#would have worn pink if i had enough in my wardrobe
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At the movie theaters bout to watch the Barbie Movie~!!✌✌✌
#the cryptid talks#Got a front row seat tho sadly since i was alil late gettin here :V#would have worn pink if i had enough in my wardrobe
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The Romance of Certain Old Clothes | Yan!Capitano x Reader
Content Warning: Slight NSFW, Mentions of Isolation, Mentions of Stalking, Mentions of Death, General Dark Themes.
The morning air was filled with mist from the forest that surrounded the estate, and the gargoyles and stone demons on the garden walls seemed blurred as if seen through a veil of tears.
It was as if nature itself knew he was back.
Sometimes he would come back from his travels in the middle of the night, and unless he explicitly ordered it, the servants never told you, as he liked to watch you go about your day when you thought he was not there.
He melted into the shadows for the whole morning, taking a certain pleasure to see you smile as you tended to your plants in the greenhouse, or singed to your cantankerous cat.
After you had returned to your chambers with your maidens, he had resolved to announce his return. As he approached your room, he overheard you talking with your handmaidens.
"How come you never wear this dress, my lady? It may be too light to wear outside, but it should be fine here. It's lovely."
The lord of the estate had installed fireplaces everywhere in the castle after your arrival. The servants were instructed to light all the rooms near where you were at all times, but even then, you sometimes had to wait a few minutes to change rooms if your clothing was too light.
You turn from your mirror to see one of your three handmaidens taking a beautiful dress of pale pink lace from your wardrobe, with tiny hopping bunnies discreetly embroidered on the hems. You feel a stab of pain go through your heart.
"It was a gift," you answer, "Made especially for a climate more generous than this, that of Mondstadt... I never got to wear it."
And he never got to see it.
It was supposed to be worn during your honeymoon. Such a childish garment. You would have worn it nonetheless, to make him happy and have a good laugh, but your betrothed died shortly after ordering it, and it had arrived a few days before your wedding to another man, if such a term could be used to refer to him.
"I'll wear it today."
Surrounded by the rosy-cheeked servants, you were as sweet and docile as a kitten. They are quick to unbutton the back of your dress, sliding the warm velvet fabric off your shoulders, revealing a silk shift that hugged every curve you had. The gold light of dawn sparkled on your skin as if all its softness were encased in a coat of glass. The neckline is tugged down just enough for him to see one of your nipples shyly peek out from the lace.
He imagines trailing one finger around the small bud and seeing it stiffen as a meek little moan escapes your lips. He knows that it is soft, delectable, and would drive a lesser man to the depths of insanity for the chance to savor it.
He shouldn't be there, it's not proper of him to watch your handmaidens undress you. But when one's mind has been deprived of paradise for so long, propriety becomes an unwanted visitor.
You adjust the neckline back in its place as if you had read his thoughts through some type of divination.
The pink dress was not very appropriate for a married woman, but it was indeed lovely on you. Although made from a cheaper material than you were now used to, it felt soft and light against your skin. It had a bit of a dusty smell, probably from being almost forgotten in the wardrobe, but you did not mind.
"I would like to wear my hair down," you say sweetly as you sit back down in front of the dark wooden vanity. One of the handmaidens brushes your hair away from your face in gentle strokes, allowing him to get a privileged view of your neck from where he stood.
He delights in it for a minute before turning back, thinking about letting you enjoy that peaceful morning on your own.
Once they finish, you stand and twirl in front of the mirror like a little girl. You even let a small laugh escape your lips as if this was an act of rebellion, an expression of nostalgia forbidden.
But as you look at the mirror, you can't find the same happy creature you once were. There stands the same lonely girl who is lost in an unknown place filled with ghosts and shadows. You tremble at the sight of your own reflection. You feel odd, as if wearing a costume that no longer fits you, that is now a tad bit too constricting and hard to breathe in.
"Are you feeling well, my lady?"
It's rather curious how well you have been able to resist tears ever since your dreaded wedding night. But then, when that girl who is nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing comforts you with a single kind word... everything collapses.
Capitano stops on the stairs as he hears you scream.
"Take it off... I can't breathe..." you start to tug away at the seams, every time more desperately, "Take it off...! Take it off!"
#yandere capitano x reader#the capitano agenda#il capitano#yandere genshin impact#yandere#genshin impact x reader#yandere imagines#yanderecore#yandere x reader#tw: dark#capitano x reader
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Truth or Dare
A wardrobe change as requested by @allnewtpir. I hope you enjoy yet another ronance prompt. More coming soon.
Do you have any prompts yourself? Or do you want to dive into what I wrote before? You can read my previous prompts or send me some new ones.
“No, no, no. Nance, I’m not wearing that,” Robin complained, pointing at Nancy’s outfit. She would not be punished over Nancy picking dare in this stupid game.
“Oh, come on, Robin. Just play along. It’s only for a little bit.” Steve took a sip of his drink.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. It’s not even your turn. Steve just has to think of something else,” Nancy said, a hand reaching out for Robin.
It was a little pathetic that that touch was enough for Robin to cave. “No, it’s fine. I’ll do it.” She was already crawling up to her feet. Maybe she should have another drink before pulling herself into Nancy’s clothes.
“Are you sure, Robs?” Nancy stood up too, much more gently than Robin had.
Robin nodded. She was staring. She shouldn’t be staring. Clothes swapping wasn’t that big of a deal. She had worn Nancy’s clothes before. Yes, it had been awful, but she had survived. Even if it had felt like she had been shocking the entire time.
“Alright, we should do this in the bathroom.” Nancy grabbed Robin’s arm, pulling her into the bathroom.
Robin felt her heartbeat pick up. She was pathetic. She was hopeless. She needed help. What had become of her?
Nancy was wearing a light blue blouse and black skirt. Or at least, she had been before she stripped to her underwear. Robin turned around quickly. Robin pulled her flannel and oversized shirt, she thought it might be Steve’s, off. She held out the shirt until Nancy took it off her hands.
“Here,” Nancy giggled, replacing the shirt with her own blouse. “I’m not entirely sure what Steve is going to get out of it.”
“Me neither, it seems more like he’s trying to torture me than you.” Robin pulled her pants off with the blouse still hanging open. She really should have put on a bra.
“Did you do anything to anger him?” Nancy asked, her voice trailing off at the end.
Robin turned her face, noticing the soft blush on Nancy’s cheeks as her eyes were glued to Robin’s bare legs. “I don’t think so.”
“Okay.” Nancy bit her lip.
Robin pulled the skirt on, quickly buttoning her blouse, Nancy’s blouse, the blouse. It scratched her skin a bit, but not as badly as the frilly pink thing did back in spring break. She could manage this.
When she turned around, fully dressed, she noticed Nancy still only half clothed. Still staring. Robin cleared her throat. Nancy looked at the textile in her hands.
“Should I leave?” Robin asked, her eyes glued to Nancy’s hands, her fingers toying with the fabric.
“No, just a second.” Nancy pulled the pants on.
“Don’t forget the flannel.” Robin reached down to hand it over.
“Of course not.” There was a smile on her face as she pulled on the flannel. Robin had to admit Nancy looked great. She should wear Robin’s clothes more often. This was not going to end well for Robin. If she had been staring before, she surely wouldn’t look away now.
-
Nancy hadn’t stopped staring ever since they had gotten changed. There was something about this specific outfit that glued Nancy’s eyes to the other girl. She wasn’t sure if she should thank Steve or kick him in the balls. Maybe both.
But Robin just looked so good in her clothes. Nancy wished she could take them off her. God, she was pathetic.
“Robin, truth or dare?”
“Truth?”
“Perfect,” Steve said with a smile and Robin’s face betrayed her worry. “What do you think of Nancy wearing your clothes?”
“I think she looks great. She always looks great of course. But the clothes suit her. It’s different from what she usually wears, of course. They’re my clothes. But they look great on her too. Probably look better on her than on me,” Robin rambled, not once looking over at Nancy.
“What about you, Nancy?”
“It’s not my turn.”
“True, just thought you might want to share.”
“She looks great. She always does,” Nancy admitted, not looking away from Robin. Steve seemed content with the answer. There was a smile on his face that was too cocky to be good. If Nancy didn’t know any better, she’d thought he was up to something.
-
Steve was up to something. Robin would get her revenge. But first she had to survive this night. One she’d be spending alone with Nancy, in the same bed. She wasn’t sure how she’d survive this.
“Which side of the bed do you prefer?” Nancy asked, toying with the edge of Robin’s shirt that she was still wearing.
“I don’t care. Either is good.”
“Alright, I’ll take left?” Nancy took off the flannel.
“Sure.”
Robin would be fine. Robin would be fine. Robin was not fine. Nancy was undressing right in front of her and Robin was going to die. She grabbed her own shirt off the floor after Nancy dropped it and rushed out of the room.
When she returned Nancy was laying in bed, covered by the sheets. Robin joined her, only wearing her own shirt and her underwear.
“Goodnight, Nance,” Robin said, turning her back to the other girl.
“Goodnight, Robin,” Nancy replied, throwing her arm over Robin’s waist.
#prompts#ronance#nancy wheeler#robin buckley#my work#stranger things#fanfic#robin x nancy#nancy x robin#ficlet
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Hello, your blog is great! I've spent weeks browsing through it. I have a request that you might have time for. You own some Hamburg costumes and I would like to remake them. I'm missing some data and maybe you can help me.1. Is the Starprincess outer fabric one piece or are they pieces? And if so, how wide is the hem?And my 2nd question is, could you tell me how wide the hem pieces are on the dressing gown you own? It looks totally like Colby's and I adore her wardrobe from Hamburg. <3
Hello and welcome to the costume madness <3
The Star Princess skirt I have comes from the middle of Colby Thomas' run. She went through at least three different skirts, which varied in both fabrics and the placement of the stars. The one I have is made of myltiple layers:
The fundament is dark blue tulle, with a shorter base and a wider gathered hem. The blue is intense royal blue. All layers are attached to a tailor-made waistband of layers of white cotton. Here's the skirt seen on the reverse on a dummy:
Then lighter blue on top, built in the same manner, with silvery grey on top (photo 1). For this layer they also added a layer over the hips, so the skirt would be bell shaped rather than cone shaped.
Then a new layer of the silvery grey tulle, this too with a gathered hem (photo 2). Then yet another silvery grey tulle layer on top, with a wider gathered hem (photo 3).
THEN... a floral silver layer (photo 4), a pink silk layer with ombre effect (photo 5), and finally a silvery grey tulle overlayer where the silver stars are attached (photo 6).
All the different skirt layers varies in width, but they should be wide enough to create a full circle when laid flat on the floor. This means Christine achieves a full tutu effect when dancing as seen in this lovely twirling photo of Colby Thomas:
This also reveals the point of the blue underlayers - they create a lovely ombre effect to match the bodice. The twirl photo skirt is not the very same skirt as the one I have, as all the stars range from small in the waist to big at them hem, whereas my skirt mix the sizes. But it is Colby Thomas´ replacement skirt, which was built in the same manner and with similar materials.
The dressing gown I have is identical in the skirt fabric and the lace to what Colby Thomas wore in the early 1990s. As the Star Princess skirt, she went through numerous versions as she played the role for around 10 years. But as far as I can tell she always had patterned bodices, whereas mine is sheer and non-patterned. The size is also TINY. I think we're talking a dressing gown worn by a double. But definitely contemporary to what Colby Thomas wears here!
The construction of these dressing gowns is a lot simpler and lighter than what they would eventuallt become, both in Germany and elsewhere. They are so light and flowy, and with lace engageants placed very high on the sleeve to drape well. These photos better show the lightness:
ALAS I don't have exact measurements at hand, and the dressing gown is currently too well-wrapped to take it out and measure it. But the width is far from what you'll find for example in the current West End ones, where they have added a bigger triangle in the back skirt to create a rich train. The early Hamburg dressing gown have a similar triangle, but it is narrower and creates only a hint of the same effect. Here's Anouk van Laake in the West End revival VS the early Hamburg dressing gown:
The later German dressing gowns has also gotten more width. Which basically means that whether you go for wider or narrower it will have a stage equivalent :)
Best of luck with your costume making!
#colby thomas#phantom der oper#phantom of the opera#costume making#costume nerding#anouk van laake#maria bjørnson#dressing gown#star princess
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𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥
megumi, yuuji, and nobara x gn!reader (separately)
warnings: none <3
"[name]... is that my shirt?" megumi looked at you as you entered the dorm kitchen, intensely studying the shirt you wore. the shirt that was indeed his.
"uh... yeah, actually. do you want it back? 'cause if you do i can-" you moved your hands to the hem, pulling it up slightly, just enough to signal that you were willing to return it.
"no- just... keep it for now. i'll get it back another time," a slight pink tinted his cheeks as he took in the sight of you properly. it wasn't the first time you had worn it, that was a few months ago after yours had been compromised in a mission, but something about the fact that you had chosen to wear the slightly oversized black tee made his heart race.
silently awed by you, he murmured quietly, "or just... keep it forever. it suits you."
"wait a minute- that's my shirt!" yuuji looks at you with wide eyes, grinning broadly at the realization that the bright yellow garment you wore belonged to him. it would be obvious to anybody that the shirt hadn't originally belonged to you. it was a bit too oversized, though it had fit yuuji in about the same way, and the yellow was a choice that only yuuji would have made.
"yeah, it is! were you the one that put it outside my door last night?" you respond with a little laugh, remembering the confusion you had experienced when you answered your door late at night to find only a yellow shirt sitting on the hallway floor.
"uh, no, actually. gojo took it for laundry day and it wasn't with the rest of my stuff." of course the scheme had been organized by none other than gojo. it made more sense than you'd care to admit.
"well i hope you don't want it back too badly because i think i like it," you responded with a wink, sending a bright flush into yuuji's cheeks.
"[name]? y'know you coulda just told me if you liked that shirt, i would've bought you one," nobara said plainly as she noticed you wearing one of her favorite oversized shirts, one that integrated seamlessly into your usual wardrobe.
"actually, nobara, this one was mine. remember?" on you, the soft purple shirt fit with just the right amount of tightness, the fit marking it as very obviously yours. she had taken it from you some time ago, and now you had decided that you wanted it back.
"well, it does look good on you," she said with a contemplative look, observing how the simple color and silhouette complimented your body and coloring so perfectly. "but i think i still want to wear it."
"hmm... later. but only because it looks even cuter on you," you said with a flirty smirk that made her cheeks pink and heart skip a beat.
#{🍄 - mushrooms}#jjk x gn!reader#jjk x male reader#jjk x reader#jujustu kaisen#jujutsu kaisen x reader#jujutsu kaisen#jjk itadori#itadori yuuji x reader#itadori x reader#yuuji itadori#itadori yuuji#itadori#yuuji x reader#yuuji#megumi#megumi fushiguro#fushiguro megumi#fushiguro#fushiguro x reader#megumi x reader#fushiguro megumi x reader#megumi fluff#megumi x gender neutral reader#megumi x gn!reader#megumi x male reader#fushiguro x male reader#fushiguro x gn!reader#jujutsu kaisen nobara#nobara
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I Know You Better Than Most
Ashido Mina x Male!Reader
Word count: 2,151
Summary: You decide to join Mina at the yearly anime convention in your city for the very first time
Genre: Quirkless!AU, fluff, very light angst, ASD reader
Warnings: Food/eating, kissing, pet names (Mina calls the reader ‘honey’)
Note: This is a birthday gift to @knuckles8864. I hope you have a lovely birthday 💖
You surveyed the crowd, back pressed against the wall so hard you felt that you might phase through it. Not that it would bother you too much if it meant that you could get some space to yourself. You couldn’t remember when you had last seen a crowd this big.
Wiping your clammy hands on your thighs, you looked over the crowd again, trying to find a head of bubblegum-pink hair. You spotted a few throughout the throng of people, but none of them was the right one.
Where is she? you thought, watching people join the crowd ahead of you.
Finally, you spotted Mina as she pushed towards you. When she saw you looking, she raised a gloved hand and waved, a wide smile spreading on her face.
You returned the wave with one of your own, feeling your lips twitch into a grin. The world felt calmer already.
“Sorry!” Mina cried as she got closer, trying to be heard over the constant hum of voices. “I had a wardrobe malfunction last minute and I missed my train.”
You shook your head. “It’s fine, you’re here now. And you look amazing!”
Giggling, Mina spun in front of you. “I do, don’t I! It was worth all the effort it took to make!”
Nodding, you looked at her costume again. The pink and purple top which she wore underneath her armor was one she’d owned already. But the armor itself - covering her abdomen and one side of her chest - was something she had made on her own. You had often spent an evening next to her while she worked on it, so you knew well how much time she had devoted to making it. Same with the short tan skirt which she had sewn from multiple pieces of fabric, making it look as ragged and worn as it was supposed to. Her outfit was finished off with thigh high boots with foam greaves strapped to the front, and leather gloves with a fluffy fur trim at the wrists.
You had to admit that she was the spitting image of the character she was cosplaying. You’d never gotten around to watching the anime she was from - a fantasy story full of fighting and adventure - but Mina had talked about it often enough that you felt like you already knew the character pretty well.
Mina grabbed your hand, tearing you out of your thoughts.
“So?” she said, beaming up at you. “Are you ready for your first anime convention?”
You nodded, squeezing her hand. “Now that you’re here, I’m ready for anything!”
Breathe, you told yourself, trying your best not to panic.
Mina squeezed your arm tighter. “Just a little bit longer. The check-in line always creates a bottleneck, there’s plenty of space inside, I promise! And once we get our badges, we can enter through the side doors, we won’t have to join this line again.”
You just nodded, forcing another stuttering breath into your lungs.
A space opened up and you moved forward, the crowd following close behind. Just a little bit longer.
“Where do you want to go first?” Mina asked as she led you through the convention center.
You could feel her almost vibrating with excitement and it killed you to dampen her. But you knew she understood you better than most people did.
“Can we find a place to sit for a few minutes?” you asked.
Mina smiled at you. “I meant after you’ve had a moment to gather yourself.” Stopping, she pointed at a little group of cafe tables overlooking the main escalators. “Sit. I’ll get us something to drink.”
She returned a moment later with two sodas.
“You gotta be conscious about drinking enough,” she said. “We’re gonna be on our feet a lot. There are water coolers and cups all throughout the venue so don’t worry about bringing a bottle. Just don’t forget to drink.”
You nodded.
Pulling her phone out, Mina checked the schedule. “The opening ceremony is in an hour, it’s usually pretty funny but we can skip it if you want to. And there’s a panel I want to go to at seven, a bunch of voice actors being goofy, those are always a riot. But we gotta line up for that one early if we want decent seats, it’s always really popular…”
You swallowed hard. You knew that it would be busy, Mina had been very clear about that. But you hadn’t realized just how much time you’d be spending in line.
As if she could read your thoughts, Mina reached out to grab your hand. “The check-in line is the worst by far, I promise you. The other lines are a lot more chill, people don’t push as much, at least while we’re just waiting. But we can go somewhere less crowded to start with.” Thinking for a second, she added, “The artists’ alley should be decent at this time, they should’ve just finished setting up. And you can skip the voice actors’ panel if you want to, find someplace quiet to rest while I go.”
You nodded again, a small smile playing on your lips. Mina really did know you better than most people.
Your head swiveled from side to side, trying to take in all the merchandise around you. The sheer amount of it was overwhelming.
Mina once again managed to ground you. She pulled you over to a table in the corner. “We start here and work our way up this row. Try to focus on the franchises you might want to buy something from and ignore the rest. And don’t worry about looking at every single booth, we can always come back.”
You squeezed her hand to thank her, then started browsing.
The second booth you looked at had some interesting Nintendo pins. You had trouble deciding between buying Kirby or Link and Zelda.
Mina, who had been leafing through a binder of drawings at the other end of the table, moved over to you, looking at the pins.
“Oh, those are really cute!”
“They are,” you agreed. “But I can’t decide which one to buy. I kinda want both this one -” You pointed to Kirby in the middle of inhaling a cake. “- and this one with Link and Zelda together.”
Mina grinned at you. “I have a pretty easy solution for that.”
You raised your eyebrows questioningly. “And that is?”
“I buy Kirby as a gift for you, then you buy Link and Zelda. That way you don’t have to choose.”
Your face broke into a smile. “I appreciate it, Mina, but you don’t have to. I can--”
Mina held a finger to your lips. “I’ve decided already, I’m buying the pink dude with the cake. You can call it a memento of your first convention. Or…” She gently nudged you in the ribs while winking at you. “You can do the same for me when I’m waffling between two things. As long as they are of a similar value, I don’t want you to go broke.”
“Alright then,” you said, your smile widening, “I accept your deal!”
Next to the artists’ alley was a room with a few arcade machines. And - you noticed to your pleasant surprise - a Dance Dance Revolution rig for two players.
You pulled Mina towards the rig.
“Wanna give it a try?” you asked. “See if I can beat you today?”
Mina’s face lit up. Then a cloud of uncertainty passed over her features. “You don’t think it’s gonna be too much for you?”
You shook your head. “I’d like to get rid of some of my nervous energy. And I think it’s better to do it now, before the place gets more crowded.”
“Well, if you’re sure…” The smile returned to her face. “Don’t think I’m gonna go easy on ya!”
Grinning back at her, you said, “Wouldn’t want you to.”
You knew well that you were still far off from beating Mina at any dancing game. She had danced for years while you were still new at it. But it didn’t make the game any less fun, especially not when you had Mina shout encouragement at you throughout it.
The two of you had to stop after a couple of rounds. You could probably have gone for one more - and you knew that Mina could’ve gone for longer still - but a crowd had gathered, cheering the two of you on. It made your ears burn, especially since they cheered nearly exclusively for Mina. She was amazing, there was no denying it, but it sometimes made you wonder why she had picked you, someone who didn’t even compare to her.
Mina bounded up to you - completely unaware of your thoughts - and threw her arms around you.
“That was so much fun!” she squealed. Then she looked up at you, noticing your gloomy expression. Her brows furrowed. “What’s wrong, honey?”
You shook your head. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing,” she insisted, “something’s wrong. Is it the crowd?”
“Something like that.”
Mina pressed her lips into a thin line. Then she grabbed your hand, pulling you along with her.
She led you outside the convention building to a bench under a secluded tree. Sitting next to you, she turned to face you.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
You stayed quiet. The last thing you wanted to do was ruin the day for her.
Mina squeezed your hand. “Tell me, honey, I promise I’ll listen.”
“It’s just…” Heaving a deep sigh, your gaze glued to the ground between your feet, you finally let the words you had tried to hold back fall out of your mouth. “Why are you with me? You could find someone better, someone who shines as bright as you. I just weigh you down.”
She squeezed your hand again. “Stop. You know none of that is true.”
You kept looking at your shoes. “Isn’t it though? You saw the crowd cheering for you, not me.”
Mina’s words grew imploring. “No, it isn’t true. Well the part about the crowd might be, but the rest isn’t.”
Reaching out, she laid her hand on your cheek, pushing your face towards her. “You want to know why I love you? Why I’ve spent three years with you?”
Finally meeting her eyes, you nodded.
“It’s because you’re you,” she said. “You’re sweet and kind and gentle. You make me feel safe. You’re respectful of my boundaries, you never judge me. You may sometimes get your words mixed up and say the wrong things, but I know you don’t mean to. You listen to me. I always have a great time with you. Is that enough reason?”
You let out another sad sigh. “But I don’t shine like you.”
“Of course you do,” Mina replied. “You hide it pretty well, but I saw it when you were dancing.”
You furrowed your brows. “Really?”
“Yeah! It might not be very bright yet, but it’s definitely there! And it’s growing every day.”
Leaning in, she gently pressed her lips to yours. “Don’t be too hard on yourself just because the crowd only see that I’m more skilled at dancing - you’re being unfair to yourself when you do that. The crowd doesn’t matter. All that does matter is that we both have fun, right?”
Flinging your arms around her, you pulled her close against you, burying your face in her hair. “You’re right,” you mumbled. “Thank you.”
The two of you spent the time before the voice actors’ panel just wandering around, admiring the amazing cosplays you came across, and trying out random snacks that you found on sale. Still feeling a little bit downcast, you decided to brave the crowds to attend the panel with Mina rather than finding a quiet spot by yourself.
Sinking into your seat, you let out a sigh of relief. While Mina had been right about the line to the panel being a lot more relaxed, there had still been some pushing to get into the room. You had spent nearly all of your energy for the day.
Mina wrapped her arm around yours, leaning against your shoulder. “How are you doing, honey?
“I’m getting close to being people’d out,” you answered earnestly.
She nodded. “We can go home after this, there’s nothing interesting for the rest of the night.” Twisting in her seat, she looked up at you. “Are you so done with people that you want to be alone tonight?”
You shook your head. “You know that you don’t count as ‘people’. I don’t mind you staying over if you want to.”
“Then I’ll stay over,” Mina replied, resting against you again, “get my cuddle quota in.”
You just nodded, leaning your cheek against the top of her head, looking forward to a little bit of respite at the end of a busy day.
Next to you, Mina let out a gasp of glee. “Oh, look, it’s starting!”
Thank you so much for reading! Likes, comments, and reblogs are always greatly appreciated! If you like, you can check out my other works here. Love, Birin 💖
#boku no hero academia#bnha#my hero academia#mha#fluff#light angst#male!reader#asd#autism#autistic spectrum#anime convention#tw: food#tw: eating#tw: kissing#ashido#mina#x reader#x you#imagine#imagines#knuckles8864
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I'd love to see a date to the ballet enough on its own - but a date to the ballet where Izzy has to be civil to Stede? Double yes!
(you were not alone anon! Here is the ballet date)
Izzy bought new clothes for the ballet.
Sometimes, one needs armor to go into battle and he didn’t think his court suit was going to cut it. Generally, Lucius helped him pick out clothes, but they were years deep in this now and Izzy had actually listened most of the time they were shopping. He knew what Lucius liked him in, and the stores where the salespeople were helpful without being irritating.
He got dressed before Lucius got there. If Lucius didn’t like any of it, than he could easily change. Or just strip as a last ditch effort to avoid this entire exercise. A nice thought. Except yesterday Read had bounded up to him with even more than her usual enthusiasm.
“You’re coming to see the show with us tomorrow?” Her eyes had been wide and bright. “Really? I thought you guys were just flirting or something weird.”
“I’m coming.” he sighed.
“Oh my god, it’s such a good one. Have you ever been before?” She didn’t wait for him to say no. “Okay, so I’m going to send you a summary of the plot. Stede usually does one for me, so I’ll just forward it on to you because it helps a lot and the one in the playbill is usually okay, but not detailed enough.”
“Read-”
“It’s really beautiful,” she went on, practically spinning in place and Jesus fuck, what was he supposed to do with that. “I hope you like it!”
“I’ll give it a shot,” he gritted out because that was as generous as he could be.
“Awesome!”
So no. He was probably not even going to try to seduce his way out of this which was probably for the best. Wiles were not his strong point.
The suit was a deep green verging on black, the vest only a shade or two lighter. Wearing a vest feels odd these days, an affectation cast aside along with the ascots Lucius had worn daily when they met. Izzy wasn’t sure when he’d stopped entirely, but they had mostly drifted out of his wardrobe now.
“Goblin!” Lucius called as he came in. “Are you hiding under the bed because that would be hysterical?”
“I’m here,” he stepped out of the bedroom.
Lucius was in his ‘theater outfit’. Slate gray pants with a faint pink pinstripe, pink button down. The tie was diagonally pink, gray and gold striped, the tiepin Izzy had bought him complimenting it well. His hair was done up though, slicked to one side in an attempt to lay it flat. The wave was already re-emerging. There was the artful scruff that he’d been experimenting with lately and combined with the pressed shirt.
“Mm, so you are,” Lucius gave him a once over, a smile slowly forming, tip of his tongue caught between his teeth.
“All right?” Izzy checked.
“Yeah. Good lord. More than all right. Where’d this come from?”
“Usual place.”
“Mm,” Lucius reached for him, fisting a hand around Izzy’s black and gold tie, using it to draw him close. “We should get dressed up more often.”
“Why?” Izzy’s concentration had narrowed considerably, words barely penetrating.
“Anticipation,” Lucius grinned and leaned down to just barely kiss him, a brush of lips. “Behave tonight?”
“Promised already,” he reminded him with a shiver.
“Mm, I know. I like to hear it though.”
“Yes, I promise to be nice to your horrible boss,” he muttered.
“Mhm, good,” he could practically taste Lucius’ smile. “I won after all.”
“You did,” Izzy smiled right back. It had been something to see that pile of goods.
Read knocked on the door. “Ready?”
Lucius sighed, planted a slightly firmer kiss on Izzy’s lips, then took a step back. “Ready!”
The theater was exactly what Izzy had been picturing, austere and old filled to the brim with people stuffed into formal wear though there was mixed in some younger faces in more casual gear.
Bonnet was standing among them and somehow the man didn’t even fit in here. There was something just slightly off about the way he wore formal clothes or maybe it was that the colors were hair to bright, a little too bold in the face of a sea of sober grays and black. Even Lucius’ faded pink or Read’s sky blues seemed to jump out like Bonnet’s fuschia did. There was just something painfully obnoxious about the man that gritted against reality.
It was, Izzy could admit if only to himself, admirable in a way.
“Hello!” Stede waved. He had a fistful of programs which he fanned out to them. “Lucius, I’m so glad you came!”
“Don’t get used to it,” Lucius plucked two of the programs, handing Izzy one. Read took hers, already paging through it. “I said I would for your birthday and here I am.”
“I think you’ll find it’s really a present for you! I’ve always said if you’d just give it a good try, you’d really enjoy it.”
“Sure,” Lucius said dully.
Izzy, in what he hoped looked like a very normal manner, reached down and took Lucius’ hand. This was not a thing he did with any regularity or really ever with this many people around, but Lucius accepted with a grateful squeeze.
Everything had just snapped into focus. In the back of his mind, Izzy had known that Lucius didn’t actually enjoy ballet particularly. He liked musicals and he loved plays, but he had mentioned not being particularly ‘attuned to dance’ which meant he didn’t get it (something Lucius hated admitting about the arts and was happy to say about virtually anything else). Pete might’ve agreed to come, but there was no way he’d stay awake or if he did, stay in his seat the whole time.
So rather than being a normal human about it and jus task, Lucius had schemed his way into having a date, who was now obligated to sit there and not be an asshole about it. Izzy fought down a hysterical laugh.
Sometimes, the gulf between them was so wide that Izzy had no idea how he and Lucius even spoke the same language. And sometimes, he was suddenly and viciously reminded that they were very much alike.
“Spartucus, huh?” Izzy asked to fill the sudden expectant silence. Bonnet blinked and changed focus.
“It’s not my personal favorite,” Bonnet gave him a speculative look. “Have you gone to much ballet?”
“None,” Izzy shrugged. “But hey, new things. Right?”
“Right,” Bonnet narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously. Izzy looked back at him with even blankness. “Well. I hope you find it enlightening.”
“It’s a good show,” Read said, apparently oblivious to the tension. Izzy knew she wasn’t, but as long as it wasn’t directed at her, she’d let it roll off her back. “Lots of dance fighting.”
“Yes, I suspect you’ll get a few ideas,” Bonnet favored her with an indulgent smile. Ugh. Read smiled back at him. “Perhaps you’ll eventually do a little bit of ballet for us?”
“Yeah,” she said readily. “But not yet. It’s a work in progress, you know?”
“Isn’t it always,” Bonnet agreed. “We might as well get to our seats.”
Lucius, wisely, put himself between Bonnet and Izzy, but otherwise offered nothing substantive as Bonnet prattled on about production and costumes to a willing audience of Read and a bored one of Izzy. He didn’t interrupt though or offer up prodding comments. Everytime an obvious place for a remark went unfilled, Bonnet shot him a look.
Expectant. And maybe a little disappointed when nothing came up.
Oh for fuck’s sake.
The lights went down before Izzy could consider how to deal with that. The ballet was...certainly something that was happening. There was a lot of moving around and while it was impressive what the human body was capable of, it did leave Izzy feeling a little numb. When he glanced across the row, he could see Read elbows on knees, leaning forward as if she could consume the entire thing with her eyes alone. Bonnet seemed if not equally enrapture, certainly very taken.
Lucius had a glazed expression and when he caught Izzy looking, he rolled his eyes expressively. Izzy offered up his hand and Lucius took advantage, making a slow perusal of digits as he often did when they were watching something. It was lulling and familiar and if Izzy also wound up with a glazed expression, it wasn’t due to any failure of the performers.
At intermission, the lights jumped on and Lucius shoved up. “I’m getting a drink. Iz?”
“Just water.” He stayed behind while Lucius left. Read got to her feet, heading for the bathroom.
Bonnet rattled his playbill ominously.
“Why did you ask him here if you knew he’d hate it?” He asked. That was civil, right? No swearing, tone even and not abrupt.
“I didn’t know,” Bonnet shrugged. “I thought perhaps he hadn’t given it a fair shot. He can be very stubborn. I’m not sure you’ve noticed.”
“It’s come up,” Izzy shook his head. “Read seems happy.”
“She does, doesn’t she? Lovely girl.” And...she was. What was Izzy going to do with that? Argue? “You know if she keeps taking lessons, there will likely be a recital.”
A recital. Jesus fuck. Obviously Izzy would go. He’d have to find some words to shove into his mouth so she’d known she’d done well. She took his compliments seriously even when they barely broke two words.
“What the fuck does pas de deux mean?” He asked reluctantly. She’d said that a few times.
“Oh...do you actually want to know?”
“No,” he said bluntly. “But apparently I fucking should so tell me.”
“Well really, I don’t-”
“...please,” Izzy gritted out. Civil. He was going to be civil.
“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” Bonnet wrinkled up his nose.
“So do I, but I made a promise and I’m not breaking it because you can’t handle the results,” he informed him smoothly. Lucius could show at any second and he was not going to be caught out speaking in anger even if the words were fine.
Civil. Fucking. Civil.
So Lucius came back with two bottles of water to find Bonnet animatedly explaining the art of the duet in dance while Izzy listened, blank face, and actually absorbing the damn lesson.
“Okay then,” Lucius handed Izzy his water, sat down and listened too until the lights flickered and Read hustled into her seat.
“The bathroom line is always so long,” she bemoaned.
The second half was also fine. Izzy caught more of the story now, but he didn’t think he’d ever be great at following things. Lucius had gotten ahold of Izzy’s cuff by the end, smoothing the skin beneath leather over and over and clearly half out of head with boredom.
By the end, even Stede seemed grateful it was over.
“I did not expect it to run so long,” he admitted. “I’ll owe you a drink, Luc. Tomorrow night?”
“Sure,” Lucius agreed. “Read?”
“I’m going to Anne’s for a bit,” she checked her phone. “I’ll see you both later.”
They cleared out into the open night air. Bonnet hestated, coming alongside Izzy for an instant. Did this still count as the ballet? Probably.
“Yes?” He asked patiently.
“It’s admirable. How well you perform for him,” Bonnet said lightly. “Considering you’re not much of an actor.”
“This ends the second you leave my sight,” Izzy returned in the same voice. “And I will not be tricked into the same stakes again. Get in whatever grand insult you want, it’s your moment.”
“Quite the contrary,” Bonnet’s gaze flickered to Lucius, who was a bare few feet away, saying his good nights to Read. “I was going to say thank you. As it happens. For bringing her into our lives. And..well. For a lot of other things.”
Izzy stared at him, Bonnet gave him a strange half-smile. Sincere as anything. The man was a mystery that was also definitely a bomb. A glitter one, but a bomb nonetheless.
“Start walking,” Izzy advised. “Maybe don’t stop until you get into the middle of traffic, then hang there for a bit.”
Bonnet barked a laugh, the smile blossoming into something more familiar. “Good night, Iggy.”
“Fuck. Off. Bonnet.”
“Iz?” Lucius glanced up.
“Yeah?”
Bonnet was laughing as he walked away and that seemed to offer enough of a cover. Damn the man. He’d bet that was even intentional.
As they walked to the subway, finally alone, Izzy had to tell him,
“I would’ve come if you’d just asked, pup.”
“Would you?” Lucius frowned. “And been nice?”
“Yeah,” he sighed. “Not a lot of things I wouldn’t do.”
“But then I would’ve been forcing you, basically.”
“What did you think this was? A pleasure cruise?”
“No...I know. But you agreed and it was a probability thing.” Lucius frowned. “Ah, fuck. I messed up, didn’t I? ”
“Not with me. Bet was fair,” Izzy assured him. “But you should’ve just told him no.”
“I tell him no a lot. Saying yes is basically a birthday present and that guy is hard to shop for.”
“All right. But you know. Next time.”
“Thanks,” Lucius hesitated, then took his hand. “Good?”
“Yeah,” Izzy allowed. He’d started it after all.
And maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing to twine his fingers with Lucius’ and head back home together. Who cared if they were pastel and inky puddles of color? They didn’t have to match to hold hands. They just had to stand against the world at the same angle.
#leda house and the kraken verse#ficlet#goblin king and the pup#izzy hands#lucius black#mary read#stede teach bonnet
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Cookies for Starlight
I had a sudden burst of energy to write a short (it's not short :"D) fanfic of my ship celebrating Starlight privately, so here it is. Posted here only because it's the most unbeta'ed writing that I wouldn't dare put on AO3 until I've cleaned it but I still think it's cute anyway.
(About 1.8k words, about Aymeric & my WoL Sileas)
Happy Starlight!
Entering the halls of the Borel manor, Sileas heaved a sigh of relief, quickly sinking onto a sofa in the sitting room in exhaustion. Aymeric quickly followed, helping her to remove the coat that she’d worn for the cold.
“You’re exhausted, my love. You need rest. I’ll send word to one of the servants to prepare-”
“No. I’m making dinner, Aymeric. And they need to celebrate Starlight with their families, too.”
They had just returned from the Ballard family’s Starlight party in Limsa Lominsa, excusing themselves in the evening after lunch with the mention of travel. Though she was always happy in the company of her family and the workers she was close to, the preparations leading up to the season exhausted her. From the preparation of snacks that were gifts to friends, to the number of parties she was invited to by the high houses of Ishgard, she was busy even before the celebrations itself.
“You’ve done enough for the season, my dearest. The many preparations for starlight were no easy feat, after all. You need to rest.”
“There’s one more thing I promised myself I’d do. So let me.”
“And what do I suppose I could do to help, my darling Sileas?”
“Perhaps, run a bath for me? It would help very much, dearie. Oh, and help me with the cooking preparations. I have a reward for you if you do!”
“I have no need for a reward, Sileas. It is my duty as your husband-to-be, after all.”
Sileas pouted at him in annoyance, sitting up straight up on the sofa.
“I planned your reward when I was preparing for the season, so you will accept it, won’t you dearie?”
A light chuckle resounded from his lips, leaving a kiss on her forehead.
“Then I will. I’ll draw a bath, while you rest up, darling.”
Sileas giggled at him, patting his head as if she was praising him for his concern. Aymeric returned a bright smile in joy at her actions.
The evening would arrive calmly, the two preparing their dinner of steak and vegetables together. It wasn’t as grand as the many parties she had been to, but enough for the two of them. As Aymeric began cleaning the dishes, Sileas fetched a batch of dough she prepared for the day. Looking at the dough in her hands, he tilted his head inquisitively.
“Your reward! You can ice them together with me if you like,” she spoke, blushing slightly at the first gift she planned.
“My, what a wonderful idea, my dearest.”
Smiling at each other, Sileas began her preparations, cutting the cookies into shapes she liked, such as the creatures she’d seen across her adventures. A Moogle, a Gaelicat, a Cactuar, the list went on as she cut them, leaving some to in the shape for a circle for what Aymeric wished to design.
As the cookies were baked, Sileas found Aymeric lounging in the sitting room, motioning to her to sit by him.
“I realised I haven’t given you your present, darling.”
“T-there’s no need to. You’ve done enough, and I’m not a child…”
“My darling wife-to-be needs to be rewarded for her hard work the past few weeks.”
“Fine…” she whined, as Aymeric handed her a box.
Untying the bow of the box, Sileas found a pink cloak for the cold, a crystal embedded into it to keep her warm.
“Another item to keep me warm. There seems to be a pattern you have for my starlight gifts, don’t you, dearie?”
“I made sure that it would be items you would need. And keeping warm is something you forget to do, and need to do.”
“Yes, yes. I know that, Aymeric. I’ve been wearing my coats while I’m in Ishgard. And this will be a wonderful addition to my wardrobe. It’s in my favourite colour, too! Thank you, dearie,” she exclaimed, recalling her second gift to him.
Fetching her gift, she handed him the box, grinning joyfully.
“I’m glad you love my present, Sileas. And this one's for me?”
“Yes, you should open it.”
It was Aymeric’s turn to open his present, finding a bottle of ink in the box. It was a beautiful, deep sheen of blue, one of a good quality for writing with his quill.
“I figured that I might be away for another adventure after our wedding, so I thought getting you some ink would be good for the several letters you’ll have to write to me, Aymeric.”
“An excellent idea, and a beautiful gift. I’ll save it for letters to you only, my love.”
“You needn’t save it just for that. You could use it whenever you need it, or when writing about your personal experiences.”
The bell of the oven rang as Sileas was about to continue, gasping at the sound of it.
“Oh! The cookies! We need to make icing now…is it a bad time? I wished to tell you more about your gift…”
“Not at all. Shall we? I’m thoroughly excited to decorate and taste them.”
Sileas smiled at him, returning to the kitchen to remove the cookies from the oven. Baked with cinnamon and several spices, she grinned to herself as she smelled the aroma of them.
“They’re perfect! We should decorate them with icing now, dearie.”
“They have a tantalising aroma, too. Perhaps I…”
Upon hearing his words, Sileas picked one of the cookies, raising it to him to take a bite of them.
“This was what you wanted, wasn’t it?” she grinned, “how’s the taste?”
“The spices blend well together. As expected of one with your skills, darling.”
“Do you want to eat them now, Aymeric? We needn’t decorate them…”
“Half a batch would be excellent to eat now.”
“Alright! Ah, and I cut some into shapes of my favourite creatures...if you wish to decorate those.”
“If you trust me to decorate them as adorable as you would.”
“I’m…not great at delicately decorating pastries and cakes either. You needn’t commend me all the time.”
“There’s no harm in attempting to improve, darling.”
The couple quickly worked on the cookies, decorating each piece with care. Sileas did her best to line the details of each creature carefully with the icing, filling the spaces in between with coloured icing. Looking over at her beloved, she found the elezen working on his cookies intricately, the design on the cookie more detailed with cleaner lines.
“You’re much more talented at pastries than me, dearie.”
“And you bake desserts that are full of flavour and taste amazing.”
He’s always finding a way to compliment me, Sileas thought as she chuckled at him. Though it would be the third Starlight they would spend together, each seemed more peaceful than the last as their bond continued to grow stronger. Thinking of the ceremony that was to be held soon, she inhaled deeply, trying to speak the embarrassing thoughts that crossed her mind.
“We…we should make more cookies together for future Starlights. Oh…! And give them away as the Borel family once we are wed.”
“An excellent idea, and something to look forward to in our life as a family.”
She smiled at Aymeric again, considering the future with Aymeric that was soon to arrive. Though she had gotten used to the idea of her happiness with him, it was still much to ponder and worry over, as the constant troubles that occurred would remind her.
“I’m happy you’re thinking of plans for our future, Sileas,” Aymeric spoke up, fetching a cookie that was not going to be decorated to feed with her. She quickly took the bite, smiling gingerly at the wonderful taste that spread within her mouth.
“It was a thought that crossed my mind, that’s all. Spending another starlight with you reminds me of all the happiness that you’ve given me and the happiness I’ve felt. I’m glad to spend every celebration with you.”
“I’m happy, and of course, honoured, to be by your side. Thank you, Sileas.”
The two grinned at each other again, finishing their work on decorating the cookies as they set them on another plate. Resting in the sitting room, Sileas was about to feed Aymeric a cookie when she exclaimed loudly.
“Gods, I didn’t notice the time…! We shouldn’t be having snacks this late in the night.”
“But I must have these cookies as soon as I can, darling. And it’s starlight. We’ll have another day of rest tomorrow.”
She sighed again, reaching out to give him the cookie in her hand. He took a bite, swallowing the cookie quickly while smirking at her.
“You mustn't be this greedy, dearie.”
“Not while my darling wife is in front of me.”
“Hmph…!” she pouted, recalling the earlier conversation they had, “ah…and about your present. I wish to tell you that I love each day I spend with you. I hope the elegant blue of the ink would suit your garments, and that it would remind you that…well, we’ll be under the same sky, no matter how far apart we are.”
Aymeric’s eyes widened in awe of her words, his lips forming a fond smile from her words. He would always do this, beaming like the gentle moon, gleaming calmly in the dark on her.
“I-I know that I’d never be as eloquent with my words as you, dearie. That’s what I adore about you.”
“No, nothing like that. I’m happy that you’re able to express your feelings to me. I’m truly excited to spend my days with you, darling.”
“I’m glad, too…!”
Breaking the cookie in his hand into half, Aymeric fed her the small piece, watching her consume it as she smiled at the taste. Seeing that she would soon finish the cookie, he swiftly leaned in to kiss her, entwining his tongue with hers. She gasped, closing her eyes to sloppily return his brazen kiss, sharing the taste of sugar and spices between them. Drawing away, her face had become red and hot from the sudden intimacy, her gaze locked onto his in shock.
“I wondered what the taste of our cookies in my dearest’s lips would be,” he whispered, pulling her in to feed her another.
“A-aymeric…! I’ll have another…but not another kiss…!” she exclaimed, taking another bite as his face pressed closer to hers.
As she closed her eyes to brace herself for another intense kiss, she felt a peck on her forehead, followed by her lips. Opening her eyes, she blushed at him in surprise at his gentle actions.
“As my lady wishes,” he replied, “and you were too cute to refuse.”
Aymeric’s cheeks remained slightly red, attempting to hide the fondness he felt for her. He would be embarrassed some days too, and look cute and turned, she thought. Picking up a smaller cookie, she held it in her mouth, moving closer to share it with him. Aymeric would bite it took, and as the distance between them closed in, Sileas swiftly kissed him on the lips, leaving the elezen in shock.
“Happy Starlight, my dearest Lord Speaker.”
#ffxiv writing#wolmeric#shimeric#gpose#aymeric de borel#sileas de borel#sileas and aymeric#ffxiv fanfiction
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If it wasn't obvious from the pic I got of Toriel dressed as Thorani, I kind of have a love for commissioning pics of outfit swaps with other characters who share some similarities with each other and this is an example of that. Rottytops, the flirtatious zombie from the Shantae series dressed as Mari who's also pretty flirtatious from Evangelion. I mean there's also the fact that I just have a thing for Plugsuits in general but still, a fitting outfit swap in my opinion.
Original description: Another day, another visit from Rottytops coming to Michael’s house. But he’s not there! Not yet at least. So because she would be bored otherwise she decided to play some dress up. Dress up using clothing from Michael’s private wardrobe of cosplay outfit. This is when she spotted a rather eye catching Pink Plugsuit and glasses pair. Already it looked good to her but it wasn’t until she tried it on and looked at herself in the mirror that she though she looked quite amazing in it. Plus, it just felt amazing to wear to with the only other suit she’s worn that rivals it being the Zero Suit which was also in Michael special wardrobe. “I’m sure Michael won’t mind if I wear this until he gets home.” She said to herself. “Hell, he usually just wears that black Plugsuit anyway. And besides, I think I look quite nice in this. Wait until him and Shantae see me dressed in this! Or, I could get them both into these.” She giggled to herself thinking of the possibilities of her and the others dressed up in plugsuits. “I wonder if Michael has a helmet to go with this one like the black suit as well. Or some spare Kigus.”
So why did I commission Rottytops in Mari’s outfit exactly? Well there’s the obvious reason, I love Rottytops and I love Plugsuits, but the reason I commissioned her in this specific suit is a little deeper than that. You see, I have been wanting to see Rottytops dressed in a Plugsuit recently but I was actually torn between which I wanted to see her in. Mari’s or one of Rei’s, potentially Rei’s white one since I don’t comm that enough. I was considering Rei’s because apparently Rei is emotionless like a zombie. And Rottytops IS a zombie. Sure, Rotty isn’t an emotionless zombie, in fact out of all the characters in the Shantae series she’s one of the most expresionte other than Shantae herself. Meanwhile according to some people I’ve talked to who actually have seen Evangelion Mari’s personality isn’t that far of from Rottytops what with them both being quite flirtatious. I made a poll on my DeviantArt and Twitter asking people which characters suit would be more appropriate and the majority on both sites said Mari so I settled on having her dressed in Mari’s suit… Well, one of her suits. I keep forgetting that some characters actually have multiple versions of their specific plugsuit and Mari is one of them. There’s one where it’s all pink with some white things on the chest area with a circular red thing in the middle and then there’s one where the leggings are black and parts of her arms are white. Annnnd then the indecision came back because now I had to choice witch of the two pink suits to have Rotty in! Eventually I settled on this one because well, I just like it a little more. Plus the leggings kinda remind me a little of the classic Zero Suit where the leg parts were also a different colour but it was all still a one piece suit. Though honestly, I’ll gladly take either pink suits rather than Mari’s green suit. I really, really don’t like that suit.
Oh and for those wondering if I’ll ever get Shantae in a Plugsuit, maybe... Oh who am I kidding, of course I will one day! I held of on getting Shantae in a Zero Suit because there’s a lot of art of that already thanks to Smash Ultimate where the Shantae Spirit inhabited Zero Suit Samus but very little of her in a Plugsuit so perhaps one day. Plus, it would just feel appropriate. Gotta have Rotty’s crush join the fun two right? Yeah, Wayfoward have never directly said these two were lesbians or in a romantic relationship but still.
Artist is VanesaRubberArt: https://www.deviantart.com/vanesarubberart
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Merrock Task 017 - Everything related to spring.
first things first: do you like spring?
"I would say that I am more of a summer person. Spring is still a little too cold for me. I like the sun and the heat that brings it. The spring still brings too much rain."
what is your favorite thing about spring?
"Every thing seems to be coming alive a bit more, it seems. The birds start chirping again, the sun comes out more and more. It sheds a more lively vibe over town."
what is your least favorite thing about spring?
"The weather that is so unpredictable. Is it going to rain today? Nothing in the predicitions. One hour later it is just pouring. I don't like it at all."
do you have a vegetable / produce / fruit garden?
"Not for the lack of trying. I wish I had but instead I go to the market once a week to get the fresh produce in."
how about flower beds, or things planted in the house?
"Those I do. But mostly when Theo comes home with a bouquet of flowers for me. I don't get anything for myself."
regardless of what you do or do not plant, are you good at growing plants? have a green thumb?
"I do NOT have a green thumb. Everything seems to die on me, every plant I own. So no, I don't have one."
what’s your favorite flower or plant?
"Call it cliche, but I just love roses. Those light pink ones in particular."
what’s your favorite scent that you associate with spring?
"The smell of the many different flowers that are growing I would say."
is there a sound that you associate with spring time?
"The chirping of birds."
do you prefer sunny mornings or rainy afternoons?
"In case you couldn't have guessed yet... Definitely sunny mornings."
favorite thing to do on a sunny, warm spring day?
"Get outside with the children, without risking having to clean all the mud after them. I enjoy them enjoying the day the most."
favorite thing to do on a rainy, chilly spring day?
"I prefer to stay inside then. Try to read a good book if I don't get interrupted by the kids."
do you celebrate Easter? any traditions you follow for it?
"Ever since the children were old enough, our tradition became painting eggs together in the morning and then after a lunch they would've been dry. Theo and I would then hide them in the garden and the kids would search for them. We are running out of hiding spots by now."
regardless of if you do or don’t: favorite Easter candy?
"Chocolate eggs. You could bury me in them."
what other springtime holidays do you observe?
"None that I can think of this quickly."
favorite place in Merrock to visit in the springtime?
"Definitely the woods."
the spring bugs are coming out: do you rescue them and let them out of the house, or grab the nearest shoe?
"I'm actually the rescuer. I have a paper cup and a piece of cardboard laying around in spring. Cup over the bug, cardboard being glided under it. Bring it outside. Push over the cup and run while I can."
are you a big spring cleaner?
"I wouldn't say a big one, but I do prefer to use the time to sort through clothes that aren't being worn anymore. Or any other items."
do you switch over your wardrobe from cold weather to warm weather clothes?
"Yes, warm weather clothes are coming out of storage!"
how about the house: does your decor change for the spring season? do you rearrange furniture?
"Oh no, that is not the matter at all. That only happens when I get really, really bored. And that has happened only once or twice so far while living with Theo."
what color makes you think ’spring’?
"A soft yellow."
describe your perfect spring outfit:
"I think you would say it's a complete mum outfit but... I prefer a white cotton shirt with a denim overall and my sneakers in spring. And if it is too cold, a jacket on top of it."
most adorable looking baby animal that you ever did see?
"Up until this day, it is going to be a baby chicken. Chicks are such adorable animals."
what’s a drink that makes you think of spring?
"Home made ice tea."
how about a snack?
"Pieces of fruit. I love berries."
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Chapter 40
One year later, in Ethiopia, Hajna beefed a lot about she missed luxury, about she already should have her nails done, and later, she wanted to go to a hairdresser and to a cosmetician, but it didn’t even bother Larry anymore. He was happy that nothing came between them, and he already felt these small matters compared to the things they were seeing there.
- I’d like to thank you for you accompanying me in spite of the fact that you’re this much ill at ease – the boy said when they were having dinner together in a restaurant.
- You’re so sweet! I thought you would sheerly have the needles ‘cause I complain this much! But why are you using such formal words?
- Actually I'd like to report something to you - the boy smiled. Of late, he had been behaving like a so mature man like maybe never before – I started to like kids in this country where they need help so I got closer to them ‘cause I hadn’t known many kids in person. Maybe I see in them what I would have been like if I wouldn't have constantly concentrated on my career. They at least have childhood.
- And why do you report it to me? - the girl smiled confusedly.
- I’d also like an own kid as soon as possible, and I found the perfect partner for it.
Hajna's heart began more and more panting.
The boy brought a tiny box out and opened it.
- Will you marry me? - he asked the question.
There was a white diamond ring in the box which cost an arm and a leg.
- Where did you get this?! - she asked wonderingly.
- I went for a spin to the neighborhood when you were sleeping. Good enough that we're on the edge of the county - the boy smiled - So what's your answer?
- Oh! Yes! - Hajna answered, still almost in a state of shock - And when to have the wedding?
- Whenever you wanna.
- I want it as soon as possible. I'm afraid of this dream coming to an end, and you change your mind in the end - the girl smiled - Moreover, let it be so soon that let's wed already before we go home! Then we could already shack up with each other.
- Just as you please - Larry smiled.
- You're so evil that you haven't suggested it till now that the edge of the poverty-part is here, nearby! - the girl played jokes on him - But now I'll already come upon it and go shopping for normal stuff, at least for our wedding! I’ve been so much missing going shopping!
- You never change - the boy smiled - And who to invite?
- Well, you're gonna invite who you want among the people who you know, and I'll invite all my friends and some cousins.
- And is it sure that all of them can come? Can they pay the flight off?
- I don't know... - the girl considered it - It's the same, who can, are gonna come, the essence is that we're gonna wed - she rejoiced - I love you so much! - she kissed her fiancé who drew her closer, and they were kissing.
Hajna called everybody on the phone to tell the news that she would be a bride.
It wasn’t going to be a big wedding because everybody couldn’t come to Ethiopia but the essence was that she was going to be Larry's wife two months later - she thought.
Already that day, she bought the invitation cards, booked the date and the locale, and wrote it to the guests that the great day was going to be on November 21rd, in a comparatively rich part of the country.
- I want a pink bouquet, as an addition, I want it to be of roses, it would be dead nice this way! - the girl said excitedly in their quarters, sitting with gracefully crossed legs on the tiny room's ragged, blue, brindled bed, with a pen in her hand, with a book whereon there was a slip of paper. In the room, there were only two folding beds and a time-worn wardrobe which was made of unstained wood. Larry wanted to be living in the poor part of the country on purpose while they were there, to see the really mean black people who are dying by starvation, what circumstances they live in, while he was only annoyed at home by many people who disdained him because of the color of his skin. But they were staying near the richer cities, not to have to travel so much to get normal stuff which they could pay off. Sometimes they also gave some things, mostly food to the poor in the neighborhood.
Next day, Hajna went over to the richer neighborhood to buy a wedding gown.
She was enjoying choosing between the most beautiful ones, imagining herself wearing even all of them at the wedding, and also tried some of them up. During it, it came into her head that there wasn't enough money with her to buy even one of them, so on the way back, she called her mother so she would come already tomorrow with the money that was necessary for the wedding, and so she would help her in choosing the dress because she couldn't wait anymore till buying it.
- I'll choose a dress for you, and take it there later - her mother said.
- Mom, no! – her daughter resisted.
- I was just kidding! – the woman said cheerfully – Of course, I’ll be there tomorrow! I’m so excited!
- When will the others come?
- I think we’d better go together. One doesn’t go for one day for such a long journey, so the others also could be there already before that, since I won’t stay on after it, either, anyway. Besides, in such a place like that, it’s better to be staying there in the fever of preparing for the wedding than after that.
- By the way, here’s a richer city nearby, too; you guys can stay there too. Everything is all normal there.
- Well, I don’t know. Well, it’s the same, everybody’s gonna go when they can. And when are Laurence’s family and friends gonna arrive?
- We don’t know yet.
- Tomorrow, I'll still set off with your father, I mean if I can persuade him to do it, and if he can vacate already tomorrow; but calm down, I'll go in any case and help you in choosing the dress! - the woman said in a cheerful, reassuring voice - But then already let me have a say to the wedding's arrangements too! In the end, my daughter's gonna get married!
- OK, I'll take your hint if I can't decide but this is still my wedding with Laurence like you've said it, too - the girl said in a kind, sweet voice. Nobody and nothing could have taken her out from that happy state of mind, and also, she didn't want to start a quarrel with her mother over anything before the wedding.
- OK, that's agreed! - her mother's voice was cheerful and reassuring then, too. She wanted her daughter to be happy on the day of the wedding, too - I'm already going and trying to persuade your father to set off tomorrow - she said almost laughingly.
- OK. Bye! - Hajna said cheerfully.
- Bye!
During the journey back to the quarters, Hajna was daydreaming and planning some things about the wedding, and when she had arrived, also wrote her plans.
Some days later, Larry and Hajna started to keep calling the guests to ask if they were going to come to the wedding. They needed to know how many guests to expect: how much food and drink was necessary, how many chairs were necessary for the ceremony which was going to be in the yard of the restaurant, and they also had to know if the size of the restaurant would be enough at all or it would be necessary to look for another one. Since Ethiopia is far from the States, maybe many people wouldn’t be able to come, which already counted in getting up.
Hajna asked for help in choosing the dress: with her mother, she canvassed a lot of such shops where wedding gowns were sold and which ones weren’t in the middle of the poverty.
In the end, her mother still didn’t like her biggest favorite but the girl still decided to buy the all dimply one which had a huge skirt part, a long veil and V shaped neckline.
- It seems you’re so fed up with this poverty where you two are living that it crazed you, that’s why you wanna such a tawdry dress – her mother said, but her voice was sympathetic and sad.
- Maybe – the girl said, reflecting when they had left the shop – If our wedding was in that area where our accommodation is, I wouldn’t have even invited so many people. Or rather I wouldn’t have even agreed to have it there. Sometimes I’m already sheer fed up with that scrubby place – and then Hajna’s voice changed from a supercilious, pampered girl’s one to a much matured way sentient woman’s voice – And I was also fed up with the sight of those hungry people until I started to be so happy because Larry popped the question; and till then, I only bore these ‘cause we at least can be together.
The bus had arrived; they got on it, still smiling, and were mutely travellng back to their accommodation, deep in thought.
Hajna joyously arrived in the dingy room. This time she didn’t care about the ragged white wall and window, the visibly cheap floor either. There was a big bundle in her hands, with the beloved dress in it.
Larry was happy about her happiness when noticed the girl coming home this way. She was his love so he wanted the best for her. He was smiling when looked up at his fiance, sitting on his bed. He happened to be reading a book he bought some days ago. He felt more mature since he had been in Ethiopia. He didn’t even read books before, except comic books. If he hadn’t been in that environment already for a while, maybe he hadn’t even been at that grown-up decision yet that he wanted a wife and a family, even though Hajna would have been his girlfriend in spite of that too, because love already had been in them earlier too. This tragic environment trained him and the girl to seriousness, though to Hajna, her today’s conversation with her mother was the first sign of that, but she was also a bit younger than the boy.
- Everything’s going so well! I chose such a pretty number! – the girl took the huge bundle to the end of the bed – Sorry, I’ll let you read! But what are you reading? – she was like a child again when she cheerfully ran up to Larry.
- Nothing anymore – her fiancé closed the book and put it down to the bed, beside himself – I was bored while you weren’t here – he embraced the girl, and they began kissing, and then Larry was only fondling Hajna’s hair and face who had still been sitting on his lap.
The people who came, arrived some days before the huge day in order to have time to take a rest after the long flight till the celebration till late at night. The families and friends of both of them were staying in a luxurious area compared to the country’s other parts, like it was probable.
- I couldn't live in such a scrubby place like this - Hattie said when she visited them in the quarters. She was that way sitting on the bed like it wasn’t only ragged but dirty too. Her son was sitting opposite her. Hajna was making the dinner in the kitchen - But I understand why you came here, even though you didn't tell me - the woman's voice turned much more serious - I live in that racist country being black like you too, moreover, before you were born, we were much more outcast than now. But to appraise our lives, we should realize that some people are even much more planet-stricken than us. I think it’s been your problem recently that you've been only getting very short roles because of the color of your skin, but you’re getting over this situation because it could be much worse too - she smiled in an omniscient tone and proudly.
- It couldn't be difficult, guessing it – Larry said moodily – But I already started getting over it a long time ago.
Hajna said that the dinner was done, so they set out to the kitchen’s little, homey wood table. Three plates hardly had enough room on it.
- It’s visible that you’re happy, too – Hattie smiled at the girl contentedly and kindly – I hope you’ll make Laurence this happy, too – she said in a bit funny voice.
- OK - Hajna smiled kindly and in a little funny way - But then can I call you Mom from now?
- Of course my dear, I'll already bear these some days till the wedding - Hattie laughed, and gracefully touched the girl's hand.
Larry's smile revealed that he was happy they got on this well with each other. They had met some times but it seemed like this big family event, that they were going to be a family, made them really get along with each other.
- I so much would have wanted to help in the preparations of the wedding, but I couldn't call you two to ask if I would bother you two if I would have come earlier - the woman said - In these quarters, there's not even a phone! - she complained.
- Mom's a real woman, she loves such tawdry things like you - the boy commented with a pretended abomination in play.
They had the wedding in that restaurant which they originally chose because some guests couldn’t come so it wasn’t necessary to choose another place.
Beautifully sheared grass covered the restaurant’s roomy yard; the guests had already almost completely infested the comparatively simple but elegant white chairs. The restaurant’s interior had pleasant blueish colors, the tile was very light brown.
- I’m so excited! – Hajna said, regulating her veil before getting out of the car they rented – It’s dead funny but it’s not even only because of the guests who are here. Maybe who didn’t come, think the wedding’s in some mangy slums, too? But when the guests go home, they're surely gonna hear about it from those who are here! – she soothed herself, laughing.
Her mother got out and took her seat between the guests, in the first row.
Later, the bride was going to the altar, wearing her chosen dress, with her father. Behind her, the two maid of honors: her sister and best friend were going, wearing peach-colored, short dresses.
Larry had never seen Hajna this beautiful, and in the African, midday sunshine, her snowy dress twinkled.
The bride happily smiled, too.
- We’re assembled here to celebrate the joining of Laurence and Hajna in the unity of marriage – the local, very dark skinned, aging, balding cleric began – Marriage is a blessed bond. What God joined together, any human can not asunder. If anyone knows a reason why these two should not be joined, let them speak now or hold their peace forever.
Hajna almost cracked up when those movie scenes came into her head where always a tableaux was made by it.
- Laurence John Fishburne, do you take Hajna O. Moss to be your wife, will you keep her in thick and thin, in sickness and health, will you be faithful as long as you both shall live? – the cleric continued.
The girl’s eyes began to be tearful from the emotion.
- I will – the boy smiled joyously.
- Hajna O. Moss, do you take Laurence John Fishburne as your husband, will you keep him through thick and thin, in sickness and health, will you be faithful as long as you both shall live?
Hajna’s heart was in her throat.
- I will – she said in a stifled voice of happiness, and she shoehorned to retain her tears.
- And so I pronounce you man and wife. You can kiss the bride – the cleric smiled.
The bridegroom burnished the curl that hung out of the girl’s festive bun, and they kissed each other with pleasure. They had never experienced such a beautiful feeling like this; they pulled the rings to each other's finger, and as a pair, the two of them, holding each other's hand, went back between the petals.
After that, everybody congratulated them, and then Hajna threw away the pink bouquet, which one of her cousins caught.
In the interior of the restaurant, the newlyweds cut the several-story cake which was white outside and filled with chocolate cream inside, and of what many people got some. They clinked glasses of champagne, and everybody could eat the several kinds of cookies which Hajna's mother, Hattie and the newlyweds' grandmothers cooked.
The dinner was fried fish and chicken with baked potatoes and salad; Larry's father cooked them.
The woman singer mostly sang the most known numbers of Hajna's favorites: Madonna and ABBA, and when she took some relaxation, the male singer was giving rap numbers for the other Afro-American guests' and the bridegroom's liking. They alternated each other this way, dividing the time and the music styles to equal parts; they did it even till half past four when everybody had started back to the quarters.
The newlyweds were walking towards the house hand in hand.
- That fry fish and chicken! - Hajna guffawed.
- And the grabs that our family made! – Larry joined her.
- Well, this wedding was well organized!
They went into the tiny house, being tipsy and stumbling.
- Poor guests traveled here from America, then everything was only about us! – Hajna giggled.
- And in these tiny quarters, poor guests’ wedding presents don’t even fit so they’re only gonna give them at home! – her husband laughed.
- It’s a good thing it came into our head to speak to them in advance so they wouldn’t carry them to Africa! – his wife tittered, snatching her lips – What do you think, what are we gonna get? – she lumped down to her bed cheerfully.
- I don’t know. You’re surely gonna get some pink stuff – he smiled at Hajna zealously.
- And you’re surely gonna get a heap of superhero, sci-fi and western movies – his wife looked at him with love in her eyes– And I’ll surely also get a heap of home thingies – she said in a funnily bored voice.
- And we’re gonna get a pile of photo albums – her husband grinned.
- And some baby clothes – Hajna’s voice suddenly became serious and emotional – It just came into my head: when would you like a common kid? – she smiled, daydreaming after some seconds of thinking.
- Good question – Larry smiled, too – And when would you like?
- I don’t know – his wife’s smile became shy.
- Maybe this is a signal that we still haven’t come down after booze and this late, and fate wants us to already have a child – the husband said funnily.
- Just this once, let’s let fate decide it if there will be somebody by it before we would decide when we wanna it – Hajna grinned who was somehow or other just kidding about this all under the influence of alcohol, too.
- In the end, nothing tells against our already having a baby.
- I’m gonna finish my studies next year, anyway, and then I can also start working to support the baby! – she looked at Larry wistfully.
- That's agreed - the boy slowly started towards his wife.
- OK! - Hajna said joyously and enthusiastically, and she started towards him slowly, too.
When they had met, came upon each other, were widely kissing and gently embracing and fondling each other in love. They didn't even know anymore that since they had gotten back to the quarters, they were only waiting for the opportunity or only winded up in each other's arms during their wedding-night because of the child-subject. They were over a crazy day: they became a married couple, and because of a crazy turn, in love’s and drink’s rapture, they struck it lucky about if they would also become parents that day as a second event.
They woke up at two in the afternoon. Joking about the cleric joining them forever, anyway, they had a shower together and slap-dashed the „breakfast” together, enjoying each other’s company, still under the influence of the happiness the wedding called fourth.
During eating, they talked it over that for Hajna this long bore that „scummy” place as she usually said, for Larry’s sake, by clinging to him, they would leave Ethiopia tomorrow and go on a honeymoon, but not far away so some money and time would remain to look for a house already during the honeymoon.
- Oh my God, everything came so suddenly, I haven’t even thought of these; maybe I’m pregnant, we’re so stupid, we really weren’t using contraceptives; we’ll hardly make ends meet with our parents’ help too; how will we raise the kid if I’m pregnant?! – it came into Hajna’s head.
- You're so sweet when you're freaked out! - Larry smiled, and kissed her above the tiny table - After one occasion, you surely won't be pregnant; this one was legitimate 'cause that was our great day, but it's not gonna occur one more time! - after that, it came into his head that only one occasion was also enough with Kristen, and he got a bit frightened, too.
- And if I'm still conceived?!
- We only have to worry about it if it comes out that you still are, but there's no big chance of you being, so calm down - the boy said, but he was still restless, too.
- OK. And where will we go?! - Hajna perked up, and cheerfully grinned.
After flying back to America, they rented a vacation house at home, in New York. It was a nice place, especially compared to Ethiopia's slums, but they just came home from Africa where they only did odd jobs, which meant they didn't earn too much, and they also wanted to buy a house.
During the honeymoon in New York, every day, they toured various parts of the city to look for a house, and the romantic side of that all was that the honeymoon the two of them, in the vacation house, lasted until they had chosen such a house which both of them liked and could pay off with their parents' help, too.
In late December, they hit a yellow, castle-like but much smaller house in Queens. It didn’t have a garden, but it was two-storied, and was plentiful enough for the two of them and for two or three children.
Larry needed one more job beside acting now when he also had to support his wife. He was employed as a bouncer in a punk club where he made friends with the singers, but with that much living-wage, they couldn’t have a child for a good while, while Hajna hadn’t worked, too, because she hadn’t finished her studies on the university yet and while they hadn’t gotten over the much liability that was at the same time. Especially because as soon as their honeymoon had come to an end, the boy constantly visited Mike, and lavished him with a lot of presents because they weren’t meeting for months, and because the girl’s possible pregnancy rang a bell that he had a child who he hadn’t been dealing with for that much time. Fortunately, Hajna didn’t get pregnant, on the other hand, she felt like Larry didn’t even want any more children anymore; he was constantly only dealing with Mike.
- I didn’t see that kid for months! What did you expect?! You expected everything was gonna continue the way it was till now?! – the boy shouted.
- Then prove that you want a child from me too! – his wife shouted, too – Go to auditions, take on such movie or series roles where you don’t hardly play in, and quit that stupid bouncer job so we have a normal pay!
Larry listened to her, and started going to auditions, but beside it, while he hadn’t gotten a further role, he had remained a bouncer so was hardly meeting with Hajna.
Already a lot of time had passed, and he still hadn’t gotten any movie roles.
One day, he got up furiously and with infinite disappointment, washed his face, rushed downstairs to the kitchen, engorged a mayonnaise-ham roll and an orange juice, rushed back to the bedroom, put on his grayish black, plumb laced, high jumper and grayish blue, wide jeans, and pulled on his shoes.
- You’re going to an audition again, I can see… - Hajna looked at him disapprovingly, with folded arms.
- You said it that way like you had a problem with it – the boy said bluntly by gall, putting on his black coat.
- Who are you angry with these times? – his wife looked at him a bit resentfully.
- Sorry, now I don’t have time to rabbit about it – he put on his scarf – I’m sorry, I’m not angry with you, just they could give me some role at last – he put on his gloves too.
- OK, I know I’m not the one who you blame – Hajna sighed, looking downwards – But you go to the audition that way like they owe you a role – she looked at him again – They don’t owe you anything.
- Now I’m leaving – Larry left resentfully.
On the way, he was thinking, and thought maybe Hajna was right, she didn't want him to be hurt but she wanted to help him.
Maybe he really went to the auditions like he pressed for his remuneration for what he worked hard during his whole childhood for - Who wants to work with such a man? - he thought.
He regretted being so rude to his wife while she just meant well. By choice, he would have rushed back to apologize and to return thanks to her for her advice. He decided that as soon as he would go home, he would placate her and repay her prize words but not only with words; and he also decided that from this day on, he would be more humble and mannerly to the casting directors and helpers.
After he had parked his car, went in through the big, gray building's arched door, and looked the casting room up.
In the doorway, he took a deep breath when it was his turn, and even more powerfully decided that everything would be different from then.
He stood before the casting director and casting helpers.
- I'm Larry Fishburne - he began to speak; his voice and face were a bit meeker and more humble like the way he said hello too. In the end, it wasn't belling the cat: even if he wouldn't have understood enough that he didn't have the right to conduct himself to those people that way, he still can play this style since he's an actor.
He expertly played his role, and the casting director and helpers contentedly looked at him.
- We'll let you know - he heard the usual sentence, and then said goodbye to them in the same style.
He left through the archery front door, and turned to the right.
He went beside four blocks straight, and went into a jewelry store where he bought Hajna a beautiful, elegant, thick gold necklace for her useful advice.
He gleefully got in his car and started to go home.
Hajna surely would be happy that he understood her intent - he thought – She would be especially happy about the necklace - he smiled while driving. He adored his wife the way she was: that she had so womanly demands and wishes like when he met her.
During it, Hajna was browsing a magazine, and then, some minutes later, threw it off. She couldn't be doing anything by jangled nerves because Larry didn't understand her and was so stony to her. It was the first conflict in their marriage. It was unbelievable that they had already gotten there.
She took on her brown fur coat, and dashed away, out of the house. She couldn't or didn't want to believe that the boy treated her that way - They often even kissed each other when they said goodbye, and this time he didn't even say goodbye! - she thought.
She went over to the opposite sidewalk, to the shops' row which she went on straight beside, to a block where her friend Suzy lived.
She went upstairs to her, maybe she was at home and had time - Or if not, then she also needed to speak her mind - she thought restlessly - she didn't even care about it if Larry wouldn’t find her at home, and wouldn’t even know where she was - That would be his punishment!
The white, long, blond haired girl opened the door. She was wearing a vivid jogging suit, she didn't look like she was expecting any guests.
- Hello... - Suzy was surprised to see her, her blue eyes were wide open - Sorry but I got sheer cold, now I'm not a good company - she said, and took a handkerchief from her pants' pocket, then dabbed her nose.
- Oh, sorry… I don't wanna nag you, you can be totally maxed out without it too - Hajna said, but her look was desperate because she couldn't speak her mind, and couldn't keelhaul Larry.
Suzy noticed it, and pitied her, so called her in.
Coughing slightly, she went into the room with her, but since her friend only wanted to talk to her, she lied down to the bed, and pulled the shroud onto herself.
- Come on girl, fire away! What chased you to me so suddenly, without calling? – she asked, watching the ceiling, with expanded hair on the pillow.
- Nowadays Laurence's constantly freaked out ’cause he’s only getting very little parts in movies and series. He’s always restless, rushes about, and also goes to the auditions as if he expects giving him the role from the casting directors and helpers. Today I said to him to stop doing it like that ’cause it didn’t work that way, but he left me there in the house without saying goodbye and without everything! – Hajna sputtered.
- It’s sure that he already regretted doing it! – Suzy turned to the side, towards her friend – Oh listen, I’m already a pro in it to know that this is how it works in relationships! – she said in a reassuring voice.
- Well, I haven't seen him being like that before! - Hajna said indignantly - I've been thinking it will be a good punishment to him that by the time he arrives in home, I'm not even waiting for him home anymore, moreover, he can be worrying about when he can see me again after he was quite capable of freaking me this much!
- One wastes words when talking to you. You'll see that by the time you arrive at home, he apologizes, on the other hand, if you continue the fight, he'll be angry with you too!
- Well, doesn’T he wish he may get that I would be the one who stops first if still he’s the one who’s angry with me after I gave him advice!
- I think that in that moment, he suddenly didn't even see that you wanted to help with that quip. Or if he still did, he knows that getting a role is your interest, too; otherwise you two won’t have any kids.
- Good! Side with him, be his wife, be happy together; you two deserve each other! – Hajna shouted, rushed out of the flat, and slammed the door.
During it, Larry had arrived home, already before his wife had arrived. He thought she only went shopping.
After the audition that seemed a success, he calmly sat down in the brown leather armchair in the living room, and turned on the TV.
He saw a Robert Deniro movie, and by the time it was over, he disappointedly stood up from the armchair because it was over, and because Hajna hadn’t been at home yet, and they weren’t having lunch together. He, on the other hand, went out to the kitchen and took out the lasagna Hajna made.
While warming it up, he was reading a newspaper before the cooker, and realized that couldn’t be paying attention to the text because was so much looking forward to Hajna’s coming.
Then he suddenly became more and more restless second by second – Where could she be for this much time, why didn’t she say that she was going to go somewhere? – he thought about it, frightened – If something was going to be lasting this long, she at least could have mentioned it. Maybe she concealed something?!
Hajna only set off for home after going along the shops but wasn’t buying anything because couldn’t afford it – Because of her stupid husband’s stupid attitude – she thought. By it, she just even more edgily went home. When Larry heard the door shutting, that his wife had arrived, he suddenly returned to reality.
He then noticed that he smoked the lasagna, and the newspaper caught alight a bit in his hand, too.
He chucked it away, and ran backwards, frightened. Immediately it came into his head that he almost ended up like his mother when she was the one who let the food catch in the pan because of her jealousy, and she really burnt herself...
- What are you doing here?! – Hajna began to speak disdainfully, and quickly poured a glass of water on the burning newspaper. Larry was half out of his mind with fear. That day when his mother got so burnt, he also thought about maybe she died in the fire, and this present event's similarity brought back the memories.
The fire went out soon and didn't mar anything. It only stained the tile and the wall a bit.
- One can't leave you to do anything! You can't even get a normal role! I tried to help you, then you brutally bolted, and my reading you a lesson also went to the dogs! - his wife shouted furiously.
Larry was only staring.
- Yes, the reason why I nicked off, was exactly ‘cause you left me like a brutish shit-kicker, after my advice! – Hajna continued – ‘Cause imagine, I intended that to be an advice, so you would recoil, and wouldn’t take it so granted that it’s those poor casting helpers’ and directors’ mistake that they don’t choose you!
- I understood it, almost as soon as I had left the house; I even wanted to apologize, and also, I wanted to thank you for that – the boy said with a peeved and furious face - But you surely know everything better – he finished in a low voice, and left the room.
Hajna peevishly picked the newspaper up from the floor, banged it into the refuse bin, also punched the charred lasagna in it, and scrubbed the stove. After that, she turned on the TV, and began watching a romantic movie.
Larry was furiously trying to memorize his lines of a script; during it, he was thinking that he wouldn’t mind showing it to that stupid hen that one could even very much leave him doing anything.
During it, he realized that he was hungry because hadn't had lunch yet, so resolutely set off for the kitchen to cook something instead of Hajna - As if one couldn’t leave him doing anything - he thought furiously.
He hadn't cooked for a long time, but as far as he remembered of what he learned in the cooking group and what his father taught to him, he was trying to make something to eat. He didn’t even care too much anymore about if it wouldn’t be so delicious like according to the original recipe, because he was so hungry, so he wasn’t considering that much about the ingredients, the quantities and the way of making it. And he was cooking from memory because wanted to prove that he could do it alone. Thanks to his retentive memory which is necessary in acting, he couldn’t make big mistakes, anyway. He neither cared about it if it was thought to be womanly that he could cook, anyway, he's so exceptionally manly shape in and out that only one thing wouldn’t change anything about this fact.
He was surprised at how delicious the chicken and the sauce turned out. It was specifically delicious compared to this was the first time he tried it after a long time. While eating the lunch, he forgot about his worries, indulged in the tastes and in the self-pride that he didn’t need help, he was able to do more things alone than other men.
That hysterical goose was wrong about he couldn't do anything alone - he thought, but by the memory of his wife's words, he had the needles again by the time he had eaten up.
He left the plate and the silverware there on the table, so Hajna would wash them up, although he didn't do it usually, either, anyway, but this time he was furious to do it, anyway. And he was also too embittered because matters were at such a point that they so much fell out with each other.
He went into the bedroom, sat down on the bed and was leaning and pressing his head with his hands. He stood up minutes later; till then, he was sitting idly that way, and then mushed his script together, and flung it and the necklace at the wall.
Then Martin called him to tell him that he and the godsons and goddaughter of Larry’s wanted to meet with him, because they hadn't seen him for a long time.
- What's up with you nowadays? We haven't even heard anything about you for a good while already - the man began.
- Sorry, nowadays I'm freaking busy going to auditions - the boy said sourly - I only get freaking little roles in movies and series.
- How come?
- I don't know, it seems Hajna's really right, and I shouldn't turn up at the auditions so pretentiously. And what's up with you guys? - Larry changed the subject because didn't like complaining.
- Ramon's gonna play together with me in a movie again, in The Fourth Wise Man; and Emilio's writing a script.
- I see. But what's up with you?
- I'm thriving, too. I'm asked to play in movies, too. You still could be right, too, when you said that it's because of the color of your skin that you only get little parts. You shouldn't incriminate yourself. If that bastard wouldn't have shot Kennedy down, now everything was different... - Martin reflected.
- I don't even experience racism that much like who lived before when I was born; things have been very much improving since then but my parents really smarted that era. Nowadays my problem’s not with racism but with Hajna. What do you think, when does she forgive me the way I treated her today? I haven't even told you how rude I was to her before I went to today's audition. I didn't even say goodbye; I just bugged out without a word after she notified me of her idea of why I don't get the parts.
- She will surely forgive you soon; you know it, too.
- I know but it seems to be a long time, and it would be good to know exactly how much more time I’ve got to endure in this situation - Larry said restively.
- I’ve got to go now, we'll talk later. It just came into my head now: where and when to meet? We're here in New York now.
- To me, it's completely the same. Everything's the same while things haven't straightened out with Hajna - the boy's voice was tense - Probably my last audition went well; about that, I don't have to worry anymore.
- Well, that's good. Then we'll meet on Saturday, at half past eight, in the bar. There's more chance of the boys’ coming there, too - Martin referred to his sons, Larry's godsons.
- OK. Bye!
- Bye.
Larry sat down on the bed, and was considering the situation which arose between him and Hajna, and then noticed that Sophie was in the room, too, and was scraping the door with the necklace in her mouth.
The boy quickly stood up and started towards her to take it away from her, but Hajna opened the door for the dog.
- What's that?! - she raged - When did you wanna give that to me if you didn't intend it for some lover of yours?! - she shouted, and extracted the jewel from Sophie's mouth, who ran out through the door beside her.
- What do you think?! You didn't even give me a chance to give it to you! Even since I've come home, you've been in a tantrum!
- You could have tried to placate me with that! You didn't even think of it? And don't say you bought it for Christmas or for our wedding anniversary ‘cause they are gonna be freaking a long time later! Besides, why have you been free with our money?! As far as I know, we can't even afford such expensive stuff since you're unable to get a normal part because of your pomposity! Do you know how hard it was to surmount the temptation not to also buy me some good stuff?! What if I was free with my money, too?! - Hajna yelled.
Her husband couldn't even begin to speak. He remained silent for some minutes; Hajna was curiously waiting for what he could answer.
Larry took a deep breath to settle down himself because he would have answered in a similar style by choice. His theatrical talent this time also helped him in keeping his voice in check, not to continue this quarrel but end it:
- Maybe you’re right. I started to realize it almost as soon as I had left. Today I didn’t even go to the audition that way how I did it till now, and it seems it worked. I bought the necklace to return thanks to you for your advice and to apologize for how I conducted myself when I left.
Hajna was standing at the doorway, holding her breath and with teary eyes by emotion.
- I’m sorry… - she whispered, and tears were already flowing on her face.
They stood rooted for a moment, far away from each other, then Hajna ran to Larry and hugged her.
- I knew that you would never have any undercover lover, I’ve always known that you’re not like that! I’m so sorry! And thanks for the necklace, it’s so beautiful! – Hajna continued, still embracing her husband. Till then, Larry felt insulted because after what happened, his wife assumed that he cheated her, and then he just enjoyed her embrace that they were close to each other in every sense. He embraced Hajna, too, and they were kissing long.
Next day, Larry went to a subsequent movie’s audition. Somehow or other, he also took Hajna’s advice there, and it also seemed probable that he would get the part.
Hajna was proud of herself that her opinion paid off, she was happy about maybe being able to buy beautiful stuff with Suzy soon, and she and the boy were also happy about they might be able to undertake to have a child soon. And Larry realized that he was missing to work in acting more instead of his little scenes and the bouncer job; he was missing working more together with other artists, playing his best, creating more undying scenes that he could be proud of rightly.
He got three parts, either of them was a leading role, the rehearsals had started, and he also memorized his parts of the scripts at home.
On the other hand, he was missing Hajna. Now they got far from each other again.
One day, when he was going home from one of the rehearsals, he decided to take a pull on himself. He was also thinking of Hajna during the rehearsal. He hardly had time for her in vain; mentally, she was always the one who was his love.
On the sidewalk of one of New York's streets that's crowded with cars, he was going on foot when a few meters were left, to have time to figure out how to tell his decision to his wife by the time he would arrive.
When he had been before the shops, already knew what to say to her.
- I'll take on two of the roles only - he said after he had arrived home, taken off his shoes and denim coat. It was the middle of March.
- Are you crazy?! You subscribed to the treaty! You can't stand off anymore! - Hajna went off the hooks.
- I'm gonna pay the money that will be levied by the cause. We have enough money - Larry stepped close to her in the living room and took her hands.
- And why do you wanna cancel? - his wife asked wonderingly.
Larry kissed her, then said:
- Nowadays we’re hardly together – he kissed her again.
- I’ve been missing you, too, but I didn’t dare to tell you ‘cause I believed it would be unwanted ‘cause only your work interests you – Hajna said.
- From now, everything will be different – they started kissing, embracing each other.
They paid the money that was specified in the cause, and after the leading role, Larry only undertook tiny parts so they spent much time enjoying each other’s company, being completely wrapped in the happiness their love gave them. Because of it, they didn’t even think about what canceling the parts also caused. Directors didn’t trust in Larry anymore after the news got round between them that he backed out of the role, so he wasn’t getting any big parts in movies, in series either. He went to auditions, and was less and less pretentious in the future too, but till then, he also mostly this way got roles that he went to auditions.
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The Best of Spring Fashion + A Question
I haven’t done a fashion roundup in quite some time, but since it is now officially summer, I thought I would share a few of my favorite looks from spring, most of which will go right into summer, or at least some of the elements of each outfit! And…after all, having versatile pieces in our wardrobes is what it’s all about!
It’s finally really quiet around here, with the exception of three crazy dogs. Actually, as we speak, there are 4 dogs in our backyard. This morning, we looked out the window because Amos and Dash were barking their heads off and there, right outside the gate, was a little dog, without a leash or an owner. He just stood there like he wanted to come in, so Baldy let him in the gate and in an instant he was fast friends with our dogs…including John Wayne, who had decided he wanted to come out and join the fun.
Baldy put fliers out on the telephone poles around the neighborhood and posted on Facebook, but so far, we have no idea where this pup belongs. If you’re local and have any idea, please let me know because we do not need or want 4 dogs!
Now…for the question…
Part of the reason I’m not posting on this blog more often is because social media is such a beast and I feel that I’m always coming up with something for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and now, Tiktok. It’s so much work and I’m wondering…how many of you would rather see a blog post than a post on social media? My blog is my first love and I would really much rather write a blog post 4 or 5 times a week and let my social media go just a bit. Also, I’ve started my coaching business and it is keeping me busy in addition to the Project 50 Day Challenge that I’m doing. I would really appreciate if you could leave a comment below and let me know what you would rather see from me? Now…on to the outfits!
My complete obsession with Ulla Johnson continues to grow with every season! I cannot get enough of all of it, but unfortunately, my budget says I have plenty! This pink top is my latest purchase and it’s going to be on heavy rotation all summer long. It looks great with white jeans, but also looks amazing with brown wide leg pants and shorts. I plan on styling it several different ways!
There are so many iterations of this classic look and it will never go out of style. The Gucci sandals (similar and less expensive here) and orange Chloe bag give white jeans and a striped sweater a trendy update.
I decided to mix up a pair of distressed jeans with patent leather pumps, a striped blouse and white bag. The only new piece in this look are the jeans.
This outfit is completely made up of closet basics with the exception of the bag and jewelry. Every closet should have nude sandals, white jeans, a black tank and a denim jacket. The pearl bracelet and necklace are by French Kande!
This picture is one I stole from a video I was making in my bedroom. I absolutely love this look and had to share it.
Last summer, I looked everywhere for a bucket hat but had no luck finding one that fit my head. This year, I found this one by Eric Javits and I’m loving it! It’s perfect for the beach and adds an element of interest to a summer outfit! My pants are Citizens of Humanity from last year (I’ve linked similar) and my tank is by Michael stars and comes in several different colors. The cropped style of this tank is perfect with high waisted pants. I’ve added my Sam Edelman shoes to complete the look!
The star of this outfit is my cute summer bag from Modus Rio!
This is the cutest romper from Cabana Life…it’s great worn as is or over a swimsuit!
Another classic look featuring my favorite skinny jeans by Veronica Beard!
This look is actually from last fall, but I posted it on my Instagram and had so many requests that I reposted it here with the identical jeans from Moussy Vintage!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post! Please take a minute and leave a comment about your preference…blog or Instagram and other social media! It would mean the world to me! Also…I’m including a boutique below with the items from this post…just in case!
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s/o trying on the boys clothes.
A/n: I hope everyone’s day is going alright, as good as these days can be :( this was requested by an anon. thank you so much for your cute idea anon! also can I just say, I love scaramouche’s hat so much? it’s so pretty!?!?! sorry childe’s is so short, I don’t have much exposure to him ngl. these could be read as g/n, but I did have a female reader in mind, it’s more noticeable in xiao’s.
Summary: s/o trying on the boys clothes.
Parings: Scaramouche/Reader, Childe/Reader, Xiao/Reader
Warnings: fluff, swearing
Word count: 1.2k
Scaramouche
You knew the minute you put his hat on he’d be angered to see you wearing it. But how could you not, when it was just sitting on the back of the wooden chair, begging to be worn.
Your lover had abandoned it for once, but you assumed he hadn’t gone far if he’d left it behind. It was like a signature of his, he never left without it.
If he wasn’t here, he wouldn’t notice you wearing it, so it wouldn’t hurt anybody if you tried it on for just a few minutes. The curiosity was getting the better of you, and before you knew it, you were padding across the room to pick up the hat.
It slipped easily on your head, but you quickly noticed how heavy it was, the weight of the two ornamental accessories weighing it down significantly.
“Jeez, Scara... how do you wear this?” You muttered to yourself, approaching a mirror in your bedroom. You stared at your reflection for quite a while, appreciating and admiring the small intricate designs and details on the top of the hat. It was truly beautiful.
A nervousness bubbled in your stomach when you saw your lover come into view in the mirror, his eyes pointed in a heavy glare.
“What do you think you’re doing,” It wasn’t a question, more like a statement. One that could have held malice behind it if you were someone else.
Despite being nervous, you gulped and confidently announced, “Hello Scara.”
“Take that off.” You weren’t shocked by his demand, not at all.
“But it’s so pretty,” you whined. Scaramouche’s eyes rolled as he strolled forward, standing behind you with a finger on his chin. He was so close you could practically feel the best emitting off of his body; he was... irked.
“It’s design isn’t pretty.” He stated harshly.
“Hmm, I suppose you’re right because it’s not on your head! Here.” You whipped the hat off at the speed of light and were quick to plop it on top of navy hair.
The ornaments continued to jingle even when the hat was secure on his head and you were left staring at an unreadable face.
“Better...” you whispered shyly. “You look like a King now.”
He stayed silent for a long time, it makes you feel uncomfortable and awkward under his gaze.
“Considering you like it so much. Maybe we should have one made for you...” he said thoughtfully, easing away all of your nervousness with just one unusual thoughtful comment. Your face heated up, burning like Jueyun Chili’s, you were excited.
“Really?! You would do that for me! Aw you’re so sweet Scara-”
“Only because I don’t want mine stolen all of the time.”
You frowned, but you would take the previous statement as a compliment. He wanted to match with you, that’s what you decided to conclude.
“Two-faced bastard... just let me have this moment, okay?!”
A rare smile formed on his pale face. “Aw, is someone upset?” You glared.
“Don’t whine like a baby; you’ll get yours in due time.”
You eventually did get your custom hat, designed to accommodate you perfectly. You wore it out of your house proudly, despite passing by travelers commenting on how odd it looked on you due to you looking “normal”. It didn’t bother you, you’d continue to wear it and strut it like a peacock with beautiful feathers. Let’s just say if Scaramouche hears anybody saying that to you, death. 🔪🙂
Childe
Childe LOVES that he caught you wearing his grey jacket, he could not thank the Archons enough, that he got to see such an image this morning. It was a great start to his day.
“Oh, you’re wearing my jacket, how cute of you, girlie.” He continued to say as you walked through the streets of Liyue. Ever since you had stepped out of your house this morning, and Childe had spotted you wearing his jacket he hadn’t been able to let go of the flirtatious and prideful comments.
“I didn’t have anything else.” You admitted, kicking rocks at your feet.
His tongue clicked, mockingly. “If you wanted to wear my clothes sweetheart, all you had to was ask!” A long arm gracefully slipped around your shoulders, pulling you closer to his side. You huffed.
“It’s not like that, I didn’t have time to wash any suitable clothes this morning-”
He only hummed with the shake of his head. “It’s okay, we’ll keep this secret between us.”
“It’s not, ugh whatever...”
You truthfully hadn’t had any suitable clothes left to run to Liyue Harbor in and hadn’t had time to wash them at the river near your home. Hence the reason you were wearing his jacket. You should’ve known he would not be able to drop it as soon as you stepped into his line of vision.
Although the teasing was annoying, especially so early in the morning after already starting your day stressing about what to wear, you did like the warmth the grey jacket gave you, and you probably would consider wearing it again.
Xiao
“Please, Xiao, please.” You whined, begging at your knees in front of your husband, hands cupped together in a pray-like form.
The pale man tried to get you to stand, but you would not, “I do not see why you want to wear my clothes.” He exclaimed, standing tall above you.
“Because, they’re pretty, are they not?”
He stayed silent, clearly thinking. “I’ve never associated them with the word pretty.”
You hummed, eyes glistening with false tears, he concluded. You sure did know how to get your way. Without much thought as to what he was saying, the man suddenly mumbled, “Fine, if you must.”
You cheered excitedly and loudly as if you had won a battle. Xiao watched with curiosity, as you abruptly stood, leaned in to kiss his cheek, and then ran off towards his wardrobe in the corner of the room.
You whipped the wardrobe open as if you were starving and began stifling through his clothes. Most articles were similar to his everyday attire, you could see signature teals, purples, and golds; immediately you gravitated towards one of his sleeveless shirts, although this one was a faded gold, with a light purple collar and intricate white detailing closer to the bottom.
Despite your husband still in the room, completely tinted pink from your previous cheek kiss, you threw your top off and began slipping his shirt on.
It fit weirdly since you had breasts, kind of snug, you thought. You had to adjust it a few times, but you loved it. It was quite comfortable, almost like a tank top.
“What do you think?” You asked, turning around to face the Adepti.
He stared. Eventually, he spoke up after seeing your awaiting gaze. “You look beautiful, darling.”
You felt your face heating up, glad he liked how it looked on you, despite being extremely tight up top.
“Can I wear this more often?”
“I’m not sure-”
“Please.” You whined once again.
He just could not say no to that look on your face. If he let you get your way more often though, you just might end up with his closet as your own...
1.16.21, rayofsunas
#genshin impact#genshin#genshin impact x reader#scaramouche x reader#scaramouche#childe x reader#childe#tartagalia#xiao#xiao x reader
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The Scarf Fic!!!
Inspired by This post by @sekiumiarashi and written as a gift for @into-the-linkverse
I wanted to write Ravio sharing scarves, but I accidentally found that I like writing Ravio, and more importantly, writing him and Legend like they’re a pair of elderly people, because... just because.
Giving Legend glasses was a choice that I didn’t see coming, but do not regret. I do regret Ravio’s naming scheme, but it was too funny to back out so I kept pushing. I’m not sorry that you all must suffer.
Feel free to read this as being part of my main fic The Ties That Bind, but it can also be separate, just consider the uncle bit as being related to predecessors and stuff.
Enjoy! :)
Mr. Captain Hero Sir wasn’t wearing his scarf.
The one constant Ravio knew he could always count on during the war, was that the captain would be wearing that bright blue scrap of cloth with all the pride in the world, no matter what the circumstances (good grief, one time he’d stumbled upon the man bathing and the scarf had been the only thing that saved them both from embarrassment). But today, he wasn’t.
The heroes had come to stay at Mr. Hero’s house again after a long battle, and Mr. Captain Hero Sir was currently sitting on the couch in the living room, one arm resting across it’s back and his feet propped up on the table. A scowl marred his fine features and his neck was horrifyingly naked.
“Mr. Captain Hero Sir! Where is your scarf?” The words were out of his mouth in a moment as he looked around the captain to make sure it simply hadn’t fallen off or been laid aside (things the captain would never let happen, ever. He’d once been bleeding out and still managed to keep the trailing blue fabric out of the mud.)
“It’s shredded.” The captain sighed, a bitter look in his eyes as he motioned down to the arm hanging from a sling around his neck. “And I’m currently unable to mend it.”
The thought of the captain not having a scarf was so utterly horrible, simply unthinkable, that Ravio didn’t even think about what he was doing, instead bounding over to plonk himself onto the couch and quickly unwind his scarf before rewinding it around the captain’s neck (he had a dozen of these things anyway).
“There! You can’t be without a scarf.”
Mr. Captain Hero Sir smiled fondly, fingers reaching up to gently stroke the fabric. “And you can?”
Ravio shrugged. “I have a dozen of those, keep it, it looks fabulous on you!”
The captain’s eyes sparkled brightly, a familiar cockiness erupting within. “Are you kidding? I make everything look good! Even the Vet’s fashion choices would look fabulous on me!”
Ravio sniggered. He’d heard and seen plenty of the goods from Hytopia, and he wasn’t entirely sure that Mr. Hero even knew what fashion was. But then again, he was just a simple Lolian; for all he knew, things like bomb outfits and heart shaped collars were absolutely acceptable and normal in this world.
“But where is your scarf, Mr. Captain Hero Sir?” He asked after a moment, cocking his head on one side as the man looked at him oddly.
“Don’t you ever get tired of saying that? You can call me Warriors like everyone else you know.”
“I know, Mr. Captain Hero Sir, I don’t mind.”
Mr. Captain Hero Sir blinked. “O-kay.” Shaking his head, he answered. “Legend has it. Since I can’t use my dominant hand, he said he’d stitch it up for me.” The captain hero nodded towards the corner of the room, and Ravio followed his line of sight.
Mr. Hero was perched in that Lolia-awful rocking chair that had been in the house since Nayru knows when. It was a horrid thing in his opinion, old, out of style and absolutely stiff and uncomfortable, and he’d shoved it into the furthest corner of the room ages ago. Mr. Hero loved it though, although he never said why, and he didn’t seem to mind that it was now nearly next to the fireplace all the time, even if he did have to pull it out of the corner to properly rock in it.
Mr. Hero sat with one leg tucked underneath him and the other one hanging down to gently push at the floor, making the big chair rock steadily. Mr. Captain Hero Sir’s scarf lay in his lap and a pair of spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose, a needle in his hand as he dutifully labored over the brilliant blue fabric of the famed scarf.
“His eyesight is terrible.” Ravio snickered to the Captain.
“But his hearing is perfect.” Mr. Hero’s voice rang clearly across the room, violet gaze darting up to look at them disapprovingly over the top of his spectacles.
The minute he looked away, merchant and captain shared a grin, only to burst into muffled laughter.
...
Mr. Smithy and Tune are cold.
It’s obvious from the way the two huddle in place at the kitchen table as everyone enjoys the meal that Ravio and Mr. Hero have pulled together (Mr. Hero is hesitant to let even the finest of chefs in his kitchen for some reason, despite having stated that Mr. Champion Hero is a very good cook and better than him (at cooking, life, or heroing, he does not specify)). Tune- Wind has all but attached himself to Sky’s side, using the bigger hero as a heat source as he slurps down his warm stew, and Mr. Smithy has bundled himself against the Mr. Rancher.
It’s only autumn, but both of the smaller heroes act like it’s the start of winter with the way they shiver and rub at their arms.
Mr. Hero’s only response when he asks is to sigh, but when he presses, his pink haired doppelganger eventually explains. “Their Hyrules were never corrupted, so they’re used to warmer weather most of the time, if not always. The mist from the ocean is the worst Wind knows, and heaven only knows if Four could survive a proper freeze.” Mr. Hero shakes his head, wiping the last of the broth from their meal off a plate with his dish-rag. “If they need something, they know to ask.”
But Mr. Hero isn’t really that cold hearted, he’s worrying too if the way his brows furrow and the lines around his mouth deepen is any indication. “I offered blankets, but they don’t want them.”
“Does this happen often?” He muses as he takes the plates from Mr. Hero to dry and put away, and to his displeasure, his housemate nods.
“When we come here or to Sky’s Hyrule, yeah. Usually, Wars will bundle them up in his scarf, or Sky with his sailcloth, even Twilight shares his fur, but...” Mr. Hero’s ears twitch irritably (truly adorable how they do that, although he’ll never say as much). “Sky’s asleep with his cape, the wolf pelt is a bloody mess after that battle, and I haven’t finished mending Wars’ scarf.” The ears flap again. “That thing is so dang complex and Warriors apparently hasn’t the faintest about the proper cloth to use to mend it. He used new material to mend a hole! Brand new material, Ravio! It’s an awful state and I swear if Styla could see it she’d faint dead away!” The vet huffed as he plunged another dish under the sudsy water of the wash tub. “Using new cloth on a worn scarf, it’s like he wants the thing to be ruined...”
Ah yes, Mr. Hero’s rants. There’d be no righting this one until he’d fixed the problem, and considering he’d only been torn away from the scarf that lay peacefully sitting on his rocker in order to make food, it was quite likely that once his kitchen was clean again, he’d be right back to working on it.
Ravio smiled, Mr. Captain Hero Sir would be quite pleased.
His gaze traveled over to where the hero in question was sitting. The captain and Tu- Wind, were talking on the couch, the younger staring nearly longingly at the rocker and the scarf on top of it.
Kid really liked that scarf, huh? If Ravio remembered right, half the time during his adventure with Mr. Captain Hero Sir, he’d constantly seen either Mask or Tune hanging onto it.
Somewhere inside of a bunny head, an idea sparked and green eyes brightened excitedly.
He’d donned a new scarf just before dinner, but it wouldn’t do quite right, so instead, he darted off to his room, much to the displeasure of his dish partner as his rag flew into Mr. Hero’s face and left his housemate spluttering indignantly.
“Ravio! You didn’t finish-”
“One sec!”
Mr. Hero’s grumbles followed him out of the kitchen, but faded as he darted into his room and towards his wardrobe. It was the work of moments to select two of his largest scarfs, and less time than that to dart back out to the living room and wrap one around each of the smaller heroes.
“There! Snug as a kit in a quilt!”
Two small heroes stared down at the black and purple fabric that now draped around their shoulders, smiles brightening their flushed faces as Tune buried his face happily in the fabric with a bright hum.
“Thanks, Ravio!”
“Thank you.” Four’s eyes glimmered warm brown as he sunk into his seat, only the top of his face and his hands visible beneath the striped fabric.
Mr. Captain Hero Sir’s eyes sparkled as the man looked up at him, and Ravio fought the blush that rose in his cheeks as he fiddled with his own scarf (he’d mess with his sleeves, but he’d shed his robe to help do the dishes, and his undershirt wasn’t nearly long enough to fiddle with). “Don’t mention it, it’s-” He chewed his lip for a moment before a smile broke loose, the one Mr. Hero said was cheesy and fake, the one for when he was trying to sell things. “It’s a complimentary gift for exceptional customers and/or guests!”
“We’ve never bought anything from you.” Four deadpanned, eyes glinting with a smile Ravio couldn’t see past all the scarf in the way.
“Yet!” Ravio chirped back, and darted back into the kitchen to help Mr. Hero finish doing the dishes.
...
Mr. Champion keeps rubbing his scars.
The heroes had left for a short spell, traveling off to fight more monsters only to be dumped in the orchard a week or so later (Mr. Hero said it’d been a month and a half for them, but by his time it was a week). And when Ravio said they’d been dumped in the orchard, he meant in the orchard. He’d been busy picking some of the ripened apples before the birds took them all (most of the wild birds knew better, but still, it was the principle of the thing, fresh fruit was rare in Lorule) when a shout and the snapping of branches had sounded all about him.
Ravio had shrieked in surprise, thinking that he was alone only to find (once he’d removed his hood again) that there were nine heroes hanging from various tree branches around him, and Mr. Hero himself was hanging upside down, one foot caught in the branches, as his face dangled inches from Ravio’s own, a scowl darkening it as a string of mumbles escaped his room-mate.
He couldn’t stop himself, he kissed Mr. Hero’s twitching nose.
Mr. Hero shrieked in surprise, jerking in place and effectively loosening himself from the tree, falling all over Ravio in the process. It was worth it, Ravio giggled as he lay on the ground. Mr. Hero was so like the bunnies in Lorule and their noses simply demanded to be kissed.
Laughter and grumbles sounded around them, the heroes pulling themselves down from the trees around them.
Captain Hero Sir Jr. moved with surprising ease, despite his heavy armor, clambering down the tree with the same grace that Mr. Champion did most of the time. Some things never change, he could still see him climbing up onto Mr. Captain Hero Sir’s shoulders in the same manner (only now he rather doubted either of them would attempt to do that anymore, Captain Hero Sir Jr. was much bigger now).
It felt entirely too natural to lead them all up to the house, Mr. Hero trailing at the back with a bushel of apples in his arms. Settling them all down in the kitchen was easy as could be, and he and Mr. Hero worked quickly to set some fresh apple cider to boil before starting on a meal for everyone.
He missed not having them all around, it was going to be awful dull when they all had to go back to their worlds when this adventure was over again.
He was determined to enjoy the moment for that very reason while they all sat about in the living room, sipping apple cider as Mr. Hero had settled down in his blasted rocker, spectacles on his nose and more mending in hand. He never would rest until the light was faded, and Ravio had half a mind to take out his knitting (he was still currently short three scarves) before he decided to simply flop down on the nearest open spot on the couch and just enjoy his cider.
Except, Mr. Champion was sitting in the seat beside him.
The young hero kept rubbing at his scars, eyes distant, and despite the numerous amounts of times that either Mr. Captain Hero Sir or Mr. Rancher tried to move his hands back down to the still full mug he was cradling in his other hand, Mr. Champion (he was younger than Ravio though...would Mr. Be an appropriate title for him?) kept reaching right back up to rub his neck and face.
The scars were enflamed, harsh red and puffy where they peeked out from beneath the collar of his shirt, and it made Ravio wince to even think of how he’d acquired such injuries that would scar so.
He only winced more with every drag of broken nails and rough finger pads over the skin, but Mr. Champion- Wild? He could think of him as Wild right? He was kind of the kid’s uncle in a weird way- didn't seem to even notice that he was doing it. Cornflower blue eyes stared unseeing into the fire, face still and only his hands moving.
Mr. Captain Hero Sir sighed, worry pulling his lovely face into shadows as he grasped Wild’s hands again. “Wild, hey, no more of that, okay? You’re hurting yourself.”
Fingers twitched, but no other movement came from the young Champion until Mr. Captain Hero Sir (wait, was Wild also Captain Hero Sir Jr.? Or was he Champion Hero? Oh fiddlesticks, he wasn’t sure anymore) let go, and then broken nails moved right back up towards swollen flesh.
Ravio shifted in his seat, uncomfortable.
Mr. Hero had spaced out before, did it a lot when the sun set or when he was outside, but he never scratched like that. He sang and fiddled with his rings. If Wild Champion Jr. Sir (oh heavens) did something like that, it would be fine, but this was... this was rather unsettling.
Ravio shifted in his seat, curling around his mug as Mr. Captain Hero Sir had to reach out to stop the wild-child's hands from reaching the inflamed wounds (the last scratch had broken skin, and a thin trail of red has appeared).
It was without a thought that he acted, pushing his mug into the captain’s hands and promptly looping his scarf around Wild Champion Hero Captain Jr.’s (oh Lolia help) neck.
Thoughtless fingers nose just as before, but this time, they brushed against soft fabric. Ravio tensed, dearly hoping that his scarf would not be ripped off or simply pushed aside.
To the surprise of all of them, rough fingers brushed over the fabric, paused, and gently stroked its material. The Champion’s face did not move, but slowly, long fingers ran down the fabric, rubbing it between their tips as cornflower blue eyes blinked slowly. In an instant, the young hero’s gaze was lost to sight as the fabric was nuzzled with all the fondness of a cub nuzzling their parent.
“He likes scarves, of course he does.” Mr. Rancher chuckled wearily, a tired smile playing over his features as both he and Mr. Captain Hero Sir sat back (but not before Ravio took his mug back).
“So he does.” Mr. Captain Hero Sir sighed, eyes fond as he watched the hero in question curl up on the couch, face lost in purple fabric and bare toes the only moving part of the kid. The wiggling toes were almost like a dog wagging its tail, but weirder, still, he wasn’t one to judge.
Mr. Captain hero Sir caught his eye. “Thank you, Ravio.”
“Customer loyalty.” He murmured softly into his mug.
He caught the way Mr. Hero and the others stared at him though, and he could only be thankful his hood shaded his face enough to hide his pleased blush.
...
Mr. Rancher needs to wear more color.
It’s like looking at the photos of Mr. Hero from just before he’d come around. Mr. Hero always fussed at him for going through things, but he couldn’t help but laugh at how odd his room-mate looked with black hair and dark clothes. “You dyed it?”
“For safety reasons. How many people have you see in Hyrule with pink hair of all things? It was a dead giveaway!”
“But you’re the hero?”
“A hero whose face was plastered on every wanted poster in Hyrule. Still is in some cases.” Mr. Hero had grumbled, folding the last piece of newly clean washing and throwing a pointed glare in his direction. “Life on the run sucks. I was thirteen and just wanted to be ignored.”
A glance at the dark haired but smiling youngster in the photo and back up to the bitter pink haired hero he knew told him (even if Mr. Hero hadn’t already) how well that wish had been fulfilled.
But seriously, those photos at least showed Mr. Hero with some color. The most Mr. Rancher wore was that horrid sash and obi, and the orange and blue looked simply terrible with his color scheme, something that, when brought up to Mr. Hero, his friend seemed to agree with, stating that ‘he’d never get into Hytopia’s capitol looking like that’.
Ravio had never been to Hytopia, but based on the stories and mannerisms Mr. Hero took on after that adventure, he can only agree.
Originally, he’d hoped he could simply find something among his wares that he could sell to Mr. Rancher, but that proved to only be so effective, after all, when one sells weapons and items, it’s hard finding a normal piece of clothing amidst all the blessed or charmed pieces.
Oh well, he was counting on ending up sharing the rest of his scarves with them all anyway.
It wasn’t any dramatic or particularly touching moment when he walked up and slung a clean scarf around the rancher’s shoulders, but Mr. Rancher, after initially starting, smiled as he touched the sun-warmed material. Of course, that expression quickly faded into one of awe as the hero squeezed the fabric lightly.
Mr. Rancher’s eyes lit up like a dog being given a new toy (Ravio wasn’t stupid, he knew a dog when he saw one) and the man proceeded to continue squeezing and petting the springy fabric with eyes sparkling as if Ravio had just handed him the stars themselves.
He was down to two scarves now, but it was worth it.
...
Mr. Traveler Hero is small.
He is small, and wild, and the clothes he’s wearing are nearly too small. The traveler is a growing child (never mind that he’s still a teenager himself) and he’s out and about in nearly threadbare garments that leave Ravio shivering at the mere thought of wearing.
And this is the other hero who grew up in a corrupted world where the sun doesn’t shine as bright as it should and the winters are always too long.
Ravio doesn’t think twice when he sees the first signs of cold in the young hero. He’s got two scarfs recently made, and he’s only too happy to share.
Purple and black stripes nearly drown the young hero when he walks over and wraps not one, but two of the comfiest scarves he’s ever made around the youngster's neck.
Like Mr. Rancher, nothing is said or done immediately, but Mr. Traveler Hero smile at him shyly, holding up a hand and scampering over to his bag.
The pair of polished stones he’s given don’t make much sense, but he catches sight of Mr. Hero and Captain Hero Sir Jr. Both smiling over at the two through the doorways.
“Thank you.” He murmurs warmly, tucking the rocks in his pocket.
“Thank you.!” Mr. Traveler smiles in return, eyes twinkling in the shade of the room and scarf tails flapping like the four wings of a fairy as he spins around to show them to Mr. Hero.
...
Captain Hero Sir Jr. has nothing comfy to wear.
Once more, the heroes had been whisked away, and once more they’d appeared at the house weeks later, looking exhausted and utterly soaked.
The chill autumn rain might be to blame for that.
Mr. Hero hadn’t even protested that... Wild (he’d just call him Wild, he couldn’t do this title thing this time) had bustled off into the kitchen to warm some tea, and instead promptly collapsing in all his soaked glory onto the couch.
The other heroes followed suit, and Ravio (like a good host) immediately hopped up and fetched some blankets. Mr. Rancher was already stoking the fire, and with a bit of work, Ravio was able to help Mr. Her grasp what was left of his own steaming mug of cider (his hands were quite the state in this bitter weather) before popping off to the kitchen to brew more of the sweet apply goodness to share with the heroes.
Armor and over-clothes had been stripped off, sitting wet and dripping in one corner (Mr. Hero eyes it with distaste, knowing just as Ravio did just what that would be doing to the floor) but neither housekeeper said anything, Mr. Hero nursing his cider and letting its warmth sooth his gnarled fingers, and Ravio puttering about with a kettle and mugs to share with everyone else.
Blankets had been pulled from the shelves and were cast around quaking shoulders as chattering teeth uttered breathy thanks to the purple-robed merchant.
There was nothing like being thanked for good service, and Ravio beamed as he passed between them.
That smile faded however when he noticed Captain Hero Sir Jr.
The man sat in a thin linen shirt and under-armor, looking far from being near the level of comfort that the rest did in their undershirts and pants (or a dress in Mr. Hero’s case).
Come to think of it he’d never seen Captain Hero Sir Jr. dress in any comfortable manner since he’d come along behind Mr. Hero that first time since they’d started this adventure. Did the poor kid- er... Man, not have anything comfortable to wear?
While the heroes slept that night, in the two bedrooms and sprawled across the couch, Ravio kept Mr. Hero comfortable, sitting before the fire with his knitting needles while Mr. Hero repaired yet more damaged clothing (poor mister Chosen Hero’s sailcloth had been damaged somehow).
Usually, one or the other of them would eventually remind the other to go to bed, but both were so wrapped up in their work (Mr. Hero started singing even, that goddess ballad Miss. Princess told hm about) that neither seemed to remember to check the clock, or even to go to bed.
Come morning, Ravio finds that he has fallen asleep wrapped in the tails of the scarf he’d been making, and Mr. Hero has become entangled in his mending, a peaceful smile on his face, worn fabric brushing his cheeks and spectacles teetering precariously on the tip of his nose.
Mr. Chosen Hero is the one who wakes them up, stirring awake with a violent sneeze, but he smiles fondly when he lays eyes on them, opening his arms in an offer of a cuddle if either feels inclined to return to sleep. Neither does, but Ravio appreciates it, and even if Mr. Hero doesn’t say as much (quite the opposite really) he knows his friend does too.
The day is normal, as far as a day with nine heroes in the house can be, and with the rain still pouring, they spend their time cleaning, although Mr. Hero shoos them all away after a time because they’re not doing it the right way (AKA Mr. Hero's very practiced manner of cleaning and organizing). It’s after Mr. Hero had shooed them all into the main room while he organizes the basement (thank goodness, it's an awful mess down there) that the talk starts.
It’s cold out, and most of the heroes have donned the scarves they’ve been gifted over time (Ravio isn’t blushing, he’s not). Smiles shine and laughter rings as they explain to their brothers how they’d some to have them.
“And he just... threw t at me! Not a word, not an explanation, just came up and tossed it over my shoulders.” Mr. Rancher chuckles. “Kinda like how my ma would do when I was a tot, jist wrap it up and ‘round soon as the cold weather came a’creepin’ up.”
The others nod, smiles fond. Ravio beams as he lights the candle set near the masks on the wall.
“I had one too once,” Captain Hero Sir Jr. Muses aloud. “Back in the war, you remember, Wars?”
“Do I ever.” Mr. Captain Hero Sir smirks. “I used to tie you up with that thing when you got too rowdy.”
“You and the general both.” Captain Hero Sir Jr. Chuckles, soft and deep and so different from his nearly witch level cackle that Ravio remembers.
“What ever happened to it?” He asks curiously, blowing out his match and turning to move towards the rest of the group.
Captain Hero Sir Jr. Smiles at him, eyes far older but far more at peace than they used to be. “I outgrew it. It was a child’s scarf, even if it was a bit big at the time. I considered bringing it, but it just doesn’t do much anymore.” A thin smile pulls at his features, almost guilty as he admits “I didn’t take the best care of my clothes as a kid.”
Well, that doesn’t matter over much. Ravio smiles at his young (old) friend, and around him he can hear the others whisper and laugh. They know what’s happening, and Captain Hero Sir Jr. Does too if the twinkle in his eyes is to be believed, so Ravio makes a point of flourishing his gift with all the fuss he can before reverently draping the garment around the tall man’s neck. The eldest hero has to stoop, even from where he’s sitting on the couch, so that Ravio can reach, but it only adds to the mock reverence as Ravio adorns another bare neck with one of his toasty scarves.
“Mind you take care of that one,” He scolds lightly. “I was up all night making it.”
“Yes sir.” Captain hero Sir Jr. responds with a playful smile in his eyes, even if his face is the picture of obedience.
Giggles sound around them, and despite hating it, Ravio takes the only seat left available (he really hates that rocker) and curls up. “You all be quiet now, I’m tired and need a nap.”
“Okay, gramps.” The sailor whispers faintly, a giggle in his tone as titters and chuckles erupt.
Strangely, it doesn't take too long for Ravio to doze off, especially when Mr. Hero settles in beside him and starts to rock the stupid chair, humming lightly as fingers work over another project, the light buzz of activity all around them as Ravio allows himself to be carried into dreamland.
...
Mr. Chosen Hero has caught cold.
He’s not surprised, not with how drenched the others all were day before last, but the Skyloftian is shivering madly, miserably sniffing into handkerchiefs and trying his best to avoid drinking the nasty herbal teas that Mr. Hero claims are good for people. Ravio doesn’t care if Mr. Hero drinks them, but for pities sake, drink black tea if you’re going to drink tea! What sort of decent being are you if you’re just drinking plant water?
“Legend, I’m serious, I don’t-” Mr. Chosen Hero breaks off coughing. “I don’t think tea will-” Another cough, nastier than the last. “I don’t think it will help.”
“Trust me.” Mr. Hero already has a small table pulled up to Mr. Chosen Hero’s side, tea and handkerchiefs both set carefully on top. “Tea’s just what you need. Eucalyptus does wonders for a cold.”
“He’s right.” Mr. Traveler Hero chimes in, gaze warm and sleepy as he sips some of the tea himself. “And it’s got a calming effect.”
Mr. Hero cocks a brow. “What are you, ‘Rule, a koala?”
No one knows what that is, except Mr. Traveler Hero, but it doesn’t seem to matter much, as Mr. Chosen Hero breaks into another coughing fit and bundles a blanket closer around his shoulders, voice hoarse when he speaks. “I wish it’d stop raining. I didn’t even realize-” A cough sounds and is followed by a sniffle. “I didn’t realize the surface got so wet.”
And Ravio sees where this is going, the shivering hero, the gentle atmosphere. He doesn’t bother waiting for Mr. Chosen Hero to sniffle again, he just wraps a scarf around the man’s neck, tucking it in close enough to keep the heat in.
The smile exchanged is silent, and Ravio is thankful that the others aren’t about at present to tease, only Mr. Hero and Mr. Traveler Hero are here with them, and neither says a word as they sip their leaf water.
“I’ll make you some real tea.” He murmurs softly, offering a wink and a gentle pat to the knee before he’s off towards the kitchen.
...
Mr. Hero doesn’t have a scarf.
It was glaringly obvious, as whenever the rest of them appeared at the house, they'd all be wearing their Ravio gifted scarfs proudly, smiles on their faces as the ends trailed or dragged after them (despite that, they were all in perfect condition).
But Mr. Hero didn’t have a scarf.
He was never going to get one either.
They’ve all just returned to the house (it’s been two months since the last visit) and the snow outside it up to Ravio’s waist in places. It took him ages to shovel himself out of the house, but the harvest of apples is in and the bees are well prepared for the winter, and Mr. Hero finally tidied the cellar enough that they have room for food storage aplenty.
Cider and tea are brewed as the heroes gather, fluffy socks and scarves on full display as they sit around the fire.
Mr. Hero is shivering.
Curious glances are thrown at both himself and Mr. Hero as the heroes drink their beverage of choice, concern in their gazes as Legend eventually gets up to pull the most ridiculously bulky quilt in the entire house over his shoulders. He’s all pink in the face and he’s shaking like a leaf, and it’s only because he won’t hold still that Ravio hasn’t attempted to try and help him hold a warm mug enough for his fingers to relax.
Mr. Hero moves like a man thrice his age, if not more, and he creaks worse than the roof does in the wind outside.
“Where’s your scarf, vet?” Mr. Captain Hero Sir murmurs softly, one brow raised as he watches Mr. Hero fumble with the quilts edge.
“My what?”
Glances are exchanged among the others. “Your scarf? The one Ravio gave you?”
“I don’t have a scarf.” Mr. Hero answers, dropping the quilt again with a scowl that makes his nose wiggle.
“But” Cornflower blue dart between himself and his housemate. “Aren’t you two friends? How do you not already have a scarf? Even Time did!”
“It’s a customer service thing.” Mr. Hero murmurs. “I’m already a loyal customer, so he doesn’t waste resources on trying to earn my loyalty. That, and I don’t wear purple.”
He shakes his head, loosening his scarf as the eyes of the others twinkle, but rather than taking it off, he only loosens one end, before wrapping it tightly around his friend’s neck, fluffing up the quilt in both of their laps, and settling a warm mug of cider in Mr. Hero’s hands.
“Nonsense!” he chirps, trying not to be hurt at the obvious surprise on his friend's face, so he muses Mr. Hero’s hair instead. “You have every item I offer except this scarf. Why would you keep buying from me if you get it? I have to keep you from having one until I get something better in, otherwise business will plummet!”
Knowing smiles are exchanged amidst the others, but Mr. Hero just sighs and shakes his head, leaning slightly into Ravio’s side as he sips his cider.
A bitter expression overtakes Mr. Hero’s face. “You forgot the cloves.”
“Oh shoot!”
#linked universe#linkeduniverse#scarf fic#scarf man#ravio#lu warriors#lu wind#lu four#lu wild#lu twilight#lu time#lu sky#lu hyrule#lu legend#scarf#fluffics#I almost forgot Hyrule!#I'm so sorry baby!
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His Clothes
Frankie Morales x Female Reader
Summary: what Frankie thinks when he sees you in his clothes
Warnings: a lot of fluff but hints at smut (only general mentions no specifics)
The first time you wore Frankie’s t-shirt he could have sworn his heart stopped dead in his chest. It was the third time you had stayed the night together and after waking up before him you pulled the t-shirt he had worn the night before over your head to walk to the bathroom. When the fabric covered your body you held it up to your nose for a moment, breathing in his scent, before padding barefoot down the hall.
When Frankie woke without your warmth next to him he turned to face the door and his eyes landed on the light that was peeking through from the hall in enough time to watch you as you stepped back into the bedroom. Your hair was messy from sleep with only half of it still tied up and your eyes were still half shut as you tried to keep sleep close. You stepped slowly not aware that he was now also awake and watching you carefully.
When he noticed his grey t-shirt that that was covering your body, he lifted his head from the pillow. His eyes widened and chest warmed at the sight. The fabric managed to cling to your hips while still drowning you. His mind went to the night before, the way his own hands had made you look so small beneath him. You still hadn’t noticed he was awake until you were climbing back into bed and his arms wrapped around you to pull your back against his chest.
“Wearing my shirt,” he mumbled into your neck as his arms tightened before relaxing around your waist.
“Sorry, I can take it off if you want it was just cold when I got up,” you moved to grab the edge of the t-shirt.
“No,” he stopped your movement by gently grabbing your wrists before wrapping his arms around you again, “you look cute with it on.”
“Cute?”
“Yeah,” he nuzzled into your neck, “cute. It’s too big on you.”
It wasn’t long before you both fell back asleep again, spending another few hours avoiding the rest of the world in one another’s arms.
After that morning you were sure he started hiding your own clothes from you and forgetting to turn the heating on in the morning for an excuse to get you in his clothes. When you woke up on the weekend he would throw you one of his t-shirts to go down for breakfast in and he never did a good job at hiding his sleepy smile from you as he watched you wander about with your thighs on show.
You loved it too. The smell of him stayed on the t-shirt and you carried it about with you even though he was also by your side, often with his arms draped around you.
The next item you stole from his wardrobe was a flannel shirt and he swore he saw heaven there and then. After some lazy Sunday afternoon sex on the sofa, you pulled his flannel over you before going to the bathroom. He had still been in a daze and hadn’t noticed you cover yourself with it as you left the room but he sure as hell noticed when you walked back in.
He couldn’t hide his reaction when you walked back in the room, his mouth left open and eyes wide as they dragged down your body.
"What?" you asked as you climbed on top of him, straddling his waist while he remained lying on the sofa.
"You wear my clothes so much better than me," his hands ran up your sides, holding the shirt open as his eyes trailed over your body.
"I don't know, you look pretty good in them yourself," you leaned down and kissed him deeply, your hands running up his chest before finding their way into his hair. You tugged on the curls, pulling him closer into the kiss as you rocked your hips against him.
Frankie sat up, keeping you close against his body, before carefully moving so your back was lying against the sofa and he was the one hovering over you.
"Keep the shirt on," he growled before kissing down your body.
He started making even more of an effort to get you in his clothes, handing you his jumpers whenever the days got colder. He didn't care about the comments from the guys as he ran inside to grab one of his sweaters for you to wear when the nights after a BBQ got cold. He didn't care because he got to watch you pull it over your head, drowning you in the jumper than was well fitted in him. He especially didn't care when he caught you out the corner of his eye pulling the sleeves over your hands and taking in his smell.
Out of all his clothes, Frankie's favourite item of his on you by far was his hat. He was working on his truck one evening when you walked into the garage to join him, leaning against the side of the truck as he worked under the hood.
"Can you come hold this for me, honey?" his head peaked around the side of the popped hood to catch your eye.
You walked around to the front where he was leaning over the engine, his hands resting on the metal as he peered into whatever mechanism he was working to fix. He turned and handed you a wrench, giving you a wink and a smile, before leaning back into the truck.
He groaned as his hat was getting in the way of looking in any closer and pulled it off his head, handing it back to you without looking.
"Hold this for me too, please."
You placed it on your head for ease, holding the wrench until he asked for it. He called back to you, his hand out behind him waiting for the wrench and you placed it in his palm before stepping back.
You watched his back as he worked, his t-shirt that you had worn more times than you could count on lazy mornings clinging to his back muscles and hips in all the same places it surrounded you. His shoulders tensed with every turn of the wrench and you shook your head back to reality as he turned around to face you.
You were able to concentrate in enough time to catch the way his eyes darkened when he noticed you wearing his hat. He stalked towards you in a way you had never seen him move before. Slow and calculated with every step as he cleaned his hands on the rag he was holding. There was a slight pink flush to his cheeks as a smirk toyed on his lips when he finally reached you.
His hand lifted up, tapping the bill of the hat with two fingers, "you look good in that."
"How good?" you played along, your own hands grabbing the bottom of the t-shirt he was wearing to pull him closer to you. He threw the rag on his workbench near you.
"Keep it on," he leaned down grabbing you by the back of your thighs before wrapping your legs around his waist, kissing your lips and neck as he carried you back inside.
Oh yes, Frankie liked when you wore his clothes.
//
Permanent tag // @phoenixhalliwell @asta-lily @hb8301 @princess76179 @sarahjkl82-blog @spideysimpossiblegirl
#Frankie Morales x reader#Frankie Morales x you#Frankie Morales fic#Frankie Morales fanfic#Frankie catfish Morales#frankie catfish morales x you#frankie catfish morales x reader#triple frontier#Francisco Morales#pedro pascal
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Monster - Chapter 12
chapter index
damn near almost forgot it was Friday... anyway, this one's a little shorter, but necessarily so. I hope you enjoy it, nevertheless! <3
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Kagome was in a grouchy mood from the rude awakening she’d received early that morning. She wasn’t outwardly expressing herself, but it was a little too difficult to wipe it clean from her face. And, Shinosuke was too amused by it.
It was a young lady who’d woken she and Inuyasha up, and immediately Kagome knew she was there to change Inuyasha’s bandages. When Kagome had first arrived the night before, a small stain was noticeable, but as she sat up from Inuyasha’s side, the front of his bandages were completely soddened with his blood. He was weak and fatigued, eyes opened from his own awakening but irises dull, and didn’t even have enough energy to really grasp her hand anymore. His breathing was shallow, but he tried to narrow a brave look at her. Still, she froze with fear.
The woman, Wakana, wouldn’t allow Kagome to help and insisted she leave. Though Kagome persistently objected, demanding she needed to stay by his side, again she was torn away by the strong arms of Shinosuke.
“He was okay last night!” She frantically cried as he let her go just outside of Inuyasha’s room.
“And, he’s okay now. I swear. This is normal with blood loss, but he’s part demon. He’s going to be fine.”
“No, but -“
“Kagome, I promise! He’s just fucking exhausted from healing, and the medication from last night has most likely worn off. I’ve seen this on numerous occasions. And, you want to be with him twenty-four-seven, I get it. You want to personally witness his progress, but you can’t. It’s not good for you. Wakana’s right, you shouldn’t see him like this right now. You both need a little space from each other.”
“No, that doesn’t make sense. He would never leave my side if I was hurt like that, and I don’t want to leave his.” Kagome argued, bleary eyed.
“Don’t you get it? If you’re in there, he’s going to be focused on your well-being the entire time. He wont want to rest because he’s going to want to make sure you’re calm. I already saw him trying; I was right there. And, you? You’re going to see the most traumatizing wound you’ve probably ever laid eyes on. Trust me, something like that doesn’t just leave your memory. Especially, when it’s happened to someone significant to you. It’s going to scar you, and each time you look at Inuyasha thereafter, you’ll either see the infliction or you’ll be absolutely terrified it’ll happen again, so you’ll overcompensate to prevent it. You both need to be apart. You got pretty banged up yesterday, too. When was the last time you just focused on yourself?” That last question came off playfully sarcastic, but Kagome couldn’t perceive anything but literalism at the moment.
“I don’t know, like thirteen years ago.” She responded blandly. “I have a little brother.”
“Oh my god.” He deadpanned, blinking. “You need to eat something.”
“No, but -“
“Kagome, come on.” Shinosuke placed his hand in the middle of her back to guide her. “I promise, he’ll be fine. You, on the other hand, need some food.”
“I don’t want food.”
“You’re eating food.”
And, so here she was, porridge and fruit placed on a tray before her as she sat on a rather large bed in a rather large room she hadn’t been in before. Kagome nibbled on a strawberry, feeling the grumpy pout written all over her face, her stomach in shambles, and Shinosuke snickering at her from a chair by the door.
“Are you going to watch me all freaking day?”
“That’s literally my job. So, yes.”
“Go away.” Kagome grumbled, half a strawberry in her mouth.
“No.” He smiled.
The door opened slowly, cautiously, Wakana walking in with a soft smile on her face. She pulled her long, brown hair from the low ponytail it’d been in, allowing the straight, flowing strands to hang freely now around her shoulders. Immediately, Shinosuke respectfully stood, giving a light bow of his head when their eyes met.
“He’s perfectly fine.” She assured Kagome, approaching closer. “The hole’s actually a bit smaller already. I was surprised to see such quick improvement. The wound is lathered in some herbs, he’s wrapped up nice and tight, and I had him sip on an herbal remedy to help alleviate some pain.”
“Can I see him?” Kagome softly asked, lowering the strawberry from her pink-stained lips.
“He’s asleep.” Wakana grimaced slightly.
“Can I - can I see him, anyway?”
“No.” Shinosuke chimed, robbing a grape from her fruit bowl.
Kagome scowled at the audacious guard, flickering her attention back at Wakana. “Why is he like this? I don’t think I like him.”
“I don’t think I do either.” She sighed, elbowing him in the side. “Sorry. I know he’s a pain in the ass, but he’s the head of our guards, and papa was right to have him watch over you. Though, your friend doesn’t appear to care as much as we’d thought he would. He can’t even move and he seems to think he can do better.”
“Oh, you told him?” Kagome asked, wondering when the topic could have come up. Though, she couldn’t deny that the response sounded very organic to Inuyasha’s nature. Processing everything else she’d said, her head cocked to the side in a quick subject change. “Wait, papa?”
Wakana gave a small laugh, smacking Shinosuke’s hand as he reached for another piece of fruit. “It’s like clockwork. I walk in, Inuyasha asks for you. We’ve told him multiple times that you’re being protected, but much like you, he wants to be by your side. And, yes. I’m the headman’s daughter. I asked Shinosuke to bring you to my room. Figured it would be more comfortable for you. I also have some clothes that should fit you.”
“Oh, that’s okay.” Kagome kindly declined, handing Shinosuke the fork she hadn’t been using with a slice of honeydew on the end. She wasn’t a huge fan of that fruit, so he could eat all of those pieces for all she cared. “What happened to my clothes from yesterday?”
Wakana arched a spekulative brow. “Ruined?”
“What do you mean, ruined?”
“You didn’t actually expect that blood to come out, did you?” Shinosuke asked after swallowing his fruit.
“Oh, shit.” Kagome hissed. “I forgot! Crap, that was my last shirt.”
“I might be able to save the bodice, though.” Wakana mentioned, nibbling on her bottom lip.
Kagome’s eyes widened, a small pout returning to her face. “My bodice? What happened to my bodice?”
“The seams split. And - um - so did the back.”
It really shouldn’t have come as a surprise. After rolling around in the dirt to fight a demon, what else could she have expected?
“R-I-P.” Shinosuke satirically said, snagging another honeydew. Kagome pinned him with a threatening glare, one he finally heeded as he recoiled drastically, crossing back over to his chair by the door.
“I’ve got plenty of dresses, love!” Wakana said, trying to lift her spirits. “You’re more than welcome to any!”
“I appreciate that, but what’ll I do when I leave here?”
“Take them with you!”
“No, I couldn’t.” Kagome shook her head. “That’s so sweet of you, but I really couldn’t.”
“I insist.”
“No, honestly. I can’t fight in a dress.”
“Neither can I.” Shinosuke commented, his mouth full.
“Oh my god, get out.” Wakana groaned, rolling her eyes as she scowled at Shinosuke.
“Can’t.” He grinned, pointing to Kagome. “Scout’s honor.”
“Then, quiet.”
“That, I can do.” He agreed, sealing his lips.
“Okay, here’s the thing: The women around here don’t really wear bodices anymore; everything’s sort of built into our dresses, and it’s rare to see a woman in pants around these parts -“
“Barbarians.”
Both women glared at Shinosuke, and abruptly, with a tension of fear, he stood from his seat, opening the door and dragging the chair out with him.
“Anyway,” Wakana groaned, redirecting her gaze back to Kagome now that they were alone. “As I was saying, I can probably make you another, and if not, I can consult the seamstress at the edge of town. Let me brainstorm a little on this, is that okay?”
“I don’t want to be any trouble for you. It’s not a problem. I can -“
“No, don’t worry. I love doing this. It’s the little things in life, right? It’s no trouble at all, and after what you two did for all of us yesterday, it’s a pleasure.”
“Oh. Well, alright. Thank you.” Kagome reluctantly agreed.
“For the meantime, let me replace your bandages and get you out of your pajamas.”
Kagome flexed her hand in their new wrappings, her split knuckle coated in a thick ointment beneath and tingling from the remedy’s properties. The scrape on her head had a light layer smeared on, the bandage poking from her bangs and covering the entire area to keep the ointment in.
She could see the enthusiasm on Wakana’s face as she pulled out a few dresses from the back of her wardrobe. She’d explained that she’d made them herself, but there was something else there. A joy that told Kagome she hadn’t been able to pull them out in a while.
“I’d put my hobbies aside for the past couple of years. Who was I to have lavish taste and ease my worries with distractions such as sewing while my people were in a depression, constantly afraid of the henchmen’s next visit? Not to mention, the healthier you looked - and I mean that in all regards - the worse treatment you’d receive. It was best not to attract more attention, you know? I didn’t want them increasing their inspections. Not when there was -“ She stopped herself, glancing over at Kagome. “Not when I had people to protect. Their fear is our fear. So is their pain. And, sadness. My papa, he does his best for his people, and he stands right with them no matter what.
“Once Moryomaru starting coming around, that was when we all stowed away our irreplaceable belongings. My mother’s ashes, a few knickknacks from ancestors, and things of the likes from the village people were stored here below ground. In fact, they’re being brought up to return to their homes as we speak.” Her happiness was indescribable. It was like Kagome could physically see the weight had lifted off of her shoulders.
“But, wait.” She couldn’t help but ask. “Are you positive we got them all?”
“Actually, yes. I wasn’t there to see it happen, unfortunately. I was here in the courtyard with the women that live in this home. With Shinosuke and the guards. Moryomaru was in the midsts of taunting us when they left for whatever was going on, and I remember being so confused in that moment. But, papa told me everything. Inuyasha singlehandedly took all of the henchmen on. More importantly, you two killed Moryomaru. You killed the henchmen’s commander. Their leader. I’m not sure if that’s the end of all inspections, but the henchmen are like chickens running around without a head without someone to tell them what to do. And, I may have never met Naraku, but I certainly figure he finds himself too superior to ever sully his hands by speaking with low lives such as them. I’m sure inspections are about to slow substantially from this point forward. I can feel it.”
“Okay, hold on.” Kagome spoke, leaning on the frame of the bed as she digested that information, brown eyes unfocused on the carpet. “Moryomaru. That’s that thing’s name? That creature?”
“Yes.” Wakana confirmed.
“They were - they were the commander? Of all the henchmen? They were the one who called all the shots?”
“Ultimately, yes. Moryomaru liked to boast about their leadership, that was for sure, and while they had a chain of command it seemed - with a leader of each platoon - Moryomaru was the top. Forgive me, but did you not know that?”
“No.” Kagome admitted, glancing up at the headman’s daughter.
“Oh.” Her brows furrowed in contemplation. “This may sound presumptuous, but you guys came in so ready to fight, we’d sort of figured you were hunting Moryomaru.”
“Not at all. Before yesterday, we’d never seen Moryomaru. At least, I hadn’t. Not sure about Inuyasha, but he’d never mentioned them before. We were in the area when we sensed the demons, and then we heard some screaming so -“
“So, you came to help…” Wakana finished, astonished.
“Yeah.” Kagome nodded.
“You came to help even though you’re a conjurer…”
“Well, Inuyasha did. I can’t take much credit there; he’d made me agree to stay behind so they wouldn’t know about me.”
“Even so, he ran in even though he’s a hanyou. I can’t believe… You guys - you still ended up fighting too, you cant tell me you got these wounds from hiding, and I - you two are - I can’t believe -“ Wakana couldn’t finish her sentence. She’d been incredibly grateful to these two from the moment her father had brought them back to their home, and she thought incredibly highly of them from the instant she understood the incident. But, to learn the circumstance a little better, to comprehend that there was plenty on the line for them too, but they still contributed their strengths to save them, and ultimately so many more, Wakana was awestruck. Heedlessly, she stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Kagome’s shoulders to hug her tight.
Kagome had tensed at first, but recovered quickly, returning the gesture. At first, her touch was light, cautious, but as Wakana leaned further into her, Kagome firmed her hold on the woman.
“Are you okay?” Kagome asked, slightly confused.
“I’m just so thankful to you two.” She leaned back to say, smiling. “To know it was your decision to help and not a job makes it even more meaningful. I can see it’s kind of hard to wrap your head around, but you haven’t just saved my village and people. You’ve saved so many others, as well.”
“But, their leaders… the second in commands, I suppose -“
“Chickens without a head, girl. Chickens without a head.”
“I’m sorry, I just can’t help but fear that you’re wrong.”
“I understand. I don’t think I’ve seen nearly as much of the world and its cruelty as you and Inuyasha have.” Wakana rubbed Kagome’s arm consolingly. There was a chance that she was wrong. Nothing in this world was certain, especially now, and if Naraku created Moryomaru for this purpose, he could absolutely create another monster to take their place. But, from what Shinosuke had experienced, what he and his father had come back to inform her father of, she wanted to believe that this was the first step in overcoming the evil that clouded their lives. So, maybe hearing it from their guard would help alleviate the worry in Kagome’s frown.
“Shinosuke, come here please!” She shouted over her shoulder.
“Ma’am?” The tall man poked his head in through the large doors a short second later, his brows raised in question.
“In.”
“Ma’am.” He complied, taking the order and shutting the door right behind him.
“Tell Kagome what you know about Moryomaru, please. No jokes. Give her what you’ve learned.”
Shinosuke gave a single nod of his head, regarding the conjurer with his charcoal eyes. “They’re a creation of Naraku, derived from his own vessel. They took leadership of the inspectors, having nearly a thousand men at their beck and call at one point. They’d admitted that as their numbers began suddenly depleting drastically, that was when they’d decided to come forward and monitor more inspections to see where the disruption was coming from. It was more to show that if villagers were beginning an uprising, they were there to scare them back in line.”
“And, Moryomaru’s chain of command?” Wakana requested.
“Useless without Moryomaru. They were too involved, had a need for control, so none of their ‘officers’, so to speak, were allowed to make calls without their issuance. Therefore, without him, the chain breaks.”
“How do you know all this?” Kagome’s question came out quietly, taken aback.
A small grimace appeared on Shinosuke’s face and Wakana’s gaze fell downward. There wasn’t much delay before the guard looked to the woman at Kagome’s side and asked, “May I?”
“Of course.” She nodded.
Shinosuke lifted his shirt high enough to show the abnormally large scar stretching over the outer portion of his ribcage. “A few of us guards were abducted by that fucker a few months ago; myself, my father, and Nobunaga. Said we got too bold in thinking we could protect anybody so they wanted to put us in our place - which would serve as a warning to our other guards.”
Kagome’s jaw had dropped slightly, her eyes widening at the deformed scar. Her breath locked in her lungs from her gasp and it was almost like she couldn’t look away from the sealed wound. She couldn’t believe what she was looking at. It should have been fathomable, given everything she’d witnessed over the years, but she couldn’t believe she was in the presence of someone who’d survived evident torture.
“They were in custody for five weeks.” Wakana added solemnly as Shinosuke lowered his clothing. “We didn’t know if they’d return. But, Shinosuke, being Shinosuke, used the opportunity to memorize everything he’d seen while with them.”
“If I lived, I was going to make sure I told everyone who needed to know everything I saw and heard. Tell me, conjurer. Are you someone who needs to know, or who’s just too curious for their own good?”
Kagome couldn’t fight her hesitation. Her fingers curled into apprehensive fists as her nerves gave a small wring of her stomach. No one knew of their quest. No one knew their true objective, Koga being the one exception on Inuyasha’s side. But, even after finding out Koga was part of the war, she still decided not to disclose her purpose. Koga didn’t know what she was, though. That was a huge part of her reason against telling him. There was something different about the circumstances at play here. She’d swooped in with her arrow, and with Inuyasha’s blast from his sword, they’d synchronously created an insanely powerful attack. They’d unknowingly destroyed a war machine. They’d unknowingly annihilated a part of Naraku. The people here knew what she was whether she confirmed or denied, and they were allies. Why hide anymore?
“Inuyasha and I, our mission is to kill Naraku. We want to find a way to end the darkness we’re living in.” She said, leveling her chin confidently.
“That’s what you’re working toward?” He asked, and it wasn’t a test. There was the hint of concern on his brow.
“Everyday.”
“Well, fuck.” Shinosuke sighed. “Sounds legitimate enough to me.”
He walked closer so his voice wouldn’t carry, stopping just a few feet away from the women. Kagome had stiffened slightly, and he knew exactly why. She was afraid. It was a learned reaction. Right now, she was vulnerable, and as far as she was concerned, alone. No matter how many times she was promised safety, assured coalition, it wasn’t always possible to turn off that part of your brain that braced you for the worst. Because, you were trained to expect it after so long. Especially, being someone in her position.
So, as he stopped, he made sure to slowly outstretch his hand. He held it out for her to take, patiently allowing her to register that he meant no harm - only respect. As Kagome slipped her small palm within his hold, he wrapped his fingers firmly around it, carefully stepping inward, bending forward, and whispering in her ear.
“Naraku has five creations. Excluding Moryomaru, I encountered two. They were named Hakudoshi and Kagura.”
—
There was a small abatement from the storm. It was a little humid outside, but Kagome just wanted to be absorbed in the scent of rain. Finally accepting that while she was staying at the village’s headman’s home Shinosuke was an accessory to her person, she decided to drag him outside to take a walk with her.
Wakana had been so patient and kind, so Kagome had allowed her to have some fun and dress her the way she so pleased. Having to put it away for quite some time, Kagome could see the freedom on her pink cheeks as she finally got to dive into her creativity again. It made Wakana happy, and after so much tentative care to both she and Inuyasha, Kagome was glad to be the first she expressed her art on again.
Unfortunately, it was a little obvious she hadn’t worn a dress in well over a decade. Let alone, had never once in her life worn a dress quite this nice. Shinosuke had called her out for her incessant fidgeting three times and kept snickering at her whenever she readjusted the cut around her breasts. It was a little lower than anything she was used to, and the low dip had her feeling extremely exposed. She wasn’t. Each time she instinctually went to put her breasts away she had to keep reminding herself that they were exactly where they were meant to be, but it was just weird to feel so much of a breeze.
The sleeves were off the shoulder, fastened to her upper arms by a material that clung. The rest of the sleeves were long and flowy, cut in the middle for her arms to slip out of had she reached for something. Never in her life had Kagome worn such a pretty shade of pastel pink, nor had she experienced little, blush roses made of silk fastened to her bust, nor had she had the opportunity to feel ribbons made of the same, tied in a bow at the center of her sternum. Tiny leaves were sewn into the fabric just beneath her breasts, cinching the dress to her ribs, and the same was said for her waistline, holding the gown to her as the rest of the length of the skirt was free to flow around her entire lower body.
Kagome’s hair was brushed, waving naturally, but tied half up in a twisted bun that was held in place by pins unseen. Her bangs were in tidy order for the first time in weeks, and Wakana was meticulous to pull the strands that framed her jawline free from the bun. She’d asked to put a subtle hint of glitter on Kagome’s cheeks, and considering it was a huge day of firsts for her, Kagome could only bring herself to shrug in a huge, why the hell not?
Truthfully, the doting makeover was fun for Kagome, too. While she felt more comfortable in pants and a shirt, it was only because it was what she was used to, and functionality called for it. She actually really loved dresses. The look of them, at least. With it being years since she’d even considered wearing one, she wondered so often if she could even pull them off. And, when she finally got a look at herself in the mirror once Wakana had finished, pride gleaming in the woman’s eyes, Kagome couldn’t help but grow incredibly shy. She loved the way it looked on her, but it was so different.
“Tell me you’re not girly without telling me you’re not girly.” Shinosuke jabbed, chuckling at her side as they strolled around the outer pathway of the mansion.
“Hush.” Kagome sighed. “I think I was eight the last time I wore a dress.”
“They’re not going anywhere.” He remarked, regarding the way she kept fixing the bust of her dress. “Believe me, there are women in town with bigger breasts than you that do manual labor in dresses made of thinner material, and they’ll proudly tell you that their tits stay in place.”
Another sigh as she dropped her hands to her side. “I’m just not used to it.”
“I thought you liked it.”
“No, I do. It’s pretty.” Kagome assured, looking up at him and nodding. “I’m just - I mean, like I said, I’m - I’m not used to it.”
“Ah, I get it.” Shinosuke smirked, looking ahead of them. “You’re self conscious.”
She didn’t say anything. She merely looked at the thriving plants to her right, minding how the petals of flowers were still dotted with droplets of rain. The sky was still blanketed in dark clouds, conveying that the storm had yet to fully pass, and the air was thick with the comforting smell of moisture.
“May I compliment you?” He respectfully asked.
Kagome glanced up at him again, curious. “Not if you feel obligated.”
“I just want to make sure I won’t make you uncomfortable.”
“Oh. I appreciate that.” She really did. She understood that he was simply trying to make her feel more secure with his honest thoughts while not trying to offset her by making it seem he was overstepping any boundaries. Not many men had that courtesy. “Sure.”
Shinosuke stopped, turning to the woman at his side. It was interesting to him to see such a strong female who’d participated in taking down a plague to their society seem so small and timid in such a superficial environment. Maybe she was the sort who didn’t realize her beauty. Maybe she was the sort that didn’t really focus on that sort of thing, and this element - delicate femininity - was abnormal to her. Given such, it was irrelevant. Anyone with eyes could see that even when she ran into the courtyard yesterday along her battered companion, covered in scratches, dirt, blood, and fear she was inherently beautiful. Now, cleaned, bandaged, still slightly guarded but overall level, Kagome was enchanting. And, he could easily tell that that was what Wakana was trying to enhance.
It wasn’t that she was merely letting loose and having fun. Wakana was specific to adhere to the minds of others, as well as their hearts. She’d wanted to distract Kagome from her partner’s condition. She’d wanted to make her feel a little better about herself while she knew things, in general, felt off to not have Inuyasha beside her. Sometimes, it was the little things that brought a smile to appear. A genuine smile.
Kagome was brave, fierce, and selfless. That, alone, was gorgeous. And, Wakana was trying to bring that inward appearance outward so Kagome could see the exact way she was looking at her.
Shinosuke took a moment. He noticed the small hint of pink on her cheeks, the way she’d nervously been pinching her lips together since the moment they’d stepped outside - which had inadvertently created a nice, rosy hue, the way her hair was waving just a little bit more than before due to the slight humidity. He smiled softly, tilting his head to the side.
“I think you’re beautiful. I think you worry too much, and that if you just stood up a little straighter, held your head up a little higher, and allowed yourself to step out of your comfort zone, you’d own your radiance. I think you could stop men in their tracks, and I think it’d be cute to see how confused you are when it happens, because you seem just air-headed enough not to understand what sort of affect you have on people. Even looking as worn out as you did yesterday, you were pretty. Right now, you’re - Kagome, you’re beautiful.”
He’d said it directly, compassionately, kindly. It wasn’t from a place that would make her stiffen with shyness, but a place that made her smile from genuine benevolence.
“Thank you.” She said. “You’re pretty, too.”
Shinosuke laughed, patting Kagome’s head and redirecting her to walk along the path through the courtyard.
At the very edge, before the entrance from town and just before Shinosuke turned her around, a little girl with her brother ran up, hand-in-hand. A soft rumble of thunder struck in the distance, and the smell of rain had become just a little heavier in the passing minutes. Yet, the children seemed untroubled by the threat, staring wide-eyed at Kagome.
“Mayu, no. Go home.” Shinosuke quickly said as she opened her mouth. “Not right now.”
“But -“ The little girl quickly went to argue, but her brother was already trying to tug her away. He seemed unwelcoming, protective, and the one that liked to steer a little more on the careful side.
“Has anything I’ve ever said been negotiable?” Shinosuke asked in a firm tone.
“No, but -“
“Then, go home. Your mother probably doesn’t even know you’re out here, am I right?”
“Yes.” Satoru claimed with contempt. “Mayu didn’t want to listen to me and decided to sneak out while mom was napping. So, I came with her. Sorry, Shinosuke. We’re leaving.”
“No, I need to talk to her.” Mayu tried again a little louder, stomping her foot for added effect.
“Not right now, you don’t. Satoru, is your mother unwell again?”
“Yes. Unfortunately.” The identical boy answered.
“Mayu, come on.” Shinosuke bargained, kneeling down before the two children. “Please, don’t stress her out further right now. Wait for the storm to pass, at least. You know how much your mom worries about you. You need to give people time to adjust and recover. You aren’t the only person to consider here.”
Kagome could see the little girl fighting herself. Her dark eyes bounced from Shinosuke to her and then back to the guard, nostrils flaring at her frustrated huff.
“Be patient. Now’s not the time to be selfish. Go home.”
“Fine.” She grumbled, and then darted a glare toward Kagome, catching her completely off guard. “But, I’ll be back!”
Shinosuke stood, returning to Kagome’s side as the two children ran off down the street, taking an alley corner.
“Why - why did I feel like that was a threat?” Kagome warily asked.
“Eh, she’s harmless. Mayu’s rough around the edges, for sure, but she’s a good kid. Satoru’s the one you should watch. He used to be this timid boy a couple of years ago, barely spoke, hid behind his twin sister, the works, but then one day he just switched. Mayu comes off tough, but her brother’s the one that’ll actually scare you. Believe me.” He said, placing his hand at her mid back to turn her around to head back through the courtyard garden.
“Well, what was it she wanted to talk to me about? It seemed urgent.”
“It’s not. She’s just pushy. I can guarantee she’ll be back, hopefully at a more appropriate time, and she’ll be able to bug you then. If you’re okay with that, of course. If not, tell me now. I’ll be able to keep her at bay.”
“Why wouldn’t I be okay with that?”
“Because, you’re a conjurer. And, she’s going to bring that up.”
“Ah, that’s right. She asked me yesterday, but the headman stopped her.”
“I know it’s a touchy subject. She’s going to be a ten year old, and she’s not going to understand boundaries.”
Kagome pressed her lips together again, grazing her fingers over the large leaves that waited for their next dosage of moisture as they strolled along.
“Thing about her is, she keeps secrets better than any adult I’ve ever met. So, if you’d like to see what she has to ask you but you’re worried about you’re answers getting out, don’t be. Mayu would take it to the grave. And, Satoru - because they come in a pair - barely speaks to begin with, and his loyalty lies with his twin. If she’s keeping a secret, so is he.” Shinosuke added, carefully maneuvering Kagome around a puddle.
“It’s alright.” She spoke softly, smiling. “I don’t mind. I’ll talk with her next -“
“There you are!” Wakana cheerfully greeted from over the second story bannister, overlooking the courtyard. “I’ve been looking for you two.”
“What’s up?” Shinosuke asked.
“Inuyasha’s awake. Kagome, would you like to see him?”
Kagome’s heart gave a heavy thump in her chest, and her skin ignited in an excited eruption of warmth. With an anxious breath, she nodded eagerly, rushing the rest of the way toward the main house where Wakana agreed to meet them on the first floor.
“Here’s the thing: he’s a little grumpy at the moment. Not very talkative, speaks with more grunts than words, seems perpetually upset but won’t admit he’s in any pain when we ask…” Wakana mentioned as she guided them through the corridors.
“That’s actually normal.” Kagome replied, pursing her lips.
“Is it?”
“Oh, yeah.” She remarked, nodding. “Inuyasha’s not known for his compassion, I’ll tell you that. He likes to handle things on his own, so I’d say, if he’s not wincing or yelling at you, he’s fine.”
“Oh, okay. Well, in that case, he’s pretty lively. He’s sitting up with minimal problem, but he’s been asking for you. I told him to eat and we’d go and find you after, but he refused. Said he didn’t want food. Or medicine. He really should have something in his stomach before his next dose - given he stops declining it. Maybe you could convince him to try and eat?” Wakana inquired, turning to look at Kagome while they walked as she was a few steps behind.
“He doesn’t listen to me.” Kagome objected with a modest shake of her head.
Both Wakana and Shinosuke shot surprised looks at her, and Kagome felt herself go on cautious alert, almost freezing.
“You’re kidding.”
“No?” She replied, confused. “Inuyasha never listens to me.” Kagome reiterated.
“I’m sorry, I sort of thought you two were on a… how do I put it? I sort of thought you two were on a level where you take each other’s advice.”
“Oh, Inuyasha’s stubbornness puts mine to shame. He doesn’t like to be told what to do. All it does is make him want to do the exact opposite. And, if I give him advice, he just thinks it’s nagging.”
“Wait, hold on, hold on. Pause.” Shinosuke said, stopping in the middle of the hall with a hand held out to halt her. Kagome’s wide eyes landed on him, lips parted in question. “What are you two?”
There was hesitation, dubiety, as Kagome did a gentle sway from side to side before finally speaking again. “What - uh - what do you mean?”
“Like, what are you and Inuyasha?”
Kagome glanced back and forth from Shinosuke to Wakana, noticing the same question was written all over Wakana’s face. “I - I don’t -“
“You know exactly what I’m asking.”
“I - uh - we are… friends.”
“Uh-huh, why did that sound like a question?” Shinosuke interrogated, crossing his arms over his chest while he arched a brow, smirking now.
“I-it wasn’t. It wasn’t.” She ended up saying with more confidence the second time. “We’re friends.”
“You’re friends?”
“We’re friends.” Kagome couldn’t help the nervous smile she’d cracked that time. She bit the inside of her lip, her swaying growing more obvious to speak of her discomfort and uncertainty. And, she cursed herself for that as she fiddled with the long sleeves of her borrowed dress.
“Are you sure?”
“We’re friends. We’re friends. We’re friends.” Kagome repeated awkwardly, nodding as she looked back and forth between the two. “We’re friends.”
“Say it one more time, you might just convince yourself.” Shinosuke remarked, chuckling.
“We’re -“ Kagome caught herself, pinching her lips together as she deflated slightly.
“I’m so sorry,” Wakana started, grimacing. “I thought you two might have been in a relationship. We all did.”
“Everyone thinks that?” Kagome apprehensively asked.
“Could you blame us?” Shinosuke spoke, amused. “I don’t know friends who sleep that close to each other. Not the way we found you two.”
“Well, maybe you should try it.” Kagome feigned attitude, pursing her lips. “It’s comforting.”
“Mhm, I know. I sleep like that with Wakana.” He sassed right back.
Kagome’s attention snapped Wakana’s way just in time to watch her roll her eyes.
“We’re engaged.” She said.
“Oh,” Kagome nodded. “Well, that makes sense.”
“Doesn’t it?” Shinosuke pressed, laughing as he caught Kagome in her own shock.
She’d opened her mouth to speak, to say anything in defense, but nothing came out. She was flustered and confused.
“It’s okay not to know.” He chuckled, patting her head again. “But, I gotta tell you, you’re not just friends.”
An overwhelming sense of bashfulness washed over Kagome then. Her face went hot and she ducked it. She couldn’t remember a time she’d blushed so horribly, and as she gazed down at the floor, she caught how red her chest even appeared at the bottom of her eyes. Her feelings were obvious. By now, she got that. Being called on it didn’t change how humiliating it was, and it only increased her confusion.
Shinosuke placed his hands on her shoulders, guiding her to walk down the hall while she couldn’t help but continue to hide her embarrassment. She and Inuyasha were friends. That wasn’t a lie. But, she couldn’t speak for his feelings. If anyone were to ask her how he felt about her, the only things she was certain about were his undeniable protectiveness, his caring nature whenever she wasn’t feeling well or they were alone, and that she annoyed the absolute hell out of him. If Shinosuke and Wakana were to have asked Kagome for her individual feelings for Inuyasha though, her answer would have been different. And, much more rattled. Because, she cared about Inuyasha now more than she cared even for herself. She appreciated the hanyou more than the water she drank or the food she ate. She had an attachment to him she never wanted to think about giving up. And, after witnessing his brutal injury yesterday, seeing blood stain his body, having to catch him as he fell, she dreadfully feared losing him in more ways than one. She felt it all so deeply. To the point where she couldn’t sleep last night unless she was touching him. To the point where he was on her mind constantly in their mandatory separation. To the point where the closer they got to his quarters, the more unnerved and stable she felt herself becoming - like a walking case of contradiction.
But, the moment the door was open, and Wakana walked in ahead of them to greet whatever staff was alongside the hanyou, and Shinosuke released her shoulders to enter in before him, and the moment her brown eyes found Inuyasha sitting on his futon, lower body covered by the blanket, back leaning against the wall, and torso heavily bandaged, all of those thoughts faded away. They were insignificant and superficial. They didn’t match up to the way he sat up a little taller at her appearance, bringing a small cringe of pain from his lips. They didn’t equate to the way she watched the breath leave his inflated chest, and how his golden eyes stayed on her as she hurried across the room to him. They didn’t matter in the face of how much she just needed to be right next to him at that very instant, and those thoughts that had her feeling scared had vanished completely. Maybe it was momentarily, but that was inconsequential. Because, she was just inches from his arm now, she could smell his clean scent, and she could feel the body heat that reached her like a hand that pulled her in.
Inuyasha had finally caught her scent again. It was something he hated about stormy weather. Rain clouded his olfactory system, and if something or someone wasn’t close by, he’d never be able to tell where they were. It was different to sleep without her aroma near him, and he was sure that if it weren’t for whatever drugs they kept putting in his body, he’d have never drifted off in the first place. The moment he regained consciousness not too long ago, noticing women by his side that weren’t Kagome, cleaning his wounds, changing his wrappings, he felt out of sorts. All he could think about was her, worry about was her. Who were these women? Where was Kagome? She’d been hurt the day before. Was she being taken care of? He vaguely remembered a woman telling him Kagome was being carefully protected for his own peace of mind the last time he was awake, but that was no fucking comfort whatsoever. He didn’t trust anyone with her, let alone someone he had never fucking met, himself.
The moment her calming scent, subtle and light, found its way into his sensitive nose, Inuyasha was on alert, watching the door to his room and ignoring the staff that had been left with him. They were trying to get him to take medicine, trying to get him to lay back down if he wasn’t going to eat so they could put a cooling rag on his head for his splitting migraine, but it was as if they weren’t even there anymore the second he sensed Kagome coming. Then, she entered, and even coherent thought ceased to exist.
That dress. That dress adorning her fair skin. It was both cruel to him and enticing. It complimented her figure, it flowed around her legs, it belonged to her body and should never be replaced. Kagome sped across the floor to rejoin him at his side, cutting off his clear view, and he found himself dissatisfied. He wasn’t done. She couldn’t enter a room like a goddess here to grace his presence and not give him ample timing to properly memorize the image.
Still, be that as it may, his gaze followed her. It wasn’t an order his brain gave to his eyes and head as she sat by his damaged arm, anxious and relieved. Inuyasha legitimately couldn’t take his eyes off of her. If he had that sort of control, if he did himself the injustice by looking away before he was ready, he would have cursed himself for days to come. If he couldn’t take her all in, he was going to take in as much as he could.
He was breathless, dazed, but in his right mind. Kagome had him captivated. She walked in and her smile reached his soul. All at once, he was stunned and comforted. And, he was grateful.
She’d asked him if he was okay. He hadn’t heard her words, spoken so lightly, but he’d watched her lips move. With his left hand, Inuyasha reached across to her, his finger gently rubbing just beneath her chin as he nodded. He was going to speak, but his amber irises fell to her shoulders, the skin he’d yet to be fortunate enough to really see until now. Small, brown and tan freckles dotted her shoulder. There weren’t an abundance, but there were just enough to steal his focus. With everything in him, he wanted to kiss each and every one, and with everything in him, he reminded himself that it was the wrong place at the wrong time.
“This arm,” Kagome mentioned, looking down at the bandaged shoulder and bicep. “You can’t really move it, can you? I should switch to the other side.”
She glanced to the woman that occupied his left, about to ask if she’d mind switching with her before Inuyasha finally spoke.
Now was his chance. The golden opportunity. “No, it’s - it’d be better if you sat in front of me. My neck’s stiff, so turning it sucks right now.” He fibbed.
“Oh, okay.” She obliged with a nod, scooting herself to sit by his thigh. Her back was now turned to the entrance, fully facing her companion as she gently leaned against his leg. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah. Better.” Now he could get a perfect look at her.
Kagome was trying not to concentrate on his torso, on the wrappings that dressed his bare core. It would only increase her obvious concern, and it wasn’t something she wanted to immediately bother Inuyasha with. Instead, she occupied her sights with anything else; his fingers that rubbed against the blanket covering him, his soft gaze on her, his long hair that wasn’t held captive in a high ponytail like she was so used to, then the tray of food at his side.
“You haven’t eaten, have you?” Though she knew the answer already, she figured it was respectful to allow him to speak for himself.
Inuyasha looked down to his untouched food, the bowl of fruit, the bread, the meat, the rice. He couldn’t think about eating before when all that occupied his mind was Kagome. He needed to know she was okay before he even considered taking a bite.
“No.” He lightly replied.
“Did you eat this morning?”
He shook his head.
“That means the last time you ate was yesterday morning, Inuyasha.” She gently reminded, her brow curved in concern. “Do you not have an appetite, or -“
“Have you eaten?” Inuyasha interrupted, eyeing her.
He noticed the way the hollow of her throat emphasized with her inhale as her lips sealed for a second, her shoulders tensing the slightest bit. She was quick to relax, her fingers playing with the loose skirt of her dress. “Yeah, I ate not too long ago.”
“Did you?” He questioned skeptically.
“I did.” Kagome nodded.
The hanyou looked over to the tall guard at the far end of the room, standing next to the woman he’d seen more often than Kagome in the last twenty-four hours. “You the one who’s watching her?”
“I am.”
“What’s your name?”
“Shinosuke.”
“Has she eaten? She tends to not be able to stomach much when she’s uncomfortable or anxious.”
Kagome stiffened at the correct observation. She hadn’t realized Inuyasha paid attention to the mundane details of her characteristics, especially well enough to be able to relay it to others. That was something she didn’t much talk about, nor necessarily know when or how to bring up. So, she’d eat a little when food was placed before her to curb worry, but when her stomach told her to stop, she’d heed the warning.
Shinosuke fought his smug grin, watching the conjurer slowly duck her head. Though he couldn’t see her face from where he stood, he knew - just fucking knew - she was blushing again. Yeah, okay. They’re friends, alright.
“She had some fruit a couple of hours ago. Didn’t eat it all.”
“Just fruit?” Inuyasha’s attention shifted back to Kagome.
“More than you’ve eaten.” She remarked.
He chuckled lightly. She had him there. “I’ll share with you. I’m not that hungry, either.”
“We can go get her her own plate. It’s no trouble at all.” The housemaid on his left said, but Inuyasha shook his head.
“We’ll share. It’s fine.” It was his own way of protecting her from feeling obligated to eat more than she could handle out of sheer courtesy.
Kagome looked at the food as he placed the tray on his lap. The heavier stuff was incredibly unappealing. It looked like it tasted great, but the thought of eating it had her tummy turning upside down. In silent communication to her partner, she glanced from the meal to the hanyou, sucking in her bottom lip nervously.
Inuyasha understood what she was conveying. She really couldn’t eat too much right now. “You like strawberries, right?”
“Mhm.” She hummed, her tone small.
“Here.” Inuyasha picked the strawberries out of his bowl, putting them in the corner of the tray nearest her.
“But -“
“I don’t like them.” He lied. Inuyasha knew she was about to reject, not wanting to take the option of something sweet from him that he may enjoy, but he really didn’t care. He wanted her to eat, and if she liked them, she could have them all.
Both Shinosuke and Wakana had pressed their lips firmly together to hide their grins, giving each other little side glances as their surprise continued to escalate. Their hanyou guest was now eating, something Wakana couldn’t get him to do no matter how much she'd tried. How did Kagome question anything? How did she not see what everyone else could see? It was innocent and adorable, and a crime to interrupt.
“Ladies, let’s give them some space.” Wakana suggested, clapping her hands together once. “There’s no need for us to be here right now.”
The few staff in the room bowed slightly in compliance and rose to leave, the patter from their feet heard as they trailed toward the door.
“I’ll be back in a little while to give you some medicine. If you need anything in the meantime, we’ll be down the hall.”
Finally, they were left alone. Inuyasha felt the tension in his shoulders relax a little. Having eyes on him all the time was stressful and he fucking hated it. While he knew they were merely being kind and doing their jobs, it was still something he’d never grow accustomed to. More than that, Kagome was right where she belonged. No one was taking her away, no one was disrupting their time for the moment, and no one was playing bodyguard to the person he was supposed to protect.
“I need you to eat a little bit more than fruit, Kagome.” He tried, tearing off a chunk of his bread for her. “This or rice.”
“Tear that piece in half and you’ve got a deal.” She wagered.
“Nope.” He chuckled again, giving a minor wince from the pain it brought his abdomen. He recovered, hoping she hadn’t seen, but it was Kagome. Of course, she’d noticed. Her brown eyes were large with worry, a frown appearing, and she sat up a little straighter in preparation to help in any way she could had he needed any. “I’m fine.” Inuyasha assured.
She didn’t speak, sights drifting down to his bandaging. It was like she was waiting for blood to reappear.
“Hey,” The hanyou reached forward, taking her chin in his fingers and bringing her attention back up to his face. “Stop it. I’m okay. Eat the bread.”
“Your arm -“
“I can move it.” He mentioned, releasing her and giving her the chunk he’d torn off. “I just cant reach up or anything. Not yet. Give it another day or two.”
Not wanting to upset him right now, she decided not to argue or fight him on eating. If all he was requesting was for her to eat a few pieces of strawberries and a small chunk of bread, she could handle that.
He’d eaten as much as he could too, and as soon as they were finished, he placed the tray off to his side, leaving it there to be forgotten. Inuyasha went right back to taking the conjurer in, allowing the image of her in that dress to burn into the forefront of his mind. That soft shade of pink complimented her so well, especially when her face tinted just a bit darker. The glitter on her cheeks was a nice touch, but her hair dressed half up the way it was suited her so fucking well. It was cute. She was gorgeous. He was awestruck.
Kagome had caught him looking, quickly growing shy. Remembering the lower cut of her bust, Kagome covered the cleavage that showed, desperately not wanting to make him uncomfortable right now. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay.” Inuyasha was swift to assure, reaching for her wrist and pulling it away. “Go back to how you were.”
Her skin was warm, and as her hand landed on her thigh, his own wandered down, playing with the fabric over it.
“Do you like it?” She asked curiously.
“Don’t make me answer that.” He tried not to let his tone convey how imperative it was that she didn’t push him in that direction. Inuyasha would lose his composure. He was already riding a fine line, but if he said yes, he’d feel compelled to further admit just how dangerous it was for him to be so near her while she looked like this. His heart wasn’t fairing well as it was. He wasn’t sure he could handle voicing that on top of it.
Kagome couldn’t help but grow increasingly nervous. He seemed hardened, maybe a little put off. Even though his fingers were continuously playing with the length of her dress, skimming her thigh over and over, she couldn’t help but worry with that answer that the clothing didn’t suit her as well as she’d thought.
“Do you hate it?” She unintentionally asked, her voice carrying smaller.
Amber eyes shot up to hers, then drifted down over the curve of her body. He hadn’t meant to come off any sort of negative way, though he understood how it’d happened. Hate. It was laughable to imagine that, given his current state of mind. If she had a way in, she’d understand that hate was far from what he actually felt.
“No. Not at all.” Inuyasha answered, sucking in a breath to keep himself grounded. Her scent was heavy and soothing, and as he found himself staring at her plush lips, he realized that the strawberry tint had him wanting to kiss her now more than any other time he’d considered it. Unfortunately, he couldn’t even blame the medicine for the thoughts that wouldn’t quiet this time. In an attempt to silence them anyway, he continued to speak. “Where did this come from?”
“Wakana. She likes to make dresses.” Kagome answered, a smile curving her lips upward.
“Is she the lady that woke us up this morning?”
“Yeah, that’s her. She’s the headman’s daughter.”
“Oh, that’s right. I vaguely remember her mentioning that, but I was fucking out of it when she did.”
“She’s super nice. Unfortunately, my clothes didn’t survive, so I’m stuck borrowing some until we figure something out. She mentioned making me something, but it might be easier for everyone if we just head to a shop.” She said, fighting her instinct to adjust her dress again.
“Did your bodice make it?” Inuyasha smirked teasingly. As he watched a dramatic pout form on her lips, he really had to put effort into not laughing. The motion would only hurt him, and he wasn’t sure she needed that right now - though she’d have to deal with the amused expression he couldn’t hide.
“It tore.” Kagome whined.
“Called it.”
“Shut up.” She gave a light smack on his thigh, her pout remaining.
It wasn’t like he hadn’t noticed the bandage on her head, or the one on her knuckles, and it was impossible to ignore the scrape he’d gotten a peek at on the back of her shoulder and the redness that didn’t belong on her cheekbone. It just wasn’t something he wanted to talk about first. Now that they were in the realm of the subject, Inuyasha grabbed her hand, pulling her to lean closer to him so he could push her bangs out of the way. No blood seeped through the bandage, so at least he knew it wasn’t bad. Still, his memory of her condition was extremely foggy.
He hadn’t forgotten the horrible amount of blood staining her stomach and arm, though. How could he? That, unfortunately, stayed with him even while he was unconscious. Without warning, Inuyasha’s palm found her waist and he pressed against it gently, feeling for wrappings he was worried she would lie about. When he felt nothing, his hand continued to travel over the general area he’d remembered the blood being in. If she winced, he’d feel awful but at least he’d know she was wounded and couldn’t keep it from him.
“What are you doing?” Kagome asked, concerned. Inuyasha didn’t answer, but his earlier amusement had gradually vanished, shifting to something pressing and off. His jaw was clenched, but instead of the furrowed look of his brow she’d grown used to, it was curved upward in distress.
The only flinch she’d made was when he pinched around her ribs, and he knew he’d only tickled her; it wasn’t one of pain. Still, he searched, breaking from her abdomen momentarily to pull her right arm out of the part in the loose sleeve, looking for signs of wounds. The flesh wasn’t broken at all along her forearm, but still she’d been covered in blood. She’d said it wasn’t hers, but there was so much. There was so fucking much. It was like he was realizing his worst fear, and all that flashed through his mind was how that green shirt clung to her stomach wherever the crimson had soaked.
“Were you hurt? What happened, Kagome?” He finally asked, once more touching her waist to feel if he’d missed something.
“I’m fine.” She’d stated, almost unsure. But, then it clicked. She understood what he was looking for. “No, no. That blood wasn’t mine. I was attacked by a demon, but that was his blood. I swear.”
“Kagome, how the fuck…” It wasn’t that he was exasperated. It was that he desperately needed to know. He’d agitated his nerves just now, and all he could think about was her hurt, mortally wounded while he couldn’t get to her.
“Do you want to see? Would that help? There’s nothing there, I promise.”
“Show me.” The hanyou hastily agreed.
She was quick to oblige, reaching for a clean towel off to the side. Skillfully, she shoved it beneath her dress to blanket the upper portion of her thighs, covering up what didn’t need to be seen as she then pulled the skirt up to expose her tummy. Kagome allowed him to look as long as he needed, to feel the skin of her abdomen, to reach around to her back and feel for any bandages or wounds - the both of them ignoring his grunt and wince as he leaned forward for better reach.
“It wasn’t mine.” Kagome swore again, lowering her garment as he sat back against the wall. She discarded the towel and breathed out, ready to relay the events that had unfolded. “The demon came out of nowhere, and grabbed me from behind. My arrows spilled everywhere, so it turned into a head-on fight. I got him pretty good.” She smirked with the hint of pride, raising her right hand as she looked down at her bandaging.
Inuyasha tenderly took her fingers, bringing it closer to him. Her knuckles were wrapped tight, and to his dismay, there was the slightest hint of pink poking through the off-white wrappings. He didn’t release her hand. He didn’t want to. He lightly stroked his thumb over her wound, lowering it to his thigh to hold there as he glanced back at her to get the rest of the story.
“The blood came from me stabbing him. He was on top of me so I used my dagger to get him in the side.”
“With purification?” He inquired.
“Of course.” Kagome answered.
“So, he’s dead?”
The memory of the demon’s body collapsing on top of her lit up in her mind, and her throat tightened. Swallowing thickly to try and subdue the discomfort, to try and keep it all from view so Inuyasha didn’t have that to add to his list of worries as well, Kagome took in a breath and nodded. “Yes. He’s dead.”
The hanyou let that information sink in, remaining quiet as he now held her hand with the both of his. His thumbs played over the bandaging, calloused skin scratching on the cloth’s surface, but when it skimmed down to her soft flesh, he felt a small sense of peace spread over him. So, he kept up that action, over and over rubbing his thumbs across her knuckles and toward the uncovered skin, then back. She took care of herself, just like she’d proved she could. Just like he knew she could. He would have felt better ripping that fucker to shreds, though. He’d said it before and he’ll say it as many times as necessary: no one touches Kagome.
Still, he was extremely proud of her. She held her own and then appeared in the nick of time to help his ass out. What a fucking woman.
“In that case, you look pretty good for someone who went toe-to-toe with a demon.” He lightly chuckled.
“Thank you.” She playfully grinned, raising her shoulders in feigned smugness. “I had to show him who was boss.”
“Honestly, I’m starting to think you could actually kick my ass.”
“Nah, that guy was just cocky and talked too much. I used all of that against him, pinned him down, and punched him in the face.”
“You punched him in the face?” He laughed, regretting it but that time he was able to properly hide his discomfort.
“Yes!” Kagome tightened the fingers he held. “He had sharp teeth, so it cut my knuckle, that jerk. But, I still got him.”
She was fucking cute as all hell as she raised her left arm and flexed her bicep, the slit in the long sleeves opening to fall away so he could see the definition. It brought the biggest smile to Inuyasha’s face. She really was okay. She was perfect.
“So, I take it you saw?” Inuyasha had to ask, his grin dwindling to a small, careful one. He found himself needing to know what was going through her mind. Why was she so anxious? Sure, it was unpleasant to be separated while he was wounded; he could see himself physically throwing people off of him that tried to keep him away from her had their positions been swapped. But, he remembered the way she looked when she came in last night. He vividly remembered her visible fear, the frown, but worst of all, there was a vague remembrance of her expression this morning. When Wakana woke them up and Kagome noticed his stomach. The way she’d stopped breathing and looked damn close to panicking. Of course, she’d seen the extent of his damage. He’d hoped she hadn’t seen it uncovered. But, had she seen it take place? “Moryomaru, when he… Did you?”
Her own smile faded then, and after a deep breath, she scooted herself a little closer to his torso, careful of how she leaned on his hip. She took one of his hands then, placing it in her lap as she busied herself, running her fingers over the lines of his palm. Brown eyes could no longer meet amber, instead staring down at the trail she left over his skin. It had been impossible to get that image out of her mind. Kagome knew it was something that, much like Shinosuke had mentioned, would stick with her forever. The only reason it wasn’t crippling her was because she knew Inuyasha was alive, and his condition was only improving.
“Yeah,” She breathed. “I saw.”
“Ah, fuck.” Inuyasha groaned. “I was really fucking hoping you hadn’t since you were busy fighting someone.”
“Our fight ended just before.”
“Kid, I’m sorry.”
“What?” Her gaze shot up to his, her upper lip curled in question. “For what?”
“If I had seen that happen to you, I would have lost my mind. I can only imagine what you felt watching that. I didn’t mean to make you worry. Fuck, that’s why you haven’t been eating, isn’t it?”
She softened, allowing her fingers to trail over the veins of his forearm for a moment. When her nail gently skimmed the thin skin of his inner elbow, she noticed a small twitch from him. A tickle spot.
“No, that’s not it.” Kagome admitted, the corners of her lips very subtly raising. “Well, I guess it’s a contribution, but really it’s because I miss you. I should be right next to you so I know you’re okay every second of the day, but I can’t be and I don’t like that. I don’t feel content not hearing you call me an idiot or kid or something mean because you’re unconscious, and not being able to help in any way doesn’t sit right with me. But, I also understand that they’re right to pull me away. You need to rest. And, you wouldn’t with me here.”
She was breaking him. He could feel any remaining borders between them beginning to shatter like glass with each statement she spoke. Her sincerity was his welcomed demise. The power Kagome had over him with her honesty was so much more incredible than Inuyasha could have ever imagined, and his heart climbed into his throat. How did she say that all so easily? How did she brighten even the worst of his days? She missed him.
Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he caught the sound of walking approaching. Inuyasha outwardly cursed, knowing that it was Wakana coming to force his next dose down his throat and Kagome’s temporary guard coming to take her away. With the remaining seconds he had, he looked back to the conjurer, bringing her right hand to his lips as he kissed her damaged knuckle just before releasing her.
“Sneak back over tonight.”
Kagome’s heart gave a heavy thump inside of her ribcage, damn near bruising the bones in its excitement. With a nervous agreement, Kagome nodded, trying to keep composure as even she caught the footsteps and comprehended his reaction.
The door slid open and in walked Wakana, the housemaid Kagome had threatened the day before, and Shinosuke with his notorious smirk. The housemaid remained by the wall, visibly uncomfortable as she refused to make eye contact with either she or Inuyasha. With a grimace, Kagome’s attention flew over to her companion, silently communicating with an awkward but amused expression that she knew exactly what the girl’s stiffness was about.
Inuyasha read her well. He’d remembered her mentioning she’d almost fought someone to stay with him, and given the housemaids opposition to near either, and Kagome’s humored but ashamed smile, along with the way her eyes flickered between the woman and he, he put two-and-two together. With as much effort he could muster, he tried - really tried - to fight back his laughter. For the sake of the housemaid’s dignity, Kagome’s embarrassment, and his sore abdomen. Still, a small snort left his nose, and he ducked his head to the side to try and further stifle it.
“Matsu, would you mind brewing the tea? Remember, three dashes this time.” Wakana spoke, putting her aid to work. The woman gave a feeble nod, immediately doing as requested but still keeping her head low.
“That woman’s fine whenever you’re not around.” Inuyasha whispered to Kagome, giving a small tug to a section of her free length of hair. Another amused but embarrassed grimace came from her in response as she covered her grin with her hand so that Matsu wouldn’t see how funny this was to her. “You fucking troublemaker.”
“Ready to go?” Shinosuke asked from the doorway.
Kagome peered at him from over her shoulder, curling her upper lip in disdain before turning back to Inuyasha.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Wait.” He ordered quietly just as she began to stand, wagging his finger so she’d lean in closer. As she did, her brows arched in curiosity, he asked, “This guy, is he trustworthy? Do you feel safe with him?”
“Well, he skillfully protected me from a ten year old so far, so he’s not half bad.”
“Seriously, Kagome.” He deadpanned.
“Um, I’m - I’m not lying.” She liked that Inuyasha couldn’t help but crack half a smile there as he rolled his eyes. “He’s attentive, and pretty cool. Likes to joke around, but I can tell he’s serious about his duties. Follows me everywhere -“
“Has he touched you?”
“Yeah, but only appropriately. Unless he’s being a jerk and carrying me out of the room over his shoulder.”
“Like I’m about to.” Shinosuke commented with a chuckle, strutting forward. “You know, you two don’t whisper as quietly as you think you do.”
Inuyasha leveled a glare at the guard as he kneeled right beside Kagome, looking him once over.
“What’s up?” He asked, smiling, unfazed by the clearly unwelcoming attitude the hanyou presented. “Ah, I get it. You don’t know me, so you don’t know if you can trust me with Kagome here. Alright, what would you like to know? Name’s Shinosuke, I’m twenty-four, used to be a chubby kid, favorite color’s red, I like long walks on the beach -“
“Knock it off.” Inuyasha drawled. “You’re not making me like you.”
“Not trying to. That’s not in my pay grade.”
“Shinosuke!” Wakana warned, approaching. “Inuyasha, I’m sorry. He’s got awful people skills, but he is in charge of our guards. With everything you two did for our people, and with how protective papa noticed you were of Kagome, he felt it would give you peace of mind to know our very best was watching over her.”
“Just leave her with me. She’ll be fine. She doesn’t want to go, anyway.”
“And, what’s to happen to her while you’re in your medicinally-induced coma?” Shinosuke challenged, that smug grin never fading.
“Kagome can take care of herself.”
“So, you’d rather she be left alone to worry about you. Alright. Makes my life easier.” He shrugged, rising to a stand.
“Oh, you son of a bitch.” Inuyasha ground out through clenched teeth. He turned to Wakana. “I don’t like the mind games he plays.”
Wakana quickly used the back of her hand to slap Shinosuke’s arm, silently reprimanding him with her scowl. The guard winced, grimacing but still laughing.
“What? I got through to him.”
“Just take her.” Inuyasha rolled his eyes pridefully, giving Kagome’s thigh one last stroke of his palm.
“You heard the man. Come on, tiny might.” Shinosuke boasted, reaching to grab the back of Kagome’s dress and lift her up.
“That name again?” She complained, following his leverage and quickly standing.
“By the way, you don’t have to worry about me touching her inappropriately.” He said down to Inuyasha as the half demon ground his jaw uncomfortably. “Not that kind of guy, and I’m pretty sure your girl here would twist my pinky off. Not to mention,” He gestured to Wakana. “Fiancee.”
It took a small moment, but after watching Wakana nod in reassurance, Inuyasha found himself relaxing slightly. He still wasn’t a fan of the fact that someone else was looking over Kagome, but it surprisingly eased him a lot to know that there was no physical or romantic attraction taking place. Especially while Kagome looked as she did now. Inuyasha found his shoulders dropping an inch, his frown lessening, and a nod of acknowledgment coming forward.
Without another word, Shinosuke grabbed Kagome’s shoulders and guided her toward the door, stopping after just a few steps to make her face the incoming housemaid that carried the brewed tea over.
“See, Matsu. She’s harmless.”
The woman tensed considerably and ducked her head, eyes landing on the floor while her hands wrapped around the tray even tighter. Kagome was taken aback by the woman’s trepidation, her jaw dropping as she couldn’t help but look back over at Inuyasha. Never in her life had she caused a single person to fear her as much as this woman currently did. Not even her younger brother took her this seriously.
“She’s harmless!” Shinosuke urged, laughing. Even he was surprised by the housemaid’s reaction.
“She - uh - she killed Moryomaru, sir.” Matsu softly said as a way to prove Kagome was, in fact, not harmless.
“You know what, I’ll give it to you. You’ve got me there.” The guard bobbed his head. “You seem fine around Inuyasha, though.”
Matsu didn’t say anything. She merely stood there, eyes on the tray of herbal tea as she bounced from foot-to-foot.
“You - you realize he’s half demon, don’t you?”
“I am aware, sir.” She answered.
“Kagome, you damn ruffian.” Shinosuke snickered, shoving her toward the exit and away from the apprehensive housemaid. “You’re seriously gonna tell me the nickname’s still undeserved?”
“I’m sorry!” She guffawed, stumbling, once more looking back at Inuyasha as she laughed. The hanyou merely watched her exasperatedly, his large hand swiping down his face as he silently communicated his dumbfounded nature.
“You scarred the poor girl!” Shinosuke jokingly harassed, pushing her out the door.
Just before she disappeared, she shared one last, bright smile with Inuyasha, waving goodbye to him with the promise to see him soon.
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