#but you can still find me toe-walking with raptor arms in my kitchen at night eating ingredients out of the fridge with my bare hands

[jobean12-blog]

Finders Keepers

Pairing: Bucky x reader

Word Count: 1,344

Summary: Oreos, Bucky’s Henley and scary movies...

Author’s Note: This is for the continuation of the HBC’s @the-ss-horniest-book-club drunk drabbles and the super fun prompt sent in below. It’s very hard for me to pass up red Henley beefy bucky prompts of any kind. Thank you for this one! I hope you like it! Thank you all for reading! Much love always ❤❤❤

Warnings: Fluff, scary movie with CLOWNS!, flirting, teasing, sassy and sexy Bucky :)

You love being a part of the Avengers team. It had only been a short time since you joined but they accepted you like family. That’s how you found yourself currently sandwiched between the arm rest of the couch and Bucky during movie night. It was Steve’s brilliant idea to watch the remake of ‘It’ and although you told them a million times you were terrified of clowns, they insisted, team bonding and all that.

So now you’re curled into a ball with your head hidden under a pillow and Bucky’s warm body next to yours. A sudden streak of light invades your safe space as Bucky lifts the pillow and peeks his head under. “You ok in here, doll?” You crack open your eyes and focus on his bright blue ones. “Um. Yea. I think. Is the clown gone yet?”

Bucky looks out over the pillow, quickly sneaking back under. “No. He’s not.” You close your eyes again and just nod, hoping he drops the pillow soon. Instead you feel his strong arms wrap around you, turning your body into his and pulling you to his chest. Without looking up you snuggle against his soft tee shirt and take a deep breath, your fingers instinctively gripping the material.

His metal hand combs through your hair, gently twirling the strands around his fingers and you start to relax. At one point he taps your shoulder and you look at him. He smiles, motioning toward the TV and the scrolling end credits. You sit up with a bolt. “It’s over!?” you shout in glee. Bucky throws his head back in laughter and curls his finger under your chin, “yep, the clown is gone doll.”

His gaze drops to your lips before he clears his throat. “Want something to drink?” Not trusting yourself to speak you simply nod a yes, watching as he walks to the kitchen. He reaches the counter and grabs two glasses from the cabinet, filling them with cold water.

You find it hard to tear your eyes away from his body, the tight tee shirt doing nothing to hide his broad chest and bulging biceps. When he sits his shirt rides up and your eyes widen as you catch a glimpse of the soft patch of hair just above the waistband of his pants.

Grabbing the glass of water, you chug half of it hoping to cool yourself off. “Thirsty?” he asks with a chuckle. You almost choke on your drink, realizing that he probably knows you’ve been enjoying the view. “Yea, I didn’t drink anything the whole movie. Too scared to come out of hiding,” you say, hoping to diffuse some of the tension. “I really hate clowns.”

His metal arm rests on the back of the couch and his fingers brush yours as he asks, “any particular reason or just the obvious?” You try to focus on talking but your body is making it difficult, practically humming under his touch. “No childhood trauma or anything like that, just the fact that they are obviously terrifying!”

“I get it. If I had to pick, I’d rather fight an army of aliens!” You laugh, loving how his eyes crinkle around the corners at the sound. “A big, strong guy like you. I think you could take on some clowns.” You say the words while your eyes roam across his wide shoulders, smiling again once your gaze meets his. “So, you think I’m…”

“Hey Bucky. Have you seen my Oreos? I know you’re always stealing and eatin’ ‘em!” You look over Bucky’s shoulder to find a very pissed off Sam standing at the island in the kitchen. Bucky’s jaw clenches as he turns to look at Sam. “This time it wasn’t me. Check Parker’s room, last time I stole them he was eyein’ them too!” Sam stalks off in a huff, mumbling under his breath and Bucky laughs turning back to you.

He opens his mouth to speak only to be cut off again, this time by Peter’s screech as he flies into the common room, Oreos in hand. “HELP!” he shouts, sandwiching himself between you and Bucky. “What the hell Parker! What has your underoos twisted?” Not a second later, Sam walks in the room in a flurry of flying hands and curses. “If you don’t give me back my cookies…” he threatens Peter.

You discreetly reach out, snatching the Oreos from Peter’s hands and running for your life. You manage to make it to your door, opening and closing it so quickly you make wind. With a click you lock it, leaning against the wood. A loud knock vibrates through your head. “Y/n, if you don’t open this door and gimme back my cookies.”

With a snicker you press your face to the wood. “Nope. I’m gonna pour some milk right now and enjoy a few. You’ll get back what’s left later. You all need to learn to share!” You walk away from Sam’s loud knocks and shouts, putting on your music and getting the milk. After enjoying a few cookies, you turn down the music and listen at the door, hearing no sign of any of the boys.

Smiling to yourself you change into your pjs of a tank top and shorts and quietly open the door. Cookies in hand you creep down the hallway toward the kitchen. No one is around and you set the cookies back in Sam’s usual hiding spot, laughing to yourself at the fact none of them realize you knew where it was. You make some tea and go to sit on the couch.

Plopping your butt down you feel something balled up beneath it and quickly stand, picking up what looks to be a shirt. You unravel the material and smooth your hands over the soft red fabric. It’s huge so you’re guessing it must belong to one of the guys. Bringing it up to your nose you inhale, a familiar smell washing over you. You’re still not positive who it belongs to though, so you fold it nicely and set it down on the table.

Settling on the couch you drink your tea while watching some cooking shows, enjoying the quiet. Placing your empty teacup down you shiver, the hot liquid no longer warming your body. Your eyes land on the red Henley on the table and you shrug. Taking the shirt, you unfold it and slowly place it over your head. The soft material feels amazing against your bare arms. It nearly falls to your knees and you giggle, wrapping it closer to your body.

“I see you like to take things that don’t belong to you.” Your body stills at the sound of Bucky’s deep voice, his hot breath next to your ear. You snap your head around and come face to face with him, his lips curled up into a smirk. “I didn’t take it. I’m just…borrowing it.” He slowly walks around the couch, his eyes never leaving yours. “Oh yea. Usually you ask people before you borrow their stuff.”

Crossing your arms over your chest you huff, “well! I don’t know who it belongs to. I was cold. So.” Bucky inches closer, his tall frame towering over you. When his body brushes against yours you’re enveloped by the same smell from before. The same smell that’s on the shirt you’re wearing right now.

“This is your red Henley isn’t it.” It’s more of a statement than a question and when you look up at his face you know you’re in trouble. The best kind. “Mmmm hmmm.” His hand reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear before trailing down your cheek. “You can keep it though.” Your face lights up but not before he continues with, “on one condition. Tell me how you figured out where Sam hides his cookies and let me take you out on a date. Whaddya say?” Standing up on your tippy toes you place a soft kiss to his cheek, whispering, “that’s two things. And the answer is yes to both.”

@aesthetical-bucky @auro-ora @addikted-2-dopamine @azurika-writes @book-dragon-13 @bugsbucky @bucky-on-my-mind @buckys-broody-muffin @devynsdiary @emilylyoness @eurynome827 @hiddles-rose @hailmary-yramliah @hawksmagnolia @ikaris-whore @itsunclebucky @imgaril-lindru @jhangelface0523 @jewels2876 @breezy1415 @kaosera @yansi1923 @loricameback @littledarlinhavefaithinme @littleredstarfish @mushyjellybeans @marvelgirl7 @marvelandotherfandomimagines @nano--raptor @randomfandompenguin @sallycanwait68 @scarletsoldierrr @softpeachbarnes​ @the-wayward-robot​ @when-the-hell-is-bucky​ 

#bucky x reader #bucky x reader fluff #bucky barnes #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x reader fluff #bucky fluff #soft!bucky x reader #soft!bucky barnes #bucky #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes x you #bucky x you #sam wilson #peter parker #avengers #marvel #red henley #bucky's red henley #hbc drunk drabbles #sebastian stan

[alsosprachvelociraptor]

Moo + Quail = late night fic

moo :)

(Half Dino AU, Kenny + LLoyd)

.

Kenny was on his way home, late at night, or early in the morning. The streets of Ronansay at that hour seemed far too wide, deserted, minefields to be careful walking on. He had finally found his balance in the world, even if his life was not that of the rock star he had always dreamed of becoming. He failed that dream, and failed it hard. A humble job on a small island in the Hebrides, lost in the middle of the sea, cold and hostile. It wasn't a happy life, it wasn't a life full of emotions, it wasn’t the life he dreamed, but it was always better than dying on the cold and desolate beach of Ronansay at less than forty years old. It had been years since Kenny almost died there, but since then, life seemed so gray, dull, empty ... ... well, it was, until Kenny learned that special guests had arrived on Ronansay. They weren't human, those bipedal predators that should have been extinct for several million years. The human and dinosaur cultures were technically at peace with each other but, among humans, there was fear and doubts about those other sentient beings, and it was well understandable: dinosaurs were certainly not something that a person imagined finding himself in front of, especially if it was the huge ones with teeth like knives ... Kenny knew that, several years ago, there had been the first contact between humans and dinosaurs, who lived on a distant continent that humans had not known before. Dinosaurs were a civilized society, as much as human society if not more evolved, and by now they often visited human continents as tourists, welcome or not. Often, not. Kenny had learned in the town square that dinosaurs had arrived in Ronansay: on a normal tourist ferry, there were three or four of them, and then they went to who knows where on the island. Everyone lost their track. "They'll be waiting for night to fall, when we are weaker, to eat us all!" Alistair yelled, slamming his fist on the pub counter. "I'll sleep with the gun under my pillow!" His ex, Carolyn, hugged thighter her skinny son, with pale red hair like hers, and his own sharp eyes to her skinny chest - very little of that child resembled the father, if, indeed, the father was Alistair, busy as he was with Abby in the period in which he was conceived. Carolyn was glad she dumped him once and for all. She could not bear arms around her little son. "Ken, will you take me home?" Carolyn asked as she walked over to Kenny, who was sitting at a small table doing his business in the corner and alone as usual. Carolyn was a tall, delicate, skinny woman, and the baby in her arms was as broad as a toothpick. Kenny was a fairly tall man and not overly massive, with strong arms and broad shoulders, and always willing to help anyone who needed him, especially if he was Carolyn. Kenny quite liked her, with her viper eyes and often venomous ways of doing. "Ah-sure, let's go." Carolyn did not live far from the pub, and during the walk she was careful not to move away from Kenny, always remaining pressed to his side. Kenny also wanted to put his arm around her thin shoulders, but he avoided doing it - yes, he was desperate for some sort of physical contact, but not to this point. He almost did it when she felt the air behind him vibrate, sounds in the trees, but Kenny was sure that it was just his imagination when he noticed no reaction in the woman next to him. Carolyn arrived at her home safe and sound, her son held in her arms and before saying goodbye to Kenny, on her doorstep, she gave him a rare smile. "Please, pay attention and stay safe." she whispered to him, before closing the door and locking it firmly. But Kenny, really, didn't care. He had to walk all the way around the island again to return to the miserable apartment where he lived alone, and he had to decide whether to take the secondary roads, shorter but which passed through the uninhabited and dark center of the island, or the promenade, more illuminated but a much longer journey. He opted for the second way. While he was walking, at a fast and a little impatient pace, he heard another sound, always behind him. Yes, he was sure, he was followed. As he quickened his pace, he actually heard movements behind him, the sound of something that resembled footsteps, but not human ones. It was one of them, it was a dinosaur, one of those predators. He turned, but there was still nothing. Only parked cars, nearly bare trees, and cold concrete. But there was someone, he was sure of it! Kenny, in a burst of bravery, took a back road, hoping to hide. If it was a slow and evil beast, and if he had confused that thing enough, it would have let him go without eating him, right? Kenny ran through the alleys, darker and no longer illuminated, hoping that the beast would not see in the dark - but only too late did he realize that no, he himself could not see in the dark, and fell like a bag of potatoes between a grocery store and a building uninhabited, no humans around to help him and a wall behind him to close the road. On the ground, he turned and looked at what was following him. He saw only the jagged and soft contours of a hairy, or perhaps feathered creature, bipedal and approaching him. It had a kind of fan tail, well raised behind its head. His reflective eyes, well suited to the dark, shone with an evil light, as he approached him, closer and closer... It really felt like a scene from the first Jurassic Park movie, which he loved because he wasn't in the middle of it. That thing that was approaching him fast, just like the raptors in the film, the first toe of its feet raised, in a tremendous sickle-shaped claw that even in the dim, distant light of the street lamps sparkled cruelly. Kenny, as he hadn't in years, felt an urgent need to survive. The adrenaline shook his muscles, his breath became faster, and he tried to get up as fast as he could. He slipped on the asphalt and fell again, his arse against the hard road surface. There was a can of coke next to his trembling hand, and he threw that at the beast. The can flipped over with a sharp sound on the creature's snout. “Ouch! Fuck! Are you a fucking idiot? What the fuck! You wanker! " cried the beast. Kenny froze on the spot. The creature brought its clawed paws to its dark muzzle, revealing the short-sleeved shirt it wore over his body. The dark-red haired man stood up, now more calmly, but feeling his heart in his throat beating fast and hard. "You..?" "I." the raptor continued, glaring at him with his eyes eerily illuminated by the dim light. "I was kidding! It was a joke, mate! What the fuck! " kept yelling the dinosaur who, now that they were both back on the main street, looked a lot less like the lethal raptors of Jurassic Park and more like a cute puffy quail in a pet shop. Now that he had begun to speak, he would never stop, and his words continued to flow from his long thin black snout. He was a thin creature all feathers and bones, peach-colored plumage and blue, overly active eyes, moving around to register everything he saw. Kenny noticed that he was dressed, and almost normal, like any human - shirt, shorts and slippers, and even a black backpack that lay on the base of his very long tail, which kept wagging up and down. "My name is Lloyd, I'm a velociraptor." the raptor said, walking behind Kenny, following him in the creepy way he used before - but now Kenny wasn't scared. Why should he be afraid of that little beast, who did not reach upright on his hind limbs even one meter and half? Jurassic Park's raptors were much bigger than him. And they talked less. “I'm from Djadochta, do you know Djadochta? Well I'm from there. I have always lived there with my dad, and this year I decided to go abroad,  to visit humans. My dad gave me the money for this holiday and ... I came here because ... why should I tell you? Fuck me! Anyway, I'm here with my traveling companions, pathetic ornithischians, do you know what an ornithischian is? Those herbivores! Ah, but what do you know, mammal? " Kenny stopped walking, and Lloyd did the same. "And why are you following me?" Kenny asked him, staring into his strangely front-eyes for a bad bird like him. Lloyd shrugged. “I was explaining that! But don't let me explain. See, what happens to interrupt me? Anyway, I'm famous in Djadochta, you know? I am a filmmaker! And I'm here with my crew, but they, who are fucking ornithischians, have been hosted in the hotel, because they are fucking herbivores and don't have these, these and these! " and, in order, he showed to the dark red-haired human the claws at his feet, under the feathers of his arms and the big, curved teeth in his thin mouth. "And I don't know where to sleep." "And do you want me to let you sleep in my home?" Lloyd was silent for a couple of seconds, his tail making several up and down motions before answering. “You look nice. You accompanied that girl with her puppy all the way home. " Kenny stood staring at the creature in front of him, so dangerous and also so small and fragile. He thought he must be little more than a chick, alone and frightened on an island full of unknown mammals. “Okay, you can sleep with me for tonight. But not get used to it, eh, peach? " and he was frowned upon by the raptor. "Peach? What’s that?" "For the colour of your feathers." Lloyd looked at himself, turning his head creepily in a strange angle, and looking at himself, just like some birds with long necks as long as Lloyd's. "Huh? What the fuck you mean? What’s a peach, anyway? " “A fruit - I'll show it tomorrow. Let’s go." Kenny sighed, tired and exhausted from that short but intense adventure, guiding the feathered young man to his apartment. . . "Wow, human houses really suck." muttered Lloyd, shaking off the slippers from his bird-like feet and dropping his backpack a few meters from the entrance, trotting down the short hall and kitchen, peering into the rooms, moving his long neck over the thresholds, into the darkness of the unlit rooms . Lloyd was a nocturnal creature, and darkness was no problem for him. “Would the bed be that square thing? But why square shaped? Shit. Useless corners in those. Why not circle-shaped, are you stupid or what? " "But why should it be a circle! What are you saying!?" Kenny let out almost in a laugh, following him into his humble bedroom, but being careful not to turn on the chandelier. He was afraid he would burn the raptor's eyes, and the last thing he needed right now was a blinded and angry dinosaur in his house. Now, he just needed to sleep. Kenny took off his jacket and threw it on a nearby chair, and then took off his shirt, remaining bare-chested. The shoes flew almost under the bed, and the jeans followed the jacket. Lloyd watched him all the time, eyes bright and irises dilated in complete attention. "Big and hairless beings, they told me about humans." Lloyd muttered to himself, not missing a movement of the man in front of him, who now really felt as if he were participating in a reality show, observed by foreigner eyes. "You are a little less hairless than I expected. Interesting. I hate those bald animals, I think you have a decent amount of fur." Kenny assumed Lloyd was talking about his somewhat hairy chest, red hair all unkempt on his broad pectorals. He wanted so much to cover himself, sitting on the bed only in boxers, but Lloyd also undressed - but that didn't change much. Under his clothes there were only feathers. "Well, then, uh, there's a sofa in the living room..." Kenny began, but Lloyd put his feet on the bed and climbed on it, curled up in a corner, reducing himself to a ball of peach-colored feathers next to Kenny. “How do you humans say? Good night?" Lloyd mocked him a bit, then opened his jaws, yawned, and tucked the long black snout under the wing, the long tail twisted around his body, reducing himself to a ball no bigger than Kenny's chest. The man was sitting on the bed, watching the raptor beside him. He did not mind having someone by his side after so many, too many years, even if it was a slightly too big quail the someone in question. Kenny laid down, reaching out and touching that spiral of feathers - and he was as soft as he imagined. Lloyd didn't react, his muscles relaxed under Kenny's hand, as he stroked that strange body for a while. Then, sinking his face into the pillow, Kenny slipped into a strangely quiet sleep for a man who was sleeping alongside a velociraptor. Well, a raptor was still someone, right?

#Kenny #Lloyd #half dino fic #uhhhh idk :) #cow said hi :) #Very Important ArtTag

[cannibalisticshadows]

can we see LTA!megamind naked??? Good ol' walking-in-on-them-naked kinda situation. give roxie an eyefull. yes. i need that please.

Loving The Alien; Part 16; “Bare”

[Ao3]

Megamind can be quite protective, she’s quick to learn.

After the Hal Incident, he’s hardly left her side. Literally.

“I never should have left,” he said, as if he’d left her in the middle of a battlefield with nothing to defend or guard herself with. “I’m so sorry I took so long. It’s all my fault.”

“Megamind, it’s okay! I’m fine,” she chuckles, glad he’d back but feeling a little cornered from his sudden overwhelming solicitousness.

Roxanne had been too busy trying to deal with Hal to get a good look at him, when he first landed at her balcony. He’s wearing his signature spandex, tall collar and cape with the spiked leather gloves. The works. Typical uniform, and what she’s used to seeing on him. Yet, after all their “nesting” it’s a little weird, or a blast from the past, to see him dressed as the super-villain again. When he runs his hands up her arms and shoulders, checking for any injury Hal might have put on her within the two minutes he was here, she’s ready to roll her eyes.

Yet what really catches her attention now, is that Megamind stinks. Stinks like tobacco smoke and something sticky. There’s dirt smeared on part of his face, a slight scrape on his jaw. His de-gun’s in his belt.

She grabs his shoulders and holds him back, staring at him.

“What happened?”

“What?”

“Megamind, you look like you got into a fight.”

He’s silent for a few seconds. Her eyes go as wide as saucers.

“Megamind!”

“I did say I had to take care of some business,” he scratches the back of his head. “I don’t—Roxanne, I didn’t just blow stuff up as a villain. I have contacts.”

“Contacts,” she deadpans.

“In the underworld.”

She continues to stare at him.

“I don’t wanna be the bad guy anymore,” he reassures Roxanne, bending his head to hers. “But I can’t just let my—contacts—think they can run wild with my sudden ab-seens. Even you must know this city was corrupted and vile before I took charge.”

Took charge, her mind echos numbly. Took charge of what. The underworld? She shivered. In her eyes, Megamind was a big softy hiding beneath spikes, leather, and explosives. It seemed his only goal in life was just to get under Wayne’s skin, on a public scale. Yet Megamind was saying that’s not the whole picture. Good God. What else did she not know about him? Honestly she thought the majority of the smarter criminals just left a life of crime when a superhuman took charge of the city.

But Wayne’s not the only super.

“Okay, um, that’s a lot to unpack. And we’re not going to get in that right now. I’m just glad your back in one piece.”

He exhales in what she thinks is relief.

“But I’m not sweeping it under the rug.”

“Sweep what under the roog?”.

“Did you at least get what you needed? That watch?”

“Yes,” he chirps, and shows his wrist, and the complex looking wrist watch on him.

“Megamind,” she rubs her temples. He fidgets in front of her, shifting from foot to foot. “I need to uh, go out today. We need some groceries.”

The blue alien sniffs. “Makes sense.”

“Do you wanna come with me?”

He tilts his head. “To shop? For—food?”

“That and other things,” Roxanne tells him, padding into the kitchen. “Can that watch of yours really disguise you?”

“Yes!” He insists, and twists the face of the watch.

His whole body shimmers with blue light, crinkling with some electric sound. And then, Megamind is gone and is replaced with some man she’s unfamiliar with. He’s morphed into some man in a biker outfit, similar to what he wore the night his tail was removed but with leather pants instead of jeans. Black hair, sharp chiseled face, same vivid green eyes, though more human-like.

He flourished his arms out and spun around. “Do you like it?”

“I prefer your real face.”

He visibly deflated.

“Not that this isn’t incredible,” she’s quick to reassure him, hands going up in surrender. “Because it is incredible. It’s seems very—convenient.”

“It is!” He whines.

“Okay, sweetheart,” she shakes her head, coming back to him with a cup of water. Handing it to him, she twists the face of his watch like he did, until she’s starting back at the face she fell in love with. Pleased, she pats him on the chest affectionately. He raises an eyebrow at her, but guzzles down her offering in a few big gulps. “Why don’t you go pop in the shower? You stink.”

With faux offense, he gasps and says, “Miss Ritchi!”

“Go on you goof,” she smacks him on the butt, trying not to laugh. “Get clean.”

~.~.~

Roxanne has begun to notice Megamind likes to take long showers. It’s not a bad thing, but how long does he need, especially with no (long) hair? Try as she might, she can’t stop all the thoughts that drift into her mind. What was he doing in there? Standing under the water to simply enjoy it? Well, Roxanne took a shower not too long ago and was in there for a considerable amount of time, and about half an hour had already passed, so the hot water must have run out by now.

Unable to not be curious, and a little concerned as well, Roxanne mounts the stairs and comes to her bathroom door. The shower’s not running, and all she can hear is what sounds like him humming to a rock song. Smiling fondly, she opens the door a crack and sticks her head in thinking nothing of it.

”Hey, Mega—eep!”

Megamind’s stark naked.

She instantly knows because, one, she hasn’t had the privilege to see that much of his blue skin yet. His tail has grown phenomenally the past several days; she’s quick to admit it’s about a foot short of being full grown. It hangs limply as he goes about his business. Secondly, the only hair he has, besides what’s on his chin, is the happy trail on his abdomen. Said trail runs down to his bladder and groin. There’s nothing dangling between his legs; no scrotum or penis to speak of. But there are two little buds, alined beside each other in a V, similar to a penile sheath on a male dog. A slight pink bud peaks out of both. So that’s what’s holding his equipment in.

And, she can see his… feet?

He’s standing before the mirror, bent over and applying some of her eyeliner. One knee’s up against the sink cabinets, and one foot out to give himself some stability. And his toes—

What toes?

Megamind’s has exactly three… toe-like appendages, shaped into three large claws like a raptor’s. Between them is wide translucent webs. They flex against her fluffy white bathroom carpet, making the tattooed alien look quite out of place in her little, feminine bathroom. His tattoo, by the way, was an overly realistic-looking planet on his shoulder. She’s yet to ask him if it’s his home planet, but all signs point to yes.

When he looks up, she sees his face break out into mild panic. The eyeliner smears on his cheekbone and he drops the stick into the sink as he jolts upward. His hands fly to his groin. “Roxanne!”

Yelping, she yanks her head out and shuts the door. “Sorry!”

Her face is burning on a million degrees of embarrassment, for both him and herself. She never intended to get an eyeful of him in his birthday suit so early into their romantic relationship, but guiltily her inner reporter is sated… while her inner lady is absolutely mortified of interrupting his private time.

Still blushing like a bashful filly, Roxanne bolts back downstairs and decides to wait like a normal person. Or at least try to. Especially since she’s well aware what he looks like naked, now. And currently in that state, in her bathroom. It shouldn’t arouse her as much as it already does.

She doesn’t have to wait long, as the bathroom door opens and shuts again. Megamind comes out of her bedroom, dressed in his spandex. Leaning over the railing, catching her eye, he barks, “You!” To make it worse, he wags a finger at her.

“I’m sorry! I wasn’t thinking!”

He harrumphs, marching down the stairs with his arms crossed. “It’s unfair.”

Her brows pinch together. Not the response she was expecting. “Unfair?”

“You saw me,” he explained quietly, almost disappointed. “In fact, you’ve seen just about everything of me!”

“Um.”

He doesn’t expand on this, but grabs his boots from the bottom of the stairs. He plops himself down on the couch, still frowning. Roxanne purses her lips, thinking over what he’s said. Was he… jealous? That she’s seen him naked and he hasn’t?

Oh.

Well then.

Finding it more than a little silly, but also charmed and flattered, she rolls her eyes and gets her own shoes. Seeing it fit to change the subject, she asks, “Did you see Minion? When you went to the Lair?”

He doesn’t answer her right away. “I… did. We’re not on speaking terms,” Megamind states flatly.

“Oh, Megamind… I’m so sorry—do you want me to talk to him or—“

“No, no! No need for that, my dear. I appreciate the sentiment but this is between us. He just—nothing.”

“What?”

“Never mind,” he waves his hand in dismissal.

“No, tell me,” Roxanne pleads softly, coming up to him with her hands coming to his shoulders. “He’s your friend.”

“He—he said why should I come there when I’ve clearly made myself at home with you.”

“He what!?“ Her temper flared to life. "Now that’s just uncalled for! He needs to understand you can make relationships that don’t involve him.”

One of his brows quirk up. “What do you mean?”

“The way I see it is he’s jealous.”

“Jealous?” He laughs like it’s absurd. “Of what?”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you two have been close for a very long time with no outsiders to share the other with.” She crosses her arms. “You’ve found a friend in me and he’s having none of it.”

He hums. “I admit that sounds like a reasonable answer, but I’ve told you earlier. I have contacts. Sometimes I have to socialize, though rare as it is, and he has no problem with that. In fact, he sometimes encourages it! He encouraged me to befriend the other children in the brief time we were at shool. He just—“ he tilts his head, frowning in thought. “I think he’s afraid. For my sake. He says the bad guy doesn’t get the girl.”

She gasps. “What?” Briefly, she begins to conjure up dark thoughts, that perhaps it wasn’t Megamind complete decision to be the super villain he made himself to be. That maybe a little voice sat in the back of his head to encourage his ‘evilness’. But that couldn’t be; Minion was sweeter to her than Megamind, most of the time. Tables had turned as of late, but—the alien fish liked to offer her things to drink and always handled her carefully during her kidnappings.

Megamind shrugs, throwing his hands up. “I don’t know what’s his problem. I’m not a kid anymore; I should be able to make decisions on my own without the world telling me what I should be doing.”

Her heart skipped a beat at how mature and healthy that sounded. She actually wanted to tear up at how proud she was, and the feeling was very strong and sudden. “Of course…”

“Enough sadness. You need to smile after that horrible red-haired mahn tried to defile your honor! Now, Miss Ritchi,” he twists the face of his watch and his image shimmers until she’s looking into a Megamind-like human face. “I believe we have a date in shoop-ing!”

#loving the alien #prompt fill #megamind #megamind x roxanne #roxanne ritchi #megarox #part 16

[poeticandvaguelysweet]

Prompt #180 - Charlie and Daddy’s Tattoos

@mrsquill : When Owen's tucking Charlie into bed one night; she asks about his scars, and/or tattoos. (Bonus: he gets totally soppy about her mom, and: yeah, you guessed it. Claire's in the hallway, listening to the whole thing).

3.5 weeks until my thesis is due to be submitted. Get excited all. I can finally play video games and binge watch guilt free (which is never fun). Read: more ways to avoid all the fics I haven’t finished. 

This is an extremely early birthday present for Amelia. There should hopefully be heaps more to come!

AO3 - Charlie and Elliot index 

— The girls were in bed. Elliot asleep in her own room rather than snuggled between their sheets as Charlie finally slipped into dreamland after three books. Claire was in the ensuite dressed in a red lacy number Owen was sure he hadn’t seen since before they conceived Elliot. She had surprised him, albeit caught a little off guard when he returned from Charlie’s room faster than Claire anticipated, her husband's large hands sliding up her legs as he peppered kisses between her shoulder blades.

She was already purring at his touch, Owen growling against her neck the two of them ready for what their silent night was promising. He didn’t want to admit that the baby monitor was on, sitting next to their bed on the side table or that he promised Charlie — like he did every night — that he was only down the hall if he needed. They, as adult parents of two children under six, just hoped no one would interrupt them.

Claire was putty in his hands, sweet and gentle, innocently thinking they had hours to devour the other while their children slept. It was the lingerie that made his heart race and his hands move with a purpose. Owen loved it, the sight and feel of his wife in intricate little pieces reserved for his eyes only. But, he always felt a rush, a surge under his finger tips and in his loins to bury himself as deep as he could within her.

Claire grinned like the Cheshire cat in the bathroom mirror, her eyes meeting his in the glass as he bit down on her shoulder. Her hand was gentle in his hair, tender, sweet and comforting; the exact same move she used on their children as a soft reassurance. She was a minx, a tease, the love of his life.

‘Daddy?’ He felt his heart sink, Charlie’s voice reaching out to them beyond her body as she stood out of sight. He kissed his wife’s neck mournfully as he pulled away from her, tugging his shirt over his head as he tossed it in her direction. It was playful mood, a promise that he would be back. She caught it, winking as she turned back to the basin and whatever it was she had been doing before he walked in on her.

‘I thought you were supposed to be sleeping?’ He met his daughter in the open space of the master suite, doors wide open when he was sure he had only left one ajar. At six, Charlie knew she couldn’t just burst into their space — not that it stopped her — but she knew to stop a few steps beyond the doors and call out before letting herself in. She had done as much this night, playing with the large double doors that belonged to her parent's bedroom in her wait.

Charlie nodded, yes, she was supposed to be asleep. Long gone to the world of the living until the sun rose to tickle her cheeks. ‘I’m thirsty.’ She told him with wide green eyes, batting her lashes as Owen sighed. He scooped her up, two hands onto one arm as the girl laid her head upon his shoulder.

He didn’t put her down on the counter when they reached the kitchen. Instead, Owen kept Charlie on his hip, handing the girl a teal plastic cup from Claire’s rainbow collection of kid appropriate drink and dinner wear. She sipped her water slowly, almost slurping it right next to his ear until she was done. Charlie handed the cup back wordlessly, her eyes tired in the metallic light of the kitchen long after the sun had set.

‘All ready to sleep now?’ He asked, brushing the red hair out of Charlie’s face as the girl nodded. She was exhausted, her body heavy in his arms as her head barely moved from his shoulder. He didn’t know why she fought it so much, refusing to let her eyes close for the well-needed rest her body deserved. They tried to explain this to her, Owen and Claire, talking about the complexities of sleep helping the body rejuvenate itself. Charlie listened, the best she could, she took their words on board, but there were still nights she didn’t want to close her eyes. Owen could respect that. He didn’t want to sleep sometimes, be it nightmares or an admiration growing so strong in his chest he rather miss sleep than losing time watching his babies snooze.

Charlie was tucked easily between sky blue sheets and her navy gingham duvet, her hair falling to her pillow before her head as she wrapped her arms tightly around Owen’s neck. ‘C’mon, baby, time for bed.’ He eased her grip from him, breaking his heart as he did so. He knew she was only going to sleep, that he wasn’t leaving her, but the feeling was there regardless.

‘What’s that?’ Charlie asked, little fingers poking at the snake that ran up his arm and over his shoulder. She hadn’t tried this game before. He explained the tattoo to the girl easily, black and white swirling in scales as the creature twisted and turned against his muscles. It was ironic how much it resembled his Raptors. At the time, they were nowhere near a thought in his mind, the ink on his skin marking the first stint in a private squadron. Now, the reptile with it’s broad and flat head stood as a reminder of the creatures he lost. ‘What about that one?’ Her fingers poked at his ribs.

‘They’re called roman numerals.’ He explained, promising the girl he would teach her in the morning.

‘What’s it for?’ She asked, not letting him leave. Owen sighed heavily, dropping his weight back onto her bed as he gave her leg a squeeze.

‘Its for your birthday, the lines are very old numbers. 17.’ He pointed to the first four symbols, XVII, a finger sliding down to the identical one below it. ‘9. For September.’ His finger slid back up to the second lot; IX. ‘2016.’ The last five figures; MMXVI. It sat in thick lines, horizontally resting across his ribs. It was neat, standing a few inches high on each set, stark against his skin holding as a subtle reminder of the mark his daughters had on his life. He needed a memento only weeks after Charlie was born, something that promised her to him forever no matter what happened. Elliot followed on habit as would any child that came after. Charlie hummed quietly, the same sleepy sound she always made just before she gave in to her eyes closing.

‘This one?’ She asked, small hand squeezing his forearm right where his bicep met. The tattoo there was small, covered by her hand in the moonlight. It was an insignificant mark on his skin, nothing that held meaning beyond his military experience.

‘That’s my blood type.’ AB+ tattooed right below the inside of his left elbow. It was an identification marker, in case anything happened and the rest of him was unidentifiable. Claire had asked once if that been the point of the military issued dog tags Owen had in the bedside table. He had kept one tag around his neck in the Marines and a second on his boot laces until he was sent on a Special Operations mission that held potential capture risk. Owen’s superiors didn’t want his men to be identifiable to the enemy. Once home, Owen kept the tags in his sock drawer, never in need of them until Charlie found them while helping her Nana put the laundry away. He gave her the one he wore around his neck, the tag on a smaller chain remained in the bedside dresser for Claire whether she wanted to admit it was needed or not. When he rejoined a year ago, Owen clumsily admitted he lost the items he had been told to guard.

‘Why?’ She asked, eyes closed, head turned away from him.

Owen shrugged, he wasn’t going to tell her the truth. Not when she was fighting sleep. ‘It’s something grown-ups do.’

‘Mama doesn’t have one.’ She squeezed his arm again. She was right. She didn’t argue with him further. Instead, her little hand tapped his bare chest right over his heart. A compass. That had been there almost as long as Charlie’s birthdate. He couldn’t remember what came first. Charlie or Claire. The idea had indeed circumvented in his mind beforehand, but he was somewhat sure the tattoo came after Charlie’s.

‘That one’s a compass, it's for your mom.’ He told her quietly, hand brushing over her cheek, thumb stroking against the freckles on her nose. He heard her quiet ‘How?’ as he checked the time on his watch, knowing he’d been with the girl for thirty minutes and her bedtime had been two hours ago.

Slumping further against Charlie’s mattress, Owen made himself comfortable. ‘It’s for your Mom because she’s my waypoint. My way home. She’s North on every compass no matter where I am. Y’know, kiddo, when I first saw your mom I was fiddling with a compass. I had this real old one my dad gave me before I enlisted. I’d lost it for a bit and just gotten it back. It was broken, had been broken for a little while. I was trying to fix it when she walked past. The last piece went in place, the compass pointed north, and when I looked up your Mom was standing outside my office watching me. She smiled that day. Actually smiled, that same smile she does when you tell her you love her.’ Charlie nodded in understanding. Dozing against his broad hand. ‘You find North, Charlie, and you’ll always find home.’ Maybe he was incorporating a little Peter Pan into his sleepy daughter’s lessons, but there was no promising she would remember any of it in the morning. Confident she was losing her grip on wakefulness, Owen leant down to kiss his daughter’s cheek, whispering good night against her ear as he readied himself to part her bedroom.

Charlie surprised him like she learnt from her mother; keeping him on his toes. Her small hands grabbed his cheeks, fingers running over his stubble as her right hand fiddled with something on his cheek. ‘What happened to your face, Daddy?’ It was the smallest of physical flaws on his body, a collection of light scars on his left cheek. He was sure he had explained it to her before, a little before he left enough to let it be an issue of her concern. She liked feeling his rough skin, shrapnel cutting into his face and leaving chunky silver marks on his face, one cutting into the stubble on his jaw leaving a bare patch.

Owen shook his head, ‘You’ve had enough stories tonight, kiddo.’ He kissed her cheek again, pulling away as his large hands squeezed her wrists softly. Charlie didn’t fight him, sleep making her agreeable as she smacked her lips and settled deeper into the comfort of her bed.

He hesitated at her bedroom door, waiting for a beat to see if the girl would change her mind and call out for him. She didn’t. Her body still beneath her blankets as he slipped out of the room and closed her door over. It was still a habit Owen was developing, learning to stop a second time as he waited by the door of Elliot’s nursery listening for any cries in her sleep before he concluded that both girls were finally out for the night.

Returning to his bedroom, tired but eager to see his wife and her red number again, Owen found the space dimly lit. The bathroom light was still on, everything else off as Owen sought his wife out in the quiet room. She was as he expected; curled on her side in the middle of their bed, wearing the t-shirt he threw at her earlier. The fabric was bunched around her thigh, still giving him a sneak peek at the lingerie she wore and the perfect round curve of her ass. Clearly, Claire had been too tired to wait up. He couldn’t help the smile despite his sinking disappointment. He loved them. Life surprising Owen more than he realised in his daughters and his wife.

He brushed his teeth quickly, flicking off the bathroom light as he tucked his wife beneath the duvet and curled himself in next to her. There would always be another night, where Charlie would go down without a fight and Elliot wouldn’t insist on sleeping in their bed with her big green eyes of persuasion.

Charlie hadn’t reached every tattoo and scar on his body, but the ones she chose to question that night warmed his soul just as much as she did. Filling his life like the ink on his skin His family; his daughters, his wife. Owen had never been one to consider himself lucky. Curled around his wife, daughters peacefully sleeping in their own beds, he couldn’t help but think himself the luckiest man alive.

#clawen #jurassic world #despite the odds #Claire Dearing #Owen Grady #Charlie Grady #Elliot Grady #Charlie and Elliot #claire x owen #owen x claire

[autumnpawtribe]

Complications Part 1

Vol'raka was sitting with Tarja, Zakin and Aret, the Zandalari beauty reading to their daughter.  It was a story about a little boy that wanted to be a shadow hunter, and his adventures to find someone to teach him.  Zakin was listening aptly, the four year old enamored by his uncle and "cousin".  The pale skinned, slightly more than fuzzy boy was laying on his belly, arms propped up on the floor and holding his head up to listen.  Tarja was laying on a blanket next to him, getting time on her stomach and learning to hold her head up and gain her strength.  Vol was proud of his daughter and how fast she was growing.  She already had an attitude and fire in her belly that came with it.  He smiled as he went back to balancing his books, them working on his breeding stock, planning a new generation of riding raptors that he sold for a mint.

The renovations to the house, even with haggling, cost a bit.  Vol didn't eat into his profits however.  He did cash in a few 'loans', but nothing terrible.  People owed him money, so he sought it back.  Nature of business.   He'd gone from bounty Hunter to business man in a year, using that shrewd hunting ability and knowledge of raptor genetics to make a killing.  He didn't just let his farm hands take the reins and while he spent a bit of time away, it was only usually for the day and he was always home for supper.

Xiao and Naddja were to cook that night, simple Pandaren fare.  He'd cook breakfast before he trained with his mates, knowing he needed to keep this skills sharp as a blade for what he would need to do in the coming days.

Naddja had come back from Halfhill earlier than expected, groceries filling her goat cart.  She was happier with her life, even if she had a guard every time she left the grounds.  She was under Vol's care and protection.  He took that seriously and that meant someone was with her on her weekly trip for supplies.  A friend of Vol's from his bounty hunting days was keeping an eye on Mala'ket and Jansevet, both looking for the missing siblings.  Vol would take care of that pesky problem later.  For now, she was content as the rest, her stress level gone down with the peace, and her belly growing with the child they had to make sure Mala'ket never knew of.  It was another daughter.  Naddja planned on keeping this child and not telling the sire, ever.  Vol didn't agree with that, but he didn't agree with the whole situation either.

Zakin heard the goat cart and stood up, running out he door where farm hands were unloading feed, groceries, cloth and other supplies from Halfhill.  He ran to his mother's arms, talking her ear off about the story his uncle had told him, the Zandalari woman smiling as she picked him up.  "You had a good day.  Is your Uncle Vol'raka around?."

"He is in his office.  He balances the books today." Aret came out with Tarja on his shoulder, the little girl babbling and wiggling her toes.   She had added this to her repertoire in the last few days and it had been her newest favorite activity.  "I hope carrots were on the list?"

"Plenty of carrots.  When it is your turn for dinner, Mon'dazi?". She smiled at her brother and put down Zakin who saw a new Pandaren friend of his and went to play.  "He in a good mood?  I want to speak with him, about things."

Aret turned to look into the house.  "Seems so.  The talk we talked about?". She nodded.  Aret sighed, looking to his sister.  "There is chocolate in the kitchen in a green jar.  Take a few pieces as a peace offering.  It contains...  Something he likes."

"What...". Naddja looked confused. She'd seen the jar but was told to stay out of it.

"It's laced with his shaman's herbs.  He knows it and it might make him amicable?"

"You know I can hear you two, right?". Vol walked down the stairs and smiled.  "We'll talk, but no chocolate, sweetheart."  He stood behind Aret, kissed his neck, made the Prelate shiver before he kissed their daughter.  "We'll go for a ride, Naddja.  Come."

"Dinner is soon...". Aret was confused, but quieted.  He pressed his head forward and kissed Vol's chin in submission.

Vol kissed Janaret’s lips softly, clicking tusks as he tugged on the Prelate's braid.  This was their way, submission in softness, gentleness.  Aret wouldn't go against him, but he was allowed a mind of his own.  Vol used a knuckle to raise the Zandalari's chin, whispering his love against his lips.  "Not upset, sweetheart, and we'll be home for dinner.  We have a few hours and a fence that might need mending.". He kissed Aret again.  "Ask Xiao for egg rolls and fried rice too?  We'll be back soon. Naddja, I know you prefer the raptor form, but I'll loan you a raptor.".

She nodded, following the big Darkspear out to the stable.  Vol saddled Uba, his elderly white raptor while Naddja was given a raptor he called Disi.  They said nothing for a while as they rode out along the fence, Naddja looking at the fields.  "Have you had this all since... Before.."

"No, I hunted people for my gold.  Most of this is thanks to Xiao, half is his.  Aret will have a stake, as will Tarja."

Naddja nodded, looking over at the tallest of the trolls that She had seen, anywhere really.  He looked like Mala'ket, who was not quite as tall as her brother, but the thick green mane, the blue skin, all but the eyes.  Their daughter, well the child she birthed, had gotten those eyes, the shape different, more round and big, bright and curious than her sire's almond, but that same unusually bright amber shining in both eyes.  The little girl had inherited the grass green, and sun gold, but Naddja had seen the blue that also graced what little hair Tarja had.  It was one of the few things she had given her, her mother's hair having the same strands of sapphire in her greying hair.  She thought she had picked well when she sought out Vol'raka.  She didn't know his preference for men when he was drugged, asleep and on his back.  He was hard, she was a druid and the deed was done.  She blushed with guilt at the memory.  She felt terrible after the fact, still did.

He had not forgiven her, but yet he was kind enough to protect her from the troll who was hurting her.  He was good enough to take in a child he did not want, yet loved anyway.  She saw that in his eyes when he danced around the kitchen with her.  When He spent time with Xiao and Aret and Tarja as a little family, walking through the mango trees, or cooking, or when they put her to bed at night.  She knew he hurt him, yet he still did good thing for her and her son.  Her mind shamed her, even if she was made to do what she did.

"How old were you with Zakin.  You are younger than Janaret.  The boy is around four years."  Vol broke the silence as they moved along the fence, a cracked post in the far distance, Pandaren and human workers moving the yaks from that pasture to another as they slowly approached.

"Fifteen."

"This Mala'ket is not his father, obviously.  Did you do the same to his f..."

"I LOVED his father!"  Naddja snapped at him before shrinking back.  He made no move to warn her, but listened, raising an eyebrow.  "... past tense.  I don't know where he is.  He was Frostmane, visiting Dazar’alor.  Most are exiled, but he came with a group of Gurubashi.  He.."  She stopped, looking forward over her mount's nose.  "You don't care."

"I might.  I am listening.  I could have told you to go fuck yourself.  I came out here to listen.  No Xiao, no Aret.  If we are going to live under the same roof, we'd better talk at some point.  So.. you loved him, frostie ass was in Zandalar, which I would bet he was a slave.  So you don't know where he is because of that."

"I knew where he was.  When.. I had Zakin, he was there.  We were planning to run, with the help of a sympathetic relative of mine.  My father returned from his work with General Jakrazet before we were able to leave.  He had been gone nearly a year.  Sirak was sent away, violently, and I was quickly married off to Mala'ket and my son sent away.  Mala'ket sent his last wife off to Vol'dun for infertility.  She was not the infertile one."

"And you don't just fuck off out of his life... why?"  Vol stopped in the path, pulling Uba up and looking Naddja dead in the eye.  Disi was a taller raptor, making the smaller woman at his eye level.  Amber eyes stared at the blue that one of his lovers shared.  "You had the balls to drug me, in front of another druid no less, and do what you did, but you didn't just leave him."  Vol's tone was accusatory, still hurt over the deception.  "Fuck, you could have just slept with Jura.  He's taken far more than one woman to his bed.  Instead of pulling the shit you have, Naddja."  The hunter growled, but took a deep breath to calm himself.  "And now you are going to let another one go without knowing he has fathered a child, same as you would have to me.  If it were not for the fact that you had a tiny bit of fucking compassion and loa-damned sense, my daughter would have been DEAD as soon as he figured out that 'huh, that's a Darkspear-born, NOT Zandalari.  Apparently I look like this fuck, but Darkspear look a bit fuckin' different than a Zandalari, Naddja Raptari.  And I have more fucking compassion than is fuckin' good for me to take you in.  Fortunately for you, I will not let the one who gave birth to my child..."

"Our.."

There was a deep growl of warning then before he shoved a long finger into her face.  "MY Daughter.  Xiao's, Aret's daughter.  NOT yours.  you gave birth to her, that is it.  Last Warning.  Never refer to her as ANYTHING more than your niece again.  I am not a cruel asshole, but I will not tolerate it again.  Understood?  I want to keep this conversation a bit civil, but it will cease to be if you speak it again.  Get it out of your head now.  I want to hear it.  Your lips to my words, on the threat of the wrath of both our Loa.  Say it."

Naddja backed up, shrinking back and this time, he didn't give two shits.  She lowered her head, whispering.  "Not..."

"So you can be heard."  Aret and Xiao would know that tone and the power behind it.  "Loud and Fucking clear."

"Tarja is not my daughter.  She is yours."

"Good.  Now.  You are going to explain to me WHY you haven't left this soft cocked asshole that I am apparently going to have to deal with and you will tell me EVERY weakness, and all of his business.  If you don't, I can't keep you, your son, or my daughter and future children safe from these two fuckwits.  I have a very real worry that they could come lookin' and actually be able to find this place.  So out with it.  Start with the whys."

"Why..."

Naddja sighed, looking down and not making eye contact with the Darkspear.  Blue eyes stared into the ground, unwilling to look up at all at the hunter.  Her skin turned to a pale lavender, not rivaling her brother's coloring.  The hunter smelled the guilt and sorrow.  She was not going to ante up what Vol wanted and needed to know.  He knew better than to chase a cowering animal.  This was not for food and he didn't need the sport of antagonizing someone who'd had enough pain lately.  He still had that stupid bit of compassion for others that were hurt, even if they hurt him.

Vol'raka sighed and shook his head, green braid swinging behind him and nudged Uba with his heals.  "Keep up!"  He was agitated and a good run, even if it was on an ancient beast, helped clear his mind.  The raptari got to see the Darkspear in one of his elements, on the back of the animals he had raised for the last ten years.  Clad in leather pants and a short sleeved cloth shirt, the raptor tender rode bareback with his knees holding on the ribcage of the once-golden, now pale white raptor as he raced down the side of the fence.  Vol was leaned over the raptor's neck, encouraging the old female to run as fast as she could.  He had his loves, responsibilities, cares in the world, but she could tell that this was one of his freedoms away from the world.

Naddja and Vol had not spoken much in the last few weeks, avoiding each other unless it was for the meal that the family had together.  She remembered that baby face she had 'helped' get drunk nearly a year ago, and he'd aged a bit.  Two mates that he loved beyond all things, the daughter he never planned for yet doted on and adored, and now taking in more to his life.  He watched him as he woke early to care for his flock and farm, spend the day doing what needed done.  She heard the soft cries of pleasure in the night as two, sometimes three came together in love.  He kept up what he needed to do, working hard in the days, loving and spending time with his family in the evenings.  Sometimes he was asleep far before others in the house, but he was busting his ass, and she acknowledged that.  She didn't need to speak to him to observe him, to sense the stresses in his life.  Yet she could tell, as much as he loved what he had, on the back of a raptor, he ran free for a little while.

Naddja kicked her own raptor forward, the animal bigger than her own raptor form and slower, but the raptari able to ride almost as well.  It took a few minutes to catch up, but they were within a few yards of each other when they came to the place where the fence was broken.  Vol said nothing to her as he got down with the one she recognized as his right hand, Jung, and discussed what happened.  They spoke in Orcish, thick accents not getting in the way as troll and pandaren inspected the fence where they believed a young yak ran headlong into the post.  It was not a large break, but they made plans on the repair before setting to work in silence.  She hopped down from Disi's back and shifted, her own raptor form letting her blend in with the flock on the other side of the lane.  She'd done this before with the flock, finding that they trusted her, animals did usually trust druids, and they welcomed both her, Disi and Uba quietly and with no fuss.  She spent the hour that it took for them to repair the break just wandering in with the flock of females, playing with hatchlings and chasing critters around the enclosure.

"Naddja."

The raptari looked up to see nine feet of Darkspear walking through his flock to where she was tearing up a large brown tanuki, half of its fur gone as she shared it with hatchlings.  "I'm sorry I snapped.  I'm sorry that I demanded."  The Darkspear was not tucking his tail between his legs, but he was calming down to where he was not as irritable.  "Let's finish that ride?  I don't think you can talk in that form, so when you are ready."

Vol wandered back to the fence, scratching a few of the females he kept under the chin as they approached, the big male that guarded them headbutting the raptor tender gently.  The dark green and black colored male had a scar across his belly, obviously nearly gutted.  Aret had told her the story of a raptor that the hunter had saved from death, the animal now a loyal and protective hunting partner.  She reached out to the big male, who looked at her as she communicated with the hunting animal, the raptor only saying quietly that he'd been saved from death, he had no reason to fight the troll anymore.

The big beast of a raptor wandered over to where Vol stood, headbutting the troll in the shoulder and rubbing his jowl on the hunter's head.  It looked almost like a cat rubbing on his owner, making the raptor tender laugh as he gave a good scratch on the animal's chest.  One hand giving the raptor a scratch and the other patting his shoulder, the animal whistled happily and Naddja could see the connection between Master and pet.  It made her smile when troll and raptor ran around, the beast chasing the hunter and then turning around and running from the hunter.  The members of Vol's flock that were paying attention began playing the game as well. the troll eventually chasing a few hatchings and picking them up and then encouraging them to chase him.  None of the animals got aggressive, nor did the troll get sliced or bit as he played with some very dangerous animals.

About 20 minutes after he started his game with the green and black male, Vol gave final treats and pats, wandering to Uba, taking her by the bridle.  He sat tall on the back of his mount, smiling at Naddja, who shifted and silently hopped back up on her saddled raptor.  "There is a waterfall, few miles.  Good slow ride, then back and we should be home for dinner?"

She nodded, following the hunter and letting the two raptors plod along down the path.  It was quiet for a while, Vol keeping his gaze forward, and Naddja silent.  She finally broke the silence and whispered, loud enough that troll ears could hear, almost sighing painfully as she spoke.

"Aret is the oldest, Then me, and our younger sister Nielka.  Our Mother, Pahre, tried to protect us.  Our father is not a nice mon, very traditional.  Daughters, women are property in his eyes.  Janaret would be the golden child, but Father treated him just as badly.  Arie was brainwashed.  I.. I think Father assumes something is different about him.  I don't think he really knows he likes other males.  He had him pretty well indoctrinated.  Almost at least.  Mother worked hard when father was away with General Jizz-stain and exiling anyone who was determined to not be fit to stay in Zul'dazar.  He'd send Janaret to the same if he knew.  Arie is a good guard, a well schooled Prelate for Rezan..  even if Rezan is dead now.  It wouldn't matter because then father would marry him off to some girl for politcal gain.   That is what happened to me.  They didn't even wait until I was of age.  I was married to Mala'ket at sixteen, as soon as they could get rid of Zakin, they did, and Aket wanted his own children.  I know father knows that Aket can't father children, but Aket is an acolyte in Zanchul and has clout.  When they sent me out to find.. well.. you...  I was covered in bruises for telling them no.  They gave me the potion, said find someone close and ... well."  She sighed, leaning forward, Disi grunting at the balance change, but ignoring it.

"They have a girl for Arie to marry too, named Javinda.  She's stupid.  The shit your people shovel in the stables has more of an intellect than this girl.  Her family serves the Zanchuli council and she's pretty.  That's her qualification for being Aret's wife-to-be.  And I don't think he knows yet.  And they are looking for a mate for Nienie.  She's barely twelve.  There is no love in my marriage to Mala'ket.  This child will never know her father because it's Aket's cousin.   I cannot take the chance.  Don't judge me for it.  Aket would have STARVED Tarja to death.  Not made it quick.. painless.  He would have put her in a box and let her cry herself to DEATH because she was even an inkling of Darkspear, or Amani.  I smell just as well as you do.  You have Zandalarii blood, but you are Darkspear and that makes her lesser to him.  He could not have that.  I did the same to his cousin, because they look nearly alike, but I fear Venko would let it slip.  Mala'ket lives, and Venko never meets his child."

She covered her face, trying to hide tears that he could smell, but he had the good grace to not say anything.  "Aket thinks I birthed her and smashed her head with a rock.  I.. I couldn't do it.  She is not my daughter..  Yet I love her, I would have loved her and protected her because at one point.. she was."

Vol stopped, grabbing Disi by the bridle and stopping the raptor, bringing her and her rider closer.  "You did protect her.  She can no longer be your daughter, but she can be your niece.  You protected her from death.  You brought her to safety.  I don't like the reasons, nor the means Naddja, but you acted as a mother and protected a baby.  She is safe, with three fathers who will kill for her.  She is in no danger from anything with us.  It hurts me to know what has been done has been done again, and I mean to stop this whole shit show.  Aret will not be marrying anyone but me and Xiao in the next few months.  Your sister should not be marrying anyone at her age.  You all three should be happy."

The hunter pondered, letting Disi go and the raptor dancing a bit as Vol patted Naddja's knee.  "Where is your mother in all of this?"