkling as to what this argument is actually about.
“I know you care about me, Ethan. But is that all this is?”
She finally looked him in his eyes. The darkness of the room complimented the depths of her darkened irises, and he couldn’t see a single emotion in them. All he could see was all of his failures.
“I - I’m in too deep with you. I may have almost drowned this afternoon, but it was nothing compared to this choking feeling of swimming in all this doubt and uncertainty.”
He moved towards her. Placing his mug on the bedside. This close he could just begin to make out the hurt in the creases of her frown.
“Becca,” he reached for her. His hand suspended in midair, waiting for her permission to cup her cheek.
Instead, she looked down at her fingers tracing the Edenbrook logo on the pristine white ceramic mug between her palms.
Ethan waited.
And waited.
Frozen in place until she said something, anything.
“Be honest with me,” the words came out on an exhale. “No one else is around. Just me.” Her voice so frail as she turned her whole form towards him. “Tell me.”
The outstretched fingers on his hand curled inwards. His fist raised -- once, twice punching against an invisible opponent as his inner self weighed all his options.
He could tell her - he could finally be truly honest.
He could do what’s right.
He could lay everything out there and let her take the reins.
More realistically, he could continue to hold onto the values he’d had all his life.
The longer the silence hung between them, and the pattering of the storm echoed throughout the bedroom walls, the more a reality without her became apparent.
Rebecca Lao is a strong woman - he knows this. And Ethan is ever so aware that she won’t wait for him forever. If her stint today told him anything it’d be that it is he who couldn’t survive a life without her.
Every millisecond that passed, every slight turn of her head and stroke of her finger against the mug, he knew he was losing her. And for once, Ethan Ramsey - renowned doctor, known for his belligerent voice and affluent vocabulary - couldn’t find the words.
Just as she let out a disquieting breath, he took the leap. Knees pressed flush against the side of the mattress. Long, deft fingers grazing the quilt at the side of her hip. His eyes never leave her. Becca was looking down as if all hope was lost. As if his silence spoke for him.
It didn’t -
“I want to be with you.”
Becca felt like the air had been stolen from her lungs. How long had she been waiting to hear them? How long has she been hoping Ethan Ramsey would commit to only her with a promise of forever? Far longer than she’d care to admit, that’s for sure.
Ethan watched her lips part, her jaw slacken. Every pretty feature he adored more than life itself stunned stiff.
In true fashion Becca schooled her features as soon as his words rang through the mahogany room. Bitter words formed on her tongue, accompanied by a desolate huff,
“You sure about that?”
Not a single hesitation as Ethan responded, “Yes.”
“You sure have some fucked up way of showing it.” She watched him from the corner of her eye, shifting in his place and a rueful tug at the corners of his mouth.
Ethan kneeled down beside the bed, coming to her level, “I know.”
This is never how Becca imagined getting Ethan Ramsey down on his knees. All those fantasies didn’t join a near death experience or a fight.
His palms spread out on the quilt. All of him itching to touch her. If he could touch her, everything would be okay.
A beat forced itself between them. Ethan staring at his fingers inching towards her above the horrid colored quilt, and Becca looking blankly at the top of his head.
And then she murmured;
“I can’t be with you if you’re going to treat me like shit all the time.”
“It was never my intention. I just want what’s bes-”
“Best for me, I know. But you don’t get to dictate that. It’s my life, I’m a big girl. I can make my own decisions.”
He was listening. He was guilty and listening.
“I want you, Ethan.”
Those words were like music to his ears - to know she really, truly shared the sentiment. His deep blue gaze flickered up to her; staring at her from under long lashes and hanging on to her every word. This was everything they’ve both wanted - a proper admission of devotion. Then why did she look so sad?
“But not if you’re going to keep pulling away from me.”
Ah. There it was. All his faults coming back - his one mistake at abandoning her after she needed him most digging deep.
“I’m sorry. All of this was to protect you. I’ll always, always protect you.”
Becca’s heart skipped a beat at the unbridled conviction in his tone against her better judgment.
“I don’t need a hero, Ethan.” Becca shook her head in kind admonishment. “I want a partner. Someone who will let me make mistakes and just hold me through it at the end of the day.”
A bolt of lightning cracked in the distance. Their stare on one another so strong, devoted, that she couldn’t see through the clear blue of his irises and deep into his soul the moment the fleeting lightness peered in.
“Okay,” was all he said.
He responded quickly and with such fortitude that she couldn’t help but be skeptical.
Becca rose a brow.
Ethan moved closer and grabbed her hand, adding a squeeze.
In a low voice she said, “I want to make the most of the time we have left. If I get a job elsewhere… I don’t want to regret anything.”
His brows pulled together as this little known fact wormed its way into his rationality. “You’re thinking of leaving Edenbrook?” He held onto her hand just a bit tighter.
“I don’t know,” she half shrugged. “If…”
He finished the question for her. “Of course you’ll have a job. The spot on my team is yours.”
“Yeah, I know. But if…” Becca didn’t know how to accurately explain her fears. If they didn’t work out after all this would she still be able to work with him? Would he be able to? What if she received an amazing offer elsewhere. What happens to them if she takes it?
“Can we not think about this right now.”
Taking both her cold hands in his, Ethan simply nodded.
He could feel the scary stirring in the pit of his stomach. Every pang of it subsiding the longer her warmth was within reach. The last of his fears overtaken by the most adorable sound as she stifled a yawn.
Ethan let go of her hand just long enough to brush some strands back from her face. Un-showered and salty from the day’s events her cheek was still soft under his touch. He leaned up to press the lightest of pecks to her forehead.
Ethan was less than a few centimeters away from where she wanted him most. One movement and it could all be right and well. Becca brushed her nose against the stubble of his chin, coaxing him downwards. She could feel his grin against her skin as his stubble marked her nose. Every second he didn’t succumb, the tip grew redder and redder.
Ethan pulled back - too far for a quick descend down to her lips - and Becca almost threw a tempered fist into the mattress. Almost.
He was looking at her with such reverence it made her whole entire body tingle. Like his stares were the hand of Da Vinci trying to capture her image - immortalize it for the rest of time. Trying desperately to paint this to memory - this moment where everything for them seemed to change for the better. This was the moment Ethan Ramsey knew.
Becca was mere inches away. One more movement and she would know - know that he is irrevocably her. One more movement and he’d seal their fate.
Her eyes flickered down to his chapped lips, and this time she didn’t look away. This time there was no enchanting classic playing on the television, just the person before them. This time Ethan was thankful for her focus. He let out the breath he was holding in. Watched her eyelids flutter as the warm gust met her lashes. Leaned in and listened. Listened to the erratic thumping. Thumping of his heart or hers or the hurricane, he didn’t know.
Didn’t care. Couldn’t give a damn about anything other than her.
Their lips met. Softly, tenderly. The shortest, most endearing kiss they’ve ever had. Neither wanting to ruin this with overzealous lust.
They pulled back, unencumbered smiles gracing their features; and then she yawned again.
Light with strange happiness, Ethan gently pressed her back into pillows. Pulled the covers around her to tuck her in.
He kissed her chastely once more. Then pulled away.
Every step he took from her side of the bed had her chiding herself for being so stupid for believing him this time. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.
Ethan moved through the darkness. The raging winds of reality jolted through them, pounding on the expansive windows. Getting louder and more unruly the further he got.
But then he did something so unexpected. So surprisingly unlike the man she thought she knew.
He pulled back the covers of the other side of the bed and slipped in. Ethan shifted closer and closer atop the king sized bed until his arm wrapped around her waist, the other snaking under her neck. Becca welcomed him without a single hesitation or ill thought. This is exactly what she hoped for yesterday.
Ethan had that smile - that one smile reserved only for her - as he dove into the covers with her, never intending to come back up. Their sweet embrace was all the sustenance he needed to survive. In this moment - and all of them to come, he’s sure - he and Becca were the only two people in the universe.
The storm outside was moving miles and miles away.
________________________________________
A/N: there was meant to be a cute bathtub scene at the end before they went to bed. it required too much effort so it got the axe. oh well! thanks for sticking around <3
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The Sign of Three
NOTE: Merry Christmas @elfchensdcartblog from your DCMK secret santa!! I’m sorry for posting it at the last minute possible, I should probably have said Happy New Year instead. Here is my humble gift to you. Also, I’m sorry for not writing it with the accent. Regular english still gives me trouble and I’m not sure I’m capable of writing it right. Big thanks to @dcmksecretsanta for hosting he event.
I’m really rusty, but actually making this gift is more fun than I imagined. I forgot how soothing writing can be. Please forgive any mistake I made, happy reading! ^^
----The Sign of Three----
“You know, this is a very bad idea.” Heiji said to Kazuha for the sixth time that day. He’s practically sulking by now. On default, Heiji is not a big fan of malls. Much less going to a mall two days before Christmas. Suffice to say, the place was packed. People are everywhere. There’s people who are getting their christmas shopping late, young couples celebrating christmas together, or just some rando who had the bright idea to come to the mall near christmas. The mall even blasted out “We Wish You a Merry Christmas'' in every speaker on loop. Heiji swears if he finds the person responsible for that song that guy will have to answer to him.
Kazuha however is chipper as ever. She ignored his comment and instead was busy looking at toy displays in front of her while whistling along on the christmas song. Heiji wouldn’t even be here if Kazuha had not dragged him out. Heck, he wouldn’t even leave the house if it weren’t for her. His plan is to stay at home and do some reading, maybe go out for a bit to get food, but that’s it.
Kazuha apparently had other plans for him. She insisted on making him come with her to her class christmas event today and accompany her to do last minute shopping for the kids. Apparently the school wanted the students to celebrate Christmas by making a christmas event where the kids can play and exchange gifts. Only, the actual event is two days early from christmas because the kids will be celebrating with their own family on the actual christmas.
The idea is stupid. Heiji said as much.
He gets smacked in the head for that. Heiji had tried to lie his way out, but Kazuha immediately saw through him.
And that’s another weird thing about Kazuha lately. They had been married a while, but Heiji was sure that her changes only occurred recently.
Lately, she seems to become more observant. She often notices small things that she didn't notice before. Normally if someone moved her pen when she was away, she wouldn’t notice, but now she was able to tell the exact distance of the pen’s displacement.
Another weirdness is, she woke up by the slightest noise. Before when Heiji had to stay late because of work, he was able to get to their bed without waking her. Now Kazuha is awake when he cracks the door open. If Heiji made a noise, she was able to tell exactly what was causing the noise, even if she was two rooms away. Heiji didn’t know what was the cause, it’s not like it’s the first time he saw that kind of ability. He had good ears, so does his father. What’s weird is that Kazuha suddenly developed one, too.
Maybe it was contagious?
Heiji shakes his head, chasing the ridiculous thoughts away. Despite Kazuha being weirdly observant, Heiji managed to secure an awesome gift for her, in his humble opinion. The subject of his musings is still shopping happily, uncharacteristically unaware of his thoughts.
Kazuha is still looking at the display. But now she has already moved to the far end of the store. She picks up the toys one by one and assesses them carefully, as if it was important evidence on a crime scene. After a while, she held up a toy truck in front of him.
“Do you think Mikoto-kun would like this one?” Kazuha asked, holding a red toy car that resembles a fire truck.
Mikoto is one of Kazuha's students in elementary school, who Heiji really doesn’t like. Mikoto, like most the boys in her class, had a crush on Kazuha-sensei and wanted to marry her when they grow up. Nevermind that Heiji visited the class and told them that Kazuha was already married to him.
In response to that information, Mikoto--who had the smuggest face for someone barely older than a toddler-- just looked at him from top to bottom, face clearly displaying unimpressed. “Oh well, we’ll see about that.”
The audacity.
Not caring what the brat would get for Christmas, Heiji answered shortly, “He’s a kid, that’s a toy. The math suggests that he would be thrilled.”
He thought she would get annoyed with him, but his wife just shrugged and went back to shopping. In the end, she made a decision and took the toy to the counter to pay for it and told him to wait for her. Heiji watched her with a suspicious gaze, wondering if what meets the eye is really the truth.
Heiji thinks it’s weird that Kazuha invited him to the event. While it’s not the first time he has come to her class and participated, it was always such a disaster. Considering what happened when he was present, he should be banned.
In his defense, it was the brat’s fault. Everytime Heiji comes to pick Kazuha up, he will ‘accidentally’ step on his foot. Kazuha makes Mikoto apologize to him of course, but the boy apologizes with a sleazy grin not fit for a child. One time, when he visited Kazuha during class, the brat ‘accidentally’ poured paint all over his shirt. Heiji tried to get back at the kid, but as if sensing his petty intention, Mikoto immediately cried.
Worse, Kazuha never sided with him. She came and comforted the kid while Heiji had to watch the kid buried his face in Kazuha’s chest while giving him the smuggest smile known to humankind. He had to bite back a curse.
Another incident that popped in his mind is when Heiji cursed in her class, in front of the children. It was actually quite comical, the children had simultaneously stopped what they were doing and looked at him in shellshock, Heiji stood awkwardly for a minute. He was about to make a run for it. When one of the kids decided that what he had done was unacceptable on so many levels and tattled on him to Kazuha.
Kazuha had put him on time-out as if he was five despite his protest to her.
“I can’t play favour, Heiji. It’s not a good example for the kids” Kazuha said sternly while putting her hands at her hips. Long story short, he lost the debate.
He had to sit in the hallway to think about what he did while the other children peeked at him curiously from the window.
One kid even booed at him.
Yeah, it was not his proudest moment.
While he was reminiscing, Kazuha came back from the cashier, carrying one more bag in her hand. She didn’t have any trouble carrying it, but he decided to perform his duty as a good husband and took the bag from her hand. Beside, this way her hand would be free for him to hold.
Chiding himself for being sappy, Heiji linked their fingers together in a loose grip, suppressing the blush that always comes despite already being married to her. But Kazuha was having none of it today as she tightened her hand.
Kazuha leaned closer on him. Their arms linked together and her nose almost brushed his shoulder.
“Let’s go upstairs.” Kazuha said, leading the way. As they walked side by side, she broke the silence.
“Did you finish your christmas shopping?” Kazuha asked. The mall was crowded and loud, so Heiji really had to pay attention to hear her.
“I did. Finished it weeks ago.”
“Including my gift?”
“Yes.”
“Is it a living thing?”
“No.”
“Is it a nonliving thing?”
“We’re not playing 20 questions!”
Kazuha pouted. She bit the inside of her cheeks and turned her face away from him. Giving Heiji her side-view. And suddenly he finds himself resisting the irrational urge to kiss that protruding lips in public. Fortunately, unlike with the case of Fairy’s lips, he still had common sense left.
“I think I know what you get me.” Kazuha said suddenly.
Heiji gave his wife a skeptical stare, surely she was just bluffing, afterall he went through a painstaking measure to make it a surprise. He even draws a murderboard, which he hides in Kudo’s house, much to the latter dismay.
“No you don’t.” Heiji sneered.
“Hmm let’s see now,” Kazuha put her hand to her chin, mimicking his favorite pose when solving a case, complete with a smile, which may appear innocent at first but completely devious.
“I know that you suck at handcraft. And I don’t see you working at anything, so it can’t be handmade. You said it was a non-living thing, so it can’t be a pet. Judging by how quick you are in answering my question earlier and the fact we have a joint account, it’s unlikely to be a trip or a dinner.”
Heiji started to sweat. Is this what the suspect always felt whenever he made a show of his deductions? Still, Kazuha is not done yet.
“The fact that you finished weeks ago means you had planned it for awhile. You’ve gone to Tokyo for a suspicious amount of time, it can be unrelated to gift-buying, but my instinct said it was very related. But it’s weird that you go so far just to shop, there’s plenty of places here where you can hide your gift. That suggests the involvement of an outside party. Probably a delivery. Which means…”
Kazuha added a dramatic pause.
“....it was custom-made.”
Damn. What’s gotten into her?
Still, Kazuha went for the kill, “The fact that you’re giving it to me, big chance it was a jewelry. Probably a necklace. Since you had no sense when it comes to women’s fashion, the one you custom it’s not probably the design. If my deduction is correct, that necklace would have my initial.”
Heiji completely avoided looking at her. Somehow his pride is trampled over her deductions. He had plans after all. The only solace he had was Kazuha doing all of that is kinda hot. So he let it pass.
“Am I right?”
Heiji shrugged. “I don’t know, you had to wait.”
Kazuha gives a little happy jump, almost knocking a lady that was passing by them.
“I can’t wait for a necklace with a ‘K’ pendant to come.”
Heiji nodded along with her statement. The pendant that he ordered is actually spelled ‘K.H’, since Kazuha had officially become a Hattori now. He decided to let her little mistake in detail be left uncorrected and changed the subject.
“Can we go now? I think this place is getting more packed.” Heiji said, and true to his word, someone bumped into him. Said person didn’t even apologize and just walked.
“Hold on, I still need to buy one more for Chika-chan.”
“Huh? I thought it was a secret santa.”
“It is, but I’m buying a present for all of my students in the class.”
Heiji frowned. “Why? Isn’t that a bit much even for you? You’ll see them again next year.”
He felt her getting tense. She was looking straight ahead but he can tell that she was carefully masking her face as casual indifference.
Shrugging her shoulder, Kazuha answered, “I just want to make this year memorable.”
Heiji observed her face carefully for any clue, but sensing his curiosity, Kazuha looked back at him and feigned a smile. Deciding to not pursue it further, he noted this exchange and kept it in Kazuha’s folder, a place in his mind palace where he keeps anything related to Kazuha that he finds odd or weird. That folder had recently become thicker and thicker.
“Let’s go up one more floor, I think I see a store selling hair accessories.” Kazuha said quickly as she pulled him along by his hand to the elevator direction. Heiji followed along.
She accidentally stumbled on her steps. Delaying them for a few seconds. In consequence of that, they missed the elevator. As the door closed with a resounding ding sound. It was like a butterfly effect, the world just decide what he needs today is a murder.
If only they got on that elevator, they would have missed the shrill scream of a person discovering a dead body.
But unfortunately they did.
Knowing that scream everywhere, Heiji felt his detective sense alert in an instant. But before running off to the source of the commotion, he looked at Kazuha first, wordlessly asking for her permission.
Kazuha sighed, smiling softly, “Go”.
Heiji gave her a cheeky grin. He handed her the shopping bags to her. Since both his hands are free, he had the chance to strike a cool pose before running off by gripping the edge of his hat and pulling the cap to the front.
“I’ll be back.”
------------------------------------------------------------
In the span of time for one call to the police, five interrogations, and one person broke down crying later, Heiji managed to gather the suspects in the back of the store. The body is found in a clothing changing room. A man in his late thirties, wearing casual jeans and polo shirt. The corpse had been found laying on his back, half his body leaned on the mirror. Eyes wide and mouth wide open. Although there is no blood.
The store owner had been very helpful in aiding his investigations. She closed the crime perimeter and helped gather witnesses. Even though she initially insisted that the man just had a heart attack, until Heiji pointed out the signs that he clearly is poisoned.
Heiji was busy doing his usual detective work that he didn’t really notice that Kazuha hadn't shown up even after thirty minutes had passed since they heard the scream.
Heiji was about to search for her, already worried that something happened to his wife. But as he was about to walk away from the crime scene, Kazuha catches up with him, completely unaware of his worry. She even brought a drink in hand and casually sip the cold liquid from the straw while looking around the crime scene curiously.
“Solved it yet?” She asked. Slurping the boba tea.
Heiji was momentarily distracted by the movement of her lips. Shaking the unwanted thoughts away, he looked back at the corpse.
“Not yet. So far, here’s the situation. Someone is found dead in the changing room of this store.” Heiji gestured towards the corpse.
“No blood.” Kazuha remarked.
Heiji nodded. He feels weirdly proud that she participated in the case. He resisted the urge to pat her head, “Exactly. Death by poison.”
“Cyanide?”
“No, arsenic.”
“Who do you think did it?”
“Well, I figured out the trick, But I’m still not sure who did it.”
Kazuha nodded solemnly. Still slurping her drink. Her gaze turned towards the three people standing behind the store owner who were looking at them the whole time. The three men are the main suspects for the case. Heiji told them to stand far enough so they can’t overhear his conversation. Heiji was sure the culprit was between the man with glasses and the tall one. Although he had no evidence or any defining clue.
“The guy with the glasses seems suspicious.” Kazuha said. Leaning close to whisper in his ears. He instinctively take a step back. Typical of Kazuha to annoy him with her stupid breath and her slurping when he was in the middle of a case.
Heiji snatched the drink from her hand.
“How is he suspicious?” He asked, only half-interested in her answer.
“Look at the inside of his wrist.” Kazuha said confidently at first, but she suddenly turned hesitant and quickly shrugged “But, I don’t know though, you’re the Detective.”
Reluctantly, Heiji followed Kazuha's advice and focused on the man in glasses hands.
Wait….that mark…
“I know who the killer is.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
An hour and half later, they finally manage to get out of the mall. Heiji was sure that they were already late to the event. Thankfully, there was no traffic on the way, so they made it to the school ground less than ten minute later. The event hasn't started yet. Most of the kids were still playing around, although Kazuha’s coworkers had pulled out various games and an assortment of christmas themed sweets out.
When Heiji and Kazuha enter the classroom. The children cheered. Immediately, she was surrounded by her students. They formed a circle around her and tried to get her attention. Looking at the spectacle before him, Heiji can’t help but note that Kazuha is really good with kids.
Heiji put their bag on the gifts table. He searched for an empty chair to sit on. Heiji found one in the back of the room. He sits down on one of the chairs beside the low round table. Heiji was so focused that he didn’t notice someone approaching him.
“So you came.”
Heiji turned to the source of the voice. But he didn’t see anyone.
“Down here”
He looked down and his stare met with Mikoto’s gaze.
“Hey”
Mikoto only grunted. The kid pulled the chair across him and sat down. He slouched on the chair while looking around the room with bored eyes. Heiji noticed that his eyes landed on a little girl with a pigtail who was excitedly chatting with Kazuha. He looked back at the kid and the girl.
Heiji was a very observant Detective. The best in Japan. Despite what neechan said. That’s why the blush on Mikoto’s face didn’t go unnoticed by Heiji. He gave a small sigh. Kids these days, so easy to move on from one crush to another.
“Do you like that girl?” Heiji asked. One eyebrow raised suggestively. He deliberately didn’t gesture on the little girl across the room.
Mikoto looked scandalized, suddenly sitting straight with face flushed red. “What! No! Who likes Chika!?”
Heiji grinned. “I didn’t say anything about Chika-chan.”
Mikoto was about to defend himself. But no words come out. All of his face was flaming red to the tip of his ear. The blush even went up to his ears. In the end, he settled to look away instead. Sulking.
“So…” Heiji began, finding the opportunity to tease the kid highly amusing. “Do you think Chika-chan cute? What’s her deal?’
Mikoto crossed his hand in front of his chest, “She’s not cute! She’s stupid!” he stated, too loud and too defensive to be true. Some of the kids and one teacher had looked their way due to commotion.
“Hey, stupid is a bad word.” Heiji chided.
Mikoto was about to protest. But somehow decided against it and mumbled a low “Sorry.”
Seeing the kid actually reminded him a lot of someone. Although Heiji can’t quite recall who. “Here’s an advice, if you like her, don’t pull her pigtails.”
Mikoto, once again, flushed red. As if he was just caugh red-handed. “I don’t need your advice, I bet you also pulled Kazuha-sensei’s ponytail.”
Heiji laughed. It’s actually happened. The scene of their younger years flashed before his eyes. Kazuha used to have pigtails too when she was young and the sight of her hair swinging around as she walked always seems cute and endearing to him. Although back then he had no idea what the feeling blossomed in his chest was.
Young Heiji never made the connection between the flutter of his heart and Kazuha’s presence. Once Heiji even thought he had heart problems. His mother laughed when he brought his concerns to her. Shizuka had said that he was healthy as a clamp and had nothing to worry about. To his embarrassment, it took him ten more years to finally understand he was in love with Kazuha.
“What are you boys talking about?”
Both of them turned around simultaneously, only to find Kazuha standing behind.
“Nothing,” Mikoto said. Kazuha looked at the two of them suspiciously. “Mikoto-kun, you should join the others. The game is about to start.”
Mikoto sends Heiji a distress signal to help him get away. But Heiji feels no remorse as he shrugged his shoulders in total betrayal.
“Mikoto-kun.” Kazuha said again, voice more stern. In the end, Mikoto sighed and walked away from the couple. Joining the merry and fun of his friends in the center of the room.
Kazuha sat on the empty chair that Mikoto left, staring at the crowd in a somewhat somber gaze, “He reminds me a lot of you.”
Heiji immediately defended himself, “What! I am nothing like that brat.”
“You two seemed to get along, though” Kazuha said.
“No, we’re not. He hates my gut. Apparently he used to have a crush on you.” Heiji added, “And just so you know, those little accidents that he did, are not an ‘accident’.”
Kazuha laughed. “I know. I just wanna show how ridiculous you are, getting jealous of kids.” Heiji opened his mouth, but she cut him off, “Don’t even try to deny it.”
Heiji blew a harsh breath. Looking around at the happy kids around him, the christmas decoration is exquisite, and the cookies smelled delicious, even from when he was sitting.
“Why do you insist I come anyway?” Heiji asked. Although he probably knows the answer. With how observant Kazuha is lately, maybe she noticed that he’s not having such a great time at work.
But his wife is always able to surprise him. “I’m pregnant.”
Heiji gaped at her as the world turned into a standstill. Voices become mute and he swears the earth stop spinning.
Kazuha...is pregnant…
Kazuha is pregnant.
He heard the words clearly. But the meaning didn’t actually register in his head. Kazuha is pregnant? With his child….
There’s another human being that he will be responsible to. Someone who looks like him. Or maybe Kazuha. Maybe a well-behaved kid like Chika-chan or a brat like Mikoto.
What would he do if his kid makes bad choices? Or become too reckless like him?
He could feel his panic rapidly growing by the second. The thought of bringing a human life in this world is downright overwhelming. Kazuha might be good with kids, but he is not. What would he do with one? That’s easy, he should feed it. Oh God, what did you feed a kid? What does a kid even eat??
As if sensing his rapidly growing panic, Kazuha called his name. “Heiji,”
When there was no response, Kazuha grabbed his hand that was laying on the table. The contact startled him. His eyes turned to her.
“We’re gonna be fine, Heiji.” Kazuha added, “Beside, I’ve been thinking about it, and I think I want to focus on raising our family.”
Suddenly, it made sense. Why she wants to make this year christmas with her class so memorable. The way she is acting so weird recently. There’s only one thing he can’t figure out, thought….
“I don’t get why you suddenly become so observant, is that another side effect of pregnancy?”
Kazuha stared at him in bewilderment, “What are you talking about?”
“You! You were suddenly very observant. Like a detect--” Heiji stopped mid-sentence, he abruptly stood up from the chair, knocking it backwards. As if he just received the meaning of the universe, he exclaimed:
“Oh God, our child is gonna be a detective!!”
.
.
.
A/N: And thus, Heisuke is doomed since he was a literal fetus to be a detective by his father.
There’s a local belief in my area that when a mother is pregnant, how she behaves is influenced by the child’s personality. So if a woman often gets angry during pregnancy, that means the child is temperamental, so on. Halfway writing this, I realized that it might be too weird and specific, so I ended up rewriting it into a more general trope. Although dumbass me misread the fact that Kazuha is elementary teacher-to-be, not elementary teacher. Still, I hope you accept this as a humble sort-of-headcanon to your Heisuke AU.
I actually really like the concept of the AU, I had to refrain myself from liking and reblogging all the posts because then you would have easily figured out that I’m your Secret Santa (lol). Can’t wait to see your next works. Good luck and Merry Christmas! ^^
#dcmksecretsanta#my fic#I think the last time I write anything is BNHA secret santa three years ago#this is surprisingly fun#imagining Heiji in ridiculuous situation is my jam#I will never live down the fairy's lips case#that was exhausting
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Blue Neighborhood Series: TOO GOOD (Jackie-centric) - Mac
AN: All my love and thanks to Alex for betaing. She’s a star and I adore her. All my love to you all for continuing to read this story. I appreciate you so much more than you know.
Summary: Jan and Jackie talk about their respective futures as well as the events of the past few months and try to figure out what comes next.
Jackie breathed in and out slowly in an attempt to slow her racing heart. The cups of coffee in her hand were still so ridiculously hot that they burned a ring into the skin of her palm, but the uncomfortable feeling and the biting chill of the night air kept her mind clear.
For that she was grateful.
Not a second after she had knocked, the familiar red oak door swung open, revealing a frazzled looking Jan. She looked beautiful despite her evident stress, and Jackie would have told her as much if she were braver.
“Good evening, Miss Homecoming Royalty,” Jackie grinned, chipper as ever, even with it being nearly midnight.
Jan huffed and rolled her eyes, clearly not in the mood for teasing, but as her gaze fell onto the matching cups in Jackie’s hands, her eyes lit up and she made a grab for the coffee.
Jackie’s arm darted away from Jan’s eager grasp and she shook her head mockingly. “Uh un, what do you say?” she prompted, barely able to suppress a grin.
Jan crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. If Jackie were a stronger woman she wouldn’t have found it as adorable as it was.
The older girl sighed. “This is the part where you say ‘thank you, Jackie, you’re the light of my life and I couldn’t do any of this without you.’”
Jan rolled her eyes once more. “I swear to god,” she cursed under her breath.
“Close enough,” Jackie chuckled, finally offering the drink to Jan with an outstretched hand.
Jan grabbed it swiftly like she was prepared for Jackie to whisk it away again. The older girl just laughed at her as the two made their way up the stairs to Jan’s room. Pristine and purple as always, Jackie swore the place was cleaner than a hospital with how often Jan vacuumed, the plush shag carpet sending sparks of familiarity and comfort up Jackie’s legs and settling in her spine.
The two girls threw themselves on the bed and began the arduous process of pulling out their various materials.
College applications were due in a week and with all the shit that had been going on in both their lives, they had conveniently put off writing their essays, or in Jan’s case, writing her essays and recording her audition tapes. Jan, having realized this, had called Jackie immediately and demanded that they get together and finish everything right the fuck now. Jackie, having been half asleep and not in her right mind, agreed, because it was Jan, and she never could say no to Jan.
Now, the girls exhaled, throwing their stacks of papers around the room and staring blankly at their computer screens, racking their brains for that perfect string of words that would determine the course of their lives.
After about thirty minutes of this mindless staring, Jan sighed and threw herself back onto her plush comforter, trying and failing not to find it comfortable.
“What the hell do they mean where do I want to be in ten years?” She groaned. “Employed. What the hell else?”
Jackie raised a singular brow, judgment clear in her words.“Is that really UCLA’s essay topic? Yikes.”
Jan sat up and fixed her with a squint. “Well, what was Smith’s?”
“Most influential person in your life.”
“That’s sooooooo basic,” Jan drawled, rolling her eyes pointedly.
Jackie leaned over the mountain of pillows and made to poke at Jan playfully. The younger girl gave a dramatic shriek and began burying herself under the mass of pillows in an effort to escape. Jackie let her go after a moment, finding Jan far too cute and far too close.
The proximity, even after all these years, never failed to make her head spin.
“At least they didn’t ask a minimum wage job interview question,” she quickly recovered.
Jan scoffed and batted Jackie’s hands away. “I think you’re just saying that cause you don’t want me going so far away.”
Jackie couldn’t hide the way her heart sank in her chest at the comment, but she’d be damned if she didn’t try to conceal it with an eye roll. “Whatever. Like you won’t get into whatever school you apply to.”
Jan groaned again, turning her face against a pillow so she could meet Jackie’s eyes. “Juilliard has an 8% acceptance rate.”
“And NYU?”
“20%”
Jackie shrugged. “And what about it? You’re more talented than every one of those other bitches and you know it.”
Jan sighed, letting her eyes fall down to the bed beneath them, fingers tracing aimless patterns into the worn blanket.“I dunno, Jacks. Lately I’ve been wondering if I even wanna do music.”
“Are you serious?” Jackie asked incredulously.
The thought that Jan, the girl with musical notes for blood cells, wasn’t sure about her future was… alarming to say the least.
If anybody should be comfortable picking a path in life, she should.
Student body president, Homecoming Royalty, captain of the cheer team, soccer star, salutatorian. She was the perfect addition to any collegiate program.
Although Jackie supposed it made sense. Jan had been so driven, had worked so hard for so long that she had barely had time to breathe let alone think for herself. Always so concerned with what came next.
Freedom must seem like the scariest thing imaginable.
“Is this because of what happened at your audition last month?” Jackie pressed, still unable to fully wrap her mind around what she was hearing.
“No? Well, yes.” She sighed once more. “I dunno. I just don’t know if that’s my… thing. You know? Like for the rest of my life…” Jan trailed off.
Jackie nodded. She did know.
Just because she was happy with her chosen track didn’t mean she was sure of it.
But she had been in a similar position not too long ago when she had come out to her less than enthusiastic parents. Jackie had defined herself by her family and the rules of her culture since the day she could comprehend them.
It was scary, feeling so untethered.
The only reason she had gotten through it was the knowledge that she would get to escape one day. That college would come and she could be free from all the expectations and the pressure and the rules.
But Jan wasn’t like that. She craved rules and discipline and order. So much so that it had overshadowed everything else. Order had always come first. Before passion, before reason, before joy.
“Well you know,” Jackie paused, “you don’t have to decide right now.”
Jan looked up at her, eyes wide in confusion.“Applications are due next week I have to-”
Jackie cut her off with a shake of her head. “Who says you even have to go to college?”
The younger girl stared at her for a moment, mouth hanging open in shock, like she couldn’t believe that Jackie was actually encouraging what she was encouraging. “My parents-”
“Oh fuck off,” Jackie scoffed. “You don’t actually care what they think.”
Jan couldn’t meet her eyes anymore, shoulders tense as she attempted to process. Her fingers were flexing unconsciously against the sheets as her mind spun, falling over itself at the idea that she had the option to take her time.
That she didn’t have to keep running anymore. That she could finally slow down.
Jackie saw it all play out behind her eyes, and she noticed the moment that Jan shut down, not allowing herself to bask in the possibility.
She went to protest again. “Jacks-”
“You don’t have to pick your career right now,” Jackie said firmly, in that tone that always made Jan shut up and actually listen to her. She wasn’t sure why she was pushing so hard, but she couldn’t stop herself, the unrelenting need to assure Jan that she was fine and she had time making her mouth move before her brain could stop it. “You’re 18. You’ve got so much time. You can take a year off, or two years off, or never fucking go to college if you don’t want to.”
Jan still wouldn’t look at her, body still tense, mind still scattered; Jackie gently took hold one of Jan’s hands in her own, squeezing it gently in reassurance.
“You have time to figure it all out. And you will.” Jackie smiled lightly to herself. “I know you will.”
Because it’s you. She wanted to say. Because it’s you and you’re so incredible. And nothing you ever do in your whole life can be anything less than incredible.
Jackie looked up to find Jan staring at her with soft eyes, adoration so clearly etched in the lines on her face.
“What are you staring at?” Jackie coughed awkwardly, a hand coming up to worry the skin on the back of her neck, flush spreading subconsciously.
“Nothing.” Jan smiled, shaking her head and squeezing Jackie’s hand in hers. “It’s just… you’re gonna be a great lawyer.”
…
Jackie’s head hung off the side of Jan’s bed several hours later as the student body president looked through her color-coded planner, mind unfocused. Thoughts of sleep wandered through Jackie’s exhausted brain, but she forced her eyes open, meeting Jan’s even as she was upside down.
“Whatcha thinking bout?” Jackie asked her, with a lopsided grin.
“That you look silly like that,” Jan teased.
“Funny, you look normal.”
Jan’s eyes widened comically and her mouth hung open in a show of mock offense before she proceeded to poke Jackie none too lightly in the side over and over and over again. This lead to the both of them playfully hitting at each other like children, eventually causing Jackie to fall gracelessly off the bed and onto the floor, the two old friends proceeding to collapse into a fit of giggles and eventually calling a truce as they caught their breaths.
Their laughter subsided after an immeasurable amount of time and a comfortable silence fell between the two.
But then, Jan’s peaceful smile faltered.
“Are you thinking about her?”
Jackie felt her shoulders tense, the sudden change of tone making goosebumps rise on her skin. “Gotta be more specific than that,” she tried and failed to joke.
“Gigi,” Jan muttered, staring intently at Jackie, eyes brimming with… something that Jackie didn’t entirely recognize.
“Why?”
Jan shrugged. “I dunno. You were gonna go with her to Homecoming and then all of a sudden you weren’t.”
Jackie looked at Jan hard for a moment, unsure of where this line of questioning was coming from, and not sure she wanted to find out where it was going, as Jan’s stare was blank and unassuming - a dramatic deviation from her usual bubbly self.
Jackie shook her head as if to communicate that it wasn’t a big deal. “She wanted to go with someone else. It wasn’t a set in stone kinda thing. We were only going as friends.”
You knew that. Jackie wanted to say.
Because Jan had known that. Had known both of them for her whole life and not once had she… made this connection before.
The student body president nodded slowly, almost as if weighing Jackie’s answer. “So you don’t…” Jan paused, choosing her next words carefully, “have… feelings for her?”
Jackie felt something unpleasant settle in her stomach. Something that felt quite a bit like anger.
They didn’t talk about this.
Not about boys, or girls, or attraction in general. Jan always had Bryce and Jackie always kept her mouth shut.
“Why?” Jackie tried to keep her voice level, and not let the selfish, angry part of herself lash out.
“I’m just curious.” Jan shrugged, detached tone still making Jackie uneasy. “You never tell me about girls you like, and you and Gigi were all over each other at Widow’s birthday.”
Suddenly, the remaining pieces fell into place.
“So were you and Jaida,” Jackie shot back before she could think better of it.
Jan immediately shrunk in on herself, as if Jackie’s words had been physical blows. “That was different.”
Jackie laughed bitterly, the pooing disgust in her gut brimming to the surface. She raised one eyebrow pointedly, making unyielding eye contact with Jan. “Was it?”
Suddenly Jan was much closer than Jackie remembered her being, and she must have sat up or something because she could feel Jan’s labored breathing against her face now.
And just as suddenly as she noticed it, Jan was leaning across the small space between them to press her lips firmly, decidedly against Jackie’s.
Jackie’s entire body froze, suspended a freefall for several seconds.
The change from anger to elation was so sudden, so consuming, that her whole body felt aflame.
After a beat, her brain slowly kicked back online and she began to move her mouth in time with Jan’s bruising kisses.
Jan tasted like coffee and sunshine and a familiarity that made Jackie’s spine tingle. And Jackie didn’t know how she had gone so long without tasting her.
The kiss turned slow, lazy almost, as the two old friends lingered in each other’s space long after they had come up for air.
But when the student body president pulled away, there was something decidedly less joyful in her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Jan started to apologize.
Jackie smiled lightly. “It’s okay.”
Jan kept shaking her head back and forth quickly, anxiety creeping into her words.“No, I mean… I shouldn’t have done that. I… I wanted to see if… I thought maybe-”
Jackie reached out with a gentle hand to brush a stray lock of hair out of Jan’s face, but the younger flinched back like the contact burned, and the sick feeling in Jackie’s stomach was back, threatening to suffocate her.
“Take your time, it’s okay,” A rejected Jackie nearly whispered.
Jan just kept shaking her head, letting out a puff of air through her nose. “It’s really not.”
Jackie looked at her, really looked at her for a moment, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
It finally came in the form of Jan’s teary eyes meeting Jackie’s.
I’m sorry. They said without words.
And suddenly it hit her what exactly Jan was apologizing for.
“You… you don’t like me like that. Do you?” Jackie said slowly, allowing each of the words to drift from the back of her tongue and fall off her lips coldly.
Jan met her eyes again, lip held tightly between her two perfect rows of teeth, and shook her head.
Jackie nodded. “It’s Jaida, isn’t it?” she couldn’t keep the disgust out of her mouth.
Jan hesitated, freezing up for a beat before giving in and nodding minutely.
The silence was back, heavy now in the wake of Jan’s admissions.
And then suddenly, all the years of repressed feelings came bubbling to the surface, and Jackie was helpless to stop the anger from winning out this time.
“Why didn’t you tell me? What, you didn’t think I’d understand? Didn’t think I could handle it?” She spat.
Jan shook her head, helpless. “I didn’t know how to-”
“You didn’t even fucking come out to me! I didn’t know you liked girls, I had to use fucking context clues!”
“I didn’t know how to tell you it was someone else.” Jan rushed out. “I always thought, if it were going to be anyone, I thought it’d be you…” she shook her head sadly. “But it’s not and I didn’t know how to tell you. I didn’t know how to tell myself.”
“So what, you just fucking kissed me for what?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Yeah, well, you fucking failed”
Jackie, vision blurry in a mix of rage and hurt, started grabbing her school materials and shoving them blindly into her bag.
Jan tried to stop her. “Jacks-”
“Don’t.” The ice in Jackie’s voice shut Jan up immediately, the younger girl sinking back into her position on the bedroom floor.
Jackie made her way to the door, silently fuming to herself. She only stopped when she heard Jan’s meek voice from behind her.
“I’m sorry. I wanted it to be you.”
Jackie laughed bitterly, facing the door to hide the tears threatening to spill over. “You can’t help who you like, Jan.”
…
Jan’s words echoed in Jackie’s head as she fled the house.
“I wanted it to be you.”
Me too. Jackie thought. Me fucking too.
She wanted to be angry. So much so that she convinced herself she was. Cursing Jan’s name under her breath, wishing they’d never met in the first place.
But as soon as the chill of the October air hit her skin, she felt the tears fall. She was helpless to stop them, so she didn’t try to.
As she wandered around the familiar houses of their neighborhood, all dark save for the one at the start of the road, she let the past years of fear and regret and sadness fall from her eyes.
She sat under the flickering streetlamp at the start of their street, ignoring the way the harsh sidewalk rubbed rough against her clothes.
“I wanted it to be you.”
“I wanted it to be you.”
“I wanted it to be you.”
The words circling around and around and around in her head like a merry go round.
It would be so much simpler. So much cleaner and nicer and easier if Jan could just love her back. Could force herself to settle for someone as plain and boring and utterly inferior as Jackie.
It would be easier. And it wouldn’t hurt so much.
Because even if she did, even if Jan could love her, Jackie would always know that she wasn’t good enough. And it would hurt, but it would be fine because at least she could be mostly happy. And it would only hurt in that quiet, burning kind of way that you only ever felt if you moved a certain way.
Yes, it would be easier that way.
But Jackie couldn’t ask her to do that.
But maybe…
Just maybe…
She could ask someone else.
Before Jackie could think it through, she was across the street knocking loudly on the only other house with a light in the window.
She waited impatiently, leg bouncing up and down, rapping once again on the door until it swung open revealing a mostly tired, slightly surprised Gigi.
Jackie didn’t think, she just pulled Gigi in by her hips and angled her head to capture her lips in a kiss that felt like a lie.
Gigi let out a surprised yelp a first, then froze as Jackie’s lips moved passionately against her own. But Jackie didn’t let up, only doubling down on her efforts, channeling everything she couldn’t say to Jan into Gigi’s mouth.
Ultimately, the younger girl melted, kissing back cautiously if not a bit demurely.
When Jackie finally relented, letting Gigi up for lungfuls of air, she couldn’t help the satisfied feeling pooling in her gut.
Gigi stared at her, wide eyes showing a mixture of shock and awe and a tiny bit of desire.
“Y-You don’t want me,” she finally managed to say.
It was only then that Jackie noticed her red eyes.
She had been crying too.
What a pair they made.
“I’m so sick of people telling me what I want.” Jackie whispered. “I want you. I want to be with you.”
Gigi looked at her hard, gnawing at her bottom lip.
After a beat, she nodded.
Gigi still looked nervous, like Jackie was going to take it all back and change her mind, but Jackie was too high off of the intoxicating mix of desire and anger and pain.
She pulled Gigi into another bruising kiss and pretended she tasted like coffee.
#rpdr fanfiction#jackie cox#jan sport#gigi goode#jankie#gigi x jackie#high school au#lesbian au#cis girl au#fluff#angst#blue neighborhood series#too good#mac#s12
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Three Pillars of Writing: A Terrible Essay by Duhad
Since I ended up spending way too long writing this in response to a largely unrelated post about fan fiction, I’m going to post this overly long soap box rant about writing on its own in the vain hope the 3 or 4 people who follow me will read this if its not hidden under 3 feet of other peoples text.
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I had a conversation with my friend Kit the other day, where I was trying to sort of argue/define an idea I had about stories fundamentally working on three central pillars.
1. Plot - The story of whats going on. The adventure/mystery/horror/romance/etc as an active and progressing narrative.
2. Characters - The central characters and their internal and interpersonal lives.
3. Setting - A mix of both world building and general attention to setting details, ranging from things as grand scoop as the history and cultures of fantasy and sci-fi worlds to as small and personal as the club scene in a big city or the neighborhood of a small town or the student body and facility of a school.
For comedies you can knock out one of these three to replace it with comedy without losing much, so long as the humor works.
In my original argument I more or less was saying that a story needs at least 2 of these to work in order to function, with one weak link not really unbalancing things, but two going out causing a collapse. But reading this I think I am coming to a more nuanced conclusion, that their are people for whom one or more of these are of much higher importance and who can over look flaws in the other one or two. That essentially each reader/viewer/player is, weather consciously or not looking for one or more of these things and the better or worse its handled, the more or less they like it. But since most people don’t really grasp this notion, they look for broader, more tangible things to explain WHY they enjoyed something or not.
So for instance I have heard allot of people dismiss the works of Stephen King because he’s too long winded, to caught up on details and the daily lives of his characters and tends to meander, losing allot of steam in the middle of his books as the terrifying threats take a back seat to ‘pointless’ things like characters falling in love, falling out of love, dealing with substance abuse or stress or school or work or fascinations with silly hobbies. For people who are their for the plot, he’s a bore who needs an editor to cut out about 70% of any given new book. Especially when allot of his books end, not with a thrilling climax, but a chapter or two after that point, with the remaining characters moving forward with their lives. Yet his books sell like hotcakes because for people who pick up the books and fall in love with the characters and the worlds they live in. They get to just indulge in their stories for hundreds of pages before suddenly getting a thrill as these people they have spent the last ten to twenty hours with are suddenly thrust into terrible danger, with the fate of the lived in settings they inhabit, from whole world to tiny little communities, dangling in the balance!
For another example “Rendezvous With Rama” by Arthur C. Clarke is a book I am sure about 90% of people here would HATE! Its slow, its uneventful, the characters are all consummate professionals who don’t have any drama with one another or really spent much time getting to know one another. The two most exciting things that happen are when someone we met one chapter ago almost gets seriously hurt while trying to fly a sort of winged bike and then does not and later when the Hermian colony fires a nuke at the Rama ship, but then it gets defused relatively easily with no lives lost. But I LOVE IT because it presents an utterly fascinating look at an empty alien spaceship that is unlike anything on Earth. Its strange and beautiful and endlessly fascinating to explore! And the people exploring it themselves are fascinating, not because their particularly deep characters, but because they represent a human culture that is at once recognizable and yet unlike our own. Its a setting first and for most book in other worlds.
The Lord of the Rings is setting first, plot second and characters a pretty distant third, at least in the books. Fan fiction tends to be characters first, focusing on the lives and personalities of characters and their interactions with one another before anything else, though obviously their are lots of exceptions. Finally Sherlock Homes stories tend to be plot first, with the central mystery and how it gets solved being the center piece, with the characterization of Homes, Watson and a few of the central figures getting just enough attention to make us care about them and basically everything else being kept pretty out of focus unless necessary for the plot. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle might go into the history of the Mormon Church in “A Study In Scarlet”, but mostly its just their to explain the motivations of Jefferson Hope and he only gets fleshed out to explain why he murdered Drebber and Stangerson, as soon as that’s done he basically just go’s to jail quietly and is never mentioned again. But that’s fine because its a story your reading for the plot, not the setting or the characters, so once the murder is resolved theres no need to keep and flesh out the characters and setting details unless their going to come up again. Which they will not. Hell Moriarty, Homes’s nemesis and biggest recurring enemy shows up in only two stories directly, the second of which he dies in and is only mentioned in a couple others as being basically just a guy who other criminals work for sometimes.
Now obviously these are only broad outlines of major elements that stories tend to work with in less tangible ways and their not the ONLY things readers/viewers/players respond to. Someone who loves plot focused stories might hate Sherlock Homes stories because they don’t like mysteries or prefer more modern characters. Someone who just wants a good character driven story might hate Bloom Into You because they don’t like the leads or just dislike anime as a medium. And someone who likes rich worlds might still hate Dune because its so dark and bloody and fatalistic. That’s fine. But I think knowing what key aspect/s of a way a story is told and where its focus is can tell you just as much about why you do or do not enjoy certain pieces of fiction as more tangible elements like it being a romantic comedy or a sci-fi horror.
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And as an addendum for writers, I think knowing what you really love about stories can help you get thru allot of tricky spots. I love setting and character elements of stories, but have allot less patience for plot and so when writing I will breeze thru world building sections, people discussing culture or politics or the way things work in their sci-fi/fantasy/just plain weird setting and breezy banter dialogue. But then when it comes to moving the story forward its like, “Ahhhhhh... They uh... Do the thing and then... Uh... Hm... Time for a brake. I’ll get back to finishing this thing in a month or two.”
Before being able to crystallize by thoughts on this I would often get into trouble by setting out to write plot heavy epics, full of twists and turns and major events I knew would happen at X point in the future, but then never got anywhere in them because I found writing the quick and action heavy scenes that would get me to those big moments where just miserable and felt stilted as hell! Even now I write with my best friend and whenever she talks about these really cool ideas for things that will happen in the futures of the stories I get all excited thinking about how fun writing about how the settings and characters will change and how they will all interact with one another and how many fun scenes I can write in that new environment... And then I remember I need to actually push the story forward to that point and I suddenly get really stressed out because plotting out how that will all happen and then executing on that plot is my least favorite part of writing.
But when I wrote things for my friend’s game where it was like, “Write a history and mythology for this setting.” Or “Write two characters interacting and talking with one another in these short scenes.” Or “Come up with a type of fantasy creature or a culture or a tribe or a cult and then write about how they interact with a group of strangers.” And it was so easy and so much fun that I ended up writing so much stuff I actually got told several times to either stop or slow down because he thought I was pushing myself to hard to come up with this novels worth of setting details and short character interactions. But the truth of the matter was, I was just exhilarated to have a chance to just toss out all of these ideas I didn’t then have to tie together into a tightly constructed over arching plot!
Later I was writing a story for a comic with my best friend and though we had all of these cool ideas, it was not really coming together right. Everything was so detailed, so focused on notes about the setting and expository dialogue and aiming toward setting up for future events that it just didn’t feel right at all. So I took a brake and wrote a RPG based on the setting and spent about 100 pages just carefully building the setting and history for the universe it was set in. Then, months later, I came back to the comic and, now focusing just on the scene at hand and keeping in mind the setting I had built, I rewrote the opening chapter in a way which was SO MUCH BETTER then the first draft! Because I was no longer writing for the plot, but for the characters and the world and THAT was my jam!
Finally fairly recently, while dealing with a bout of writers block, I just for fun wrote something for my aforementioned best friend which was literally just a character looking around their weird room, commenting on some of the dumb stuff she saw and then having a conversation with her best friend. That ended up leading to a 23+ page story I am still writing with her that I find is so fun and relaxing to write I just pick it up and work on it when I am feeling stressed or down and it gets me feeling allot better! And though she is working on some long term plotting stuff for it, the thing I love about it is that, when I am writing it, its basically purely just setting details and characters.
And that’s what I want you writers out their to take away from my TED Talk today! If you find yourself getting caught up over and over again when writing, look at where you keep getting stuck and ask yourself, “Is their a pattern here? Am I getting stuck at random or is it when I try to focus too much on the world or on whats coming next in the story or when I need to write dialogue or back story that I am just grinding to a halt and not knowing what to write next?” Because I think you might well find that their is a pattern and once you know where your just breezing along and where your getting stuck, you can work to either spice up the parts you have trouble with with the things you enjoy or rework your story to focus on your strengths and down play your weakness.
It might seem odd at first, but if Michael Crichton can shove long expository monologs about science into a book about a dino theme park going to hell or a Congo safari filled with intelligent apes murdering people and if Andrew Hussie can hold up his story about cosmically apocalyptic happenings to have a couple of dumb kids talk to one another about nonsense for a few thousand words, you can indulge yourself a little. Its alright, it doesn’t make you a bad creator, just one who will appeal more strongly to a particular audience.
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Now that I have spent hours writing some dumb nonsense no one will ever read I will go to be- Oh wait its already morning, to get breakfast then work I guess.
As for the rest of you, go enjoy yourselves indulging in or creating whatever flavor of narrative you best enjoy!
@roxthefoxinsox @balile
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(Fanfic) Set in Stone - Chapter Eleven
Title: Set in Stone
Pairing: Sarumi
Chapter: 11/18
Rating: R18 (explicit content)
Mirrors: AO3 | Website
Summary: Yata wasn’t sure what he was expecting when he performed a summon on his own in a fit of drunken loneliness. It definitely wasn’t some asshole demon with a bad attitude, even if that demon happened to be frustratingly hot. But breaking their contract was going to mean working together, and he wasn’t sure how much of that he could take before he snapped… one way or another.
Note: Thank you to @dropletons for being my beta and to @chromekins for helping with the magic aspect. This fic is not entirely accurate in terms of modern magic and the demon lore was basically made up to suit the story, but I tried to keep somewhat of an authentic feel, so hopefully that succeeded.
A little over two weeks later, their number of charges had increased from two to… five.
It was pitiful, honestly. Not to mention frustrating. The weather had been relentless, though – for two solid weeks after the first time he brought Fushimi along for a harvest, it had either dumped rain all day or remained just cloudy enough that the sun or moon barely had a chance to peek through. It was almost like the sky was revolting against them, laughing at their helplessness in the face of its refusal to cooperate.
The past night had been the first time it had cleared up since that Sunday – and, unfortunately, that had unveiled a brand new problem.
That problem was the moon.
The last quarter moon.
With the gloomy weather, Yata hadn’t had much sense of the moon for a while, which was fine, if a little depressing. The last time they’d been out in it, the moon had been waning, which dulled the impact and made it easier to resist temptation.
This moon was waxing, and it was gonna be full soon. Which was… bad.
Time and familiarity hadn’t exactly dulled that sharp attraction he’d had to Fushimi from the start – if anything, it was worse now than it ever had been. The constant teasing didn’t help; in fact, it fueled things even more because Yata was pretty fucking sure that Fushimi was at least halfway not joking. He sometimes wondered if his own gazes were as heated and hungry as the ones he received in those moments of deliberate intensity. Every time they touched, no matter how slight or casual, the sensation was electric. They were always together, forced into proximity by the contract, and rather than easing things off due to familiarity, it felt like the tension between them heightened by the day. Things would be perfectly normal and then the slightest thing would remind him that – oh, right – sex was a thing and he kinda really wanted to do it with this guy, and his libido just wouldn’t fucking shut up.
These days, sleeping with his bedroom door shut was more about resisting temptation than any kind of self-preservation. He didn’t trust himself.
He’d been avoiding all that shit well enough, though. And then the weather had cleared...
“So…” Fushimi paused his typing, looking up from his laptop to eye Yata pointedly across the table. “Are we heading out, or are you planning to sit here and waste the whole night?”
Yata looked up from the comic he hadn’t really been reading – well, okay, he had been, but he kept losing focus and having to find his place again, so same thing – to frown back. “It’s still early.”
“The moon’s out,” Fushimi drawled, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. “The sooner we go, the less chance of cloud cover rolling in. Right?”
True, but… Ugh. Even just sitting there, Yata was hyper aware of the moonlight’s pull. Normally it was a good thing – energizing and pleasant – but right then it was just reminding him of a certain recent humiliation. “I get that! We’ll go in a bit, okay?”
He got a raised eyebrow in response. “If this is about last night – ”
“Shut up about last night,” Yata cut him off, frown deepening to a scowl.
Fushimi clicked his tongue. “I don’t see what the big deal is,” he muttered, his eyes sharp as he watched Yata from across the table. “The only one who saw it was me. Do I have to remind you that I really don’t care?”
“That’s not the point!” Yata slammed the comic down, glaring back at him. “It’s…” He scowled, unable to come up with a good way to explain his feelings, and reached up to scratch the back of his head with agitation.
His pride had taken a hit, that was all. And yeah, it really did matter that Fushimi was the one to see it. It mattered because he’d been talking to Fushimi, not about anything sexual, but his eyes kept catching on the motions of those thin lips and the moonlight was accentuating all of his feelings, attraction and lust more than anything. He’d been so caught up in the pleasant urges swarming his body that he hadn’t even noticed their outward effect until Fushimi had looked down, lowered his lids, and offered that deadly little smirk of his.
“Not bad.”
Just remembering it had his face burning. Yata looked away, letting out a sharp ‘ch’ through the side of his mouth. He’d popped awkward boners before, but usually with his shirt on or at least some other way to hide it. And not with the cause staring right at it!
Fucking humiliating, no matter how he looked at it.
And it got even worse when he’d jerked off in the shower later. He was already having to do that every night without fail, just to relieve some of the tension that had built up, but this time he couldn’t get that look or that smirk out of his head. He hit orgasm right as Fushimi’s voice played over in his head, low and throaty and promising, and spent the next several minutes standing there in the lukewarm spray feeling physically satiated and mentally wishing fervently for death.
He was pretty sure Fushimi knew some of it – hard to hide much from him, considering their situation – but they hadn’t exactly talked about it. He’d avoided Fushimi’s gaze entirely when he’d left the bathroom and ducked immediately into his bedroom instead, closing the door. The subject hadn’t been raised at all the next morning, and they’d gone about their day as if it had never happened, even completing the third charge on the moonstone with little to no awkwardness.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t so easy to block it out of his head.
“It’s… what?” Fushimi challenged when the silence stretched out, still with that drawling tone.
Seriously, fuck this. Yata deliberately braced his hand on the table, pushing himself up with force. “Never mind,” he snapped back, bruised pride making him tense and irritable. He deliberately avoided meeting Fushimi’s gaze. “Fine. Let’s go.”
“Finally.”
It was hard not to be aware of those eyes on him as he pulled off his shirt – even harder to avoid it when casting the invisibility spell. When he took off, it was without warning, climbing over the railing just outside his apartment and jumping off recklessly. The momentum and the rush helped enormously to push that frustrating embarrassment aside.
This whole situation sucked, but at least he had some outlets.
Landing on the spot they’d discovered the previous night – a school rooftop – brought it all back again, unfortunately. The strength of the moon’s energy washed over him the instant he landed, pleasant and seductive all at once. He had to take a moment to shut his eyes, bracing himself.
If only it wasn’t so damn good…
Fushimi landed only a few minutes later, and Yata hastily retracted his wings, fumbling to pull his shirt on again. He felt way too nervous about all the exposed skin, and at least this way he’d have some sort of shield if there was a repeat of last night.
It seemed like he was the only one reacting to that awkward mood – at least on the outside – because Fushimi immediately busied himself with pulling the sunstone from his pocket and holding it out. Even before looking up, Yata could catch the sense of it beginning its sluggish absorption. It was a nice distraction, actually; they had an actual reason for being out other than just getting emotionally jerked off by moonlight.
Not that he really wanted to think about being jerked off right at that moment…
“Are you going to stand there the whole time?” Fushimi asked drily, cutting into that thought. When Yata turned, he found that Fushimi had sat with his back against the wall that lined the roof they were on, leaning against it casually as he rested his arm on his knee, palm up with the stone charging.
Somehow, it felt kinda like they were kids sneaking in outside school hours. Not that Yata had done much of that – he hadn’t had any really close friends in school – but it felt weirdly nostalgic all the same. Enough that he felt able to nudge aside some of that mood from earlier and relax enough to walk over slump down roughly a short distance away. “Right, sorry. I’m good.”
“I’m not sure why you’re apologizing to me.” Fushimi raised an eyebrow at him. “But if it makes you feel better, it’s fine.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Yata shrugged that off, avoiding turning his head to look fully at Fushimi. His goal was to keep his mind off of the tantalizing pull of the moonlight, and if he kept focusing on unrelated stuff, that’d probably be easier. Hopefully. “It’s a habit.”
Fushimi snorted. “Not that I’ve noticed, it isn’t.”
“Yeah, well.” Yata shrugged. “No reason for me to wanna apologize to you most of the time.”
He got a small, amused hum in response. “And yet, here we are.”
“Hey, I said most of the time.” He barely stopped himself from glancing over with a quick grin. Right. No looking right now. “Gimme a break here.”
“Which is why I wouldn’t call it a habit,” Fushimi responded without missing a beat. His voice was amused but lacking any kind of mockery when he added, “This is such a stupid conversation.”
“You started it,” Yata shot back, but his own grin was widening; he couldn’t help but agree.
Since when did we start chatting about dumb things like this? Casual things. Lightly bantering with no intention of winning arguments. Commenting about the smallest stuff and being able to engage with each other over it.
It was… surprisingly easy.
Fushimi offered an amused huff, but didn’t take the bait, instead falling silent. Yata let that quiet spread between them instead of trying to break it himself, leaning his head back against the wall behind him and letting his gaze settle somewhere around the door that led into the school to avoid fixing it on either Fushimi or the moon.
It felt kinda nice, just sitting together in companionable silence; if he wasn’t hyper aware of the moonlight sinking in under his skin and trying to light up his nerves, he probably would’ve enjoyed it. There wasn’t a need to say or do anything in particular; just the act of being there, the two of them in a quiet, empty world, was enough to keep any kind of loneliness at bay.
Which was… weird. It wasn’t always like this. Fushimi was always there, which was nice in some ways – not feeling lonely any more, for one – but it was seriously too much sometimes too. There were times he would’ve liked a break that wasn’t spent hiding in his bathroom or bedroom. Or just to be able to go places by himself. And with all the complaints and the grumbling, he was pretty sure Fushimi felt the same way. But on the other hand, there were moments like this, where he was just glad for the company, quiet or not.
Seriously, how long had it been since the silence between them felt comfortable rather than awkward? He couldn’t place the exact point when the change had happened.
In a way, that was kind of unnerving, but also somehow… not bad.
He wasn’t sure how long he’d sat there letting his thoughts wander before Fushimi spoke again. “How much longer do you think this will be?”
It was a pretty common question when they were at this. Yata turned without thinking. “Let’s see…” He reached out immediately to touch the stone, realization only just hitting as he felt the hint of warmth against his side that he’d shifted into Fushimi’s personal space. Immediately, he found himself glancing up, pin-pricks of surprise scattering across his skin as those devastating eyes met his, dark and glittering in the pale light.
Desire stirred in the pit of Yata’s belly, slow and seductive but heightened by the moon’s energy to something more like a physical ache. He was close enough that he could’ve reached up to touch that fine-boned face without straining himself if he wanted to.
And, oh yeah, he wanted to. The pads of his fingers tingled at the thought of running brushing them over Fushimi’s skin, maybe letting his thumb trail deliberately across the corner of those thin lips…
Shit. Clamping down on that thought, Yata hastily shuffled back to his original spot, heart racing and cheeks starting to burn with embarrassment as he deliberately turned his gaze in front of him again. “It… yeah, it, uh, it’ll probably be done soon – like maybe a few minutes or, I dunno – ”
Fushimi clicked his tongue sharply, interrupting that useless stream of words. When he spoke again, it was in a low mumble. “Are you really that determined not to get another boner in front of me?”
Yata gaped at him, momentarily stunned by the unexpected bluntness of that question. “… eh?” was about all he could manage after the initial awkward moments of speechlessness.
Did he seriously just ask…?
“I’m not really sure why we’re playing this game in the first place,” Fushimi continued, his tone that mix of unconcerned and superior that tended to drive Yata up the wall. “I can feel your emotions, so it’s not like you’re hiding anything. And it’s not like I’ve never seen another man’s erect – ”
“Stop right there!” Yata blurted the words without even thinking, too mortified by this frank conversation to let it go on. “Look, fine, okay, you’ve seen some boners. Great. I’m happy for you, or something.” He heaved an agitated breath, glaring at Fushimi to cover his fit of nerves. “But do we seriously have to fucking talk about this? It was embarrassing!”
Fushimi stared back at him with unimpressed eyes. “It’s only embarrassing because you fight with yourself so much.” He raised an eyebrow. “It’s like you constantly expect to be judged or to have some kind of ‘tough guy’ points taken away from you for your preferences. Or even your name, for that matter.” He clicked his tongue again. “Anyone who’s going to judge you on those things is worthless, so what’s the point of trying to impress them?”
Once again, Yata found himself caught speechless. He guessed all that? This was stuff he’d spent years coming to terms with, painstakingly identifying each long-held assumption and prying them loose from actual facts. For it to be summed up and stated so casually… It was jarring.
Hastily gathering his wits, Yata managed to resume his glare. “Oi… I never asked you to pull some psychology bullshit on me! Don’t just run your mouth off about shit you don’t know anything about!”
“I don’t know anything, huh?” Fushimi raised his other eyebrow, voice drawing out into a drawl. “I’ve spent nearly a month in your head, so maybe I know more than you think.” He lowered his eyebrows, letting his lids go heavy. “Let me take a guess at why you get so embarrassed whenever sex comes up: it’s because you prefer to bottom. Maybe not all the time, but most of the time. And you assume anyone who finds out is going to make some kind of assumptions about you because of it. Am I right?”
The shock that struck him at that was accompanied by a rush of sudden and fierce embarrassment. Yata floundered for a moment. “Wait – how…?”
“You’re easy to read when it comes to this.” The corners of Fushimi’s mouth edged up just slightly, almost lazily. By contrast, his eyes were intent. “You admit to being gay, but you’re still ridiculously defensive about anything sex-related – the same way you are with your name. It only gets worse when the hints are more direct; the backlash I get from you makes it pretty obvious it bothers you.” He tipped his head forward, lashes veiling his eyes again. “It’s pointless, by the way. That kind of stuff doesn’t mean anything outside the bedroom.”
An unexpected little surge of surprised gratification at the last bit cut into his irritation with the rest; Yata did his best to push it down, determined not to stand down. “I know that already,” he gritted out in response, scowling back. The combination of Fushimi’s tone, expression, and intensity were awakening that halfway-stifled arousal within his body again, which was frustrating on top of everything but couldn’t be helped. “I already figured most of this shit out. I’m working on it, not that it’s any of your business.” He let out his breath sharply and muttered, “Not like I wanna share this crap with every asshole who blows into my life.”
Fushimi made a small, amused-sounding huff. “You’re already sharing most of it with me, whether you want to or not. That’s beside the point, though.” His eyes were still sharp on Yata’s face. “You know as well as I do that a girly name doesn't make you feminine somehow, magically. And you don't morph into some stereotype just for enjoying being fucked.” He made a derisive noise. “Anyone who thinks otherwise isn't worth your time; you're better off weeding them out quickly.”
It still wasn't anything Yata hadn't worked out for himself – and hard as hell to put into practice; he didn't need asshole strangers judging him. But hearing Fushimi say it… It changed things. Some small, defensive reflex he hadn’t realized he’d been engaging released its hold with those words, a rush of relief surprising him with its intensity. It struck him then that he’d been cagey about those things deliberately from the start: on the defense over his name even when Fushimi hadn’t made any comment about it outside of Yata’s own reactions, and fiercely embarrassed by his own lustful fantasies. He’d expected Fushimi to judge him; to act smug and assume he’d scored a point of superiority because Yata wanted – really badly wanted – to be fucked by him.
But that had just been his assumption, based on his own prejudice and the last dregs of stubborn internal shame he couldn’t seem to shake. As usual.
That was still sinking in when Fushimi let out a huff of breath, partly amused and partly resigned. “You're so single-minded,” he murmured, eyes going lidded again as his lips quirked up. “How long were you planning to pretend I can’t feel everything you do when you get all worked up?”
That fucking expression… And the heat in his gaze… Damnit. Yata clenched his teeth harder against the pleasant shiver he couldn’t manage to repress.
Fushimi didn’t even wait for him to collect himself, drawling out, “It’s not like I mind it.” His little smirk widened further. “You should know that much by now.”
Fuck. This was getting dangerous. Yeah, of course he knew that Fushimi didn’t mind this attraction – that he’d encourage it, even – but that didn’t mean… it didn’t mean he had to… that they had to…
With the light of the moon washing over him encouragingly and his body starting to buzz with want, it was hard as hell to figure out where that thought was going. Yata swallowed despite the fact that his mouth felt suddenly dry. Fushimi looked so good, sounded even better, and it would probably be amazing to touch him. To feel that smooth skin under his hands and Fushimi’s slender fingers on his body…
Knowing that Fushimi had figured him out, and didn’t care – didn’t think of him or treat him any different…
It meant a lot. Everything. Like something within him had snapped. Yata felt loose… free, in a sense.
Every inch of him was thrumming with desire – with pleasure, the way the moonlight sank into his skin and heightened every little sensation. He was moving before he was properly aware of it, shifting closer to Fushimi, the warmth between their bodies lighting his senses on fire as his eyes honed on that deadly smile… those lips that looked so tantalizing, so kissable…
The stone in Fushimi’s hand abruptly seemed to trill, like an alarm going off, and Yata stilled, the reality of their present situation washing over him again like ice water cooling the heated moment. He was mere inches from Fushimi’s face, close enough to feel the ghost of his breath, and he couldn’t even remember leaning in that far.
Shit…
“Uh… yeah…” Pulling back and turning his head, he cleared his throat in an attempt to recover some of his equilibrium. “That. The… stone. Y’know…”
Fushimi sighed. “I know.” His voice had gone flat, but he obligingly closed his fingers around the sunstone, clicking his tongue maybe a bit more harshly than usual. “It’s fine – I’ve got it.”
Restlessness was already surging through Yata’s veins, mingling with the remaining desire that he wasn’t going to be able to shake. Maybe it was the resignation in Fushimi’s tone – or maybe the moonlight had really gotten to him. But whatever it was, he couldn’t stand to just sit there and waffle over this whole thing.
What the hell was wrong with him anyway? He wasn’t this indecisive normally.
Forget this. Pushing himself abruptly to his feet, Yata reached up to pull his shirt off, ignoring the fact that it left the tent in his shorts totally exposed.
Fushimi was right about that – who fucking cared? Who the hell did he think he was fooling?
Only himself, obviously.
When he glanced over, Fushimi was hastily pushing himself up as well, staring at Yata in perplexity. “What are you doing?”
There was an obvious bulge in the front of his pants as well, Yata couldn’t help but notice. Maybe it had been there last night too and he was just so wrapped up in his own insecurity that he hadn’t bothered to look. The thought – and the clear reality in front of him – sent another lustful little shudder through his body.
Nice…
Shrugging that aside, Yata grinned back, tucking his shirt into his pants and drawing out his wings smoothly. “Gonna take a flight.” He met Fushimi’s narrowing eyes with a heated look of his own. “We never did race, huh? Well, try and catch me – if you think you can.”
Without leaving any time for a reaction, he raised his wings and brought them down hard to push himself up and gain altitude, flapping quickly a few times to put distance between them and gain momentum.
Honestly, he didn’t have a clue what he was doing – this was just blindly following his instincts, caving in to that restless energy that it felt like his body couldn’t contain. With the moon’s light beating down on him, refreshing all of the pleasant feelings that coursed through his veins, he couldn’t resist the urge to laugh out loud.
This is seriously the best! He hadn’t felt this good – this free – in a long time.
Who cared about any of that small stuff, anyway?
That Fushimi was following right after him, he didn’t doubt. Not only because of the contract, either. In the time they’d known each other, he’d learned a thing or two. Fushimi couldn’t resist a challenge any more than he could, even if he reacted differently to it. And he was relentless when he set his mind to something. Which was… an enticing thought. In more ways than one.
Without noticing, he’d somehow aimed for his own apartment. With adrenaline still lighting his nerves on fire, Yata landed clumsily in front of his door, drawing in his wings as he fumbled with the lock and burst through – not even bothering to lose his shoes as he stumbled into the kitchen. Another breathless laugh bubbled up at the back of his throat and he braced himself on the counter with both hands, leaning forward heavily as he collected himself.
Except that there wasn’t going to be time for that.
A warm body pressed against his from behind before he could begin to sort out his thoughts, hands settling on his hips. “Caught you,” Fushimi drawled, his mouth so close to Yata’s ear that the heat of his breath teased at it.
The shiver that ran through Yata in response was involuntary but not unwelcome. Through the fog of desire clouding his brain, he recognized that Fushimi’s hold wasn’t exactly restrictive. If he wanted to, he could break free pretty easily.
If he wanted to…
The acceptance that had him tilting his head to the side to allow access must have been processed by Fushimi in the exact same moment, because he let out a shuddery breath, burying his face in the crook of Yata’s neck as his hands slid around to fumble with the fastening of his shorts.
Fuck. This was really happening. Yata bit back what was probably an embarrassing noise, reaching up to blindly brush his fingers against the side of Fushimi’s jaw. The skin held the very faint prickle of stubble, but it was mostly smooth and slightly clammy from the earlier exertion. When he moved his hand back and brushed Fushimi’s hair, it was softer than he’d expected.
Feels nice…
Fushimi had made quick work of his shorts, sliding them down off of Yata’s hips once the fly was open. One of his hands reached immediately down to cup the aching bulge in Yata’s underwear through the fabric, giving it a little squeeze.
The initial contact was like lightning. Yata couldn’t hold back the groan that escaped him, fingers curling against Fushimi face. His other hand gripped the edge of the counter as sensation coursed through him.
He could feel as much as hear the pleased answering hum against his neck. Fushimi’s other hand rested on his abdomen, pulling him back so their bodies were flush. The feeling of warm, bare skin and the light echo of Fushimi’s heartbeat against his back had another shudder wracking his body, an involuntary sound escaping him as Fushimi thumbed the wet spot at the head of his dick. The unmistakable press of something hot and hard against his lower back fed into the pleasure, his muscles tensing with anticipation.
Fucking good, and they’d barely started.
The pressure on his dick was short-lived; those graceful fingers slid free, gripping the elastic of his underwear in order to drag it down over and below his erection, leaving it gathered at the top of his thighs. Yata shifted to make it easier, deliberately leaning forward against the counter to lift his ass and press it back against Fushimi's body.
He could feel the sharp inhalation against his neck, but more than that, his attention was on the unmistakable press of skin against skin – the slick, hot glide of Fushimi’s cock against the crack of his ass. It drew another involuntary noise from his throat even before Fushimi’s hand was on him again, his skin prickling with pleasure and anticipation as fantasies started to form sharply in his mind.
It was almost possible to feel it: that hard length pressing inside him, stretching him out, hitting all those points that begged to be stimulated... Yata bit his lip, failing to suppress a moan as Fushimi’s fingers curled around him again, the stark relief of pressure on his dick hitting him even harder with the possibilities so clear in his mind. Fuck, he wanted it. He wanted to see what Fushimi’s face looked like in pleasure, to hear all the sounds he was suppressing now, to feel their bodies join.
It wasn't happening now, that much was for sure; there wasn't time for any kind of prep with their current pace. He could already feel the world around him starting to melt as sensation and urgency overtook him; the quickening of Fushimi's breath and the jerkiness of his motions signaled that he was at a similar point.
This is gonna be fast... No helping it, though. He was so wound up he couldn't have held back if he wanted to.
Those longer fingers cupped Yata's balls, squeezing lightly and causing him to jerk at the influx of pleasure. He couldn't help the little “ah” that escaped him, followed by a gasp as Fushimi slid his hand up and gripped the base of his dick, finally giving it a firm, practiced stroke and deftly thumbing the tip. At the same time, he thrust against Yata's backside, his own hot erection sliding into the cleft and generating slick friction.
Oh, fuck... The length of Fushimi's dick brushed dangerously close to his entrance, causing Yata to twitch and groan, body tensing at the dual stimulation from that and the hand working his cock over. Fushimi let out another of those appealing little whines, bending forward to press closer to him again. “Misaki,” he breathed against Yata’s neck, sounding almost desperate.
His first name had never sounded so amazing. Yata was unprepared for the extra surge of arousal it sent through him. Damn…
His thoughts were splintering, all of his focus going to the points where their bodies touched. He could feel Fushimi’s breath hot and frenzied against his neck, tiny little moans escaping as he began to thrust in earnest, chasing his own pleasure even as his hand began to move in tandem.
It was too much – too good. Yata felt the telltale urgency building fast in his gut and didn't even bother to fight it, reaching back again to clench his fingers in Fushimi’s hair as he approached his climax, thrusting as much as he was able to against that devilish double hold.
When he reached the peak, it was explosive; shuddering pleasure wracked his body and he didn't bother to hold in the cry that escaped him, releasing into Fushimi’s hand and clenching back instinctively against his dick. Through the rush of mindless relief, he felt the vibration of Fushimi’s answering moan just before teeth clamped hard on his neck, drawing out the moment with a mix of pleasure and pain.
Shit... shit... Yata could barely think. He leaned heavily against the counter, panting, as his body processed the additional stimulation.
It was only a few more thrusts before he felt Fushimi follow, thin body trembling violently as his cock twitched, spilling onto Yata’s lower back. It was deliciously erotic to feel that release against him; Yata had another helpless, pleasant shiver overtake him in the aftermath. Fushimi let out a low whimper against his neck, mouth hot and wet against the sting of the bite he'd inflicted.
There was a short pause while they caught their breath and came down from the high.
In the immediate aftermath, Fushimi slumped over him, almost going boneless against Yata’s back as his cock started to soften. His fingers slid free, both hands hovering kind of awkwardly around Yata’s hips as if hesitant to wrap around him.
It was… strangely nice. The hint of vulnerability was endearing. Yata couldn’t help but smile slightly, deliberately sliding his fingers free of Fushimi’s hair and flexing them to ease the stiffness.
It was kinda weird… He’d just given into the impulse and hadn’t considered a lot of things. Like they weren’t exactly safe; Fushimi’s dick had been all over his ass without a damn condom or anything. As much as he was pretty sure he wasn’t gonna get any kinda STD, it was way more careless than he usually was with this shit. He’d never lost his head so much that he hadn’t even considered it. And they’d done it in the kitchen, which was sorta gross – normally he wouldn’t wanna fuck anywhere near where he did his food prep and casting. Plus, Fushimi was still kind of an asshole and they hadn’t even confirmed that they were friends really, much less… this. Whatever it was.
But despite all of that – all the really good reasons why this was probably a huge mistake – he couldn’t bring himself to feel any kind of regret.
That had just been… well… damn good. Worth it.
As if sensing the good mood and determined to spoil it, Fushimi pulled back languidly, letting out a long breath as he separated them. “What kind of foreplay was that? ‘Come and catch me’ – really?”
“Heh.” The smile grew to a grin. Yata reached down to pull up his underwear, grimacing a little as he pieced his clothing together over his gross, sticky skin. It would’ve felt too weird to stay naked until he could clean himself off privately at that point, though, so he’d have to put up with it. “It worked, didn’t it?”
“Anything would’ve worked by that point.” Fushimi’s voice was back to that drawl again, but there was a note of satisfaction in it. He offered what looked like an honest smile when Yata turned to meet his gaze, eyes glittering in the dim light behind his glasses. “Don’t give yourself too much credit.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Yata shook his head, letting out a rueful huff and reaching up to rub at the sore point on his neck. “You really do bite, huh?”
Fushimi lowered his eyelids. He’d fixed his pants but not bothered to cover his bare torso, and Yata felt a certain appreciation – not just for the view, but also for the fact that he didn’t have to be half-naked on his own right after they’d got each other off. “You didn’t seem to mind,” he murmured.
Fuck. That tone and gaze combination were still as dangerous as ever. In his relaxed state, though, Yata found himself going heavy lidded in response, grin widening into a smirk. “Didn’t say I did.”
That seemed to click; at least, he instinctively thought they had a moment of understanding with the way something shifted in the gaze that met his. Then Fushimi shut his eyes, letting out a soft, amused huff. “We should clean up.”
“Right.” It wasn’t too jarring to break out of that mood. And his skin felt gross, so yeah, he definitely wanted to clean it. Yata shrugged off the weariness that had started to weigh on him with his orgasm. “I’ll shower first.”
“You’re not a very good host.”
“Screw you – I’m the one with your jizz on my back. You can fucking wait.”
“You didn’t seem to mind at the time…”
“That was in the moment, dumbass!”
It wasn’t so bad, Yata figured, bantering lightly with Fushimi as he grabbed his clothes. Things weren’t awkward or anything, even after they’d fucked. He felt sorta optimistic about the situation – satisfied with the way things had been left with that amazing orgasm out of the way. Now they’d done it, so that was that.
Maybe now things will cool off between us for a while, huh?
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands
There are countless wonderful things about canines. Dog anal glands are not among those things.
There is really nothing to like about dog anal glands. But for better or for worse anal glands are a part of life for dogs and their owners. And owners of dogs need to know what they are and how they can cause problems for their pets. So let’s talk about those nasty glands.
Dog anal glands, as their name implies, are glands located adjacent to the anus. Each dog has a pair of them. They are relatively simple as far as glands go: They consist of a bulb and a duct. They produce a fluid with a a singular odor. It smells like a combination of rotting fish and feces. Once you have smelled it you will never forget it — so I hope you never smell it. Sadly, most dog owners’ noses have been tainted with the aroma of dog anal glands at some point or other.
The purpose of dog anal glands is somewhat debated. For some time the prevailing theory was that anal glands exist as proof that God hates us. However, most reputable experts now believe that dog anal glands serve to scent mark territory and feces. As such, dog anal glands appear to play a very significant role in the butt sniffing that is so common in our canine companions.
Under normal circumstances the dog anal glands produce and store their fluid. When the dog defecates the glands contract and some of the fluid is expressed through the duct and onto the feces. The feces, and the dog’s territory, are therefore scent marked.
Sometimes, however, things go wrong.
Dogs’ anal glands may empty spontaneously. This commonly is referred to as “shooting the glands” because the nasty fluid, with its concomitant strongly unpleasant odor, has a way of spraying onto nearby objects. Anything that causes fear, stress, or excitement may trigger a dog to shoot his glands. This appears to be linked to sudden contraction of the muscles in the area.
Many things unrelated to fear, stress, and excitement also tend to cause dogs to shoot their glands. Examples include being invited onto a new sofa or into a new car, being invited onto the bed for the first time, being in the presence of a person who is wearing especially fancy clothes (in which case the fluid will be directed onto the clothes), and the presence of guests (especially one’s boss or a new romantic interest) in the house. In these cases the cause of the anal gland release appears to be Murphy’s Law.
In the event of a dog shooting his glands, the people present can take solace in one (and only one) thing: The odor of dog anal glands is typically very transient and it therefore does not linger for too long.
In other instances dogs can suffer from a problem that is the opposite of spontaneous anal gland release. If a dog experiences abnormal bowel movements, the glands may not empty in their normal fashion. Or, if a piece of grit clogs the duct or if the anal gland fluid becomes abnormally thick, the glands may remain full during defecation.
These circumstances may result in distended (or impacted) anal glands. Nobody know precisely what this feels like, but it clearly causes some degree of discomfort in affected dogs. And it also may result in another unpleasant development: scooting.
A dog scoots by sitting on his rear with his hind legs straight out in front of him. He then drags his rear on the ground, often leaving an unsavory brown trail in his wake. Scooting is usually a sign of distended anal glands; however, it also may be triggered by new carpet, dinner parties, or being invited into a new friend’s house for the first time.
Dogs who scoot should have their anal glands checked and, if necessary, manually expressed. Some people do this at home, but most elect to have a vet or groomer do it since the most effective method involves inserting a finger into the dog’s anus.
Unfortunately, dog anal gland problems can progress beyond the merely unsavory albeit slightly comical scenarios described above. Because of their proximity to the anus, the glands are at high risk of infection if they become impacted. Infected anal glands can cause significant pain, which may be manifested by reluctance to defecate or wag the tail.
Severely infected dog anal glands can cause visible swelling and redness adjacent to the anus. The swelling can progress to the point that the gland bursts, leading to an unsightly gaping hole adjacent to the anus. Over the years I have had many panicked owners rush dogs with ruptured anal glands to my office under the impression that their dog had developed a second anus.
Mildly infected dog anal glands can often be treated with a combination of antibiotics and manual expression. Severely infected, or abscessed, glands often must be lanced in order for healing to occur. Ruptured glands generally must be cleansed and flushed. Fortunately, even ruptured glands usually heal and most often return to normal function.
Rare and unfortunate dogs develop chronic problems with their anal glands. It is possible to surgically remove the glands in these cases, but the procedure carries a relatively high rate of complications, including pain, infection, and fecal incontinence. I therefore recommend the surgery only if the dog’s anal gland problems are causing him to suffer significantly. The surgery should not be performed on dogs who simply scoot or shoot their glands more often than their owners would like.
Finally, some extremely unfortunate dogs develop malignant anal gland tumors. I am sorry to say that these tumors spread rapidly and are hard to remove. Like all malignant tumors, the best chance for successful treatment occurs if they are caught early. Therefore, any dog who appears to have something wrong with his most sensitive and private area should see the vet sooner rather than later.
Got a question for Dr. Barchas? Ask our vet in the comments below and your topic might be featured in an upcoming column. (Note that if you have an emergency situation, please see your own vet immediately!)
Read more by Dr. Eric Barchas:
Why Do Some Dogs Keep “Showing Their Lipsticks”?
Let’s Talk About Dogs and Euthanasia: When Is It Time? Should You Be Present?
What to Do Before You Get to the Vet in 12 Emergency Dog Situations
12 Dog Emergencies That Need Immediate Veterinary Attention
Just How Dangerous Is It to Falsely Call a Pet a Service Dog?
The post Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands appeared first on Dogster.
0 notes
Text
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands
There are countless wonderful things about canines. Dog anal glands are not among those things.
There is really nothing to like about dog anal glands. But for better or for worse anal glands are a part of life for dogs and their owners. And owners of dogs need to know what they are and how they can cause problems for their pets. So let’s talk about those nasty glands.
Dog anal glands, as their name implies, are glands located adjacent to the anus. Each dog has a pair of them. They are relatively simple as far as glands go: They consist of a bulb and a duct. They produce a fluid with a a singular odor. It smells like a combination of rotting fish and feces. Once you have smelled it you will never forget it — so I hope you never smell it. Sadly, most dog owners’ noses have been tainted with the aroma of dog anal glands at some point or other.
The purpose of dog anal glands is somewhat debated. For some time the prevailing theory was that anal glands exist as proof that God hates us. However, most reputable experts now believe that dog anal glands serve to scent mark territory and feces. As such, dog anal glands appear to play a very significant role in the butt sniffing that is so common in our canine companions.
Under normal circumstances the dog anal glands produce and store their fluid. When the dog defecates the glands contract and some of the fluid is expressed through the duct and onto the feces. The feces, and the dog’s territory, are therefore scent marked.
Sometimes, however, things go wrong.
Dogs’ anal glands may empty spontaneously. This commonly is referred to as “shooting the glands” because the nasty fluid, with its concomitant strongly unpleasant odor, has a way of spraying onto nearby objects. Anything that causes fear, stress, or excitement may trigger a dog to shoot his glands. This appears to be linked to sudden contraction of the muscles in the area.
Many things unrelated to fear, stress, and excitement also tend to cause dogs to shoot their glands. Examples include being invited onto a new sofa or into a new car, being invited onto the bed for the first time, being in the presence of a person who is wearing especially fancy clothes (in which case the fluid will be directed onto the clothes), and the presence of guests (especially one’s boss or a new romantic interest) in the house. In these cases the cause of the anal gland release appears to be Murphy’s Law.
In the event of a dog shooting his glands, the people present can take solace in one (and only one) thing: The odor of dog anal glands is typically very transient and it therefore does not linger for too long.
In other instances dogs can suffer from a problem that is the opposite of spontaneous anal gland release. If a dog experiences abnormal bowel movements, the glands may not empty in their normal fashion. Or, if a piece of grit clogs the duct or if the anal gland fluid becomes abnormally thick, the glands may remain full during defecation.
These circumstances may result in distended (or impacted) anal glands. Nobody know precisely what this feels like, but it clearly causes some degree of discomfort in affected dogs. And it also may result in another unpleasant development: scooting.
A dog scoots by sitting on his rear with his hind legs straight out in front of him. He then drags his rear on the ground, often leaving an unsavory brown trail in his wake. Scooting is usually a sign of distended anal glands; however, it also may be triggered by new carpet, dinner parties, or being invited into a new friend’s house for the first time.
Dogs who scoot should have their anal glands checked and, if necessary, manually expressed. Some people do this at home, but most elect to have a vet or groomer do it since the most effective method involves inserting a finger into the dog’s anus.
Unfortunately, dog anal gland problems can progress beyond the merely unsavory albeit slightly comical scenarios described above. Because of their proximity to the anus, the glands are at high risk of infection if they become impacted. Infected anal glands can cause significant pain, which may be manifested by reluctance to defecate or wag the tail.
Severely infected dog anal glands can cause visible swelling and redness adjacent to the anus. The swelling can progress to the point that the gland bursts, leading to an unsightly gaping hole adjacent to the anus. Over the years I have had many panicked owners rush dogs with ruptured anal glands to my office under the impression that their dog had developed a second anus.
Mildly infected dog anal glands can often be treated with a combination of antibiotics and manual expression. Severely infected, or abscessed, glands often must be lanced in order for healing to occur. Ruptured glands generally must be cleansed and flushed. Fortunately, even ruptured glands usually heal and most often return to normal function.
Rare and unfortunate dogs develop chronic problems with their anal glands. It is possible to surgically remove the glands in these cases, but the procedure carries a relatively high rate of complications, including pain, infection, and fecal incontinence. I therefore recommend the surgery only if the dog’s anal gland problems are causing him to suffer significantly. The surgery should not be performed on dogs who simply scoot or shoot their glands more often than their owners would like.
Finally, some extremely unfortunate dogs develop malignant anal gland tumors. I am sorry to say that these tumors spread rapidly and are hard to remove. Like all malignant tumors, the best chance for successful treatment occurs if they are caught early. Therefore, any dog who appears to have something wrong with his most sensitive and private area should see the vet sooner rather than later.
Got a question for Dr. Barchas? Ask our vet in the comments below and your topic might be featured in an upcoming column. (Note that if you have an emergency situation, please see your own vet immediately!)
Read more by Dr. Eric Barchas:
Why Do Some Dogs Keep “Showing Their Lipsticks”?
Let’s Talk About Dogs and Euthanasia: When Is It Time? Should You Be Present?
What to Do Before You Get to the Vet in 12 Emergency Dog Situations
12 Dog Emergencies That Need Immediate Veterinary Attention
Just How Dangerous Is It to Falsely Call a Pet a Service Dog?
The post Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands appeared first on Dogster.
0 notes
Text
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands
There are countless wonderful things about canines. Dog anal glands are not among those things.
There is really nothing to like about dog anal glands. But for better or for worse anal glands are a part of life for dogs and their owners. And owners of dogs need to know what they are and how they can cause problems for their pets. So let’s talk about those nasty glands.
Dog anal glands, as their name implies, are glands located adjacent to the anus. Each dog has a pair of them. They are relatively simple as far as glands go: They consist of a bulb and a duct. They produce a fluid with a a singular odor. It smells like a combination of rotting fish and feces. Once you have smelled it you will never forget it — so I hope you never smell it. Sadly, most dog owners’ noses have been tainted with the aroma of dog anal glands at some point or other.
The purpose of dog anal glands is somewhat debated. For some time the prevailing theory was that anal glands exist as proof that God hates us. However, most reputable experts now believe that dog anal glands serve to scent mark territory and feces. As such, dog anal glands appear to play a very significant role in the butt sniffing that is so common in our canine companions.
Under normal circumstances the dog anal glands produce and store their fluid. When the dog defecates the glands contract and some of the fluid is expressed through the duct and onto the feces. The feces, and the dog’s territory, are therefore scent marked.
Sometimes, however, things go wrong.
Dogs’ anal glands may empty spontaneously. This commonly is referred to as “shooting the glands” because the nasty fluid, with its concomitant strongly unpleasant odor, has a way of spraying onto nearby objects. Anything that causes fear, stress, or excitement may trigger a dog to shoot his glands. This appears to be linked to sudden contraction of the muscles in the area.
Many things unrelated to fear, stress, and excitement also tend to cause dogs to shoot their glands. Examples include being invited onto a new sofa or into a new car, being invited onto the bed for the first time, being in the presence of a person who is wearing especially fancy clothes (in which case the fluid will be directed onto the clothes), and the presence of guests (especially one’s boss or a new romantic interest) in the house. In these cases the cause of the anal gland release appears to be Murphy’s Law.
In the event of a dog shooting his glands, the people present can take solace in one (and only one) thing: The odor of dog anal glands is typically very transient and it therefore does not linger for too long.
In other instances dogs can suffer from a problem that is the opposite of spontaneous anal gland release. If a dog experiences abnormal bowel movements, the glands may not empty in their normal fashion. Or, if a piece of grit clogs the duct or if the anal gland fluid becomes abnormally thick, the glands may remain full during defecation.
These circumstances may result in distended (or impacted) anal glands. Nobody know precisely what this feels like, but it clearly causes some degree of discomfort in affected dogs. And it also may result in another unpleasant development: scooting.
A dog scoots by sitting on his rear with his hind legs straight out in front of him. He then drags his rear on the ground, often leaving an unsavory brown trail in his wake. Scooting is usually a sign of distended anal glands; however, it also may be triggered by new carpet, dinner parties, or being invited into a new friend’s house for the first time.
Dogs who scoot should have their anal glands checked and, if necessary, manually expressed. Some people do this at home, but most elect to have a vet or groomer do it since the most effective method involves inserting a finger into the dog’s anus.
Unfortunately, dog anal gland problems can progress beyond the merely unsavory albeit slightly comical scenarios described above. Because of their proximity to the anus, the glands are at high risk of infection if they become impacted. Infected anal glands can cause significant pain, which may be manifested by reluctance to defecate or wag the tail.
Severely infected dog anal glands can cause visible swelling and redness adjacent to the anus. The swelling can progress to the point that the gland bursts, leading to an unsightly gaping hole adjacent to the anus. Over the years I have had many panicked owners rush dogs with ruptured anal glands to my office under the impression that their dog had developed a second anus.
Mildly infected dog anal glands can often be treated with a combination of antibiotics and manual expression. Severely infected, or abscessed, glands often must be lanced in order for healing to occur. Ruptured glands generally must be cleansed and flushed. Fortunately, even ruptured glands usually heal and most often return to normal function.
Rare and unfortunate dogs develop chronic problems with their anal glands. It is possible to surgically remove the glands in these cases, but the procedure carries a relatively high rate of complications, including pain, infection, and fecal incontinence. I therefore recommend the surgery only if the dog’s anal gland problems are causing him to suffer significantly. The surgery should not be performed on dogs who simply scoot or shoot their glands more often than their owners would like.
Finally, some extremely unfortunate dogs develop malignant anal gland tumors. I am sorry to say that these tumors spread rapidly and are hard to remove. Like all malignant tumors, the best chance for successful treatment occurs if they are caught early. Therefore, any dog who appears to have something wrong with his most sensitive and private area should see the vet sooner rather than later.
Got a question for Dr. Barchas? Ask our vet in the comments below and your topic might be featured in an upcoming column. (Note that if you have an emergency situation, please see your own vet immediately!)
Read more by Dr. Eric Barchas:
Why Do Some Dogs Keep “Showing Their Lipsticks”?
Let’s Talk About Dogs and Euthanasia: When Is It Time? Should You Be Present?
What to Do Before You Get to the Vet in 12 Emergency Dog Situations
12 Dog Emergencies That Need Immediate Veterinary Attention
Just How Dangerous Is It to Falsely Call a Pet a Service Dog?
The post Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands appeared first on Dogster.
0 notes
Text
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands
There are countless wonderful things about canines. Dog anal glands are not among those things.
There is really nothing to like about dog anal glands. But for better or for worse anal glands are a part of life for dogs and their owners. And owners of dogs need to know what they are and how they can cause problems for their pets. So let’s talk about those nasty glands.
Dog anal glands, as their name implies, are glands located adjacent to the anus. Each dog has a pair of them. They are relatively simple as far as glands go: They consist of a bulb and a duct. They produce a fluid with a a singular odor. It smells like a combination of rotting fish and feces. Once you have smelled it you will never forget it — so I hope you never smell it. Sadly, most dog owners’ noses have been tainted with the aroma of dog anal glands at some point or other.
The purpose of dog anal glands is somewhat debated. For some time the prevailing theory was that anal glands exist as proof that God hates us. However, most reputable experts now believe that dog anal glands serve to scent mark territory and feces. As such, dog anal glands appear to play a very significant role in the butt sniffing that is so common in our canine companions.
Under normal circumstances the dog anal glands produce and store their fluid. When the dog defecates the glands contract and some of the fluid is expressed through the duct and onto the feces. The feces, and the dog’s territory, are therefore scent marked.
Sometimes, however, things go wrong.
Dogs’ anal glands may empty spontaneously. This commonly is referred to as “shooting the glands” because the nasty fluid, with its concomitant strongly unpleasant odor, has a way of spraying onto nearby objects. Anything that causes fear, stress, or excitement may trigger a dog to shoot his glands. This appears to be linked to sudden contraction of the muscles in the area.
Many things unrelated to fear, stress, and excitement also tend to cause dogs to shoot their glands. Examples include being invited onto a new sofa or into a new car, being invited onto the bed for the first time, being in the presence of a person who is wearing especially fancy clothes (in which case the fluid will be directed onto the clothes), and the presence of guests (especially one’s boss or a new romantic interest) in the house. In these cases the cause of the anal gland release appears to be Murphy’s Law.
In the event of a dog shooting his glands, the people present can take solace in one (and only one) thing: The odor of dog anal glands is typically very transient and it therefore does not linger for too long.
In other instances dogs can suffer from a problem that is the opposite of spontaneous anal gland release. If a dog experiences abnormal bowel movements, the glands may not empty in their normal fashion. Or, if a piece of grit clogs the duct or if the anal gland fluid becomes abnormally thick, the glands may remain full during defecation.
These circumstances may result in distended (or impacted) anal glands. Nobody know precisely what this feels like, but it clearly causes some degree of discomfort in affected dogs. And it also may result in another unpleasant development: scooting.
A dog scoots by sitting on his rear with his hind legs straight out in front of him. He then drags his rear on the ground, often leaving an unsavory brown trail in his wake. Scooting is usually a sign of distended anal glands; however, it also may be triggered by new carpet, dinner parties, or being invited into a new friend’s house for the first time.
Dogs who scoot should have their anal glands checked and, if necessary, manually expressed. Some people do this at home, but most elect to have a vet or groomer do it since the most effective method involves inserting a finger into the dog’s anus.
Unfortunately, dog anal gland problems can progress beyond the merely unsavory albeit slightly comical scenarios described above. Because of their proximity to the anus, the glands are at high risk of infection if they become impacted. Infected anal glands can cause significant pain, which may be manifested by reluctance to defecate or wag the tail.
Severely infected dog anal glands can cause visible swelling and redness adjacent to the anus. The swelling can progress to the point that the gland bursts, leading to an unsightly gaping hole adjacent to the anus. Over the years I have had many panicked owners rush dogs with ruptured anal glands to my office under the impression that their dog had developed a second anus.
Mildly infected dog anal glands can often be treated with a combination of antibiotics and manual expression. Severely infected, or abscessed, glands often must be lanced in order for healing to occur. Ruptured glands generally must be cleansed and flushed. Fortunately, even ruptured glands usually heal and most often return to normal function.
Rare and unfortunate dogs develop chronic problems with their anal glands. It is possible to surgically remove the glands in these cases, but the procedure carries a relatively high rate of complications, including pain, infection, and fecal incontinence. I therefore recommend the surgery only if the dog’s anal gland problems are causing him to suffer significantly. The surgery should not be performed on dogs who simply scoot or shoot their glands more often than their owners would like.
Finally, some extremely unfortunate dogs develop malignant anal gland tumors. I am sorry to say that these tumors spread rapidly and are hard to remove. Like all malignant tumors, the best chance for successful treatment occurs if they are caught early. Therefore, any dog who appears to have something wrong with his most sensitive and private area should see the vet sooner rather than later.
Got a question for Dr. Barchas? Ask our vet in the comments below and your topic might be featured in an upcoming column. (Note that if you have an emergency situation, please see your own vet immediately!)
Read more by Dr. Eric Barchas:
Why Do Some Dogs Keep “Showing Their Lipsticks”?
Let’s Talk About Dogs and Euthanasia: When Is It Time? Should You Be Present?
What to Do Before You Get to the Vet in 12 Emergency Dog Situations
12 Dog Emergencies That Need Immediate Veterinary Attention
Just How Dangerous Is It to Falsely Call a Pet a Service Dog?
The post Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands appeared first on Dogster.
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands
There are countless wonderful things about canines. Dog anal glands are not among those things.
There is really nothing to like about dog anal glands. But for better or for worse anal glands are a part of life for dogs and their owners. And owners of dogs need to know what they are and how they can cause problems for their pets. So let’s talk about those nasty glands.
Dog anal glands, as their name implies, are glands located adjacent to the anus. Each dog has a pair of them. They are relatively simple as far as glands go: They consist of a bulb and a duct. They produce a fluid with a a singular odor. It smells like a combination of rotting fish and feces. Once you have smelled it you will never forget it — so I hope you never smell it. Sadly, most dog owners’ noses have been tainted with the aroma of dog anal glands at some point or other.
The purpose of dog anal glands is somewhat debated. For some time the prevailing theory was that anal glands exist as proof that God hates us. However, most reputable experts now believe that dog anal glands serve to scent mark territory and feces. As such, dog anal glands appear to play a very significant role in the butt sniffing that is so common in our canine companions.
Under normal circumstances the dog anal glands produce and store their fluid. When the dog defecates the glands contract and some of the fluid is expressed through the duct and onto the feces. The feces, and the dog’s territory, are therefore scent marked.
Sometimes, however, things go wrong.
Dogs’ anal glands may empty spontaneously. This commonly is referred to as “shooting the glands” because the nasty fluid, with its concomitant strongly unpleasant odor, has a way of spraying onto nearby objects. Anything that causes fear, stress, or excitement may trigger a dog to shoot his glands. This appears to be linked to sudden contraction of the muscles in the area.
Many things unrelated to fear, stress, and excitement also tend to cause dogs to shoot their glands. Examples include being invited onto a new sofa or into a new car, being invited onto the bed for the first time, being in the presence of a person who is wearing especially fancy clothes (in which case the fluid will be directed onto the clothes), and the presence of guests (especially one’s boss or a new romantic interest) in the house. In these cases the cause of the anal gland release appears to be Murphy’s Law.
In the event of a dog shooting his glands, the people present can take solace in one (and only one) thing: The odor of dog anal glands is typically very transient and it therefore does not linger for too long.
In other instances dogs can suffer from a problem that is the opposite of spontaneous anal gland release. If a dog experiences abnormal bowel movements, the glands may not empty in their normal fashion. Or, if a piece of grit clogs the duct or if the anal gland fluid becomes abnormally thick, the glands may remain full during defecation.
These circumstances may result in distended (or impacted) anal glands. Nobody know precisely what this feels like, but it clearly causes some degree of discomfort in affected dogs. And it also may result in another unpleasant development: scooting.
A dog scoots by sitting on his rear with his hind legs straight out in front of him. He then drags his rear on the ground, often leaving an unsavory brown trail in his wake. Scooting is usually a sign of distended anal glands; however, it also may be triggered by new carpet, dinner parties, or being invited into a new friend’s house for the first time.
Dogs who scoot should have their anal glands checked and, if necessary, manually expressed. Some people do this at home, but most elect to have a vet or groomer do it since the most effective method involves inserting a finger into the dog’s anus.
Unfortunately, dog anal gland problems can progress beyond the merely unsavory albeit slightly comical scenarios described above. Because of their proximity to the anus, the glands are at high risk of infection if they become impacted. Infected anal glands can cause significant pain, which may be manifested by reluctance to defecate or wag the tail.
Severely infected dog anal glands can cause visible swelling and redness adjacent to the anus. The swelling can progress to the point that the gland bursts, leading to an unsightly gaping hole adjacent to the anus. Over the years I have had many panicked owners rush dogs with ruptured anal glands to my office under the impression that their dog had developed a second anus.
Mildly infected dog anal glands can often be treated with a combination of antibiotics and manual expression. Severely infected, or abscessed, glands often must be lanced in order for healing to occur. Ruptured glands generally must be cleansed and flushed. Fortunately, even ruptured glands usually heal and most often return to normal function.
Rare and unfortunate dogs develop chronic problems with their anal glands. It is possible to surgically remove the glands in these cases, but the procedure carries a relatively high rate of complications, including pain, infection, and fecal incontinence. I therefore recommend the surgery only if the dog’s anal gland problems are causing him to suffer significantly. The surgery should not be performed on dogs who simply scoot or shoot their glands more often than their owners would like.
Finally, some extremely unfortunate dogs develop malignant anal gland tumors. I am sorry to say that these tumors spread rapidly and are hard to remove. Like all malignant tumors, the best chance for successful treatment occurs if they are caught early. Therefore, any dog who appears to have something wrong with his most sensitive and private area should see the vet sooner rather than later.
Got a question for Dr. Barchas? Ask our vet in the comments below and your topic might be featured in an upcoming column. (Note that if you have an emergency situation, please see your own vet immediately!)
Read more by Dr. Eric Barchas:
Why Do Some Dogs Keep “Showing Their Lipsticks”?
Let’s Talk About Dogs and Euthanasia: When Is It Time? Should You Be Present?
What to Do Before You Get to the Vet in 12 Emergency Dog Situations
12 Dog Emergencies That Need Immediate Veterinary Attention
Just How Dangerous Is It to Falsely Call a Pet a Service Dog?
The post Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dog Anal Glands appeared first on Dogster.
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